Special K Fashion

Kaftans:

Just back from a much-needed holiday in the French West Indies, your fashion Beastess spent a week in her beloved new Missoni Beach kaftan. Fashion inspiration struck: a kaftan is the perfect garment to dress up or down, for day or eveningwear. Often embroidered and slightly sheer, they are comfortable and sexy and impart a sense of beach chic to even the most urban occasion. www.louisesandberg.com has the best selection of sexy kaftans we have seen this spring. Our fashion hint: wear these with chunky, simple jewelry and otherwise clean-lined separates to avoid looking too boho. Though for a wild club night, don’t hesitate to wear it over a simple bikini.

Kenneth Jay Lane:

After being in the fashion jewelry biz since 1954, Kenneth Jay Lane, the king of elegant costume jewelry, is suddenly the new It boy- again- for accessories. You can’t go by a trendy fashion boutique window without being tempted by his colourful fruit pendants –pears, apples, and my fave, strawberries- studded with gold studs or crystals, but for a truly Beast-like look, go for the “tusk” necklaces, available in coral, cream, jade, and turquoise, or the legendary animal cuffs worn by the Hollywood grande dames of yesteryear. Available on www.maxandchloe.com, but for a true style deal, get them from the United States on www.qvc.com and take advantage of the low dollar and special prices.

Kane, Christopher:

Fashion’s latest wunderkind – only 24 years old!- has grown and matured in just two seasons. His spring/summer 07 show, was immediately snapped up by stores such as Topshop and Browns in London, Maria Luisa in Paris, Joyce in Hong Kong, and Corso Como in Milan. However, it comprised of neon colors, lots of zips, and impossibly body-conscious cuts reminiscent of Hervé Léger that made us wonder where he would go next. Question answered with his autumn/winter show, which was wearable in a neo-goth sort of way. Using mostly black, grey, and oxblood leather and velvet, as well as crystal mesh, Kane concocted circle skirts dresses with a few slinky pieces thrown in. there was lots of subdued shine, perfect to take us trough a whole slew of winter parties, which is super confusing as most of us are not even wearing our summer wardrobe yet.

K Jacques

Made to measure in Saint Tropez since 1933 by the Kéklikian family, K Jacques sandals are the last word in chic summer footwear. Essential to any self-respecting jet-setter’s summer ensemble, these show off a pedicure and tanned ankles to perfection. They will cost you, but as the shape has been unchanged since 1930, at least they’ll never go out of style. For more fashion-fickle souls, the company also comes out with new models every year, but fashion Beastess says don’t waste your time, go for the classics. www.lestropeziennes.com

Kitson:

A clothing store with a doorman and velvet ropes, located on Robertson Blvd in LA, a clientele that includes Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, and extensive coverage in all the glossy weekly magazines in the States: it all adds up to the priciest sportswear ever seen, but which for some reason becomes oh-so-covetable for the screaming daddy’s girls that mob the place daily. Check out their website, www.shopkitson.com, which half the time doesn’t work either (is it being mobbed too)? In any case, this is the place where some celebs indulge in one of their pet neuroses, kleptomania.

Kelly:

Has any bag ever been so coveted in the history of fashion? Made by Hermès (of course). Originally called “petit sac haut à courroies”, it was made famous by Grace Kelly who carried it in 1956 to hide her pregnant belly, the Kelly is considered to be the more “serious” and “old money” one of the Kelly-Birkin duo, but in a luxury leather or crazy color, it is still pretty rock-and-roll. With prices starting at 6000 euros minimum, you really look like a superstar when you’re carrying one.

Kos:

The name of the latest model of perfect Jimmy Choo sandal! Soft, soft, soft, black leather sandals with lovely straps thick enough not to amputate your foot at the ankle, heels high enough to look good but low enough to walk in, and with toes open enough to show off your trendy OPI Lincoln Park at Midnight nail polish and closed enough not to expose the little toes that have grown stunted from wearing cruel shoes! If the 2 and a half inch heel on the Kos is too sensible for you go for the Gilly, almost the same style but with an added inch of height, or the Georgia, with 4 inches of heel. Starting at £380 at www.jimmychoo.com

Knife:

Usually I wouldn’t include a knife in fashion pages, but the Laguiole Wilmotte colored table knives, with their neon colours and sleek shape, are so cool I couldn’t help myself. Designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, they come in fluo blue, green, orange, pink, purple, and yellow, there is a color for every ensemble so you can cut your steak in style. www.laguiole.com