chic simplicity - a fashion memoir

must-have: cazal sunglasses

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:11:00 -0500

Okay, I don't do pics of celebrity folks, but one of my lovely sis sent me this photo of singer Amerie sporting probably the most gorg 80'sretro sunglasses from Cazal (by German eye wear designer Cari Zalloni). We ― my sis and I ― can't pass help it; all three of us will prob end up with this identical pair!! Well, except if the frames come in different colors. We have ~~a thing~~ a huge thing for sunglasses. And naturally, we go for pairs with little to none of the required tacky logos on the side... Tom Ford; Alexander McQueen (which, by the way sent out a little delightful email yesterday informing me about the launch of their new online shop where you are more than welcome to buy those sequined pair of leggings for just over $2300. *stifling a snort*); Oliver Peoples (I've got a pearlized Harlot pair that's now extinct :), but you will find the black and brown ones, I think. The style's now at least two years old)...

I find it wholly necessary to carry two or four pairs of shades in my inappropriately large bag (to suit my mood at any time. I also find a pair useful for shielding my eyes from taxi drivers ― the only men who approach me ― as they attempt to catch my eye in their rear view mirrors while proposing marriage. My life is sad. I know.)

Big harlot kisses.

P.S. When I say "must-have," I obviously mean for myself (and not you. LOL) We can't go around wearing the same pieces, now can we?!
Love,
me.

5 reasons you should watch the marc jacobs documentary

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:12:00 -0500

1. I haven't slept a wink all night, I'm awfully tired and don't feel up to writing.
2. While having dinner last night with my dearest ex-roomie and another friend, I remembered that I hadn't even thought to post this documentary, but with youtube, life, art, fashion.. it's all accessible, at your fingertips literally.
3. I l.o.v.e. Marc Jacobs.
4. You do too.
5. I am falling (have fallen) hard! for Vuitton. (Un)Fortunately you don't know how much I despised ― still do, for the most part ― the ubiquitous monogram canvas styles, especially the speedy. Ugh!! But there's a thrilling abundance of the Vuitton brand to love, I just can't deny it. The Blason jewelry collection, for instance ― o.r.g.a.s.m.i.c.!!

Bisou bisou.

another tribute

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:36:00 -0500

This is the most perfect colored pair of Tribute sandals (Matches Fashion); I think it's the pair I really want!! I've found myself stealing glimpses at it at the most random times in the past month!! Sheesh. While I've been patiently waiting to see what colors Stefano Pilati'll come up with, especially with fall shopping around the corner ― Eeck! "It's summer, it's still summer" repeat after me ― I think this will be my fave.

Xoxo.

last friday: a tale of wedding dresses (and all manner of prettiness)

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:33:00 -0500

Oh alright. So, it wasn't exactly last Friday, but two Fridays ago. But if I said that, I wouldn't be able to avail myself of this rather crafty title, leading you to believe you're about to share in a cutesy sort of amusement that is not this ittle anecdote.
There.

So, two Fridays ago, after a most upsetting, pain-jabbing-in-my-left-eye-only?! migraine, I picked up last month's Vogue to revisit the prettiness that was the SATC issue since all the drama had died down. It was here that I discovered Sarah Jessica Parker's (or Carrie's) Christian Lacroix wedding dress towards the end of the magazine. It had actually been a couture! dress from his Fall 2007 collection!! (This may not seem like a big deal to you, but I dare you to tell me otherwise.)

Ever since my friends dragged me (thankfully)¹ to see the movie opening wkend, I'd been gushing over this dress. It'd been my absolute fave especially teemed with the decadence that was all those strands of pearls, and I'd spent hours trying to find it. After looking through his recent wedding collections, I'd looked through the Spring 2008 Couture collection, assuming they (Patricia Field et al) wouldn't go too far back to pick out a dress. It all had to be au courant, no?? I'd searched the nonexistent corners of the web ― even enduring wretched re-echoed opinions of the dresses, the movie, blah, blah...²
But there it was. Fall couture 2007!!
Heavenly delight.

It's the character of the dress that's particularly appealing. Not every bride could pull it off. Smugly, I think to myself, "I'd totally rock it." That, and the three other dresses I will be adorning on my wedding day. Yes. I will be wearing four wedding dresses ― my bridesmaids and sisters, two each (no, not all at once, smart mouth *sticking out tongue* :)) Here's the count while we're on the subject:
Dress 1: Church (most poufy of the bunch, much like the Vera Wang piece from the movie; my mother would probably require it); Dress 2: Reception; Dress 3: Dance with my darling father; Dress 4: Dance with new hubby. *J.o.y.*
And no, I am not so deluded to believe in all that fairytale love nonsense that little gyrls grow up believing.
Cynical much?? Yes.
[But I do, however, believe in love that will grow with respect for one another (and a prenup!) and the prettiness that will be my f.o.u.r. wedding dresses!!
So kiss me. Passionately.]
That's the wedding dresses part :).

