New Year, New Blog

Hi, everyone! In light of the new year I've decided to give She Blogs Couture a little bit of a makeover. The new site is now up-and-running, but I've still got a couple tweaks to make. Please go check it out and don't forget to let me know what you think. Until then, this may be the last post on Blogspot for some time. Come, follow me!

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

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.

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

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

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