Paris Fashion Week FW07 Wrapup I

Yay! It's Paris time. Paris is really where creative force of fashion is, although one must be actually interested and open-minded about fashion to appreciate this kind of fashion. On we go...


Balenciaga
THE show that we've been all waiting for. OK, so at first glance it wasn't as stunning as the FW06 collection or as directional and cool as the SS07 collection, but after looking over the photos many times, I am in love with this collection, which is odd coming from me considering I usually hate any folk-feeling clothes. There is SO much to love and learn from this collection -stare at the photos many times for awhile and you'll get what I mean. Maybe I'm biased because the a large part of the collection feels so young and has got that effortless-styled look.
Scarves were the accessory of the collection. There were so many different designs and ways they were used to style an outfit. With the folk-looking dresses, the scarves were wrapped around the models; with the more military looks, the scarves had gold and royal red strands spread out from the scarf, set out like a handkerchief at the neck; and then there are the simple scarves.
There were many folk-printed or seemingly tie-dyed dresses. Not usually my style since this kind of dresses are usually just bright and cheap looking, but I can't stop looking at these, especially the brilliant yellow one (in the middle). Maybe the reason I'm loving these folk dresses is because of the styling -grey stockings and cool sandals.
More to take note: bright blue stockings, skinny sports pants. That outfit in the middle is just way cool. Love all the layers and simple colours.


Christian Dior
OK, I'm probably in the minority in this, but I'm not a big fan of this show. Yes, I can appreciate the idea of going back to the 60s and making everything very original and vintage Christian Dior. Everything was absolutely beautiful; it was like a ready-to-wear version of the much-loved haute couture show.
Fur coats. Some huge and swinging, others were furry at the hems and more body-fitting.
The show did start off with some real-life (for more mature women) clothes.
Then there were many and many gorgeous dresses and party hats.
Look through the show, it's like all the colours are there. The purple dress Lily Cole is wearing is one of my favourites from the show.
This black and white dress is another one of my favourite.

BUT, what is the fashion direction; what is the show trying to say? At the end, I just can't get myself excited or inspired by anything from this show.


Viktor & Rolf
OK, so the reviews I (and all of you) have read so far from websites have so far, gone on and on about how worried the fashion editors were worried about the models, and feared that they would just tumble down the runway. To be honest, I didn't find the whole concept too shocking -remember that horrible sleeping-in-the-bed concept from a few seasons ago?
OK, those clogs are just hideous, absolutely horrendous. But try to look past the clogs, and the lights, if you can...
and you'll see that there are actually some pretty prints there.

Anyways, I'm off to stare at the Balenciaga collection again. Hope you have as much fun as I am!
Photo source: Style.com

REISS UK

When I was in San Francisco the other weekend, I discovered the coolest brand- REISS from the UK! Located on the first floor of the new Bloomies mall near Union Square, the simple, sophisticated, cool interior lured me in to explore the rest of the collection.
And I fell in love. The clothes there were elegantly simple and casual, with just the right amount of twist to make it look special. I am loving that casual white cardigan, I can totally see it as my summer staple over pretty camis. And those shift dresses are just soo cool.
The outfits for work are equally casual and cool. Note those vibrant shiny shorts and skinny belt!
And aren't these dresses just darling? They are so fun and youthful!

Positioned between high street multiples and designer brands, this brand is just what we need. I personally have my eyes on a blue/white striped cardigan and this grey jersey with a v-necked pattern, but alas, they were all way above my budget. Perhaps when they go on sale. . . .

Oscar's 2007 Fashion

This year's Oscars fashion was, well, not particularly disastorous nor inspiring. Obviously everyone was on their top form, but the dresses were just... okay. Maybe there has been too many award shows recently that I've gotten a bit jaded. So anyways, here are the top fabulous outfits from last night:

Queen of the night, Helen Mirren looked amazing in Christian Lacroix. If it's a body shot (as opposed to closeup shot,) it's hard to remember she's alreayd 61 years old!

Cate Blanchett looked elegant in Armani Prive, and right on the whole metallic, futuristic trend. Makeup, jewelery, everything was simple impecable.

Rachel Weisz wore a seemingly simple Vera Wang gown. I love that long cluster of diamonds (and the diamond ribbon) at the top of her dress. The dress is so perfectly tailored- it's like the dress is softly wrapped around her, and the diamonds solidified the whole vision.

After the brilliant yellow dress she wore to the Golden Globes, Reese Witherspoon's Nina Ricci by Olivier Theysken dress here just didn't seem as striking. I'm sure this gown floated around Reese beautifully, but it just isn't the most photogenic dress.

Like Blanchett, Nicole Kidman can do (almost) no wrong on the red carpet. She looked elegant, as usual, in a Balenciega dress.

