it's all about the little picture...
haute couture is all about exclusivity. sublime beauty and extravagance of the sort that most of us will never come close to. i have to admit though, if my entire understanding of couture was founded solely on the looks from the chanel spring 2010 collection i think i'd happily sit this one out and stay with the common folk...
according to vogue, this is the first time lagerfeld has done a whole collection without any black or navy. even though it has a slightly space age vibe with lots of silver and metallics don't describe the looks at 'futuristic', because apparently after the show he said 'I hate that. I don't believe in avant-garde clothes for a future that will never happen. Fashion is always now.'
okay... so let's just see how 'now' this collection really is.
alright, so lagerfeld is a fashion god, the king of all kings and the epitome of chic. but knee length shorts suits?! really?! lesson learnt i am hoping - even karl can't make knee length shorts look hot. change the colour to camel and they would blend right in to the uniform of a summer camp counselor... pleats and all. sorry, but screaming kids along with arts and crafts doesn't ring the exclusivity bell for me nor does it reign supreme in the world of high fashion.
now i am sure that pastel cocoon is made out of the most desirable and lush fabric... it probably took a thousand hours to hand craft. i get that, it looks utterly beautiful... until you notice the shape. it looks like an egg that she is hatching out of. the more i look at it the more confused i am - is it stiff? how is it keeping that monstrous shape? on the other hand, that silky dress underneath does look promising.
alright already... something i can handle. boring as it might be compared to some of the other space aged looks- this i like. the shape and cut are perfect, the fabric looks divine, and i am loving the detailing around the neck. yes please uncle karl, something i can support.
i know it isn't all about being super sexy and strutting your stuff in a provocative way... but are the men of the fashion industry trying to get back at us for something?! do they want us to look like bloated marshmallows? this dress is obviously gorgeous. the detail around the neck is beautiful. but honestly what is happening around her mid section? have i totally missed something? do people actually want to look like that?
as if the others weren't bad enough... this had to come strutting down. again, i am sure it is made out of bucket loads of the most expensive fabric imaginable... but it does not look good on her. there is something pretty whimsical about it though... i wouldn't mind something similar filtering down to my price level, only in a slightly diffused way.
ok, enough about the bubble belly trend that seems to be emerging. i am equally put off by this look. long skirts seem to be making a come back, and i think that's pretty awesome. however, this fingertip length jacket with long ruched skirt look is pretty awful. i really just don't get this... she looks unhappily statuesque.
if you are put off by the previous look though you can always opt for another version of the knee length short-suit in a pastel blue... hmm? does that take your fancy or inspire you? seriously change the colour to khaki green and i looks perfect for a safari - it even has the classic jumbo pockets that you can fill with all your adventurous items.
basically ladies (and gents?), i don't feel particularly moved by this collection. i'm not about to suit up in my (non-futuristic) space aged silver gloves, wear head to toe in one pastel colour, pull on my bubble belly dress, or slip into a knee length short suit anytime in the near future.
i guess i'm not meant to though... i'm not couture, and that's that. the more i look at the photos though the more mesmerized i am by the overall look. the whole romantic rococo outlandish thing... but i still don't actually like any of the outfits specifically, and more importantly if i had a spare 20grand sitting around i don't think i'd be choosing one of these outfits to spend it on.
i don't think the extravagance or the exclusivity is in the big picture though... i think it is in the details. from my point of view the big picture is sort of shapeless and unattractive, nothing that i would ever want to wear. the details though? now that is an entirely different story...
entirely captivating and utterly gorgeous. the sort of things dreams are made of... in other words: haute couture.
(all photos from style.com)
change of layout...?
i've changed my layout to wide with bigger photos... what do people think? am a little unsure because my photo quality is not insanely great. but let me know what you think. keep or back to the old way?
xx
p.s. spotted this chick sporting this insanely long pointed hood the other night... am thinking she was off to some sort of wizardly elfin convention?
these are a few of my favourite things...
i woke up with this song in my head.... only my favourite things aren't raindrops on roses or whiskers on kittens (although brown paper packages tied up in strings can be pretty exciting). so i thought i would present to you some things that would currently make my list.
madewell black jersey biker jacket - i got this for christmas after seriously making the biggest fuss ever over it. i didn't think i was going to get it and was initially a little put off over how short the back is, but i actually adore it. and i can't wait until it gets freaking warm enough to wear it.
stretchy leather stud headband from gap - gap?! i know, right, since when does gap do amazing little studded headbands? i love it, and it was only like $5.
