The Career Clutch Comeback

 from left to right, all from SS 12: Celine, Lanvin & Prada

The career clutch is returning this season. Judging by the above shots, Phoebe Philo, Alber Elbaz & Miuccia Prada have definitely put an effortlessly cool and modern spin to multicolor leather paneled envelope clutches and portfolio clutches. 

Once known only as an evening go-to in the 70s, the envelope clutch has grown to become an everyday staple. The Spring's palette of lighter hues and textured leathers add a modern touch to this piece. While the latter is purely designed to beautify its wearer's ladylike demeanor, the portfolio clutch serves a dual purpose: an accessory that once held paper files in the 60s and 70s now rides the wave of iPad-friendly accessories and carries the newest technological devices. Wait until you see this fine innovation, as ever-slimmer silhouettes have emerged, with envelope flap closures for Lanvin or sleek zippers for Prada. 

Often tinted in sandy beige or soft pink for Spring, these contemporary must-haves have yet to raid the streets. I'd be curious to see how well they become adopted as every fashion insider's arm candy. What do you say? Do you want a piece of that candy too?

This fall, plaid shifts and color blocks become pure art form

Photos courtesy of Vogue

Who said plaid was passé? From blouses to trousers and dresses, these geometric patterns are super in vogue this fall. Prada surely takes this trend to another level with her hodgepoge of color blocking forms and plaid shifts with these two outfits I like to call "night and day", because of their mirroring color compositions. 

P.S.: notice the tricolor python boots? I think we've got you all covered dear animal prints!

One cannot consider the above dresses as anything lower than pure art form. The multi-size blocks of cold winter tones can first seem a little too kaleidoscopic, yet they all come together to form a cohesive design delineated by intersecting black lines, evoking the beauty of a Mondrian piece. I definitely gasped while inspecting these pieces, as they immediately reminded me of YSL's 1965 Mondrian dress (shown below).
   

French Vogue, September 1965, Couturier Yves Saint Laurent's Mondrian Dress

In 1965, Yves Saint Laurent transported Piet Mondrian's Broadway Boogie-Woogie painting to a shift dress. Yves did not fail to recreate the intersecting black lines and blocks of primary colors based on the Dutch painter's abstract painting. His application of these geometric-shaped silhouettes to his dresses, dubbed the 'Mondrian Look', marked the start of the Pop Art movement in couture fashions. Harper's Bazaar even described this sensational piece the "dress of tomorrow". It is specifically Saint Laurent's way of treating his dresses like canvases that proved his undeniable ability to predict upcoming trends in fashion, a gift he was recognized for and still is today. 
A visionary and legacy, YSL is still in our hearts - and apparently also in Miucca's.

Stepping into the wild: dissecting animal prints et cetera

Dissecting animal prints goes a long way...literally. Emerging in the 1940s during the early stage of the women's movement, these little wild adornments were first worn by Liberator pioneers such as Bettie Page who became the inspiration for animal print to be sexy and fashionable. 

 vest: Jack, blouse: Nasty Gal, leggings: Zara, booties: Prada, bag: Chanel

Sexy and fashionable...those are you to decide. I definitely went all out in front of another rad graffiti wall. Figured the explosion of color could add a playful twist!

pink quartz and ruby bracelet: Satya, croc effect leather bracelet: Miu Miu, skull bracelet in rose gold: LeiVanKash, brass heart pendant: In God We Trust, turquoise flower ring: Dicha

Queen Bling definitely gave a new meaning to Queen B...

From snake and zebra prints to leopard...we are dissecting all things wild--and even included Malo, Jehdy's adorable little dog! 

Leopard print became an all time favorite of 1950′s fashion designer Christian Dior’s muse, Mitzah Bricard. Dior's accessories, lines, and campaigns became infused with leopard, associating animal print with chic sophistication and elegance. 

The 1970's brought the dangerous side of animal print, particularly with nightgowns infused with animal prints, leopard print jumpsuits, bell bottoms, and even zebra print platform shoes. This era was also marked by the emergence of street art and hip hop music (hence our desire to incorporate graffiti wall art in our little photo shoot project).

And so the trend of the leopard print continues to mesmerize the fashion world. Here, we blend leopard chic with Native American prints and ripped tights. Peeking into the gate of nature and wilderness has never been so rad. All I can say is: hats off! 

leopard maxi dress: Nasty Gal, booties: FNO for Aldo