Fall Picks Part 1 - Motomania

We're two days away from September - can you believe it? As sad as that is, I am excited about putting away the flip flops and slips and trading it for boots, leather, and layered scarves.

By reader request, I present to you part 1 of 4 posts with my fave fall 2009 trends. The first: Motomania.

Biker chic for means plenty of leather (jackets, shorts, pants, skirt etc.), zippers and studded everything, destroyed and skinny jeans, and lots of boots (take your pic: flat, spiked, ankle, cut-out). Although hard-edged, this is a more feminine and luxe motorcycle look that has plenty of sexy pieces which cling to the female body.

Immediately Above: Preen Shrunken Leather Biker Jacket and Frye Engineer Boot
Opening picture: Vintage leather shorts from Rock Paper Vintage

I wasn't sure about the whole harness trend until I saw the below one from Norwegian Wood - paired with the blouse, it's a lot more tamed.

Above: Norwegian Wood Punk Ballerina Leather Harness from Shrimpton Couture and BE+D Garbo Tote

I've been looking for a bustier for a while now, and this one is definitely on the wild side. I'd love to pair that with a slouchy blazer.

Above: Kettle Black Studded Bustier and Luxury Rebel Kelsey Open-Toe Booties

I had to include this Diesel helmet because it's actually damn sexy. I'd so wear it with the leather shorts.

Since Alexander Wang single-handedly brought back zippers and the buckled boot, I've included pieces below from his inspiration. And he'll do it again with my next Fall Pick.

Will you rock any of these looks for Fall 2009?

Above: Preen Line Stretch Miniskirt and Alexander Wang Buckled Booties
Images courtesy of Shop Bop, Net-a-Porter, Shrimpton Couture, and Diesel.

Can Balmain Make Me Hot for Juno Awards After-Party?

I am very excited as I have been invited by EMI Music to their exclusive after-party for the Juno Awards, happening later this month.  More details to come.  More pressing though is what to wear? I need to look hot, and who does rock'n'roll glam better than Balmain? I am lusting after these reworked dirty 80's looks from the Balmain Fall 2009 Ready to Wear collection.

Christophe Decarnin's iconic peaked shoulder jacket is back for Fall and it looks hotter than ever in lux materials like leather, quilt, and satin.  Some of his Spring 09 peaked shoulder jackets channeled a bit more MJ/Thriller for my liking but his Fall jackets are sharp and modern- when paired with a slim pant, it is very wearable.  The sweetheart neckline, a cliche as recently as a few years ago, is back and looking more bad-ass than sweet, especially when the mini is microsized.  Half-train evening dresses, which forever stuck in my mind as something escorts in the 80's wore (with George Michael's "I never want to dance again" playing on a cassette in the background), look ironically hip.  As much as I despise the harem pants, Decarnin worked his magic by sliding them into sleek boots and opening them up to expose some leg.  In all, a fun, flirty collection that brings us back to the bad old 80's but in a whole new light.  There have been some criticism that Decarnin needs to step the brand up to the next level as many of the looks have been carrying over.  For what it's worth, Balmain continues with this collection as a go-to name for rocker vixens who want glitz and glamour on the cutting edge.