Lanvin Paris Fashion Fall / Winter 2012

The video from their Fall/Winter Fashion Campaign 2012

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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Is It Right To Wear White?

There's always been that age old fashion etiquette rule that's told us white after Labor Day is a 'no-no' but is it really?  It's true that the non hue clothing choice has always been associated with cooler climates, primarily Summer but if we go as far back to the 1920's, white was oftentimes linked to an elite society of socialites who vacationed in the Hampton's whereas the working class spent their time working year round to make ends meet. Some have claimed that wearing white in the Winter reflects light and heat and actually makes the wearer cold.  Who really knows the origin of the no white after September deal & does it really matter in the current day with all of the 'out there' designs & color schemes that seem to have no boundaries?  I would say..."NO"!

Celebrated in the United States, Labor Day is said to be the official mark to the end of Summer as vacations come to an end and children head back to school and throughout history, both Fall & Winter have always been thought of as darker color seasons in regards to apparel.  French designer CoCo Chanel believed 'white was right' year round as it was a permanent part of her personal wardrobe.  She dared to wear her signature white suit year round...

In vintage days wearing white was connected with 'snobbery' & 'keeping cool' but for all intents and purposes, especially in the 21st century, there is really no good reason not to wear white twelve months out of the year. With that being said, it's a personal choice and you're not going to be shunned for it.  For Fall/Winter 2011 we are seeing a lot of white on the front as Yves St. Laurent, Stella McCartney & Calvin Klein are showing us that white can be so right in spite of the idea that we've all held onto for years.

On a more casual & affordable level, white paired with anything is what is trendy for the cooler weather that's just right around the corner. So remember that it's your right to rock the white from here on out!

      


pics: otownstyle.com, myhero.com, elle.com, laurenhamptondesigns.blogspot.com

    

Top Fashion Rule Breakers

A fashion 'rule breaker' is anyone who goes outside the realm of what's considered current & 'appropriate'.  Fashion rule breakers dare to think outside the box and often take part in creating their own signature style.  For decades women have opted to follow suit with the status quo is regards to selecting pieces for their wardrobe, for instance by not wearing white after Labor Day, by matching their shoes with their hand bag and by keeping their clothes in sync with the climate.  All of those concepts are so not in effect anymore as these days, especially on the celeb scene, we are deff seeing a more liberal aesthetic in regards to fashion 'dos & don'ts'  Right now there are some major rule breakers and one in particular used to be on top of the game.  Of course I'm referring to 'Madonna'.  Madge dared to wear this monstrosity at the Metropolitan Museum Costume benefit, however, she may have misinterpreted that she wasn't actually suppose to wear one?!  The Louis Vuitton mini paired with the thigh high hooker boots, accompanied by the Marc Jacobs, what looked like a bunny eared hairpiece was an absolute 'flop' and so not classy!  In all reality though, Maddona didn't get where she is today by taking on a wallflower persona but her 'in your face' approach to entertaining most certainly did!

Now that Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj have caused Madonna to take a back seat as leading lady pop star.  This past Sunday at the MTV Video Music Awards, Nicki walked the black carpet in what appeared to be a 'Toy Story' massacre!  There was too much going on to even try to make sense of!  From her ice cream cone bling to her cotton candy weave topped off by a colorful surgical mask.  She had us all thinking..."What the?" & that my dear readers was mission accomplished for Minaj!

I have to give Gaga 'mad props' because at least there's a theme associated to her madness.  Since making her debut in 2008 she's rocked the house & fashion houses too, as she has become the muse as well as collaborator both for & with many astute designers.
Minaj make rock but in my opinion Gaga rules!  What's your take?...


pics: damitaro.wordpress.com, huffingtonpost.com, stylenews.peoplestylewatch.com

CoCo Chanel A Nazi Spy?

The reputation of the revered designer CoCo Chanel is being put to the test as speculations have surfaced that she was a Nazi spy.  It wasn't kept a secret that she dated a German military intelligence officer during the war who was later found out to be a Abwher spy. The question remains as to whether or not she knew this info and if so, did that make her guilty by association?  A book was released this week suggesting that she did know and that she was actually a part of the operation.

