Thoughts On The New Year

Quickly jotting down something more than just as a reminder for the year to come....

What have we got to lose right?  The only thing left to do is to take more risks in our lives.

In the spirit of that, a look at 15 years of Hussein Chalayan in fashion. 


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Miucha Edges

There was a lot of unfinished business on the runway of the Prada Spring Ready-to-wear 2010 show in Milan.  Edges were hacked off and ever so slightly pulled which resulted in a beautiful balance of structure and destructed.  Fragile or not?  Piece after piece appeared and one could hardly believe one's eyes or blink in fear of missing just a second of the show.

I recently worked with a garment at a photoshoot that resembled a softly decaying blossom.  The edges, like those seen at the Prada show, were unfinished and tattered.  That piece was so delicate so much that at every 10 camera clicks the garment transformed itself right before us.  Perhaps it is a reference to the unstable nature of beauty. Or maybe we simply get bored with wearing something that looks the same all the time.  But which ever way we would like to interpret it, I think I love the way things are going for Spring of 2010.  Stagnation has been driven out of town!

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Anticipation

Even with the heat of Summer prevelant, I can't help but anxiously await the arrival of Autumn. A bit of time spent surfing on style.com does that to me every season. The anticipation of new colors, textures, shapes and even more choices in ways we will be encouraged to play with our hair and makeup is mind blowing.

And before my mind drifts off somewhere else let me just put this down. Balmain's Fall 2009 collection has at so many levels encompassed all of the feelings aforementioned. In Balmain's case, the new color is a vibrant blue, drizzling sequins as the new texture, and the new shape is the elongated line drawing focus on cutting edge shoulders.

And then just look at those boots!


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Badgley Mischka S/S '10 - AIFW July 2009

Badgley Mischka with Club Brillant (who styled the outfits with eyewear), presented their Summer 2010 collection on Wednesday at the 11th edition of the Amsterdam International Fashion Week. This was the first show of the season and it set the tone for what's to come in this week of fashion and beauty.




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The Sweetest

The sweetest item to sit in my purse lately is an Oilily lip balm. Granted it isn't the only lipcare product in my purse but it is the one that gets the ooohs and ahhhs whenever it makes an appearance out of the purse. It is all because of its waxed paper encasing printed with the designs from their "Flowers" collection.

The strawberry scented balm feels good on the lips too and doesn't get mucky or dry out around the edges of my lips after hours of wearing like some balms can get. The texture is smooth and since the balm is colorless, it makes a great base/primer for whatever lipstick to come!

...and incase you were wondering, this is not a fake. This tube came from one of the gift bags I got at the Oilily show when I attended the AIFW in January.


Website: oilily-world.com
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Celebration Sale @ Joline Jolink

One of my favorite Dutch designer Joline Jolink is having a celebration to mark the 1-year anniversary of their webshop (one that is open to international customers by the way). The sale is good for this weekend only and there is 20% off of their current and their "Hall of Fame" collection. Orders over 200 euros will receive a 6-month free subscription to Elle or Red magazine (for customers living in the Netherlands).

Hurry before her Sun Max dress is sold out!


Website: jolinejolink.com
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Chanel Shopping Bag

The black and white paper shopping bag from Chanel is such a symbol of class and luxury. Most often when I see someone walking down the street with one of them in her clutch I immediately have the urge to rush over and see what lovely things she got!

The shopping bags pictured above come from Chanel's Spring Summer 2009 RTW collection and are crafted out of calfskin with hand painted lettering. They come in 3 sizes: large (looks like the one you get when say you have purchased a large purse), medium (the one you get when you have perhaps purchased 2 pairs of sunglasses), and small (the one you get when you buy a lipstick or a rose broche). Colors are in black, white, or pink.

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Interesting Shapes Spring 2009

Not particularly soft shapes for Spring of 2009. But how these fabric glisten and it all feels refreshing somehow. And I am in love with the strong brows that plays power struggle with the girly pinked lips.

What does everyone think of this image from Dolce & Gabbana's new ad campaign?


Website: dolcegabbana.com
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Paper Fashion

Paper fashion.
Scissor cut and finger folded along the dotted line.
A breath of fresh air.
Its clean lines please.

Website: calvinklein.com
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Daryl van Wouw A/W '09-10

The Daryl van Wouw catwalk show is always packed full. A part of the audience had to even watch the show from the entrance, trying to get a glimpse over heads and between gaps.

Van Wouw's A/W 2009-10 collection, inspired by the vibrant colors used in Chinese opera, was one that had something for every occasion. The Chinese opera mask printed shirts modernized the ancient art form into something fun and wearable today. What was most exciting were the beautifully shaped off-shoulder dresses with that gorgeous bustline which sloped downwards around and towards the back (see the dress with green leaves below).

However, the bonus for me at one of Van Wouw's shows is always the makeup and hair. There is always something interesting and fresh to look at and this time was no different. The girls walked out with the most exotic multi-tonal braids that were just so striking seen from the back. While the face was kept pure and simple, gold was painted on the the neck which extended towards the bustline. The glimmering gold paint brought out beautiful skin textures and accentuated a beautiful part of a woman's body. Kind of reminiscent of the gold rings worn around the necks in 'longneck' tribes.

Chinese opera mask-esque prints

Gorgeous. Want!

Dress made more formal with tuxedo elements.

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Dressed In Night - Mada van Gaans At The AIFW

During the 10th edition of the AIFW, Mada van Gaans showed her collection for A/W 2009-10. Those of us who love to dress in black were spoiled for choices. Mada van Gaans has taken the ordinary to interesting proportions and her use of metallic fabrics fired up under those stage lights. The pieces were comfortable yet glamorous to look at. I simply adore the shimmery russet colored off-shoulder number whose longer length makes it absolutely stunning.

Shimmery accents that play up a natural face, complimenting the feel of the collection.

Designer Mada van Gaans (in the middle), greeted the crowd after the show.

Mada van Gaans' S/S 09 collection (Enchanting Memories) presented at the Dutch Fashion.Awards

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Iris van Herpen A/W 2009-10 - AIFW

Iris van Herpen Mummification F/W 09-10 - AIFW
A chilly breeze filled the room and the crowd went silent. Music started and the models performed their slow majestic stride in bare feet. Warrior goddesses. Wows were heard echoing around the room at the show's end.

Every piece in the collection was a show-stopper. The array of immaculate details were so amazing to look at and the muted gold played contrast with carbon black.


Iris van Herpen's S/S 2009 Show at the AIFW


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Highlights - AIFW 2009 Opening Ceremony

On a steely cold Saturday morning, a frantic gathering of photographers and general public were seen at the Amsterdam central station, kicking off the start of the Amsterdam International Fashion Week. Grazia staged a photo shoot where the public was able to watch some of the makeup artists/hairstylists/photographers/stylists/models at work. The winner of Holland's Next Top Model (cycle 3), Kassandra Schreuder drew crowds in as she kicked her long legs in the air for the photos.

Kassandra Schreuder - Last minute fixes before she glided onto stage

Models Posing - Remember the dress on the left (it is by EnD and you might have seen it here during AIFW July 2008)?

Shoes Shot - I couldn't help but stare at them!

Models cozying up - The temperature inside the station was icy cold.

Ladies who bun - I love the twisty addition to a classic bun.

Upclose and personal - The Makeup looked flawless and natural.

The opening for the upcoming AIFW was enough of a teaser and my anticipation is getting unbearable! I wonder what exciting A/W 2009-10 fashion we will get to lay eyes on starting Wednesday?


Read more about previous editions of the Amsterdam International Fashion Week (AIFW)


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