After the long week, the perfect weekend {bag}

With the weekend arriving after the long hours of the work week, it is now time that I share with you what I believe would make the perfect Sunday funday bag, the piece that will not only serve as showstopper but carry all the necessities of a woman looking to relax herself on a stress-free day. Yes I now, you will now tell me that us city girls are always busy and swamped with errands no matter the day. Well, let's get real, we do need some TLC sometimes. Why not stick in our hand cremes, favorite lipsticks, secret diaries and nail polishes along with our wallets, phone and keys in one hell of a fabulous bag? 

I thereby call the Proenza Schouler PS1 to the rescue of every distressed working girl.  A true classic embodying a sense of wearable luxury, this signature satchel will not disappoint. A spin on edgy, youthful and sophisticated tailoring, the Proenza Schouler brand will only be celebrating its 10th anniversary in the new year, yet its founders and former Parsons classmates Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough have already enjoyed numerous hit collections, and a rep as one of fashion’s most talked about labels. 

Proenza Schouler PS1 in midnight blue

A sophisticated bag it is, and definitely wearable at any time. And in midnight blue, especially, you are sure to let your cool down. After all, blue is the color of tranquility. Amen.

Fashion meets Art Basel

Sadly, I missed Art Basel yet again this year, but thankfully my fashionista partner in crime Jehdy successfully snapped some super sweet stuff I thought was definitely appropriate to share on the blog. Below, the sketches of some of our most notable fashion designers (among which the late Alexander McQueen and surprisingly, Galliano--perhaps his fate may not be as gloomy as we thought it would be?) lend to admiration and a hint of laughter. 

All photos courtesy of Jehdy

There are certainly a million ways to interpret these depictions. Perhaps it is the anticipation of the launch of the Valentino Garavani Vitrual Museum as well as a rejuvenated collection (among which this season's most wanted studded bags) that caused Valentino a star studded appraisal, and a bittersweet sadness towards McQueen's tragic death at the peak of his career that brought the artist to capture that emotion on canvas. On the other hand, one can deem Dolce&Gabbana as the perfect happy medium, lying in between some of our more sensitive minded figures, as their continuous focus on bombastic colors and prints truly celebrate life. 

Which one is your favorite? I'm still debating between Galliano trying one of his creations and Tom Ford in an LBD and bow-tie (there is no mention of him trying one of his womenswear designs which begs the question: omission or cue?).

Boy meets Girl...again.

The day when dandy met girlie, and boy met girl in fashion goes all the way back to Coco Chanel's era. Sure thing, the designer's modernist thought, menswear-inspired fashions, and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her an important figure in 20th century fashion, but it seems like our 21st century designers now acknowledge that every independent and free-spirited woman possesses at least one or two key pieces that border the masculine. After all, power suits and brogue shoes no longer only flatter men. They have the gift of empowering a woman's allure, helping her sense of confidence while being confronted with the hustle and bustle of the city life.

These days still, the dandy turn on masculine fashion takes the streets by storm. Building upon elements already big in past seasons, such as the oversized blazer, tuxedo trend and military fashion, the female dandy is part Beau Brummell, part Oscar Wilde, and at times a touch of Coco Chanel. One iconic element not to forget this season: the studded biker boots slyly alleviate a strictness that may be emanating from this look. And if you can't do with those, a little messy bun will playfully outdo your clean-cut look to make you look oh so effortlessly cool. 

Images via Carolines Mode

In sum, the female dandy exemplifies girl power with a touch of rebellion. What do you say? I say... let's rebel!