Accidents

Alright Rachel, we need to have a talk. I'm a fan, in general, of your trendy-ladylike tilt on things and your delectably feminine line, but this outfit is just a little too much. Seperately, all the pieces work. The Prada turban is glamorous and just a little creepy, which I love. The Lanvin trench is classic and dominatrix-worthy. The Roger Vivier shoes are flashy without being overbearing, but perhaps veer into old lady territory. The intense bracelet and leopard clutch are maybe a little hackneyed, but still fine. However, when you put it all together, the outfit just begs for attention, and not in a good Marc Jacobs SS07 way. It's more of an "I'm a desperate aging actress who is losing her grip on reality" way. All the components are competing for attention, and instead of looking chic and risk-taking, it looks stupid. I'm not mad, Rachel, I'm just dissappointed.
Photo cred: style.com

A Space Boy Dream

Although the inspiration for Sabrina Dehoff's whimsical jewelry ranges from ghosts to Lotus Eaters to residents of the moon, she knows how to translate all of it into wearable art. The Berlin-based designer's work is unique, employing materials like leather and plastic along with gold and silver. The ideas behind the pieces are conceptual and poetic, and Dehoff presents the jewelry equally as beautifully with amazing catalogue shots, thus making it both avant-garde and accessible. Her work ranges from cute (pure white hearts and a tasteful Mickey Mouse necklace) to sexy (gold serpents and slinky black panthers on gold chains) to fanciful (gold cutouts of gems) to tough (handgun necklaces and bracelets featuring cowboys) and everything in between. And though her jewelry and inspirations are varied, Dehoff executes her designs with a degree of sleekness and charm that makes her work distinct. For more info, see her website.

From "Little Helpers," Dehoff's FW06 collection:


From "Little Dreamers," her SS07 collection:


From "Erratic Blocks From the Trip to the Moon," her FW07 collection:

You Go Disco and I'll Go My Way

Monochromatics with a focus on form and texture look stylized and urbane.
Clockwise from top left: Givenchy dress at Luisaviaroma.com; Coco's card at Elite; Marc Jacobs dress at net-a-porter.com; Jimmy Choo clutch at net-a-porter.com; Freja for Balmain SS07.

Another Wasted Night

Christina, I know you're trying to go for the whole "old Hollywood-classic-sexy" look, but this just...isn't right. The see-through dress could work on its own, were it not worn on top of a painfully bland Victoria's Secret bra. If you're going to show your lingerie, at least make sure it's hot. The pantyhose do you no good either -- they just increase the poorly done showy-and-fake factor of the whole outfit. You cannot pull off carrying a briefcase for the life of you, it just looks costume-y. The hip-slung belt makes your hips veer into bovine-like territory, and it's very cheap looking. And don't even get me started on the porn star makeup or miles of cotton enveloping your neck. It's not a pretty sight. Basically my dear, you try too hard.

Good Morning Starshine

Darla Baker is a fox, plain and simple.

Ocean of Noise

Sorry I haven't posted in so long, but I've been studying the Great War and stochiometry with intensity, whilst wearing Comme des Garçons and Lewis Cho, of course. Many things have happened in the world of fashion while I've been away. Marc Jacobs went into rehab, which is good for him, but I hope he doesn't get entirely clean, because he seems to do his best while just slightly tweaked. Too many drugs, though, result in cheap YSL rehashes. Also, the house of Halston has been ressurected, with Rachel Zoe involved as a stylist. This should be interesting. And by interesting, I mean tripe shoved down our throats by US Weekly and In Style, with maybe the occasional decent dress. And of course, I found more things that I want.
Helmut Lang's open-weave knit tank strikes the perfect balance between simple, slutty, and wierd.


Everytime I see Bing Bang's swan belt, I want to burst out into song. Swans, swans, swans sing songs...all night loooong...


And Celestina's mother-of-pearl Cambridge clutch is gorgeously futuristic while remaining soft and natural. It reminds me a lot of Calvin Klein.


All are available at Barney's.

Damaged Goods

It's anecdote time. So the other day, my friends who are going to Italy over spring break were talking about how "Milan is the fashion capital of the world." I overhear this, and I cannot help but interject and share some Cartier pearls of wisdom.
Me: "Uh, sorry, but Milan just isn't the fashion capital of the world."
Friend #1: "What? Isn't it, like really famous for fashion?"
Me: "Yeah, but I wouldn't exactly refer to it as the fashion capital of the world."
Friend #2: "Then what is?"
Me: "Paris. Even though Italian craftsmanship is fantastic, the variety and calibur of design seen in Paris is just, in general, amazingly better than what's seen in Milan."
...pause...
Friend #1: "Oh yeah, I remember on My Super Sweet 16, this girl went to Paris to buy her dress because she said it was the fashion capital of the world."
I then use all the willpower I can muster up to keep myself from smashing myself over the head with my French textbook until my golden locks are soaked with blood.
This are just some of the reasons, taken from the last day of PFW, why Paris is it...

Olivier


Alber


Marc actually making pretty clothes.


Sophia


The fact that Miu Miu is shown there, at least for the time being.

Tony the Beat

What do you make of a Chloé show where the shoes are atrocious and the clothes are actually decent? It's a change, that's for sure. Plenty of vinyl, truely insanely ugly shoes, backless dresses, and lots of red...oh my! The new Chloé girl is tougher, uglier, and much more adventurous than before. Although there was definitely more of an '80s influence, there were still nods to the now classic, Philo-60s-vintage style, with embroidered sheaths and plenty of shorts. New head designer Paolo Melim Andersson seemed to pull inspiration from a host of other designers. The shoes could have been from a Marc Jacobs show, the sunglasses from Karen Walker, and half the clothes themselves pulled from Marni. But mixed together, it seemed at least fairly new and a fresh direction for the long-standing look of the brand.

Going Missing

Note to Anna Dello Russo:

That is how you wear Christopher Kane.

Not like this. The slouch and copious amounts of jewelry do you no good.

Dress Up In You

So, yes, runways have always been showcases for the most extreme and attention-grabbing of clothes, but for AW07, it seems as if this statement dressing, whether in the form of a brightly patterned Balenciaga dress or a sharply cut Dior suit, is emerging as a real trend. Outfits, even singular garments, that you really need moxy to wear properly are extremely prevalent this season. These clothes aren't the easy, breezy sack dresses and white blouses of former seasons. It takes a certain person to pull off these new pieces, be they harem pants, mixed textures, or vivid gowns. Maybe it's the designers' way of telling the public that fashion is still relevant, yet special, and deserves attention that's not in the form of weight debates or knockoff lawsuits. Or it could be a manifestation of the sickness people feel over apathy and lack of effort, whether it's in an H&M dress or a low voter turnout. Whatever the reason, it's pretty.
Thakoon


Temperley


Fendi


Zac Posen


Dior


Chris Kane


Marni


Balenciaga

Vampire Forest Fire

J'aime aussi...
This shot from the Sartorialist from PFW. The outfit is so chic yet street-wise, and this woman really seems like she knows what she's doing, you know?


Christian Lacroix's half-goth, half-acid-fairy confections.






Emina


Morgane and her new crop