a bit of black and white

So I’m trying to reformat my blog and therefore will be on a temporary hiatus from blogging (in addition to the hiatus I’ve already been on haha) – but I won’t let this become an orphan blog!
For now here are some inspirational vids to get you all philosophical -

Iron by Woodkid* is now part of my favourite EPs! The boyfriend showed me a pre-rendered game trailer for Assassin’s Creed Revelations and this was the (very appropriate) song playing in the background. How much does it make you think of an epic battle? Therefore I deem it similar to the stuff of Fleet Foxes and The XX – I was looking up video clips for them the other day and I could barely find any! Which now I think is very fitting – their music doesn’t particularly need a video clip anyway, it’s evocative enough as is. Anyway, check it -

In contrast**, fashion films are incessantly vague and superficial! I’ve yet to see one that really evoked an emotional response from me. You know how some films have a done-before storyline but you’re compelled to keep watching because of how attractive the actors are? Or how the film setting itself (i.e. Avatar) makes you wish you didn’t live in boring ol’ suburbia? Well fashion films lack any meaningful plot or done-before storyline! They’re purely aesthetic. A prime example is Karl Lagerfeld’s Tale of a Fairy film for Chanel Cruise 2012 -

Admittedly the fashion and the setting is fantastic, but I had no clue what was going on by the end of the film! I hope that was purposeful. I still love you Karl Lagerfeld.

*Also, I’ve linked to Vimeo (even though the vids are from Youtube cos Vimeo doesn’t embed well for me) because I’m ashamed by the now constant advertising on Youtube!
** Yeah I’ve been writing too many essays and segues are taking over my life!

Christopher Kane brilliance

AARrrghh I’m such a colour addict! I think that’s a more healthy addiction than most though. How much does Christopher Kane’s Resort 2012 collection (below) look like the rainbow gradient from powerpoint?

Metallic pleats and contrasting colours? My fav! Even his Resort 2011 Collection was so damn fine.
It makes me want to go into space (not that I didn’t want to already!) and watch the pretty stars as they do their thing. Maybe one day.

the sun won’t shine if you’re not looking

How cute is Kimbra? In the past month or so she’s been working up quite a reputation in the pop scene – Triple J has the Kiwi-bred Melbourne-based newcomer’s second single Cameo Lover  song playing on high rotation.I fell in love with this song from the first time  I heard it!

I’ve never seen such a bright video in my life! And the cute little pastel girl’s outfits!
Watch this space. If this is the future of Melbourne’s pop music scene, I can’t wait!

Giovanna Battaglia

Without a doubt Giovanna Battaglia is the most beautiful and stylish woman in the world. She’s so fit! If I was forced to swap bodies with someone for a day, I’d choose her. She indisputably tops Anna Dello Russo, Eva Fontanelli, Garance Doré, Alexa Chung, and Cory Kennedy as my #1 style icon.

I can’t believe it has taken me this long to do a post on her! I first fell in love with her 2 years ago when The Sartorialist took these pictures (below) of her, inspiring me to undergo a phase of cinched high waist skirts and dresses that’s remained to this day.

I love the slightly loose 1/2 sleeve tops she’s always wearing, and the oversized sunglasses in summer. She holds herself so gracefully too and is the favourite of numerous street/fashion bloggers – predominantly The Sartorialist, Easy Fashion in Paris and Hanneli.

Not to mention she’s only something like 30 years old, and dating Carine Roitfeld’s (past Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue) son Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld. Oh to be Gio! What I wouldn’t do! The two are probably one of the most powerful couples in the Fashion world.

Gio herself is the Fashion Editor of L’Uomo Vogue (Italian Men’s Vogue) and modelled for Dolce & Gabbana, as well as some other freelance styling work. The above right is a scan from Vogue Brasil, doesn’t she just look like some Italian Goddess? Those perfectly proportioned features!

There’s her as the face of Eddie Borgo SS 11 (above right), and a spectacular capture by Fred from Easy Fashion in Paris for Fashion Week. Below, second from the left, is her at the amfAR Gala in Cannes. The dress is apparently a 1992 Sprouse from Rare Vintage. It’s incredibly revealing (it looks like it’s composed mostly of stick on bits) but Gio correctly describes it as a work of art.

