Happy Friday - Hair Adventure

 

Peter Som - #FW2012

Iris Van Herpen: The Next McQueen?

Iris Van Herpen - Fashion designer

And there's a book. This is a perfect gift for someone who loves high fashion.

from her website:

About

Normal rules don’t apply…..

Iris van Herpen stands for a reciprocity between craftsmanship and 
innovation in technique and materials.She creates a modern view on Haute  Couture that combines fine handwork techniques with futuristic digital technology .Van Herpen forces fashion to the extreme contradiction between beauty and regeneration. It is her unique way to reevaluate reality and to express and underline individuality.

The essence of van Herpen is expressing the character  and emotions of a  
woman and to extend the shape of the feminine body in detail. She mixes craftsmanship- using old and forgotten techniques- with 
innovation and materials inspired on the world to come.

 “For me fashion is an expression of art that is very close related to me and to my body. I see it as my expression of identity combined with desire, moods and cultural setting. 

In all my work I try to make clear that fashion is an artistic expression, showing and wearing art, and not just a functional and devoid of content or commercial tool. With my work I intend to show that fashion can certainly have an added value to the world,  that it is timeless and that its consumption can be less important then its beginning. Wearing clothing creates an exciting and imperative form of self-expression. 'Form follows function'  is not a slogan with which I concur. On the contrary, I find that forms complement and change the body and thus the emotion. Movement, so essential to and in the body, is just as important in my work. By bringing form, structure and  materials together in a new manner, I try to suggest and realize optimal tension and movement.”

Iris her designs require every time an unique treatment of material or even the creation of complete new materials. For this reason, Van Herpen prefers interdisciplinary research and often collaborates with other artists or scientists.

I Want, I Need, I Have to Have -- a Presmer purse

Obsessed with Presmer.com by Annsley of Houston, Texas. Totally elegant statements without a lick of tacky branding. If someone wants to know who made your bag, she'll have to ask.....

Check out the website here to see all of the options. My two favorites are below.  

(Some colors and styles might require 8 weeks to deliver but anticipation of perfect heightens the pleasure.)

the Piper, $365 I love this clutch with its western rock n' roll.

the Sally, $648  This handbag started it all when I caught my amazing friend MDB sporting the beige version. (Yes, I had to ask.)  Big enough to be practical for every day but so fabulous in python that it is guaranteed to brighten even the most Dilbert day.

 JFS, perhaps for a deluxe diaper bag? It comes in two shades of blue.

Godchildren Gifts -- Toms

Teach children about sharing with the less fortunate 

+ 

Tom's shoes come boxed and easy to wrap 

+ 

Options, options: Sparkle Toms, Plaid Toms, Velcro Toms, Corduroy Toms

= 
Fun Christmas gift

Stack Pack Ideas:

Pink Glitter Toms + Angelina Ballerina books

Blue Wool Toms + Tool belt

Red Glitter Toms + Wizard of Oz DVD

Target Tuesday -- Shoes You Can't Live Without

Women's Mossimo® Itala Lace Ballet Flat Shoes - Black

• $12.99

Women's Mossimo® Itala Lace Ballet Flat Shoes - Black

 

Women's Mossimo® Vitia Snip-Toe Bow Flats - Animal Print

• $24.99 Online Price

Women's Mossimo® Vitia Snip-Toe Bow Flats - Animal Print

Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Odell Zebra Sequin Ballet Flats - Multicolor

• $12.99

Women's Mossimo Supply Co. Odell Zebra Sequin Ballet Flats - Multicolor

Svpply Side Economics -- Svpply.com

Relaunched in Summer 2010, Svpply.com self-describes as "an online store whose inventory could change depending on the friends and favorite stores of its visitors." aka a cool amalgam of everything you admire mixed with stuff from everyone you like. I'm logged in as http://svpply.com/CbH.

Alexander McQueen WOMEN'S SPRING/SUMMER 2012

The Alexander McQueen Women's Spring/Summer 2012 collection shown in Paris last night. Tres chic. My favorite below but check out the whole show here.

I Want, I Need, I Have to Have -- Mad for Plaid

Tartan Pouf-Skirt Dress / McQ for Alexander McQueen / FW11.

Business attire? This will really self-select for the interview process next year. Bring it on.

Emma Hope shoes

Fish Scales (SPARKLE*) Ballet

Make someone happy*,
Make just one someone happy*;
Make just one heart the heart you sing to.
One smile that cheers you,
One face that lights when it nears you,
One girl you're ev'rything to.

Fame if you win it,
Comes and goes in a minute.
Where's the real stuff in life to cling to?
Love is the answer,
Someone to love is the answer.
Once you've found her, build your world around her.

Make someone happy*,
Make just one someone happy*,
And you will be happy, too.

Thank you, Jimmy Durante. I couldn't agree more. 
And thank you, Emma Hope.

Why I Love European Brands -- Fur

I understand hangups with wearing fur, but here are a few selling points: beyond soft, incredibly light, quite sturdy, and very warm. Mankind's great competitor? Fleece? Shudder.

In an effort to play friendly with the environment and animal rights groups, I usually buy vintage. (Find me a happy 50-year-old lamb in the pasture, and I'll show you a blissed out black Persian lamb jacket from the '60s. Immortality has its moments.) 

However, sometimes vintage starts with new and ages gracefully in your closet. For this? Trust the Europeans. Totally refreshing to see MiuMiu emblazon "FUR" as a category on their RTW webpage.  

Hello, fall. Can't wait to accessorize you with this:

Fashion Faux Pas -- Please Fix Now

For the love of mankind and my sanity, PLEASE WHEN YOU BUY a blazer or a coat or a suit skirt (any tailored clothing item), check the back and the rear slits. These should NOT be sewn shut. When you see an "x" of thread -- this is supposed to be clipped out. Please please please please fix this. Please. I'm begging everyone. We cannot all be Minnie Pearls and wander around with tags affixed to our hats. This matter is simply egregious and must be addressed.

I Want, I Need, I have to Have -- Comme des Garçons wallets

Comme des Garçons wallets are the perfect splash of fun in functionality that no cavernous purse should be without. Digging into the recesses of your Mary Poppin's bag and voila! Out comes your Jolly Rancher green coin purse (thank you, AE).

Or pull out your square black wallet (yawn) to buy yet another coffee and wowsers! flash that pink leather lining.

The construction of the wallets is exceptional but without any extra heft. Plus there's the extra sturdy zipper that not only cuts the cute factor but also stands the test of time. My zebra holographic (see? I told you fun) wallet is going on three years. And another plus: you can't overload the wallet so it keeps you streamlined. A couple of credit cards, cash, coins, and a drivers license. Done.

You can buy them at Opening Ceremony (NY, LA), 4510 (Dallas), and Net-a-Porter (WWW). I love mine, and I want you to have one too.