Dark & dramatic

Since I was scheduled to attend Lauren Conrad's Spring 2009 fashion show at L.A. Fashion Week two nights ago, I decided this was a great opportunity to wear my fabulous L'Wren Scott matador coat for the first time! Paired with a lacy Nanette Lepore blouse, J Brand skinnies, and some fierce Guess peep-toe boots, I was all set to go! I definitely spied some gorgeous outfits in the crowd. My fave fashionista wore a dark gray T-shirt tucked into a snug black leather miniskirt--a simple, sleek, and chic L.A. outfit.

LC's Holiday 2008 collection

I had the chance to attend Lauren Conrad's fashion show as she helped kick off the first ever Style Week at the Irvine Spectrum Center in her hometown of Orange County. She showed off her Holiday 2008 collection--a parade of pretty dresses and separates. I think her clothes have definitely evolved since her earlier collections, but the design aesthetic is still very simple and straightforward. However, I have hope that with more experience, LC will rise to the challenge and garner more respect in the fashion world. Who knows? She is still only in design school, after all...

While the clothes mostly consisted of solid colors like black, gray, cream, purple, and burgundy, this blocky, multicolored print kept popping up on the runway. The more I saw it, the more it grew on me. They used the print in a few high-waisted skirts and cute party frocks.

This model strutted down the runway in skintight black leggings, a black tube top, and an ivory-colored wrap.

She was outfitted in a black tube top, high-waisted tulip skirt with a bow in front, black stockings, and heels--super chic and feminine.

Lauren came out to take her bow when the show was over. Here she is holding a bouquet of flowers from her dad.

The models taking their last walk down the runway. Every single one of them was super tall and leggy! Loved that sunny yellow dress on the model in front.

Lauren at a press conference afterward, looking even more beautiful in person. During the few minutes we spoke, she was a total sweetheart and such a California girl with the tan, the blonde hair and blue eyes. She was wearing one of her own designs with sky-high black Yves Saint Laurent shoes and a sparkly headband!

Elijah's take on the maxi dress

My older sister, along with celebs like Lauren Conrad and Angelina Jolie, is fond of long maxi dresses. Even though I hardly wear them, I can see their appeal--cool, summery, and unfussy. I recently came across this Elijah column dress that, while not a conventional maxi dress, still maintains an easy, relaxed fit. In a soft blend of cotton and silk, this creamy white dress is ultra comfortable. The ruched, asymmetrical one shoulder strap in pale blue gives the loose baby doll shape a bit of sass. It's the perfect dress for slipping on when you don't feel like assembling an outfit, but still want to appear effortlessly fashionable!

LC's Elizabeth and James LBD

Everyone's favorite reality star, Lauren Conrad of The Hills, showed up to the Intermix exclusive VH1 Rock Honors VIP party a few days ago in a great going-out dress by Elizabeth and James. The tank dress is enhanced by intricate ribbon and cutout detail, while the raw, frayed neckline and hem add an edgy twist. This LBD's silhouette may appear simple, but I love the vintage-inspired sheer netting and ribbons, which give off such a playful, feminine vibe. While Lauren accessorized with black heels, a Chanel clutch (similar to this Chanel-inspired purse), and a long chain necklace, I'm envisioning the dress with a pair of totally crazy shoes, like these fuschia Christian Louboutin wedges. I'd even add a blazer like this metalized Pencey one with a built-in vest to emphasize that funky, rock-and-roll feel!

(Photo credit to Getty Images)

The classiest cami dress

To me, Black Halo's bouquet dress seems like something Lauren Conrad of The Hills might wear. Though the hemline is conservative, an empire waist pencil skirt and a slim silhouette give this dress a modern flair. Plus, the pretty swirl of rosettes adorning the front adds such a dainty touch; without them, the dress just wouldn't be the same! In four fall-friendly colors--burnt topaz orange, ruby, jade, and black--the dress is perfect for fancy Sunday brunch or dinner with the in-laws, conveying that appropriate aura of poised elegance.

Lauren Conrad's fashion show

Read below for an excerpt from New York Magazine's article by The Fug Girls.

Inside the Sad, Bizarre World That Was the Lauren Conrad Show

We're not sure even Audrina would wear this stuff.Photo: Getty Images

Also absent from the venue was anyone recognizable from Lauren’s former place of employment (er, “employment”), Teen Vogue, any celebrities willing to admit they totally love The Hills, or any decent fashion. We don’t say that with (much) glee. We went into the show completely prepared to like it, to be embarrassed by liking it, and to spend the rest of the week being defensive about liking it. This did not happen. Lauren claimed the line was inspired by her recent trip to Paris, and given how obviously and ham-handedly this influence was translated into the clothes, we’re frankly surprised she didn’t style the girls with baguettes and giant wheels of Brie. Let’s just say…there were berets involved, and, overall, the collection was sadly kind of tragique. We expected a line of derivative but serviceably-adorable cocktail dresses much like what Lauren herself wears around town — you know, the type of stuff she probably bought a season ago from BCBG and loved. Instead, we got paper-thin leggings with lazy and plain triangle shirts, cheap-looking fabric more befitting a Target line than anything you’d pay boutique prices for, and a terrible color palette that would give Michael Kors an aneurysm.

We understand the desire to strike while the iron of her celebrity is hot, but, overall, the effort felt very young, in the sense that Lauren probably needs a few more years of design school before she’s ready to take on anything this ambitious. Photos do the line more favors than an up-close look — hardly anything was properly fitted, many of the dresses bunched in the back, and one model’s boobs were totally squeezing out of the top of her dress. Our greatest moment of joy was seeing Chantal, the runner-up from last cycle of America’s Next Top Model, strutting down the runway — but even that was tinged with sadness, because, seriously, the girl still cannot walk and may even have regressed since she was last under the tutelage of Miss J.

Taken from: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2008/03/inside_the_sad_bizarre_world_t.html

LC's Clothing Line

I'm fond of Lauren Conrad from MTV's The Hills--she seems like a sweet girl--but I'm not quite sure if I'm a huge fan of her clothing line. The clothes certainly reflect her personal style--a bit understated, girly, slightly trendy but not over the top. They're wearable, dressed up or down, for dinner parties, nights on the town, brunch with friends. But I'm disappointed because they don't make me super excited in a "I'm-gonna-cash-my-paycheck-right-now" kind of way, and the clothes don't come cheap. For simple clothes with such costly prices, I expect high quality and superior design, and okay, let's be honest, a brand name like Marc Jacobs or Nanette Lepore attached to the label. However, this is L.C.'s first real attempt at designing her own line, so you gotta give her some credit. Who knows? Her designs and style may evolve over time and her next collection might be something really stellar--worth cashing out my paycheck for! Some of my picks from her website:

Audrina Dress, $150

Jillian Dress, $145

Katherine Wrap, $140

Sophia Dress, $145