My entire being coursing with endorphins from this recent finding, I got online in search of some more prettiness.³ It would be perfect ~~window shopping~~ wish-list garnering! because I was awfully broke.⁴ When I ended up on my precious Funky LaLa webbie, and good thing too, I hadn't visited in a bit, I wasn't really looking for jewelry per se. After looking through some very pretty dresses, I came across the most enchanting, avant-garde trinkets.

What's most intriguing is that I'd been pining for pieces as I'd just seen for what now seems like an eternity. Two Christmas seasons past, I'd gone into my jeweler's shop to talk about having a ring with a butterfly (in mid-flight) made (in yellow gold). After my dearest jeweler, Gary Shteyman, a venerable artisan who runs Persona Jewelry and unnaturally patient man that he is ― I really wish he could recount the episode ― talked me through the pricing, I passed on it (and concentrated on picking mommy some pieces. Like I mentioned, Noël, Noël...) But, violà! Alissa Frazer of Agrigento Designs has loving answered my prayers, taking away all unnecessary control from my high-~~minded~~ -priced consciousness and presenting me with this gorgeous! gorgeous! reasonably-priced ring.⁵

Knowing the price of gold ― which has nothing to do with the price of rice in China, this has nothing to do with anything, or maybe it does?? ― I'd been biding my time (for several months now), hesitant to show up to Gary's (again) to discuss possibility of creating some relatively intricate body jewelry with gold links of varying thicknesses ― although I have been in to pick up a few things. Yes, I come up with seemingly crazy ideas. But once more, sweet serendipity! NY-based (Hawaiian) designer Bliss Lau has pieces in antique brass and nickel. I can't explain this good fortune, neither can I adequately express my happiness. It's the little things really... LOL. (I still want to design my own piece with Gary, but this will do for now.) [Yes, my acct may have been topped off (somehow), but it won't be for long, unfortunately.]

Decadent kisses.

Footnotes:
1. I love these gyrls. Of course, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie (I just didn't want to be with the crowds of people that showed up to see the movie... but like I said, I l.o.v.e.d it!! And, I still haven't found the time to go a second time just to reabsorb all of its prettiness.)
2. I don't get it. Fashion is ~~(almost)~~ inextricably linked with celebrity culture, yet I manage to remain ignorant of said culture and the masses of people dedicated to following it. I think it gives me a headache.
3. It's never just one sniff with an addict, is it??
4. How does this make any sense?? I'll tell you. When I'm broke, I can look at anything without automatically keying in my card number to make a purchase. Same thing if I go into the shoppes. It's a treat really!! I can try on as many things as I want, without falling victim to a helpful sales associate. You see once anyone tries to help me with anything, I usually feel obligated to buy at least one item for their trouble!! But if I'm broke... Haha. Utterly pathetic.
5. It's just that given the options, I was gunning for the best possibly and that was just gunning for expensive!!

a fleet ilya of corset belts

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:49:00 -0500

I started and finished reading Underdressed by Élodie Piveteau in an hour and half on Monday evening. It's a compact book ― and three quarters of the book is filled with pictures ― so I use the term "read" equivocally :). On the one hand, the written narrative is an account that traces the history and evolution of women's undergarments from the beginning of time, really ― the chapters of Genesis in the Bible in which Adam and Eve discover their nakedness and decide to cover up are highlighted ― until the present. The pictures ― in color, and black and white ― on the other hand, tell a sexy, dressing story of three gyrlfriends playing dressing and undressing games in tons of pretty sexy lingerie in the converted loft of an absent boyfriend.
(Now I know what I've been missing in my relationships with my gyrlfriends?!!)

The entire book is in fact available on Google Books?!! I'd never even heard of Google books before. Yes, seriously. The pics and fonts aren't great online; a stark contrast to the pretty little pink (and black/grey) book I'd held while reading.

Anyway, from the dark recesses of mind, I started fantasizing about the harrowing pleasures of adorning a corset; one thing led to another and I found myself frantically re-searching for the more modern and surreal corset belts from Fleet Ilya. The brand creator, Ilya Fleet, as well as its co-director, Resha Sharma designed a concept line of avant-garde waist cinchers for British designer Ana Šekularac's F/W 2008 collection (right, and bottom pics) which'd caught my eye earlier this year, although the brand's been around since 2005 (I believe).

Apart from this concept line, the duo is perhaps best known for their Restraint line, a collection of "luxury bondage" pieces which, natch, can only be described as risque. I've put up a few the milder, less shocking pics below. (There are a few umm... dildo harnesses, metal masks etc.) In reality, many of harness pieces are very wearable and actually super stylish; for instance, worn over a shirt, you'd find yourself considering some of them demure, almost.
A third line, the classic line includes belts, cuffs and handbags and beautifully highlights the distinctive craftsmanship of the brand. (I didn't even know they made bags; they're pretty relaxed with a characteristic downtown-chic air.)

