so it begins: ss11 lookbooks

It's January, so that means it's time for Spring lookbooks to start appearing (naturally...). While the runways were all about neon-infused 70s-meets-30s, I'm still wavering more towards the classic Americana. Where last spring was tough, hard, with studs and raw edged denim, this spring is yielding both a softer palette and shape. It's the Ralph Lauren influence rather than the Balmain.
Below, a few of my favs that have surfaced. Madewell, of course, was pared-down sportswear excellence. It was hard to chose a favorite among the spectacular loose blazers, high rolled shorts, and button downs (top pieces 1, 2, and 3 of my wardrobe) in honeyed khaki and navy. Recent import ASOS was wonderful too - tons of colorful stripes and flowing maxi dresses that cause me to lament my shortness.

Wildfox Couture White Label

ASOS

Madewell

Topshop

My one departure: I'm terribly in love with Prada's vibrant swirls and stripes. Since I definitely do not have the funds to get my hands on the real deal, I'll be searching for a diffusion. And definitely some round sunglasses.

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

follow-up: Tom Ford SS11 video

As previously mentioned, Tom Ford has been slowly throwing tidbits of publicity for his womenswear collection like little treats to an obedient (and attention starved?) fanbase. The pictures of the tight-lipped show surfaced a month ago and now at long last we can see them breathe; the video, set to also-model Karen Elson's 'Pretty Babies', flashes between the recognizable struts of the modeling world's giants and backstage preparations, with flickers of Ford's own smiling handsome face as he emceed the show. Ford claims to have shied away from his 90s uber-sex vibe, but the video proves otherwise for the fashion obsessed, who are always hungry; brief enough to whet the palette but just short enough that we're right back where we started - eyes wide, hearts racing, begging for more.

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.

In with the new

It's a post-snowpocalypse wasteland here and with nothing better to do I've obviously just been slowly chipping away at my future rent money by online shopping. I usually avoid net-a-porter since I can't afford basically anything on it and it makes my heart hurt, however, it was tons of fun to peruse and construct a fantasy New Years outfit. If I would I could...

top: Stella McCartney. jacket: Balmain. skirt: A.L.C. shoes: Marc by Marc. ring: Anita Ko

idol.
Karen O

Black Swan

As any proper Rodarte fan, I've been salivating in anticipation of The Black Swan; the preliminary pictures of the costumes and sketches of the Mulleavy sisters' work were absolutely tantalizing with promises of an exquisitely dressed movie. It didn't disappoint, neither with those gorgeous feathered tutus nor with a seriously twisted plot. The disparity of the two swans - white and black, good and evil - mirrored Nina's fracturing personality beautifully. In the sweetness we saw an almost child-like girl, tucked into bed by her mother in a stuffed-animal-laden room; riding the subway quietly, hands folded, with a white fluffy scarf and baby-pink coat. Her voice is a whisper, her eyes well easily under criticism. But this facade cracks so easily, like her delicate skin under the daily punishments and anxious hackings. The latent devil emerges - blood-red eyes, angular black makeup. Bloodshed and hallucinogenic scenes aside, there was perhaps no better indication of the transformation than the pointy black feathers sprouting from her skin. It was no regal development - I cringed, watching them poke through her skin was almost painful.
Honestly, it was one of the finest films I've seen all year. The good vs. evil has been so overdone that it can easily be tired or cliche, yet here it came off fresh and, finally, realistic. The mental breakdown is raw and painfully recognizable; what better medium than the habitually demanding ballerina figure? We watch as Nina batters her body and pushes her mind to its farthest borders and succumbs to the pressure in her own literal grand finale. Haunting and poetic, fantastically styled and masterfully executed; I will be stunned if this does not receive awards come show season.