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28 May 2010

I Insanely Hearted SATC2. Quel Surprise! And Last Post Until Nashville!

So I'm about 3 days away from being an official resident of Nashville. And quite frankly, I'm thrilled. This sort of change in my life has been a long time coming. Not that you are waiting with baited breath for my next line and thought on fashion but I'm taking a little break between now and...well whenever...to get settled and soak up this moment.

But before I go, let's talk about Sex and the City 2. I was never an avid follower mostly because when SATC was in its heyday, I didn't have cable, let alone HBO. Being a single mom didn't really grant that luxury. But I did catch repeats on TBS and episodes when I was visiting addicted friends. I immediately saw the appeal even if I didn't feel the impulse to catch every last happening in the lives of Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte. But then, I rarely get addicted to tv shows (with the exception of Project Runway, all hail you Tim and Heidi).

Anyshoe, the first SATC movie, in my humble opinion, all due respect, was really just a fashion show. I honestly can't remember what the plot was and I certainly did not blog about it. But I remember the wedding dress montage and I vividly recall the Vivienne Westwood. VIVIDLY. *swoon*

But I have to put it out there girls, SATC2 may be, again in my humble opinion, the quintessential chick flick of all time for those of our generation. Before you get out your worn copy of Thelma and Louise, hear me out. The overall campiness of the movie is in your face evident about 4 minutes after the opening line. In fact, whoever wrote the lines to the first scene must have either been on meds that day or a recent college grad. They were bad. But then...Liza Minnelli blows the top off of the whole damn thing and hilarity ensues for another two solid hours. I really don't think I have laughed that much in a movie in years.

Though it wasn't just funny, it actually had a bit of a message that resonated with me as a newly married. Campy? Yes. Bad jokes? Absolutely. INSANE costumes? Oh my G-d, yes! But it was such the perfect symbiosis of everything you think of when you recall the best moments you ever had with your girlfriends AND all of those eureka moments you've had over the man you love that I was honestly astounded. No, it won't change your life. Yes, some of you will think you are entirely too intelligent and superior to spend money on it. But do yourself a favor, watch it with your best friend, your sister, rent it when it comes out and watch it on your day off when day time TV is sucking the life out of you. It is so very worth it.

Now onto the clothes from the NYC and London premieres of the film because we've GOT to talk about them.


Sarah Jessica Parker in Valentino (L) and full on Alexander McQueen with Philip Treacy headpiece (R). I'm not always crazy about how SJP rocks the red carpet but she nailed it with the Valentino...dress, hair, makeup. She looks so very New York but so fresh and not overdone. Plus, it's nice to see a piece from this Valentino collection in the real world because the actual show totally did me in. I was not a fan. As for the McQueen/Treacy look...wow, what an homage to McQueen. It's a lot, yes, but if you are going to do this where better to do it than London. It fits and therefore I love.


Kim Cattrall in Naeem Khan (L) and vintage Thierry Mugler (R). Dear G-d. She looks divine in both AND she looks AMAZING in the film. I honestly think she looks better than she ever has and she may have looked better than anyone else in the film. I love that she worked the sort of vintage starlet look for both premieres. Simply gorgeous, both of them.


Kristin Davis in vintage Jean Desses (L) and vintage Norman Norell (R). The Jean Desses is a gorgeous cut for her and color, well I always love her in pink. Some people just work pink better than others and she is definitely one of those people (Dear Gwyneth Paltrow, please take note). As for the Norell from Decades, the greatest vintage store probably on earth, I'm not entirely crazy about the dress itself but she looks hot. It's undeniable.


Cynthia Nixon in Carolina Herrara (L) and Narciso Rodriguez (R). Cynthia Nixon blew my mind in the movie...she looked incredible and I love her hair red, love it! I'm not super crazy about either of these BUT they look really great on her...I just long for that red hair.

Anyway, I just had to get a little red carpet out of my system before I go back to packing boxes. I think a lot of people throw tomatoes and turn a cold, feminist shoulder to these films but I can say without tongue in cheek that I really think it's a celebration of women. It's a celebration of what makes us funny, sexy, fragile, vulnerable, strong and imperfect. There's nothing wrong with a little imperfection in life -- we all could stand to recognize it.

much love,
kvlm

21 May 2010

Quel Bang!

Dear My Heaven Known As Marc Jacobs,



I love you, you know I really really do. When you were nerdy and gangly, I loved you. When you were a little paunch and not so shiney, I still loved you. And the Adonis of you now, well it's quite undeniable. But really? This is a little...much? And not muchness. Just straight up (or not straight as the case may be) much.

