Panache Offblast

I am so excited it is September, since we are steps closer to Autumn finally arriving! I miss wearing warm knits, longer coats, thick tights, cozy boots, scarves, gloves & hats, and everything that ties us into bundling and layering up for the cool season. Americana Manhasset, a premier collection of over 60 designer shops has flown across the waters from New York to London for their Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Lookbook entitled  “London Calling.”  The campaign, photographed and styled by Laspata/DeCaro features editorial models Edita Vilkeviciute and Andrew Cooper. I am seriously obsessed with the hair, setting, clothing, and pretty much the overall styling in this lookbook. It reminds me a lot of the old pictures I use to go through in my mom’s albums and truly embraces the proper way to dress mod in the most sophisticated, chic, and stylish manner – I need to go shopping soon!

Shot entirely in London, the campaign features the Beatles, the Queen and Winston Churchill making ‘cameo’ appearances, adding playful humor to the sophisticated feel. Expressing London’s metropolitan looks, Americana’s guy and girl cruising along the town effortlessly transforms from chic Westminster intellectuals to stylish West End travelers. Fall ready-to-wear clothing, accessories and jewelry from the most luxurious brands in the world are captured. The whimsical 30-second promo video here is titled “Chelsea Girl” and draws inspiration from the classic British film, “Georgy Girl”, and truly emphasizes the fun, flirty, and confident attitude of this season. I love it!

“The powerful and diverse looks prevalent on the runways provided us with inspiration for Americana Manhasset’s Fall Book,” said Charles DeCaro. “We envisioned a strong, energetic and creative woman with a confident style all her own. We chose different settings throughout London depending on each look, allowing the fashion and respective designers’ messages to shine.” From Fendi and Chanel to Tory Burch and Theory, each brand enjoys a unique image that also works as part of the whole.

More on Americana Manhasset:
Located on Long Island’s beautiful North Shore, Americana Manhasset is 20 miles from Manhattan and 50 miles from the Hamptons. It is an incredible collection of over 60 fine shops, including Prada, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels, Dior, Hirshleifers and more, all within a unique outdoor environment designed by renowned architect Peter Marino and landscape designer Oehme van Sweden. Americana Manhasset offers a complimentary Personal Shopping Service, a remarkable luxury fashion and gift resource. Lily Donaldson was photographed on a Hawaiian island for their Spring/Summer 2010 lookbook and it was retro-fabulous too (more about that later, perhaps)!

I seriously cannot get over this lookbook- I absolutely love mod in this manner and the sophistication and chicness make me want to restyle my entire wardrobe. I also need to learn how to style my hair this way – it always ends up being either too flat or frizzy! Any tips?