LOOKS I'D LOVE (to try)...digitizing the houndstooth check!

     A thick, dusty, clunky-looking sweater. It is exactly this object that I discovered in my mother's closetful of stuff a few days ago. What was on this seemingly useless ball of dust? A gorgeously woven houndstooth print contrasted with a rich, cobalt blue back all wrapped up into one beautiful article of clothing, of course! Since this sweater is many years old, it has, expectedly, come back into style once again. I will gladly wear this sweater, but for all those (including myself) who wish to push fashion a little further, here's what should come next in the world of this age old print...
     We live in a world where digital technology is to rave about and where computers can be programmed to synthesize just about anything aside from an endless supply of money. Why don't we use this to thrust the dusty old houndstooth print into the future by "digitizing" it? By taking a widely accepted pattern and printing it in various shades and on various kinds of fabric, this traditionally black and white, sweater/outercoat-based print can be taken past its traditional limits. Don't worry-you will not look like a neon/incredibly ill Dalmatian if this is done properly. If people begin to wear this print in a more subtle/widely acceptable manner, who knows what could happen?
     Ideas: a rouched, chiffon, sheer variation on a tent coat that is gathered at the waist and flares out
               basic t shirts with the print directly on it
               enlarged houndstooth print in "Andy Warhol-esque" color variations
               subtle houndstooth print "faded" and printed on pants for added texture without an obnoxious optical illusion presented
               intentional optical illusion patterns created by a specific placement of different sized houndstooth patterns

If anyone decides that these are something of interest, do me a favor and create them for me, credit me with the idea, and allow me to gain world wide fame and glory. :)

LOOKS I LOVE...recreating natural/kinda ugly lineage and patterns to create beautiful and significantly less ugly/glorious garments!

     One monotonous summer day, I was sitting home watching one of a mere million recorded episodes of past Project Runways when I was presented with a concept that happened to tickle my fancy even more so than did several other of the contestants' challenges. In season 2, Andre, a flamboyant favorite of mine, took inspiration for an evening gown from the very streets of New York City-literally. He found a grimy, water filled crack in the ground that cast him into making a gorgeously embellished, sparkling garment that won the judges over. Of course I was inspired a great deal by this piece of city street-I love nothing more than a beautifully obscure piece of geometry that I turn into a clearly directed idea.
     These gorgeous looks from Prabal Gurung's Fall 2011 collection, though they may not seem directly related to this concept, are more closely related than a set of siamese twins. One idea Andre played with that I loved was the use of shimmer, sequins, and embellishment to achieve a "divided" look. Gurung played with sectioning and division by mixing different textures, directions, densities, and shades with each other to create a slew of shining (literally) masterpieces. Many times, the heavy use of such embellishments can visually and physically weigh down a garment. Who wants to drag themselves down  the street and be reminded of their pre-pound shedding times with nonsense like that? Apparently, not Mr. Gurung.
     Interested in taking inspiration from grime and turning it into full on glory? Want to play with lines? Mix "aged/weathered-looking" jewelry with a prim LBD or LCD (Little Colored Dress-not a light!) and top it off with an extra sheer layer (drawstring "tent" coat, scarf, or cardigan to add texture and depth. Use a few different lengths and cuts in your outfit to keep the eye wandering!

Warning: Too much of a good thing is always a bad thing. If you choose to try these looks out, actually wearing something dirty or layering too many chunky articles of clothing will leave you looking like a homeless marshmallow. If those existed, I assure you they would be quite a bad thing. We do not strive to look like nomadic foods and neither should you.
     

LOOKS I LOVE...Balenciaga's architecturally and artistically crafted MASTER SHOES

      Confession: regardless of whether or not I actually know Nicholas Ghesquiere on any level, the genius creative director behind the fashion house of Balenciaga has remained and will continue to remain to be my my deeply, soulfully pitted fashion crush. 
     Lately, I've found myself delving deep into the archives of many a runway collection for not only the clothes but also for the creatively crafted shoes that adorn models' feet while they are attempting to strut gracefully in impossibly uncomfortable and highly elevated shoes down a slippery and largely hazardous runway. These gorgeous, chunky heels come straight out of Balenciaga's Fall 2010 line (a little late, I know) and are, aside from McQueen's armadillo claw shoes, the most intriguing pieces of work I have yet to see encaging models' feet. The main reason I find these so unusual is because of the emphasis places on the "tongue" of the shoe, a feature more commonly (but not as strongly) emphasized in a sneaker of all shoes. The "hand made"/"wood shop 505 (senior thesis level of course)" feel of these shoes takes retro/futuristic fashion to a completely different place. Much of what is being considered modern and retro in today's fashion consists solely of clean lines, simple coloration, and a sleek silhouette. These shoes are edgy, chunky, loud, and whacked out in the best way possible.
     Designers are always trying to find ways to think outside the box and defy the norm, but what I have been noticing lately on the runways is a large amount of similar clothing resulting from designers attempting to stray from what is familiar and common all in the exact same manner...except for Nicholas Ghesquiere *dreamily sighs.* It is only a fashion crush, but what more could you ask for in a lifelong fashion relationship? I think I've found it all.  :)
     Want to try a chunky statement shoe? For "real person wearability," pair a statement shoe with a simple solid color to amp up your outfit even more or with a black ensemble to spark some contrast. If you choose to go with a colored ensemble, layer clear, chunky jewelry to add in texture without overloading on color and looking like bad tye dye job (actually, I think all tye dye jobs are bad). With a black ensemble, layer in jewelry in a similar shade to the shoes you are wearing or, if the shoes have many colors, in a shade from your shoe! Have fun, don't overload, be safe, and prep yourself to be stared down...out of jealousy of course!

