The Fashionable Lives

Vibrancy in the House of Ferragamo

2009-04-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

The House of Ferragamo produced a very sheek collection. The tailoring was absolutely fantastic and there was a variety of colours to choose from. I loved the fact that they used a lot of peach and salmon with the normal beige and whites. I also loved the fact that they had ruffles on a few of their tops and a tie-dye type feel to the shirts. I also loved the fact that there were a few jumpers in the collection, which many designers are afraid to attempt in their mens' collection. Most importantly, I loved the fact that it was very tropical and would fit nicely with any female collection that came down the runway last year. These were outfits you could definitely go out to the office with and then out to dinner with. The one thing that I did not like about this collection was the fact that one of the models had a clutch purse. Anyone who reads this site knows how much I hate mens purses and astonish the fact that every designer seems to think that men would want such a feminine item. But this is the first time I've ever seen any fashion house be bold enough to make a clutch! Even the model that was sent with the purse didn't know how to hold up and ended up putting it under his armpit. He looked uncomfortable and just plain odd. I know that accessories are a huge part of the Ferragamo brand. In fact, Salvatore himself started his fashion house with shoes. But a male clutch is just ridiculous and not needed. Watch the runway show for yourself and tell me what you think about this certain accessory.

A knock out or knocked out at Givenchy

2009-04-01T12:00:00.000-04:00

I didn't know what to make of Riccardo Tisci's collection for Givenchys men Spring/Summer '09. It seemed that they were outfit a boxer would wear from the 1920's. There was a lot of oversized tops and sleeveless shirts, which were fine, in fact they seemed very urban and youthful; the type of top you would normally see on people like 50 Cent or Eminem. My biggest problem had to be the pants. For some reason, Tisci kept sending down shorts that had men's tights underneath. The weirdest part were the shorts were above the knee while the tights were below the knee. I've seen a lot of clever forms of layering, but this collection took it to a whole new level - a level I don't think it should have gone to. If you completely judge this collection from the waist up, it was great. But from the waist down, it was a trainwreck. Watch the show for yourself and tell me what you think.

At home with Homme

2009-03-31T12:00:00.000-04:00

Kris Van Assche's mens collection for Christian Dior, Spring/Summer '09 was quite interesting. I didn't know what to make of the 3D-looking glasses, but the rest of the clothes were actually pretty good. I like how some of the jackets and shirts had a shredded look to them as if the model was attacked by a blunt object. I liked the subtle leather pieces. I wasn't a fan of the fluorescent pinks and blues, I thought it was a bit of an overkill. The gold outfits I surprisingly liked. I thought it was very youthful and modern rock n roll. But most importantly, I loved the fact that Van Assche focused more on the detail and tailoring of the clothes. Watch the runway show below and see for yourself.

Bored with Boss

2009-03-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

The new Hugo Boss collection for Spring/Summer 2009 left a lot to be desired. The clothes for the men and women were as basic as sportswear can get. I know Hugo Boss is a huge label in the male fashion community but these clothes didn't present any excitement for me. Most of the clothes were either black or white with a few blues thrown in. There was, however, an oriental feel to it. I don't know if it was the fact that there were tight turtlenecks resembling Chinese dresses. Basically if you want to look sleek then the Boss label is for you, but I prefer outfits that have more creativity. Watch the runway show below and judge for yourself.

Confused Cavalli

2009-03-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

I don't know what Roberto Cavalli was thinking for his Spring/Summer Mens collection, but it was definitely a lot of thoughts. Like the Gucci collection, the clothes didn't seem to have a coherent flow to them. Some of them were baggy, and urban while others were preppy; the rest were Rock n Roll on acid. These clothes were weird, at best. Some of them were actually wearable and you could tell target a youth audience, but I must say I enjoyed his female clothes much more than the mens. Roberto needs to stop trying to be cool, instead making clothes that are sexy and tropical. Watch the runway show below and tell me if you're as confused as I am.

Back to the future with McQueen

2009-03-28T22:00:00.003-04:00

Alexander's Spring/Summer Men's collection was very interesting. He's the type of designer that young, edgy, men would want to wear. The clothes were very sleek, and I liked the androgynous look. You couldn't really tell between the male and female models. The clothes were a mixture of futuristic/80's type clothes. All of the shoulder pads and square cuts were 80's, yet the patterns were very futuristic. Some of the outfits looked like an illusion and hurt the eyes. I love his mixing of colours together and some of the outfits looked like they had a hint of nudity, but it was a nude colour in between a black design outfit. I don't know what to make of this collection. One thing I liked about it was that it had a clear direction and was artistic; the other part of me thought it was similar to Rodarte's clothes. Watch the show and judge for yourself.

