Goth guy, Gareth guarantees his generation of garment-addicted girls and ghouls alike, will want a glass.
Absolut-ment!
Absolut Vodka get a gothentic Gareth treatment.
This certainly isn’t the first time Absolut has collaborated with fashion designers. Tom, Stella and countless other fashionists have created bottles for the brand, aussi.
A favourite Tom Ford ad - from my visual archives.
It seems designers and drinks, bevvies and beauties go hand in hand. Or hand in foot – in the case of Christian Louboutin’s collab with luxe bubble-makers Piper-Heidsieck, back in 1999.
Drinking out of a crystal, red-soled pump - the ultimate luxury.
Jean Paul Gaultier is also a member of the champagne set – he created two iconic bottles for the brand – the first, in 1999.
If you like your champagne, dressed.
He then increased his net worth with another Piper-Heidsieck bottle, launched during Cannes, earlier this year.
Fishnets and champers - two elements of French chic.
You know the one – you wore it years ago, for that pop of colour – back when pop music was heard on the spirit of radio?
I opted for electric blue when fluorescent colours were all the rage back then. It was under the radar, over ultra-glow, neon yellows, pinks, oranges and greens. I had electric blue socks and an over-sized, handknit mohair cardi in the same hue. I always wore it with black.
Call it brilliant blue, electric blue, cerulean, azure or phthalo - it’s back with a vibrant vengeance.
I’ve been collecting these images for several seasons now. At first, there were random outbursts of colour…but collections for Spring and Fall 2011 are saturated in blue notes – from couture to common, everyday fashion.
These are not your mother’s blues, my dears. These are make-an-entrance, knock-em-dead outfits that will have reds blushing.
Pimp and Circums-dance: Gucci's decked out '70s disco ladies for FW11. Love the deep red, glossy lip as a contrast to the blue - a new view for my eyes.
Look what the wind blue in – can you imagine these next two on a breezy day? (Note, I didn’t say windy – a subtle breeze is all we want.)
You'd be nothing short of electrifying in this pant/gown combination from Stéphane Rolland, from his Fall 2010 Couture collection. Je need.
Fringin' Fabulous: Emily Blunt, wearing Tom Ford SS11 in the January 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar UK.
Or you can create your own movement and express yourself…
Debbie Harry spins circles in electric blue in Blondie's Call Me video, 1980.
…the Expressionists certainly did.
Five Women in the Street by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, 1913.
This Christian Siriano ruffled dress from FW10 belongs in a painting, no?
Whether in a painting or at a dance, these rich shades and fabrics will have you panting for more.
1950s dance dress from Shrimpton Couture - you make me feel like dancing, I wanna dance the night away...
The shades from season to season vary slightly, but there is a boldness in each blue.
What a tangled blue web we weave - Gaultier Spring 2010 Couture.
Mabille showed a split personality for his Spring 2010 Couture show - part of which was blue.
I was obsessed with phthalo blue in my art school years – it had a depth and transparency all at once. Currently, I am obsessed with this gorgeous gown from Bibhu Mohapatra, which to me, exhibits the same qualities – it’s just frothy enough and yet solid in that impeccable neckline and romantic in that empire waistline. I would love to wear this to an art opening, to bring the phthalo full circle.
Frothy, without the frou at Bibhu Mohapatra, SS11.
Even if it’s a darker blue like navy or midnight, it’s a change from the LBD for evening.
Sweetheart, I'm yours - Armani Cruise 2011.
Wayne Clark - a true blue Canadian couturier - did this perfect layered dress in the '80s. This one is sold on Shrimpton Couture - sorry darlings.
It’s also a great way to add a little flair to your day.
Blue-accented grey, tailored glen plaid gets a soft, billowy blue jacket at Pringle, FW11.
The opposite sich at Stella SS10 - a crisp jacket covers looser pants.
I love how the suit has returned, but in what I call Suit 2.0 – the more social, interactive suit – it allows a girl to move. This shade will also make you stand out in the corporate hierarchy.
Slant twist on a classic blue suit at Costume National SS11.
