Ramblings Of Style

Review: Valentino, Renewed, Refreshed & Modern

2010-01-30T11:27:00.000-08:00

Photo: Valentino Haute Couture.

Since Valentino has left his brand, new designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have completely revamped the brand. It pretty obvious that they're trying to generate a younger audience with this Haute Couture collection. since Spring 2009 we've really seen the shift from classic Valentino into this new age of the label. i love where Maria & Pier are taking the brand, with the state of alot fashion houses i think that its smart to switch up things a bit. now where celebrity & media focus is at an all time high you want to create clothes that you know young stars will wear.

Style.com Called the collection "Garden Of Eden in Cyberworld" and i dont think i could have put it anymore perfectly. The clothes themseleves were very romantic with the ruffled chiffon and pastel colors. But then you get this space age feel with the blue sprayed shoulders & eyes, the fantasy tribal styling and the overall warrior feel you kind of got. but with all of that it was still feminine and ver very modern. Usually when you think of Couture, you think of heavy beading and embroidery, and gowns. but this collection showed you a different side. and i have to say one of my favorite collections from Valentino to date.

+Favorite Runway looks+

My Handsome Spring/Summer Lover.

2010-01-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

Photo: The "Hollywood" Swimsuit
Designer: We Are Handsome

Spring , Summer call me the fun lover. I've always wanted to design a line of swim wear. I love clothes but but i oddly love women out them. more and more swimsuits are becoming more aesthetically appealing. Swimwear designers are looking for more creative ways to design it and i think i found the Ring leader. "We Are Handsome" swimwear is probaly the best swim line i've ever seen. the take a different approach with they're line. the swimsuit have become more of a art piece than just a swimsuit. oh, and only one pieces. no bikini's over here.

"The Arabia"

"The Africa"

Photo Opp: Kamber + Karl

2010-01-29T09:13:00.000-08:00

Everyday i do my regular blog surfing when i come home from school. and of course Amber Rose & Kanye West are always on the front of the blog. im little sick of seein the two also, but in the same breathe i love them! Kanye & Amber have been making they're way around Fashion week as usual and i've noticed a couple things about Ms. Rose :

Lately she has had an serious fascination with "Nude" clothing
Her Face (Makeup) is always perfect. Nude lip.
She loves digging in the Archives of fashion.

The Archive pieces im talking about are the Margiela shades, from fall 2007 which Amber loves. she wear them everywear. and that Louisn Vuitton mink multicolored bum bag from fall 2006. and needless to say. Uncle Karl, is well . . . Uncle Karl.

Couture. And No, Not Juicy.

2010-01-28T13:29:00.000-08:00

My grandmother always said, "if you dont know what your talking about, then close your mouth" i wish alot of people would have listened to my grandmother. Many things bother me, but this has to be one of the highest on my list. when people have fashion lines and add "couture" to them as if they really slaved away in an Atelier to make those horrendous things they call fashion. Biggest and saddest example, Juicy Couture. The most wretched brand in the land. whoever knew that bubble gum colored velour sweatsuits could be couture? did you fall for the joke? i didnt.

To design couture, to become a couturier, one must be certified by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and follow these rules:

Design made to order for private clients, with one of more fittings
Have an atelier in paris that employs at least 15 people full time.
Each season present a collection with atleast 35 looks for day and night.

The only certified couturiers in paris are, Adeline André, Anne Valérie Hash, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Dominique Sirop, Franck Sorbier, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Maurizio Galante and Stéphane Rolland. There are four correspondent members: Elie Saab, Giorgio Armani, Maison Martin Margiela and Valentino.

Ramblings (Two): The Coffee Guy.

2010-01-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

So For The Past three months me and The Guy at The coffee bar in my school have been flirting. When You first see him you Would Automatically think he's straight. But That's Definitely not the case. Every morning I come in for my Sugarfree red bull and White chocolate mocha. (I know a bit much right?) But every morning I come in he wants to know how my week is going and what my plans are for the rest of the day. At first I just thought "Ok, He's being nice and sweet" But after a while the Friendly everyday conversation turned into Suggestive hints and compliments. Things like "You Looke Great today" Or "You Have a Nice Smile" Things that can make anyones day. Honestly I've never really though about the "Coffee Guy" In that sense. I mean He's gorgeous. Deep Blue Eyes, Sandy Brown Hair, tanned skin, Tall, And a Little Chubby (Hateeee skinny guys). But I've looked at The Coffee guy like I Look at and Hermes Birkin. Gorgeous, Desired, Perfect match. But Yet Unobtainable to The Average person.