LOOKS LIKE...I'm loving Jeffrey Campbell's whacked out wedges

     This season it is "in" to look all of three things: futuristic, 70's hippie-istic, and tall-istic. I believe that incredibly tempting wedges such as the ones produced by Jeffrey Campbell fit the bill and then some. Campbell does chunky and that's exactly how I love my peanut butter...and of course my wedges. He defies gravity with his skyscraper height heels and even in some cases, with the very lacking of the middle portion of a shoe. Campbell inverts the common wedge that we all know suspiciously in one of the very ways that I dreamt about a solid few months before his styles came out-inception perhaps?? Either way, any of these oddly futuristic, retro, whacked out wedges would suit me to wear with any outfit at any time-yes, I would like to try a pair out.

:)

LOOKS LIKE...I've finally given in to getting a watch...sort of :)

     Time-something I never know except with the quick snagging of my iPhone deep within the ruins of my purse...until a few days ago. I recently purchased the first of these bracelet/bangle/watch gadgets by La Mer (lamercollections.com) to know the time at my convenience and of course...because they are quite awesome. Yes, I know the first watch looks terrible in the picture, but believe me, if you're going for retro glam and want a time piece to wear with almost anything, this baby was brought to life just for you. Fancy a rocker accessory? Grab the black patent leather one with the incredibly edgy chains. Feeling nautical? As odd as it may be, there is one with nautical-themed charms...maybe a little overboard for me (HA). The last neutral one is a very versatile color that can be edgy or glamorous depending upon the other accessories and clothing you pair with it. I particularly love this shade paired with black for a rich contrast to bring out the unusual color of it.
     Whichever way you choose to pair your bangle/bracelet/watch gadget, know that you will be taken aside for questioning-all good of course. Rock the multipurpose gadget like you own it (assuming you do). 

LOOKS LIKE...I finally found something in the electric, puke green family that I absolutely like!

     Green: the color I consistently am not quite a fan of has finally made its debut in a shade and texture that I don't just tolerate, but actually love. Who knew this electric broccoli/puke green would wow me all the way from one of Project Runway's season 8 final collections? Andy South, though he did not win season 8, paired grey chiffon with metallic green in the most unconventionally exquisite of ways that went so far as to make me pause the very fashion television program that I was watching. Not much can get in the way of me and my Style Network...apparently except for this. Maybe it's my new fashionably future minded self who has changed as robo/retro/futurama glam has made a serious comeback in the past few seasons.
    And another thing-the head pieces. Hello Mr. Philip Treacy Jr., welcome to Project Runway. Mr. South has embodied the spirit of Mr. Treacy himself with this wild and whimsical flowered head piece. Who said a hat had to actually cover your head? If you take a look at a few of Isabella Blow's hats by Mr. Treacy, we may as well begin strapping blindfolds on our heads instead of covering the over-processed hairs on our heads. The day people begin wearing head pieces such as these on a regular basis I believe will be the day I dye my hair blonde. Let's just keep it at this-not happening. Though, I would love to sport such a head piece if I can find an occasion to wear a work of art like this to. Invitations accepted by mail and email...call if you must.

Warning: If you would like to try out this shade of green and proceed to do so in the form of a crocheted sweater, Cookie Monster will come after you with a lawsuit. Oh, and you will look silly and appear to be one of those ladies who sits around in her kingdom of cats and knits...all....day-don't be that girl.

