Lee McQueen’s Spring 2010 collection was all about bugs and reptiles.
I expected the resulting ad campaign to be dramatic…just not this creepy crawly.
Hope those reptiles were digitally added in after the pic was taken. Hard to tell where one creature starts and another ends…
Relaxing with the reptiles...
Bonjour couture,
J’adore, j’adore…
Immersed in event planning for Social Media Week Toronto and while I am having a ball, the lack of fashion immersion is killing me.
I wore my stilettos for Monsieur Gaultier today. I wasn’t at the show, but I was there in spirit mon amour, couture!
Here’s a fashion snack to tide us over until the next post…
JPG Haute Couture SS10
He’s captured it all – the obsession with balloon pants the past few seasons, the vest (another staple), the big shoulder – exaggerated to drastic proportions here, our love affair with black and white and just a touch of frou frou. And yet, it all seems so new.
The way the skirt edges out of the side of the pants and the button detail is pure, unaltered Gaultier.
Simple? Seams that way...only it isn't...
Images: style.com.
YSL kicked off their men’s collection with this steamy short film by Bruce Weber. [Warning: there is nudity.]
Here’s a video of the full collection. Beautiful fabrics and pieces overall – things that I would love to wear, but don’t necessarily want to see on my future husband.
You’ll see snippets of the details I loved in upcoming posts.
Haider Ackermann’s collection this Fall was a story of greys. So many designers turned to the colour this year, but Ackermann’s take on it was a nod to the many nuances of life that aren’t simply black or white.
A woman is an intricate creature with many layers and curves.
Love the softness of the drapes against the edge of the leather boots.
The loosely military inspired collection (another trend in coats and jackets of late – see Burberry men’s FW10 and Dolce’s FW09 collections for both men and women) used muted greys instead of khaki.
Layered satins, velvets, wools and cottons kept the quiet colours interesting.
Beauty, in proportion.
He added reds for punch, and one of my favourite looks of the entire season is perfect in claret and in charcoal. I want them both.
The look that was a big point of discussion on Fashion Night.
Ackermann’s clothes have impact – whether you are wearing them or drooling over them in a store window.
The window at 119 Corbo, Toronto - Haider on sale!
How I'd love to wear this to dinner, to work or to the supermarket.
They’re hard and soft all at once.
The jacket says don't mess - but the satin speaks to her softness.
Tons of tassles pacify a long, sleek jacket.
It’s the modern mosaic of the city girl, influenced by the global landscape. Multiple cultural references punctuate clean lines.
Suits don't need to be stiff...
A well-tailored jacket speaks volumes.
These clothes are for the woman who isn’t afraid to show off her confidence – or her style IQ.
Easily the best pants of the season at Haider Ackermann FW09.
All photos courtesy of style.com.
Men in skirts are not new, but have been showing up in more than a few places recently.
So, it wasn’t that exactly that had me doing a déjà vu.
It was the fact that this Pringle of Scotland men’s look from their recent FW10 collection…
…looked so much like this one from Mr. McQueen’s FW09 men’s collection.
Alexander McQueen menswear show, Fall 2009
Truth is, I like them both. The lapel and piping on the Pringle jacket is perfect and I love the length of the skirt.
Here are a couple of others, layered with argyles and tweeds.
Tweed 3-piece Suit from Pringle of Scotland FW10
Highland Honey @ Pringle of Scotland
Both Pringle and McQueen have roots in Scotland, so I can see the reason why…
There, men in skirts are a part of the cultural fabric.
Photos: McQueen from NY Mag, Pringle from Vogue.
The men’s FW 2010 collections are downright provocative.
First, there was the New Model Army at Burberry.
Then there was the right to bare arms at Dolce and Gabbana.
Sizzling Sicilian Soldiers?
Carabinieri Caldo?
Things are getting heated in men’s fashion.
Baring his arms, soul and a little more, while donning the new long-john legging pant for men at Dolce and Gabanna FW10.