But today, I Was Going To Be brave. I was going to Be a Little "forward" With him and See how things went. Needless to say I made a complete fool of my self. I'm not flirty. I honestly don't know how to. So when he asked me how was my day, In This Low, self Proclaimed "Sexy Voice" I said "amazingly So far". He obviously Found humor in my attempted Sexy/flirty voice. He chuckled, Smiled, and Winked. Asked me was everything alright. I assured I'm again that my day was going fine. While he was Ringing me up he just kept looking at me. And not just looking at me but almost through me. Like he could he see that my Faux sexiness was an Obvious front to get his attention. When he gave me my reciept (No change, I charge) He gently touched my hand and told me to have a good day. Winked again, licked his bottom lip and smiled. Of course feeling defeated and a little embrassed I shuffled away quickly with my red bull & Twizzlers, stumbling over my own feet. Now Completly embarassed. I don't think I can ever face "The Coffee guy" again . . . . Well Atleast not without a Mask, I can't live without my sugar Free Red Bull.

Fringe, Feathers, & Denim.

2010-01-26T16:08:00.000-08:00

Photo: Trussardi 1911 Campaign

Photographer: Milan Vukmirovic

This was one of my favorite collections from Trussardi 1911. The collection kinda gave me this James + Cowboy + Native american Feel but a very refined and sophisticated. the model in the campaign is absolutely gorgeous. The pieces i loved the most were the Studded Jean jacket, the bags, and the multi colored loafers. The styling was very commercial to me. they made it very easy for consumers to kind of pick the looks apart and see the separate pieces as their own.

- i also loved this Bag -

My friend Janard over at "Favored Fashion Fix" Actually did a DIY of the feather tanks from this a collection a while back. which he did a great job on!

+ More Campaign images +

Couture Pusha: June Ambrose

2010-01-26T12:42:00.000-08:00

Photo: Stylist, June ambrose

Fashion Dossier: Versace Camouflage mink coat,Marc Jacobs pant & boot,lily tam,Hermes accessories.

June ambrose is probably the most, If not the only Noted black celebrity stylist that has a status almost as big as her clients. From day to day, followers of Ms. Ambrose's twitter account get an inside look into the haute pepper madness that June sprinkles upon us ona daily. June has styled the likes of Jay-z, Chrisette Michele, Jazmine Sullivan, Alica Keys, Rihanna ( pre bad girl), and Estelle, to name a few. I remember when Miss. june was rocking a gold fro every morning on the tvONE program "Makeover Manor". I fell in love with her colorful yet seamlessly charming vocabulary. and on top that, The self proclaimed "Rockmom" is also an author. With her book "Effortless Style" June gives you tips and tricks to owning & conquering your inner Fashionable, chai tea, pepper approved moment. Follower her on Twitter and her YouTube account And get your daily chai Tea from the Couture Pusha herself.

+ More Of June's Looks +

Ramblings (one): Relationships, Why are they so important?

2010-01-26T10:52:00.000-08:00

Me And my close friend Alexia were talking about relationships, love and attraction, the other night. And throughout the conversation i kept asking myself "Why am i so determined to be in a relationship" I havent had a mate in prbablly 2 years or so and they all ended horribly. none of relationships were ever really healthly. always very emotionally draining. or i was asking for something that they couldnt give me. like love. In all of my past realtionships i have been cheated one. I dont know if it was the lack of maturity from both of us. or if we were just together for convenience. and when i say convenience i mean Sexual interaction.

But this conversation led me to this question, "Are we living just to find our true love?" I watch countless daytime shows and programs where theres always that one woman who isnt that bad looking, maybe a little crazy but yet still dateable. But for some reason she cant find a man, and is on a desperate hunt for one. Why is it that we feel so incomplete when were not in a relationship? why do we make finding a mate so damn important?

Me personally, I've always found love as a co - dependent emotion. i think that people search so hard for a relationship because they feel like they're missing something in life. They think that having a partner will somehow change everything and that life will be better than ever. but honestly, relationships are hard. esp. when your young. and i think they usually bring more problems on top of what you were already dealing with. Or am i just a bitter bitch that is scorned from my past lovers and now i despise real love? ha. maybe so. but either way i feel like being in a relationship shouldnt be such a major thing in your life. If you find love, then great. cherish it and keep it sacred. but if not focus on yourself and your personal goals. find what your really want for yourself and base decisions off that. not just because you feel like you need a partner to make you happy.

