Crayon Legs

when i see all the colored tights and knee-highs around the internet and in the stores, i think of the classic box of Crayola's. We all had them (i don't know about the UK or Canada or anywhere else, pardon moi) and since spring is fast approaching, i am excited to banish the drab fall colors and be bold.

i was one of the first last summer to appear in a pair of tights. i was acnowledged with stares and questions but i ignored them because i had studied the fall 06 runways like i would for a civics exam, and i knew they'd catch on. soon enough, come november, black poorly pulled-off cropped leggings were sprouting up like licorice weeds. i immediatly banished the cropeed style and opted for a full-length tight. now, i am on the quest for the perfect bold colors to incorporate into my spring/summer wardrobe. hmm... i wonder if by fall 07 the entire world will look like a 6-year-old spilled their 64 pack of Crayolas with the sharpener in the back?

American Aparrel $30 (red) $36 (gold)
if you want something bold and have been impacted by hundreds fo magazings pounding the word "metallic" into your brain, these American Aparrel nylon leggings would look adorable with a less bold shift dress

American Aparrel $14
still a bold statement and perfect for layering, these are available in many colors and are sure to add playfullness to your wardrobe

Look From London $20 Stocking Girl $22.99
now this plaid number is not for the conservative. as seen on cory kennedy, these make a bold statement, but try taking a hint from cory: pair them with a very simple solid shapeless minidress to balance out the pattern

My Tights $29.40 & $11.75
patterns on solids are a classic and also add a little extra something

Look From London $20
stripes, shapes, and colors oh my!

+ new post coming soon...

Happy Birthday Cristobal Balenciaga!

One of my favorite old fashion houses, the mexican couture genious would be celebrating his 112th birthday today.

I bought an interesting italian magazine (which also has each article printed in english after italian) called MUSE. This issue for Fall 2006 (they produce only 4 issues per year) features extremely artistic photoshoots, lovely detailted articles, and makes fashion a great art, an idea that most magazines have taken away.

In the Musee De La Mode Et Du Textile in Paris, an exhibit entitled "Balenciaga Paris" will show many collective pieces until the 28th of January, so if you're lucky enough to be there at that time, visit and take pictures!


"Undoubtedly the master of architectural creations and the king of perfect proportions, but who was the man beneath Balenciaga's tailoring genious? We can create a vague outline through the very fragmentary data available and in the comments of those who met this Spainiard, since he chose never to abandon his right to privacy. His father a fisherman and his mother a tailor, Cristobal Balenciaga was born on the 21st of January 1895 in Guetaria. Amazed by the Parisian elegance of Lady Marquise de Torres, young Cristobal uncoveres his destiny, adn at the age of 12, strong of his mother's teaching, he creates his first dress... In 1936 the civil war starts, and Balenciaga being totally uninterested in politics chooses Paris as his refuge. Noblewomen and celebrities arrive from all over and ther isn't one that doesn't want a Balenciaga creation, even though he is the most expensive designer in Paris...Then the sixties when fashion is revolutionized...The master returns to Spain in 1968 where he passes away four years later. This is all that is written on Cristobal Balenciaga Esageri. No gossip, no spicy details, no relationships, no photos of family or summer houses. What remains is the myth, the mystery, and the respect for the personnage famous for his work, his trade, and nothing else." (MODE, number 5, Fall 2006, pg. 88-89)

Coco Chanel, who of Dior said "He uphosters chairs, he doesn't dress women" considers Balenciaga "the only true tailor because he is the only one to be able to cut a piece of fabric properly, give it a structure, and hand sew it".

In 1998 Nicolas Ghesquiere took over the Balenciaga Maison and has never dissapointed since.

the "intern" has become a common thing to see on the internet...such as the wonderful cory kennedy for the cobrasnake.

there was an article in the september issue of teenvogue (fall fashion a-z, "I is for Interns"; pg. 222)

i am very intrigued by the idea of being an intern for many reasons. in the teenvogue article, 17-year-old Sarah Richards is Peter Som's intern...how awesome would it be to be the intern of a fashion designer! unfortunately, i dont live in new york...or LA for that matter, so night-life photography and fashion are pretty much out. the search will continue as i look through the phonebook...

you get to learn about working in business as an adult, and if you're lucky, get to be a fitting model and keep the dress, or chill with l.l. and DJAM...perhaps nicole?

also, the new york times did an article entitles "Interns: The Founts Of Youth" last July: click here to read it.

are any of you interns? if you are, tell me for who and where if you dont mind

not much time (i'll comment you all back later...tomorrow)

i have a ginormous biology test on bones & muscles tomorrow + a test on a book i haven't read! wow.

but my order from A.P.C came in! very pleased indeed! (my wayfarers came in too, but they suck, theyre like a novelty shape and not authentic...grrr...but i found a store in town that sells them...oh well)

Karl Lagerfeld

One of my favorite people ever, and head of my favorite classic fashion house, Chanel. Even though i hear Karl-bashing, my opinion is not faltered. I adore the ancient being, with his slick-backed ponytail and signature gloves...up to his chic shades- I love Monsieur Lagerfeld.

From his Spring 07 line back to my first discovery of modern Chanel- Fall 05 his has taken the line to new, yet completely classic collections that Madame Coco would have been proud to call her own. I think that he has made such an impact on fashion and has taken over the line very well...compared to John Galliano for Dior. Christian Dior has such a classic heir to his clothing that i believe has been replaced by Mr. Galliano for more hardened, hip rocker-chic looks. You may favor this approach, but i do not believe that Karl has made any such similar changes. I think that staying true to the original designer is what a following lead designer should to, and i think Karl has done just that. I will never believe this: "I wish Mr. Lagerfeld would go back to his crypt and take his filthy paws off the fashion world for good."- I utterly shutter at the very thought...how could anyone think this! haha

Some of my favorite Karl Lagerfeld quotes below

“I hate birthdays, ... It's more like a new starting point in New York. For me, it's an evolution. I don't celebrate the past. I like the present and tomorrow.”

“This is what I think is modern. It's like wearing a couture jacket with a pair of jeans.”

“What I hate most in life are people who are not really the peach of the day but who want to be young and sexy. You can fool nobody. There is a moment when you have to accept that somebody else is younger and fresher and hotter. Life is not a beauty contest.”

“Personality begins where comparison ends.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

mine was filled with alcohol, friends, fun, and fireworks. awesome.

Juicy has been letting me down lately, but thank God theyve done something right. something about the new-school military look of these shorts paired with the lady-like ruffle top makes these a hit, in my opinion.

P.S. Carissa, it wont work, as in putting a picture up. in what part of the HTML code are you putting the image url?