I appreciate where you've come from with your physique and it's quite exquisite now but we would have been fine perhaps with a shoulder? A somewhat less Master of the Gay Universe Big Bang Theory display of self-love? Maybe something a little artsy even or avant garde but honey this ad sings Liza Minnelli and buys its own shoes.

I'm concerned. Please call.
love,
me

P.S. Where were your marketing people in all this? Because there isn't one straight boy on Earth that's gonna go up to the counter at any major department store and lay money down for Marc Jacobs' Bang. It just ain't gonna happen.

20 May 2010

Ye, I Doth Covet

I've been wanting these for some time.

Multi-Buckle Wedges by Chloe Sevigny for Open Ceremony

They came out last fall. They are $625. And they are completely sold out.

I remember drooling over them many months ago but then thinking, ok, Chloe Sevigny has legs up to her neck so, of course, these shoes look fabulous on her. But on those of us who have normal legs that come up to normal places, it may not work. Or so I thought...

Walking through the Atlanta airport the other day, I saw a totally normal girl rocking these similar though somewhat less intense versions of the multi-buckle wedge:

ASOS Randal Buckle Wedge

At $67.64 plus shipping from the UK, this is a much more realistic splurge and one I can actually get my head around. Unfortunately, they too are sold out. Oh the humanity!!!! Customer service says they were meant to be restocked by May 17 so, as you can imagine, I am watching these suckers like a supermodel pawing at a cheeseburger. They are divine I tell you, divine!!

Just thought I'd share.
kisses, kvlm

18 May 2010

Why Yes, I'd Like Some Resort, Thank You!

I'm a little late on the uptake here but with good reason. I've spent the last two weekends traveling to Nashville, TN and Salt Lake City, UT. Nashville for a job interview and presentation and Salt Lake to visit my new insanely adorable red-haired goddaughter of greatness. Right now, I'm wiped out and just a little delirious not only from the constant going but the overhanging thought of moving in, well, probably less than 3 weeks. If you saw my attic you would understand the nausea inducing psychosis this activates.

But, hey, I'm moving to Nashville and that is a very good thing. And even though, yes, I'd like some resort, thank you, I will doubtfully be getting any until I fly to Ireland in August. All I can say is thank G-d for the internet and all of these delicious shots from Chanel and Dior. I can just close my eyes and pretend. Well, maybe not...I might fall asleep.

So Dior showed in Shanghai but the look was decidedly French, color rich and do I detect a hint of Barbie (though maybe not intentionally)? You be the judge...





Galliano never fails to thrill me. Surprisingly, though, so did Karl Lagerfeld (who showed in St. Tropez last week). Not to say that I don't love Chanel as much as the next girl, I mean, I am breathing. But sometimes the great gloved one (no, not MJ) rubs me ever so slightly with some of his commentary. However, I try to take into account that most of what media vultures put out into the airwaves is typically taken out of context. I also try to take into account the info I picked up on Karl during a recently shown bio on the good old tube. While he was everything I expected him and knew him to be, a new chord struck. Namely, wow, is he a lot more emotionally detached than I could even begin to imagine? So in my little, all forgiving, bleeding liberal heart, I'll try to forgive him for all the fat fodder and insulting crap that pours forth. This resort show is a step closer to me loving him a little more. It's simply gorgeous, relaxed, a little bohemian and everything resort should be.





And maybe Karl is trying, too. He did send this exquisite goddess (below), Crystal Renn, down the runway twice (thrice?) during the show to much aplomb. Crystal Renn is a 12. A mother. And did I mention goddess? Go, Karl.


Seeing her on his runway intrigued me not only because she's plus but because she is insanely beautiful. She is killing me with that bone structure. Again, gotta love the internet. She's got a book entitled Hungry coming out later this year. Here are the cover shots:




Curvy girls of the world, unite! Crystal Renn, you have a new, very thrilled fan. And Karl, nicely done (certainly though you are not the first to utilize her, um, assets but given your general take on the over zero, credit given).

more later, time for some much needed sleep!
cheers!
kvlm

12 May 2010

All Hail

There are 3 types of people.

1) People who are worn by their clothes (not preferable)
2) People who wear their clothes (preferable)
3) People who become a natural, symbiotic organic off-shoot of their fashion choice not only echoing the designer's true intent but fluidly becoming it. (rare)

Cate Blanchett is the third.

