cloud no.7

My new blog

2010-05-30T12:32:00.004+03:00

I'm back for just few seconds because I would like to invite you all on my new blog - here. Yes, my great project Tuxedo confessions - online concept store - is launched. Please come, visit and pick your favourite piece.

Tahir Sultan

2010-02-09T23:39:00.011+02:00

I love Tahir Sultan from Middle East :-) It's simply about his design that is matching perfectly my style. Yes, I would dare to wear all of his outfits especially his pants. Tahir Sultan graduated Central Saint Martins and interned John Galliano. Great start. Check his knitwear here.

Walter van Beirendonck

2010-02-04T16:58:00.004+02:00

Walter van Beirendonck is my kind of daring & innovative designer. His first breakthrough was in London (1987) as part of 'The Antwerp Six' (with Dirk van Saene, Driese van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester and Marina Yee). I discover him as designer for W.&L.T. (Wild & Lethal Trash) where from he signed of in 1999 after 6 years of great work. Walter van Beirendonck is considered to be 'one of the main trend-setters in men's fashion by the professional press.'

Foto: 'Glow' collection - winter 2009/10
More: here

La (lalalalalala ) vie en rose

2010-01-25T14:08:00.004+02:00

So thrilled, so proud, so happy to announce you our first 2010 Chic project - AloChic Diary. This is a special edition of 20+1 handmade diaries. More, for Romanian readers - here.

Unravelled, by Louise Goldin

2010-01-23T22:21:00.010+02:00

Last night I watched the 'Unravelled' fashion project documented by the cult knitwear designer Louise Goldin for Show Studio. She told us in 10 short videos about 1/ her inspiration her forthcoming collection ('Transformers'); 2/ the development & research for A/W 2009; 3/ sketches; 4/ the process of creating the fabrics; 5/ creation & recreation of the outfits, 6/ the support from Swarovski; 7/ the collaboration with London leather specialists; 8/ the final 48 hours before the show; 9/ the show. The last video include some of her supporters and mentors point of view on what her strengths are. Louise Goldin recently win the British Fashion Council Fashion Forward award sponsored by Coutts and Co and supported by the London Development Agency. Louise will receive sponsorship for two seasons to show at London Fashion Week in February and September.

Laetitia Casta playing Brigitte Bardot

2010-01-20T12:45:00.003+02:00

Image from 'Serge Gainsbourg: vie heroique' - movie to come.
Director: Joann Sfar
Staring: Eric Elmosnino (as Gainsbourg), Lucy Gordon (as Jane Birkin) and Laetitia Casta (as Brigitte Bardot)
Trailer: here

Knitwear, by Annabel Scopes

2010-01-14T14:50:00.003+02:00

I know it's winter, but I am still wearing T-shirts. Ok, with warmers :-) But, if I would have to reconsider my love for knitwear I would start with Annabel Scopes. One of his dress it would make me just happy along with Camper shoes. Her collection ‘The Great Madness’ is inspired by her travels through South America. More - here.

Warrior, by Samantha Cole London

2010-01-09T00:37:00.003+02:00

Excellent collection for stage or editorial stuff designed by Samantha Cole. She studied at The London College of Fashion and worked for Burberry. This particular collection 'Warrior' is clearly for a woman with no fear, yet feminine. The first dress is simply beautiful.
Price: here / More: here

Mark Fast. Faster

2010-01-07T23:21:00.005+02:00

Mark Fast is a fashion designer that graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2008. This year he was nominated for The Swarovski Emerging Talent Awards for Ready-to-Wear. The winner announced by the British Fashion Council was Peter Pilotto. So, Mark Fast goes ... faster. Yes, he will launch a new line with nylon/elastacene knits but at an affordable price. The tube dresses, tops and leggings will be retailed between $40-$200 comparing with the usual $2K+ price tags on his Fast line. The difference is that 'Fast garments are produced on domestic machines, by hand and one-at-a-time, while the new Faster duds are made (faster) in a factory somewhere in Italy'. More, here.
Photo: SS 10 collection

Covers of the year 2009

2009-12-28T19:12:00.004+02:00

What beautiful cover from 2009 is still hunting your mind? Models.com is presenting it's version of this top. The images above are the first 4. Take a look here for more and pick your favorite one. As for my favorite, this is it!

1/ W, November 2009 / Photographer: Pierpaolo Ferrari / Model: Linda Evangelista
2/ Acne Paper, S/S 09 / Photographer: Daniel Jackson / Model: Missy Rayder
3/ Dazed & Confused, April 2009 / Photographer: Josh Olins / Model: Lakshmi Menon
4/ Numero, May 2009 / Photographer: Solve Sundsbo / Model: Magdalena Frackowiak

Obama introduces us Sophie Theallet

2009-12-22T16:48:00.001+02:00

[ Sophie Theallet is a 'hot' designer: two of her dresses were worn by the US first lady and now she is the winner of the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America award ($200,000). Anna Wintour was one of the judges. Sophie launched her own pret-a-porter collection three years ago in NY, but before that she worked in France for years with Jean-Paul Gaultier and Azzedine Alaia ("Gaultier taught me to stop at nothing and Alaia gave a taste for rigor"). Her style is often called "Bohemian Chic," evoking northern Africa's kaftans and sometimes the bright cottons of sub-Saharan Africa. ]

The entire article - here

Wang. Alexander Wang

2009-12-20T10:37:00.003+02:00

[ Alexander Wang - online campaign, using Spring 10 outfits. 'Alex's love for contrasts is reflected throughout the collection with juxtaposing notes of street and luxe, sexy versus androgyny, and where vagabond meets a street smart-modernist.' ]

Shape my body

2009-12-19T03:17:00.001+02:00

surrealist / erotic / distorted imagery
silk jersey / handcrafted leather

[ Myrto Stamou is a BA (hons) Fashion Design graduate from UCA Rochester. Her final collection won the Womenswear Award and River Island Gold Award at Graduate Fashion Week 2009. ]

More: here
Take a look here too if you're wondering where else did you see those hands (10q Carola)

Rami Kashou, Between the lines

2009-12-11T02:01:00.004+02:00

I don't know why but I do. I love Rami Kashou. I discovered him on Project Runaway, probably season 4. His new collection 'Between the lines' reminds me, in the starting point, of Cecil Beaton creating the costumes for 'My fair lady'. After the black & white dresses I recognize Rami Kashou style: draping superbly, shaping the body as flattering as it could, surprisingly playing with layers (#6), never scared to offer flowers, big flowers. There is also a bridal section in his collection. In fact, I would dare to wear the outfit #10 (composer's jacket & silk organza blouse) if I would get marry in Las Vegas.

