Started ten years ago by the design duo, Preen has collected quite the celeb following including Kate Moss, Chloe Sevigny, and Thandie Newton. It is easy to see why. Take a look at some of my favorite pieces from their Spring 2010 collection:

I remember when Henri Bendel first started carrying this line over two years ago (when they still carried apparel). It was so incredibly sexy and chic without being blatant or cheesy. It was the ultimate alternative for cool girls who were sick of the oversaturated Hever Leger bandage dress. I was immediately smitten.

Pleat Tulip Dress, $1,106

One Shoulder Sheath Dress, $1,089

Power Knitted Lace Dress, $1,375

Friends often ask me for suggestions about what to wear when dressing to impress and I would say, if you want to look less Kim (Kardashian) and more Kate (Moss), go grab something Preen and wait for the boys to scream (had to).

Sigh… now if only I had a red carpet to walk…

xx,

WhyDid

I believe Kate Moss was the first to make rain boots chic. Because that’s what Kate Moss does.

Gwyneth Paltrow in some serious lace up rain boots.

Hilary Duff with mom in Burberry rain boots.

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Hunter boots.

Nicole Richie in Hunter boots.

Ashley Olsen in Jimmy Choo for Hunter rain boots. (Does she know it’s kind of an oxymoron to be wearing sunglasses at the same time as rainboots?)

Last spring I wrote a little ditty on the Do’s and Don’ts of rainboots. Please review and stay dry!

xx,

WhyDid

Seriously, Tyra?  You’ve gone too far this time.  Cycle 13 of America’s Next Top Model (slated to premiere tonight) is dedicated to “models” who are 5′7 and under.  Yeah, that’s right.  Anyone over 5′7 who showed up to the auditions was turned away. 

Basically, the show has given in to the fact that it’s a total joke.  While I have tuned in to several seasons from start to finish (it is good entertainment, after all) none of the winners or contestants have ever gone on to have legitimate modeling careers.  The only posing they are doing is on the banquettes of NY nightclubs.

Maybe producers decided that tall girls were no longer interesting.  After the casting fiasco for the shorty showdown, perhaps they are on to something.  Either that or maybe the tall girls realized this was not the way to go about getting signed to an agency and a kiss of death to their career.

 Being a lofty 5′7, myself, I just find the whole concept silly.  I did the obligatory stint in modeling that most girls go through after arriving in Manhattan, but soon realized I was a good two inches too short and 5 years too late.  Granted Kate Moss is only 5′7, but she makes up for her lack of height in sheer badassness (not sure that’s a word, but we’re talking about Kate here). I would assume the real working models of the world think of this as a kind of insult? Either way, I will probably still tune in and watch Tyra talk about herself and teach the girls how to “smile with their eyes.”  Good reality TV is hard to find. 

xx,

WhyDid

We found this blonde bombshell right here in Manhattan.

Name: Natalie Decleve

Occupation: PR and Events Manager, Kiki De Montparnasse

Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

Wearing: dress- 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent, bag- vintage Dior (remember what I told you about vintage bags being cool?), shoes- Michael Kors Collection (sorry, can’t really see them, but they were divine), bangle- Forever 21, necklace- vintage, ring- rando no name designer from a boutique in Hoboken

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and your bag was only big enough for 3 items, what would they be: My super soft and slouchy Inhabit cashmere sweater (hey you didn’t say it was a tropical island…), my subscription to Bazaar (can I do that?), a box of French macaroons.

Favorite beauty product: L’artisan Parfumeur, Poivre Piquant perfume

Style icon: Kate Moss

This summer, I can’t wait to wear: my bright turquoise Calypso linen mu-mu and destroyed denim (not together, obvi!)

Style tip for all the fashion degenerates: If you don’t feel confident wearing it, don’t.

Best splurge (it was worth every penny): Balenciaga motorcycle bag in grey -  the older it gets, the cooler it looks.

Trend you’d like to see die: One shouldered anything – why is it still happening?! WHY?! Oh- and Marc Jacobs. Just in general. Like I say after every season’s show: The Emperor’s New Clothes…

Currently coveting: Miu Miu Nappa bag in nude leather… ahh I’m obsessed!

And we are obsessed with you, Ms. Decleve.  Well done.

xx,

WhyDid