Cate -- in Alexander McQueen -- promoting Robin Hood today at the Cannes Film Festival. She is the only reason I intend to see this film (though I have a feeling I'm going to be pleasantly surprised at it all).

All hail, indeed.
xoxo,
kvlm

My Call...

and I'll admit that I was wrong (for the first time in ANTM history). This will be the winner, I don't see how it could be any different...



She is kind of gorgeous. Good luck, Krista!

xoxo,
kvlm

04 May 2010

Met Gala 2010


I've just surfaced from the mother of all power points to finally catch up on what happened at this year's Met Gala. Is it just me or has the Met Gala become the next best thing to the Oscars red carpet? And subsequently, the most jaw-dropping...in both good and bad ways. This year, it was especially, surprisingly, bad. Or am I just cranky from lack of sleep?

The Met Costume Institute is heaven, quite simply. Each year, they unveil a new exhibit that will run roughly through the summer. This year's exhibit is "American Women: Fashioning a National Identity." The Gala was hosted by Oprah Winfrey, Patrick Robinson of the GAP, and, of course, Anna Wintour from Vogue. The exhibit takes a closer look at "American women from 1890-1940 and how these women have influenced our perception of the modern woman." The exhibit includes pieces that have not been seen for 3o years. I have three words: sign me up. Oh and maybe two more words: road trip.

Many moons ago, my sister and I decided at the last minute to charge a trip to NYC to see the exhibit. It was worth every penny of interest (of which there was much)!

As for the Gala's red carpet, I'm at once intrigued by how popular it has become and somewhat annoyed. It used to just be a smattering of celebs mixed in with the heavy hitters of the fashion industry. Now it's pretty much every celebrity who may have an ounce of relevancy at the moment. And we all know what celebrities do when there is a red carpet of great import: their eyes glaze over and they are talked into some truly, ahem, fantastic ensembles by their stylist, best friends, children, and/or psychics.

Let's start with best and trickle down, shall we, beginning with my top 3 favorites:


Holy Grace Kelly, Batman, I think my heart just popped! Doutzen Kroes in Zac Posen, with Zac Posen. Sure, it's a bit Cinderella as well, but it's divine and I would roll in its heavenly blueness until I was forced to stop.


Anne Hathaway in Valentino. Exquisite. The fit is perfect, the color is perfect, she is just, well, perfect. I kind of love her. Love, love the dress.



Nicole Richie in Marc Jacobs. At first I wasn't entirely sure I was digging the whole Morticia-goes- out -for-the-night vibe going on here but then I remembered who I was. And YES. More Morticia-goes-out-for-the-night, please! (Plus, it's My Heaven Known as Marc Jacobs...no brainer.)


Sarah Jessica Parker in Halston Heritage, you know, because she is now Chief Creative Officer of Halston. And because I didn't have enough reasons to envy her fashion soaked life already.


Coco Rocha in Zac Posen. She looks a bit like a siren. Or a sea nymph. Either way, I am a fan.


More from the big poufy dress front: J Lo in Zuhair Murad, Eva Mendes in Dolce & Gabbana, and Mila Kunis in Vera Wang. J Lo's dress looks like the remnants of angels wings, so why the long face? She is so much more attractive when she smiles. Eva's Dolce is a bit of a throwback to '80's Oscar, which I fully approve of. And Mila's Wang (now that doesn't sound right) just looks like an explosion of tulle done correctly (to see it done incorrectly, and by the same designer, please see Rachel Weisz below).


Iman. I'm not sure who she's wearing but I think she just gets more gorgeous over time. Lovely.

Camille Belle in Jason Wu. I hate to say, I don't even really know who Camille Belle is other than she was one of the little girls in Practical Magic. Between that and this dress, she must be at least vaguely rocking. The neckline of this Wu gown is just to die for.


Chloe Sevigny in Proenza Schouler. A vintage influence with a totally fashion forward design. And it has tulle. Yea for tulle! Did I mention that I love the shoes? Because, I do. I love the shoes. Love them.

Old Hollywood glamour: Jessica Alba in Sophie Theallet for GAP, Taylor Swift in Ralph Lauren, and Gwen Stefani in L.A.M.B. They are gorgeous (though occasionally I wish Gwen would so something just totally out of the box for her norm; she's starting to blend with herself.)