Video [ Short Fashion Film directed by Stuart Lessner ] - here.

Kostas Murkudis

2009-12-09T01:50:00.003+02:00

I've done the vilest things - the foulest things - but I've done them... superbly. [ Henry & June ]

Kostas Murkudis - SS 2010 collection

Less-travagance

2009-12-06T14:57:00.003+02:00

For all my +30 years old ladies
[ Financial Times, Make the most of minimalism ]

So this year, I’m doing some things differently. I’ve decided to embrace beauty’s new mood for minimalism, where the luxe factor remains but the glitz has been toned down. The trend pundits are calling it “less-travagance” or “blingimalism”. Make-up artist Pat McGrath says next season will see a “return to freshness and simplicity as a reaction to excess”. This resonates perfectly with how I’m feeling. The problem of getting older is that it takes longer to look the same. But making the transformation from normal you to party face means straying into enemy territory because, as any woman over 30 knows, the more you do, the worse you look. Foundation plus concealer plus powder will kill that youthful glow while eyeshadow and liner and mascara can make the eyes appear heavy and tired.

Them

2009-12-02T00:17:00.004+02:00

Just looking for great outfits for guys.
great = innovative/courageous matches

via: 1 / 2 / 3 /

My air force head

2009-12-01T00:17:00.006+02:00

Shilpa Chavan introduced at Lakmé fashion week a World War II inspired collection. In a way she is the feminine version of Philip Treacy. Little Shilpa designed 'headpieces featuring electronically powered propellers and surreal assemblages of Indian air force hats were juxtaposed with antique sari epaulets and vintage silver jewelry.'

[ Price: $110 - $600 / My Sugarland in London &Villa Moda’s Middle East outposts ]
via

Helmets by Karl Lagerfeld

2009-11-26T18:06:00.003+02:00

It was for the fall 2009 RTW collection that Karl Lagerfeld created this kind of helmets. Now the helmets are in stores. Les Ateliers Ruby made for Karl Lagerfeld a limited-edition helmet series (12 units).

[ Price: €1200 - €4545 / Colette ]
via

Dear Alicia Keys, I want this watch

2009-11-22T23:43:00.008+02:00

"Real time exists outside the box and lives in the heart of the matter". This quote is beautifully integrated on a watch created by The Barber's Daughters label. Yes, it sounds as something new. Surprisingly, is the jewelry line that the singer Alicia Keys has founded with the accessories designer Gisèle Theriault that came backstage at one of her concerts. Just as simple as that. As materials they used sterling silver & gemstone necklaces and bracelets inscribed with poetry and prayers of Masaru Emotu. He is a Japanese author that believes that human thoughts could be linked to water: a thought is directed toward a droplet and than will become beautiful or ugly when frozen. Interested in this spiritual path? More here. Or maybe interested to see the jewelry collection? Take a look here. The final thought of this post came from Shakespeare , quoted on the ring inserted below: 'To thine own self be true'.

[ $315.00 /watch ]
[ $75.00 / ring ]

[ coutorture ]

Madonna on the (first) cover of a magazine

2009-11-18T19:11:00.009+02:00

i-D magazine no 15, May 1984
Madonna on her first ever cover (*) with a Boy George impersonation shot by photographer Mark Lebon. It's the moment when she first gained fame, and her song Lucky Star was the current single in the UK. Luckily she grew up and become prettier, or at least her face is now light up from these natural born eyebrow. Here you have all her covers from this one up to 2008. For those who love Madonna beyond time, her first cover worth now £250. Back in history, Michael Jackson looked like himself on all the covers from 1984 :-)

(*) - it seams that in October '83 was shot the Island cover (US)

YSL, the genius

2009-11-15T01:58:00.003+02:00

Whola lotta respect for YSL - here is the story about women daring to wear trousers in a restaurant.
Photo: here

Back in time

2009-11-14T02:26:00.004+02:00

More about this lady & her smiling dresses, in just few hours :-)
Until then would you guess who is she?

[photo - soon ]

Muse of the day: Denise Poiret

2009-11-09T15:40:00.006+02:00

Today I would like to do nothing. Well, actually I would like to be Denise Poiret (wife and muse of Paul Poiret - aka the king of fashion): no corset, Plaza Hotel, all the freedom in the world and, of course, all the dresses that Paul Poiret made for me. Wondering how is the feeling of being somebody's muse? Is it thrilling? Makes you the queen of the world? Or maybe you will continue being yourself?
[ Photo: here ]

Riha(haha)nna

2009-11-08T21:18:00.004+02:00

I don't like Rihanna at all. But this cover of her new single is intriguing me. Does she look like Grace Jones? Is it because of the hair and make-up or is just in my imagination? If I'm not wrong and what she wants to tell us is that she is strong and in control then it's bullshit. Her image is way too far from what I see on her site: just a girl with a lavender lipstick!
[ Photo - here ]

The Souper Dress

2009-11-06T01:53:00.007+02:00

I started to read about early avant-garde Russian fashion design and now I am looking for paper dress. That is what I call diving deep into the fashion history. It seams that paper dress was the creation of Russian Constructivists in the early 20's. They made a revolutionary dress 'for an utopian Democratic-Socialist world: to be hygienic, simple, easy to wear, and industrial.' Later in 1966, it was Scott Paper Company that re-invented the paper dress in US.

