Vogue Editors (clockwise from top left): Alexandra Shulman (British Vogue), Anna Wintour (American Vogue), Francesca Sozzani (Italian Vogue), Viktoria Davydova (Russian Vogue) and Emmanuelle Alt (Vogue Paris)

There’s American Vogue’s Anna Wintour with her signature architectural hairstyle – hauntingly reminiscent of the Capital Building, and a reputation for being as coldhearted and impassable as a New York cement skyscraper. Italian Vogue’s Francesca Sozzani’s cascading blonde locks and Romanesque profile belong on a bronze coin circa 90 BC. British Vogue’s Alexandra Shulman might appear as casual and substantial as a meal of fish ‘n chips, but sinewy majestic muscle is often flexed from under her Alexander McQueen sweaters. Emmanuelle Alt ofVogue Paris embodies French indifference, and when her endless legs strut, you’d swear the Tour d’Eiffel was in motion. And we cannot forget Russian Vogue’s Viktoria Davydova. Known for her shocking choice of cover models (including Vladimir Putin’s alleged mistress garbed in a $33k Balmain dress) and titillating cover lines, the icy blonde’s in-your-face attitude seems to be the living embodiment of post-Soviet confidence and style. Around the world, Vogue Magazine editors match their country’s greatest clichés. Coincidence or calculated fashion politics?

Aerin Lauder weekends in sweaters from J.Crew men’s line, jeans and Sorels.

Ah the winter weekend wardrobe…where comfort is key and the rules are dictated by the practical, rather than the frivolous; read – what works and looks good is determined by the weather and your activity. The mood should be one of rustic luxury, with an ever so slight hint at hiswear as herwear. Texture is all-important, whether it’s knits, suedes, furs, leathers or sheepskin, you want to think “feel”. The best idea is to mix as many textures together as possible: a leather legging with a chunky sweater, a knit mini dress with a high suede boot or a sheepskin bomber with jeans and leather biker boots. Color cues from nature including charcoals, blacks, creams and woodsy-browns deliver city chic with a nod to countrified luxury. Manhattan style doyenne Aerin Lauder recently tweeted, “My winter weekend uniform consists of men’s J.Crew sweaters, Sorel Boots and Levi’s”. Brilliant look for Aspen afternoons. Alternatively, if espresso on Via Condotti is where Saturday afternoon finds you, you might want to do like Chiara Ferragni in a Russian style Ushanka fur hat, leather leggings and a whole shopper full of attitude.                    

Wrist action in NYC earlier this week. Photo courtesy of VOGUE PARTIES.

Scanning recent photos of the fashion set, and by fashion set I mean the Battaglia/Restoin-Roitfeld/Barbieri types we spot at fashion weeks around the globe, I’ve noticed a new phenomenon: wrist action. Layering on ten plus bracelets and the odd cuff tossed in has become de rigeur for this crowd. It’s the mix of material that generates that fashionable non-chalance…a little gold, a bit of Links of London silver, a lot of friendship cords (because everyone wants to be your friend, right?) and a chunky cuff. The look works wonderfully, especially if you’re carrying a swish clutch to which you want to draw attention. Just be sure your manicure is up to speed and you keep the sleeves at elbow length, be it in their cut or cinched up. With the weight of all that arm candy, you will also want to refrain from overly dynamic hand gestures; keep it to a shoulder-height open palm brief wave at the most. It’s a great training aide to keep you in check from appearing too overtly accessible – an attitude essential to get you a decent seat at any fashion week collection.

The engraved metal and lucite handle is like jewelry.

Recently, in my neck of the woods, we’ve had quite a few grey days. The kind that make you want to creep back under your duvet and commiserate with the offbeat guests of The Maury Show, all the while nursing a leftover container of take-out satay beef rice noodles. This sort of behavior is fine every once in a while but some days you’ve just got to get up, get out and get the job done. I say knock back that grey sky by giving it a pink garnish.

Her name means God is with us in its Hebrew origins. Fitting since this Voguette is somewhat of a religious figure when it comes to fashion. She never seems to smile, but why would she? It might clash with her sharp, bad-ass, strong and sexy style persona. Besides, her trademark “smirk” is far more effective than a give-it-all-away grin.

“…she always wears high heels because, according to her, flat shoes are for quitters.”Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) referring to his wife Avery Jessup on 30Rock.

Oh no. That is not a typo. You read correctly…FLATFORMS. Learn that word. Rhymes with platforms. Finally designers have heard and answered my prayers and created a shoe for me. You see, like millions of others, I suffer from a debilitating disease. I am allergic to flats. Oh I have tried to wear them…I know they are sensible, I know they are good for me, I know they are the choice of healthy people everywhere (gee, it sounds like I’m describing brussel sprouts!). I just have not been able to do it. I am height challenged and if it’s not 4 inches plus (102mm for the metrics) it’s not for me.  Enter the flatform. Spring’s beautiful new shoe. Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Derek Lam…they all did a version. Oh how they lift and support…just like a great bra! Prada even did a take on the classic oxford. Be still my heart. I’ll be wearing them for after-school pick up, to soccer games, trips to the dentist; anywhere a sensible girl ought to wear her sensible shoes.