geometricsleep.

The New Boy

2012-02-08T23:16:00.003-05:00

I know the Fall 2012 shows started today but I'm not done talking about what I wanna talk about that's happened before so that's the way it's going to stay. I used to be very strict about order and hierarchy or whatever, but this is basically a free-for-all right now, so let's talk about this most important sweater from the Band of Outsiders pre-fall collection. I find myself saying that a lot lately; "important sweaters", and I think it means that I am addicted to knits. I like them chunky and oversized and I definitely like the with stuff written on them. Stuff like, Boy. in serifs. With a period after it, and god knows I love periods after things.

My favorite thing about it though, it's how it's a sorta classy nod to the BOY LONDON tees that were everywhere back in the day and have been popping up lately on the bodies of the cool kids that wear all black and look like girls who like boys who do boys like they're girls and what not.
(always should be someone you really love)

Now THIS is an expensive sweater probz worth the heartache. Come to me!

Sunday Jam: 3 songs for right now. always. forever.

2012-02-05T10:05:00.003-05:00

Azealia Banks : 212

Zebra Katz : Ima Read

Robyn : Don't Fucking Tell Me What To Do

These are the three songs playing on my ipod, on repeat, on my way to and from work, out to dinner or dancing or whatever. Basically they are the soundtrack to my "walking around life". I don't know if this playlist will grow to have more songs, the mood is so specific and fuck you-ish that I don't know if I even own any other songs that can go on this. I mean, it's not about a specific "fuck you" to a guy or society or whatever, just a general "ugh I'm fucking tired of all this shit", so my default Fiona/Hole etc shit doesn't belong. But that's ok. I have a tendency to listen to things on repeat over and over again, repetition is comforting, it helps put me in a trance and then I can just get inside my head and figure shit out.

Azealia has the coolest vibez, of course, and the video is super rad but mostly I just like the way she talks and whenever she says "what's your dick like, homie, what are you into,?". I think I just wanna hang out with her and get into trouble. The first time I watched the Zebra Katz video I was all "????" and I wasn't sure how I felt about it but the song was just immediately stuck in my head so it didn't take me long to figure out that I fucking loved it. It's SO MINIMAL, I am kind of obsessed with it. I mean I'm obsessed with all these songs but like, omg it's just the beat and them rapping over and somehow that's more than enough. It's too good a track, rally. Robyn is Robyn is Robyn, basically. So these 3 songs over and over again are all I need.

The next step is obviously to go out dancing and hope they play these songs so I can REALLY get that energy out there into the world.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself, take control of your life.

And speaking of no more boring lives, my band screentests is playing a show on Thursday. If you are in NYC you should come because it's gonna be a fun time.

See you there?

Proportions and Unlikely Combinations

2012-01-30T23:42:00.003-05:00

I haven't really paid much attention to Chloe since Paolo Melim Andersson was fired forever ago, but now that there's a new lady at the helm, I think things are coming along quite nicely. Clare Wright Keller was at Pringle of Scotland for a while, and when she came over to Chloe I'm sure some people's feathers were pretend-ruffled, but apart from the Tilda Swinton-campaign/videos/whatever no one really gives a crap about Pringle so the tears were dried up pretty quickly. Point is, Clare's doing a bangin' job at Chloe, especially with this look from pre-fall that is so everything I want to be but cant quite figure out how to be comfortable with in real life (ugh, this sentence could describe SO many things in my life right now!.. but fashion, we're talking about fashion yes). WIDE LEG PANTS are always such an EDITORIAL look and then it comes to real life and you can't figure out what shoes to wear them with or sometimes they are too long and you end up stepping on 4 inches of fabric (you wanna talk tiny sizes? let's talk RIDICULOUSLY LONG INSEAM, FOLKS!) and then you hem them and they are too short and they look STUPID. Because you NEED to have that lil' fold where they meet the ground and you drag them all over the city and into puddles and shit, because you are just so bourgeoisie that you can't be bothered with that shit. And then on top, to make sure everyone gets the point that you are wearing big pants, a cropped buff leather bomber jacket to make all your dreams come true. It is making all my dreams come true at least, and since this year is all about CHANGE OF CONSCIOUSNESS (you don't even KNOW how much I'm into 2012 and the crazy shit that is happening in my brain daily and you don't want to know) I will figure out how to drag the New York City dirt with my wide legs everywhere I go.

It'll be poetic.

Rebelling through Sweaters

2012-01-28T23:20:00.000-05:00

J.Crew always gets you with their damn styling and their fucking colors which are outstandingly bright season after season. My roommate got the newest catalog today and as soon as I opened it I died for the colorblock sweater. It's SO Jil without actually being like, JIL, you know? Then decided I obviously needed the chambray shirt to go under it. I still don't have a long-sleeve denim shirt which is absolutely PREPOSTEROUS if you know how much I love (1) Canadian tuxedos and (2) button-down shirts.

And don't even get me STARTED on what's happening behind the sweater because I'm not paying attention. The sequined skirt is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive so it's like, dudes, don't even show me that shit.

But this sweater? This sweater I really really want. Am I at the point where I'll drop 300 bucks on a sweater that could make all my dreams come true? PROBS NOT, but much like the Biebz, I will never say never.

All the things that matter at Balenciaga

2012-01-21T13:27:00.004-05:00

Let's talk Balenciaga because it was just SO.FUCKING.MAJOR. As soon as I clicked on the first look my jaw dropped to the floor and maybe I started salivating a bit, who knows, because after half a decade of same ole' futuristic amazingness (not actually an oxymoron, if you REALLY think about it), Nicholas finally brought it to another level.

2012, twenty-twelve, it's all about a CHANGE IN CONSCIOUSNESS and finally someone is figuring out a whole new dramatic silhouette for a new century. Short shorts that hint at your elementary-school gym days with oversized jackets with heavy David Byrne in Talking Heads vibes while also being a little varsity but mostly being a bunch of building blocks thrown over a body that have magically molted into a garment.

The metallic band across the chest is almost like a straitjacket, and I know if I think about it in feminist terms it's like "MONDIEU BULLSHIT BLAH BLAH" but it's kinda sexy. Not in the bondage sort of way just in a "I am wearing something huge that hides my body but it's so cool that you can't wait to see what's under it-sorta way.

(Longest description ever?)

From the shorts we got structured a-line dresses that are unmistakeably Balenciaga in their futuristic feelings. The rectangle going down the middle is just the right amount of Georgia O'Keeffe, cause you know, since we are shifting consciousness and all, we are done with the phallocentric visions and opening up to the powers of the vag (mother earth welcomes you).

This all makes sense.

Also Blogger doesn't recognize "phallocentric" as a word, which should tell you something.

The real gems for me came in later on, when these incredible women swathed under layers of skirts and dresses and hats came out. It took my breath away a little because there was something so earthy about it which is so not ever a word that ever shows up in anything Nicholas does, but man, this is bringing out the hippie in me in ALL THE RIGHT WAYS.

FLOWER.PRINTS. Tiny little 40's via 90's style floral prints mixed with leather and stiff volume. This is the future and I realize that saying something is the future while describing it as 40's via 90's makes no sense but THAT'S THE BEAUTY ABOUT FASHION and even though I am totally joking about that last statement, you and I both know it is 100% true.

Hide everything and show everything. Who knew there was so much power in the LIPS.
(we all did)

All hippies love some fringe and this weirdo lurex-y skirts are right on point. Do you see the evolution even within this collection? From structured to loose isn't even something that is groundbreaking but the spirit, the silhouettes, what all of these together represent is really taking what Nicholas has been doing and just making it a million times better.

And can we talk about the ad campaign full of weird-looking girls lounging around a disheveled apartment with mugs and shit all around? This is my favorite since M/M Paris scribbled all over Christy Turlington's face way back in 2001. T'was about time Ghesquiere made me want to DIE (and not because he picked Kristen Stewart to be the face of his new fragrance, we're def NOT gonna talk about that).

but yea, you feelin' it?

This seems familiar...

2012-01-05T20:08:00.004-05:00

I am not one to give a shit about high/low designer collaborations (although the upcoming Marni/H&M situation might change my mind), mostly because I don't wait in line for anything really, especially not clothes, which has to do more with my laziness than with my being a snob (which I'm definitely admitting to being). I didn't know that the Versace and H&M thing was ongoing, but I'm stoked to see that their second round of clothes will be offered online. As soon as I saw the looks on Abbey Lee only one thing came to mind; the epic April 1995 issue of Vogue with Kristen McMenamy on the cover.

Bummer that they decided to go with fruit instead of the butterfly print, but the inspiration is undeniable (she's wearing Versace on the cover). The looks might not be a remake of this classic but they definitely fit in with one of the editorials featured inside:

All I need is a blunt-bangs black wig and some killer red lips and I am ready to go. Thank you internet! Once again you've made my life better.

Versace + H&M collab pics via.
April 1995 Vogue pics via.

resolutions.

2012-01-01T17:07:00.004-05:00

more.

reading
writing
making music
making time for friends
cooking
going to museums (still haven't been to guggenheim or whitney!)
vitamins
saving money

less.

negative vibez
smoking cigarettes
being late for things
letting my brain run with it
tweeting (sometimes)

gif via.

the year is over.

2011-12-31T10:03:00.003-05:00

I am happiest when dancing and drinking and eating fried food.

HOLY SHIT 2011 is over.
It has been a totally insane year, probably one of the most intense years I've had in the last couple years. But I survived. We all did. Kudos to us.

Work-wise it was kind of amazing. I assisted on lots of awesome jobs, from Elle to Self Service that took me out of the city and into Miami and Los Angeles and even "the shore" (although it wasn't really the Jersey shore, just like, a beach in New York). I did my own shoots for Oyster and Soma and Vogue.it (which was SO insane!) and worked with designers that I LOVE like Ann Yee and Sobotka. And of course I've been writing for Rookie which has been 10 kinds of awesome. I hope to keep that same hustle alive in the next year. It's not easy, but it's the way it's gotta be done.

But it WAS a crazy year, and though this blog has been running for 5 years, this is the year where I kinda really dropped the ball. I dunno, sometimes it just happens, I guess. My interest in dissecting every minutiae of the collections has kind of dwindled. My interest in the usual characters has grown stale. A reflection on the state of everything perhaps, everyone loves the same thing, criticism (if it exists at all) is buried in the pages of only some websites and rarely seems to be recognized. There are yearly compilations that come out about the best music writing, the best fiction writing, etc, could you even imagine a fashion compilation? You can't. And that's a bummer if you really think about it. As much as some of us want to believe that fashion is an art and yadda yadda yadda it won't ever be anything more than marketing unless there are real conversations about it, unless real opinions are allowed to exist, until we can embrace something other than advertising dollars as a guiding light. Some writers may have slammed a rapper's debut collection but still all editors were there, basked in the publicity and the clothes are showing up in editorials just the same. Once upon a time Vogue did a "best and worst" roundup of the year and they grilled the very same things that they lauded a couple months before. It was amazing. Can you even imagine any magazine doing anything like that anymore, saying hey, remember how we've been trying to make Charlotte Free happen? Yeah, we were wrong and we're sorry about that. The dream is dead. It's time to build a new one. 2012 is all about a change in consciousness, right? So let's start that change right now (with the man in the mirror, OH YEA!)