alternative earth white burnout t-shirt - the best t-shirt ever.
white(ish) plimsoles from payless shoes - i don't know why exactly but i love these shoes. i might just be the only person who thinks they are wonderful... and i have so many other cooler and more expensive shoes (these were $7)... but i just love these.
jigsaw cashmere boyfriend cardigan with thumbholes. seriously the coziest thing.
i've heard a lot of people talking about glasses lately. like old retro reading glasses - well i don't need glasses, but i totally love these cheetah print glasses from UO that are entirely just for fun. but personally i think fabulous nonetheless.
p.s. i have realized that i have actually not had a hair cut in 8 months. EIGHT MONTHS!! yah, that's pretty insane. i don't think i have ever gone that long since i was like, 3? anyway, this goes to show that i am horribly cheap and put things off for as long as possible. any ideas on what to get done??
men's trends...
i'm a bit curious about men's trends... do they slowly creep behind popular women's wear until some guys, who like a look enough, get up the guts to try it out for themselves? i am not entirely sure if in general that is how it works - but i do think that is how it worked with the snood.
maybe it's just that us girls tend to be way more runway conscious and hop to the new things by the bucket load whereas men are more reticent to, say... stick a strange knitted loop around their neck?
the snood has been back on the scene for a few years though and it is only recently that i've started to see guys wearing them. personally i love them and i think they are great for guys too.
i am also eternally perplexed by what any of us wore before the ultimate return of the check shirt...? i think i would be a little lost without mine... and i know that most of the men in my life would be as well.
so, it sort of seems like some of the things that guys are loving these days (snoods, check shirts, fingerless gloves etc) are the very same things i am loving... probably minus the floral dresses!
but, all this to say - this is rich and i love his look.
any thoughts on men's trends or do you prefer to stick to what the girls are wearing?
how to: survive a rainy day in london...
(#1 Boots)
Rain is here to stay... in London at least. The season is just beginning to come upon us, and sadly it will destroy our hair, our shoes, and our choices in clothing for the months to come.
I am rubbish at dressing for the rain. It is one thing if you just have to pop down the road to the shops, but if you've got to (which I do) cycle in the rain, march around london in the rain, sit on the tube (after just coming out of) the rain... basically live your life in and out of the rain, it can get a little complicated. The simplest thing: the ability to stay dry - can turn into the most difficult and painful experience if you aren't well prepared.
So, a little how to guide... predominately based around all the things I normally forget.
#1 is boots. Boots will save your life in the rain, but the choice of which pair is so complicated. Wellies are good but, if you have to spend a lot of time inside, wearing big clunky plastic boots can be a bit of a pain. These leather boots that Meera is wearing are great. Wet jeans, wet feet, cold toes... all not an issue. Plus, they are totally cute. Grey shoes are huge at the moment and I love the worker lace up look they have. The little straps around them are so cool too, and completely remind me of this idea posted on london street style.
(#2. Appropriate clothing/accessories)
Okay, this is a hard one. The rain doesn't have to dictate entirely what you wear... but if you are freezing, soaking wet, your short skirt blowing up every which way you are going to look a little daft.
I ran into Meera while out having some cupcakes at the Primrose Bakery in Covent Garden. She is so sweet and was a little embarassed to have her photo taken but luckily complied. She is dressed perfectly for the rain... so lets take some tips from her... scarf and gloves means cozy neck and warm hands while holding the umbrella out. Toasty little jacket and jeans. No foofy bag that will get ruined or make it difficult to hold your umbrella....
(#3. Umbrella)
Which brings us to the doozy of all recommendations on how to survive the rain: don't forget your umbrella! That really is the most important thing... it is awful to be walking around with no umbrella, getting soaking wet little a total and utter twitt while everyone else around you is high and dry. Okay, so always remember your umbrella.
(#4. A backup plan)
If you do forget your umbrella make sure you have a back up plan. A leopard print scarf will work a treat in keeping your head dry.
(#5. A hood)
Always a good idea for when you have to just pop out for a minute or when you realize you accidentally left your umbrella in the pub...
