One Day Without Shoes

Shoes are one of those things that we lust after, need to go with that perfect dress, make us feel like a different person but in the long run are not something that we think very much about.  Yes we think about that pair of Jimmy Choos and what they can do for our legs but do we ever think about what a shoe really is.  There are thousands if not millions of people in the world who cannot afford to even own one pair of shoes yet alone a $700 pair.  Yesterday was One Day Without Shoes, a movement to make people understand the need that there is for shoes, such a simple thing for people all over the world.  I think we should take the lesson from this day and think about what we can do to help other people, even in the littlest of ways.  Clothing lovers that we all are that does not mean we cannot think and care about others.  That we ignore those in need in favor of debating whether or not Zara copied Prada boggles my mind.  Fashion isn't forever but the people around us and the legacy we leave are.

-Kiersten

OSCARS!!!

 We have all had a few days to digest the sartorial onslaught of fashion that occurred on Sunday so now lets discuss.  I have my picks for best dressed but I would love to hear everyone's!  My top three are without a doubt Mila Kunis in Elie Saab, Cate Blanchett in Givenchy, and Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa.  While the majority of the attendees wore gorgeous dresses these three were for me a wonderful combination of what the Oscars should be; glamour, fun, and looking the best you ever have.
-Kiersten

Galliano Fired

Galliano as the Red Queen in Vogue

For a few days news has been circulating that John Galliano's position at Dior may be in trouble due to some rather incendiary remarks he made recently.  Aside from the racist nature of what he said and that it is undoubtedly terrible what I wonder is how this will affect the company.  Galliano has been at the helm of Dior for years now reshaping and revitalizing on the the most prestigious names in couture.  His designs have been worn by hundreds of stars, including Nicole Kidman at the latest Oscars.  Who will step in? What direction will Dior go now?
-Kiersten

Costume and Fashion

I was just reading the Fashion and Style section of nytimes.com and came across this great review of a show being put on at the New York Public Library.  It is all costumes from various stage and film productions many of them designed by well known designers. 

artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com

-Kiersten

Cosmic Love

Fashion and music collide worlds time and time again. Lately, my musical inspiration, as well as my fashion inspiration has been Florence and the Machine. Her sense of style is rocker-chic with a flashy, sophisticated edge. The combination of her uplifting, sentimental music and her out-of-this world style had not only inspired me day-to-day, but also for the Spring Fashion Show. All I will give away is that the basis for my inspiration is fairy-tales about the Moon.


That is almost what Florence seems to be.

-Bithy

New Favorite

While shopping online recently I stumbled upon a designer that I quickly fell in love with. Rachel Gilbert's dresses are fresh and sophisticated. The sumptuous detail makes one stop and stare yet they never feel overdone. Glamorous, romantic, and fun Rachel Gilbert is one designer I hope to see much more of in the coming years.
-Kiersten

A very interesting fashion blog! (from Paula)

http://www.fashionprojects.org/

Eco Fashion from FIT

Paula

ADPosh

 Jessica and me at her ADPi Sorority Formals. We decided to shake things up a bit with a hard edge: teased hair, zippers, bold prints, and all black...not to mention Jess's bold trousers. 

-Bithy

Jess gettin' down

                                                    

Ethan was there too, looking chic as usual!

"Sweet" Shoes

                                                            Chewing gum heel, Kobi Levi

                                                        

                                                            Peacock Sandal, Pierre Hardy

Parisian Scandal?

    The recent announcement of the departure of French Vogue's editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld as left a many fashion lovers slightly puzzled.  French Vogue has grown in prestige and has championed a strictly European style.  Other publications have been criticized for just following in American Vogue and Anna Wintour's footsteps but French Vogue has created a sleek sensual style that epitomizes the sophisticated Parisian style we all so idolize.  This past year though several scandals have erupted around this publication one involving the use of blackface with several well known models.  There was also the huge falling out that left Balenciaga refusing to allow further use of their product by the magazine.

      It was initially reported that Carine chose to retire from her tenure and to pursue other career options or just to live her life.  Though Conde Nast and Carine have both stated it was her decision to leave there have been whispers that she was ousted due to some of the above scandals.  Though this is of course idle gossip what we can see is that there is yet another shake-up in the fashion industry on its way.  Who will replace Carine? In what direction will the magazine go? Will the influence of American Vogue find its way to France?

