Couture shoes please?

After looking at the Spring '10 Couture collections, it is a flashing red reminder that I will 95% positively never own a Couture garment (I keep a 5% chance open... optimistically of course.) However, maybe one day I will be able to own Couture shoes? Well, just a thought... Here are some heels from from the runway that I adored:

I usually tend to think metallic silver on heels is tacky, but look at that heel and studded platform!

Are bow-tied ankles the next new shoe trend?

Haute Couture.. what about fashion for today?

John Paul Gaultier for Christian Dior, Spring Couture 2010

Hello all!
I just caught up on all the Spring Couture shows from Paris and will be updating you on my favorite looks and major trends I saw within the shows - Alexis Mabille, Anne Valérie Hash, Armani Privé, Chanel, Christian Dior, Elie Saab, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Thimister, Valentino - from this past week. In the mean time, today the New York Times published an article titled, "Tempted by History," in their Fashion Review section, which gave Couturiers a bad reputation for taking inspiration for their collections from designs that have already been done in the past. This is a topic that is frequently discussed in many of my classes at F.I.T. Designers are constantly going "back in time," and taking their inspiration from different periods throughout history, art work, culture, etc. but what ever happened to fashion for today? Karl Lagerfeld himself stated,

"I don't believe in avant garde clothes for a future that will never happen. Fashion is always now."

I completely agree with the NYT and Lagerfeld. Fashion is supposed to be for the people of today. This past Fall/Winter season, there was a trend of 40's fashion stressed on the runways and promoted in major magazine editorials (such as, US Vogue & Harper's Bazaar). According to Stylesight.com, this Spring was supposed to be all about Dior's New Look, influenced by 50's style. But why should designers reflect back into vintage fashion when they should be creating designs for the people of 2010? Come to think of it, the last "clothing invention" was Diane Von Furstenburg's wrap dress and that was how many decades ago?

Just thought I'd get your minds off the glitz and glamour of couture because as much as I love looking and dreaming about fashion, in the end, haven't we seen those garments before?

Mademoiselle Coco

I watched Coco Chanel last night with my boyfriend (what a wonderful boyfriend right?) Besides the fact that it was about 2.5 hours, it was great! I have already told you about my obsession with Mary Kate and Ashley, but I don't believe I have filled you in about my obsession with Chanel. Here it goes...

Since day one of stepping into the Fashion Institute of Technology, my professors have been constantly stressing the importance of two questions that will "definitely" be asked at all fashion industry related job interviews - whether it be an internship or career based. 1. Who is your favorite photographer? .. and .. 2. Who is your favorite designer(s) and why? To be honest, I haven't decided on question #1 yet, but every season (fashion season that is) I have come closer and closer to declaring good ol' Chanel as my top choice to question #2.

Why you may ask? I love the stability of Chanel.. the classic roots that each collection reflects back to. However, every season, Karl Lagerfeld seems to surprise me, whether it is the elements of the garments, the detailing of the stitching, the silhouette's divine movement down the runway or whether it is the most updated approach to the classic Chanel suit. When looking at Chanel from season to season, there is always a smooth relation between each collection, yet a unique difference that makes each line so interesting.

But my fascination does not stop there! I took a class last year called Product Knowledge for Merchandising. It was a great class and we studied everything from jewelry design to handbag construction. Our final project was to write 10-15 page paper on a fashion-related company focusing on a product that the company specializes in. If you can't guess, I picked Chanel handbags and ended up writing 20 pages! I learned so much about the history of the company and how Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel started her career from nothing. It was all so intriguing and truely sparked my interest and love for Chanel.

For those who of you who do not know the full history of Chanel, there are countless numbers of books dedicated to the designer that I would highly recommend reading. I loved the movie too, however I think if I did not previously know about Coco's life, I would not have fully understood the storyline.

xoxo.

The Row

Pre-Fall 2010

Fancy these Ray Ban inspired sunglasses? I do.

