Saturday, March 26, 2011

Pre-Fall Review: The Big Names (Part 2)

More of what's on offer this pre-fall season from all the big brands we know and trust (part 2).

Brand: Chanel
Designer: Karl Lagerfeld

















                                    

Model: Barbara Palvin                                                                            Model: Jake Davis

Model: Karmen Pedaru

The Paris-Bizance era made its comeback at Chanel this season. As usual, the looks were fresher than ever, but leant slightly more towards the past than the future, compared to what we usually see in Chanel shows. Karl Lagerfeld explained that he was inspired by Empress Theodora and the lost culture of Byzantium. Thus, the collection mixed influences from the 5th century, but also from London in the 1960s. This resulted in gold embellisments and leathers colliding to create some of the most lust-worthy looks on the runway. There were a few simple yet ever-so-stylish looks for the boys too. For me, the highlights were the craftily adorned flat sandals (what? flats?! i'm so there!!) and the signature bee hive hair-dos. Even Lagerfeld, who is renowned for his generally anti-nostalgic designs, knows that a little history never hurt anyone...


Brand & Designer: Oscar de la Renta



















Model: Britt Maren                                                                                 Model: Anastasia Khodkina

Model: Martha Streck

We can always rely on Oscar de la Renta to dress women as WOMEN! I don't know about you, but I don't see the point in androgynous designs, unless your name is Yves Saint Laurent and you know what you are doing. But back to Oscar...what he displayed on the runway for Pre-Fall this year were copious amounts of femininity and sheer extravagance. The sudden bursts of colour and luscious fabrics had me falling off my chair (quite literally!). The breathtaking moments climaxed in the finale of Cinderella-inspired gowns. One thing Oscar knows how to do is give a woman hope that someday we will all be sashaying down a grand staircase in one of his exquisite designs!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Storyteller (contributed by Kirstie Williams)

We’ve said for years that ‘you are what you eat’, but is it true that our fashion choices are equally as telling?

You wouldn’t catch me dead in mustard yellow, harem pants or leather skirts, but this doesn’t mean I don’t like them on other people; it’s just not ‘me’.

I, like most shoppers, have my regular ‘failsafe’ choices. It doesn’t matter how many fashion magazines I read, I simply cannot be swayed to buy a large clutch when I know I’d rather a shoulder bag. I’m not quite convinced about the colour camel and I still think that loafers would make me look too ‘mumsy’.

Have a think about it. You don’t need a psychology degree to piece together how much an outfit can say about a person’s stance on life, postcode, marital status, job and the list goes on.

I understand that for some people it’s purely a necessity thing, and they might not be a preppy office girl, but their job requires it. Or that money is tight, so the options are limited. Or that this is all they’ve ever known, but actually feel awkward in what they’re wearing.

Regardless, let’s take a large proportion of young adults aged 18-25 and we can still learn a little (or a lot) from the outer details.

You’d do it subconsciously when you’re walking down the street- think about what the following clothing choices might say about the person.


Preppy. High earner. Manicured & well-groomed. Lives in upper-class area.

Enjoys attention. Young; trying to make a point of sexuality. Musically inclined with rock look.


Mismatched so doesn’t like everything ordered, enjoys spontaneity, but perhaps gets very little. Vintage clothing. A little rebellious, wants to break out of the mould.

Quirky, a little eccentric. Obviously works in a fashion based or creative industry.

It would be a gross generalisation to say that we can know a person by their clothes. And this is why no means what I’m saying.

Clothes, however, can have a great way of telling a story. We can give a little glimpse of our mood, our interests and our personality through what we wear; and this is where fashion can be really fun. We can try something new for a night, dress-up and wear the charade. Or we can stick to what is familiar and gives the look that is most ‘me’.

I bought a burgundy red scarf yesterday. This is partly because I wanted a colour that wasn’t cream, pink, tan or pastel anything (which are often the colours I wear due to work) and also because it completed my outfit that day. The other reasons why I might have bought the red scarf? Well, they are for you to guess.

There’s a lot more to the book, but the cover’s sure got a lot of storytelling power.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Pre-Fall Review: The Big Names (Part 1)

What's on offer this pre-fall season from all the big brands we know and trust (part 1).

 Thinking of the Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Simpson), John Galliano built his entire collection on looks that would've taken her from day to night.
It also looked as though Dior was inspired by Chanel's idea of suiting this season.
Any woman would look chic and luxurious in this skirt-suit and matching bag ensemble.
Fedora optional.

Brand: Christian Dior
Designer: John Galliano
Model: Alina Baikova

Pre-Fall 2011 at Louis Vuitton was very reminiscent of Bourgeois textiles, particularly from the 1920s/30s.
Marc Jacobs chose to showcasee the allure of deep cherry purple offset by peachy orange in many looks.
The winter colour wheel at its best.

Brand: Louis Vuitton
Designer: Marc Jacobs
Models: Olga Sherer and Julia Saner

 Zac Posen's Pre-Fall 2011 collection, where he injected neoclassical & romantic spirit into each design, was primarily inspired by French interior designer Madeleine Castaing.
To give this stunning cocktail dress justice, I would pair it with some gold jewellery, killer heels, and an up-do of some sort - now imagine wearing it to your next evening soiree!
Side note: crushing on Leigh Lazark as a model!!

Brand & Designer: Zac Posen
Model: Leigh Lazark

Two simple and stylish ways to wear a tan trench coat in winter.
Notice how both include gloves and pointy shoes - translation?
Accessories are all we want to see this season!

