Kaari Meng is obsessed with collecting. At one point she owned one ton of vintage glass beads. But out of this passion for discovering knickknacks, she created French General, both a store and website that sells French-inspired jewelry, textiles, paper, and bath products.

Inspired by her childhood and a mentality of making something new from something old, Meng opened her business in New York but recently moved to Hollywood. Along with several books on how-to home projects, she has expanded her website to offer a complete range of products and craft kits as well as instructional videos. Warning: upon entering French General, you will be overwhelmed with creative genius and may be inclined to devote your life to sewing pillows with toile and linen or host beading parties in your backyard garden.

Let yourself fall victim to vintage fever and devote some time to your inner Martha Stewart—you might be surprised at just how fulfilling making beautiful crafts can be. Whether you need some luxurious new body butter or 1920s Parisian sequins, French General is the ultimate source for all things French and vintage.

Source & Photos:
www.frenchgeneral.com
www.frenchgeneral.blogspot.com

ShareThis

Angela Missoni’s Pre-Fall collection provides prints aplenty in cozy ponchos, casually layered sweaters, dresses, and turtlenecks with fancifully patterned leggings. While it might become a pattern overload if worn altogether, the fine gauge turtlenecks paired with minis, leggings, and layered with sweaters or even with dresses may just be seen quite a bit more often in the coming year, along with a penchant for Missoni (or Missoni-esque) ‘60s pop patterns.

Photos: www.style.com

ShareThis

Even though Diane von Furstenberg has drawn inspiration from nature for several collections, the jungle seems to be a crowd pleaser. So for her pre-fall 2009 collection, she returned to animal and earth prints but tailored them for more broad-based appeal. She featured a mixture of shapes and silhouettes from the classic wrap dress to pencil skirts to English style knickers.

Several pieces channel Diane’s recent African safari: silk dresses with a tiger pattern and rich tribal-looking chiffons. She expanded the collection’s versatility with lace details, bright colors, and a menswear-inspired vest and cardigan. But no matter the fabric or focus, DVF always manages to design with femininity and functionality in mind. The pre-fall 2009 collection connects to a vast majority of women who want to look fierce (and always do look fierce) no matter what they wear.

Photos: style.com

ShareThis

When Karl Lagerfeld revealed Chanel’s pre-fall 2009 collection before a discerning audience in Paris’ extravagant Théâtre le Ranelagh, he showed clothes inspired by Russian art, ballet, folklore, and royalty—and Coco’s appreciation of those things. Adornments of pearls, sequins, chiffon, and fringe, along with lacquered bags, towering heels, and embellished tiaras, echoed the opulence of Russian nobility while fur hats, Cossack boots, leather, and fitted black silhouettes suggested strict military discipline. The collection includes pieces in rich reds, crisp whites, and of course, black, with every shade of neutral in between. Russian models furthered the show’s theme.

This foray into Russia wasn’t the fashion house’s first and only. Chanel created her classic Cuir de Russie with the tsar’s perfumer in 1927, and the newest nail color, Nuit de Russie, also echoes the theme. Coco’s relationship with Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich clearly inspired this impressive spin on Russian history and contributed to the success of Lagerfeld’s directorial debut.

Photos:
style.com

ShareThis

Poppy King is THE woman responsible for the revival of the red pout in recent years. Fueled by pure passion, unconventionality, and glamour, this Lipstick Queen is a one-woman brand. Poppy launched her own lipstick brand in her native Australia at 18 years old (no joke!) and fresh out of high school. Poppy says, “I couldn’t find any lipsticks I liked. They were all thin, slimy and too greasy feeling. Plus there were no deep colors. I wanted lipsticks that gave me the look of the 1940’s.” Her company’s seven lip products yielded over a million dollars in profit!

Poppy Industries lasted 12 years, until Poppy joined the corporate cosmetics world at Prescriptives in New York where she remained for nearly four years. Honestly though, is such an innovative, free-spirit entrepreneur really destined for a desk job that promotes a corporate concept of beauty? Poppy re-imagined her vision of feminine glamour and launched Lipstick Queen by Poppy King last year with total control of her brand and its glamorous mission.

And it’s a good thing too: flip through any magazine and you will find accolades that rave about Poppy’s lipsticks, which make any gal feel sassy and secure. Poppy is one of the individuals who most inspires us behind the scenes at The Supermelon. Luckily, Poppy took some time out of her whirlwind pre-holiday schedule to open up to us about her success and her stylish life.

The Supermelon <3 Poppy King so much, we want to bestow upon you some Lipstick Queen goodies. Comment with a valid e-mail address (don't worry, for our eyes only) by January 2nd and we'll pick a winner at random!

You are wonder-woman, Poppy! You have managed to beat the odds (twice!) to create and successfully launch a new concept of feminine glamour. What inspires you?
You said it already…I am inspired by providing women with “a new concept of feminine glamour” which shows that women can be interested in beauty and still be intelligent.

Who is the Lipstick Queen woman? Is there a style icon who best encompasses your philosophy?
Lipstick Queen is a totally democratic brand and has no one archetype. The way I think of it is if you like Lipstick Queen products then you obviously have some flair for the authentic and that makes you one of us. I love authenticity better than celebrity so there is no style icon I could name…just the fab women I meet everyday.

Lipstick Queen is a unique brand because it focuses in one arena rather than venturing into the entire cosmetic industry. It seeks to perfect all things related to the lips. Can you give us any scoop on any exciting new products that are in development?
Next year I have some amazing finishes coming inspired by everything from Copernicus to Andy Warhol to JJ Cale. Be intrigued…be very intrigued!

