Monday, December 26, 2011

Collection: Chanel Pre-Fall 2012


I love Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel.  I don't know how many times I can say it.  But I love him.  He is so damn creative and his shows always blow me away---the themes he picks each season are only matched by the clothes, hair, makeup and music that he sends down the runways that fits them.   We have seen the Byzantine Chanel girl, the Russian Chanel girl and most recently the Mermaid Chanel girl of Spring 2012.  One of the most beautiful collections I can remember comes from Lagerfeld's Pre-Fall 2012 collection recently shown at the Grand Palais in Paris.  With Paris Bombay as a theme, guests were seated at an elaborate banquet set-up where they were served champagne, guava juice, tea, and miniature cakes and sandwiches. An antique silver train with the double-C Chanel logo ran around the table.  

The Paris-Bombay-themed collection, inspired by the jewels, colors, and fabrics of India, was accented by nose rings, deep kohl rimmed eyes and twisted dreadlock updos. Pure luxury and it truly left me speechless.   John Lennon's "Instant Karma!" served as the soundtrack, which to me, again was brilliant and served as Lagerfeld's cheeky addition to the show (we all remember Lennon's fascination with India).  
















Fashion in Film: La Règle du Jeu

I am back!  This past month or so has been a crazy time for me between work and travel.  I think I have been on 8 planes, 2 trains, 2 buses, and countless numbers of cars in under 30 days.  But now that I have had a moment to breathe, I am happy to be back.  Expect a number of posts!

A friend of mine has an interesting blog where he talks about the intersection of music and film  (here! click!)  and that has inspired me to want to do more features here on the intersection of fashion and film.  My first piece was back in August where I talked about Isabel Marant's inpiration from the movie Shalako.  I grew up watching and adoring classic movies.  My favorite movie at the age of 4, according to my mom, was Brigadoon.  So, let's go back, way back, shall we?


How many people know that Coco Chanel designed clothes for the stage and film?  Almost 4 years after she introduced the black dress into society, she took on the task of designing costumes for her friend Jean Renoir's 1939 film "La règle du jeu".  How fitting that the woman who introduced the pant suit and more mannish styles at a time when women were vilified for not wearing corsets would design for such a controversial film.

Denigrated by the public, vilified by the critics, re-cut at the insistence of its producers, and finally banned by French government as demoralizing and unpatriotic,  "La règle du jeu"  was a commercial disaster at the time of its original release. On the surface, a series of interlinked romantic intrigues taking place at a weekend shooting party in a country chateau, the film is in fact a study of corruption and decay within French society on the eve of the outbreak of World War II.  Only made available again in its original form in 1956, it has become one of the most noted French films to date.  

Chanel's take on the look of Renoir's characters and the underlying commentary on French society is equally as telling as the undertone in the film.  For example, the chambermaid, Lisette, follows different 'rules' than the other characters and, against convention, is given some of the most extravagant costumes in the film, reversing the idea of what a 'maid' should look like.  Take a look at the stills below, the high neck bowed collars, especially, are distinctly Chanel.  Enjoy!









pics from IMDB

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Give: Indego Africa Trunk Sale

Fashionistas with a heart, take notice.  In the season of giving, what better gift to give than one that looks fabulous, is unique, and goes to a good cause?  In DC tonight you have the opportunity to do just that (and online for you other folks).  Tonight, Indego Africa is holding their first ever trunk show in DC. Indego is a non-profit, fair trade organization that empowers African women to lift their families out of poverty through fair trade partnerships, international export market access and long term skills. One of these mechanisms involves selling gorgeous handmade accessories and home decor items online and in boutiques across the US.  I love the collaborative bangles with Nicole Miller, the friendship piece that would be an excellent arm party piece (trademark by the Man Repeller, shudder), the iPad cover and the wine bags.  All under $25.  Check it out both at their website here  or tonight at the show  
When: Thursday, December 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 1111 11th Street NW; call 412-997-0602 upon arrival.






Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The archives: Versace cow-print shirt

I love when you can go shopping in your own closet.  After a trip home, home, for Thanksgiving, I took a trip down memory lane.  While some people may sort through pictures, my trip involves going into the 'archives' as I like to call them, also known as my childhood closet.  I brought back with me a fabulous red velvet suit, a few pairs of shoes, and this Versace top--so old that the tag says 'Gianni Versace', as in when he was still alive.  It is what I call Versace does cow, because it (to me at least), looks like a colorful cow print. With the most perfect cowl neck collar and draping, I can't wait to put this little number back into rotation.  Welcome back!


Sunday, November 27, 2011

Detox: Rehab for foodies

Because I have been living like a rockstar lately and because I have 1 week until my birthday and 2 weeks until I will be living in a bikini, I looked at myself and said "snap out of it" get yo-self on a detox.  I don't claim to be anyone who is knowledgeable about anything.  I don't know nuffin about birthin' no babies, Miss Scarlett.  But, I do know what works for me in terms of diet/exercise/detox.  Don't think for a second that I would embark on some ridiculous lemon water diet.  Of course, I have tried it and was miserable.  Let's face it, no one is fun to be around when they are hangry (hungry+angry).  And what joy in life is there without good food? (Surely, I am not the only person who structures their whole day around their next meal?)    Anyway, I think it is about small choices you can make, doing things in moderation, be consistent, yada yada....So here is what I do when I want a little boost in terms of my diet/exercise/detox.

Exercise - Tone x2, Cardio x2, Yoga x2.  You know you have to. The four sessions I listed above are what work for me, but some people prefer more cardio or yoga or pole dancing or whatever. The point is to do 4 formal sessions of exercise per week----I combine cardio and toning.  I don't feel like one works without the other. When I say 'tone' I mean anything that works your muscles and core - be it a class,  monkey bars, rock climbing etc. I like the classes where you are lifting weights for an hour and then cannot move the next day.   In addition, you want to maintain a certain level of activity on a daily basis - For me that means I put on my flats and walk.. Aiming to do a few miles of walking as part of getting to work, getting lunch and getting  home will have you almost there. May sound hard but its a conscious choice to make - leave early on the way to work and walk to the next metro stop, go up the stairs instead of the lift, get off your desk and do some errands at lunch.  Or just take a break and enjoy the day


Nutrition - Again, not rocket science. Pack your diet full of fruit and veggie, lean meats and fish, and cut down on all the good stuff (booze, salt, sugar, fats). Swap your nightly starchy foods - like rice, noodles, pasta, bread, potatos etc, for beans, lentils and more veggies. I don't agree with the whole Atkins no carbs thing (Jessica Simpson looked wayyyyy hangry when she was on it) but limiting nightly intake makes sense.  As does cutting out the lovely stuff.  I tend to go Asian.  This means for me things I love, so it really isn't a big deal---fermented soy bean soup which is packed with veggies and tofu, and eat it with seaweed and kimchi (which I could eat forever).

For snacks, I'll be eating roasted unsalted nuts like almonds maybe mixed with a few pieces of chocolate as well as fruit and crackers (always with a bit of cheese, I mean, c'mon!). Cutting down on alcohol is also a key element of the detox. I don't mean becoming teatotal, and it will all be relative to your current drinking levels, but having none during the week and only a few over the weekend seems to me to be a good approach (but ohhhhh so hard!).

I guess I failed to mention not to eat take away junk food, as in, ever. Its shit. I'll leave it at that.  And we all know this, but it is good !!  Although... one small cheeseburger may be allowed if you are incredibly hungover and stayed out until 4am the previous night. However if this is the case you probably already drank your weekly calorie intake in one night so a cheeseburger aint gonna kill you... (the detox sounds like its gone off the rails already!).

That is all I got.  See how it works for you.  What are the things you cut back on when you need a detox?

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Handpicked: Magnum

I would beg, borrow, steal, or sell a pinky for this Rag & Bone coat.  I mean really, who needs a damn pinky anyway.  Buy it here, (buy 2, one for me, one for you)  Happy Thanksgiving! xoxo

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Gift Guide: Culo


Need a gift for the hot blooded, meat-eating man in your life that also appreciates beauty and art?   "Culo", the photo coffee table book by Ralph Mazzucco and directed by Diddy and Interscope Record's Jimmy Iovine, feature what else but the culo, aka the ass of girls like Gaga, Nicole Scherzinger, Fergie, Alessandra Ambrosio amongst others.  The photos are actually beautifully shot.  Indeed, the world is no longer flat.  Can be found on Amazon.com for $39

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Say what? Nowhere Shoes

Uh, say what?  These shoes by Elin Kling's Nowhere line are so flippin' major, majuh, chic, to die, or whatever else you want to say.  They are good. end of story.  And kinda cheap.  Now can someone tell me why Nelly.com won't ship them to the US?  Say what?  If the peek black magically appears on my front door in size 37 I will love the Euro shipping fairy forever and ever.  


