When Whitney Port made the move from LA’s “Hills” to document her fashion coming-of-age in “The City,” we rejoiced. We felt Port had more to offer than just the blank stares and backstabbing of her cohort. And while Port’s 20-something escapades were definitely more interesting to watch than Spedi/Justin Bobby/Whoever else ate up screen time on the West Coast, we paid more attention this second season with the addition of Kelly Cutrone. Cutrone is the powerhouse between fashion PR, branding, marketing and production firm People’s Revolution. Known for her no-nonsense attitude, we live for Kelly’s “There’s No Crying In Fashion!” bon mots.

Apparently we’re not the only ones. Cutrone’s reality show “Kell On Earth” premieres on Bravo February 1. Visit Bravo’s blog to catch exclusive video of Cutrone explaining what her show will be like and what audiences will be shocked to learn about the fashion world icon,

When life gets you down, what does one do?

If you’re me and get an email from Rachel Roy offering 30% off during their Friends and Family sale (November 19 – 23), you ignore the inner voice screaming rationalities about your spending and splurge.

Luckily, the splurge wasn’t too bad. Rachel Roy, an amazing designer who specializes in elegant uptown clothing for women, has created a new line for Macy’s called Rachel Rachel Roy. The line is full of young, fresh looks with a downtown edge for girls like you and me who aspire to wear her high price fashions (some pieces in her fall 2009 collection are well over $1,000). Prices for Rachel Rachel Roy dresses, which are of higher quality than something you would find at Target, top out at $129 while blouses and pants are up to $70 and $90.

So what did I end up getting?

This one shoulder dress with awesome detailing. There was a graffiti element in Ms. Roy’s first collection for Macys that you see in the red paint strokes all over the dress (I’m trying to insert more color in my mostly black wardrobe).

Some other options?

Love the sheer cutout details

Obsessed with this vest!

If you’re having the worst week ever or want to satisfy your craving for of the minute fashion for less, go to Rachel Roy’s site to check it out for yourself. And the code is rrfriend. Don’t say we never did anything for you.

-Anthonia

Wish me luck! xoxo Monica

I went through the six stages of grief in the span of 1 minute and 3 seconds as the trio of fresh-faced, smiling teen/twenty-somethings bounded around a delightfully cluttered bedroom down the streets of a sunny, carefree New York where they meet 2 more fresh-faced, smiling teen/twenty-something friends. All while wearing really unappealing, borderline Hot Topic/Wet Seal clothes as an annoyingly poppy song played in the background.

Stage 1: Shock Whoa, wait… are you serious? This is what they’re offering? Where’s the perfect blend of masculine and feminine a la their Elizabeth and James line? Or The Row’s perfect execution of basics and minimalism? What. The. Eff?

Stage 2: Anger So, wait. You’re telling me THIS line was supposed to bring the Olsen’s brand of unstudied style to the masses? They couldn’t even bother to throw in a faux fur vest or fedora? What, are you saving up all your good designs for people who can afford $395 blazers or $250 tank tops? You know what ladies? Screw. You. We made you! We could’ve forgotten about you right after Full House ended like we did Uncle Joey, but we didn’t. This is how you repay our years of fascination with you?! [Stream of expletives]

Stage 3: Bargaining Ok, ok. MK. Ashley. Seriously. Promise me this is just a joke, and we’ll forget this whole thing ever happened. Or even better. Make me your model-muse and keep me decked out in the Row and Elizabeth and James, and I promise I can move past this little indiscretion. Because really – you guys define celebrity personal style. Work with me here, ok? And for the record, THIS is the kind of ad we want to see from you guys in the future:

Stage 4: Depression I’m shutting the blinds and locking myself away until someone can explain how this was allowed to happen!

Stage 5: Acceptance You know what? This line was made for JC Penney and it clearly isn’t meant for people my age or who have the same type of relationship with fashion as MK and Ash (yes, I get to call them that). Olsenboye wasn’t meant for the true fashion enthusiast, and you know what? I can accept that.

