V is for Vogue

While I was rummaging through ebay, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus looking for the perfect red Burberry trench coat, I remembered Belstaff. I interned at the London branch this past summer and was consistently impressed with the quality and design of the jackets as I unsheathed them for their display in the marketing show room. There is new online shop on the Belstaff website, which only serves to enable my rabid online window shopping habits. Then I met love.


The Belton Lady Blazer. $1550. Empty pockets.

It reminds me of something Amelia Earnheart would have worn had she returned and become a sassy old lady. Or it reminds me of something I would wear. Every day. Even in the summer. But I digress. The attention to detail and design really comes through in the well placed zippers, peekaboo satin, and the swooping french curve of the front opening. Subtle and sharp, this blazer definitely gets my vote.

I would spend it all at OakNYC.

This is a vanity post. If you read this (yes, this means you, real life friends) I need help choosing. They're both so over the top and kind of magically powerful--I can't look away. Could I even pull these off? Are they even good?

Jeffrey Campbell Metal Chain Slingbacks, shopnastygal.com. I love how from far away it looks like a kind of embellished embroidery, but the heel is a little lower than I usually do for heels.


OR

Jeffrey Campbell Chaininator, karmaloop.com. These are, to use to words of a great friend, "Bangin'." Too much or just enough? Love the nail polish.

I should stop online shopping.

So many inspirational pieces coming out right now. If only I had time! Gotta prioritize.





I know the first piece is Fendi, but I lost track of the other links. Anyone have an idea?

Ever since I had the realisation somewhere around 7th grade that shopping at Hot Topic did not actually make me that independent person sooo much different than my parents, I've veered away from the store unless my sister needed some hair dye. Undeniably the haven for all of the wee "subcultures" in that awkward stage of life, it is an interesting little place. When I was growing up Hot Topic catered to ravers and goths exclusively, so I have quite an assortment of colorful UFO parachute pants. Now, however, it is something of a claustraphobic schizophrenic spot. Attempting to sell goods to emo, "punk", goth, rasta, candy ravers, and hipsters alike, it seems like it's selling itself out. I suppose it makes sense that HT carries so many kinds of items
considering their market is probably just as wishy-washy as the store. Do the young ones of opposing style clans glare at one another as they pass each other in the entrance? Or are the 13 year olds of today more enlightened to the grand scheme of retail than my peers were?

Anyway, I really needed that long winded introduction to show you what I found on the site today in an attempt to find a friend a proper grungy skirt. I was unsuccessful, but I guess that's because Kurt Cobain is long dead and forgotten for the tweens of today.

I want to chop off the weird grey bit on the bottom of that shirt in a ragged way to make it work with a high waisted skirt. Cool trousers--who loves corsets? And way to go, Hot Topic, for thinking Chanel. Might have to get a couple pairs.
all photos hottopic.com

Those findings led me to look up more Tripp NYC goods, because they seem to be the most on the ball with it all. At least in the dancing queen kind of way.


Love that skirt!

all photos karmaloop.com

In Nylon this month, there was an article about a shoe maker called Red by Wolves. All of the shoes are handcrafted by Lena Lippa, formerly on the Alexander McQueen shoe design team which I believe speaks volumes about her talent. The clip featured this picture and I was immediately hooked on the brand.


When I got to the website I expected to see an explosion of sex-pot heels and boots but was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the selection. I was particularly impressed with the androgynous styles that the brand seems to find great pleasure stripping down and reinventing. Most of the flat styles are offered for both men and women, something that I think is so refreshing in fashion.





Yummy. all photos redbywolves.com

As I was cracking my knuckles and preparing to ramble about how much I just want everything from Topshop, I realized there is a life outside mass production that I've blinded myself to since the TS hysteria began. Shock and horror! Anyway, I started reading Zana's Garbage Dress a while ago and I've always been crazy for her black on black layering. So when I found out she got into a fashion design venture called Harput's Market, I was inexplicably PSYCHED. The brand consists of several amped up basics, but my absolute favorite is the Swacket. The site reads, "The Swacket: Sweater+ Jacket. Got it? Versatility of The Sweater but with added structure. Four sets of snaps for wearing multiple ways."
Brilliant.

Behold.
 



Quality doesn't come cheap, so I'm saving.

Also of note is their rich dead stock fabric collection. Dying for these. I'd love to make a structured tweed origami something out of these.



all images from harputsown.com

It takes a lot to amaze me--jaw on the ground, unaware of drooling and dry eyes kind of amazed--when it comes to fashion. Frankly, retail has been intolerably boring for the past few years due to their failed attempts to decide what to make of the non-trend trend going on right now. Then in swoops Gemma Slack, fresh graduate from London College of Fashion. One of the things I love about new designers is their fiery commitment to change the face of things. No one makes a name for themselves by recreating Le Smoking Suit, and to be honest, I don't know many graduates who have that desire in the first place. That unjaded view of fashion really fascinates me and dares the viewer to be plunged into this world they created with fabric and infinite stitches.