Alrighty, this marks the end of our erotic literature sessions for the wk!! :)

Big kisses.
**I hope there aren't too many errors in my note. I'm too tired to give it a once-over, forgive me.
**Love, me.

the art of pretty dresses (vicente villarin)

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:37:00 -0500

I've a thing for dresses. In the past half-year, I may have worn a pair of trousers, oh maybe, all of four times. I've just been happy wearing dresses ― or skirts and tops, but I'm trying to make a point here ― and yes, even during winter, with pretty stockings :). Natch, I have enormous dress wishlists. It's completely ridiculous, and implies a pathetic indulgence to fill my empty soul; terribly satisfying, if I may say so. And up until last April, I was pretty confident in my 'knowledge' of dresses and the best designers out there. How naive. (I can't help but refute this immature claim now; that is, until I'm holding my very own Vicente Villarin dress.)

I wasn't looking for anything in particular when I stumbled upon Vicente Villarin's pieces on the Des Kohan webbie. Now, Des Kohan is a darling of a store, but it offers a very, very limited online shop, so I don't check up on it often. Stupid. Stupid me. (To be certain, one of the reasons to leave the east coast would be to pop into the store in LA.) Anyway, I went through to discover any new pieces and was immediately struck by a Vicente Villarin mauve/dusty pink oversize drape coat with an asymmetrical Pierrot-like collar. It was the most beautiful, sophisticated coat, with minimal fuss. Chic.

I went unto the brand's site, and I can still recall the immense pleasure I felt just looking at the dresses. Joanne Cordero Reyes named the brand named after her grandfather, Vicente Villarin Cordero, a talented composer of the early 20th century. After apprenticing at some of the most prestigious dress houses from Ji Haye to Reem Acra (umm, Reem Acra!) and Monique Lhuillier, Ms Reyes started her own line last year. Her pieces incorporate a chic simplicity and refinement that is just gorgeous to behold; her hand-draped and/or -pleated techniques making for the most elegant dresses. It's almost pointless to try to express just how pretty these dresses are, so I recommend you indulge yourself in the prettiness of it all. [Vicente Villarin]

Apart from Des Kohan, her pieces are available by special order at Greg Mills Showroom, NY (I'm not sure what that's like); and starting in the fall, they will be at Bellhaus, NY, Septième Etage, Swtizerland and Manha Manha, Japan. Very limited availability (it seems). But then you wouldn't want everyone wearing your dress, would you?? :) (And may sale season continue to reign!)
S/S 2008 Collection:

F/W 2008-09 Collection:

Pretty kisses.

P.S. I need people to throw dinner parties for no reason so I can wear some pretty dresses.
P.P.S. Speaking of weddings, her S/S pieces make the most beautiful bridesmaids dress, don't they?? If only I was getting married so my bridesmaids would could wear some of her dresses. See how nice I am?? :)

what are you wearing??

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:33:00 -0500

...sometimes all a woman needs to put on is a scent.

Annick Goutal Petite Chérie (limited ed.)

Scented kisses.

TOM FORD SPRING/SUMMER 2008 SEXUALLY EXPLICIT IMAGES

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:18:00 -0500

6.49 a.m.
I starred at the TV screen. The anchor man on the BBC America morning news was on about the Barclays Scottish Open. I wish I cared. I shifted my attention back to my computer screen and typed in tomford in the address toolbar. I can't say exactly why I'd thought of him; regardless, I hadn't checked up on my beloved créateur in a while. I know he prefers to be under the radar, but the last thing I remember about him was a spread an editorial depicting his royal impeccability while jetsetting. So you see...

The greeting on his home page: TOM FORD SPRING/SUMMER 2008 SEXUALLY EXPLICIT IMAGES assured me nothing whatsoever had changed concerning my dearest.
I l.o.v.e. this man.
(And it's still Spring/Summer!! I can't tell you how much I dislike the rush ― that comes just around this time of year ― into autumn, just when I'm getting used to the hot stickiness that is summer in the northeast. By the way, I absolutely hate the hot stickiness that is summer.)

I'd already seen the ad campaign earlier in the year. The pics aren't sexually explicit in so much as they are just images with naked people; not so much erotic as just plain nakedness. Just apt to elicit an iota of invisible blushing on my brown skin. Disappointing. For reasons unknown even to myself, I'd expected the well-known randiness of early morning to rear its desirable horns and cause me to lust, for the male bodies, at least. (Oh shhhut up!) But really, there was nothing. Well, that's not completely true. I was a tad more excited at the images of the voluptuous mounds ― I use the terms loosely, of course ― of the women's bodies than the men's. I am certain it's because I like hairy men!! Hahaha!! Oh dear!