Nicole Kidman's BBF, Naomi Watts looked really pretty last night, although for some reason, she landed on a worst dress list.

Another one who landed on the worst dressed list was Gwenyth Paltrow, who wore Zac Posen. I thought she looked pretty sophisticated in it and she looked really pretty on TV, but I can see how it's not for everyone's taste.

And once again Cameron Diaz landed on worst dresed lists. I think she looked pretty -go find a picture of her hair, it's absolutely perfectly wavy. Her white Valentino gown had a haute couture-shape but in a much simplified way.

Surprisingly, not many people wore black. Rinko Kikuchi wore a slinky, not-boring-at-all black number.

Kate Winslet looked lovely in a simple, expertly-draped Valentino gown. Nothing exciting, but hey, points for her for wearing natural-looking makeup.

While I don't know if Jessica Biel was actually nominated for anything, I thought she looked gorgeous. She absolutely stood out in that hot pink Oscar de la Renta gown. She wore it oh-so-elegantly, especially with that belt.

And of course, how could I not mention Jennifer Lopez, who definitely impressed in a grey Marchesa gown. Is she reinventing herself?

As to why so-and-so wasn't on the list?

Penelope Cruz -The Versace gown is certainly glamorous, but the tail was way excessive.

Anne Hathaway -The huge black bow is cute and all, but it didn't seem to suit her much.

Jennifer Hudson -She wore the Oscar de la Renta dress well enough, but that metallic shrug? Seriously.

Kirsten Dunst -First of all, yay, Marie Antoinette most definitely deserved the best costume award. And for some reason, I can't decide whether I like Kirsten's Chanel dress or not.

Milan Fashion Week FW07 Wrap Up III

So far, I think these Milan shows must have been my favourites. The general message seems to be loose and casual, but the thing you got to love about the Italians is that they always manage to make it look flattering and chic.

Gianni Versace
A departure from her previous season's form fitting trimmed style, her interpretation of this season's loose and casual style is inspired. Donatella updates the Versace woman while keeping them looking expensive and chic.

Tailored yet still loose and casual. Any one of these coats will do to keep us looking chic next season. Although I especially LOVE the black double breasted one on the left. You'd think we'd be bored of them by such a classic design by now, but Donatella just makes it look new again.
I also loved how she injected these vibrant colors into the collection. Also note the use of skinny belts here.I'm thinking I really need to get a long cardigan and belt!
Some more typically Versace cocktail dress designs.
And of course, we must not miss the gorgeous dresses. While structured on top, the skirts remain a flow of elegance.

Giorgio Armani

You know loose and casual are "in" when even Armani, the king of sleek and chic, embraces it.

Of course, he still manages to make it look very Armani.
I am especially loving these three outfits. But, WHAT is with the hat and make-up? They make the models look like they are 50, which is ridiculous when most of them are barely legal.
Although in some cases, I thought he took it a little overboard. Like these one, they just look frumpy. And no matter how much tailoring you put into it, that black/white stripe (esp at that thickness) will always look like a prisoner's outfit to me.
More pretty dresses with a bubble skirt twist. It was a different from the norm collection and it isn't too bad, but I thought the collection was too big and many of the pieces just looked really similar and boring.

Gucci

I am loving this collection. Although I was a bit sceptical about it at first since the first outfit looked so rigid and uncomfortable. But as I looked through the rest, I couldn't help but be impressed. The outfits are sexy and sophisticated without being too revealing, everything was very put together and just sooo gorgeous!

I especially love the first look here with the layered jackets, belt, 3/4 pants, boots and big bag. And the red and black coats accentuates the body and just looks so sexy.
Patterns, especially floral prints, seems slightly out of place in such a structured collection, but somehow Frida strikes the perfect balance and makes it work.
Fabulous, glamorous outfits for the evening.
Although I'm not too inspired by the evening gown portion of the show. Its not particularly interesting nor gorgeous.

Can't wait to see what Paris has in store for us!

photo sources: Elle

Milan Fashion Week FW07 Wrapup II

Ahh! With the excitement of the new Milan collections, I can't even fit in a slot to blog about the series finale of The OC (sniff, so sad) -I'll do that eventually. OK, onto the collections:

Fendi
Fendi is supposedly known for its fur, so in that aspect, Karl delivered. I admittingly, do not know how to appreciate Fendi's asthetics yet and I usually just think Fendi as a line for mature women.

But with hemlines above the knees, a lot of the clothes didn't feel too old. I love the three outfits above -they're grownup-but-not-too-mature, girly edgy and classy.

