Rajmata Rests: Gayatri Devi’s Grace Graced Us, Too

Rajmata Gayatri Devi was cremated today, in Jaipur, the city proud to claim her as theirs. A blue blood by birth, she was part of the Cooch Behar royals, when there was still such a thing as Indian royalty. She was the third Queen of Sawai Man Singh II, the ruler of Jaipur in 1939.

She was known by many titles – Maharani, Queen Mother or Rajmata of Jaipur, political leader, builder of schools, advocate for women – so many among them. But perhaps the one she wore best, as if by birthright also, was true beauty.

Vogue magazine called her one of the ten most beautiful women in the world. She was beyond those lists, as far as I’m concerned. They also carry names that aren’t good enough to list beside hers, here.

There was a grace from within her – something you see in someone once or twice in a lifetime. She exuded a confidence, some inner knowledge of times past.

She was from an era even before hers, it seemed. And she brought it to us – that history, that richness, that unadulterated confidence and spirit.

Her eyes always spoke to me, in photographs.

 

They said: be the woman that you are, be the woman that you need to be, be a woman of courage and grace.

Be.

And forever she shall.

She may have left the material world at 90 years of age, but a true maharani never fades.

Photos from: Sepia Mutiny, hindu.com, India Today, indiannetzone.com, mdggirlsguild.

Déjà Vu: Stella vs. Krizia

Animal prints are no stranger to fashion. They are often marked as seasonal “trends” but in all honesty, they have always been in style.

Zebra and leopard prints showed up recently in couture collections for both Armani Privé and Dior.

One designer to treat animal prints slightly differently in the late ’80s and early ’90s was Krizia Mariuccia Mandelli. Better know as Krizia, she did a more sophisticated version of the kitschy ski sweater, with leopards and wolves adorning wild creatures known as supermodels.

Nadja Auermann in her natural habitat, the runway, wearing a Krizia sweater dress.

Tatjana Patitz donning the infamous Krizia multi-cat sweater.

Stella McCartney payed homage to Krizia, and to her own love of animals in her Pre-Fall 09 collection, by showing a modern version of the leopard sweater.

Stella's modern snow-leopard.

Now this is a déjà vu we don’t mind having. I’d love to pair the Stella sweater with a pair of giraffe-high suede boots, like the Halston Misa boot from last Fall.

Tall order from Halston FW08

Stella image source. Krizia image source. Halston image source.

Sart “does” Toronto

Unless you’ve been living under a rock this past week, you know that a fashion blogging rock star was in town. Scott Schuman, better known as The Sartorialist, was doing the meet and greet thing at Holt’s and the Drake, followed by a shoot for Burberry the following day.

I avoided the whole thing, preferring a future fateful fashion meeting in the Tuileries, over Toronto. I simply enjoyed watching/listening from the sidelines this time around.

The most entertaining piece of press had to be Amy Verner’s interview with Sart: Sex and the Sartorialist. It’s honest, direct and funny as hell. Here’s an excerpt:

AV: What’s your weakness when it comes to shooting people?
SS: I have a weakness for surprises. I want to see something I haven’t seen. I’m totally ambiguous sexually when it comes to my work. I shoot what I’m attracted to.

AV: Can you tell when people are trying too hard?
SS: Uh, yeah.

Scott’s book is being released on August 18. Hurry and pre-order if you want the limited edition hard cover. They are bound (no pun intended – oh wait – maybe it was) to sell out. Paperback also available same date for a fraction of the price.

Recap: Giles Deacon in Motion @ V&A

Giles Deacon participated in the Victoria & Albert Museum’s Fashion in Motion series last week. Here’s what the lucky lot in London, including Daphne Guiness, got to enjoy.

Linear and ladylike

Fashion in motion, indeed.

Flap out amazing!

[Click on the thumbnails to see all the full pictures.]

Linear and ladylike

Black and white web dress by Giles Deacon.

Caped at Giles Deacon

Ladylike at Giles Deacon

Fashion in motion, indeed.

Devilishly decked out at Giles Deacon.

Tiers of joy at Giles Deacon

All photos courtesy of RDuJour.com.

