Fri, March 21, 2008 10:05AM PDT

As Thick As Thieves (But Better Looking)

CRYSTAL BALL

Owner of Heist boutique Nilou Ghoudsi cops to a few of her summer and fall faves.

DC: You love _________ so much you would marry them.
NG: This season Isabel Marant's coats make me weak at the knees.

DC: Summer lovin'?
NG: MM6 cotton halter tank dress in bright Mediterranean blue. It makes me feel like I'm in St Tropez.

DC: The quality you most admire in a pair of jeans?
NG: They have to give good bum. The darted back pockets on James jeans are an amazingly subtle but genius detail.

DC: The most virtuous accessory for fall?
NG: Sofia Loren, Sarah Jessica Parker, and European women in general.

www.shopheist.com

Sun, March 16, 2008 6:39PM PDT

You Wear It Well

CRYSTAL BALL

Amanda Kain, vintage expert and designer behind break-out T-shirt line Kain Label, tips us off to what she's thrifting for right now.

Spandex Dresses
I'm on the hunt for vintage spandex mini dresses that have a punk edge to them: fishnet detailing, cutouts, or studs. Pulling off the look is all about attitude. Carry a snakeskin clutch, wear simple makeup, and you're ready for the gallery opening or a dive bar.

Curious Jewelry
Tiger and snake rings, because they're funky without being garish. Girly and delicate mini perfume bottle and magnifying glass necklaces. And statement-making punk pieces, a little bit of silver studding and leather goes a long way.

Elaborate Embroidery
Beautiful, colorful embroidery is always a conversation piece. When shopping for tops and dresses, I check the work carefully as there can be a lot of wear and tear. I'm always excited when I find something that's been well-preserved.

www.kainlabel.com

Sun, March 16, 2008 3:49PM PDT

Curious Creatures

CRYSTAL BALL

"Most days, I look like I fell asleep in my grandfather's closet and woke up in the library," says Jade Lai, owner of Creatures of Comfort. Perhaps she's in a fashion trance.

Try it her way this fall:

"Styling for fall is all over the place, kind of like a time traveler's world. Very Blade Runner-esque, futuristic, with references to iconic '40s silhouettes. Like small waists and defined shoulders and neckline."

"Minimalism is back with a focus on tailored construction, as well as new draping techniques with knits and jerseys. Prints will be important, as well as hand-dyed, bleach treatments (tie-dye, dip-dye, bleach out)."

"You must have a pair of relaxed-fit, pleated, tapered pants; ankle booties with a sensible heel; a well-draped top; a thick waist-belt; a plethora of jackets and coats."

At all costs, "Steer clear of bling-bling."

Until then, tide yourself over with a few of Lai's favorite runway shows right now. "Junya Watanabe and Yojhi Yamamoto, and then there is Alexander McQueen. A girl can dream...I also really dug the color combinations at the Louis Vuitton show."

Sun, March 16, 2008 3:25PM PDT

Rush More

CRYSTAL BALL

Emergency surgery for a broken ankle couldn't keep boutique owner Hillary Rush from talking fall fashion.

Put a Rush on the following:

• Large checks
• Anything purple or red
• Skirts Capes (in both jacket and sweater form)
• A non-It bag

And watch for Tila March. She says, "It's my new brand new bag line out of Paris. The designer was a former editor at French Elle. She needed the perfect bag to carry to shows, one with pockets for notes, folders, water, makeup, and the rest. When she couldn't find it, her boyfriend helped make her one. And, of course, all her friends wanted to know where they could get it! Now she has an extensive range with purple and gray suedes, large mushy leather messengers that convert into oversize clutches for evening. They're chic and luxurious with amazing styling under a four-digit price point."

www.hillaryrush.com

Fri, March 14, 2008 1:50PM PDT

Milking It for All It's Worth

CRYSTAL BALL

Here's what'll do your body good this summer and fall according to Milk Boutique's fetching maids Marni Flans and Bari Milken:

DC: Your idea of sartorial happiness for summer?
MB: Lots of bold and bright colors, anything from neon yellow to electric blue. Also, look out for crazy prints and anything tribal.

DC: If you could be a fall shoe, which pair would you be?
MB: The vintage-looking shoes that Staerk is doing.

