Amethyst Honey

Where have all the posts gone?!

2016-03-04T10:28:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone (whoever is actually reading at this point),

Obviously, I've lost my passion for blogging. I'm currently attempting to turn this domain into a standalone page (if anyone has advice, I'd love it as this has proven very difficult) and remove most of my blog posts, particularly old outfits. I'd like to focus more on my personal writing and research so I'm not totally leaving the internet, but definitely taking a break while I figure all the technical issues and removing a good many of the links here. I'm still into my outfits and you can check that out here. Thanks for having taken the time to check me out and hoping I see you in some form in the future.
Melina

Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Sagittarius by Hermes

2015-12-20T11:16:00.000-05:00

After a bit of time away from the internets lately (busy falling in love), I'm back with another installment of the Zodiac Dresser, this time focusing on Sagittarius. Hermes Fall 2015 is an ideal sartorial representation of Sagittarius due to this sign's sporty nature and association with equestrianism.

Sagittarius is ruled by the planet Jupiter, named for the god of the heavens and good fortune, and as a result is bestowed with luck, optimism, abundance and ambition. It seems as though Sagittarius can breeze through life with the laid-back sense of power common to those born under a lucky star.

Similarly, the Hermes brand is clearly luxurious and expensive, yet very sporty and laid back. Although sophisticated and high-end, this collection's looks aren't fussy or precious but active and relaxed. The slicked back hair and minimal makeup reflect this posh but easygoing vibe.

Sagittarius is a very sporty sign frequently associated with equestrian pursuits because it is symbolized by the archer. The Hermes brand is well-known for its frequent equestrian references due to the company's own origins as a harness and saddle workshop.

In short, Hermes is too perfect a match for Sagittarius, with its sporty, masculine and expensive aesthetic suited to this sign's personality and associations.

--m

Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Leo by Versace F/W15

2015-08-26T08:52:00.002-04:00

Continuing my year-long Zodiac Dresser Designer Edition series of matching up current collections with the zodiac signs they best embody, today's post celebrates Leo, the lion. I have always associated Versace with this sign because this label exudes confidence, strength and sexuality.

Leo is the performer of the zodiac and ruled by the sun so unsurprisingly, this is a sign that loves attention. Similarly, the bold colors and silhouettes typical of Versace are also very attention grabbing and charmingly confident.

Additionally, Leo is associated with yellow's even flashier twin, gold.

This collection's silhouettes were what struck me as very Leo. These clothes don't hide or cloak the figure at all. Instead, these clothes give the body a graphic, edgy quality resulting in a silhouette that seems to slice rather than float or drape through space. Similarly, Leos unabashedly command attention and have few "soft" qualities to their personalities.

Versace's clothes are also well known for their unapologetic sexuality, a quality typical of fire signs like Leo. This collection's cutouts, exaggerated hourglass shapes and short hemlines all speak to this confident, outgoing sexuality.

Like this coat (and all the outwear in this collection, really), Leo is loud, larger than life and commands the spotlight. Leo is prone to grandiose expressions of opulence, a hallmark of the Versace brand. In that vein, this coat has nothing modest about it; the voluminous silhouette, lavish fur and electric hue would are individually ostentatious elements combined into one extravagant garment.

As I've stated previously, Leo has always brought to my mind very 80s, Dynasty fashions like the dresses above and below. As Leo is considered the most ~~egotistical~~ self-loving sign of the zodiac, it's only appropriate for this collection to feature giant sequined labels, too.

I hope you've enjoyed this year's musings on Leo. Let me know what you think in the comments!
heart,
--m

Links a la Mode 7/9/15

2015-07-09T18:23:00.002-04:00

Seems like the designer edition of the zodiac dresser series is well appreciated this year as my last post on the sign Cancer is the third to be part of

Links Ã  la Mode, July 9


Alysalovely: Why to Watch the Astronaut Wives Club



Amethyst Honey: The Zodiac Dresser | Cancer By Dolce and Gabbana



Attire Club: Fashion in the Balkans | Bucharest Fashion Week Spring 2015



A Vogueaholic | My Fashion Diary: Â Red, White, Blue & Chic | Happy Birthday America



Bookish & Belle: Everyday Shoes - A Video Lookbook



Chic on the Peak: Celfie



Classified Closet: 5 Steps to Writing the Perfect Summer Bucket List



Denchibitionist: Orange Juice



Everyday Starlet: Fashion or Bust | How to Wear a Maxi Dress When Youâ€™re Curvy



Excuse Me, I Am French: Snakeskin Details



Fashion Blender: Old Friends, Colourful Classics



Happy. Pretty. Sweet.: Dream of the 90â€™s



Les Assortiesâ€™:  #BOB | Katherine Tabinowski



Musings of a Fashion Designer: Bloggers Eid Spreeeee!!!