Brooke Shields finally gets the Met Red Carpet right in a Michael Kors gilt gown (left). Compared to the cookie monster atrocity she wore last year with the Dynasty makeup, a MAJOR improvement. She looks stunning. And very young.


Kristin Davis wore a mermaid cut black gown, not sure who the designer is but I think the dress shows a lot of diversity to her character when compared to the Balmain she wore to the White House a few days prior. She has such a sweet face, I think sometimes we forget how sexy she can be.

And speaking of getting it right (and bad tulle), Rachel Weisz in custom Oscar de la Renta (left). She looks like an entirely different person in comparison to last year and about 10 years younger. Well done, Rachel!

Now, hold onto your cookies. The bad, well, it's pretty damn bad:


Kristen Stewart in Chanel Haute Couture. First, I am about sick of seeing these shoes. Everyone has them. Second, this is just too much for her. Third, can someone please give her her candy back so she'll stop with the scathing stare? Fourth, fire your hair stylist. Fifth, overall she looks like that thing Madonna had in hair at the Gala last year. No bueno, Twilight girl, no bueno.


Emmy Rossum, honey, you were not in Avatar. There is no reason why you should be shamelessly promoting it.


Padma Lakshmi. I don't hate it from the waist down, it's a bit Marilyn isn't it? But from the waist up she looks like a lamp shade I bought at Kirkland's ten years ago before I knew it was not ok to buy lampshades from Kirkland's. Just say no, Padma, just say no.


Look, Diane Lane is wearing my bridesmaid dress from 12 years ago! Hooray for recycling...oh, wait.


Blake Lively in Marchesa. Blake, Blake, Blake. I'm so glad you look happy because it about your only saving grace in this dress (or are you laughing at your frilly blue butt?). If Brook Shields wore a Cookie Monster dress last year, then sweetie, you are rocking what was left on the cutting room floor. Or, wait, no, no. You know how when you got to Carowinds or Six Flags and they try to get you to buy those big fluffy flower things made out of crepe paper for like $30? Yeah. That's what you look like.



Christina Hendricks in L'Wren Scott. This is a tough one. A) I love Christina Hendricks (holla for a curvy girl!) B) I love L'Wren Scott (in a sick, sick way). But this is just a bit of train wreck isn't it? The shoes match the makeup match the hair match the shoulder growth. The dress matches the eyes...oh to hell with it, we aren't focusing on her eyes are we? Which is exactly why that thing on her shoulder has GOT to go. She's got enough going on up there; she does not need a corsage overgrowth.



Oh, Dear G-d, she lit up. At The Met. For the Gala. Katy Perry is in an LED lit gown by Cute Circuit. I get the novelty, the sort of wow, the look at me of it but this isn't really the right red carpet for this sugar. Try the Grammys.


Tina Fey in a YSL paintsuit. I hate to rip you, Tina, because quite frankly, from the clavicle up, you look ridiculously hot. But there never is really a formal occasion for a jumpsuit, YSL or not.


Vera Farmiga is a beautiful woman in that very sort of atypical, off the beaten path, way (my favorite way, to be exact). So I don't understand why she let someone convince her to date herself so drastically in this Sophie Theallet for GAP gown? The brothel called sweetie, they want their dress back. (Or their curtains, whichever you may have.)


Kirsten, sweetie, didn't you wear this in Interview with a Vampire or am I hallucinating (again)? I know you are a big Rodarte fan, for whom we can give credit for this dress, and supporting the collaboration designers did for GAP for this event, but no, sweetie. Just no. It looks like you're pretending for your wedding. In 1981.


Kathryn Bigelow (in YSL), you were the first female to win for Best Director at the Oscars (not to mention you are gorgeous, tall and have an insane body). Can you not work it a little harder than a magnified pietri dish inhabitant?


Bar Refaeli I have said it once, I will say it again. Go to your room, young lady, and put some clothes on! Don't you date Leo of the large bank account? Can't homeboy afford you a full dress? I'm sure you could find something lovely at Deb, they cater to your age range. And aesthetic.

Oh, Elizabeth Banks. Cousin It, Granmama, and Tish just chewed you up and spit you out didn't they? This is a good lesson, kids, pay attention and repeat after me: JUST BECAUSE YOU SEE IT ON THE RUNWAY DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN WEAR IT. Edit, sister, edit.

Speaking of editing, I probably need to go and do that myself. Next up: the (belated) White House Correspondents Dinner, because I just can't pass it up.

xoxo,
kvlm

photos: huffingtonpost.com