Pre-fall 2013: Lela Rose, Kelly Wearstler, Missoni, Nicole Miller, Opening Ceremony, Prabal Gurung, Preen

I can't say I paid much attention to Lela Rose before, but I definitely like this pre-fall collection. My favorites are the saffron-colored dress and the colorblocked moto jacket (2nd to last).

Of note: Painterly influences, inspired colorblocking, flats (give those feet a break!), occasional pops of saturated color.

Look at Kelly Wearstler, getting all graphic 'n stuff! I think her designs improve with each season, which is great, considering what a force she is in the interior design world.

Of note: Cutouts in unexpected places, all leather everythang, futuristic harlequin prints.

The first half of this looks like something the White Witch would wear, doesn't it? Snowy grays and whites to blend into the landscape... and a collar made from Mr. Tumnus' family members, likely.

Of note: Platform boots, fur collars, tweed.

Of note: Rider caps (there are some cute ones floating around with ears on them, if that's your sort of thing), zig zag prints, CMYK inspiration.

Where do I even start? I love this. The prints are cool, the shoes are awesome, there are metallics and bright colors as far as the eye can see...

I have to say, I was really excited for the Prabal Gurung x Target collaboration coming soon (next month, I think), until I looked at the catalogue and realized that if I got everything I wanted, I'd spend over $600. I'm still excited, but I'll have to edit my choices waaaaaaaaaaaay down, because ain't nobody got money for that.

Anyway, of note: neon splashes, a healthy dose of white, head-to-toe prints.

I quite like this punky side of Preen... it's interesting.

Of note: Plaid & leather, slouchy silhouettes, winklepickers and Chelsea boots. Oh, velvet too.

What to wear when you're feeling sick, or "Why is she wearing rhinestones to Target?"

Today, I feel like the devil drop-kicked me in the throat, so I've been taking it easy. I think I've said this on the blog before, but when I'm feeling down or sick, sometimes I like to get dressed up and make myself look nice; it usually cheers me up. So! Here's something I hardly ever do on this blog, an outfit post. And please excuse me if I look sullen/terrible, I'm feeling poorly. I hope you're all having a better day than me!

P.S. If you'd like to see what I wear more often, follow me on Instagram (FrockYeah) and say hi! :-D

Designer collaborations: Is the "democratization" of fashion really an excuse to produce knock-offs?

I don't usually write about controversial topics on Frock Yeah, but here goes. I was on Tumblr the other day, and one of my favorite bloggers, Arushi Khosla posted an op-ed article from Business of Fashion (another favorite of mine) discussing the H&M and Maison Martin Margiela collaboration. Here's one quote from the article:

“Real style is a matter of taste. And taste is a matter of experience. Just like one’s tastes in music, art or books, taste in clothes forms over time. It takes effort and knowledge. Buying into a style, quickly and cheaply, inevitably leads to the disposability of style. It’s like reading the Cliff’s Notes instead of the book.” - Eugene Rabkin

And here's what I wrote in reply to the article, which I suggest you read (it's short) before continuing:

"This article really bothers me. Let me start by saying that I have felt for quite some time that designer collaborations should end, or at least not be so ubiquitous, for several reasons. First, the quality is often terrible, sometimes even worse than the usual products in these stores, yet prices are much higher. Second, eBay scalpers often buy up as much product as they can, preventing other shoppers from buying what they want without having to pay way over retail price. Finally, I think the novelty has worn off; there are too many collaborations going on.

Admittedly, I was shocked when I heard about a fast fashion collab with Maison Martin Margiela, because, as the article states, he was not a fan of brand worship; it just seemed really out of placed. But I was also pleased. Pleased, because I would probably never, ever own a piece by MM ever in my life. Not because I’m cheap, not because I don’t want to save up, not because I want the instant gratification of a knockoff, but because I will probably never have the kind of disposable income that would allow me to personally justify spending hundreds or thousands on clothing or accessories. I was so incredibly happy and honestly touched, as corny as that seems, that I was able to get a few pieces from the H&M x MMM collaboration, since I have admired Margiela’s design for quite some time now… so yes, it stings when the writer says, “By all means, if you are willing to buy into this collaboration, please do, just don’t think that you are buying ‘fashion’ or a part of Margiela’s legacy — what you are buying are assembly-line knockoffs that you will discard next year.”

