ebay is my boyfriend.

sporty spice

2012-02-14T08:40:00.002-05:00

victoria beckham finally made some dresses i'd like to see myself in. but hey, give me a contrast polo collar and i'm in! i'm an easy sell. are you?

at least the high streets will do some great "inspired" pieces.

[victoria beckham fall 2012 collection, style]

vaccarello sighting

2012-02-14T08:37:00.001-05:00

so THAT dress. the one that was cut all the way down to there and up to there. nothing to the imagination, and karlie kloss owned it. well reem acra did her own version this season, and i'm not entirely impressed.

sure she zigs and zags a little more, but the similarity is uncanny. even has a slit up the leg. who cares about the rest of the collection! it's all i can focus on.

[reem acra fall 2012 collection, style]

spring versus fall

2012-02-14T08:35:00.001-05:00

so dean quinn, fresh out of central saint martins is in his second season. filled with the brights we usually expect of spring collections, it was refreshing and a more easy-wear feel than versus collections over at the house of versace. speaking of which, he worked with donatella after he graduated and you can really see how she influenced him. there are some sexy sexy slits up those skirts...

she short dresses worked, the long ones didn't. but still a winner!

[dean quinn fall 2012 collection, style]

don't quit your day job

2012-02-12T20:08:00.000-05:00

herve leger thought it would be great to make their sexy dresses even sexier with some S+M leather harnesses. thank god there weren't any gags, but if alexander wang and herve leger teamed up this season... my god. can you imagine?

some of their dresses were very beautiful though, unfortunately, i was too heavily focused on the leatherwork to remember them. i think that says it all! cheers.

[herve lever by max azria fall 2012 collection, style]

super shiny future

2012-02-12T18:44:00.000-05:00

so prabal gurung was a huge hit last season. his spring 2012 collection was amazing and you saw it all over the red carpet. it was wearable! his new fall collection i think started off strong but then fell off the beaten trail into a lot of high sheen light fabrics which pulled at his highly fitted tailoring (such as a bell-bottom pant).

maybe done in a darker fabric this would have had the allure of a giorgio armani high sheen collection, and it started off that way for sure. but he's still building his future niche and finding his design.

[prabal gurung fall 2012 collection, style]

hannibal lecter-wang

2012-02-12T16:32:00.000-05:00

okay so alexander wang is a celebrated new york designer. he's young, he's modern, he's a trend setter. but thank god he's not moving to dior. those rumours should be put to bed because his latest collection scared the crap out of me. he should team up with herve leger for all-time bondage. (i will be posting that review later...)

here are the looks i referenced. they are intimidating and not entirely desirable. and oh, those leathers make you look twice your size.

i guess you can't always knock it out of the park alexander!

[alexander wang fall 2012 collection, style]

almost famous

2012-02-11T23:49:00.002-05:00

nicole miller, in case you didn't know, is a fairly mainstream label. its in all the department stores, not too much of a trend setter, but it's easy buy-now-wear-now for a younger customer. it has a lot of energy, but not anna sui type of energy. this is like anna sui sobered up haha.

oh man, it's only day 3 and this is starting to get to me. the heavy hitters came out today, so prepare for grung and wang tomorrow. maybe some rachel zoe bashing (but let's take a look at the collection first haha). cheers!

[nicole miller fall 2012 collection, style]

where's the jersey?

2012-02-11T23:31:00.001-05:00

so helmut lang is a collection i'm always so excited for, but this season seemed to move a little away from his classic draped jersey dresses and more into structured separates. i have some of his blazers and they're amazing. so well tailored to the body, especially since i'm pretty small framed! that's difficult to find.

they did however have some great printed suiting. check out my review and the images i referenced below. and don't forget to subscribe to my youtube channel, or like my facebook/bloglovin page for all updates fashion related! it's going to be a fun couple of weeks.

[helmut lang fall 2012 collection, style]

blurring the line

2012-02-11T23:22:00.003-05:00

rebecca minkoff isn't just a handbag designer. she's really come leaps and bounds in her collection and this season was no exception.

filled with jacquard fabrics which transition seamlessly from daywear for nightwear, its for your young fashionista who loves some colour. don't forget to subscribe to my youtube channel for more video reviews or like my facebook page and bloglovin page for anything fashion month related!

[rebecca minkoff fall 2012 collection, style]

nomad? no thank you.

2012-02-11T17:12:00.002-05:00

here is my review of the rag&bone collection, which i usually love. i have a bunch of their stuff, but the blanket coats are just too nomad for me. its going against the direction of fashion now, which is much cleaner, sleeker and more sophisticated.

maybe you like it, its a personal call for this review. i can't be objective all the time haha

[rag & bone fall 2012 collection, style]

only HD moving forward

2012-02-10T17:32:00.001-05:00

just a side note, in case you were curious why the quality of video was different for the giorgio armani menswear and jil sander navy womenswear collections, it was because i chose to upload non-HD quality to make it go faster. i'm not entirely happy with the pixelation, so it will only be HD moving forward. i do make the videos relatively quickly, they just take all night to post! stay patient. cheers!

sloppy sander

2012-02-09T19:55:00.000-05:00

okay so jil sander's "accessible" line. i'm being picky and i think they had shitty samples made. maybe it was a poor fabric choice. maybe it was a bad photo. i'm just working with the lookbook that is released worldwide! when i wear jil sander, not that i can afford it yet, i want to feel special. and these weren't special enough.

but some of the details are lovely. maybe it's as simple as selling your lookbook with more close-up shots, because from far away... it ain't pretty.

stay tuned for more reviews! errrrday.

[jil sander navy fall 2012 collection, style]

the butterfly effect

2012-02-09T19:11:00.000-05:00

one of my favourite up and coming new york designers, is michael angel. i profiled him earlier this year, and now i'm seeing his style head more in the direction of some of my other favourite designers -- print wonders at basso & brooke as well as helmut lang. he does manage to set himself apart though... watch my review to see how!

such a phenomenal collection from a young designer. and a dynamic lookbook, not your standard hands glued to your sides stylesense type of shot. love it!

[michael angel fall 2012 collection, style]

1970s prepster

2012-02-09T18:54:00.000-05:00

it's that time again. the fall 2012 womens ready-to-wear season has begun, and we're in new york. prepare for lots of video reviews, which mean lots of prep time for me. i'll be bringing you my thoughts on the most recent collections, trying my absolute best to keep up with them as quickly as they roll out online. unfortunately, i can't be in every city, but if you haven't heard... i'll be in london! hoping to get some tickets to those shows to give a more in depth review of the collection and profile of the designer and their inspiration.

so it will all start off with 10 crosby derek lam, which is his lower priced line, and its fabulous. his front-runner model, hanne, knocks it out each season with their look book. i thought it was preppy with a 70s twist. check it out!

only a small selection of looks, but they're all winners.

[10 crosby by derek lam fall 2012 collection, style]

onesy too many

2012-02-05T21:36:00.002-05:00

okay so versace... kind of outrageous. leotards, dyed neon furs, beaded sleeves, see-through shirts, sequins, it's enough. it makes my head spin. as my tim horton's cup always says at roll-up time... thanks for playing, please try again.

here are the runway looks i saved. not because i love them, but because i will never ever forget them.
hey, a versace man sure likes attention.

[versace fall 2012 menswear collection, style]

i just can't stop

2012-02-05T19:55:00.000-05:00

so after a wonderful request by jonnyfendi2003 on my youtube channel, i did a review of the givenchy menswear collection. and why the hell not!

i'm such a fan of tisci's womenswear already. why not complete the series aha. here is the video live on my channel, and i've linked the runway looks below. enjoy!

[givenchy fall 2012 menswear collection, style]

another home run

2012-02-03T18:00:00.000-05:00

boom.

creativity points to mister tisci, who i hold so dear to my heart. a photoshoot on a basic street with stop signs accenting every hit of red in your collection? the aged brown brick accenting those wool tweeds and the faded pavement just making every colour seem that much more alive. he really nailed it, but what else is new!

some of the patterns he's playing with for this seasonlet look a little gothic... like the saints with halos and the red roses... the dark side of religion. but that is like a blip, because then he hits you with two more completely different vignettes! all rounded together with a very oddly shaped had. like a riding helmet almost... but with a bigger brim and a squarer shape. maybe balenciaga had an idea with that fisherman's hat...

this second vignette is very similar to spring 2012. if you remember all the olives and taupes and pinks, with croc accdents. he's doing it again here, but in deeper colours, not as light and beachy. these shirttail hem dresses are so amazing with the leather trim as well. there's a large range from masculine shapes to very delicate feminine details, like the silk gathering at the waist. and that's one thing i love about givenchy, it allows you to be 30 different people. you can really style it any which way you like. and everyone will be unique.

and did you see those boots? the come down straight from the knee, and almost flare a little, which is crazy. the leather must be very stuff for them to not fall a little around the ankle.

our final vignette is like the givenchy collector's club. he's bringing back some of his most popular looks from previous seasons, and how great is that? for a season that is always changing, some people want a piece of fashion history, but don't get a chance during the actual season. you end up like me, scouring ebay, which isn't always successful. so go get yourself that rottweiler tee you always wanted! and the fitted leathers with jagged asymmetric hem.

this man is a genius. i hope he stays at givenchy forever... but imagine what he could do at any other house...

[givenchy pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

parachute pants

2012-02-03T17:43:00.000-05:00

soo the new giorgio armani collection is a little... forward. maybe there are some men out there still wearing their pants this big, but these little jackets and baggy tapered pant combo is something i can't wrap my brain around for 2012. check out my video to see what i mean!

not entirely sure why the thumbnail is me, making this incredibly attractive face... but i promise there are runway photos in this. cheers!

the mod club

2012-02-03T17:29:00.001-05:00

okay, this collection blew me away. hats off to roksanda.this collection is just so mod!

she starts off slow with this pinky-nude palette in smooth silhouettes with rounded corners and very little detail. so simple so that simple changes, like a hit of colour, has more impact. yet another london-based designer, the fearlessness in her choice of palette is truly representative of the city. the reds and blues are so saturated that it really grabs you attention, and accentuates the shape of her collection. just like yves saint laurent, it was all ruffles and peplums. i actually love these details, the belled cuff on the sleeves, be it long or three-quarter, in a different colour than the dress body. it kind of reminds me of when you see a man's shirt cuff under his jacket... but maybe i've been spending too much time in the office and everything in my head is menswear...

what i'm stuck on is the shade of pink though. in a collection filled with reds and blues, i can't get my mind around this perfect shade of pink. it's almost like it's a white fabric with just a pink threading through it. that subtle. it's even girlier because of it, because it's as obnoxious as your stereotypically girly bubblegum pink. nahh, it probably has something more to do with this pink being oddly similar to the colour of my skin! aha

when ilincic starts to layer her colours on top of one another, such as the two-tone paneled jacket hovering over the shoulders of the model wearing cobalt pants and another two-tone red and black top, it starts to play off one another. the collection has one note, and that doesn't necessarily make it flat... it makes it flow together so perfectly. the clothes are meant to be worn together... which is an excellent strategy for a bourgeoning designer.

and then we start getting to my favourite looks... a drop waist peplum may make you think... tutu? but no. with a matching cuff, and in a contrasting colour that doesn't draw your eye to it (like say, a white peplum would) its suddenly chic. and loses the miu miu customer as soon as there are no floral appliques or boat-necklines. its cleaner than a miu miu, and although miu miu gets the vogue cover, this dress will get the purchase.

oh, and those wedges are insanely hot.