Which brings me to my question, "what's the big to-do about naked bodies in fashion??" Fashion is irrevocably built on the art of clothes, so what exactly is it?!! I got to thinking ― perhaps, it's to illustrate the impact beautiful garments and bespoke tailoring can have on the human form. But then, one wouldn't seek to depict this influence with such elegant bodies, right?? Why not, less than fashionably accepted and sculpted, perfect bodies; from one (imperfect) extreme to a (more perfect) one. A beautiful body is almost/just as pleasurable to look at as is a beautiful dress, no?? I can appreciate the body as a palette for decadent baubles and accessories, but with garments, I spend just as much time (or more) looking at a naked body as I do its adorned counterpart. Anyway, way to be philosophical about it. What's really bothering me I guess, is that I didn't find Tom Ford's images so erotic this morning. HA!!!

This bottom image is smaller to shield your eyes from the obvious schlong just hanging out on the naked man to the right. I feel like a hypocrite!! Women are exposed all the time!! Well, usually, their lower triangular patches is obscured in some manner, so I am being a bit fair then.

P.S. When YSL passed early last month (Lord rest his fashionable soul), I was online rediscovering his contributions to the industry when I came across some photo ads for his M7 men's fragrance (2002). I was immediately struck by the utter sexuality (this is the appropriate word in this case) of the images. I thought Tom Ford! written all over it. And then I did a little more research. It turned out, indeed, Tom Ford and Doug Lloyd of llyod (+ co) luxe branding company were responsible for its design. Ahh... Tom.
Again, small images:

Deep, lusty, mouth-searching kisses.

fashion is a dirty word (la petite s*****)

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:55:00 -0500

But, seriously, there's nothing dirty about this, not at all. It's all pretty pretty.

Nicola Helgesen quit her job in 2001 to create La Petite Salope. Now written (and known) as La Petite S***** ― translation: the little strumpet, ooh la la ― the line offers a dusky palette of artfully gathered tulle dresses with in-built corsetry. They're the sort of pieces just perfect for an intimate dinner: a beautifully draping dress; flickering candle lights of a dimly-lit restaurant picking up the warmth of its hue, reflecting it as a luminescence of your skin as you gaze lovingly into your dinner companion's eyes. *wistful sigh* And yet, the dresses also remind me of the delicious simplicity of my fave comfort dessert, apple pie (démodé, merçi). [A few pieces available online at Net-a-Porter, My-Wardrobe and Yoox.]

So certainly, Nicola Helgesen has succeeded in creating pieces that are ‘accessible, flattering and fun’ as described on her webbie. Even the account detailing a bit of the brand's history is a funny, yet inspiring anecdote; paralleling the sentiment of her clothes.

"...she produced a small sample collection of bustiers and made an appointment to see the buyers at Browns [London]. The day she cycled to the iconic store, her backpack bulging with samples, was the same day she pedaled home clutching her first order."

Butterfly kisses.

the secret world of haute couture

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:22:00 -0500

I was looking through my archives' dungeon of unpublished posts when I came across these videos ― a BBC 4 hour-long documentary entitled, "the Secret World of Haute Couture". I think I'd been waiting to find the entire feature in one window, but to no avail, so please forgive me, and enjoy!!
[To say that I was enraptured watching these videos again (thrice?!) would be a gross understatement. Blasphemy, really. Something akin to dismissing Coco Chanel's LBD.]

A big thank-you to the Youtube user 'AveyKhali' from whom I ~~stole~~ borrowed these videos, and will undoubtedly pay back/return?! in our virtual world.

Beautiful kisses.

chanel gold fiction

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:19:00 -0500

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller...

(Robert Frost)

That snippet from 'The road less traveled' has nothing to do with anything.
Or, maybe I'm just trying to say I won't be amongst the herds flocking to this purchase this new lacquer from our fave design House??
Feigned profoundness.
(Lovely poem all the same.)

Creative Director at Chanel makeup, Peter Philips's Gold Fiction nail polish is now available. (Chanel.) Philips, who must've been instructed in the delicate art of consumption mania by predecessors Dominique Moncourtois and Heidi Morawetz — the geniuses behind Black Satin — created Gold Fiction, an 18-karat gold-flecked lacquer that pays homage to a gilded mirror at Coco Chanel's famed Rue Cambon apartment (I wonder where exactly.)
I don't think I like it much. Or at all. Give me the black or white satin anyday.

Gilt kisses.

island breeze knits

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:35:00 -0500

Since the Caribbean Fashion Week took place just over three weeks ago (June 11-16) in Jamaica, I'd been waiting to glimpse some of pics forever. I finally decided to check up (again!) on the CFW webbie for pics from the fashion shows and was delighted to see the pics had been uploaded. L.o.v.e 'em!!

