Sans la Mode

Long Live McQueen

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:06:00 +0000

In light of the recent, tragic death of one of fashion's finest, I find myself unable to rouse interest in posting. Sans la Mode is about my inability to picture a life without fashion - but I cannot, as of yet, picture fashion without Alexander McQueen. His fearless designs were what brought me to love fashion and to appreciate it as an art, and it distresses me that I will never meet him or experience his genius first hand.

Alexander McQueen, you were my one, true love in fashion. You gave the world so much to be thankful for.

May you rest in peace.

Le Cirque

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:59:00 +0000

{Anthropologie}

I'm a firm believer that nobody does a catalog like Anthropologie, and this month is no exception. Somehow, their flirty dresses and vintage vibe fit so perfectly into an arid desert campsite, the fantastical imagined world of the traveling circus. Spring can't come soon enough!

You Have Bewitched Me, Body and Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:24:00 +0000

{Blazer | Dress | Headband | Ring | Heels | Clutch}

Despite my usual inclinations to wrap myself in all manner of dark and cozy hues, I've found sudden inspiration in the purity of white. Maybe I'm craving its bright cleanliness against the dull grays of the city... but more likely, it's because I just watched the newest version of Pride and Prejudice and fell in love with the stunning, youthful effect of white on a woman. It's fresh, feminine, delicate - conversely, it's also sleek and modern. A perfect combination, no?

{Google}

Reem World

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:59:00 +0000

{Feathers Dress | Reem Alasadi}

It's not often I fall head-over-heels in love with a designer. I pick and choose from the pieces of a collection, opting for specific favorites rather than an overarching brand or designer name. And I really do feel like this approach is, in general, a more practical way to look at fashion - because no single person will consistently match my aesthetic and artistic tastes (not even me, considering how often my opinions fluctuate).

That being said, there are a few exceptions to my rule. Alber Elbaz, for one. Alexander McQueen is, quite possibly, my ultimate favorite. And now there's a newcomer who has dazzled me (enough so that she's in the running to become a designer favorite) - Reem Alasadi.

A recent search for feathered dresses on Polyvore brought me to the stunning, strong-yet-ethereal dress (pictured above, left), which then led to a search for information about the label, Reem (not to be confused with Reem Acra!). As it turns out, she was the subject of a blog article over at Vogue.com not long ago, where I found an even more breathtaking photo (below). My short list of genuine favorites may be growing by one...

{Reem Alasadi}

And So I Ask the Stars in the Sky

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:43:00 +0000

{Fashion Gone Rogue}

You've probably noticed by now that I'm a sucker for any and every photograph with even a hint of an ethereal quality - so of course, I've fallen in love with this image from the February issue of W Magazine. I love the softness, the fairy tale aesthetic, the sparkle that's more about the feeling than the actual appearance...

Diddy Does Vogue

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:07:00 +0000

{Fashion Gone Rogue}

Natalia Vodianova and Vogue are a natural match (and one I'm always happy to see!), but Diddy makes an unexpected appearance in this February spread. Surprisingly, I like it. In fact, I kind of adore the above image.

Outfit: Watch, Briefcase, Trousers

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:24:00 +0000

{Glasses | Watch | Blouse | Trousers | Bag | Heels}

I'm still fixating my sartorial attentions on the menswear-inspired look, with everything from trousers to briefcase-like bags to chunky gold watches. As usual, I tried to give everything a little balance by adding super-feminine ruffles and a subtle bow on the shoes, hopefully giving the standard white-shirt-dark-trousers look a bit of a unique spin!

Celeb, Schmeleb

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:55:00 +0000

I can't say I'm a fan of celebrity "fashion". There are a few exceptions (like Emma Watson for Burberry - a match made in heaven?), but in general, I have a hard time accepting the idea that with fame comes "style icon" status. This does present a dilemma, though: who else is going to wear (and be photographed in) all the amazing gowns that designers send down the runway each season? So, every year when awards season rolls around, I spend half my time cooing over pretty dresses and the other half rolling my eyes at the boring choices that many actresses make. At least Fashion Week starts soon!

But even I have to admit... Chloe Sevigny looked stunning in her Valentino gown at the Golden Globes, no?

{WWD }

Target, a la Jean Paul Gaultier

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:11:00 +0000

{Refinery29}

It seems like the newest lookbooks for Target's designer collaborations have become available pretty early in the game - at least when considering how long it took for the Rodarte x Target looks to be revealed. Just yesterday, I was exalting Zac Posen's sweet designs, and now the Jean Paul Gaultier is out, too! I can't say I like the Gaultier designs quite as much as I do Zac's, but that's likely just how my personal tastes run. Though I'm not really a fan of those leggings, I do love the nautical stripes and the bright florals... and the outwear is all pretty awesome (there's an amazing trench, too - just follow the link above to see all the looks!).

The Jean Paul Gaultier for Target collection will be available beginning on March 7th.

Outfit: Pinstripes, Florals, Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:32:00 +0000

{Jacket | Shorts | Blouse | Necklace | Ring | Tights | Clutch | Heels}

I've had menswear on my mind since I saw the WWD spread a couple days ago, but I wanted to put my own spin on things. While I love the boyish look, my favorite kind of outfit always strikes a balance between two contradicting styles. In other words, something like delicate lace layered under a grungy plaid top or, in this case, a masculine foundation paired with an ultra-feminine blouse - plus chunky jewelry to loosen up the look.

Zac's on Target

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:29:00 +0000

{Fashionista}

The Zac Posen for Target lookbook is now available! I've posted a few of my top picks, but you can click on the link above to see all the images. I have to say, as much as I've enjoyed the previous Target designer collaborations, Zac's designs for the mega-retailer may just be my favorite so far. They're sweet and feminine and they fit in quite well with his usual aesthetic - and mine!

The Zac Posen for Target Go International line will be available starting April 25th.

Schoolboy Style

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:23:00 +0000

{WWD}

Menswear is one of my favorite looks, though I usually like to soften things up with some feminine touches (like ruffles and pretty pastels - perfect for this coming spring!). The Spring/Summer 2010 issue of WWDFast features "Trail Blazer," a gorgeous spread full of suits, oxfords, plaids, and all manner of preppy, menswear-inspired pieces. The photos, shot by Amanda Pratt, have a definitive old-school quality, infused with boyish charm and a touch of sexy secretary.

Ferragam-OH!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:28:00 +0000

{Fashion Gone Rogue}

The latest Salvatore Ferragamo ad campaign features a gorgeous Claudia Schiffer, shot by the ever-talented Mario Testino. You know an ad campaign is successful when you not only want what the model has, you'd also give anything to be the model. Granted, some of that has to do with Claudia's innate beauty, but the airy, ethereal quality of the luxe (Italian?) apartment and view doesn't hurt either!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:48:00 +0000

Follow my blog with bloglovin