Favorite designers: Alexander McQueen

Definitely one of my favorite designers of all time, Mr. McQueen is never boring, always sexy, and quite bad-ass. That is exactly how I feel every time I wear one of his silky skull covered scarves, which I’ve written about before. I have them in many colors due to the fact that you can just throw them on and feel like a Rock Star. Mr. McQueen uses the most supple leather, studs, and bright colors, so it’s safe to say that his designs are right up my alley. It also helps that Mr. McQueen himself is quite nice to look at and has a charming British accent. He is so creative and in my eyes, a an absolute genius. He mixes studs with flowers, or skulls with ruffles. Edgy and but girlie. A winning combination in my (fashion) book.

Alexander McQueen and Kate Moss

Alexander McQueen for Puma print Ad


McQueen Spring/Summer 2008

2008: All about the shoes

Lately, I’ve been all about shoes. I can’t seem to get enough of them. It seems that this is because over the past year or so, there haven’t been any “new” designs of handbags that can transition from day to night with ease and hold as much as I need to carry day-to-day. I never want to be too trendy when getting a more expensive bag, but I don’t think the same rule applies to shoes. I am a lot more liberal with shoes and boots, and a big reason for this is the new and exciting forms, prints, and it seems there are so many things shoe designers have been doing these past few years. You could say Christian Louboutin is at the head of the pack. With the scarlet red signature sole (which now prestigious fashion houses are copying, which is kind of disappointing), he created a phenomena. Now other designers are trying to be avant-garde with their designs to try and compete with Mr. Louboutin’s creations. Versace, never one to be left behind on trends, has started painting the bottom of their shoes red. If I were Mr. Louboutin, I would be a little offended. It seems that the company now headed by Donatella Versace is doing what companies like hers have been advocating against for years now- copy-right infringement. Anyway, I digress. The point of this post is to open your eyes to all the wonderful new designs for your feet this year. Having been a bag girl for the majority of my life, it was a little tough for me to splurge on a pair of Prive Pumps, instead of a new colorful Balenciaga. This was because I feel like I will get so much more use out of a bag, rather than some 5-inch pumps. The truth is I have to make myself wear them, so that they don’t just end up looking pretty in my closet. That is exactly what you don’t want so if you spend $500 or more on a pair of shoes, MAKE yourself wear them. I sometimes wear heels on a simple walk around the neighborhood with my boyfriend. You can also break them in while playing Wii Tennis (I do not suggest this if you are drinking alcoholic beverages or have weak balancing skills, Believe You Me). I am also going to recommend you stock up on some shoe insoles (available at your local drugstore). Probably the most important thing when purchasing a new pair of hot heels is getting your correct size. I cannot stress this enough. I can’t even begin to tell you how many pairs of wonderful shoes I have had to give away due to getting the proper size online, and if you are anything like me, the hassle of online returning is just not worth getting your money back. I suggest buying them in person whenever possible. Posted are some of my favorite designs of the year. Click to enlarge. Enjoy!

The Best City in the World

Lately, I can't seem to get enough of New York City. Seeing all the exquisite outfits and wonderfully dressed people is enough to bring tears to my eyes. I guess it could be my desire to escape a world in which Juicy Sweats and A&F tops are considered "stylish." In my late teens I had an epiphany: It doesn't take a fashion guru to put on a Juicy Tracksuit, a shell necklace, and Ugg boots. It's not 2002. Even Paris Hilton has stopped wearing head-to-toe pink. It's about time everyone else follows suit(this rule does not apply if you are still in high school; where you can get away with more youthful ensembles). Enough is enough. Real style is unique, well tailored, and sexy-yet-sophisticated. That's why I love NYC. People here, to put it quite simply, don't give a shit about what the rest of the country thinks. They know this balance so well, both women and men alike. They wear what they want, when they want. In NYC there is such an aura of Paris, Milan, London, and some of my favorite fashion decades of the past.

Shame on Prada!

