chic simplicity

distracted

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:00:00 +0000

currently distracted by:
- new technology
- vintage chanel jewelry
- dog tag necklaces (à la stephen webster, heather moore and especially black sheep and prodigal sons commission scrimshaw (on pre-ban vintage piano ivory/fossilized mammoth ivory!) mystic nostalgia...
- finance figures
- tim hamilton sheer silk tulip pants
-flacons of serge lutens anything (almost seems that way)

ben gorham. byredo.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:40:00 +0000

I went on to Colette to indulge my lace mania via Valentino (you know, just in case the French market was getting whatever was left over from this season's past exploration in fairy-like lace decadence) and Ben Gorham was giving me the 'look'!! I. love. this man! He does have a daughter, Ines, so perhaps he's married and I shouldn't say anything naughty. I will, however, say that if he had been wearing a dress shirt (in this Colette pic) *large air gulps* I would have had to take a time out; take my somewhat regular lunch of a salmon croissant rather early.

But he isn't. So my blood sugar level's normal and I'm coherent. Only just. I remember I first came across Ben Gorham's Byredo bath products and scents at Barneys when I was picking up another scent (the Lys Méditerranée, by Edouard Fléchier for Editions de Parfums ). Trying to block the sales assistant's drivel (no offense, pet!) I fell for the word 'exclusive', naturally. I live and die for exclusivity if I can lay my hands on it; whether factory-made or DIY by yours truly. I think you can sell me just about anything with that word because I feel it's a guarantee that half the world will not be sporting the exact same whatever-it-is. So why am I writing about this? or anything at all?? I've no idea. I love this man, I said that. And I happen to love his products just as much, so why not share?

Anyhow, there's a lovely write up by Vanity Fair's SunHee Grinnell. Byredo — by redolent abbreviated, and thus aptly named — is made up of scents somewhat reminiscent of an older world, (but) in plain, unaffected bottles. I tried some and I had to get the Bal d'Afrique and Blanche! Absolutely delicious, but different enough from each other, the Bal d'Afrique being warmer. I almost bought the Fantastic Man as well. It's beyond. It must be the bergamot top notes which get to me. I need a (male) lover close by so we can wear it together and note how similar we may or may not smell. Oh lord! Hahah! I've noticed that I've this thing for ambiguous scents. Actually the appropriate word may be "unisex". And Byredo fits this yearning just perfectly; in fact, his scents may even be slightly more fem, with masc hints. E.x.actly! Perfect for me.[Kilian (my scent's Typical Me) available at 'exclusively' (haha) at Saks, and the aforementioned Editions de Parfums (at Barneys) are among my faves.] By the way, Ben Gorham is 6'5!! (he was a pro-basketball player). And those tattoos... those eyes... I'm honestly having trouble deciding whether to rave about Mr. Gorham or Byredo. Read the VF article.

Ooooh, there's a collection of the five most popular scents in miniature bottles named I married Adventure. While you'd be quick to think 'great starter set', I'd say... umm... This is perfume, you can't just shop online, you've got to go into the store and try 'em out on your skin. But of course, it's a different matter if it's a gift, whether you're the one giving, or being given.

Pink-pepper infused kisses.
PS. I lied. I'm clearly incoherent.

kelis. acapella.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:18:00 +0000

because i love(d) kelis; naturally i'm only finding out about this video two months later. pop music flies by me.

Ciao!x

lace. romance was born.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:08:00 +0000

There's just so much going on, isn't there? Feverish excitement. What with Resort showings and London's Graduate Fashion Week collections (Hilary Alexander's reviews are keeping me grounded), I'm positively manic. Just looking at the (resort) pieces is like a welcome breath of crisp fresh air in what's already becoming a stifling summer up here.

There's more craziness from the fact that: One, I'm standing on my tippy-toes trying to get a peek into the mobile tech sparring between the iphone and the evo, both of which I'm now pretending not to eye because I absolutely detest touchscreens. Secondly, can we say world cup?! Yes, I still love zippity-zilch about football and would never care to watch it, but a few folks are giving me the prep play-by-play and I'm caught up in the frenzy. And let's not talk about the actual drudgery with which I should be concerned. Busy busy. I love.

Given my need to stay cool, I'm reveling in sheer fabrics of which I can never get enough. I got thinking of lace pieces, the ultimate sheer luxury for me. I don't know if it's the Nigerian in me — Lord knows I can't name all the forms of lace that Nigerian women are wont to acquire from all corners of the world — or my overwhelming love for sheer exposure; but I love lace. I'm still swooning over Stella McCartney's lace jumpsuit from last year's MET Gala! Which brings me to the brand Romance Was Born, which I discovered browsing through online store MyCatwalk last year (I think). In my lacy revelry, I was trying to recall pieces that I loved and thankfully I was reminded of this picturesque ensemble from last spring (pictured right). The playfulness of the brand is engaging and for me, it offers wonderfully designed pieces in a — seemingly hitherto — unexplored manner. I can pick out a shirt that gives me a humorously sexy side and that just makes my day. And the name, you can't wear a piece under the label Romance Was Born and not feel delicious. You simply can't.

