Alexander McQueen - The fashion of the unusual

I have always been a fan of McQueen's fashion. He was founded by designer McQueen in 1992, in which McQueen is his middle name as that is what he used for his label. He was awarded British designer of the year four times between 1996 and 2003. Sarah Burton, McQueen's right hand design aide does not just make clothes, she comes up with the most unique & creative designs. She also designed the dress for Catherine Middleton during her wedding to Prince William. Here are some pretty amazing fall/winter 2012 collections! And if you love runway shows like I do, don't forget to watch the video.

 

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Our Frugal First Lady...

It's no secret that our current First Lady, Michelle Obama is beyond fond of designers like Alexander McQueen and Jason Wu, but did you know that she has been seen shopping for chic and cheap clothing at the Target store located near the White House?  It's true! Mrs. Obama was incognito with her floral print top, b-ball cap and shades as she browsed the popular chain.  On many occasion she has been seen wearing apparel from Target which we all know comes at a reasonably low cost.  She's also been out and about in J. Crew and The Gap line and makes no excuses for the fact that she also loves shopping at Walmart.  Given the status quo of being the wife of the President Of The United States, I don't ever recall a more 'frugal' First Lady...

pics: lovelyish.com

The Re-Birth Of 'Period Collars'

Vintage trends this Fall are going waaaay back, and I mean way!  All the way back to the days of innocence as there has been a dramatic rebirth of the Victorian style for this upcoming Fall 2011.  During the Edwardian period (1901-1910), high neck collars were popular among women and often adorned with elaborate lace applique and beading & often considered a form of jewelry.  Mind you this style is not to be confused with the gi-normous Elizabethan collars of the Medieval times...

In spite of the fact that the Edwardian collar couldn't be any more modest, covering up 'everything', women of that time actually considered the style to bring an ambiance of allure because of the allure of leaving much to the imagination in that they were giving the viewer 'nothing to see', but 'everything to wonder about'.  That really wasn't such a bad concept eh?  This past year during Paris fashion week 2011, the fashion house of the late designer Alexander McQueen brought new life to the vintage style of Edwardian collars with their Fall line up of suits that entail hints of Goth peppered with industrial chic.  

In regards to Goth, the new generation has definitely been instrumental in bringing back the popularity of the Edwardian collar while at the same time, maintaining true to the original design ...

  pics: photobucket.com, flickr.com, deliaohdelia.blogspot.com, capitolcharlotte.com

Gettin' Checked Out...

Whether you refer to it as plaid, hounds tooth or simply checks, there's a rich history behind this pattern that has been referred to as 'Prince of Wales checks' for some time now, given this nickname because it was extremely popular when Edward VIII was Prince of Wales in the 1930's.  For forty years thereafter it became the fabric of choice for aristocrats & commoners alike.  Now that we're approaching 2012, we've long since evolved past the basic plaid/checkered shirt or blouse and have moved into new territory.

The British fashion designer, the late Alexander McQueen, received major kudos for his tartan collection when he mesmerized his fans with his modernistic approach to creating current fashions from the vintage fabric.

This Alexander McQueen Tartan poof skirt-dress is on sale at Neiman Marcus for only about $800.00...ahhh yeah right not on this fashionistas budget!

This past Spring Yves St. Laurent showcased their Fall line up for 2011 that included a variety of styles that incorporated the Prince of Wales check designs, with a contemporary flair befitting of the 21st century.

During Milan fashion week this year, Gucci even had the guys on board with this trend...

You can very well piece together your own 'Prince of Wales' inspired wardrobe with just a few simple clothing items accentuated with leather and chains to keep it fun & fresh!  After McQueen showcased his Tartan creations, the look was sought after in a big way as everyone wanted to get 'checked out'!

                                     ***In shop vintage plaids***

     
pics: fashionising.com, trendstyle4u.blogspot.com, flickr.com, glamazondianes.com, latimesblogs.latimes.com, 4bp.blogspot.com, catwalkqueen.tv.com,http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrothreadz

Pippa's British Bootie Envy!

Ever since she made her debut appearance in the public eye, Pippa Middleton has been a tabloid sensation. From the whispers that suggested she stole the show at the royal wedding, upstaging her sis Kate when she dutifully trailed behind her carrying her train during the nuptials, wearing the form fitting gown designed especially for her by Alexander McQueen,...to the recent 'bootie envy' that is said to be sending women everywhere in droves to their local plastic surgeons in hopes of getting a boost to lift their derrieres a' la Pippa style!