Just for $1, women could buy the dress and also receive coupons for Scott paper products. When orders reached half a million dresses, the company executives put an end to the business stating they "didn't want to turn into dress manufacturers." The success was speculated by the makers of Campbell's Soup. Using their soup labels (design inspired by Andy Warhol's artwork) they sold a simple A-line dress: "The Souper Dress. No Cleaning. No Washing. It’s carefree, fire resistant unless washed or cleaned. To refreshen, press lightly with a warm iron. 80% Cellulose, 20% Cotton.” A Souper Dress, hunted nowadays by collectors, fetched over $3000 at auction. Isn't it curious how people didn't care at that moment about wasting paper?

Sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 /

Miranda July

2009-10-28T16:12:00.005+02:00

First I discover Miranda July on Me and you and everyone we know. Later on, I find her site with details on her 'Eleven Heavy Things' from the Venice Biennale. Now I see her spotted by Tommy Ton for Jak & Jil. She looks like the queen of a spaceship :-) Btw, did you noticed how often people say 'ethereal'?

The Swedish Blonde

2009-10-27T01:24:00.006+02:00

My dear friend Andreea from Sweden send me this link to a blog with a lot of action. It happened tonight to discover the English version of Niotillfem, so I am happy and I need to share the joy. It's in my way to pay much more attention to people who I am sharing a similar experience (a movie, a book, a song etc). In our case is about a movie. Yes, the blond girl talk on her blog about Jules et Jim. She also talk about Berlin, a place where I would go in this very moment if ... Yeah, yeah I will :-) Go to her blog and check the photos. In my opinion they looked like snap shots from movies.

Rankin

2009-10-25T17:26:00.004+02:00

[ Rankin has the reputation of being one of the world's leading photographers. ]
[ Rankin launched Dazed & Confused with Jefferson Hack in 1991 ]
[ Rankin is photographer, publisher, and most recently film director ]

Fashion is fusion

2009-10-22T01:38:00.004+03:00

Want some avant garde look? Well, just go to Japan. Or to Japan Fashion Week. For their designers fashion is fusion, in an effortless way of layering. Fur Fur RTW Spring 2010 [ designer Aya Furuhashi ], is a great example. Looking at her collection is like watching some castaways that discover after a long starvation a lot of boxes, not full of provisions but of Victorian clothes. All around is a mess, and in this general madness, each model is exaggeratedly dressed. The term 'dressed' maybe is not properly used as what I see is in a soft and experimental balance. Sure, is completely unwearable but is so fun to watch. It's like an invitation to try yourself creating an outfit.

[ The entire collection, here ]

Corina Vladescu - feeling rock

2009-10-14T12:28:00.008+03:00

Corina Vladescu - ‘the melancholy of the gothic enhances the feminity and fragility of her clothes.’

Corina Vladescu is a Romanian young fashion designer preceded by her reputation. She was the only one Romanian wardrobe assistant that Madonna preferred for her concert in Bucharest. Also, she creates a dress especially for Roisin Murphy and met her when performing in Bucharest. As an extra, the singer asked Corina to make the jumpsuit that she was wearing for backing vocals. Corina Vladescu was the only Romanian fashion designer invited to exhibit her SS 2010 collection at Who’s next Salon de Pret-a-Porter in Paris. Her collection was spotted by Topshop Edit. While participating at Who’s Next salon her collection was selected for Rendez-Vous Paris Femmes. The showcase is opened during Paris Fashion week, housing designers and brands who are at the forefront of nowadays fashion. What we invite you to check at is her autumn/winter 2009-2010 collection. Unless you can visit her showroom in Bucharest you can order any outfit you want from circuit-bored. You’ll ‘feel’ a lot of rock music looking at her outfits. You’ll be thrilled by the power shoulders coats and cut pieces pants so needed for a cool urban look this season. You’ll love instantly her dresses in nude color with such a sensual black touch on the back. My number one is the soft pink bolero that blow my mind and made me curious on Corina Vladescu’s creative world. That is why I asked her for an interview and she kindly accepted even if she have tones of work.

Let’s start with the beginning: the first things you created and their source of inspiration

The first things I’ve ever created were some T-shirts hand painted with frames from my imagination which I would deconstruct once painted according to the picture depicted.

What’s the contribution of the faculty of Fashion Design in your works? Some great experience that you could share with us?

I’ve always believed that talent cannot work successfully without commitment and permanent growing by studying whether by oneself or in school. Therefore the University was helpful not because the fashion teachers were some great inspiration or guidance but because of the discipline. You were in an Arts institution and were forced to learn Anatomy big time, Art History, Costume History, paint, sculpt, and you weren’t the only one it was competition, that motivates you instead of reading at home alone with no comparison. Most of our Fashion teachers are there from the Communist regime and their conception didn’t change much they couldn’t understand that things have changed, they gave the same themes for 20 years. It is crazy, different was not an option. But then there were some teachers like my Costume History teacher who made it all worth it, I’ve learned so much, it was fascinating. But University was cool, the best time of my life, I’ve had wonderful colleagues and friends, we draw, paint all day in the workshop while listening to music, pure freedom.

All the memorable designers innovate the industry. Is there any fashion innovation that you would want it to have your signature?

I respect a lot people who write history, who dedicate their lives in discovering new things, in all fields, and I wouldn’t want to attribute something that does not belong to me. I want to follow my own path and who knows…

There is an ultimate Corina Vladescu outfit that speaks the most about you as a new fashion designer?

Every single piece of Corina Vladescu collections is a small part of me, they speak about me and evolve together with me. I cannot pick out just one I love them all the same, as they are all my conception.

