Nuovo Valentino, Pre-Fall 2008

So after Spring 2008 and I think he has one more couture show to go, Valentino has retired. This is the pre-fall collection, which means it is sans Valentino and in comes Alessandra Faccinetti. I think she looks just like Frida Gianni, the Gucci designer and that's so amusing to me.I think they should have a tan-off. I digress. Alessandra Faccinetti was a Gucci Designer until she got booted. But if Valentino thought she was [well?] qualify then I trust his judgment. What else can I do?

There's an obvious difference in the collection. First off, there's no red dress! However, the shoulders, the cream colors, the sleeves! They're so fresh. There's still that silk and body conscious elegance that's Valentino, but it's obvious she modernized Valentino, or in the process of. Even though there's the Victorian sleeves, the balloon sleeves are fresh.

I love the female suits and the broad shoulders. I think it's to show that Alessandra is not messing around. Strong women coming in and do not take her lightly. I think that's what she's trying to say with these pieces. I also love the black highlights; how they pierce through either the jacket or the base of the scarfs or blouse. The women looks chic, which is what Valentino epitomizes.


*i love that last look with the square shoulders. It's so minimalistic but at the base, the sharp flatness can actually be viewed as lapels. I like how it folds and then the black silk skirt contrasting it underneath. I also love the black palet with the silver shoes. The silver shoes add just a good finish to the whole look because it pops out, accentuating both the shoes and the look.



[Photo Credit: Style.com]
Overall I'm excited to see the fall collection and what Alessandra is going to wow people with. This pre-fall collection is promising. The love the dresses. The first two on the last row screams elegance. I like the fluidity. I love the sharp drop down to the open of the first one. The proportions are well defined and it elongates the body. I still like what she does with the sleeves, as especially the third dress in and how she sectionalized the arm. The brooch can be a little higher, but it being there accentuates on the women she's trying to market to, women with $$$. The final dress with the jacket I thought was interesting that it referenced Chanel with the tweed, but the cut and the proportion of how it opens at the waist maintains the Valentino appeal. It's clear Alessandra studied and taking this position seriously. And it's also clear she's able to balance between her taste and that of the Valentino house. What I'm more excited about is what she's going to do with couture. Keep a look-out for Alessandra!

Collection: Valentino Pre-Fall 2008

Duckie, it's Chanel Pre-Fall 2008

*I love the last three look of the set above. The gold looks amazing on the tan cream. I would look Karl to make that into a dress for fall. I like the dress because it's not fitting and there's that looseness to it; however, it still accentuates the cinch of the waist because of its up and bottom curve from that main middle black piece. I also love the neckline. The last piece and its subtle white geometric patters on the shoulders, neck and pockets are cute. It reminds of me of Dior Homme and what Hedi Slimane did with the men's t-shirt. There's a modern feel to it, especially with the subtle poof of the shoulder sleeves. I can't get over the cat eyes. The eyes and the hair screams Amy Winehouse.

[Photo credit: Style.com]
*The last five looks are so young. The second one in, the jewelry looks like a skull. And over the past few seasons Alexander McQueen brought the skull and crossbone back with his scarfs. But I love how Karl's interpretation of it uses pearls. That first piece and the slouch by the base of the stomach. I don't understand that but I love the color and the base. Gold and metallics are definately in. The second to last look, the shirt that Freja Beha is wearing reminds me of Pilati's YSL top for Spring 2008, except less chunky pieces. These pieces are definitely going to be seen on red-carpet events and parties in the next week months.

Collection: Chanel Pre-fall 2008

Chanel "Paris - Londres" Fashion Show

[photo credit: Telegraph.com]
The Chanel Paris-London fashion show was yesterday. It was the first time Chanel has shown a show in London. karl is going crazy. First Fendi with great wall then Chanel resort in L.A. Next Chanel couture will be models floating down the Appolo Chanel in space. The london show was live online and the angle that it was shown didn't give much details to the clothes but I was able to find some photos today. I love this collection. It's so young! The colors, the shape. It's definately London-Chic.


[photo credit: Telegraph.com]
*I LOVE all of the pieces in here, except for the third one starting from the left. The second to last shirt that Freja is wearing reminds me of the YSL stars top Pilati did for YSL Spring 2008. I love the eyes and the chain purse, the colors are muddy London colors and the mid-thigh height of all the pieces are also darling. There's something punk to this collection, which is fitting for London. The purple look stood our to be the most because I love how it's dome-like. I"ll try to find more looks from the show.