Just yesterday, MK & A's The Row finally launched a website! You can view both menswear and womenswear collections and even take a look at the pre-fall designs. The eyewear line is also included, categorized under accessories. Having heard that MK & A are showcasing the FW'10 collection at NY Fashion Week, I was interested in seeing what their Pre-Fall line showcased. The selected garments from the collection were mainly a neutral - ivory, white, black - with a accent pop of scarlet red. Silhouettes were very simplistic, with an overall slimming look (very Ashley-esque) - think structured blazers, highwaisted skirts, skinny ankle pants, and Audrey's Funny Face inspired tops. However there were a few exceptions (that were definitely MK influenced), such as ankle-length pleated skirts and oversized jackets. The line includes silk tops and a lot of leather (embossed and natural). Overall, the Pre-Fall line has fun basics mixed with a few edgy accents creating an interesting styling combination.

Take a peek yourself:   The Row

Bubble Pop Fun

Introducing the Bubble Wrap Calendar! I found this calendar in a small and quirky boutique in the West Village called MyzPlyx a few weeks ago and wanted to share it with you! How many of us get a face of glee when that FedEx box comes and spills over with bubble wrap when opened, just waiting to be popped? Sounds strange and silly, but I think most of us do find some excitement in the single pop of a bubble. Welp, the point of the matter is that there is now a bubble wrap calendar designed so you can pop away, everyday!
I thought it was a funny...kind of one of those gifts you could give as either a gag or just the perfect present for that unique person.

Alexander Wang Love

I love Alexander Wang.. but honestly, who doesn't?

Even more.. I love his Brenda Zip Chain Bag, which I first saw about a year ago worn by the stylist I used to work with. The almost $800 price tag haunted me again this weekend when walking past the Bergdorf window display, a picturesque manequin wearing the cross-shoulder chain strap Wang. It is such a carefree and effortless bag. Ideal to add spunk to a casual outfit or to wear going out at night (small enough to be hassle-free yet big enough for the essentials: credit card, cell, lipstick, camera.) It's been around for a while now... a year plus? ... yet I browsed a few websites and it is completely sold out! I suppose I will continue to dream on.. dream on... sigh...

Teen Vogue Handbook

I fell across this interview with Teen Vogue's editor-in-chief, Amy Astley who gives an insight into the the Teen Vogue Handbook. This book was published by Teen Vogue and gives basic knowledge of stepping into the fashion industry.. what to expect, what to wear to an interview, how to get the career ball rolling, and most importantly how to realize if it is the right choice for you.



I also read this quote by Anna Wintour about the TV Handbook:

"Because of reality television and all these celebrities thinking they can be designers, everyone imagines that they can just become a designer, photographer, or model, but that's not the way things work," she says. "People have to go to school, learn their craft, and build a brand-that's the right, healthy way to do things. If you're an overnight sensation, you can be yesterday's news in no time, whereas building something slowly and carefully that has value and quality, that's what's going to have legs. You'd be amazed at how many people come in here, and they make perfectly nice clothes, but they don't understand how to differentiate their brand from another, or they don't have a business plan, or they don't know where to produce things. Don't run before you can crawl."

A Pictorial Hosiery History

This photograph is from the 1920s, showing a woman's buttoned hosiery. I have never seen hosiery as such until I came across this picture, but I think it is fantastic! It is funny to note the change of fashion (hosiery) trends over time and looking at today's trends... Ripped stockings are on the list of top trends from 2009 into the new year as the '90s grunge look continues into Spring/Summer collections and is seen in street fashion across the globe:

Photo credit: THE SATORIALIST

While we are on the topic of hosiery, I came across this killer picture from an editorial spread (can't figure out what magazine - Dutch Vogue possibly??). Is this not the most cutesey hosiery/stilletto combination ever? I love the lady-like gloved hands holding the backseam thread detailing. The added classic 2.55 Chanel makes the styling of this spread even better!

I was scoping out some vintage photographs on bing and came across this flicker site called my vintage vogue - http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagevogue/ - that has almost 900 vintage photographs from vogue, harper's, mademoiselle, ads, etc. from throughout the 20th century. I only got through about 1/3 of the picture archive, but there are some amazing photos! I'll be posting about some of the ones I found, but here is one I just adored.

1948... fabulous!

New Project.

I have been brainstorming on how to spice up this blog with a better layout and focus. I am currently working on a new title design and will be asking my brother to help me write a new HTML format (AHH sounds scary!) Should be up shortly so stay tuned :)

ummm, can you say adorable?

pretty pretty princess - eque.

lil' big kids.

