Monthly Archives: January 2009

Take a look at Lanvin Pre-Fall 2009…

For his Pre-Fall 2009 collection Alber Elbaz draws inspiration from the 1920s and 1930s to show his own modern view while staying true to the brand, Lanvin. While I admit I am fairly new to Lanvin in terms of following the collection as a whole however, it has sneaked into my top fashion houses at the moment. It’s no secret that economy is in dire straits and the premier luxury markets are no different so Alber this season decided to tweak the shapes of the basic pieces all fashion followers will be on the lookout for the coming seasons.

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Voluminous shapes, furs, and satin are among the common threads of this collection(pardon the pun). I love how every piece uses his own knowledge of shapes and form, which has been clearly proven throughout his run at Lanvin. One of my favorite looks is the black cape with a turtleneck and oversized buttons at the top. How perfect would that be for everyday in the winter for years to come?

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He also brings a new modest elegance when it comes to evening wear. I myself have never been a fan of evening wear but looking at this collection it may make me think twice about purchasing a lavish black dress that is anything but little. And with a dash of 20s style to boot!

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Take a look at what we have to look forward to in just a few weeks!

currently listening: Sebastien Tellier- Sexuality

Take Me to New Heights: Alexander McQueen Spring 2008

While we are on the precipice of another exciting fashion season, I think it’s always nice to reflect on seasons past. (gosh, that sounded like a hallmark card) It’s time to take a look back at the Alexander McQueen Spring 2008 Show in Paris.

This collection was a tribute to Isabella Blow, an international style icon and muse for Philip Treacy, a famous milliner who often used her style in many of his pieces. Isabella passed away in May of 2007 and it was quite a shock to the fashion world. She embodied what it was to have personal style ans she could literally wear anything. Something that I haven’t seen since. She was a massive fan of McQueen and was famous for purchasing his graduate collection and then paid it off in installments. (if only we could all do that)

Isabella Blow
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Apart from the references it was a typical McQueen show in every way. His perfectly fitting silhouettes and structure with line and color. His ability to tell a story has grown stronger with each season. So, when McQueen unveiled his show for Spring 2008 it beautifully served as an amazing tribute to a truly inspirational figure in the industry. Now, onto the show.

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Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy
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Photos: style.com

Essential Staple: The Rock T-Shirt

For as long as I can remember band shirts or rock t-shirts have been a part of my wardrobe. Since going to my first concert, it has always been about getting that souvenir after the show. Tour shirts happen to be my favorite and a rare gem to come across. However, now it seems that a black leather jacket, rock tee and jeans have become a uniform for models and many stylistas around the world. To me it seems to be a staple in anyone’s wardrobe. I gathered some photos of my favorite people wearing their t-shirts and some put a new different spin on it.

Mary-Kate Olsen
I love how she pairs an oversized faded rock tee with a long goth skirt and loose fitting beanie. Truly grunge at heart.
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In this look she pairs a hoodie with a more fitted 80s tee and incredible accessories and of course the Chanel handbag that goes with everything.

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Agyness Deyn

International Model and style icon Agyness Deyn pairs this vintage Clash t shirt with an 80s British style pair of red suspenders and Dickies. I love how she can make the most masculine outfit feminine.

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Jessica Stam

Another take on the rock shirt this time model Jessica Stam wears her Pink Floyd shirt with a fedora. I also can’t help but notice how amazing this photograph is.

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Krist Novoselic

Even though this photo features all members of Nirvana, Krist Novoselic is pictured wearing a Sonic Youth shirt. During the grunge era it was common for a lot of bands to show their support of each other by wearing other bands t-shirts. One of the most common was when Kurt Cobain wore a Daniel Johnston shirt during the MTV Video Music Awards(pictured second). This immediately gave Daniel Johnston more press and fans through that type of promotion.

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The Smiths

I love how bands wear their own t-shirt.

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Henry Rollins

Cultural icon Henry Rollins and singer for Black Flag self promoting his own band. I also happen to love this photograph as well.