So things around here will change a bit. Maybe I'll write about fashion and maybe I'll write about books and maybe I'll write about music and maybe I'll write about the fleeting illusion of adulthood as seen through the eyes of a wolf. Probably not that last one. But I'll still write and hopefully you'll all still read.

Happy 2012!
And may all your wildest dreams come true.

<3
laia

The Third Body

2011-12-26T22:09:00.006-05:00

I like to go to my favorite bookstore and let my mind go blank. Generally by the time I make it inside my brain is too heavy to go on. I have been thinking about a million and one things and getting nowhere with each one of them. I think if I find the right book I can escape the heaviness but also, if I find the right book I will figure out the way to let everything work itself out. No, I'm not reading self-help books–not that there's anything wrong with that–but sometimes reading just helps. It doesn't matter whether or not it relates to anything going on in my real life, it just finds a valve somewhere and opens it and suddenly I feel human again.

I wander through the space even though I know what I'm going to find in each. There are some titles always in the back of my mind, will this be the time that I finally give in and check them out? Sometimes. I trust the booksellers' picks for the new releases table. I prefer the non-fiction and I simply go and do the wrong thing where I judge the book by its cover. I read the back, I read the inside, I read the first sentence and if something clicks enough, it's coming with me. I do this with everything though.

The point is that I went last week and wandered around as usual. I had picked a few things already and made my way to the French authors. I have never read any Simone de Beauvoir and pretty much every time I am at the store I think of this but I don't know, I seem to never be in the mood to check her out. The point of all that is not to show you that I am maybe cultured but probably not, but that's how I ended up picking up Helene Cixous' The Third Body (below and to the right).

I started reading it at the store and immediately was drawn to her disjointed sentences. Her million-thoughts-a-second being slowly distilled-tone. I mostly read it in the mornings on the train on my way to work and it covered me in a way that sometimes I took a longer way to get somewhere so I'd have more time to read it.

The book, which loosely tells the story of the author and her lover interspersed with myths and stories from her childhood–this is in no way an actual description of the "plot" as there uh, isn't one, at least not in the traditional sense–was not really about anything I could say "omg yes!" when comparing it to my life and YET everything resonated deep within, sometimes in incredibly (to me) obvious ways and sometimes just the remnants of thinking about something all day. Mostly it helped me make sense of the way my brain races and the way that lately I am (unknowingly) obsessed with looking at my life from the third person and analyzing the goings-on in real time while simultaneously judging which parts would make better scenes in a movie and what songs would make up the soundtrack.

I finished the book yesterday. I've never wanted to start a book over again right after I finished reading it except right now. I think it would be different. I know it will be different.

Really I just can't believe that I found this book at exactly right now when I most needed. I love the way the universe works.

My face is up here.

2011-12-21T14:13:00.002-05:00

Breasts are still best at Carven except this is the way trés chi-chi way to fit into the standard sexy mold while being a total nerd about it.

(Have your cake and eat it too)

Writing about reading. Or something.

2011-12-16T21:20:00.006-05:00

Picked this up today at McNally Jackson, read it on the train home and thoroughly LOVED every second of it. Especially my co-Rookie Joe Coscarelli's Bushwick adventures, David Shapiro's story on dealing weed and Jenna Wortham's adventures in Brazil.

And since I totally skipped on doing a Holy Child #3 this past fall I think it might be coming out in the spring? I'm getting really pumped up for it, I wonder it will take me this time?

2011 the Year in Music–according to my ipod

2011-12-15T15:29:00.011-05:00

It's the end of the year and everyone's off doing lists of the best things of the year and yadda yadda yadda but as I am an old person barely in touch with what the kids are listening to these days I figured the only way to really reflect about "the year in music" was to look at all the playlists I made this year. I guess there are a few songs in there of records that actually came out this year, which honestly, is HUGE for me because I feel like for the past couple of years I've more or less been living with things pre-2006.

It should be noted of course that revealing one's ipod playlists is SO PERSONAL! I mean, this shit is like beyond exposing your diary and your hookups you know what I mean? So consider yourselves lucky (ha!) that I am letting you all into my inner sanctum.

You can read into the themes as much or as little as you want to...

NEXT LEVZ IN TWENTYELEVZ: It is essential to make a playlist for the beginning of the year. I guess it was late last year that I spent an entire evening downloading every.single. Madonna song I ever liked. We all know that Ray of Light is a great album, but do we really remember that it's such a great album? 'Cause it is. Anyways, at the beginning of the year playlists always veer towards the cheerful and hopeful because you are all excited about the prospect of a new year that hasn't been tainted by horrible decisions. This year I also rediscovered Cibo Matto and it pains me that it took me this long to get into them, but it was just one of those bands that although totally in my radar, just slipped my mind. Their cover of Nirvana's About A Girl is as different as possible from the original and it's still SO GOOD! It makes me instantly happy whenever I listen to it.

All other songs are more or less a hodge-podge of perennial classics that take turns making appearances in the multiple soundtracks of my life for the past 10 or 15 years or whatever. Except Fleetwood Mac, I guess, that was definitely a new addition to this year, but the reason why they even made it here in the first place is because last year I got really into CFCF and they had a SICK cover of Big Love that was the thing that made me breakdown and then download all my favorite Fleetwood Mac songs. It's weird how some of the songs that I thought were sung by a girl were actually sung by Lindsey Buckingham or whatever, but that's another story probs–though not a very interesting one.

Ps. did you guys get into Liars' Sisterworld? It came out last year too but fuck, it is SO good. I love them so much and I forget that I love them but I've completely lost my shit over every one of their records (except maybe the self-titled one that came out before this one?). I wish I was making music like them, I've seen them play a few times, but the best was definitely back when They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top came out like forever ago, and they played a Making Time party in Philly and we all just danced and I think we went home straight after that cause I wasn't even old enough to drink and I wasn't into doing drugs and well, that's kinda the Making Time steez... or at least it was back then.

MARZONCE: I guess the weather is getting nice by now so I'm trying to get pumped up for my walks to and from the xoJane offices. House Jam was my, er, jam, in 2009 or whenever it is that that record came out but I discovered the re-mix this year and it made me fall in love with the song again if that's even possible. These are all tried and true classics that I love. Placebo is such a good band and I totally forget how much I loved them back in high school. I pretty much listened to Without You I'm Nothing EVERY DAY for YEARS, even during study hall at school. I was totally obsessed with Brian Molko's voice and that record is just so moody and weird you know? Essential teen listening. This is still a totally fun playlist so don't let Placebo fool you, Los Amantes is a GEM of a song about old school suave gentleman callers that never fails to cheer me up and I mean, there's some Gwen Stefani in there too so obvz this is a pre-party situation.

SUMMER 2011: Summer playlists are generally 100% non-stop party shenanigans. The weather is nice out, I'm going home drunk more than usual and when that happens all I wanna do is sing and dance my heart out on the train. I really went ALL OUT with this playlist too, like, usually they're about 6 songs long, which is just enough to get me to and from work, but I meant business. Everything here is awesome. Foo Fighters put out a record this year and I got SO into it which hadn't happened in like, 10 years probably because who the fuck cared after anything that came out There's Nothing Left To Lose? I listened to that record on solid repeat for a couple of months so it's no surprising that one of their songs made it to the playlist. Arlandria is def my favorite song off Wasting Light, but putting it between Madonna and Screaming Females is one of the best um, selections I did all year. That Screaming Females album, Castle Talk, is actually all sorts of aces, I haven't been able to catch them live yet but I'm dying to because the singer totally WAILS and SHREDS on the guitar. Her voice is really something else.

Now the Mariah Carey situation... that really came out of left field. I was never, ever into Mariah and I guess at some point this year that song got in my head and I watched the video on You Tube–which is 10 kinds of amazing and was filmed in Puerto Rico incidentally–and I got over my adolescent punk rock anti-Mariah bullshit and just grooved on this song because it is GREAT. And anytime Gang Gang Dance come out with a record I freak out and immediately fall in love with one track and of course that track was Mindkilla. BEST DANCE JAM OF THE YEAR for sure, and I say that even knowing how much I obsessed over Rihanna's Only Girl. But that song came out last year and as much as I'm still dying to dance to it at a club or wherever the hell people dance to these days, the BEST part of the summer was definitely being the int basement at Tammany Hall with SO many people I loved and then my friend John played Mindkilla and we all danced in a circle and sang along and it was just EPIC.

The Spice Girls make a second appearance and yet I'm totally not embarrassed by it.

SEPT 2011: My obsession with Dave Grohl keeps going on strong after 14 years and that fucking song by Wavvvvvvvves is SO good and not only because it's about Dave but it was really the perfect late summer jam. It's gross that there are TWO Foo Fighters songs on this playlist and even GROSSER that they are in the same order as in the record because that's a total mix no-no, but they sounded SO good back to back and originally I only wanted to put White Limo on it but I kept expecting Arlandria to come one every time the song ended so I just had to put it in.

I'm borderline ashamed of this, but not enough to hide it from you. We are all friends now. More Fiona Apple as per usual (because this year it became evident that I cannot live without her in my life) and more Gang Gang Dance because they rule. It's weird that The Strokes keep making cameos. They're just good filler I guess.

FALL FALL FALL 2011: I guess this is a late September-early October mix? It must've overlapped with the September playlist because I usually don't go repeating songs from one playlist directly into another (although maybe since I had already broken that rule with Arlandria, I was like eeeeh fuck it). This playlist has SUCH good mellow vibez, and as a matter of fact I think I maybe uploaded it into 8tracks and shared it with y'all because I was so proud of it. Remember when Sean Lennon came out with Into the Sun and it was really good and he wasn't weirdly douchy like he is now? Ok, granted, I don't know if he's actually douchy because I don't know the dude, but this is strictly appearance-wise. I'm sure the fact that he was chilling (dating?) one of the chicks from Cibo Matto is why he was totally rad. I am glad that after 5 years of not being able to listen to Electrelane's The Power Out (too many ex memories) I was able to RECLAIM it because this record is GOOD! I guess this was also the year I was all up on Placebo, really can't understand how come Brick Shithouse is on here AGAIN, but it flows nicely with the rest of the shit so whatever. I dunno, generally I think the first like 4 or 5 songs in a playlist are the best ones and the last ones are just me trying to make the playlist last an entire ride to work so it won't repeat.

