Villa|Cruz

H and M Openings in Houston

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:50:00 +0000

H&M, Hennes & Mauritz, has officially announced the opening of two stores in Houston! The first store, slated to open this spring, will open at Baybrook Mall while the other is opening at Willowbrook Mall in the fall. Along with the announcement of the new store openings, the international company has also just launched the David Beckham Bodywear for H&M, which I'm so excited about! I wonder if David Beckham is included?

Charlize Theron + Evil Queen = AMAZING

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:22:00 +0000

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" Charlize Theron, the Evil Queen in Snow White and the Huntsman, is the person asking this question and she looks great! In my opinion, she shouldn't even be asking that question, especially since Kristen Stewart is Snow White. She looks so glam and I love it when she turns disappears and turns into crows (I wonder if I can learn to do that). Take a look at the trailer below and let me know what you think.

One Day

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:12:00 +0000

I consider myself a hopeless romantic and I have come across a book that in most ways mirrors my current life. One Day, written by David Nicholls, is an amazing novel about two people and the way their lives intertwine on the particular day, July 15th, of each year. The movie, starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, is a great adaptation of the book and I'm definitely in love with all of it!! Take a look at the trailer and let me know what you think.

VS Fashion Show 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:18:00 +0000

Sexy! Hot! Beautiful! PERFECT! The hottest night on television arrived as stunning super models hit the runway for the most anticipated show of the year for Victoria's Secret. The show, which featured performances by Maroon 5, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Nicki Minaj, was a fun, high energy show with amazing lingerie! I'm a huge fan of the Brazilian Bombshells, so below are three of my favorite looks, worn by Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima. Let me know what you think!

Keira Knightley Shines at London Premiere

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:10:00 +0000

I love the dress that Keira Knightley wore for the 55th BFI London Film Festival while promoting her newest movie, A Dangerous Method. The ensemble, from Roksanda Ilincic's Resort 2012 collection, was everything that I love in a dress! It was sexy, it was classic, it was streamlined, and it was most definitely made for Keira! The best part of the outfit, in my opinion was her visible midriff which is current trend. I placed a clip of the movie below so let me know what you think.

Happy Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:13:00 +0000

A friend of mine pretending to be a corpse.

This weekend my friends threw a small get together at their place for pizza, drinks and horror movies, in light of Halloween. We decided at the last minute to hit up some haunted houses that were just five minutes away and, although they were not scary in the least, we definitely had a blast! Take a look at a few pictures that I was able to snag along the way! What did you guys do for Halloween?

Outside of the "asylum" which was one of the haunted houses.

A broken down hearse.

An empty coffin about to be filled.

I wonder if this is a used coffin?

Inspiration Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:46:00 +0000

The other day, while searching for something, I came across something that I had lost a long time ago: my inspiration journal. The journal, which I had to maintain while studying Fashion Design at Houston Community College, is basically my thought process as far as my creativity and they way I put things together. Although, this was not exactly what I was looking for that day, it was definitely what I needed to find. It has truly re-inspired me and is what I needed currently in my life. Here are two spreads from it. Let me know what you guys think.

Chanel RTW Spring/Summer 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:48:00 +0000

Karl Lagerfeld, the creative mastermind of Chanel, has done it yet again, in Chanel's latest spring/summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection. Inspired by the ocean, as were the collections from Versace and Givenchy, the models walked down the runway in Paris at the Grand Palais with huge sea shells and seahorses all around them. The swimsuits, which we all know that I'm a fan of, were both sexy and classic and the outfits were to die for! You can find a video via Chanel's website which, in my opinion, is beautiful that shows up close details of the collection.

Elizabeth Taylor Auction

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:53:00 +0000

Christie's Auction House has announced that beginning December 13, it will be auctioning off some of Elizabeth Taylor's most famous jewelry and personal goods. I came across a small preview, via People, of some of the items that will be auctioned off, but its not enough to calm me down - I'm just so excited! Known for her acting abilities and her glamourous lifestyle, Taylor went through eight husbands and worked on several social causes such as HIV/AIDS and various Jewish Causes.

Taylor wearing the Mike Todd Tiara given to her by her third husband Mike Todd.

La Peregrina, commissioned by Taylor to Cartier, was made famous by the pear-shaped pearl that was purchased at auction. Rumor has it that it was once part of Spain's crown jewels.

Some of many LV luggage sets. Taylor used to attach lilac tags that read, "Mine," when she traveled.

The Reine Marguerite necklace was worn to the 1993 Academy Awards where she won the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

This 33.19 carat diamond ring, named the Krupp Diamond, was given to Taylor by Burton, her fifth and sixth husband (she married him twice).

