I am absolutely in love with Nanette Lepore’s “Alluring” dress, which is that juicy red/pink that is taking over my closet. Maybe the model is trying to look alluring, but mostly she looks like she has to go to the ladies’ room — but ignore her, and check out the dress! So comfy looking, and I love the drape of the sleeves, ending in those sweet ties at the three-quarter sleeve cuff. It looks like the perfect thing to wear to celebrate the arrival of spring, once it gets here. If it ever gets here. (It snowed today.) I guess it would also be perfect to wear for Valentine’s Day, under a coat — or without one, if it gets warm enough! I am an eternal optimist.

My sister recommended that I check out Nanette Lepore when I started this blog, and it was a very good recommendation, indeed! Not only does Lepore create gorgeous, whimsical pieces that would make any girl feel gorgeous, but she comes from humble roots and I just love her story. Born in Ohio, she began her career by dressing up a friend in her front yard, complete with a sign that read, simply, “Lepore.” She followed these dreams all the way to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, from which she graduated with flying colors. She worked underling jobs until 1992, when, on a $5,000 loan from her dad, she started up her own line with her husband, who is now the president of her company.

Here are my three favorites of Nanette Lepore’s dresses for fall 2007. They can be worn anywhere, but I like to think that they’d be saved for first dates – or thousandth dates that feel like first dates.