Fall 2010 shows were a bare-chested affair with Cushnie et Ochs, Derek Lam and Alexander Wang showcasing dresses and tops snipped way down past the bustline.

Provocative as they are, these chest-revealing pieces are extremely versatile, may be layered with sexy camisoles and bandeaus, or worn bare if you dare.

Update your wardrobe with contemporary twists on classic styles. MCQ’s tuxedo jumpsuit and Issa’s kimono-style dress will take you from office to cocktails – simply switch the tote for a clutch.

For a more formal occasion, RM by Roland Mouret’s body skimming wrap dress is equally sexy paired with a camisole or held together with a bejewelled Erickson Beamon brooch.

Choose accessories that entice the eye and keep the focal point low with long necklaces from Isharya and Stella McCartney. Alternatively, skip the jewellery and channel minimalist chic with RM by Roland Mouret’s latticed belt or YSL’s corset-style belt.

With boundless possibilities at hand, take a cue from the runway and invest in ensembles with deep V necklines for show-stopping style.

This weekend, a wellness centre in the heart of Milan will transform into a pop-up art gallery, Atelier Corte Regina, to host the first solo show of upcoming artist Marta Grossi. Hell’s Kitchen Blurry Ghost is the fruit of Grossi’s recent travels to New York and a creative interpretation of how the pulsating metropolis impacted her imagination.

Old photographs are transformed into canvasses where silk, hand-drawn illustrations and splashes of pastel hues merge into one. The works speak of Grossi’s unique talent for blurring the lines between classic art and graphic design, the old and the contemporary, revealing a distinct and delightfully effervescent personality.

From 17 January 2009 at Atelier Corte Regina, Viale Monza 16, Milan 20127.

From Alice bands to bejeweled barrettes, floral fascinators to sparkling clips, beautiful hair accessories instantly glam up an ordinarily drab outfit with minimum effort.

New York-based CandyBand has released its latest collection of innovative hair accessories epitomising grown-up glamour and elegance. Whether you’re channeling Carrie Bradshaw or Anna Piaggi, the diverse range of bridal accessories, hats, headbands and hair pins allows fashionistas the freedom to experiment for virtually any occassion.

Painstakingly handcrafted, CandyBand’s luxe accessories are coveted the world over and available through their online store. The next time you’re looking to put a fresh twist on an old outfit, accessorise your outfit to create a new look and instant pick-me-up.

Visit www.candybandaccessories.com for more information.

Image courtesy of Arnold S. Levine

21 years of  experience in the theatrical millinery industry distinguishes Arnold Levine career as a Broadway costume designer. His work has been featured in Shrek The Musical, Mary Poppins and The Lion King, as well as in the brilliant new production of Finian’s Rainbow. Levine has also collaborated with New York’s Metropolitan Opera, the American Ballet Theatre, and is currently involved in A Christmas Carol at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Colour explodes from every surface in Levine’s New York workshop; hats hang from the ceiling, whilst vintage wooden blocks and works in progress, described by Arnold as “big, splashy and colourful”, fill the racks.

Each member of the dedicated team at Arnold S. Levine, Inc. brings individuality to the table, translating fantasy into reality through painstaking processes including dyeing, sculpting and painting.

“My responsibility to my client is to achieve their vision”, said Levine.

Whilst couture millinery is tied to the flow of fashion, theatrical millinery is timeless. In theatre, actors reply on their costumes in order to bring a character to life — a tall order, but one that is delivered with panache thanks to Levine’s experience, team and a healthy dose of humour. Bring on the applause!

X-Factor: SoHo hidden gem.
The Buzz: This boutique hotel marks the opening of the first Firmdale hotel outside London and bears all the signature Firmdale flourishes.  Birdcage chandeliers, an eclectic palette of fabrics and textures, and showstopping pieces of contemporary art evoke a distinctly boho-chic vibe. The floor-to-ceiling windows in each bedroom offer sweeping views of the trendy neighbourhood and stunning Manhattan skyline.
Must-do: Savour a decadently delicious traditional English afternoon tea at The Crosby Bar and then check out the hotel’s unique screening room.
Icing on the Cake: Bathrooms are stocked with Le Jardin 10012 Miller Harris products, created exclusively for The Crosby. The British parfumerie also created the scented Le Jardin 10012 candle, which is available for purchase.
Out and About: Two of New York City’s finest restaurants, Balthazar and Savoy, are a mere stroll away. Have a bite to eat before embarking on a shopping spree – Heart, Key and Global Table are boutiques conveniently situated at your doorstep.