Unfortunately, after a few hours of reckless downloading ― tedium imposed by the method of image-sharing as you'll see... "Click" ― and watching the sun rise, I've hardly much of the pics left to show. An outcome I cannot even begin to explain, but of which I completely absolve myself!! Fortunately, ― see there's a bright side :) ― I'm running high on delirium and a caffeine buzz from a can of Cherry coke I thought apt to consume at four a.m, as well as the zing that arises in direct proportion to transduction of super bright colors (from one's comp screen) burning into one's retinas!!
It's a senseless bliss. Really.

But, enough about me.

I've discovered two refreshingly spunky labels, Minka and Lubica, which create very sexy ― natch, I mean it we are talking about the Caribbean Fashion Week ― pieces from ― guess?! ― crocheted knits!! I know... the merest hint of the word 'crochet' conjures up an old lady surrounded by tangled mounds of yarn and innumerable doily place mats; but nope, not here. Minka and Lubica, both eponymous labels with equally creative women at their helms, showed glorious-colored swimsuits, cover-ups and easily flirty dresses that perpetuate the wanton richness and exuberance of life in the Islands. They'll be giving Alice Temperley a run for her money in the very near future, that's for sure.

What's more, the pieces ― as practically all those shown during the week ― are a wearable relief from the implicitly required three-D designs that the fashion industry requires of its artisans. Then, again I totally love unwearable clothes, so sue me!!
Vivien Goldman over at
T magazine (NYTimes) reports a lack androgyny that characterizes the shows; also, certainly unlike other fashion shows. I think it's just beautiful. I have a thing for (my) breasts and the men on the run way with their biceps... yummy!! And need I mention the plethora of black models in all the hows?!! I also found some lovely pics to ogle from Popstyle Jamaica. (Thank you!! :))

All this makes me want to escape to an island and lay in the sun. I also wouldn't mind a lovely male companion with a spliff hanging precariously between his beautifully-shaped lips. (Stereotype much.)

Pretty kisses.

to market, to market

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:16:00 -0500

Sisters, Satu and Celeste Greenberg ― the designers behind this new, oh so very chic costume jewelry line, Tuleste Market ― just may have become my BFFs without knowing it!! Their pieces really are a dream... ooh the necklaces. I love love grand elaborate necklaces, especially because I never have to worry about earrings¹!! Previously I've looked to Stephen Dweck for inspiration and a few faves (for my mommy too :)) as well as my local jeweler 'to see what we could create.' Now, I'm terribly excited for these Art Deco-inspired pieces!! The prices are drool-worthy too. Ahem, I'm awaiting these two pieces from Shopbop.

(No, I don't know what's up with the model's face either, especially in the left pic. I'm sure she's really lovely in person, but does she have to put on that ~~ugly~~ pout-turned-parkinsons-deformed-smirk?!! No offense.)

Pink pepper kisses.

Footnotes:
1. I will still take the Renee Lewis earrings below, thank you very much.

two wrongs don't make a right

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:27:00 -0500

...but this delightful pair of Renee Lewis drop earrings will do just beautifully (at Barneys NY. Forget the price, just ogle it. I've been giving it the eye for weeks.)

I knnooow!! I've unnaturally expensive tastes. But that's just life, an unfair bitch. If Ms. Lewis deigned to move that decimal point one place to the left, I'd change my eating habits like that!! *snapping fingers* (Ramen noodles come in such delish MSG-infused flavors and would surely be a tolerable means of subsistence while I shielded my eyes from the sparkle of my jewels. *wistful sigh*)

Even if there's the small matter of me not really liking drop earrings. (They get in my way, sometimes.) I certainly could learn to love these however.

And so until such time when I can actually get this, I'll save it here to cheer you and I up on gloomy days.

Baublicious kisses.

the fashionable Italian race

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:04:00 -0500

I was going slightly berserk. I thought the smarter folks who derive immense (and disturbing!) pleasure from waiting in queues had gone and bought up all the copies of the highly anticipated Italian Vogue to spite me!! But alas, no. According to the WSJ, the magazine isn't even available in Italy yet!! Apparently the all-black models edition doesn't actually come out in Italy until tomorrow, and will be available here in the US next week.

Couture bliss (punctuated by an uneasiness that I've developed an insatiable need for all the clothes!!)
I'll give you my reviews :)

Sugar kisses from my nutcracker suite.

l.o.v.e spells lagerfeld

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:55:00 -0500

I'm very tough on things (and people) that I choose to love.
I. love. Chanel.
Accordingly, I hold the revered House (and Mr Lagerfeld, natch) to very high standards, albeit in a muted retrospective manner. Ha!! (I don't even know how I would begin to measure these standards, I'm but a lowly not-even-fit-to-call-myself-a-critic critic and no one that matters cares what I have to say, at least, not yet. Haha.)