But, it's not just about lace with RWB. Isn't this tongue-in-cheek 'condolence' dress from the current A/W collection divine? It's sold out on My Catwalk, where it actually went on sale, but it' still available at the Grand Social and Maximillia (only it's not on sale yet. (but. of. course). Hmm... odd pricing too. Must make a mental note.

Let's talk a pleasurable big business, shall we?

x.xx.

black. and white.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 18:43:00 +0000

This is a sham of a post. By that I mean, I'm hardly writing more than four sentences. Okay maybe more. While I really do want to rave about these Sharon Wauchob dress available in black and white (both of which I must. have. if it's the last thing I do), I've a meeting in half an hour. Can we just talk about the turnover cum falling neckline at the back? Can we say modern day romantic decadence? Thank you Reborn for being my sanctuary. You may not realize how often I'm daydreaming about the pieces you carry. Then again, you may. Especially if your tech person's been monitoring your site activity and a certain someone always heads straight to these Wachoub pieces. I bet he/she keeps thinking, "just make a choice, darn it!!"

I'm sorry I just can't choose one or the other. But I know I have to pace myself:
1. It's sale season and those pieces need to be marked down like yesterday.
2. I can not afford to buy two pieces at that #$%! price.
3. It's sale season.
4. Did I mention? Sale season. Thank you.

I do realize Canada is a different country, but honey we should be on the same calendar. Awaiting the mark downs with the patience of a wounded female baboon in heat. Lovely imagery, if you know anything about female baboons. Haha. I'm sorry.

Okay, let's indulge in these other pieces from Des Kohan, shall we?? The lace is just exquisite. And white's perfect for the summertime. I couldn't help wondering if they had the dress (top picture) in black as well; I know that as a white dress, it highlights the lace detailing much better than a black dress would, but wonders never end... And take a minute to revel in the contrasting skin tone, brown skin pulls off any- and everything!! The piccies on Dessie Kohan are much better and there's so much more to relish. Oooh and at Anastasia's as well.
I. need. to. seek. help. (I know this.)

Lotsa strawberry-flavored kisses.

the short on shorts

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 May 2010 17:42:00 +0000

I love shorts.

However, I do sincerely feel like I can't justify paying over a certain price (twenty bucks) for a pair of shorts. My reasoning's something like this: except a pair of shorts, I mean the short shorts variety, is in itself a fashion statement — which let's face it, is usually less than 15% of the time — it just shouldn't be that expensive. Now, since it is not a fashion statement, it is merely a piece of fabric to protect my derrière and uphold my arbitrary claim to decency — or I'd sooner find myself trying to convince an officer of the law of my sanity, especially if I'm more than three feet from any semblance of a beach.

So you see, twenty bucks it is.

But, the exceptions, delightful little things they turn out, can be the most eye-catching and euphoria-inducing pieces when I happen upon them. Here's my current fave by Rick Owens, dark angel of über-chic, casual goth. I actually have a pic — you know by now I h.a.t.e. pics. But my doll of a cousin, an extraordinarily accomplished stylist cum lawyer (in London), made me take piccies not so far back. She deserves a post of her own, really. Anyhow, my panel shorts has been garnering me looks in this here city. I don't know what kind of looks because I'm afraid to look strangers in the face. Nonetheless, while the shorts required a little rework for said decency's sake, I love. love. them; they make me feel like I'm walking on air. A simple pair of shorts. Not only that, there's a pair in white (Luisa Via Roma). That'll be harder to pull off. Haha. God save the queen me.

Meanwhile, I'll start scouring for the yummiest shorts of the season.

Best for today's remembrance holiday.
x.xx.

PS. Dear Luisa, could you make the customs process a tad easier.
Thanks, your lover.

moving.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 May 2010 17:06:00 +0000

i'm going to try to move my memoirs over to wordpress. it may take forever.
meanwhile, sale season starts. shop wisely.
if you wouldn't buy it for whole price, think carefully before you buy it on sale.

tender kisses.

gilt fingers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:42:00 +0000

I came across this finger ring over the weekend when I found myself on tumblr wondering a million things about the utility of the site. I thought I saved the tumblr page, but apparently not. (I've just been looking, but no swish!!) But I did 'like' the Cornelia jewelry page of facebook, a means of avoiding my ever-growing bookmarks, I 'spose. I love this ring very much because I never paint my finger nails — I'd rather plain finger nails than a glaringly chipped one every few days —so this is the perfect, most decadent alternative.
Thank you Cornelia Webb.

A letter:

Dear Cornelia,
I hope all is well with you.
Will you kindly have your PA check your email when you get a chance for my message about stockists and purchase options? I need to get a few of those... I'd really like ummm...ten, in all honesty. I'd need larger ones for my thumbs, I reckon. Do they come in different sizes?
Love,
Me.

PS. dear Cornelia you really deserve an award for this piece of brilliance.