But do you have a favorite piece of clothes in your wardrobe? Do you wear it as many times you could or just in special occasions?

I love layering so I am especially bonded to long lean deconstructed pieces that I can mix together.

As about trends, do you pay attention to the trends announced for a season or you prefer to design beyond them?

I do not have access to a trend agency, they are far too much expensive for a young emerging designer. And as for the trend given by the big names, I cannot wait for them because I usually have to have the collection ready for a while by then. For example AW 2009/10 was ready in October 2008, the shows started somewhere in February, SS 2010 was ready in July 2009 because I had to show in Paris in September and the shows started in October. But I don’t even need to, I do my own research based on many factors, not only from fashion fields but any other and I keep my senses open at all times for inspiration, I do things organically. And there were occasions when I was happy to observe that my designs were compatible with the trends. I want to show people the way I see a certain issue, and if that resonates with a trend I am cool with that, if not I do not do mass production anyway so I judge things a little bit more artistically.

Do you have a fashion designer whose adventure in fashion industry you respect the most?

I am an honest person and I appreciate it a lot so it must be Rick Owens, I haven’t seen much people so honest about their beginnings.

Speaking of beginnings, what do think about Victoria Beckham as a fashion designer? Or about Limi Feu, the daughter of Yohji Yamamoto?

People find it the most easy to criticize rather then build or encourage so I am sick of it. I respect anyone who wants to build something, it is better than stay in bed all day isn’t it, time will tell if they live up to it.

Back to you, I know that you were the only Romanian fashion designer selected to exhibit the SS 2010 collection at Who’s next Salon de Pret-a-Porter. What was the feedback that you received?

It was my fist ever International salon, I was so nervous, coming from an Eastern European country, that has no buyers, no stores for young designers and a tiny consumers niche I wanted to be at the height of things. I was overwhelmed by the attention and appreciation I got, I am so grateful for everything that happens to me, it has been such an experience. In the first day I had three contracts and Topshop Edit came over and said they loved to have the collection. I was surrounded by designers who had stores Rue de saint Honore in Paris and was happy to be there. But I worked a lot for it and I am really happy with what came out.

Congratulation for designing stage costumes for Roisin Murphy’s band. It was an elegant gesture from Roisin Murphy to invite you to her concert in London. Any follow up?

Thank you! Roisin saw the jumpsuit from my collection that I was wearing when I met her and said she would love it for the tour, so I made them. She than was so sweet and invited me to her performance in London. We collaborated for a beautiful thing, I am a huge fan of her music and like her so much as a person but I don’t regard as normal now that I have her contacts to bug her with emails nonstop.

Talking about music, I saw your tweets about listening Placebo. You described their music as ‘sweet melancholy’. … How it would look like the sketch of an outfit if it would be inspired by Placebo?

I’ve been listening to Placebo since their beginning in 1996, I grew up on their music and it was with me in all the college years. My diploma collection was inspired by their music. Placebo is a beautiful part of my imagination world and I think that is a lot more than a sketch.

Fall winter 2009/2010 collection

[Interview taken for Urbalicious ]

Kate Hudson wearing wedding dress(es)

2009-10-14T01:18:00.007+03:00

Let's talk about Kate Hudson wearing wedding dress on the streets of Manhattan. No, it's not about her wedding, she just modelling for Harper's Bazaar. The boy walking next to her is Ryder, her five-year-old son. The first look contains: a white organza dress with an embroidered tulle bodice from Marchesa’s Spring 2010 line + white Christian Louboutin Lolo Ballerina pumps + a bouquet of red_red_red roses matching her lips. Beautiful. The second look contains: a Versace Spring 2010 white and silver haltered dress + platformed heels. And finally, the third look contains: an Emilio Pucci Spring 2010 mini dress with a feathered hem + white Bally bag + gold platform peep-toes. Hard to tell witch one is my favorite.

To make people laugh

2009-10-12T23:45:00.004+03:00

Mario Testino has an announcement to make: MaRIO de Janeiro Testino Book was just released. Easy to buy at Taschen. The book is inspired by the boys and girls from Copacabana like this very beautiful naked girl in the photo above. Texts by Gisele Bündchen, Caetano Veloso and Regina Casé. This is not the first book, Mario Testino has published up to now 8 books of his work. Who is Mario? Well, he is a semi-royal photographer as he was chosen by Diana, Princess of Wales to work with. Other subjects: actresses, models, singers and many_many brands. You just have to jump on his page to get the whole list. Finally, I just want to mention that he is the man who once said that his "greatest pleasure in life" is to make people laugh.

[ 200 pages / EUR 29.99 ]

Desigual_making world better

2009-10-12T00:25:00.007+03:00

I just saw a Desigual ad in Dazed & Confused.
Next: I instantly loved the jeans.
Next: I want more.
Next: desigual.com
Next: It means atypical Spanish wear since 1984. It's about being creative & fun when creating clothes affordable to the majority. What I love at Desigual are the colors, the funky attitude and the urban look. The new Desigual collection (fall-winter 2009-2010) is based on a declaration of principles: “All Together”_“Making world better”. Yes, that's sooooo nice and reminds me of Michael Jackson :-)
[ btw, Desigual was distinguished with the International brand with the Best Concept of 2008 Award - a sort of Retail Trade Oscars ]
Next: Baneasa Shopping Center (ground floor)

Some shopping after PFW

2009-10-09T18:01:00.006+03:00

Ladies, some of the outfits presented in the S/S 2010 runway shows from the Milan and Paris catwalks can be ours. Just go to Luisaviaroma and pick your favorite one. My option is Gareth Pugh and his organza zip trench coat that could be pre-order already. There are all the sizes (up to 48) and you can have maximum 2 as quantity. Well, seeing that the price is 2,288 euros, I do consider that is a little bit to much to order 2 trench coats :-)) As for the delivery term, the trench is in arrival by March 31.

