Fashion Week Blues

Posted on March 7, 2017 by Victoria

J’adore Dior, but Maria Grazia Chiuri’s got me feeling the blues.

I’m finally all caught up with runway shows just as fashion week wraps up in Paris. Christian Dior’s was one that I particularly liked for its single unifying theme: the color navy. Chiuri, the artistic director at the fashion house, dubbed navy as the only color that can challenge black, and it makes so much sense. It’s the perfect color that can go both with cold hues like slate gray and jet black, yet just as easily complement warm neutrals like butterscotch brown and cafe au lait beige.

The fall collection proves that navy – and lots of it – is the answer to everything. It’s polished, timeless, crosses gender lines, and is an all around versatile neutral. Ranging from feminine looks straight out of a fairytale, to the fairly utilitarian and everything in between, there’s not a navy look that didn’t tickle my fancy. I’m currently coveting sultry sheers, textured knits, and structured overcoats in nothing but navy.

Seems like I’ll be trading in my new look for a new look all clad in navy.

The Intricate Elie Saab

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Victoria

I know that the Spring 2013 Fashion Week ship has long ago sailed, but I finally caught up with Elie Saab‘s mesmerizing designs from his spring couture collection. Your grandma would approve of the long sleeves and demure neck to ankle coverage, but modest gowns these are not.

His gowns are like a fine optical illusion, for the varying transparencies of lace and tulle makes it hard to determine where the dress begins and ends on the body. Combined with the strategically placed come-hither intricate bead work and embroidery, Saab creates an understated allure that simultaneously leaves little and plenty to the imagination. In fact, I imagine myself to be quite the alluring illusion in one of his gowns, even if only in my dreams. Le sigh.

What an allursion!

Fashion Week Favorites

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Victoria

New York. London. Milan. While Paris Fashion Week hasn’t even started yet, there are simply too many fashion shows to keep up with. After reviewing hundreds of runway photos, my favorite Fall 2013 collections so far are from Anna Sui, Badgley Mischka, and Dsquared2.

I love Anna Sui’s bold use of color and eclectic mix of fabric and textures. From the clean wingtip eye makeup on the models to down to the shoes, Anna has redone the 1960s in a very groovy way and kept it young and playful. Might it be a reminder that yours truly was swinging 60s before Ms. Sui debuted her Fall collection. Call me clairvoyant.

Badgley Mischka’s slim silhouettes, fur, jewels, and dark hues paint the portrait of an elegant lady. It is said that the duo were inspired by the female characters from Alfred Hitchcock’s films. I’ve never seen any of his famous movies, but now I will definitely check some out, just for the outfits. Oh the horror!

Dsquared2 channeled the 1940s wartime look without the seriousness of the war. They added their own whimsical twist to the popular silhouettes and styles of that decade, with pencil skirts, suits, fedoras, and fur. I must find excuses to wear socks with strappy heels more often. I drool over the men; the menswear doesn’t look so bad either.

What are your favorite runway looks from Fashion Week?

Sprung Over Spring Trends

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Victoria

Before the frost has had a chance to melt, spring is already in the air. I guess global warming is a bigger problem than I thought. However, the New York trend reports are to blame for this short-lived dry winter, not our carbon footprints. Unless you’re wearing a pair of red soled Louboutins.

No time to comb through the runway shows? Fear not, for I have broken it down into digestible chunks for you. Some of these trends may not come as a surprise, as fashion tends to cycle through several seasons and repeats itself in history. For example, midriffs are back in style, and harks back to the I Dream of Jeannie days. My favorite trend so far is the peek-a-boo fishnet and web-like wovens, as if lace took a turn to the dark side.

Which trend are you dying to get your hands on this season?