In the Meantime...

I want to thank all my readers for continuing to support this blog, but I will be on hiatus for awhile because I am undergoing the high school to college transition, which involves a plethora of forms and technical details. I leave you with beautiful looks from the spring and fall runways.






























































Clockwise: Proenza Schouler, Gucci, Marni, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Lanvin
Photos from Style.com

Glamourous Escapism

What I've noticed about some of the fall collections is that there is a hyperbolic luxury to them. The lush fabrics along with a vintage nostalgia all seem to culminate in this mood of super glamour, perhaps as a response to the multitude of international crises. While issues like global warming, the war in Iraq, world hunger, and genocide are at the forefront of news media, one side of fashion has decided not to focus on the depravity and desolation. For many, it's time to escape to a better reality: one that's not so cruel.

Tim Blanks pointed the significance of the forties to Valentino's latest when models walked down the runway in hair and makeup that defined that era. Like today, the forties were a time when people needed to take their minds off the war and death. Likewise, Marc Jacobs's solidified elegance was inspired by films with a dream-like quality. Clothes were dignified and structured with silhouettes from the thirties and forties as well. "It's just a very interior sort of world where people's feet don't touch the floor and you're sort of lonely at the end of the night and you've spent all day taking care of yourself," says Jacobs. Galliano's pieces for Dior were steeped in exotic skins and materials. There was little everyday wearability, but the collection was amped up with over-the-top luxury. Red carpet ballgowns were presented as more than evening wear. The audience referred to many looks as "fantasy clothes". And while some designers may choose to face global issues head on in their subtext, others choose to romantically fabricate an entirely different world.1. Christian Dior 2. Valentino 3. Marc Jacobs
Photos from Style.com

Nicolas Ghesquière's Campus Chic

It is often the runways that inspire streetwear, but in some rare cases, what is worn on the streets creeps into the imaginations of the designers. This case was evident in Ghesquière's latest collection for Balenciaga. Modern Parisian staples, such as the chunky scarf and tailored jacket combination, were extensively developed for a high fashion approach. This was accomplished with the addition of wonderful details: quirky metallic charms, kitschy accents in primary colors on the shoes, nipped waists, and fantastic multicolor patterns. According to the designer, he wanted to evoke a campus feel with the ensembles by incorporating different types of styling.

Layering was still used as a device to create dimension, but what distinguishes Balenciaga's latest technique is a more streamlined approach as opposed to bulky layers. Flashes of the brightest colors emphasized optimism for a darker, colder season. And personally, after this season's dark and vampy romanticism, I find it beautifully refreshing to have spring-like tones for the winter. Despite the specific looks seen on the catwalk, it is easy to pick out pieces that cater to individual tastes. What's so great about the entire collection is that it is eclectic in idea, but versatile enough to seamlessly work into any woman's wardrobe.Photos from Style.com

Metallic Eyeshadow For Spring 2007

Match the abundant metallics on the runways with sparkly eyeshadow! I loved the gold and silver that lined the Chanel girls' eyes and the subtle glittery peach at Blumarine. The eye makeup at the shows highlighted different parts of the eye like the corners and the lower lash line. The Body Shop's Shimmer Cubes offer the right amount of shine and color. The pigments are vivid, but not too strong so one can go from day to evening easily. Also, the shadow can be applied wet or dry for varying intensity. Some of the shades can be used to create a smoky eye. For a chic compact and bold color, Chanel's Lumière D'Artifices delivers versatility. The shadows glide on smoothly despite a generous amount of shimmer. Nars' Glitter Pencil can be blended with regular shadow or applied directly around the eyes for a stronger look.

Shiny Shiny

It became apparent Marc Jacobs has a knack for arts and crafts during the spring collections. Accessories for Louis Vuitton and his own line were embellished with lavish jewels, buttons, and playful objets. Not surprisingly, these two bags alone have been featured in numerous editorials and shoots.

Jacobs seems to have created collages on his handbags with mixed media, fixing miscellaneous pieces to otherwise plain canvases. For Marc Jacobs, the attention grabber was a silvery bejeweled piece. With shimmery gems and python skin, it is far from the wearable Stam bags he designed. At Louis Vuitton, multicolored disks were sewn on gilded white leather purses. Yes, they are dramatic though not entirely unwearable. I imagine these with plain white tees and some tailored shorts or fitted jeans.

