lets all go alice ♥♦♣♠

Tim Burton's film Alice in Wonderland is coming out on the 5th of March (in the UK) and theres a HUGE buzz for it...

Incredible Johnny Depp? Madly Wonderful Helena Bonham Carter? Twilight Lovely Michael Sheen? and more! Sounds fantastic right? Oh wait.. hang on... they want to go and ruin it for us. Apparently, because Disney is being picky and wants to cut the gap between the showing in cinemas and the DVD release to 12 weeks rather than the typical 17 weeks, there is a chance that the 3D film will not play in any odeon, cineworld, or vue (which all represent 95% of the UK's 3D screens). wah, sort it out please we want some of Burton's magic!

In fashion news however, everyones going mad for Alice in Wonderland- 

 

Christopher Kane's spring 2010- a significant resemblance to the original Alice... yes? 

Quite a cute and 'kitsy' outfit I think... hehe

Stella McCartney- also inspired by Alice. I love her bracelet and necklace with the typical Stella but pretty, muted palette, and her campaign is lovely. I've never really been a Stella fan, but isn't it adorable? it's also pretty unique- I've never seen a fashion ad like it before. Then again, I haven't seen all the fashion ads hehe. (ps. I should add here that stella decorated her entire store with subtle disney characters! aw)

These pieces are by Tom Binns. You can see more of them here and here.

Personally, I love them- I'm a huge fan of cute little charms and beads and things so his designs (especially the gorgeous central gold bracelet) are looovvely (and also relatively cheap- eg. £125 for the gold bracelet- a lot less than I was expecting). 

Aren't the little teacups so sweet?

These are his main limited edition pieces (priced at a LOT more ($1000-$2000)). I don't like them as much- too dark and vivid for my taste but I guess that's an occurring theme in Wonderland.

     

  

Swarovski have joined in the game. I don't like Swarovski- it's pretty but too exspensive and not really worth it (personally) but I do like their groups- Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, etc...

(I have OCD like that..:/) (by the way sorry for the poor quality of the pictures)

For me, the Cat, Queen's set, and Flower set are a little tacky but I adore the delicacy and appeal of the rest. 

The collection is available on 1st March 2010, with a cheap (for Swarovski) price range-  around £70- £280.

 I have a new love. It's this clutch by Love Moschino. £180. 

I adorreee the vibrate colours, the random array of hearts, and of course, the inspiration of Alice in Wonderland.

Alice In Wonderland Book Of Shadows set by Urban Decay - may I say delightful here without sounding like a fool?

 Only £28, out on the 22nd February in Debenhams in the UK, and already out but extremely hard to get a hold of in the US (I think it's sold out there.. not sure). Urban Decay have done well here- a cute set- limited and special. 

  

 Even MORE beauty products for ya! (wow.. this Alice in Wonderland list is getting prety long eh?).

Anyway, enjoy these nail polishes by O.P.I 

(- Off With Her Red!

- Absolutely Alice
- Mad as a Hatter
- Thanks so Muchness!)

  Mad as a Hatter- pictured above- looks crazy but apparently in person, it sparkles in the light amazingly. hmm maybe I should try it?

I both love and hate this Versace bag... It's quite garish but I figure it could look amazing with the right outfit, and I like the hectic patterns. It's easy to spot the Alice in Wonderland areas... however, price on request (eek) always scares me :(

These stunning Nicholas Kirkwood shoes are window only for the French Department store Printemps, but that doesn't prevent me from admiring them in all their mad glory. 

Black, white, red, and green? What a unique and successful palette! Talk about fairytale shoes...♥

 Click hereto see some of the other items in the Printemps window display (Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, and more contributed)

  

 The pieces above are from Alice Temperley's spring/ summer 2010 collection. I love the collection- it is made up of simple yet striking colours, intriguing and contrasting patterns, and a mixture of feminine and masculine shapes. At the same time it was inspiring to look at and contained a range of pieces from everyday- comfy to overthetop- evening.

The Alice in Wonderland inspiration is obvious from the colours (black, white, and red (not pictured above)), patterns (hearts, diamonds, stripes etc...), and top hats.  A really amazing designer.

