The Fashionista

Some say feast your eyes, others are critical, but nevertheless, here is the preview of the spring collection from ZARA.

Love the silhouette, the simple construction.

Love the earthly colors and neutrals.

Very spring’ish pattern on the top. Okay, it’s for spring. It seems like the oversized jacket is staying as well.

ZARA takes you on a journey to the middle east? Harem is staying too, it seems. Well, okay, harem is spring/summer, I’ll let it pass.

What do you think about the collection? I like it. It’s an ongoing theme throughout all the spring collections, this resurrection of simplicity and utility - in both cut, color and in the detailing. I hope you’re into earthly neutrals, cause that’s the ZARA collection!

Ohh btw, congratulations to me! 100th blog!

Have I got something for you! Here’s a sneak peek for Custo Barcelona’s fall collection that will show next week at MBFW!

Enjoy!

Louis Vuitton “ICONS”

Louis Vuitton “ICONS” is about fashion design, theory, history of the art and beauty, and how the Louis Vuitton iconic bags took shape. It’s absolutely worth the few quid it costs, and you get get it anywhere online! A book about Louis Vuitton that’s easy to get hold of? Aye!

IN VOGUE

This book is truly amazing! It was given to me by a friend for christmas, and ever since, I have read, looked at pictures, at least 100 times! The imagery is so beautiful, and the stories behind the world’s fashion bible #1 are breathtaking. This is a MUST HAVE!

Hamish Bowles is the European Editor at Larhe for Vogue Magazine, and recognized as one of the most respected fashion authorities.

Bowles worked as Style Editor in 1992, and was later promotred to European Editor at Large, in 1995.

Bowles was educated at Central Saint Martins, and began his career at London’s Harpers and Queen magazine in 1984.

Bowles has worked many a good job, for example Creative Consultant for the Met. Museum of Art. Mr. Bowles has written for and contributed to countless articles, reviews, and books on fashion history, art, lifestyle, and interior design. The books include Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years (2001); Carolina Herrera: Portrait of a Fashion Icon (2004); Vogue’s Book of Houses, Gardens, People (2007); and Yves Saint Laurent Style (2008). His lectures include “The Dandy” (1984) at The Victoria and Albert Museum, London; “The Newest Art” (1998) and “The American Century: America’s Fashion Ascendancy and Its Roots” (1999) at New York University; Molyneux (Fashion Institute of Technology, New York 2008); The Line of Beauty; Yves Saint Laurent and the Influence of Christian Dior (de Young Museum, San Francisco, 2008).

But why does The Fashionista like him? Well, here’s why:

Hamish and Anna.

Hamish looking good as always!

I think very few people could pull a coat like this off as well as Hamish!

Grace and Hamish during Paris fashion week 2009 I think it was.

What do you think about Mr. Bowles? Do you like his style? I do! It’s personal, and out of the box at times. The Fashionista approves!

I just received the paper invitation to the Vassilios Kostetsos show during MBFW’10! Very psyched!

-the complete and perfect gentleman’s wardrobe

Part one:

Underwear, shirts and ties.

Underwear

It’s only natural for me to start with the underwear when I’m talking about a wardrobe, it is after all the first thing I start with when I get up in the morning.

The essentials in underwear:

-Boxer shorts: Reasons for a preference for boxers can be attributed to their variety of styles and design as well as the way boxers look on the wearer. Unlike traditional briefs, boxers allow for more freedom in the selection of a fabric type and print design.

-Briefs: In the case of men’s underwear, briefs, unlike boxer shorts, hold the wearer’s genitals in a relatively fixed position, which makes briefs a popular underwear choice for men who are participating in athletic activities or who feel they need more support than loose-fitting underwear can provide. In addition, boxers often ride up the body when the wearer is running.

