theasceticlibertine

Fashion Week... is here...

Fashion week starts today, for Fall and Winter 2012.  I can't wait to see what the designers have come up with!  I am dressed in an utterly boring fashion (see what I did there?) myself, but also with a little bit of inspiration from Giulietta.  Black silk & cotton sleeveless shift, worn with a white V-neck eyelet-detail blouse, and the best invention in the history of all mankind--fleece-lined tights.  But what is *not* boring about my outfit, of course, is what I chose to put on my feet, so behold, my dears, my footwear:

 
The silver heel?  Hells yeah.  I've been obsessed with metallic heels for a while now (shoe psychic!) and it seems the world has finally caught up.  (I also think metallic heels will be big for spring, but in sandal form.)  I bought those puppies above at super sale (extra percentage off coupon, etc...) and as an Xmas present to myself, but even still I was eating ramen (figuratively speaking) all last month because of it.  BUT IT WAS WORTH IT.  I am just saying.  I love these boots, and I wear them all the time.  Lately, every day.  For someone with as many shoe options as I have, that's saying something.  It's saying love, is what it's saying.

Anyway, this is what fashiony people did to prepare for this grueling (and exciting!) week.  You?

Inspiration for 2012

I don't know about you, but when I'm broke I try not to look at fashion.  I know it's not about what you can afford, and yes, often I do like to look at pretty things whether or not I have the money to buy them.  But more often than not, I avoid.  I wonder if I need a mentality change on this--about how I shouldn't look at things to actually buy them, but more to be inspired by what already exists in my closet.  To be inspired to do more with what I already have.  It's a moneysaver and a creative challenge, both of which are good things.  And to be honest, I started this blog as a way to track the things I found beautiful and interesting, with no regard to whether I would one day own them.  So here's to that, and Happy New Year to you.  Below are a few pics of what is inspiring me lately, fashion-wise.

Thanks to Dolce and Gabbana, stars are a big trend that has finally come down the pike to some non-designer brands, like my perennial fave Jeffrey Campbell, whose black suede/silver star Lita I am currently coveting:

 

Yes, I realize they are a bit glam rock/David Bowie/Lady Gaga, but I just love the print.  I was never into the whole Lita phenomenon (even going so far as to consider myself immune from "those ugly shoes"--hahaha) until I saw these.

 Thanks to Boardwalk Empire (which I haven't started watching but just know that if only for the fashion, I will love it) and The Great Gatsby movie, the 20's are having a moment.  Well, at AL Headquarters, the 20's are always having a moment, so this is an instance where a trend has caught up with me.  I love Banana Republic's glam feather barrette (unfortunately sold out, but since I'm not buying, it's all good):

And, even though it's only the beginning of the year, I am already loving some of the pre-fall styles that are coming our way, from the mix of prints at Givenchy to the bright red boots at Chloé:

I hope this new year is a great one for you and yours.  As I always say:  dress well, act better.

xo

the AL

Happy Halloween, Dia De Los Muertos, etc... !!!

Tonight, on Halloween proper, yours truly is going to rustle up some costuming--luckily I have a lot of costume pieces on hand--and go as a Dia de los Muertos doll, a concept I am totally stealing from TheGlamourai. 

Basically, makeup like that, worn with a Victorian skirt, blouse, jacket, boots and a crappy Halloween-store top hat with a bow on it.  I think it'll work, for a last-minute thrown-together kind of thing.  The above makeup is key.  We'll see if I can swing it.  I was going to be Lydia Deetz but my hair isn't black anymore.  Yes, I got it ombre'd, way after I said I would.  I love it soooo much. 

Anyway, hope you get lots of treats and no tricks tonight!

Happy Halloween!

The AL

picture kindly borrowed from Kelly Framel's TheGlamourai blog. 

He Who Seeks Beauty Will Find It: Bill Cunningham New York

 

Last night I had a lazy stay-in and was in the mood to watch a documentary (as much as I enjoy docus, these moods are rare), so I took advantage and watched Bill Cunningham New York which I cannot recommend highly enough.  As in, stop reading this and go watch it.  It is really, really wonderful.  The Telegraph had a great little write-up of it. 