Unimpressed with Emporio

2009-03-26T12:00:00.000-04:00

Georgio Armani's spring/summer 2009 collection left a lot to be desired. The whole show had the feel of the set of the 1980's show Miami Vice. At any point I thought Don Johnson was going to pop out of the runway with all his mullet glory. With all the jackets with t-shirts look, it was youthful but at times looked cliche. There were no vibrant colours, there was a lot of greys and blacks, but I must say fabulous tailoring. I liked the way he interpreted the leather jackets with criss-crossed zippering. I absolutely loved the vests that he created but that's where my favorites end. I absolutely despised the plastic looking shorts that he produced as well as the overly baggy evening pants that looked like they came straight from the Aladdin set. I understand that Armani wants to be young and cool with his designs, but the whole thing just screamed tacky. Armani should go back to what he's good at, sophisticated, corporate type of clothes that have become his staple. Watch the video below and tell me what you think.

Gucci Pyschodelic Trip

2009-03-25T10:24:00.000-04:00

Freida Giannini collection for Gucci's men's spring/summer 2009 was pretty much her worst yet. Freida's collection for women's wear spring/summer 2008 was crucified by many critics for her lack of direction when it came to the theme of the clothes. It seems that she hasn't learned from her mistakes because this collection was un-cohesive. First we start off with 1960's Italy with all the patterns and straight lines, then we move into the 1970's very rock and roll, almost Jim Morrison type feel. Then we somehow we go Native American with lots of fringe and dream catcher type of accessories. Then we finally end off in the 1980's Michael Jackson, Thriller inspired, leather jacket. This woman is trying so hard to be rock and cool that it is looking desperate. All the skulls and tattoo inspired clothes looked like a knock off of Ed Hardy. I said it once, and I'll say it again, it is time for Freida to leave and Tom Ford to come back. No man would wear these clothes, especially the girly looking floral pants. Watch the run way show and tell me if any of you think anything different.

Bowling Burberry

2009-03-24T12:00:00.001-04:00

I absolutely loved Christopher Bailey's spring/summer men's wear for Burberry. As usual there was the trench coat that is a staple of the fashion house but he brought a twist to it. I loved the fact that he used very dark greens and greys to accentuate the English countryside. I loved his oversized sweaters and deep V-necked tops which can be worn by other men or women.But most importantly I loved his interpretation of the bowler hat by making it bigger and bringing it down.

Dying with Klein

2009-03-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

I must say that I was very disappointed with Calvin Klein's spring/summer men's collection. The clothes were too tight, especially the pants. I mean those pants were so small you could see the models man hoods. I'm sure those pants were some of the reason's that the models were walking funny. The knee length shorts that they had almost resembled a football pant or a jockey. There were these two jackets that were neon pink and yellow. They were so bright, it nearly hurt my eyes. The white suits were so white that you could almost see it from space. It was just one nightmare after another. What the runway show for yourself and come to your own conclusions.

Swinging with Sanders

2009-03-22T19:04:00.003-04:00

I loved Jill Sanders spring/summer 09 collection because it was unique and different. I loved all the mix matching of colours and fabrics. I loved the unique placement of zippers. I love how the different shades of colours made the men's jackets look like they were corseted even though they weren't. The only thing that I didn't like about the clothes was the fact that some suits were completely one colour on the front and another colour on the back. This made it look like the models had sat on a painted bench. These clothes are definitely made for the young and adventurous male customer. Watch the runway show and judge for yourself.

Viva Versace

2009-03-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

Leave it to Donatella to create a very sexy men's collection for Spring/Summer '09. I love the fact that she opened and closed the show with Halle Berry's boy toy Gabriel Aubrey. He is so beautiful, and made the show just that much better. But back on the clothes, the look was very tropical and very Milan. The whites and the light colours and even some pastels were very beautiful. I love the fact that her shirts are so thin that they just cling to the men's bodies without looking cheesy. I even love her use of the fringe-tipped scarves as decoration for the suits. This wasn't a collection that was ground breaking or different for men by any means, but that's the beauty of it. Most men (especially the straight ones) are not very daring with their fashion, so therefore, producing a men's collection can get very repetitive. But Donatella is commendable because she creates timeless pieces that could stay in a guy's wardrobe for many years. Another good thing about the Versace clothes was the fact that it appeals to any age group. Even though all the models were very young, you could still see the same suits on an old, balding guy. My only negative critique has to be those dreadful male purses that have been coming down every catwalk. Hopefully with the economic crisis, designers will stop producing this hideous accessory. To watch the runway show, click here