Fashion Shake Up

Though we tend to focus on fashion, what inspires us, the designers etc, recent upheaval in the fashion world has gotten my attention in the extreme.  LVMH has been slowly buying up stocks in Hermes over the past few months leaving some to wonder as to what Bernard Arnault is up to.  Though the CEO has openly denied wishing to plan a take over of the family run company his most recent acquisition of more stocks is troubling.  Initially acquiring 17.1 % of the shares it has now been upped to 20.1%.   The Hermes family which currently owns 70-73% of the stock is in a position to do some serious damage control and block Arnault from acquiring more but there is still another 10% of public non-family owned stock up for the taking. If Arnault continues to buy up the stock his promises of not taking over Hermes and putting it under the LVMH name will in my opinion become suspect.  The Hermes family will most likely close ranks and put all of their stocks in one larger fund so that no one singular member can discretely sell their stock.  Only time will tell what will happen with this drama but with two juggernauts of the fashion world squaring off against one another I am not sure it will end well for anyone.  

-Kiersten

Amazing

My love affair with ruffs continues!

Dark Flight

I have been interested in the dark side of fairy tales and then putting a modern twist on my designs. When researching some tales and stumbled upon these feather ruffs, and we all know how much I love ruffs!

Through the Woods

While looking for inspiration for my own designs for the fashion show I stumbled across Sophie Theallet's Fall 2010 collection.  It was whimsical and bohemian with a hint of gypsy magic enhanced by the combination of velvet and silk.  The collection gave me images of Hansel and Gretel and Goldilocks wandering through the woods searching for their happy ending.  Here are a few highlights of the designs but I strongly encourage you all to look over the whole collection at Style.com. 
-Kiersten

Mmm mmm fashionable

We see a lot of fashion made out of non-fabric materials. But fresh produce? Hmmm. Or should I say mmm...

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/edible-dresses-2420301/#photoViewer=13

-Bithy

Modern Day Fairy Tale

Who ever said fairy tales had to have witches and princesses.  Dior's new video for Lady Dior is both fantastical, sexy, and modern.  Watch Marion Cotillard steam up the screen in this video inspired by John Galliano.

Click the link below to view the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCd01OEaOC0


-Kiersten

Fairly Fashionable

Calling all Fashionistas and aspiring designers!!

Culture Couture's annual Spring Fashion Show is coming up which means we need designs.  This years theme is Fairy Tales.  So think back to your favorite childhood stories and show us what you can do!!

Romeo and Juliet

Designs will be due after winter break so take this time to come up with flights of fancy. 

CC Love,
   Kiersten

Fashion Night Out

courtesy of Amy Luo

Although this amazing event happened what seems like eons ago,  how many runway shows have happened since I'm just finding some amazing candid shots from the night.  This is from my friend Amy Luo whose personal style I adore.  This guy is rocking McQueen, Prada, and wonderfully dark nail polish.  To quote Rachael Zoe "I died".  Personally I'm obsessed with the jacket, what girl doesn't love sparkles, but also the way he is wearing it is so simple yet different.  I would love to know what shoes he was wearing but oh well, I think from the knees up he is superb. 
-Kiersten

O.C.; Outlandish Chloe for Opening Ceremony

Chloe Sevigny is not only the "it" indie actress or the crazy Nicky in Big Love, but she is a style icon. In her line for Opening Ceremony, she shows that she knows a thing or two about style. While her style may be a little outlandish for some, I find her style to be just outlandish enough. And, I mean, when you can make 90s style look good, then you must know what you're doing....

The Great Gatsby

I don't know if many of you have heard but Hollywood is getting ready to spew out yet another remake of a classic.  Yet this time around I am not so much  filled with horror but instead I am almost giddy with excitement.  For the movie that will be getting made is The Great Gatsby.   Supposedly Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan are already attached to the project, but what makes me giddy with excitement is the clothing.  Set in the golden age of flappers and bootleggers the fashion of the 20's can make a girl go mad with envy. 
-Kiersten

Shattered Pieces

My friend recently sent me a link where I saw this amazing dress.  It is from what I can tell made of smashed bits of china.  This for me is one of my favorite things, when fashion and art combine and create something amazing.

-Kiersten

Same DNA totally different species

After watching Claire Danes glide down the red carpet this past week and learning she was sparkling in Armani Prive I remembered another celebrity who also made waves with the design house.  Lady Gaga wore the same designer to the 2010 Grammys.  Clearly the two women have immensely different styles and aesthetics.  This though is what I love about fashion.  These are two totally different women who can both not only wear but revel in this amazing designer.  The dresses are at first glance totally different but when you really look you can see the that clearly they are related...linked in a way to an ideal, one of glamour, luxury, refinement, and also blatant confidence.

-Kiersten

Emmy Envy

Claire Danes in Armani Prive

Anna Paquin in Alexander McQueen

January Jones in Atelier Versace

I love awards show.  Plain and simple.  Women in gorgeous gowns, men in tuxes, and the inevitable fashion faux pas.  Personally I was wowed by the dresses shown this year at the Emmys.  Claire Danes tapped into my inner princess and showed up in a dazzling strapless Armani Prive gown, Anna Paquin showed off Alexander McQueen, and January Jones made waves in her blue Atelier Versace.  Some are being considered hits others questionable misses but I think we can all agree the Emmy's inspired some major dress envy.

