old scars die hard

“MARGIELA- GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN”

Bittersweet, isn’t it?

Via: A Shaded View On Fashion

emmpire

 

WWD

Rick Owens M&Ms..hahaha.

jealousonesstillenvy

I normally roll my eyes at the mindless worship of monotonous “model style” out there, but I’ll make an exception for the very notable Hanne-Gaby Odiele.

This video demonstrates why- full of distinct pieces, her wardrobe is to die for.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

courtesy of http://www.modelinia.com

Still Here

Despite the unorthodox, “out there” (and overly precious) references often mentioned here, they are not reflected as much as I would like in my admittedly homogeneous personal style.

Particularly during those bleak, freezing mornings when I’m flailing around still half asleep, can’t bother with much besides making it to class on time. So I just throw on the old reliables that are comfortable and look decent under most circumstances.

How many black sweaters, angular cut jackets and draped tops can one possibly own?

Examples from a recent outing:

I was quite derisive about the “new” Helmut Lang in a previous post, but that did not stop me from being drawn to these two pieces (did not buy).

Biker jacket made out of a paper thin grey leather.

…and a grey silk tank with a similar form.

***My criticism of Helmut Lang still stands- though some pieces are certainly easy to wear, there is nothing innovative or special about it. Just because a plain cotton tank top has an asymmetrical hem or a dangling bondage strap doesn’t mean it’s worth $250.00. And this holds true for so many other overpriced brands within the “minimalist” niche of the contemporary market.

These also caught my eye while browsing around the other day:

(Complex Geometries)

(Various)

See what I mean?

It’s not even a conscious decision at this point, really. These are all quite unnecessary as I already have scads of similar pieces- but I rationalize new purchases by looking for small details that the “old” ones don’t have ..such a differently angled driped, or an extra series of closures. Silly, but I just call it consistency.

As the weather warms up and symptoms of S.A.D. are alleviated, hopefully more ambitious details will be incorporated into the daily outfits…

whitehot

This is so late, but I saw a few images the other day that reminded me of how I completely missed the boat on these limited edition pieces created in conjunction with Marilyn Minter. So sad.

I haven’t picked up a skateboard since middle school but these Supreme x MM decks would look great just propped up against a wall.

I won’t rest until I somehow manage to get my hands on this sold out Art Production Fund/Works on Whatever x Target x MM beach towel, and hang it up like a tapestry.

unbar the guarded door

Is one ever too old to play pretend?

With these dramatic cloaks by Lindsey Thornburg, (who also moonlights as a model- I once worked on a lookbook shoot in which she appeared), I would have no shame in creating (somewhat cliched but who cares!) scenarios in order to fulfill the fantasy.

I can just imagine being draped in one of these, in an forest dripping with dew and mist, with a nearby pond reflecting the light of a waning moon, writing in a grimoire. Or in an empty estate during the dead of night, drawing out a pentagram with chalk and salt and molten red candle wax.

“With this sacred blade I cast the circle of my craft.

May it be a doorway to a sacred circle beyond time and space.

Let it be a meeting place for all good, and may it deter all wickedness.”

My Trip to NJ

Last Saturday I took a trip to the epic Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey. The most high-end mall for miles around, it has no JC Penney or a food court, but there is a Saks, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales, along with most of the designer flagship boutique locations in the state.

I hadn’t been to a mall for about six years, so I took full advantage of this out-of-town adventure.

Did you know that you’re allowed to drink alcohol on the NJ Transit trains? I was blown away by this little fact.

Here are a few real classy things I saw at the mall that day.

I saw a lady buy TEN of these exceptional $65 Juicy Couture cocktail ring keychains (really).

Couldn’t help but try this vile yet alluring Stam on..

misery

This over the top S/S ’01 McQueen show never fails to unsettle, in the best, most stimulating, tingle-inducing sense of the word.

This pretty much sums up how I feel about starting the new semester on Monday.

chapel of the chimes

When I first discovered Obesity & Speed, I literally experienced an adrenaline rush after poring through all the images on their site.

There was really nothing like it at the time , yet I felt like what they produced was everything I wanted but couldn’t easily find: intricate screenprints of skulls, ribcages, daggers, inverted crosses , draped and braided jersey dresses.

(You can tell there’s a theme going on here. Somehow, I’ve always been attracted to death and occult related imagery as long as their properly detailed. My friends know exactly what I like..I’m predictable but consistent.)

Unfortunately,it was pretty hard to find at the time so I missed out. Now though, If O&S ever reproduced any of it..

But I know that they’ll keep on progressing and churning out awesome designs.

I remember searching the name constantly for more details, but information was quite limited back then. How things have changed!

in love with an apparition

To this day, I mourn the end the refined, imaginative and innovative designs of the original Helmut Lang line.

Now, a pale and begrudgingly minimalist rendition exists as completely transformed contemporary brand helmed by (of all people) the creators of the Habitual denim line, and is owned by Link Theory Holdings of Japan, which also operates Theory (!)

One season that struck me in particular dates back to later in his career.

The Spring/Summer ’04 collection, also known as “the dragonfly” collection featured for the most part- monochromatic bandage strapped and layered separates, with the exception of several startling color-shot dresses that are some of my favorite pieces of all time.

And don’t forget about the shoes:

According to Lang, the collection was meant to evoke “a feeling of summer — the lightness, the different textures and the colors”.

The glowing iridescent fabrics adorning otherwise basic jersey templates indeed recall the shimmer and slick translucence of dragonfly wings. There is an otherworldly quality the dresses that make them both unsettling and fragile. Yet this fragility is tempered by the severity and contemporaneity of the footwear.