How do you come up with the names for your products? They’re so memorable and really capture the essence of the specific shade of color!
Mainly from two fairly unlikely magazines…The Economist and The New Yorker. I find the language in those magazines so inspiring that it always triggers some new lip concept for me.

Your head-turning aesthetic is not limited to cosmetics! You have a very whimsical, retro style. Who are some of your favorite designers and what’s on your wishlist?
My all-time favorite designer is Azzedine Alaïa because he embodies intelligent sensuality and female allure without ever talking down to women. Even though his clothes are tight they are empowered from within. I also love Balenciaga and Lanvin. All on my wish list! I mainly wear vintage with a few designer pieces thrown in and I also love my friend’s label, Lyell.

Lipstick Queen products are kicking and garnering more positive press than ever! During a recession, consumer beauty sales usually go up because women consider lipsticks to be a small luxury that makes them feel better. How has your brand planned to combat the bleak American economy?
LQ will combat the bleak American economy the same way it intended to combat the buoyant American economy…with fabulous products that deliver on every level including value. Hard times can produce great products.

Besides being obsessed with lipstick, what other trends, items, or nostalgic objects do you feel particularly enthusiastic about? Do you collect anything? When you’re not creating the #1 Lipstick Ever (Red Sinner!), what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
The second love of my life is handbags and I collect them. Everything from designer to vintage and downright thrift store finds. I just adore handbags! In my spare time I love to read, go to movies, knit, and do Bikram yoga. If it wasn’t for the yoga I could be mistaken for your granny!

Your book, Lessons From a Lipstick Queen, is about finding and developing the singular great idea that can change your life. What advice is paramount for young women who struggle to make an entrepreneurial dream a reality?
No sudden moves! People always think that everything comes in a flash for entrepreneurs…one minute they were doing something and bang, but it really takes a lot of planning and slow steady movement.

We love that you encourage people to find their passion and turn that into a business. What are some key qualities or personality traits that you think entrepreneurs must possess? What is crucial for long-term success?
The key quality for long term success and entrepreneurship is how you handle the setbacks. They will be there and you can either grow stronger and better for them or not. The successful ones learn how to grow from mistakes as well as triumph.

What is the best advice you have ever received?
When one door closes, another one opens. There is never just ONE opportunity, one moment. Life is a series of opportunities and meaningful moments.

ShareThis

Zac Posen’s pre-fall 2009 looks are taking things back to old school glamour. The designer returns to classic ‘40s era fashion with his collection that features elegant skirt suits and evening wear. Several pieces are embellished with fringe that are nostalgic of old Hollywood.

Posen also features several great trench coats and long jackets. His collection includes several classic leopard-print pieces. Models also embodied classic 1940’s glamour with big waves and matte red lips. Posen accessorized the collection with large hats and berets.

Photos:
style.com

ShareThis

From capelets to trenches, to printed silk dresses, to killer shoes—Christopher Bailey keeps Burberry Prorsum on track with new takes on classic shapes for Pre-Fall 2009. Clean lines and impeccable, slim tailored trousers and jackets with “new, slightly puffed sleeves” were key, in addition to rich fabrics breathing freshness into the always classic Burberry Prorsum outerwear. Not to mention sky-high lace-up heels that would make any girls’ legs look longer and leaner; definitely on the must-have list for 2009. Also on the hit list? Beautiful “tapestry velvet jacquard” seen on dresses and outerwear. Pre-Fall with Burberry Prorsum is looking fine indeed.

Photos: style.com

ShareThis

Two Pre-Fall 2009 collections really stood out for their feminine elegance: Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier. These designers show us why it’s great to be a lady (beautiful clothes!), and remind us that elegance is always in style. Vera Wang’s collection included gorgeous looks in jewel tones, charming bow accents, and pearls a la Coco Chanel. Wang reinforces the notion that a woman can still be sexy even when all covered up.

Monique Lhuillier, as always, showed breathtakingly beautiful gowns. She brings to life our fashion dreams with these dramatic, richly colored gowns fit for any princess.

Shown here are a few of our favorite looks from each designer’s collection.

Photos:
style.com
wwd.com

ShareThis

Chocolate is more than just a guilty pleasure. Although notoriously and incorrectly known for triggering skin breakouts and blemishes, the cocoa bean actually has super moisturizing and tightening properties for your skin and several antioxidants found in the cocoa beans help promote skin protection and resiliency. The light and indulgent fragrance will definitely add a new dimension to your signature scent. Here are some great finds!

Where to Shop:
www.lauramercier.com
www.bathandbodyworks.com
www.thebodyshop.com
www.sephora.com

ShareThis

Every season, Lanvin is heralded for their stunning and breathtaking collections. Now, Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz has teamed up with Swedish denim company, Acne, to create his own denim line. The collection has a total of 28 pieces and each piece will be minimally treated so as to retain the rich denim color. The denim pieces will be an integration of Lanvin’s detailing and the more rugged hip look of Acne jeans; there will be pieces like short denim trenches and perfectly relaxed straight-leg jeans. This highly anticipated collection will be available starting Thursday, Dec. 18th, at Barneys New York, Acne Studio, and on their website acnestudios.com. Check out a preview of the collection at NY Mag Online- it’s a perfect addition to your holiday wishlists!

Sources:
www.nymag.com
www.style.com

ShareThis