NOV 2011: Last month I started feeling a little homesick because I haven't been home since July 2010 so this is a playlist of all my rad high school jams (veering a bit before and after that as well). Well, not that Shakira & Alejandro Sanz thing, but I already wrote about how much I love that song so I won't go into it again here. I will forever regret not seeing Los Enanitos Verdes and Cafe Tacuba when they played the amphitheater in PR in 7th grade but I was too young to go and well, that's my loss. Neither one of these songs are their most popular but they really captured my mood. Tropico de Cancer is one of my favorite songs off of Cafe Tacuba's epic Re. God, that is such a good record. It's so good that sometimes it bums me out that I can't share it with my non-Spanish speaking friends because although music is universal and whatnot, their lyrics and the way what they are singing about is tied together with the type of music they are playing is such an intrinsic part of the record and no matter how much I explain what's going on in the songs it's really not just the same.

Soda Stereo is one of those bands that all of Latin America LOVES and I'm super ashamed that it took me this long to download one of their records (although I think an ex-boyfriend made me a tape with one of their records once?), anyways, this was the first time that I really got into it and they are GOOD. This song is supposed to be one of their singles and I'm sure any Soda Stereo fan would be like "pshhh this other song from the record is SO much better!" but this one was the first one that caught me and so it stays.

DEC 2011: And so we wrap the year up with possibly my most favorite playlist, although I'm probably just saying that because it appeals to my current frame of mind–and because I've been listening to it on repeat for the past 24 hours. I wish I was exaggerating about that. You're not surprised that it starts out with Fiona Apple, but it's actually kind of a big deal because even though Extraordinary Machine came out 5 or so years ago, I was never really able to get into it until two weeks ago. It was too... show-tune-y? They all felt like they were numbers in a musical that I wasn't too keen on but something clicked in my brain and I started just listening to it every morning. Plus, like the ridiculous Fiona fangirl that I am, THESE LYRICS SPEAK TO ME!! She is feeling what I am feeling, she is what I wish my brain could tell me. Fuck, I love her.

It didn't take much for me to get into Wild Flag either, and after seeing them twice this year I think this is probably my favorite song on their record. I really need to get more into Helium because I do LOVE Mary Timony's voice. I was obsessed with a Helium song once, it was in the soundtrack to this movie All Over Me that totally changed my life back in high school. Ok, so 2012 resolution: listen to more Helium.

The Police, well, I don't know how they ended up there. Synchronicity is such a CRAZY record though. I remember my mom used to listen to it a lot when I was little and it always freaked me out because it's so sparse and the lyrics are about cats and dinosaurs and god knows what else Sting was smoking, but I guess at some point in the last couple months I thought of it and downloaded it and really dug it. Remember when Alanis covered King of Pain? My love for this song is totally unrelated to that, I promise.

I guess this is the part where I reveal my love for early Sheryl Crow. I am also not ashamed of this. She was totally bad-ass before she decided to soak up the sun and lighten up or whatever. Close out the year with some more Cibo Matto; this time Moonchild. This song got played a lot on the alt-rock radio station back in PR and I was always really stoked about that because, who the fuck knew who Cibo Matto was in that island? (The answer is no one). That Terry song by Anika that I wrote about a couple days ago tops it all off. I'm fairly pleased with myself.

So I guess going by the above evidence, I only listened to THREE records that came out this year:

Foo Fighters : Wasting Light
Gang Gang Dance : Eye Contact
PJ Harvey : Let England Shake (not in any playlist but it's the only other record from 2011 that I got)
Wild Flag : Wild Flag

This means I am old and out of touch and OHGOD SOMEONE HELP ME OUT OF THIS.
Just kidding, I love that I'm turning into some crotchety old cat lady, Lana del Whatis? Skrilawho?

Thank god at least Twitter lets me learn the names of new things happening even if I have no idea what they really are!

So now that 2012 is almost here, I can finally check out other shit that came out in 2011 (never be current! always be a year behind!)... where should I start?

Talents Shooting 31

2011-12-15T13:37:00.005-05:00

Closing the year out with a nice BOOM. I styled a story for Vogue.IT Talents a few months ago and it's finally live today! These are my favorite shots (by Billy Kidd). So so stoked at the way it came out.

Special shout-out to my friend John who assisted me and made sure we totally KILLED it.
<3

You can see the rest of it here.

Wednesday Jam: Don't Do It

2011-12-07T22:13:00.005-05:00

Anika : Terry

Really into Anika's self-titled record. I guess it came out late last year but since I am on the cutting edge of EVERYTHING I just found out about it now. We've been playing it at work a lot which is nice cause I was getting a bit tired of the stuff we were playing before (even if it WAS a playlist I made). At first I wished that this was a lost record from like the late 70's that I hadn't heard about but I'm not gonna be an asshole that gets mad about people making new music that sounds like old music, after all, I fell madly in love with The Strokes 10 years ago even though the first time I saw the video for "Last Night" I was all "what's going on?".

It's a cover that was originally written and sung by a girl named Twinkle about a boy who dies in a motorcycle accident. The song's totally rad so I'm including the original version here too.

Twinkle : Terry

Anika's droniness more closely resembles my mood as of late though, so I'm gonna stick with that one.

Patent Everything

2011-12-07T18:57:00.003-05:00

Richard Nicoll

I guess the pre-fall shows started already but I haven't even gotten through all the spring shows so like, whatevz, I'm not really in any rush. It's been a while since I've felt the necessity to write as soon as things happen because what's the point really, you know? Now I wait to see if a million months after the collection has gone down the runway I'm still moved the same way, if it lives past the novelty. I guess.

Pastel-colored patent leather though, is certainly important and relevant to my interests right now. A leather shirt seems a little impractical probably, only because it seems like in the long run you would really have to spend so much time and money taking it to get dry-cleaned or something, but as my desire for patent leather a-line skirts hasn't materialized yet, this shirt seems like the next best option. This is modern and a little 90's and also a little retro but its minimalism at its best which, despite my usual witchy vibez, I will always be drawn to.

Important things that came in the mail yesterday

2011-12-06T13:47:00.002-05:00

If you need a reminder of this amazing band, which you shouldn't because how could you forget epicness like this?

I love the world sometimes.

Get yours at Drag City.
Probs also makes a great Festivus present.

Want, Need, Gimme IT, Now

2011-11-29T00:11:00.004-05:00

Never before has a splash page on a website spoken so directly to the very core of my being like Totokaelo's right now.
I want my lower half to look like this AT ALL TIMES.
Suddenly feel an inexplicable need to try out this legging + skirt combo, so genius and yet I never thought about it before? I AM CRAZY.

Sunday Jam: Oye negrita mira, no te rajes...

2011-11-13T19:03:00.005-05:00

Shakira & Alejandro Sanz : La Tortura
So this song came out in 2005 or whatever and I kinda fell for it immediately. Totally unlikely, I know, because ever since Shakira started her American breakthrough or whatever she did a total 180 into LAMENESS with the blonde hair and the constant shaking of things in my face and the whole S E X U A L E E E T E E E that everyone seems to have the need to do and it's like SO BORING by now (but we'll still get a new Rihanna record that apparently puts Madonna's Erotica to shame–mondieu!–but we'll get to that bridge when we get to it or however that saying goes), because back when I was in high school she was like a weirdo Alanis-type (even though years later I realized one of her songs was TOTES anti-abortion and I was like quoi??? and then I was like OH RIGHT, Latin America and I secretly forgave her for it because her songs were the soundtrack of so many high school dance heartbreaks). The bottomline is that I cannot stand this video (why is she covered in oil?) but this song is AMAZING? I mean #1 Alejandro Sanz is foxy as all get out and his raspy voice is too hot too handle. #2 The reggaeton beat here, that beat which usually makes me want to stab my eyes out with a spoon just so I can stick it in my ears, is totally awesome when not accompanied by d-level rhymes about tits or ass or the other thing. Or maybe it isn't and it's finally my Puerto Rican-ness coming out to re-claim itself via the slow adaptation of all my interests back to the things I used to shun. Either way I don't care and I can barely stop myself from dancing when I hear this on my way to and from work every day. #3 Confession->I think I even LIKE the lyrics. Or maybe it's just another expression of how much I miss being around Spanish which is an AWESOME language and which has words that just don't have an English equivalent which is a real bummer because you can't always convey shit the way you'd really want to, you know? #4 LOVE THAT ACCORDION (yeah) and um ok that's it.

so yeah. shakira. there you have it guys.

Fauxline

2011-11-12T20:07:00.002-05:00

COME TO ME.

This will be the only non-moving related purchase I will allow myself should I come across it. I can already tell I will love it FOREVER.

via.

Mawiage is what bwings us to Comme today

2011-11-10T01:01:00.000-05:00

The Japanese designers are usually exempt from the whole "is fashion art?" argument because they're the ones that most often send "unwearable" garments down the runway that are unwearable because they feature extra fabric or weird bumps in the body and not because they show too much boob or cooter, which obviously means ART (sex sells). At Comme des Garcons the first look was enough to make me stop my multi-tasking and pay attention.

REI WANTS TO TALK ABOUT MARRIAGE.

And of course, we'll indulge her because she is Rei and we are but mere mortals. They weren't just regular wedding dresses (as if!) but futuristic ones. The flat white boots were probably 60% responsible for these vibez, but the below-the-knee lengths, helmet-veils and protective cocoons reinforced them.

Oversized sleeves that render your arms useless covered in epic shoulder flower arrangements. Uselessness and helplessness and other words that in one way or another are about being immobilized really came to mind look after look. Models with their arms tied in big elaborate bows in front of them or hidden beneath yard of fabric masked as sleeves, cocoons, cages etc. Models with their faces hidden under veils and helmets and flowers. No identity, no freedom to move.

These secrets Rei is telling us, they are actually not very secret at all.

Maybe what you need for the big day is a big cage that covers you from shoulder to knee, turning you into a human bell, both restricting your movement and putting every other part of you on display. Your face hidden under layers of lace and ancient military-style helmets covered in flowers.

I wanna see this on Say Yes To The Dress, youknowwhatImean?
(I LOVE SAY YES TO THE DRESS!)
I want some girl with like, waist-long hair, wearing lolita-style wooden flatform maryjanes, weird printed wide legged trousers and a sheer lace buttondown shirt (buttoned all the way up) to go to Kleinfeld's and I want Camille to put her into this. MAKE MY HIGH FASHION DREAMS COME TRUE, TLC!

