ADR AND VERSACE FOR H&M

The hyperkinetic but always fabulous Anna Dello Russo just posted this backstage video on her website.  I found her plastic covering a bit disturbing, but agree that Versace for H&M and ADR are made for each other.

Initial previews of the collection feel overpriced to me, given that this is a fast fashion retail outlet, not couture.  But others may find it worth it, if only to get a feel for the frenetic fashion energy that is both Versace and Anna Dello Russo.

What do you all think of the collection?

SPOOKY MONKI

Since we don't have Monki here in the US, I only discovered this Scandinavian brand this year through blogs.  They have the most fascinating concept photo shoots.  From what I gather, their stores are whimsical journeys to traipse through as well.

Here's the latest from Monki Magazine, their Spooky Issue:

Their pieces are actually rather basic, but they rely on your creativity to bring the outfits alive.  

If it were possible to walk into a photograph, I think I'd like to step right into this Monki World.

All Photos:  from Monki Magazine, monki.com

LANVIN'S FALL 2011 VIDEO

I had been enjoying the double trouble Lanvin campaign in the magazines.  I didn't realize there was actually a video, shot by Steven Meisel, accompanying it.




It won't win dance awards, but it is rather amusing, particularly when Alber Elbaz joins the fun towards the end.  As always, we can also simply appreciate Lanvin's feminine glamor.

IRENE SURVIVAL KIT

I feel for family and friends on the East Coast, particularly NYC.  As of yesterday, they reported that it wasn't that bad.  Most of them are veterans of disastrous tropical storms in the tropics!

It did remind me to pull out my Wellies just in case we begin winter rains early here on the West Coast.

from eBay

Nothing like fun puddle jumpers to brighten up a grey day.

EXTREME VERSATILITY

I am off on a short trip again, a last hurrah for the summer.  My packing rule - versatility.

What I really would like is Donna Karan's Infinity Dress, introduced many years ago.  Or something from Rick Owens.  But that is for someone whose budget differs largely from mine.

Donna Karan's Infinity Dress, worn so many ways

So my version is the Lilla P "Origami Wrap" (though there are many other designers with their own version).  It goes from cardigan, to draped jacket, to halter top, to long-sleeved T, ...  The list is as endless as your origami skills.  See the demo video from Lilla P's website:





Here are just a few of my favorite looks from this piece:

Twisted jacket

Rear view, tied in the back like a bustle

Worn as a halter top
Can be tied front or back

One piece, multiple uses. As handy for travel as a Swiss Army knife.  And it fits, rolled up, inside your purse.

MISSONI FOR TARGET

Just out: sneak peaks of Missoni's much-anticipated collection for Target.

(All photos from Target advertising campaign)

Missoni for Target ad campaign

Now we can all get striped up in Fall colors -- down to our travel bags, and even, ta-dah! -- biking around town.  How cute is that bike.

Behind the Scenes from photo shoot
Source: Target campaign shoot

Their housewares are also very fun and cute, in signature patterns and colors.  Word is that Margherita Missoni has a lot of these in her apartment in Paris.  If it's good enough for her, it should be good enough for us.

For those with babies and little girls, their children's collection was divine too.

The collection appears in the stores on September 13th.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN EXHIBIT IS A RECORD

I knew it was a phenomenon when the queue waiting to get into the Alexander McQueen Exhibit spanned several roomfuls of exhibits at the Met Museum.  I used to go to the Met weekly when I lived in NYC, and had occasionally seen crowded special exhibits.  But this was something else.

"Savage Beauty", according to the Met, is expected to log a record attendance level since it began tracking 50 years ago.

Alexander McQueen Exhibit, "Savage Beauty"
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Alexander McQueen Exhibit,  "Savage Beauty"
Source:  Metropolitan Museum of Art

Alexander McQueen, "Savage Beauty" Exhibit
Source:  Metropolitan Museum of Art

Alexander McQueen, "Savage Beauty" Exhibit
Source:  Getty Images

What made McQueen so much more than a designer.  These weren't just clothes.  These were figments of a highly original imagination fueled by history, literature, the arts ... We loved him for it, and miss his impact on Fashion dearly.

I must say, I enjoyed standing in the queue.  It was one of the best-dressed queues I've seen in a while!  It  was fun talking to fellow visitors, many of whom were in the artistic fields:  graphic designers, art consultants, fashion designers, and more.  And also, it was wonderful to see all these people populating the Met.  Most visitors ended up wandering around the rest of the magnificent exhibits even after the visual overload that was Savage Beauty.  The surrounding exhibits served as palate cleansers, preparing for the upcoming stimuli in the adjoining galleries.

You can see my previous post on Alexander McQueen and his exhibit here ==>  More Museum Fashion,

MORE RESORT 2012 LOOKS

Resort collections really are so much fun.  Here are just some of the looks I would love to wear this season.  (All photos from harpersbazaar.com)


For going about town during the day:

Chloe

Chris Benz

Erdem

For meeting up with friends over drinks or dinner:

Philip Lim

Alexander McQueen

Finally, for an event:

Givenchy

Salvatore Ferragamo

Everything looks so easy and breezy.  In fact, the McQueen get-up is the most complicated looking with the layers and accessories.

All photos from harpersbazaar.com

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE ON THE STREET

Perhaps my favorite Street Style season is during Paris Haute Couture week.  How can one not be inspired by anything amidst the Eiffel Tower and the city of Love?


All photos from Elle.com


I just love the simplicity but utter put-togetherness of the yellow pants look below.

This white dress is all girly-frilly but looks grown up with the gorgeous coral clutch.

The lovely Ms. Hanneli Mustaparta always looks beautiful.  Even a floral bohemian maxi can't make her look dowdy.