Sleeping with Dolce and Gabbana

2009-03-20T18:27:00.002-04:00

Since the beginning of this blog, we have been focusing most of our attention on women's fashion. I decided that since Spring is basically here, it is time to look at men's fashion, so the guys know what to where for the upcoming season. We start our look with one of my favourite duos- Dolce and Gabbana. For their Spring/Summer 2009 Collection, there is definitely a more comfortable look to their men's fashion. You can tell that they were inspired by more a pajama/bedroom look for their outfits. This look is perfect for the home or for more of a casual setting; however, when you are going to a board meeting, this is not the type of look an executive would go for. Although there were some slim cut, traditional pant suits, the theme was definitely comfort. I loved all the skinny ties that they used for their suits as well as the scarves. Another thing that I had a problem with was that some of the shirts were a bit too tight. A fitted shirt on a man looks great, but a skin-tight shirt looks a little sleazy. My biggest pet peeve of the show was those stupid man-purses they kept bringing down the runway. What straight guy in his right mind would use a man purse? A briefcase or messenger bag is one thing, but a purse is pushing it. All in all, I must say that it was a delightful show. To view the runway show, click here

mayday, mayday

2009-03-19T16:35:00.001-04:00

Everywhere you go, there are stories that the print industry is dying a slow and painful death. For someone like me, this is completely disheartening because I hope to become a fashion journalist in an upscale print publication, such as Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar. A CBC video that I watched portrayed the increasing fear that many print publications had about the growing threat of the internet. It is obvious that many people are attracted to the free and user friendly nature of the internet as opposed to actually going out and purchasing a publication. Especially since the blogging phenomenon started, many publications have felt the pinch of this particular internet medium because people can get up-to-date and most of the time, reliable, information at the click of a button. This has prompted many newspapers and magazines to have their own websites in order to compete with bloggers. The question therein lies; how much free information does one put on a website in order to attract a fan base that will then purchase the publication. Generally people will not purchase something if they can get a free alternative and this has deterred a lot of advertising for these publications which is their main bread and butter. In fact, the pages of advertising in the magazine, American Vogue, has decreased by 100 pages within the last few months. With the decrease of print journalism there has been an increase in online publications such as, Style.com but the problem is that you do not need as many staff to run an online publication as you do for print. This will mean that journalism jobs will become a lot more competitive in the coming years than before, which is why I am hoping that my blog takes off. A part of me, though, will always love the tactile experience of flipping through the pages of a magazine. This simply cannot be duplicated digitally.

Viewer's Choice

2009-03-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Who did you think was the worst dressed?

poll by twiigs.com

Viewer's Choice

2009-03-16T18:13:00.000-04:00

Who did you think was the best dressed?

poll by twiigs.com

And the Oscar goes to...

2009-03-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

Penelope Cruz never ceases to amaze me. She truly proves that she is the Sophia Lauren of our generation. This is a woman that can wear an outfit that makes her look as sexy as Marilyn Monroe, but as regal as Princess Grace. Nowadays I watch the Oscars to see what she will wear next. I must admit, at last year's Oscars Penelope's outfit was a bit of a letdown from the year prior. But this year, she has come back with a vengeance. Not only has she finally won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, but she also takes the title as the best dressed woman of the night.

At Number 2 ...

2009-03-12T12:00:00.000-04:00

Marisa Tomei usually ends up on the worst dressed list when it comes to award shows or any Red Carpet events. This year, however, she was a total knock-out. Her one shouldered, mermaid inspired dress hugged her figure and made her look 10 feet tall. This is how glamorous clothes are meant to be worn in order to make one look better, instead of overshadowing them. She may not have won the Oscar, but this dress will certainly get Marisa noticed on the A-list and finally on the best dressed list.

At Number 3 ...