This one though, this one made me wish that there was some kind of you know, event in my future. This weird graffiti scribble is kinda the best thing ever. It looks totally out of place and it is also the coolest thing ever. Styling your hair like you're wearing a mesh wig is definitely the most avant-garde option to a plain ole' lace veil.

Instead of buying a dress and a veil and a flower arrangement, maybe you just cover yourself head to toe in some epic faux flower cocoon situations. It's like a weirdly ornate minimalist futurist Burqa. I'm not gonna rattle off some east-meets west bullshit phrase either because it doesn't really mean anything (words! words that other people like to say!). As long as Rei is around, fashion will be safe from becoming a total crap circus. It's a comforting feeling.

I want to, I need to be under your skin

2011-11-01T00:10:00.005-04:00

OMG!!!
I didn't think any store would buy the most EPIC Meadham Kirchoff Hole-Witch sweater. Or at least I HOPED that no one would and at least I wouldn't feel the crushing feeling of not being able to own it. But of course Net-a-Porter has it. And for a mere 2 grand it could be yours. Or mine. Except not.

We're never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy

2011-10-31T23:14:00.003-04:00

...and Thakoon went a LOT crazy. At first I was all wait, what? and there is definitely a reason BEYOND just wanting to "zoom in on the details" that these images are cropped... BUT the more I looked at everything, the more I realized there was a definite early 00's Balenciaga vibe underneath all the madness that felt totally perfect.

Let's get serious, I am NEVER into a cowboy vibe–even though I really loved my Kyra "Western Fun" Barbie's outfit–but this sleeveless shirtdress with contrasting embroidery has got the right western vibes and the right weird vibes and the right 2nd grade church grade vibes.
(the weird vibes are enough to make everything else ok)

Seriously! This shirt is totally bananas, and I know you can imagine it with some fringed suede and denim situations and it would be AWFUL but man, just throw it over some jeans and I don't know, it seems kinda like a go-everywhere shirt? At least I would wear it everywhere and THAT'S REALLY WHAT MATTERS!

Then shit gets a little psychedelic and we're really cooking. Love everything about this; the uneven hem, the contrasting prints and–of course–the fact that it's a shirtdress.

LOVE the top fabric. Want it draped all over my body. I want a suit made in it, the new new Canadian tuxedo (going off those resort Celine flower-print vibez).

I mean yes. It's just so nuts, guys, I don't even know. It goes against all my minimalist witch situations that are like so tired, omg but whatever, sometimes I wanna be as loud as possible with the least amount of effort put into it.

Deep V

2011-10-10T02:46:00.001-04:00

y e s.

Cover your head

2011-10-04T09:37:00.000-04:00

Important head-coverings from Prada and Miu Miu via Self Service.

I don't even KNOW how I got involved with baseball caps but what started out as a joke became a reality! I mean, I don't think I'd actually be able to party-on with a baseball cap, but for sure with a snakeskin aviator cap.

Important things are Important (and yes, I'm talking about you, Haider)

2011-10-04T00:03:00.003-04:00

Can we talk about this Haider Ackermann situation guys? The dude is a fucking genius and somehow he's just totally under the radar and somehow every time someone asks me who my favorite designer is I FORGET that he exists even though I'm pretty much REBORN with each new collection. This time, a million looks made up of the coolest pants in the world and worn with oxfords aka my ideal and barely-realized style signature.

The tailored slouchy trousers worn with loose drape-y layers are a natural step from his past two collections and they are everything that is now about now. I know masculine/feminine is like, SO obvious, but this is for sure one of my favorite ways I've seen it done as of late.

And like, what the hell is this color combination? A satin-y powder blue is so disgusting and makes no sense with these browns and golds but of course the more I look at it, the more I realize that it's actually the coolest color.

Just as I'm getting used to the icicle blue suddenly BOOM!!!! What are these jewel tones together? They are making my heart S I N G!
Maybe I can buy super huge night-at-theRoxbury men's satin buttondowns and then just tie them at the waist in a a sad attempt to recreate this look in my real life. UGH.

AND THEN BOOM BOOM and I am double dead because this is literally my dream outfit that I never knew could exist in real life. The perfect man-fit pant, a long gauzy top with an added veil moment (I have been thinking about veils A LOT lately), a cool zippered vest and the most Laia-piece of them all, the green oxfords. This is the ultimate in aspirational dressing/living/breathing/etc.

Blue on blue on blue is always excellent.

I don't even have any energy left for all the sick things that keep coming down the runway. The icicle blue is back and this time paired with what looks like alligator if an alligator were naturally bejeweled (sort of).

Then at the end this crazy pajama paisley came out paired with a plaid and paisley oxfords and I had a heart attack and wrote this blog post from the beyond.

The End.
Be mine.

sunday jam: lil blazer loves fall

2011-10-02T21:39:00.004-04:00

electrelane : on parade

finally reunited with electrelane's most EXCELLENT record "the power out" after too mamy years of abandonment on account of strong ex feelings but not anymore. i saw them live at a making time party in philly and it was totally awesome and exciting. i love this song and i made a playlist to go along with it.

it's a short one, about as long as it takes me to get to work from my house every morning, but it's chock-full of awesome.

in a Dries world

2011-09-29T14:29:00.001-04:00

how does he do it every time?

i'm not usually into ruffles, but these are so 100% right.
i blame the sick prints.

i hate and love this but mostly love it. the grass print reminds me of a book filled with bird illustrations my mom had on our living room table when i was growing up. i guess it appeals to my interests.
there's also a sorta tropical proenza vibe running through it, you know from one of their earlier collections?
and then the whole black & white vs color print has such tension. like an encounter of past and present or something totally meaningful.

ok, not really, but secretly YES REALLY.

so everything! white on white toreador jacket is like wait, what? and then the rest is just gravy.

i mean, this is even MORE everything. how much everything can you really have? the answer is–surprise, surprise–EVERYTHING.

ok no but seriously, i need to incorporate this black & white print on black & white print thing into my life like yesterday, which just means that i NEED that shirt. contrasting crisp white collar is calling my name. and i want to give in to it

how is it possible that i am dying over a pair of RUFFLED pants? i hate ruffles (the fabric gathering, not the potato chip). but now these pants seem like the only pant i should ever wear. i am really going through a pants phase right now, must be because i wear dresses to work everyday.

i don't know how it's possible that i'm "reading" so much into these clothes today but these are just the things running through my head. that's all to apologize for the fact that i'm gonna talk about how this look is all about a weirdly disjointed future. do you know what i mean? bits and pieces of life left floating on a sea of nothing.

i'm sorry. i'll just say it's pretty.

this one is also pretty.

but mostly i want to point out that the top is giving me HEAVY twilight zone (as seen on tv) vibez. i am getting lost in the weirdness but you feel it too, right?

and then BOOM! the city lights.

and now for no reason at all except both things are about city lights. here's a music video:
the point is i WOULD make a video with a girl wearing the dries dress and running around town and use this song as the soundtrack and you know it would rule.

ps. on your feet.
ribbon-wrapped toes are TERRIFYING and YET...

G A R A G E

2011-09-26T23:05:00.000-04:00

The first issue of Garage is out and it is kinda amazing.
It's a hefty tome with tons to read and to look at.

prada made of fruit, olympia scarry in a givenchy burka, artist tattoos & my friend conrad's new richard prince piece, eugenie niarchos in amazing layers, miu miu & machine-guns. And this is but a teeeeny-tiny preview of its amazingness.

GET.IT.

Hot Rods and the early 21st century LEWK.

2011-09-25T11:27:00.000-04:00

Blast from the early 2000's past. Bring out your high-waisted pleated skirts ladies and bandeu tops, ladies, cause Miuccia is diggin' em again.

After that it was all a blur.

Hot rods & flowers.
(penis & vagina)

Eyelet with eyelet paired with eyelet.

The geometric inset dresses were my favorite.

Marc Jacobs already did these, but I want them just the same.

Blue hair is nice...

2011-09-24T19:07:00.000-04:00

... but blue hair that matches your eyes is better.

Katrantzou keeps getting better.

2011-09-24T11:02:00.000-04:00

No more objets d'art or interiors. Let's talk about the always popular florals for springs done up to the millionth level.

When the city's getting you down, your clothes will show you the way.

Accidental colorblocking in aerial views of perfect fields.

Or maybe we go under the sea.

Life is beautiful.

Eyelids are the new something.

2011-09-23T23:59:00.000-04:00

Who needs fancy sunglasses when you've got gilded eyes?

Starlight, Starbright

2011-09-23T18:48:00.004-04:00

At Christopher Kane metallic flower wallpaper prints are both nostalgic (of what?) and reminiscent of the future (not yet lived).

Shortsuits are the new sweatsuits.
(If sweatsuits were ever appropriate)

A white blouse is always your friend, especially with added architectural details.

Center front slits can make ANYTHING look SO DANGEROUS.
(always exit the car with your knees together, of course)

A simple dress whose layers can fall open at any point in time. Or maybe it's an onion that you pull apart. Whatever way you look at it, it is VERY NECESSARY.

Spring's most important shirt.

Baby's First Fall Fashion Issue

2011-09-15T16:47:00.004-04:00

Soma September 2011
photography : Billy Kidd
styling: Laia Garcia

!!!

I'm so insanely stoked at the way it came out.
It's definitely my exact vibez for right now.

You can check out the rest of the editorial here.

THIS SONG WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

2011-09-06T00:18:00.003-04:00

Wavves - I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl

If not yours then definitely, definitely mine.

also: this is what wavves sound like? turns out I LOVE wavves!

Important Covers

2011-09-04T22:11:00.000-04:00

September 2011 Vogue Italia & POP F/W 2011

its all about the lady look maaaaaaan. prim and properrrr. no more low rise too tight too short too yadda yadda yadda.

ok maybe I am kidding about that. (I am TOTALLY kidding about that) BUT I am totally feeling the lady-like vibez for fall. even if *this* lady turns out to be a total tomboy.

getting ready for fashion week! y o w z a

oh and um, this is an important cover:

man man : I'd rather go blind

probably one of my all-time favorite covers. this song ended up being the song of the week somehow. I'm not gonna try to find a meaning for that.

Waiting for Irene

2011-08-27T21:51:00.005-04:00

"NY" Tonne Goodman & Terry Richardson

All Kate needs is water, of course.

Don't let it go away, this feeling has got to stay

2011-08-21T10:34:00.003-04:00

No Doubt : New

Still a great jam.
Hope everyone had a nice weekend.
<3

Oyster #94

2011-08-20T13:29:00.003-04:00

This is the newest issue of Oyster. You should definitely buy it.

