Alexander McQueen FW 08/09

I LOVE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN... Seriously. His style is totally cool. This particular collection has always been one of my McQueen favorites, and finally seeing it in motion, makes it that much cooler.

The entire experience is like walking through a gothic fairy tale and remeniscing through a dusty Edwardian attack. It's mysterious, illusive, and exciting, waiting for what's next. It's a bit of romance, innoncene, history, and something never seen before. The models walk up with such focused ferocity, and walk away like visions that never were. Seriously, I love McQueen. Yes, the video is "long" by some standards, but come one people, bare with me!

EDIT: There is a much better HI-DEF version, with more close ups and different angles from this part of the show, unfortunately, there is no music- still worth watching for the clothes though.

Cool Finds at Chicago Art Institute

Furisode Shawl

inspired by 19th Century Japanese kimonos ($135 )

Grey Ruffle Shawl

pointelle knit with organza ruffles ($152)

Asian Screen Inspired Scarves ($68)

Cork Tote ($94) and brief case ($182)

Kokeshi Dolls Set ($135)

Altuzarra Fall 2010 RTW

Altuzarra totally took Prada's lace up shin guard boots (Altuzarra LEFT, Prada RIGHT)

Lots of cool little leather dresses that I can totally see on Diane Kruger at a premiere...

What else I liked about this collection are the lace up details. There are the more obvious appearences (as with the shirt on the right) and then the more subtle (the pants detail on the left)

There are also lots of buckles and bondage straps (see pants pictured above, as well as pics below). The high collared jackets are also really cool and vampy.

The collection is finished up with a couple of burgundy velvet pant suits and red dresses.

Cedric Rivrain Illustration

Kate. Alexander Mcqueen Dress

Cedric Rivrain has sketched for designers, such as John Galliano and worked for magazines like Dazed and Numero. Captures each outfit, detail, and model perfectly!

Sasha in Jil Sander

Sasha in Lanvin

Balenciaga 2007

Kate. Louis Vuitton

Coty Splichal- Gothic Collection

My latest Flickr find is designer Coty Splichal. Based in Florida, designing is both her profession, and her hobby.

This collection is inspired by Korean, Chinese, and gothic fashions. While being clearly Asian inspired, they remain a hybrid of both traditional "goth" and traditional Asian motiffes, rather than just recreating the gothic lolita or Harajuku styles.


The next two designs are some of my favorites. They combine wearability with art.

This one is an amazing mix of pinstripes, brocade, patchwork, and lace. The patchwork flowers seem to be growing right out of the brocade.

The next one is similar in style, but definitely the brighter piece of this collection.

The next piece serves as a transition from the contemporary elements of the previous two, to a more traditional style:

It's a gorgeous mix of what, I believe, is a hand-dyed gradient gauze and layers of tulle and fish-netting. And the black blossom detail is amazing!

This next one takes on a more traiditional Asian style, but remains equally mysterious.

The shrug is made of ripped gauze and trimmed with pinstriping. The skirt is a ghostly white-to-grey gauze, layered over shimmering white tulle and black and white pinstriping.

The yellow hair beads add an unexpected piece of color to the ensemble.

Photographer: Tiffany Steinke MUA: Amy Farma Original Clothing: Coty Splichal Hair: Coty Splichal

Part II: Christian Dior Spring

Dior S/S 2010 Backstage & Beauty Shots
I'm sorry, I just can't get enough of it! I just found some really amazing photos of the models backstage. You can really see the clothing and makeup so much better!

Christian Dior Spring 2010

I love Dior! So, of course it was a treat to see that Style.com had the Spring 2010 collection posted. And even more awesome, Galliano's English hunt theme! Just seeing the first photo in the collection, I was already getting excited for the fashion editorials that would ensue!


While the whole "hunt" theme is not a new idea, I am really happy with Dior's take. As always, John Galliano brings his own theatrics and drama to each design. To me, it's the alternative to the more sophisticated and sometimes traditional designs of Ralph Lauren's equestrian style.

Amazingly tailored jackets, bustled skirts, and top hats speak to classic elegance, but Galliano pairs tradition with edge. Vampy makeup, leather gloves and riding crop ad a touch of burlesque.



The makeup and bride of Frankenstein hair also speak of gothic elegance.




Also loving the lace veil- notice the veil ties up at the back of the hat and streams down; awesome!


Since it's a spring collection, there were the obvious lacey pastel dresses and gowns as well, but what particularly stood out to me was Galliano's choice of bold and contrasting gem tones.


I liked the idea of this next dress- it's a sleekly tailored belted coat dress in a beautiful dark teal color. What makes it stand out is a texturally contrasting printed fabric- I can't tell if it's a wrap, or if it's actually a side panel in the dress. Either way, I thought it was cool.