Steely Deal

The Grand Mademoiselle loves a good sale, but this one absolutely outshines all the rest. The lovely ladies at Barefoot Tess have offered the Grand M's readers an outstanding deal: until March 1st, take 50% off anything and everything in stock by entering the code GRANDM50 at online checkout. What's more, orders over $100 qualify for free shipping by selecting "Pick Up" as a preferred shipping method. One caveat: the discount doesn't apply to items specifically marked as not eligible for discount codes, but with so many options available, you'll have no trouble finding gobs of goodies to load up on. At the moment, the Grand M is feeling particularly inspired by metals, industrial textures and materials, and that lustrous shine imparted by all things silver and gold. With this motif in mind, there are items aplenty at Barefoot Tess to choose from. Here are the Grand M's personal favorites: the Delman 'Zetta' wedge is a fantastically low-heeled classic D'orsay, made unique by the twists and turns of its metallic leather vamp and stitching. The distinctive woven pattern is reminiscent of the unexpected beauty found in a tangle of pipes across a bare ceiling, planned with a purpose but artfully wild and heavy. The Grand M has always taken a singular joy in finding pleasantly familiar shapes within a snarl of metalwork, and with that in mind she could slip on these gorgeous wedges and stare at her toes for hours ... Another of the Grand M's favorites is the 'Owen' flat by Tashkent. The relatively new brand, founded in 2006 by Cheyenne Morris formerly of Delman, reflects a level of sophistication and an intuition for good design that will leave an indelible mark on the shoe industry for years to come (especially if the Grand M has anything to do with it). This remarkable flat features a surprising metal plate affixed to the toe that makes the Grand M imagine herself sleuthing about a darkened basement in search of an elusive fuse box with a steel frame that needs to be unscrewed before the lights can be restored. The washed linen upper is adorned with a chic suede binding and what really makes these flats so inspiring is the unabashedly avant-garde mix of ballet softness, industrial accents, and bohemian fabrics. Pair your Tashkent flats with a chic headband from Renee Riviera, made of thinly twisted two-tone wire wrapped tightly around a snug frame. Riviera's 'Wire Headband' is a masterpiece, recalling the unusual elegance of an unruly thicket of multi-colored wires protruding ominously from an open electrical outlet. Truly, the Grand M finds beauty in even the strangest and most mundane of places, and it always helps to keep an eye out for those things which we normally pass without another thought. Surely, no one will fail to notice any of these gorgeous pieces, and at 50% off, the Grand M is going to take great joy in spreading her message of noticing the little things ...

It's A Man's World

Happy Valentine’s Day! As an homage to this day celebrating love and romance, the Grand Mademoiselle has decided to depart from the typical and stake out a new conception of the relationship between the sexes and the impact of St. Valentine on style. Forget lingerie, lacy pink pillows, red hearts, and boxes of gooey Godiva’s. If Valentine’s Day is all about idealized, overwrought expressions of emotion for the opposite sex, let’s do it right my dear Grand M’s by using this day to point sweet Cupid’s arrow in a new direction. It has been argued that both sexes retain qualities of the other, such that we find the feminine in the masculine and vice versa. The Grand M proposes that this intermingling of aspects should serve as our guide in celebrating Valentine’s Day. The Grand M will use this day to explore the masculine within, paradoxically unveiling the most feminine via the seductive allure of manly attire. Bid adieu to rosy red pajamas and say hello to the dominating, dynamic force of black satin and the appeal of a well-cut tuxedo jacket. McQueen’s less pricey McQ collection has the perfect one, made of black stretch wool with a surprising rubberized trim, curved lapels, and a single button fastening. You won’t be just another stiff in a suit in this jacket, and the feminine contours, nipped waist, and print lining make this take on the tuxedo the ideal solution to pulling off the dominatrix inspired look behind this Valentine’s Day. Why seduce him with candy and frills when you can boldly strut into the room, hands on hips, chin held high in this gorgeous jacket? The best way to keep the masculine edge to a minimum is by pairing the tuxedo jacket with a devilishly skinny black satin pant that glorifies your magnificently feminine shape. Don Alice + Olivia’s satin trousers, with their curve-hugging straight leg and light-reflective sheen and he’ll have no doubt that you are every bit the woman who knows what she wants. If St. Valentine’s Day 2008 is all about showing him just how female you really are through masculine dressing, slip into a pair of Delman Beila’s and you’ll have him drooling in two seconds flat (perhaps partly out of fear, but this is not necessarily a bad thing). The sky-high heel and blindingly black patent leather, offset by a tiny buckle across the toe, makes the Beila at once Cupid’s nightmare and your greatest asset. The Grand M firmly believes that a man is more successfully enticed by a great pair of heels than a mushy love letter sealed with red lipstick kisses. The Beila is real love, and will get your point across more clearly than any Hallmark creation. To avoid looking tacky, skip the tilted black fedora and opt for a delicately industrial headband, such as Colette Malouf’s metal mesh wave accessory. The silver metal strands are uncontrived and rich in shapely abandonment, forming gauzy wings that will nestle in your locks like a halo. After all, you aren’t a man, and even the most masculine attire requires a dash of subtlety. The Grand M promises you that this will be a Valentine's Day to remember...

