The New Romantics

I'm still dwelling on this lovely ed from Teen Vogue:

Narciso Rodriguez Pre-Fall '08

"Narrow-waist, flaring-hem jackets worn with ankle-cropped trousers echoed some of Rodriguez's Spring looks; new to the mix was a cropped bolero that topped a twill shirt and slim pants. The fluffy, chin-grazing collars on a pair of double-face cashmere coats added a feminine note to the proceedings, as did the short, simple, and sweet cocktail dresses, the best of which fluttered to the knees from an empire waist..."

Has Global Warming Stopped?

"The fact is that the global temperature of 2007 is statistically the same as 2006 as well as every year since 2001. Global warming has, temporarily or permanently, ceased. Temperatures across the world are not increasing as they should according to the fundamental theory behind global warming – the greenhouse effect. Something else is happening and it is vital that we find out what or else we may spend hundreds of billions of pounds needlessly..."
Has Global Warming Stopped? - New Statesman

Sack, Back, and Crack : Hitchens' Journey of Self-Improvement

"The male version of the wax is officially called a sunga, which is the name for the Brazilian boys’ bikini. I regret to inform you that the colloquial term for the business is “sack, back, and crack.” I went into a cubicle which contained two vats of ominously molten wax and was instructed to call out when I had disrobed and covered my midsection with a small towel. Then in came Janea Padilha, the actual creator of the procedure. She whipped away the exiguous drapery and, instead of emitting the gasp or whistle that I had expected, asked briskly if I wanted any “shaping.” Excuse me? What was the idea? A heart shape or some tiger stripes, perhaps, on the landing strip? I disdained anything so feminine and coolly asked her to sunga away..."
On the Limits of Self-Improvement, Part II

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year...

It's that time of the year again. The time to be thankful for all the marvelous joys December brings (aside from loved ones of course), which include but most certainly aren't limited to:

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas (I cry every time.)

2. Paris Vogue January/February (guest edited by the inimitable Charlotte Gainsbourg)
thanks to Diorette and DieselMax from TFS

3. Nat King Cole's Christmas albums

4. Pfeffernüsse

5. Winter Wonderland

Manon Gignoux

"The clothes I create pass on the experience of living, flattering and deforming the body. My fabric dolls, each a kind of symbolic object, represent attitudes and personalities. I play on the relationship between clothes and object, I dress objects in order to protect them and to tell their story… damaged coverings, darned, made from accumulation and colours faded by time. I also set up installations in which I associate my work with objects that I have found, re-invented and/or photographed."
Manon-Gignoux.com

Mis-shapes, Mistakes, Misfits...

The Misshapes were fab last night at the Underground! Kudos to the guy in all white dancing with the handheld mirror!!

Urban Outfitters, chic?

I'll admit, every now and then I'll pop into Urban Oufitters. I'm neither a fan of hipster style nor the exploitation of indie trends for the masses, but I may leave with a pair of tights or a discounted dress. Well, I've recently stumbled upon the UK website for Urban Outfitters which is -suffice it to say- far more chic than its American counterpart (think Vanessa Bruno, See By Chloe, and Anglomania). If only they'd start shipping overseas...
Urban Outfitters UK

Nacho Alegre: Diaries

Nacho Alegre

vintage

Su Blackwell's Book-Cut Sculptures

The Beginning of SomethingAlice - A Mad Tea Party (2006)
The Extasie (2006)
"I undergo repetitive labour-intensive processes that often involve sewing, knotting, folding and cutting, intimate actions that reveal the hand at work. My methods of working are a meditative process, which can develop into an intrinsic type of ritual, whereby I take the familiar and by a matter of fact manner move it towards the fantastic."
Sue Blackwell

Ooberman

My boyfriend introduced me the incredible, otherwordly, cacophonic melodies of Ooberman this evening. It blew my mind whilst nearly plunging me into panic mode.
Ooberman @ Myspace

Helena Hörstedt

"Helena Hörstedt is a Swedish design label. It was created after my graduation from Beckmans School of design, Stockholm, 2004. The label provides handmade garments with emphasis on structures and techniques, advanced details and classic tailoring. I think the genuine work and the handcrafted feeling gives an irreplaceable value to the garment. The trade of handcrafting is always one of the most important sources for both construction of and inspiration for my design.
I want my garment to be a fascinating visual experience as much as a usable. I want them to build a desire, continuously expand and to surprise the beholder."
helenahorstedt.com

Loic Prigent's 'Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton'

The North American premiere of Prigent's latest documentary on the rather elusive Marc Jacobs (never before had camera's been allowed in his showroom) showed yesterday at Facets Cinémathèque in Chicago. Being amidst socialites young and old was daunting (whopping stereotypes were abound) and Gillion Carrara's introduction was obnoxiously pendantic (again, stereotypical) nevertheless the documentary was well worth the price of admission.

"Director Loic Prigent has created an intimate, revealing portrait of the reclusive Marc Jacobs and the world of haute couture with the documentary, Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton. We see a genius at work, balancing unimaginable pressure to chart new paths in the universe of fashion as he straddles the demands of fashion conglomerate Louis Vuitton and his own New York-based Marc Jacobs label. Directed by Loic Prigent, France, 2007, 83 mins."

DVD available at Colette

Australian Designer Fleur Wood

Fleur Wood

Ulla Johnson

Fall '07:
Ulla Johnson