Images courtesy of Fashionising.
Here are my comments on the 2010 Golden Globes’ fash dash.
The red carpet was full of black – not a huge surprise, but there’s been less of it in recent years from the A-listers (most of the hired PR help in the background do the black).
People played it safe, but played up the accessories to enhance the noir palette.
January Jones playing Mary Poppins on the soggy GG red carpet.
January Jones accessorized her Lanvin shoulder twist dress with a fresh updo and ribbon headband. This look isn’t new but it made Jones look fresh, much preferred to the overdone poufs down the carpet.
Love the red lipstick on January.
There was a teardrop earring trend – my favourites were the topaz and diamond numbers worn by Courtney Cox. Her hair was my favourite of the night, too. I am definitely working that do at a future event (incidentally, it looks much better from the side – didn’t photograph that well). The earrings I will dream about.
Baubles dazzle on Courtney.
Julianne Moore wore a pair of teardrops as well – not as stunning as Courtney’s…
…but then she already had the best accessory of the night…Mr. Ford on her arm. Made up for her lack-lustre Balenciaga flopping dress.
The only accessory a girl needs.
Nudes and whites also dominated…Drew did nude best, in Atelier Versace.
Nude, with a twist on Drew.
Drew, being Drew. She won her first GG on Sunday night.
I wasn’t crazy about Kate Hudson’s Marchesa dress, but props to her for being able to walk in these insane platforms.
She makes it look so easy!
Then there were the random bursts of jewel tones…
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s coral RM by Roland Mouret dress fit her to perfection. It was simple, yet unique. The organza applique reminds me of my mom’s sarees.
Mermaid Maggie
Cameron Diaz dared to wear red – always a great colour on her. The dress is a McQueen stunner, but it’s meant to be worn with utter confidence. Having to hold up the train because of the rain and it being satin, it just didn’t come across like it should have.
Not meant to be accessorized with black shoes or a striped umbrella, the McQueen misses in this case.
However, the colour is perfect on Cameron.
Thanks Cameron for not wearing nude lipstick with a red dress – usually the safe route in Hollywood.
I’m not one for big dresses, but Sofia Vergara from Modern Family carried the graphite and red Carolina Herrera so beautifully.
Beautiful, even with the rain marks.
Her dewy makeup and side-pinned loose hair was oh so elegant.
The men played it safe this year. Alas, no Johnny on the red carpet.
Mickey Rourke represented though, with an alligator lapelled suit. On anyone else, it would have been ridiculous…but it was very Mickey.
And English gentleman Colin Firth was a class act with 1920s diamond studs on his shirt, dressed by Mr. Ford, of course.
Sofia Vergara image courtesy of Celebrity Gossip. All other photos courtesy of JustJared.com.
Roll call.
Christopher Bailey?
Present, sirs!
"You say you want a revolution...Well, you know..." -Beatles
Mr. Bailey continues to Show Up, time and time again, with utter and total presence.
His men’s FW10/11 show in Milan was true to form – and will likely become the uniform for gentleman the world over.
"And a corporal sneers at a catholic boy. And he eyes his gun like a rich man's toy. He's killing more than celtic joy." -Aztec Camera
"Tore down the House of Commons in your brand new shoes..." - The Jam
"There are no frontiers that we can't cross tonight." -The Alarm
Bailey’s men are not over-the-top suited power players or grungy vagabonds or the cashmere elite.
His are a new model army of modern, everyday gentlemen, be they rock stars or the divine digerati.
"We are not young and beautiful, we are not rich and bold. And we are not your people who bought the dreams you sold." -New Model Army
"Did you see the stylish kids in the riot? We were shovelled up like muck. Then set the night on fire. Wombles bleed truncheons and shields. You know I cherish you my love." -The Libertines
This man knows what he is doing – paying such great respect to the rich traditions at Burberry (which include the trenches of World War I) and making clothes for men (and women) that are still fresh, interesting and highly covetable.