PPS. This chain dress was made for me, I can't stress how important it is for both of us to agree on this. I need to find it and wear it to the non-event I've coming up; for instance, lunch down the block. I love uncomplicated glamour like that. Respectfully yours.

Pics: Cornelia's facebook page and her webbie.

Gilded kisses.

five brilliant summer jackets. (men: oki-ni)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:50:00 +0000

So when the tide turns and the women begin to get naked at the merest peek of the sun's rays, I think the men should oblige and add a little something extra to their ensembles. And I'm not talking the ubiquitous pastel polo that every tom, dickster and harriet is and will be sporting soon. I'd love to see a few more men in these...
(all available at the oki-ni emporium, jackets section)

This is so girl-meets-boy-girl-takes-boy's-jacket-and-they-live-happily-ever-after jacket. Seriously a pearlescent sheer jacket?? I want it.

Absolutely gorg print that would fit in both men's and women's wardrobes. I fell in love.
Darned women!! Why do we feel the need to usurp everything??
I know. I know, honey.

This quarter sleeve makes me happy.

Well, since you've seen the back, you've got to get it now. You can't not, right??

Huge lip-smacking kisses, one on each cheek.

global gathering: from how to spend it. (ft style mag)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 May 2010 18:19:00 +0000

These have got to be the one of the most beautiful styled works I've seen in a bit. Okay, quite a lot of people do sweet things with editorials; so it has to be the vibrant colors and patterns that made me gasp with pleasure upon seeing the images, there's no way to describe it. I want to be the woman who owns half these clothes.
Mission impossible sta(r)ted.
Go.
(The sweater Alex Wek wears in pic 5, (maroon, white print is by Duro Oluwo and available on Couture Lab, not too crazy expensive considering.) Maybe I'll try to do a replication of each in more affordable prices. I hate when people do this, it is never the same thing. Never.)

I do wish, however, that editorials that pay homage to the dynamic prints, patterns and colors that can by these very characteristics classified as inherently 'african' would use more african designers, and just as especially, use a variety of sets or settings. Barns or the open wild are just so passé, in my view. Does the woman who wears a pair of the issey miyake geometric socks (pic 1) look like she forklifts bales of hay?? I. don't. think. so. Okay maybe after she's done with her farm chores and is settling down into a high back Victoria Hagan chair to a cup of coffee.

Photographs: Andrew Yee
Stylist: Damian Foxe

Be back to append the names of the designers to the pieces. I've turned into one of those girls who goes to the hair salon every. week. (in my old age). I should do a hair chronicles... blah blah
x.xx.

a disappearing act in five scenes: the case of dissolvable wedding gown

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 May 2010 20:54:00 +0000

At three o'clock in the morning, one is bound to find the most fascinating happenings. (I mean this with the utmost sincerity — the part about the fascinating endeavours (to which people commit themselves).) I fall very fast head over heels in love peppered with rapturous pleasure and mixed with a good helping of reverential awe — at least for the few moments when a piece of clothing or artwork catches my fancy. Immediately, I want to be BFFs with the person behind the inspiring creation, and in appreciation, said piece of genius is bookmarked stat (uhhh.. joining the masses of inspiring —but sometimes forgotten, unfortunately — items in my bookmarks' folders.

It's how I forget what I want to write about on a daily basis; professional dilettante à la Kaiser Karl, that I am!

So yes, three a.m., and I come across this account of the dissolvable wedding dress on Ecouterre. Clearly, I've just been greeted at the pearly? gates of heaven. A press release of this undertaking available at the Sheffield Hallam University explains that fashion and engineering students at the college "combined forces to create a wedding dress that could be dissolved after the wedding to transform it into five new fashion pieces. The pieces, each a stage of the transformation process, are now on public display at the University's Furnival Gallery".

Immediately of course, my brain is whirring about the possibilities and the dopamine surge now coursing my system has made me feverish.

"You know I'm having three or four wedding gowns on my wedding day right??
Are you trying to say I could possibly have said three or four pieces from only one dress??"

Only later this morning would it become clearer.
   "Yes, Ms, we know about your three-four dresses!
   No, Ms, said dress you 'thought' — sleep-deprived, as you were— had five different possibilities, ie styles... is actually the illustration depicting the dress in five stages of disintegration/dissolution, which accompanies both narratives from Ecouterre and SHU.
   No, Ms, I know you're thinking it, there are no price attachments at the moment. It is merely showing at the University's gallery. Calm yourself."

Ahhh...

So the gist is that you do put on this dress for your wedding and then when the ceremony is over, presumably and not before, you can dissolve it in water. Viola! All disappeared. I love its brilliance.

Jane Blohm, a lecturer on fashion design course at SHU justifies, "In order to reduce fashion's impact on the environment, the fashion industry must begin to challenge conventional attitudes and practices. The exhibition demonstrates what could be possible when design and scientific innovation combine forces." Good for the earth, good for all. Like I said, l.o.v.e.