-Long underwear: For someone that spends a lot of time outdoors, this is perfect. Long underwear, often called long johns, is a style of two-piece underwear with long legs and long sleeves that is normally worn during cold weather. It offers an advantage over the union suit in that the wearer can choose to wear either the top, bottom, or both parts depending on the weather. Long underwear are also less commonly known as “long handles”.

Shirts

Every true gentleman has to have a good shirt in his wardrobe. I know a lot of you have trouble finding a good shirts, maybe even having trouble knowing what to look for. Do not dispair! I’m here for you all.

-A good shirt should have removable collar holders if the collar shape allows it.This is very important for shirts with fold down collar and the “cutaway collars”.

-The pattern in the seam does unfortunately not always match. It is usually only good shirt manufacturers, and of course tailors, who are careful with such things. Stripes and squares to fit together, for example, in the transition between the shoulder and sleeve.

-The more stitches a shirt has, the more durable it is. Good shirts tend to have about eight stitches per cm.

-The traditional buttons of mother of pearl is mandatory for a good shirt. Mother of pearl buttons are so hard that they can break the needle on a sowing machine.

Ties

I think it’s only natural that I talk about ties, now that I’ve shared my tips on shirts.

-The most important characteristic of a good tie can unfortunately not be photographed. It has to feel right! That’s why you buy ties in the store instead of ordering it online: you have to touch it.

Part two is published next week, containing: Suits, blazers and pants and shoes.

The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 M_w earthquake. Its epicentre was near Léogâne, approximately 25 km west of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010, at a depth of 13 km. By 24 January the United States Geological Survey recorded at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater. The International Red Cross estimated that about three million people were affected by the quake

Ralph Lauren joins the global relief effort for victims of the earth quake in Haiti. A great initiative, for sure! 100% of proceeds will be donated to the victims. Way to go, Ralph Lauren, way to go.

The male version. Kind of reminds me of the Big Pony collection, with the Haitian flag and the writing “Haiti Relief” on the upper right side of the chest.

The female version. Looks the same of course, just another fit.

The logo. Reads “Haiti Relief”

Personally, I’m not a very big fan of the Big Pony collection, just because of the fact that it’s too flashy. But don’t get me wrong, this is great, it really is. Just forget me mentioning the Big Pony.

What do you think? Do you think more companies should walk the same road?

Anna is all about texture, texture is important to Grace when she does her shoots, and every designer strive to live up to the expectations of this small clique. Why? Either you’re in or you’re out.

Texture in fashion refers to the properties held and sensations caused by the external surface of an attire, either received through viewing or the sense of touch.

Christian Lacroix Couture collection 2008.

Versace RTW collection 2008.

Koi Suwannagate RTW collection 2008.

Bottega Veneta RTW collection 2008.

Chanel Couture collection 2010.

Well, to be frank, it IS all about texture. A design with no texture is boring, dull, it’s not exiting, it’s not flattering. It’s all about texture! Okay, a design without texture is difficult, they all use fabrics, doi! But it has to be exiting! Mohair, marbled cotton tulle, leather, linen, lace, lamé, bouclé, cloqué, yarn, python, illusion, iridescent, wool, and chiffon. All of this woven, twisted and patched together, that’s textuer! And from suede to coyote to leather, twill, felt, fox, satin, python and cavalry twill! Okay, I know everyone doesn’t have this kind of budget, but in the words of Tim Gunn «Make it work!»

“The Vibe for Fall 2010: Hard to imagine a more masculine—dare we say, rugged—collection from this most luxurious of fashion houses. No daring design statements this season; instead, a tight collection of plush tweeds, down vests, refined leather coats, simple wool trousers, and rubber-soled military boots, all anchored in a palette of black, gray, and espresso. Even the trademark Vuitton bags—most of them a mix of canvas and leather—were understated and utilitarian. In other words, exactly the kind of gear a man wants to buy. That is, of course, assuming he can afford it.”- GQ

Click “Play” to see the show now!