:)

LOOKS LIKE...the unimaginable has just been imagined...by Nina Ricci in her Fall 2011 collection

     No, I was not actively looking for fashion based atrocities. Yes, I found one regardless of my original intent to scrounge up a bit of beauty. It all began so pleasantly. A first glance shouted "yes!" in my direction. As the collection continued on, the expressions on my face progressed from *ok, ok this is nice* to *seriously raised eyebrow.*
     The initial red and beige pairing was very pleasing to my eye, but as I began to take notice of the stomach flu color based plaids that made frequent appearances in many the odd ensemble, things really took off for the worse. I don't know if it was the country western tackiness of the tan sweater look with a teal belt-like stripe or the obscurity of the stomach-acid tinted fur paired with a nude jacket that pushed me from sitting on the edge of the boat to jumping out willingly. There are two main concepts that do not sit well with me: one of these is pink in the wrong shade or in odd places, the other is plaid. Pair them together and I'm outta here! On what particular occasion would one plan on wearing a bubblegum pink, fluffy neckpiece with an oversized plaid scarf and dress? If anybody finds such an occasion, please feel free to contact me immediately so that I may document such a feat.
     Transitioning on...in the fashion world, consistency and fluidity within a collection is vital to be able to tell a story to the audience. Maybe on planet XXX somewhere way out of the Milky Way there is a small little town where jumping from employing pink fluff and plaid to practically infringing upon Missoni's copyright patterns is acceptable. Oh and...I forgot...we are also apparently celebrating the return of Mary Poppins alongside...Christmas, kay? And don't misbehave because Papa Bear will come and eat you for the finale!!!

:)

LOOKS I LOVE...Balenciaga in its geometric glory!

     Of the many fashion related concepts I love, the maxed out usage of geometry by Balenciaga seems to tickle my fancy on a much greater scale than does even the most exuberant print or neon hue-whoa. These incredible looks from the Fall 2011 line employ the use of many a "bubble-like" leather jacket, multiple sheer and black striped shirts, and of course a staggering multitude of angular cuts and what would, in any other case, be classified as some seriously strange draping.
     Throughout every single one of these looks, boxy and strange or not, Nicolas Ghesquiere manages to accentuate the female form by using shapes. My favorite look is the third one. Who layers leather into awkward triangular forms and still manages that? Why is Mr. Ghesquiere able to perform such a feat and manage to make a woman look largely NON-fat? Magic.
     Shoulders. Recently, they exist solely to be emphasized. Who said it had to be in a rectangular manner? Why not play off the angles provided by the neckline and collarbone? Bingo-the new way to show some serious shoulder has been formally introduced by the house of Balenciaga.
     Want to go geo but don't know how? Instead of going for a full on robo-future geo look, pair a geometrically cut top with a billowing skirt or wide legged pants for some contrast. Layer it with soft jewelry to make it pop. Either way, make sure you bring in the color and let the shapes speak for themselves.
     Warning-do not wear head to toe geo. You will look like either a walking rubix cube or largely confused individual who really needs to try rolling off of the other side of the bed.
    

LOOKS LIKE...Chanel's gone slouchy

  
     Alongside my drooling over Chanel's most basic and true tweeds on a regular basis, now, I am absolutely loving Lagerfeld's rough new take on the structured jacket and pants this Fall 2011 season. Who said the Chanel lady always had to be prim and proper? Apparently, not Karl Lagerfeld. The new grungy, oversized pant paired with a variety of black, rich heather grey, and pop color jackets had me itching to get into the grunge.
     One of my favorite looks is the one with the emerald green jacket. Even though the model's hair is windblown and her pants seem to be taking poorly to the effects of gravity, that green jacket and choker necklace brought back the classic glam Chanel always has in mind. Many of my other favorite looks include the use of black, sheer mesh layered on top of...everything. We all know that sheer tops are in, but who else could have possibly thought of adding that idea to everything else? Though I'm not sure how stupendous I may look in any of these sheer pieces, oversized coats, or baggy pants, I can be sure that I am loving all of these ideas on the 7-foot models parading down the runway!
     Yes, I do love this collection as I do the stuffed polar bear sitting on the bed beside me, but you have to admit, there is some seemingly strange stuff mixed in. Let's tally up what we've got going on here, shall we?
     a. a chunky feathered dress, though gorgeous in every way, that cannot seem to keep anyone slim. Let's face it-blondie looks a bit chunky and the pout isn't helping
     b. the uniformly studded clown suit...I mean...nevermind, I'm not really sure what it is anyways
     c. the completely see-through pixie dress. If Tinkerbell ever decides to go on over to the dark side, she will be fully equipped in the wardrobe department if she has any contact with Lagerfeld and a shrink machine
     d. that cape....what comes to mind when I first see an all-swallowing article of clothing such as this that just so happens to come in red? ANDELE! Let the bulls run rampant.
    
     Thank you Karl Lagerfeld for giving me much to love and laugh about at the same time. Though I see that Chanel chooses to pair big with bigger on the runway, in real life if you want to try this out, try an oversized jacket with slim pants or baggy pants with a fitted top and chunky accessories. On any oversized articles of clothing, keep the prints to a minimum and opt to choose accessories that will add a taste of variety instead. Have fun with this and slouch around freely!

Warning: avoid overdoing this trend. You will look like a hobo. Somebody may throw change at you. Do not be taken aback by this. If it happens, you were asking for it. :)