DC: Who are your new heroes for fall?
MB: Current Elliot's amazing denim, Le Mont S'Michel's knitwear, Soni & Cindy's jumpers and tops, and Alexandra Vidal's gorgeous pants and dresses!

DC: Quality you least admire in an outfit come fall?
MB: Avoid the baggy silhouette. Tailored clothes are making a comeback.

www.shopatmilk.com

Fri, March 14, 2008 1:21PM PDT

A New Prescription for Your Inhaler

CRYSTAL BALL

Scent Bar proprietor Franco Wright has his nose on the pulse. Here are his picks for this season and next. Missing out on these would really stink.

Spring

1. Oranges, flowers, and blue skies.
2. Swoon-worthy coconut.
3. Night blooming jasmine.

Fall

1. Return to a classic: rose.
2. Gold! Gold! Gold!
3. Think autumn in Paris.

www.luckyscent.com

Fri, March 14, 2008 12:54PM PDT

Cheeses, Mary, and Joseph That's a Lot of Frommage

CRYSTAL BALL

Join in our unending praise.

We bow our heads to Todd Jasmin, the preacher of the cheeses. You can find him proselytizing from his pulpit slash cheese bar at Comme Ca. His enthusiasm is infectious, and his curds of wisdom beyond impressive.

With Gouda as our witness, we will try all the rich Tomme de Savoie and Switzerland-based varieties while we can get our hands on them. Holy cow, they are delicious.

Please, lord, give us the lactose tolerance that we need to enjoy the chevre. Jasmin predicts this summer to be the summer of the goat cheeses, especially the domestic varieties. As a testament to the divine goodness of dairy, queen of the angels, he points out his favorite –- the Sainte Maure, a classic Loire Valley goat's milk chevre that's glorious when paired with a glass of Sancerre.

Become a believer. The best light, elegant, refined versions of the creamy stuff:

• Vermont Butter & Cheese Company
• The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
• Andante Dairy

Recommended reading: A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway

Go in peace to love and serve the log of cheese.

Sun, March 9, 2008 3:43PM PDT

Presse On

CRYSTAL BALL

As the saying goes, fortune favors a prepared wardrobe. Here's what Zoe Schaeffer and Renee Roman Klein of Presse Boutique see in your future for fall:

DC: Who are your new heroes?
ZS/RRK: Rike for her luxe bright knit scarves and hats; KG-363 for her stained, pleated wrap skirt; Koi Suwannagate for her cashmere tank dress with embroidery; Rodarte for their spiderweb knit cardigans, Rose for their moody, sweeping floor-length evening cloak; and Proenza Schouler for their baggy sequin T-shirts.

DC: The quality you most admire in a pair of pants next season?
ZS/RRK: The rolled cuffs on boyfriend jeans -- wear with a chunky heel.

DC: Wants for fall?
ZS: Vera Wang's pearl and emerald snake necklace and Bruce's embroidered silk blouses.
RRK: Doo.Ri's suede gray short-sleeve dress with intricate embroidery detail.

DC: Needs?
ZS: I cannot have enough scarves. I own everything from vintage Gucci to beaded Dries van Noten to pieces from our gorgeous floral Epice line for which people call us in advance.
RRK: Yummy cashmere sweaters -- VPL makes the best ones.

Speaking of which, stay tuned for the upcoming VPL showing on March 17.

Sun, March 9, 2008 3:38PM PDT

Opening Sesame; Cult Brand & Boutique Looks Ahead

CRYSTAL BALL

FROM: Humberto Leon, Opening Ceremony

TO: DailyCandy

SUBJECT: RE: Fashion Predictions!

MEMO: For summer we predict bright colors, heavy linen (think Out of Africa!), tight tops (bustiers and bra tops), bodysuits, swimwear, and tops mixed with baggy bottoms. The shoes should either be stacked heels or high platforms. Thin silky socks, a nice glowing tan, and super coral lips with a high ponytail.

Fall means menswear for women, heavy shoulders, super ultra-feminine blouses, and cropped baggy trousers. Peplum silhouettes in outerwear will be huge with more masculine bottoms!

Ed note: What's not to love about masculine bottoms?