Pre-Fall 12 Reviews (Balenciaga, Theyskens' Theory, & Prabal Gurung)

Balenciaga's pre-fall 2012 collection showed that neon will not be leaving and bulky or tight silhouettes are the answer. Bright 80's-like colors and even a literal neon track lighting to show that the color is important to the look's appeal. Zebra prints used in the haus of Balenciaga in 1964 have been enlarged and recycled. Menswear inspired jackets are back for casual wear giving a strong female form juxtaposed with shorts and boots.

Theyskens' Theory is full of muted black and gray tones with accented beaded leggings and commanding boots that do just that. Again, on a menswear inspired trend with two-piece suits with a casual touch of a tee underneath. Mirrors seem to be a theme in the scheme of color with the pop of silver in the collection along with the literal mirroring of the model in the presentation photos. (maybe looking into that a little hard, but maybe not...) Either way, very flattering, yet still feminine and luxe.

Prabal Gurung's PF12 has a very bold color palette with structured forms and kaleidoscope prints. The color is muted throughout the collection with the exception of pink, a deep green, and a bit or orange from the print-the looks stay mono-chromatic. That's okay though because the styling and play on layered prints and patterns makes every look flawless. Full of very form-fitting silhouettes, the collection is full of every piece thought of. The attention to detail in the beadwork and attention to exact form makes the looks incredible ready to wear pieces.

Ph: VOGUE.com

Long time, No Blog.

I can't really explain why it's been so long since I've blogged again other than my MacBook crashed at the beginning of September, and being the poor young 20-something trying to live a not so cheap/luxe (haha) lifestyle, I had to wait until October 1st to retrieve a new hard drive. That being said, I can now return to attempting to blog more frequently. Now on to Fashion weeks and music for Fall!

Balenciaga SS 12

The Spring 2012 collection had an element of architecture from head to toe. LITERALLY. Structured jackets and bold color-blocking with a touch of luxurious texture. Boxy menswear jackets over bloomer type shorts add a very commanding silhouette translated into a very powerful and bold spring collection for the Balenciaga woman.

Balmain SS 12

After the departure of Christophe Decarnin after last Fall's 2011 collection, Olivier Rousteing has turned the Balmain girl full of attitude/spunk and a hint of rock n' roll on to Western glam (?). It works. The collection still had the certain attitude that the Balmain brand has exuded in the past. Very detailed and full of shine with the gold beadwork all over the collection. Also, a hint of menswear with button-downs and pants giving the power back to the silhouette of the woman. The shoulders are high and so are the shorts/skirts. One thing is for sure is that these themes of neutrals, powder blue and prints are definitely here for Spring 2012.

Christian Dior SS 12

With rumors flying around one of the most glamourous of all of the fashion houses in the world, the fashion community was of course anxious to see what would come of the Spring 2012 Dior collection. Still without a successor since the firing of the great John Galliano last spring, the house of Dior seems to be coming back together after a disappointing Fall 2011 Couture showing of pastels and primary shapes as hat wear. Sheer loose fitting dresses and knee-length hems in about 1/3 of the collection gives a vintage and modest feel. Pops of bright red and again a powdery blue throughout the neutral shades of black white and nude adds to the flowing silhouette. Very girly and not one pair of pants in the entire collection, and that's not always a bad thing. I'm sure John Galliano will not be making a return, at all, but I sure did love his force of telling a story with a theme and show itself, which this collection seemed to be missing. :(

Fall 2011, Mix One.

Obsessions of 2010. PART I.

BYE 2010. HELLO 2011.

Here are some of my Obsessions from this past year,

...or at least the ones I can remember right now anyway.

James Franco's Art Exhibit in NY's AIR exhibit. : The Dangerous Book Four Boys was intriguing, (sometimes scary) from the voices I heard before seeing where they were coming from, but amazing work that I am happy I got to see and experience in person during my first visit to NY in this past Summer of 2010.

& really...who am I kidding? James Franco, in general (Hospital, if you will...ha, ha, ha)...he has become the prince in the acting world that I always knew he could become and even more. Actor, Artist, Director, Soap Star, Author, and Student all accomplished in one year...

while still achieving looking ridiculously good looking at the same time.

(Left to right Photo by: Joshua Barnes, Taken intended for a header for StopTalking in February 2010 I also submitted the photo to Refinery29.com to win a contest including dinner with (right) Andrew Mukamal in July 2010. Andrew chose my photo and made my 2010. Welcomed to Barney's Saturday afternoon shopping and NY high-rise roof watching, meeting Andrew was the highlight of my year.

Proenza Schouler FW 2010: Made me realize I was "born 2 b fly" and that I too rock sheer black button-downs and letterman jackets and still look relevant. And this also began my new found obsession with Tati Cotliar.

Taylor Lautner- That boy is a monster, and I become a 13 year old werewolf lusting girl

whenever I see him with his very own GQ cover.

The September Issue, even just a small 1hour and 20 some-odd minute documentary about the publication of 2007's September issue makes me want to strive to become a part of the fashion journalism world.

The NEW W: under reign of Stefano Tonchi. I love the 360 he has taken on W as a fashion magazine of the 2000's and beyond editorial wise and pushing the line when it comes to the breaking the norm. I can now enjoy my favorite designers scattered through the pages of a very sophisticated fashion magazine where melted Barbie heads and 5 page editorial spreads of the House of Givenchy can be together in harmony for only $4.99!

The revival of excessive use of Leopard print (!!!) : GIVENCHY SS11 and beyond...leopard is here to stay, and hopefully as a neutral before long.

(Gas masks included.)

PUNK REVIVAL --- Balmain SS11 and Balenciaga SS11, ripped, (and held together just enough by safety-pins) studded, burnt, printed, slick back hairstyles so we can be prepared to give 2011 the kick in the face it needs if things get out hand right before the

"2012 Armageddon."

Balenciaga | Spring 2011 | Color Me Good

| BALENCIAGA |

| SPRING 2011 | COLOR ME GOOD |

At Balenciaga, Nicolas Ghesquière always keeps the art aspect involved when placing the patterns, textures, and reality to the show. The Spring 2011 presentation is no exception. Houndstooth leather jackets with full zip down the front. Ghesquière said this season would be "boyish" and it is very evident. Fringe flops, combat clogs, and buckled boots...all aspects in one collection. Quilted leather shorts and skirts with a tuxedo blazer and hardware-d collars on tuxedo shirts. AMAZING. Sheer sleeveless shirts with patterns of electric florals and leaves. The styling is simple, but with the intricate in detail makes the looks. The soft sheer shirts paired with the heaviness of the shoes is a nice juxtaposition of hard and soft elements that gives it a "determined woman" feel. I love fashion that empowers the female form and Balenciaga always does that.

Balenciaga pushes the line, but never pushes it back.

One large combat step for woman for Spring 2011.

VOGUE.com