But,
1. This idea's taken shape in my head: what if you came into church with an elaborately bustled gown and when the presiding officiator skilfully sprinkled his holy water unto you/your dress, the dress began to disintegrate at specific areas to reveal a new version/style of said dress?? By the time you made it out for pictures in front of the worship house, you'd be showing off a new dress. After pics, sprinkle a bit of rose-infused water (must change it up, besides rose water is glorious for your skin). When you get to the reception after a quick retouch of your make up, you'd be walking in with another! new dress. And after the party's all over, you'd be left in a mini dress, say; and by the time you make it off with your new hubby, all he'd have to do would be to douse you in a little more celebratory rosé (preferably) and your dress would be completely gone. (Or would that be a little creepy? I'm thinking of an artist whose name I can't remember.) Beats the man untying/unhooking a bustier on your wedding night, perhaps... Does he do that?? I wouldn't know.

2. A few technical questions... how long does it take for the dissolution, per sq. m or something? Clearly I wouldn't be able to sweat and forget crying at the wedding.

3. Good for the environment (thumbs up!); but I was going to recycle my gowns anyway. They'd be dyed and refashioned into new pieces. I don't think I'd want them to disappear completely forever...

The questions, the possibilities.

Love, me. x.xx

pretty knits. mark fast.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 09 May 2010 00:16:00 +0000

Last fall, I fell for this Mark Fast skirt (pictured left). Given that I've a love-hate relationship for hair/hair-y textures as adornments or clothing attachments, this skirt was one piece for which I fell hard and, decidedly, without any reservations. Brown's — which carried the skirt at the time— was the only place that any of the designer's pieces anyhow back then; I'd searched, but while there was a slowly whirring buzz with each successive search, I'd never find actual pieces. I never bought the skirt (I regret it), rather expensive so I kept putting it off; but I always came back to look at and admire it. Retail lust therapy.

While the 29 year old designer has collaborated in the past with fellow Central St Martins alum, Bora Aksu, for three seasons, Mark Fast's first eponymous collection was Spring last year (September '08 show-date-wise). In a rather exhilarating and pioneering effort, Fast has turned the notion of knits as we'd previously known them into alluring, form-fitting garments that are just so beautiful to look at and even more so to wear. He explains that he designs by hand on a domestic knitting machine; his work formed onto the body!! as he knits. His innovative stitching techniques, blending lycra with viscose, angora or wool explores the endless possibilities of using yarns in sculpting areas of tension and areas of volume over the body that result in his sensual designs.

As I was saying, rather expensive — it's terribly labor-intensive as one would imagine. Enter: Faster (by Mark Fast). No, I can't even say the name without a mischievous grin forming on my lips. It's the high-street-priced version of the premier label, a dress costs about a mere ₤500 in contrast to about ₤2000 for dress under the brand name, Mark Fast. So, we are talking relativity here, in terms of price. (Wait for the sales, I say.) Faster's pieces are less intricate and so produced more quickly than pieces in the eponymous MF line, but I suspect they're made with as much love. You simply can't look at them without feeling warm and fuzzy. I mean that skirt! I really loved it.

In a bold testament to his love for women of all shapes and the incredible fit of his clothes, Fast features plus-size models on the runway and his editorial pictures. Model Hayley Morley is one such fixture and is one of the two headliners for the Faster collection, the other being Anouck Lepere. Knit never looked so sexy.

And since words could not begin to describe the exquisiteness that is each piece...

Faster Pre-Collection 2010.

Mark Fast A/W 2010.

Mark Fast S/S 2010

Let's plot how to lay our hands on one or two.

(Also available at Luisa Via Roma and Colette)

Pretty kisses.

luxury personified. celine handbags 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:58:00 +0000

Just when I thought I'd narrowed my faves down to four (haha! choices!! choices!!) simple, albeit rather pretty and very capable-looking totes — the Fendi Peekaboo, Lanvin Toucouleur, Balenciaga Papier and the Hermès Cabag GM totes — the Céline S/S totes slipped back into my consciousness. When I first came across a matte black piece in early January, I didn't want to touch it. I'd already failed the first rule of avoiding temptation; thou shall not let thine eyes linger. Touching would simply be giving in, especially since it was still early in the year and I was relatively solvent; whether or not I should have afforded myself such a luxury would have been completely irrelevant.

My little brother's tugging prevailed over the sales lady's polite enquiries. She was even handing me the bag, but I gave it a final caress and said, "No, thank you. Maybe next time." At least I didn't parade the length of the handbag floor and have the poor Brits thinking me crazy.

Forget the fashion aesthetics and all that — it's similar to the other totes for which I've fallen dangerously, and costs even more than any of them *whomp* — what I love about Celine is that one ever hears much about it. That simple. Now this may not be a good thing for newly appointed creative director, Phoebe Philo, to hear, but it's a style popper for me, and exudes a quiet luxury that I find more appealing. Seriously, who wants to carry the same bag as everyone and their wet-faced dogs?! Available at Barneys And Bergdorfs (NY). It's more readily available in London (and even more so to the French, I imagine), but still...