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Oh, That’s Tight!

One of my favorite trends over the past 2 seasons have been the explosion of tights on the scene. I remember when I was younger wearing bright tights was like a necessity. I had red, blue, green and all sorts of other colors. Looking for colored tights was high on my fall fashion list last year but I only ever settled on a dark plum color. However, this season I have discovered the many different patterns, colors and designs. Lace, geometric and even sparkles can spruce up many outfits and take it there…

These are some of my favorite looks both from runway shows and street style:

Chanel F/W 2008.09

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Balenciaga F/W 2007.

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Here are some Street Style Inspirations…

This one is by the amazing blogger, Susie Bubble who is one of my total idols when it comes to fashion blogs. She always posts the most creative takes on the trends and this is a girl who really makes it her own. Here is one of my favorite one of her outfits wearing tangerine tights.

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Helsinki, Finland via Hel Looks

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This next one is from London via Facehunter I love the grunge twist on these diamond shape tights…

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Copenhagen, DK via Copenhagen Style

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I hope that everyone can brighten up their outfits with some tights!

Best Sites: Tabio
We Love Colors
American Apparel

Back to Basics.

I have noticed that over the past year I have been drawn more and more to basics in my wardrobe. Now with the recession and tough economy in almost every market, designers are really utilizing the power of basic T’s and dresses. It creates unlimited choices in very subtle and not so subtle ways.

It seems that while most people think that Alexander Wang is just the poster boy for “downtown hipster trust fund chic”, he also is just a master at creating staple pieces that are so important in these times when fashion is still relevant.

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Newcomers The Row, created by the Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have redefined what it means to have a basic white T-Shirt these past 3 seasons. From the moment Ashley was photographed in one of their designs people immediately mistook it for Balenciaga. What a lovely compliment to have! While I believe that most of their pieces are overpriced, the design is just minimal enough to have an impact.

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Helmut Lang, who recently stepped down from the creative post of his line in 2005 still hold true to the simplistic aesthetic without his involvement. I loved the S/S 2008 line with pale acid green and bright blue mixed along well with the black and carbon colors that can still be worn in the Fall.

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images: nymag.com,the row holiday collection video

Fashion Flashback: Nina Ricci F/W 2007

So, in revisiting some of my favorite fashions of seasons past I stumbled across the Nina Ricci show. Since my love and appreciation of fashion has grown ten fold since seeing this show for the first time, now I have fallen in love all over again.

Olivier Theyskens, who was appointed the new creative director of the fashion house in November 2006 after Rochas folded, debuted with this amazing fairytale like collection in March of 2007. To say this was beautiful was an understatement. I loved how he played with the soft angles of the fabrics, which even lead into the styling for the show. The girls were accessorized with feathers in their hair and some of the knitwear was even strewn with features as well.

This made an amazing progression to the finale which featured gorgeous flowing evening dresses in a pale yellow, which was the only color featured in the show besides the neutrals.

Click to see the video of the show Nina Ricci Fall 2007

Now onto the visual candy:

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all photos: style.com

Who in the world is Rick Owens?

Rick Owens is a rare breed, an avant garde designer born in LA with the visual aesthetic Yohji Yamamoto. He mostly works in black, gray and all neutral tones in between. This is one of the reasons that I love him so much. I always know that every season he will create a work of art that will fit seamlessly into my growing wardrobe.

He recently opened a boutique in New York City (which I still have yet to visit). Even within his boutique there is a clear vision he carries out with smoke machines and a gothic feeling that perfectly blends with his designs. Recently style.com had an interview with him about the concept of his new shop. Check out the man himself here :

Rick Owens Interview

Even his angular black cape that he wears in the interview makes me think that he is a super hero. Sent here to challenge people on seeing lines, shapes, and form in a whole new way.

I hope everyone has seen why I love Rick Owens so much. Now here are some of my favorite looks from past seasons.

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S/S 2005

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F/W 2007

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S/S 2008

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