Purushu Arie: Illustration - Meryl Streep Graces Neuejournal Cover



She Got Her Own: 30 Days Yoga and Fitness Challenge



Tales of Two: Aspen Chic | Runway to Real



That Paki Blog: Thoughts on Clothes for Eid and Eid Campaigns



The Outfit Repeater: YouTube Collab Ideas Youâ€™ve Never Thought Of



We Are Ready Made: Couture Club

the Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Cancer by Dolce and Gabbana

2015-07-06T09:30:00.000-04:00

Continuing my Zodiac Dresser Designer Edition series that matches each zodiac sign with a current designer collection, today's post relates Cancer to Dolce and Gabbana's F/W 15 collection.

Cancer's symbol

What most struck me about Cancer and this collection is the juxtaposition of sensuality and domesticity. Dolce and Gabbana is famous for their sultry styling and sexy fabrics, yet their aesthetic also incorporates a sense of tradition through references to art history and Sicilian culture. (photos from www.style.com)

The mother of the zodiac, Cancer's symbol represent the breasts, the part of the body this sign rules both for their maternal as well as sensual associations. Dolce and Gabbana's F/W 15 collection was overtly inspired by none other than a mother's love. The dress above says "Ti voglio bene mamma" ("I love you mom") as though it were a personal note. However, this familial sentiment is executed with sensuous details like black sequins against soft silk.

As is characteristic of Dolce and Gabbana, this collection is completely feminine. Even tailored garments such as the coat above are executed in hourglass silhouettes and luxurious fabrics.

Again, this look speaks to the sentimental and sensuous quality of Cancer. The top uses all the sexy cliches: black, sheer, lace, visible undergarments, and tight. But the skirt uses a prim, conservative form, length and material given charm with a child's drawing. It's as if the skirt represents the messy-but-charming-in-its-imperfection reality of familial life: a trusted structure made alive through sentiment and creativity.

Cancer is not a sign quick to embrace change. Similarly, Dolce and Gabbanna F/W 15 stuck to classic silhouettes such as the ballgown above. I have to wonder if the designers weren't partly inspired by supermom Angelina Jolie's wedding dress which featured embroidery of her children's drawings.

I would wear this

The use of the Madonna is an obvious reference to motherhood as well as an appeal to classical depictions of beauty. Somewhat more subtle is the use of rose ubiquitously throughout the collection, a traditional symbol of beauty and the Madonna, too.

I would wear this

I love this collection's use of roses since I'm a huge fan of depictions of roses (more so than roses themselves honestly). What are your opinions on these looks, especially if you are born under this sign?

heart,

--m

Links a la Mode June 25

2015-06-25T17:39:00.001-04:00



Wow! So happy my designer take on astrological outfits is polling well with the folks over at IFB. Here's there other top picks from the fashion blog-o-sphere as part of: 


Links a la Mode Weekly Roundup: June 25, 2015



Affordorable: The Process of Savvy Shopping Under RM100 ($30USD)



A Handful of Stories: Best Restaurants in Barcelona



Amethyst Honey: The Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Gemini by Commes des Garcons



Bookish & Belle: My Perfume Collection (Stop-Motion Video)



Everyday Starlet: Best & Worst Liquid Lip Colors



Fashion Blender: Tips and Tricks: Hand Washing Wool for Winter



Fleur dâ€™Elise: Mini Shirt Dress & Thrifting Tips



Greige Market: The Essentials | Getting Selfish



Les Assorties: A Brief Insight of the Jewelry Industry: An Interview with Gem-A-Porter



Lil Miss JB Style: How to Style a Jumpsuit from Day to Night



Live Extraordinary: Real Beauty



Ms. Fabulous: Independent Handbag Designer Awards 2015



Purushu Arie: Illustrations â€“ Best of Couture SS2015 Shows



Riva La Diva: DIY Kate Spade Inspired Heart Tote



Runaway in LA: Â Summer Blues - When Greece Meets California



Saltwater Sparkle: 5 Things Living in the South has Taught me about Fashion & Life



Sassy Plus: A Short Girlâ€™s Guide to Styling Maxi Dresses



Storybook Apothecary: Ethical Summer Fashion



That Paki Blog: 5 Fashion Books to Read this Summer



What Pixies Wear: Sustainable Denim: A Shopping Guide



Do let me know which links turn out to be your favorites! 


