The Lady is a Vamp

The amount of happiness that fills my little heart over Carine Roitfeld’s choice to not fall off of the fashion map since parting ways with French Vogue simply cannot be measured. She has had a seriously glorious career, and I am absolutely, and obviously, elated that she is continuing her work in the industry!

Take a look at Roitfeld’s brilliant collaboration with Barneys New York, shot by Mario Sorrenti for the fall 2011 women's campaign.

Carine Roitfeld + Rick Owens = Possibly the most glorious combination ever!

Photo: WWD.com 

The always gorgeous Julia Restoin Roitfeld in Givenchy.

Photo: WWD.com

 

I didn't immediately recognize this as Roitfeld's son, Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, but I'm quite found of this photo due to the love that's so wonderfully present.

 Photo: WWD.com

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Currently Listening: Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette "Hello"  

(I must warn you, this song is catchy and addicting :))

Let's Talk Fetishes

“One evening in Paris, my lover spontaneously wore her Kilian Parfum black lacquered perfume box as an evening bag. Her original, bold and sensual gesture inspired me to create real evening bags, for her and for all women.” – Kilian Hennessey 

After reading about Kilian’s inspiration for his "Night Fetishes" evening bag collection, I couldn’t help but feel intrigued. I mean, after all, that must be one fancy perfume package. Then again, if I was going to spend $225 on a small bottle of perfume, I'd expect the box to be quite nice! But that's neither here nor there.

I first fell in love with his “Surrender” bag when I spotted it in a tiny feature in my most recent Elle. I thought the box-like clutch was cute and oh-so-perfectly femme fatal. I found the rest of the spring/summer 2011 collection online and a couple of them would be definite must-haves if I could afford them!

Pictured below are my three favorite Kilian evening bags (in no particular order). The Prohibited also comes in a Black Edition, which is gorgeous as well, but I simply couldn't resist the Red Edition!

 

Aphrodisiac - $2,795 

Photo: By Killian

Prohibited Red Edition - $2,895
Photo: By Kilian

 

Surrender - $1,995
Photo: By Kilian

Although he is better known for his luxurious perfumes, Kilian will also be undoubtedly successful in the world of handbags with his new collection. Oh, and the fact that he’s the grandson of the founder of The LVMH Group doesn't hurt. ;)

 

Currently Listening: Poison the Well "Apathy Is a Cold Body"

Lanvin for H&M? Yes, Please!

As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, well, I hope you are anyway, Lanvin collaborated with H&M on a limited edition, and highly anticipated, collection, which was released a few weeks ago in November. I could barley contain myself the moment I first read about the glorious partnership. I’ve recently become a huge fan of Alber Elbaz’s work, and the Fall 2010 RTW collection is one of my absolute favorite Lanvin collections, so I was simply ecstatic when I found out about the collaboration!

Like every other Lanvin-loving girl out there, I was checking the H&M site constantly for news and pictures, and I couldn’t wait to see the list of stores that would be releasing the collection. The closest H&M store to me is three hours away in St. Louis, and I had a feeling the collection wouldn’t make it to this store, but I had high hopes anyway. Needless to say, the collection did not make it to a store near me.

The collection release came and went and I had to take a back seat to the excitement and joy that other bloggers got to face as they made their purchases on release day. My closet and I were both feeling a little empty when I suddenly remembered the one place that could help me fulfill my Lanvin void: eBay! I went onto the site and quickly found a Lanvin for H&M dress in my price range. I eagerly awaited the final countdown and posted my bid at the last minute. After a grueling 30 seconds, I had won my very own Lanvin dress for around 100 bucks! I was so thrilled that I even paid extra for the hanger. Yes, I paid $6 for a plastic Lanvin for H&M hanger. But I’m okay with that. 

I apologize for the dressform pictures, but I
absolutely could not get this dress zipped by myself!

 

 Isn't she gorgeous?!

Photo: Rachael Gardner

I adore this neckline!

Photo: Rachael Gardner

Love the back too! 

Photo: Rachael Gardner

Currently Listening: Haste the Day "Blue 42"

For Your Viewing Pleasure

While getting my hair done this past week, I finally had the time to look through and read my December issue of W. I hate how much time goes by between receiving my magazines and actually reading them; sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Anyway, as I was flipping through the issue, I came across a truly impressive set of photos, which hasn’t happened too often since the magazine’s recent revamp and takeover by Stefano Tonchi as Editor in Chief. But this editorial, photographed by Paolo Roversi and styled by Alex White (W’s Fashion Director), is simply breathtaking.

Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, both Roversi and White’s talents played major roles in the fantastic execution of this shoot. I must admit, though, much to my mother’s recent dismay, I have not read or seen any of The Chronicles of Narnia books or movies. And I honestly know very little about the plot, so if it weren’t for the magazine’s clever titling, I wouldn’t have had any idea that the children’s fantasy novels had anything to do with the beautiful styling and imagery. 

"Family Circus"
From the December issue of W

 

Photo: Wmagazine.com

He is so cute; I can't even stand it!  

Photo: Wmagazine.com

These photos are so inspirational, and I think my favorite thing about them is how the models and clothing are absolutely gorgeous, yet there seems to be some kind of dark theme lying just beneath the surface.

Photo: Wmagazine.com

This Dior Haute Couture dress is stunning!