2009-03-11T12:00:00.001-04:00

Kate Winslet was totted to be the best-dressed actress at the Oscars by many publications. Although I do think she was the best actress of the year, I don't think she was the best dressed at the ceremony. This is not to say I didn't love her outfit; to the contrary, I quite adored it. I love the mixing of silk with lace and the one shoulder look. Most importantly, I loved the fact that Kate wore another figure-hugging dress to a major awards show. Most women in the industry go on crash diets before the award season starts to look stick-thin in their dresses. However, Kate proves that curves are what makes a woman truly sexy and elegant. She's one of the best role models that Hollywood will ever have.

At Number 4 ...

2009-03-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

I know that many people slated Sarah Jessica Parker for her Oscar dress, but I think they're all nonsense. This dress is the quintessential definition of what true style is all about. Sometimes I don't know where Carrie Bradshaw stops and Sarah Jessica Parker begins. This dress is both edgy, but elegant, which is a standard look for Carrie Bradshaw. Most importantly, I love the fact that SJP is using a belt with her ball gown which is something that many other women have the guts to attempt. This is why I now think that Carrie and Sarah have become the same person.

At Number 5

2009-03-09T16:57:00.000-04:00

I love the fact that Anne Hathaway keeps it simple because she knows what happens when she goes overboard. This dress compliments her figure as well as her colour. She's one of the few young starlets that is proud to be pale and is not lathering on fake-tans, resembling an Oompa-Loompa. She also doesn't wear huge, goddy jewelry that looks tacky. She has an understanding of elegance that is really refreshing. She's not one of those people that wants to be overly sexual or edgy; she is just simply Anne. Even though she is really young and has a long way to go when it comes to fashion, I can see her being the next Nicole Kidman when it comes to style.

At Number 6...

2009-03-08T12:00:00.000-04:00

I love Natalie's dress because it's elegant, but not matronly. Unlike her contemporary, Natalie knows how to dress for her build, age, and personality. The colour really brings out her complexion and I love the fact that she did not decide to use any jewelry to put anymore emphasis on the outfit. Natalie really proves that she is the Audrey Hepburn of our generation.

And the Oscar goes to...

2009-03-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

Miley Cyrus was one of those people at the Oscars only as a way to draw in younger viewers to the show. But this year she wasn't the only tween tighten to be invited to the show, hence getting a dress to stand out above all of the other Disney people. Well she certainly accomplished the fact that she stands out - but for all the wrong reasons. This dress would look absolutely stunning on someone like Penelope Cruz or Sarah Jessica Parker. Instead, Miley does not have the age or personality to pull this outfit off. On her, it looks like a costume from the Hannah Montana set instead of a ball gown. The problem is when any young celebrity goes to the Oscars they feel the need to wear a big, princess dress in order to look, what they think, is elegant and sophisticated. When someone is that young they should stick to a slim, youthful silouhette, showing more skin because they're at the stage where you can. Next time Miley, stick to a young, fresher dress for a major event like this.

At Number 2 ...

2009-03-06T12:00:00.001-05:00

Jessica Biel is one of those people who I wonder why they even attend the Oscars. But then I realized the reason she was invited to the show, or to anything for that matter, is because she's the girlfriend of Justin Timberlake, which is an association she is milking for all its worth. This was an outfit that was rumored to have been chosen by the Vogue style committee in aide to help Jessica. I think it's safe to say that Jessica Biel and Jennifer Hudson have proven that you should never take Oscar fashion advice from ANY Vogue staff. This dress looks as though it is vomiting fabric from the top and downwards. It just makes her look frumpy and it completely overshadows her existence. Next time Jessica, stick to the skin-tight hoochie outfits that Justin loves on you.

At Number 3 ...

2009-03-05T12:00:00.000-05:00

Beyonce decided to wear this outfit to the Oscars in order to promote her family's "Fashion Line". This is why celebrities shouldn't try their hand in fashion, because you get outfits like these. It looks like Beyonce went to an S&M inspired place in China and stole the curtains! This outfit makes her look 10 times heavier and completely stupid. When will Beyonce learn to never listen to her mother when she gives fashion advice? Stick to someone who actually went to fashion school and you won't be the ridicule of the next day's gossip mags.