I’m not delusional; I know that by buying H&M x MMM, I’m not actually getting a real, authentic Margiela piece. But maybe I am naive in believing that these are “re-issues” created with the brand’s consent.

In addition, I have to settle for those “assembly-line knockoffs”, because that’s all I can afford, and that’s probably all I’ll ever be able to afford… not to mention the fact that I never buy clothing with the intention of throwing them away. I don’t even know anyone who does that, not even my wealthiest friends. It’s even more of a pitiful coincidence that I can only buy from collaborations; I’m a fashion blogger who extensively covers runway collections, knowing full well I’ll probably never even get to see one of those outfits in person.

What I really want to know is: why? Why is it not okay for us, the unwashed masses who don’t have that Margiela money, to access the beautiful, inspiring work of artists like Margiela? Secondly, if that isn’t the issue, and people who share the same opinion as the writer do believe in a real democratization of fashion, then how do we solve that without using collaborations? Designers won’t lower their prices, and for many of these pieces, they shouldn’t. So what do we do?

Photo credit: Fashionologie

Want more? Follow me here

Follow me on Twitter if you want to hear of-the-minute fashion and music news, as well as health info (I studied public health) and my idiotic jokes.

Twitter: @FrockYeah

On Instagram, you'll get a glimpse of my daily life, what I do for fun, where I go... and you'll get to see my cute dog, Roxy!

Instagram: FrockYeah

I use Pinterest to post great outfits I find, awesome home decor for when I finally get a home/apartment of my own, and other assorted things.

Pinterest: FrockYeah

Lyst is basically my window shopping site. When I go on here, I like to pretend I have Givenchy money and add stuff I'll never get my hands on here. A little fantasizing never hurt anybody, right?

Lyst: FrockYeah

Let me know if there are any other sites you think are really cool, and add me on there! I love keeping in touch with you all.

Pre-fall 2013: Erdem, Gucci, Helmut Lang, Honor, Herve Leger, ICB, Just Cavalli, Jenni Kayne, J. Mendel

I remember a few seasons back, Erdem said he didn't think that florals were his signature. Are we still going with that statement? I can't imagine being "king of the florals" is a bad thing -- although that totally makes me think of Game of Thrones...

To me, there's a bit of a 60's influence in the shapes here, especially in the coats and dresses. If you should take just one thing away from this collection, it's definitely the mix of solids and prints: good if you can do it in an outfit, even better if you can achieve it in one piece of clothing, like a jacket.

Gucci took the "Hitchcock heroine" route this season, which I didn't quite expect, though there is often a 60's or 70's influence in the collections.

Of note: Opera length gloves and cropped sleeves to show them off, leopard print, slim pants, strictly controlled volume at the hips.

In general, Helmut Lang is too austere for me, but -- a major but here -- the clean lines and angularity of their clothes always catch my eye. What I wouldn't give for the jackets shown here...

Of note: Motorcycle jackets, a pointed or almond toe heel, mixing dark colors (black and blue do go together, ladies).

All I have to say is that I think I'm turning into a floral obsessive.

Of note: All-over florals. Seriously, put them everywhere.

I think this is one of the sexiest collections yet, with the strappy bra top under a vest (bottom row) and that bra/pencil skirt combination.

Okay, so, florals are going to be really big for pre-fall, don't you think? I really like how they're paired with geometric patterns and stripes here. In case you didn't know, florals + stripes = foolproof way to mix patterns.

I'm really enjoying the path Just Cavalli has taken of late. It's still a bit wild, maybe unpredictable, definitely never staid, but it no longer makes me think "tacky".

Of note: Knee-high boots, well-constructed outerwear, paisley and other lavish prints.

Of note: Punchy primary colors, leopard print booties and knee-high socks, a parka in a sophisticated fabric.