theasceticlibertine

Oscar Fashion = Oxymoron?

Overall I thought the Oscar showings were pretty tame and uninspired.  There was very little color, and when it existed it was just... meh.  Ironically enough, most of my pics for best-dressed are in neutrals, but sometimes a light colored gown shows off its details better than something dark.  Just in case you were curious as to my opinion on who was best dressed last night, I think my award goes to Marisa Tomei in Atelier Versace (and I'm not a huge Versace fan, but this dress was phenomenal):

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Now, I love Angelina Jolie.  I think the woman is pretty much genetic perfection.  But in the strapless black dress category, Diane Lane (in Dolce and Gabbana) kicked her ass last night:

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Isn't she just stunning?  I also thought Meryl Streep's Alberta Ferretti gown was really lovely:

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Taraji P. Henson glowed:

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That is a gorgeous concoction, surprisingly tasteful and tame considering it's Roberto Cavalli.  He really switches it up, I think.  The magpie in me loves Leslie Mann's Pamela Rolland gown:

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I normally don't love poufy wedding-gown looking evening dresses, but I thought Penelope Cruz's vintage Balmain was exquisite (I think she might be my 2nd fave, after Tomei):

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Honorable mentions to these two ladies (in Dior Haute Couture and Armani Privé, respectively):

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Photos courtesy of Telegraph.co.uk and Handbag.com.

F/W 09 RTW: Preen

Fashion isn't about taking what's seen on the runway literally.  Wearing one designer from head-to-toe is an outdated and outmoded idea.  People with the best style tend to take inspiration from what they see on the catwalk, mix it up a bit and insert it into their particular wardrobe with surprising and often wonderful results.  The mix of high-low that someone like Kate Moss expertly puts together--that way of being on the pulse of whatever's coming next--is the envy of every wannabe fashionista in existence.  So Preen for me this year is about being inspired by what the collection personifies.  I love the strong shoulder, the miles of legs, the way the collection seems to say that the power woman--the warrior woman--is back (was she ever gone?).  I like that I can say never to drop-crotch harem pants, but yes, thank you very much to the jacket it's paired with.  Of everything in the collection, there was only piece that I liked exactly as it was (and then perhaps only because it falls into my comfort zone of "pretty dress"): 

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But I hope that you will see what I got out of the collection from these looks, which inspire and give direction to what Fall 09 will look like.

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McQ for Target

14 more days, people.  14 days and it's here.

 

Fashion Week F/W 09 RTW: Rag and Bone = My New Uniform

So.... y'all.... I am *bored* with my Gothic/French/Bohemian schoolgirl look.  I think it's time for a change, and I think that this year's minimalism-is-back gives me a good excuse to rethink my wardrobe choices.  I'm hoping for a career-change this year and because of that, I want my look to be a bit more streamlined and less dandy-ish.  Don't worry, I'm sure I will still add ruffles and lace here and there (a girl can't turn her back on her formative years) but I want to take things into a more adult direction. 

I'm sure that Fall 09 will be full of this type of streamlined look (at least from what I've seen so far) and I was fairly impressed by what the Rag and Bone boys have come up with.  I've omitted their men's looks mainly because I just can't get behind rubber bands on pants, but the coats are beautiful and can be seen here.  So what we have are a lot of leather leggings, black tights, beautiful fitted jackets and some to-die-for LBD's.  Feast your eyes on my faves:

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It's unfortunate that her skirt is riding up, but never mind that--the jacket is awesome.

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This look is the personification of French-girl chic--the tight leather leggings, expert layering, playing with sleeve lengths, and never forget the ever-present scarf.

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I want that coat!!!

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You've got to leave me a little bit of French schoolgirl charm--I just can't resist it.  :)

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Sexy as hell, thank you very much.

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I love the details on this dress.

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I like that this references the YSL tuxedo dress of a few seasons ago but is its own thing.

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The designers.  How cute are these guys?  They talked about how their influences are early American dressing (presumably the Gold Rush days of Levi Strauss, who they name-checked).  Even though that is an underlying influence (see Marcus Wainright's Old West style tuxedo button-down above), I love that their clothes transcend such rough-and-tumble beginnings to truly embody what is currently chic.

Foreseen

A couple of years ago, after reading about leather leggings in Vogue, I visited Miami (the two are not related). Because I had a fashion event at night to attend I decided to buy myself some kind of faux equivalent.  Where else could I go but American Apparel, which had exactly what I was looking for?  It was a pretty funny thing, though--even the staff at the store were kind of biting their cheeks as I purchased them.  It's not that I look like I can't or shouldn't wear them (esp. as I was a pretty skinny bitch at the time) but just the idea of someone purchasing shiny leather-looking leggings came off as a bit hilarious.  The friend I was with found it hysterical and I have to admit that the whole thing seemed rather disco-era chic (but chic nonetheless!).  Fast-forward to now, when everyone from Rihanna to Anne Hathaway have been spotted in them and it makes me really want to be over them, but I'm just not.

When the whole leggings thing started I have to tell you that I was vehemently opposed.  Flashbacks of my leggings-clad late 80's youth haunted me and I vowed, *vowed* to never succumb to the trend.  And, pleather leggings aside, I have not.  But that is my weakness, my Achilles heel.  I kind of love leather anything, especially if it's black and looks like Rick Owens might have designed it.  It's just kind of my thing. 

I am no longer as skinny a bitch as I was, but seeing Rad Hourani's slim leather-accented pants, first spotted on the Jak & Jil blog (from whence this pic was, ahem... "borrowed"), makes me want to freakin' lipo my thighs and grow about 8 inches.  If you are lucky enough to be able to wear his pants, just know I am jealous, jealous, jealous.

Radhourani

McQueen...

So I belong to this site that sells designer duds for a ridiculously low price (something that is originally $2000+ goes for $700) and while I still cannot afford those prices, it is often nice to look.  Their sales can sometimes be quite affordable and more within the reach of the regular person, depending on the designer.  But today, TODAY, they have Alexander McQueen RTW and I am *dying*.  I am more than dying.  I am asking the universe once more why I don't have a trust fund.  I will post some pics later of the offerings they had (a lot of it has already sold out) and you too can cry with me.