[roksanda ilincic pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

sick week

2012-01-31T22:11:00.001-05:00

i have fallen very behind on blogging, but i have a valid reason.

last weekend i flew to new york for work (oh yes, i travel now!) and it seems the pressure change in the plane accelerated whatever bug i had brewing in my system... so i woke up monday morning in new york, sick as a dog. like i hit a wall. i was congested, sore throat, my head felt like it was going to explode. and now, one week later, i'm starting to get better.

i'm so sad because i had planned to do all my video blogging from new york. how cool would that have been? but i did not look entirely fabulous, and i have been sleeping in all my spare time. i actually went to bed yesterday at 830pm, after i had dinner. i had to finish a couple of buys at work and only got home at 730pm.... oh, market. how you destroy me!

anywho, i plan to return with a new video this week. i have a whole bunch of menswear to cover before womenswear starts and hey! i'm off to london in just over two weeks. my press pass is ready to go, and now we wait on tickets... good news is my visit may include a visit to a certain major british label's showroom... i'll leave it at that. my apologies about the lack of new posts though. i need to make sure i'm in top shape for fall 2012 womenswear! cheers.

a little flair

2012-01-21T22:16:00.001-05:00

i'm still into colour blocking, i hope it doesn't go away. me and prints don't often find a middle ground and get along, its solids or stripes in my books. maybe the odd jacquard here and there, but not really! so the yves saint laurent had it all for me... which believe me, is rare. i often think it skews a little mature for my style. yes, if you're reading all my posts i do have a bunch of preconceived opinions of brands that i often overturn with a single collection. but that's just me! when someone asks what my favourite brand is i refuse to answer. my response is that it depends on the season, and that's the best answer i can give because it does hang a whole bunch depending on how a trend is interpreted, a colour palette, a silhouette, overall concept and styling. so much. so forgive me for being up and down on brands like a roller coaster...

as i was saying, yves saint laurent was one of those clarity moments. like ahh, i finally get it. the sexy menswear inspired tailoring, but tailored to a woman's body. a straight leg trouser and a skirt with a kick pleat that really is a peplum. its structurally sound and feminine and timeless.

although that rich purple and navy brings me back to gucci spring 2011, the pops of colour in a layered halter top or a forest green moto jacket and miniskirt suit. the strawberry hue just pushes forward and let's not forget to notice the beautiful bronze footwear. its a much sexier yves saint laurent.

mmm and now we get to a whole new world. look at those final two looks and try to tell me that the volume of a peplum and a ruffle in this bubblegum pink and cobalt blue add a whole new colour story to this collection. something youthful and fresh and modern, and somehow not fall-like at all. this is the last morsel of summer holding on at a collection heading full-steam ahead into fall with rich jewel tones. i've never wanted a vest so badly.

[yves saint laurent pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

full bodied mcqueen

2012-01-21T21:53:00.000-05:00

sometimes you look at an alexander mcqueen collection and wonder, "wow, that is a piece of art. but where could i actually wear it?" his simpler pieces may hit a red carpet or two, and by simple i mean the lace mask was left at the door. but sometimes, the drama of a mcqueen silhouette is exactly what you're looking for when the rest of the market falls flat.

really, where does a girl find a full, flouncy and voluminous skirt these days? we're all slinky and maxi or sparkly and mini. if i wanted to be a miu miu flower child or a moschino cowgirl, i may be able to find what i want, but i'm paying for it. why can't the high street retailers produce a skirt for me with some structure? probably because its too expensive to produce and the value added through construction can't be communicated easily to the customer as to understand the higher price tag... lame. but i digress, so for now i will just envision myself in alexander mcqueen.

sarah burton has really conveyed the fantasy of alexander mcqueen into workwear. these wide harness belts lock up the bold floral print which is fitted in the shoulder and body and my favourite, the full skirt. from wool to pony hair, the deep aubergine tones blend well with black without seeming too... gothic.

once you're through the skirt suits, you can amuse yourself in a minidress or two, perhaps a miniskirt? that's the ticket that really got me. a full, wide mini skirt that mcqueen is making a signature from seasons gone by. worn with a fitted long sleeve blouse and bare legs, its very sexy. and sexy isn't always a word i use with mcqueen. aha i sometimes think that a dress with that much detail and ornaments would take about an hour to get out of. and your boyfriend would probably get a little annoyed! aha. so stick with the midi and mini skirts and you'll be fine.

the last two looks i just threw in for good measure. after all, we need a little something to tide us over from season to season. cheers.

[alexander mcqueen pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

friday, i'm in love

2012-01-21T15:35:00.002-05:00

i know that frida giannini is a trend setter. gucci has garnered up so much attention in the past couple seasons, that whatever she throws down the runway is guaranteed an editorial or two. now although the heavy dark makeup and even heavier flapper dresses didn't do it for me this spring, her pre-fall collection has me in a trance. i literally said "holy shit, oh my god. wow." when i saw the first look and my eyes were glued to my computer screen for more! wanna see why? oh yes.

the backdrop to the lookbook was these blooming pansies. in warm ochres and golds and dove greys, they were coming right out onto the collection! as they crept up the hems of blush silk harem pants and drop waist slinky maxi dresses, it kind of put you in a trance. this wasn't the gaudy, glam look we had been used to for seasons on end, it was fresh and light and yet, just as sophisticated. there is a parisian simplicity to the use of a bold, large scale print in neutral tones. wide leg trousers, a fitted jacket, and hits of wine and red.

you can't help but also notice the handkerchief hemline on some of the jackets, such as the one below on jacquelyn jablonski. is this trend trickling down from the givenchy collection i was just obsessed with? perhaps. the slouchy vibe almost approaches a chloe customer, but more vibrant and luxurious. here, gucci went minimalist, but kept to gucci style tailoring with there new slitted hem tapered trousers, stilettos and sleek styling.

overall, this may be my favourite collection this seasonlet. its fresh for gucci and i think it will increase their market. i hope this is a hint towards fall 2012, because if so, i may just lose my mind.

[gucci pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

playing dress up

2012-01-19T00:11:00.000-05:00

here we go! video numero two, dolce & gabbana. a fan favourite of course, who would turn down 30 men stampeding a runway in slick and trim suits/overcoats with shearling collars? absolutely no one in their right mind aha! i will be doing some more video reviews this weekend while i'm in new york for work to catch up. speaking of which, spring 2012 tears will be starting soon!

subscribe to my channel! my press pass for london fashion week has officially been approved so i'm super excited for that. less than a month until i head over across the pond... cannot wait.

and yes, i fully realize this is the biggest tear i've ripped from a show... ever. count 'em all. there's 28! (don't worry, the video is still 5 minutes so i didn't include them all!)

[dolce & gabbana fall 2012 menswear collection, style]

the new gatsby

2012-01-18T23:56:00.002-05:00

i'll be straight with you, alberta ferretti and i had a falling out right around fall 2010. nothing could really live up to her spring 2010 collection in my head. it was this eternally gorgeous group of laser cut dresses with poppy and violet accents in the shape of rosettes trailing down a mauve or nude shift. just made me swoon and its all i could think about that season. then i was uninterested generally in her new stuff. until now! helllllllllo pre-fall 2012.

these flapper dresses are like daisy (see great gatsby review...) but toned down. and modern. and not weighing 100lbs due to sequins and bedazzling. i mean, it's styled that way with the hats and the t-strap heels, so on their own with some more (ahem) modern shoes and some diamonds, you could rock this out on any red carpet and look better than marion cotillard did in her odd dior days (when she wore all those weird lace inset gowns... that was an awkward spokesperson).

i mean theres nothing ground breaking about this collection, its chiffon and lace and has a bit of a dior appeal to it (not that bill gaytten is doing anything to give dior its own appeal...) but the difference if you ask me, is dior would have done it in lighter colours for spring and styled it with fur. this was kept just on its own because it doesn't ask for glamour. it is sweet and simple. it is kate middleton grade aha!

maybe thats why it appeals to me so, because its this new demure. its the jason wu and the soft ladylikeness we're seeing pop up across the board. and that's what i loved about ferretti's spring 2010 collection way back when, it seemed so easy. but so refined.

and really, opening with 20s inspiration isn't going to wow people. gucci did it and hey, it sure didn't get my attention! but what did is how this collection wraps into longer gowns. it tiers and scallops pearly metallics with beading and avoiding the predictable flared train. these are them oscar dresses (keep an eye out!) but that cape in the final few looks. i'm still reeling from it! damn. something with me and capes lately, they're in menswear and womenswear, it's overwhelming and i'm slowly being converted.

thanks alberta, you're back in my good books!

[alberta ferretti pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

big and cropped

2012-01-15T21:04:00.000-05:00

for this upcoming fall 2012 season, i've decided to turn my runway reviews into videos! it's a way i can talk about my favourite (and not-so-favourite) looks from the collection, but still link all the pictures below! check out the link below from my youtube channel for ebayismyboyfriend.

hopefully you like my fresh approach to reviews and it will be even more exciting when i'm video-blogging live from london fashion week for womenswear in february... fingers crossed i get into the shows i requested tickets for!!

subscribe to my channel and stay tuned for more video reviews of fall 2012 menswear!

[burberry prorsum fall 2012 menswear, style]

my fashion "moments" of 2011

2011-12-31T20:40:00.000-05:00

so this is the last few hours of 2011, for my readers in the UK and abroad, it's already new years for you. so congratulations on entering 2012! i hope you prepped your resolutions and reflected on what 2011 was to you. i know every site has been doing fashion moments of the year, and a lot has been repeated from galliano's trial to the louboutin/ysl scandal to all the weddings. but i have a couple of fashion moments of my own i'd like to share!

before i do that, i'd also like to share my resolution i'm planning on for 2012: i need to listen more. now that i'm entering a whole new kind of learning, i need to get better at taking the time to absorb information without interrupting. and hopefully, through that, i can provide more insight on this blog.

so here we go... my fashion moments:

1. suzanne rogers presents marchesa
getting involved with this event was far from easy, but i really made sure i did. i went through anyone i knew who could help and i ended up being front and centre alongside suzanne all night. what a bunch of amazing people the entire committee was too! i got a chance to meet the duchess of york, harvey weinstein, georgina and keren of marchesa (who are the sweetest women ever!) and then i got to hop on a bus home right after the event was over and try to process it all.

2. when the outnet found my blog and contacted me about advertising
i must admit that i found this out late. but when i did i was practically bursting with excitement, i didn't end up going through with it, but the fact that someone had found my blog and found it interesting enough to contact me. the outnet is part of the group that owns net-a-porter and mr porter, and a company i truly admire. so this was just mind-blowing and incredibly flattering.

