28.3.10

el Otoño/ el Invierno de 2010

I've had a bit of self-resistance to post photos from collections of Fall/ Winter 2010. As much as I want to share my favourite pieces from all the Fall 2010 Collections, it ultimately feels redundant because YOU can just go to www.style.com and see it all for yourself. But then again, I am posting MY favourites, ones which you may have glanced past without resonating the details I'll address. With that said, this blog is a virtual scrapbook of ideas... so why the hell not, right? As it appears to be my pattern of blogging collections, I am fashionably late, but at least I made it to the afta' afta' party. . . funny, no?

Soooo, what trends did I notice...?
  1. Without a doubt, the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte and their signature style has clearly had an impact on the fashion industry. We've now seen a number of designers with collage inspired clothing with chiffons, netting, and knits that are intwined, wrapped, twisted and turned upside down next to plaids, wools and anything of opposing polar opposites. I plan to dedicate a post with specific examples soon! . . . However this begs the question, "How long will this trend progress without becoming a snooze of paper-mache ?"
  2. In other related news: Rich Velvets! Crushed Velvets! Cut out Velvets!
  3. I like olives... "mustard" yellow olives, green olives, very dark olives- enough said!
  4. A trend which will remain nameless FOR NOW... because it relates to a project and vision I've been working towards and dedicated myself too AND I'll be dammed before I am labeled as taking my source of inspiration from them anyone else... however you may see hints of it throughout my posts. . .
  5. 1990's flowing florals! Do you remember 90210 and those loosely fitted rayon floral print dresses with those sunflower straw hats that Donna, Kelly and Brenda wore...? I do! In fact, it wasn't too long ago I took a vintage rayon floral dress and made that large frock into a top and skirt (ooooohlala now they're separates!)
  6. Zippers turning "things" into Separates
ALEXANDER WANG
BURBERRY PRORSUM
BURBERRY PRORSUM
RALPH LAUREN
It's the "All American Style", and although I am not a huge fan that they cater to EVERY mass market under the sun, allowing everyone to have a piece of the Ralph Lauren pie, you have to give props to their signature style. They consistently hit the mark and manage to make each collection fresh despite the fact we've all seen these beanie hats season after season, similar floral flowing chiffons, equest' leather and tailored tweeds and wools of fine hounds-tooth/ herringbone patterns. I may have a small resistance to the cliche of the name, however I am always pleasantly happy with the clothing themselves and that equestrian dream like style.

ZAC POSEN

And last but not least in this edition of Fall/ Winter 2010 Collections:

Steel Blue & Rust with Mustard Yellow! Wooowwweee. This 1970's rocks and minerals combination is stellar! Did you see the button on those pants and coat?!?!?! It looks like a geode crystallized rock formation. Anyone that knows me personally knows I am a geography/ geology NERD! So the metamorphosis of geo-earth science and fashion is simply magnificent. Ok, I'll stop now before I rant about rocks, volcanoes and lava- Oh my! But please- notice the fine details of the blouses and pockets. They. are. beauty-ful!

23.3.10

wall thou art thee

wishing this was my bedroom wall... or office


and feeling inspired to create wall art

16.3.10

Betty sings a note or two, to the words of any Karaoke Song

in the heart of china town lies the pre-determined venue...
for which all things karaoke began
there was fire in the night sky
love was not a question... as we sang "unchained melody"

then a not so lovely duet of two male voices began to chant the words...

"oh mmmmmyyy love,
my darling...
i've hungered,
hungered for you touch,
a long lonnnely time,
and time goes by
so slowwwwly,
and time can do sooo much...
are you still minnne?....
i neeeeeeeeed your love"

followed by a murmur of agreement that their high pitched squeaky voices gives this song a bold new meaning
(those in the know, know what i just said is a direct reference to this award winning trailer)

intrigued by the velvet paintings in the potty
felt the urge to say... Red-Ruuuuum
lampshade mascarade
the walls sang a silent song
in the form of... ambient sound
art deco eternal

15.3.10

On the Street in Victoria

"the new look"
energetic, tween, teen, street loving fun!

next to habit cafe

Untitled - Jenifer Toke - Mixed Media

10.3.10

The Beautiful Dark Ages

Alexander McQueens final collection.
With 16 outfits 80% complete upon his death, I can only imagine how visually stunning and remarkable the remaining collection would have been. Visually breath taking and simply divine. The texture practically jumps off the image. His historical references reinterpreted are unbelievable. There is a regal richness to each one presented in a contemporary way. If the industrial revolution never changed the face of fashion and "Medieval" clothing still took precedence today, this would be the result.



3.3.10

la flamme olympique

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games have come to an end (tear*), with the Paralympics one week away. However, it has truly been an unforgettable 17 days. The city came alive, like I have never seen it before. People from all over the country and around the world came to be apart of this experience and share this incredible opportunity. I can honestly say, I have never been surrounded by sooo many happy, enthusiastic, energized people before. For over two weeks, the city streets were crowded with people patriotic to their country, all with the common goal to celebrate. Talent from all over the world arrived and of course we celebrated their athletic triumphs!

The Olympic Flame

The parties and events were incredible, whether you experienced the public live pavilions or were among the net-worked elite and attended the private functions. Yes, there really is a "secret world" or disconnect between the athletes who come to compete for honest integrity and the organizers and nations who support their athletes but wine and dine from private party to party with complementary food, free booze and ultimate smoooozing. For the athletes this is merely a perk to their athletic career, whilst the public may know little about the exclusivity of these private events. Rather they see the excitement from the outside and enjoy the ambience anyways. I was fortunate to experience both. However, I will not delve into the politics and dynamics or the good and the bad. This post is dedicated to pure joy brought to the world, country, city, athletes and myself.

Robson Square

The Olympics are larger then we may realize. Supported by world size advertising to sponsor the growing scale of these events. We saw the beginning of what I believe will be a new trend in fashion and Olympic athletes apparel. We already have design labels who now create the countries Olympic clothing, ie. The Bay for Canada, Ralph Lauren for the USA. However we also saw Vera Wang who designed Evan Lysacek figure skating costumes and Johnny Weir who designed his own costumes with aspirations to develop his own clothing company. Before learning of these designer costumes, I remarked to my friend that designing figure skating costumes would actually be a fantastic opportunity. It would be a great way to express extreme creativity in spandex and sparkle! Mark my word, Sochi 2014 will be a line up of luxury designers show casing their couture designs on olympians! Once again fashion prevails and marks its importance into the Olympics sports arena as well.


Overall, Vancouver was a huge success. It tugged on our emotions as we witnessed devastating accidents, watched courageous strength on a world stage, and embraced complete strangers with excitement for another medal win or the personal perseverance by an athlete. It truly brought a country together in support and cheer unlike any other point in history. This happened at some scale around the world and certainly occurred in Canada.

Was this a once in a lifetime experience? Yes it sure was! However I would not be surprised if Vancouver was to host another Olympics in years to come... the Summer Olympics. I'd give it 20-30 years and we might be celebrating here once again!

Anyhow, while the I've taken a mini Olympic vacation the past two weeks, New York Fashion week occurred and I certainly haven't forgotten about that! It's time to get back to work and focus on all the highlights of Fashion Week around the word, etc... etc...

x