Anyway, with fashion calendar's new comer well settled in, and over, Resort season was a delight especially against the seemingly frequent! overcast backdrop of the recent summer rain clouds. While Mr Lagerfeld ― and three or so other designers ― unofficially showed Resort pieces a fortnight earlier in mid-May (to coincide with the opening of the Chanel store in Miami), I was apt to wait until the end of the showings to indulge myself and review all the collections. Lagerfeld's 74-piece collection ― four or five men (some in shorts :)) thrown in for good ogling measure ― inspired an easy elegance that I admire.
I have wholeheartedly accepted that I will always be blown away by Mr Lagerfeld's pieces for Chanel (especially).
And, I'm glad.
Someday, even my cats will wear Chanel. Okay I will never own cats!! Eeck!!

So, three things:
1. I dream of Chanel jackets and costume pearls.
2. I just want to sit quietly by Mr Lagerfeld (he doesn't need to know I'm there) for two mintues outside on a bench à la Place Vendôme (creative genius, osmosis, yada yada...)
3. I want to be Mr Lagerfeld when I grow up.
Aside: Did you know I started accumulating Fendi belts?? Well, that may not be the right word, but they cost such pretty pennies, I feel like I'm accumulating them. And who's behind those?? Mr Lagerfeld, again. Genius, I tell ya!!

Chanel Resort 2009:

Beautiful double kisses.
[Enjoying the Paris couture shows via Style.com :)]

say 'pepper and pistol'

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:21:00 -0500

Even though the first thought that popped into my head when I saw it was, "of the pastel variety: the UK flag on acid", I'm smitten with this sequined dragonfly top by Pepper and Pistol. Even more than its quintessence as utter prettiness, I love the label name Pepper and Pistol!! By no means a rocker chick, I'm thinking I could, however, play-pretend; flaunting my undoubtedly invalid smattering of rocker chic knowledge with a mere whisper of the name 'Pepper and Pistol' would be a dream. Seriously, how cool would you think yourself saying your top's by Pepper and Pistol. (In my case, it'd be a terribly short, close-to-baring-my bottom dress.)
Sheer delight!!

Cool kisses.

[I] never carry an umbrella. [I] prepare to walk in eternal sunshine. ~ Alfred E. Smith (edited)

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:34:00 -0500

...But I just may be willing to change considering these chic, avant-garde beauties.

All available at Takashimaya NY.

I'm not sure why all the umbrellas are listed underneath "men's" however.
Unless of course, it is subliminally implying that the man should always hold the umbrella (for the lady.) In which case, carry on daarhling (said to imaginary lover holding the red tandem umbrella over my pretty little head.) *Contented sigh*

Wet kisses.

a little indiscretion. oh, is that my bum you see??

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:20:00 -0500

Believe it or not, I found a pair of knee-length or short leggings at my Euro-chic haven SevenNY.¹ Yikes!!

When leggings resurfaced as the bane of many a woman's unfashionable existence two summers ago, I vowed never to give into the sartorial ''hip"pyness of it all. Of course, I convinced myself that Ghesquière's gold-plated 3-D gladiator leggings for Balenciaga weren't just leggings, and Peter Pilotto's Techno hologram leggings were a wearable metaphor for the glowing transparency of one's soul, so I allowed myself to admire these extraordinary pieces from a distance.

Last week, I went a step further than my singular permissible mistake of a pair, which I'd gotten on sale for barely twenty bucks and actually got another pair!! (And more than twenty bucks too!!)² These short leggings by German designer Doreen Schulz's c-neeon are a rarity and I love 'em!! They are a relatively moderate pair, and yet spectacular; especially if you don't mind flashing a bit of bum to the world, no?? Okay, so I have no idea when or why exactly I'll wear this, but I'm just so happy about it. Yes, I've done a mental check over and over again; my neurons and synapses seem to be making the proper connections, so I'm not completely berserk!! Besides, I am writing this piece coherently, aren't I?? When I do adorn this enticing piece of clothing, I'll take a pic, perhaps. H.A.!! Oh the joyous hilarity I will bring to any- and everyone around me, but I guarantee it'll be chic nontheless.

Sugar frosted kisses and truffles.

Footnotes:
1. I can't tell you how much I love this store!! Where else can you find pieces from Preen and J.C. de Castelbajac?!! Seven is possibly the hippest fashion store in NY (which makes that all of America). It's the only place where I can get my very Euro-chic fashion fix, you see; I always come up with pieces that make me feel exceptionally pleased with myself as I tread the very delicate balance between avant-garde art and fashion, trendy chic and style. Ah, the pleasures of the fashionably shallow mind...
2. A pair of leggings should not cost more than twenty bucks!! In 99.99% of the cases in which it is worn (I'll get back to you on the dev points on that), the sordid piece could very well not have been worn. And it is not lingerie, either!! Since I'm such a doll, I'm willing to hear any justifications for this wretched piece of clothing (other than I didn't shave my hairy legs, or le Tour de France has been moved to the middle February!!) And sorry, cashmere leggings with their laughable price tags do not make a difference to me.

