Top 10 Fall Collections

Style.com just put out their Top 10 Collections from A/W '09, which includes not only the usual suspects like Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs, but also a few "surprises" like Erdem and Haider Ackerman. For the most part, I agreed with what they said about each individual designer and his or her collection, but I didn't agree with who they picked for the list. What can I say -- my tastes don't mesh perfectly with Vogue's.

So here's my Top 10, in no particular order:

Julian Louie

Rodarte

D&G

Missoni

Jil Sander

Gareth Pugh

Hutson

Haider Ackermann

Jean Paul Gaultier

Ann Demeulemeester

Photos: www.style.com, Collages: me!

I cannot stop listening to this song. And I really don't want to!

Helvetica scarf from Veer

I'm not the biggest fan of Helvetica -- at least not to the fanatical degree that a lot of people are -- but even I couldn't pass up this scarf.


This scarf is made by Little Factory, but I think it's all sold out at their site, so Veer is your best bet. However, Veer doesn't ship this scarf outside of North America -- sorry! Little Factory also has lower case and number versions of this scarf.

Photos: www.veer.com

April Showers...

I recently got an email from Audrey from Plueys asking me to check out their rainboots, which is pretty funny considering the fact that I have no shoes that are rain-appropriate.

On their site, there are about 10 different patterns of rainboots with cute names like "Match Point" and "Origami Me."

My favorite is Tokyo Rain, which I might actually get. Check it out...

Apparently, it was inspired by "the bold and bright Harajuku culture," which is also hilariously apropos, given my latest post. I just really like the color palette and the drops remind me of this art I saw in the London Underground in 2006 by this Japanese artist, whose name I can't remember for the life of me.

Photo: www.plueys.com

Japan Fashion Week!

I recently looked over some photos from Japan Fashion Week, which ends this Sunday. Honestly, I am so impressed by these designers.

Aguri Sagimori




Everlasting sprout






More, many, many more later.

Photos: www.jfw.jp

You heard it first... Topshop!

Photo: Topshop newsletter, obviously.

The Best Kind of Vintage Shopping...

...is FREE.

My best friend's mom gave me tons of her old stuff this weekend. I was expecting to come back with a few things, but I could barely carry everything to the car! There was a suede skirt and top, a pair of reversible jeans (silver on one side, regular denim on the other), a few blazers, and so much more. *sigh*

I'm not trying to brag or anything -- I'm just so excited that I have clothes now. I haven't gone shopping in ages (because I can't), and it was starting to get to me.

I promise pictures will come very soon. I've resigned myself to using my old camera, so there will be photos!

I saw this quote on Styleseeking Zurich and I wanted to repost it here.

"Human beings are funny. They long to be with the person they love but refuse to admit openly. Some are afraid to show even the slightest sign of affection because of fear. Fear that their feelings may not be recognized, or even worse, returned. But one thing about human beings puzzles me the most is their conscious effort to be connected with the object of their affection, even if it kills them slowly within."

Sigmund Freud

Loewe, Jasmine di Milo

Vevers had me at "suede." *sigh* Style.com argued that it was a bad idea to have branded bags and clothes now because of the economy. I'm sorry -- what does the economy have to do with people who have enough money to buy these clothes? Perhaps they meant that putting the label name on clothing may limit Loewe's market... Still, I really don't think that anyone who wants something off the runway will care whether the name is printed on it or not. *eye roll*

I love the detailing here. It looks like laser-cut leather, but I could be wrong (and I'm definitely too lazy to find out).

Photos: www.style.com

Issey Miyake, Isabel Marant, Haider Ackermann

I am obsessed with this collection! First of all, I really appreciate the bright, saturated colors. Finally, looks that strike a balance between color and neutrals! The first look is kind of weird... it's a suit, but you can like, do judo in it. How strange! Apparently the fit and flexibility was demonstrated by some martial arts masters (that's why that first model is so short). Next favorites are the second to last and last looks.

You know, I think what attracts many people to Isabel Marant is the unpretentiousness of her clothing. This is fashion at its easiest, its most relaxed. And her boots are always awesome. I'm sure people will be DIYing these!


