Couture Comforts

Dries Van Noten skirt, Proenza Schouler shirt, YSL boots, Ben Sherman blazer (below), Anne Klein necklace, random bracelets

 

In honor of Haute Couture S/S 2011, I thought I would throw a little decadence into the outfit today, namely in the form of sequins.  I can't say I'm usually a sequins kind of girl, even off duty, but of course, leave it to Dries to do it in a way I love.  In fact, I think the only sequin pieces I own (all 3) are Dries, and span multiple Dries season.  I think that's what they call a pattern.  In any event, this tonal semi-matte sequin makes a great option for adding some drama and excited to daytime wear. Complimented by the ombre silk-wool, (yes it's ombre, hopefully I can capture that better next time once winter lighting begins to recede), I'd be hard pressed to find any design flaw with this skirt--I love it so!  But, to turn back to the inspiration:  Haute Couture 2011--can I just say how much I love that this still happens and how much I loved the Dior show.  Yes, it may not have exactly been new territory, but the reincarnation and animation of Rene Gruau 's work (a legendary Dior fashion illustrator during the Golden Age of couture) was astounding.  The manner in which John Galliano played with light and dark set against wisps of black to convey the illustrative origin of the collection was  nothing but inspired.  And then the work....oh, the work!...I have no words for the skill and handicraft that went into creating the sumptuous degrades and delicate layers of tulle and embroidery.  I was having a supremely bad day until I saw thiscollection, and at once it was all turned around.  This is fashion at it's best: uplifiting and soul-satisfying.

On the other hand, there is this exercise in excess and gaudiness that went by the name of Armani Prive's couture collection.  Are you kidding?  Someone has been drinking way too much of the Lady Gaga jungle juice.  From the ovoid-hat to the chain face-masks to the garish finishes of the materials, it was all too much.  I appreciate the research and innovation that goes into making organza look like a metal, but beyond that, I could have done without the future-by-way-of-80s-music-video looks

. (runway pics via style.com)

Baby, It's Freaking Cold Outside

 Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons shirt, Proenza Schouler longsleeve tee, Balenciaga skirt, Club Monaco tights, Tory Burch shoes

I am upset because I can feel how cold it is standing near the window.  Oh and it was snowing.  Balls!

It is cold as all hell outside, and all non-essential functions of my body, including higher-level motor skills, have ceased operating.  MUST. GET. TO. WARM. NOW.

A billion cups of chai can only get you so far apparently.  BUT, couture wrap-up coming up!  Enjoy some structured Balenciaga contrasted with some drape-y Comme for now. :)

The Weekend Girl: Glitter Western

Wrangler shirt, Blank jeans, Giuseppe Zanotti glitter boots, rings from market in India

 I'm not one to mindlessly follow trends or encourage others to do so, but what goes on on the runways is definitely a very direct inspiration for the direction(s) I might choose to go any particular season (as I'm sure they are for a host of other people).  Spring '11 has shown us a spate of '70s influences--Marc Jacobs, YSL, Karen Walker, Louis Vuitton, to name but a few--with a high emphasis on the disco part of that decade.  Unfortunately, I hate disco.  No offense to anyone who has an affection for over-the-top lame and glitter concoctions, but the whole look is just too much, even for me.  Maybe a dash of lurex here or there, but this is something that you won't see me trying to do.  EVER.  Nevertheless, the idea '70s renaissance has indeed gotten to me and has got me feeling a seriously '70s western kind of vibe (think a bit S/S '10 Chloe)--cowboy boots, workshirts, denim (wide-leg and skinny), albeit with a little bit of that disco glitz (see above: glitter Zanotti boots).  So basically what I'm saying is, I won't do disco, but disco cowboy is a total go.  Part Elvis, part spaghetti western, part Village People, the combination makes sense somewhere in my mind.  Along with the twisted granny trend that's been the bread and butter of my personal style for a while now, I sense a whole lot of time warp coming on.  What's your M.O. going to be for Spring '11?

 

Patch Work

 YSL pants and wedges, Rugby button-down, Rochas sweater, Gant socks, J. Crew belt

 This is what happens when you try to take pictures by yourself--feet go missing

 Asymmetrical patch stitching--but I kind of like it that way, happy accidents!

