Best of the Met Gala '11

Last night was the premier of the Costume Institue's 2011 Met exhibit, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. It has been a life goal of mine since I was a wee one to attend this event and each year I get a little sadder when my invitation becomes.. ahh, lost in the mail... (?). I pined when watching 2007's Superheros footage, I fell into depression when I of the Americana missed the 'American Women' last year... but last nights was possibly the most unbearable. Alexander McQueen was one of the first designers I began to truly love and recognize beyond uber name brands when I started really delving into fashion. I remember reading a early 2006Vogue and seeing this amazing black military-style jacket with elaborate gold trim - I promptly went out and used most of my meager high school funds to buy a similarly cut grey Ben Sherman jacket that I still have to this day. He was a visionary unmatched, one who, with all his dark idiosyncracies, could weave a fantasy creation of most any material that reminded us all why we fell in love with fashion - real, passionate, romantic, throw-yourself-in-body-and-soul fashion - in the first place.

From the previews I've glimpsed, the exhibit looks to be everything you could hope for. I'll be heading out the day it opens, this coming Wednesday, but I'm sure it won't be the only time I see it.

As for the Gala, the sartorial set turned out in all their glory to celebrate the person that was, for many, a dear friend and peer. Though this is traditionally one of the fashion year's biggest events, this time it was not just a theme, but a homage, and even those who were not wearing McQueen's designs were referencing him in breathtaking gowns by Chanel, Stella McCartney, and Rodarte. Below, some of the finest.

Daphne Guinness, Hamish Bowles, Hilary Rhoda (personal favorite - nothing like a great suit set) and ADR in Alexander McQueen

sister acts: Ashley Olsen in vintage Dior; MK Olsen in vintage Givenchy; Elle & Dakota Fanning in Valentino

Rihanna, Haylee Steinfeld, and Iman in Stella McCartney

Janelle Monae and Freida Pinto in Chanel; Saoirse Ronan in Rodarte (those SHOES! all I need, silvery sparkled Mary-Janes)

Foxy Lady

The girls at Wildfox consistently produce the kind of fun, flirty promotional videos that make you want to be the girls in them – everyone’s laughing and usually jumping on beds in comfy socks and the signature lounge-worthy knitwear. This season, the theme is Vive La France and the result is a glorious lovechild of Marie Antoinette and Risky Business. Teen queens in pearls and underwear cavort through a palace having what appears to be the most fashionable sleepover ever. Designers Kimberley Gordon and Emily Faulstich, who styled and storyboarded the short themselves, created quite a comprehensive display of their collection using different parts of the grounds; they even replicated that tables of sweets from the Sophia Coppola movie that always make me drool. The clothes are delicate but slightly mussed – there are ribbon-topped socks and tulle tutus, but these are paired with slouchy tanks printed with dripping, Goosebumps lettering. They have their Riviera moment, lounging poolside in sequined tanks and rakish cat-eye sunglasses, and stroll through the garden in a tailored blazers and floral print pants. There’s even a brief Moulin Rouge moment (handlebar moustaches?) that left me coveting military-syle jackets and button downs.

The dancey Devendra Bandhart soundtrack leaves the whole piece feeling like the little sister to Sophia Coppola’s original Marie Antoinette film, but there’s absolutely nothing bad about that. Beautifully styled and professionally executed, this is one of the better collection videos I’ve seen; it was entertaining but also displayed the breadth of their collection well.

walk on the wild side

new purchases! spring is a-coming. gotta gear up.

I love rings. Having a hand stacked with bands and gems is a combination b-boy and royal, and I can't get enough of it. This means I am constantly on the lookout for more, but while I like quantity I refuse (As I do with all my jewelry) to buy it from a large retailer/ chain store. Stumbling upon unique pieces is my favorite part of jewelry collecting.
I found these babies in the LES on Saturday. And yes, to answer that question, I am rather fond of fauna.


Also, I purchased this a few weeks ago but neer got around to uploading the photo. You may call it ridiculous, I call it sweet as hell. Fringed black biker-style jacket with imitation cow-hair? Yes, please. It's a little giant on me but when I saw it on etsy I absolutely could not say no.

No one can ever say I am anything less than in love with Americana

devil gonna find me, wherever I go

I'm pretty sure blues rock is the best genre of American music. Nothing has more heart than a soulful voice and real acoustics. Fuck electronica, this is the real deal right here.

2.5 months and counting til my cross-country trip. cannot. wait.

let's get old fashioned

it's Grace Coddington's 70th birthday (or was recently)!
and she's still just as fine. I met her once, at the Prada store during the first Fashion's Night Out. She signed my purse. I swooned.

young Grace, American Vogue

styled by Grace, American Vogue, Spring '11

kick one back for her, and the history of US fashion

Rihanna. Yes.

