Is That A Cynthia Rowley?...

First impressions have a big impact on me. I have difficulty letting them go. The first time I heard about Cynthia Rowley was on an episode of Sex and the City when Charlotte finds herself questioning the sexual orientation of a prospective partner. It was a season of the show where the outfits donned by the character Charlotte are, much like her Chelsey dwelling boyfriend to be, questionable. It is for that reason that I can't help but relate the name Cynthia Rowley with dated late 90's/early 00's attire. I really need to kick that mental image to the proverbial curb. Until the day when I have the gall, the notoriety and the $$ to attend New York Fashion Week, I will have to settle with metaphorically drooling over the Cynthia Rowley that Style.com presents to me.

According to Style.com's Alison Baenen, Rowley's inspiration for this wonderfully 'hard' collection of sullied burgundy's and leather dungarees was no other than the work wear of a mechanic. Backstage at her show, Rowley herself describes her feelings on the the rugged work wear -  "I liked that you could put one piece on and have barely anything else and look tough and sexy". Hadn't thought of an oil-soiled onesy that way but touche M'aam, touche.

The following are a few of my top picks (as though posting only 15 of 36 outfits doesn't already make that blatantly obvious) with my particular fav's - and the ones that I would genuinely like to be wearing on this -7degree day - being the scrumptiously chocolate brown leather overall dress, the charcoal shearling jacket and the denim-esque pant suit complete with matching shirt.

Cynthia Rowley Fall/Winter 2012 - all images via. Style.com

When Digging Up Graves, Must Wear Boy. by Band of Outsiders...

A little follow up to a previous post on new Spring/Summer 2012 ad campaigns - Michelle Williams in Boy. by Band of Outsiders S/S '12 is stripped back but not bare. She looks beautiful, fresh and young and an awful lot like Mia Wasikowska - all of which are good things! But aside from that, the campaign itself, much like Marc Jacobs S/S '12 campaign, is playful and unassuming. Neither the clothes or the model think too highly of themselves. I don't always like looking at clothes that seem untouchable. Sometimes a little reality is vital. It's comfortable and not in the slothing on the couch in a dodgey tracksuit kind of way. And again, aside from the model, the concepts and the images themselves - which are beautifully desaturated - it's the presentation in polaroid form that really brings home that element of subtle authenticity. I haven't done much research into the making of this campaign but I'd like to think that the whole thing was, in fact, shot on a polaroid camera and not simply digitally manipulated in post production.

Images via. Fashionista

Don't Forget Your Hat...

I have been pondering the satisfaction of making and remaking 'things' for yourself. DIY-ing if you will. I have been doing a lot of it myself lately as non-existent employment and minimal savings restrict me to a 'make do and mend' kind of lifestyle. And, just quietly, I don't hate it. It really is genuinely satisfying to know that I have put my knowledge from fashion school to work, my brain to work and my wardrobe to work for very little coin. Anywho, as always I have found the most wonderful short film to support my self-made endeavours. Super Duper is an Italian label of artisan designed and created millinery and one which has only furthered my inspiration to invest more time in my own burgeoning interest in handcrafted creativity and attention to detail. So watch, observe, enjoy and make some room on a wall with some hooks because I guarantee, after this 3 minute visual feast you'll want to purchase more hats!

Unpicking, One Seam At a Time...

For two weeks now I have been sitting on a mammoth Pre-Fall post. And now, I think I'm over it. One of only a few downsides to the globalization and epic popularity of fashion blogging is that as soon as something 'new' comes out, the whole community has already posted and re-posted the same designers, outfits and inspirations ad nauseum.  There's a fine line between self expression and communication in a public arena and repeating what many have already said. Unfortunately, we aren't always as unique as we wish or preach to be. The silver lining has revealed itself in a fresh crop of Spring/Summer campaigns. I am aware that I'm putting my foot square into my chomper as these campaigns - much like the aforementioned Pre-Fall collections - have already been widely appreciated,  I can see an authenticity and genuine originality that excites me beyond the promise of mini collections that I can never afford. 

These campaigns embody both the art of Fashion AND the art of Expression. They are witty and quirky and a little less self centered if you get my drift.

So I start today with a series of images by a designer that, while I do appreciate his extraordinary skill and creative excellence, I don't usually follow obsessively. Juergen Teller has managed to capture a playfulness that is much less forced than your average pastel saturated, Hello Kitty-esque interpretation. I honestly feel like the Marc Jacobs girl captured here - despite her seemingly blank expression - is actually having fun. And just quietly, I kind of want to have fun with her too! 

Images via The Fashion Hash

Pre Fall Action...

I just found out that the Pre and Resort collections for Louis Vuitton are designed not by Marc Jacobs but rather by a woman whose name does not ring any bells, Julie De Libran - and I'm impressed. Throughout the 'appetizer' collection* the beret's and neck ties bring a military flavour to the mix while the 'mini' skirts and smock silhouette's harp back to the 1960's.

*I say this not because I believe that the Pre and Resort collections are any less fashionably necessary but because they clearly serve as a taste tester so to speak in the lead up to the widely publicized Fall/Winter-Spring/Summer collections

25 And Counting...

It's my birthday today so I'm posting about something that I so desperately WANT for my birthday - doesn't have to be this year but any year in the future. Keep in mind that I am definitely going to find my future puppy at a lost dog's home and therefore I am not 'flavour' specific (NB: that by 'flavour' I mean breed) but these little Dalmatians are just so damn precious. They are so brand new... And yes, I am squealing over their epic cuteness. 

Image via 5 Inch and Up

I Fell In Love With Annie Hall...

When Fashionista describes the pre-fall 2012 collection for Boy by Band of Outsiders as "Diane Keaton circa Manhattan" I am won over even before I have seen the goods! Luckily on this occassion the goods are worthy - not surprising seeing as Boy by Band of Outsiders has been featuring regularly on my 'to buy' list AND I love, love, LOVE Diane Keaton's semi-masculine style. No time for rambling further on this subject, after all it is the first day of 2012 and I should probably get out of my pajama's...

  P.S 2012 is definitely deserving of the best kind of leather details, elements that clearly harp back to adaptions on your man's shirt, a velvet flared-pant suit and a painters onesy!