3. my meeting with nicholas mellamphy
this meeting was so exciting and another thing i tried to make happen for months. i think a total of seven months! (i may or may not have to thank thomas tait who i think helped me get the meeting as well!) now this was a turning point because i think i finally connected with someone about fashion the way i understand it. nicholas and i had a great conversation and our meeting only made me respect him more for his talent, his expertise and his wisdom.

4. when i got my invite to the giles spring 2012 show
i had originally planned to go to london again (i went in may) for fashion week this past september, but it didn't work out unfortunately. however, i was completely in awe when i received an invite to the giles show. when i couldn't be there, i made sure i followed the show like a hawk and decided to profile giles for all his amazing work at ungaro, pudsey bear, all of it. fingers crossed i have the same opportunity this coming february when i am finally returning to london for fashion week!

5. the burberry prorsum live stream of the spring 2012 show
this you may find kind of weird (well not weird if you do this too...), but i get really emotional when i look at new collections. they move me, like art, and when i watched the burberry prorsum live stream this september i was moved to tears. something about the clothes and the music and everything together at once, maybe a little bit because i felt like i should have been in the city... but i reacted very strongly. i actually watched the show on my lunch break at work and i was afraid people were going to walk by my desk and be like, "victoria, why are you crying?" but i was. because i loved it.

here's hoping 2012 has even more incredible moments! have a great new year everyone. cheers!

gamme rouge on

2011-12-27T18:26:00.002-05:00

moncler is a brand i have the opportunity to work with. the mens line in particular -- not gamme bleu! even though their runway is always of interest to me... those red white and blue gentlemen on bicycles -- but i have usually overlooked game rouge. the designer women's line until this season. the collection reminded me of a sunset into a sunrise, with the bursts of rich warm reds, oranges, and purples followed by sunny yellow and white blossoms of spring. this sort of natural transition allowed the designers to explore many different vignettes for the moncler woman. let's start with the first one:

the overwhelming influence of sportswear in the sunset vignette created strong track jackets with batwing sleeves and fringe dresses and skirts that added movement without being fussy. the ombre effect on the first look i have included is incredible in the sense that it moves from rich cherry red to deep violet at the hemline. this ombre tiering is repeated in a tangerine skirt.

the yellow is first introduced with this abstract symmetrical watercolour print with the melding of black and ochre browns. when we move into the second spring blossom vignette i am reminded of daffodils and particularly love the combination of creams and taupe with the yellow. it is a pairing that requires just enough contrast to work.

the gentle spill of the blouson is so chic and simple, especially with the mix of the pewter accessories. the petals almost look like they are floatings towards the hem of the jacket and the cuff of the sleeves. the cross detail work is also being continued through from the jackets in the first vignette. with the wide placket down the centre matched by the belted lower waist.

i believe this second vignette is simply evolved towards the final looks of the collection, as more white is used in combination with sheer paneling underneath. the appliqué's romance balance the athletic wear which is incredibly wearable for any customer. that is why i am loving designers like stella mccartney and christopher kane who feminize athletic pieces with sweet prints and colour palettes. gamme on.

[moncler gamme rouge spring 2012 collection, style]

TORN: belt it out

2011-12-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

[yigal azrouel fall 2011 collection, style]

the year is wrapping up and i'm sorry i didn't get into this tears attribute of my blog for fall 2011. i do plan to be more consistent with it for spring though, especially because i will have so many more looks to choose from that haven't already been featured in designer profiles, trends, or collection reviews.

the look i chose above, from yigal azrouel is very special. putting a belt around your blazer (this one is more of a sweater jacket, made from a thick gage wool) seems like an idea simple enough, but whenever i wear it to work, people do a double take. i got the same reaction when i started belting my cardigans, but i guess i just like a well-defined waist. on men, this is particularly intriguing (not necessarily salable) because defining the waist in this way can be very feminine. it's rarely seen on men at all. so please do try new things, even if they are "unconventional." you know my motto, there are no rules anymore.

prabal in his prime

2011-12-18T20:59:00.000-05:00

new york got off to a printed start, didn't it? explosions of spring flowers everywhere. prabal gurung is becoming a household name in new york too as his looks get more exposure on the red carpet. stars like amanda seyfried wore his new collection on the red carpet already! and wow. a kaleidoscope of colour and for some reason i want to say butterfly effect? yep, let's go with that.

if you will notice the looks i chose to feature below, it was the more toned down and wearable numbers that i saw being big hits to the public, but this collection had a little more frill that what you see. there was a lot of latex coated leather and sheer panels of see-through tulle at every which direction. something that was a little more modern, sure (and technically covered up when laid next to even more revealing numbers from mugler and anthony vaccarello) but more difficult to buy into.

instead, i'm going to show you the highlights of his collection, which spark from a print of wilted blossoms he developed in jolly old london. (where else do serious prints get made? really.) they appeared on long sleeve dresses tricked out with leather seaming at the waist, neckline and shoulders. or even more so on a blouse along the placket. a detail becoming more and more popular in the fashion stage.

the white, purple and black palette was refreshing from the sea of aqua blues and greens we experienced in all cities. gurung experimented with mixing effects, such as the paint drip down trousers evoking the feeling that the printed blouse is literally spilling out.

these details really made the collection for me. things like the aqua taped short being highlighted by an aqua placketed blouse. the almost moto-jacket like wispy lapels on a printed blazer. the lace-up lace being paired with voluminous full silk skirts as to appear luxurious and feminine as opposed to connotations of lingerie and other fetish subtleties in the collection.

it was intriguing to see him explore his own bounds he has developed from seasons before and do it in a successful way. even though in excess, it may not be a collection where you pick up every piece, but the look he did create is something that will be remembered and archived.

prime work prabal.

[prabal gurung spring 2012 collection, style]

i LOVE emerald green pants

2011-12-17T17:07:00.001-05:00

the next colour in my bright pants series is emerald green. i have a pair of jeans that colour, but lime greens are equally as popular on the runway (and no, i will not be touching that neon scuba michael kors collection….shudder).

(see pt. 1, sky blue pants here)

let’s dive right in, shall we? but i must warn you, that wearing emerald pants will deliver thoughtful nicknames such as leprechaun and gumbi. just hold your ground that they look awesome and you’ll be fine. my absolute favourites in these looks are the mugler look, wearing my super bright j brands with a creamy blazer for spring? yep, i'll be making that happen. you also have to kind of love the nuclear glow the kenzo look has! chloe and antonio berardi make teal work, and it can be a very difficult colour for mixing. but i think once you get into those deep sea greens including both aqua and emerald, you can pair it back to neutrals (such as navy... which was a popular choice for peter som and sophie theallet!)

1. minty greens

[rochas resort 2012 collection]

2. lime greens

[kenzo, mugler resort 2012 collections]

3. leafy greens

[araks spring 2012, diane von furstenberg pre-fall 2012 collections]

4. emerald greens

[peter som resort 2012, sophie theallet spring 2012 collections]

5. teal greens

[antonio berardi resort 2012, chloe spring 2012 collections]

so part two of this series is complete. in case you haven't been following. so far there will be baby pink and lavender pants being shown as well. and unfortunately, that will be where it concludes, until i get more pants to inspire me! stay rainbow bright, and stay tuned.

[all images sourced, style]

i LOVE sky blue pants

2011-12-16T17:58:00.000-05:00

(not that this is the first time that this has happened –haha by coincidence) but i am ahead of the trends! those sky blue pants imentioned i picked up here… well that will be exactly what you want to wearnext spring, pre-fall and fall. basically all of 2012 you’ll want to wear mypants! so go on and get cho self some bright blue trousers!

they’ve been popping up just about everywhere… but i betyou didn’t notice! you can get them in baby blue, sky blue, royal blue, evenaqua blue! so take your pick what colour you prefer. i’ve worn mine all fall towork and treated it like a neutral. it can really be paired with anything, butas i mentioned in the tear i did, the mixture of sky blue and pea greenis really a new, rich pairing. but if you’d like some options, go ahead andinvestigate the below looks from the 2012 runways… aka resort, spring &pre-fall.

1. baby blues

[gabriele colangelo spring 2012, A.L.C. resort 2012 collections]

[haider ackermann, issey miyake spring 2012 collections]

2. sky blues

[proenza schouler pre-fall 2012, lyn devon spring 2012 collections]

[jenni kayne, oscar de la renta pre-fall 2012 collections]

3. aqua blues

[matthew williamson, michael van der ham spring 2012 collections]

[paul smith spring 2012, diane von furstenberg resort 2012 collections]

4. royal blues

[sachin + babi spring 2012, celine resort 2012 collections]

i kind of love these. might be my favourite new thing inthe past couple months… after i got those j crew café capris, i was hooked oncoloured pants. like a brand new world after being stuck in a sea of darkdenims for eternity! actually, i’ve recently decided i’m into j brand luxetwill pants and am cherry picking them off of ebay as they are posted. theyhave every colour of the rainbow, and although i veer away from the bright redsand oranges (for now… oh god. I hope that holds true but no promises…), i havebought baby pink, lavender and emerald green. so, as i will need inspiration onhow to wear them and maximize my fabulousness, i will be sure to do this exactsame post for those colours of pants. stay tuned!

in fact, i’m going to do them right now! why the hell not.

(see pt. 2, emerald green pants here)

[all images sourced. style]

is it september yet?

2011-12-16T17:33:00.000-05:00

do you think the boys of proenza heard me complaining andpicked up the ball they dropped during spring? because damn. pre-fall 2012 wasjust what the doctor ordered.

layered up in decadent colour waves, this season’s lookbookwas sure to impress. the brights are sticking around in this seasonlet thusfar, as sky blue, emerald green, and true red remains big players. of coursethey are paired with tonal navy, burnt orange, and forest green, but who’scomplaining here! my wardrobe has a few too many pastels and neutrals anyways.

proenza was showing a lot of jacquard type fabrics withtonal patterns. their emerald and royal blue styles have a faux wrap skirteffect, which adds a little voume and structure to the A-line, and because thefabric is stiff, you avoid the DVF wrap effect, which isn’t exactly up theiralley… of course those demure pieces were perfectly juxtaposed by a bra tophere and a leather bustier there. what else? it’s really much more difficultthan i’d like to find a good (budget-friendly) leather bustier. one day i’lljust have to fork over the real money to get one that will turn heads.

is it a radical trend? am i crazy for jumping on board withboth feet? i guess it helps that i’m comfortable with my stomach showing andaren’t on the bustier side (i was actually a mermaid for halloween and wore twolarge lion’s paw seashells just like ariel…) so maybe i can get away with somegarments that would look trashy on other people. but not me, i think a bra topand pencil skirt is oh-so very lady gaga for the everyday woman.

in fact, on the lady note, there was also some tweed in theproenza collection which i found very refreshing. it’s nice to see a tweedjacket in a bright colour for some freshness. the boys did it in a basic ¾length coat, single breasted with large black buttons. the sleeves are also cuta little wider, so it looks more laid back and slouchy rather than uptight andproper.

overall, the collection was quite delicious. getting me inthe mood for fall, and it’s winter here. which makes me kind of sad because ihave a whole year to get through before this stuff hits stores, and then evenlater until it trickles to ebay listings. this is when my constant impatiencecomes back to bite me!

