Galavanting 2

It’s party frock season. Thought you might need some inspiration for your New Year’s Eve attire tomorrow night. We can’t all afford these gorge gowns but they will give you some ideas about shapes, proportions and colour.

Let’s continue galavanting, shall we?

Adding some frou always works – whether it’s in the form of bows, feathers or a little lace.

Alexis Mabille Haute Couture FW09

You could take a simpler, white, strapless or sleeveless dress, add a feather boa and maybe a wide, black ribbon tied around your arm or wrist in a bow, borrowing from Monsieur Mabille?

And those T-strap sandals? I have a great pair from Nine West so you can get the look without spending a fortune.

The Chanel Haute Couture collection for FW09 was not up to its usual standards, but I liked the intricacy of these lace dresses. You can easily find elements like this in vintage pieces. I was in Kensington Market in Toronto just yesterday and saw lots of black lace and chiffon. I don’t do strapless, so I’d throw a crisp, white shirt under this one…

Chanel Haute Couture FW09

…or you could just take a regular LBD that’s in your closet and add a lace bag or gloves – easily found in vintage shops – wherever you live.

Chanel Haute Couture FW09

I love the petal effect on this David Dixon dress – plus, it won’t kill your budget like Chanel HC!

David Dixon gown, SS10. Photo by Angela Y. Martin

The next two examples are all about shape.

Have curves. Will travel.

I adore the idea of a jacket and long skirt and lu-uv this silhouette. (Sorry, what’s that? I couldn’t hear you from inside your closet as you look for the similar items you may already have!) I’ve been following David Dixon’s work since the mid-90s and this is a man who knows his clients (and us women!) very well.

David Dixon FW09. Photo by Angela Y. Martin

This dress by Tarun Tahiliani needs its own soundtrack. Of course, you will want the actual dress, but in a pinch, you can take that slinky top you already have, put on the widest and flingiest pair of black pants OR the curviest skirt you own, throw in a statement necklace and voila! You will ring in the New Year with drama!

Tarun Tahiliani FW09 dress. Photo by Vinod Kumar.

If shaped and fitted isn’t your thing, opt for a flowy vibe. This ’70s inspired paisley gown from Etro is one of my all-time favourites. I know fashion fate will lead me to it one of these days…

One from my fashion archives from a few years ago - Etro's paisley gown.

The colours from Bottega Veneta and Ranna Gill provide nice options if black is blasé where you are concerned.

Bottega Veneta gown from the Resort 2010 collection.

Ranna Gill's colour blocked column from SS09.

This David Dixon frock combines leather and tie-died silk – adding structure and movement all in one shot.

David Dixon FW10. Photo by Angela Y. Martin

And now you social butterflies can have it all – a shorter shift with a longer, chiffon overlay.

Gaurav Gupta FW09 - the long and the short of evening dressing.

For me, the colour of choice would be a gorgeous green. Here are a couple of other favourites from my archives…first, a McQueen fit for a modern goddess…

Alexander McQueen's green Grecian goddess from FW07.

…and this divine creation for Gucci by Mr. Ford – why saunter when you can slink your way into 2010?

Gucci's glamazon from FW04

No matter how you ring in the New Year, do it with style, grace and a dash of inspiration…

Sources: Mabille photo from Getty Images, Bottega, Chanel, Gucci, McQueen photos from Style.com. David Dixon photos courtesy of AYM Photography. Gill photo courtesy of Ranna Gill. Tahiliani and Gupta photos courtesy of WLIFW. Etro image courtesy of Neiman Marcus.

Winter Luxessity

I know technically it’s not the Arctic tundra.

I know there are no yaks running around.

But Toronto was cccccold today.

So I found myself dreaming of winter luxessities from Hermès.

Keeping toasty in the Himalayas: Hermès FW 08/09 Indian Winter Campaign

Raquel Zimmerman in Hermès FW 09/10 . That coat appears in my couture dreams.

Hermès FW 08/09 Indian Winter Campaign

The skirt and Jypsiere bag from the Indian Winter Campaign still make my heart flutter.

Hermès FW 08/09 Indian Winter Campaign. The colours of the Motherland amidst a winter wonderland.

Still piling on the pashminas in FW09/10.

The perfect companions: a mini Siberian Husky and a So Kellly Bag from the FW09/10 campaign

Message to you, Ru-dy: Bring mama Hermès for 2010!

Just looking at these images makes me feel warm and cozy.

Images courtesy of fashiontography and luxuo.

Déjà Vu: Toronto & Vegas Get Crystallized

Toronto pulled off a coup in recent years by getting a few Starchitects to add to the local landcape. Frank Gehry’s stunning makeover of the AGO swirled into our hearts, Jack Diamond’s rethink of the home of the Canadian Opera Company was so popular, they asked him to build another opera house in Russia and of course, there is the much loved and hated Crystal by Daniel Libeskind at The Royal Ontario Museum.

