while off-season resort and pre-fall shows aren’t given as much attention as their spring and fall predecessors, i would argue that the commercialization and effortless outfitting makes for some excellent and straight-forward outfit guidance.
my favorites from last week’s shows below.
BALENCIAGA
MARC BY MARC JACOBS
BAND OF OUTSIDERS
RACHEL COMEY
CHANEL
RAG AND BONE
JASON WU
CHRISTIAN DIOR
ELIZABETH AND JAMES
HELMUT LANG
“well, ‘ive had a very bad time, and i’m pretty cynical about everything.” - daisy buchanan
i know everyone is anticipating this movie, but here’s proof that i’ve been waiting since november 2010. my all time favorite book, my favorite director (baz lurhmann), and the number one love of my life (LEONARDO DI CAPRIO - ARE YOU KIDDING ME). i remember sitting in my college apartment and reading that carey mulligan had been cast as daisy, and thinking about perfect that was. on monday vogue released their may cover, and it really couldn’t capture the complicated character of daisy buchanan more perfectly. bravo. this movie will either be my greatest upset or have me in tears for at least a solid week.
Carey Mulligan in Chanel.
Photograph by Cecil Beaton, New York, 1927.
Carey Mulligan in Nina Ricci.
Photograph by Man Ray, 1930.
Carey Mulligan in Oscar de la Renta.
Lee Miller, 1925.
Carey Mulligan in Chanel.
Bergdorf Goodman dress fitting, 1928.
Carey Mulligan in Oscar de la Renta.
Vogue, July 1930.
RESORT: that season between fall and spring when we all jet to bali for a month to holiday.
normally resort shows are exactly what you’d expect…short suits created for people that jet to fiji for a month. however, oscar de la renta and chanel both redefined what resortwear should be. and it is SICK.
first, chanel. karl lagerfeld dubbed this “HIP HOP VERSAILLES”, which to me reads, “marie antoinette on acid in 2013”. this show oddly reminds me of lisa frank in cotton candy pastels, which is a SUPER good thing you guys.
a big take away: will need to purchase platform gold lame sneakers, reminiscent of baby spice circa 1996.
oscar. oh oscar. the luxury brand that has completely captured a new demographic through their innovative use of social media. the show was live pinned (as in pinterest-ed) here - and you should definitely check out said pinterest board for some incredible photos.
all of the models were styled with neon hair extensions, a pretty bold statement for a house who’s customer spends an average $3,317 per transaction (?!??!?!). i think SEVERAL brands, clothing and other consumer products (cough cough), could learn from oscar’s revolutionary steps taken to reinvent the brand from stodgy grandma’s closet to sick neon extensions capturing a younger audience. i’m transfixed, clearly.
maybe vogue said it best - “Fall is set to bring fashion into full-on freak-chic mode, so there is something to be said for creating clothes that are unpretentious yet beautifully rendered”
this look is so 1997. jennifer aniston would have rocked it in friends, but it’s still chic and relevant. note the return of the peplum.
ugh. THE LACE.
THIS sequined baseball tee became available for sale immediately after the show. again, an extremely fashion forward step for the brand. all yours for the price of $2,500.
but still…this look is sick. the tartan skirt and baseball tee scream a certain marc jacobs. a bold step for odlr.
all that to say - you can take the pantsuits away from oscar…but you can’t take away the class.
amen and amen.
see ya in fiji. xoxo.
It’s difficult to think of something more stylish and timeless than the Ritz in Paris. The hotel, founded in 1898 and currently owned by Mohammed Al Fayed (yup, father to Princess Diana’s late lover), is being closed for 2+ years this summer for rennovations.
To commemorate the fashion history The Ritz has seen, Vogue photographed Kate Moss in April’s issue. The editorial is amazing and I was even more delighted to find this timeline on Vogue.com, archiving American Vogue’s history at the hotel.