[proenza schouler pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

rhoda to glory

2011-12-14T13:01:00.000-05:00

so i realize that sometimes i can be a bit of a bully withcertain designers, but when those designers turn around and wow me, i make surei post that as well. to prove i’m not just out to get them! zac posen had a horrifyinglookbook a couple seasons ago, but for pre-fall 2012? he aced it. so bravo zac!let’s investigate.

first, he changed things up and used only one model: hilaryrhoda. this girl’s body looks incredible. we’re talking karlie kloss in vogueitalia incredible. minus the anorexia-photoshop-rumours… and the angles he chose only accentuate the incredible structure of his collection. the paneled wool skirt, the sweatheart necklines almost creating a bustier effect to a cocktail dress.

don't you think the level of glamour that is achieved in these photos is surreal? it reminds me of marilyn monroe in gentlemen prefer blondes. or when she sings diamonds are a girl's best friend.especially in that final pink gown. the tailoring althrough the hip manages not to look overly curvy and then the full skirt spills onto the ground.

bravo zac! you're signature dress making talent is shining brighter than ever!

[zac posen pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

i LOVE twisted tresses

2011-12-13T17:54:00.000-05:00

feeling too lazy to braid? this is your game then.

this september, giorgio armani twisted the hair of hisrunway lineup in large sections randomly placed all over their head. now, thiswas not a 90s hairstyle where butterfly clips were involved (if you rememberdoing that – i was a very guilty offender of that trend) but rather a messy,full up-do that culminated in a twisted bun at the nape of the neck. totally do-able,unlike those full-headed plaits which i personally attempted and failed miserably. i triedwearing it out to an event for mugler with nicola formichetti and maybe itlooked okay, but it also took a very long time and many tries. twisting thehair at the back of your hair is a cinch compared to trying to braid straightand evenly.

i actually love the look of it as well, it seems a littlemore rocker and less romantic. almost reminds you more of cornrows than theplaits at valentino… which makes absolutely no sense, but you have to agree. itjust takes you back to save the last dance with julia stiles… and there i goagain, reminiscing of my 90s childhood.

so maybe that’s just it then. these twisted tresses have a90s punk vibe to them, and when worn with sleek and shiny armani, itsunexpected in the best way. they balance each other out. and its much morelovely than say… at a vivienne westwood show. because there you would expectsome batshit crazy helena bonham carter hair.

the make-up really polishes off the punk look as well with deep silver eyeshadow smudged along the lashline and streaking through the crease. its subtle but looks ever so worn-in.

the take-away? when you decide to wear your twists, wear them on thelarger side, and sweep them into a bun. and wear it with something a littlefeminine. aka no suspenders and combat boots. your combat is your raccoon eyes! deal? great. pleasure doingbusiness with you.

[giorgio armani spring 2012 beauty, style]

ferre simple

2011-12-11T20:16:00.001-05:00

if michael kors, chloe and calvin klein had a baby, their collection would look something like gianfranco ferre's spring 2012. sleek, simple, neutral with just a pop of colour. bold and modern accessories (aka belts that are too long and i am forced to actually tuck through. wide walking shorts, floor-length dresses with salvaging high-slits. not to mention some asymmetrical draping for kicks.

i actually love the styling of this collection with the strappy sandals and slicked-back hair. a dark smokey eye. its so powerful and sexy. joan smalls looks particularly intimidating in her shot.

the shirt dresses are given strong, sloping shoulders with exaggerated lapels. even more interesting is the sort of scarf-motif on the tops that drape over only one shoulder, offsetting the clean silhouette of the rest of the look. or it is also done in an off the shoulder feel in deeper nude tones.

this collection is just so incredible. can't you just imagine it in some intense editorial alongside some cutaway mugler? finally a hit of fuchsia at the end in a plunging gown (again, ms. smalls is working it out) with matching cuff to her belt and shoes. who said matching wasn't in anymore?

anywho, i must note that there were some looks i did not like from this collection, i just tend to keep the ones that i do like on file and those are the ones i use for my reviews. so these are the highlights. if you really love it as much as i do, go check out the rest on style! cheers.

[gianfranco ferre spring 2012 collection, style]

metallica

2011-12-11T20:04:00.001-05:00

soo i'm still doing spring 2012 reviews. alongside my pre-fall 2012 reviews. haha I WILL FINISH THEM. i promised myself that even though i got busy with work in september, i'm going to cross off all the things on my list. sooo here we go! diesel black gold:

oh my goodness. oh my gracious. oh my oh my. metallics. and coloured metallics!

so fabulous. my favourite thing. ever. leather and metallics. not the expected gold and silver but in stainless steels, steely blues, orangey bronzes, plum, emerald and mossy greens. i'm literally drooling. diesel black gold, i am under your spell. are you?

there's always a certain allure to the sexy leather clad ladies of diesel. with the rock chic attitude and masculine structures jackets. aka you won't always find a solid waistline, but you sure will find some bad ass shoes.

man check out those gladiator heels. straps all over, thick at the ankles for extra toughness. not that those girls need it. they are no fuss with the hair pulled back and minimal makeup, the clothes speak loudly enough. oxford shirts in nearly every outfit, there was a real push on menswear. and something really intriguing about the pants (something not interpreted in a manly fashion at all) was they were fitted like skinny jeans to the ankle and then they bell out. like an upside-down funnel. and there were laces to further enhance that. not exactly something that will catch on, but definitely diesel.

i loooooove it.

[diesel black gold spring 2012 collection, style]

no skirts allowed

2011-12-11T19:51:00.001-05:00

just like olivia palermo, i am obsessed with tibi. it's affordable and chic and just enough to ensure the pieces are special and worth the dollar. just like phillip lim's collection, tibi was all whites and pastels. washed out colours and more of those minty greens that will pop up everywhere this coming spring.

my favourite part was probably the introduction of steely blues and greys as neutrals against the lighter colours. what can i say, a collection can usually sucker me in with styling and colour palette, before i start breaking it down to separates and whether the masses would agree with what i think is incredible. maybe i'm just an easy target!

the slouchy pants at tibia are really what every girl wants, the comfort of menswear with something a little unexpected. perhaps paired with a slim fitting blouse? snug almost. and then they go all celine on your ass pairing royal blues with black in racer front tank tops. and here we go again! taupe with sunny yellow! gahh. i'm drooling. perhaps i will do a post on my new favourite colour pairings for the season. the mustard yellow is unexpected through, especially in a satin finish. i really do not think it fits with the collection. it feels more fall.

so its all very simple. the ideas weren't developed far beyond a tank and trousers, perhaps some short suiting here and there, but otherwise. skirts seems to be MIA. which is strange since i usually fall in love with tibia skirts and dresses! looks like the tibia woman means business. and one more thing -- i've got to hate on this motif printed randomly on the emerald and black pieces towards the end. i mean, does one's crotch really need to be framed? no.

looking forward to the trouser movement!

[tibi spring 2012 collection, style]

ADDICTION: balenciaga

2011-12-11T13:47:00.000-05:00

balenciaga

is a parisian-based fashion house started by cristobal balenciaga, who opened his first boutique in 1918. cristobal was actually born in spain, so technically the brand is spanish, but it has been owned by PPR for so long that is rarely remembered.

quick history lesson! balenciaga moved his business to paris because the spanish civil war forced him to close up shop. this is unfortunate, because the spanish aristocracy had been wearing his designs! so his couture house was officially started in paris in 1937. alright... and now onto the campaigns.

there's something very special about a balenciaga campaign. there is a natural awkwardness in the models' body language, but they still wear the clothing like it was their uniform. in fact, there is an impatience about balenciaga campaigns, as if the models were saying "...what?" this is present in three types of ads i'm going to identify, all completely different, but all complimentary of each other.

in spring 2009, the campaign was still being shot by david sims and depicts type 1. hanne gaby odiele is on a dark staircase and takes a strong pose looking off into the distance. this particular connection with the audience has more to do with sims than the brand however, as you won't see this fierce confidence in later campaigns. the involvement of architecture however, is a constant and something that plays off the architecture of balenciaga clothing and the unique shapes it holds.

[balenciaga spring 2009 campaign, shot by david sims. models]

in fact, as we move into fall 2009, jennifer connolly, a well known actress, was the face of balenciaga. this was the only time through these years a celebrity was used, and i think it actually worked against them. most especially with connolly. this actress has a very dark look and the romance of her frozen in motion, sprawled out on the couch as she sensually clutches the draped fabric, it is a completely different aesthetic and feels more like a lanvin campaign. the dramatic lighting and awkward arrangement of her limbs however defines the core elements of a balenciaga campaign. whether it is type 1, 2 or 3.

but as the first campaign shot by meisel, he established type 2: romantic backdrops.

[balenciaga fall 2009 campaign, shot by steven meisel. models]

and now you're probably looking at this next campaign and thinking... what the heck? this is completely different. spring 2010 featured mirte maas, iselin steiro and patricia van der vliet, again shot by steven meisel. this is type 3: solid backdrops.

this is one of my favourite balenciaga campaigns, because it is all about the clothing. the models evoke exactly what i think of when i think of balenciaga. innocent, almost deer-in-the-headlights. they are impatient and still. they make direct eye contact with the camera lens.

[balenciaga spring 2010 campaign, shot by steven meisel. models]

this aesthetic continued into the rest of the campaigns. the balenciaga pose. not at all standard visually, but standard emotionally. the fall 2010 campaign featured mirte maas and julija steponaviciute in front of a red and orange sky almost like a volcano. it's like they are floating on top of the heat. and here we are back into deep, romantic backdrops. i do love the models in this one, with the heel back and the thumbs in the pocket. so nonchalant in what's probably a $800 sweater. effortless cool.

[balenciaga fall 2010 campaign, shot by steven meisel. models]

okay so i'm pretty sure (if you remember) i ripped up gisele bundchen for what she looked like walking in the balenciaga spring 2011 collection. she looked worn down. and when she was featured in the campaign it was painful to me. it still is. she plays the romantic forest up as if her legs just collapsed and she has the impatience in the studio shot. and she plays it all perfectly, but i still hate it. sorry guys.

[balenciaga spring 2011 campaign, shot by steven meisel. models]

thank god she was just a guest star. haha i'm so cruel, but it really all worked out because the campaign for this fall 2011 was just incredible. featuring the likes of liisa winkler, carla gebhart, julia nobis, juliane gruner, liya kebede and milou van groesen in a gothic church. the architecture of this is the perfect mix of strength, structure and romance. the models walk across a hallway, but all look directly into the lens.

then this shot is juxtaposed by pure white room, seemingly covered in white tiles. but with the strength of a balenciaga silhouette and its own structure, it stands at the front of the picture. it is actually pushed forward and jumps off the page, only doing the same thing to the models in the church.

all of this is so unique to this brand, and they have developed such a strong look. it is identifiable. for instance, as i had mentioned in my review of narcisco rodriguez's pre-fall lookbook. the mid-motion, the eye contact, the elegance. and the lack of sex appeal. the models aren't like lanvin or dolce trying to be sexy or alluring. that in no way means to be insulting, it just is. and for that, i commend nicolas ghesquiere and his team for matching his effortless cool structured clothing with a matching image each season.