I think I should finish there.. but if you are in London, I recommend you go to Selfridges (note: do Selfridges actually sell fridges? hehe). On the 22nd of February 2010, 5 of the shop windows will be set up beautifully dedicated to Alice in Wonderland complete with costumes from the film, and the Wonderland room will be the perfect oppurtunity to buy some of the things I have listed above, and more!

Anyway, I must go now! I am craving a Rubicon Mango juice mmmm :)

D.I.Y. GaGa

 

(Sorry for the poor quality photo...)

I thought I'd show you all this. I found this girl on lookbook and I really like her mask. She made it herself, and though it's not as crazy as Lady Gaga's costumes, it has a similar theme (covering up her face aha). 

Also GaGa's sported some butterflies before.. I especially love the glasses- I wonder where she got them from? 

No really where does she find all these clothes?!?! I love them but are they specially made or does she get them made as she goes along..?

Pair some amazing shoes with the mask and you'll have a fantasic outfit...

here's the girls blog anyway http://sarainks.blogspot.com/

taa, talk later.

McQueen Samsonite Black Label

Sorry to have not posted in such a long time but I've been very busy, and I also didn't know what to write after McQueen's death. You could say I was, and still am, lost for words.

However, I have found something which has been around for years but I never knew about. Alexander McQueen, in 2006 (I think...), worked with Samsonite Black Label to create luggage.

 

  

I love the pieces, although I find them slightly creepy. Although that does sort of describe McQueens general style- creepy. He loves to push the limits.  There are more in the collection, including the limited edition silver ones pictured below. I don't like those so much- the silver distracts from the form. 

I really love the white tortoiseshell suitcase though- I saw one in the flesh and its pretty nifty with a beautiful patterning on the inside, plenty of compartments (pictured above), and I like the similarity to a tortoise.

  

 My favourite part about the collection however is the personal touch- McQueen's own fingerprint on the zipper (below) makes me  desperate to bag one of my own. (I'll have to add it to the White and Navy classic Mcqueen Silk scarf I just bought ;) )

  Anyway more updates coming soon... I must go now.. I'm completely exhausted with jet lag :(

R.I.P

Very rarely is a designer special. Normally, clothes have arms, legs, and neckholes. Alexander McQueen went beyond this simplicity to lead millions of fans and followers, to inspire the entire fashion industry, and to explore clothes with more interest and imagination. His talent comes along every 40 or so years, but, aged 40, he was found dead in his London Apartment on Wednesday the 10th of February.

I am beyond mourning, and I am beyond devastated. I am in complete and utter shock. He was so young, and there was so much left in him.
His death was incredibly unexpected- for such a long time now I have been boring my friends and family with Mcqueen Banter- "How gorgeous is this, oh look this designer copied his last collection slightly, oh wow do you think I should buy this, ah he is so talented"- and the list continues.

He dressed everyone from Madonna to Bjork to Beyonce with his dramatic pieces, and gorgeous tailoring. I will worship him forever.

I even contacted someone who worked for Alexander (known as Lee by close friends and family) and I practically secured a temporary job there when I'm 18. But this is no time to think about myself.
Instead, my heart reaches out to his family and friends, and to Mcqueen himself.
A British talent, beyond everybody else, his creation's are sacred. R.I.P Alexander McQueen♥

Live Stream

Don't forget to go to http://www.showstudio.com/ on the 13th February, 22:00 GMT to see Alexander Wang's Fall 2010 collection live...
Also Rodarte's collection will show live on Nick Knight's page on the 16th February, 17:00 GMT.
I'm looking forward to that...
Nick Knight is definately the future of fashion. His work is incredible and I am in awe of his work and style- he has this crazy obscene twist which both purplexes you and allures you and he uses a variety of mediums, backdrops, scene changes, and ideas to create something mesmerising, unforgettable, and original.
Take, for example, the image below. It's a plastic cup. That's it... nothing special. But this photograph is beautiful and elegant and I can't help but stare and stare. It's a perfect example of his complex skill and of how he enhances every element in the photograph into a glorious and precious creation.

http://www.nickknight.com/ <-- his website

open up a style box

I've had a pretty exciting few days- I got into my dream school for sixth form next year,  I'm currently relaxing in West Palm Beach in Florida, and my amazing Mum has bought me one of my dream items- The JC- DC Leopard Heels. They aren't just heels with a leopard print, they bring the face and tail with them too:

I adore these shoes, and I am so insanely happy right now.

