Haute Couture 2014

Yes. I love Haute Couture like how I love chocolate....

I just viewed Dior, Versace and Schiaparelli. I love the fact that they revived Schiaparelli. Though the design isn't quite my style, the details are absolutely exquisite.
Blazers with gorgeous detailing on the inside (embellished with feathers or dense ruffles)
The fuzzy leaves on a pale green coat (this color is going to be a trend) took 200 hours to shred, by a woman in Lyon. Schiaparelli describes her as the only person alive who is capable of this technique. Polka dots on a chiffon duster were drawn by hand.

Marco Zanini, the Italian designer for Schiaparelli is here to stay. This photo was pulled from WWD. You can see the article here: http://www.wwd.com/runway/spring-couture-2014/review/schiaparelli

Paris Fashion Week Review - Spring 2014

Right now, it's Paris Fashion Week, my favorite of all runway shows. I realize it's not Haute Couture, but that's okay by me. I'm not sure what to do with this blog so I'll do a review on what I've seen so far.



My favorite from Lanvin. Photo Source: Style.com
 

Among my favorite designers, Lanvin is one of them. It was a very shiny showcase. It was like watching skinny girls covered in tinfoil, walk down the runway. In between it, there would be one very hot black dress or slick jacket. The draping of course is immaculate. Lame (accented e) can look cheap but Alber Elbaz did not do that. Shine is not my cup of tea, but I can see the ladies eating it up. A+

 

My favorite from Balenciaga. Photo Source: Style.com

Heading over to Balenciaga, Alexander Wang’s second season. I like him. I think he’s ultra-talented, but I am having a hard time seeing him in the House of Balenciaga. I see Jason Wu at Hugo Boss, Raf Simons at Dior, Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton…maybe it will just take time.

I didn't have a favorite for Rick Owens, but I liked her expression the most. Photo Source: Style.com
 

Rick Owens certainly made a statement, bringing in the “Step Team”. At first glance, I have to admit I was like “What the f*** Rick Owens? What did you do to PFW?” After looking more into it, turns out the show was pretty stellar. I don’t agree with newspapers calling it racially diverse, because I only saw two races. Perhaps it’s because I view the term “racially diverse” as literally having multiple races and ethnicities from around the world. Regardless, I do wish I was there to see these full figured women do high kicks in Rick Owens clothing. Goes to show how wearable and flexible his designs

 

My favorite from Carven. Photo Source: Style.com

I read one review on Carven and they totally bashed him. I don't know why. They said his Spring 2014 is not wearable in real life, it's for photoshoots only. Personally, I don't know much about Carven except that it's one of the leading fashion houses now, and the French designer is up there in the top 10. I thought the collection was quite wearable. It's not something I would personally wear, but... I think my issue is that the review was hypocritical. Why say that the oversized boxy coat in Carven's should be slim, but it's totally okay for Marc Jacobs. Doesn't make sense. I'm giving him an A++ just for a crappy review from someone else (okay, mine doesn't give that much of an impact but I don't get paid for spitting out my opinion...I can't go by any of the reviews of this website anymore)

Love this look from Ann Demeulemeester. Photo Source: Style.com

Ann Demeulemeester had a gorgeous show. It was a little depressing with the big black hats the models wore, but the Victorian prints throughout the show and the sheer against solids and stripes gave the designs depth.

My favorite from Christian Dior. Photo Source: Style.com

It must have been weird for a buyer to go from Demeulemeester and straight into Christian Dior, where it was like so freakin' happy and colorful with fun text! Some of the skirt silhouettes reminded me of paper lampshades (it's a good thing, they were beautifully constructed. Very delicate). The buyers must have felt like they were tripping. Joking aside, it was a great collection. There were some pieces that I felt were a little too whimsical, but others that were very well put together and clean.

 

That's all for now. xoxo

 

Xoxo

Underwater Photography

I came across this photo and thought that it was absolutely stunning. I still don't know who took it, or which film or commercial or tv show it's from, but it was filmed at Pinewood Studios Production in the UK. I thought it was for a couture shoot, but now I think it's for something else.  LOVE.

Happy New Year!

She is doing her walk of shame right about now. Hope 2012 brings you everything that you wish for!

The Year Of The Dragon

What will the Dragon bring you this year?
I was imagining what I wanted to wear to tonight's New Year's party, and came across black and white print silk fabric in my closet. So... here is the design I came up with. Have a wonderful night and party like it's 2012!

Fashion Illustrations

I think the hardest thing about fashion illustration for me was finding my style. I used to just copy what I saw, but I knew it wasn't authentic. So.... I used my gouache set pretty frequently a few years back, trying to get good at it. I stopped years ago and reverted to marker and pencil. When I returned to Houston to visit the family, I found my gouache set and many of them were still usable! So... after countless hours of finding "My Style", I would like to share. These illustrations were done with gouache, brush pen, black ink, water soluble colored pencil and pencil. Happy Holidays!

Pre-Fall 2012 Favorites

I had originally liked Chanel's pre-fall show, but the more I see it, the more I become less enamoured by it. I have always liked the ornate and detailed look from Indian saris, the bright and vivid colors, as well as the decorative jewelry. I saw this in the Chanel collection, but now I think it may be a little too much. The hair pieces, nose rings and dreadlocks, guys heads wrapped with fabric. It is this mix of grunge meets super high end conservatism that doesn't seem to match. Kudos to the juxtaposition, but I think I found a new favorite.

Chanel -Love the accessories and fluid fabric

Before I announce my new favorite, I'd like to briefly go through other collections that I thought were quite nice. Once again, Reed Krakoff pulled off another great collection. There isn't anything overly edgy about his look, but there's a sensuality to his style that makes a working woman look sexy without showing any body part. That takes talent.
Thakoon showed a really cute collection consisting of cinched waists and big skirts, pastel palette on gray, fuzzy warm coats and cable knit sweaters. I'd definitely add that little black dress to my wardrobe.

Reed Krakoff's Pre-Fall 

Little Black Dress By Thakoon

Zac Posen definitely pulled his inspiration from classic couture and mixed it with Eastern fabrics. The textiles are rich and the silhouettes have substance, emphasizing women's curves and shape

Zac Posen's gorgeous gown 

As always, I love Burberry coats. I would wear every single one that I saw in the Pre-fall collection, even the men's! If I were a man I'd be very happy showing off my Burberry coat. I'd say what troubles me the most about the Burberry collection is that the models look like they are 12 years old. I know that in the fashion world, models are young, but it's hard for me to look at these models seriously. I felt like they were wearing their parent's clothing.

Tweed Coat and Trench By Burberry 

My favorite actually came to a surprise to me, but I've always liked that "I don't give a f***" look and "I know I still look good not giving a f***". That's how I felt with Theyskens' Theory collection. The models are all looking like they don't want to be there, yet they are wearing these outfits that are stylish and a little edgy but not so much to where you can't go to work in them. I think it looks great.

Hotness by Theyskens' Theory