Stage 6: Hope I wonder if there’s a diffusion line that I can actually afford in the future…

If you guessed MTV VJ’s, then you’re right! Anthonia, Ileana and I went as Downtown Julie Brown, Jesse Camp and Kennedy this Halloween and we did a pretty darn good job, if you ask me. The best part was that we didn’t have to buy too much for our costumes–and if we did buy something, we could probably use it again. Although I don’t know how Anthonia feels about wearing her Trapper Keeper inspired bodycon dress from American Apparel.

Keep reading to see our outfits!

Ileana was the clear winner in buying the least for her costume because all she needed was a Tina Turner wig (who knew Ike’s lady and Jesse had the same hair) and everything else (and that’s including her gold lame leggings and fringed-leather boots!) was already in her closet. Not only was she well prepared to emulate one of MTV’s finest, but she could have easily pulled off a Rock of Love contestant (sorry…love you!). But with a blazer here and naturally curly hair there, we were able to keep our cost down and everyone’s nostalgia meter high. And it helped that our Hween dinner party had some 90s tunes happening. Gin Blossoms, anyone? Please and thank you.

Sadly we did see a sickening amount of Lady Gaga’s patrolling Chicago’s Gold Coast. Many of them were being held up by their significant others outside of the bars on Halsted because they were so trashed, so maybe they won’t remember them all. But I have to say, I did see a particularly good Gaga-ween outfit that I wish I could have snapped in time. She was rocking the bubble outfit AND was covering her crotch.

As Anthonia said about those crotch baring ladies out there last night: “On the plus side, bikini lines across the world over have never seen this much attention, boosting the economy through waxing.”

We hope you guys all had a lovely night! We sure did.

xoxo Monica

Happy Halloween from Naute So Couture!

Silence & Noise Studded V-neck Jumper ($68)

When something super trendy emerges (examples: wide-leg pants, high-wasted anything, blazers, fur vests), I often find myself hesitating to try on the pieces in question. But almost always (sans fur vests) I find myself liking the trend after it has come and gone.

In the middle of my daily Urban Outfitters browse, I halted at the Silence & Noise Studded V-neck Jumper. I probably haven’t given it a fair shot in the past, but it’s super simple and looks like we can make it last past this season. I’m already thinking of styling it for the winter with some tights and my new favorite Deena & Ozzy Patent Oxford Wedges. My only concern so far is that it looks like rompers make it difficult to go to the bathroom. What do you guys think?

xoxo Monica

PS Chicago Fashion Week pics on the way…once we find out how to get them off of our friend Kate’s camera.

PPS Sorry for the UO overload…kinda hard when it’s just two blocks away in a town that has the Gap and American Apparel as its only other good stores!

The Second City is proving that it is second to none when it comes to fashion and local talent. Established and burgeoning designers are on display this weekend during Fashion Focus Chicago, Chicago’s version of Fashion Week, from October 22-25. And, lucky for you, the ladies of Naute So Couture will be covering events this weekend, capturing every stiletto, waifish model, must-have dress, air kiss, and complimentary flute of champagne (we hope, we hope, we hope!).

xoxo
Monica, Anthonia and Ileana

For a full schedule of Fashion Focus Chicago events, visit Chicago Fashion Resource.

Target, the big box chain store loved by all, may have single handedly brought luxury items and design from Fifth Avenue to Main Street with its Go International collection.  Say what you will about the democratization of high end goods, but fashion and budget conscious women alike now have a better chance of having a Proenza Schouler top or an Anna Sui dress hanging in their closets.

However, the newest label to join the likes of Alexander McQueen and Erin Fetherson may seem a little out of the ordinary.

Rodarte for Target will hit racks on December 20. The line, created by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, is known for its attention to detail and handiwork (knitting, beading, etc.) bordering on the couture. Their spring 2010 ready-to-wear collection has us wondering how the line’s ugly/pretty aesthetic will work for a wider audience.

photos from Style.com

Anyways! Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you. We will be back shortly with some good reads.

xoxo Monica