In other news, anybody else see Rihanna wearing a Viktor & Rolf dress at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy bash?

I would have gone for one of the other options in the collection, but she's still pulled it off fantastically! She later changed into a striking Elie Saab Haute Couture Gown, with strong sc-fi shoulders, an elegantly flowing hem, and a ruffled front. She certainly loves to stand out with strong shapes, and her style, for me, is unique, outrageous, and beautiful.
Talking of styles, I am so not going for Kelis lately. In early January she was spotted wearing an all leather and fur outfit. She literally looked like a black loo brush. It was just too overdone, and not at all flattering. In late January she opted for a futuristic look complete with Mcqueen's latest heels:

Really? What was she thinking?! There's going extreme on your outfit and looking good like Lady Gaga, but this does not look good. She has killed off Mcqueen's gorgeous shoes with an idiotic hair do, over the top jewellery and additionals on her face, and  a matt-pink all in one with what seems like weird bits of gold on her upper half.
This whole crazy look isn't working for you Kelis, sorry.


I recently came across Linda Schailon-a designer attempting to make the 'world cleaner and more colourful'.
She has designed rings made from straws:

and she charges usually €8 or €12. It's original I have to admit, but I don't think it's going to be succesful at all. Who would pay when they can easily make one themselves? They are certainly adorable, and Linda perfects them with flair, but can you picture anyone apart from a young child wearing one? For example, Victoria Beckham? (haha they would look good with one of her Armanis wouldn't they? Though now she can't wear heels I do wonder where her wardrobe is going next...)
So good luck Linda, but I don't think it will be as successful as you have planned.
http://www.lindaschailon.com/flow/ <-- her website.

Anyway that's all for now.. I must go- the beach and the sun are waiting for me (I wonder if I will eventually get a tan! aha)

Karl Who?

Personally I was a sucker for this bag. It was a must have for me, except now I've spilt white spirit (which was blue because of the paint I was using) all over it during art...:(
Of course I'm still going to use it... its an absolutely ingenious idea and it makes me love Karl Lagerfeld even more (he's obviously not being vain.. he's just having a laugh with the rest of us)
Check out the world of Karl Lagerfeld-www.karllagerfeld.com
Anybody else own a 'Karl Who?' Tote?

McQueen is the new McKing

Every time a new Alexander McQueen Collection comes out, I gaze, mouth open at each beautiful piece and design.
A lot of people don't understand his latest collection.. they think its a mess of colours and clashes representing animals... but I think it's extraordinary.
McQueen uses the most intricate patterns, and the work which he has put into piece is exquisite. The collection is made up of folds, creases, asymmetric shapes, unsymmetrical shapes, complimenting or contrasting colours, obscure flows of patterns, puffy skirts, interesting necklines, and futuristic pieces to create a mass illusion of endless magic delivered by McQueen's skills of perfection with the draping, ruching, braiding, and scaly effects. His collection is inspired by Charles Darwin's The Origin of the species... and his show unravelled from amphibian and reptile morphed human figures with shaven eyebrows, hair turned into horns and other odd delights, with ruffled hemlines instead of feathers, and vibrant prints and colours, into an otherworldly underwater scene in which McQueen portrayed how humans have evolved from the sea, and perhaps are destined to return to the oceans when the ice caps melt. His new take on fashion combined with art, science and theory was a high tech show and a brilliant performance. In regards to the shoes... well good on McQueen. We need some new shapes and forms- though we may not wear these particular heels- the world of fashion needs something new and interesting!

And all that hype with the three models who refused to wear them, and the attacks at McQueen for even considering the models might wear them is ridiculous. Picture a pair of very tall heels, picture someone wearing them, now picture a bundle of cloth over their feet to make a hoof shape.
I'm not sure if I've explained it correctly but that's all these are! McQueen has just put padding on top of the foot, and the foot is inside a normal high heel. OK, they are a little taller, but these models walk in crazy heels on almost every catwalk!

When I first saw these shoes I didn't care much, but now I think they are incredibly interesting, and very strong. Take the picture below for example, the structure of the shoes together not only make an obscenely strong image but they accentuate McQueen's delusional animal theme.
I particularly love the shoes pictured above- the colour itself is a very soft and pretty, and the gradient of the studs is complex yet simple and sophisticated, and the same time very alluring.