[balenciaga fall 2011 campaign, shot by steven meisel. models]

HISTORY LESSON: michael van der ham

2011-12-10T12:40:00.001-05:00

michael van der ham
is a dutch designer who debuted at london fashion week during the spring 2011 shows.
signature style: asymmetry, patchworking patterns and textures, multi-fabricated dresses

i was really drawn towards van der ham for his most recent collection in spring 2012, when i feel like he finally lined up his master pattern mixing (and creating, he uses his own patterns) with sophisticated tailoring. i wasn't alone, as he gained a lot of attention this past season by editors and the industry alike. so i went backwards to investigate what he had been up to for the seasons prior...

he interned with new york label as four, then later with sophia kokosalaki and alexander mcqueen before completing the MA graduate program at central saint martins (like so many of the fashion geniuses before him). after which he showed small presentations for two seasons before launching a fashion show for spring 2011. his "random" approach saw focus and direction as he began developing his own prints (a seeming trend in the london sphere.

take a look at the spring 2011 collection. i love the chiffon blouses, with the details on the sleeves and the avant garde predictability of it. but the pencil skirts fall a little flat as they seem less refined and more pieced together chaotically. there is an overwhelming feeling that this is what a split personality looks like, as many stated, mixing heavy velvets with soft chiffons and silks. sometimes the weights just didn't match. and then what happens? the balance is lost.

[michael van der ham spring 2011 collection]

fall 2011 toned down the crazy a little, focusing more on solid separates, like crushed velvet asymmetrical dresses, with a focus on one-sleeved creations. velvet is always a big hit for me in fall, as it has so much dimension in different lights. these dresses are interesting, undoubtedly, but i think their silhouette is less approachable by the market to buy. they have less shape and tailoring, and then moving into the separates, the multi-fabricated technique that was expected of van der ham was muted.

instead, he played with more texture this season with patches of jacquard fringe and leather. he missed the mark in what's "commercial" and what still remains to be a knockout. but don't you worry, he struck that note next season...

[michael van der ham fall 2011 collection]

here we are. the wonder boy got it right!

spring 2012 reminded me of all the london talent that sometimes goes unnoticed. peter pilotto? mary katrantzou? basso & brooke? burberry prorsum? christopher kane? i could go on. they all played with texture and patterns and then globally (across the fashion capitals at least) there was a play with under the sea colours of aquamarine, mint, cornflower, violet, navy, steel, and creamy whites. van der ham hit every single note. he's on trend but he still stayed true to his aesthetic and the london scene. he had everything you could ask for!

the patchworks of fabrics spread across blouses rather than just hitting in one sport. almost like ivy climbing up a wall. it gave a greater overall effect. he then mixed these with solid trousers and micro print skirts. building his collection with boucle jackets and taking a more casual approach in pairing jersey with chiffon, you can see van der ham's growth and realization that he must use his aesthetic in a way that women want to wear it. and i want to wear it! it's just so refined. and i can't compare it to anyone else but him... and that says it all. prime.

[michael van der ham spring 2012 collection]

[all images sourced. style]

a maharani in paris

2011-12-08T21:17:00.001-05:00

okay. i am literally drooling. also, i think i'm soul mates with karl lagerfeld ("you're sooo behind the curve girl," is probably what you're thinking but it's for a completely different reason than pretty much anyone.) i was reading about this collection and karl's inspiration, and the man has never been to india. you always read about a designer being inspired by their travels to japan or a road trip through mexico etc etc. but no, karl did this collection as a play on how most beaded collections have production in india, but this was fully made in the chanel atelier in paris. what a smartass!

okay so let's start with the hair, so we can get down to the clothes after. the girls have dreadlocks. how inspired it that! well, the ones who could! how fab does kasia stress and stella tennant look. with the jewels at their part down their forehead. with the smouldering dark makeup, it is so gypsy-meets-maharani. and it plays into the collection so well, because it's a little rougher around the edges, less refined and more rock chick.

i'm also probably a large fan of this collection, because it contains a look involving some clothes i already own. i love those looks, the ones that are purely styling and you already have the raw materials to work with. like fall 2009's balenciaga draped tulip skirt. i picked one up in seafoam and its hard to wear sometimes because the part cuts so damn high. i actually twist it around so it goes up my thigh rather than risking a crotch wardrobe malfunction. so thank you karl for allowing me to recycle my trend piece!

the pairing is actually very fresh, mixing a stronger structured tee against gentle draping and then mixing it with a legging. and the leather addition is a welcomed edge. and then we get all sorts of crazy!

just take a look at anja. damn girl. the bronze leggings are one of my favourite parts of this collection. it really goes with both silver and gold, and is a little less flashy. much like my love of gunmetal! what colour could flow more effortlessly than red? now red and black can be a bit predictable. it's like the amateur fashionista's go to "pop" for an LBD. too predictable for my taste (not to sound snooty at all) but i am super into burgundy right now. i saw a guy wearing burgundy pants with a navy blazer and i was obsessed. but now the burgundy in this collection looks so rich with black and bronze and gold. when you move into the aubergines and wine tones, and then a pop of baby pink for freshness? parfait.

just check out daphne groeneveld in this pink eyelet midi dress. it seems so much more casual, but it also flows with the collection as it is built up with texture and accessories. what would a maharani be without her jewels? layers and layers of them.

and the collection wraps in excess with pearly white golds. plums mixed with bronze and mushroom greys. the colours overall are fairly muted, and not flashy, which makes the decadence that much more. all of the beading is along the collar wears like a necklace in the iridescent and smokey stones. they melt into the clothing, as karl dreamt of the indian culture. since he really hasn't seen it for real! this indian dream is something i'd be willing to work into my regime. viva kaiser karl.

[chanel pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

woe-man

2011-12-08T21:08:00.001-05:00

sometimes, i love donna karan. i do. its not something i would wear but i can imagine thousands of women who would dream of wearing it just like how i dream of one day wearing givenchy and proenza schouler. the pre-fall collection however, left me feeling a little deflated. i think clothing should compliment a woman's body, not make it look wide where she doesn't want to look wide... you know?

regarding the first image, it probably killed my motivation to like the collection from the start. is the morning coat being re-invented for women? i felt like i was looking at old photos of the duke of windsor (aka king edward VIII) and that vlada should be wearing a top hat.even with the oxford bootie. it's too much. too old worldly.

there is no denying that menswear trends have inspired womenswear in very exciting ways, but this falls flat. the shapes only make the models look wide and the heavy fabrics don't drape as well on a delicate frame. the grecian draped dresses in burnt oranges and black gather below the natural waist and therefore lower a woman's leg line. the excess of fabric hangs to each side with such weight that then loses the waistline entirely, and the models have no shape. there entire body then becomes the width of their hips. and who wants that?

my next quam is with this navy suede jacket. perhaps the styling isn't doing it justice, because i think its fit in the upper body is fantastic. its slim and the setting on the buttons are narrow, so the double-breasting actually has a narrowing effect as opposed to the usual width. and i also love the hemline of it. but there is already width being added almost like a peplum, and to then add a full A-line pleated skirt that falls below the knee is overwhelming. it would have been better suited with a pencil skirt or a tailored trouser.

so aside from that excellent jacket, there isn't much else that stands out to me. then men's overcoat created no shape at all. and for a collection called "wo-man," the power that is supposed to be translated to women by wearing mens clothing is lost entirely. they just look like their playing dress up in clothes that swallow them whole. everything is oversized in my perspective. even the wide belts on those dresses would have been better off more delicate.

maybe you disagree but the long jackets and exaggerated shoulder width reminds me of a power suit. and the gowns at the end? a little lack lustre. just a lot of volume and not necessarily from the detail work. haha i'm very harsh on donna karan because i know the amazing things she can do! better luck next season.

[donna karan pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

a team sport?

2011-12-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

okay so i've done my share of criticizing the seasonlets (pre-fall and resort), as i've heard them called, but narcisco rodriguez won't be getting that sort of treatment. he will be praised! i have never seen a multi-model shot cookbook done so flawlessly. and effectively, might i add. there's a lot more to these photos than just the commodity aspect of a runway-style lookbook with standard poses. sure some of the details are a little lost, for instance you don't get to see the cut of the pants as well, or the full-frontal angle of a jacket. but you get so much more in return!

for instance, you can group colour stories together to better communicate the themes and inspiration of the collection. and furthermore, with each colour story you can group models that evoke very different personalities, so that buyers can understand the range of salability. that way, colour stories aren't assigned to specific typecasts in the market.

look at the images above with the black leather story. here rodriguez has the hipster/model type wearing a fur collared jacket, with leather leggings and its very chic. then you have the flashy/bombshell type in the fitted leather dress with cross straps and all eyes are on her. then the third girl on the right plays the carefree/vintage type who wears a wide leather swing coat (or is that a vest?) and leather leggings. three completely different "characters" but all of them can be a narcisco rodriguez girl.

quick interjection -- the image right below this text, on the right, is the faux pas of this lookbook. the models are at different distances from the camera, which basically makes the one on the right look like donna "lumberjack" pinciotti. which so isn't the case when you see their actual size comparison on the left image! but i digress...

so does anyone else think this story of the collection (the one above me) looks like a balenciaga campaign? come on. it so does! the clean lines, the colour blocking, the not-trying-cool attitude of it all? its pretty luxe and fabulous. in fact, because of these images, i'm rather appalled that i haven't written about rodriguez before! its a stroke of genius.

i guess what i'm saying is that there's a strong brand force when you line girls up together. just think about the end of a sonia rykiel or a dolce & gabbana show when all the girls come out and crowd the runway. you suddenly just want to be up there. you want to be a sonia rykiel girl. or you want to be a dolce girl. and maybe there's something to that, the fact that there's more relatability when you see models together in a campaign (like in those dolce ads, again, with 10 guys in a room. or 5 girls in extravagant gowns). so maybe these seasonlets should become team sports, since its not always feasible to run a separate ad campaign for them outside of spring and fall! this is a very powerful alternative.

also see fabulous last image. yes you wanna be a narcisco girl now. bravo.

