BARBIE CELEBRATES THE BIG FIFTY IN STYLE

From when we were all just young little things, dressing up our dolls in marvelously mismatched outfits and pairing them with erratic, self-cut hairstyles, the ageless beauty doll who had won our hearts continues to reign supreme in today’s fashion world. Our favorite fashionista doll, Barbie, just celebrated her fiftieth birthday this year at New York Fashion Week 2009 with an overwhelmingly enticing pink catwalk that transported the audience a long way into the fantastic realm child’s play.

The parade-like show featured ensembles by Alexander Wang, Marchesa, Kimora Lee Simmons, Rachel Roy, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein- just to name a few of the fifty phenomenally creative designers invited by the CFDA to imaginatively create funky, flirty, and fresh looks for our favorite darling-faced doll. The show was pieced into three main extravaganzas- Decade, Faux Reality, and Future- with Barbie-like models strutting down the runway in delightfully flirty and glamorous ensembles, each outfit coupled with an identical pair of shiny fuchsia heels to each model. Barbie’s key iconic colour, bubblegum pink, plastered the eyes of the audience as each viewer dove into the razzle-dazzle charm of the plastic piquancy of the world of Barbie.

That sparkly Saturday afternoon opened with a shimmering retro-glam bathing suit and trench designed by Rachel Roy, and modeled by Canadian beauty Jessica Stam. Many splendorous looks and thematic styles ensued, from the minimal, boyish trend we see sweeping some catwalks, to the prom queen chic look maxing-out the rest of the runways. Alexander Wang playfully paired an iconic “Barbie Pink” open-neck blazer with a cream bodysuit, while Calvin Klein toyed with a long, single-sleeved white dress that dipped into the artistic minimalist style. In sooth, the show left a mingled taste of fashion allure and birthday-cake-turned-couture on the tongues of the avid audience. Have a look below to see the runway snapshots and indulge in the delectable plasticity yourself!

P.S. I spy with my little eye: Amanda Laine in a long, pink dress!

FALL RTW 2009: TO BOY, OR NOT TO BOY

The best thing about wearing your boyfriend’s low-slung jeans and over-sized cardigans nowadays, is that you can absolutely get away with it, and fashionably at that! Now that the gender bender trend has most certainly arrived, you may find yourself putting a twist on the shapes, sizes, and styles you choose to rock your way through the city streets.

In the Fall 2009 RTW Collection by Trovata, I just could not help but fall fixatedly in love with the masculine-inspired pieces flirting with an edginess and air that was most certainly feminine. The designer John Whitledge cited Paris circa 1968 as his main draw of inspiration, and interestingly enough, pointed the main focus on the concernings of the sexual politics at that particular time. The result, as you can see for your self, exhibited a collection of fantastically flirty but edgy boyfriend-esque ensembles that will have the ladies indulging in their own rock star-like getups.

The RTW 2009 show rolled out with a confidently chic model rocking an over-sized male cardigan with a funky bow tie, strutting down the catwalk in trousers, which definitely set the tone for the boyfriend-like gender bending trend. Main attractions of the show were the indie-rock style of black shorts worn over opaque tights in mostly black shades, white tuxedo and oxford shirts, newsboy hats and bowties, and skinny black cardigans. Although many fashion critics called the collection a “preppy menswear theme” that seemed to emanate throughout the entire collection, but I would say the unique line draws more from a mix of the recent teenaged-boy trend of skinny jeans and après-sex hair that top models like Agyness Deyn and Freja Beha Erichsen have been sporting down the streets during pleasure time. If Deyn hasn’t given designers the most inspiration for the chic and unique new catwalk trend, then I really haven’t a clue as to where they have been looking, besides these so-called Paris circa 1968 inspirations Whitledge claims to be drawing from. 

