This image (shown above) began my love affair with Valentio. His dresses are clean with the perfict balance of femmine with and edge. Build your wordrobe around one of these dresses and you can't go wrong.
Article from Harper's Bazaar the best advise for looking great bundled up: "The Statement Coat"
Miu Miu Of a Different Age yet Timeless
It is impossible to speak of a 40’s cinematic aesthetic without
Miu Miu’s 2011 fall collection.
I gushed over this collection when it first debuted, at the time, on my Tumblr page I wrote:
"Out of all the fall's collections this was my most coveted. Subtle in its’ play on classic silhouettes it
becomes about the art of the finish details. The large buttons the
floral the sequined birds create a tone of whimsy while still these
looks demand a elegant seriousness. A glamour not to be trifled with but
can still spark fantasy."
Looking back I still swoon but
more importantly I see its relevance to the fall collections of now.
The silhouette speaks to the return of suiting, and turns to a different
proportion one that is larger with shoulders (bye -bye maxi dress), the appliques of
glittery birds and florals hint to the hyper
embellishment that is now in, then the modernizing of fur, and the use bright
color that is now every wear! Miuccia Prada is ever pushing us forward in how we dress
and she certainly did so with a classic kid-glove and this
stunning collection.
stunning collection.
I
To re-experiance the whole collection visit:
Mood Board #7 The Cinematic 40's
The Soceity Slouch Vogue 10/10
“LOVE THE SLOUCH”
This fashion shoot comes entirely from Vogue. The joining article (HERE) is
all about “The Society Slouch” – the new cocktail dressing. “The Slouch”
refers to a looseness, an ease to clothing and life. It is a style about
the lux sex appealed of fabric, draping, and mystery as appose to the
body-con dress and stiletto look. These women show case their style more
than their cleavage. What you get in place of vulgarity are looks that tell you a story. A narrative not necessarily
of this time and place but one that brings together classic literature and cocktail
notions.
The Old Hipster or Vintage Dressing
This is an
article about hipster fashion as defined by the vintage, Western, distress
clothing phenomenon. News flash, to the fun fashion hipsters of Portland
Or. and beyond, because this trend has hit the main stream (high fashion like
in a Vogue publication, see artical) then it is no longer a "hipster style." So has
the hipster look died with H&M and thick rimmed glasses on everyone,
or will it morph into something new?
I am waiting to see what the
freaks and geeks on the street come up with.
Come on hipster's show me
what you got!!!
A New Light. Mood board #5
A New Light
For this transition into early fall I start to think about those long shadows cast by a sinking sun. The photos in this mood board conjure the elegant contrast of a California light. Th editorial shoot featuring Mia Wasikowska expresses dressing for the west cost life, in a glitzy yet laid back mix of black, cream and gold (and desert Kachina print dress by Hermes). Classic, rock and roll, and Hollywood these contrast will make you strut into a new light.
Find inspiration in this light from The Row
Find inspiration in this light from The Row
Article feature form Harper's Bazaar
Green Story for Pre-Fall
Article Archive: Prints by Karen Walker
Karen Walker is a designer that has turned her attention to the whimsical, wearable prints that have a very vintage inspired appeal. With collection titles such as "Perfect Day" (shown above) featuring petite oiseaux printed blouses, and current collection "Sea Monsters" featuring swirly nautical prints, the joy of dressing is the well executed mission.
Article from Nylon Magazine
Print Riot
Print Riot
In the joyous sun-soaked days, at the height of summer, all you need is print on top of print. Some prints are vintage, some prints are whimsically "animally" (for this you need Charlotte Taylor) and the print of the most importance, almost a wardrobe staple is the TRIBAL PRINT!
Mood Board #4 Prints
This mood board is all about the prints. Some of my absolute favorites! Notice the origami cat print by Piamita* in the head to toe look and the reptile-esque print on the Anthropologie dress. Adding a whimsical playfulness to the spirit of summer, the looks stay polished by keeping the palates monotone and the silhouettes structured. If the other style elements stay refined then the thoughtful prints really stand out!
-This post goes out to my friend Felicity, a true master of print and design. I always imaged her being able to pull of the hot pant striped blazer ensemble!