Visit www.firmdale.com for further information.

The evanescent beauty of Deborah Turbeville’s photographs have a far greater emotional impact when viewed in person rather than on a printed page. Familiar to fans since the 1970s, Turbeville has worked extensively with Vogue and publishing houses such as Doubleday, Harry N. Abrams and Rizzoli.

Ralph Pucci International recently unveiled Turbeville’s Silent Film display at its penthouse gallery in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. Curated by Ken Smart, this unique series includes one-of-a-kind collages created especially for this exhibit. Incorporating imagery from the artist’s work in the 1980s, the photographs feature vintage interiors, forests of fallen leaves, and ethereal statues. From the Petit Trianon to Versailles, in one glance, Turbeville succeeds in capturing history and the poignancy of time.

Silent Film exhibits until January 31, 2010 at Ralph Pucci International, 44 West 18 Street, New York 10011; T: (+1) 212 633 0452.

Photography plays a pivotal role within the music industry. Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present, currently on display at New York’s Brooklyn Museum, presents an excellent opportunity to marvel at how these two artistic disciplines interconnect.

Organised by photography historian Gail Buckland, the exhibit features over 175 images by 105 photographers, including album cover art, candid snapshots, publicity portraits and concert images of musicians such as Tina Turner, Madonna and Tupac Shakur. Although the snapshots will undoubtedly evoke nostalgia amongst older visitors, younger fans will also appreciate this retrospective.

The sociological and anthropological significance of this exhibit lies in its exploration of rebellion and triumph, not to mention the fact that rock and roll lives on forever.

‘Who Shot Rock & Roll: A Photographic History, 1955 to the Present.’ Until January 31 2010. Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052.

Claudia Schiffer and Nadja Swarovski. Image courtesy of Swarovski.

From London to New York, celebrities have recently been lighting snowflakes to help spread UNICEF’s message of hope, peace and compassion for children during the festive season.

Lucy Liu lit the handcrafted UNICEF USA Snowflake, during a special ceremony held in front of the Louis Vuitton Fifth Avenue store in New York, which was broadcast live the Spectacolor CNN billboard in Times Square.

‘As a native New Yorker I always look forward to seeing the UNICEF Snowflake light up Fifth Avenue,’ Liu remarked. ‘It reminds me that every day, there are 24,000 children worldwide dying from preventable causes. I am especially proud to support UNICEF and their commitment to change that number to zero.’

Over in London, UNICEF UK Ambassador Claudia Schiffer joined Nadja Swarovski at the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge in occasion of the lighting of the Swarovski Crystal Snowflake designed by Ingo Maurer. For the second year running, Swarovski has collaborated with UNICEF, and as Nadja Swarovski remarked, ‘We are…thrilled that we can help such a worthy cause.’

The London light-up was followed by a cocktail reception that included a live auction conducted by Sotheby’s that helped raise funds for UNICEF.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. © Kevin Mazur/2009 Kevin Mazur.

Asprey recently unveiled the Protector Collection of fine jewellery and silver objets created in collaboration with Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

This limited collection comprises of black diamond and emerald pavé rings, jewelled pendants, earrings and bracelets, as well as silver pieces that include a children’s tooth box and an egg cup.

Each creation is inspired by serpentine forms which hold special meaning for Jolie. During her first pregnancy, Jolie was given a snake ring to guard her and her unborn child.

Each handcrafted piece is made in Asprey’s flagship boutique at New Bond Street, London. The net proceeds from the sale of this collection will be donated to the Education Partnership For Children of Conflict, an initiative which brings together over 30 non-profit organizations which support children affected by conflicts and natural disasters across the world.