In her AW collection she channels religious iconography, medieval armour, pre-industrial Japanese Samurai, and sci-fi flicks. That's a mouthful, but it make total sense in the context of her work. Here are some juicy bits from that collection.

Riveted leather vertabrae and moulded leather mask with quilted leather skirt.


Epaulets. AHHH. Fabulous sculptural leather vest. Space age? Armour? Who knows?


Chain Link vest. Why didn't I think of that? Leather Jetsons. Sweeet.


And I would be a bad blogger if I didn't mention her awesome SS collection. Boldly choosing to excercise this collection completely in black, she drew inspiration from beasts and vampires. Using human hair, untreated leather, 20,000 washers, and plenty of tulle, she really is after my heart.

Using extensions in all the right places and the aforementioned 20,000 washers.


I'm embarrassed about catching this black line in my screen shot, but I'm too lazy to take another one. Need to find a material to make braided shoulders like that. Also, a nice deets shot for everyone who has an unholy obsession with washers on clothing.


I think she might be the only designer who can state the KKK as one of their influences and get away with it.


Excuse me now, I have to go sew something big.

all images courtesy of gemmaslack.com. go there and see the rest of her collection, the website is amazing too.

Since this has officially become "steal interesting media from other websites" day, I may as well post this. Cloris Leachman, a long time vegetarian, posed for PETA's new campaign and showed Project Runway how it should be done. This is made of lettuces (say that word aloud, it will make you smile) and cabbage. AMAZED.


image courtesy of socialitelife.com

And just when I was starting to forget why I love France, Vogue
reminded me. Thank you, oh glorious beacon of anti-political
correctness.



images courtesy of jezebel, rest of the photos here

When I opened my email today I had an explosive joygasm at the contents of one of them. Lady Gaga for Asos. You're welcome.

"Tan yourself thinner," really? Maybe I'll finally buy that pair of Ray Bans.

That thing on her head needs to be assimilated into my wardrobe.


If you read Jezebel, you will recognise this as the oft mocked "sexy face."



And although most of her highlighted quotes in this editorial make me
want to slap somebody, I still appreciate her. Fashion has been static
for too long... a little shake up is necessary from time to time. Anna
Piaggi, Isabella Blow, MK Olsen are all members of that fun little club and I definitely think Gaga is on her way.

So spring is very nearly (finally) upon and that means... new spring shoes! Because I work with heavy machinery every day, open toes are not an option. Very unfortunate because I can't wear about 80% of my shoes. Alas.

Jeffrey Campbell, Urban Outfitters


80%20, 80s Purple


My engineer fiance kindly informed me that 80%20 actually equals 0 and the price of these shoes is nowhere near 0. Thanks, honey.

I always used to think I was more creative around my sister, and now I know I'm not the only one. The architects Dana and Karla Karwas (sisters) created a nomadic, multipurpose garment that serves not only as an umbilical cord between five models but also as a tent for "exquisite aristocratic gowns, experimental architectural form, and electro acoustic musicians [mingling] together to show the public how a party dress is meant to be worn."

It began with an idea. A 200 yards of fabric worthy idea.


Then they lure you in with cupcakes. Donated from an upscale London bakery, no less.


Then come the ladders. Note, these pictures always remind me of Nike, the goddess of victory, at the prow of the ship.



And the chamber music. As if the giant floating women wasn't enough to entice the hurried passerby.


Then they disappear into the night, the sisters of curiosity.


 I don't know if I'm more smitten with the idea of the dress as architecture and visa versa or the idea of these women being this united force of intrigue and seduction. That being said, the drapes around their hips are fantastic.

all pictures from dkk.com

This week I was a fan of obsessed with half panel sheer dresses, topsy sunglasses, and tasseled over-the-knee boots.

By EGR.


80s Deadstock. So excellent for a perpetual WTF face.


And because Carine got me on a kick. Though... I know I'd look like a fat trash bag if I wore these. Note: this is not beating myself up, it's an awareness that I believe is crucial if you are to be good at dressing yourself. Oh, and these are Russell and Bromley.

Om nom nom.

Sometimes art strikes such a deep nerve and resonates in such a way that you just need to share. Rebecca DiDomenico's work is one of those things I have to discuss.

Her website says, "In DiDomenico's world, there is no separation between art and life, studio and home. Her work is concerned with the collision and interpretation of various forms of nature, mythology, art history, and metaphysics... 'I am interested in unexpected relationships, the way a spiderweb mimics a wheel, the commonality between Dr. Seuss and the Dalai Lama, the resemblance between patterns in the constellations of the stars and the minute particles inside the human body.'"

Drawings:
"Composite Elephant"


"Spider Crab"


Sculpture:
"Butterfly Archipelago"


My favorite, the Crowns:
"Leaf Crown"


"Ball Bearing Crown"


"Sewing Machine Crown"


"Crystal Crown"


"Gold Leaf Stump Crown"