Fashion Dossier: Catherine Baba

2010-01-24T16:12:00.000-08:00

Catherine Baba is an international known stylist. She has worked for Chanel, Givenchy, Balmain and Ungaro and is a freelance stylist and consultant for a number of fashion houses and designers. She has also worked for Dazed and international editions of Vogue. Catherine loves to make bold statements and has developed an unmistakable style which has its own place in the contemporary fashion world.

She dresses with a sort of 20s and 30s Hollywood glamour and feminine allure, displaying a love of rich fabrics and fantasy clothes. The picture above is Catherine walking the streets of paris in this amazing lapiz shirt dress & turban. Catherine always has the right accessories to go with every outfit she wears. You usually can spot her riding arund paris on her bicycle.

All Wrapped Upped.

2010-01-24T16:05:00.000-08:00

Claudia Knoepfel & Stefan Indlekofer shot Anja Rubik with pythons for the february issue of Vogue paris. In the Spread Anja Is wearing a Spring 2010 Alexander McQueen dress.

+ More Photographs +

Dazed & Confused Ft. Viktor & Rolf.

2010-01-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

Photo: February Issue Of "DAZED & CONFUSED"

Model: Magdalena Frackowiak

The February Cover Dazed & confused is Pure ART. i love it. Especially the Viktor & Rolf Spring 2010 collection. This was actually one of my highlights for the spring 2010 shows. All of the gowns had this deconstructed tulle design to them. Katy Perry also wore a dress from this collection to an award show a while back. The February Issue of "DAZED & CONFUSED" is available NOW go get it.

+ Photos Of the Viktor & Rolf Spring 10 collection +

Get On The floor Don't Make A Fuss.

2010-01-23T14:48:00.000-08:00

Video: Dragonette "Fixin' To Thrill

- I woke up this morning. and felt exactly like this. A little destructive. and after watching this i wanna :

Corrupt an army of children.
Make a Cape out of Recording Tape.
Get a nude body suit
Buy a Fog machine.

Semi Precious Weapons.

2010-01-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) In V Magazine's "The Size Issue". One thing that i have to say, is that Gabby is probably one of the most inspiring women in hollywood. and not just because her size, but because of her confidence with herself. she makes no apologies about the way she is. and to me, thats a real star.

Fashion Editors + School Boys = ♥

2010-01-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Photo: Proenza Schouler Pre Fall 2010

Anyone who knows me knows, that i love love love Proenza Schouler. I think that they're two of the greatest designers of our generation, and will be one day be legends. They're senior collections at Parsons was bought by Barneys. which is amazing. to be a college senior and have your first collection bought by a major department store. But anyway, that not what this post is about. I loved adored the Pre Fall collection from Lazaro & Jack.

this collection they strayed away from the neon bright colors and embellishments and went with a more subdue color palette. From what i've seen it looks like the "New York Prep School girl" was the inspiration. It was very gossip girl to me i absolutely loved it. This collection was probably the closet to my personal style them all the rest.

Photo: Burberry Prorsum Pre Fall 2010

I've Admired Christopher Bailey's work since the Fall 2008 collection. He always has a way of making a woman look slightly masculine but yet sexy and daring at the same time. burberry is known for the "Art Of The Trench" movement. Partly because its there staple and what they're noted for. But Bailey has definitely expanded the brand beyond the trench. I loved this Pre fall collection because it was sleek, modern and had a little bit of an edge. The shoes and cocktail dresses were my favorite pieces of the collection. But one thing that i did notice, am i the only one who automatically thought of Carine Roitfeld when i saw this collection? from the hair, to the styling i automatically thought of the french Vogue editor. what do you think?

Thrasher Clasher.

2010-01-23T12:09:00.000-08:00

Jacket - Alexander Wang $1250
Gold Ring - Sandra Dini $995
Black Cocktail ring - Kenneth Jay lane $120
Octopus Ring - Swarovski Crystallized $ 150
Skirt - Preen $345
Shoes -Surface To Air $395

Chrome Lear Jets

2010-01-22T15:42:00.000-08:00

Self Service 2009, Photographer Max Farago shoots Devon Aoki.

