Ultimate shoe-gasm

Cher Monsieur Saint Laurent, I think I just died and went to heaven. And regarding the price tags? A girl can dream. Then again, a little extrinsic motivation never hurt anyone. "When I'm baller..."

Patent Leather Stingray Tribute, $995

Palais Peep-Toe, $780

Tribute, $760

Deauville Strappy Wedge, $695

Python Tribtoo, $1,295

Divine Patent, $695

Palais Suede Fur-Trim, $880

Tribute Platform, $760

Tribute Cork, $795

Deauville Suede Wedge, $695

Deauville Wedge, $695

Woodstock Platform, $950

Python Tribute, $1,395

Tribtoo Patent Leather, $795

Palais Suede Leather, $720

Tribute Patent Leather Platform, $760

Though there still exists a void which only the nude patent and cognac leather styles could fill, I'm happy to say that after writing this post, my heart is very aesthetically pleased.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Se fiesta aquí

I know I butchered the verb tense (along with singlehandedly making up the tense and meaning completely), but as D-D-D-D-Dr. D would say, what I'm getting at is the phrase "Se habla español aquí", or "Spanish is spoken here". Clearly, I haven't studied my español since senior year of high school when I somehow managed to receive a 4 on the AP exam, but what can I say? Everything Señor has taught me since seventh grade stuck. Now, who would have thought I would be applying this knowledge to my own little fashion blog so many years later? More importantly, who would have thought I would reference two professors in one post? Creepy. Moving on.

In essence, partying happens here. Party is not a passive verb, but if you understand what I'm trying to convey, it just kind of works... similar to how "fratting" became a gerund as ubiquitous among my daily vocabulary as is the word "Calloway". Double lives, anyone? But I digress. So it's that time of year again: final exams, heinous Christmas sweaters and apparently, chasing black raspberry Belvedere with Four Loko. Christmas time is upon us, meaning New Years isn't far behind. I always like to give a nod to everyone's beloved Topshop during the holidays because it's a brand which exudes such sparkle year-round. In short, if the holidays were rolled up into a sole apparel brand, Topshop would be it. This year's NYE selections highlight texture, movement and simplicity-- three of my favorite concepts for sure. Last year, I was about vintage (thanks, Mom) mixed with fast fashion basics; now, I'm intrigued by understated pieces that can be played up by meticulous details and loud-in-a-good-way accessories.

Limited Edition Twist Dress, $340

Chainmail Vest Dress, $370

One Shoulder Drape Dress, $110

Slinky Cape Sleeve Tie Waist Dress, $80

Iconic Heavy Beaded Dress, $270

One Shoulder Suede Dress, $310

Chain Back Bodycon Dress, $100

It actually pains me how distracted I am right now, so commentary will come later.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

City sart

I was speechless (a bit melodramatic, oopsies) when I noticed The Sartorialist's "On the Street..." shot from Friday. I can't say I've ever missed New York City even a bit more than I have in the past few weeks. With endless assignments dealing with feasibility regions to maximize profit and Excel spreadsheets of material purchase budgets, my longing for catching "Home Sweet Home" in cab commercials (what was it even for, BofA or something?) and skill for weaving around inert Midtown tourists has gradually swelled to a point of no return. Sigh.

"On The Street....Greene St., New York"

3 December 2010

This photo captures so many choice words to depict the city: fresh, lively, extraordinary, inspirational, rejuvenating, exhilarating... just good for the soul. There's really nowhere in the world that makes me happier (fratting with the best friends anyone could ever ask for comes in a close second, though-- aww). Though my worlds intersect at some unclear divide, there are elements of both in who I am at school, and this photo serves as all-encompassing inspiration for this development.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Redefining classic

As a 16-year-old, I was a pretty smart cookie. Besides managing to sneak out to New York City every single weekend (as well as getting home in time for dinner Sunday night and being bright-eyed and polished for class the next morning), I just knew Aimee Cho was onto something with her line, Gryphon. I first stumbled upon the genius collection of trenchcoats while browsing a Bloomindale's mailer and fell in love with the crisp, clean lines, the top-quality fabric and the entire idea of totally reinventing the trench. What a reformed concept-- borrowing a brute soldier's staple item, tweaking and upgrading it a bit, and turning it into a young lady's very own fashion statement.

Now, if only their models weren't so incredibly lame. Frankly, with some of these ridiculous poses, they'd be better suited baking a pie for the new neighbors than doing these pieces justice. Just saying.

Wince-inducing models aside, Gryphon is a now household name among those who appreciate the best of the best. Practical, sophisticated and fun, a Gryphon trench multitasks with ease. Capitalizing upon unexpected detail and playful touches, Gryphon does a fabulous job of keeping our interest and remind us the importance of a structured (oh, and useful) piece of outerwear, as well as branching out to other categories... I want just about every pair of sequined shorts they've designed, nbd. I'm so excited for the day I can finally add the perfect Gryphon trench to my wardrobe. It's been a long time coming, and as much as I knew Cho would eventually make it big with her line, obviously part of me wanted it to remain my little secret. Yes, story of my life. But who ever said selfish was all that bad?

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Asian fusion

So I haven't seen Tarantino's "Kill Bill", but I will never forget when the Tower Hill lunch ladies told me how much I resembled Gogo Yubari, the baby-faced little killer in plaid mini. So. Asian. That aside, I find it striking how many comparisons have been drawn over the past week between the cult film and Vera Wang's Spring 2011 line. Though Wang is Chinese, I've never once noticed an overtly cultural vibe in her pieces. It seems this collection gives a nod to her heritage in ways nobody would ever imagine. Instead of channeling the more-expected 1940's-era Hollywood glamour à la vintage Shanghai ad models (think Westernized cheongsams, immaculate finger curls for the glossiest of black hair, and blood-red matte lipstick), Wang opted for the path less traveled, highlighting ethnic pieces like "Obi belts, Chinese wrap peasant pants, kimono blouses [and] Geisha gal dresses"... interesting to say the least. And I don't mean this in a good way. I mean this in a great way.

 

Referring to her program notes, this "fusion of East meets West" allowed Wang to play up the drama while maintaining her signature ever-so-romantic style. Besides the occasional citrus tones of silky tangerine and butterscotch, the pieces were rather dark for a spring collection. How could the immensely talented woman responsible for designing some of the world's most elegant bridal pieces also be the creative genius behind these avant-garde looks just bursting with attitude? Now as cliché and blissfully ignorant as this sounds (honestly, this is something a true WP-trying-not-to-be-a-WP would say), I could fully sense an alignment between her use of shiny floral-printed satins and the costumes I envision when reading Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha. The same goes for the drapey silk top paired with that iconic red skirt. Brilliant, and pushing the boundaries for anything and everything that would be expected from her.

The light falls just perfectly on the interplay of fabrics Wang chose to combine throughout the show-- a palette comprised of silks, satins and sheers. I'm a huge fan of the models' voluminous, airy hairstyles comparable to the mod beehives of the sixties. Love it. In short, Vera Wang proved her ability to add yet another dimension to her design experience already bursting at the seams (seriously, no pun intended): a master of channeling and executing inspiration to create a truly successful finished product and final presentation.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.