But even still, the trend continues throughout the show, with Whitledge pairing opaque black tights as an alternative to the recent trend of overwhelming leggings of all sorts appearing left, right, and center. He matched the tights with many featured over-sized boyish sweaters, as well as cardigans and male-cut Oxford shirts. The majority of the collection tended to use dark shades, mostly black and white opposites brought together harmoniously by artistic license, but navy blue tones managed to work their way into the designs. Even one baby blue scarf prevailed through the spring pastel season, despite Whitledge’s refusal to draw from the norm. Stripes and solids overpowered patterns on this runway, and side-tipped old English newspaper boy hats paired with chunky, sexy black heels took ahold of accessories du soir. The by-product of the charming new spin on gender-bending was the most delectable infusion of flirty femininity and charming pieces of menswear, all brewed to perfection to create ensembles that really put the shine in the Fall RTW 2009 shoe. Now that, my friends, is the real funk behind fashion. Bravo Trovata!

Photos courtesy of nymag.

P.S. I spy Elyse Saunders!

AVIDLY AWAITING THE RETURN OF THE ACADEMY AWARDS.

As the world waits for the 81st Academy Awards this February 22nd, the recent display of haute couture in the Paris fashion week gave attendees plenty to choose from, and start thinking early. Although the awards are fun, my favorite part of the Oscars is definitely taking in the lavish ensembles on the red carpet.

Last year’s awards brought us some superb outfits to ogle, so as we desperately await the return of the world-celebrated awards show, let me give you a reminiscent look at my favorite top ten (plus one for best-dressed male!) accoutrements from last year. see my list below.

1. Anne Hathaway in a vividly red Marchesa gown and Harry Winston Jewelry.
2. Rennee Zellwegger in clean, pristine Carolina Herrerra and simply sparkling Cartier Jewelry.
3. Tilda Swinton looking divine in a flowing black velvet piece by Lanvin.
4. Hilary Swank looking, well, swank, in Atelier Versace, Chopard jewelry, and a simply to-die-for Salvatore Ferragamo clutch that I have been longingly eyeing for quite some time now.
5. The darling Adrienne Frantz looking luminous in a glittering gown by Zuhair Murag with a hard-to-spot Daniel Swarovski clutch, but definitely there to tie the piece together.
6. Keri Russell looking pure as her snow-white Nina Ricci ensemble with glittering H. Stern jewelry, altogether posing her as the beauty queen of the northern world.
7. Penelope Cruz in Chanel Haute Couture and Chopard jewelry. As always, Penelope comes out of on top looking in fact, "haute" to trot! 
8. Heidi Klum glamorously sporting custom John Galliano, and also rocking her very own Heidi Klum Collection for Mouawad jewelry. The wondrous Leiber bag and Stuart Weitzman shoes just bring the whole masterpiece together, to have Heidi looking the image of perfection, as per usual. 
9. Jennifer Garner, in Oscar de la Renta, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, and another Roger Vivier clutch, a seemingly popular choice for red-carpetwalkers this evening.
10. Cameron Diaz, pretty-in-pink in a gorgeous Christian Dior dress, lovely Bulgari jewelry, and believe it or not, another Roger Vivier clutch for the evening.

And my top male outfit award goes to..
Javier Bardem handsomely sporting Prada.

With all the red-carpet usuals preparing for the grand prix tomorrow night, every fashion follower is on the tip of their toes, just counting down the grand debut. Ladies and gentelmen, haute couture cats of all locations and tongue, get ready for the night we have all been waiting for. Tomorrow is The 81st Academy Awards. Oh red carpet, darling? We have been patiently awaiting your return.

PURELY POLAROIDS

Check out these retro-chic, old-fashioned Polaroids of Canadian supermodel Jessica Stam!

PRADA SS/10 CAMPAIGN PREVIEW BY STEVEN MEISEL

After taking a look at these Prada Spring/Summer 2009 Ad Campaign shots, the only thing I really felt was left out of these sun-like shots was the very sun itself, in all it's radiant glory. Prada's pleasantly chipper prints have a playfulness to them that would coax spring itself to come out and cut capers in stilettos and sunglasses! The essence of the floral season was brilliantly captured by top industry photographer Steven Meisel, who strategically projected the spirit of spring through fresh and festive snapshots of the feautured young ladies frolicking in joviality. Enjoy the slide show below featuring models Toni Garrn, Viktoriya Sasonkina, Sigrid Agren, Ymre Stiekema, Giedre Dukauskaite, Katrin Thormann, and Nimue Smit. From creamy whites and neutrals to earthy brown and red tones, the end result of the prominent campaign will have you strapping on your sandals and flouncing out your front door.

