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)

You're Killin' Me Smalls

The rest of the world decided to catch up with me on the whole red/white/blue front - about time guys, don't you know America looks good on everyone? (slightly kidding...)

TopShop is always the worst thing for me. It's conceivably affordable, but not so much for those of us with, ah... meager funds. I want everything and can maybe splurge on one thing.

They're tugging especially hard at my heartstrings right now with these phenomenal pants below. I absolutely need them. I can barely afford to eat, but these must enter my closet.

also coveting: baller baseball jacket

rings rings rings. always.

Upon further investigation, I unearthed these gems on Urban. Why am I so poor...

although, this does look a liiiittle too copycat on Proenza Schouler's PS1 for me... am I right?

Tweet of the Day

bryanboy: A baby unicorn dies in her sleep every time an article about Kate Middleton's wedding dress pops up.

for realz. overexposure at its worst.

gimme gimme more

Figurine jewelry is my absolute weakness.

animals, mermaids, RINGS... I burn, I pine.

by Anomaly, at Plum NYC

by Flotsam and Jetsam, at Plum NYC

This may be my favorite. It's called RockAngel

and makes me think of an old Cartoon Network show, or Metalocalypse.

by Verameat, via FadMashion

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

Stone Cold Fox

W stylist Alex White recently started her own blog, Alex White Edits, where she posts snapshots from her styling sessions and photos of favorite looks with handwritten comments. It's fun, but even better it gives things like behind-the-scenes sneek peeks from editorials: check this glitzy one of Lara Stone, shot by Craig McDean

White's Polaroids

The actual shots by McDean

t be honest, I think I like White's better than the refined McDean ones. They have a noir feel, darker and less contrived. But maybe that's just my nostalgia for Polaroid...