Not gonna lie, I'm marginally obsessed with Rihanna. I love that she rocks red hair, knows how to wear elaborate hats, and stays classy while sporting midriff-baring bandeau dresses and singing a song about bondage. Girl knows how to work it but isn't too self-aware, which is rare in someone of her pop-culture caliber. When rumors began to circulate a few months back that she was to cover American Vogue I was pleasantly surprised, and now that the photos have surfaced I'm downright ecstatic. The cover itself is gorgeous (the flaming locks! the transparent dress!) and the Annie Leibovitz-shot spread does not disappoint. It's typically pretty, as is the Vogue way, but her raw sensual power shines through; I love the lone shot of her wine-colored lipstick snarl. To be honest, she probably would have been a better feature for their Power issue, but Shape works well anyway, especially when she's twisted into a pretzel in a banded Leger suit. Way to go, Vogue, for finally stepping outside your Blake Lively box

all photos: Vogue.com

also, can the costume designer for this video get some type of award? So many plastic dresses. So many jewels and candies. and the colors! I could go on....

Mermaids Paradise

I'll be honest, it's rough going trying to keep updated and stayed updated during Fashion Month. Especially when you're in school and have, you know, work and things to do. Thus I've been on a small hiatus until I could take proper inventory of each city's best shows and figure out what's been going on.

There were quite a few prevalent themes - polka dots, Navajo, menswear-inspired suiting - but my absolute favorite was Mermaids, something I originally picked up from an ornate, enamel and jewel ring in W last autumn that drew memories of Polly Pocket and all her lurid, flourescent goodness. It drew memories of this Harper's Bazaar spread I ripped out about 5 years ago - cotton-candy colored pink and blue streaks in some dirty blond, wind-tousled locks.... everything you'd wat from natural hair.Harper's Bazaar, circa maybe 2007?

It was fantastic, and I've been obsessed ever since. LUCKILY, the style set seems to have followed my brain wave - there were quite a few Ariel-worthy pieces floating around.
On the runways, Marc Jacobs reigned supreme. His sequined skirts and metallic sweaters were almost unapproachable: the urban bitch of the mermaid set, the girls who could wrap you around a finger (tail?) with a power suit that was as sexy as it was innovative.

Marc Jacobs

Prada followed in the same vein with skirts and dresses that fell in waterfalls of metallic-hued scales that draw to mind aquatic Amazonian royalty.

Expanding on the aestheically elaborate, glittery sequins and metallics were just as big. Diane on Furstenberg stole my heart - her collection was among my top % of the entire fall collective- and although most of her designs centered around 70s disco-westerns, she unleashed these two fabulous gowns at the end that simply made me drool for an underwater Studio 54.Diana Von Furstenberg

Along the same vein, D&G had sequins and lurex and metallics.. everything a self-respecting expositionist would want. The stars harkened fond memories of my favorite Barbie, who had a light-sensitive dress that sparked stars in direct exposure.

Dolce and Gabbana

Personally, I cannot wait to incorporate some serious glitz into my wardrobe. And, to be honest, I''ve been considering some flossy magenta lowlights. Drastic? I don't know what that word means...

all photos: Style.com

quote of the day

"I always say that I would rather spend a week at Rikers Island or the hospital than do Fashion Week. Don't you think it's like school? It's sort of divided up into periods and it has mean girls and you go from one class to another. It's the worst,"
-Lynn Yaeger.

it's an old quote but as Fashion Week is heating up I felt it appropriate.
Not that I would ever decline a FW invite but... it's still funny.

Found this old Virginia Slims ad with the tagline "You've Come a Long Way". The Mad Men obsession in me is dissecting it. While I'm not so much into the whole ciggarette thing, I'm pretty much in love with the model and her style, whoever she is. It's such a perfect power-women concept: she's James Dean with sexier hair, and is totally eye-fucking you.

It may be for ciggs, but that doesn't make the sentiment any less true. Check us out now. Can you hear the chorus of "Man, I Feel Like A Woman" echo in the background?

Katharine Hepburn

Allison Mosshart

this ain't no rodeo cowgirl

It was almost certain that True Grit would end up being one of the year's best films - the Coen bros. rarely disappoint and a dirty revenge Western was exactly what today's tired film industry was lacking, not to mention accomplished veterans Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon on the cast list. And while I'll always rank Bridges as one of my favorite actors it was 14-yr-old newcomer Hailee Steinfeld that really blew me away in her powerful role as Maddie Ross. She's sassy and headstrong and can ride a horse as well as a Texas Ranger; Steinfeld played the role to a T and drew herself equal to her considerably more experienced co-stars. I fell in love with the forest green overcoat she wears throughout the film, secured with a wrapped leather belt and accented with a matching wide brim hat. I'm a BIG fan of hats and this one made me sincerely regret not purchasing a caballero-style one while in Spain.

A quick Google image search of the young actress yielded even more delightful surprises: Steinfeld's red carpet looks from the premiere - a silvery vintage Moschino party dress and a classic Calvin Klein sheath and a side-swept ponytail - and a feature in Blackbook magazine where she's rocking some serious Bardot waves. Exciting new talent for sure and perhaps... a future modeling career? I could see it.

See ya next year

Well 2010, it's been a real trip. But now, sad as it is, we have to part ways. I've got a new year coming up and there just isn't room for the two of you. In remembrance of our time together, here's a nice lil' review of all my favorite things you brought along.