It’s fascinating that while each of these photos is dated to the trends of it’s time (even the 2004 photo), they all share the same tone. Somehow, the hotel is complementary to it all. Truly timeless. Here are some of my favorites.
Illustrations in Vogue, 1927.
Illustration in Vogue, 1936.
Kim Williams in Sonia Rykiel, 1984.
Black velvet dresses by Oscar de la Renta for Pierre Balmain and Valentino, 1993.
Couture Tulle dress by Josephus Thimister, 1999.
Chanel, 2004.
Karlie Kloss in Christian Dior Haute Couture, 2009.
(all photos from Vogue.com)
[The title of this blog post has zero relevance to the Fall Couture shows, but if someone knows what it’s from WITHOUT the use of Google, you will become my favorite.]
ANYWAYS. The fall couture shows were last week, or perhaps the week before. I’m losing track of time around here. They were, sadly, lacking any elaborate inspiration. Galliano’s work was greatly missed, because in case you weren’t aware, he loves Hitler. Everything lacked what couture should be- intricate, figurative, abstract and provocative. The looks from these shows were pretty, but to me lacked a certain kick. SOMETHING’S MISSING. Maybe it’s just me…tell me what you think.
Givenchy. “Purity, lightness and fragility” were the words creative director Ricardo Tisici used to describe this collection. In case you weren’t aware, its pretty much official that sheer skirts are IT for fall. So start buying cute panties.
I think if/when I get married I want to wear something like this that’s very low in the back. I’ve had this notion ever since this magical cinematic moment when I was 11.
Chanel. Okkkkkkaayyyy…cool 1940s look but….this isn’t couture?
However- these are bitchin light-up shoes.
Elie Saab. Sure it’s pretty. And I’m sure Taylor Swift will wear at least 3 of these to some major events…
Jean Paul Gaultier. I can get on board with this drama.
Giambattista Valli ….and this drama.
In summation: I think Valentino should come out of retirement.
and John Galliano should…not be anti-semitic?
Last week the most stylish people in the world were concentrated in the most stylish city in the world for Paris fashion week.
The funny thing about fashion is…as excited as I am about fall, we’re looking at spring collections. Always looking ahead. Some favorites:
Louis Vuitton: ‘Campy’ is the internet buzzword to describe Marc Jacobs’ creative genius for this collection. As a lover of color, I cannot get enough of this show. From the 1920s flapper-esque vibe, to the bold metallic waist bands to the anything-but-neutral animal print….these clothes make me wish I had a reason to where them.
Yves Saint Laurent
Valentino I loved the subtle femininity of this collection, found in the delicate bows and tiny polka dots.
Chanel
(love that Crystal Renn walked)
And I leave you with this:
I dare you to find something sexier than a male model with his son in matching Chanel.
I went to the Met this year, for the second time in my life. The first time I was 10 and I remember thinking it was boring, but knowing it was fabulous. This year to be honest, I got a bit bored though all the Ancient Egyptian exhibits, but the fabulosity of the place truly hit home.
January Jones in Balenciaga. I don’t LOVE this dress as much as a I love the aesthetic of the overall look. The drama of the gloves, the smoky eyes, and the piping on the dress somehow work.
Emma Watson in Burberry. I’m obsessed with this. I could totally see it as a wedding dress.
Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Morad. I’m not usually a J-Lo fan, but she hit the ball out of the park with this gold beauty.
Again, it’s not that I could imagine myself in Anna Wintour’s Chanel Haute Couture ensemble, but it’s her overall confidence and misdemeanor that contribute to the fabulousness of this look. I really do love Bee Shaffer’s Balenciaga dress.
Jessica Alba in Sophie Theallet for Gap.
I don’t love Sienna Miller’s dress but the fact that she and Jude Law came together and the undeniable smirks on their face scream of some unstated drama. And I love it.
My favorite: Joy Bryant in Marchesa. Such a timeless, feminine dress!
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