LOOK WHAT I DID...another sketch :)

     Just for tonight...a quick sketch will have to do! As you may have noticed, I am in love with mixing reds with purples and any shades in that color family! And...who doesn't love a retro platform shoe to mix with some "zipper-ended" puff sleeves?? I certainly have no problem with anything of the sort! The purple skirt has little gathered rosettes for an unexpected girly-girl twist. Just as Leather and Lace is the name of my blog, you might imagine that I LOVE mixing edge with froo-froo! This is the joining of two wonderfully gorgeous ends of fashion...and amen to that!  I hope you like this sketch!

LOOKS I LOVE...Balenciaga's NOT so down and dirty lookin' biker boots

    
     Who said biker boots had to be wrecked, damaged, dirty, and demolished-looking, anyways? Balenciaga knew what was up with that and decided to go against the grain and stray away from grunge while still adding in a full dose of biker into these beautiful retro-looking biker boots. LOOK-they even come in color! Attention bikers: you no longer have to drown in a sea of dirty blacks and browns; Balenciaga has decided to rescue you. Be grateful.
      These beautiful babies can go with just about anything. Always in with trends? These lovelies kill two birds with one stone: combat boots plus retro colors/everything are two items you can cross of your list! Only thing is, even though we love pairing regular biker boots with socks, these may not exactly mesh with that look. Wear these with black leggings and a pop color, flowy top with a few bangles or a chainy necklace. How's that for an easy outfit for a "too-early" time in the morning? Feeling daring? Wear these with a fitted dress to bring some edge to a girly look. People will move out of your way as you walk down the street. Add some retro Prada shades and you're ready for the catwalk...maybe.
     Here's to Balenciaga reinventing one of my favorite looks-amen!
    

LOOKS I LOVE...Rihanna's costume and makeup for her new song, "Who's That Chick?"!

     Yes-I sound crazy, but no-I will not budge on the fact that I am largely in love with the costume, makeup, and set design of Rihanna's new song, "Who's That Chick?" Though I realize combining highlighter yellow with candy pink all on one face is usually a tragic incidence waiting to happen, in the special case of Rihanna, it works incredibly well. The wildly exciting, optical-illusion like set design uses  my favorite brightly saturated colors to make even a stubborn pop-hater get on their feet and bop around a little! 

     Back to the makeup; my favorite thing to experiment with lately is one solid, pop color eyeshadow...with no shading (gasp!). This unicolor feat has been seen in spring runway shows all over the place! Who said colors were only for the corners? Take one bright shade and sweep it from brow to lashes. Finish the edges in a geometric shape or a round curvature. Whatever you do, add some red lips to the mix!!! I promise, only the fashionably uneducated will judge :).

     About this costume! What is better suited to Rihanna than an asymmetrical tutu paired with candy pink, plastic leggings?! Everyone got yet another brilliant taste of Rihanna's world with this look as she put her diva status into full swing with this number. Though I'm not sure the leggings are practical in any manner for real life, they surely work in this made up world!

JUST FOR FUN...sketch time!

     SO-I have been working on my sketches recently in attempt to make them a little more graphic, fashion-like, and colorful. I feel as though I may have had at least partial success with this number. Although my camera decided to change the coloration I had originally sketched onto the design, the general gist of it has been semi-accurately conveyed.
     The idea of this dress is for it to have a stretch, neon yellow, fitted top that comes a little too far in on the sides while framing the collarbone alongside defining the waist area. The purple, feathered/tulle skirt is a structured, "tulip shaped" shell that flows from very to short to incredibly long as it sweeps down the runway with a tremendous train (at least that's the idea; whether or not it ever ends up sweeping down the runway is a completely different story ;))! The shoes are black, plastic booties that are essentially platforms with a "scooped out" heel featuring a neon yellow accent on the back. The intention is that these would of course come in every beautifully neon color and that everybody and his cousin would love to wear these (again, just an idea).
     Take a look and eyeball this dress in whichever manner you choose. Find it odd? Wonderful! If it's a good design, not everyone will like it anyways!

TAKING A STEP DOWN...from the runway.

     

     Although I, myself, am not a simplistically styled individual, if I was to be such a person, it would be in the form of a Vince woman. I realize I am unable to resist the urge to layer loud necklace upon loud shirt upon loud shoes, but maybe looking through Vince's 70's collection will help me bring out my inner "ohmm" and take a chill pill! This collection features clean cut silhouettes that come in breezy fabrics, rich suedes and delicious camel tones. 

