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louis vuitton spring 2012…

In fashion on October 11, 2011 at 10:31 am

…so i don’t normally blog about fashion in the traditional sense but i had to give props to the louis vuitton spring 2012 women’s show.  the show itself is breathtaking with a dream like carousel showcasing all of the models as they rotate onstage astride virginal white horses.

the entire look is so stepford wives on valium and i love it!  the verdict is still out as far as i’m concerned with regards to the saccharine sweet clothes.  the inspiration is very mad men, (surprise, surprise) but when banana republic has already beaten you to the punch, maybe it’s time to leave it alone.

some of the clothes look a bit stiff and i’m just not sure the idea was pushed far enough but the shoes, the shoes! check it out:

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staying au courant…

In fashion on September 26, 2011 at 6:08 am

…with a current affair!

a current affair has struck downtown once again and is quickly becoming my go to for one of a kind elements of splendor!  at a time when there are so many mass collections of ho hum clothing coming at you, and we all become more frugal in parting with our dollars on “up to the minute” trends, i, myself want something that speaks to me.  something outside of the editorial magazines and fashion blaring blogs that spells out style my way.

free drinks, tireless d.j’s and all the vintage eye candy you could want in an art deco penthouse makes for a memorable saturday night!  as usual, i could barely get through the door without tossing my sweater and handbag to my ever so patient partner and bee-lining it over to the nearest rack.

before i even go over what i walked away with, i have to give kudos to the many fashionable femme fatales who strutted their stuff that night while looking to add to their collections.  the vibe was positive and boutiques that represented were friendly and passionate about sharing their love of vintage finds!  these were only a few of the highlights from last night’s show:

everything about this dress hit her figure in the right way.

this is a gorgeous loop fringed bag by jil sander:

beautiful pieced leather cross body bag which my photos do not do justice from “just say native”.

my personal favorite, this beautiful wool dress by lanvin:

heart stopping color and detail.

you can get caught up in so many styles and my mission was to maintain a sense of purpose and being able to edit down pieces that would fit into a functional wardrobe.  as impressive as some of the pieces are, unless you’re constantly on press junkets or swilling cocktails at red carpet events, you have to think smart to maximize your purchase.  i kept the alcohol and the shopping rush under control and came away with two signature pieces for my collection that really spoke to me:


this beautiful indigo print kimono dress came to me via tavin: concept boutique of echo park.  as envisioned by erin tavin, her collection was an homage to vintage americana with a global twist in an extensive grouping of denim and indigo.  the rustic almost homespun workmanship of her clothes stood out amongst the chiffon, georgette and brilliant flowers of lanvin, leonard, beene, etc.


and yes, i am as happy as i look!

i paired this one of a kind dress with my antik denim boots and a two dollar vintage bakelite trimmed lizard clutch i bought from a yard sale in the arts district.  my favorite thing about this dress besides the contrasting indigo prints is the level of detail found throughout. the cuffs, collar and hem of the dress are faced in contrasting fabric as well and the drape is unbelievable!

tomorrow i’m going to wear my other score which i’ll feature in my next post along with another vintage palms springs find and a vintage inspired dress with a modern twist!  hint: it’s all about vivid color, ethnic prints, and delicate embroidery!

update:

tavin
1543 echo park ave.
los angeles, ca 90026
lifebytavin.com
ph:213.482.5832
 

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today’s inspiration begins with…

In art & design, fashion on June 28, 2011 at 6:30 am


…the letter “A.” azzedine alaÏa brought to you by virgine magazine!

virgine magazine is a new online and hard copy glossy that focuses on innovators of art, fashion and music.  their outlook is unique as the articles themselves are meant to be written by industry professionals for industry professionals.  having the photographer write about his subject or the fashion model who wants to break into editing writing about a designer.  there is also the additional charity component of devoting the first few pages to charitable advertising.  imagine that, a magazine that attempts to sell more than materialism!  i haven’t picked up a physical copy yet but i have to say that i like what i see.  clean design elements, easy to read and it has, most importantly, interviews with amazing individuals and tight photography!