Anyway, I could go on and on and on about how amazing Gio is, but I already sound like the BIGGEST stalker. I’ll end this post with some pretty pictures that demonstrate just how effortlessly chic this woman is.

lift me off the ground and take me to the garden of paradise

I’m ashamed to say I’ve only recently discovered the magic of Crystal Fighters. Aren’t they just the most hipster people you’ve seen? Love! In other news, I’m really craving a balmy summer night.

American Sports Apparel Melbourne

Mon frère is running a stall at the Camberwell Markets selling American Sports Apparel on the 3rd of July. Chickity-check it out -

Milin

Bangkok-based designer Milin Yuvacharuskul, Puchong Nilratana and Guarboon Chuanboon gave birth to this dainty, exquisite SS 11 line aptly named Under Sense and Sensibility.

It’s all pastel colours, soft pleats, chiffon and summery graphic lines. And her shortened name is Mimi! Instant love! She also scored a prominent internship with Jill Stuart, whose Spring collection I was exploring before being side-tracked by the amazing designs of Milin.
 Thailand seems to be producing amazing designers at every turn! Sretsis (as I mentioned in a previous post) and now Milin! Not to mention the food! I love me some Thai Curry! So I’m very seriously considering visiting Bangkok, flights from Australia aren’t too expensive either. Milin is still very low-key at present – their only stockists are in Asia: Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong.

But ever since the release of her new SS 11 line, Milin has been on the radar of numerous fashion blogs. Susie of Style Bubble even did a piece on her (it’s thanks to her for some of the nice up-close pictures above) where she visited the Blueprint store in Singapore. I’m really hoping this means the brand will grow exponentially, though I’d imagine it would take many more years for it to arrive in Australia.

Above is a spread from Elle Thailand and Wallpaper magazine featuring Under Sense and Sensibility the collection with a mod 60′s twist. Defined waists are my favourite, and Milin does them oh-so classily! On the darker side, there’s this cut-out black playsuit from SS 11 (below) and some fantastic gold-fringed heels from the AW 10 Cat Fight for Spotlight collection.

Gucci Spring 2011 RTW

I mentally reside in the Northern Hemisphere. So when it’s winter I’m more interested in Summer clothes, and in Summer I’m more interested in Winter Clothes. Hence, Gucci Spring 2011 RTW and prints of summer in Australia!

So I love the ‘jewel-tones’ of Gucci’s collection! And I’ve never even been remotely interested in their clothes on the basis of their designer-for-the-sake-of-’designer’ labelling – you know Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Armani? Household names cos everyone would love to own a bag stamped GUCCI regardless of how ugly it looks, so they can feel rich and flaunt it. Not that their bags are ugly, I just don’t see the appeal.

Anyway, the tribal inspired dresses are fantastic. Those fringes and studs are incredibly intricate! And the way those colours stand out on the more tanned models. I’d particularly love to own that turquoise number in the middle. Below, Camilla Belle looks beautiful decked out entirely in Gucci.

Prints

I can’t help but find patterns in fashion, that’s basically how all my blog posts have come to be. So perusing street fashion blogs today, I came across this -

I’m not a fan of the girl from Facehunter’s outfit (particularly the leggings!) but the dress she wears is fantastic! Fields of gold printed on a simple shift/oversized blouse. And then I stumbled upon the new Michi Girl email on Karla Spetic’s Memory skirt (below left) – and found a dress with a similar concept. Above is Centre Windmill dress, Kimberley blazer and skirt; below and right is Journey Road shirt.

It’s such a simple idea. Landscape photography is popular and its subject merely the beauty of nature. Mix that with fashion and it’s doubly aesthetically pleasing, right? A while ago I remember Fat4 used to stock these swimsuits/bodysuits by We Are Handsome. The photos are beautiful and the colours are vivid. It makes you want to be there.

I can’t help but wonder if the fashion designer is charged with taking the photo to be printed, or have they merely chosen the photos? Maybe they aren’t even legitimate photos, but artworks so accurate they look like photos. Or graphically generated on a computer? Above is The Arabia and The Los Angeles, below is The Bordeaux, and The Yosemite, all from We Are Handsome’s The Pictures Collection 2010.

