Apologies for the lack of updates over the last few days – I’ve been sick and there’s been a storm blowing! However the weather hasn’t stopped me shopping – last week I managed to pick up the most glorious 50mm lens for my camera and aptly, a rain jacket.
I picked up this gorgeous Source Jacket from the moochi store, at a bargain 1/3rd of the original price! Hurrah for sales. moochi is a new zealand label that makes understated, comfortable (for mooching yeah?) clothes that are awesome for layering. I find their colour palette father muted and classic, making their pieces are rather timeless.
Appropriately, I wore it to my recent house party – a night of music and friends entitled ‘Winter in Vermont’. It was a magnificent way to beat the storm and stay dry!
What I love the most about this anorak is the hidden drawstrings. You can cinch it in at both the waist and bottom hem for a more structured hourglass shape, or leave it super baggy floating all over your body. The glittery nylon also makes me sigh with delight. Yes, with my jacket on, I am definitely looking forward to the next bout of showers.
Like typography? Excellent, you’re in for a treat because the good folk over at I Love Typography do too! I am so happy to have found this – it’s like all the best typographic bits of ffffound put in one handy place, with commentary. Here’s two of my favourite type examples I discovered through the site:
One of my dear friends has just left the country for an extended adventure in Europe. This scene from Alice in Wonderland with the smoking pompous caterpillar reminds me of him (hee in a nice way!) – I hope that he’ll make it to Morocco or Turkey and see grand bazaars full of colourful pipes and rugs.
I also couldn’t resist the darkly beautiful animation of the clip – it’s playful and has depth that just isn’t seen in modern offerings. It makes me want to get out all the Disney classics! If animation isn’t your thing but you still love Alice, have a peep at the Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – Don’t Come Around Here No More video. A mid-eighties delight.
You may call me Bowface! I don’t know when or where it started but I have become a fiend for bows of all varieties, from those adorning shoes, to natty hair bows and masculine bowties. I have determined that it started some time shortly before before the recent post on the UK’s winsome bow and lingerie proprietor Loulou Loves You. Since then my passion his escalated and on review of the blog I’ve been dropping bows, well, everywhere – check the last few posts for Sophie Hulme’s bow jacket and Moschino’s split bow shoes!
World is a quirky New Zealand label, well known for their flamboyancy and colour. Their latest collection features bows prominently, in all manner of positions.
On that basis, I went into their deluxe store for a closer look; and found they had a whole drawer full of hand made bow ties! It was like heaven for my wee flounce loving self. I spent a good ten minutes fingering the fabrics, pondering outfit applications and more. In the end I chose this velveteen darling:
I was already wearing the gold brooch that day but I just had to try it on straight away! Ah it just shows how intoxicated I currently am with ornamental knots. Very much looking forward to wearing it with collared shirts and some tailored jackets. If you’re keen on bow ties and crafty, the LA Times has a super guide on how to make bow ties. I’m going to try it out for myself soon.
Of course bows come in wider variations that just accessories. Over at style.com they have wrapped together a few runway looks that involve the almighty bow, declaring it as an affair that will not end. Indeed. I admired the designs of (from left to right) Wunderkind, Eley Kishimoto and Lanvin.
The symmetry between the Eley Kishimoto top and tie is really lovely. With strong Japanese connections (one half of the duo) I wonder if they have been inspired by the traditional form of a kimono butterfly belt…? Or just love bows. It’s all good nonetheless.
So there you have it, the bow working hard from head to hand to toe. Timeless with the ability to look dressy or casual. Could bows be the ultimate accessory? I’d love to know your thoughts.
Sophie Hulme’s A/W collection for 2008 is based upon concealed combat and armory, which results in a sleek hard luxury look. Military tailoring is given lavish twists, such as sequins or bows. There’s no staple or foundation pieces, which I think is wonderful – everything is designed to be treasured, as (I believe) clothes should be.
Words just can’t describe my high praise for that hot sequin avalanche…! I’m way too scared to look at the price, although I do understand it may be available at Selfridges and the like. Not Just a Label delves a little deeper into Hulme’s world of covetable whistles (part of a developing jewelery line) and amazing jackets. Definitely one to watch.
I’m sure every girl has dreamed of wearing their very own ruby red slippers at some time. Impressively, Swarovski is making your dreams possible! 20 iconic designers are collaborating with the luxe crystal company and Warner Brothers to create fresh and sexy new interpretations of the slippers.
The well heeled group include: Amedeo Testoni, Abaete, Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Lisa Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, and Tuleh.
After exhibition around the States, including Art Basel Miami, the shoes will be auctioned off in support of an Aids charity in (the northern) autumn 2009.
I’m really interested to see what will be designed by L.A.M.B – the Wizard of Oz look is a key part of Gwen’s style – but it would be wonderful if she took it to the next kooky level. My favourite of the sketches above is the darling Moschinos, with the split bow (I’m all about pretty bows at the moment). However, were you to give me any of them I would be in love! What would be your pick?
Something Planned* is an apparently ‘anonymous’ designer from the US. With a heavy focus on typography and some absolutely stunning examples of letterpress, his portfolio is well worth checking out. Of particular note is his Think Beauty piece [via FFF], mixing good old street art with a different approach. Tape + a chain link fence + serifs = awesome.
