Monday, November 29, 2010

Thanksgiving: A Trip to the Dark Side

As it does quite often, my good friend Insomnia has come to visit me this morning, knowing full well that I am impatient when it comes to falling asleep, among other things. So I will take this opportunity to give a run-down of my Thanksgiving break.

Just as nearly every year before, my family and I made the trek to the Tri-Cities (a far more rural and conservative environment than I'm used to) to visit my mother's family. I hardly ever visit home, so my mother was in full-on recon mode, asking me questions upon questions which I answered until I couldn't stand it any longer. Long car rides with my family are never pleasurable experiences. I feel claustrophobic, suffocated, and often at the end of my fuse. Headphones make these prolonged happenings a bit more bearable, though the music I listen to in such a situation bears no resemblance to the cheerful "To Grandmother's House We Go." To put it plainly, these trips never start off well.

After our arrival Wednesday night, my aunt, uncle, and my cousin Blair took us to a humorously tacky sports bar. Blair's brother, Brett, harassed my brother and I until we agreed to come to see his band play at another bar that minors had access to. He told me a bunch of "dumb punk bands" would probably be there, so I was mildly intrigued. Upon entering the grungy bar, Marcus, Blair, and I were surrounded by punk kids. I love the punks of the Seventies and the look of punk as seen at Balmain and Balenciaga for Spring 2011, but I was less than impressed with the punk scene here. In my opinion, scrawling "FUCK YOU" in sharpie upon your strategically torn button-up and being rude because another band does not operate the way you do does not make you cool. Perhaps I have little knowledge of modern-day punk culture, but it seemed that these Richland/Kennewick kids were full of shit. Honestly I do find anarchy to be quite interesting and even relatable, but the way it was expressed seemed contrived. I may be criticizing something I don't fully understand, but for some reason I didn't believe it for a second. The music was even more disappointing. The sound of the Ramones and the Sex Pistols is something I've come to love, but these bands largely utilized the less-than-brilliant techniques of NOISE and SCREAMING. I wasn't the biggest fan. Brett's band, Bessemer, which had no punk preoccupations and another exception were refreshing. The whole situation was exhausting and I slept wonderfully that night.


PhotobucketPhotobucket

The next day was Thanksgiving of course. It was full of impatient hunger, typical family bickering, and visits to Grandma at the home she was just put in. While it was far from it, the holiday seems fairly uneventful looking back at it. Grandma complained of all the orange jello she had been eating and expressed her desire for a martini, but other than that, it was another day. After dinner, someone decided we should go bowling and I reluctantly agreed. I'm a terrible bowler, but somehow managed two strikes followed by a spare and another strike. Inconsistency is a specialty of mine. Passing out was not difficult that night.

Friday we left to my happiness. Another miserable car ride later, I was back in my freezing apartment, exempt from my mother's best attempts at regaining her imposed position and free of the constant stress of family interaction. Dorothy knew what she was talking about. Whatever it means to you, "There's no place like home."

Photobucket

Photos via style.com, imagineannie

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

I have glorious stories from the wasteland that is Eastern Washington, but until I have time to divulge my secrets, I'll just leave you with a fabulous and festive GaGa.



Xo.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Adore ADR

A promotional video for Anna Dello Russo's new fragrance has just come to my attention. I believe her to be one of the most inspiring people in fashion today. She radiates passion for all things beautiful. The video makes me want to do nothing more than prance around her apartment in a gorgeous full-length gown.



I can't even imagine what the content of that little shoe smells like.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Marie's Music

After having owned Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette for some time now, I just recently downloaded the soundtrack. I knew a few of the songs already, such as the killer "Hong Kong Garden" by Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees, but most of it was up for discovery. The soundtrack features songs of the raucous, lively sort such as those by Gang of Four and Bow Wow Wow and more calm, dreamy tracks by the likes of The Radio Dept. and working pianist-composer Dustin O'Halloran. The latter perfectly complement the tone set by dark, snow-covered Seattle. I recommend giving it a listen regardless of the weather. I'm especially loving "Keen on Boys".



Perfect, no?

Photobucket

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Angelina saves the day

Checking my mail was one of the few highlights of a largely bleak day.

Photobucket

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Wise Words from Karl Lagerfeld

I'd do terrible things to have tea with the man.

Loving Leighton?