Oh, and aren't these bags just the image of I've-got-my-sh*t-together?!! One on my arm and I'd look oh so with it.

I've put in these belts because I can't help it. I'm not saying go out and buy triple-digit-priced skinny belts (no offense Cece!); but I'm thinking how pretty a number of such belts — different colors, widths, and textures — would look worn together, in a careless but very much put-together criss-crossed manner.

Kiss.

sometimes only a woman could 'get' you so well...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:41:00 +0000

Who is Yvonne Beever and why do I want her as my adoptive fairy godmother??
Without having ever seen me, she's captured my only true,and beloved! form of what may or may not be termed 'exercising'. She must have seen me do it, slipped into my room...
Watched.
How else would she have known?
I mean, I simply thought I put on such a show — many a-time, it might as well be noted

(Me, espied.)

These — the rest of the collection at 20ltd —could be anyone of you.

There's a regrettably humorous article — first three paragraphs — in The Independent (1998!) titled "Not in our class, dear" recounting the three marriages of a woman who may or may not be Yvonne Beever. I need to know. her.

The modest image of old-fashioned needlework (yes! this is all hand-drawn and sewn by Ms Beever) with a decidedly immodest subject matter, these limited edition pieces have been created specially for the decadently discerning online haven 20LTD.

Naughty kisses.

a lesson in flawless fluidity: roksanda ilincic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 May 2010 17:14:00 +0000

As I reminisce over the recently paraded collections of this season — just making their way into shops — I'm fundamentally drawn to Roksanda Ilincic's series. In typical fashion, she continues her love affair with satin woven fabrics and manages to create chic easy pieces that are finished beautifully. I find with satin it could all go wrong very easily; a simple cut or seam requires a more delicate exactness, an expertise in wielding this particular fabric or one ends up with an unsightly rippling effect that's just painful to behold. It's why Ms. Ilincic's satiny pieces with little or no frills and exposed darts (the long skirts and pants, for instance) are really something of a wonder. I avoid satin/charmeuse as a rule, but I'm sure my long caresses of the Halston-esque spring collection skirt drew sharp stares from the hawkish — through and through —sales assistants. Aww, no offense loveys, but sometimes I'd rather you didn't creep up on me every two seconds.
Speaking of, the long elegance and strong shoulders of the skirt and pant suits (for summer) alongside the safari jacket — did you ever see a more pleasing satin safari jacket?!! — offer the most pleasing tribute to YSL, which may have precipitated my hard fall, head over heels, for the collection.

S/S 2010

No, seriously. You've seen better satin safari jackets than these?? Where?? I'd like to know.

A/W 2010

Yes, please that blush pink cape will do just beautifully. I wish.

Kiss.kiss.

fashionable transduction. iris van herpen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 May 2010 20:41:00 +0000

There's something in the North Sea waters, which presumably supply the Swedish, Dutch, Danish and Norwegians etc. How else do I explain the intoxication with intricate lines and symmetry of a significant number of designers from the region; which it turns out they're very capable of incorporating into beautiful articles of clothing. And very wearable too. Sandra Backlund (oh my!) and Viktor & Rolf pop to mind immediately.

With such abstract terms as Synesthesia (A/W '10) and Radiation Invasion (S/S '10) describing the themes of her recent collections, award-winning newcomer, Iris van Herpen has managed to create the most intricate futuristic pieces of clothing. It's quite a feat when you consider that terms such as minimalism and simplicity dominate any conversations that hover around the idea of futurism. I think Ms. van Herpen's pieces are so out of this world, they loop right back around and envelope your consciousness. In some ways, that's what she's trying to do, I suspect. Only she's not "trying". Her cuts and designs are intrinsic to her style, she explains. I just re-read her interviews with Dazed Digital and Marian Kihogo after her S/S and A/W showings, respectively, at LFW. I actually remember reading Ms. Kihogo's interview earlier and had to go digging in the dungeon that is my saved bookmarks. Sad. There's got to be an easier way...

Anyhow, just w.o.w!! Bravo for Ms. van Herpen! It's easy to look at her pieces and say, "a great jacket" "a lovely dress" "nice pants". For such complexity, no is-it-a-skirt-or-dress?? guess work is needed; the fundamental structure is there for all to see, and yet...
I just. love. it. Every bit of it.