For those who don't know who he is, Cunningham can best be described as the original street photographer.  Before The Sartorialist, before Tommy Ton of Jak and Jil, there was Bill.  He has been doing the "On The Street" column for the New York Times for over 30 years.

One of his quotes the Telegraph article mentions is one of my favorites:  "The wider world perceives fashion as frivolity that should be done away with. The point is that fashion is... the armor to survive the reality of everyday life!  I don't think you can do away with it, it would be like doing away with civilization."

He is incredibly egalitarian.  He really doesn't care who you are unless you're wearing something interesting.  In his own words:  "...I don't see the people I photograph. All I see are clothes. I'm only interested in people who look good. I'm looking for the stunners." And he has made it a policy to never accept anything from anyone at the events he photographs, not even a glass of water, as he says in the film, because if you're not taking their money, then they don't own you and they can't tell you what to do. 

It's funny to see this humble man at the Paris shows smiling as he's getting ignored/side-eyed by the door people until someone who knows better comes out and scolds the door lady, saying, "This is the most important person in the world!" as he escorts Bill in.

There is so much in the documentary that is marvelous and special; so much that I feel that writing about it does it no  justice.  Just know that I was riveted throughout, and I tend to multi-task when watching *anything.*  It is funny, and heartwarming, and enlightening.  I came away with so much respect for this man who has devoted his entire life to being the best fashion historian we have.  And we are so very lucky to have him.  Not everyone could or would devote their lives to doing something like that, to go out every day, rain or shine, on a bike in New York City, just to photograph what people are wearing.  It takes someone of vision and heart and integrity.  We will be learning from Bill's pictures for centuries to come.   Here's the trailer, so you get a taste:

 

Purple People: Praval Gurung Spring 2012 RTW

You know what is the most annoying situation of all time?  When you've written a brilliant post, and the browser freezes when you're in another tab (say, Photobucket) and the blogging platform (say, Typepad) you use doesn't auto-save, and you lose your work entirely.  I've tried to recreate what I wrote below, but it was much better the first time around and I'm frankly kind of pissed right now.  Anyway, onward...

Even if Prabal Gurung hadn't chosen my favorite color--purple--as a key element in his Spring 2012 collection, I'd still love it unconditionally.  The patterns on the dresses seem to reference McQueen, but in a much lighter and uplifting way, perfect for Spring.  The collection is exquisitely tailored; there are no moments of "if it looks that bad on the model, it's sure to be atrocious on a normal person" (which happens a lot more than designers would like to believe).  Mr. Gurung is expert at what he does--he interned for Donna Karan while still a student at Parsons, then designed for Cynthia Rowley and went on to head Bill Blass (successfully, I might add) for five years.  His collection for spring is so cohesive and crisp that there is literally only one moment in the show (a ruffled blouse) where I wasn't absolutely in love.  On the whole, it is a beautiful and flawless collection that embodies the optimism of spring.   You can look at the entire collection at NYMag.com.  It was very hard for me to pick favorites (I'm serious when I tell you I loved it all), but here are some below.

First, an overview (gorgeous, no?):

Then, onto the dresses:

 The same feeling, with separates:

 

And a bit of a departure, in black and white:

I Owe You, Plus Blog Love: Karla's Closet

More fashion week coverage, I know.  If you're starved, you can look here and here and here.  I'll be back with lovely thoughts on Prabal Gurung's show, which blew me away.  

You know who else is blowing me away, and has a lot to do with my current distraction?  Karla Deras, the phenomenally stylish blogger behind Karla's Closet: 

 

How have I been looking at fashion blogs for five years without ever coming across Ms. Deras?  Her style is flawless.  Even when I don't agree with it, she looks stunning.  There are very few pieces she chooses for herself that don't flatter her perfectly.  It helps that she studied fashion design and can alter her own clothing, especially since the majority of her picks are vintage.  I'm sure it also helps that she can afford some great--and super expensive--shoes.  But I can't begrudge a fellow shoe obsessive anything.  I am seriously, seriously inspired by all of her outfits.  For people who don't take this kind of thing seriously, I'm here to tell you that dressing yourself that well *is* an art form.  Dang.  I'm a pretty smart chick in real life, or so people like to tell me, and I'm having trouble wrapping my head around how perfectly this girl dresses.  Her way with color and shape and proportions render me somewhat speechless.  So instead I'm just clicking on page after page, and taking one from her handbook.  My outfit today is definitely influenced by her:  I'm wearing grey-green sky-high ankle boots from Lisa Pliner (wife of Donald J.), some baggy Gap cargos in this great dark khaki color (sort of like these Abercrombie's) cinched by a dark brown leather belt I bought at a saint's festival in the Caribbean, a heather grey J.Crew boatneck long-sleeved tee, with my (matching) beloved infinity cardigan (go-to sweater for everything).  As I mentioned, I'd been slacking a bit recently with the dressing-up, so it's nice to get an inspirational jump-start into fall.  More soon!

