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28 February 2010

Ciao Milano!

If Italian fashion doesn't make you feel incredibly sexy, I suggest you have your head examined. What the French and English lack in intimacy, the Italian set make up for in spades.

I recently watched the documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor and, honestly, I had never really had the impulse or desire to learn more about Italy as I did at that moment. And then I saw these shows, which are absolutely breathtaking! I can say without any hesitation that the New York and London shows, well as much as I loved them, I didn't love all of them. And, yes, it's hard for anyone to love all 120 shows that come out of New York plus the week long spectacle that comes out of the UK and maybe it's easier because there is less from Milan and it all ties up nicely in five days. But still...every show, complete heaven. Well done, Milan!

And while we are talking about all these shows, which we aren't even done with yet...we still have Paris...might I make a suggestion. Or rather pose a question: why in the name of commercial hell is someone not packaging DVD's of the shows twice a year? Can you imagine a full collection of the New York, London, Milan and Paris shows? (Sorry, Spain, I'm not leaving you out for any lack of respect.) I would sit for hours attached to the television; my husband would probably have to pull the remote control from my cold, steel like grip and I would probably cause a brown out in the greater Raleigh metropolitan area.

I'm just throwing it out there. If this brilliant idea comes to fruition, I expect some sort of compensation. Just sayin'. I'm not saying that Project Runway was my idea but, well...I've not seen one red cent. Hmph.

Back to the focus...

DSquared2. I mean DAMN. I'll take the one on the right, please and...


this one on the left. And an Aston Martin, Villa outside of Rome, champagne, etc. etc. etc.


Prada. Proof that geek is chic.


Fendi. Romantic. Because Italy isn't at all synonymous with love.


Also Fendi.
(I'm going to do this to my hair then take my son to the park.
Wonder what the other mothers will say?)


Versace. A real return to the Versace of the '90's.
Where's Elizabeth Hurley when you need her?


Sportmax. You know I am a sucker for all things red, gray
and especially if there's plaid involved?
Sign me up.

No. 21. Simple silhouettes, color drenched frocks
and bone colored heels. Yes.
(I'd like to note that mixing baby blue with cheetah
is pounds more interesting than mixing it with red.)


Moschino Cheap and Chic is always sassy and flirty.
Never change.


Krizia. I love the structure of this white coat.
And the dress is straight up Great Gatsby.


Just Cavalli.
In typical Cavalli fashion, there was a bevy of animal prints.
I deterred myself from them quite well I think.



Gianfranco Ferre. Always classic. Always demure. Less is more.


Frankie Morello. Rockergothchic.
The dress is a little Tish but it's not as if I mind that.



Emporio Armani. Clean, sophisticated dresses and separates.
As only Giorgio can do.



D&G. I'm going to say something I shouldn't
...did anyone else not get this show?
These were two of only a few pieces that were not
alpinegeist overload...l'inferno?
(translation: the hell?)


Blumarine. Legs anyone? Good Lord, Anna Molinari.


Blugirl -- I preferred more than Blumarine,
maybe because it appeals to my romantic in-sensibilities in a young, naive way but whatever.
I like my romance that way.


Alberta Ferretti. Gorgeous gowns. Just gorgeous. Soft colors...


and very goddess like.
Everyone loves a good goddess.


Ok, Ciao! Off to Purim Fest!
More from Milan later,
xoxo,
kvlm


images nymag

24 February 2010

Somwhere Over the Rainbow

...I'm having flashbacks of this when I sleep: marc jacobs fall 2010 show

sigh, swoon, sigh, sigh, swoon...

23 February 2010

London Calling

Ah, London fashion. There is just something so definitive that sets London fashion apart from everything else. It's unique and innovative, contemporary but nostalgic, edgy, sexy and at times borderline androgynous. And boy does it make me "homesick." London fashion -- and London in general -- brings out one's general sense of darkness...a little punk, slightly goth, ridiculously seductive, mysterious, and well, delicious. All things that remind me not just of my days walking the streets of London, but even before through the music that so distinctly defines me two decades ago. And I am so not beneath what I am about to say...someone please, please, please, please, oh pretty please with a cherry on top, extra whipped cream, a couple of scoops of Ghiardelli, oh please! for the love of everything that is holy give me a job in London so I can get back to where my combat-boot-wearing-but-graduated-to-five-inch-heels feet belong!

Phew...ok, I'm better now. Moving on...

Before I share photogs, I'd like to give a personal spotlight (albeit shoutout!) to Mark Fast for using a varying degree of model sizes (although I do have to give a slight reprimand for the ones who, too, looked like they need a sandwich or ten). But going back to yesterday's conversation, and a very hot topic at hand, the pressure/expectations of the fashion industry on what are essentially children. Let me set the record straight on my end first. I obviously do not have a problem with skinny models -- my dress form is a size 6 on a good day, when I can keep ice cream sandwiches out of her non-hands (she really needs to work on the binge eating) and when I do design (which is not often enough) I draw a very typically modelesque figure. However, do I think the fashion world has created a somewhat sick if not deranged mental stigma of what a 16 year old should look like? Absolutely. And do I think that the fashion industry is missing out on A LOT of money tapping their goods at a size 12? You'd better freakin' believe it.

When I was 16, my very wealthy and wise aunt asked me what I wanted to do for a living. When I told her I wanted to be a fashion designer she said, and I quote, "well, please sug, do your aunt a favor and design some fabulous clothes for us fat girls...we are, afterall, the ones with all the damn money." All between puffs of smoke...grande.

But that's not really the point of this recent soap boxing that not only myself but so many others, including those actually in the fashion biz, are on. Let's promote good health, understanding, acceptance and general, all around love of our distinct and individual bodies. Not everyone on this planet was born to be a size 4 -- not even some of the ones who are a size 4 were born to be that way and they are ridiculously miserable or drive those around them insane talking incessantly about what they eat, or don't as the case may be, and how often they work out. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Please leave your female stereotypes at the door. Thank you.


Mark Fast
Congratulations to you, Mark Fast, for embracing different and daring to not give a shit.

Basso & Brooke (crazy prints were everywhere)

Aquascutum

Antonio Berardi (so sexy, so chic!)

Amanda Wakeley (gorgeous draping)

Also Amanda Wakeley (and buttery leathers)

David Koma (graphic color-blocking supreme)

Clements Ribeiro (sexy dresses and innocent sweaters)

Christopher Kane

Burberry Prorsum (always classic)

Betty Jackson

John Rocha (really speaks to my inner-witch)

Jenny Packham (a twist of orange)

Jaeger London (more velvet could not make me happier)

Issa (a new favorite!)

Erdem (I have such a mad, insane crush on Erdem...Mad! I tell you!)

Mario Schwab (excellent sculpting)

Maria Grachvogel (love the color story and oh the draping!)

Julien Macdonald

Joseph Conran (I need this little jacket in my life)

Jonathan Saunders

Paul Costelloe (I want, I want, I want)

Nicole Farhi

Nathan Jenden

Matthew Williamson (divine!)

Mary Katrantzou (love the mix of print)

Roksanda Illincic (um. yes.)

Richard Nicoll

Pringle of Scotland (yes, I would like the pant in every color,
thank you)

Peter Pilotto

Paul Smith (wow!)

Todd Lynn (wanted: for weekends)

Sass & Bide

Vivienne Westwood Red Label (bring on the Gold Label, please!
I need my full Westwood fix!)


More tomorrow. Hopefully I won't totally inundate you with such an image heavy blog but all this beauty? It's worth it.

til then,
xoxo,
kvlm