I don’t really have anything to say. I tried once. It was hard. Now I’m trying again. Hello UK. The place I’ve wanted to return to for a long time. I will, however, say this:
When I pull up in something new and park it by the haters,
And when you get to talkin’ bout the greatest, I just really hope that
You’ll think of me,
I just really hope that (you’ll think of me)
I just really hope that (you’ll think of me)
‘Cause I’m trynna be unforgettable.
When it comes to fashion, for me, it’s not just about the clothes, but the colourful characters apart of it. I wouldn’t strive to be in fashion had it not been for Diana Vreeland’s authorized, and unauthorized biographies. Or her work during her tenure at Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Truth be told, if it were based on the strength of fashion alone, I probably wouldn’t really be in it. And I say this because I know has ruthless the fashion world can be.
In contrast to the Anna Wintours and Sarah Mowers of the world, there are the ones that make life – not just fashion – worth living. And finally, thanks to the rise of the Internet, these people are finally becoming forces to be reckoned with.
Anna Wintour has been called the most powerful woman in fashion. So, let’s call Anna Dello Russo its MVP. She has been in fashion for over 20 years, yet, it was not until around 2008 or so, that she came center stage. Never mind Ms. Russo’s 4,000 pairs of shoes, or the apartment she has strictly for her wardrobe. Ms. Russo is a performance artist. Her and fashion are one in the same. Through her inspiration, it is okay to have a passion for fashion in the literal sense. It’s not about impulse buying, it’s about adoring beautiful things, and the escape it can bring. The runway can be like a dream, and to own an item off the runway is but a dream come true.
Ms. Russo is here to fill the void of the late Ms. Blow and all the other people we have lost over the years.
It was a humid day in New York City, and I was having lunch on a patio with a good friend of mine, but I can’t quite remember where. We lamented about our careers, shared ideas, fed off each other, and out of the blue, my friend yelled out “I love you Ms. Yaeger!” I turned around, and this caricature with bright orange hair and long skirt turned around and waved. She was the original Ms. Lynn Yaeger – the fashion reporter with a witty sense of humour. Unfortunately, I didn’t know her as the head fashion journalist at the Village Voice, but I certain feed off her articles in Vogue, T Magazine, and the New York Times. You know, both her and Ms. Russo are quirky, and both take their clothing very seriously -they just have different style.
If I lived in New York City – or London – I’d feel comfortable exploring that whimsical side of my own style. And I say that because cities like Toronto don’t always get it.
According to an article in the Guardian, when it came to trying to pin down Ms. Anna Piaggi’s status in the fashion world, the journalist asked “how did a classically educated girl from a quiet, bookish family become one of fashion’s most outrageous iconoclasts?” Well, because she didn’t want to follow the tradition of her family, of course. The mad hatter who always has something in her hand to match is a fashion force toujour. Her signature blue hair and eye shadow are just thin strokes on such a vast and complex canvas. So much so, that the Victoria and Albert Museum held an exhibition in her honour.
Ms. Piaggi plays by her rules. And for that the fashion world has nothing but respect for her character, both inside, and out.
When I started reading Tatler back in 2007, I had no idea it was a high society British magazine. I only read it after learning Fashion Teleivision, that Isabella Blow was its fashion director. And who was she? A quirky, whimsical character whose over-the-top persona was enough to turn anyone onto the publication That’s all. And since her tragic passing in 2007, admittedly, I have not really read the publication since. She was known as the woman who nurtured careers. For she “found” Philip Treacy and the late, magnificent Alexander McQueen.
Ms. Blow’s life, despite her fame, was tragic. But she paved the way for finding strength in your individual style.
Ms. Diana Vreeland was a polished dresser, but her personality was a colourful as the red sea. And yes, she loved the colour red. She was an unconventional thinker, and unbelievable story teller. And because of her ideas, had a knack for creating something grad out of absolutely nothing. Whether at Vogue or the MET, she was a curator of ideas. Ms. Vreeland turned fashion dreams into reality.
You didn’t understand Ms. Vreeland, you conceptualized her.
On to part two of the gift guide saga. Sorry I’m so late on this, but I’m notorious for being a last-minute shopper, anyway. Coats. A good one can literally last a lifetime, while a fad endures for a month – tops. If you’re stylist – and there’s a difference – your closet is more likely than not to filled with classic pieces. But If you’re fashion-conscious, well, you’re on to the next as seasons change. The interesting thing about fashion though, is that if you truly have an eye for it, you can easily spot something timeless, as I hope I’ve done here. While some men will get these pieces, others with tunnel vision won’t.
