Christmas is a time for... buying!

I'm currently in London staying with my family and my Aunt and Uncle for Christmas and experiencing the British way of life! Today i went to the Victoria and Albert museum and checked out the much-hyped, much-talked-about Golden Age of Couture exhibit. I bought my 5£ ticket and walked towards the doors only to find a "No Photography" sign so I couldn't take any pictures. I did however conclude two things:

1. Hubert De'Givenchy and Pierre Balmain are my favorite couturiers.
2. Historical Fashion is not for me...

Explaining number one... I waltzed around the exhibit and found myself most interested by a pearl encrusted evening gown by Balmain, and some gorgeous gowns by Givenchy. Other highlights were the ONLY Chanel suit in the whole exhibit, an incredible red gown by the mast of couture, Cristobal Balenciaga, Dior's New Look suits and the final room with three of John Galliano's Haute Couture creations.

A Pierre Balmain pearl and Ostrich feather gown from the Golden Age of Couture Exhibit.

I bought The Fashion Book, a mini encyclopedia of all things fashion. Every designer, milliner, textile designer, model, and fashion icon since the 2000's. I also got a book for Christmas, called Deluxe, How Luxury Lost its Lustre, and i must say it's one of the most interesting books I've ever read. Rarely do I read 100 pages at a time and i did on the plane to England. It's riveting even though it's mostly about the business side of the industry and how much it has changed... from the once family run industry to one overrun with money-grubbing CEO's like Bernard Arnault.

Of course, the old saying goes... "When in Rome...", and i certainly did when I was in London. I flexed my shopping-bag-holding arms in many districts, but mostly West Croydon and Oxford Street. My favorite store of the world, Uniqlo was a big name in London, and i picked up a lot of stuff! Two Japanese manga print sweatshirts by artist Shotaro Ishinomori, a geometric print by Casette Playa, an abstract print by Nick Waplington, 3 pairs of skinny jeans, a red and grey striped merino wool cardigan that's as soft as chinchilla fur, a grey wool/cashmere double breasted pea coat, a lambswool beanie and a leather belt all made it into my shopping bag.

A Uniqlo x Casette Playa t-shirt.

At Urban Outfitters I found a Flippa K t-shirt for 20£ (40$) and I had to have it... I know its outrageous for a t-shirt but its quite nice. I also got an old vintage flannel shirt from their renewal section and a Kissy Sell Out EP. At Topshop, my last endeavour, I got two burqa-ish scarves, some underwear, a cardigan by Peoples Market and some fingerless gloves.

I also went to Harrods and obsessed over a Balenciaga ikat/tye-dye print dress, a Balmain seriously beaded and boned evening gown, some Mulberry leather bags i tried to get my mom to purchase (to no avail..), a Fendi chinchilla fur coat whats was the softest moment of my life, a Prada flower print skirt from their resort collection, a Celine ostrich-leg (yes you heard me right) purse, and some gorgeous Emilio Pucci prints. I was in heaven... Needless to say we didn't buy anything but i do wish i could have spent some more time (a measly 30 minutes) and checked out the stellar-ly designed Marni ministore.

After it was all done, i had spent 350£ (roughly 700$), sat on my suitcase to zip it all in, and STILL had to buy another duffel-bag to fit my old coat in. It was wonderful staying with my Aunt and Uncle in their quaint and stylish tiny home, but i was happy to be in my own bed after i got home, had the best sleep of my life, then found a January issue of W Mag in my mailbox and learned that my other aunt bought me a years subscription.

All in all it was an absolutely fabulous Christmas. I hope yours was great too!

Happy Christmas

Joyeux Noel mes cherries!
Enjoy this festive holiday with presents and good clothes, we sure will.

Tis the Season...for a knock off

It was Winter/Semi formal in many different High Schools this weekend. Of course new pictures of dresses, dates, dancing and stupidly enough food were posted all over facebook. Obviously I had to look (being the creepy bitch I am) and share some of my comments.

I'm pretty sure more than 70% of the girls who attended Semi Formal this year were wearing a Forever 21 dress. Some were fairly decent and looked nice on the wearer, but others were just outrageous!

Nice knock-off Proenza Scholer dress from Forever 21 homegirl!

Sorry, but every time I go into work and see this polyester mess I have a giggle fit. Winter Formal isn't all tragedies and ugly dresses, there were some nice ones stuck in a sea of hideous.

Tips For next Year:

1) There are more colours than black you know. Everyone wears black, steer away from it.