Upon seeing the Spring 2011 Marchesa collection, I was thrilled to see harem jumpsuits, but I was skeptical about seeing them alongside other more red carpet-friendly designs—Marchesa is kind of a red carpet standard. While I'm not typically a follower of red carpets, I felt as though I couldn't ignore this. On my way to bed tonight, I checked The Cut and nearly gasped at the sight of these photos of Leighton Meester:

Photobucket
NY Mag's The Cut

Leighton has certainly impressed me with her daring fashion choices (Hello Met Ball 2009) and this one is no exception. The woman's suit is no longer shocking or all that fresh, but this look certainly was. Seeing a young, quite normal-seeming actress in something so unexpected and potentially disastrous is beyond refreshing. I will have sweet dreams indeed.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Steven, Stella, Shapelessness

Yesterday morning as I woke up after less than 4 hours of sleep, I wanted nothing more than to hide from the world. In the quickest burst of getting-ready impulsion I have ever achieved, I chose an over-sized fair isle-esque sweater with leather shoulder details , voluminous olive slit-leg pants, my nearly constant harness boots, and a typically excessive amount of jewelry. I typically have a "rule" about over-sized fashion—to limit it to one half of the body—but here I was, leaving the house, drowning in fabric. Don't forget your sunglasses. After immediate feelings of uneasiness regarding my odd proportions, the wind blew at my pants as I walked, opening the slit to my thighs. While another might be flustered, I was not. I have no problem exposing my pale little legs and smiled at the breach of proportions. Shortly thereafter, I mentally revisited a Stella Tennant editorial in Vogue I had just poured over featuring the beauty in that fantastic Marc Jacobs Fair Isle sweater and knee-length wool skirt, paired with her own black biker boots. While the Marc pieces—also paired on the Fall 2010 runway together—were slightly bulky, it worked. She also got me thinking of a haircut slightly more drastic than a much-needed trim. And so after thinking on it, I pranced around campus as always, fearless of a Marilyn Monroe subway vent moment and in love with the wonderfully enveloping clothes on my back. A friend and classmate even told me I looked like a Turkish prince. Perhaps it wasn't the most typical compliment, but I was thankful to receive it. Some of our most exciting fashion moments happen when we break our rules a bit.

Photobucket

Photobucket
Thrifted sweater and pants, Frye Boots, assorted jewelry

Photobucket
Stella Tennant photographed by David Sims, styled by Grace Coddington

Marc Jacobs F/W 2010
Photobucket
style.com

Monday, November 15, 2010

Welcome Back

Photobucket

Photobucket
Photos shot by Steven Meisel via vogue.com


Finally after months of anticipation, photos of Tom Ford's comeback collection have surfaced on vogue.com. Steven Meisel has shot four gorgeous images for the magazine that accompany an article by Sarah Mower. While I'm in nothing short of love, I look forward to receiving my copy of the Angelina-covered issue so I can see and hold the glossy images in hand. Mr. Ford, it's good to have you back.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Giovanna the Great

Photobucket
so-right-now.blogspot.com

Once upon a time, while browsing on The Sartorialist during one of the major fashion weeks, I came across a picture of a beautiful Italian woman wearing a short-sleeved chinchilla fur with a simple top, long knit gloves, a black and white printed skirt, tall black boots, and an electric blue clutch. I wondered who this might be, but didn't think too much about it. The next time, she was wearing luxurious chocolate brown fur, a sparrow-print blouse, a tweed skirt, and wonderfully gaudy alligator or snakeskin boots. Needless to say, I was in love with her bold sense of style. This photo really sealed the deal. I immediately took to Google and found out she—Giovanna Battaglia—was the fashion editor at L’Uomo Vogue (Italian Men's Vogue). Luckily for me, she's been chronicled by nearly all of my favorite street style photographers, most notably in a fabulously colorful Marni printed coat, a perfectly pleated Alaia dress, a vintage color-blocked dress, in artfully clashing leopard print, and most recently in some fantastic Fendi boots (this photo was the catalyst for this post). There's just something incredibly compelling about her. While her style has shifted a bit from the more stereotypically Italian looks that immediately caught my attention, she oozes Italiana and a passionate spirit without appearing to try. Both Scott Schuman, The Sartorialist and Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil have frequent beautiful representations of the captivating woman. My current favorite Garance Doré features her occasionally, more often and endearingly in videos (see 2:05ish). They are certainly worth the look, though you may find yourself irrevocably distracted. Now, I am off to get dressed. Let's just hope Miss Battaglia has rubbed off on me.

