Friday, December 16, 2011

Short and Sweet

Short, small, compact, whatever you prefer, tiny bags are back. The trend follows right on heels of (what else?) the era of the giant tote, which is not such a good look for petite gals unless they wish to look like the bag lady.
Jil Sander, Proenza Schouler, Valentino, and Marc Jacobs are amongst the famed designers working small bags into their Spring/Summer 2012 lines. From tassels to spikes and sharply colored leathers, the small bags are anything but 'cute', evoking a look of edginess for the wearer.

Vogue's Social Shopper said on the trend, "You’ve heard it before: Less is more. And, now, with all of us carrying around a single device that functions as our e-mail, telephone, camera, compass (what? no compass?), planner, and mirror, the classic day bag is starting to feel, well, just a little too roomy."
Peruse through my favorite picks from the designers' lines.

Jil Sander SS'12



Proenza Schouler SS'12



Valentino SS '12





Marc Jacobs SS '12

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Not-so-Fashionable Finals

So obviously I've been lamenting my recent lack of postings, as you can see for yourself on the right. But I want all of you to know that it is due to my real life college finals, things, which I've been told, are to be taken seriously.

It's just so hard to take anything seriously when all I want to do is curl up with some hot chocolate and peppermint bark and watch Christmas movies like I'm 6 years old again! Or, peruse through a myriad of holiday-happy postings uploaded by my fellow fashion bloggers who are not taking tests that will determine the outcome of their futures.

I'd say that a slight bout of homesickness is probably creeping in, too. But that's no matter, as I will be en route to my hometown late Thursday evening (thank goodness!) for a much needed break from college town.

Anyway, just wanted to keep you all in the loop in case you thought I'd died or something. Good things are coming to She Blogs Couture, I can tell you that.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Stolen Style


Marc Jacobs had to cancel his London press day after his Spring/Summer 2012 Collection went missing. No one can say precisely when the clothes disappeared, although it was some time during the transportation of the items from Paris to London.

Marc Jacobs' official twitter said this morning, "Thank you all for your concern about our stolen #SS12 Collection. Onward, upward."

According to Vogue.co.uk, "Both the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police could not confirm of the theft, or any subsequent investigation into the incident this morning."

image from footluxe.com

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Heads Up, Sevens Up

During a lovely visit from the 'rents for Homecoming weekend, I had the opportunity to peruse the fabulous (and I use that term lightly) Oaks Mall of Gainesville. I've acquired several new additions to my collegiate wardrobe since then, and wished to share with you my musings on the subject.

What's your favorite decade? I always appreciated the forties, with the ultra-feminine cuts, hourglass figures (shout-out to grandma!) and classic, lady-like looks that came to define an era. Which is why it surprises me that more and more I've been leaning towards a rare and sudden partiality to the seventies.

What?! I know! With the muddy greens, browns, and yellows, I never thought I could fall for such a time! That Seventies Show was the limit. But, I must say, passing the chunky color-blocked wedges in Macy's began to melt this frozen-in-the-forties heart of mine.


I pushed through those gleaming double doors of Forever 21, and renewed, began to tear apart shelves with a fever similar to that induced by Black Friday.



Here's my finds:


One red suede short skirt.

 
One floral dress with belt


Bandolino Equestrian boots!

The boots ain't so seventies but hey, what wardrobe's complete without some eclectic touches?!

alternativeoutfitters.com, forever21.com

Throwback

Turns out college coursework takes up a heck of a lot more time than I had really planned  to set aside for it, readers. So I do apologize for the lateness and spontaneity of posting. But get pumped because I'm in a throwback mood: Let me explain.


Whilst I set up camp in Library West with nothing to occupy my time but textbooks laden with vocabulary for French illnesses and the inner-workings of impoverished slums of (nineteenth century) New York City, my parents were glamorously jet-setting up the Northeastern coast of the continental U.S. This was due, in part, to my sister's Parents' Weekend in Providence, RI. 

But, I suspect my mother's curiosity played a hand. She had never been to Newport and wished very much to see the home of heiress Doris Duke (of Duke University, naturally). While there, my parents claimed for their fashion-obsessed daughter two books and a pamphlet highlighting the 9,000 articles composing Doris Duke's notorious closet.

Holy smokes. This socialite defined fashion for the twentieth century.

From 1930 to 1990, Doris Duke blazed a trail for future fashionistas to come. Wanna see my three faves!?

1930s


Mariano Fortuny, Italy 1930



















1960s


Madame Grès, 1966

















1970s



  Givenchy, 1972





















It should be said that Doris Duke, and avid philanthropist, donated about 400 million dollars to charity- in addition to her contributions to the fashion industry, of course!

sanfranciscosentinel.com designcrisis.com, tqn.com



Saturday, October 22, 2011

Falling for Spring

More additions to my Spring 2012 Favorites list? Yes! Joining Versace's amazing collection this week are the likes of  Carven and Roland Mouret. They're two separate, distinct Ready-to-Wear lines that I couldn't help but swoon over as I sipped my mocha coffee inside the Hub, furiously scrolling through more style.com fashion shows, instead of cramming for Oceanography.


But who can focus on transform boundaries when Guillaume Henry is painting a real-life fairytale before your very eyes?
Carven kept with its reputation for legginess, but added a touch of cheek with cutouts in the blouses and removable collars.



Roland Mouret was one of several ultra-feminine shows this season, but one of the few that stood out. By incorporating a modern twist to the classic bra top (a recurring element in this collection's garments), Mouret ensured his women wouldn't look too soft.



images from style.com

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Valentino Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear



As I spent my Sunday afternoon (routinely) scanning through Style.com's plethora of fashion shows documenting the Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Season, I stumbled upon the Valentino collection. And holy Mexican Gothic-inspired Independent Woman. What a show.


"It made me excited to be a woman." Front row-er Jessica Biel exclaimed. "[The clothes] are about confidence. Just put it on and kill it."

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Picciol's Spring 2012 Collection for Valentino was designed for a woman "who makes her own revolution in her mind," described Picciol, who hoped to channel a "space of the mind where you can find yourself," conveying Mexican influences through the feminine garments.

"You see the collection but in some way you can touch the collection," Chiuri elaborated, "We think that when you see a show, it is important that you use all your senses."


"You can smell this color; it is so exciting, this pink color," Chiuri said of the dress at right.


Nicole Phelps of Style.com said, "Too ladylike, too precious, too little-girlish, too vulgar. Any of those outcomes could've befallen a show as laden with lace and flowers and embroideries... but they didn't. Not for a second."

Though all the frocks were beautiful and lovely as only Valentino can be, my absolute favorites are posted below. The dress at right is a little too haute-couture for me, but hey! What's true fashion without a little risk?














images from style.com


Friday, October 7, 2011

Flitting into Fall

As my mildly agreeable Florida temperature dips a tad lower each week, I can't help but wish I was up North where those lucky kids are experiencing the first signs of seasonal change. We Floridians wouldn't know a thing about that!

But a girl can dream. And more specifically, dream of New York City and Central Park's changing leaves.

So I've constructed a little post in honor of Fall in the City, something I wish I was in the middle of experiencing right now.

But I do love my Palm Trees, and I don't think Central Park's got any  of those.







If only I lived in a world where Taxi gloves were of use to me!




images from centralpark.com, fabsugar, whatshaute, collegeprepster,
juicy.mashkulture.net, handbagdujour