As a devoted follower of the great and powerful Karl, I’m a bit apprehensive to say that I find the Chanel Fall 2010 RTW collection to be rather horrendous. It’s been out for months, but I’ve just been trying to ignore it and hope it falls into some black hole of hideous fashion. Needless to say, it didn’t, and as the cold months start approaching at a faster rate, I must prepare myself to see these hot hairy messes more and more often. It might take me awhile to get used to this new kind of Chanel (or as I like to call it,”Chewbacca Chanel”), but maybe that’s just because I don’t like looking like Sasquatch. I’ll admit, there are a few beautiful and wearable pieces in the collection, but I use the words “beautiful” and “wearable” quite loosely here.

If you are someone who routinely reads fashion sites or lives in New York, you may remember that big hubbub when Karl was in Soho shooting the campaign.  I too was excited to have the great Karl shooting in our territory, but unfortunately the results aren’t fantastic. The setting looks pretty mundane and much to my horror, the furry boots make multiple appearances (although I’ll admit I’ve seen even more ugly things walking around Soho).  Seriously, who thought it would be sexy to put Margot Tenenbaum on top of an ewok? WHY, KARL, WHY?!

But I forgive him. Although it’s a little late, I couldn’t resist doing fashion formulas for the collection. Yeah, they are quite obvious, but seriously folks…  look at these ugly monsters (and I’m not talking about the wampa).

And to mix it up, here’s a dandy…

Comments (0) Aug 27 2010

It has suddenly occurred to me that Karl never made an appearance on the site for his two favorite summer holidays: July 4th and Bastille Day! Rest assured, dear readers; he was thoroughly enjoying himself in typical Karl fashion.

Speaking of Chanel (which is synonymous with Karl in my mind), check out this picture of young Coco sporting a swimsuit of her own design back in 1914:

This image was scanned from a book I own called Chanel and Her World by Edmonde Charles-Roux (a fascinating collection of stories and images that I highly recommend). The text reads:

In a characteristic move, Coco borrowed the material of Boy’s sweaters, a technique she would often repeat in subsequent years, searching through the wardrobes of her lovers for elements of masculine attire. Thus was born a very chaste suit.

Little did she know it would one day lead to this creation by the fashion house that she founded:

Zut. Ah. Lors.

Comments (0) Jul 22 2010

The fashion world was blown away last week by Givenchy’s Fall 2010 couture collection shown in Paris. Riccardo Tisci, the designer behind the extravagantly ornate collection, was inspired by the life of Frido Kahlo and her obsessions with “religion, sensuality, and… the human anatomy.” The eerily beautiful skeletal figure is manifested in lace, crystal, and pearl patterns, along with other exotic materials such as ostrich feathers and baboon fur (bleached white!). Needless to say, each piece is simply breathtaking, and the countless hours it took to make them are a true example of the art of couture.

When I first saw the collection I knew it reminded me of something, although I couldn’t quite place it. Then I remembered this drawing called “The Three Brides” by dutch art nouveau artist Jan Toorop:

Kind of similar to the colors and silhouettes of the Givenchy collection, non? I first saw the piece at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta a few years ago and was in awe; it’s quite impressive for just a pencil and crayon drawing that was made way back in 1893! I love the flowing, detailed lines and ghostly shading that was used (see a more detailed view here). If you’re an art nouveau nut like myself, check out a few more works by the artist below:

Comments (3) Jul 09 2010

I think my heart stopped when I first saw the new Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 advertising campaign. It was as if all my puffy dress, flawless ponytail, and expensive bag dreams came true in a series of perfect images. The campaign features supermodels Christy Turlington, Natalia Vodianova, and Karen Elson (my fave!) shot by fashion photography extraordinaire Steven Meisal. I don’t think there is really much more I can say about it… just feast your eyes on this!

Comments (1) Jul 01 2010

It’s true that history (and fashion) will always repeat itself. This would explain why these rash guard tops by surfer chic brand Pret-a-Surf look so familiar. If you are a fashion nerd like me, these tops probably remind you of the classic YSL Mondrian-inspired shift dresses from the 60’s that epitomized the fashion-meets-art craze. Now, 40 years later, the pattern has made its way from the art canvas to the runways and finally to the deep blue sea.

But as long as surfwear designers are creating pieces based on famous 60’s fashions, I would like to have a wetsuit made to look like this super shiny Paco Rabanne number:

and to get an even tan, I will need a piece for sunbathing like the infamous Rudi Gernreich monokini:

and some kind of beach cover-up, perhaps like the Pierre Cardin “Satellite” cape:

and I definitely should have a coordinating hat and sunglasses, like the Courrèges set Miss Hepbrun has here:

That’s all I need, really. Well, that and some surf lessons. PS. Doesn’t Audrey look so cool in that last photo? I totally want her spacey wardrobe almost as much as I want her Breakfast at Tiffany’s one.