Yeah, that’s the back of The Yosemite bandeau, I thought it was more interesting than it’s front – a picture of an eagle in front of the mountain range. On further investigation via Polyvore and Net-A-Porter I came across these two -

This first one looks like a regular retro-inspired Lomo picture but it’s not! It is in fact a scarf printed with a regular retro-inspired picture! Which seems like a bit of a redundant idea considering that a scarf is normally folded up and you wouldn’t even see the picture but I like it. I think it requires a bit of thought to wear in such a way as to display the picture – perhaps as a bandeau? I like that word bandeau.

The second one was discovered from my explorations of Net-A-Porter. Valentina (from The Sartorialist) wears a Jacques-Louis David printed skirt. Similarly, Mary Katrantzou does avant-garde, interior-decoration/landscape inspired prints for her Spring 2011 RTW. Yes, that first dress does have a lampshade skirt! How brilliant is that? The first skirt from the left appears to be printed with a dining room, the second lampshade with a view from a window, the third dress with the interior of a fancy house, and the last dress with numerous cityscapes. Genius, if you ask me. Interior decoration is fascinating – so why not mix it with fashion?

Luella

Luella Bartley is one of my favourite designers. And yet I only knew of her label by the time it had shut down. ARGH If only there wasn’t a financial crisis! Her clothes are amazing! She was destined for great things! If only I was rich enough to support her company. If only I was rich enough to afford her clothes.

And the details! Those patent, pointy, heels and 50′s inspired polka dots! The Luella girl is oh-so classy and feminine. Above and below is her last collection, Spring 2010 RTW.

One of the main reasons I fell so intensely in love with Luella was because of this glittery pair of heels featuring in an editorial in Lula Magazine (the magazine isn’t affiliated with the brand even though it has a similar name)

Ils sont très belle! And I wanted them so much for my year 12 formal but alas! Luella had ceased trading. Even these are so cute -

And here’s the Spring 2009 RTW (yeah I skipped Autumn – it bores me! The only redeeming feature to cold weather is stomping on crunchy leaves on the way home)

She’s not afraid of bright and contrasting colours

or mixing patterns and  textures!

But she never fails to make them work. I particularly love the yellow-rimmed patent navy heels from the Spring 2008 RTW (middle girl) -

And then not too long later I went on ASOS and came across this pink gingham dress by Wheels & Dollbaby (far left) and got all worked up because I was outraged at its similarity to the dress from Luella’s Spring 2010 RTW (though on reflection it’s not very similar at all) and was this close || to doing a post about the insolence of people who copy designer dress shapes and sell them for much cheaper until I realised that Wheels & Dollbaby had been trading longer than Luella and that Sretsis (middle) and Alannah Hill (far right) also do very similar clothes!

And more than anything, these brands should fill the gaping hole in my heart that Luella has left behind.

Conversation Starters

Sitting in a doctor’s waiting room the other day, I came upon an old issue of Vogue containing this -

The fantastic Bvlgari necklace made for the late Princess Soraya (far right) by the Shah of Iran. The colour combination and intricate details are epic for want of a better word – I love that Bvlgari describes colour as ‘the essence of jewellery’. How Keira Knightley ended up wearing it to the 2006 Oscars though beats me. And I can’t imagine Princess Soraya being particularly happy with that, would you want another woman wearing a necklace dedicated to you?

Anyway my point in this lesson is that statement necklaces are historically significant – the woman on the left is wearing multiple layers of beaded necklace as part of a traditional Maasai wedding celebration.

Not too long later I was picking up my layby’d Claude Maus jeans, and I came upon this fantastic piece of art -

(it’s the one on the far right) which I impulsively also put on layby. The best impulse purchase I’ve made though!
The above designs are all by Tatty Devine and range from $60 to $450 AUD! I managed to get my Ancient Pyramid Inverted necklace for $75, significantly less than expected considering how freakin’ awesome it is.

Above is Future Mystic Crescent necklace $250, and Lizzie Redbone $420

These are also from Tatty Devine -

Zip $110, Egyptian Pharaoh $120, Dinosaur $180

Swallow $65, Halcyon Skies $85, Glitter Hummingbird $310

Aarrghhhh $70, Quartz Crystal Multi Shard $335, and Fishbone $60.