     Of these incredible looks, my two favorite would have to be the mod jumper dress (5th look) and the "baby bells" (6th look). This simply cut dress exudes chic in its most simplistic form. It's almost as though Chanel decided to take a leap from tweeds for a minute to create the perfect "LCD" (little camel dress, of course!)! The model's chocolately-brown braids add some major cute-appeal that anyone would love to swipe for themselves. The "baby bells" with a flowy shirt-*drool.* It is now officially possible to look put together, comfortable, chic, simple, and high fashion at the same time. This length of pants is perfect for spring give your ankles a breather alongside allowing your shoes to do some talking! These pants are universally flattering and can even out any pear, apple, or other variety of fruit-shaped form. The flowy sweater contrasts with the laced heels to add an element of relaxation to this notedly neutral ensemble. TRY IT OUT.

     At this point in my blog posts, I am usually giving out warnings and such, but I see no way to go wrong with any of these easy-on ensembles! Have fun with the inner hippie and let yourself relax-at least until fall rolls around :)!

LOOKS I LOVE...Jimmy Choo's enchantingly fresh Spring 2011 shoe collection

    
     Oh, Jimmy. Aside from displaying them in such a gorgeously lay out, Jimmy Choo has done wonders with his Spring 2011 shoes all inspired by his colorful and exotic visit to Rio. The first pair of shoes shown combine pink and red in a way that actually makes me rethink being an "anti-pinker." He employs an incredibly appealing use of straps and different ways of framing the foot to let his inner exotica run wild for people like me to gape over. Who would have ever thought to pair blue with zebra stripes? Only Jimmy would do such a thing...and win drooling hearts over in the process.
     Try out an exotic shoe like this paired with either black or a corresponding pop solid color to bring out your wild side. This spring, with everyone blocking colors like there is no hope of a tomorrow, you may as well try it out!

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT...so this is what it feels like!

    
     While flipping through one of three late Vogue magazines I received all today, I stumbled across him...I mean it: one of the most gorgeous Prada handbags I have laid eyes upon in awhile.
     Yes, I do realize that black and orange are usually combined on NO occasion except for a certain one by the name of Halloween, but one must reconsider such a combination when it is paired in such a ridiculously pleasing way as...this! The small checkered pattern is small enough so as to avoid blinding passing individuals but loud enough to be a MAJOR color pop item. The black buckle pulls the bag together by giving it a base or backdrop-type-deal of sorts.
      Does this remind you of childhood lanyards a little too much? Feel like you could hand-weave it yourself? Well, you could try, but I do not believe it would amount to this glorious handbag by Prada.
      Warning: Though this is shown in fashion spreads with varied striped attire with more colors than the rainbow is inclusive of, if you choose to wear a bag such as this in the real, non-runway world, do it with simply colored/patterned attire. It will let the bag speak, not YELL, to people around you. They will appreciate the fine taste and lack of ignorance :).

HOW COULD I RESIST...blogging back to back about Diane von Furstenberg!

     DVF's Spring 2011 collection is full of wonderfully "bloggable" trends that I am am eating up like the "easy-mac" in my college food bin! Color blocking-no, it is not the act of taking color coded toy pieces and stacking them in varied patterns (as much fun as that does sound). It is in fact what Diane von Furstenberg has done with this collection by pairing two opposing colors together to make one beautifully color-combined outfit. I would personally love for her to teach me to mash a slew of rich colors and loose, easy fabrics to create such a silky slew of gorgeous ensembles.
     Who said retro had to be metallic, uncomfortable, and armadillo/knight-in-armor-like? This is the perfectly practical way of wearing modern anything. Try it out with two completely different, jewel toned colors paired with some black or even white boots or sandals.

Warning: do not wear colored accessories on top of this. You will look as though you are a try-hard/thoroughly confused fashionista in need of some serious guidance!

LOOKS I LOVE...Diane von Furstenberg's graphic prints and bright lips!

     Geometric...and eccentric. These words came to mind when I was viewing Diane von Furstenberg's beautifully bold Spring 2011 collection. The rounded retro sunglasses paired with fiery, candy-apple lips add a kick to these already pumped-up looks. The rich green pastels and royal blues are two pop-color hues that enhance any sleepy head's complexion. White backgrounds contrasting these colors in every look have the potential to make even me look tan-ish! 

     Another wonderful thing-silhouttes. What would all of these kooky graphics be without a super-awesome shape to walk along with it?? Just as spring should be, these outfits are breezy and flowy with a shape that narrows from top to bottom. Who wouldn't want to walk around in the parallel universe version of trendy pajamas (unless of course you are a jeans person like I am...but that wasn't really the point ;))?? 

