Decided to give the site a little refresh and edit. The dust will hopefully settle soon!
08 September 2012
02 April 2012
19 September 2011
love(notes): alexander mcqueen
18 September 2011
17 September 2011
love(notes): theyskens' theory
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| Theyskens' Theory Patent-leather and suede ombré wedges |
phot cred: net-a-porter
06 May 2011
09 March 2011
02 February 2011
biblio(file): christian lacroix and the tale of sleeping beauty
Growing up, my mother had the two complete volumes of The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. I remember reading them on my own as I got older and thinking that not all the tales included were for children. Actually, not necessarily in those words - more of the feeling of when I finally got to pick a book out of the young adult section because I was ready to tackle 'adult subject matter' like cliques and dating. Kids.
04 January 2011
design(mode): louis vuitton
Art deco is my favorite design style; you can dangle almost anything that is art deco-ish in front of me - furniture, jewelry, clothes, art - and I'm in. Sprinkle in some some flappers and philosophers and well, I'm sold.
Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 11
Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 11
25 May 2010
07 May 2010
ciné(screen): party girl
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| Cyd Charisse as Vicki Gaye in Party Girl |
Party Girl is a 1958 film noir directed by Nicholas Ray, starring Robert Taylor and Cyd Charisse. Last week I watched this movie and caught a glimpse of the red dress above - immediately thought about Hilary Swank's Guy Laroche dress she wore to the 2005 Oscars. I loved that dress so much. In fact, I wanted to base my wedding dress on it, but that's another story.
05 May 2010
biblio(file): deluxe - how luxury lost its luster
When Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster first came out in 2007, I remember reading book reviews that placed reviewers in the extremes of love and hate. It was interesting to read some of the unflattering reports that seem to call for its placement on a list of banned books waiting to be thrown into a bonfire. On the other side, proponents conjectured that those who were against Deluxe, were part of a shadowy conspiracy trying to keep hidden the explosive secrets of the luxury goods & services industry. Great marketing, huh? I made a mental note to buy and read it as soon as possible.
30 April 2010
27 April 2010
style(hunt): oxfords gone brogue
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| caw photoshopped creations |
Last year I remember driving - when I do my best thinking - the oxford trend had hit but I didn't really see any that were really different. I imagined and wanted multi-color, highly adorned or something a little more inventive than adding a heel. I guess my frustration came from the many years of private school where I was only allowed to wear oxfords and mary janes; therefore, I kind of have a love hate/relationship with them.
15 March 2010
13 March 2010
mag(rac): numero
Numero #111 March 2010
Photographer: Karl Lagerfeld
Models: Elisa Sednaoui & Baptiste Giabiconi
11 March 2010
style(hunt): briefcase
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| Chanel Perspex Briefcase |
One doesn't really see people with briefcases anymore. Messenger, tote and computer bags, yes. Briefcases, no. I am talking about the old-fashioned, hardside *knock, knock, knock* attaché case. I had a professor who carried one. It was this worn, clunky thing at least a couple of decades old. He would walk into the classroom, put it on the front table, and pull out his notes. He would then proceed to lecture for an hour and a half straight with no slides or visual aids. The class was totally devoid of any type of technology since we were not even allowed to take notes on our computers, just pen and paper. It was as if he was letting you know upfront with his briefcase, his teaching style.
I still want a briefcase but really have no reason for one. My computer bag is still more functional. The biggest advantage is that it is hands free. Plus, do I want people to assume that I am carrying around a poker set or at best guess a gun? They are really only seen for ransom drops and other sketchy cash payoff. But I think I am just using TV as a reference again. Regardless, this reasoning didn't stop me from looking around to see what the modern age has to offer.
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| Tumi Tennyson Attache, $1,995 |
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| Asprey Bond Attache, £2,500 |
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| Vanguard Business Series Modern 84 Attache, $117.95 |
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| Rimowa Topas Aluminum Silver Attache Case, $945 |
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| Zero Halliburton 4" aluminum attaché, $550 |
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| Totally Bamboo Bamboo Attache Case, $218.95 |
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| Louis Vuitton Président, $4,200 |
09 March 2010
ciné(screen): savile row
The bespoke spell. That is the underlying theme of this three part documentary. Savile Row chronicles the present day state of the famed Mayfair street,
Its craftsmen and women are aging — the average tailor on the Row is 55 — and international merchandisers are entering the marketplace. Documentarian Ian Denyer explores Savile Row’s illustrious tradition and how it is adjusting to the challenges of the 21st century.
During the three episodes, viewers see tailors' reactions as retailer Abercrombie & Fitch opens an outlet on the Row, the tailors' efforts to promote the Row tradition to customers abroad and fledgling apprentice tailors compete for the profession’s top award. As I watched, it was easy to be sentimental about an era, in some cases even more so than some of the tailors. For example, we accompany one digging around in a basement, going through the records of every single customer that has ever walked through its doors - figuratively. He is looking for the records of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie de Montijo, which have been misplaced; recorded either under 'M' for Montijo or 'E' for Empress - even though 'E' doesn't make sense, since there "has been so many of them." The correct book is finally found in an dusty old cupboard with a radiator, chair and other retired equipment blocking the sticky doors.
I guess it is hard to get worked up about every single famous client when there have been so many, but there is something about having those records in a boiler room and not in some climate-controlled display cabinet. I am still waiting for someone to put on white gloves before flipping through the pages. The Row has such a rich tradition of tailoring that hasn't changed that much since the 1800s. However, as a 'brand' Savile Row has failed to keep up with the times and there is its catch-22. The introductory question:
"Can the tailors get brand savvy without selling their souls?"
photo cred: sundance channel
07 March 2010
front(lines): prada
"First Spring" by Yang Fudong
Prada S/S 2010 Menswear Campaign
Credits:
Model/Actor: Jacob Coupe
Model/Actor: Adrien Sahores
Actor: Geng Le
Actor: Ji Lili
Actor: Zhao Lei
Actor: Gao Xiu Li
Director: Yang Fudong
05 March 2010