Here are some of my favourites from Dannijo -

All rather African/Egyptian inspired, they are aptly named Delu $270, Evan $395 and Tova $345

and the (inadvertently?) face-resembling Adianca $495, Cota $795, Florence $545, and Zander $420

Paradis $945, Sydney $545, and Rexanna $370. Why Sydney deserves a Dannijo necklace dedication beats me, but the orange ‘horn-drops’ are exquisite.

Then there’s the ever-amazing designs of Solange Azagury-Partridge (who I will dedicate an article to in future!)

The Bleeding Heart necklace was for H&M’s (RED) Collection (a statement in more ways than one!) and the Stoned necklace was mentioned in Michi Girl a few weeks ago! Also, Solange Azagury-Partridge released a short film to launch the Stoned collection starring Thandie Newton -

…adequately evasive for a fashion film. Here are two more necklaces from her other collections -

Far Out and Random. The Stoned necklace I find similar to the opulent, extravagant necklaces of Tom Binns -

who in some senses is the most traditional in his choice of stone – rather using colour and shape to distinguish his jewellery.

But then the occasional punk-inspired collar will surface -
and his recent designs have tended toward African/Indian patterns.

I’m really hoping the statement necklace will rapidly change (as fashion does) from the upper-class,middle-aged woman with whom it is associated to be adopted by the fashion-forward youth. History will repeat itself. Can’t wait!

Considering how long this post was (and how much I had to cut down for it!) I could probably do an entire blog about this. Stay tuned.

Deborah Lippmann

Deborah Lippmann is a jazz singer turned manicurist-extraordinaire. She’s worked for the likes of Vogue, W, Vanity Fair as well as Versace, Valentino and Balenciaga. Obviously she hit the jackpot as a manicurist, as now she has her own line of about 45 nail polishes alot of which were designed with celebrities – Here’s an excerpt from a V Magazine article on Deborah; the colours on the right are Wicked Game and Razzle Dazzle (part of her ‘Jazz’ Collection).Today Was A Fairytale, Glitter In The Air, Across the Universe and Gwen Stefani whose nails she painted for the cover of InStyle.A Vanity Fair cover manicured by Deborah and Don’t Tell Mama nail polish. Surprisingly the polishes aren’t horrendously overpriced (albeit expensive for nail polish) retailing at $18-20. Direct from her website shipping is not available to Australia, but eBay have almost the entire line on sale at a similar price.Beginning with Mariah Carey, numerous celebrities have collaborated with her to design a nail polish. Above is Pat Benatar’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Renee Zellweger’s Just Walk Away Renee, and Dree Hemmingway’s Supermodel. As well as Sarah Smile modelled by Blake Lively.Demi Moore for W painted by Deborah, as well as Superstar, Boom Boom Pow and Some Enchanted Evening.

Mary J. Blige’s No More Drama, Cher’s Believe, Rodarte’s Marquee Moon, and Zac Posen’s Purple rain.

Happy Birthday, a Harper’s Bazaar cover featuring Deborah’s nail polish, and Bad Romance.And finally, the colour that kick started her line Satin Doll by Mariah Carey, as well as Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sarah Smile, Shape Magazine for Breast Cancer’s Shape Of My Heart and Kelly Ripa’s Whatever Lola Wants.

Kudos to Michi Girl for directing me here, who knew you could become famous as a manicurist?

http://shop.ebay.com.au/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=deborah+lippmann&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Eva Fontanelli

Rocks my socks. She’s très cute! Scott Schuman’s favourite, Eva has crossed my eye a thousand times on The Sartorialist.

I always thought she was a well-dressed random, but they never are. Eva is the Editor of Italian Elle – which explains her completely unique sense of style – the editors always seem to have it! Don’t get me started on the beautiful Giovanna Battaglia.

Anyway, she dresses much ‘cuter’ than the average editor (e.g. ducky handbag in picture #2) which I think is inspiring to us youth who are yet to reach the age of fur coats and shift dresses.

She also shares Alexa’s cheeky tomboy-vibe in her fashion sense, but mixes it up with girly frills and pastel colours. I admire Eva Fontanelli.

Circuit Breaker

I love how well the video clip fits with this song; Circuit Breaker sounds exactly like a polyphonic-ringtone-DOS-game-soundtrack. But we all know Mark Ronson‘s a genius – can’t wait to see him at Future (if I ever get round to buying tickets!)