[narcisco rodriguez pre-fall 2012 collection, style]

frumpy vuitton

2011-12-02T09:27:00.000-05:00

warning: you may not like what you’re about to read.

so marc jacobs, yeah i don’t really like him to begin with. i’malso not a huge louis vuitton fan, aside from their random marvelous collection(which i believe was in large part due to sofiacoppola and arizonamuse…) but anyway. i was reading my style.com/print issue for spring 2012 and accordingto their readers, louis vuitton was the 2^nd highest ranked show. nowi am much happier to report that according to editors, it didn’t even make thetop 10. thank god! i’m siding with them and giving the collection not a thumbsdown, but a waivering “meh.”

louis vuitton has been on this whole 50s mad men throw backto full figured models using “mature” and “curvy” girls on their runway for acouple seasons. now this particular season had all the top models of themoment, but the clothes still made them look like the fuller figured girls. whowants that? not that i’m against a good hourglass silhouette, but it seems tome that vuitton (as per jacobs) is holding onto a silhouette that has not beeninterpreted in a modern sense. when things come back into style, it’s becausethey are re-interpreted.

now i will recognize that in an industry becoming less “individual”where designers are taking fewer risks outside prints and colour pairing, doingyour own thing will make you stand out. look at london and how they’ve all toned it down andput their business hats on, meadham kirchhoff did the opposite and went postal:debbie harry crazy. and everyone loved it! because the public loves a goodshow, even if they wouldn’t wear one thing on that runway.

so my review of this collection comes down to this: is itwearable? sure. the floral cut-outs and feathers make it like poodle skirts forangels. but i don’t think its flattering or cutting edge. it was a bigconfusion over what jacobs made louis vuitton versus this left field collectionthat was soo… i’m gonna say it. it was (trying to be) dior. actually, i'll go a step further to say it looks like prada, marni and dior had a lovechild. and when you think aboutit, it makes a lot of sense. given jacobs’ talks with dior to take-over (whichhave now ended) maybe he was trying to show he can do couture. but i’m sorrydear, adding feathers to your poodle skirts does not couture make. not tomention a collection without bolts of does not dior make.

overall, jacobs jumped in the pool of minty pastels forspring 2012, but he made it so that the only modern part of his collection wasthe colour palette. when everyone else is showing those hues, colour just won’tbe enough. that being said, the shoes were still fabulous, as per usual.

i’m gonna take this last chance to push my favourite collection: gogivenchy! tisci, tisci, he’s my man. haha crossing my fingers it gets morespring covers than vuitton does (doubtful though…)

[louis vuitton spring 2012 collection, style]

TORN: holy-graphic

2011-12-01T18:45:00.000-05:00

[matthew williamson, fall 2011 collection. style]

so every morning when i'm picking out what i'm going to wear to work, i wish i had more dress pants. more blazers. more blouses. more professional-wear in general. but its tough to build that kind of a wardrobe at a young age 21. they are higher quality pieces, that you want to invest more money into. you want them to stand out or have an edge. this tonal graphic matthew williamson suit is just the ticket. the navy makes it stand out from a sea of black, and then paired back against this pink tropical print blouse? and the matching belt? so fabulous. i’m kind of weird in the sense that i hate pairing neon colours with black, to me it feels a little too much like that younger generation line at h&m. pairing neon back to navys and charcoals is so much more fresh. love!

TORN: peas please

2011-12-01T14:47:00.000-05:00

[jil sander fall 2011 collection. style]

now i am going to do a trend forecast on chartreuse green that came up all over the runways for spring, but for fall i’m looking back onto those pea greens that were so dominant years ago. i remember it perfectly because my mother bought me not one, but two sweaters in this colour. and i hated them. i didn’t think it looked right on my skintone… either that or i just had no idea how to wear it. and that’s what most people feel i think. but all it took was one streetstyle photo from tommy ton and i was a believer.

a girl was wearing a pea green blazer with sky blue tuxedo pants and a giant sonia rykiel pom pom fascinator. and because i happen to own sky blue wool trousers, i am now on the hunt for a pea green blouse/sweater/blazer/whatever really to pair it back against. jil sander, a master of colour blocking, wears it with neon orange and royal blue. another picture perfect combination. maybe a little bold for your average gentleman, but hey, if you aren’t afraid of colour, you can wear this all day long!

sporty spice

2011-11-20T18:42:00.001-05:00

i really had no idea how big pringle of scotland was until i saw how much their pudsey bear sold for... curious? about $4,800 USD. that's higher than the mulberry pudsey, but not the highest... can you guess who was? obviously louis vuitton! which sold for over $56,200 USD. congratulations to bbc's children in need! they raised a whole lot of money from their teddy bear auction.

i did however, fall victim to their spring collection. it was a lot of black and grey, but with just enough pops of pastel to liven it up. it was very sporty with a lot of layered separates... but still minimalist. simple silhouettes, limited use of patterns, i would compare it best with celine. to some degree! for the first couple of looks you see here. the snowflake geometric print in deep warm colours on the top half of the grey knits. most especially in the use of royal blue and baby pinks.

the detail is exquisite in the blue top you see below. with the pinching effect to create a deep-V neckline to expose a sheer panel. theres also a black shoulder detail, which from afar gives the effect of an epaulette. you can gain a fair sense of alistair carr's (the designer) work experience at balenciaga!

besides the knitwear, there are some fabulous slouchy elements to this collection. the cowl neck shirtdress is rather remarkable as it completely removes the sexiness otherwise found in the neckline a cowl usually frames. but no, its just in the shape of the dress for visual interest. and it is mimicked in the skirt, which is a little hypnotizing in the micro graphic purple print.

the black dress with the pop of aqua underneath is very very similar to a helmut lang dress i own in olive jersey, but it has a completely different feel to this one. in fact, it feels a little out of place in this collection, even though i love the look on its own. (clearly, since i bought it haha) is that really what the pringle girl wants? i'm not super sure. i do love the prints though. and the shift dresses with cutaway details that are accentuated by the high-contrast white detailing. overall, its a wear and go collection. no fuss, just gorgeous.

[pringle of scotland spring 2012 collection, style]

i LOVE drawstring bags

2011-11-20T18:05:00.000-05:00

did you ever have one of those cloth gym bags for elementary/secondary school? you know the ones with the weird prints (mine had presents all over it) and then there was a drawstring to close it? maybe my school was the only one where kids used them, but hopefully not. anyway, there's a fashionable way to bring the drawstring into your daily style, minus the presents print. and the cotton and twine.

drawstring bags aren't exactly a new idea, but a handful of big names had them on their spring 2012 runways to accessorize everything from minimalist shifts at giorgio armani to printed paneling at miu miu.

[giorgio armani spring 2012 accessories, style.]

adding the drawstring to an otherwise plain bag adds dimension and a soft structure. and i'm all about the details in handbags. probably why i picked up a chloe bracelet bag so long ago... which i would love to show a picture of (since i got it before i started this blog) but alas, i cannot find one online. and i'm too lazy to take one right now.

anywho... don't you just love them?? the bucket style at miu miu is a little less fun and a bit too much like something little red riding hood would carry to her grandmother's house, but still. i like the woven version at armani the best! kind of love it more than the bottega veneta bag i've been eye-ing for my entire life. what do you think? is the concept a good one? interesting to look at? at least it doesn't affect the functionality of the bag at all! and probably makes it easier to carry! plus-es all around.

[from left to right. marc by marc jacobs, miu miu spring 2012 accessories, style.]

ferra-va-va-voom-o (i tried)

2011-11-20T16:34:00.001-05:00

am i behind on my spring 2012 reviews? absolutely. but that doesn't mean i'm not going to finish!

salvatore ferragamo was one of my favourite collections, which was a surprise. they're not usually a brand i gravitate towards but this spring was bright, sexy, sophisticated, and luxurious all wrapped into one knockout runway show.

the ladies donned hot pink and electric teal glen plaid suits for one thing. talk about heating things up for the summer. but is doesn't even feel out of place. styled with bold tropical prints in the same colour family, to me, it works. now i recently bought a pair of green pants (gumbi green, we're talking b-r-i-g-h-t) and i feel completely normal in them. not like people are looking at me or i stand out, but that must just be me. because not everyone will wear green pants. so perhaps my perspective isn't exactly -- ahem -- "accurate," in what colours are "normal." however, i will say that sometimes a colour just feels right to you. haha my apologies for the fashion psychobabble.

this colour pairing of poppy red and bubblegum and magenta pink has been done for a couple seasons and its picking up speed. strangely enough, i think when emma stone wore than giambattista valli piece on the runway, it sparked the question, is this pairing really okay for everyday life? and the answer is hell yes. then again, i think it takes a serious effort to make something actually clash.

aside from the glen plaid, ferragamo also had silk satin suits in violet purples and also aquamarine leather. what else? this idea of a mens tailored suit with big shoulders, a high waisted pant thats bigger through the hips, almost like harem pants is a very fresh idea. in fact the fit of the pants in this collection in general is very fresh. its made feminine through the fabulous colour palette and the material. this was done in another menswear piece, the field jacket, which was updated in purple leather over a neon animal print wrap dress. my head is spinning from the major-ness of this look. its sexy but strong.

and can i just mention we're bringing the sash back? i'm a big fan of this idea. belts are so predictable. but hey, here's a red sash over my magenta and aqua blue halter gown. in fact, it looks like the "halter" is actually a scarf type of neckline where it wraps over her left shoulder. hello! bombshell. i could literally pick out every detail in this show and blab about all of them. can't you? but at the risk of over-complimenting, i'll leave the rest to your imagination. enjoy this kaleidoscope of colour and sex appeal.

[salvatore ferragamo spring 2012 collection, style]

HISTORY LESSON: carven

2011-11-20T16:27:00.000-05:00

carven

is a french label that was launched in 1945, although it has gained a lot of buzz lately. they produce both womenswear and menswear and is currently designed by guillaume henry.

signature style: sporty chic, french prep, collared blouses, full skirts, streetstyling

think isabel marant goes to boarding school. carven just recently started showing at paris fashion week in spring 2011. the look is like the french j crew. leather and collared shirts, tribal prints, deep jewel tones. it is exactly my style. i love every inch of every look, except a handkerchief hemline, those ain't my digs.

i wish i could dig up collections from further back, but i'm having a little trouble. guillaume henry only joined the brand for its revival three seasons prior to spring 2011, so let's dive in there instead... the use of dusty rose and peach paired with denim and indigo blue is a match made in heaven. complimentary colours, but so effortlessly chic and modern. you can get these luxe looks that would fit just as easily in galleries lafayette as they would in opening ceremony. hello alexa chung.

[carven spring 2011 collection]

that's the beauty of this line, is the styling really turns it into anything you want. fall 2011 was a little edgier with the incorporation of black leather and loafer pumps. ochre wool boucle makes for a soft fall look, and more importantly, carven was building an accessible image in the consumers' mind. easy to wear, easy to find, easy to get your hands on and take home. they still hadn't put on a formal runway show or involved the use of "top models" to further instil this image.

[carven fall 2011 collection]

and here we are now. spring 2012, and what a rich collection it was! full of some fabulous colour and a "showtation" where the models wove around groups of editors and buyers in paris. the full skirts and nipped waists in cobalt blues, mustard yellows, baby pinks. its a little proenza with the printed cut-out dresses. full skirts and corseted bust details, nest-ce pas? i am loving the clean lines and silhouettes. it's an update on the office look, and is definitely inspiring me to layer as such to work!

carven looks just as good in individual looks as it does all together in its showtation. i actually wanted to write this post because i got an email from style sense about the whole fall collection. which looked insane. so keep an eye out for them and try and pick something up! let's bring a little paris everywhere.

