The wave of fashion week continues on, this time to London. I enjoy seeing how each city’s runway looks have a relationship to the country the designer is showing in. New York has a certain Americana classic style; Paris maintains an easy elegance; Milan is the leader in craftsmanship; and London will forever have its roots in punk. Thank god.

Below are some of my favorite looks from the collections, including the queen herself, Vivienne Westwood. And below those are 8 looks from the House of Holland. I think the jury’s still out on these, but you gotta give it to Henry Holland for having a vision and carrying it through.

Next fashion week: Paris!

Photos from New York Magazine

Tomorrow night, join me and probably many others, for a night of jazz standards, as sung by Inara George and Greg Kurstin of The Bird and the Bee. DJ sets supplied by Chris Douridas and Rosanna Arquette. It all goes down at Home, 2500 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles. Oh, and did I mention that it is a free show?

The song below isn’t exactly new, nor what they will likely be playing, but I love this song and the video has a great French New Wave feel, so please enjoy…

I’m so proud to officially announce the release of my new book, Chic & Simple Sewing! It’s been nearly 2 years in the making and it looks simply beautiful. All the designers, photographers, and models involved did such an amazing job.

Chic & Simple Sewing is the ultimate how-to-sew book for the hip woman. Want to make your own clothing, but you don’t know where to start, or you don’t like the style of the patterns available? This is the answer! Included are over 20 projects, with all full-sized patterns included, and an intro section on lessons on how to sew and more. All the projects were designed without any buttons or zippers, so the absolute beginner can make each and every one!

Chic & Simple Sewing hits bookstores on April 14, 2009. But you can pre-order your own copy today at any of the links below. To keep in the know about signings, giveaways, and more, check out my new book page, under writings.

Pre-Order Chic & Simple Sewing »

Order from the publishers at Random House
Order from Amazon
Order from Barnes & Noble

Orla Kiely is known for her fabric designs, home decor, and accessories. She’s done some garments in the past, but never a whole collection of clothes. The garment shape and design always felt like an afterthought to me. Not this time. She has recently released an adorable collection of sweet but sexy feminine dresses and separates that have me drooling. Seriously, I want it all.

Here are my favorites of the group, which frankly, were hard to narrow down.

Photos from Vogue

When you write articles and projects for magazines or books, you never quite know how they will turn out, as it is usually something you’ve never done before. When I was asked months ago to to create a project for the latest issue of CraftStylish magazine, I was told to think of something reusing already existing items.

I really wanted to create a project using commonly available items, so no matter where you live you could do the project. So I scoured the thrift stores in Los Angeles, looking for inspiration. There I found racks and racks and racks of men’s dress shirts. Bingo! I knew I wanted to use that as my jumping point.

But if the goal is to look chic (and when is that not the goal!) then it couldn’t look like it was a reused men’s dress shirt. That totally defeats the purpose. So I set out to make a chic little black dress using men’s dress shirts.

I was so happy with the final results, and lucky for me, the editors at CraftSylish were equally happy and put my project on the cover! Swing by your local bookstore, or the CraftStylish website and pick up your very own copy so you too can make this LBD for yourself. Or, make it out of plaid flannel. It’s up to you!

Twice a year when the latest designer collections are shown, the fashion world goes completely bonkers, myself included. I love clothes and watching the newest designs walk the runway is such a rush for someone with this addiction.

New York fashion week just came to a close and as usual there were some amazing collections, some equally horrific collections, and some in between. Below are some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy…

Photos from Vogue

I have finished teaching session 1 of Sewing 101 at ReForm School’s new Home Ec Department and it was so rewarding for both myself and my delightful students! They each made absolutely professional throw pillows for their homes. I’m so proud!

Sewing 101 session 2 in February is already sold out! But don’t fret, I have two sessions of Sewing 101 lined up for March. Session 1 is on two consecutive Tuesdays, on March 3 and 10, and Session 2 is on Tuesdays March 24 and 31. Sign up today by calling 323-906-8660 or email reformschoolhomeec@gmail.com.

Want to hear one of my first student’s experience? Check out this incredibly flattering review from Mark Frauenfelder, editor of Make Magazine. Thanks Mark!

I’m now officially a sewing teacher! That’s right, I’m teaching sewing classes at the new Home Ec Department at the amazing ReForm School store in Silverlake.

I’m currently teaching session 1 of Sewing 101, and session 2 is already sold out! But don’t fret, I’ll be teaching two sessions of the popular Sewing 101 in March as well!

I am also teaching a Reversible Wrap Skirt class, that starts this Wednesday. There’s still room (last I heard) so sign up!

E-mail ReForm School at reformschoolhomeec@gmail.com or call 323-906-8660 to sign up or to get more information. Hope to see you there!