American author, Hal W. Vaughan, a veteran of both World War II & the Korean War, worked with the U.S. intelligence community in Geneva and claims to have had intimate connections with international relations.  In his book, Vaughan even states that Chanel served Abwehr as Agent 7124, under the code-name 'Westminster'.  It was even suggested in his writings, that she was a liaison who attempted to orchestrate a meeting between Hitler and Winston Churchill in Madrid.  This puts a definite damper on the legacy the poverty born Chanel has left behind & since she passed in 1971, she's not here to defend the accusations.   

If she was in fact a part of the debauchery that was the Holocaust, all I have to say is..."Sucks to be you right bout' now CoCo" because those are some heavy duty irreparable sins!        




pics: torbaytorq.co.uk, documentingreality.com

Fashion In Film Friday - Clueless

The 1995 movie 'Clueless' starring Alicia Silverstone & the late Brittany Murphy was surprisingly an instant box office hit given the mediocrity of the storyline.  The plot surrounds a group of Beverly Hills teenage girls who are gorgeous, popular & wealthy high school fashionistas on the hunt for the opposite sex.  This popular 90's film had the same impact on slang trends as the movie 'Valley Girls' did in the 80's.  The girls of Clueless were definitely the modern day version of 'Vals'.    

Aside from the jargon catching on, the clothing styles in 'Clueless' made it the fashion film of the year and the title was totally earned by costume designer Mona May who came up with the sixty different wardrobe changes for Silverstone's character.

May stated in an interview with Nylon Magazine that her designs for the movie Clueless were greatly influenced by runway shows.  She said the tricky part was bringing haute couture to the classroom setting & having it fit in.  Her designs for the film were fresh, outrageous & soon after the movie was released the trends were catching on.  Berets were back with a passion. Baby doll dresses with puffy sleeves, otherwise known as 'cute baby wear', micro minis with tights, slip dresses worn over t-shirts, plaid two piece mini skirt suits and thigh high stockings worn with platform Mary Jane's were big fashion fare the year this film came out... 

Although the fashion styles of the movie 'Clueless' were so sixteen years ago, elements of them pop up here and there, every now and then and sooner or later it's going to be back around again! 


pics: impawards.com, stylesectionla.com, twolittlebirdsboutique.blogspot.com, bagsol.info.com, 3.bp.blogspot.com
             

Fashions In Bloom Valentino Style

This past year we have definitely seen a vintage fashion trend resurface as budding bloom embellished fabrics and floral appliques have been used by the most astute designers.  Valentino, has definitely had a hands on approach to creating a new take on an old fave with everything from bags to gowns.  Florence Welch, the leading lady behind the new popular group 'Florence & The Machine' was working this floral Valentino couture dress, from his Spring collection at the Elton John AIDs foundation Oscar viewing party.  Flo always stays true to creating an ethereal vibe with her style choices and this one was on the money.  Shown here in a sheer illusion, earth tone chiffon floor length gown adorned with delicate pale petals that looked like they fell from the sky and dropped on the garment.

Vintage floral applique was extremely popular in the 1940's & 50's and was at that time mostly hand constructed as embroidery machines were still in somewhat of a primitive phase.

Harry Potter babe Hermione, aka Emma Watson chose to prance around in Valentino at the 2011 BATF Awards.  This silk chiffon embroidered with a blush of pink dress, was also from Valentino's Spring collection this year.  It had the same delicate petals as the dress worn by Florence Welch.

Valentino has put out some absolutely amazing bags, following suit to his fondness for all things floral.  With an almost $2,000 price tag, I know I'll be checking out the thrift stores for something similar!

Of course we have to finish off by mentioning the shoes that Valentino designed this year, also floral inspired of course!  These black mesh peep toes sandals with tiny petal appliques ROCK!  I so want them!  I have to give some mad props to the 79 year old enigma of the fashion world, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, simply known as 'Valentino'...  because he has made me absolutely fall in love with floral couture!

   
pics: flickr.com, stylelist.com, bluefly.com, wewomentoday.com, ellestmarieclaire.wordpress.com, bestfashionmode.com