I cannot remember the very first time I met designer Nicole Romano, but after running into her at a few events (where she always looked fantastic), we ended up working together on her spring/summer 2008 collection presentation. Now, I can honestly say that Nicole is one of the nicest designers in the industry and not only does she design clothing, but also a killer line of jewelry!

Nicole grew up in Rhode Island and studied apparel design at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) before landing a coveted internship with Nicole Miller upon graduation. Wanting a label of her own, Nicole set out out to work on her first collection which immediately caught the attention of Sex and the City stylist, Patricia Field. Both Nicole’s jewelry and ready-to-wear can be seen in countless episodes of SATC including the one where Samantha first bags Smith (then known as Jerry Jared).

I had the privilege of visiting the huge, fabulous, dreamy wardrobe department of Sex and the City: The Movie  with Nicole early last fall (which at the time was filled with options for Carrie’s wedding gown, hundreds of pairs of shoes, and clothing and jewelry for as far as the eye could see). We showed Field and her team Nicole’s latest collection and also brought them pizza and beer from Patsy’s - Nicole’s favorite restaurant -because that’s just the kind of cool girl Nicole is. Several of her pieces made it into the movie including earrings seen on both Miranda and Samantha, as well as the awesome striped skirt seen in the opening sequence featuring what is meant to be four younger versions of the original SATC ladies.

So what makes her collection so perfect for fashion-forward city girls? Nicole’s aesthetic vision is one that celebrates the individuality, femininity, and strength of women - and she isn’t afraid to have fun with fashion, which is part of what has made her a favorite of celebrities including Rihanna, Jessica Alba, Lindsey Lohan, Alicia Keys, Heidi Klum, and more. I recently caught up with this lovely and extremely talented designer to get her answers to my 21 questions.

1. Name: Nicole Romano
2. In 5 words or less, describe your personality: A true Leo
3. In 5 words or less, describe your style: A true Leo
4. What do you do? Fashion and Jewelry Designer in New York
5. What would you like to do? Exactly what I am doing
6. What do you covet? My truck that allows me to escape whoever I want!
7. What are you most into: shoes, handbags, clothes, jewelry? Clothing and jewelry because I’m literally up to my knees in work on a daily and nightly basis!
8. Latest obsession? Rene Furterer Naturia Shampoo
9. Favorite stores? Té Casan
10. Favorite artists/designer? David Foote
11. Favorite runway collections? Preen
12. Last book you read? Perfume
13. What is your favorite piece from your new collection? My favorite piece is the powder blue denim dress with rose pink denim inserts
14. What are you listening to? I listen to big band and swing when I work because it keeps me moving at a fast pace!
15. Drink of choice? Ty Ku Lover’s Lemonade
16. Favorite restaurant/coffee shop/bar? The original Patsy’s Pizzeria in East Harlem
17. Favorite sites? Fashionweekdaily.com
18. Favorite blogs? ThoseExtra4Inches of course! runners up: TheSartorialist, Facehunter
19. Best party you’ve ever been to? A magazine party on Liberty Island - I never thought I would be dancing and drinking champagne by the ankles of Lady Liberty!
20. What’s your favorite thing in your closet? My Fendi Vanity clutch
21. One thing people should know about you? The thing I cherish most is my family

Next week I’ll be attending Nicole Romano’s Spring/Summer Collection celebration at espace and will definitely give you guys a sneak peek of what she has in store for the future. Also, VIVRE.com will be selling a large selection of her jewelry within a few days, and I swear that I want almost every piece…

So my birthday might be over two months away, but I just wanted to point out that I love this amazing spiked bracelet from Burberry.

Its just crazy, sexy, cool and will look unreal when worn over gloves during the colder months. So, why don’t I just buy it for myself? Because I just treated myself to a trio of metallic chain bangles by Philip Crangi, which I’m dying to receive.

Ah…on a sort-of-related side note, did you watch MTV’s Video Music Awards tonight? Does anyone seriously think Britney Spears deserved to win two moon men for her ‘piece of me’ video? Do you love that guy Russell Brand as much as I do?? Anyway, If I had gone to the VMAs tonight, you can bet that this Burberry beauty would have been hanging from my little wrist - what could be more rock ‘n roll than that? I guess having Pamela Anderson dangling from it instead?

p.s. I took the day off from fashion week to do some seriously exhausting shopping, but promise to have posts about the Abaeté and ADAM by Adam Lippes shows up tomorrow.

This season, there is a major return to costume jewelry. Balenciaga’s dazzling bling has been included in practically every fashion magazine’s September issue. Alexander McQueen’s maharajah worthy gems dripped off models as they strutted down the catwalk. Vera Wang’s girls had crystal encrusted snakes slithering around their necks and super-oversized crystal cuffs locked on to their wrists (created in a collaboration with Philip Crangi).