Discussing the purpose of the charity with WWD, Angelina said: ” These are the children who most need a safe place to learn, a place to heal, a place to learn reconciliation, a place to build a better future and a place — to just be children. Yet the education for these children is often forgotten. Tens of millions of children and adolescents in conflict are not in school.”

The Protector Collection is currently available at Asprey’s boutiques in London, New York, Beverly Hills, Tokyo and Dubai.

Asprey, 167 New Bond St, London, W1S 4AY. T: (+44) 870 905 0767.

Joyce and Art Ostrin. Image courtesy of Early Halloween.

In a sprawling loft in the heart of Chelsea, a seasoned store bursts with musky clothes. From military uniforms to metal bras, 19th century corsets to classic couture gowns, poodle skirts to pirate tunics, the store is a pack rat’s heaven — and an exclusive one at that. At Early Halloween, you can play dress-up, but only if you’re an industry insider.

“We don’t rent to the public because I think it’s not right to the clothes,” says owner Art Ostrin. “You never know who is responsible enough to handle such fragile pieces.”

Early Halloween opened its doors the Christmas weekend of 1968 by veteran actor Art Ostrin and his sister Joyce. “Because of the theatre, I was just fascinated with clothing and jewellery from that period,” says Art. “So I toured a lot and bought a lot,” he said.

But Joyce says their fashion fascination began long before Art began acting. “I think we were born that way — with the vintage clothes gene,” she says.  “At 4 years old in the Bronx, we were taking the neighborhood kids down to our backyard and dressing them up in my mother’s clothes.”

The 8,500 sq. ft. vintage rental and styling house began by leasing its colossal collection to Hollywoord film studios, followed by fashion, photography, and publishing industries. Though Art may have been the backbone of the store, Joyce has always been its heart. “It has to do with a passion,” she says. “It’s been 41 years and that passion is still very much there.”

The store first struck industry gold when it provided costumes for the 1974 film The Great Gatsby. Since then, Early Halloween has received both movie and TV credits from the likes of Ali, A Beautiful Mind, Law & Order and The Sopranos. It  frequently scores editorial acknowledgments in Vogue Italia, Vanity Fair and W Magazine, even supplying designers with costumes to employ as creative muses. As long as these industries continue to thrive, these salient siblings will offer their unique supply to meet such high demand.

Early Halloween is at 130 West 25th Street 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001; Tel: +1 (212) 691-2933

Targeted at young aesthetes and their (hopefully deep) pockets, the New York Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) recently celebrated its one-year Anniversary with a madcap Paper Ball. The tightly curated exhibit Slash: Paper Under The Knife includes site-specific installations and new works by over 50 contemporary artists – in paper! The paper gowns on display (Rubin Chapelle, Zaldy, Kai Kuhne among others) would be coveted in any material. Cult New York label Ruffian executed a 19th century ensemble that included a hat and dog and which was laser cut, pleated, folded and crafted wholly from printed paper.

The launch was hosted by one of our favourite Mad Men, Bryan Batt, and the lovely Rose McGowan, and was attended by social glitterati and the Who’s Who of design circles. Kristeen Young, a young musician known for her style in both music and fashion merged classic with cutting-edge in striking black and white cut-outs, scoring a perfect ten for the evening.

Slash: Paper Under The Knife, Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, New York, 10019. Until April 4 2010.

Hailed as the “leading female artist of the burgeoning Pop Surrealism movement” by NY Arts Magazine, Lori Earley is celebrated for her ethereal portraits of femme fatales. Reflecting a distorted reality, Earley’s subjects are characterised by elongated figures, exaggerated eyes, Victorianesque couture and textured backgrounds.

Mystery and melancholy combine with an intense colour palette in Earley’s latest exhibition at London’s Opera Gallery. Already highly sought after by art collectors, Laments and Lullabies is Earley’s most ambitious and evocative collection to date. An intuitive painter, Earley’s stylised portraits depict a rare artistic finesse, extraordinary eye for detail and raw human emotion.

Laments and Lullabies is exhibiting at Opera Gallery, 134 New Bond Street, London W1S2TF from 16 Oct – 11 Nov, 2009.