Putting the You back in YouTube

2009-03-04T12:50:00.001-05:00

I absolutely love YouTube for all the videos that it provides. For instance, on the site, I use it a lot to watch fashion shows that I normally wouldn’t be able to because I don’t have the opportunity to see them live. While watching the video “An anthropological introduction to YouTube,” it was amazing to see much impact this website had on people’s lives. I can understand why people would want to do video blogs in order to express their opinion and views just like a regular blog. However, I think most people that do video blogs have almost the type of exhibitionist and/or aspiring-starlet personality. A lot of videos on YouTube have a sexual overtone; it’s almost like having sex in a park except it’s not illegal to do this type of activity on the web. In the video, most of the explicit content were supposed to be funny, but I can only imagine how much of it is not. I appreciate the fact that YouTube has the Sign Up page where they try to distinguish the adults from the minors in terms of materials to be viewed. Unfortunately, it is easy to lie on the Sign Up page and say you are an adult in order to view the explicit content, which makes the whole purpose of this program seem pointless. On the other side of the coin is the fact that YouTube provides a type of voyeurism where people can view the inner minds of others without being identified. Some would say it is the best form of reality television. What I find the most interesting is the fact that for many vloggers, YouTube is a type of therapy where they can vent their frustration or act out their neuroses. For these types of people, my only question would be, if nobody is watching their videos, does it still help them emotionally? For other vloggers, such as LonelyGirl, YouTube is just an avenue to become famous and possibly get recognition in the mainstream media. No matter what YouTube is used for, I think people should become a little less protective of it and just enjoy it as an entertainment forum.

At Number 4 ...

2009-03-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know what Whoopi was thinking when she wore this atrocity to the Oscars. I happened to watch the View the day before the Oscars and heard Whoopi gushing about how beautiful her dress was and how lovely she would like. I was excited to see her. But as soon as she came on screen my jaw hit the floor. Why would she ever put on this tent dress that did nothing for her figure? I know Whoopi is not stick-thin, but so what? She's probably the same size as Queen Latifah, yet Latifah wears complimentary clothes. Whoopi would have been better off wearing a T-shirt and slacks like she does everyday on her show.

At Number 5

2009-03-03T12:00:00.000-05:00

I know Sophia Lauren is one of those people who are cinematic legends, but what has happened to her lately? First of all, her face looks like it has been pumped full of botox that if you pinched her some of it would ooze out. And the outfit is just too terrible for words. All of the ruffles and lace was terrible. I don't know who designed it, but if it were my clothes I would pretend that I never made it and hide in a cave full of shame.

Counting down 6 Best and Worst dressed women at the Oscars

2009-03-02T12:00:00.001-05:00

The Oscars happened last week and since I had 3 exams during the week of the 23rd I was unable to critique the clothes for all of you guys. But don't fear; because I've finally decided to put together my list. When watching and reading all of the different fashion commentary it was interesting to see the wide range of opinion about the best and worst dressed at the Oscars. I've decided to choose women who stuck out to me in the best and worst ways.

Kicking off our worst dressed list, at #6 is Heidi Klum. Heidi wore a fantastic red Dior dress last year that was theatrical, yet elegant. However, at this year's ceremony she wore a weird, red, tinted dress that looked like it was attacked by a weed-wacker. I understand that Heidi wants to be edgy and elegant at the same time, but this dress is not the way to go about it. The next big question I have for Heidi is why she is even at the Oscars to begin with? Even though the Oscars have a million categories for every person who works on a movie, I don't think they've made a reality series category as of yet. Next time, either wear a good outfit or stay home because noone cares if you show up to the Oscars. Continue reading further.

Elie-gant

2009-03-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

I was really impressed with Elie Saab's latest couture collection for Spring/Summer 2009. Even though he kept all of the romance and glamour that is his signature look, he toned it back a little bit. It was still couture because it was artistic, but there was a certain refinement and elegance that was not there before. In the beginning of his career, Saab would put every design on a dress that he could think of making some of his creations look like a costume. If his latest collection is anything to go by, Saab is catering to a more Princess Grace type clientele, rather than Beyonce. He kept with the tradition of light pastel colours, yet used a lot of lace and ruffles that brought a romantic feel to the clothes. I especially loved all of his ball gowns in the end that were beyond Oscar worthy. I also loved the wedding dress that he showed in the end because it wasn't the typical white dress other designers use, instead it was a champagne colour. I love the fact that the fashion industry has people like Elie Saab who can continue the craft of couture for many years to come as the older craftsman are starting to retire. To watch the full runway show click here and here