Radiation Invasion. S/S 2010

Synesthesia. A/W 2010

Oh and she's working on a line of ~~shoes~~ 'jewellery for the feet', she calls them.
Pretty kisses.

in print. prada.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:09:00 +0000

Since we're on the topic of beautiful prints, and all and sundry is clamouring for the a ride on the mix-print bandwagon, I thought I'd share the prettiness that is a capsule in the Prada SS 2010 collection (UK Vogue). It's simultaneously delicate and elegant, and the dresses!! — for the name — are relatively well-priced. What's with all these a-tad-above-reach-but-not-completely prices?!!
I do so love the quilted bags (£710).
Okay, and the dresses (£425-£475). and ballerinas (£235).
Well that's it then.
I appreciate Anita Leclerc's recent print mixology guideline (NYTimes). But let's face it, it can hardly be much help when you faced with a wardrobe of prints, an eager attempt to be part of it all. I say mix and match to your heart's delight.
Inside the comfort of your house.
If you must leave the house, phone a friend, or two, and ask whether you look like a little old lady trying to avoid paying excess luggage at the airport — whatever excess luggage means nowadays.
If you are assured that you look fine, call me.
I'll tell you the truth. Just kidding. or not.
I really do love the accompanying print pictures. ALOT. Very pretty, really. There's even another slideshow of pictures sent in readers. On that, not much comment. Oh dear, I'm not terribly hard on people am I?? Truth is, I'm keen on Peter Lappin's and Margot Miller's photos. However, I must say I do think Chitrangada Maitra Somaiya's photo ought to be disqualified. Uhhh.. she's from Mumbai, India. Need I say more?!!!
Yes I'm still dreaming of my trip to India to pick out fabrics for my wedding, thank you for asking.

Pretty kisses.

skin alive

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:07:00 +0000

I don't think I can adequately describe how I feel about the skin print series in Alexander McQueen's SS 2010 collection. I've been staring at this decadently bunched top/jacket and all I can say is pure awesome.ness. I know. I absolutely detest the gross overuse of the word (awesome) *accompanied by the bobbing head that tends to follow it* but, in this case...
Seriously!
If snake print ever looked so enchanting!: the luxurious richness of the varied colors, precisely gathered to bifurcate seemingly seamlessly from the nipped-in waist creating a most appealing 3D billowing effect — it's a tribute to a glamourous opulence. And while, the accompanying leggings and the mini-dress (pictured right) are available to purchase, this jacket isn't. Good thing too. It's probably made-to-order and we know what that means.

I have, however, indulged myself. I couldn't not!! This delightful snake de manta clutch is $495 and you know what that means in the world of decadently made handbags and clutches!! Practically. unheard. of.

Lip-smacking kisses on each cheek.

PS. I can't think or hear (the beginnings of) the name Alex/Alec/Alexander... without thinking of McQueen and feeling a rather sharp and hurtful pang in my chest. Still.

figs: threads for threads. ties and bow ties.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:46:00 +0000

I am a sucker for fashion philanthropy under the kindly umbrella of social entrepreneurship. And if it's got bows as pretty as you'll see here — notwithstanding that said bows are umm... for men — I'm all for it and will find away to partake of the prettiness. Sending up a whisper of thanks for the little man in our — my sisters and I — lives, our tween bro, who will continue to have his clothes picked out by us ~~for a while~~ forever. Ohh... and my imaginary future hubby!! Mwahaha.

FIGS is actually an acronym for Fashion Inspired Global Sophistication. It is the vision of Heather Hasson, whose introduction into social entrepreneurship began during college where she helped over 170 Vietnamese children attend school by providing uniforms with the proceeds from the sale of handbags. After working with Levi and Gucci, Ms Hasson has now embarked upon a decidedly chic, and yet, of course gracious undertaking with FIGS. The brand offers pretty classic — and classically pretty — ties and bow ties (for men) from the best of fabrics, Brit wool, Italian silk etc. Can I just say that I hesitate to add that "for men" part because the ties make clever accessories for women too! Who says women can't appropriate these pieces for use as belts, headbands (oh pretty pretty bows!), scarves, (brooch)pins etc. And what about achingly pretty bow bracelets?! Yes boys, we can do all of the above with your ties/bow ties. So while I've marked one or two pieces for little brother and waiting for the silk pieces to begin arriving — father can't wear wool in the tropics — I'm also... It's all going to a good cause.
Oh no, women take over everything and make it so UNmanly!!
I know.
I sympathize, but sharing is caring.

The commendable social aspect of Ms Hasson's FIGS (threads for threads) translates into the provision of a school uniform for an African child with every tie/bow tie purchase. Starting in Eastern Africa, specifically in 105 schools within Kenya and Tanzania, FIGS aims to provide school children with appropriate uniforms from the sales of its gorgeous ties. This is especially important in these areas where a child may not have adequate regular clothing, never mind uniforms; and thus may not be able to attend school without the proper uniform.
Love.

Go on. Pick a tie or two.
And share it with the women in your life.
Annndd... if she's your lover, she'll thank you by tying you up in the morning. Ha!

Chic kisses.

(fine) nail art

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:22:00 +0000

Even as I key in the post title, there's a hint of a naughty smile spreading across my lips. Deceptive. It's nothing to do with the
laughable scrolls you've decided to sport on a centimeter sq of your fingers and/or toes this summer, which your mind conjures up on reading the title; instead it's got everything to do with your shoes!