Music
This year saw an explosion of surf rock and, being from the beach, I welcomed the change with open arms. I'm not much of a super-low-fi fan, but I did find love in Wavves King of the Beach and spent my summer repeating it through drives down the salty OC highway and drilling it into ears at every iPod-controlled party. My second love: Surfer Blood. I heard small mentions of them early in the year and begged a friend to accompany me to Market Hotel to see them in February. It was one of the years best.
Living in Spain, with a nightlife that was primarily spent in nightclubs, gave me a newfound appreciation for club music. From that sprung my love for Nicki Minaj, whose Pink Friday debut is nothing short of baller.
Lastly, there were quite a few new releases by old favs: Arcade Fire's Th Suburbs, to state the obvious; Sufjan Stevens The Age of Adz; and most recently, Girl Talk's All Day.
To sum it all up, a list in no particular order of my most reminiscent of 2010 tracks (some are not neccessarily from 2010, they just happened to be my most played this year):
1. Momma's Boy - Chromeo
2. Dog Days Are Over - Florence and the Machine
3. King of the Beach - Wavves
4. King of Spain - Tallst Man on Earth
5. Congratulations- MGMT

6. We No Speak Americano - Yolanda Be Cool

7. Cold War - Janelle Monae
8. Suburban War - Arcade Fire
9. All My Friends - LCD Soundsystem
10. Floating Vibes - Surfer Blood
11. Tell 'Em - Sleigh Bells
12. I'm the Best - Nicki Minaj
13. Sons and Daughters - The Decemberists

Fashion
I threw myself closet-first into Americana this year, as my friends will attest to having seen the great breath of my red/white/blue wardrobe. This manifested itself in two ways: a re-discovering of silver jewelry via my summer Navajo obsession, and a real appreciation for the classic American sportswear aesthetic. My top picks from this year / those that every woman should have on hand:

1. A really great blazer; My most recent fav is the creamy white one I found at Zara in Spain, although I will never forsake the classic Navy.

2. silver bangles

3. A statement ring; nothing can trump the handmade-by-gypsies silver and stone ones I bought in Granada, although this may come close...

4. Lace-up booties

5. Leopard print, in all its incarnations. But mainly, sweaters.
6. SpectatorsBlazer: Gap; ring: Etsy.com; boot: Sam Edelman; saddle shoe: Vans.

Everything Else
What did I learn this year that is worth sharing (not much) ....

- Wedged heels really are more comfortable
- Never, ever go on Etsy.com when you have money, otherwise you will very soon find yourself poor again.
- Don't shop at American Apparel
- You can never own too many pairs of socks
-Anna Dello Russo can do no wrong
- I am inferior to a 14-yr-old in many ways
- and a 9-yr-old, for that matter
- Clubbing is fun until you do it multiple times a week for 4 months straight; then it gets tired, like the arches of your feet.
- Frye boots can withstand central European blizzards

Now I anxiously await all those year-end magazine specials that I'm an absolute sucker for even though they don't really tell you anything new/ anything you couldn't read online. Whatever.

Happy New Year everyone. See you in 2k11.

surprisingly awesome

I heard this on the radio in a random store in Sevilla about 2 weeks ago and was seriously confused over it's legitimacy as a real song; apparently it's not only real but actually has an awesome video with the perfect combination of Bronx B-boy/ hipster style (I'm twitching for home). Check it out...

this beat is sick

I haven't posted anything on the new GirlTalk album, All Day, yet because I was trying to wait until I did a full album review; however, I've been so busy that there is a slight possibility that won't actually happen. So until it does (or in case it doesn't...) I figured I'd champion a single track, Jump on Stage. It's hands down my early favorite and the one you all should check out if you decide to forgo listening to the whole album (although why that would happen is beyond my comprehension, as it's completely phenomenal). The Skee-Lo throwback is almost as good as the Gaga/Iggy Pop combo at around 5mins. This is a dance-in-your-underwear, jump-around-the-living-room song that never fails to pump me up. It's the reason I love GirlTalk oh so much. Pure auditory gold my friends.

this bitch

seriously, how epic is this shot?

currently writing an essay for Spanish cine on Volver
loving the Psycho homage and the red sweater to match the blood (morbid Mickie)
not to mention, Penelope Cruz = one of my ultimate girl crushes

Although Rolling Stone magazine is mostly mainstream and lame now, and not politically explosive like it used to be, every once in awhile it throws out a little fuck-the-man gem. Case in point:

Happy America Day!
here are pictures of gourmet hotdogs to celebrate

Now go slam a Budweiser and wear some denim

This ad may be vintage, but take a look at the rounded glasses, the bold lips, and sharp collar of the patterned shirt - this woman could very well have walked off a spring '10 runway. This woman ain't no silly housewife wither; those arched, slightly critical eyebrows demand only the best, which is (presumably) why she's drinking Budweiser.

Yeah girl. You know what's up.

Just found this video of shots of New York, accompanying one of my favorite Stones songs.

Excellence

Obsessed with this song, thanks to my good friend over at Enjoy Music

Momma's Boy by Chromeo

excellent recent eBay purchases:

cat-eye sunglasses, to replace the one's I lost in Brooklyn

Live To Ride leather and denim vest
does this need an explanation?
Go America