A retrospective of horror tales...courtesy of Viktor & Rolf

Alright, just because Halloween is around the corner and I got extra inspired, today's post won't be your typical history lesson--think of it as a retrospective of fairy horror tales.

They say in fashion, one day you are in and the next day you are out. Designers are constantly faced with the challenge of inventing and reinventing, and to do that they draw their sources of inspiration from art, novels, photography, architecture, design—anything in the arts really. Viktor & Rolf’s Fall 2011 collection, inspired from the Medieval and Silver Ages, certainly did not fail to raise eyebrows. The duo's signature avant-garde shapes with armor-like pleats and large flower motifs which served as a sort of coat of arms were worn by red faced models strolling along the runway. You can definitely judge by these two pictures without even having seen the entire collection that this was a strong  showing for the Dutch pair—which especially put me in a Halloween mood (oh how appropriate)!



Strangely, Viktor & Rolf's interpretation of the Medieval and Silver Ages reminded me of the infamous Tin Man and Warlord Demon, portrayed below: 

Spooked yet? I think yes!

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!

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

dis·sect (my) style

dis·sect/diˈsekt/

Verb:	Methodically cut up (a body, part, or plant) in order to study its internal parts. Analyze (something) in minute detail.
Synonyms:	anatomize - analyze - analyse

style/stīl/

Noun:	Displaying an understanding and respect for the rules and history of fashion while outfitting oneself in one's own way. This also includes a tendency to defy, interpret and reinterpret these codes as one pleases.
Verb:	Design or make in a particular form.
Synonyms:	noun.  fashion - manner - mode - way - genre verb.  name - call - term

Stay tuned - your style is about to get dissected...