StyleSpy with Katrina Szish

Images:  Ron Sachs/Rex, Imaxtree
 

Michelle Obama made fashion history last night.

Rather than make her First Lady-Elect debut swathed in a classic Oscar de la Renta creation favored by First Ladies of yore Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, she set the stage of style to come in a bold (albeit not beloved by all), slightly-modified frock from the Narciso Rodriguez Spring 2009 runway. 

This is not a First Lady who's going to play it safe when it comes to fashion, as we discovered when she finally hit her style stride on the campaign trail (see her style transformation here).

Throughout her husband's campaign she was heralded as the next Jackie O (aka Michelle O).  She was also described as someone who "will bring affordable American sportswear to the forefront" -- a comment inspired by the humble $149 White House Black Market Donna Ricco dress she famously wore for her appearance on "The View."

But let's be honest -- there is nothing humble about Michelle Obama's wardrobe (nor was there about Jackie Kennedy's).  Filled with custom Maria Pinto pieces, dresses from fashion-forward designers Thakoon and Narciso Rodriguez, and luxe accessories from Erickson Beamon and Azzedine Alaia, her wardrobe is nothing short of a fashionista's dream.

There is no doubt that change is coming to Washington D.C., and that is already evident in Michelle Obama's closet.  America, get ready to see what a true modern style icon is all about...we are in for a wildly stylish ride.

The always-fabulous designer wears his vote on his sleeve, and he wants to know what you wear when you cast yours. 

Posen has launched FashionTheVote.com where you can send him of picture of your election day ensemble, and he will post it on the site for all to see. 

Zac's motto?

"Make the future.  Look Good."

And, speaking of fashion and politics, I caught up with a few designers during New York Fashion Week to get their take on the topic...Check it out!

It's Bridal Fashion Week!

On this week's edition of "Inside In Style" on CNN.com, I caught up with PARIS accessories designer Deborah Moreland at the Warwick Hotel in New York City and got the dish on how brides should dress up their dresses.  (Hint: the tiara is old news -- try a headwrap on for size to indulge your princess fantasy)

Today, celebrity-favorite designer Roland Mouret launches five limited edition dresses from his bespoke collection on net-a-porter.com.   

Designed specifically for the superb shopping site, the dresses are classic Roland Mouret constructions:  curve-hugging, waist-cinching, below-the-knee sheaths made even sexier by the addition of accordian pleats and subtle drapes.  Hues include grape and deep forest green; each dress is $2,065.

Mouret, of course, has mastered the art of creating the perfect, sexy-yet-sophisticated silhouette.  Even more impressive, he has mastered the art of making women look -- and feel -- extraordinary.

                                             --ROLAND MOURET

Channel your inner GG (double entendre intended), and make a beeline for the main floor of Bergdorf Goodman in New York City.  Today.  As in now.

(Read while you run.  That's why we have Blackberries.)

Gucci cuts the ribbon on their accessories boutique and -- as if the thrill of that alone weren't enough -- the luxe label has created fifteen one-of-a-kind bags exclusively for the posh outpost.  Each is crafted in Bergdorf’s signature lilac color (how convenient for us that purple is the shade of the season!) and boasts an engraved silver hangtag that announces “GUCCI loves Bergdorf.” Now that's some Bergdorf Bling.

All your favorite bag styles (“Hysteria”, “Jockey” and “Indy”) are represented in patent, Guccissima leather and "precious" skins (croc, ostrich and python).

Speaking of exclusive, take a gander at the gorgeousness that awaits...Style Spy scored this picture of a purple python Indy just for you.

Prices start at $1,295 and reach a crescendo of $29,800.

Stock market, schtock market. 
I'll race you to 57th Street.

Marc Jacobs' iconic "mouse" shoe is officially celebrating it's 10th, although the designer has offered countless charming and increasingly figurative incarnations during the decade.

As a means of celebrating the shoe's icon status, Jacobs did what only Jacobs can do:  He masterminded a collaboration so brilliant that it ensures the (limited) anniversary edition will transcend mere icon status. 

This shoe isn't a shoe -- it's art. 