You can't always get what you want...

After lying awake for half a minute and nightdreaming, this song found its way into my head. It seems rather appropriate after my last post. Ignore the random collection of photos of someone's favorite bands. Irrelevant.



My mom always sung the chorus to me and my brother after unwarranted whining or begging. Hearing it makes me smile every time. It gives me some license to say I was raised on rock and roll. Karen is that much cooler for it.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

My Fantasy Christmas List

The opening and closing looks from Alexander McQueen's Spring 2010 collection

Photobucket
Photobucket

And a couple of the shoes

Photobucket
Photobucket

The finale look from his final collection

Photobucket

I dream of being able to buy fashion that I may not wear, but will collect as some collect art.
I cannot think of a more artful designer than the late McQueen.

A job at either V or Love magazine

Photobucket
unbiasedwriter.com

This Alexander Wang leather jacket.

Photobucket

A conversation with Miuccia Prada

Photobucket

Endlessly intriguing and intelligent. She blows my mind.

Marni Nude Perforated Jacket for Spring 2011

Photobucket

A date with Marc Jacobs

Photobucket
Terry Richardson's Diary

Traditionally speaking, he's too old for me.
I find him sexy and believe his genius knows no bounds.
How wonderful it would be if we could just have a drink.

Look 23 from his Fall 2009 collection for Louis Vuitton

Photobucket

Hello boots...

Photobucket

Look 16 from his Fall 2009 collection for his namesake label

Photobucket

I partially credit these collections with sparking my intense love for fashion.
I had been looking at magazines and dreaming alongside lady friends before, but these had me in love with no hope of a return.

Coffee with Sally Singer

Photobucket
The Selby

The recently crowned editor-in-chief of T magazine is one of the most well-spoken voices in the fashion world.
I can only imagine how enlightening a short coffee date would be.

A trip to Paris

Photobucket
wikimedia

A nice, handsome man to show me around wouldn't be bad either.


The Proenza Schouler shoes from Fall 2010

Photobucket
openingceremony

The coat that opened Balenciaga Spring 2011

Photobucket

I am a die-hard fan of Nicolas Ghesquière's work for Balenciaga.
This collection in particular would seamlessly fit into my closet.

A raiding of Mary-Kate Olsen's closet

Photobucket
olsensanonymous

While this image is old, it simply goes to show the talented eye Miss Olsen has.
The tee paired with that heavy necklace?
Absolutely perfect.

The perfect parka by Dries Van Noten Fall 2010

Photobucket

NYC Apartment

Photobucket
about

The West Village, Chelsea, or Soho would be best.

A week with GaGa

Photobucket
gagadaily

I refuse to explain this.


This Givenchy Haute Couture Dress

Photobucket

A getaway for me and my ladies a la Marie Antoinette's hameau de la reine ...

Photobucket

...where there is a closet full of Chanel Spring 2010


Balmain in gold

Photobucket
Photobucket

And black...

Photobucket

Spring 2011 Burberry Black Leather

Photobucket
Photobucket

Haider Ackermann Black Leather Pants
Photobucket

The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli

Photobucket
wikimedia

More than anything, I want to live.
All these things are unrealistic, often due to their material value.
I don't want to ever forget that dreaming is free.


Runway photos via style.com

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Tati.

"Ah Tati, here you go. You're always the last one."

"Oui."



Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

She's a killer.

Photo 2 via imageamplified, All others via fashiongonerogue

Do you have $550?

Photobucket
proenzaschouler.com

I'm still completely in love with these. I tried them on in New York, but none of the department stores bought them in my size. Apparently the paint makes them quite stiff, but a 26 (the closest available size) was much too loose. By the time I came home and could have ordered them online, my apparent obsession with chunky knit and/or heavily embellished sweaters left me a broke bloke. Receiving them as a Christmas present is rather out of the question. To my memory, my parents haven't purchased a piece of clothing for me in years. I could always drop out of school and convince them that supporting my love for fashion is worth all the money they originally intended to use for my education. If only I was a child progidy and had gorgeous clothing sent to me... Sigh. Dearest unknown benefactor, if you're out there and wish great joy upon me, you should know I particularly love the white and I'm a size 24. Happy fucking Sunday.