What isn’t to love about spring? The drab of winter begins to melt away. And, of course, there are the spring dresses. The kind that look as flirty as you feel.

Ever on the lookout, I’ve already found the shop for this year’s spring dresses — one that carries the best designers and the hippest styles. It’s Satine, located on 3rd in West Hollywood.

Jeannie Lee, owner and buyer for Satine, has an exceptional eye for, well, everything. From casual to formal, you’ll find clothing, jewelry and handbags, with nary a second-rate line in her store. On the racks, you’ll enjoy sophisticated and chic lines by international designers from Japan, Paris, Australia, New York, and Los Angeles. In my frequent visits, I’ve always found just the right piece with a perfectly flattering fit (including my small bust line), which means one less trip to the tailor. And the sales staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. These gals have the skinny on all the designers they carry, inside and out.

I’m especially smitten with the Japanese lines they carry like Rodeo, Leul Logette and Avion Feminin. They’ve dedicated a full room in the shop to Japanese designer Tsumori Chisato. Her spring ready-to-wear collection is colorful and uniquely illustrated. The XS’s by these designers fit perfectly, and each garment is impeccably tailored. I’m in love.

Additional featured designers include Isabel Marant, Alexander McQueen, Heimstone, Jean D’Arc, and more. They’re on top of the trends and hot new designers. Sizing at Satine begins at a European 34.

If you aren’t in L.A. you can shop at their online boutique. If you are in L.A. I recommend a visit.

Satine
8117 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-2142

Which do you love more, Gucci or New York City?

Fortunately, one need not choose as Gucci is opening its largest flagship store on Fifth Avenue. And, get this, they’re doing it during the Big Apple’s fashion week.

To help mark the event, Gucci has also launched a “Gucci loves New York” Web site with a preview of its beautiful new retail space, which was designed by Frida Giannini (Gucci Creative Director) and James Carpenter (celeb-architect).

The Web site is a groovy destination with loads of info about Frida and James. It also features the stylish words of fashion-bloggers Coquette, Fashion is Spinach, and Style Bubble, all of whom are currently blogging about their love of NYC and Gucci.

You can enter to win a “Gucci loves NYC” bag by submitting a photo of your favorite NY spot (with a Gucci accessory in hand, of course). Gucci will select the top four for a limited edition Gucci bag. Winners will also have their spot featured on www.guccilovesny.com!

Dear readers, for coverage of the Grammy Style Studio in West Hollywood this year, look no further than serafina.

February 6th to the 9th, nominees, performers, and presenters are invited to select their red-carpet fashion for the 50th Annual Grammy Awards and other Grammy Week events.

More than 30 leading international designers will be featured, including Karl Lagerfeld, Elie Saab, Hugo Boss, Jasmine Di Milo, and Vivienne Westwood. And our petite celebrity-counterparts will be there as well, including Christina Aguilera, Natalie Maines, Nelly Furtado, Shakira, Madonna, Lilly Allen, and Amy Winehouse.

serafina will be there and will post on the petite fashion selections and styles. So, stay tuned!

Dylan Ruffle Jacket

Ladies, it’s time we included more custom-designed clothing in our ready-to-wear closets. And AprilMarin has made it possible with a collection of eight custom-made pieces that serve as timeless staples in a women’s wardrobe, from jackets to dresses. Prices range between $80 and $200.

Here’s how it works: AprilMarin asks you to input your full measurements to ensure a perfect fit and unique style. Each piece is then designed and fit in-house by co-designers and founders, April Bukofser and Marin Milio. The diverse range of measurement options allows customers to really personalize each item – or, if unsure, you can opt for standard measurements. AprilMarin also allows customers to choose their own jacket fabric and lining color with over 72 color combinations.

As an added bonus, the founders encourage their customers to share design ideas for future collections.

“We want women to feel good about themselves and their style and we aim to make clothing that does that,” say co-founder/designer Ms. Bukofser.

Los Angeles’ Chinatown is a mecca for funky and sharp clothing stores: Ooga Booga, Munkey King, and Welcome Hunters are just a few that bring über hipsters to the area.