Photo: Wmagazine.com

Currently Listening: August Burns Red "The Eleventh Hour"

(I love this song - it has an intense message)

She's Out of Your League

This past September, my beloved Style.com turned 10! I couldn’t believe it! I mean, why has this glorious website only been a part of my life for the past few years? Nonetheless, I now know that I can always depend on Style.com for the best runway photos and reviews. It is my ultimate, go-to site for everything that is fashion-week.

After perusing through the site a couple of days ago, I remembered the celebratory, limited edition designer t-shirts that were available a couple of months ago. On my quest for the t-shirt link, which I assume doesn’t exist anymore, I came across The Top Ten lists that Style.com created to celebrate their birthday. These special lists include The Top Ten Collections, Models, Men’s Shows, and the especially intriguing Fashion Icons. Much too eager to find out Style.com’s fashion icon picks, I hurriedly clicked through the slideshow to get a glimpse of each icon before taking the time to read the info. I must admit, I was getting a little disappointed in some of the picks (Michelle Obama?) when lo and behold, I came across my ultimate favorite: Carine Roitfeld!

As I’m sure most of you are aware, Roitfeld has been the mastermind behind Paris Vogue since 2001. Prior to taking on the magazine’s position of Editor-in-Chief, Roitfeld gained notoriety in the industry as Tom Ford’s muse for Gucci and for her collaborations with Mario Testino. With her impeccable taste and phenomenal styling skills, Roitfeld is one of the top editors in the fashion industry. And in my opinion, she is one of the most stylish women in the world, and I would be absolutely thrilled if I ever got the opportunity to meet Carine Roitfeld. 

 Photo: Style.com

Currently Listening: Austrian Death Machine "If it Bleeds, We Can Kill it"

PS: the songs I choose have nothing to do with the post content :)

And the Winner Is...

Okay, first things first, I watch America’s Next Top Model. I know, you expected better from me. But thanks to my ex-roommate, and the fact that I tried out for the show a few seasons ago (only because I was recruited), I have indeed fallen victim to the overdone and highly criticized reality show that has gone on for way too long in order for it to really be considered legitimate.  Nonetheless, I have watched the last couple of seasons, and the most recent Cycle 15, which ended last week, was by far the most interesting.  The girls of this cycle had the opportunity to win some of the best prizes ever given away on ANTM, which included a spread in Vogue Italia and a cover of Beauty in Vogue.

In the beginning of the season, the awkward and shy Ann Ward, whose 6’2” height and extra thin frame caused her great strife growing up, was the first contestant in ANTM history to win best photo five weeks in a row. Consistently a favorite amongst the judges and guest designers, it was no surprise that Ann won the grand prize during the finale when she was pitted up against Chelsey Hersley, the fashion-savvy 23-year-old. And while there is no doubt in my mind that Ann is unique and “high fashion,” I personally didn’t see what all the hype was about.

Don’t get me wrong, Ann is a beautiful girl that fits perfectly into that avante garde mold, if there is such a thing, but her presence was simply too lack luster for me. Throughout the entirety of the season, Ann was socially awkward and truly lacked the ability to find confidence within herself. During the last episode, the finale, the two finalists shot Cover Girl beauty ads and walked for Roberto Cavalli. Neither of the girls had a perfect walk, but both girls had gorgeous Cover Girl shots. 

 Ann vs Chelsey
(Wait...where is Ann's neck?)
Photo: CWTV

Ann and Chelsey posing for a group photo
Photo: CWTV

If Ann can gain some confidence and boost her grace on the runway, I think she certainly has the potential to become a “top model” whose known for more than her appearance on the reality show. And with that kind of success, she may even be able to change my opinion on the show’s legitimacy. 

 Ann looking especially radiant after being named the winner!
Photo: CWTV

Currently Listening: Underoath "When the Sun Sleeps"

I Could Stare at Your Photos All Day Long

After doing research for a class earlier this semester, I came across the fantastical fashion photographer of Tim Walker. Don’t even ask me how I wasn’t aware of this British-born editorial master until a couple of months ago, because I really don’t know. What I do know is that Walker is an amazing artist whose work is clearly defined by its top-notch whimsy and magical charm. He has seriously mastered the art of creating playful images, and his work has a tendency to take me away from my reality and into a much-welcomed fantasy world full of theatrical characters and fanciful settings.

Some of you may remember one of Walker’s most famous shoots in which he collaborated with Tim Burton to create a multi-page spread of darkly fantastic photos for the October 2009 issue of Harper’s Bazaar. Well, like I mentioned before, I hadn’t heard of Walker until recently so I didn’t get to experience the awe-inspiring photos of this shoot when it was first published.

I’m currently taking a styling class and for this semester’s midterm we had to create an idea for an editorial photo shoot. We had to come up with an inspiration, location, hair and makeup styling, and even the models we would use. Ironically enough, I chose Edward Scissorhands, the character, and Tim Walker as the inspiration for my shoot. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Tim Walker had already done his own shoot with a full-on Edward Scissorhands character in one photo! I was completely blown away when I saw this photo for the first time, and although my idea had already played out in someone else’s head, I was still thrilled to see my own inspiration come to life in a real editorial. 

  Tim Walker for Harper's Bazaar October 2009


Currently Listening: As I Lay Dying "Illusions"