Photos: www.style.com

Reading articles with titles like Astragaloside IV improved intracellular calcium handling in hypoxia-reoxygenated cardiomyocytes via the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase* is not how I want to spend my morning.

Instead:



I really wish The Bird and the Bee were more popular. They're pretty awesome.

I've got two more posts on Paris Fashion Week coming up soon. Woot?

* Don't worry, I don't know what it means either.

Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Comme des Garcons

This man is a genius. And I don't think I can even explain why. I adore the first two looks, mainly because he takes something so obviously masculine -- a slouchy menswear suit that doesn't even look like it's been tailored for a woman -- and wraps the legs in something incredibly feminine -- garters. I have to say that this may be the most artful combination of masculine and feminine that I've seen in a while.

I'm not the biggest fan of Vivienne Westwood, but I truly enjoyed this collection. Favorites include the gigantic scarf/blankets and the printed jacket (#5); it looks like abstracted peacock feathers or something.

For the first time since middle school or so (true story), I can say that I really loved Comme des Garcons. Cheeky trompe-l'oeil on the shoes and capes, weird kerchief hems and hair wrapped up like bouquets of flowers. Yum.

Photos: www.style.com

Rick Owens, Nina Ricci, Ann Demeulemeester

Honestly, what can I say about Rick Owens that hasn't already been said? You know everyone likes it. You know you like it. And you should.

Most bloggers showed the dresses with trains from Theyskens' last showing, but I'd rather focus on the separates. I love the sinister vibe these clothes gave off -- I wonder if he's sending a message? Regardless, Theyskens really pulled off a beautiful collection; I bet the higher-ups at Nina Ricci are kicking themselves.

Oh Ann, you'll always have my heart. The corsets made of belts, studs everywhere...

...and the draping. If only I could afford any of this stuff. :(

Photos: www.style.com

This is...

...what I've been doing with my free time.


This site is so addictive!

More posts soon -- my spring break starts once my lab ends tonight! Wooooooooooo hoo!!

I should totally explain why I don't feel well.

I'm exhausted, because I saw Watchmen two times in less than 24 hours. Yes, I am a comic book geek loser, but no, I don't care!

Anne Valerie Hash, Gareth Pugh

I haven't looked at what else has come out since Thursday, but I really didn't like anything from Paris Fashion Week so far (including the following). I'm not feeling too well today, so apart from what I've just written, this is going to be a textless post.


Edit: I just saw this video of Pugh's A/W 09 collection, and it completely changed my mind. It's definitely worth watching.
Photos: www.style.com.

Just Cavalli, Jil Sander, Francesco Scognamiglio

With each passing season, I like Just Cavalli more and more. It used to be too flashy, too over-the-top for me -- not to say that this is tame, not by any measure -- but now, the "audacity" seems relevant. Not much bling here; I suppose Lagerfeld was right (although, uh... no one calls it "bling" anymore. Nor has bling been cool for at least like, 5 years. But I know what he meant.). Lots of pop culture references here... I don't know if they're on purpose or not, but you can see the Pollock splatter print, a Thriller-esque jacket, grunge/hippie shredded jeans. All in all, quite nice, I think.

What to say about Jil Sander... Austere, futuristic in its simplicity... Nice. The Washington Post said that these clothes erased the curve from the feminine body shape, but I disagree. There are clearly nipped-in waists and the clothes flow around the models' curves -- and I use that term loosely. Then again, maybe that's a good point to make -- most thin women don't have much in the way of curves, but these clothes make all the models look "womanly"... so at second glance, the curve is emphasized instead of erased.

Maybe I have Star Wars on the brain or something, but all I could think about when I saw these pictures was how apropriate they'd be in outer space. I loooooooove the lapels on the white suit.

These reminded me of frill-necked lizards. Yeah.

Photos: www.style.com. Collages: me.

Missoni

p

This is pretty much EVERY look that went down the runway. I figured I'd just let the pictures do the talking.

Photos: www.style.com Collages: me.