Extraordinary Chanel

2009-02-28T19:38:00.003-05:00

I've decided to stop talking about the black hole to fashion, which is celebrity designers, and get back to the true art that is fashion: couture. Karl Lagerfeld's collection for the House of Chanel is truly beautiful. In the beginning, I must admit I was a bit underwhelmed with the same white suits coming down the runway for the majority of the show. Even though Karl said he wanted to bring simplicity to fashion because of the economic crisis, I personally think couture is the only arena where designers can go over the top. Their customers are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to stand out from the crowd, but the first few outfits blended in with the crowd. However, as the show went on and the clothes switched from white to a white blue and criss-cross black and white, the true artistry that Lagerfeld can produce was shown. I love the layered look he presented with the clothes, the cropped jackets and tops that were in the collection. His final bridal dress in the end I believe I saw in last season's except it was in silver, but was pretty much the exact same outfit. I know how much Karl loves his job, but if he can't do it anymore he should retire like Valentino. To watch the full runway show, click here and here.

The Big Question

2009-02-27T20:29:00.003-05:00

For the last three days, we took a look at the hypocrisy that are celebrity designers and it made me wonder if any of you would still go and purchase clothes from these people. Below, I did a survey to find out just how all of you feel about the phenomenon that is celebrity clothing lines. Please feel free to leave a comment as well as your choice.

Would you buy clothes from a Celebrity clothing line?

poll by twiigs.com

Fake it Like Beckham

2009-02-21T21:09:00.004-05:00

A couple of days ago I vented on my frustration with the abundance of celebrity designers and took my frustration out on Justin Timberlake in particular. Tonight I decided to give Justin the night off and focus my attention on another "designer". Victoria Beckham is one of those phenomenons because she is so famous, yet she doesn't do anything. She is basically an older Paris Hilton. Many say the reason she is constantly in the press is because she is married to the "talented" soccer player, David Beckham. I would believe this theory if it wasn't for the fact that when Pele (the greatest soccer player of all time) still played soccer no one knew or cared who he was married to. For her second collection as well as her first, Victoria has received praise from the fashion community for creating a "great collection". The only reason that Victoria went into fashion was because she has no talent or drive to be successful in either music or acting. To her, fashion was the only arena where someone can do all the work, yet she receives all the praise. In fact there is this rumour that after her first collection many of her clothes resembled the work of her friend and talented designer Roland Mouret because some of her cocktail dresses looked quite similar to his infamous galaxy dress. Even her former design partners at Rock and Republic said that she did not put any effort into designing her jeans for the company. For the sake of this article I am going to critique her Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter 2009 collections. Her first season was basically the same dress with the same silhouette but in different colours. The new collection seems like the same outfits as before except longer and different colours. For instance, this cocktail dress from Spring/Summer looks exactly the same, to me at least as this ballgown from Fall/Winter. I am not saying that any of these clothes are bad, far from that, they are actually really beautiful but that is not the point. The point is that they are not fashion because they are not unique or artistic. One thing I find absolutely hilarious is that Victoria is adamant that she creates clothes that she would wear and "are her style". She even said after her show that

"Every single dress I would wear myself."

I'm sorry, but I find it hard to believe that she would wear any of the evening dresses from the collection. Not that they aren't beautiful, but they are too covered up for her overtly sexual style. Another reason I find it hard to believe that she created this collection is because her design studio is in London, England and she resides and spends 90% of her time in the United States. These clothes would be great if they were made for a retail company but Victoria does not have the expertise or the credentials to produce a high fashion collection. Even though she uses high quality fabric it is still not worth the $1500+ price tag that she is commanding for these clothes. To charge those prices are a privilege, not a a right.