THE MAN, THE LEGEND. NOW THE STORY.

From catwalks to magazine editorials, Karl Lagerfeld graces the media and public with his ever-mysterious presence, complete with his signature dark shades and snow-white locks pulled into a tight ponytail down the stretch of his neck. But what do we really know about the man behind the exquisitelycouturable line, besides him being a mere artistic engineer of fashion? This Monday, February 9^th you will be able to discover it all for yourself. In honor of Fashion Week, the Sundance Channel will be airing the long-awaited feature film, the Lagerfeld Confidential, at 7pm EST. 

After ten years of contemplation, the intrepid director Rodolphe Marconi has finally decided to pursue his creation of the Lagerfeld Confidential, which provides an exclusive look into the mysterious life of the “man behind the shades”. For the first time ever, Karl Lagerfeld has allowed and artistic director to create an artwork of his life, entrusting the director with his day-to-day life and personal daily encounters. To date, there exists no form of authorized biography of Lagerfeld, for he chooses to keep his memories and experiences under strictly confidential lock and key, leaving us with what one could only call the “Karl Mystery”. It may give him an air of a certain je ne sais quoi, but all the same I am simply overjoyed at the prospect of taking a trip into the fashion visionary’s life.

What you can learn about a public figure from breaking the secluded separation block can give you remarkable insight into the unjustified stereotypes we plaster across their name and image. Naturally, the best things in life seem to take the most time, but I haven’t the slightest doubt that it was worth the wait. Three years of work and over three hundred hours of footage can allow you to penetrate a barrier that invites you into the daily life of Karl Lagerfeld from behind the lens of an artful filmmaker. The world-class couturiere displays the heart and soul of his being for the fashion world to see, and the outcomes of it are far from unfortunate. How full of bliss I was, when I discovered the true gentleman with a thirst for literature, knowledge, art and culture. You will see a man who is hopelessly in love with luxury, living quite the luxurious life himself, and you will finally have an opportunity to be able to experience it from a spectator’s point of view. How pleasant it will be to discover the affectionate and humorous fashion architect, who loves nothing more than to jest with others and bring laughter to their lives, in the very comfort of your own home. Oh but please, don’t just take my word for it, embark on your voyage of discovery into the life of Karl Lagerfeld yourself.

“Rodolphe Marconi discovers the shattering moments of a life, a solitary man hurt by the death of the person beloved, a man who however doesn’t bear the nostalgia : « If life was really better before, there would be no reason now to continue »” SOURCE 

Photo courtesy of the Lagerfeld Confidential Official Website.

FYI: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.

After years of massive white tents and long, structured catwalks being propped up in Bryant Park near Times Square, New York Fashion Week has hopped on the real estate wagon and is wheeling on down to the Upper West Side’s Lincoln Center plaza commencing Fall 2010. Well, well, I hadn’t even the slightest clue they were house shopping!

The gorgeous 16.3 acre series of buildings forms the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and although reports are unsure of whether all the shows will be moved indoors or some still kept outdoors, the palatial buildings will serve as a grandiose venue for the Fashion Week. After all, this is the same stomping ground for many renowned cultural organizations, such as the renowned Juilliard School, the American Ballet School, the New York Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera. Fashion has really taken it up a cultural notch, and I simply adore it.

So if you are lucky enough to be attending the Mercedes-Benz Fall Collections 2010 Fashion Week next February, be sure to capture the iconic tents in their natural habitat, because it will be the last time you see them standing on the grassy green grounds of Bryant Park (tear, tear).

What do you think of the new location?

(Photo courtesy of David Lamb, 2000.)

A FOOTBALLER'S BIRTHDAY

Now usually I would not specifically address a birthday that is completely unrelated to fashion. However, that is quite the contrary in this footballer’s case. The soccer star was featured in a US Vogue article with Canadian supermodel Daria Werbowy, and that my friends is quite the honor in itself. This was one of my favorite editorials ever shot, so I posted some of the pictures from the shoot below. Now you can visually wish the buff soccer star a happy birthday, while enjoying some of the greatest fashion photography of all time. Beauty, truly. If you want to read the full article, you can check it out HERE.