And now, the ingenious fashion duo T-Rik and Miho Ikeda have created a here-today-gone-tomorrow pop-up retail store cleverly titled, New High (M)art. Part retail, part art installation, and all wicked cool, New High (M)art reinvents itself roughly every six weeks with new interiors, installations, and designers such as Brian Lichtenberg and Grey Ant.

The Grey Ant pop-up (through January 31) is an ever-revolving 300-square-foot storefront that has a curatorial selection of signature looks — and manipulations — that span a nearly decade-long career. In-store merchandise includes both men’s and women’s apparel, runway-pieces, denim, original sunglasses, surprise collaborations, archived-early-ons, and never-before-seen creations designed specifically for the venue, including unique screen printed apparel especially for the NH(M) show.

NH(M) is a bona fide shopping and design experience. If you are looking for truly unique pieces outside of the norm, want to be inspired, or stay on top of the hippest L.A. trends, this is the place to frequent regularly. A handful of off-the-shoulder rayon dresses and funky screen-printed distressed t-shirts caught my attention — and my wallet.

Co-owner Miho is herself a size 00 and was pleased to let me know that the NH(M) Grey Ant collection contains a handful of size 0 t-shirts, dresses, and limited denim pieces. (Of note: Their last show, Brian Lichtenberg, also runs small.)

A new installation is slated to take place the first week of February. To stay abreast of new installations, join the email list on their site.

New High (M)art
741 New High Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 621-7822

You know the routine. You head out to find that pair of perfectly fitted trousers and, out of frustration, end up buying jeans. Finding a great pair of pants is tough — at least it used to be. These days, I look for Raven Tailored, a line designed by brothers Erez and Eyal Zaru. With the Raven Tailored line I get a choice of ass-flattering, not-to-high- and not-to-low-waisted trousers, with either a slim- or wide-leg design to complement each and every pair of heels in my closet. (No small feat, mind you.)

Raven is — by far — my favorite pair of winter pants. They’re a soft wool blend and lined to the knee, the pricing reflects the perfectly fitted design, but consider it a sound investment. I found mine at the Big Drop in SoHo.

For those outside of NYC, you’ll find Raven (Tailored or Denim) on any number of online boutiques, including Shopbop, Lisa Kline, Blue Fly, Shop Style, and Shop Twigs. In NYC you can find Raven at the Big Drop’s three locations; in L.A. find ‘em at Lisa Kline’s stores.

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High Waist Striped Trouser Pant | 0 | $148

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Classic Trouser Pant | 0 | $148

St. Barts, Mexican Riviera, Canary Islands, Fiji… Goodbye, winter doldrums. Hello, warm-weather vacay.

Wherever you choose to seek respite, I have a handful of must-have resort collections to add to your brimming suitcase. This year, it’s all about flowing dresses, colorful prints, and metallic shoes and bags. Although long dresses are lovely, they’re too long for small bodies and short legs. Below, I’ve listed a few that will keep you en vogue, flattering your small frame as you stroll the beach or boardwalk.

Tory Burch Judy Dress | XS | $350

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Tory Burch Perry Dress | XS | $595

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Swim Suit
Beach Bliss on Colorado in Pasadena carries a handful of brands that run small, including Vix, Vitamin A, Rygy, Cosabella, and Juicy Couture. (I always recommend trying on to ensure a perfect fit.) I personally fell in love with suits by Cosabella, Trina Turk, and Rygy.

Cosabella Mare Maya Bikini | XS | $117

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Rygy Bling Bikini | S | $101

However beautiful the suit, you’ll need a cover up for those forays to the pool, beach, and lobby. The terry dress by Ella Moss is perfect for sauntering your way to the bar for that refreshing mojito – without prompting the usual double takes. I also like American Apparel’s terry tube dress.

American Apparel Terry Loop Dress | XS | $42

Travel Bag
Never underestimate the importance of a good travel bag. Whether as a day bag, or something more elegant for fancy dinners, you need something lightweight. When I travel, I rely on the small Le Sport Sac, which is available in all shapes, patterns, and sizes. I have their small shoulder bag in black; it packs flat and is machine washable. I often see Le Sport Sacs as carry-on bags when traveling.

Looking for more pizzazz? Check out the Dot Tot by Marc Jacobs. Or the Coach Women Resort Clutch, which is perfect for both day and night.