And quite frankly, also at fashion fêtes the world over – because everyone else will be wearing buh-lack.
It looks just as great in "real life" - front-row-seaters Stafania Rocca and Fabio Novembre at the Costume show.
Imagine this on a dreary and rainy day.
Military or Mod? A coat from the Burberry FW10 show.
In this Rachel Roy, you can slink just about anywhere…but might need your own soundtrack to accompany you.
Rachel Roy shows how sexy a suit can be - from her SS10 collection.
You can toy with your multiple personalities.
Viktor and Rolf - always playing around with how to present their clothes. This suit comes in life-size versions, aussi.
The men can play this game, too.
A colour-blocked coat at Dries Menswear FW11.
Jonathan Saunders had a similar thought - only he was seeing double blue for FW11.
Flirt with as much – or as little colour as you can handle. And be sure to coordinate it with your landscape du jour.
I loved this image by Garance Doré, taken on Ipanema Beach last summer – the play of sunlight, the Louboutin sole against the patent blue, against the straw and sand.
It perfectly captures the energy of Rio as I imagine it to be. “Tall and tan and young and lovely…the girl from Ipanema goes walking and when she passes, each one she passes goes Ahhhhh…”
They know how to do colour on Ipanema Beach. Not sure which I love more in this photo by Garance Doré.
You might have to change your tune and give a nod to Mod with these on.
1960s Carnaby Street strutters, according to Pierre Cardin - part of the Bata Shoe Museum collection. I photographed these on a visit last Spring.
And really, could a post like this be complete without a couple of pairs of Blue Suede Shoes?
Strapped and ready to stroll. Hermès SS10 sandals.
Punk prancers by YSL for FW10.
My head is now exploding with musical references from punk days (mohawk heels, anyone?) to the glitz and groove of glam rock. Perfect boots to Do the Strand in?
These Givenchy Spring 2010 Couture boots are not only glam, they are glam rock, baby.
These had me taking steps a few hundred years back.
Velvet crush: Alberta Ferretti goes medieval mod for FW11.
If you can’t walk a mile in those shoes, perhaps you can add a not so subtle bauble to your otherwise neutral ensemble?
This Rado Blue Fascination Jubilé timekeeper has an 18K gold bracelet with 206 diamonds, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal face and hi-tech ceramic bracelet. Did your heart just skip a beat or few? It will set you back a cool 40K at Birks.
Oh, and let me borrow it? My cost per wear would be sky-high, since I only dabble in colour on occasion.
Keep Feeling Fascination: Rado's Blue Fascination watch.
So, really, this colour has you covered.
Peek-a-blue: I see you. JPG Spring 2010 Couture millinery at its finest.
It may be a cool tone, but its intensity will have you energized.
Clearly, I am taken with this Gucci topper - I'll add it to the list.
The trick to looking chic: a turquoise Treacy. Top marks.
It will leave you – electrified.
We're gonna rock down to Electric Avenue. Armani Privé Spring 2011.
I’ll have the remaining blue-hued images for you in part deux (yes, there are more if you can believe it).
Image Sources: 1. Vogue.com; 2. Elle.com; 3. Harper’s Bazaar UK; 4. You Tube; 5. Stegosauro; 6. NY Post; 7. Shrimpton Couture; 8, 9. Style.com; 10. Courtesy of Bibhu Mohapatra; 11. Style.com; 12. Shrimpton Couture; 13. Vogue.com; 14. WWD; 15. Elle.com; 16. Courtesy of Costume National; 17. Getty Images; 18. Style.com; 19. Courtesy of Viktor and Rolf; 20. Style.com; 21. Vogue.com; 22. Garance Dore; 23. Pierre Cardin Shoes at the Bata photographed by Me; 24-26 Style.com; 27. Vogue.com; 28. Courtesy of Rado; 29. Style.com; 30. Vogue.com; 31. Luxury Emporium; 32. Vogue.com.
Surf and turf: a popular combo platter of culinary delights from land and sea.