#1 because OMG Kirsty Hume! She is e v e r y t h i n g.

#2 because of this EPIC photo of Leif Garrett (best VH1 Behind the Music EVER!) and Nicolette Sheridan.

and #3 because of this:

C O R A
photography: Billy Kidd
fashion: Laia Garcia

!!!!!!

The rest of the issue is totally amazing, btw, I mean, KIRSTY!!!!!!
RUN AND GET IT.

Nothing Really Matters

2011-08-08T21:03:00.003-04:00

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

Swiss Miss

2011-07-18T08:09:00.000-04:00

Still not tired about the impending scenic print trend boom. I remember when I was young and I first ordered the Delia*s catalog they had a couple button-down shirts and dresses that had scenic prints and they will forever be the ones that got away.

The dress is super awesome but my idealized self prefers to wear matching separates for ultimate ridiculousness. How lucky would I be if I got to pair the shirt and the shorts together. With a little bit more money dressing in matching ensembles 24/7 would be my new "thing".

This makes me want hot chocolate with little marshmallows in it. Maybe I'll carry one around with me at all times, like Gaga and her tea cups.

How DO you do it Guillaume?

Sunday Jam: Yeah, you gotta be out of your mind

2011-07-17T09:01:00.000-04:00

Icehouse : Crazy

Always loved this song. Had no idea it was something/someone called Icehouse. It's one of those songs that made me feel weird when I listened to it when I was little (do you ever get that feeling too?)

Miuccia wants you to sit down

2011-07-17T00:00:00.002-04:00

above Prada & below Miu Miu

Don't know how I really feel about it but I do know I like those Miu Miu picnic plaid slingbacks.
(riveting stuff, I know. sowhatwhocares)
Also into the weirdo floral print at Prada. It's almost too bad and yet I like those qualities in things often.

Derek Lam Two Ways

2011-07-13T01:12:00.003-04:00

Leather dresses, obviously essential and highly impractical for actual summer heat.
DON'T CARE. Will wear as a jumper in the winter (which is when it'll be in stores anyways).
Whatup 90's neckline.

Ignore boater hat and sensible sandals. This dress is 100% KOOL THING.
Picture it with Adidas shelltop sneakers and talk to me afterwards.
SO IMPORTANT.
This one I would live in. Now and FOREVER.

Girl Gangs

2011-07-12T10:22:00.003-04:00

Baby Love photographed by Josh Olins & styled by Jay Massacret

I haven't bought V magazine in a while, which is kinda heartbreaking since I'd been collecting it from the very first issue. But somewhere between the forever nudity and constant Gaga adoration/obsession I just had enough. Their current issue with Penelope Cruz on the cover might make me come back because this editorial is about 10 kinds of killer. It's obviously a retro vibe, but everything about this speaks to the way I want to be dressing right now; twisted lady-like vibez. The hair is sooo good too, I wonder if I should seek a wig in this shape to wear when the mood strikes me (great idea or GREATEST IDEA?). The Adidas sneakers in the second image are especially ACES.

V magazine #72 via.

Spring is here again

2011-07-03T15:59:00.003-04:00

In Bloom photographed by Viviane Sassen & styled by Katie Shillingford

This is incredible.
I want it to be my every-day.

Dazed & Confused July 2011 via.

Sunday Jam: Oh my my, Oh Hell Yeah

2011-07-03T14:15:00.003-04:00

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers : Mary Jane's Last Dance

Because duh.

Stripes on The Row

2011-07-02T19:52:00.003-04:00

Stripes. Stripes. Stripes.
All important stripes. I don't know why this will seem like an unrealistic look. Why aren't more people wearing stripe on stripe combos in the street? I want to do this. These are such subverted pure "American Sportswear" vibez! Pickin' up where (fat) Marc left off.

All this time I didn't know the secret was to have your dress and socks in matching stripes. DUH
Stripe everything and stripe often. Horizontal and vertical lines are fair game. I am definitely in need of some striped pants.

Celine like I need air to live.

2011-06-26T14:46:00.005-04:00

Cover me in flowers and stick me in white shoes.

Sheer tees over buttondowns are super rad. Can be easily replicated with a visit to American Apparel (ugh, sorry).
I love white but can never wear it. THE DIRT!

Rubber trenchcoats are essential and should be subsidized by the government.

Cover yourself from head to toe in different colors for maximum awesomeness. Gloves over a long-sleeve top is always so bad-ass, especially when it's a leather top. Try not to drool over the bag too much. Lucky for me I don't care much for shopping bags.
SICK-fucking-JUMPSUIT. Gold platforms. Are you ready for the best night of your life in this, yeah probably.

Sheer nude over black with hints of white and red is really the jam. Sheer clothes are so impractical and yet I find myself wanting them more and more. Need to amass a collection of sheer-appropriate underwear. Sheer. Sheer. Sheer.

COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME. COME TO ME.
COME.
TO.
ME.

Michael Kors is doing it doing it do-do doing it doing it

2011-06-12T03:23:00.003-04:00

Michael Kors' resort collection giving me heavy mid 90's Versace/Gucci vibes. A short lime green suit is kinda indispensable for life. Worn with sporty matching flat sandals for maximum casual ease.

This is so perfect.

(Obviously ignoring the heavy gladiator sandals)

All my favorite things in one place

2011-06-05T13:32:00.003-04:00

(except for Bruno Mars)

Joan Smalls in the streets of Old San Juan in Puerto Rico! The way the sunlight is captured in these images is so perfect it's making me homesick. I can't even tell you all the amazing fun nights I had at San Sebastian street. Smalls is a fucking QUEEN as per usual. Love her. Love this forever.

(Although the inclusion of that Prada dress seems a little "kimono in Japan" if you know what I'm saying. I mean, I get it but at the same time, come on!)

And also, here's my favorite song this week:

Aaliyah : Are You That Somebody?
Yeah, this is for realz. I made a mini playlist yesterday that started out with this song and then I just kinda played it on repeat. I really don't know why all of a sudden this music seems so perfect when at the time it was popular I wanted nothing to do with it. I'm into it though! Higher consciousness and all that.

mag scans via theFashionspot.

Monday Jam: Lovemaking Heartbreaking Soulshaking

2011-05-29T14:07:00.000-04:00

En Vogue : Don't Let Go
I'm apparently entering my hip hop/r&b phase right now. Meaning that this weekend I went crazy downloading all the hits from my teenage years. I don't know, maybe I'll catch up with today's music eventually.

Anywho, En Vogue was twenty million kinds of magnificent weren't they? They were all beautiful, had sick style and all their songs were the jam. It's kinda crazy that they aren't around anymore.

So yeah. EN VOGUE!

We were on a break

2011-05-24T01:14:00.004-04:00

So I guess that happened. Weird. I think it's the first time in years I've gone this long without updating. Part of it is that I've been busy, especially with the launch of xoJane.com where I am now writing (¡¡¡omg!!!). But another part of me just doesn't really feel like blogging about anything on here. Everything feels the same, interchangeable, wah wah wah. Maybe it was the season, maybe it's me, maybe it's the world. You know whatever, no big whoop. Lately I feel like writing about all the stuff I watch on Netflix. What if this became a comedy blog? ha ha ha. Don't worry, that won't happen.

But I'll tell you what DID happen:

the xoJane launch party!
No big deal, right? RIGHT.
Anywho I took this picture but I'm not going to make you guys believe that we all sat down and told stories because it didn't happen. But whatever cause like I sat on an ottoman right next to her the entire night, at first I was like OMG IM GONNA TALK TO HER and then I was like oh wait no, so I didn't. But at one point someone was taking her and Jane's pic and she put up her leg on the ottoman I WAS SITTING ON. Like, her foot with the tattoo going around the ankle. It was just there. INCHES FROM MY BODY. Then I was gonna take a pic of it but of course the camera ran out of film (that's why everyone's gone digital, DUH). Oh well. I remember it all happening.

Also there were towers of snacks everywhere. I sat next to one and just ate a bunch of cupcakes and weirdo chocolate hazelnut bite thingies and downed vodka pineapples. It was a (deliciously) fun time.

I wore my new Junya Watanabe shirt from spring 09 (thanks Nicole <3) and a long peach skirt from American Apparel that's secretly (except not really) my favorite thing in the world. For some reason I decided to wear these old Marc by Marc red studded pumps that gave me blisters by the time we GOT to the Jane, which is totally preposterous or whatever. The vodka pineapples really helped ease the pain. Also I am a pro.

So yeah. I'll be back around here I guess. But maybe probably I'll write about more things that interest me in general rather than just fashion stuff. Or maybe everything will stay the same! Who knows? Que sera sera, think outside the box, yadda yadda yadda and so on and so forth.

Sunday Jam: Gang Gang Dance, Mother's Day and Fashion Truths

2011-05-08T13:20:00.005-04:00

Gang Gang Dance : MindKilla
Say hello to your #1 summer/life/eternity jam.
Their entire new record is streaming on their website and if you know what's good for you, you will go and click immediately.
It's so fucking good guys, they just never disappoint.
International jamz time is now.

In other news it is also mother's day.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO MY AWESOME MOM.
I haven't seen her since July of last year and I miss her like you wouldn't believe.
Te quiero mucho mamita!

This is us the day after I was born.

Also also
HELP ME HELP YOU!

Do you have some burning fashion questions? Tired of seeing the same weird item in your closet that you can never throw away yet never, ever leave the house in?

I know you do. And you should send me an email at laia[at]janepratt[dot] com with all the necessary info and pictures and whatnot and I shall help you out!
Let's have some fun!

And don't forget about Tuesday night's Eleven Objects shenanigans at Bedlam.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!
<3

Party Time EXCELLENT!!!

2011-05-06T12:16:00.002-04:00

If you love having a good time, boozin' and Eleven Objects collars (of COURSE you do) then you should DEFINITELY come out to Bedlam next Tuesday to cheer on the launch of their men's resort collection!

So mosey on down for a good time and some fashun and don't forget to RSVP at rsvp @ elevenobjects . com

See you there?
<3<3

Moddle Jumpz

2011-05-05T12:47:00.004-04:00

So I somehow ended up on Time Out New York's "Most Stylish New Yorkers" feature thingie.
Obvz I think this is totally crazy!
BUT I did get to try out some Vogue jumps, so that's pretty kewl.

So check it out! (or something...)
<3

Thanks Time Out!
(and thanks Universe!)