Overall, a great reminder that beauty can come from very average places and things. It reminds me a little of an ambitious avant-garde dress (complete with bustle!) I once made out of caution tape.
* Fabulous name. The word something is brilliant, it speaks to the limits of imagination.
Mouche is French for ‘beauty spot’. In vogue during the 17th and 18th centuries, they were worn as a contrast to the popularly desired pale skin (which is still in vogue for moi). What makes them particularly intriguing is the significance of where one placed a spot on one’s wee face. For example, scandals could be created by placing on close to the lips – a sign the wearer is open for wild flirtation. A saucy mouche placed close to the eyes was a symbol of passion!
François Boucher: Une Dame à sa Toilette/A Lady applying a Beauty-spot
“Shapes, position, meanings and and names changed with fashion over the century, but the temple and décolleté remained favourite throughout. Possible shapes – growing more extravagant as the century progressed – preferably had frivolous associations, such as hearts and cupids, and could – according to rumour – be as eccentric as a carriage with four horses.” – From a glossary of 18th century dress terms.
This is fantastic, I hear you say, but this is the 21st century? Yes, well, while the mouche was traditionally made of black superfine silk, today it has been turned upside down and metamorphosed into something radical. Responsible for this is one Ms. Sabrina Dehoff! [via DailyCandy]. Using 24 karat gold, she has created a dashing series of accessories.
Her shapes include the Heart, Bow, Diamond, Point, Spade, Lips, Dove, Gun, Cat, Ghost, Catmask, Bunnymask. Masks? Yes please! There are also earring versions of the shapes available if you are a bit nervous about having a gun on your face… I understand you can acquire one (or three or five!) by emailing Sabrina, but whispers of an online ordering system are abound. While I can’t wait to try them out, maybe to send a flirtatious signal or two, is this an accessory you would ever wear? I’d love to know whether it’s just me or could this be the start of a renaissance?
Another quirkly happy musical extravaganza from Sweden. Lykke Li’s I’m Good I’m Gone is an adorable ode to believing in oneself and hard work to earn some butter for your bun; illustrated by stop motion punching grannies and muscle-women. It makes me feel so good to listen to her album, ‘Youth Novels’, and the Bauhaus style collages on her website are pretty sweet as well. Smiles guaranteed.
My daily outfit: I love my Huffer skeleton gloves and they definitely get a lot of comments when I’m out and about! This outfit is an odd combination of a few of my favourite pieces. The dress is by Skylark and was originally bought to wear to my 21st birthday party. The leather jacket (not real cow though!) is a brand new addition to my wardrobe but has been around for a while – circa 1970’s. I bought it in a wee town called Te Aroha in the Waikato, at a really fabulous retro store. Definitely worth a look there if you are ever passing through!
Every city in the world has ‘dress-shops’ but in Sweden, it has been taken to another level. Filippa K have launched a unique branded secondhand store in Stockholm, which will allow customers to sell their used Filippa K pieces on commission. Sold alongside the secondhand items will be samples and a vintage jewelry collection, encouraging more traffic. It’s such a sustainable, fantastic idea!
Resulting in a win-win situation for the consumers, clothing purveyors (the sellers of the used fashion) and the designers. It completely bypasses some of the pain of selling, everyone know what they’re in for.
This could work really well for other labels too, like Starfish from Wellington, New Zealand who are already very progressive in sourcing materials and manufacturing. I’ve seen ‘vintage’ sections in Karen Walker’s stores, Australian chain Sportsgirl and I imagine TopShop has something similar; but this is a firm commitment to re-defining the life cycle for clothes!
I love Justice and the mere idea of a collaboration between them and French wunder-creatives Surface To Air makes me very excited!
Yep it’s reality, it’s out and together they’re produced a collection of jeans and sassy, unisex leather jackets. I like them very much, especially the ‘Blue’ denim (which reads “Justice For All” on the waistband) and the belted Gaspard jacket.
It’s a pity (or rather, a good thing for my wallet!) there’s no ‘Stress‘ style bomber jackets have been produced otherwise I’d be there – regardless of a 800€ price tag. If you’re a member of the nouveau riche please consider buying something from the collection, just so I know what it’s like – at the Surface to Air online store. Très bien!
Hot stuff! I’m loving these thermo sensitive t-shirts from American Apparel. I can’t remember where I first saw them, but further investigation led me to Notcot’s post on the style. Notcot are far more on to it than I, finding Anzevino & Florence’s range of hyper clothes. I did however remember the MoMA Store’s crazy Japanese made scarves! Pretty cool huh?
Apart from all the touchy-feely opportunities these shirts offer (“I don’t believe you, let me test it by touching your chest young man!”), all these ‘rediscovered’ inks offer up a chance to be graphically creative. UV ink is another kind making a come back, as shown by this neat Threadless shirt, Mount Pocono. When you’re frolicking in the sunshine, it shows the ski runs… and when you’re inside – nope, nada. You’re off-piste, folks.
My daily outfit: I feel so co-ordinated today! I’m wearing my new Crystal Castles T-shirt, bought from their myspace. Check out their self titled album, it’s fun to thrash to. Accompanying the shirt is some faux pearls (chosen for the correlating shapes) & a snug black cardigan. It’s cold out!
And obivously the geeky part of my outfit – my matching chucks and Macbook! I was lucky enough to come to work one day and find the perspex cover on my desk, in one of my favourite colours. Oh yes!