I found these images off of www.papier-mache.com.au/, an Australian editorial. You can look at their magazine for free on their website right now! Also, take a look at their super cute blog - http://papier-mache.com.au/blog/. love it.

Vintage Vogue from 1918 with an Asian-art inspired cover design. I am especially loving
the peacock dress! Fabulously divine... good work Vogue (as always).

note* the 25 cent price tag

Fashion books = best gift ever!

Every 2-3 years I tend to fall into a trend of wanting a particular item/brand/category of fashion for every holiday of recieving presents. In my early junior high/high school years it was Coach purses, in my senior year/early college years it was Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Lately it has been awesome handbags from Bloomies (not a bag switchup if I say so myself...) However, for this past Christmas and the previous Christmas/or/birthday my sister bought me two really interesting fashion books. This Christmas I recieved Avedon Fashion: 1944-2000, an amazing fashion book based on the fashion photographer, Richard Avedon. The book was put together by Willis Hartshorn, director of the ICP, and Norma Stevens, Executive Director of The Richard Avedon Foundation, to accompany and exhibition that was curated by the International Center of Photography in NYC. The book is mainly composed of Avedon's photography, however it does go into detail about his career throughout the period of 1944-2000. I haven't had a chance to read the bio yet but I have already marked off some of my favorite photographs, that I will absolutely scan in to share as soon as I get back to my lovely New York City apartment and my scanner. Til then you will have to wait... teehee! The other book I recieved as a gift from my sister was American Fashion, which is an amazing chronological timeline of fashion and its influence through American history from the early 1900s to present.

Another fashion-related book I have read and highly recommend is The End of Fashion: How Marketing Changed the Clothing Business Forever by Teri Agins. It focuses on the decline of French Couture because of revolution of high-end RTW in the United States and the marketing techniques by American designers, such as Calvin Klein, that caught and reeled consumers in and away from Couture prices. Veryyyyyy fun and full of enlightening facts! :)

Chanel meets french provincial? Not exactly..

Not exactly what I expected from Chanel for the SS'10 RTW collection. Although Chanel is one of my favorite designers, this season was not my all-time favorite - sad I know... The runway was transformed into what appeared to be inside a barn, with hay covering the entire runway scene. The country set was extended with models strutting a white/beige/black/brown color scheme with a few denim accents. The collection began with a bit of a Ralph Lauren country ranch feel to it, then clothing seemed to tranform into a flemish 1700s influence, further tranforming into the classic Chanel we all love and dream about- pretty lace, vintage inspired looks. As always the classic Chanel suit look was brought to the runway, but with mule clogs and shortened skirts. I suppose this is one of the reasons I love Chanel, they are always true to the Coco roots, but give just the right amount of pre-runway anxiety to wonder what they will bring to the fashion world the coming season. I pulled a few looks that I really did love from the SS'10 collection for their brilliant detailing and unique-ness that Chanel always achieves.

Oh, and PS. the mule clogs still haven't
grown on me - remember my post?

UNIQLO love

I love fashionista.com for the sole purpose that 1. they always have great fashion news updates and 2. they send fashion news to my blackberry for handy reading material 24/7.

Anywayysss.. so I got my fashionista email yesterday and read that Tadashi Yanai, the owner of retailers Uniqlo, Helmut Lang, Theory and Comptoir Des Cotonniers, is the richest man in Japan. I suppose I could understand this seeing as though I just bought the heat-tech crew neck shirt from Uniqlo about a week ago and have been practically living in its warmth (Highly recommend- they are on sale fro $10!) Fashionista.com stated that Yanai's retailers earned $9.2 billion in 2009, and despite the recession, a $3.1 billion jump from the previous 2008 year!

Excuses, Excuses

So I know that I really shouldn't be making any excuses for the extreme lack of blog posts since I have been on winter break for almost a month now. But I swear I do have a good excuse... its called wedding stuff. My lovely sister, Jennifer, is getting married in May and me, being the MOH, is going crazy (in a good way) trying to figure out the best bachelorette party ever, and bridal shower, and this and that and this and that! Sigh..

BUT throughout all the research and hours spent, I found this killer wedding video that you could totally DIY in home video rather than spending the extra $$ on a videographer. I found it on the wedding blog: http://www.stylemepretty.com. I thought it was such an amazing approach for the vintage inspired weddings that are currently popular. Check it!