The Biggest Crime in Fashion

2009-02-17T16:34:00.007-05:00

I've decided to take a little break from our couture-watching season to talk about my biggest pet peeve. Since New York Fashion Week started last Friday, many established high-scale designers (such as Betsy Johnson and Vera Wang) had to skip the catwalk show due to the economic crisis and guess who have taken their place? Celebrities. Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate celebrity "designers" with a passion. In fact, to even call them designers is an insult to the fashion industry. These are people who have absolutely no training or skills to create fashion. The most recent one to do his collection is Justin Timberlake for his clothing line "William Rast." For the sake of this blog, I am going to critique his Spring/Summer 2009 collection rather than his recent one. When doing interviews after the runway show, Justin said that the inspiration for his collection was Southern looks. While I like Justin Timberlake as a singer and as a producer, he is one of the biggest talents to come along since Michael Jackson, as a "designer," he is a joke. These clothes are as basic and as commercial as it gets without any shred of individuality or artistry in them. To be a designer and to make clothes are two different thing. Anybody can make clothes as long as you have fabric and a sewing machine. For someone to be a designer, you have to make something as simple as clothing into pieces of art, like a Picasso. You cannot be a designer/singer/actor. To be a good designer requires all your energy and attention -- every single day. Being a designer is not a hobby or a pass-time; it is a full time career, but people like Justin don't understand that. They just see it as another avenue to make money and inflate their bank accounts. It especially angers me when the quality of work and the price don't match. For a designer outfit, even though you are spending thousands of dollars, you know that it's high quality. Designers use the best fabrics and sometimes things are hand-painted and hand-sewn by a professional seamstress, not a machine. Take for example, this black blazer on Justin's site that is 97% polyester, but worth $328, while you can get this same blazer from Suzy Shier's website which is 100% polyester for $30!! Does Mr. Timberlake expect the buying public to believe that the 3% elastane is worth the $298 difference?? No, what he is expecting is the fact that it is a jacket from his clothing line that represents the difference. That's what truly angers me -- the fact that they are simply cashing in on their notoriety and insulting a true craft. Hopefully the recession will weed out the fake designers from the real ones. To watch the William Rast "Fashion" show, click here.

UPDATE: elastane is another word for spandex

The Valentino Look has Returned

2009-02-16T16:23:00.003-05:00

As you all may have remember I was not a fan of the Valentino Spring/Summer collection under the work of Alessandra Facchinetti. In fact I said that it was best that she leave the famous house before she did too much damage. Well I must be a psychic because after the collection the owners of the label dropped her and replaced her with the duo Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. Their first collection which was the Spring/Summer 09 couture was absolutely amazing. They returned Valentino's legendary fantasy and glamor that was missing for the last year. I love all the ruffles and the layering that almost looked like fish scales going down the dress. I love their use of color and beading and feathers that trimmed some of the outfits. The whole collection seemed like something Valentino would have created himself but younger and more structured. One thing I found the most adorable was that each outfit had a shoe that seemed like it was made from the same fabric. These were clothes that were not only Oscar worthy but worthy of the $100 000+ price tag that comes with it. I look forward to seeing the future collections of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. To watch the full runway show click here and here.

Dear Dior

2009-02-15T18:17:00.002-05:00

In continuation with our Couture Week theme, we arrive at the legendary house of Christian Dior. What I love about John Galliano is that he is one of the few true couture masters. In my mind, when I think about couture, I imagine outfits that are theatrical but not costume, whimsical but not outlandish. This is the only time when designers can let loose and create more pieces of art than clothes. With Galliano, he produces a masterpiece of a couture collection with every single season, and this one was no different. I absolutely love his use of colours and over-the-top makeup to emphasize the theme. I also love how he takes the summer's trends of volumed skirts and sleeves to the nth degree. It's almost as if the collection was dynasty-inspired but on acid. With all the beading and designs on these dresses, it's no wonder that they cost so much money to make. The only criticism I would have for Galliano's creations is that some of the bubble skirts made the models look heavy and most of these models probably weigh less than infants so on a regular woman, it would be a hard look to pull off. And his princess-like dresses at the end would be hard to get through doorways, let alone sit. But I guess that's the whole point of couture. It's supposed to be over the top clothing that is completely unpractical and most of the time uncomfortable. To watch the full runway show, click here and here.

Privy to Prive

2009-02-14T21:42:00.003-05:00

Since I've been looking at all the collections that designers have issued for Spring/Summer '09, I thought it might be fun to look at the ultra expensive and glamorous world of couture for all you uber-rich people. Seeing as how every outfit that comes down the couture runway has a price tag between $50 000 - $100 000 plus, it is no wonder that there are only 200 customers in the world. The couture shows wrapped up last month, it's still the perfect present to buy your Valentine if you're a billionaire. For those who have the cash for couture, you cannot go wrong with the Armani Prive collection. Even though Armani kept most of the black and white, there was still a pungent of purples, yellows and other vibrant colours that made the collection magnificent. I love the flapper, Asia-inspired look for his collection. I love the patterns that look like walking pieces of art that moved effortlessly. I love the sharp tailoring of the jackets and the slight ruffle on the trim of the skirts. Armani is definitely a man that knows how to take old school Hollywood, but make it modern for today. These clothes would fit nicely with any high class socialite that still exists in the world. The dresses in the end were a definite nod to the red carpet and specifically the Oscars. Even though Armani put the occasional avant garde, for him it's about taking over the crown of the red carpet king from the retired Valentino. I especially loved the silver sparkly dress at the end because it is the type of dress you can see someone like Cate Blanchett or Angelina Jolie wearing with ease. To watch the full runway show, click here and here.

