Fab-ulous

Vocabulary: Nemes

2009-06-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

NEMES Egyptian 4,000 B.C. to 50 B.C.

Striped head cloth worn by the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt. It covered the whole crown and back of the head and nape of the neck (sometimes also extending a little way down the back) and had two large flaps which hung down behind the ears and in front of both shoulders[1].

Then~Now

The Gold Mask Of Tut- Ankh- Amun[2]~~~~~~~~~~~Paul Smith[3] Spring-Summer ’09 RTW

New Kingdom, 18th dynasty

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] Katheryn A. Bard, Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt, Routledge.1999.

[2] Picture Source: Egyptian Museum

http://www.emuseum.gov.eg/details.asp?which2=633

[3] Picture source: Style.com

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/S2009RTW-PAUL

Over Hang

2009-06-27T02:07:00.000-07:00

Exo-Skeleton

2009-06-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

Trend: Austere Simplicity

2009-06-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

Seasonal Trend: Metallics

2009-06-25T02:06:00.000-07:00

Alexander McQueen and David Sims S/S 10

2009-06-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

For those of you do not already know, I love Alexander McQueen. And not so long ago, McQueen with David Sims for his S/S 10 menswear collection, produced a short film exploring the intangible nature of creative expression driven by ache and agony of the human psyche. The film brilliantly depicts the stream of consciousness of an artistic mind as ideas form, morph and finally interpret themselves into unique creations that both dress and address the onlookers' eyes.

If you haven't already seen it, Go here.

Lanvin FW '09

2009-05-23T02:48:00.000-07:00

I've had Lanvin's Fall Winter 2009 collection on my mind a lot lately. That is because it was crazy amazing. Elbaz's cutting and immaculate draping in bias wraps, bunchy bows, draped suits and chic dresses all made for designs to make the women feel sexy while still being in control. It seemed to me to be inspired by the character of Marlene Dietrich in The Foreign Affair. I can't stop raving about it.

It. is. fabulous

Seriously...

2009-05-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

I have a fashion-bone to pick.

You know what annoys the piss out of me? The challenging world of tights.

I can't even remember when or how this distaste started. Yes, it is that old now, and yet, girls are unwilling to give it up.

I liked it okay on the runways because the models walking down the runways have pipes for legs. In other words, they don't make me want to drain their brain out with a screw driver. But holy hell, this trend of tights for pants? And my inability to ignore it any longer.

Put on the damn pants already. I don't want to see camel toes. I don't want to have your butt in my face. No body looks okay walking around in shiny stretched lame leggings and a tee. That's right. It's lame. It's retarded. It makes me fear what will be the next thing to trickle down to the streets from the runways. Proenza Schouler's shirts with no pants look? Dear God, I need gallons of alcohol to get through this. Or someone should just scoop my eyes out now.

(end rant)

Couture When It's Haute

2009-05-10T19:25:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already seen the Couture When It's Haute! spread in the May '09 issue of V magazine, you should. It really is hot.

The Haunting

2009-03-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

Karlie Kloss and Sigrid Agren for Vogue Italia March 2009.

Paris FW 09 Issey Miyake

2009-03-09T01:15:00.001-07:00

If you love organic, architectural, interesting shapes, you will fall head over heels in love with this collection.

Paris FW 09 Nina Ricci

2009-03-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

Ordinarily, Nina Ricci is not something I fancy. But the show was amazing. Black, dark, surreal, magical.

Paris FW 09 Balenciaga

2009-03-09T00:57:00.001-07:00

Nicolas Ghesquiere steered Balenciaga on different road than it had been treading for the last few seasons. Space age shapes have given way to softer, draped silhouettes in satins and velvets. It is interesting yet sophisticated.

GARETH PUGH Paris Fashion Week A/W '09

2009-03-09T00:37:00.000-07:00

Directions in Shape FW'09

2009-02-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

Zac Posen FW '09

2009-02-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

Posen, for his collection, delved into past, revisiting Victoriana and the forties, and fusing the contents of the two into a show, which resulted in a structurally established tale that involved bold shoulders, pouf sleeves, defined waist and sashaying swaths of fabric at the hips. However, the tale was not as poetic as I would have expected. You be the judge.

Impression en noir

2009-02-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

Philip Lim FW '09

2009-02-19T19:20:00.000-08:00

1960s for the majority spawned a growing awareness of the rhetorical social reality resulting in a decade of youth rebellion against the establishment – demanding not just peace and love but a world radically remade. The decade witnessed a great expansion of mass and popular culture, especially through the vehicle of media constructed images. And yet, at the same time, it marked the acceleration of individualism within culture, the classification of music, film, art, and fashion, as the masses disseminated and sought new directions. Philip Lim in his collection sought out to capture the youth quake of Swinging Sixties Long with clothes referring from Biba to Ossie Clark to Sergeant Pepper; and he sure managed to make the runway roll rock!

Photo love to Style.com

Michael Kors FW '09 Video

2009-02-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

Video Love to coutorture.com

Tangential Inspiration

2009-02-18T17:02:00.000-08:00

If you go over to my profile you'll see under the favorite movie section there a movie called "Un Chien Andalou." Now, if you are like me, twisted creativity equals mental lubrication. And Salvador Dali equals to god. And so, Un Chien Andalou equals inspiration unbound.

A warning: This clip is not for the faint hearted.

Donna Karan FW '09 Video

2009-02-18T15:02:00.000-08:00

Video love to coutorture.com

Temperley FW '09

2009-02-18T14:43:00.000-08:00

If you know me, you probably know how I've been obsessing over origami for last few months. And now this!!!

Full of covetable pieces, interesting shapes, jeweled collars and sleeves, kimono silks, Alice Temperley's collection is an amazing indulgence.

Derek Lam FW '09

2009-02-18T14:39:00.001-08:00

Derek Lam does Vionnet proud

Marc by Marc Jacobs FW '09

2009-02-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

Yay! It's Marc again.

Okay I have to admit, I am partial to the design sensibility of Marc Jacobs. It is as though, ever since he was reprimanded for his "over-the-wall" collection back in 2007, his creative ego decided to showcase relative tameness on the runway that was eclectic and fun while still being challenging in its own unique way. Importantly, Marc has finally found it in himself to quash the required and attempt it with a new sense of lightness and frivolity. And within this found expression of style, there's plenty for us to wear.

Badgley Mischka FW '09

2009-02-18T13:55:00.003-08:00

Badgley Mischka, as expected, presented red carpet worthy, impeccably draped, beautiful gowns in tulle, chiffon and satins. Color palette consisted of molten metals - silver, gold, platinum and bronze, and liquid stones - onyx, garnet, jade and aquamarine.

I loved these two looks. The coat on the left is to die for. And the jewel encrusted gloves and shoes, brilliant. I'm sure Hollywood will redo a lot of these looks.