About 3 or 4 years ago, brooches seemed to be everywhere and I couldn’t leave the house with out wearing one - so needless to say I’m very excited at the idea of piling them on my capes and coats this coming fall.

Believe it or not, fabulous faux jewelry is (sort of) in my blood. My parents are ballroom dancing instructors and over the past ten or so years, my mother has amassed quite a collection of costume jewelry (her favorite place to shop is Hello Beautiful in Honolulu, HI). My mom and I actually went through a Swarovski phase together, buying delicate crystal hat pins and exotic bird brooches that have long since needed to be repaired and are sitting in my jewelry box.

I also began my career in fashion as an intern for Showroom Seven where I had my first taste of the crazy fashion jewelry that is Erickson Beamon…and I after several sample sales, I’ve gathered quite a little collection of my own. And although my jewelry box is already overflowing, I’d gladly make some room for pieces by Tom Binns (he actually has a ridiculously gaudy necklace at Moss right now called, ‘Now This is a Fucking Necklace’) or the House of Lavande.

No collection to call your own? Well, there’s never been a better time to start your own collection of brilliant baubles…Begin with Kenneth Jay Lane, Banana Republic, HSN, or at any vintage shop and bling it up. Don’t be afraid to wear more than one piece at a time - after all, it is costume jewelry.

Today, aside from my usual 10-6 writing job, I was asked to step into the studio to pose as an ‘arm’ model for our upcoming holiday issue. I agreed because, well why not - plus, I’ve always loved going on photoshoots. And although I’ve never modeled before (not even a hand or a foot), I do sort of understand what makes a good model:

• A good model is on-time
• A good model takes direction
• A good model has a positive attitude

Determined to be a good model, I called my art director, Darryl, this morning to confirm my call time, which he was very relaxed about (’Case, just show up around 5′). I of course was slightly excited and spent the rest of the day worrying about when I was going to be able to squeeze in a manicure to tame my super long, ‘witch-length’ talons.

I started to worry about my nails and then called, emailed and texted all about how I should have them shaped, what color they should be painted, etc. I got no response at all (later I learned that his phone died) and just decided to keep it simple, go with a sheer, pale pink shade. Of course I ended up leaving the office later than I wanted to and ran into the nail place on 28th Street and Lexington - where I got (drum roll) a fairly decent 20 minute manicure! Unfortunately I was about 15 minutes late, thus starting out my highly anticipated career as a supermodel in bad form.

Anyway, I walked into the studio and was greeted by 4 artistic, pale but adorable boys. Darryl told me to put my arms above my head so that the blood would leave them and make them look better. I asked Darryl which of my arms he wanted to use and with fairly little hesitation he said the left one. Now I’ve never really compared my left arm to my right one, but perhaps the freckle placement is a bit sexier on the left now that I really look at it.

My ‘inspiration’ for the shoot came was a tear from ELLE featuring an arm stacked with cuffs, bent in the shape of a Z. It looked fairly simple, but as we began shooting and my arm was awkwardly twisted on a large sheet of white, I started to wonder if I was going to be able to deliver a decent shot.

I wore a large gold spiky cuff by SURevolution, a lucite one from Alexis Bittar, an elaborately beaded one by Miriam Haskell, and ended up holding/reaching for a diamond detailed wooden cuff by Jessica Kagan Cushman. The photographer and Darryl kept teling me to relax my hand, bend my fingers, move things slightly to the left, etc. I think we ended up getting the shot, and Darryl said we could get a big blow up of my crooked little arm for the office. The whole thing only took about 30-45 minutes.

It was a nice break from the typical day - its always fun to be back in the studio. If any of you need an arm model please know that I am in very high demand, and charge a ridiculous fee of 1 venti regular coffee per shot.

The cuffs and bracelets shown here all available at VIVRE, except for the CHANEL one.

This post marks the first of a new series I’m doing on fall fashion. I’ll bring you my top picks, the best trends, as well as the essential pieces you need to buy this season, all from A to Z.
Hope you enjoy!

Shop the above picks here:
Alexander McQueen Bag
Bing Bang Earrings
Elizabeth and James Necklace

Can you tell the difference between Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags? I thought about this on Monday when watching The Hills, seeing Heidi’s bag, and then realizing that I wasn’t sure which one it was.