This lady must really love flowers.  They are everywhere, and in 3D!

Thanks to Elle.com for the street coverage!

VIONNET RESORT 2012

I just love Resort Collections.  Most of them can go from Spring to Fall, and they always come in luscious colors with the promise of beautiful vacations and memories.

As I pack for a trip to NYC tomorrow, I think about some things I wish I had in the suitcase too.  These are just a few items I liked from the Vionnet Collection!

all photos from style.com

Vionnet Resort 2012
summer night cocktail outfit

Vionnet Resort 2012
great for a sudden cold snap

Vionnet Resort 2012
I love this modern take on Grecian Goddess

I hope your summer is going well!

ASCOT'S HATS & FASCINATORS

I may be the only one in the US that wishes we wore head dresses with more imagination than baseball caps.  The mother of all hat events, the Royal Ascot, did not fail to impress again this year.

Here are a few of the items that sat atop ladies' coiffeurs:


All photos from the UK Telegraph

Marie Antoinette?

Peacock fascinator

Perfectly shaded while checking out horse stats

A daffodil in the grass

Wouldn't our days be brighter if we brimmed ourselves in these outlandish takes on a common chapeau?

NEW YORK BLACK

I just wanted to share this great slide show from Bill Cunningham at the NY Times.  It is so truly New York, to be in variations of black even in the heat of summer!  These two folks on the Upper East Side have such terrific style.

Video from The New York Times

TIBI RESORT 2012

It's Resort Collection time.  For the season that takes us from spring through early fall, I really liked the easy-going looks.  They carry you from day to night with minimal fuss.

That brings us to Tibi's collection.  So simple, yet with a pop of orange when needed.

Photos:  Tibi Resort 2012 Collection, from style.com

THE MODELISTE

I stumbled upon this fascinating video of the work behind the scenes of a couturier.  The Modeliste translates the 2-dimensional sketch of a designer into a 3-D, real life outfit.  The translations by Nicolas Caito are beautiful!


Video from style.com



This makes me appreciate the art of couture, and even just old-fashioned dressmaking (of which I have not talent!) even more.

... FALLING DOWN, MY FAIR LADY!

Did your Mom ever teach you how to walk in high heels when you were younger?  I remember a bunch of us girl friends practicing how to walk in our first heels before the Junior Prom.

Well it seems that even models need to learn.  Platforms and super high heels are accidents waiting to happen unless you have strong ankles.  Drinking your milk (It does the body good) is probably not a bad idea either.  Anorexic models look like they don't get enough.

Video from The Telegraph UK











Given the sky high fashions these days, I've actually seen Classes - yes, classes - for walking in heels!

But really, just remember these tips:

1.  Pilates lovers will understand this: engage your abs when you walk.  Don't let your ankles take all your weight.

2.  Stronger calves and ankles also help you stabilize.  Do your calf raises.

3.  Practice walking in your heels before the big event.

4.  You know those Pole Dancing classes?  They can teach you all how to move in heels!

5.  Or just know when it's time to call it quits suffering for fashion.  Falling on your face is never attractive.

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

I can't believe this weather.  A storm looks like it's brewing and the trees are getting whipped around.  My friends and I were commiserating that we were wearing our Fall garb!  I had a cashmere sweater and knee high boots on -- and it's May.

It's raining now.  I'm just showing you my trusty, Desigual jacquard coat, worn with the orange rabbit fur scarf.  A dash of color always helps on a grey day!

Desigual coat with rabbit fur scarf 

Desigual coat with rabbit fur scarf

I hope your week is springlike and sunny!

MARTHA GRAHAM AND MINIMALIST COSTUMES

Today marks what would have been Martha Graham's 117th birthday.  The iconic dancer and choreographer completely changed dance in America, and after that, the world.  Modern Dance, as we think of it today, is really because she made it that way.

Martha Graham in "Lamentation"
photo by Barbara Morgan

She created her own dance vocabulary for the body.  Somehow, it always vacillated between rapture and pain.  She moved away from the theatrical backdrops of dance and exotic costumes, and instead, gave us Modern Minimalism.

Just look at all these photos, whether or not you are a dance enthusiast.  The costumes are timeless!  We can even wear all this out today.

"Martha Graham: Letter to the World"
fondly known as "The Kick"
photo by Barbara Morgan

The following image was not in high definition so I can only post it small:

Martha Graham
photo by Barbara Morgan

Happy Birthday, Martha!

MISSONI COLLABORATION WITH TARGET

For us mere mortals who eagerly await Target-Designer collaborations, we are excited to find out that Missoni has signed up to provide 400+ pieces for the fall!

Following photos from Missoni's Fall 2011 collection.  Source: style.com

I preferred Missoni's electric Spring/Summer 2011 collection to this fall one.  Nevertheless, I am still curious to see if they provide Target with their signature zig zag multi-color knits.  Shipments are expected on September 13th.

Photos: from style.com

TRAVELING: WEEKEND STYLE

I'm off to LA this weekend.  I am so determined to just have carry-on!  You know how much space several pairs of shoes take in the roller case ...

Aside from the old trick of stuffing accessories into the shoes, I decided on using my day-to-night BCBG suede jacket.  It has some cool geometric accents.  Plus, I go crazy over anything with zippers.

BCBG faux suede jacket
from BCBG. com

BCBG faux suede jacket
from BCBG.com

It's sleek and fitted and goes marvelously with bright colors -- so yes, I get to use red, green, even purple with it.  I'll probably head to the airport in a red knit top plus denim skirt.  Also packing some spandex capris too for the weekend in red and black.

On the itinerary is the Rodarte exhibit at the Pacific Design Center.  Can't wait!

I'll see you all next week ...