Perfect Pre-Fall Polish

Its almsot fall fashion week, (How short has it been?) so that means pre-fall collections. It seems as though designers are trying to make the same splash with pre-fall they did with resort last year. Resort and pre-fall collections are quickly becoming a very important part of a labels line for the year, however pre-fall continues to be at the bottom on the line. It seems as though it will not reach the caliber that resort did so quickly, but maybe in a few seasons things will change. For now, I'm going to show you my favorite offerings from the crop of pre-fall fruits.

First we have Valentino. This is Alessandra Facchinetti's first collection for Valentino, and personally i think its a gorgeous fresh face for the label. No one can ever do what Valentino did, so rather then try to find the perfect fit, they chose someone that can cover his design techniques but bring their own flavor at the same time. I see an incredibly pure collection.

6 Looks from Alessandra Facchinetti for Valentino Pre-Fall 2008

Next we have Dolce and Gabbana. Pre-fall gave way to their fresher, more colorful, and more artfully inspired way of designing lately, a welcome change from their heavy dominatrix looks that have lately ruled the runways. We saw lots of color, cute dresses and trenches, more acid-colored patchwork bags, and an absolutely stellar pantsuit.

6 Looks from Dolce & Gabbana Pre-Fall 2008

We also saw a refreshing pre-fall collection from Missoni. Sharp shapes and color blocking found their way into the collection, resulting in probably the most colorful offering this year. All of these outfits would look perfect on a blonde girl like Masha N. in Central Park in the fall.

6 Looks from Missoni Pre-Fall 2008

Finally we have Luca Luca, my personal favorite offering. The collection was full of rich tones and materials... deep blues and reds, technicolor tweeds, and what looks like fox fur. It was a very well rounded collection, and most importantly, it looked perfect for fall.

6 Looks from Luca Luca Pre-Fall 2008

Whatever you need, there's surely something in these pre-fall collections to tide you over till fashion week, when isnt even that far away! Haute Couture is in a few weeks and we're super excited for shows like Dior, Valentino, and Margiela Artisnal.

Karlie Kloss is... Alive and Well...

It seems a certain, very suspicious blog has made a post about Elite Model Management's Karlie Kloss going into rehab for a reported 8 weeks. When i woke up this morning and saw this I gasped! She is my absolute favorite new face, has the facial structure of an angel and is heading up the campaign for my favorite collection of the season, Nina Ricci!Karlie Kloss backstage at Chloe' S/S 2008

I immediately started searching for more info and found the original blog post! Needless to say the source was less then reputable... Do they even know what Karlie Kloss looks like? I wonder if they realize they have a picture of Coco Rocha up there, rather then our cat-eyed beautiful new face. Needless to say i dont beleive it, and many industry insiders have ensured us that the rumors are NOT true, over at ontd_fashinfags (1 & 2), as well as at ohnotheydidnt (1 & 2). Even if it is untrue, its a shame it happened at such a bad time. Karlie's Teen Vogue cover just hit the stands and now this. Its as if all the positivity surrounding the first model cover (three models no less) Teen Vogue since supermodel Gemma Ward, was offset by such bad publicity as this.

Karlie Kloss on the Cover of February's Teen Vogue with Chanel Iman and Ali Michael

The blog was reported to Elite by several people, and i will be sure to make a screencap just in case this post gets deleted. Toodooloo for now!

Bonne Annee

So right now it is just past 1 am, and I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and perhaps talk about a little thing called new years resolutions.
One of mine is to post more blogs writing about fashion and be nicer.

So fashionistas this bitch is getting tired and is ready for bed

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!