So why is he the new King? Well not only has he risen to become one of the more well known designers from the son of a taxi driver, living in a council flat with an extremely poor aducation, but explores his use of material and stage further than any of the other designers. Similar to Jean Charles De Castelbajac (another one of my favourites), McQueen explores ideas and beauty and creation, rather than the next dress to wear to the awards. At the same time, he accomplishes the next dress to wear to the awards. McQueen has and will not stop at anything- he's sent down the catwalk disabled models, butterflies, birds, women in glass cages, and blood spattered garments. Hes the bad boy of fashion;

"I'm not interested in being liked"
but underneath all that, hes a soft man who, like everyone else, adores and responds to the beauty of clothing.
(an interesting fact to add here is that McQueen once had an apprenticeship with the Prince of Wale's Tailor, and that he spent the "boring" hours by writing obscenities in the linings of Charles's Jackets- another reason why we love him)

However, no matter ghastly his creations could be, you have to admit that you can't help but stare at the intense fantasy... and surely that's what fashion is all about? Catching someone else's eye?

PS. Check out Lady Gaga's video for Bad Romance, which was not only previewed at Alexander McQueen's 2010 Spring/ summer collection, but in which she wears some of his special designs;

Back story of McQueen:
Designer: Alexander McQueen
Owned By: Gucci Group
Founded: 1992, London
History: Famous for his decadent runway shows and prodigious mastery of construction (he trained on Savile Row as a teenager and was tapped to design couture for Givenchy at 27), McQueen is variously inspired by the military, morbidity, and any number of far-flung tribes—often in the same collection. McQueen also oversees a successful women's line, as well as the diffusion brand McQ and a sportswear collection for Puma.

(quoted from http://www.gq.com/fashion-shows/brief/S2010MEN-AMCMEN)

Military... the comeback.

So I have a lot to say...
First off, I recommend you buy the Vogue Collections Spring- Summer 2010. It's the latest one, and is basically full of pictures and information about the Paris, Milan, London, and New York Catwalks. It's amazing, a delight to read through, and I absolutely love it! :)
Also with the collections, is it just me or was Balmain amazing? I adored the clash of shiny and matt. Decarnin's use of sequins, ripping, studs, and bold shoulders gave the collection a beautiful military look combined with a 'rock star treatment' effect. The practical pieces hold that military influence we all love but whats most interesting is how there is a more more relaxed feel to the military trend than there used to be and at the same time it's much more refined, strong, and sexy.
Many other designers also used added a military feel to their collections.
Alexander Wang used khaki colours, leather and loose shapes (at the same time combining the military with sport, revealing a fair amount of skin and also creating a very 'hardly bothered but still very 'American Cool'' look).
Chloé had some beige and khaki colours, hints of military and safari, boyish shapes, capes, and practical bags and pockets (though in my opinion this collection didn't do anything for me- it was much too plain, and did nothing to flatter the models who bore a resemblance to how bored and disinterested office women from the late 1900s would dress).
Max Mara also used a range of neutrals but they opted for more of a sleek business- woman with smart but flattering and elegant clothes. The collection involved many trench coats and jackets, and a lot of silk which created fluidity and beauty. I personally wouldn't choose the pieces as my favourites, but I think Max Mara have done very well.
Loewe used military buttons, caps, a palette of khaki, sandy beige, caramel and pink shades, leather, and rope throughout their catwalk. I liked a few of their pieces- the rope was interesting and a few of their jackets were lovely with great silhouettes and cuts, but I'm not too keen on their use of leather.. It was much too contrasting and almost 'uglifying' to the beautiful pastels they used.
And there were more designers contributed to the military comeback, but how successful will it work out? It takes a lot of attention and effort to get it just right this time round. Personally, I don't think I will attempt it- It's not really me, and I'm way too chicken.

Inspiration

Hey everyone, so this is my first post. I decided to make a blog because I adore fashion... everything about it is so beautiful and inspirational.
What am I going to post here? My favourite designers, anything interesting I find, any debates, quotes, who's wearing what. It will be my little page of goodness... and I hope it inspires you like I'm inspired by others. ♥