Coach Resort Clutch | $398

I like the Dolce Aegean and Tory Burch metallic sandals as well. They’re versatile, and I love the shine.

Dolce Vita Aegean Sandal | 6 | $80

Tory Burch Ali Sandal | 5.5 | $195

I had the pleasure to speak with Christina Dennis, Editor-in-Chief of the fantastic new petite e-zine Shorty Pantz. Published quarterly, Edmonton, Canada-based Shorty Pantz is a comprehensive resource for petites and petite sizing. (For the latest scoop on everything petite, be sure to sign up for their email list.)

Tell me about your e-zine shortypantz.com.

Shortypantz.com is a quarterly e-zine for the chic petite woman. Our articles focus on petite fashion and beauty, petite nutrition and fitness, and general issues that petite women face on a day-to-day basis. We also promote community through our social network, forum, and blog.

You welcome guest editors, right?

We definitely welcome guest article writers. We’re so excited about all of the trend-conscious, fabulous petite women that want to share their advice, and we love to publish articles from petites of all backgrounds, shapes, and points-of-view on our e-zine. If you’re interested in contributing, please contact us via the contact form on our site.

Tulle Shawl Collar Belted Jacket | XS | $58

What was your inspiration for Shorty Pantz?

Like many other petite women in their 20s, I felt there was a lack of stylish petite clothing and general advice both online and in other media. I wanted to bring a sense of community to petites like myself, and a sense of awareness to the fashion industry at large. We’re petites, but we’re not your momma’s petites! We’re trendy, chic and there are a lot of us out there!

What size / how tall are you?

I’m 5′3″ tall and wear a size 8 dress. I’m a curvy petite.

Delia’s Sophie Ultra Low Rise Wide Leg Jean | 00 | $40

Where do you shop in Canada, both online and boutiques?

I shop all over. Currently, I’m loving my petite jeans from Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart — the “George” line often has some great petite items), my winter jacket from Fairweather Canada (they seem to carry jackets with a variety of sleeve lengths and shoulder widths), and my basic black skirt from Reitmans (they usually have a decent petite section). A similar skirt to the one I picked up at Reitmans is the Banana Republic wool pencil skirt. Online, I’m about to buy my first pair of jeans from Delias.com - they carry jeans in inseam lengths as short as 26″ and have great prices for thrifty petites like myself. The Tulle online shop also has a great petite friendly cropped jacket.

Banana Republic Wool Pencil Skirt | 00P | $78

Do you have a favorite clothing line?

I don’t really have a favorite clothing line at present. I purchase fashion items from a variety of sources and always shop by appeal (gotta love it at first sight!), fit, and price, in that order.

What am I missing? Anything else my readers should know about your e-zine?

We’d love to read comments on shortypantz.com from other petites! Please feel free to contact us through our site and let us know what you think of the e-zine, how we could improve it, and ideas for topics you’d like to see in future issues. With the help of petite women worldwide, we’d like to continue to publish the e-zine and grow together.

Voom Vintage Lace Tube Dress | XS | $129

Polkadots and Moonbeams is having their famous semi-annual sale starting this Friday. All winter apparel is 40-75% off at both the modern and vintage shops.

Get the goods on Milly, t-bags, Level99, Tart, Ella Moss, Sky, Black Halo, Corey Lynn Calter, Plenty by Tracy Reese, AG Jeans, Hudson Jeans and o’ so much more.

They’re offering serafina readers an additional 10% discount on all sale items. Be sure to mention ’serafina blog’ at check out or type in ‘serafina’ in the promo code location online.

Polkadots & Moonbeams
8367 & 8381 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(between Orlando & Kings Road, 1-1/2 blocks East of the Beverly Center)

Modern shop (323) 655-3880
Vintage shop (323) 651-1746

Friday, January 25, 2008
11am-7pm

The Zadig & Voltaire boutique in WeHo is having a huge winter sale starting tomorrow. The uber chic Parisian streetwear line is a mixture of silks, leathers, soft cotton and customizable cashmere. Tres magnifique.

The LA boutique is their only location in the US, and its an ‘A’ list destination for all petite fashionistas (and celebs). Get there early for champagne and the small sizes.