Stylish with Substance

Like a good story, but unlike journalistic-style, you must read 'til the end for the "climax" of "drama".

Her very name-of-fame is literally defined as, "elegant and fashionable", but Posh (Spice), or Victoria Beckham, gathered more media buzz attending events^ with her new* pixie cut hairstyle than her own debut high fashion collection - both of which went public the same day; Sept. 8th^.

*I do wonder what the daze is about, since the pop star is easily remembered as always sportin' a similar coif in the 1990s with the Spice Girls. I'm also amazed at all the polls passing through the blogosphere questioning the style, for IMHO Vic is one of the few grown women who can pull off a lack of mane without looking boyish - maybe it's because she truly does always dress so posh.

Perhaps there should be more stories about the first showing of her very own signature collection:

Sample...

 

Read more...

 

Following conventions, Mercedes-Benz (or their marketing team, or they being a namesake [for IMG Fashion if you're counting], the real fashion team's marketing team) is campaigning this (New York Fashion) week to be election-themed. But will it be unconventional? Does the business of fashion want change and democracy? Are we to see indie designers given big shots, or fan submissions down the catwalks?

 

What the industry wants is not exactly inspired by Obama's hope for change. Their idea of changing is putting on decade old trends anew, buying enough purses to swap daily, etc. Recycling and upgrading isn't change, it's all more of the same.

[caption id="attachment_1031" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="© 2008 IMG Fashion"][/caption]

The only thing I can say is this is a cute marketing play with colorful graphics.

There's rarely even innovation among the favored fashion, when even most glorified designers put out nothing much that's unique, freshly-flattering, or jaw-droppingly intricate. The IT bags today are mostly 2, 3, 4.0s of yesteryear.

Some of this is fine, and a lot of fashion is fun, but I do wonder, with slogans such as, "Hope. Change. Shoes." which party, aside from coke-floating after-parties, no which political party is the fashion industry a part of? Hint: it's a big business.

I suppose that's why it's all likely to be the same, because conservatism is that, and they do "proclaim" experience matters. New styles from fresh faces - why - those designers have no "foreign policy experience" (outsourcing to China for the cheaps), "no executive experience" (owning companies or just plain having wealth) - and in the economy we've been in -- fair-trade, handmade, eco-grade, or any other trademarks of the (aspiring) leaders of our (fashion) future -- can't be done.

 

Does this mean Obama would help aspiring designers and even those wanting to dress with individuality? Well, it should help us afford our groceries, at least, which can't hurt our business or shopping pursuits - except our chances at modeling - but supermodels are "huge" (tiny) members of the conservative big business of apparel, anyway - we don't want to be that.

So as the fashion new media, what should bloggers cover in the coming weeks of elegance-on-parade? Would you review in the same old voice as the others of past, or reach for significant inspiration? Perhaps since the powers-that-be decided to - almost naively - dress the event in flags vs. cashmere, in message buttons vs. billboards or leaderboards - in this time of progressive change --- should we show the same scrutiny as to presidential candidates? Even less strictly would be harsher than usual. I say so, because this is our business, our livelihoods, our class standing, our passion, and what we hope to be art - it's important to us and it impacts us, but also the rest of the economy - and is therefore important to our nation, world, and this actual historic election.

 

"All those old skanks in these tabloids all wear bikinis. Don't you want to be different? Don't you want to look more fabulous and glamorous? Aren't you sick of the bikini?" - Simon Doonan

I couldn't agree more, and yet I couldn't pinpoint it before this bold, genius gay said it in this perfect way.

I still wonder what will be in next year, which will likely mark my return to bikini-ready-dom. (My decision on what to wear vs. trends or personal style combined with how often I go to the beach merely to show off, when I hate the beach, should say a lot about me, no? Who cares - fun fun it will be.)

So what about you, if you've got it to flaunt, is the one-piece good enough still?

I'm not a trend follower of late, but the announcement of this one excited me for a very important reason. Seeing the hot, neon, sparkly, etc. pumps on the show What Not to Wear started my love for shoes, which brought on this blog, which introduced me to handbags, and ultimately that led to my handbag line I'm finally ready to start!

But back to the blog for now, and well the shoes..

Reports say bright shoes are in for Spring. Fun! Cute, and definite excitement in your steps.

I'd like to go over some "hot" (pun intended, as per usual) choices in different categories ...

First, fashionista in different price points:

$$$$$ Manolo Blahnik
Velour Brooch Slide $645

$$$ Banana Republic
Shielded Sandal $78

$$ Not Rated
Juicy $43

$ Forever 21
Sweetheart Flip Flop $5.80

Different types of shoes:

Sneaker Flat
Piper Lime

Indie Designer
Etrelles

Rain Boots
Kamik

What fun! How cheerful! In Nemain Marcus's Spring Preview for Manolo Blahnik shoes, are these pink poppy-printed Slingback Mary Janes with peep toes. I think the best feature of these, even with their powers of anti-depression, is the green top-stitching. High design meets indie funkiness? Love it!

With a high high heel, these shoes cost $675, and right now Neiman Marcus .com has an offer that gives a free Blahnik sketch book with a Manolo purchase over $650.

But really, you'll buy this shoe for the joy & jubilation!

There's no crime in copying Marc Jacobs when his Marc by Marc Jacobs line uses LEGO brand brick toys!

Find LEGO-made accessories on Etsy.com, like from new seller, Kasi Made This.

Or you can make your own! Get creative.

What happened to Vera Wang's skills as a top wedding gown designer? Her entire collection for Spring/Summer 2008 is a bunch of *Sad Sacks*! :-( It's like "burlap chic" with better fabrics but equally bad colours, oh and sans chic. *Snort* Puh-leaze! Next!

 

*falls over* ...

 

I'm sorry, I'm very excitable today. Quite overwhelmed with the entire collection, actually. It's Ralph Lauren's 40th anniversary, to note. I really must do a more detailed post later in the week, as the show deserves it really. But there are so many notable pieces and I'm a bit *dizzy* - lol. :-) Way to go, Ralph! That's all for now.

Um, since when does NY Fashion Week start on a Wednesday? My bad, I didn't even know what today's date was. I'm so out of it since I got out of school, but luckily now I have plenty of time for reporting the catwalk!

OK so I honestly didn't GET why Gwen Stefani has been respected for fashion design - I didn't see her as more than a celebresigner. That was until I saw her Spring 2008 collection for L.A.M.B.

Now since when is Gwen Stefani, miss Harijuku-ex No Doubt-Mrs. Rossdale - preppy? (Unfortunately I see Autumn as the preppy season, not Spring. But it's my fave look, so I won't complain too much.) Well, her collection was delightfully preppy-youth-hip and her models still looked sexy, funky and cool. Hats off! (Seriously, take that hat off!)

Now one may still see the clothes as still on the teen-music-scene side, but when you see the dresses, it's all over---you give in. Gwen's a good designer, and this collection is fantastic. I may even already have my favorite of high fashion Spring 2008. Oh Gwen, come over to H&M real quick, okay? ;-)

By the way, it wouldn't do to tell you how those dresses rock with class, so here are a couple photos!

 

The Fall season is pretty much upon us in the fashion hemisphere, and many of us - I know - can't wait to get started on shopping and even wearing Autumn-toned goodies.

Now how to wear a gorgeously warm looking scarf in the dog days of August, a month that also celebrates the hot hot reds of the Earth?

An Hermès silk scarf in a sharp graphic print is perfect, and don't get too scared, this Silk Twilly is only $115. That's not bad for a die-hard fashionista or a moderately-budgeted H. admirer. The print is too fashionable and the price only tells you this accessory will last.