Well, the surf was definitely on at Jean Paul Gaultier’s FW11 menswear show – but so was the turf – and often in one outifit…a couture-esque combo platter.
Multi-tasking wardrobe at Gaultier, FW11.
Because you never know when you'll need a scuba suit!
It, of course, instantly reminded me of Hamish Bowles from the June 2010 issue of Vogue – when Hamish went to surf camp (I know).
The Surfing Sartorialist? Hamish Bowles, making fashion waves. De rigeur.
Wonder who inspired whom?
JPG images courtesy of WWD.com. Hamish Bowles by Mario Testino, courtesy of Vogue.com.
While fashion’s minimalism in recent years has dominated, the past few seasons have also showcased a curious case of excess.
When it comes to accessories, ‘the bolder the better’ has been the bon mot of the bejewelled and bespectacled set.
Christian Siriano studded specs for FW10
Rocking out with Karl Lagerfeld SS10 specs
Was everyone inspired by Devo? Guitar arm shades and funny hats?
Take me to your leader. Givenchy's cone topper
Imagine if a blogger wore one of these to a fashion show and sat in front of you. You’d be a bobble-head, trying to get a good view.
Or you could be a bauble-head instead…
Chanel's deco cuff from FW09. Fancy that!
Totally tribal arm adornment at Sabyasachi FW09
Keeping beauty at arm's length at Dior Couture SS10
If the dangling jewels weren’t enough for you at Dior, there were the beyond-elbow-length gloves in cerise, contrasted with a sheen of olive green. Delicious.
But if daring is more your style vibe, there was plenty of that, too, courtesy of gothentic Gareth and Manish Arora.
Drool-worthy and dramatic at Gareth Pugh FW10
Is it a glove or a bracelet at Manish Arora FW09?
It’s all a chain reaction, you see. The economy tanks. We minimize. We get bored. Fashion rocks and shocks us into the land of the living, once more. It shows us that our lives can shine on, again.
Retro excess, circa 1947. Photo by Nina Leen.
Fashion has always told us to toss our troubles aside…
Valaya Base feather boa FW09
…to let the fun flourish!
Nicholas Kirkwood's plumed prancers for SS10
There is incredible beauty in appreciating each step in life.
A beautiful mess of mesh at Valentino SS10
Alexis Mabille climbers
Be viny - not whiny. Alexis Mabille FW09
So, don’t let your troubles creep up – take a stand and stomp out the drama.
Another Mag 9 showcases YSL's solid stompers
Happiness is a precarious balance.
An extreme wedge for extreme situations at Givenchy
You’ve got to toughen up and believe in your power.
Givenchy sandals FW09
Wear armour, if necessary – to battle the brash.
I'll gladly wear these babies from Christian Siriano FW10
Shin-tastic at Manish Malhotra FW09
Luxury and necessity - wrapped up at JPG Couture SS10
What’s that old saying? Dress for the life you want.
As I look out at snow-covered rooftops (we haven’t had many in Canada this year, but we did manage to get a snow blitz the last few days), I am reminded by the colourful fashion images on my laptop that Spring is indeed around the corner.
In India today, they are welcoming Spring with the kaleidoscope of colours that is Holi – a festival devoted to rang and the welcoming of the season and all its glorious hues.
The recent Spring 2010 collections have virtually every colour within that kaleidoscope to choose from.
An illustration welcoming the season, from Satya Paul.
Poised in pink at Wendell Rodricks SS10.
Scarlet - not for the weak of sartorial heart.
Scarlet Lanvin SS10 - the full view, with shoes to match. Natch.
Extra strong mustard at Bottega, in the classic weave clutch.
Opting for drama at McQueen Pre-Spring 2010.
Stripes and structure at McQueen PS10.
Completely unstructured at Stella SS10. This dress needs an island breeze, n'est pas?
Miyake captures the Holi splattered shirt, perfectly.
Lanvin also does the one-colour look, complete with clutch. Drama at every angle.
A man all too familiar with drama - the demure kind. Haider Ackerman does haldi for Holi!