Look at me: Oscar de la Renta Tweed Pump

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:37:00 -0500

Thursday, three-something a.m...
Brilliant (ahem!)¹ light bulb moment: a "look at me" installment for my fashion memoirs. The seeming brilliance of this idea is as much from the delightful pleasure (in myself) that I'm humming (rightly or wrongly, I can't be sure) this three word phrase — look at me — the hook/chorus from a rap song;² as it is from the sheer gladness of finding a simple way to share some of the most delicious pieces in which I maniacally, but gladly, tumble head over heels in love.

So, here...
When one puts on this pair of decadent pumps,³ one is saying,
*Look at me*:

"I'm a manifestation of posh chic simplicity — like you've never seen — without even trying. I'm not wearing just any old pump, but I'm not wearing the two-notches-away-from-over-the-top LV French Riveria Pump either. And 'tis in the very elegant effortlessness of it all that you get a charmingly subtle hint at the complexity of my being. If they were an inch higher, you'd be aching to f*ck my complex brains out in the ladies room down the hall. And yet, notwithstanding, you are aching to..."

*Blush, bows head* [A lady in the streets but...]⁴

Chic simplicity kisses and butterflies.

Footnotes:
1. At three in the morning, everything seems clearer, more reassuring that all is right in the universe. Little ideas exhibit themselves as grand propositions.
2. And with the clarity that comes only at this time of the morning, I realize that this rap song — albeit elusive because I still do not know the genius behind it — was made especially for me to document a new segment in my memoirs and its author will go on to be held in high esteem amongst the extraordinary league of unconventional poetic orthographers... Like e.e. cummings perhaps.
3. Just in case you didn't know, Oscar de la Renta is my adopted oh-so-beyond-cool Grand-uncle. (Or, I wish he were.) And yes, I'm getting these pumps. They're at Neiman's!!
4. Wait, wha.. wha.. what?? Another rap reference?!! Why yes, I'm so proud of myself :). The powers that be have not given up on the sadness that is my non-existent pop culture life, even if it's vintage rap!!

les parisiennes

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:34:00 -0500

An older post from the archives' dungeon: I'm particularly thrilled about it because I discovered a wonderful artist in Kiraz!! :)
Kiraz "Les Parisiennes" (dailymotion.com)

"The Parisennes are the Parisennes, light and timeless, and I wish their future husbands all the best." ~ Carla Bruni.

A true Parisienne knows what to say, when to say it and definitely knows where to go. Her icons range from a young Simone de Beauvoir to Brigette Bardot and today, Charlotte Gainsbourg. She is free, brave and full of life, and she's in the know, under the radar and always on the move. Most of all, the modern Parisenne has achieved the prowess of being everything wrapped up into one: sparkling, bright, ambitious, pretty, dreamy, motherly, sporty ultra-fashionable and confident...

Paris's Musée Carnavalet is holding an ongoing exhibition of illustrator Edmond Kiraz titled Les Parisennes de Kiraz (until Sept 21). I can't even begin to explain the empty shell of a life I must have been leading prior to learning about Mr. Kiraz and his irresistibly chic (cartoon) depictions and cheeky captions of über-leggy, twinkle-eyed and equally chic Parisian mademoiselles. He's watched them come and go, capturing them in a time snap of their everyday lives. Surveying and drawing the fairer sex de l'arrondissement, Kiraz has managed to illustrate the whimsies of French women — from young Brigette Bardot missies to self-assured elegant madames — with a distinct and decadent flair.
Kiraz's illustrations have appeared in international publications and French ads since the fifties; these (sarticial) drawings, as well as his edgier representations published for Playboy since 1970 (and held in a separate room of le Musée) give us lesser mortal women a scintillating glimpse into the indescribable je ne sais quoi of French women. I can't help but fall in love with these women. Of course, my "international woman of mystery" persona is coming along just beautifully; but oh to be regarded as la Parisienne authentique.

In one of his more famous collected illustrations, "Les Parisennes se marient" (courtesy my fave coffee table publishing Assouline, 1994) Carla Bruni, French First Lady, actually writes the preface!! The book is now a collector's item as it's gone out of print. I even checked the French Ebay (and I detest Ebay!!)

Captions:
L: It's a feminine voice who's very surprised to hear another feminine voice.
R: It's [a good thing] my husband's birthday falls during the sales.

French kisses.

a casa loro, a casa mia

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:00:00 -0500

Speaking of pretty places and spaces, I just spent an inordinate amount of time on Viktor & Rolf's new webbie. You need to go on there so see exactly what I mean, but haven't even hinted at!! I am now convinced that I'm supposed to go practice my Italian especially in their Milan store. It just makes perfect sense!! I've been ogling these pics of the boutique forever (explains why this set of images are larger than those now available on the redesigned site.) Maybe the ornate neoclassic upsidedown-ness of it all will confuse my senses, maybe not; it's all very seamless. Either way, I just really need to be a part della casa Viktor-Rolf, if only for a few hours!!