I’ve never become obsessed with Hermès bags simply because they’ve never been in my price range (which is why I never really took the time to notice the difference in styles), but I do own a few of their scarves, twillys, a pair of lady gloves, and one of their fragrances. Since I didn’t know exactly which was which (and as a young fashionable person, I really should), I’ve put together a bit on the bags…

About both bags:

• Prices for both begin around $7,000 and can go well beyond $50,000
• Part of the price of all Hermès bags is the privilege to bring it into any boutique to be sent to Paris for a “spa treatment” where the bag, no matter how old or abused, will be bought back to the best possible condition…for an additional cost of several hundred dollars
• Both bags can be customized to the buyers specifications
• Locks and keys are number-coded
• Lining is usually made of goat skin that matches the color of the exterior skin
• Identifiable by their metal-tipped clasp, which can be closed with a tiny padlock (and the clasp’s hidden key often dangles from the handle in a leather sheath of its own)
• Not sold online and never ever will be
• Famous for their waiting lists - Remember on Sex and the City when Samantha used Lucy Liu’s name to score the red one faster?

The Hermès Kelly Bag:

• Named after Grace Kelly
• Became famous in 1956 when Grace Kelly (then Princess of Monaco) used one to shield her pregnant stomach from the prying eyes of the paparazzi
• More formal than the Birkin
• Comes in 5 different sizes (although possibly more from looking at the Fall runway show)
• It takes a single craftsman about 18 hours to make one

The Hermès Birkin Bag:

• Named after Jane Birkin (who has an interesting history with the company)
• 5 Birkins are produced a week at the Hermès Atelier in Paris
• More casual than the Kelly & has a slightly younger more bohemian appeal
• With an open top, it is easier to open than the Kelly
• Both Jay-Z and Lil’ Kim have both rapped about the Birkin

I think I’d go with a Birkin, but which one do you like? Do you know anyone who carries either a Birkin or a Kelly? Do you think they are worth the price

P.S. Want your own Kelly - for free? Go here, and then click on the little picture of the Kelly bag paper cut-out next to a pair of orange scissors. Nothing new, but fun for those of you who haven’t seen this before!

So my last bag purchase was from the GAP and I sort of love it - although I didn’t at first. The thing is, I’ve always hated plain black bags and yet they’re just something every girl needs.

Anyway, I found this leather satchel at the GAP and bought it simply because I needed a black bag (although I definitely liked the lighter gray one better), it was only $150, its not too big, not too small, and has just the right amount of pockets inside. I’ve also gotten a bunch of compliments on it, which I would have never expect. It actually has a slightly understated rocker vibe…

Just saying that the next time you walk by the GAP, stop in. You never know. Shop all GAP bags here.

ac-ces-so-ry noun, plural –ries

1. a subordinate or supplementary part, object, or the like, used mainly for convenience, attractiveness, safety, etc., as a spotlight on an automobile or a lens on a camera. 2. an article or set of articles of a dress, as gloves, earrings, or a scarf, that adds completeness, convenience, attractiveness, etc., to one’s basic outfit.

It’s certainly no secret that accessories make the outfit, but do accessories also make the girl?

A great accessory is one of the most versatile items you can invest in - even Carrie sticks with a great accessory once she finds one, like that studded vintage belt from the movie.

Not only do they set the tone for your entire look, they also become stylish security blankets.

I have been wearing scarfs (as most of the country has) for the past few months and even wore one yesterday although the temperature was well above 90. I also wear the same 2 rings (one Tiffany & one Baccarat) and same simple Baccarat earrings every day. I also always feel the best when wearing one of my favorite pairs of shoes - even if they are slightly painful. They make me feel comfortable, give me a sense of safety that I don’t feel without them, as silly as that might sound. Although these things initially attracted me with their aesthetic quality, over time they have become signatures of my personal style and have truly come to represent me.

I used to be more snobby about fashion (when I was busy getting myself into debt during college), but now I have a much more open eye, and actually a much better closet. In Manhattan, there is really no reason to not be well dressed simply because here you have access to everything.

About a week ago I bought the most simple gold ring from H&M and I’ve probably received 10 comments on it already, and yes, from fashionable, snotty girls who wear those awful Tiffany hearts around their necks.

I am actually a silver girl at heart, but I was inspired by an intern we had working our sample sale a few weeks ago: She came in wearing silver on one hand/arm and gold on the other, which looked AMAZING…so I stole the look! Yesterday I went back to H&M to buy 5 more of those rings (since my other one is already turning pink at the edges), and I found a few other great pieces. So now I’m all about the silver and gold and it isn’t even the holiday season!

And when I adopt a style, I usually stick with it, so I’m sure by the time fall comes around I’ll be still into the silver and gold thing and the accessories from Louis Vuitton are the things my dreams are now made of - hmm, I know Roberto Cavalli just signed up as H&M’s next guest designer, but when will Marc Jacobs do it?

1. Hermes black muff in what? Croc? ohhh…

2. Louis Vuitton awesome bracelets…looks like uni.

3. Dolce & Gabbana - those boys know sexy, much more so than Justin Timberlake. The mesh, the swarovski crystals, the cut, the bra, the locked metal formed corset! Oh my god!

4. And these Burberry gloves. Wow. Yes, please!!