A very Lagerfeldian Halloween!

Lucky boys (and/or girls), this Halloween post is for you!

If you haven’t decided what to wear tonight, Karl Lagerfeld’s persona is a feasible-enough costume.

A little background... 

Karl Lagerfeld

In his 25 years as head designer and creative director of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld has not only secured the strong legacy and story of Coco Chanel but has also enhanced it by turning the house into one of the most powerful and profitable brands in the world.
Along the way, Lagerfeld has himself become a legend. With his white powdered ponytail, signature black sunglasses, and fingerless black gloves, he is the most recognizable fashion designer in the world. He is also known as the industry's resident Renaissance man. Indeed,

he knows all about change when it comes to the fashion industry. His extensive body of work -- currently for Fendi, Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld -- explores a wide variety of always evolving looks.

And now, a couple of pointers...

 

Shirt: Cheap Monday, Blazer: Zadig & Voltaire, Boots: Marc Jacobs, Leggings: Zara, Bow Tie: Gemma Lister, Gloves: Club Monaco

Just grab yourselves a strong blazer, skinny tie (or in this case velvet bow tie), fingerless gloves, skinny pants, and dark aviator shades.

And if you feel adventurous enough, sport a white wig, tie your new white hair into a ponytail, aaand…

Ta daaaa! I present you the Kaiser, showing off his Diet Coke bottle, faux canvas “Karl Who?” bag and his beloved Ana Wintour!

Happy Halloween style dissectors! xoxo

Dissecting Today's Detachable Collar Craze - A Resurrection Of An Early 1900's Innovation

Today's dissection is devoted to this season's most popular neck piece: the detachable collar. 

First, a little bit of history: It is believed that the detachable collar was first invented in 1827 in Troy, New York, by Mrs. Hannah Lord Montague, a housewife who was having difficulties with her husband's "ring-around-the-collar" and therefore proceeded to snip it off his shirt to wash it, then sewing it back on. The manufacture of detachable collars and the associated shirts eventually became a significant industry in Troy.   

Surely, with the prescribed format of men's clothing firmly in place in the 1900's, detachable collar and cuff styles offered a sophisticated yet practical bit of variety within the code of white shirt, paired with brown, black or grey trousers, a waistcoat, topcoat, gloves and a hat. These pieces quickly became a hit at a time when laundering garments was extremely expensive. Precisely, they could be cheaply purchased and guaranteed a clean and polished look by way of being detachable, while the body of the shirt was laundered as needed. 

Sears Catalog, Fall 1889

Detachable collar, 1910

And now--a look at the 21st century, and browsing through my own little collection of trinkets...

I personally am all over my Gemma Lister gold sequined Peter Pan collar. Here again, we are dealing with the play on masculine and feminine codes: the round edges balance out the roughness that can be suggested by merely wearing a collar in the first place. A piece quite modernized from those presented above, and let's not forget - who else but an advocate of femininity would wear a SEQUINED piece? Certainly NOT ta man living a century ago!

Like what you see? Get your own here!

An Ode to Masculinity & Metallics...and Daphne

If your mind has been dwelling over yesterday's post and you are all about Yves--a little birdie told me about a YSL Sample Sale going on, starting this evening and until Friday....

Now back to business.

Masculinity and metallics are an imposing trend this season. And if you know me, you already know of my love for all things boyish. 



Coco Chanel

The play on proportions has surely evolved in dressmaking since Chanel first took a 1920's Paris by storm with the look of La Garçonne. The play on simplicity which hid the female silhouette and adopted androgynous forms behind Chanel's little black dresses has set the stage for our contemporary designers to explore even further the play on masculine and feminine codes. 

Photo courtesy of Style.com

Stella McCartney's gold quilted bubble coat from her 2011 AW collection exemplifies the designer's ability to adapt menswear on women - and leaves us (ME especially) in awe. The balloon shaped silhouette, paired with a sporty collar, and not to mention the gold metallic finish make this piece a shining show-stopper. Anyone who is able to snatch this little number will exhibit the effortless chic we all aspire towards. 



Speaking about metallics and redefined shapes, look what I  found the other day at H&M, courtesy of my beloved Blackberry. That's right, a silver oversized fall jacket that oozes chic--perhaps a "wink" at Stella's mastery...

My new jacket reminds me of Daphne Guiness and her sharp shoulder silver jacket...it may sport a different style but surely like mine it didn't go unnoticed...Pair that sweeeeet piece with what I've concoted below to sport her stylishness, and clicky clicky below to find out where to purchase the fabulous pieces I listed!
 

Sandals: Alexander Wang, Collar: Gemma Lister, Dress: Alexander Wang, Clutch: Alexander McQueen, Headband: Madame Framboise, Bangles and ring: LeiVanKash 

Until we speak again...have a brilliant day!