--m

the Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Gemini by Commes des Garcons

2015-06-21T13:15:00.000-04:00

Continuing my Zodiac Dresser Designer Edition series that matches each zodiac sign with a current designer collection, today we focus on Gemini. The third sign in the astrological calendar, Gemini is represented by the twins Castor and Pollux and ruled by the planet Mercury. I chose Commes des Garcons S/S15 as the sartorial embodiment of
Gemini because of the avant garde, highly conceptual aesthetic of this collection. (All photos from Style.com.)

Gemini is a highly intellectual sign associated with a life of the mind and ideas. It is said Gemini might best be represented by a question mark. Well, when you see clothes this expensive and this ... not wearable*, well, it is a collection intended more as art than craft, meant to inspire ideas and questions instead of outfits. (*This is not a judgement, just a practical observation and probably the reason Commes des Garcons has a secondary, wearable line.)

Gemini is not associated with the color red, which completely dominated this collection BUT I immediately associated this passionate shade with the quick cleverness and nervous temperament imparted by ruling planet and metal Mercury.

Gemini is an air sign and it appears to me as if all these models are extremely windswept, as if air is circulating organically throughout the garment; certainly I can't be the only one with this impression? Additionally, all the swirling, flowing lines created by both the clothing and hair styling are quite mercurial, no?

On a personal note, I seem to have a soft spot in my heart for individuals born under this sign, ranging from my beloved, late uncle Athanas to my personal fashion guru (yes, you Gaia!). Also, how do you feel, Geminis and non-Geminis alike, about such conceptual clothing? (Me, I love conceptual art so....)
--m

5 Things I Like and Musings: Ugly Shoe Edition

2015-05-08T10:00:00.000-04:00

Ugly Shoe is in every look for much of DKNY's S/S 2015 campaign.
via

The Ugly Shoe is having a major moment right now. But just because a shoe is ugly doesn't make it "Ugly Shoe". Defining characteristics of Ugly shoe are:

chunky
flat or stacked platform with no lift
lacks any sense of gracefulness whatsoever
toe can be round or square, but is always wide
often borrows from athletic, slipper or clog forms
can take on a few different vibes/aesthetics such as sporty, minimalism/normcore, healthgoth, 70s, meanswear or loungewear

Before I show you more Ugly Shoe, here's it's opposite, by Oscar de la Renta, to provide a point of reference:

Amethyst Honey

Where have all the posts gone?!

Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Sagittarius by Hermes

Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Leo by Versace F/W15

Links a la Mode 7/9/15

the Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Cancer by Dolce and Gabbana

Links a la Mode June 25

Wow! So happy my designer take on astrological outfits is polling well with the folks over at IFB. Here's there other top picks from the fashion blog-o-sphere as part of:

Links a la Mode Weekly Roundup: June 25, 2015

the Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Gemini by Commes des Garcons

5 Things I Like and Musings: Ugly Shoe Edition

Top 5 Ugly Shoe S/S 2015 Moments:

DKNY

Coach

Burberry Prorsum

Peter Som

Circus by Sam Edelman

Not Quite Ugly Shoe

OG Ugly Shoe

Dr. Scholls Sandals

Reebok Pumps

Birkenstocks

Teva

Adilette by Adidas

Ugly Shoe within Reach

the Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Taurus by Michael Kors

Links a la Mode: April 30, 2015

5 Things Only People with Unusual Last Names Can Understand

the Zodiac Dresser, Designer Edition: Aries by Moschino

Zodiac Dresser: and in conclusion, Pisces

Aquarius III

the Zodiac Dresser: Capricorn III

My Tidy Apartment and 10 Organizing Tips for the Pathologically Messy

The Zodiac Dresser: Sporty Sagittarius

Zodiac Dresser: Scorpio III

Five Things I Like: Cosmetics and Color

Zodiac Dresser: Libra III

Clove: Benefits and Uses

Zodiac Dresser: Virgo

Testing

Houndstooth Revisted