[carven spring 2012 collection]

[all images sourced, style]

neon ain't so hot

2011-11-13T19:09:00.001-05:00

okay, so tom binns has this neon thing going on right now, where he is painting vintage necklaces and bracelets to make them modern. now, some of them are fabulous, like this masai necklace i have posted. i was searching it because honestly, it seems to be pretty easy to do. a DIY if you will, which i've seen on a couple of blogs through clever use of nail polish. tempted yet?

well not so fast. i must warn you that some others aren't so hot. if you remember, i got a tom binns bracelet a while back and it continues to be the most expensive thing i own. that i bought for myself, just because. and it's gorgeous. and i love it as much now as i did when i first got it.

when i was cruising this neon collection, i came across my bracelet. which is too perfect to ever be re-don, but no. it has been brutally butchered. and it breaks my heart... please see the original, the one i own. and then see what they did to it! how could they? poor choice tom, i'm incredibly disappointed in you.

HISTORY LESSON: giles deacon

2011-11-13T13:11:00.000-05:00

giles deacon

is a london-based designer who studied at central saint martins with katie grand (his then girlfriend!). before launching his eponymous label, he had designed for bottega veneta, jean charles de castelbajac, gucci, louis vuitton and ralph lauren.

signature style: dramatic appliqués, exaggerated silhouettes, metallic leather, a fitted waist

i have been meaning to profile giles deacon ever since i started doing tears and i discovered his work. then i saw him at the god save the queen event at the room and wanted to do it more, and then i got an invite to his show and was determined to get off my butt and turn the draft post into a published one.

you'll start to notice in the images i have selected for each season, that one core strength giles has (in my personal opinion) is expressing his vision and inspiration for the season. after looking through all the collections, there were few pieces that felt out of place, as there is a easy cohesion from one look to the next. now of course each season is completely different from the next, but he really commits to each one. and that's why he has developed such a following, which includes myself.

things really took off for giles in fall 2004 when he showed at london fashion week. he had the top models and a killer dj to set the stage for his collection. but let's jump ahead to spring 2008 where the foliage is literally jumping off the dresses. almost looking like origami, the volume was a welcome edge on top of his corseted tea-length dresses. this isn't your average english wedding outfit, this girl wants attention, and as giles has said, someone wearing his frocks might have someone think, wow, that's interesting and go say hello.

[giles spring 2008 collection]

now if we're going to continue on the "interesting" route, then fall 2008 was definitely that. it had a dusty colour palette of rose, steel and maize in an interesting mix of what i'm going to call gilet-chic. the exaggerated solders and almost peplum detailing goes back to deacon's love of the hourglass silhouette. and then these slinky column gowns that (as long as you're 5'11) hit all the right notes... but don't fear, we can all be 5'11+ with the right shoes!

[giles fall 2008 collection]

the spring 2009 collection was as outlandish, but it did reveal a couple more details in what i would call his "signature" style. the use of shredded fabric to replicate feathers in collars, or the military detailing in blousons of double flap pockets, and most importantly, metallic leathers. i'm a sucker for metallics, especially coloured metallics. deacon said his reference was of the designers of the late 80s, who did remarkably simple but graphic work. true enough, his exploded camo prints sure pack a punch.

[giles spring 2009 collection]

now don't be worried if you see no story in this next collection, as you probably only could if you were a complete gi-hard (yep, i just made that a word) and knew everything he's ever done all the way back to his final show for CSM. that was the aim of this collection, to revisit all the things he loved when he started fashion. and do we love them too? yes, what's not to love about a circle leather skirt that defines your waist and stands alone. personally, i could do without the rest, except the boots, those are fab. the pieces seem a little disconnected, but maybe that's the styling. the red gown for instance, has the almost silk paillettes, but then the top is distressed and torn. like they belong at different parties.

[giles fall 2009 collection]

after that confusion, giles pulled out a kickass spring 2010. was there a motivator? just maybe his french ANDAM award, which moved his show from london to paris. he had to turn it up, and since his production was now sourced by an italian company castor SRL, he was ready to deliver something that could be marketed to the masses. think international department stores.

in fact, i'm not sure what got into deacon's head, but to me this is like betsey johnson for adults. more modern. more sleek. more street style cool. and it's my favourite collection of his to date. it's just so goddamn playful! who knew pastels and spiders would look so cool? not to mention those dinosaur messenger bags.

[giles spring 2010 collection]

anddd if i had the choice, i would skip this collection. it's kind of blasé, n'est-ce pas? the 60s beehives haven't decidedly been done across the board for the fall 2010 season, but it was definitely done better elsewhere. you've got the full skirts and bustiers, which we've seen before, but the true rogue element of this season? wasn't the clothes. it was the schedule, giles went off schedule in PFW's opening night, to get the slot he wanted. it definitely got people talking.

[giles fall 2010 collection]

as much charm as this has, reminding me of a marc jacobs show, it hurts my eyes. its 80s british punk, which essentially delivers a bright colour palette, distressed clothing, and a mishmash of everything else under the sun. it's nothing attractive, and i wouldn't say the models look especially beautiful, but its a pop-culture reference. something giles does often and sometimes ineffectively when you ask, how is this moving fashion forward? oh well.

[giles spring 2011 collection]

and we're almost drawing to a close, with fall 2011 you'd barely connect this as the same designer we saw for the year before. now i should have mentioned this in spring, but giles was selected to head up the self-imploding emanuel ungaro, after they had that whole lindsay lohan mishap. he designed for two seasons, and then parted amicably on creative differences. maybe that's why his collections for giles slipped out of attention? he was trying to warrant a comeback for ungaro. fall looked extremely constrictive, with the high-necklined white blouses and leather bustiers and bows. it was giles' take on a modern Edwardian suiting. but hell, just bring back the crazy. please.

[giles fall 2011 collection]

now i am still in shock that i received an invitation to this show, (did i mention that i did?) and i am so sad that i couldn't be there for it! the simple lustre of the hair and makeup on the models combined with an extravagance that ranged from whimsy to drama mama. cray crazy is back.

as you may have seen in the pudsey bear giles designed for bbc, silver leather had a really strong presence in the spring 2012 collection. whether it was lasered or fringed it gilded the models' curves through the A-line tailoring. the welcome addition of poppy red and navy updated the usual nautical pairing, which is wonderful, because i never was a big fan of brassy gold anyways... the show finished with daphne groeneveld wearing a giant red swan hat by stephen jones, which ADR of course wore to carine roitfields vampire party (what else?). and although i decided to not show that look, you can definitely feel the oviary influence throughout the collection by the touches of feathers and tiered gowns.

the verdict? i am heartbroken that i couldn't see this show live. that would have been the highlight of my career yet. fingers crossed that february pans out!!

[giles spring 2012 collection]

[all images sourced. style]

pudsey bear gets a makeover

2011-11-12T15:35:00.001-05:00

fashion philanthropy is one of the most powerful forces in this industry, which i have noticed through not only my own work on the marchesa gala last april in toronto for sick kids hospital, but also through other events on a global scale that give back to the community and charities that designers/models/editors/celebrities connect with. like remember when naomi campbell put on a fashion show for haiti? there's always such a strong reaction, and it really brings the whole fashion industry together. it's definitely on my bucket list to throw a charity fashion event sometime in my life, who knows when it will be, but i'm sure that when i discover what i want to do, i'll just know.

across the pond in the uk, bbc's children in need fund has collaborated with some of london's top designers to give their mascot, pudsey bear, a style makeover. he is normally a yellow teddy bear with a polkadot bandage over his right eye, but the designers involved were given as much freedom as they like to design a bear that would be sold on ebay to support the cause.

so who was involved, you might ask? i'll tell you in order, from left to right in the picture...

jonathan saunders, PPQ, mulberry, giles deacon, katie hillier, liberty, henry holland, patrick grant, and erdem. now i have actually come across three more bears that weren't in this image, but are selling on ebay as well! below you will see a bear by pringle of scotland, topshop and (a complete surprise with this one...) louis vuitton! i'm not sure how louis vuitton got involved, as this fundraiser was for bbc and louis vuitton is located in paris... so i'm still working on that story for you. but as far as i know, it begins with interest from katie grand.

[pringle of scotland pudsey bear, topshop pudsey bear. ebay]

[louis vuitton pudsey bear. ebay]

all 12 bears have their own quirks that emulate things we love about the designers themselves. my personal favourites were giles deacon (come on, silver leather and turning his eye patch into a whole bedazzled mask? if rachel zoe was describing it she'd say it was major. and then her eyes might fill up with tears.... and on the complete opposite side of the spectrum we have my other favourite, erdem, who used his lemon burst print to create a totally enchanting and sophisticated pudsey bear.

i would love to bring this sort of fundraiser to north america as i think it would receive a huge response. i'm going to have to think about what i could do with canadian charities... until then i just hope i have the pleasure of being involved in the next suzanne rogers gala!

now go bid on these bears! so far, they're fetching anywhere from $400-6,000 USD with 4 days left in the auction.

[erdem pudsey bear, giles deacon pudsey bear. ebay]

meet my friends!

2011-11-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

if there was ever a doubt about where the excitement is in toronto womenswear, i can show you the clear winner: the room, of course! i saw a preview of barbara bui's spring 2012 collection last week and i just had to snap some shots of the fantastic mannequins at the room on queen.

where else would mannequins with flirtatious red lips wear mix 'n match outfits like the ones below and it be viewed as on trend and high fashion instead of batshit crazy? the room. why not have mannequins lying across tables and putting their hand on their hip with sass? it only brings out the personality in the (forgive me for describing it as such...) loud clothing that undoubtedly commands attention.

so please, meet my friends! just me and these girls hanging out at yonge & queen at the hudson's bay co.

live journalism

2011-11-01T13:14:00.001-04:00

soo i have some great news! i was going to profile barbara bui as the sporty vibe to her spring 2012 collection really caught my attention, but i'm holding off. why? because i'm going to a preview of her spring 2012 collection on thursday and she will be there for a live interview! so so exciting. so i'm really looking forward to writing the review after i have seen the clothes up close and hopefully can add some more pictures other than those from my style.com arsenal!

the room made an excellent choice bringing bui to toronto and you will see why!

miu mix miu mix

2011-10-24T12:48:00.001-04:00

so, we have seen prada become a trend commander for the past couple of seasons, and miuccia has done no less with miu miu. remember than tangerine dress with the floral appliques that was on every cover? well this season, turns out i really liked the collection. it was a perfect mix of old-worldly elements with modern twists. it wasn't as "60s mod" as i've come to expect... it was refreshing.

the colour palette was steel blues, plums, butter yellows, poppy reds, and a dusty rose. they played off eachother beautifully, especially the plum and yellow! a personal favourite of mine, and a new colour combo you must try! i also have to confess that it's probably another reason why miu miu was a standout -- it didn't seem to fall into that under-the-sea-foam-green-and-coral category many other houses indulged into (chanel, louis vuitton, etc...). so let's dive in! (no pun intended...)

the volume in the arms of the blouses was especially alluring, as it had an edwardian feel to it. the soft, sloping shoulder stopped it from being overwhelming, and the double-wide cuff allowed the models to maintain their delicate frame by highlighting their wrists.

the box jackets are also an excellent addition to this renaissance collection, as they remain almost motionless in their simple construction and streamline silhouette. they coat the lace and silk like a demure shell -- all tied up with a black bow, in classic miu miu form. always a capelet or two! i must admit though, i much prefer the jackets over the capelets -- which seem like a bit of an afterthought to cap-off a look. (pun absolutely intended)

another trick miuccia has used is what i'm going to call ruched corsetry. the silk skirts are given a paperbag effect, which has been hot on the runway for a couple seasons, but this time there is no belt required. the skirt is rouched in a clever design (that reminds me of those shirts that were so popular when i was 6 or 7... they were the size of your fist and then would stretch out to be a full t-shirt. oh the power of elastane!). obviously, this is a momentous upgrade from that. come on, it's miu miu. i do especially love the pairing of this ruched corsetry with the voluminous tops, as it enhances the overall effect.