GANGLAND

2011-05-04T12:11:00.005-04:00

In this corner we have the Givenchy gang led by Riccardo Tisci which includes an artist (Marina Abramovic), an actress (Liv Tyler) and a model (Mariacarla Boscono). These brunettes aren't afraid to put it all on the line whether in see-through dresses or sneaking out of school to steal sunglasses from a gas-station convenience store. They probably sat at the back of the gala all night smoking cigarettes and casting spells on passerby.

vs.

Meanwhile in this corner the Marni gang isn't hard to miss. Consuelo Castiglioni led this group of women that also included an artist (Cindy Sherman) and a model (Anouck Lepere) but TWIST, Castiglioni ditched the "actress" for the fashion editor (Giovanna Battaglia). Though they lead wildly different lives once a year when they come together it is shenanigans galore. Dancing around tables singing, late nights filled with wine and confessions and a lot of dressing up and making short videos (leftover from their days of ruling the drama club).

Which gang would you join?
I'm surprised to say I'm ready for my beatdown into Marni.
We could really make some awesomeness happen.

Initially I was going to give everyone a gang nickname but honestly got lazy about it. Liv Tyler's was "Sexy Rexy" and Cindy Sherman's was "Camaleón".
I need to stop watching so many crime shows on Netflix.

The 2011 Met Ball, or How Almost Everyone Let Us Down

2011-05-03T11:05:00.007-04:00

The most anticipated red carpet event was last night and BOY was it ever a bummer. This year's show honors Alexander McQueen so you would've thought people brought out their best McQueen gear and... you'd be wrong.
Whatever, I miss when people had fun in fashion.
So let's look at the good, the meh and the whaaa?

Doing it the right way

THANK YOU to Naomi and Daphne for going McQueen all the way.
Is it too much that I was expecting EVERYONE to look like this? Because I don't think so.

Christina Ricci and Crystal Renn also went ALL IN with the drama, in incredible Zac Posen gowns.

Hamish Bowles never lets anyone down, of course.

Hailee Stanfeld's Stella McCartney gown was dramatic in all the right ways and also suited the young actress very well. I'm sure she has a stylist but I'd love if she was really just that cool all the time. I'm not that big a fan of mullet-y hemlines but in this case it just works.

Beyonce also looked incredible in a gilded Pucci gown and Aimee Mullins' Theyskens dress was perfect for the occasion with its high collar and tweed deconstructionist vibes.
(Also really into Jay Z's hair at the moment)

Lookin' good ladies

Stella McCartney looked INCREDIBLE last night. Her dress was simple but it had all the right details to make it a perfect reflection of her style as well as pay homage in this night.
Also homegirl looks like shes 25? How DOES she do it!

Ashley's HUGE vintage Christian Dior sleeves kinda killed me.
But the best thing by far is that strong eyebrow she's got going on.

Dakota Fanning looked really adorable in her flower-strewn Valentino gown.

I loved Shalom's throwback Marchesa gown. The sheer skirt really gave it the necessary spice. Mary J's Gucci gown could've been a snoozefest but the gold detailing around the bodice gave it the right amount of McQueen influence.

We weren't expecting Anna to pull out all the crazy stops and come wearing a mask or anything, but the striped detail of her fully glittering Chanel dress was kinda retro and totally awesome. Diane Kruger's Jason Wu gown was just beautiful.

Repping the hippie vibe corner is Mary-Kate in a vintage Givenchy gown that almost made her disappear into the red carpet (and I kinda liked that?) and Sarah Burton's ethereal Lord of the Rings-goddess dress that made her appear even MORE saintly in the eyes of the fash-crowds.

It doesn't hurt to put in a little effort sometimes

What is UP with ALL the SHORT hems???? It's a GALA! The men are in black ties and you're wearing some beach-bridesmaid getup? Come on Lara Spencer, let's think this through next time.

Not that she was the only one, I mean Alexa Chung's Christopher Kane dress is super cool, but she can probably wear this to any other red carpet/grocery store/music festival/whatever.
(Peep Giovanna Bataglia giving her the stink eye in the background? hahaha)

Milla's Marni day-dress? This isn't brunch.
Jessica Szhor's dress is from Topshop.
TOPSHOP!!! This isn't the Meatpacking dude! GUHR.
I'm broker than all these people and even I would find something nicer to wear than a goddamn strapless pouffy dress from Topshop.

Edit: Ginnifer Goodwin wore Topshop too but her dress looked like vintage Halston or something and it was nice. Not fancy enough, but nice.

Like 20 girls wore a version of this custom(!!!) Escada dress to my senior prom in 2001. Sorry, Kerry Washington.

Ah Joy Bryant, post-beach dip sweater dresses are never appropriate for black-tie events, not even if they are from Missoni (Mare).

Michelle Williams put a bird on it. I know it's Miu Miu but blagh, I get it she's cute and indie and yadda yadda yadda. Let's go beyond the obvious next time!

A special shout-out to Amy Poehler who I thought did a nice job of channeling a bit of McQueen vibez with her dramatic eye makeup, hairdo and gold necklace.

Ps. No Gaga?

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?

2011-05-02T13:27:00.003-04:00

Probably hatching a plan to hit up some Valentino stores come fall and steal this SICK hunter green leather trench.

Just imagine how incredible this will be after 20 years of continuous wear.

Sunday Jam: Song of Spring

2011-05-01T12:42:00.002-04:00

The Replacements : Hold My Life
I re-discovered this song about a week ago when I decided to download all the songs that were on a favorite mixtape from my freshman year in college. I'm kinda obsessed with it.

Can you believe it's May already?
CRAZY!
But on the other hand, I'm really stoked for spring time.

Some shoes I liked from the fall collections.

2011-05-01T02:02:00.005-04:00

My obsession with manshoes continues, and these weirdo Dolce & Gabbana styles are right up my alley. I admit that it would maybe take some coaxing to get me in the polka dot styles. They're umm... a lot of look.

The Alexander Wang metallic patent leather tassel shoes are super cool but I'm sure they're impossible to walk in (like the rest of his heels) so I'm keeping my fingers crossed he'll make a cute matching flat version. Thakoon's early 90's western heels are 20 kinds of right and perfect for pairing with maxi skirts and wide-legged trousers.

Acne's Olsen-ready Birkenstock gone wild platform is 20 kinds of amazing but 100% not made for cobblestone walking. The Mulberry teal boots on the other hand, seem like an appropriate every-day shoe.

Retro-vibe wedges at Marni and Michael van der Ham. Love colorblocking on the Marni pair.

All the fancy uptown ladies will be about decorating the super-skinny heels of their shoes this fall, like the new fashion symbol. Oscar de la Renta's gray wool pump is half-dominatrix half-no-nonsense business-woman, which clearly makes it a necessary show. Jason Wu's black pump with gold architectural detail reminds me of something out of the movie Metropolis, which for some reason seems like a cool thing to have between the pavement and you.

Emotional Landscapes

2011-04-28T11:53:00.002-04:00

An incredible stark palette with vague witchyvibe undertones set in a seemingly alien landscape. Everything about this editorial from Italian Marie Claire really fits the mood of right now.

Luisa Bianchin is a creature from the future.

via Fashion Gone Rogue.

Pree-i shi-j pah-ee, isn't it?

2011-04-25T15:06:00.001-04:00

First trip out west was intense and awesome. Beverly Hills. Early wake-ups for no reason at all (ok, the time change). Trips through Little Ethiopia for epic visits at prop houses that have everything in the world ever. Fake food fun. Horrible smelling air-fresheners. Lunch at Barneys. Comme des Garcons crochet t-shirts. Picking up adorable babies at school. Ridiculous rum punch with fruit hanging from the side at business meeting. Candy necklaces. Traffic traffic everywhere. Personal watermelons at target. "Yo yo yo you're getting on the freeway!". Encino. American flags and crucifixes. Head of illicit activities. Rescuing Celine shirts. Sherman Oaks. Drunken British accents. Unexpected Strokes concert outside hotel. "Just show up and play the hits!". Ace of Base dance party. Wet wipes. Anti-American Apparel. Presidential security checks. In-n-Out burgers. Pumping gas. Pool time in street clothes. Flying home with the whole row to myself.

Sunday Jam: West Coast Explorer

2011-04-17T11:56:00.003-04:00

Sheryl Crow : All I Wanna Do
I'm going to LA tomorrow for a week and I'm pretty stoked. It will be my first time in the West Coast so that should be some kind of FUN TIME. I will be quoting all the lines from Clueless that refer to California landmarks ("Oh that's right near me! I'm above Olympic").

Also this.

Wax : California

You're still the one that I love, the only one I dream of

2011-04-15T12:23:00.000-04:00

Olivier continues being my #1 reality dressmaker. A trip to the store he shares with Helmut Lang in Soho last week was enough to make me consider unsavory ways I could acquire massive amounts of money in a short period of time. But it's ok, sense prevails always. The fall collection was no different, loads of maxi lengths, sick wedges and the a lace waist peplum that haunts my dreams everyday. The styling is impeccable, everything put together the way you would in real life. No matchy-matchy just a bunch of great pieces that look even better when put together.

Genius Moment #1: A super frilly skirt paired with a tee, dude-style plaid shirt and oversized blazer. It's SO obvious and YET...

Genius Moment #2: [DREAM OUTFIT]

A black lace waist peplum worn with a cobalt blue tee and gauzy long black skirt. This needs to be my new uniform.

It's a nice day for a goth wedding.

Also did you peep the perfect lip color?

Oh for the fuck of shit

2011-04-13T21:56:00.008-04:00

"Her other fashion hero is the late, great Alexander McQueen. When McQueen comes up, Gaga leans back and a sense of wonder glows from her face. She thinks that after his suicide, McQueen began working through her. "I think he planned the whole thing: Right after he died, I wrote 'Born This Way.' I think he's up in heaven with fashion strings in his hands, marionetting away, planning this whole thing." Supporting Gaga's claim was the decision by the label--not Gaga herself--to move up the release date for "Born This Way," ultimately to the exact day of the one-year anniversary of McQueen's death. "When I heard that, I knew he planned the whole damn thing. I didn't even write the fucking song. He did!""

Gaga in Bazaar

This is so fucking gross on SO MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS that I can't even handle it.

I mean, does she REALLY thing that her level of creativity and talent is on par with Alexander-fucking-McQueen? Because she is MISTAKEN! Not in the way she dresses, not in what she sings, not in the way she dances, not in her adopted name, not in her ANYTHING is she even half as amazing as McQueen was.

I find it amazing that she keeps pretending to be Isabella Blow junior when the extent of their relationship was like "hey here's a song for your show, oh thanks here's an outfit for your video". But no one is saying anything because they're all too afraid the world won't think of them as cool for not getting whatever they're all being sold. No one wants to think on their own and they're all hopping on everyone else's "highly regarded" bandwagons. It's disgusting.

