GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

Earlier this week we posted on a luxury lingerie brand based out of New York, and lo and behold we have another amazing brand to share with you! This luxury label is called Layla L'obatti for Between the Sheets, also based out of New York. We've posted on this glamorous brand before, and this time we are sharing images from the Spring 2010 collection. For her eponymous label, Layla combines silk chiffon, Leavers lace and silk charmeuse to create a striking collection reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour. As a decorated graduate of New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), the designer is able to take a hands-on approach to designing, creating/manufacturing her collection and ensuring that the meticulous details of her craft are perfected.
If the high-end label isn't a match for your lifestyle, Layla O'batti has a casual, everyday/lounge collection called Between the Sheets (BTS). We actually own one of the BTS sweaters in black (the Well Played cardigan) which we wear constantly...it's cozy, chic and goes with everything!
To shop both of these collections which are available now, click here...there's free shipping on orders over $75.

. . . stunningly beautiful works by scottish painter alison watt, described as "one of the leading lights of the scottish contemporary art world" and a graduate of the glasgow school of art; while still a student, watt won the john player portrait award and was commissioned to paint a portrait of the late queen mother

in 2000, watt became the youngest artist to be offered a solo exhibition at the scottish national gallery of modern art with shift, an exhibition of 12 paintings featuring fabric alone; inspired by the work of french neo-classical artist jean-auguste-dominique ingres, the paintings are large, close-up studies of white draperies:



{images: colline via [design] relevant and national galleries of scotland}

swiss-born photographer romina shama uses only natural light and an analog camera; as if she were a reporter, she imagines all of her subjects as passing in the streets with only a second to shoot them -- the result is soft, often grainy "still scenarios", perfect moments as in a dream or beautifully entangled in time . . .

{images: romina shama via [design] relevant}

. . . doors flung open to the languor of early evening breezes and petal-laden dreams that begin in hazy shades of wedgewood and champagne . . .

{images:1 - endless inspiration; 2 - photography by romina shama; 3 - flickr}

Wow, what is it with the men's magazines stepping up their editorial content with such striking lingerie photos? We've been sharing quite a few images from GQ and Esquire these days with their tastefully elegant photo shoots featuring gorgeous lingerie. We suppose it makes sense that there would be plenty of eye-candy in these men's magazines! But we like that it's classy and elegant, tailored to a woman's taste as well.
The images featured in this post are of actress 24-year old British actress (and one-time teen novelist) Talulah Riley from Esquire UK. Talulah is probably only going to be recognized by our UK readers, but that's okay, because lingerie is universal and we like what we see! We noticed that she's wearing all British lingerie brands in this shoot, and now you can get an idea of why we carry so many British brands in our store!

. . . lately have been spellbound by the idea of wearing layers upon layers of jewels -- bold necklaces and glittering bracelets, cocktail rings and cascading earrings -- and happened upon dannijo, a new york-based hand-made jewelry studio founded by sisters danielle and jodie, and fell in love with their perfect mix of rock and refined . . .

{p.s.} smitten with the waterfall earrings in the second, and this ring

{images: dannijo, photography by bjorn iooss via a thing for via felicity; more at a glamorous little side project}

. . . perfectly enchanted by this delicately beautiful cake inspired by embroidered lace strewn with floral appliqués -- cake designer ron ben-israel created 25 different silicone molds, including roses, dahlias, and periwinkles, pressing sugar paste into each before applying them to the fondant to create a masterpiece of sugar and lace . . .

{image: photography by johnny miller for martha stewart weddings spring 2010}

These days it seems like we have been buried under the emails in our inbox, but luckily for us, last week one of those emails stood out because of its lovely content. That message was from Arielle ("Ari") Shapiro of the newly launched luxury lingerie line Ari Dein. This glamorous brand is handmade in Manhattan, and quite the class-act! We have to admit, it's rare to find a U.S. designer that specializes in luxury intimates, so discovering Ari was a pleasant surprise.
The general theme of Ari's work is an elevated style that borrows motifs from
"old New York and Hollywood Glamour, antiquated furniture, boutique hotels, art nouveau architecture, surrealist artwork and foreign cityscapes". No wonder it caught our eye!
Fine materials, beautiful details applied by hand, and nostalgic themes all contribute to creating a unique brand that is certain to make its mark in the lingerie world.
The images in this post are from the Fall/Winter 2010 collection, which means you will have to wait until at least August/September to own one of these pieces. There are also more pieces to the collection we haven't posted...but hopefully these will whet your appetite. Everyone in the lingerie industry is buzzing about this brand, so it's time you start buzzing about it too!
Expect to see Ari Dein at Faire Frou Frou this Fall!

The stockings in these pictures are so amazing, they truly are deserving of their own post! Whose are they? We don't know (because we don't own a physical copy of the Marie Claire UK issue), but based on the 'outfit post' blogs we've visited, we've seen some pretty cool similar styles by Urban Outfitters, F21, ASOS and Only Hearts. If you don't already own a pair of lace tights, now is the time to get them! We're not sure how long this trend will last, but it's certainly a trend worth wearing while you can.
By the way, that sexy bodysuit is worth a mention too - how sexy!!

P.S. - Faire Frou Frou boutique will be re-opening very soon! Keep checking in for our Grand Re-Opening announcement!!!! In the meantime, you can still shop on our website at www.fairefroufrou.com, which will also be unveiling its new look in a few weeks!

. . . whatever wonderful plans you may have and where ever you may be in the world, wishing you an enchantingly beautiful weekend . . .
xo

{a few lovely links:}
* diy: wall decoration
* venetian mirrors + chandeliers: a montecito wedding
* sneak peek: emmersonmade!
* in the kitchen: cherry blossom donuts + other dream recipes
* inspiration: forever is today
* photography: underwater wedding
* collection: paint by numbers
* pretty, pretty: the valentino butterflies
* colour inspiration: minty green + gold

{as always, some things you may have missed:}
* a piece of the past: cake + heirloom lace
* a hot summer's night: always ruffles
* at home: fresh flowers + golden light
* spring things: pretty neutrals
* inspiration: carved wood + crystal
* photographer: paolo roversi shoots natalia
* maximalism: gilded mirrors + chandeliers
* sheer romance: white lace + soft light

{and two new things for the weekend:}
* behind the scenes: style me romy
* two lovely things: white + grey

{images: 1 - nikki parker’s paris apartment in the place des vosges, designed by jacques grange via trouvais & tear it out; 2 - editorial: paradis, vanessa paradis by eric guillemain for vs. spring/summer 2010 via femme style guide, linked here & originally discovered via a life more fabulous}