Barack Obama...female model mirror-image of Barack in Ralph Lauren ad! Presidential look for women?

Did you catch those full page ads for Ralph Lauren in the weekend editions of the two major dailies in New York and Los Angeles?

The pricey blurbs featured a female model - who just happened to be a mirror-image of Barack Obama - with close-cropped hair, dark looks, and a snobbish air of smug satisfaction about her.

Through Lauren's eyes, women appear to be pining to slip in to Barack's pants, in a manner-of-speaking.

Is the Presidential "look" in style this spring for the - um - discerning woman-about-town?

Unfortunately, the stylist who created the eye-catching image for the print media, wasn't a top-notch professional.

Sadly, there were a number of faux pas, which boggled my fashion sensibilities.

The pant leg on the two piece suit, for example, was "indecisive".

The cuff should have fallen at the ankle or more confidently on the gam farther up (pedal-pusher-style) - but in this instant fashion disaster - the style meter was decidedly in the "missed-the-mark" zone.

When I was a kid, if my pants rode a tad above the ankle, my grandmother would scold me.

"You look like a China-man."

Notwithstanding, the fabric pinched and pulled in an unflattering way in the most-awkward of places - at the crotch, in the arm - and even at a lone buttonhole where an over sized button screamed out "tacky".

A botched knot in the tie, and a collar that failed to frame the neckline properly, added to the misery.

There was nothing comfortable-looking about the gal's stance, either.

The grimace on the model's face said it all:

"These heels are killin' me."

Overall, Ralph's entry was a distinctive B & B look.

Beige & Boring!

In contrast, there's been a role reversal, with men going peacock!

Spring 2009

http://www.julianayrs.com

Las Vegas...a fashion plate? Who knew...

Think of Sin City, and the desert oasis will undoubtedly conjure up images of gambling, booze, and broads.

But high fashion?

For the most part, the strip has been known to be rife with tourists in comfy colorful shorts, Hawaiian shirts, and ubiquitous flip-flops.

'Til now, that is.

Lost in thought one day, I strolled off the Casino floor at Caesar's Palace, and ended up amidst a handful of tony haberdasheries in the cavernous lower levels of the gambling house.

At Gianni Versace, exquisite silk dress shirts beckoned from one corner of the aesthetically-pleasing shop.

And, from another, finely tailored suits caused me to squeal in delight.

The moment recalled a scene in the Great Gatsby.

As Daisy (Mia Marrow) rummages through her lost love's walk-in closets, she is overcome with sensory overload as she takes in the spoils his fabulous vulgar wealth.

I was curious about the Vegas scene.

"Aren't folks pretty casual here," I queried the salesman.

"Oh, no," he responded quite emphatically.

"There is a great fashion sense here. Sales at this location are only second to the Los Angeles outlet," he noted somewhat proudly.



























At John Vervatos, the focus was more on individual style.

The trend tended toward monochromatic color schemes - in black and grey - for instance.

And, dress shirts tended to be sparked up with enticing motifs etched on lush enticing fabrics.

A high-quality leather jacket (cut at the waist) - with fashion flourishes like zips and snaps - was even paired with a dress shirt, chic tie, and designer slack - for a decidedly daring "look".

A posse of jackets were crafted in blends with a metallic futuristic look to 'em.

At Bernini, I gasped when I spied a white linen jacket dangling on the rack.

Pure heaven to the touch!

A great wardrobe choice for lunch dates under a lazy mid-day sun or the cocktail hour where the man-about-town is sure to impress with the right accesssories to match.

At Ermenegildo Zegna, the saleswoman was pushing shades of white, pink, and sand.

A Royal Blue dress jacket crafted in lightweight cashmere was a knock-out.

Zegna pays a lot of attention to the finer details when crafting the clothing in their factories in Italy, Switzerland, and Spain.

Fans of the celebrated designer may take a gander at the Spring/Summer collection which is featured in an eye-catching catalogue that has been published in slim book form.

Models were flown to the "pink city" - Jaipur - for the photo shoot.

The exotic locale was the perfect backdrop for Zegna's stunning offerings this season.

When I strode into DKNY (sweaters in sheer fabrics feel great on bare skin), a young salesman noticed the Zegna catalogue in my hand and excitedly queried me about it.

"I want one. It's great for the coffee table."

Undoubtedly!

If you hotfoot it over to one of Zegna's many retail outlets, maybe a bit of sweet-talking will nab 'ya one.

Say Julian sent you!