Taming The Logo

Curbing the temptation to purchase expensive designer duds emblazoned with fashionably recognizable logos is a Sisyphean challenge. From Louis Vuitton's eponymous luggage to the unmistakable interlocking Chanel C's, designers are absolutely giddy about marking their territory and creating timeless, internationally identifiable trademarks. Generally, the Grand Mademoiselle finds blatant style advertising garish and unconvincing, preferring to let good designs and tasteful patterns speak for themselves. However, like every proper rule, there are always grand exceptions, and it's possible to pull off the logo-look without becoming a walking billboard. The best way to wear a designer name is to choose only one piece, preferably an accessory, and to keep the look fresh, spunky, and eclectic. Mix fabrics, colors, seasons, and shapes to create a demure take on the uptown-bohemian trend to avoid appearing stale. Logos and designer trademarks have an awful tendency to make the wearer seem anything but fashion-forward, so mix it up to breathe invigorating air into a possibly dated ensemble. The Grand M's favorite pick for putting her foot in the fashion logo door is the adorable Word ballet flat by Delman. The supple black leather quilted upper perfectly offsets the appealing scribble across the toe, and the logo is quietly chic and surprisingly unobtrusive, adding just the right touch with a playful font and bright white hue. To keep the Word from being too pushy, wear a modest pair of dark rinse skinny jeans, such as True Religion's Johnny Straight Leg Stretch jean. With five pockets, that gorgeous signature contrast horseshoe stitching, slight whiskering, and subtle distressing, these jeans are the perfect compliment to the Delman flat, tempering the boldness of its bright white logo. Throw a wrench in the system and pair your casual jeans and logo flats with an urban, uptown, sophisticated jacket in day-glo white. The Galya jacket from Calvin Klein is a gorgeous cotton blend with an unexpected waffle print, replete with hook and eye fastenings that adorn the cuffs and front bib. The Galya's cotton weave keeps it casual enough to pair with jeans, but the scoop neck and seductive front closure impart a much needed twist to an otherwise predictable getup. Plus, the Grand M simply loves how it matches the Word's white logo without being too contrived. In a perfect world, the Grand M would tote one of the newest over-sized clutches from Fendi's Spring 2008 collection, but alas, such remains idle fantasy. The dreamy patterns and rainbow colors make the Grand M swoon with pleasure, and the prints are old-fashioned yet refreshingly inspired. With nary a logo to be found, Fendi's luscious bags are the perfect antidote to designer overkill. Even if you aren't among the lucky few to nab one, be inspired by the bold mix of colors and shapes, which complete the look and bring a delightful flood of modern mania to a simple style. Take the Grand M's advice: don't wear more than one logo at a time, pair seemingly mismatching separates, mix casual with dressy, and never ever carry a bag that matches your shoes when donning designer names.