Chic kisses.

chic habitat

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:00:00 -0500

Before I dropped everything on Sunday in favor of a period of revered, albeit pleasurable, homage to Monsieur Laurent's works, my lover/ex-roomie and I had been on about Dubai. Well she was telling, I was listening. Other than needing to live at the Burj Dubai, I might as well have known diddly.

Sitting in a pair of YSL pumps,¹ I silently cursed the Archean rock I'd be living underneath heretofore. How was I to grasp the concept of The World Islands off the coast of our fave (perepetually!) gussied up emirate, Dubai??!! The islands are built in the shape of the world's countries and each island country's been sold to individual buyers, umm... like Sir Richie Branson. I'm thinking as a first-gen individual owner/ruler of your very own island country, you could very well sunbathe — all by yourself, natch — reading Tolstoy's War and Peace. Ahh... the gall of you.

But even more gush-worthy — at least in my fashion-obsessive mind — I came across a related article: Dubai to build first Fashion Island (part of The World archipelago). It's called Isla Moda and would combine a fashion resort, themed residential villas, haute couture boutiques and luxury hospitality facilities. I get the pesky feeling that one's supposed to visit and then leave. I mean living on a resort island may get a wee bit old after some time. But you see, in my grand delusions, I'd have a winter home/suite on the island. How completely out of this world would that be?? Or not. Just gorgeous bliss!!

Sun-kissed kisses.

Footnotes:
1. It was only appropriate.

a tribute

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:49:00 -0500

Yves Henri Donat Mathieu Saint Laurent: August 1, 1936 – June 1, 2008
'Following Chanel, Balenciaga and Dior, Saint Laurent had emerged as fashion’s "fourth force."' (WWD)
With personal loss, I am — we are — likely drawn into a vortex of a more intimate pain or sadness. Today, it's more a revered awe (selfish) as I think that this last force of (French) fashion has passed in my time, in my burgeoning foray into the fashion industry. My mom even called to mention it (from Nigeria). I'm appreciatively aware (and still learning) of his radical innovations and immense contributions to women's fashion — he was absolutely amazing, what made him tick??!! Proust was reportedly St. Laurent's author. Remarkably, about two weeks ago, I'd put down the first volume (of which there are six!!) of Proust's¹ translated "À la recherche du temps perdu": "In search of Lost Time" to read Micheal Tonello's "Bringing home the Birkin."²

In continuing homage to Mr. Laurent, I figure a pair of Tribute sandals is only appropriate. Really :). I do so love these shoes though I've kept my distance because I'm afraid everyone's buying them; especially the cognac and red ones!! (Need I say I never want what everyone has??!!) Still, at my furtive vantage point, I've been eyeing these two in particular (haute!!)... (I'll go try them on at the end of the week. *cheshire grin*)

Le Smoking (the powersuit):
It debuted on YSL's runway in fall 1966, and has been especially recreated every season since.
Just the way I like it: refined, severe; the silk chiffon underneath — a touch of knowing elegance.

St Laurent thought it fitting — a transfer of power. A balance. The world agreed, and followed. In his own words: "For a woman, le smoking is an indispensable garment with which she finds herself continually in fashion, because it is about style, not fashion. Fashions come and go, but style is forever." Oozing a powerful sex appeal, no?? (Pic: Helmut Newton)

L: YSL closing the door on a historic career (2002). R: Running exposition ad of YSL's life and works that ended in January.

Elegant kisses.

Footnotes:
1. I can't even say why I started reading Proust?!! I need a life!!
2. Review of the latter: eh. Tell you more later. (My Hermès curiosity/obsession continues though.)

ms banks, if you're nasty

noreply@blogger.com (chic simplicity) — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:45:00 -0500

Tyra on next week's cover of NY Time mag
Of course...
...this picture has been photoshopped to within an inch of it pixel-worthy outline so that there's nothing real about it anymore.
...she's been made to look like a size four; a size two would really be pushing it now. (I mean we aren't blind?! Just willing to lap up a little white, illusory lie every now and then.)
...Tyra has found a new way to hide her blooming arms by twist-strangling herself from behind.
...that hair — I'll just leave you to your thoughts on that one.
...she used the f-word a thousand times on set. [The word of which you'd never heard until Ms. Tyra herself spoke it into being; and which has now become the sickening catch-all-word of every fashionably (or not) gay man and wannabe model (or not)] F.i.e.r.c.e!!
But all of these — it's not why I love her.
And yet it is.

Deep, erotic, mouth-searching kisses... because I feel like it.