Whether or not these pieces will stay for more than one season is another matter, but they will definitely become fun collectibles.

Photos from Style.com

Let It Snow?

Today is January 6 and it is currently a toasty 65 degrees outside. Aside from the leftover holiday decorations, it would look like a typical day in May.The weather, so far this winter, has been abnormally warm for New England. It's been around 40 to 50 degrees in the afternoon in Boston for a month- perfect weather for my winter wardrobe that consists of woolen miniskirts, opaque tights, sharp blouses, fitted jackets, and skinny jeans. In the evenings it is usually just cold enough to throw on a wool military coat and a light scarf, but warm enough to wear skirts and pumps without freezing.

According to my local news, it will be nearly 70 degrees today, which is warmer than a day in late April. The mild and unwintry weather has led me to ponder my spring wardrobe. Still another three months of winter and I am already thinking of breezy florals, sixties baby dolls, and silvery accessories.

And while the people in Denver have been trapped by blizzards, we Bostonians have barley endured a dusting of snow. Indeed, I am tempted swap the hot chocolate for a linen shift and a glass of lemonade. I leave you with some inspiring spring looks.

1. Chanel, 2. Marni, 3. Lanvin
Photos from Style.com

I Love Coroporate Holidays

Hope everyone is enjoying a fabulous holiday season! Cheers!

They all love:
-cashmere scarves from Barneys
-handmade cards
-gourmet coffee beans
-hugs and kisses

For my darlings:
-Sephora Stars Palette
-trinkets from Anthropologie
-Breakfast Lunch Tea by Rose Carrarini

For the boys:
-bright ties
-Redken Rewind 06 Pliable Styling Paste
-Kiehl's moisturizer

Goldilocks And The Three Boots

Goldilocks timidly stepped into Barneys. She had eagerly awaited her purchase of autumn's coveted booties, but was unsure of which she would come to love.

First she tried on the Balenciagas...
but alas! They were quite the piece of art, though too chunky to be functional.

Next she slipped on some pointy Pradas...
yet they were much too cramped.

Goldilocks was so frustrated that she ran into Macy's to await her demise by the harassing perfume ladies. Suddenly, miracle happened! There, on the plastic shoe stands, were Marc Fisher platform booties.She put them on and they were perfect- not too chunky, not too cramped, but juuuustt right. And they saved her hundreds of dollars! Hurrah!

*Marc Fisher "Sandie" ankle boot, $119 at Macy's

Get Over Yourself, Coach

I thought Coach was already bad, advertising themselves as a luxury brand when their nominal craftsmanship remained inferior to that of the real luxury goods. It was a wannabe of the handbag world. As much as Coach hoped and wished, it would never really be Gucci or Goyard; even Cole Haan is more reputatble. The tacky logos, terrible patchwork, and neontastic color schemes only appealed to the commoners of New England and the trend-whoring women in Asia. But last year, Coach showed some potential. I remember a very soft satin and rabbit fur ski bag that was quite worthy of an après-ski outing.

Unfortunately, Coach has thrown all their creativity and dignity away to give rise to this: The Signature Stripe Reversible Tote. Okay, I'll even ignore the horrendous winter patchwork and teeny-bopper makeup color palette they have going on this season, but this is unacceptable. The flap of crappy leather with gold reads... "This is a Coach bag. It was handcrafted from the finest materials. Its superior craftsmanship and attention to detail reflect our commitment to enduring quality." Are you shitting me? Is this a joke? Would any company REALLY do this? I bet Tomas Maier and Wintour would roll over laughing at this. The fact that a company like Coach would proclaim its superior craftsmanship is ridiculous. Sure $298 for a handbag today isn't too expensive, but I wouldn't wear this symbol of pompousness if someone paid me that amount. Also, the bag is reversible, which shows you how much value it really has. The team at Hermès will probably order five hundred of these babies to use as trash bags at their studio.

The sad part? I'll probably see a hundred girls at my school who will wear this proudly with Uggs. How distasteful American culture is sometimes.