I have set the scene: a tanned me, laughing poolside with a cocktail in hand, dressed in a breezy white strapless jumpsuit. Why yes, Rachel Zoe! This jumpsuit is 'to die'! I'll say. Does it matter that my warm weather reality is more like me dusty riding arena-side, sunburned with a farmer's tan, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt? Of course not, because fashion means a girl can always dream (and I'm still getting that jumpsuit.) I haven't planned scenarios for all this season's new looks yet -- like denim (I KNOW I'll have places to wear that) or plaid (again, works for everyone) -- but there really are 10 standout trends that we'll all love wearing this season. (Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

10 Spring Trends You'll Love to Wear originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 15:14:46.

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"An evening dress that reveals a woman's ankles while she's walking is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen," reveals legendary couture designer Valentino in the movie "Valentino: The Last Emperor." The movie (I downloaded mine from Amazon.com for less than $5), details his extravagant lifestyle and collections before he retired from the business and is full of insights into the rarified world of haute couture.

Watching it right before the Oscars is great timing because the movie gives a peek into the the fantasy world that produces the red carpet gowns you'll be seeing next week. You may get the giggles from Valentino's snobbish take on everything (he sniffs at one venue because it has "rails" just like a Macys) but you have to remember he spent a lifetime creating a world filled with beauty (even his many dogs stay sparkling with staff to brush their teeth.) In Valentino's world every woman is beautiful and the dresses only enhance that.

Valentino may be retired, but his contemporaries -- Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld -- are still making these couture gowns. After his outstanding couture show at his 45 year retrospective in 2007, Lagerfeld whispers in his ear "Compared to us, the rest are making rags." After you see this film and Valentino's glorious designs over the years, you may be inclined to agree.

Countdown to Oscars: Valentino, The Last Emperor originally appeared on About.com Women's Fashion on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 at 11:52:45.

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