Underwater shoes

2009-10-08T13:02:00.003+03:00

What about these shoes? They are completely unwearable even for the catwalk, but I can help myself keeping away from them. Alexander McQueen put them in his newest collection “Plato’s Atlantis", along with other futuristic shoes, that could be an option for stage or photo shootings as celebrities might wish to act as an stylish alien :-) For all the fabulous collection take a look here.

Memorable outfit, by Viktor & Rolf

2009-10-06T13:46:00.006+03:00

After a decent wow, I finally decided that this outfit is for my 'memorable' folder. Is it the illusion created by Viktor & Rolf that makes this dress perfect for a dramatic opening of a concert? Hmmm, I think that with a different top it would fit just great to Roisin Murphy when she will come back on stage. Right now she is in her seven months of pregnancy, but is fully active: she performed two brand-new tracks ("Royality" and "Demon Lover") during Viktor & Rolf Spring/Summer 2010 show in Paris. Check the video section from Viktor & Rolf official site. As for the entire collection, Viktor Horsting said backstage: “Credit crunch couture — the world is cutting back so we literally started cutting away chunks of the ballgowns — and with the remnants we created new clothes”. Here is what Suzy Menkes wrote for NY Times. Is it indeed, 'tulle, tulle much'?

Fashion is spinach

2009-10-06T00:17:00.007+03:00

In the mood for reading ... 'Fashion is spinach' ... by Elizabeth Hawes.
thanks to carola's musing I am doing that already.

"Style is that thing which, being looked back upon after
a century, gives you the fundamental feeling of a certain
period in history."

See ya tomorrow.

Photo [ via ]

Beautiful and stylish

2009-10-04T01:26:00.011+03:00

[ 'Mother and Child' premiere at the 57th San Sebastian Film Festival ]

Kerry Washington wearing sheer Malandrino blouse, black pencil skirt and Louboutin pumps. Naomi Watts wearing cropped Stella McCartney suit, peg leg trousers and cool aviators.

Photo [ via ]

Real beauty vs. plus-size models

2009-10-02T17:34:00.004+03:00

Glamour discovered with the September issue [ the buzz that 'woman on p. 194' has generated was huge ] that real beauty is much more appreciated among the female readers. Thus, the super-thin supermodels are not longer pictured in the October issue of the magazine. Instead we have Kate Dillon, Ashley Graham, Amy Lemons, Lizzie Miller, Crystal Renn, Jennie Runk and Anansa Sims— some of the top “plus-size” models working today. They represent 'beautiful curves, round shoulders, belly rolls and lots of other womanly stuff many of us see when we look in the mirror.' For this photo session, the models actually lunched before and that is, in a way, a real woman habit. “When I was doing runway, all I was ever offered was water and champagne, all day long.” [ yes, I remember this from Sex and the City when Carrie was invited in a show as a 'normal' woman and she had only small bottles of champagne ].

My question is that: do you consider these models as plus-size women or they look just normal? If you'll go with the plus-size position you would probably think as one reader saying: 'We have enough problems with obesity in the U.S. and don’t need your magazine promoting any more of it.' But if you'll conclude that it's about real beauty, then I give you this link and I mention you one more thing. Alexandra Shulman, the British Vogue editor, sent a letter to all the world’s major designers hoping to challenge designers into creating larger outfits for the catwalk and the magazines.

Silver corset, for Kylie Minogue

2009-10-01T19:38:00.004+03:00

It was on 20th of August when I said that I would dare to wear the silver corset created by Jean Paul Gaultier if I would be Kylie Minogue. Now this is really happened, and the picture above is the proof. Kylie was in San Francisco last night for the opening night of her six-city US Tour - "For You For Me". She personally hand-picked the French designer's outfits during Fashion Week in July. The sexy corset is paired on stage with Giuseppe Zanotti heels, jeweled cuffs and a magnificent globe headpiece. Amazing look!

NO to sequins

2009-09-30T16:22:00.004+03:00

Me don't likey sequins. But the cool girls do, as they are wearing twinkling sequins all the time. Is it because of the disco fever of this season? Or is it because of the Balmain mania among the celebrities? I don't know. I love Balmain for other reasons (military jackets and rounded "tennis ball" shoulders). With or without Balmain, sequins are clearly a trend for autumn/winter 2009-10. Just look for Gucci, Vera Wang, Joseph, Isaac Mizrahi, Michael Kors, Elise Overland and you'll see s e q u i n s :-) So, my dear, tell me true: you would dare to wear sequins or not?
Photo [ balmain, fall-winter 09-10 collection]

Garance has the best knees

2009-09-30T00:40:00.006+03:00

Scott Schuman & Garance, the photographers of The Sartorialist & Garance Doré. Recently, Tommy Ton (Jak & Jil) said on twitter: 'so it's me, bryanboy, garance and scott schuman representing in the front row with laptops perched up in front of us. how surreal is this' 4 minutes later he added: 'garance has the best knees ,)'.
Photo [ via ]

Wo(w)man

2009-09-28T15:43:00.007+03:00

Is it going back in time a way to think forward? If your answer is 'yes', than you'll enjoy men wearing tights nowadays. But if your answer is 'no' than you could probably pay some attention to someone from Selfridges saying: 'We expect men to be wearing them not only as a way to give legs an extra boost of warmth on the chilliest nights, but as a true style statement.” Well, for such a brave statement, pantyhose costs £70. For those saying neah - it's impossible to talk about a style statement, maybe they should try one the '27 ways of wearing pantyhose as a man'. And please, don't say a final 'no' before visiting Nylongene, a place for all the brave man wearing sheer or patterned mantyhose :-) Funny, but several centuries back in history, tights was a word for men's clothes. So, as the Renaissance era is gone, so the mantyhose should be gone too, or you would dare to e-mancipate?
Photo [ via ]

Is all about technology and fabrics?