This Raf Simons bomber jacket reminds me of the good ‘ole days. I was young. Happy. And I wanted a bomber jacket. Badly. The small zipper on the side, the orange lining, it’s completely grunge. Circa `92. With the ripped jeans and flannel shirts to match. If you were hip hop, you wore all black: toque, jeans, tee, kicks and a bomber off the top. It came in olive, or black. But at this stage in life, I think most men may find the darker hue more sleek.
Alright. My obsession with Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy is nothing new. But you have to admit: most things by this man are – tres chic – cliche intended. This trench coat has a strong British aesthetic to it, it’s got that post-punk rebel attitude. And it’s fairly reasonable (in price) for a high-fashion brand (685 Euros). What’s best about this coat though, is that it transcends age, most (mature) younger men can wear it, and it’ll easy work its way into the latter end of the age spectrum.
Let me tell you a little something about Savile Row: it doesn’t get half as much credit in west as it deserves. Did you know the late Alexander McQueen originally trained at the row? For a man to wear an Duffle coat acclaimed brand as this means he’s got taste. Unfortunately, you’ll have to educate a lot of men of a certain generation about it.
Capes are in. But on a guy, they tend to remind me of Batman. But in this case, this cape by Ann Demeulemeester gets a major pass. If your guy falls in love with this coat, consider yourself a champion of style.
This coat is my personal favourite. I had always been in love with Hudson’s Bay point blanket , so to see it be revived and re-modeled over the years brings about a sense of pride. Here’s a point I’ve been arguing for years though: why do designers in warmer climates make such wonderful winter coats? Here, we have a brand, Monitaly, based in California, whip up a Riders white stripe wool coat. And the brand’s designer Yuki Matsuda, has a thing for us Canadians; he’s also designed a collection for our beloved Canada Goose. Now, I should be clear: the Canadian brand does not come cheap (this coat is about 902 USD), but consider it a staple. Like an original Burberry, this is the type of item that gets better with age.
So, it’s Christmas. You know what that means: New Year’s Eve is around the corner. You need that killer dress. That bada boom. And no, you won’t – as long as you read this – be wearing another black lace dress. So let’s do this; get it right. Try a trend you’ve never considered before. This is your last chance.
This Versace Patent-leather strapless dress is equivalent to about 3 mortgage payments ($6,667.50 USD), but it’s worth it. The colour, cut and look is what dreams are made of. An electric aquamarine dream. Available, exclusively, at Net-A-Porter. Doesn’t this dress remind you of a certain Bajan singer? This one-shoulder number by Georgian-born, UK-based designer David Koma is the business. Yes, this dress (sold at Browns) is steep (2,205 GBP), but hey, this is about splurging right? And who doesn’t want to have at least one of those in their closets at least once? White is the perfect statement colour. It represents purity, which can also mean a clean slate as you enter the new year. This dress by Preen gives the illusion of innocent, but your dramatic accessories (black booties being one), will show the real you. It’s not as hefty as the other two ($1,593.55 USD at Matches), and it’s also very minimal, which means you’ll probably throw on some tights and a cardigan for multi-usage. Are you a Victorian Goth Queen? Well, so was the late Sir Alexander McQueen, and this dress, well, gold, was jacquard, is like a religion. Powerful, sombre yet majestic. This piece is a work of art (5,259 Euros at Farfetch), and is an item that will go down in history.
This dress by Balmain happens to be a personal favourite (it’s also on my distant wish list:13,475 Euros at Colette) , which is funny because I’ve never really been a Balmain type-of-girl. But despite the fringe and metal detail, there’s an understatement about it. As cliche as this sounds, an air of mystery. And not just because it’s black. But possibly the brocade and full neckline are what does it. You don’t particularly have to be brave to wear this dress. But then again, I like tight and short. The cost: one year of college education. The feeling when you where the dress:priceless.
There’s that girl, again. Rihanna. I was in awe with her dominatrix phase, but these days she seems in synch with where I am stylistically right now. Wanting to go back to her roots. As you can see, Rihanna’s playing with patterns and boisterous colours while adding a touch of street in the process. Marc Jacobs took it there for Spring – as did a lot of designers – Mossino included. But if you decided to go the tribal pattern route it can’t be strategic. It’s got to be grimy, or else what’s the point?
I need somewhere to sport some super short-shorts and combat boots. Red hair not included. I already did the big jewellery, but I don’t mind bringing it back – for the right purpose.
So, I’m pulling together a look that reminds me of this ferocious outfit Rihanna wore during her MTV “The Seven” visit. I like it.
