From left: Versace’s animal punk bright fur; Fendi’s brightly hued tribal bags; Jimmy Choo’s crystal-studded high-heel pump; Dolce’s deliciosly decadent cardinal-red lace finale; Dolce’s saintly handbag (photo & caption credit)

This Fall/Winter 2013, it seems like bright colored fur prints and bags will be all the latest fashion.  Versace showed off an electric-yellow zebra stripped coat perfect for catching anyone’s attention on a gloomy day. If you don’t feel like attracting too much attention with a zebra yellow coat, how about toning it down with an animal print bag like Fendi’s pictured above?  This would be a fabulous accessory to make any neutral outfit stand out.  If brightly colored animal prints are not your thing, than you can still be glam with studded shoes and bags . Studded bags have been around for quite a while, but now the fierce decorations are going to be seen more on shoes.  Jimmy Choo’s black pumps feature crystal studs giving the shoes some sparkle without completely going over the top.

It appears we’re trending from the 70’s back to the 50’s and 60’s. Prada showed their Spring 2012 Collection yesterday at Milan Fashion Week, and one of the big influences was 1950’s and 60’s Southern California, an iconic era of customized muscle cars and surfer babes, made forever famous in songs from The Beach Boys, films like Grease, and books by Tom Wolfe.

Some of our favorites from the collection included dresses with hot rod flame details burning up the hem, and the throwback one piece swimsuits that still manage to flatter the figure.  Ms. Prada also presented some very literal hot rod prints that could easily double as young boys pajamas, if the silhouette wasn’t so perfectly feminine. She even took the car motif into several pairs of strappy heels with flames shooting out of the proverbial tailpipe.

By the way, we are really loving how accessible the fashion business has become. Once a closed up industry reserved only for the VIPS invited to attend each show, practically every brand is making investments in digital media, streaming the runway walks live from the tents, and exciting a whole new generation of fashionistas. It’s also a fuller picture, as the public gains exposure to the creativity that goes beyond the clothes and into the styling, music and overall show presentation. For example, you can watch the entire Prada Spring 2012 Show right on YouTube:

You probably already know Jeannie Mai as the energetic host of Style Network’s Emmy-nominated show How Do I Look?, but you’ll also see her on NBC’s upcoming style competition show Fashion Star. Jeannie will serve as the show’s Digital Fashionista, alongside host Elle Macpherson and fashion mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos. In addition to chatting up the contestants on air, Jeannie will show off her spunk and style sense online in a series of ten online videos.

Known for using fashion to inspire, educate and empower women, Jeannie recently answered HABITUAL’s 5 Questions, and talked about food, being a fashionista, and “flasses”:

New York or Los Angeles, and why?

Sigh…why are you making me choose? NY for fashion & food, LA for swagger. Meaning…I love NY for the undeniable energy of inspiration for style, and the thousands of food choices can’t be beat. But I love LA for having it’s snobby swagga. Don’t hate.

Give us a sense of your personal style?

I’m playful. My style says it’s time to celebrate whatever I feel blessed to have for that day, whether it be my job, the event I’m hosting, my womanhood, or my imagination. I tend to find all of my inspiration to mix colors and textures through food, not only because I’m a foodiva, but also because I want to look delicious.

You’re best known for your work as a stylist and host, but what do you consider your greatest talent?

My greatest talent is celebrating people’s potential. I’m inspired by everyone, and can be any body’s greatest cheerleader. I believe everyone is uniquely talented- and when you mix that with potential, you have world changers.

What’s your daily habit?

Eating and praying. I love food, and love that it reminds me stop and say Thanks. I can’t live without the two.

What’s one thing in your closet you could never give up? And what’s your go-to piece in the closet right now?

One thing I could never give up are shoes. I feel sexy and powerful when I strut. My go – to piece are my flasses (fake glasses). They’re any body’s best sex-essory. Everyone should own a pair, I have 80.

BONUS: Leather or Lace?

Both, bonded tight.

One of the things we are really proud of at HABITUAL is that every pair of jeans is conceived, designed, and handmade in USA. Right in Los Angeles, actually. From cutting and sewing, down to attaching hardware and shipping them to retail, it’s all done here at home. So we have a special affinity for other brands that represent American craftmanship to their core. One brand giving great weight to the “Made in America” tag is Esquivel shoes, which are also handmade here in California.  While it’s a safe bet to buy a pair of shoes that say ”Made in Italy” inside the tongue or on the sole, it is hard to challenge the impeccable quality of Esquivel’s footwear.

Most of their designs feature classic shapes, with a touch of whimsy or unconventional bit of color to set them apart.  This incredible video from the Esquivel website will give you a better understanding of their attention to detail, and exactly what it means to be handmade in the U.S.A.

Esquivel from David Hubert on Vimeo.

We’re torn.  We really love this shoe, but only in the nude color. We wish it was never an “it” shoe. After looking at 188 images of celebrities in this YSL Tribute Platform Sandal, some of us are feeling a little nauseous. Hard to believe this “iconic” shoe has only been around since October 2007.  They keep producing it in every color imaginable.  Stop that!

Pros: You grow six inches instantly, legs feel a mile long. Surprisingly comfortable. Nude is the right color to freshen up your shoe collection this year. Looks amazing with the HABITUAL Audrey jean.

Cons: It was an “it” shoe.