Canvas: Jonathan Saunders for Target
September 25, 2008
Coming October 5th!
The Sad End of Mayle
September 5, 2008
I can’t help but feel that Jane Mayle had created an aesthetic that became so copied, that has become so absorbed into fashion culture that her influence is all over the place. The designers working on Top Shop’s Kate Moss line can churn out seemingly endless tat with that ‘Kate’ feel. In reality what they’re producing, and what woman are unknowingly flocking to buy, is that Mayle look.
the dapper spotlight
July 13, 2008
Mr Sam Cooke (1931 - 1964). Singer, songwriter, founding father of soul, businessman, civil rights activist and one hell of a dapper guy.
Just observe that pant length up top, the shoes, the pushed up sleeves, that perfectly chosen pinky ring (centre). There’s a reason I didn’t include any tuxedo or blazer shots here. Don’t get me wrong, the man could wear the shit out of a suit, but he sure did put his casual wear together with a sharpness few could muster.
…..the face doesn’t hurt. I’m just saying.
a goldy reign
July 10, 2008
I own and use very little make up, and I have a rule about make up: I only buy Chanel. This isn’t about elitism or snobbery, it’s about simplicity and quality. After all, the stuff goes on your face. When I was twenty four I purchased a tiny Chanel collection: one Quadra eye shadow, one blush and one mascara. Three years later I’m still using these originals. Last year I added a face powder to the palette, and more recently, Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Bleu Cèlestes and Le Vernis nail polish in Blue Satin. The entirety of my make up box.
About a month ago when a couple of shots of Chanel’s Fall 08 collection started circulating, I wasn’t overly interested, it all looked a bit orange in the previews. But on closer inspection, and in better lit photos the collection, titled Golden Child, is rather beautiful and features one particularly worthy investment.
Chanel lacquers have been causing near riots in recent years and this season’s Gold Fiction is tipped to sell like, well, new Chanel nail polish. Whilst it’s not for me personally, it is a terrific opaque gold; a cool, calm and collected nail colour for sultry and dusky fall evenings.
What really piques my interest though is Gold Fever, the Facette’s D’Or Highlighter. Carefully applied, this fine gold powder will catch the sun, and bring it’s illumination to the curve of the cheek. If only used when it’s meant to be, on very warm days, Fever is an excellent investment, especially if you live in a hot climate.
Gold Fever is a no-brainer but buying the Reflects d’Obre Les 4 Ombres Quadra is something I can’t logically justify, already owning two Quadra sets. But I really, really like it.
Come on now, you know you can see it. An eyelid made up with gold and teal…an autumnal floral…a pair of cotton day gloves….fall leaves on the trees….
Also, the palette perfectly suits my eye colour/s: one blue and one green. True story.
Other notables from the collection for me run to Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour in Enthusiast
Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Rose Blush and And Le Vernis Nail Colour in Kaleidoscope:
a darker side of free people
July 9, 2008
I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve been drawn to Free People since coming across them online about a year ago. I’m no dupe. Like a casual date, I know that beneath the pretty shell sitting opposite me there’s a hollow void, but I still accept an invitation to drinks every now and then. Whilst the cheesecloth pseudo hippie ethic of Free People doesn’t normally appeal to me, I do like some of their product, there are the kind of pieces there that, when paired with simpler, more polished elements, would make for unique layers and handy basics. I do not enjoy many of the ‘raw’ elements; lazy seams and dangly things connotate clothes imported on the cheap from sweatshops and sold at flea markets and fairs. Except that these ones are more expensive and marketed to free-beautiful-hippie granola yoga girls who, despite their deep spirituality, still need to look pretty on the outside and buy lots of clothes.
I mean, let’s face facts, Free People isn’t a independantly minded boutique catering to a intelligent shopper looking for something she feels like her spiritual, hippie self in, who doesn’t want to step out in chain store threads looking and feeling like Jane Doe. It’s parent company is Urban Outfitters and it operates the same way, by sniffing out mini-trends, and marketing them to young women at a rapid fire pace and inflated price. Not that I have a problem with that, let’s just not kid outselves about what we’re buying.
All that being said, I am enjoying a darker look for Free People for their July catalogue. They seem to put out a brand new catalogue almost every month with a new theme. Catering to the oh so fickle attention span of today’s shopper is their expansion plan, I guess. I recently read that the operation has infiltrated the UK with much success. Anyway, I am enjoying the dark, wintry, almost Gothic palette they’ve turned to. For the next four weeks. I dare say it will be whisked away next month before the girls get bored of it.
sleeping beauty
January 20, 2008
I recenly acquired Chanel’s Blue Satin nail polish and Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Bleu Cèlestes from the house’s Spring 08 collection, enticingly named Aurora Blues. Which name reminds me of this person:
… which can only work in it’s favour. And who knows, perhaps it’s supposed to? Maybe some sneaky marketing mice have sniffed out the sad fact that girls of mon âge have an intense desire to self-identify (word?) with Princess Aurora aka Disney’s incarnation of Sleeping Beauty.*
I know I do, dammit. Anyway, the collection is le boss:
There has been an awful lot of hoopla re Blue Satin but Rose Satin also has a lot going for it, as does Azure, especially as a top coat to Bluey. Shiny.
May have something to do with Blue Satin being modeled by this person:
Natalia Vodianova here really is quite special, as always.
…Shall we watch a little clip about the lovely Natalia? Yes, let’s.
* Yes, yes, I am aware of the actual manifold meanings of Aurora
chloe sevigny for opening ceremony
November 25, 2007
chloë sevigny for opening ceremony
November 8, 2007
The outfits are terribly styled but I am very interested in these pieces. Underneath the horrific accessories and immature pairings are some very well designed, chic basics. Like Ms Sevigny herself I do so like a Liberty print when used well. I do so hate those striped tights. Those two in the top right hand corner look rather like Anna Sui styled them on a particularly off day. Heaven forfend. I was tempted to photoshop them out but I like the actual pieces so much.
costume design
September 23, 2007
John Malkovitch as Vicomte de Valmont in Dangerous Liaisons 1988. Costume design by James Acheson.