2009-09-24T13:59:00.004+03:00

Lenny Kravitz talking to Donatella Versace for Interview mag. One of the questions reefers to what precisely is defining our era in terms of fashion. Is Donatella right and technology and fabrics will put this era into history?

KRAVITZ: What do you think this era will be remembered for? If someone were to look back 20 years from now and, say, put on something from the early 2000s, what would that be?

VERSACE: That’s very difficult to say. I think our era will be defined more when it’s over. You couldn’t define the ’80s when the ’80s were happening. We kept changing. We had shoulder pads, then we didn’t. It was revealing, and then it was decoration. It was a lot of things at once. It was defined when it was over. What I personally think has come to define these years up until 2009 is fabrics. Technology and fabrics. It’s just not quite strong enough yet to see it.

Photo [ Pneuma dress is monitoring breathe / created by Synne Geirsdatter Frydenberg ]

Oscar Wilde on fashion

2009-09-21T12:41:00.003+03:00

'Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.' This morning, Oscar Wilde quote goes excellent with Fitting Room Follies. It is a short film done by Karl Lagerfeld, starring the Dutch model Lara Stone and the French male model Baptiste Giabiconi trying on 'Starting Point’, the pre-collection of Chanel Fall-Winter 2009-2010. I love the jazz music fragments in the background.

Buuuuuurberry show

2009-09-18T17:20:00.007+03:00

22/09/09 - Burberry Prorsum show from London Fashion Week will be streamed live online on live.burberry.com. That is possible because they celebrate 25 years of London Fashion Week. More than this, Burberry has designed a limited edition of 25 trench coats for men and women with British department store Liberty. The trench coats for women are purple and those for men are black, being priced at £650. Back in the history, the trench coat was first designed by Thomas Burberry for British officers in 1914. Since then, trench coat becomes the starting point for all Burberry menswear, womenswear and childrenswear collections and is seasonally re-interpreted.

Red jeans for guys

2009-09-18T16:51:00.004+03:00

Well, guys, would you dare to wear this?
I mean, red jeans with black suspenders?

NYFW: Ralph Lauren

2009-09-18T11:28:00.004+03:00

Today I would wear this Ralph Lauren outfit from his spring 2010 collection. I love the faded newsboy cap and denim boyfriend trousers. "I am inspired by the character of the worker, the farmer, the cowboy, the pioneer women of the prairies", Lauren mentioned in his program notes.

NO to braided headband

2009-09-17T17:21:00.004+03:00

OMG, hell no. What scares me on this whole ’80s vibe is the braided headband. I wouldn't dare to wear it. So, here I am with my biggest NO. It reminds me of Marian Nistor. The headband appeared in Charlotte Ronson s/s 2010 collection. Charlotte is the (twin) sister of Samantha Ronson, DJ and Mark Ronson, music producer and singer. Still, NO.

Let’s share together

2009-09-17T14:37:00.007+03:00

Traim momente de sharing intens. Legam prietenii [la distanta] pe facebook & twitter pentru a schimba impresii ori pentru a trimite in trafic linkuri detectate de radarul mintilor noastre frumoase. In atmosfera asta de shinny happy people va invit sa facem ceva in plus, respectiv: schimb de carti. Sa cream pe RFB o sectiune pentru cei care cauta sa citeasca literatura de moda.

Stiu ca in RFB sunt bloggeri care au citit rafturi intregi de carti de specialitate si sunt convinsa ca ei constientizeaza cel mai bine influenta benigna a documentarii in domeniul asta care poate lasa, aparent, impresia ca e la indemana oricui. Asa cum la intrarea in comunitatea RFB fiecare dintre noi a fost de acord sa cedeze drepturile de preluare pe RFB a unui articol de pe blogul nostru, la fel cred ca am putea ceda pentru o perioada de timp o carte de fashion din biblioteca personala.

Ar fi o situatie ideala ca la viitoarele intalniri RFB aceea dintre noi care sunt dispusi sa anime ideea, sa aduca o carte. Cred ca, in acest fel, am deveni in timp o comunitate mai educata. Dar pana sa ajungem sa ne intalnim am putea semnala cartile de fashion pe care le stim ca pot fi citite/descarcate de pe net. Linkurile vor fi adunate in sectiunea noua dedicata documentarii de pe rfb.ro. De asemenea, orice noua aparitie - relevanta in domeniu – va invit sa o notificati printr-un mail pentru a fi adaugata in sectiune.

Cu drag, Adriana de pe Cloud no. 7

Tenuous Lou for Bruno

2009-09-16T22:39:00.006+03:00

Vanessa Bruno is the Gallic version of Mary Quant. She started her own line at the age of 24 and Nicole Kidman and Charlotte Gainsbourg already subscribe to her brand of sophisticated and clever tailoring. For the Fall-Winter 2009/2010 campaign she preferred Jane Birkin’s daughter Lou Doillon. The photo session and film are made by Mark Borthwick. Half-sister to Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lou is the coolest girl of Paris with het atipical beaty. Yes she is an actress. And yes she is also a model, that posed nude in the French edition of Playboy. And not to mention, she is muse of the fashion house Givenchy.

Black & white

2009-09-16T17:32:00.005+03:00

Would you dare to wear this? Where, tell me where?
[ I would dare to wear it if I would go to Cabaret Voltaire, in Zürich :-) ]

Ronnie Wood on 'sale' at Liberty London

2009-09-16T00:21:00.003+03:00

Some of Ronnie Wood‘s paintings were transformed into a series of grafitti T-shirts and dresses designed by Liberty of London's Creative Director, Tamara Salman. I really like them. The collection is available for pre-order exclusively online now and will be in store on 1st October. Wood says he's proud that his paintings have been taken up by Liberty. This reminds the 1960s, when Bridget Riley said no to commerce, being horrified that her abstract paintings were ripped off by fashion designers and turned into Op Art style.