The AL

Silky and Slouchy: Band of Outsiders Spring 2012 RTW

I have this idea that I'm going to end up like Emily Dickinson, writing poetry in my bedroom, dressed in long white dresses, childless and unmarried.  Except for that last bit, I don't think it'd be a bad existence, especially if I could wear what Band of Outsiders is offering us for spring.  Operating from a palette of ultraviolet blues, blacks, florals, toile and the occasional neutral, the Band of Outsiders Spring 2012 collection is a mix of tailored, utilitarian tough chick and slouchy prairie princess.  If I had the abs, I would totally rock this leather-bandeau/long floaty skirt combo: 

 And this is the Emily Dickinson dress I am totally into: 

This sweet mini-dress is timeless:

And here are more of my fave looks:

 

(All pics courtesy of NYMag.com.)

Triangles and Color: BCBG Max Azria Spring 2012 RTW

From everything I can gather, we're going to be seeing a lot of color in the spring, and that's something that always puts a smile on my face.  What's the point of a rejuvinated world if we're all walking around in it dressed like shadows?  BCBG's Max Azria was influenced by triangular shapes, among other geometrics, and it is reflected in the top half of his dresses and blouses for his Spring 2012 collection.  There's also a bit of a Mondrian influence in the bold primary colors he used.  The floaty silk and chiffon provide a nice juxtaposition for such rigid forms.  Behold, my faves:

 

And I felt that these were also pretty cool: 

This blouse reminds me of a Tiffany lamp:

Sort of deco but modern all at once. Stay tuned for Band of Outsiders next!

(All pics courtesy of NYMag.com.  Their coverage of Fashion Week is still number one in my book.)

C'mon, let's dance: The Vandelles Play the Douglas Hannant Pink Collection

 

 

Douglas Hannant is a well-known couturier to the type of moneyed client that wants beautiful, well-made clothing without a lot of fuss.  He generally designs ball gowns and the like, with no ready-to-wear in sight.  You can read about the history of his label here.  The label recently made the decision to widen their reach to a broader audience, and so a diffusion line called Pink was born.  But to call it a diffusion line is almost a misnomer--the clothing is luxurious and gorgeously made.  And the spring collection is exactly what you would imagine his client would wear to her various vacation spots (that there is sand those models are standing in), or to less formal occasions around town.  I love that Hannant isn't afraid of color, and the use of  lace in such a summery, informal way (dress, shorts) was refreshing.

Said lace dress (on the right)--soooo pretty:

 
I was lucky enough to get an invite through my friends The Vandelles, who were playing the presentation.  The gorgeous Lulu (bassist) and Honey (drummer) were clothed in Hannant's creations, and looked stunning.  Here they are posing with the designer (apologies for the blurry quality of these shots--I was one-handing it with a smartphone):

 
I wish I had gotten more detail of Lulu's paillette dress--it was flawless.  The event itself was absolutely lovely, from the pink (of course) lemonade cocktails to the, if I may say so, kickass tunes my friends were playing.  Here's a shot of them during the show:

 

 

I Keep Up With the Fashions

 

Well, ladies and gents, Fashion Week has arrived.  The madness has already begun.  And there are Fashion's Night Out events all over the city, from Miu Miu to Coach.  Yours truly is getting to see the new Douglas Hannant Pink collection, which will happen tonight at the Hudson Hotel.  Exciting stuff.  You'll be hearing from me about that, plus reviews of my favorite collections as the week goes on.  (And yes, it will be very weird to think about spring clothing, esp. considering I just broke out my fall coat.)  Watch this space!