Monday, November 21, 2011

Stay: New Hotel, Athens Greece

It is that time of year when the days get darker before they should and the temperatures drop below what I think a person should live in (50 degrees F).  And so my mind drifts away to thoughts of travel and hotels, which I love more than most people.  Greece is on my list of places I want to go and in my research I came across the New Hotel.  Designed by Brazilians Humberto and Fernando Campana, together with the art collector Dakis Joannou, an old city hotel in Athens is harmonically merged from reclaimed pieces of the old Olympic Palace Hotel, the end product being something that is extremely visually stimulating and unexpected.  Chairs are re-purposed from old coat hangers and fabric, walls are covered in  old lamps, wood scraps and old table legs are juxtaposed with ultra modern art fixtures and amenities.    Can't wait to get myself there. 





Photos from New Hotel

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Obsession: The Supermodel

I love what is going on with the resurgence of the Supermodel.  With the launch of the Versace x HM icons collection this week, I am reminded of being a young girl obsessed with Linda, Cindy, Christy, Eva, Helena, and Naomi.  I still remember that there was a magazine called "Supermodel" or something and it was an entire magazine devoted each month to the life and style of a supermodel.  One of my favorites was Karen Mulder.  Do you guys remember her?   I think she actually ended up in a mental hospital and then was arrested for an attack on her plastic surgeon (#supermodelproblems).  I seriously wonder what my mom thought of me as a 10 year old obsessing with these people and these things.  Anyway, Duran Duran's latest video (as is pretty much all of their music) is my new obsession.  Watch for appearances by all of the girls we grew up wanting to be.   Reminds me of George Michael's video for Freedom.  Both are below.  Enjoy!



Monday, November 14, 2011

Style Icon: Lenny Kravitz

The first concert I went to without any kind of parental supervision, was to see Lenny Kravitz and the Roots.  I was drawn to his music, but also drawn to his style.  At the time, when I was a freshman in high school, both Lenny and I loved faded bell-bottoms, shaggy fur and bohemian hair.  He had dreads, and I had multiple hair wraps interlaced with gems and shells.  Over the years, his hair was cut, and his style evolved, as did mine.  He always has remained, even when dressed classically, to have a bit of that je ne sais quoi, I don't give a shit ---look that I love.  




Pics found here

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Art: SupaKitch & Koralie

I love wall art because it is that unexpectedly surprise---a dash of color or whimsy, often in the starkest of places---when you least expect it.  When I first saw the work of SupaKitch and & Koralie in this video, I thought that one of them must be mixed Japanese or something.  Their Japanese influence is obvious, despite their very French nationality. More interesting to me, however, is the very intricacies of the wall art---layers of paint topped with free-hand drawing.  Fun to watch, would be even more fun to see in person.  Enjoy :)

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Art: Jonathan Andrew

In tribute to the gray that envelopes the season of Fall, I present photographer Jonathan Andrew's artful look at the abandoned military bunkers of WWII (which is another one of my obsessions).  Both haunting and serene, they paint a picture of emptiness and history at the same time






See more here

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Outfit: Kriss Kross



Finally, an outfit post.  This is how I do "work". 
Jacket: Vera Wang for Kohls, Skirt: Stella McCartney, Tank: American Apparel, Belt: gifted DG, Boots: Jimmy Choo

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

via Elle Tumblr




Art: Project Pothole

Artist Juliana Santacruz Herrera took to the streets of Paris to “repair” potholes by filling them with colorful knitted fabric, turning a typical city eyesore into something cheerful and optimistic.  I am not sure how these hold up, but they do make you smile :)







via POC

Editorial: Denim and Baseball

In tribute to the official end of summer, the World Series, I feature this shoot from September's Elle Italia.