[photo credit: FashionWeekDaily.com]
* I love Irina Lazareanu; she's always on the arms of Karl. (She's the one sitting on the left of Kylie Minogue in this picture and to the left of Karl on the first picture. I also included the girl with the red and white strip outwear because I love runway pieces out and about. It looks so good on her. And Tom Ford with his man. His lover is actually attractive and cute if you stare long enough.



[Photo Credit: wwd.com]

Zac Posen Pre-Fall 2008

[Photo Credit: Style.com]
Those five are by far my favorite out of the 21 piece collection. It amazes me that Zac Posen is able to produce collections after collections that make it seem as though it's something that you already have but still want because it's improved. The structure is so chic and clean. I love the high waiste skirt, the colors popping out like that orchid like floral collar from the jacket, or the purple pumps. The second girl's dress reminded me of Prada's Spring 2008 because of the rounded lava-lamp-blotches that comes out at the neck. Though Miuccia didn't have an arrange of the rounded shapes; she only used it once instead of a ring of them, that circular rounded elongated shape was enough to remind me of Prada's sprnig 2008 collection.

Pink seems to be the new color for pre-fall and probably winter/fall collection because so far, Dolce & Gabbana used the color and now Zac. I like the pink silk and the bows that he made for these dresses. The structure bows remind me of Galliano's work but still, i like the ostentacious look and placement of it. I think the third girl would look so much better if that fur shawl was not there and just the dress.

That last dress out of the five! I love the structure. I love the sleeves and the shoulder volume. It's not too big and intimidating like Maison Martin Margiela's infamous shoulders. I also like that it's a structured dress and the lines itself further accentuates geometric construction. However, the fit on the body and the curve and holding of the breasts contrast that structure and brings the dress to a more personable dress. Normally, form over function, or function over form but I think this dress has a good balance.

I'm excited for his fall '08 collection. His Spring 2008 collection was also very dreamy. I can see why the nyc women drool over his collections.

Collection: Zac Posen Pre-Fall 2008

Dolce & Gabbana Pre-Fall 2008

[Photo credit: Style.com]
Pre-fall season begins! Dolce & Gabbana pre-fall 2008 was introduced in their newly renovated New York Flagship store. There's 27 pieces in this pre-fall collection. Pre-fall basically means what it sounds like; the ending of summer and a glismp into what to come for fall/winter. Dolce & Gabbana's pre-fall collection seemed mature to me.

After their floral and artistic shout for their Spring 2008 collection, which I loved, it's curious that they dimmed everything way down and became almost conservative. The collections are more monotone, less color. As though they went from phobism to the visage of cubism. Dolce & Gabbana is also known, to me, to be one of those color forcasting designers. Their fall 2007 collection injected metallic and silver colors into mainstream, which is why it's everywhere now. They also constructed the appeal with translucency in clothes and airy mesh from their feathered white dress from fall/winter 07 collection. That transparency and air-like structure is also seen in their pre-fall with that pink one (bottom left). I like this collection but it doesn't stand out to me. But it is a transitional collection, which is important to remember so basics with pieces that pop out (like that aurora, multi-color piece on the bottom right).

Does Dolce & Gabbana have a new market; Are they catering to the more conservative, but chic woman? Is Dolce & Gabbana tired of the loud colors and ready to sit back a little and explore how to reinvent fashion? Or is just a trick and they'll end up with something extreme like what Marc Jacobs been doing to his brand and Louis? All I know is that I'm looking forward to their fall. Their shows always have the best music and presentation.


I love the boots in the bottom middle picture. It looks like it has wood soles, which I adore.

Collection: Dolce & Gabbana Pre-fall 2008

Fendi Color Love

[Photo credit: Eluxury.com]
I love this Fendi bag ($645), currently sold at eluxury. I love the colors and the chain strap. It's just a fun bag, not a serious one. I just picture someone in monotone and then having this bag pop out. <3

Click here to buy bag.