New House on the Block: 1513 Fairview

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:12:00 +0000

I am totally in LOVE with this New House on the Block! 1513 Fairview has so much curb appeal that I fell in love with it when it was still under construction while driving by it almost everyday during lunch. Located just east of Montrose, in Houston, Texas, this 4,374 sq. ft. contemporary gem has hardwood floors made of Brazilian teak, Cumaru, through out and has a total of three bedrooms. If that were not enough, ~~my house~~ this multi-family home also features a sunken living area, beautiful kitchen, elevator, and an amazing rooftop patio that overlooks downtown Houston. I think this place is a steal, at just under $2 million!

Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 RTW

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:08:00 +0000

I am loving Alexander McQueen's ready-to-wear spring 2012 collection by Sarah Burton! Inspired by the iconography of oceanography, Burton started the show off in feminine outfits that included umpire skirts with ruffles, in bright colors, to give the illusion that they were "jellyfish". All of the outfits were paired with lace hoods and platform shoes, that are to die for, but my favorite was the black laced sheer number, down below! I would wear that work, its amazing! Check out Burton's profile on Voguepedia and let me know what you think!

Vivi Nevo's Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:33:00 +0000

A view of the ocean with the gorgeous infinity pool in view.

I am definitely in love with this house that I found via the Harper's Bazaar website! This house, owned by financier Vivi Nevo, is an art filled Malibu retreat and, by the looks of it, makes you feel like you are in another country! The house is a very modern haven with neutral colors, clean lines and an amazing infinity pool that looks inviting. I should be expecting an invitation in the mail pretty soon, fingers crossed!

Charles and Ray Eames' House

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Charles and Ray Eames' house currently sits empty as the contents of their living room is moved to an exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, according the Los Angeles Times, titled Living in a Modern Way: California Design 1930-1965. The exhibit, opening October 1st, has a complete replica of the living room, with over 1,800 items catalogued, making it one of the key components of the show. Conservators went as far as to place all items made of organic materials, over 1,500 items, into a freezer for five days to ensure that there weren't any insects on them that could damage them.

The Eames' House, Case Study House #8, was one of over a dozen homes built in The Case Study House Program from the mid-1940s to the early 1960s. The famous house, which is visited every year from people around the world, along with the other houses in the Program were to be built using materials and and techniques derived from the experiences of World War II. This a truly iconic house!

Designer Coffee Stained Shirts?!!

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:52:00 +0000

Alexander Wang

I would like a Venti Hazelnut Mocha and a coffee stained t-shirt. That's right, you read correctly! To commemorate Starbucks' 40 years, the famous coffee chain has decided to pair up with designers to design t-shirts that retail for $85. The designers, which where Alexander Wang, Billy Reid, and Sophie Theallet, were to take their own interpretation of the coffee houses and the translate them to fashion. Wang opted for a haphazard, if not eccentric, "coffee stained" design while both Reid and Theallet took a cleaner approach. The t-shirts, which support the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, are available for pre-order at Nordstrom and at Starbucks.

Billy Reid

Sophie Theallet

Burberry Prorsum - London Fashion Week

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:11:00 +0000

Photo from www.stylebistro.com

I definitely love Burberry, even more so since its current Creative Director, Christopher Bailey, came aboard! Burberry Prorsum showed Monday afternoon at London Fashion Week and it was a star studded event with celebrities and the socialites lining the front row. Onlookers included, but not limited to, Kanye West, the Duchess of Cambridge's sister, Pippa Middleton, and Sienna Miller. Guest were shown the spring/summer 2012 collection that consisted of bold colors and prints along with some beaded and braided items. Let me know what you guys think!

Photo from www.stylebistro.com

London Fashion Week!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:29:00 +0000

London Fashion Week is here as designers and fashion lovers from all over the world flock to the trendy city to see breath the taking shows. The runway shows, which kicked off in full gear Friday, September 16 and runs through Wednesday, September 21st, included shows from Christian Blanken, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, and Jonathan Saunders and so many more, some of which have not yet shown.

On other news via People - Style Watch, Beyoncé and Tina Knowles, who is a customer of mine I might add, also showed in London for their autumn/winter 2011 collection for the House of Deréon. Although they weren't listed on the London Fashion Week website, the show was held at Selfridges department store in a decorated car park. Watch the video below, where the design duo explains their collection and how they get their influence.

Vera Wang Bridal

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:22:00 +0000

My uncle just got married Saturday and that is part of the reason for not posting Friday and this weekend. The wedding went off without a hitch and the bride looked stunning in her strapless mermaid inspired dress with stunning embroidered details. My uncle on the other hand, opted for the Texas staple with a classic suit paired with a cowboy hat and boots. So, in light of the festivities, I compiled a couple of the dresses that I adore from Vera Wang, who gained her own label after designing her wedding dress after not finding what she was looking for. Known for her luxurious fabrics, impeccable detail and classic, modern designs, Vera Wang quickly gained notoriety and is definitely a major player in the fashion industry. Let me know what you guys think!