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE SPRING/SUMMER 2009

For those of you who missed it, Paris Haute Couture SS/09 Fashion Week took place just last week, from Monday, January 26th to Wednesday, January 30th. While most of us were writing papers or filing overdue reports, models from across the globe were frolicking down the catwalk in the majestic brilliance of designers such as Christian Lacroix, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, and Valentino. I couldn’t possibly allow the week to pass me by without at least giving a runway report on my absolute favorites of the week; Dior, Lacroix, and Givenchy.

Monday mornings tend to be a drag for most, but fashion fanatics arose with smile-slapped faces to attend the 10 am start to fashion week with Alexis Mabille kicking it off at 51, rue de l’Université. Two shows and separate venues later, the crowds shambled over to 79 rue de Varenne, where Christian Dior sent his masterworks down the room at 2:30pm. Dior’s collection featured Vermeer-inspired designs overflowing with puffs, lace-laden necklines, fitted torsos, and a multitude of resplendent ruffles. Designer John Galliano said that he drew his inspiration for the Dior line from 17th-Century Dutch paintings, in which the poses of the subjects particularly captured his eye. Well, Galliano certainly caught our eyes by sending lavish porcelain dolls decked in genteel pastels from creamy white to Bo-Peep blues down the massive hall. Some of the dresses looked more regal, while other designs looked more like my grandmother’s Sunday tea set (in a good way of course, she never fails to receive a compliment on such splendid porcelain pieces of finery). 

Day two of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week SS/09 brought a mid-afternoon style snack from mad-genius designer, the great Christian Lacroix. The show kicked-off at three-thirty in the afternoon at the Centre Georges Pompidou off of la rue Beaubourg. One of my personal favorites, Lacroix’s work this spring was a remarkably fresh spin on couture. The French virtuoso took his predominantly wild and striking designs down a notch, in consideration of haute couture. But with inspiration varying from retro prom chic to Spanish luxury to Parisian glam, he still managed to throw his crazy, whimsical “WOW Factor” into the designs that make them unmistakably Lacroix. I must say, every single dress was a masterpiece in this show. Always one to go with “the whole shebang”, models wore over-sized earrings and thin, patterned tights. Some dresses resembled fashion-forward flamenco dancers on their night out, while others looked like frivolous teen prom queen prototypes. Polka dots, exotic color mixtures, vivid flower designs, explosive colors, and scrumptious bows were just some of the many luxuries that Christian Lacroix let the world indulge in this fashion week. As per usual, Lacroix has me head-over-heels in love with his lavish line.

Later that night, Givenchy put on quite the show at Couvent des Cordeliers on 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine. Now before I go in deeper I feel compelled to say that although never disappointing, Givenchy has not usually been in my favorites during fashion weeks. However, 2009 has clearly been a year of change thus far, and I must say I was impressed with this collection. Succulent necklines stayed high and close to the neck, while the backs of many dresses took the plunge with crisscrosses and droopy layers. Givenchy played with floral prints and light pastels from yellow to mint green, flirting with the joys of spring in material form. Bunched-up material flowers, thin layers of flowing material, and dresses drizzled with lace were some of my personal favorite highlights of the show. The graceful and dainty collection won my heart this couture week, putting Givenchy in my top three for the week, leaving me yearning for a few of the delicately chic pieces for myself! See the backstage photos on our TUMBLR.

In the two days of frivolous footsteps down the runway coated with spring fashion’s finest, designers in Paris have clearly chosen to turn a blind eye to the economic recession deterring most of us from our frivolous fashion splurges. “Of course I’m aware of the credit crunch, but it is not a creative crunch,” Christian Dior designer John Galliano said after his outstanding display on the Monday evening. As we could tell by the ornate three-day extravaganza, the worst of times cannot even kill the life of couture lovers everywhere. A persistent fashion culture that will not allow itself to be doused by any flame? Now that, my friends, is haute.

Photos via Cobrasnake & Hapsical