After over a decade working in TV, Rob Goodwin returned to school (CSM, natch) to learn how to make shoes and good thing he did. It's a new take on performing that little magic cum mind-over-matter trick: walking on nails and it's darn pretty, a belied ruggedness!! I whooped for joy just looking at the genius of his MA Final Collection (2010). I mean how does one even begin to think up such chic decadence from commonplace elements?! Forget the shoes, which in themselves are made beautifully; the nails are beckoning. Rob Goodwin intimates that all his creations are made by hand and I wish I could simply sit beside him and watch him work. (Even if he's also translated this love for fashioning leather into some rather scary masks/helmets, what girl doesn't love a man who uses his hands??) The theme of his showcase collection: "a regal yet decadent masked ball held in the depths of the Congo Delta... a Kongo Bacchanal." Yes siree.

There are conflicting emotions rippling through my being, a chaos into which I love being drawn. It sort of happens whenever a designer challenges my creative open-mindedness with a piece. The curve of what would be the outer sole is so sexy and entirely shoegasmic, even though a few aspects of the low calf boot, in particular, remind me of cowboy boots, which I, uhh... despise. Indeed, I'm already picking out a dress for this imaginary revelry in my mind.

Rob Goodwin's collection reminds me of the now seemingly subdued Acne pre SS 2010 series of shoes made with thin industrial style rusty nails for heels. (Also at The Corner.) The shoes drew a succession of emotions from me when I first glimpsed them. It was inspiring, then repulsive (surely one doesn't want to walk around with a rusty shoe?), then simply pretty (the detailed pattern of rusting (up close), like a delicate splattering) and back to inspiring again. In the three-nailed versions, the principal nail-heel makes contact with the ground, while the two shorter ones are actually removable. The asteria pump (top left) would make an exceptional pairing with this Anne Valerie Hash limited ed lace wedding dress (bottom); the price tag ($76,900) of which I refuse to acknowledge. It must be a mistake and decimal point is certainly one to the left, at least. A wedding dress doesn't have to be a wedding dress. Can I just say that seeing the lace used up close in Ms. Hash's RTW pieces over at Dover Street Market is just LOVE.

I'm running late, and I'm afraid to go over my post. Ooops.
Patchouli scented kisses.

dover street market 2nd ever sale!!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:12:00 +0000

Well well well... It's all I can say with the untimely communication of this little mailer.
I can only begin to imagine the dreamy chaos that the London Newcastle Old Depot will be transofrmed into — revered vintage and unsold pieces from Givenchy, Lanvin, Roberta Furlanetto, Anne Valerie Hash, Alaïa, YSL, the (biggie here!) entire Comme des Garçon collaborations and range...
70-80% off!!!

I ache.

X.XX.

couture lab: karry'o jewellery.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:53:00 +0000

Distracted by the number of tabs and windows I manage to get going when I settle in for some good fashion foraging on the interwebs — which, simply, is always — it wasn't for another good hour that I returned to the CoutureLab window. After a few moments of "she'll-love-this!" "i-still-haven't-given-her-a-gift!" and planning my imaginary apt via the Home e-section, I was admiring Beavaldes's jeweled bag. It's sort of a habit, when I visit the Lab; musing about how pretty these beaded bags are while simultaneously estimating the company's inventory turnover since said bags must have been online for eons, okay at least two years, no?!
Alright, I know Ms. Busquets goal with Couture Lab, I was just making an observation.
Let's just get along with it.

What caught my eye as I made my way through the jewellery section, is this simple but elegant hammered (circular) links pair of earrings by Karry'O. First you look at the pair front-on, then with a little pivot, its full three-dimenstional beauty becomes visible. I'd never heard the name and when I found myself admiring an adjacent pair (bottom pic) that happened to be Karry'O's again, I had to do a bit of investigating.

The line is the work of Karine Berreby, who began creating jewelry when she was just 18 years old and trained at Paris's Cours Bercort. About two decades later, Berreby launched her own line of bold vintage inspired costume pieces, under the name Karry’ O and opened a boutique in Paris’s St Germain area, stocking her own designs as well as vintage finds sourced during her travels. The Karry'O site currently tantalizes its visitors with pieces made Roger Scémama who created haute couture jewellery for the leading fashion houses for most of the 20th century. Schiaparelli in the 30s, Fath and Dior in the 40s, Lanvin-Castillo, Balenciaga and Givenchy in the 50s, Cerruti and Yves Saint Laurent in the 60s. Umm... yes! The prettiest of pretty pieces. I've done a haphazard pick and choose since I oohed and aahed over everything! And I tried to keep away from the labelled "Couture Jewels".
I am going to dream of wandering about in her little boutique. I'm in love with the promise of twenties art-deco and more modern pop culture pieces, as well as what must be the European fashion jewellery pieces equivalent of neo-expressive art that dominated the seventies and eighties. Or simply, pretty shiny objects, thank you very much!

The Nigerian in me delights in the possibilities for this strass and glass stone necklace; while the pendant (bottom) is my fave piece (today). It reminds me of what decadent angel wings would look like.

Decadent pretty kisses.

beautiful kenyan (inspired) prints. SUNO ny

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:28:00 +0000

In this instant, I want to be, literally, in this model's shoes. The calm of the ethereal locale merely punctuated by a whispering flutter in the delicate shoulder ruffles of her blouse; the colors and the patterns — a cheerful interjection.