Photo Via: 6 Inches & a Prayer

PRADA Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

2010-01-22T15:09:00.000-08:00

Photo: Prada Crystal Chandelier & Lucite Pumps.

Shot by: Steven Meisel

The spring/Summer 2010 collection of Prada ha to be one the highlights of that season. The Accessories are what stood out the most to me. The Crystal Chandelier shoes were (to me) the best part of the show. They were like Foot art. i think with this collection Muccia Prada definitley wanted to make women feel glamourous from head to toe (literally). i mean whats more glamourous than having a Chandelier as an shoe accessory?

- I Also loved these Leather strap up platforms from Prada. Although the collection was very Glam & luxe. it had this calm and normality to it. even though the shoes were basically a damn chandelier its felt so effortless and not over powering. i think the collection felt that way as because Muccia introduced neutrals into the collection as well so the glam wasn't so over powering.

+ More Spring/Summer accessories Below +

Yves Saint Laurent "Arty" Ring

2010-01-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

The Yves Saint Laurent "Arty" ring is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry from YSL. Previously i wanted the Raw turquoise version of this one, but it looks like its not sold any more. Its A Gold tone metal ring with a large pink enamel oval stone. The ring really is a piece of art. i know MKO probably has like every version of the ring. Its Availible at Net-A-Porter (Click the link to go to the site)

Photo Via: PLANEE JANE

The "Carrie & Mr. Big" Complex

2010-01-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

Me, Im not a person that has been in alot of relationships. actually ive only dated about three people in my life. im 18, so im sure it sounds weird but i've never been the dating type. A couple of days ago i was talking to my friend, Andre. He lives in New york and was telling me how dating is really hard in the city. And how its hard to find a good mate thats faithful, or thats somewhat . . sane! I told him that my dream was to " One day be walking out of Barneys New York and to have a town car pull up with prince charming saying, 'You need a ride', and then he would whisk me away and we'd live happily ever after"

To make a long story short he subsequently laughed in my face and said that doesn't exist. and that i have the "Carrie & Mr. Big Complex" at first i was embarrassed, because thats exactly what i was thinking about. and secondly i thought to myself is that impossible? to have a fairy tale romance with the man of dreams? for you to just one day run into your future mate at the grocery store and began this whirlwind romance. I guess im somewhat of a Hopeless Romantic , or somewhat of a dreamer. but i know that one day i'll meet my Mr. Big when the time comes. and im not rushing anything. but when he finds me i know we'll live our own, very special happy ever after.

My Dream Bag: Proenza Schouler Briefcase

2009-12-19T15:54:00.000-08:00

Im definitely not the handbag wearing type but i love great bags. i think if you have one great bag that goes with everything and last forever then you dont need to buy the new "IT" bag every season. This bag is From Designers Lorenzo & Jack of Proenza Schouler. This bag is from the Fall/Winter 2009 collection and im in loveeeeee.

I love leather bags. especially when its a good quality of leather. For some reason i get this Aviation theme when i look at the bag. I love the structure, and the detail that went into it. it look like othe of those briefcases men in the 50's used to carry. but overall i want this bag really really badly. like i would sell my kidney badly.

Film Inspiration: Edward Scissor Hands

2009-12-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

Edward Scissor Hands is one of my favorite childhood movies. The film was directed by Tim Burton and Starred Johnny Depp & Wynona Ryder. The Movie is about Edward, and artificial man that had scissors for hands & was trying to fit in to this "All american Family" after his Creator had died. What i love about this is movie the contrast of the two worlds. Edward who's apperance is this Scary, dark gothic person. and then you have Wynona Ryders charater who is this preen and pretty pastel wearing sweetheart.

I always get inspired by tim Burtons films but "Edward Scissor Hands" is probably my favorite. I was think if they remade the film today, what would Edward wear? what would his new look be. So I looked through these collections and pick a few "looks" for edward.

Maybe my thought of edward would be a little androgynous. what do you think?

Photo Opp : Mary-Kate Olsen

2009-12-19T15:11:00.000-08:00

These Photos of Marty Kare are kind of old. they were shot of October of last year For ELLE magazine. But i think these photos immulate MK's Personal style very well. I was looking for some inspiration and i came across these old photos of her. If you can tell My header for the site is also from the same shoot.

The Editorail was Shot by Carter Smith For Octobers 2008 cover of ELLE Magazine.

+ More Shots Of MK's Shoot +