Spring to Italian Vogue ASAP

Italian Vogue's coverage of Spring(though some are resort) is phenominal! Shot by Steven Meisel, Maryna Linchuk, Meghan Collison, Hanne-Gaby Odiele, Lara Stone, and Kinga Rajzak swim in a sea of patterns. The results are color popping, bright colors, i-spy model galore! American Vogue, pay attention por favor. I love it when there's a synthesis of fashion and art, though fashion is art. I guess I love the integration of art variations! I love how they mesh the prints with the tattoos and their surrounding. It's almost biomorphic referencing but it's very modern (because of the tattoos).


[ Dior ]
*I LOVE this Dior dress. The color screams Valentino, the print screams Cavalli, but the fluidity and the subtle loudness screams Galliano. Walk anywhere with this and you're guaranteed to stand out.

[ Blumarine ]
*When I think of Blumarine, for some reason I think of structure and aquatic thoughts, the latter coming first. The sunflower prints alludes to fall but the gold makes it so now. It's like a subtle Hermes scraf made into a very fluid dress. I also get a sense of a middle-eastern to asian influence. I like it because there's a classy feel to it.

[ Oscar de la Renta | Fendi ]
*Oscar de la Renta and Fendi(karl) can never do wrong. Well...that's debatable. But when it comes to these two dresses, it's simple and wearable, and sexy. I love how the porcelain skin is making a come back. The alabaster skin tone is such a great canvas for these prints and these colors.

[ Gucci | Versace | John Galliano ]
*I love the Gucci clay yellow with the dark coral. It gives it this ease and calmness that earth tone/muted colors give. Versace, also alluring especially with the gold variations swimming about in that dress. John Galliano, the frills and thrills that makes his dresses so desirable. It's dream-like. Galliano did say, "reality is overrated."

[ Ermanno Scervino | Yves Saint Laurent | Prada ]
*I adore the paint splatter, flower-inducing colors against the white backdrop of the dress. The rose red with sky, chalky blue. Pilati is definitely not leaving YSL anytime soon that's for sure. Prada? The dress, colors, and prints speaks for itself.

THE COLORS/ARTS/PRINTS!!

[ Jean Paul Gaultier | Valentino ]
*I love that plum color patterns on Gaultier's dress. It's like paisley, but not. More towards middle-eastern prints. Could it be because there's a huge clientèle developing there? Possibly. Valentino; bright and bold. One of his last pieces. He basically left with a bang, in more than one way.

[ Dolce & Gabbana | Ralph Lauren ]
*Dolce & Gabbana chic flower child is walking about in the street and doesn't mind dropping $1000USD+ for an afternoon stroll-dress. Ralph Lauren, bold, loud, ostentatious, flamboyant, and alive? The epitome of American glamor: unafraid and in your face.

[ Gianfranco Ferre ]

[Photo Credit: Vogue Italia]

Gucci Resort '08 Video Campaign

Julien Ferre and Natasha Poly are such darlings. Poly's cheekbones are ridiculous. I love Gucci Rressort '08. Julien Ferre's dark demure and jawline! So precious. I love the rustic colors of the ad ad the contrasting saturated colors of the dress. Also, the menswear is so tailored and strctured. Below are the paper ads:






[Photo credit: Gucci.com]

Collection: Gucci Resort 2008

Oaknyc new loves

[ymc bag, $225 (left) | Union Red Suit, $48 (right)]
I love that bag. Perhaps it's because I'm still on that toggle kick from the duffle jacket two entries prior. I also want that traditional one-piece pajama suit. It's too cute. The rest are also kind of obvious why they're desireable, especially that last zip up hoodie. I like the flap around the neck. I need to open a new credit card.


[ b.son silk sweater, $334 (left) | Houndstooth Scarf, $68 (right) ]

[ shades of greige zip hoody, $122]

Photo Credit: Oaknyc.com

SS '08 Male Campaign

Ally: Jon Kortajarena
Bally: Jon Kortajarena
Belstaff: Eddie Klint
Benetton: Eddie Tucker, Nick Snider, Taylor Fuchs
Calvin Klein: Blaine Cook
D&G: AJ Jacobs, Ryan Daharsh, Simon Nessman, Trent Garrett & Tyler Scevers
Diesel: Sean Harju
DSquared2: Nathan Nesbitt
Emporio Armani: Nathan Nesbitt
Energie: Marcus Hedbrandh
Etro: Jacey Elthalion, Jon Kortajarena
Gucci: Mat Gordon
Jil Sander: Clement Chabernaud
Joop (Men's) Fragrance: Eddie Klint
Mulberry: Stan Ripley
Tom Ford: Jon Kortajarena
Prada: Julian Hennig, Felix Schopgens, Nick Snider, Yannik
Prada (Men's) Fragrance: Rogier Bosschaart

I'll update as more names come up.