Now, what does one say about Max Osterweis, a man who is all fashion goodness through and through? Thing is, I remember calling my uhh (Kenyan) friend when the designer launched his SUNO line in 2008. We had the requisite ethical fashion-fashionably ethical discussion and I concluded that the designer and his pieces were simply brilliant. Pathetically, I've just dug up this post in my unpublished dungeon of an archive! I'm still dreaming in ikat prints.
Read his story.

Has Fall ever looked so uplifting?! (AW 2010)

SS 2010

Resort 2010

Sugar-frosted kisses.
I'm all sweetness these days... (Ha! b*tch!!)

revolve. recycle. save.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:17:00 +0000

I stopped wearing jeans about five years ago. Actually let's make that all trouser or pant pieces — I've tried to make the preceding phrase sound less dirty/odd. Imagine if I'd said, "...stopped wearing all trousers or pants..." uhh what?!¹
Anyhow, after a series of spring-cleaning battles last month, I unearthed heaps of jeans that simply hadn't seen the light of day in years. They are now neatly folded. In a box. In the spare closet in the living room. I think I can remember which just by looking at it.
What??
I didn't say they'd get an airing only after another five years have passed. *groan*
When I get back home, I'll set about errm... giving them a new, caring home?? I hope.

But if you're in CA, you should do this:
[I wonder if they accept mail-ins-cum-online orders. (Online everything is how it really should work. It's 2010 for crying out loud. Err... Monsieur Chanel, s'habituer avec, peut-être?!!! Should I have said that in German?)]

As part of its recognition of Earth day, Revolve Clothing is hosting a Recycle your Denim event between Apr 20 and 30th. In which one brings in a pair of one's (old) jeans and gets 20% of one's entire store purchase. Sweet deal.
But I'm struck... by the fact that there's an actual RC (and perhaps, more importantly, über cool ForwardForward) boutique!!
How did I not know this? HAHA.
Seriously I just thought... well I didn't think... I ordered what I wanted and it arrived. C'est fini.

Ahh I learn new things everyday.

Footnote:
1. And yes indeed, I'm still surviving the harem/djibouti pants craze, although I've bought one or two pieces. Ha!! They remain unworn.
And... I still crave this by Marc Jacobs, Resort 2009 (left), and have tried this Matthew Williamson, Resort 2010, pair (right). Twice. (Love them even though they're too big and make me look like a fledgling hippie.)

X.XX.

sheer serendipity. rachel freire.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:32:00 +0000

Incoherent.
I wished I smoked. Gauloises?

Is there an easier way to upload pictures unto my memoirs or am I just terribly stupid and masochistic?!! (That's not the term I'm looking for; I'm not deriving any sort of pleasure from the annoyingly tedious and (ulna)bone-twisting process!)

I can't bear to be hot (temperature-wise) at bedtime. Has the ash made London warmer?? I'm almost holding my breath; waiting for a plop of rain drop on my nose each time I step out (into the deceptively cooler air).

~ Three am: After a regular bout of insomnia, I drift into the Land of Nod with a little smile formed at the corners of my mouth. I love the South African FIFA 2010 World Cup commercial, something about "you've never felt this kind of rhythm" and all the happy South African — I presume — faces. Later, I awake to the beautiful chocolate-y bronze god that is the model in Chimere Skin Care for Men commercial. These glimpses into the African continent and of delicious blackness momentarily fill the gap that only seem to develop at that precise moment and make me love Brit tv. just. a. little.

All of this is neither here nor there.
Forgive me. I did warn you.

Anyhow, if you do know me, you know of my decadent love of sheer fabrics and ummm... my uhh...*whispering* boobs. So this morning when my thoughts fluttered — incomprehensibly — unto the the frilly mesh peasant blouse bound by the Kara corset, both by Rachel Freire, I knew I had to indulge. A knowing sense of delight — I could've said sheer delight! groan...I'm keenly aware of fighting a losing battle as a maddeningly repetitive series of puns involving the word "sheer" stream into my consciousness. Arrghhh!! — spreads through my being as I re-immerse myself the frilly crevasses of her A/W 2010 pieces. The mesh blouse is making the rounds in my head and I dreaming up all forms of possible layering; I won't exactly leave my house with my boobs in plain view! (Some of my wicked friends may beg to differ. What.e.v.s.)

London-based designer, Rachel Freire, has a background in fine art and made her debut collection at LFW with On|Off in February 2009. For such a new comer, Rachel Freire's unrestricted application of materials in developing all manner of restrictive pieces from the specs neck collars, to the corsets and suspenders is enthralling and spirited. There's simply so much to enjoy and contemplate...

Oh... I am dying for the glow-in-the dark!! frill and armor jackets. I want. now. Please... Thank you.x
Immerse yourself.

BRB. Or not.
There's so much I feel I want to say about these pieces.
I need a drinki, however.
Air kisses.