(#6. A good mood)
Finally, don't let the rain get you down. No one likes a grump, and if you are going to let the rain get the better of you, you'll be miserable a lot. Keep your spirits up and look on the bright side. A flowery umbrella and a yellow coat will definitely help... and remember spring is just around the corner!
oh, youngsters these days....
ok, let's be honest: sweats are rarely done well.
no lie, they are truly a necessity... but not a way of looking cool. alright, we have all seen photos of Paris Hilton rocking this fabulous look. ludicrously overpriced sweats have, at times, been all the rage.... i get it. juicy couture started an insane trend that saw the most covetable item every girl sought being velour tracksuits. i'm not above reproach here ladies, i had a teal one... but i'm not proud of it.
ok... enough of my general anxiety regarding overpriced sweats.
this boy looks lame.
he's not even sagging... the crotch is just that low for the sake of it. i think grey sweats like that are ugly, and i think when they have an extended crotch that reaches well below your knees making you do a penguin-waddle in order to keep up with your friends.... well, let's be honest, it's even uglier.
p.s. has anyone seen nacho libre? it is actually my favourite movie and jack black says sweats in the most hilarious way. check out the trailer to see... he says it at the 50second mark (after which is another good example of how not to wear sweats).
is it just me...
or does everyone with short hair feel mocked by the world right about now?
why didn't anyone tell me that i would be desperate for long hair as soon as i saw these photos from alexander wang?? they just look so gorgeous and effortlessly chic.
ok, ok. reality check. i would have had to have been growing my hair for the past five years for it to get that long... on second thought, it probably never would get that long, and if it did would look like a serious ratty mess and be too thin to even make such a luscious braid.
these photos of the models from the wang spring/summer 2010 runway show seem to be everywhere, and people with long hair seem to be everywhere too... mocking me. why is it none of them are doing the braid themselves?? has no one told them about the wang braid...??!?
p.s. what is it with everyone wearing red these days? seriously everyone is wearing red. is there some secret 'lets all wear red in january' party going on (that i clearly wasn't invited to)? i normally only wear red the week that surrounds christmas... i know, i am boring.
things i've been seeing a lot....
red. leopard print. patterns. long hair (which i am totally jealous of... why did i have to cut mine all off last spring?! now i can't do the wang braid!!)
i am loving this girls jacket, the big sleeves, the purple wrists sticking out, her leopard print clutch... yummy yum.
bloggers over borders
A new project has been started to get the blogging world connected in a new way. I think it sounds pretty sweet and I am interested in how it is going to all turn out. It reminds me of having a pen-pal back in school. If you want to find out more about what this whole thing is about go here.
still winter on this rooftop...
It is still cold over here... that means tights and jumpers are still a must have.
I adore this look from the shoes all the way up to the little cheeky smile on Diwa's face. Those vintage-y looking brown leather shoes, grey ribbed tights, plaid crinkled dress and a-line red chunky jumper. I think the proportions are just right on her tiny little frame and I love the way the colours work together.
channeling a little Oliver Twist maybe... but i think we'd be more likely to hear her requesting fashion mags over dinner any day.
Cabbages & Roses plaid dress
Jigsaw red jumper
Grey ribbed tights from Hong Kong
Brogues from Paris
age limits?
dressing up like a little kitty in a hat with ears and an animal print jacket.
denim mini skirts.
i would normally think that dressing up like a kitten should be kept to the under sixteens. also, i have felt uncomfortable wearing denim mini cut off skirts ever since i turned 23... and would definitely say over 50 is seriously uncouth.
am i stuck in a conventional rut or should these things really be dropped at a certain age?
a little bit of rock n roll...
I am a sucker for all things rock n roll... admittedly it all exists in a bit of fantasy, you know, that one where you are totally decked out in Alexander Wang and you get to go to amazing gigs and jet around the world with all your cool band friends. Regardless of how far removed my actual life is from such an existence I am still utterly transfixed.
The whole rocker trend has been going pretty strong in recent months. Everybody seems to want to look as if they just rolled out of bed having had the most surreal night of their lives... messy hair, wripped jeans, lots of leather, club stamps on the hand, vintage t-shirts... you get the picture: a little worse for wear. This isn't going to be replaced come spring by all the romantic la-dee-dah lady-like outfits either... it's all about mixing a little bit of the hard with the soft and making it your own. And no, you don't have to pull an Alice Dellal to make it work... different levels of extremes for different people my dear.
In honor of my fixation and, more importantly, the recent release of my friend Allen Hulsey's new album here are some photos (along with some of the best designers of rock n roll gear: Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Diesel Black Gold, Givenchy and Prada) to get you in the mood...
Now, not only is Allen the model in the photos up above he has also just released his self-produced debut album called 2012.