Libeskind's Crystal for the ROM, Toronto

Its steel peaks jut out over Bloor Street in a very un-Torontonian way. We are a polite people. This structure doesn’t say excuse me when you pass it on the street, on your way to luxe stops like Ports 1961, Chanel and Hermès.

It gives Toronto a wee bit of the fabulous. But just a little, please. We don’t want to spoil our dinner.

If you are looking for the actual luxe life, forget shopping on Bloor Street (even during Boxing Week) and venture to Vegas.

The city has just launched a 500,000-square-foot luxury shopping mall called the Crystals – something that might bring about a déjà vu for us, Torontonians.

The Crystals Mall by Libeskind, Las Vegas

It’s all part of an (lie down for this) 18 million-square-foot complex spanning 67 acres, that will include hotels, condos and a casino.

The Crystals and beyond, Las Vegas

Vast Ventures in Vegas

Brand names (like Tom Ford, LV, Tiffany & Co) aren’t just on the walls, they are in them, too. Libeskind designed the retail and entertainment space but here is a sampling of a few other creative minds involved…

• ARIA Resort & Casino (Cesar Pelli)
• Mandarin Oriental Hotel/Residences (Pedersen / Tihany)
• The Harmon Hotel/Residences (Foster and Partners)
• Vdara Condo/Hotel tower (Rafael Viñoly)
• Twin luxury condo towers Veer (Helmut Jahn)
• $40 million worth of modern sculptures and installations by world famous artists

Starchitects and Startists are so tasty. You can never have just one. Sort of like shopping, no?

ROM image courtesy of Studio Daniel Libeskind. Crstyals images courtesy of WWD.

Daphne Guinness – Mega Muse

We knew Daphne G. was a busy gal. We just didn’t know exactly how busy until this Fall.

When she’s not creating perfume/inspiring art, hawking ubercars and diving in diamonds, she is flogging fashion.

Ms. Guinness is the new face of  the Spring 2010 Akris campaign.

The blonde skunk hair is definitely gone (for now at least).

This Daphne has transformed into a sleeker, razor-sharp version of the original.

I’m guessing she will do the same for Akris – add a je ne sais quoi quality to the luxe Swiss brand.

Daphne Guinness for Akris SS10

Daphne Guinness for Akris SS10

Photos by Steven Klein, courtesy of Vogue UK.

Have a little fun with your fashion…

Sometimes we can all take life – and ourselves – a little seriously.

I don’t know about you, but I need a little fun.

Why not start with your fashion? After all, half of it is dressing the part, i’nnit?

Fancy that! Libertine FW09 floral coat.

My quest for frivolity led me to these gorgeous pieces from Libertine – the label known for mixing up the unexpected. They first caught my eye several years back when they silk-screened a pink floral pattern on a grey tweed suit. I had never seen anything like it.

The tweed silk-screened suit from the FW04 collection.

Johnson Hartig (with partner Cindy Greene) leapt over mainstream fashion barriers by using recycled clothing…then he deconstructed classic, tailored pieces and added graphics for a completely unexpected, clear your throat (a-a-ahem) approach to dressing.

The latest collection for FW09 is true to his tongue-in-chic form and throws in a little Anglomania – something that is always welcome in my closet.

Loved seeing this proper coat that HRH herself might wear - with an image of Her Majesty screened on. What a scream.

God Save Anglomania!

Men can get in on the act, too. I loved this men’s trench with Liz screened over the wearer’s heart. Cheeky. It would look amazing over a slim suit/skinny tie combination.

Why should the girls have all the fun? Libertine men's coat from FW09.

The caped crusader at Libertine.

The caped crusader look can’t be pulled off by everyone, but I enjoyed the Brit historical references – you can see a bit of the Edwardian period in this and proper boys’ school attire, but also the glory days of punk on the King’s Road with those combat boots.

I seem to be getting over my Joan Jett/Pat Benatar vibe from this past season, so the inspiration from these pieces will help me spread my fashion butterfly wings…

Mix and unmatch.

…just in time for the New Year.

I've always loved this layered and cozy men's look.

A nice alternative to the basic trench @ Libertine

This one is on my wish list.

Here’s to laughing at ourselves a little more, having a lot more fun and to not-so-plain loosening up.

Who says fashion is faceless? Okay, this one is on my wish list, aussi.

Shake up the winter blahs with this Libertine fun-fest coat.

Ok, let's have some serious fun!

Cheers for the nudge, Johnson.

Images courtesy of style.com.