     Want to try these looks out? Pair a repeating, geometrically patterned top with a similar one with different colors or lines. Add a solid color belt to tie the look together or, if you are daring, add the candy-apple lips to take your inner retro to the next level!

Warning: If you decide to choose obnoxious prints that are not exactly soothing to the eye, beware of the decrease in companions and acquaintances you may experience. Going for an all over print look? Add a piece of colorful jewelry whether it be a necklace or bangle or two or three or four! Whatever you decide, have fun with crazy prints and optically confusing a few people!!!

LOOKS I LOVE...Elie Saab's sprightly Spring 2011 gowns!

     Fluff, ruffles, cheer, and froo froo galore. When I look at any single one of the dresses from Elie Saab's 2011 Spring Haute Couture collection, such adjectives that may also be used to describe a child's doll or invisible companion come to mind. The intricate flowered details and gathers make use of a beautiful fabric to create a flowy silhouette that no sane human can scan over without a slight sense of alarm and exhilaration. 

     The delicate blush coloring of the first dress brings out the natural rosiness in one's cheeks. If you would like to wear a similar color, don't overdo the blush-Raggedy Anne is not a cool look for a "growed-up" unfortunately. The exposed neckline of the lavender look is incredibly elegant and accentuates the collar bone while the downward sweeping layers elongate a woman's frame. If someone would please provide me with the opportunity to wear this dress/compensation for its cost, I would be willing to bake multiple cakes for that specific individual. Multiple. 

     As for the rest of these dresses...any combination of ruffle and drape done by Elie Saab would have a fine place in my closet protected by a large quantity of bags, cases, and safe boxes. His varied use of such elements absolutely bewildered me. How many combinations of fluff can you think of? Not as many as that I presume. 

     Warning: wearing dresses such as these with flowered accessories or a statement anything is a mistake. You will look foolish and be mistaken for a flower garden. No one wants to be watered-don't ask for it.

LOOKS LIKE...Elie Tahari came down with an incredible case of neutral nostalgia!

     Neutrality at its finest. These words burst into my head as soon as I saw how Elie Tahari's Fall 2011 collection has truly mastered the art of shades! The collection began with several all-black looks with sweeping capes ,deep, dark detailing, and empowering silhouettes. Call me a sickeningly obsessed black, gothic lover-child, but I cannot stop drooling over the wonders of black!

     The switch from all black to white began with a boot...well...two boots. Stark white, knee-high, leather boots worn with all black transitioned the collection from hell to heaven (or at least it looked like it to me!). Angelic ensembles came and went as Tahari decided to whip out some animal onto his runway. The deep reds soon followed as well as luscious beiges and tans. His luxurious fur designs made me wish that I, as a mere student, could ever have such an occasion to wear anything of the sort! 

     Elie Tahari has successfully completed the task of drawing drool from a young adult's mouth. As of now, I have metaphorically swallowed this collection and it has hit every single of one the taste zones in mouth. Though my strangeness may be frightening, this did in fact happen-it was incredible.

     Willing to try out these incredible neutrals? To pull it off like these ladies, try one shade all over and mix different textures and levels of color saturation to make one beautifully varied ensemble. 

Warning: mixing neutrals is amazing--BUT-your face must be at least partially plastered with complexion enhancing foundation, blush, and eye makeup. You may appear as though you trotted straight out of the forest if you do not take such precautions.  

LOOKS LIKE...Stella McCartney has taken to clothing her models in bags n' boxes!

     Mutant marshmallow. Shopping bag. Cardboard box. These are all terms that became assimilated in my mind as I was looking at Stella McCartney's Winter 2011 collection. What exactly does one think when creating such looks as these? I feel as though this is what I look like when I borrow my father's jacket (or spacesuit in the case of the gold one) at a night out to dinner to cover my shoulders. Clearly, his jacket was not made for me. Daddy probably didn't think these models would be borrowing his jackets either.

       Recently, I have begun to accept the ways of the one piece clothing unit (romper), until I saw this one. This particular one, in my opinion, might as well have been stolen straight out of McQueen's insane asylum collection. Anyone up for being zipped into a straight jacket? That's not really my game, but I supposed a crazy somebody will find it appealing!

     If you feel like trying out any of these looks, the plus side is that, in comparison, your face will look smaller (if anyone even goes for that look :)). Have fun playing "marshmallow/daddy's girl for a day" and let your peers know how it goes!