2) Houndstooth doesn't flatter anyone, not even you Gwen Stefani. This includes accessories.

3) Matching bag and shoes are a no-go. Don't be afraid to wear more than two colours (this applies for everyday)

4) Don't wear Grade 8's graduation dress! If you have to then atleast change up your shoes, accessories and hair please.

5) Stay away from that polyester chiffon fabric with the glitter glue designs. It looks cheap.

6) Shirt and Skirt combos are good. It gives you the chance to mix and match later on for another event.

7) Floor length dresses are hideous if you are 5"3 (apprently some girls are unaware is this common fact)

8) Large curly updo-s make your head look big.

9) Wear a dress that fits you, please. This is a rule of thumb not only for a special event but for everyday! Don't you hate to see a girl wear a pair of jeans 3 sizes to small and her side fat just sticks out like no tomorrow? If they just put on a bigger pair the fat with disappear and they wouldn't look like such a mess.

10) Do not to be afraid of trying new styles. The black halter dress with glitter glue designs and ruffles is ugly and over done. Try a different colour, like purple or green. Different lengths, mini dresses are always fun and put the Semi in Semi Formal (ew did I just say that?). And if its cold, wear nylons instead of footless leggings. It's about time the leggings+babydoll dress was retired.

I didn't attend Semi Formal this year. I wish I did, just to witness all the fashion crimes in person, luckily I have facebook. However I have to give props to all the girls that wore Forever 21 and contributed to PRADAPEOPLE'S paycheque.

Let's hope next year looks better

Rediculous... but beautiful....

Spring 2008 was a season of crazy accessories. We know a lot of them aren't pretty or even remotely desirable, but some of the craziest stilettos and brightest patchwork bags are actually quite stunning. And whether you like it or not, you know these things will add a pop to your wardrobe, leave your critic wanting more AND make you absolutely unforgettable.

Of course we will have to start with our namesake Prada and her baby sister line Miu Miu. While the clothes may have been somewhat of a let down after both labels absolutely stunning fall seasons, the accessories were hard to beat!

A Midsummer Night's Dream at Prada

Butterfly Wings at Miu Miu

Anna Sui delivered in crazy style as usual, and for her, accessories not only included bags, jewelery, and shoes, but also hair!

Neon Lights at Anna Sui

A Richard Prince collaboration produced some very cool bags at Louis Vuitton, and makeup was used a prime accessory.

Grandma Gone Crazy at Louis Vuitton

Last, but certainly not least, Balenciaga's woven leather knee-highs need to have a mention, and
the detailing in the clothes seems to act as an accessory itself.

A Stitch in Time at Balenciaga

Honorable mentions go to Marc Jacob's backwards kitten heels, Undercover's cyclops shades, Emilio Pucci's star themed jewelery, and Dolce & Gabbana's Acid colored python patchwork bags. Pump up your wardrobe with beautiful accessories and take inspiration from this season's leaders!

Work it Betch.

As we mentioned earlier, Rodarte and Prada may be great to look at but we unfortunately cannot purchase such works of art at this moment in time. Even with the help of our ‘fabulous’ part time job at an infamous store known as Forever 21 :P

We work at knock-off central and it’s quite a laugh to see how much the empire gets sued by being so good at counterfeiting designer duds. Apparently “all the celebrities shop at Forever 21” according to a young customer waiting in line for a fitting room. Who needs a silk Proenza Scholuer bustier when you can just get a polyester one from Forever 21!
Oh god, obviously I’m being sarcastic.
I have to hand it to Knock Off Central, they make millions of dollars a year to pay off the lawsuits and no one ever hears about it except nosy employees such as yours truly. Felicitations Mr Chang!
However if it were not for this work place my partner and I would have never met, started this blog and become fabulous put back divas. We also wouldn’t have anything to rant about all day.

Benvenuto

Welcome! This is pradapeople, a blog for the luxury obsessed and the financially deprived. We only wish we could afford the things we blog about, but does that get us down? HELL NO! We live for the day we might one day be able to walk into Holt Renfrew and buy a little Etro monkey broach or a pair of Hermes cufflinks (the most inexpensive of course!). But until then we can spend our lives flipping through our American Vogues (how I wish I could read french!) and clicking through endless amounts of collections on style.com.

So, enough of an introduction! We're gonna post as much as possible to bring you the best in fashion dreams and fashion realities! So stay tuned and keep your stilettos on!