Fashion Blogs

From Benjamin Kanarek Blog by: Kirsten Lea

First of all, I would like to start by expressing how honored I am to be writing for Benjamin Kanarek Blog and what better time to commence than the party season - a season with as many sparkly dresses to shine in as there are sparkly events to attend.

However, without proper planning, the festive season can leave a girl kneeling helplessly in her closet with mangled magazines under her kitten heels, praying for the perfect Christmas wardrobe. We all know that the pressure of ensuring no appearance falls short of stunning is not for the faint of heart.

So why is it, at this time of year, when the fashion stakes are at their highest, that everything I try to order is either discontinued or out of stock?

The answer is that I obviously didn’t employ the wisdom of a stylist and plan my December wardrobe far enough in advance... Leaving me scrambling over Net-A-Porter.com trying to order the remaining designs of Hervé Léger.

It is at times such as these that I wonder… What would Victoria Beckham have done differently? Of course, she designs her own line now, meaning she has her very own Santa’s workshop making dresses for her around the clock… So she’s a bad example… Let’s choose another fashion icon... Carla Bruni has her own team of stylists, which if we had the same, this entire topic would be superfluous… So perhaps a better question should be, how do I save the situation now?

The centerpiece of any holiday wardrobe is a fabulous dress. The rules are simple. It should look divine and make you feel equally so. After all, a dress is only as show stopping as the woman inside it.

The winter season is decadent; it boasts a rich array of colors and textures with something to suit any palate. A hip-hugging red number never loses its sensual appeal but, if you want to go out on a limb and make a positively royal entrance, make a splash with playful purple.

Gold and silver can create a stunning light-catching centerpiece. After all, few other occasions are appropriate for solid metallic.

If you are feeling particularly angelic, you might consider a little white dress to replace your little black one.

If you’ve worn a tailored dress in the past, you may want to try a soft draped look in silk or satin. If you’re feeling bold, try a folded asymmetrical neckline, creating an edgy contemporary look, perfect for the artistic metropolitan gathering.

For inspiration in this direction, check out Victoria Beckham’s AW10 and SS11 collections.

And if you need to look chic in a colder climate, consider a cozy long-sleeve angora dress, as seen on Angelina Jolie at her latest premier for The Tourist in New York City.

Ralph Lauren has some wonderful short sexy cashmere dresses in cream, red and black.

2010 has been a long year and now is the time to take off your uniform and add a little glitz and glamor to your life. The best way to do this is always with accessories. Dangling earrings, beads, crystals and textured tights are perfect additions for this season. Just make sure that the accessory compliments the texture and style of the dress. A sleek classic dress can afford more ornate dressings while the fully tricked-out gown might be better served with a single-charmed necklace.

And last but not least – we must never forget footwear. The staple of every fashionista wardrobe. Along with the perfect heels for parties, this is the best time of year to invest in a great pair of boots. Riding boots have been particularly popular this season.

Hermes have a quintessential collection but the best by fair are the lambskin and patent calfskin boots by Chanel.

Simple, elegant, classic and chic. Which is, after all, what we all aspire to look like.

As a Caveat... After finishing this column, I went out to the 2010 Style Awards after party.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to wear, but ended up wearing the gold Hervé Léger dress from Net-A-Porter, that I had written about... As I walked into the party a girl came up to me and she said:

I have to say, you look amazing... I saw that Hervé Léger dress and knew that someone was going to rock that dress this week... And you do!

It was uncanny that she said that just after I had written what I did.