Have Faith

Sometimes, I lose faith in fashion. Sometimes, I feel I can’t hold on.

Then, in a crystal clear moment, I snap out of it and my spirit sparkles.

For those of us who don’t see the silk line between the spiritual and the sartorial, Judith Leiber tells us we don’t have to choose a side. We can satisfy both of ourselves with her Lord Ganesh and Buddha minaudieres (that’s French for fancy, shiny purse!).

The start of good fortune, thanks to Ganesh-ji

Cash or karma?

Photos courtesy of Neiman Marcus, where both collector’s items are still available for sale.

Look at it this way, if you have to sell your soul to afford them, you can chant the minaudiere mantra.

Say my name, Say my name….or actually, don’t!

Karl Lagerfeld has been quoted widely in the past, and well, sometimes his comments can be a teeny bit elitist (yet always entertaining).

Same can be said for this full page ad, which appeared in WWD recently. It’s written by the brand marketers, read: lawyers, of said label formerly designed by a woman named Coco.

From now on, we will not refer to Chanel in this space, but rather the label which shall remain nameless. Am I allowed to roll my eyes or is that an infringement of some kind as well?

Mabille’s Modern Spring

Alexis Mabille is not a household name as yet, but the French designer is someone to watch. He mixes romance, with tailoring with just the right amount of edge.

Modern Regalia @ Mabille SS09

These are not your mother’s evening gowns.

Anything but bow-ring

The structures are certainly there, but they are always softened. This sexy pencil skirt is paired with a knotted black and white shirt and girly yellow sandals.

Purrrfect for work

Mabille’s nod to the ’80s is subtle. I used to have a glenplaid jacket that I wore to death, but these pieces are not harsh, as they would have been then. He mixes the glenplaid with houndstooth – both very ’80s patterns – but it’s done in a new way, here.  The lapels on the jacket are slimmer, rounder and shoulders not as pronounced. The pinned peacock feather butterfly is the perfect touch.

Glenplaid Garcon @ Mabille

The ’80s also show up in his skinny ties for women. They were seen with tuxedo skinny pants and a-line skirts.

Sultry School Marm @ Mabille SS09

A new take on the mod suit @ Mabille SS09

The satiny suit is toughened up with a metal belt. There’s always an element of the unexpected, in sweet, quirky accessories.

 

The skill behind these clothes is apparent. Mabille is no fly by night talent. A night out, in fact, is where his clothes may shine best.

Dynasty Du Jour

Fete, don't fret!

All photos from http://www.alexismabille.com/. 

Déjà Vu: Burberry vs. Terry Hall

Christopher Bailey clearly loves his music, as was evidenced in his menswear collection for Spring 2010. It made us nostalgic for ‘old new wave’. Many of the looks in the collection loosely recalled the styles of our favourite ’80s musical icons.

This one went one step further. I thought I was looking at a broody Terry Hall all over again, from his Specials days. Modern and smart for any Concrete Jungle.

Broody @ Burberry

In case you are feeling a little International Jet Set, the boys are back for a 30th Anniversary Tour, hitting the UK in November.

Burberry image source. Specials image source.

Retail Recall: Cozy Cottons at James Perse

LA retailer James Perse recently opened up a boutique in Montreal. Known for their cottons stateside for years, this is the first Canadian location for the cajh-wear company.

While I’m not a casual girl by nature, I do appreciate good quality cotton pieces for lounging around, so I added it to my retail pit-stops list on a recent trip to Montreal. Westmount is the perfect neighbourhood and vibe for these pieces, which range from t-shirts in varying shapes to long dresses, pants, loungewear and men’s stuff, too.

The online store apparently also sells furniture (does no one just do one thing anymore?).

The colours are neutral for the most part with the occasional burst here and there. Their neutrals include ultra muted shades of plum, blue and khaki. The cotton is indescribably soft. The cuts are simple, but alas, they weren’t made for curves. The Extreme V Tunic was er, too extreme V for me.

But I’d go back for the pajamas and robes any day. The sales staff were very helpful and had the same make-you-feel-good quality as the clothes.

