Monday, August 31, 2009

Balmain's Pricey Chic



If I were given a Rorschach test with a series of inkblots resembling some spectacularly lavish couture gowns, I'd most probably see The House of Balmain. Synonymous with elegance and his fashion peers Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain epitomized opulence with his magnificently constructed evening and party dresses. The Balmain label of today, however, more closely resembles an inkblot of Swarovski meets Rock & Republic.

Thanks to designer Christophe Decarnin, who took over designing duties in 2005, one of Balmain's most popular-selling items is the Biker Jean. Pretty much an otherwise hot pair of jeans with cool "ripped looking" seams, it retails for a staggering $2,270. Yes you read that right. Actress Lindsay Lohan (who should be bankrupt by now) owns a pair, as well as Victoria Beckham who wears head to toe Balmain as if to tell us "My bank account is mahjah." Hundreds of uber-fashionable celebrities are also clamoring over the label's peak-shouldered tux jacket ($5,000), sequin Paillette mini dress ($13,395), and zipped-up booties ($1,479). I get it. The collection, though by no means innovative, is super cool rocker-chic and sharp, and what fashion-crazy coquette wouldn't want to own every single piece. But a blue Sequin-Zip skirt for $7,665.00??? ('cos it's fully lined?)...For goodness sakes people, we're in a recession!!!!




Available on net-a-porter.com






Available on kirnazabete.com

Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss photos courtesy of theSun.co.uk, stylecaster.com,

Friday, August 28, 2009

Twilight Saga: New Moon Fashion Guide 2 ~ Volturi Clan

Twilight Series: New Moon VolturiTwilight Series: New Moon VolturiTwilight Series: New Moon Volturi
Twilight Series: New Moon VolturiTwilight Series: New Moon Volturi
Twilight Series fans, here's a post dedicated to all of you. Last month, I blogged about Alice Cullen's fashion style. Now, let me present to you the fashion statement of the Volturi Clan.

"The Volturi are an organized coven of vampires. They enforce the laws of the vampire world. They "invite" other vampires with powerful gifts to join their coven. They are the largest, and most powerful Coven of vampires in the series."~ Twilight Saga Wiki

Twilight Series: New Moon Volturi
Marcus in long draped robe with a somber brown/black paisley scarf and Volturi crest necklace.
Twilight Series: New Moon Volturi
Jane in a somber dress with a dark brown bow and the Volturi crest necklace.

Twilight Series: New Moon Volturi
Aro in a regal black suit with the Volturi crest necklace.

Twilight Series: New Moon Volturi
Caius has a black robe with a red scarf accent.

Twilight Series: New Moon Volturi
Alec of the Volturi in black and crimson number.

Source

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Project Runway Episode 2: Pregnancy Chic


It's a 'Pregnancy Look' challenge for the designers this week as Heidi Klum introduces fellow Sports Illustrated pregnant-with-twins model Rebecca Romijn as the celebrity muse. The designers took many 'deep breaths' as they sketched their first maternity looks and apprehensively draped fabric over the alien pregnant dress forms. Ra'mon-Lawrence spent the next two days feeling nervous, anxious, and concerned (rightly so) about his maroon and grey patchwork bowling ball-bag dress looking anything but safe. As Tim advised, "Don't be safe without being cookoo..." Whatever that means Tim. But I still love you!



Mitchell once again spends his time regretfully, creating a shapeless waist-banded pair of very short shorts which the judges later simply branded a "pregnancy mess." Louise Black ( whom I keep confusing for Louise Brooks) designed a very fetching and flirty lingerie-inspired red dress which I think Mrs. Romijn would actually wear out. Malvin, meanwhile, clucking way too philosophical for fashion, designed a "fertile" concept of eggs, cocoon, mother hens, nests, feathers, and chicken thighs... Nina, stifling a snicker, deemed it a baby sling, but as Tim earlier encouraged: "I'm not bored!" When it came down to the final two contestants I was secretly hoping it would be Mitchell 'I'm finally ready to rekindle my dream'' Hall's time to be aufed thanks to too many excuses and sloppy drama, but in the end it was Malvin's musings that got him hatched off the runway. His take on the situation? "I'm just too conceptual for America." Yes Malvin, you definitely are.
Shirin Askari was the clear winner this week as her beautifully constructed and uber wearable burgundy dress and coat ensemble wowed the testosterone-free judges. Wait, something's not sitting right. Where was Michael Kors???

Malvin and his egg



Mitchell and his shorts




"Designers, you have 5 seconds left..."



The Winning Design



Photos borrowed from mylifetime.com

Moschino Cheap & Chic Resort 2010

I can't get enough of the fresh and tailored designs of Moschino's Cheap & Chic Resort 2010. As I once again peruse through the Resort 2010 collections, this one remains one of my favorites because it's so pretty and alive. I love the prints, the sharp colors, the shoes...Efortless Chic!
Photos borrowed from style.com