This is the fashion world's new icon? They can fucking keep her.

I guess Garth might become a recurring thing...

Never gonna give you up (witchy vibez)

2011-04-12T01:33:00.001-04:00

oak cowl maxi skirt

I love getting things in the mail, especially when said things are sick pieces from my friends at Oak. They're known for stocking all the cool designers and all sorts of black and drop-crotch moments but their in-house label is always, always killer. In fact, my current obsession with skirts probably began at new year's when I wore my favorite mystic skirt from them.

I'm pretty certain this skirt will be my most-worn item this summer. It's made of lightweight jersey and has a slit up one side. I love the draped detail and the circular sort of seam. Unfussy skirts need to be worn with unfussy tops so I paired it with my favorite deep cowl tee from Oak (I have it in 2 colors, it is DEFINITELY essential in the summer).

oak mesh pieced legging

I have been wanting a pair of sheer pants for a while. True, the very concept of sheer pants is totally backwards but whatever, when I saw the leggings I knew this was my chance to try them out. These are a size large so the are loose around the leg and I can "cuff" them, which is ridiculous and therefore awesome. The seams around the legs make them cooler and also take the look away from stretched-out Duane Reade hosiery to cool futuristic wear.

Since they are sheer I'll probz wear them with dresses that are just -this- side of short, this one I call my "nunnery" dress from Acne because of the high neck. I have a vision of layering the leggings under these Karl Lagerfeld for H&M tap shorts, though, and as SOON as I find them, I think it's gonna happen.

Both worn with Prada oxfords because by now they have melded with my feet.

Thank you Oak and THANKS Tommy!
<3

Sunday Jam: I'm hanging on you

2011-04-10T15:25:00.004-04:00

Foo Fighters : Rope
The new Foo Fighters record is fucking sick (ps. it's streaming).
Also, Pat Smear is back in the band man!

<3

Black and White and Navy

2011-04-07T22:58:00.003-04:00

I guess this editorial is a little bit old by now, from the February issue of Vogue Italia but I have it saved on my toolbar and I look at it almost everyday. It contains all the things I love the most including my current model obsession Valerija. It's really impressive that such a strong mood can be created with just a white background and killer styling. Definite inspiration for right now.

via.

Long, long, long

2011-04-05T00:49:00.001-04:00

Maxi skirts are still my total jam. I never knew I would be the kinda girl to wear them all the time but my collection is slowly growing (like, really slowly, I haven't shopped in over 6 months but I guess that's another story). In a way it seems like a natural extension of preferring jeans over skirts my entire life, now I'm trying to dress a little less casual all the time and long skirts give me the freedom to sit down and put my legs up however way I want without flashing people my underwear.

It's cool to see that the rest of the fashion world has also embraced the maxi length. Although we're used to only seeing them for formal occasions, they're now becoming more and more of an everyday piece.

Betty Jackson's sheer red dress has the perfect Ellen von Unwerth vibes although I think for maximum awesomeness I would wear lil' denim shorts under it and unbutton it all the way to the belly button (from the bottom up). Juan Carlos Obando's Grecian gown is perfectly accessorized with a rope harness and I'm surprised at how much I enjoy the shoulder cutouts that I'm usually totally against. Roksanda Illincic's fluid satin skirt and structured sweater could be prim with different proportions but here everything works out, especially with the witchy hat and sheer black hose.

I'm madly in love with Vera Wang's asymmetric oxblood ruffly gown. I would wear it exactly like that. Please come to me. Also come to me Valentino gowns. I have no occasion to wear you but I don't care. I will find it.

Frothy dresses are cool, but structured pieces really take the hippie vibes away and leave a weirdo aftertaste behind (this is a good thing). I love Ann Sofie Back's beautifully draped pieces with delicate folds and pleats. They are strangely organic in their meticulous quasi-futuristic cleanliness. Limi Feu's majestic voluminous A-line dresses seem oddly appropriate for urban nomads, something about a long white dress with a long red jacket just WORKS (peep the super cool boots as well). Things were a little less conceptual at Maison Martin Margiela this season, but they were pretty much everything I want to be. I can't decide if I like the leather skirt or the felted wool skirt better, my guess is that I'd probably need both, along with the cool sweatshirts and opera-length leather gloves.

Sunday Jam: Hide in the Sun

2011-04-03T13:14:00.003-04:00

Enon : Murder Sounds
I've been listening to Enon's Hocus Pocus a lot lately. It's a really great record and although it's intensely attached to my sophomore/junior whatever year of college, something about it is still very fresh and makes sense for right now.

I spent all day yesterday listening to music and redesigning the blog.
I felt very productive. What do you guys think?

April is gonna be a SICK month.
Welcoming 2011's awesomeness with Spring makes sense.
Let's take it to the next levzzzzzz.
<3

Sense and Sensibility

2011-03-31T00:53:00.000-04:00

There were many things at play in the Prada fall collection but my favorite things were the bold blown-up plaids and all over textures. The oversized collars with an indirect mod feel, big buttons everywhere, a quiet sense of propriety but really fun. The same silhouettes are completely converted when covered in paillettes the color of the ocean or maybe a maize, magical fish and also Falcor.

The interplay between this collection and Miu Miu was really interesting this season. There were some similarities in the conservative silhouette that evokes the mid 20th century and I think that's the main message from the collections this season. More is less and seduction is not about skin but about the newly created surfaces. Looking at all these close-up images together the collection might not even make a lot of sense; there are mis-matched 70's colors, ethereal nature tones and clean whites but there really is a story being told in a larger sense. Something about an urgent femininity that explodes in in a mix of everything. Something about practicality and being a woman on the go. You know, business at usual at Prada.

Things around my neck

2011-03-28T20:41:00.006-04:00

Eleven Objects has made a few appearances on the blog already but their awesomeness deserves a post all of its own. Basically it is the raddest new label started by friends Chrissy and Linh that devotes itself entirely to the sickest stand-alone collars you'll ever lay your eyes on. The materials they use are super luxe and I'm especially obsessed with the tan calfskin and gold studded number but really each one in the collection of 11 (duh) is cooler than the next.

I'm tired of this bullshit winter weather and feverishly planning spring outfits in my head. Seriously getting dressed these days is a chore because I never want to wear as many layers as I actually need to step outside without freezing. The collar makes a cameo almost every time I go out, it's become kinda essential in my closet.

This sweater has been in storage for forever, it's more than 10 years old and I bought it from Gap Kids at some point in high school. I've been wearing it at least once a week. The Christopher Kane skirt was another Barneys Warehouse Sale score and I definitely haven't worn it enough but I think maybe that's going to change.

You'd be surprised how many things benefit from a pop of red!

Sunday Jam: New Favorite

2011-03-27T17:27:00.002-04:00

Screaming Females : Wild

Really into their latest record Castle Talk right now.

Cool kids being cool

2011-03-25T23:51:00.003-04:00

When these two get shit right, they GET IT RIGHT.

Old-school lady-like is the new big time sensuality.

Haider + Margiela + Zana

2011-03-24T00:53:00.005-04:00

SICK I-D editorial styled by Alastair McKimm and shot by Josh Olins.
Everything about this is perfect. perfect casting. perfect mood. perfect pairings. perfect tones.
Remember kids, why belt it when you can Zana Bayne harness it?

So proud!

via.

K I S S

2011-03-21T22:50:00.005-04:00

Keep it simple, stupid.

Knee length shift dresses with sleeves just this side of short. Miuccia loves the 40's and I feel like she used to reference them quite a bit back in the 90's. It's the perfect way to revisit the 90's, not through actual mass trends but rather seeing the things that inspired you back then with new eyes. In a way its austerity belonged more in the Prada runway than at Miu Miu, but over the years Miuccia has proven that Miu Miu is really not a baby-sister label with a defined aesthetic. Its grown-up but still with a secret youth sensibility. Maybe in the bright colors or maybe because she put birds on things again or maybe because she layered lil' miniskirts with oversized bows over the dresses or maybe it was that fur bum warmer.
Whatever it is, it's minimal and womanly.
It's the best.

Sunday Jam: The day after the rejection letter

2011-03-20T12:58:00.003-04:00

Groove Armada : At the river

This song was at the end of a legendary mixtape given to me by an ex a few years back. It's a wonderful "end of" song but also sounds like a great "beginning of" song.

Basically it's uplifting and I think we could also use some musical sunshine in our lives right now.

I hope everyone had a great week.
<3

Some things never change

2011-03-18T15:53:00.005-04:00

This Celine bag appeals to my former lunchbox-loving self.

Raccoons & Trousers

2011-03-18T02:40:00.008-04:00

If you're in a bookstore/drugstore/supermarket you should DEF pick up the April issue of Elle and check out this story shot by KT Auleta because I assisted Ondine on this shoot!

Apart from all the obvious radness, I got to go to Miami for a few days when it was freezing cold in the city and that was like icing on the cake.

favorite looks:
(4th spread right) yellow Sportmax trousers + cream Margiela jacket
(5th spread left) Cavalli bra & blouse + red Brioni pants

Gotta keep that hustle going my babezzzzzzzz.

Wood around my finger

2011-03-15T01:14:00.004-04:00

Here's another thing that I want but can't have.

Sunday Jam: I fake it so real

2011-03-13T15:38:00.004-04:00

Hole : Violet, Saturday Night Live

Been playing guitar all weekend re-learning Hole songs and it feels a w e s o m e!
Look out world!

<3

So glad somebody finally put this on Youtube.
It's def one of my favorite versions.

I don't care about getting laid, I want some quick and easy satisfaction

2011-03-12T12:33:00.000-05:00

The bad-ass girl makes a comeback this time in Paris rocking some Junya. Her fur has become her signature and now she even styles her hair to match her jacket. She wears slinky shit with ass-kicking boots and in a way you can't ever really say that she's giving into the sexy dressing status-quo.

What the hell are trends anyways?
She'll wear the fur and the sick leather jacket for forever, through births and graduations and weddings and promotions and everything else until the end when all that's left is the memories and a little house filled with books and art and maybe a cat or two.

But who's even thinking thinking that far in the future?

The Donnas : Rock n' Roll Machine

Another great shoe by Miuccia, surprise, surprise...

2011-03-09T20:34:00.003-05:00

EVERYTHING about the Miu Miu fall shoes is good.

They're like little sandals with built-in socks!
But the best part is the curved heel from those fall 07 Prada shoes except with added glitter which is ALWAYS a good thing.

L O V E !!!!!