[miu miu spring 2012 collection, style]

and can you get over the little handle-bags? they're too cute. i've always been a big (and when i say big, i mean HUGE) purse girl. it's either suitcase size or a clutch, but this is a nice branch out for us clutch-lovers, as it's still small but has more of a "lady" quality to it. decked out in some bold floral prints that echo last season from prada and bit of versace flare, they have a punch to them -- but if you're happier toned down, the sombre velvets will meld effortlessly with your mules and A-line skirt.

so there you have it, miuccia has done it again.

[miu miu spring 2012 accessories, style]

i LOVE stacking jewelry

2011-10-18T13:19:00.000-04:00

you know how whenever they portray sad female widowers, they're wearing all the jewelry they own at once, and they sit alone longing for their husband and their youth? well that's kind of ridiculous. BUT now that woman is in style hahaha! you wanna be her!

i'll explain: on the runways this season there was a couple of big houses that were stacking on the jewels from beaded necklaces, to pendants mixes with chokers and chandelier earrings, to bangles on top of bangles on top of bangles. giambattista valli probably grabbed the most attention for his snake charming cuffs that slithered up the arms of his models. on top of a delicate white shift dress, it brought just the right amount of attitude. cross pendants were also a big trend, however, they were also always paired with other necklaces of varying length including some crystal wing chokers at lanvin, which created a collar of tarnished metals.

i'm not much of an accessorize-r, in fact, the most i ever wear is a vintage ring i had re-plated, stud earrings, and nail polish. but when i'm feeling like a little more, i have a couple "statement" necklaces or bracelets in my arsenal (from all my ebay purchases...). never have i thought of wearing them with eachother! but these looks prove just how simple and fabulous it would be. the look is easy to copy, and knotting, as i have mentioned will be a big trend next spring. so go ahead and let your necklaces tangle up in eachother and wear your bangles by the armful. just stick to one area, crazies! arm or neck. or you could go rings like karl lagerfeld... wear a million of them. because if karl does it, you know it's chic.

[from left to right. emilio pucci, oscar de la renta spring 2012 accessories, style.]

[from left to right. chanel spring 2011, giambattista valli spring 2012 accessories, style.]

[lanvin spring 2012 accessories, style.]

arrivederci d&g

2011-10-16T20:30:00.001-04:00

if you haven't heard, domenico dolce and stefano gabbana have decided to shelf the d&g line. spring 2012 was the last season for the label, as they will now focus back on their core label, dolce & gabbana. sad news for sure, as d&g was always a very playful brand and less "novelty" than dolce & gabbana if you ask me, which seems more wearable as more people can latch onto it and interpret the clothing. now i'm sure you could make an argument against that, as you may see below the spring 2012 collection for d&g was all about scarves, very gypsy-esque. which could be a theme, but it's more about pattern... as opposed to the dolce theme this season about vegetables, which you know people will still latch onto and pick up a pair of those chill pepper earrings hahaha

enough about that though, let's investigate these scarves.

the transformation of a scarf into articles of clothing is done all over the world, and d&g really encapsulated that with all the knots and twists in the collection. knotting was a big trend i noticed this season, which i will go into depth on later, but it helped to cinch in body conscious bandeau dresses. and of course it resulted in handkerchief hemlines!

the colour palette was very mediterranean with the aqua blues and the terracotta oranges with accents of cream and gold. very warm and a welcome compliment to the golden tan of the models. in true d&g fashion, there was a wide range of silhouettes from menswear shirting and trousers, to bra tops and tunics, strapless gypsy sundresses and halter necklines. the prints really unified it all though with the sunbursts and medallions wrapped with floral vines and paisleys. very casual, easy, breezy and probably a cover look on many the editorials this spring.

although i was a touch disappointed by the accessories (hoping they would be a bit more organic to ground the collection) and perhaps a bit more variety that we usually see in the dolce line, as i'm sure many people will want to pick up a piece of history in the last d&g line (just as dior sales peaked this season with galliano's last collection). you just can't formalize a dress made of scarves, so something earthy would have been perfectly appropriate. maybe a fun simple wedge or a great burlap bag. they could have had some great fun with woven leather for a real artisanal feel.

d&g will be greatly missed, but it went out with a memorable collection.

[d&g spring 2012 collection, style]

two-hundred.

2011-10-15T19:49:00.004-04:00

here we are -- the 200th post! and how far we have come.

i was reflecting back on when i started doing tears of fashion week, and i really only had about 100 images i saved after my first season. and it's not that it wasn't as beautiful as this past season, i just couldn't recognize the beauty. that has changed exponentially, as i had 1,533 tears for spring 2012. that doesn't include beauty or details! just runway/lookbooks. my eyes are getting better at seeing what will sell and what will make covers. what is blowing people's minds (who've been in the business longer than i have!)

this blog has helped me develop my own taste and definitely make my own mistakes. it has taught me to be a better researcher and to appreciate things beyond my personal taste. i've come from a complete blair waldorf wannabe with headbands and polos buttoned all the way up to slinky helmut lang jersey dresses and studded belts. not that i've ditched my headbands (i'll always love them) but my mind is opening up and i love every second of it. i can't see myself not working in fashion and it hasn't jaded me yet! (knock on wood)

so thanks to my readers and blogger for giving me this outlet to learn.
and of course, thanks to ebay for the name! here's hoping it isn't the only boyfriend i ever have hahaha

here's to the next 200 posts.
cheers!
xxx

tisci reigns supreme

2011-10-15T18:03:00.000-04:00

i must admit that i was forced to accelerate my posting of this review because of a certain article in the toronto star.... jeanne beaker wrote about the spring 2012 shows and this one was not mentioned in her list. to be fair, i'll tell you which ones she did talk about: lanvin, vivienne westwood, viktor & rolf, hermes, stella mccartney, chloe, giambattista valli, valentino, alexander mcqueen, chanel and louis vuitton. all merited, i suppose, although i could have done without viktor & rolf (a bit too sporty for my taste, i'm more into stella mccartney) or hermes. and i wasn't entirely pleased with the image selection either, as none truly encapsulated the spirit of the collection it represented. to each her own i guess...

but givenchy literally blew my mind this season. i remember watching the images load live on nowfashion and every new one stopped my heart a little. this is mainly because i found it as a great departure for riccardo tisci. much more athletic and wearable and really showed off the tailoring as the colour palette stayed in be achy tones of cream, sand, baby pink, olive, taupe and ivory. natalia vodianova opened (some great exposure for her this season) and erin was son joined the line-up as well. the banded sheer tops, cut out double-layer skirts, collared shirts buttoned straight to the top. it was as decadent as sportswear can get.

with the darker palettes, tisci didn't use as much sheer as he replaced it with leather and what looks like crocodile on the lapels of his jackets. haute! he also added in a bite (couldn't help myself) with a play on shark tooth pendants. completely oversized and in shiny pewters and gunmetal tones. you know this accessory will be knocked off by every high street store.

the draping used in his jackets added a softness to the structured collection as did the streamers hanging from his racer front dresses. of course, the styling of beachy waves played up his themes as well, with minimal make-up, just the placement of a single half paillette on the upper and lower lash line of the models' eyes.

the mix of skins with the army green was also paired wonderfully with the cream chiffon blouses and metallic tooth fasteners on the strappy sandals all the looks were completed with. it's funny because as soon as i saw this polo-esque snakeskin dress, i thought, well damn, lacoste could never pull that off. but it works. and it's one of my coveted items of this collection (there are a lot of coveted items...)

overall, i'm still reeling from givenchy, and i've looked at my tears many, many times. the absolute perfection in colour pairing, tailoring, accessories, styling, direction and everything else! it was an underwater paradise type of season, but no one took this route. and though i might argue it has a bit more safari than beach to it, it has kicked givenchy up to the top of my list. bravo tisci.

[givenchy spring 2012 collection, style]

going nude

2011-10-14T20:07:00.000-04:00

most of the time, i'm posting because of something else i'm considering doing. for instance, i'll blog about a certain trend if i'm contemplating buying into it. this is no exception, sadly, and even though i do love chloe, their collection did help me decide to buy a non-chloe blouse. haha! my wallet won't be feeding into chloe profits for quite some time i'm afraid...

so chloe has a new designer this season, clare weight keller, and i think she did pretty well for herself. in billowy white and nude striped dresses and blouses, the models made the garments flow. those slouchy wide leg trousers chloe has made a signature were ever so present and then cropped right up to short shorts. and no, wide leg trousers aren't what i'm considering buying.

once the collection dove into the colour palette it really picked up steam. the incorporation of navy and floral embroidery and orangey-bronze metallic. fabulous modern colour combos that play up the nautical feeling but less harsh. and instead of red? maroon and teal. and the long flowing hair reminds me of the 70s when it was all unbuttoned blouses and bellbottomed jeans.

there was a bit of a tribal influence as well with the striped collar around some of the pieces. dusty roses and peachy pinks. it's a great layout overall. it's light and airy but still grounded and down to earth like a good old minimalist flower child. and the nude tones... well after the 70s comment i am resisting from making a streaking comment. oh... too late.

so anyway. i'm looking at a sheer equipment signature blouse. get the connection between the two? hm so it's also light and airy and yet still sophisticated, like chloe. i think i'm gonna get it. what do i have to lose? it's their signature! thanks clare at chloe for reminding me how lovely you are.

[chloe spring 2012 collection, style]

smythe HBC coat for sale?

2011-10-13T23:01:00.000-04:00

okay... i'm putting my smythe HBC coat up for sale.

i have a smythe HBC coat that i've never worn and it's in pristine and perfect condition. literally been kept in a garment bag since i got it. it's a size 2 (the smallest size for smythe) and limited edition -- only 100 were ever made. they sold out instantly in conjunction with the 2010 vancouver olympics, and a majority went to celebrities (see below, rachel bilson and jeanne beker).

here's the listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Smythe-HBC-Wool-Blanket-Coat-LIMITED-EDITION-size-2-NWOT-/320779085260?pt=US_CSA_WC_Outerwear&hash=item4aafec65cc#ht_503wt_1219