I must say, I’ve become a very big fan of this collection. Definetly something I would wear, so from my point of view, Louis Vuitton succeeded in creating something they can see ME in during F/W. Like GQ said, masculine, tweed’ish, refined leather, wool and a mix of canvas leather. Exactly my kind of gear!

Now that you have seen the show and the vs. I did with Versace, what do you think?

PARIS- In between fashoin shows Monday, Anna Wintour, legendary editor-in-chief Vogue magazine, told french officials that the country doesn’t do enough to support its fashion sector, industry minister Christian Estrosi said.

Ms. Wintour encouraged the French government to provide more backing for young designers, according to Mr. Estrosi.

“She’s right” that France falls short in backing its fashion industry, Mr. Estrosi said during a press conference at which Ms. Wintour rescinded her presence. “Everyone knows the role Anna plays in making New York a great fashion capital. My objective was to benefit from her experience.”

What do you think about Queen Bee’s statement?

Head Fashion Editor for the International Herald Tribune Suzy Menkes sat down to talk about fashion blogging, telling us that “The world changed when fashion instead of being a monologue, became a conversation.” She insisted that she doesn’t feel threatened, calling the popularity of the blogosphere “a generational thing.” The bloggers behind Face Hunter, Les Mads and The Coveted also shared their insights on the blogger boom.

Kelly Rutherford

School: Corona Del Mar High School, Newport Beach, CA

It’s always fun to see the fall collections, to see how the designer’s inner wish for trends has taken shape. Some designers have equal thoughts, some are just far, far away from everyone elses. Here’s my two favorite collections so far, and they are like I said, far, far away from looking alike.

Louis Vuitton vs Versace

The story behind the two collections:

“The Vibe for Fall 2010: Are you looking to unleash your inner Tron? BMX-ish leather jackets; badass, knee-high, strap-laden motorcycle boots in black or gray patent leather; wraparound shades; skintight leather pants. It’s all here, including sleek wool suits in laser-y shades of and blue and purple.”- Versace

“The Vibe for Fall 2010: Hard to imagine a more masculine—dare we say, rugged—collection from this most luxurious of fashion houses. No daring design statements this season; instead, a tight collection of plush tweeds, down vests, refined leather coats, simple wool trousers, and rubber-soled military boots, all anchored in a palette of black, gray, and espresso. Even the trademark Vuitton bags—most of them a mix of canvas and leather—were understated and utilitarian. In other words, exactly the kind of gear a man wants to buy. That is, of course, assuming he can afford it.”- Louis Vuitton

Okay, so here’s what I talked about. The differences start already in the process of ideas. Kind of obvious, don’t you think?

Where as Versace is trying to go for something cyber-tron, BMX’ish, Louis Vuitton is going for the classic, masculine tweed-collection. They say opposites attract… Well, in this case, both do!

Versace

Is this what you think of, when you hear the words cyber-tron and BMX’ish?

Or this maybe? Well, I think the coat is clean and crisp, but this isn’t a cyber-tron BMX’ish coat…

Well done! This is cyber-tron, BMX’ish for sure!

Okay, so here’s three examples on pieces done by Versace, in cyber-tron, BMX’ish style. Do you think they succeeded in the process of going from ideas to reality?

Louis Vuitton

It’s just my first image, and to me, they already succeeded. Well done! This is classic, masculine, tweed’ish… And better yet, LOVABLE!

Okay, so what have we got here. Nice sweater, love the gloves, love the shoes, and they pants look really nice. Not to mention the bag! I LVoe that color and leather. This is texture, wouldn’t you agree Anna?

Good going! I don’t think I need to say anything on this. Texture, lovely colors, nice fits.

Okay, so I’ve given you the Versace and Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 collections. Both had a vision and ideas, but I don’t think both managed to go from ideas to reality. Even though I loved the Versace collection, this was a “vs”, and Louis Vuitton obviously won on my side. What do you think? Do you disagree?