Comments (0) Jun 22 2010

From the farm land to the high seas, Chanel always makes a big splash. While it seems the theme of most resort 2011 collections could be “What Not to Wear on a Boat,” the creative geniuses at Chanel decided to show their nouveau collection on the shore of Saint-Tropez with models that arrived on actual speed boats. The surprisingly laid-back collection features flowing floral gowns, sporty checkered swimsuits, and a few airy pajama-like ensembles, quite a different direction from the masculine-tailored suits and tight-fitting dresses seen at shows like Alexander Wang and Rachel Roy. The classic Chanel tweed made a few appearances in the form of girly mini-dresses and even a mustard full-length jumpsuit, while gladiator sandals and beaucoup de denim made the collection look a bit more casual. (even enough to wear on a boat!) In the spirit of all things summery and Karl, let’s take a look at some of the collection along with the crazy influences that I like to imagine.

Comments (1) Jun 07 2010

Peanut butter and jelly. Milk and cookies. Gin and tonic.  Some things just go better when mixed, as demonstrated in Alexis Mabille’s Spring 2010 Couture show. The French designer, with a resume that includes YSL and Dior, is relatively new to the fashion world and one of the few brave enough to compete in the woefully fading world of couture. Mabille’s spring collection showcased the young designer’s skillful cutting and attention to detail with geometric shapes and color blocking from head to toe. Here are some mixed-up looks that go together better than lox and cream cheese. Well, maybe not that well….

Comments (0) Feb 10 2010

Last week Dame Vivienne Westwood showed her Fall 2010 Menswear Collection in Milan that was styled to look like a scene off the streets, from cardboard on the catwalk to disheveled models with frosted hair (more pics here). To top it off, the designer herself was wheeled out in a paramedic stretcher at the end of the show. Since then the feisty Brit has been getting some serious backlash from critics about the shabby spectacle, as well as its odd resemblance to Zoolander. Writer Hadley Freeman stated bluntly, “It’s not only tasteless, it’s unoriginal.”

In case you forgot or, god forbid, didn’t see this classic Ben Stiller flick, clueless male model Derek Zoolander (Stiller) is duped into walking in malicious fashion designer Mugatu’s (Will Ferrell) homeless-styled fashion show entitled “Derelicte.” Mugatu described his creation this way: “It is a fashion, a way of life inspired by the very homeless, the vagrants, the crack whores that make this wonderful city so unique.”

Some critics are shocked that years later a big designer like Westwood would use such a cheap gimmick, but we wouldn’t write her off quite yet. The designer has noted that the show was inspired by a friend who works for a homeless charity, and one press release stated, “…Westwood found inspiration in the roving vagrant whose daily get-up is a battle gear for the harsh weather conditions . . .” Hm, sounds kind of familiar.

So what do you think…thought provoking? disgusting? humorous? The show can be all at the same time, which is probably the way the Dame herself would want it to be. Fashion isn’t supposed to be too serious. But do you know what is serious? Kids who can’t read. That’s why we need The Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too.

Comments (1) Jan 28 2010

Although fashion can be a merciless industry, many designers and companies are showing their more compassionate sides by making an effort to aid earthquake survivors in Haiti. Here are some ways you can help those who have lost nearly everything:

You can help donate money by purchasing goods from  CafePress’ Haiti Relief Effort Shop. Items by the community of artists include shirts (like the one shown above by Shepard Fairey’s Studio Number One), water bottles, aprons, and reusable tote bags. Proceeds from the shop benefit the U.S. Fund for Unicef.

Michael Kors is just one of many designers who are donating clothing to Fashion Delivers, and you can get involved, too! This charitable foundation distributes excess clothing to those in need, and now they are working harder than ever to bring apparel from generous designers to the people of Haiti.  Even if you don’t have a warehouse of clothes to donate, you can make a monetary donation by sending a check to:

Fashion Delivers

112 West 34th St., #1133

New York, NY 10120

Make your check out to “Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc.” or donate to the organization online at JustGive.org.

For more ways to help, please visit RedCross.org. Merci beaucoup!!!

Comments (0) Jan 17 2010

Make your fairy tale fantasies come true with Hermes‘ twist on a childhood favorite. The Princess and the Pea silk handkerchief can make your imagination come back to life- and live happily ever after.

Sweet dreams.

Comments (0) Jan 10 2010