Missoni for Target

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:27:00 +0000

So it seems that Target has had an "unprecedented" demand from their consumers in regards to the Missoni for Target collection. The collection, which was to last six weeks and comprised of clothing and home decor, was sold out in most stores and online in one day! The famous fashion house, known for their use of eclectic patterns and colors, looks like they have struck gold in middle America. I am personally feeling the home decor items, so if anyone wants to gift something go right on ahead!

What is Beauty?

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

My friends all know that I am a huge movie buff and can be on Netflix all day, if it were up to me. I came across a movie, The Adonis Factor, by Christopher Hines that focused on the way that gay men viewed and judged each other just on appearance alone. I'm not saying that this is not true, but if you got rid of all the labels you would see that, in general, most of society is that way. Statistics have shown that attractive people make 5% more than there counterparts and another study indicated that babies being held by "unattractive" people cried more than people held by more "attractive" ones. It has been know that men and women in China have surgical procedures done, by breaking both legs and stretching the bone, where they get taller because height is envied there for economic reasons.

Below I have placed pictures of models from Page.713, out of Houston and Ford Models, in New York, to show different kinds beauty, even though its subjective. So what do you guys think Beauty is?

Kirk Richards - Page.713

Chris Pinkalla - Page.713

Sofia - Ford Models

Maria - Ford Models

Parke & Ronen, Spring 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

While surfing around GQ online, I came across Parke & Ronen's Spring 2012 collection that showed this past Friday in New York. I am definitely feeling everything that this collection has to offer from the chic styling to the casual, sophisticated aesthetic! I love the use of bright colors, which we are seeing a lot of in Spring, but what I like the most is the burst of colors that are not too bright, to where it distracts you. The use of print and plaids on the shorts are an added element to the already likable collection, and don't get me started on the swimwear because they look amazing! Show them some love! (and show me some by sending me some Parke & Ronen trunks!)

Photos: Filippo Fior

Never Forgotten...

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:18:00 +0000

For Americans, this day will be a day that we will never forget. It's a day where you knew where you were when the planes hit the World Trade Towers. For me, I had skipped Composition I, during my freshman year in college, and my brother ran into my room to wake me up saying that "they were bombing the US!"

My brother is a volunteer firefighter and he has been injured on while on a call but I wouldn't know, or would want to know, a world without him in it. So, let us remember and pray for the families of the people who lost their lives that day, including the heroes who, selflessly, gave up theirs. Let us not forget this day, for this day is the day where we, as Americans, stood United.

Fashion Show Flash Mob

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:38:00 +0000

The Simon Now Fashion Show presented by the Cadillac, at the Houston Galleria, was quite an exciting event this year! The atmosphere of the scene and crowd was terrific as everyone rubbed elbows with each other, while models posed like mannequins in various spots for Tiffany & Co. The the models donned on amazing outfits from the Fall lines of Neiman Marcus, Carolina Herrera, St. John, Max Mara, and shoes from Jimmy Choo which ended with a Flash Mob on the catwalk! I was quite excited and didn't know what to do and was totally in love with the older lady dancing in the end of the video!

Austin's Newest Home on the Block

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:18:00 +0000

I am most definitely loving this house, which I found via ProGoLuxury, that was completed by Austin-based firm, James D. LaRue Architecture Design. The contemporary home, located in west Austin next to a golf course, was created to merge the indoors with the magnificent outdoors that the city has to offer. The house, which has 4,722 square feet, has three separate building structures that are all inner-connected with breezeways, bridges, and pathways. This is truly an amazing house!

A view of the house, which was designed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings.

I am really big on straight lines and simple, clean designs!

An outdoor living area, which overlooks a golf course, is another example of bringing the outside in.

I love view of the pool into the outdoor living area. This would be an amazing house to host friends.

The pool and living area looking over the 12th fairway of the golf course.

Voguepedia

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 15:33:00 +0000

Everyone has heard the saying, "Google it." Well, now you can add, "Voguepedia it," to your list of phrases! Voguepedia, presented by Michael Kors, is the most amazing idea since the invention of the wheel! It brings you everything that has ever appeared in Vogue straight to your fingertips. It also features a search box and links to the most sought after information (ie, designers, models, brands, personalities, and beauty) in a user friendly layout. My favorite thing about Voguepedia, is that it gives you amazing profiles/bios about your favorite people, like Roberto Cavalli (above). I know that this will be a huge hit for all of you fashion buffs out there, but an even better asset to you fashion students. Hit the hyperlink and let me know what you think!

What's Your Secret?

noreply@blogger.com (Roman Cruz) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:50:00 +0000

I found out about PostSecret, roughly, about three years ago when a friend of mine had the published book on his coffee table. Needless to say, I went through the whole book, read every single postcard, and have been hooked ever since! PostSecret, founded by Frank Warren, is a community mail art project where people anonymously send postcards with their secrets to PostSecret. Some secrets are sad, some are funny, some are shocking, but each card has a life of its own.

Everyone has a secret and now you will be able to share them via their new PostSecret App, when its released. Just take a picture of what you want, add text, and send away anonymously. So everyone, what is your secret?