Galliano's 40s siren in fire engine red, for Dior SS10.
Slanted seductresses at Gaultier.
You don't need a ballgown for evening with this long jacket and flowy pants from Max Mara.
The classic Indian "combination" of fuchsia and hot orange at Stella.
Ballooned beauty at Gaurii and Nainika SS10.
McQueen's lemon yellow gown from PS10. Not a sour note around.
The 50s silhoutette at Rochas gets the floral treatment.
Love the minimalism of this dress with the perfect shoe at Ungaro - lets the colour speak for itself.
Chartreuse charms at Rochas SS10.
Liquid plum satin and the perfect shoulder at Talbot Runhof SS10. Je want. But please, not those shoes. I need the pointiest silver slings with mine.
The navy blue of the west, meets the navy blue of India - pink - at Ungaro.
A walking work of art, at Viktor & Rolf SS10.
Take mini, add colour, add frou and pouf! You have instant glamour at Valli.
Paisley perfection at Preeti Kapoor. I don't just want this. I neeeeed it.
Whether you celebrate it or not…
May your path be strewn with the petals of Spring and may everything you touch turn to exuberant, vivid, spectacular colour!
H O L I H A I ! ! !
Illustration courtesy of Satya Paul. India Fashion Week images courtesy of Yahoo India except for Preeti K image, which is courtesy of MSN India. All other images courtesy of Style.com.
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.
JPG is the latest visionary designer to collaborate with US bargoon retailer, Target.
The rumour’s been brewing for a while, but the rumour mill was based around the Go International line by the retailer. This is a bonafide Designer Collaboration, celebrating the American woman. (Um, thanks but what about the rest of us?)
The line will hit 250 stores across the US ( and presumably online – but we all know how the McQueen thing turned out for me).
The date to enter in your BlackBerries is March 7, 2010.
I have to be honest with you…I’m getting a little more than bored with the collaborations…the quality seems to be deteoriating.
My fave one is still Stella for H&M – the quality was unbeatable – 100% wools and cottons, great workmanship and even biodegradable bags. It was 360-degree Stella. Others since have been marketing cash grabs without the substance to fully back it up.
But let’s see what JPG can do. He is going from the ultimate in luxury -Hermès to Tarjhay. It will be an interesting transition to watch.
While all the flowy, a-line, drapy numbers are a must in our collective closets, sometimes a girl needs to show her waistline. And by that, I don’t mean baring your midriff à la Britney. I’ve been belt obsessed for the past year at least (still thinking about the Phillip Lim one btw).
There is nothing like a great belt to draw attention to your curves – in all the right places.
I have butterflies ON my stomach...
A loose white shirt goes ultra feminine with a nip at the waist, topped with a butterfly.
And Jean Paul Gaultier slings a suede number across a hip, for his Southwest collection for Hermès.
Southwestern Hipster at Hermes SS09
Karl Lagerfeld created a fantastic fetish-y one to complement his crazy hi-cuffs (still dreaming of those, too).
Yohji Yamamoto keeps it simple with a white double belt over all black with white sneaks. Japanese designers can make even the simplest elements (like white sneakers) looks new.
So hip it hurts
Simple Cinching at Yohji SS09
Extreme Waist-fullness at McQueen SS09
Of course, there is no such thing as simple at McQueen. This elaborate leather filigree corset is intricate enough on its own, but McQueen layers it over bias cut printed silk for that gasp effect!
Ports 1961 goes for the art factor with this sculptural copper adornment.
Copper @ Ports 1961
And while these may technically be from the Spring Summer 09 collections, we don’t live by seasonal clothes in this space. They are great inspirations for Fall, too.
Fashion Night this season was like putting on an old favourite pair of skinny pants and adding a shiny new pair of shoes with the box and tissue still scattered on the floor. It was decadent.
I knew it would be good as soon as I got out of the cab to arrive at E’s. With laptop bag (a fashion night first) over one shoulder, black snakeskin tote carried nonna-style (arm bent, bag tucked inside of elbow, dangling) on the other arm, the tip of my red Michel Perry boots caught the door as I searched the CrackBerry for a buzzer number. Standing before me was a tall gentleman, back turned, also waiting for the door.