Kent & Curwen

So I was on the Kent & Curwen website and i realized that Ryan Taylor is their model for their Fall/Winter '07 ad. He's dreamy. So are the clothes.



[Photo Credit: Kent&Curwen.com]
I want that toggled duffle coat. It's only 320 euros, which means it'll have to be a christmas present to myself. I like that it's slim fitting. It's hard to find a jacket like that without spending $1000+(Dior Homme).

I was also looking for that other jacket with what seems to be a brass buttons but they didn't have it. They had pictures of it but not the price. I'm assuming it's sold out? Here's some more pictures of the m.i.a. jacket:



It's called CAPTAINS COAT. That name just makes me want it even more. Look at the sleeves! The slim fit!

Natalie Portman, more than a Look

[Calvin Klein, $6615]
NYtimes featured Natalie Portman and had some amazing photos of her, taken by Raymond Meier. There's just something about her that's so dreamy. I think it's her lips and her egyptian-like profile, referencing Nefertiti. The story Lynn Hirschberg did on her also shows that she's more than just a pretty face. Read the article here: Natalie Portman, Screen Goddess.



[Givenchy (Left), $2295 | Chanel (Right), $6420]

Source: Nytimes: Screen Goddess

CARD. Tory Burch

Before this season and her notorious flats, I had no idea who Tory Burch is so I went and looked up her Resort 2008 Collection. What did I find out? She likes colors and prints. The two pieces that stood out to be the most was the cardigan. Maybe because it's cold tonight and I'm on a cardigan kick but I love the colors and the hug & length on the arms. Whenever a sleeve is proportionately higher than the height of the whole piece, it elongates the arm, which makes the body elongated.

[Photo credit: Style.com]

Collection: Tory Burch Resort 2008

Tom Ford (on Luxury), an analysis

"Luxury has gone from hard to find to hard to miss. To be blunt, we make too much stuff."

-Tom Ford
I think that's true about too much stuff: Globalization, more exposure to opportunities, more resources to make your own opportunities, etc encourages "over" production. Also, communication methods like the internet and phone has made information available overnight so everyone like big department stores could mimic top designers and release the clothes when the season comes around. It's also all about the bottom line, the idea to make more to compete. It's like when the Prada Group came and took over Jil Sanders and wanted her to use less expensive material and give in to the standard sizes. Everything is made with the idea that people have access to it. Speed is the key to success in the present fashion industry.

Just pure saturation in the fashion industry and very few (designers) are still honorable to the code of luxury and exclusivity of high-end fashion. This is why Tom Ford went back to tailoring and individualization instead of mass market production.

Quote Source: WWD.com

Louis Vuitton pour Hom(me)o

[Photo credit: Louis Vuitton]
So I never stopped to look at the Louis Vuitton ads before but I remember flipping through the magazines and seeing the Louis Vuitton ads and thinking, "yes, yes, nice bag, pretty boy. Where is that Balenciaga ad? etc." And then today I was looking at the second ad and i was like wait, that guy in the back is giving quite the stare!

The first thing that came to mind was this is pretty homo erotic. The guy is pulling back his hair, the guy closest to the view is looking down shyly or chuckling shyly. They seem to be flirting, or at least that's what I'm getting. I just found that amusing, and cute. I wonder if Marc Jacobs had anything to do with it.

Freja Beha fiesta

Hah. I love that video for some reason. Freja's one of my favorite models. She has that dark look though Meghan Collison seems to be the new favorite. Meghan sure looks like Freja though...I don't know what Freja is wearing in that video but it looks like a Balenciaga scarf from fall 2007 and one of Dior Homme's leather bomber jacket during the Hedi Slimane era.


[Photo Credit: Vogue Japan(Left) & Vogue Italia(Right)]
[Models: Meghan (Left) & Freja(Right)]
They look the same no? Which one do you prefer??