He's the founder of the band Muj along with his friend, Emre Atabay, who he met while studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston. These guys have got some seriously raw talent. They have written and produced the whole album on their own. It's been described as encompassing the best of dance, pop, rock, world, trip-hop and techno. And if you are into Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Radiohead, MGMT, or the Killers you'll love their sound. Go here to sample a bit of their music.
They are going to be touring in Turkey soon, where Allen grew up... so if there are any readers from Turkey snatch yourself up some tickets soon.
When they make it over to the UK to tour I promise to invite you all... hey, maybe we can even live out our inner rock chic fantasies together? I'd love to hear what you think of their music and whether or not you'll let them inspire your rock n roll side this Spring...
i die.
I received an e-mail today that Mulberry has updated their website with their Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Am I the only person totally swooning over the new Alexa bag?! Not only is it perfect in every way but also named after the one and only Miss Alexa Chung... seriously, I die.
mmm... new purchases.
I recently picked up this crafty little mini mascara set at Sephora.
I have never found my 'perfect mascara' so instead of wasting a lot of money on designer versions that wind up making my lashes clump together I tend to picking mine up from the drug store. You really can get good mascara for under $5. But, I have always thought that there must be something more... and that I just had not been united with my perfect mascara yet. So, when I found out that Sephora was doing a pack of 10 mini versions of some of their most popular mascaras I thought this surely was the solution. Only $39 and I could test run 10 different ones... surely my soul mate would be hidden within the pink pink case somewhere?
Sorry to disappoint.... as of yet I haven't found 'the one.' Probably because I have only tried two so far... but both were surprisingly good. I will try out each of the 10 different ones over the next 10 days and give you a run down of how they each are at the end. Sound good? Do you have a perfect go-to mascara? Is it expensive or from the drug store?
Mmmmm.... red velvet cupcakes. Good.
The taste of them on your lips all day without sacrificing the New Years resolution... real good.
This seriously tastes divine (not in a sickeningly sweet get-this-off-my-lips sort of way) and gives your lips a nice little tint of colour without looking like you have tried too hard.
Snowed in...
Apologies for the lack of posts... I can honestly say I haven't left my house once since Tuesday (and then I only just made it to the shops around the corner for some much needed supplies). No, I'm not sick or depressed... rather, I flew back from the States late Monday night and was welcomed home by a foot of snow the next day. That, combined with two essays to write for next week, serious jet-lag that sees me waking up at 4pm and no actual need to leave the house... means I basically just haven't. I am taking it as a bit of a luxury... Sunday I am back at work, and Monday back to lectures in London. So, while I have got the opportunity to be a lazy butt and stay at home I am going to savor the experience.
All this to say... that this makes getting pictures of people slightly difficult. Unless of course you want to see me layered in thermals and massive socks trying to stay warm? I will admit, it's not the prettiest picture...
Instead of that unsightly sight... here are a couple left-over photos from my time in the States.
Monotone and matching. Black and white accessories... on a 2 for 1 deal? Either way, I have to admit, coordinating with your best friend is actually kind of cute here.
Oh... the sheer and utter pain of it. In no circumstance is it acceptable to wear a ragged micro-short sweatshirt material tattered skirt... okay?! And, just for the record, pairing that unflattering monstrosity that should never have been worn in public (let alone in the confines of your home) with tatty faux-ugg boots and a hoodie when it's below freezing outside is not a good idea... it looks awful and you are going to freeze your bum off. Seriously, icey air is going to shoot straight up the back of that little number... dressing comfortably does not require one to look as if they just rolled out of a dumpster.
By the way... I am not even going to mention again how unnecessary bare legs are with ugg boots - I have said it one too many times already...
I know this is a shoddy photo... I am sure you are squinting trying to make out what is on that women's legs. Let me explain... they are terribly poor fitting tapered jeans. I realize this seems to be the staple item of clothing for a large majority of individuals in the United States... harping back to the glory days when Levi 501's actually were a good idea (emphasis on the were). They really are not good. I do understood that some people can pull them off... but most pear shaped women seriously and truly can not.
Tapered jeans are not hot.
Most women's hips and thighs are significantly larger than their ankles... there is nothing wrong with that. But trying to flatter that womanly curvaceous shape by hiding it under ill fitting denim that is way too baggy everywhere down your leg until it unexpectedly decides to seranwrap around your ankles is not a good idea. Women of America take note: bin your tapered jeans and go buy some boot leg ones... we will all be better off.