We left the store refreshed (I’d swear we’d been to the Hamptons!), and in my friend’s case, with a big bag of purchases in tow for her and her hubby-to-be.

There was a hint that a Toronto shop might follow (in Forest Hill, no doubt), but there are no immediate plans at the moment.

Montreal
4869 Sherbrooke Street West
Westmount Quebec Canada

Tel 514 484 6163
montreal@jamesperse.com

Photos by Jean Blais, courtesy of James Perse.

40 and Flipping Fabulous

Christy Turlington is 40 – and Voguing for the Age Issue of the mag.

Beautiful. Successful. Intelligent. Self-aware. Chilled.

40 looks fab on her. Flip and find out for yourself – the issue hits the stands July 21st. Update July 17: It’s out. B and I picked up our copies today!

Need more Christy right now? Check out photos from her YSL campaign for Fall 09.

Déjà Vu: Seeing Spots

The couture collections for Fall not only had me doing a déjà vu, but I was seeing spots – and stripes!

While zebra stripes and leopard spots have almost become as basic as black or red, it was interesting to see both come out of the same fashion jungle that is Couture Week!

Properly Tamed @ Dior Couture FW09

Galliano showed a belted, tailored version of the zebra jacket for his ’50s classic couture show, while it was more mod and zippy at Armani Privé. In all honesty, I prefer the Dior over the flashy Armani….words I never thought I’d say.

Zipped Zebra @ Armani Privé FW09

Leopard lapel at Armani Privé FW09

Same goes for the spots, seen at both shows. I prefer Dior’s version – the spots are a nice contrast to the patent belt, proper pearls and ladylike hat with netting.

Dior's Spotty Siren, Couture FW09

All photos courtesy of Style.com.

Select Déjà Vu from the Categories drop-down menu to read about other fashion déjà vus I’ve had.

Fashion in Motion @ the V and A

Everyone knows the Victoria & Albert Museum is a fashionable place. I try to pop in to my favourite museum whenever I’m in London.

What I didn’t know about is Fashion in Motion – a series of live catwalk events at the V&A with some of the greatest designers of our time. And they can name drop: McQueen, Westwood, Ozwald Boateng, Manish Arora have all taken part.

The next event is on July 17th and features London star, Giles Deacon, who worked for Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Bottega Veneta and Gucci before going solo.

Giles Deacon SS09

Giles Deacon FW 09

If I were in London on the 17th, that’s where you’d find me. Tickets are free(!!), but go fast.

So if you are in Londontown, go and be fashionable already. If you are there, be a sweetie and send me snaps?

[Update July 26: See the photos from the event.]

Photos from Style.com.

McQueen’s Metalsmith Shaun Leane

If you are a McQueen maniac like moi, then you pay attention to every detail of every outfit  on every one of his runways – and you’ve noticed the jewellery that complements his vision of the clothes so perfectly.

Those creations are by one, Shaun Leane, a McQueen collaborator for the past 15 years. B and I just about fell over when we saw some of his jewellery at FIT’s Gothic:Dark Glamour exhibition last Fall.

Leane was interviewed by W mag recently for their blog feature: Five minutes with.

That bespoke piece he speaks of must be for Ms. Daphne Guiness, I’m guessing.

Leane’s work for McQueen was also featured at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2001, as part of their Fashion in Motion series.

Eye – Jewelled body armour, Spring/Summer 2000 by Leane for McQueen

Dante - Silver thorn arm piece and silver face thorns, Autumn/Winter 1996/1997 by Leane for McQueen

The Overlook – Silver Coil Corset and Skating Shoes for the Tundra collction, Autumn/Winter 1999/2000 by Leane for McQueen

Images by Maja Kardum, courtesy of the V&A, the best museum in the world, as far as I’m concerned!

God Bless Daphne Guiness

…for her love of fashion and her inimitable sense of style. New York mag’s The Cut bloggers bumped into her on the street.

Here’s the resulting video.

 

The Look Book: Daphne Guinness

Posted to New York Magazine by jgreen on July 08, 2009

Click to Play | View Details

L’Wren Scott dress, thrift store glasses, seasoned platforms she could do handstands in…all equal effortless style. What’s not to love?

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