Fashion Journal #10

http://cdn.imnotobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/Glamour_AprilCover.jpg

This Elie Tahari top reminds me of the Paco Rabanne metal outfits.

And this Lanvin dress makes me think of Madame Gres! Are the sixties back?

Fashion Journal #9

Rodarte!

Everyone loves Van Gogh, especially Starry Night! I love this skirt but obviously I wish it weren't a whopping $2295 for something so simple!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLdrchbg47PwcTFuvwdpI-oHpA_WuU7a-sp59mjdURG4uukR6PJhizRUSMsPQrd0eAG5OzdU6X46GSSpUxrp7SKKUCY-cBTR4GBtvp87hLNEqhgo-RsD7391AqUvuKesSgUgMINDZ0-I/s640/RodarteStarryNight-540x477.jpg

http://www4.pictures.stylebistro.com/it/Rodarte+Spring+2012+4oDXqtb1L05x.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL0Ut57znC38GjzRIDXELmGEepoTjqSamKo-3P7-YRxp3cG-IHELC5Ua_rCgMX4NPbS9z60wOBBRD3qb4zGSO1PEF2pjwweGmSDmT3OUcPpmEw3-wwb2X90yvH6dwz9KTXcudanKmgivu/s1600/army+of+dolls.jpg

These of course remind me of Yves Saint Laurent's "Mondrian" dress from the 1960s. I guess art and fashion will always be intertwined.

Fashion Journal #8

Fred Butler is pretty cool. And apparently did  the Lady Gaga "Telephone" headpiece, among others. (http://gagafashionland.com/category/fred-butler/)

http://changefashion.net/fashionshow/2012/03/10212909.html

I don't know how they managed to make this look edgy and juvenile at the same time, but that takes talent.

http://heelchorus.tumblr.com/post/18749729021/fred-butler-x-rosy-nicholas-aw-2012-knitted

(Fred Butler x Rosy Nicholas AW 2012 knitted shoes) These remind me of macrame (70s) and sailor's knots. I'm not sure how I feel about them.

http://trendland.com/fred-butler-aw11-fashion-film/#

(AW 2011) I love these origami-like pieces, especially as I watch my studio-mate attempt to make an origami dress. I used to do a lot of origami in high school, of course with crazy colors. 

Fashion Journal #7

Weapons and fashion!

http://style.icanhascheezburger.com/tag/sasha-gradiva/

This is Sasha Gradiva, apparently Russia's answer to Lady Gaga. She wore this ensemble to the Grammys and apparently was asked to take off the guns or leave, and she left so she could keep her outfit intact. I love the dichotomy of the beautiful soft pink dress and space-age armor/firearm on her shoulder.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/guns/2012/02/singers-gun-arm-accessory-grammy-awards?photo=3#node-1001464270

Leonid Gurevich and Gilding Primal Instinct designed the weapon piece on her arm, and Alfredo Flores designed the gown. "Leonid explained [to] me the concept behind the piece was 'to take ALL the weapons and firearms of the world and use them for artistic purposes only. Not for killing. Make couture. Not war'" says Music Fashionland. I just think it's a wonderful combination of girly pink and a fierce, industrial firearm.

I tried to find more examples of weaponry in fashion, but I was sadly disappointed.

Fashion Journal #6

Needlepoint in fashion!

(http://style.icanhascheezburger.com/2012/03/04/cool-accessories-balmain-is-your-secret-admirer/)
(Balmain)

It's an interesting approach to incorporating old-fashioned fibers techniques into fashion.

It also reminds me of the Victorian era, when they would needlepoint shoes.

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6802127130_1937cf121f_b.jpg)

Dolce and Gabbana's pieces are prettier in my opinion, and it's almost shocking how they used such an outdated technique and managed to make it look edgy. 

Fashion Journal #5

Stumbled upon this today while on ifstylecouldkill.com, and then decided to look at more of her work! This first one is a wonderful combination of menswear and art- pop art?

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, http://www.trealamode.com/2010/09/under-my-umbrella.html


This one reminds me of the huge kimono-like jackets from the 1910s

Agatha Ruiz De La Prada: Milan Fashion Week Womenswear A/W 2009 - Runway  http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/trkLicgY14M/Agatha+Ruiz+De+La+Prada+Milan+Fashion+Week/6Kcq0TRqSFF

This reminds me of the "New Look," and also the Victorian era, from the silhouette and hat.

http://www.fashionwindows.net/2010/04/agatha-ruiz-de-la-prada-fall-2010/agatha_ruiz_dela_pradaf1029/

Her work definitely seems all over the place, but I really love the references, childish colors, and wacky playfulness. It's so quirky and I love Agatha Ruiz de la Prada! :)

Fashion Journal Week of 1/20-27/12

Fashion History II requires everyone keeps a journal of fashion observations!

So, firstly, a series of dresses I've been seeing a lot of lately! Though I can't decide if I hate or love these dresses...

I first saw it worn by Emma Watson at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiere, but more recently by the cast of Downton Abbey in British Vogue.

Tumblr is one of my (unfortunately) favorite sites. Even Vogue has a tumblr, so inspiration is everywhere on there!

This is a really cool couture piece. I love the details. It reminds me of medieval armor somehow, and brings me back to one of my new projects - to bead anything and everything. (link to collection)

This next piece makes me very excited, but hey, what Alexander McQueen piece isn't amazing????? I would love to have this in my closet. Perhaps some incarnation of it's will make its way there...

Pre-fall 2012 of Alexander McQueen employs both my favorite silhouette and colors.

City Adventures September 29- October 3

Every so often I actually do things in the city, and this week I had new experiences!

On September 29 I went to my first ever fashion show, in Boston's West End.

"Wild Flower Dance" involved Ashley Rose Custom Designs and JNG Floral Designs. It was really cool and the live flower headdresses were gorgeous. I wish I could go to a fashion show every week! This show made me realize how possible it would be to make a line of my own. 

(it looked sillier without the stars; this is the best picture but someone's hand was in it!)

It was also a great excuse to get out, and I'm so glad my friend Jess invited me! 

On Monday I traversed the city in search of photo emulsion... made the guy at Blick go up on a ladder to get it for me... But the cool part is I had an AC Moore coupon in my purse from yesterday when I tried to buy photo emulsion and pigment (which they no longer sell, what jerks!) and when I got to the register at blick with my $20 emulsion bottle (D-: so expensive!) I asked if they accept competitors' coupons and they do! I was so happy to get $10 off so I felt justified in buying such a big bottle. So remember: if you get other arts/crafts stores' coupons in your mail or email, most other stores will honor them as well, and can save you a lot of money! It's totally worth a try! 

And on the walk home I was pleased to walk through fallen leaves on the sidewalk - just because it's the city doesn't mean you can't find tiny reminders that it's autumn in New England!