When Worlds Collide

A short moment ago, while out for an Internet stroll, my head exploded.

I received a link via @susiebubble to the Doc Martens shoes and boots designed by Raf Simons and instantly, my worlds collided.

Sigh. My thoughts flashed back to the boys in Docs we used to gush over in school (never wore them myself – pointy shoes are part of my genetic makeup).

Then of course, Fi popped into my mind. She was likely gushing at a different group of boys in Docs in a different part of the city and would either love OR hate the fact that they now come in metallic. I’m betting my shopping Euros on hate…

The head explosion, however, was caused by the fact that my then-preppy friend B, who now covets all things Japanese and recently scored the shorter version of these Yohji Docs, would love these.

Now, B, I know they are a side project to redesign Brit classics by a Belgian who is currently designing for a German house and that your current closet is Just Japanese…but surely, there is a spot for these?

Shiny Objects - Doctor Martens by Raf Simons

Metallic Monkstraps by Raf Simons

A nod to the two-toned riding boot perhaps? Raf Simons riding Docs?

Raf Simons: Setting the gold (and silver!) standard for coolness.

All photos courtesy of Raf Simons.

I’m just a Complex girl…

…with a taste for simple, clean, uninterrupted lines.

And, I like a little dash of drama with my fash.

Thankfully Complex Geometries obliges my flare for the dare and divine.

Complexity at its simple best. Complex Geometries SS2010 outfit, as captured by Tommy Ton.

Photo by Tomm Ton, courtesy of JAKANDJIL blog.

Fashion Radar

I needed an Illy this afternoon, so went for a stroll. I decided to take a detour and check out a nearby Winners first.

I noticed a fresh shipment of gloves and scarves, so passively walked over. It took about seven seconds to unearth a beautiful pair of butter-soft leather gloves from Portolano – maroon, cashmere lined ones. I have the same pair in brown, bought from Holt’s years ago at more than double the price.

Score.

I see another pair of black ones with silver studs and they immediately remind me of this illusive studded jacket that I’ve seen on a few different fashion nights out with B in recent weeks.

Enter dream sequence…

I first saw it on a chic girl at the Coco & Igor gala at TIFF (don’t think I ever posted that review, did I? Must do that…). She and her friend looked expensive, in B’s words. We couldn’t place the designer but figured it was a name we’d “ooh” at.

I couldn’t help but sneak a peek at the jacket when the lights went back on during the Q&A. Long, loose, boyfriend-ish, with a studded lapel.

Then it appeared again – only last week – at a Holt’s party we inadvertently walked into. Actually, B declared our purpose to the doorman and we strolled right in. Must have been the Masi, because my B is shy.

Hey, we crashed for a good cause – a charitable one. So, while we were deciding what to bid on, a sweet young thing walked by with the coveted jacket.

A-ha. It must be from Holt’s since one of their very own was sporting one, n’est pas? So I walked over, complemented her and asked whether it was from the store. She motioned for me to come closer, covered her mouth with her hand so no one could lip-read from a distance. “It’s from Zara!” she said in a screamed whisper.

Wow – I couldn’t believe it. I told B and pouted – thinking it was long gone, knowing from my first Zara experience in Madrid that nothing lasts in that store for more than five minutes before being scooped up.

Exit dream sequence…

So, I picked up the studded gloves and put them back down with a sigh. That jacket was from Zara – so why was I thinking of it, standing in Winners? Shook my head at my lack of proper memory.

I still had a few minutes to spare so decided to look for nothing in particular, cutting through the trends section – wandering, really.

And then my mouth dropped open. Right there in front of me – a full rack of the same studded jacket.

$59.99.

Mixed with some Michel Perry boots (fresh from a recent soujourn to Paris) and leggings or skinnies, it will rock.

How purrrfect is it that Chrissie Hynde’s voice filled the store, just as I was paying for it?

“Don’t get me wrong….if I come and go like fashion..”

Fashion radar had honed in again.

Mags of the Motherland

The magazine industry is hurting in North America, with daily news of layoffs and mag closures.

But on the other side of the Atlantic, it’s a rags to riches story.

Mags are big business in the Motherland.

India is no longer the less fashionable, sedate, math whiz, little sister.

She is the glamour goddess, letting it all hang out, in full and glossy colour.

See for yourself.

Bolly Beauty Priyanka Chopra on the cover of Harper's Bazaar India, Jul/Aug 2009

Stylista Sonam Kapoor strutting for Cosmopolitan India Oct 09

One of my fave Vogue India covers - Tabu, Jan 09

Great shot of Hrithik Roshan, GQ India, Sept 09

GQ India's Oct 09 inaugural Men of the Year issue

Divine Dia Mirza for Marie Claire India

Bipasha Basu working it for Harper's Bazaar India, Sept 09

Who knew even Grazia was in India?! Kareena K rocking the strong shoulder for the Oct 09 issue

One of the best shots of Lakshmi Menon I've seen - for Vogue India

The Bachchan offspring - Abhishek and Shweta B wearing LV for L'Officiel India

Maison Sans Martin Margiela

The MMM website may have a disclaimer that it is not under construction.

It just looks that way.

That disclaimer should have alerted us of a much more ominous reality.

Monsieur Margiela is no longer at the Maison that bears his name. And apparently, he hasn’t been home for some time.

A piece from the FW 09 MMM collection. "Above the clouds, what's to be found, I have to wonder, will I be around?" - Paul Weller

Gone, like a cloud, it seems, after his Fall Winter 09 collection.

They should change that site disclaimer: This brand is under renovation.

The Spring Summer 2010 collection didn’t seem to have his signature, if you ask me.

It won’t be the same without the Master. Rumoured replacements include Raf Simons, who is great but he is not MM or Jil Sander, for that matter. And Haider Ackerman, he is doing his own thing well – I’d like to see where he goes with it, without someone else’s name hanging over his creativity.

There is only Margiela.

Who will we worship now, Martin?

[See more Margiela amour here, here and here.]

Gareth Doth Scareth for Spring

Paris Fashion Week got a dose of the grim for Spring 2010 by a gent named Gareth Pugh.

Just in time for L’Halloween, the sombre greys, monastic robes and feathered head-gear scared us silly into thinking we could never wear brights and lights for the season, again.

But alas, life is all about the grey areas, ‘innit?

Catching the red eye for Paris Fashion Week

Linear Ladyhawke at Gareth SS10

No peripheral vision. Who needs to see when you look this good?

Modern goth at Gareth Pugh

Laced, fringed and feathered. Now if only I could see...

Cowl + scowl = dressed.

Illlustration by Laura Laine for Gareth Pugh

Oooh, shredded skinnies and a long wispy jacket. Me likey.

Muted greys get the regal treatment.

Pretty close to couture, if you ask me. Sheer artistry.

On my list for Spring 2010. Rich, grey, layered Love.

I've got a headache and it's got THISHEADDRESS written all over it.

Would love to wear this sweater on a breezy day.

All images courtesy of Getty Images.

The Love Song of JJ Valaya’s Red Frock

While Mr. Eliot may not have been musing about a specific designer, he certainly did admire a sartorial detail or two in his poems.

Fitting then, to dedicate a few of his infamous words to the poetry that is JJ Valaya’s layered, flared tunic.

Valaya Base FW09 gown/tunic - poetry worthy

Valaya image source.

Buy the book that contains one of the best poems of all time.