the article on azzedine alaÏa is so inspiring and human!  i think of myself and my friends who are struggling to find ways to express ourselves and the impact that interviews like these have on the psyche.  what he speaks of, the breakneck pace fashion has taken on, the pressure put on creatives to hit every retail market, we know from experience will burn a designer out.  when a two time fashion oscar winner speaks, hopefully people will listen!  designers are abandoning the retail mill, opting out of the entire mass market process and reinventing themselves through e-commerce and smaller collections.  a much needed shot in the arm of creative progression… and oh! the bits about lagerfeld and wintour were very insightful!

beautifully done, virgine!

unfortunately the app isn’t up yet and their digital copy doesn’t offer any information on what the format options are for download.  the link in the sidebar takes you directly to paypal.  i need a little more than that!  still, i’ve bookmarked them for future reading and am more than willing to add their app to my ipad.  my wishlist would include a cross issue search tool that will enable true archiving for creatives!

click the image for the must read article on azzedine alaïa or click here to go to virginemag.com.

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martinMARTIN…

In fashion on June 2, 2011 at 6:00 am

…brings upscale retail to urban los angeles street.

not only was i able to score that amazing frame on los angeles street, i also came across the new home of martinMARTIN clothiers.  quiet and lux, these items are impeccably well made with beautiful attention to detail and fabrication.  waxed woven coats and delicately gathered dresses make up some of the pieces in the avant garde collection.  gorgeous leather boots are hand crafted with italian leathers and nothing is done without imagination and skillful editing.  boasting apparel for women and men, the space itself is bright, clean and airy lending itself perfectly to showcasing the stock.

co-owner/designer diane moss martin was very firm in her faith in downtown los angeles as a rising star and proved it by locating their store on the less hip los angeles street.  by contrast, spring street boasts a glut of coffee shops, cafes and bars with a smattering of galleries and thrift boutiques.  being a dtla resident who is already weary of the hipster overload of spring street, i was delighted in finding yet another jewel off the beaten path.  considering that los angeles street still has the beautiful storefronts of the specialty clothing stores of the 40′s, i thought the decision showed the kind of autonomous thinking that will be beneficial in putting los angeles street on the map.

image courtesy of martinMARTIN

martinMARTIN
713 South Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014-2105 (213) 624-6244 ‎

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the down and dirty on denim…

In fashion on May 17, 2011 at 6:00 am

i’ve got a lot of friends who are going to thank me for this one! i’m not overly fond of shopping brick and mortar stores. you’re completely limited to the brands they carry and the amount of stock they retain in a particular size, color or wash. if you are loyal to a brand, then you’re already familiar with fit and may be more comfortable with shopping on line. but what about a brand you’re not familiar with or even want to know how a wash or color will work?

below is a great example of how the same jean in the same wash can differ from retailer to actual use. the jean is the seven for all mankind super flare in vintage california. left to right: seven for all mankind, nordstrom, shop bop and a consumer review from denimology which demonstrates the true effect of the wash.

i'd have to say between retailers nordy's gives the consumer the best real time look of the wash. i would be very upset to think i was getting the darker rinse and end up with that much whiskering...

well i found denimology.com which is a site dedicated to all things jeans. not jackets, dresses or shirts, just jeans. one of the great things about it are the reviews submitted by regular readers along with photos showcasing the jeans in every day lighting. added to this are the search buttons which allow for you to shop by gender, brand and style but interestingly enough, not by size or body type. the search will generally take you to items for sale or blog posts. there are category buttons on the side by which you can peruse styles but when searching through the reviews, the results are intermixed with commentary on celebrity denim choices. a little frustrating but worth it if you have the time and want to get a well rounded take on a particular fit.

sites like revolve clothing are fantastic about giving detailed information on fit but again, that’s one site out of so many. what about shop style you may ask? it’s pretty good but only features affiliate sites leaving other e-boutiques on their own for traffic. denimology is another tool for the arsenal especially if you want to drill down to specifics on denim and reach beyond the scope of established celebrity trend based boutiques.

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