"Your friends all pass for life is just a market. But you have to finish everything you started. So I live my life tearing down the runway. Sure to get the hang of hanging in there someday. Don't let go the coat." -The Who
"Why don't you walk away? The sun won't swallow the sky. Why don't you walk away? Statues will not cry." -Franz Ferdinand
These are not costumes for parties and the fashion set. These are perfect, tailored elements for the film set of everyday life.
"I'm sleeping in a battle ship. I'm sleeping in a submarine. I'm sleeping in a fighter plane. I'm sleeping going down the drain." -Arcade Fire
They are uniforms for the fight against the plain, the mundane and the bland, without being grand.
"But the freak, and his type, all for nothing. He misses a step and cuts his hand, but showing nothing, he swoops like a song. She cries: Where have all Papa's heroes gone?" -David Bowie
"And before you abuse, criticize and accuse, walk a mile in my shoes." -Bryan Ferry
At attention we stand, Mr. Bailey. At attention, we stand.
"There's a guy in my block, he lives for rock. He plays records day and night. And when he feels down, he puts some rock 'n' roll on. And it makes him feel alright. And when he feels the world is closing in, he turns his stereo way up high." -The Kinks
All images of Burberry Menswear FW10/11 courtesy of Fashionising.
Image captions are a gift to Mr. Bailey, a fellow muso. Each is attributed to the band that wrote the lyrics. If you don’t know these words or bands, get thee to Google.
Women have been on a perpectual quest for years.
Every woman I know, in fact, is looking for it.
It’s come up in countless dinner/coffee/cocktail conversations with friends/colleagues/perfect strangers in line at the post office.
No, it’s not the quest for happiness (well, maybe in a way?), or the ideal relationship, a way to manage all your social media inboxes or even world peace.
It’s the search for the perfect black shoe x 2.
Well, darlings, your search is over. If the shoe fits…by all means, wear it!
Mr. McQueen. Of course.
Is it wrong to be in love with a shoe?
Available at www.alexandermcqueen.com.
Scene: the offices of a Heritage fashion brand…
HALsTon, who goes there?
Sarah Jessica Parker.
Carrie?
Yes, well, she’s a character I play. I’m an actress.
Have you ever designed clothes before?
Well, gosh, no…but I do have a bunch of perfumes that have been really successful.
Have you ever held a fashion executive position in the past?
No, but I worked for Vogue. No wait, that was Carrie. I was acting. Er…I do wear lots of pretty things…
/End Scene
If you haven’t already heard, SJP might be taking on an “advisory” role at Halston. That could mean design or an executive position.
Is this celebrity culture gone too far, my dear readers? I think so…
See the Halston Heritage look Carrie wears in the SATC 2 trailer.
Here’s another fantastic vintage Halston (from Shrimpton Couture) I am lusting after – the value of which just went up.
1970s raspberry Halston coatdress
Sabyasachi Mukherjee almost always gets it right, when mixing modernity with the traditions of the Motherland.
I love that his clothes respect the culture from which they originate. Rich brocades, pashminas and luscious jewel tones are all an essential part of his creative toolkit. In a time when India is embracing the Western way of life at breakneck speed, he reminds us that it’s okay to be true to your culture.
While everyone else does skinnies, he sticks with the churidaar but makes it out of sheer chiffon – or is it georgette?
While everyone shortens up, he keeps the longer kurta.
While everyone uncovers, he even covers the head – a true sign of respect.
Dignity, beauty and tradition intact @ Sabyasachi FW09
A Sabyasachi earthy, textured look from a previous season or two.
What’s interesting to me is that while India is obsessed with the West, so many in that hemisphere are looking Eastward.
Missoni’s FW09 collection surely had some roots in the deserts of Rajasthan, no?
Missoni's Modern Mataji of Milan?
Missoni image from Style.com. Sabyasachi images from Rediff.