So I've been ooh-ing and aah-ing and generally soiling my pants about the new incarnation of Rochas; however, sadly, I had yet to actually own any pieces outside of a very solid share of Rochas footwear.  Thanks to Barneys 75%+ that is no longer the case and I am the proud owner of this very fabulous sweater: nubby grandpa, and saucy '60s lame' vixen in one!  I have always been obsessed with elbow pads (I was such an erudite little thang), so when I saw this jumper on the rack I almost died.  And then Tommy Ton shot it and I died a little more.  The thing I particularly love is the fit.  Something about the seaming in the shoulders makes it fall just so.  I can't yet discern the reason for it, but sometimes you just have appreciate genius and not try to explain  it.  Although, I do think the saucy elbow patches would be a great (and probably easy) DIY for someone out there.  If you are so inclined and make a go of it, let me know! Between this and the nipped in Dries jacket, I'm thinking signing up for a sewing class may save me mucho dinero.  If only my To-Do list weren't 1,342,948 miles long.  Sigh.

Old Hollywood

Dries Van Noten blazer, DKNY shirt, Barneys New York pants, Marc Jacobs shoes, Akubra hat

 The Golden Globes, aka the annual nationally-televised Hollywood drunkfest, were held last night, and, if I wasn't exactly inspired by the winners (The Social Network, really?), I can safely say some of that old-school Hollywood glamour may have seeped into my brain anyway.  Make that old-school male Hollywood glamour.  DOH!  Always willing to take a page from the boys when it comes to the in-week wardrobe, this was a completely new iteration that I didn't quite realize was an iteration until I saw the pictures.  Straight out of The Philadelphia Story--wide-leg, high-waisted pants, loafers, double-breasted jacket, I say I give Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant a run for their money, no?  So, the moral of the story is that the Golden Globes were actually good for something (besides the wildly and hilariously offensive Ricky Gervais sticking it to uptight celebs)--new Working Girl style icons!

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Pre-Fall 2011: Top Picks

This week has been the busiest yet:  I've been helping one of my favorite labels during their Pre-Fall 2011 market week, which basically means I've been a clothes-carrying beast of burden the last week.  Which  means I have been passing out like the old lady I am as soon as I get home.  Which means I haven't been very good about posting (although the all-black uniforms of market week aren't really much to write home about anyway). New outfit posts will be put together post-haste, but until then, I thought I would do a little round-up of my favorite pre-fall collections:

Celine:  While I've appreciated the Phoebe Philo-Celine aesthetic, none of it has jumped out at me as a "must-have" until this collection (granted, that's mostly because Ms. Philo does not seem to believe in hips, which hopefully will change for pre-fall!).  Love the prints and sophisticated lines.  Love the styling (white socks!).  Seems very tomboy-meets-ballet-dancer-off-duty.   If this is a precursor to F/W 2011, I can't wait to see what's to come. All aboard the Philo train!

Balenciaga:  I only need to say one thing:  dog sweater.  It first made its debut in 2000 and it's back, as is a lot of classic Balenciaga in this pre-fall, updated brilliantly, of course, by the inimitable Nicholas Ghesquiere.  Love the peplum ruffle belts and the strong Cristobal-influenced cocoon shapes.  Simply lovely and modern, without going overboard on the inventive fabrics, which Nicolas sometimes has a tendency to do.  No worry, they're still here, just dressed up über-elegantly. 

 

Rochas:  Marco Zanini's first pre-fall for the house, there is nothing but pure whimsy and humor in this remarkably innovative, yet reserved collection.  After Spring's stellar line, Zanini seems to have finally become comfortable with his voice--and what a voice it is!  All at once reserved, playful, modest, kooky, subversively daring, elegant, and feminine (with no element too over-the-top or obvious), it's as though he's gone and Inception-ed my dream wardrobe season after season.  Especially loved the over-sized silhouette of the pants--as though a little girl got into her dad's closet.  Brilliant with just the right touch of nostalgia.

Pringle of Scotland: Even though I'm not generally the biggest fan of overt '60s influences as a whole, I'm really digging the '60s silhouettes in the latest Pringle collection.  Combined with the very traditional cableknits and cardigans, the look ends up a little bit collegiate, a little bit woodsy, all very wearable and chic.  The fur-trimmed outerwear particularly stood out as perfectly cozy and sophisticated options for chilly nights.

Proenza Schouler:  Already wrote about this collection, but just want to reiterate how gorgeous I think the prints are, even if I'm not totally on board with those infamous Cholo shorts.  The Guatemala-by-way-of-Switzerland feel is a great way to break in the winter season and bring a little bit of joy to what are sure to be dreary days to come.

(All images via vogue.com)