[ published on Urbalicious ]

Power shoulders

2009-09-15T16:28:00.006+03:00

I remember Grace Jones in 1981 with her cubist androgynous look on the cover of her ‘Nightclubbing’ album: square-cut hair (flat top style), and broad-shouldered masculine jacket. The power shoulders were popular in the 1980s because they compensate the presence of women in the workforce - a man's world until that moment. Thus, the woman look equal to man. Well, that era is back, the big exaggerated power shoulders are cool again even we hate the 'shoulder pads'. As you can see, Margiela is the pioneer who introduced this trend 2 years before it spreads. Now, amplified shoulders are popping up almost everywhere: Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Bruno Pieters. More, here.

The beautiful fall

2009-09-10T14:52:00.005+03:00

"The beautiful fall: Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris" by Alicia Drake. [ “A designer who is not also a couturier, who hasn't learned the most refined mysteries of physically creating his models, is like a sculptor who gives his drawings to another man, an artisan, to accomplish.” / Yves Saint Laurent ]

Wallpaper, the October issue

2009-09-09T17:17:00.004+03:00

Tomorrow is on sale the October issue of Wallpaper*. The international design/fashion/ lifestyle magazine invited Karl Lagerfeld and Philippe Starck as guest editors. Thus, each designer used paper technologies never used before on magazine covers in order to create an innovative front cover. Lagerfeld issue introduces first ‘peelable’ front cover. The top male model Baptiste Giabiconi, Kaiser’s muse, is featured dressed in Dior Homme. But, this image can be peeled off and reveal the model naked. Starck issue stands out with first triple-layered, transparent front cover. It depicts an amoeba, a monkey wearing shoes, and a question mark. ‘It is my mission to make intelligence sexy,’ says Starck. And now, my question: which of them?

Come on baby, light me body

2009-09-09T10:36:00.004+03:00

Maiko Takeda's degree collection is not just about jewelery. It is also the light and the shadow that empower organically the minimal and geometric piece that you wear. What you obtain is a great 'cinematography' (the collection name) effect on your body. It's like the simple become complicated suddenly.

Jak and Jil

2009-09-08T18:59:00.006+03:00

When it comes about street fashion my favorite blog is Jak and Jil, because of the attention paid to details and the horizontal candid style of photography. Behind the blog is Tommy Ton, a 25 years old photographer from Canada. He started blogging in September 2008 and gained huge following. After 3 month, China’s luxury retail giant Lane Crawford had contacted him to shoot their 2009 campaign. By now Jak and Jil can attract from 20,000 to 25,000 unique visitors on a daily basis. See more, here. Well, yes, you can follow him on twitter. You’ll see in one of his tweets that he won the Dazed Blog Awards. Now, let me see what's your favorite street fashion blog?

[ published on Urbalicious ]

From YSL's gold breast to BreastLift

2009-09-08T12:36:00.005+03:00

YSL was the first to put gold plated breasts and stomach on women. That is the inspiration for what Luxirare creates now by molding untreated, un-dyed leather. The whole molding process and the final fitting could be seen here.

Vivienne stays with Pamela Anderson

2009-09-07T22:22:00.003+03:00

Vivienne Westwood casts herself along with her toyboy husband Andreas Kronthaler and blonde bombshell, Pamela Anderson in her Autumn-Winter 2009/2010 Gold Collection. Pamela joined the designer on the catwalk in Milan and London last season and appeared in her Spring/Summer campaign. The campaign makes heavy use of plaid (tartan) and stripes. These two patterns feature prominently in her collections. Next on Vivienne Westwood agenda is the 25th anniversary of London Fashion Week where she'll be showcasing her latest Red Label collection. More, here.

Armani's costume for "Corrida Goyesca"

2009-09-07T01:32:00.004+03:00

Photo [ Cayetano Rivera Ordonez wearing an Armani matador costume ] Reuters

Georgio Armani designed a matador costume for Cayetano Rivera Ordonez, one of Spain's leading matadors, to wear in "Corrida Goyesca". The bullfight is held each year on the first weekend in September and the bullfighters wear costumes from the era of 18th Century painter Francisco Goya.. The matador is the latest in a distinguished dynasty of bullfighting aristocrats. In the 1950s Pablo Picasso created a suit worn by Rivera's illustrious grandfather, Antonio Ordonez, for the same event. Armani's skin tight version, an embroidered three piece creation in the designer's favourite shade of griege, complete with a full-length cape lined in scarlet velvet, glittered alluringly in the evening light thanks to a heavy dose of sequins and Swarovski crystals. More, here.

Blue-heart-patterned dress, for Jessica Biel

2009-09-06T02:19:00.003+03:00

Jessica Biel shooting a scene for 'Valentine's Day' in Los Angeles. She is wearing a blue-heart-patterned dress matched with a black veil. She looks excellent. Maybe because “she starts each day with a jog, followed by two-hours of squats, bench presses, lunges and crunches'. Not to mention :-) that “she also swims three times a week, and does yoga twice a week, as well as biking and boxing.” And yes, she's Justin Timberlake's girlfriend. More, here.

The woman on p. 194

2009-09-05T10:40:00.001+03:00

An un-airbrushed photo of a plus-size model appeared in the September issue of the US glossy magazine Glamour. The idea behind was to illustrate a story on feeling comfortable in your skin. Soon, readers flooded the magazine’s website with comments like: ‘I love the woman on p. 194!’ This woman is Lizzie Miller, a 20-year-old model. Her size is 12-14, and that makes her representative to the most women in America. There are by now hundreds comments and the debate on the real body image is similar to that generated by Dove with ‘Real beauty’ campaign. This huge buzz generated by a small photo makes the magazine to plan an entire edition dedicated to the improved body image issue.