Bijoux #2
This is another great jewelery design mood board. Different shapes and trends all inspired by the deep green of the emerald. Not only a redheads best friend but it remains a classic amongst the color craze of late. Think emerald is the new navy. This color is so rich that even the fine cut dresses (one the most refined by Jil Sander Spring 12 line) seem to act like full body jewelery. Confident, daring and mouth watering. Just like the redheads who wear it well!
-I am dedicating this post to my sister, as this is her favorite color for a reason! I hope she packs some emerald in her luggage as she sets off for a summer in Rome! Kiss Kiss.
Fashion and Screen
Mildrid Perice
This photo shoot comes directly from "W". If you are unaware they have a
great monthly feature that goes behind the scenes with up coming screen entertainment. Last spring was the glorious “Mildrid Perice” with Kate Winslet as the star. The shoot itself really captures the masterpiece of the HBO mini-series. From the
sets, lighting, performances, and the fashion it preserved the time and
place of California glamor. Mothers and Daughters everywhere were
moved by the story and longed for1940’s silky garments.
Whites with Brights
mood board #3: Cutting Loose with Decorum
Mood Board #3: Cutting Loose with Decorum
In this town were I reside (Portland, Or.) The first warming and sunny days seems signal women to step out of the house, quite suddenly, totally scantly clad. All pail flesh. This mood board is about the glory of a transition. These woman look cool and put together in lovely lose long pants, so breezy and so many playful colors. Give yourself the time to acclimate to the new weather, the new spring fever and the new style you adapt. It's never becoming to bare-all too soon.
Franny & Campari
Franny who? Franny wears brilliant trousers and
holds her hands in a purposeful, suggestive manner. Franny is one in
a series of character studies inspired by photos.
Mid-day sun pierces Franny's eyes. Blithely, she
positions her hand above her head, reminiscent of a Victorian lady prior
to a fainting spell. What lies in the distance. A bird? No. A flock
of birds? A ship? No. An Armani-swathed gentleman holding two Campari
sodas approaches Franny. The bold color of Campari parallels Franny's
belted, chic trousers. The hour strikes 18 30. Aperitivo seems more
than appropriate. Franny coyly takes the Campari soda. Tomorrow she
will be adorned in her traditional day-time armor. An ideally balanced
homme-femme blouse, bright tailored trousers, gold pseudo (faux?)-tie
necklace lingering sensually. Sunglasses borrowed from Jackie O's personal
collection hide memories of mysteries from the night before. Franny's
red, nearly pursed, lips suggest self-imposed alienation, albeit inciting
endless invitations. She will accept a few. Politely decline the masses.
Friday evening arrives. Franny dons a new-age garden kimono, revisited.
She glides from the New York City Ballet to a jazz bar in the East Village
as seamlessly as her kimono. White slacks command simplicity and sophistication.
Will she accompany Claude or Giovanni to the next bar du jour for Sazeracs?
Franny couldn't be bothered to decide. She ponders a spontaneous flight
to Oslo or Vienna.
Madeline Pearl at madtothewords.blogspot.com
Marion Cotillard
Marion Cotillard in Vogue.
This is a woman of glamorous refined sex appeal. This photo shoot does an impeccable job of capturing her tour de force French style while still giving a wink to nostalgia and a pin-up silhouette. How could you not be inspired by Marion Cotillard?
"Josephine" is a fictional character inspired by Marion Cotillard. To me she embodies whimsy.
She is the first in a series of characters that will be featured on
The False Unicorn.
Edith Piaf's "Non, Je ne Regret Rien"
billows from a third floor lavender lined window. Josephine possesses
the kind of laissez-faire elegance and ennuie that only a Frenchwoman
can embody. Daytime finds her casually photographed against a Provincial
blue door, hair disheveled. Purse held lazily in hand, Ernest Hemingway's
"The Sun Also Rises" nearly falls to the ground. Josephine's
slate colored lingerie evokes a 1930's aesthetic. She is cut from another
era. Nighttime crawls. Josephine grows bored with the day. Dressing herself
in a bow trimmed ensemble demanding any gentleman to inquire whether
she would like her dirty martini shaken or stirred. Surrounded by stones
and artifacts, Josephine poses, aware of the gaze she summons. Framed
by sleek hair and dark sunglasses, Josephine embodies the modern woman,
conscious of decades past. She hasn't yet decided where to go. She steps
in to a 1937 Aston Martin, vanishing with barely an embrace goodbye.
By Madeline Pearl at madtothewords.blogspot.com