Christmas Traditions, Rocked

I’m not usually a sucker for Christmas music but I caught a re-run of The Hour’s holiday special (from Dec 21st) last night , which offered a twist on tradition.

I loved that George dressed up for the occasion – fancy shoes and a jacket, no less – and not of the motorcycle variety.

Also adored Michael Bublé’s fashion vibe: grey, mildly ripped jeans, nice white shirt, skinny black tie (or was it charcoal?), grey suit jacket and patent grey shoes. Dapper.

Here’s a preview.

You can download all the performances for free…they include great collaborations by Metric and the Hamilton Children’s Choir + The Mighty Pope and The Sadies, among others.

But my fave Christmas song is still…

Shane McGowan makes his own fashion statement with the striped shirt, aviators and bad teeth with Kirsty MacColl in all her big haired glory, from a live performance by The Pogues in 1988.

Happy Christmas, music and fashion lovers.

It’s Christmas Eve…

…spread a little style wherever you go…

Winter Berry fashion illustration by Lauren Bishop, originally created for Jackpot magazine.

Sex and the City 2 Teaser Released

Yes, I still get pulled into this. Watched every episode on pirate satellite HBO way before it came to Canada. Used to wait for my Canadian friends to catch up to it on Bravo months later to discuss the fash.

Call it the nostalgia factor…here’s the teaser trailer.

Designed to Drink

If you’re heading out to a holiday party and the hostess happens to be a fashionista or design buff…

…the Paul Smith limited edition Evian bottle is dressed to impress.

Not that I’m condoning not bringing your hostess champagne – the other French beverage of choice.

Inspiration: Auntie Mame

Inspiration is like rainfall.

One drop lands on your head…another on your nose…and another on your tongue. Drip, drip, drop…

Little droplets of random thoughts, reckless musings, a tweet here, a conversation there and then it all flows, showering over you.

Yesterday, I had a déjà vu inspired by a vintage photograph. It was of a black and white check jacket that likely sparked in my mind because the McQueen Fall 2009 jackets were so beautiful and striking and in my recent memory database.

Maybe subconsciously they are the reason I’ve been wearing so much black and white this season. Or maybe the black and white garb is a result of my encounter with Mr. Ford. Who can be certain?

Today, I had a meeting to talk social media (part of a global social media thing I am working on with some very cool folks) and afterwards, was tweeting when I should have been fashion blogging…answering a question from @wornjournal about party planning characters.

Maybe it was the fact that I was in event planning mode, maybe it was the vintage inspiration from yesterday, or maybe just because it’s the holidays -  but the party planner that came to my mind was Auntie Mame. It’s one of my favourite films of all time.

Watching the original trailer inspired this post. So many things she wore in that movie resonate with me and resonate with the virtual fashion storage closet in my head.

May it inspire you…to dream a little, to laugh a little and to wear something shiny as you gear up for the holidays – however you may celebrate them.

Déjà Vu: Checked and Re-checked

It’s been a while since I had a déjà vu.

I was looking through one of my fave blogs and came across this stunning image from Life magazine, from a feature entitled Extreme Fashion originally published in 1949.

Extreme Fashion as seen in Life mag, 1949. Photo by Nina Leen.

Doesn’t it remind you of a more recent, extreme collection?

Alexander McQueen's checks for Fall Winter 2009

McQueen’s houndstooth suit has a more fitted waist, but speaks volumes. The sleeves are three-quarter length and the skirt is full, giving the suit a vintage vibe…but the length and the varying size checks are total modernity.

I also loved the bias cut of this coat dress and the play on angles. It’s no optical illusion how fabulous a girl would feel in that twisted ruffle. Such drama.

The modern version of the 1949 jacket? Alexander McQueen FW09

Take one classic check, make it Big, add an ’80s pant, play with vintage proportions, add fun. Stir.

Checks go extreme at McQueen FW09

Going to extremes is never out of style.

Photo sources: one, two, three, four.

Steichen Snapped More Than Stars

Edward Steichen wasn’t as black and white as one would think.

He just took those kinds of photographs.

Actress Joan Crawford in a dress by Schiaparelli, 1932 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1932 Condé Nast Publications

Well, that was the medium, anyway – black and white photography – but his subjects, the artist and his inspiration were dense layers of greys.

I’ve been meaning to write about him for ages, having attended a first-ever joint launch by the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) for two photo exhibits that have been giving Torontonians a glimpse of celebrity in recent months.

The first is an exhibit of Steichen’s photos, entitled Edward Steichen: In High Fashion, the Condé Nast Years, 1923-37 at the Gehry-fied AGO.