Brand: Bally
Designers: Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz
Models: Daria Strokous and Julia Saner

(you can find full reviews and collections at style.com)

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Would You Like Some Ink with that Milestone? (Written by Kirstie Williams)

This is a fun and quite informative read, written by one of my best friends, Kirstie Williams, who happens to be the mastermind behind the awesome blog, In The Light (http://lesetoilesbrillent.tumblr.com/). Kirstie loves to 'shed light' on contemporary world issues, as well as personal revelations, in an engaging and highly intellectual manner (in other words, go read her blog betchez! ;P) - ENJOY!!

I am unashamedly an ink voyeur. I love the stories; I love the grand gestures and the idea of pain to create something unique. I love seeing those people pass you on the street who seem to be a walking autobiography. The small initial behind the ear, the map-coordinates on the forearm, the pictures of compasses, birds and anything other signifier to tell the world they have journeyed.

The celebration of a milestone, the ‘body as canvas’ approach or the simple act of storytelling: the list of reasons is unending.

The stigma surrounding tattoos in Western society used to be bound to criminal associations and ‘anti-establishment’ attitudes. It was often seen as a link to a nefarious subculture or scorned upon almost as ‘body graffiti’.

But now you are just as likely to see a tattoo on a beautiful, young woman as on the bulging arm of a hardened, leather-clad man.

Tattoos have become not only more common and increasingly more acceptable in creative industries- they are becoming mainstream.

Take Cheryl Cole for instance- the sleek Brit-pop export ascending the list of ‘best-dressed’ and ‘most beautiful’ lists the world over. She now has 7 known tattoos. Most noticeably and probably most regrettably; a tribute to her former husband, footballer Ashley Cole. (She has “Mrs C’ tattooed on her neck).

For many, tattoos have lost the masculine stigma, and can even be viewed as a confident display of femininity. Women who can tell their own story and choose to give a glimpse of their identity, struggles and triumphs to passers-by.

Angelina certainly hasn’t lost any of her feminine charm since continuing to decorate her skin. If anything, she is more of an enigma. Often cited as the most beautiful woman in the world; the contrast of her sensuality and the black ink on her skin seems to speak of a woman of complexity.

She bears stories of the co-ordinates of where her children were born, the memories of ex-lovers, the blessings of Khmer script; the musing of Tennessee Williams. She is a walking story.

For those of us unwilling to experience the pain, or fearing future regret and social stigmas, we can watch comfortably from the sidelines. We can fuel the voyeur with Miami Ink. We can read about them while waiting in the doctor’s surgery, we can ask our friend, colleague or fellow student to tell us their story.

I guess the most important thing is to make sure that the story is worth telling. That it is a story you are proud to wear and tell others about for the rest of your life; through every change in job, change in your body and change in social circles. An unknown author once said, “Think before you ink.”

V.Vale et al say, “A tattoo is a true poetic creation, and is always more than meets the eye.” If it is essentially poetry that you are writing, the best kind is always one that reflects on emotion and identity. One that can link the past, the present, and the future. The fragility and beauty of the human experience.



“As a tattoo is grounded on living skin, so its essence emotes a poignancy unique to the mortal human condition.”

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Black Shatter

'Tis the season for innovations galore!
And what have the beauty gods created for us mere mortals this time? A nail polish that dries shattered.
Some of you are already thinking that I've lost my mind, but I promise it doesn't look the way it sounds. The look is simply created by applying any base colour desired and topping it off with OPI's Black Shatter. I don't know the science behind it, but I do know that the result is lust worthy. Take a look at the image below and you'll see where I'm coming from. It's like glueing crocodile skin to your nails!! I'm all for avant garde-ness as you can probably tell.

You can get your very own black-shattered-goodness from David Jones (general cosmetics section) or any where else that stocks OPI. The price? $19.95, which is middle of the range as far as nail polish pricing goes. So, hands up all those who'd try it!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Popcorn Time....

Tonight Dad and I watched 'The Fighter', starring Amy Adams, Mark Wahlberg & Christian Bale. Now, i went into the cinema with reservations about this one in my mind already, setting myself up for a try hard attempt at the glory of Cinderella Man. I can't say I was surprised, but it turned the outcome was better than i thought. Amy Adams did well, but Christian Bale stole the show hands down (anyone else think he looks just like Phil from Modern Family?). However, as usual, not much can be said about Wahlberg. He tries, but I think this time it was just the fact that his character didnt really have much to do or say other than throw punches to the rib. So anyway, if you can sit through two hours of incesssant cussing and casual innapropriateness, I think you may just enjoy yourself. As I said, not nearly as great as Cinderella Man, but on cheapo tuesday, its all good.


Welcome...

Hello beautiful people :)

It is my absolute pleasure to OFFICIALLY welcome you to my first ever blog, and my first ever blog post - aaaahhhhh!!!! super duper excited for this.
So maybe you are asking 'why now?' and 'what for?', well let me explain...
This year I will be studying Fashion & Textiles at Univeristy, so therefore I decided that now is the most opportune moment of my life to begin my very own fashion and beauty blog for all to see and hopefully learn something new from!! You know, because one day this may lead me to having a similar status to Anna Dello Russo ( www.annadellorusso.com ) . So my friends, please read, please comment, and most importantly please understand that i am quite the noob at this blogging sensation, hahaha!

And now, to love you and leave you with a highly inspirational archive image to pore over on your way home from school, work, or the nearest shopping centre..

Model: Carmen Kass <3