-Kiersten

The Eyes Have It

Although we mostly focus on the clothing side of things here I thought we could discuss beauty and make up.  I happen to be a bit of a makeup junkie, a new lipgloss or eyeshadow has been known to put me in a great mood.  MAC, Chanel, Dior all proliferate my dressing table.

In Silver

Recently in W magazine I saw a fantastic photoshoot with amazing clothing, but what struck me was the gorgeous makeup.  Shimmering white and flawless eyeshadow, my first thought was how great it would look with all the new fall clothes.  The eyeshadow was from Dior and part of the 1-Colour Ultra-Smoothing High Impact Eyeshadow collection in Crystal White.  I also made a recent field trip to the Chanel counter and found myself becoming obsessed with the color purple.  Chanel's Ombre Contraste Duo in  Misty/Soft with Inimitable Intense mascara in Rouge Noir made the perfect fall smoky eye.  Not too dark and just different enough from what we have become used to seeing around, I didn't know what had hit me.  As an added bonus the mascara makes your eyelashes look twice as long and make your eyes pop beyond belief.  So  have fun trying new colors and shades to coincide with the changing of the leaves.


-Kiersten

In Lust

Isabel Marant Poppy Suede Pumps

Every now and again I come across an item of clothing that makes me stop and stare.  This happens far more often than I am willing to admit but when it does it is always magical.  The recent item I am lusting after is a pair of heels from Isabel Marant.  Black, suede, pointy toe, mid heel....perfectly porportioned magic!  I'm thinking for the fall they may be the perfect accessory.

-Kiersten

What Women Want

Louis Vuitton RTW Fall 2010

After years of watching rather skeletal girls walk down the runway and dominate print ads we are finally seeing a revival of the hourglass.  Models and actresses are finally embracing their curves.  Crystal Renn and Christina Hendricks are being lauded by the media for showing a healthy beautiful figure.  Louis Vouitton's recent ads show three models in deliciously fifties dresses hugging their curves.  This embrace of a fuller figure has coincided with the recent obsession of Mad Men and the fifties/sixties.  A time of wonderful decadence and escapism we are seeing a resurgence of this mentality in the latest fashion trends for the fall. Cinched waists, sweet ruffles, and a focus on the bust show both our fascination with our past and women's reclamation of their bodies.  Prada and Louis Vouitton's latest shows could potentially be labeled "What Women Want", and indeed I know the new silhouette is one I want to stay with us for more than one season.

Prada RTW Fall 2010

   -Kiersten

Russian Revelry

Chanel's latest couture collection for Fall 2010 is a definite change from the iceberg runway that we saw in spring.  This collection has a darker more structural feel to it, reminiscent of the military.  This is off-set though by the embroidery and embellishments from fur to jewels that give the collection the luxe feel that has become synonymous with Chanel.  You can also see a Russian fairy-tale quality to the clothes that contrasts nicely to the sometimes severe proportions.   The girlish make-up and wind-blown hair are in contrast to the restrained luxury of the collection but are a nice touch and keep it grounded in the dream-world Lagerfeld has so aptly created at Chanel.

-Kiersten

Flowers in the Fall

Christian Dior just showed their couture collection in Paris and it is breathtaking.  Taking a cue from the gardens of Versailles John Galliano presented his Fall 2010 collection to acclaim.  A mix of the whimsical and divine Dior is perhaps one of the last true couturiers.   Galliano transforms these outfits from flowers to creations and shows us what one's imagination can do.  Inspired by the original Christian Dior's tulip line, this collection breathes a new air into the dying art of couture.

Sex and the City 2 Desert Fashion!

So I dont know about you guys but even though its summer the SATC2 movie totally inspired me to post this gorgeous Halston dress Carrie wears at the beginning of the movie. Its so cute, and I love the color and "flowiness" of the dress. A lot of the shiny, flowy desert fashion shown in the movie is PERFECT for summer, without being too revealing. I loved it.

The dress also reminded me of a look I have been seeing a lot, the cropped tee. Since the dress almost looks like 2 parts, it reminded me of the cropped tee which I have seen on Audrina Patridge a lot and in magazines. Its cute sometimes, but I dont know how I really feel about it. What do you guys think?

Anyways,
Have a fabulous summer!
-Callie

AF

Designer Ariel rocking a denim shirt + leather jacket and sketches for her lion design, cannot wait to see what she comes up with next year!

-Henna