One of the most coveted bags of the 2008 Spring/Summer season has turned out to be nothing more than a poorly made hype. Modeled here on Hilary Duff, the bag sold out at Neiman Marcus in just 2 days at the price of $2,290. Seen as more of a piece of "art," and a future investment, many women have done everything in their power to get their hands on one of these purses. Unfortunately, reports circulating on the internet say that there are defects with this new "it" bag. Apparently, the ink starts bleeding as soon as a few rain drops hit the leather! This is an outrage! Personally, this bag does not excite me, and I would only wear it with an all black outfit, to keep it from looking too juvenile. Also, I stopped wearing fairies in 2001. This design belongs in Mariah Carey's closet. Either way, unlike a Chanel or a Balenciaga bag, it just seems like another "fad" bag, which in five years from now women will find in the back of their closets and ask themselves what they were thinking. How do designers expect women to respect copyright laws when prestigious fashion houses are making shitty products? I've never been a huge fan of the Milan based company, but this is just upsetting. Okay, I'm done venting.

Current Inspiration

A Little History: Balenciaga

In 1895, Cristobal Balenciaga was born in Gueteria in the Spanish Basque country. At the age of 24 he opened his first fashion house in San Sebastian and by 1933 he had fashion houses in Madrid and Barcelona. By 1947 he had opened his fashion house at 10 avenue George V. Presentatio in Paris. His first fashion collection met with great applause. The remainder of the 40s and 50s saw his fashion designs go from strength to strength and in 1958 he was awarded the Legion of Honour. The 60s saw him move into footwear and sportswear and he was also responsible for the fashion designs of the uniforms of Air France hostesses. In 1967 after 30 years, he retired to Spain. Nicolas Ghesquiere was born in London in 1971 and presented his first ready-to-wear collection for Balenciaga in october 1997. In 2000 he received the VH1 Award and in 2001 the CFDA Best Designer Award. Balenciaga was aquired by the Gucci Group in 2001 and in 2003 the opening of the New York and the 10 Avenue George V, Paris shops, designed by Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster were inaugerated.

Sam Edelman Does Balenciaga

So I've been obsessing over Mary-kate, Nicole, and Ashley's Balenciaga's boots/booties for a couple of years now, and I finally decided to get the version by Sam Edelman for Victoria's Secret. Finding the Balenciaga ones, has become an impossible task, so I got this more "wearable version." The Sam Edelman version(pictured right) are a few inches more "wearable" to be exact. I love everything about these boots: They are chic, different, and definitely edgy. As soon as I get them in the mail, I'll post more pictures! Click the thumbnails below for some of my fave pictures of my favorite fashion icons wearing them. I can't wait to wear them out for a breezy night in NYC, where they are sure to be appricated. I'm sure Long Island suburbia just wouldn't understand. The harness is removable, so you can create 2 unique looks!





















Mk loves wearing hers with Plaid or a black/red combo of sorts.




















Ashley Olsen with the knee-length boot version(and with brown hair!)




















Nicole Richie also in the boot version. Stripes also compliment these boots very well.




















Mk pairs them with Cut-offs for Summer(harness-less).




















Great side view of the boots.

Fall 2008 Forecast: FRINGE!

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past months, you probably already know that fringe is going to be huge for the cold months this year. My suggestion would be to go out and get some Minnetonka's. They are authentic moccasion, and there is nothing like the feel of deerskin to keep you warm this fall/winter season. Here are some of my favorite pictures of starlets with the fringe-y boots!

www.shoebuy.com- ships internationally!

SATC: Dior Heels

I'm not a Sexy and the City fan(I know, GASP!), but what really caught my eye from the bits of promotion for it, were these fantastic Dior heels. I totally condone the way SJP wears them too. They are so 'tough'-looking, and she pair them with girlie outfits! AMAZING! Unforch, they are sold out at every Dior boutique in the country, so hopefully they will bring a similar version for summer 2009. If you can't wait, you can always try Ebay!

Picture of the WEEK

This has been one of the few fashion pictures/ads that have my eye recently. The editorial for Fashionrocks 2007 entiled "In my tribe," features models Agyness Deyn, Caroline Trentini, Gemma Ward, Iselin Steiro, Lily Donaldson, and Sasha Pivovarova. I simply love it!

Yves Saint Laurent Dies at 71

"Way back in the '60s, he was doing, for couture, crocodile biker jackets based on Marlon Brando. He was doing alligator trousers. And that was just unheard of."


He will definately be missed by those of us who he inspired!

Current Inspiration

Mary-Kate Olsen 2004-2005

My office is always cold, and the weather so far this Summer hasn't been that great. Knit Cardigans and solf Spring Scarfs are what I'm really loving right now. I'm also wearing lots of fun jewelry including gold bangles, beads, and gold and black leather chains.