[ published on Urbalicious ]

Silk dress for a discreet wedding

2009-09-03T23:53:00.000+03:00

This is my kind of wedding dress. I know from experience that in Romania, the simplest designer wedding dress cost at least 1,000 Euro. What I recommend is a dress made of luxurious silk chiffon, by Agniezska Swiatly. It fits the bill beautifully and is custom made to your specifications. More, here.
/ $299 /

Brigitte Bardot and the Original Paparazzi

2009-09-03T18:47:00.000+03:00

Photo [ a censored scene from 'Love is my Profession', Brigitte Bardot starring opposite Jean Gabin ] photographer - Walter Limot

Coinciding with the 75th Birthday of Brigitte Bardot on 28th September 2009, James Hyman Gallery presents an exhibition of 75 vintage photographs by some of the most famous paparazzi photographers. Presented at the same time as London Fashion Week (18-22 September) Brigitte Bardot and the Original Paparazzi exhibition includes iconic images as well as rare works that have never been exhibited or published. More, here.

Graduate fashion week, UK, 09

2009-09-02T23:46:00.000+03:00

Myrto Stamou, from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), won gold for her women's clothing collection at this year's Graduate Fashion Week. "I was confident that my collection was good, but I never expected to win. My collection tried to be creative but the garments were designed to be very wearable." (Myrto Stamou) More, here.

The modern snood

2009-09-02T14:19:00.000+03:00

Photo [ Burberry Autumn-winter 2009/2010 ]

'Snood' = a versatile accessory to keep out the cold; a tube-shaped thick piece, oftentimes made of wool, that is worn scrunched up around the neck like a gator or pulled over the head like a hood. See it in Burberry or Missoni versions.

Bert on vertical or horizontal stripes

2009-09-02T01:14:00.000+03:00

Harper's Bazaar: Vertical or horizontal stripes?
Bert: Lines that are straight up and down say "Look at me! I am orderly! Rigid! Unbending!" I love a fashion statement like that!

Draped gown, for Portia de Rossi

2009-09-02T00:18:00.000+03:00

Portia de Rossi at Daytime Emmy Awards 2009, wearing Monique Lhullier (Resort 2010 c0llection).

The real flight, by Pull and Bear

2009-08-30T18:40:00.000+03:00

Photo [ Pull and Bear, The real flight - Autumn-Winter 2009/2010 ]

Black on Black: versatile women’s jackets

2009-08-30T09:50:00.000+03:00

Éva Nyíri [ thesis collection ]
She graduated from the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design.
More, here.

Military jacket

2009-08-29T17:21:00.000+03:00

Military jacket, by Stradivarius.
/ 219.9 ron /

Long Muse dress, for Milla

2009-08-29T14:08:00.000+03:00

Milla Jovovich wearing a Temperley Bridal collection gown at her wedding with director Paul W.S. Anderson. More picture, here.

big NO for Beyonce

2009-08-28T17:36:00.000+03:00

foto [ Beyonce while performing “Ave Maria” and Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel” at the 2009 BET Awards held in Los Angeles, California. ] / via

A typical case of ruining a nice looking wedding dress. And that is because of:
1/ the white color that always on earth makes shapes bigger
2/ the small size of the top, living her almost topless

And for her legs, YES, the miracle is called: over-the-knee / thigh-high boot.

Trends

2009-08-28T14:16:00.000+03:00

What to wear these autumn (fall) / winter 2009 / 2010:
1/ over-the-knee / thigh-high boots (>>)
2/ capes, capelets & cloaks (>>)
3/ ripped tights & stockings (>>)
4/ see-through clothing (>>)
5/ one-shouldered dresses & tops (>>)
6/ military fashion (>>)
7/ ripped jeans & torn denim (>>)

One more thing: 2009 fall/autumn colour trends from Pantone
And now, the whole story, here.

H&M dress

2009-08-28T13:56:00.000+03:00

H&M autumn/winter 09/10
/ 39.95 € /

Love in a Puff Blouse, by Gail Sorronda

2009-08-28T04:50:00.000+03:00

Gail Sorronda SS10 - Invasive Exotics

Dare to wear:
1/ daca as fi Marion Cotillard
2/ daca as dansa cu Robert Downey Jr, pe o strada, undeva in Portugalia

DKNY dress

2009-08-28T04:25:00.000+03:00

Cotton blended short sleeve dress with pleated empire waistline from DKNY.
/ $295.00 /

Faux-fur jacket

2009-08-27T12:52:00.000+03:00

Kate Moss' autumn/winter 09/10 range for Topshop.

back on the Sesame Street

2009-08-26T09:37:00.000+03:00

The 40th anniversary of Sesame Street. Harper’s Bazaar brings back Muppets along with Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Derek Lam, Thakoon Panichgul, Vera Wang ...

Masculine, by Limi feu

2009-08-23T08:56:00.000+03:00

Foto 1 [ from Limi feu’s Autumn-Winter 2009–10 collection ]
Yes, the designer is Limi Yamamoto, the daughter of Yohji.

Dare to wear:
1/ daca as fi Uma Thurman
2/ daca mi s-ar oferi premiul Nobel pentru improvizatie

Issue One

2009-08-23T02:07:00.000+03:00

Current edition of Issue One has been entitled Phenomenon.

Pencil dress, for Renée Zelleweger

2009-08-21T23:03:00.000+03:00

[ Renée Zelleweger wearing a Carolina Herrera dress & Hermès handbag for an appearance on Good Morning America ]

Corset, by Jean Paul

2009-08-20T22:52:00.000+03:00

foto [ Jean Paul Gaultier, fall 2009 couture ]

Dare to wear it:
1/ if I would be Kylie Minogue
2/ daca as fi stapana unui oras din Siberia :-)

'Cloud' dress

2009-08-19T23:15:00.000+03:00

foto 1 [ Martin Margiela's 'Cloud' dress ]
foto 2 [ Same 'Cloud' dress, now part of the 'Paper doll' fashion story created by Arnaud Pyvka for Wallpaper ]