As he turned, we both stopped, looked at each other and smiled in familiarity. It was Brian Bailey. “Well hello”, we said in unison. Turns out we were both in the same building visiting friends and neither one of us was being buzzed in (the girls had gotten into the Ripasso, I bet, or were too busy unloading Vogues) to notice my (lack of?) buzz.
Gave me a chance to catch up with Mr. Bailey whom I haven’t seen in about a dozen years. He is still quite the charmer and as warm and genuine as ever. Did the 30 second elevator chat before we parted ways. Told him I started the blog because I missed fashion. The girls were disappointed I didn’t bring him a floor up to join us! Alas, next time.
What a perfect run in – for a night of fash fodder. [For those of you just joining us, get a Fash Night primer.]
Takeout: Fancy pants cheese and crackers, rockin’ rotis from Gandhi, complemented by Dufflet’s carrot cake and two kinds of Ripasso + JPG limited edition glass bottle Evian water.
Mags: Vogues – British | Anna’s | Paris | India, W, Elle+ some mag with the “latest” in Egyptian styles (from the 80s??).
Men Present: Mr. E – who sweetly picked up the rotis for us and poured the wine and “pretended” to work quietly beside us. Uh huh.
E – Helmut Lang one-shoulder, grey, printed top + J brand skinnies.
Me – CDG white shirt + drapy black Zara sleeveless top + Zara couture skinnies with ankle zips.
What we learned:
B is over jumpers – thank goodness. The intervention took.
I presented the blog to E for the first time – she had no idea I was doing this. Gave a full lesson on blogs and Twitter. Non-techie girls like it from a distance but won’t wear it yet. Will read exshoesme, though. Phew!
E wants colour (!) – we collectively decide it should be yellow. Yellow would complement all the lovely greys she owns. Plus, she is wearing heels now. B and I look at each other in disbelief.
I was worried about weird ice cream colours this season, but am thrilled with jewel and spice tones, along with the black and white. Deep magentas and raspberries have my attention right now. And I will stock up on my greens.
Love the gold accents at Dries (the girls are shocked). The gold is their influence. I usually prefer silver – call it a goth remnant.
B gives us the full scoop on designer Barbies in Shanghai and Lane Crawford/outlet shopping in HK. [Will have the full interview on the latter on the blog soon.]
I gave the usual darshan of Vogue India – especially the wedding issue with Mrs. Becks on the cover
Spice Girl, indeed...Posh posing for Vogue India
B brought sew and tell. She *made* almost-Liberty-print/agnès b-esque frocks.
Dart Detail
Those hems are hand-sewn, kids. Indicating how long they take her to make, she gave the best line of the night: “At this point, they might as well be couture.”
The elbow-length gloves are off. E says she will have to step it up next Fashion Night. Can hardly wait!
Jean Paul Gaultier’s love of art and architecture was obvious, this season. He paid homage to Buckminster Fuller in his Spring 2009 Couture collection.
Now he’s gone ga-ga for Dada, with this beautiful nude gown…
Nude Descending a Runway, JPG Couture SS09
…reminding us of another famous nude by Marcel Duchamp.
Nude Descending a Staircase No. 2, Marcel Duchamp, 1912
Life isn’t always black and white but many designers the world over were thinking along those lines this season. Not as sombre as you may think for Spring, it was all about the flirt. Inès de la Fressange was a bright light on the Gaultier Couture runway in a one-shoulder tuxedo dress – a great interpretation of both trends.
JPG also did an airy, fairy dress, structured on the tetrahedrons that fascinated Buckminster Fuller.
L’Wren Scott opted for a sexier silhouette with her curvy scoop neck day dress. Purrrfect for running Saturday errands?
The skinny black pant is still lurking around (a big sigh of relief from moi). Which do you prefer? Chanel’s dressy, lace and tulle accesorized ones or Yohji’s layered modern city numbers?
