COVET.

Glitter skirt by Danielle Scutt. COVET.

I saw this skirt in the most recent issue of Elle (Feb. '12, pg. 208) and knew immediately that this would be the next item featured on COVET. It's gorgeous, completely impractical and extravagant, and certainly nothing I will own anytime soon. Actually, I can't even figure out where to buy it. I think you would have to be famous or know Miss Scutt personally. Maybe it's just not available yet, but at $1,415 I will probably never be in the same city as that skirt.

Visit ELLE.com to see more of Danielle Scutt S/S 2012 ready-to-wear

Covet.

The return of Covet.!

It doesn't need to be said really, but most ads I just flip past. However, for a few seasons now, I've found myself taking a few moments longer to gaze at the Max Mara ads. The styling is simple, the models' make-up is clean and elegant; you just don't need much more. The coat does the talking. Magically, softly, the camel-hair and silk come to life. I just imagine the weight as the coat slipped over my shoulders. It's not the kind of weight that slows you down. It's the kind that keeps you warm and reminds you that this $795 coat was worth every penny.

Then I turn the page and the imagined scenario vanishes. I am brought back to reality with the more realistic outcome of a purchase of this magnitude. Trevor would flip his lid if I blew half my savings on a coat. Not as furious as he would be if I spent it on shoes, but pretty upset.

I will just have to live vicariously through Freja.

If you actually have the money for a Max Mara coat, check out Nordstrom

outsider

I am going to get a lot of flack for this, but I'm just going to come out and say it: I do not like Missoni.

I don't like vintage Missoni, I don't like the haute couture Missoni, I don't like the Target Missoni; I don't like any of their designs and never have. It comes down to personal taste. What my eye sees when I look at a Missoni pattern is an old 1970's afghan that someone has sewn into a dress. The colors are overwhelming (or just plain muddy), the patterns harsh, and most of their cuts unflattering. I know it is all signature, well made (may not apply to Target line), has been around for forever, but I just can't get myself to like it and I think I am one of very few people who feel this way.

I am basing this assertion on the recent hubbub around the release of the Missoni for Target line. Maybe it's just that after all the advertising and promoting and build-up people are just freaking out, or maybe enough people love Missoni that they are capable of crashing the entire Target website; who's to say. The advertising industry can be very influential, as we all know.

I do however, have the utmost respect for this influential and established fashion house. How many designers can you name that have not had to do any sort of reinventing or reworking of their signature looks? Missoni has basically been making the same knitwear since 1953. And having a brand ambassador like Margherita Missoni has done quite a bit to cement Missoni in the minds of a new generation. She is charming, incredibly fashionable, and has the most intoxicating voice. Margherita's voice and one of the models fainting is all I remember from that episode of America's Next Top Model, cycle 15. Oh wait, yes, now I remember the models having to wear these awful mud-brown scarves in 90 degree weather.

Respect and charm aside, I still will not be shelling out $160 for a black market tote bag from Target that just happens to bear the name of Missoni somewhere on it. (One thing they got right is that they didn't brand the crap out of the bags!)

What is your opinion of Missoni? Have they been a favorite for a long time or are you just discovering their unique, signature styles? Did you go to Target on the release day? Interested in hearing your opinion :)