For years, boob jobs, nose jobs & face lifts have been the most sought after procedures when it comes to physical enhancements, however, as of late with the ever escalating popularity of celebs such as Jennifer Lopez & Kim Kardashian, buttocks related aesthetic procedures or 'ass'thetics' ha ha...has been taking precedence for about the past five years.  Grant it, Pippa has an awesome figure, but seriously what is up with the website I just happened upon called 'pippasass.com'?  I just don't get the whole 'ass envy' concept...do you?     
          
pics:glamour.com

Spotlight Saturday - Royal Ensemble On Display

The Royal hoopla is still all a buzz, as it was noted in the news today that the complete wedding ensemble worn by Kate Middleton, accessories included (shoes, earrings, bouquet & silk tulle veil), is being displayed at Buckingham Palace as of yesterday, Friday, July 22nd and through to October 3rd of this year, as part of the palace's annual Summer opening.  In the spotlight once again, the ivory and white satin gown designed by Sarah Burton for the Alexander McQueen fashion house.  Visitors will be able to view up close and personal, the hand made lace applique that was made for the bodice and skirt using techniques that dated back to almost two centuries ago.  Middleton's gown had intricate patterns of rose, thistle, shamrock and daffodil incorporated into the design to represent every nation in the United Kingdom.  The garment truly is a work of art...

  
pics: fashionologie.com

Spotlight Saturday... Royal Wedding Re-Cap

It's Spotlight Saturday once again and since the hoopla has yet to die down, we're bringing to you today a 'Retro Threadz Royal Wedding Re-Cap'.  First off, the British tabloids were on the money as they leaked an early word that Kate Middleton's dress was designed by Sarah Burton for the late Alexander McQueen's fashion house. 

The dress was modest as to be expected but exquisitely beautiful nonetheless and the intricate delicate lace was a mixture of Chantilly & English.  The design pattern included rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.  It was impeccably detailed.  The fitted bodice had a Victorian corset flair which not many women can pull off without being uncomfortable.  Sarah Burton did an excellent job of making a style reminiscent of Princess Grace Kelly's 1956 wedding gown quite current.   

   
I think everyone was thrown off by this vintage style redux by Burton since she is known for her avant-garde designs.  She regularly works for Lady Gaga and given that, maybe they were expecting wedding couture for the Princess that was a little more edgy?


O.k. so now onto the 'hats'...  Seriously some of these were totally Gaga'ish!
For instance this monstrosity worn by Princess Beatrice of York by Irish designer, Royal hat maker Philip Treacy was certainly an attention getter.  Kind of like... 'hey look at me, I wanna make sure I'm in the spotlight'!  Mission accomplished!

In my opinion, the true 'scene stealer' for the day was the Bride's sister Pippa Middleton who looked like an absolute dream in the sleek ivory satin dress with a crepe cowl neckline made especially for her also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.  This was a risky choice being that 'white' is usually the color reserved for the Bride only on her special day. 

 

Now that the nuptials have taken place, the frenzy begins as the question buzzing around today is..."Do you think Pippa out shined Kate at her own wedding"?  Inquiring minds want to know...or do they really?  Where would we be without our trash mags?!

: weddingspirasi.com , fashion-era.com  rickey.org , royalwedding.aol.com  abcnews.go.com 

Speculations On Who's Designing 'The Dress'

Anyone who's interested in fashion is waiting on the edge of their seats to see who & what the 'Princess to be' Kate Middleton will be wearing when she walks down the isle tomorrow at Westminster Abbey, and you better believe they will be expecting it to be just as gorgeous, if not better than the one wore by her late mother in law, Diana the Princess of Wales when she married Prince Charles at the St. Paul's Cathedral in 1981...

The late Princess Diana wore a wedding gown designed especially for her by Elizabeth Emanual that was quite modest with big poufy sleeves and the traditional long train.  I absolutely respected & admired Diana who was known for being 'the people's Princess' and a true humanitarian as well however, I have always thought this dress was too 80's!  All that poof gave the illusion that she was going to get lost in all of that dress!  She was delicate and elegant and the dress was quite the opposite don't you think? 

Prince Charles's mother, Queen Elizabeth II royal wedding gown was designed by Norman Hartnell, master of the royal wardrobes.  He said he was inspired by Botticelli's Primavera to design for her the satin gown that was embellished with 10,000 tiny pearls and a 15 food train.

It has been being said that Kate Middleton's wedding dress designer is currently one of the 'best kept secrets' around town, however there is speculations circulating according to reports in British tabloids that 'the chosen one' is Sarah Burton, creative director of the late Alexander McQueen.

Hard to believe this info has leaked out...guess we will have to just wait and see.  Now the big big question remains..."Will Kate be inspired to fashion her style after past British Royals or will she dare to step outside the realm to be a more contemporary trendsetter?"  The bets are on! 


pics: 3.bp.blogspot.com , fashiontrendlatest.com , marieclaire.co.uk.com , style.uk.msn.com 
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