Moschino

2010 order of business #2: The iconic Moschino Belt.

All the cool bloggers were wearing it – why aren’t you?

It’s ‘vintage’ value means it retails on eBay at anywhere from $100-$300; and of course, all the trendy bloggers who accessorized with Moschino got it as a hand-me-down or casually ran into one at a flea market. Lucky bitches.

I love it worn high-waisted – with dresses or chinos!

The belt is effortlessly chic and simple – no buckles or tricky bits, there’s just a little knob on the back of the last ‘O’ that fits it into the belt holes.

It occurs to me that Moschino has a fantastic advertising campaign in the Moschino belt. Get on it!

Valentino

I’m feeling nostalgic. So let’s reflect on 2010! First order of business: the Valentino’s.

And they were everywhere! Gracing the feets of Garance Doré, Anna Dello Russo, and of course Alexa Chung -

not to mention the ever-stylish Giovanna Battaglia,

and many other fashion-goers…

They’re beautiful shoes, no doubt! But what made these so iconic last year?  Was there a chain-mail passed amongst the Vogue editors? I think I prefer the flats that Alexa’s wearing, a decadent take on the gladiator trend.

Colours!

So it seems like white is the in-thing for the Northern Hemisphere’s spring, but I adamantly believe in colour! Frankly, winter depresses me for it’s very lack of colour – I’ll never quite understand why the fashion world insists on matching it’s surroundings in the seasons. Akris had a mostly white Spring 2011 RTW Collection, but here are some colourful gems from it -

Thankyou Emma – I love Jonathan Saunders! I love that Jonathan Saunders appreciates waists! I feel like they aren’t given the credit they deserve for the shape of the female body. Anyway, here’s Jonathan Saunders Spring 2011:

And Sumakhi isn’t afraid of colour in there SS ’10 Collection -

Nor is Alexandre Herchcovitch! Whose collections were apparently “designed for and from colours” -

Or Cynthia Steffe in her Spring 2011 Collection -

Do I want this ring? Oui oui!

So I found this ring on Garance’s website! Yes, she is amazing! Yes, I do worship her!

And of course Emma Watson is pioneering the Oui movement – they make a woman’s hands look so delicate! If someone proposed to me in this? Screw typical engagement rings – screw Tiffany &co.! How could I not say Oui? Oui!

Solange Azagury-Partridge as part of the ‘Tough Love’ Collection also designed a ‘Love‘ $1 800 and ‘Marry Me’ $1 505 version; also this beautiful ring called ‘Offering‘ – delicate hands holding up the stone:

They make Mimioui rings too! Which aren’t half as cute, but a ring named after me (of course – who else would it be named after?) – I’ll take it with open arms!

And delicate little necklaces! And bracelets! And chunky colourful rings and earrings – both of which have tiny detailing on the prongs which hold the stone saying ‘oui’. How cute!

I’ve never seen this side of Dior, but I love it!

The Sartorialist

His pictures seem so candid, I’ve always wondered how he went about street photography without asking people’s permission! Turns out, he asks permission AND takes a candid photo! Haha, who knew. Here’s a new short documentary by Intel on The Sartorialist’s street fashion blog -

the luckiest girl in the world

Alexa Chung, WHY IS SHE SO COOL? Not to mention why did she steal my accessories??

Firstly, she was at the forefront of the Atacoma Movement, so naturally Jeffrey Campbell made a shoe after her!

Secondly, google image ‘karen walker sunglasses’ and what will you find? of course! Alexa Chung in Karen Walker’s!

Karen Walker X-Ray Vision Sunglasses

Thirdly, Alex Turner! Faris Badwan of the Horrors! James Righton of the Klaxons! All perfect accessories!

And frankly I can’t say I really like her fashion sense (in terms of clothing choices) -

blergh                                                          blergh                                                blergh.

BUT now Mawi has gone and designed a necklace as tribute to her! Topping their online shop is the ‘Alexa Chung Necklace’

And Mulberry has made an entire range of bags named after her; the ‘Alexa’

What is the craze? Perhaps I should give in, every now and again she does wear something cute..

New fashion idol? Not yet. Though watch this space.