Jacobs enlisted the help of my most-revered urban artist, KAWS (aka Brian), to craft the latest mouse flat.  KAWS is known for his postmodern graffiti art, some of which resembles Mickey Mouse.  Thus, in addition to his automatic hip-factor, he is a man who knows mice.  Well played, Marc.

Only 200 pairs of the black flats exist worldwide, and they are available immediatement at Paris' drool-inducing Colette.

Whether or not you collect KAWS pieces (like I do), I don't know that I would recommend wearing these shoes.  Just display them on your vanity or bookshelf, and keep the packaging should you ever want to auction them "MIB" on Ebay...or at Sotheby's.

Until now, my all-time favorite Marc Jacobs collaboration was with Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton.  I bought myself an original cherry blossom monogram bag and managed to get Mr. Murakami to sign it at a gallery opening (a "vintage" snapshot from the 2003 event with my apparently very serious and very scruffy friend Michael Taylor). 

To my nearly uncontainable delight, he not only signed the bow-clad bag (pictured above!), but he DREW A PICTURE on the inside flap.  Needless to say, that bag doesn't get out much.  Who needs a retirement fund when you've got that baby stashed away?!

My weekend plans?  A visit to www.Colette.fr followed by a Vespa ride across the Williamsburg Bridge to track down the artist...and a signature. 

The McKing of to-die-for design debuts his Spring 2009 collection tomorrow in Paris.

What, oh what is one to wear to such a dazzling event?  A frock from seasons past?  Pish-posh!

I'm not even going to be there and I will still be paying homage to the master, albeit while watching streaming video or looking at pics on InStyle.com.

Lucky for us, McQueen and his pals at Net-a-porter.com have made it very easy to be a McPrincess.  Net-a-porter.com (my most adored online shopping source) is offering eight items -- exclusively -- from the Alexander McQueen pre-spring collection (watch the video here) two months before they will be available anywhere else.

You can get same day delivery in Manhattan and overnight delivery across the country to ensure you'll be properly outfitted in time for the show. 

This curve-enhancing peplum dress is my must-have... 

...what will you be wearing to the show???

I caught up with the coolest DJs in town (and out of town) just before they played their set for the Tony Cohen show at New York Fashion Week...Fashion Week just wouldn't be Fashion Week without a little drama.

(Surely you recognize Leigh Lezark from Gap's fall ad campaign??)

Many of you already know that I'm a huge Reem Acra fan, but after checking out the Emmys, it's clear that many of Hollywood's red carpet standouts are also part of the club.

Acra has outfitted myriad celebrities in the past, but last night her designs bedecked not one, not two, but FIVE stylish stars.

Christina Applegate stepped out in an asymmetrical pale aqua, silk organza, jacquard draped gown fresh from the Spring 2009 Collection.

"Desperate Housewives'" Felicity Huffman's newly-cropped bob added extra flair to her gorgeous embroidered and beaded pale peach tulle floor-length gown.

The dazzling Olivia Wilde of "House" made jaws drop in a pearl grey, silk satin-faced chiffon twist-front gown with jewel encrusted cap-sleeves.  The fit was flawless...

Outstanding Drama Series nominee, Julie Benz of "Dexter," looked like royalty in a deep purple, embroidered-waist gown from Acra's 2009 resort collection; actress Lisa Rinna also found her knockout number from the resort collection, and channeled her inner goddess in a one-shoulder, ivory crepe gown.

As always, Acra had a distinct aesthetic in mind when dressing these women:

"At this year's Emmys my designs blended a Parisian sense of elegance and fine tailoring with iconic Hollywood glamour. The result is a look of 'Hollywood Couture' that offered an edge and freshness to the red carpet." --Reem Acra      

You know you're an A+-lister when you score a dress straight of a designer's runway the week after it debuted.  Renee Zellweger is one of those lucky gals.





At the September 17th L.A. premiere of "Appaloosa," Renee donned a black silk organza dress straight from Carolina Herrera's Spring 2009 collection.  Lest you forget, our favorite Herrera loyalist was seated front row (and spotted eyeing this very dress!), during the show at New York Fashion Week on the September 8th.