Queen Joan

2011-03-08T14:09:00.005-05:00

Sick energy from this editorial. Love the lace bra and trench with two-tone pumps.
Joan Smalls kills it ALWAYS.

Foxy Lady
Photographs Alasdair McLellan, Styling Beat Bolliger

Ideal Me

2011-03-08T01:34:00.003-05:00

I pretty much live in button-down shirts and sweaters right now. I'm over winter and trying to figure out cute layering combos to avoid the heat. Screw it. I am a Scrooge of weather right now.

ANYWAYS, this Valli look is AMAZING. Long silver shirt with a super beaded black sweater. I am already trying to figure out how to incorporate this into my wardrobe.

And if there was any doubt that this look was tailor-made for me please peep the shoes:

Beaded loafers with little black socks!

Valli obvz loves me, no big deal.
I bet it's from that time he shopped at Oak and I helped him out.
HAHAHA

Damn you 20/20 vision!

2011-03-07T07:44:00.001-05:00

UMMM did you guys check out Givenchy? Seriously incredible. This is not everything I will post about it, obvz, but it's definitely the most urgent.
I can't decide if I want neon yellow cat-eye eyeglasses with panthers on the temples or velvet wrapped shades.

ONE OF EACH.

Excuse me while I go sit too close to the TV.
You think all this internet stuff is corroding my vision?
KEEPIN MY FINGERS CROSSED.

Although at the same time, how amazing would it be if these were your everyday glasses? Not even ADR is that crazy.

The King of Cool

2011-03-07T00:13:00.000-05:00

My two favorite looks from Haider Ackermann's fall collection are uniquely his and so fucking sexy and sophisticated. His mix of textures and materials was absolutely superb.

Just take a look at that first look, a long nubby pencil skirt worn with a leather and velvet jacket/bodice situation cinched at the waist by a huge black corset-belt and worn with leather gloves and what looks to be like a leather scarf. SO MANY THINGS but they are all in perfect harmony.

Then there's the borderline scandalous trompe l'oeil dress that looks like an oversized sweater draped over one shoulder with a sequin skirt that's falling down on one side. It's pretty much my favorite thing I've seen in the runways recently. It's very over-the-top luxurious but in a total sowhatwhocares way.

Plus, LOOK AT THE BACK VIEW.
UGHH. SO SO SO SO SO INCREDIBLE.

ps. my opinion still stands in the event that the last look is actually a sweater and a cut-out skirt.

Sunday Jam: I'm strong enough

2011-03-06T10:31:00.002-05:00

Neneh Cherry : Move With Me

This song is so so so so so so good. I mean, REAL good. I've been listening to it on repeat for the past week.

What a crazy week it's been, right? Somehow fashion week is still going on, but I admit that I don't feel the same energy and excitement about it that I have in previous seasons. It's almost like the shows never stop now, ready to wear! resort! couture! pre-fall! mens!
Like, geez give us some time to digest this shit you know what I mean?

Hope everyone had a great week.
<3

Paris Fall 2011: Undercover

2011-03-05T13:56:00.000-05:00

First look from Undercover's fall collection and I was totally in head over heels. This is SO 90's man, and not like the 90's we like to fantasize about with the grunge and the flowers and the disaffected youth feelings but the one we wore sequined tops and ankle boots and body glitter and gelled back hairdos with spiky ponytails.

I mean, I don't know if I'm ready for this rehash, but the way they did it sure seems enticing.

but more importantly...

A CAT BAG!!!!!!!!!!

catspring 2010 is turning into CATLIFE ∞!
dealwithit.

Best.Pants.

2011-03-04T10:07:00.000-05:00

It may have taken over a year, but my flash pant dreams are FINALLY coming true!

Y'all know that I am NOT one of those people that worship at the altar of Balmain, and the only reason why I actually looked through the collection this season was 'cause Melanie Ward was styling it and I love her. Anywho, I'm sure the pants will cost like 5 grand so obvz this is not in my real-life future (and let's face it, rip-off versions will not be as cool as these), but a girl can dream, non?

Photobooth Snapshot: Red, Cream and Yellow?

2011-03-03T01:14:00.004-05:00

Wore this tonite to the Say 100 party. I didn't think a mustard yellow lace cardigan could ever become such an essential part of my wardrobe and yet it's always there when I need it. Took my favorite Norweigan Wood skirt out probably in anticipation of spring. I was wearing two pairs of tights under it and didn't freeze too much outside. Thought about getting rid of this Wang shirt for a while but I dunno, I think I still totally love it, especially now that I have this sick red studded Eleven Objects collar to wear it with (more in-depth post about that soon).

Worn with my favoritest pair of Prada oxfords, aka the shoes I wear every day.

How Bizarre: Lovechild Edition

2011-02-28T22:22:00.003-05:00

Coming to terms with the real me(ssoni)

2011-02-28T21:07:00.003-05:00

Missoni was 100% insanely S I C K.
Maxi lengths, washed out colors and quasi-grungy vibez are really what it's all about, you know? I'm so glad they steered their stuff right back into my universe.

Let's talk about the most amazing print!
people + flowers. people + flowers.

(I am pretending there were no backwards Kangol hats involved in this collection, thankyouverymuch)

Braided chunky knit sweaters in Rainbow Sherbet colors are totally candy-raver-ish, I know, but I think taken out of this context and worn with jeans (or let's face it, leggings) it's just a cool cozy piece. The blown-up plaids with pastel stripes were also really cool touches, there's something almost all-American about this ensemble but the colors really put it on its head.

(In the event that those bottoms are cropped palazzo pants I will a) throw up and b) demand everyone take them to a tailor, slice the legs up and turn that into a skirt asap.)

Great sunglasses and another great flowy long dress with weirdo bikini-top seams that for some reason I am totally LOV-ING.

Ps. Boots are hideous, shield your eyes.

More 90's stuff! In the form of slipdresses!
Don't you just wanna start collecting this shit and just wear one everyday with whatever outerwear variation? I dunno but this is starting to look really good to me.

TURQUOISE VELVET SKIRT YES YES YES.
The purple fur is 100% unnecessary and yet... the look kinda needs it?
Peep the dark purple-y lipstick too, so essential!

Secretly I think I want to dress like this the most.
See? This is why shows are 6 months before the clothes are available. Because it gives you time to come to terms with the person you seem to be slowly becoming.
And that's a good thing.

Sunday Jam: Important Songs

2011-02-27T11:49:00.000-05:00

Madonna : Secret

Erykah Badu : Didn't Cha Know
These two songs are kind of the cornerstone of my life right now. That is possibly the most ridiculous thing I've ever written but sowhatwhocares. Last weekend I went on a total Madonna rampage and downloaded pretty much every song of hers that I loved. Bedtime Stories is SUCH a good record, why doesn't anyone talk about it more? The Erykah Badu song I discovered via a most amazing mixtape given to me a few years ago. It seriously has the best groove ever.

Those two songs are the first in my current life mix, I put the rest up on 8 tracks, so if you're so inclined, have a listen.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Now I have to clean my apartment to get ready for Oscar shenanigans tonight.
BRING ON THE FRANCO!
<3

Sweaters and Flowers

2011-02-26T20:38:00.000-05:00

While it's true that I was not bowled over Jil Sander's fall collection like I was by spring (nothing against fall, I just really really LOVED spring), there were still some totally essential pieces:

Super cool sweaters!
I loved the weirdo geometric intarsia knits. They are dorky enough to come to us via Saved by the Bell and yet there is a sophistication in its minimal design that elevates it to a higher level.
The sleeveless knit shell in neon green and pink looks kinda Balenciaga from afar, but it's a really cool thick knit up close. The last sweater looks like it's made of confetti and with good reason, it's actually made up of a zillion little beads. Totally luxe and grungy at the same time (so, perfect).

But if there was one thing that was absolutely MAJOR, it was most definitely Raf Simon's sick floral print:

A GIANT SACK OF FLOWERS YES.
It's a little Erdem, not gonna lie, but that comparison is bound to happen to anyone that does a sick floral print (because he's awesome, duh). I love everything about this dress, this is crazy, I never used to be a floral print kinda girl and lately I want to dress like a garden basically.
What does it all mean?

I love a dress, but a matching button-down shirt and trousers combo will realistically win out in my life every time. A trenchcoat could also definitely work wonders in my life.

London Fall 2011 Erdem

2011-02-23T15:10:00.001-05:00

When it comes to awesome floral prints, Erdem pretty much has the whole field covered (accidental pun?). This season he kind of let go of all the "pretty" and let his prints melt into a darker and more sinister place. The textures and prints are almost a collision between nature and a rapidly expanding city and that tension is creating some really beautiful results.

The pieces all had very distinct vibes depending on how they were put together which I also found very interesting. The almost space age button-down blouse and trousers ensemble is walking the fine line between Jil Sander-shimmery good and an eyesore from the Liberace house of crap BUT that's why it's so great, and a skirt with a slit-up-to-there is toned down by a chunky cable knit sweater and a matching blouse for a total Secretary (the movie not the actual profession) vibe. The super bright spaghetti-strap dress has the perfect quasi-40's via 90's-Prada thing happening for which the gloves are totally essential and in direct opposition of the sexy little slip dress is the totally covered up with each body part in a different fabric look. OBVIOUSLY GREAT! Victorian on acid.

My favorite look of the show was this ridiculous velvet on velvet on velvet contraption. As a general rule I hate turtlenecks but this is too rad for neckline hangups to be even remotely relevant. I'm looking at it right now and thinking that maybe it IS too hideous but I can't stop imagining myself wearing this?

Sometimes I don't even know me.

Say 100

2011-02-23T14:00:00.004-05:00

So this is an awesome thing that happened!

Say 100 is a project that highlights the 100 most influential(!!!) voices online today. There's a ton of different categories picked by notable people in each field. Jane Pratt(!!!) was behind the Style category and she picked me! I'm in super awesome company of course and this is something beyond beyond cool.

Thank You Jane!

*SO MANY (!!!)'s!

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT

2011-02-21T20:08:00.003-05:00

These shoes from Acne's fall collection take the best of the faux Doc wedge from Chloe's fall 2007 and mixes it with a classic spectator shape to make a totally next-level shoe. I'm feeling that caramel color real heavy.
Ugh, it's just so perfect.

Animal Time

2011-02-20T12:48:00.004-05:00

Charles Anastase Fall 2011

Chloe Spring 2001
Man, all the animals of the early 2000's are making a comeback and I'm loving everything about it. While Stella McCartney's collection at Chloe seemed to be paying homage to the animal, Charles Anastase's sorta Etruscan iterations seem more about its place in culture through history. I love everything about it.

Ps. My boyfriend thinks they could also be sheep? In which case I love it TRIPLE more.