Shoeaholics beware: shoes are the new sex – well, they’ve probably always been. Thanks to the infamous Jimmy Choo trotting Carrie Bradshaw, the cruelest thing you could ever do is pry any woman from her beloved clobs. She’ll never go wrong with classic red and black, but with trends flaunting studs, glitter and a rainbow of exotic in her face, it’s deadly. And everyone – I mean everyone – from the oldies (Manolo Blahnik) to the newbies (Brian Atwood) are demonstrating their undying love for a woman’s pretty feet.
We’ve just come out a slump economically, so lets celebrate by going green. It’s eco-friendly (figuratively speaking), symbolizes money (but think internal wealth, not material) and represents balance and growth. It’ll also persuade you to spice up your wardrobe as it means the ability to accept change.
Alexander McQueen Fatigue Peep-Toe Bootie, $1,295.00 available at Bergdorf Goodman. By the late-great Lee McQueen and last spotted on Beyoncé.
Chrissie Morris Tribal Print Thong Sandals, 1310.16 available at Luisaviaroma. tribal print’s been having a moment as clearly demonstrated in the haute heels.
Alexander McQueen’s untimely death brought about two realities: he was the most passionate designer of the millenia, and that he was possibly the last designer standing – after Karl,Jean-Paul, and the equalling talented John – to carry a fashion empire on his back. Tears and billowing won’t do; all we have is memories. And even if his house is proceeded by someone new, McQueen’s hands, those eyes, that brain – is irreplaceable.
McQueen saw fashion through a world all his own; that’s what makes his collections so special. Many thought he was crazy – of course he was, how could a genius be normal? How could someone create a dress out of tulle and golden feathers with tiny gold embellishments at the hemlines and be average? How could someone juxtapose digital-print images of Archangels and “Bosch demons” with thigh-high leather boots? To be sane is but an insult, for, true talent and originality can only be found in the midst of madness.
McQueen was a British national – a badge he clutched to the very end – and that has everything to do with it. He was schooled in the early depths of the culture from its medieval history to its current punk tradition. And it’s all jumbled into a continuous theme just-so. He stayed on the soil and never relocated somewhere more topical or modern. The Alexander McQueen brand was British through and through. And the world gravitated to him because of his unyielding sense of identity.
Had McQueen been alive, the presentation of his final women’s collection would have been as theatrical as his mind; dramatic, fresh, and as blue as the red sea of Egypt.
Alexander McQueen‘s death today is not only a shock, it’s a cruel reality of how fickle life can be. A young boy with a dream, Lee Alexander McQueen dropped out of school at 16 and took an apprentice position at Savile Row‘s Anderson & Sheppard. GOD recognized this man’s gift; he went on to work for Gieves & Hawkes then worked in Japan and Italy. Very much an inspiration of the `90s, he went attended Central Saint Martins and set up his label in East London – the place all cool people go.
McQueen’s built a relationship with some of the most prolific people in fashion, Isabella Blow being one of them. But his talent spoke for itself. He was the epiphany of innovation; his collections were breathless. Even if you didn’t know fashion, you were easily taken away by cinematic creations. What’s most important was that he stayed true to Britain; he was utterly fierce houndstooth and scots plaid, no designer, no matter the tenure could match his devotion to British tradition.
For his Spring/summer 2010 collection, he spearheaded a trend: he streamed his entire show online. The collection was his most dramatic yet, with those infamous hoofs immediately worn by the likes of Daphne Guinness and Lady Gaga.
His stores are now being closed, he’s irreplaceable. He was able to touch people through his craft, and in such a saturated, ephemeral industry, this is very, very difficult to do.
If you’ve been going gaga over Alexander McQueen’s hoofs, then you’ll probably love the next best thing: Christian Siriano’s Payless collection. And why not? Every girl needs a taste in luxury sometimes.
The curvy, sexy shoe comes in three colourways available for $79.99 (USD). My preference would be the aqua-coloured pump. However, as much as I’m down with fast fashion, I do have a qualm.
I love shoes (as does every woman, right?). But do I love Payless? Sure I did – back in the day. But think about the quality reality of Payless: low-grade leather which leads to smelly feet, and poor construction which means if you’re lucky you’ll get a good three months out of it. Honestly, I don’t believe in spending more than $30.00 on a Payless shoe – limited edition or not – and I certainly think that if it’s not inked with a specialty shoe store, even frickin’ H&M (which is not a shoe store but is the hotness for fast-fashion), then it’s not something to swoon over.
I could be wrong. I’ve never invested in a Christian Siriano before nor have I heard of him prior to Nitrolicious, so, this may be worth while. And I’m sure girls will lining outside a Payless based off the strength of visual aesthetic alone, anyway.
On Style 