Alessandro Dell'Acqua
I've always liked Dell'Acqua's collections because I love the different ways he transforms black and white, pretty and edgy outfits. But this time, and I thought of it before I read other reviews, that this collection wasn't really him -I see traces of random designers' SS07 collections, such as that of Preen, Lanvin and even Dolce Gabanna (don't ask me why, maybe it's just me). So ya, I was a bit disappointed.

I like these dresses, but they do really remind me of a mix of Preen and Christopher Kane.

Regardless, there are still some really fab work outfits. I would love to wear the outfits on the left and middle to work -they're so pretty, put-together and professional.

Marni
In my mind, Marni's a bit like Prada -arty, eccentric and girl-focussed (in the way that the clothes don't cling onto you.) But the difference is, Marni is even more eccentric and every new collection continues nicely from the previous one. This collection is great, but I didn't find anything in particular I love. Plus note the big bags, (again).

Grey continues to be THE colour, with some muted purple and blue. Ooo, and notice the UGG-lookalikes. For some reasons, those furry boots somehow look right with the super high hemline.

Even though Marc Jacobs seems to have abandoned the layering look for his main line, I'm glad to see the Marni is still doing the layering thing.

There are looks for all ages and profession, whether you need something really business-looking, or something that is more arty and kind-of-professional.

The sporty influences continue from the SS07 collection. And of course, we have the signature Marni look -belt over the simple, slightly volumous coat.

Photo sources: Elle

Wrangler to open Carnaby store

American denim brand Wrangler in is due to open a UK flagship in London's Carnaby Street. It will be the company's first UK Concept store showcasing Wrangler's mens and womenswear collections.In store Iconic denim brand Wrangler has chosen one of the capital's most renowned shopping destinations, Carnaby Street, to open their first UK Concept on the 22nd March 2007.

For denim connoisseurs a must see will be the Blue Bell Archive area showcasing the history of the first modern day 5 pocket jean. The Blue Bell range was first designed in 1919 by the famous rodeo tailor ‘Rodeo Ben' Lichtenstein, whose clients included Roy Rodgers and Bill Hailey.

The store opening will coincide with the launch of Wrangler's new womenswear collection, called Blue Bella. Louise Vaughan, Wrangler UK Marketing Manager said, “Wrangler introduces the best collections to date for spring summer and it is fitting that we open our first UK Concept store to showcase them in. Carnaby Street is a Mecca for denim aficionados and the Wrangler Store will be a key destination for this consumer.” The Wrangler boutique opens on 22 nd March.

February Movies

This month has been an influx of romantic comedies- my favourite kind. Simple, light and funny, they just makes me feel so happy after watching them! Who needs complex, thought provoking plots when reality is already complicated enough? This month, the especially worth seeing ones are Because I Said So and Music & Lyrics.

Because I Said So
Featuring Daphne Wilder, the mother of three girls, it talks about how she goes about finding the perfect guy for her youngest daughter Milly- without her knowing! Nothing turns out as planned however, but after much drama, everyone of course ends up with a happy ending. It is hilarious, sweet and touching- especially the mother and daughter relationship between Daphne and Milly. Doesn't Mandy Moore's hair look fabulous here?
Not only is Diane Keaton an amazing actress, but she's also very stylish too- especially for a 60 year old. Throughout the movie, I couldn't help but admire her ladylike, cinched at the waist, perfectly matched outfits and fabulous heels. She even carried off the polka dots dresses (she was obsessed with them- even her wedding dress was polka dots!) with class and style.
Lauren Graham played one of the daughters, Maggie, who is a psychiatrist. But after so many years, its just hard to see her as anythign else but Lorelei!
I also loved how each girl's personality is so perfectly reflected by their outfits. Daphne is classy and ladylike, Milly is fun and quirky, Maggie is professional and ladylike and Mae is pretty and flirty (from left to right).

Music and Lyrics

Music and Lyrics was also an awesome movie. Sweet, romantic and absolutely hilarious, it was perfect for its Valentine's Day premier. Alex Fletcher, a 80's has been pop singer, needs to make his come back by writing a hit song for Cora Corman, the reigning diva of the music industry. He enlists the aid of his plant water-er, Sophie Fisher to help him write the lyrics for his music.

Along the way, they (of course) fall in love. But because of Alex's unwillingness to stand up against the popular opinion, they fight and fall apart. In the end, Alex realizes that he cannot live without her and does a big thing to win her back in the last scene (in which she was wearing this black silk top that was really really pretty!).

It was wonderfully sweet and Hugh Grant was just hilarious- especially with the hip popping! And who knew he had such a decent voice? Although I thought Cora was really strange, with the whole sexual/religion theme going on and everything. Her make-up in the performance was also unusually natural. I also absolutely LOVED the songs in this movie. They were all very catchy and fun. Definitely check out their soundtrack!

So if you haven't already done so, you must all go see these two movies this weekend!