Princess Nathalie Paley wearing sandals by Shoecraft, 1934 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1934 Condé Nast Publications

On George Baher’s yacht: June Cox wearing unidentified fashion; E. Vogt wearing fashion by Chanel and a hat by Reboux; Lee Miller wearing a dress by Mae and Hattie Green and a scarf by Chanel; Hanna-Lee Sherman wearing unidentified fashion, 1928 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1928 Condé Nast Publications

The second is Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913-2008 at the ROM, which I will feature in an upcoming post.

The Steichen ex was put on by a few great Museum minds – the Foundation for Exhibition Photography in Minneapolis and the Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne, France collaborated with the AGO.

The international flavour was fitting for Steichen’s worldly photographs of other-worldly subjects. His photos are credited as the birth of modern 20th century portraiture as we know it and they still resonate today.

Poet William Butler Yeats, 1932 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1932 Condé Nast Publications

I had the opportunity to chat with William Ewing, Director of the Musée de l’Elysée, who provided a wealth of information about Steichen off the top of his head, while strolling through the exhibit with me…

Steichen was the most famous, most reproduced, highest paid photographer of the 20th Centry, but he didn’t start off that way.

He was a real Renaissance man – a writer and educator, an industrial designer, a glassware artist and he also worked at the photo department at the Museum of Modern Art.  While there, he worked on a photo exhibit called The Family of Man, which is still on display in Europe today.

However, Steichen’s first love was painting, so he gave up photography altogether.

Ultimately, it wasn’t in the cards for him. Frustrated that he wasn’t as good as Renoir, Cezanne and Picasso – the reigning painters at the time – he burned his paintings.

He was actually the first person to bring the works of Picasso, Matisse, Renoir and other painters to New York.

While in New York, he read an article in Vanity Fair that called him the greatest living portrait photographer (quite the dilemma since he had originally given up photography for painting).

So he called the magazine and was offered the role of Chief Photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair.

The rest is photographic history.

Actress Pola Negri, 1925 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1925 Condé Nast Publications

The renowned ballroom dancing team Antonio de Marco and Renée de Marco, 1935 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1935 Condé Nast Publications

He snapped the couture collections of every major designer of the time; he shot actors, musicians, writers, artists, dancers and politicians.

Actor Adolphe Menjou, 1925 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1927 Condé Nast Publications

Actress Joan Bennett, 1928 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1928 Condé Nast Publications

Actor Gary Cooper, 1930 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Matthieu Humery Collection/Philippe Machecourt © 1930 Condé Nast Publications

His photos were always inventive; the light was always controlled, as any of the 212 prints in the ex will attest.

There was always a story behind the artistry.

Steichen invited you in to listen to it, with your eyes.

Self-portrait with photographic paraphernalia, New York, 1929 Gelatin silver print Courtesy Condé Nast Archive, New York © 1929 Condé Nast Publications

The exhibit runs through January 3, 2010 – not to be missed by photo or fashion lovers.

All photos © Condé Nast Publications, courtesy of the AGO.

Mod girls need a new place to shop

Ben Sherman, the Carnaby street retailer synonymous with mod fashion for the past 50 years,  is getting out of the women’s wear game.

After a tough year, the retailer plans to focus on its bread and buttah: menswear.

Shame for mod girls the world over.

Image courtesy of bensherman.com.

Margiela is Really Gone, Daddy, Gone

WWD confirmed Dec 9th what we told you last month: Martin Margiela has left the building.

And he isn’t being replaced by Raf Simons or Haider Ackerman, but rather by the team he worked with - some 25 designers – with no one playing a lead role.

“We came to the conclusion that we didn’t want to substitute [Martin], not because he is irreplaceable, but because we are the Maison Martin Margiela,” Giovanni Pungetti, chief executive officer of Maison Martin Margiela told WWD.

I’ll post a few pics from the Spring 2010 show soon, but it wasn’t the usual Margiela vibe. Pungetti, however told WWD that orders are up 20%.

Margiela goes commercial.  Oh the humanity.

The Maison is also planning a perfume launch with L’Oreal in February, 2010.

Something about this whole story just doesn’t smell right to me.

With files from WWD.

Daphne Guinness: For Sale

So, as I mentioned earlier this week, Daphne Guinness has been hawking a few products lately.

On December 5th, she was dripping in diamonds, celebrating her collaboration with David LaChapelle on an ad campaign for Maybach, the ultra luxe cars by Mercedes-Benz, (pronounced mai-bakhh).

Here is how the spot was made, with Ms. G in a starring role.

Daphne also collaborated with Comme des Garcons earlier this Fall on a perfume for the brand. Here’s the spot for that one. (I don’t know about you – but I find it a little eerie.) [Update Dec 18: Thanks to one of my readers, Michaela, for this correction: the short film was inspired by the collab with CDG - and is not a spot for the perfume. See Michaela's comment below.]

And we’re not done yet. There’s more Daphne G to come next week…