A Saab Summer

2009-02-13T13:35:00.005-05:00

Elie Saab is one of those designers that brings hope to the future of fashion. While many of us fashionistas know that the time will come when older fashion legends, like Valentino, will retire, there are people like Saab who can carry on the mantle. I absolutely love his Spring/Summer '09 collection because it actually looks like a Spring/Summer collection. While other designers have been doing nothing but black, and white, and basic tailoring, Saab has taken a totally different direction. I love his uses of blues, purples, yellows, and pinks. One thing I loved the most is that Saab has toned down his clothes from when he first became a designer. In his first collections, his dresses had everything from bows, to crystals, to lace, to the kitchen sink. He's now toned back a lot of the flamboyance, but kept the feminine whimsical charm of his clothes. I love the flapper/ballet style trimming of his cocktail dresses. I love the fact that he emphasized the accessories more, with the bags and shoes that were to die for. I absolutely loved the fact that he produced flowy dresses that did not like a caftan. The standout piece for me has to be these 2 bubble dresses he made that had a flowing train in the back. All in all, I must say that he produced a tremendous colllection.
To see the full show, click here

A Red Carpet Weekend -- The Five Best and Worst Dressed Women

2009-02-10T15:38:00.005-05:00

The awards season is well underway in show business, and during the weekend we had two of the major awards for both film and music that took place. On Saturday, we had the BAFTAs which is the British equivalent to the Oscars. Then on Sunday, we had the Grammy's which is the highlight of the music calendar. Needless to say that in both award shows, the women and their clothes came out in full force. I shall now critique who I think are the five best and worst dressed women (because who cares about men in their boring suits) of the weekend.

Kicking off the list for best dressed is one of my favourite singers, the oh-so-talented Sheryl Crow. Sheryl wore this blue off-the-shoulder dress to the Grammy's that just looked perfect on her. The shiny blue and sometimes purplish colour would look strange on any other person, but since Sheryl has such a kooky and hippie personality, it works on her. She's the type of person that picks outfits that reflect who she is and not just something that might look pretty in the next day's papers. continue reading further

At Number 4 ...

2009-02-10T15:34:00.003-05:00

One thing I love about Kate Winslet is that she doesn't go over the top with the type of clothes that she wears. Every outfit she puts on during the red carpet is always has a minimalist and understated quality that is fleeting in Hollywood. This particular dress is a simple shape and cut, but her personality is what brings the element of pizazz. This is a woman who is more interested in her acting career than keeping up a glossy and glamorous image. Her style actually reminds me to that of Jackie O because they don't let the clothes overshadow their natural beauty.

At Number 3 ...

2009-02-10T15:28:00.002-05:00

I love Penelope Cruz's style because she always turns out a sexy, but elegant dress. Even though she wore the uniform black to the BAFTAs, she definitely stood out from the crowd in this dress. I love the simplicity of the dress. I love the almost shiny fabric, the criss-crossed lines around her neck. The whole ensemble made her look like a dead ringer for Audrey Hepburn during the infamous Breakfast at Tiffany's moment. Even the damp and rainy weather of England didn't deter Penelope from bringing the WOW factor to the BAFTAs.

At Number 2 ...

2009-02-10T15:23:00.002-05:00

Out of all the things that Jennifer Hudson had to go through last year, it is amazing that she would want to head out into the world ever again. During this weekend's Grammy's, not only did she head out, but she headed out in style. This Roland Mouret just hugs her figure in all the right areas. What I like about Jennifer is that she proves that you don't have to be stick thin to be stylish, sexy and elegant. I guess during the filming of Sex and the City The Movie, she must have picked up a few tips from Patricia Fields.

And the Winner of the Weekend is ...

2009-02-10T15:19:00.002-05:00

I know Kate Beckinsale is supposed to be an actress, but I have absolutely no idea what notable films she has been in. That doesn't matter because this woman knows how to dress for her figure. This black mermaid dress that she wore to the Grammy's (which I don't know why she's there, as she's not a singer) was old Hollywood at its best. I especially love her wavy curly hair that just seems effortless to maintain. This is a woman who knows she is beautiful and uses it to help her reach the top of the best dressed list because lord knows she won't make it to the top of the best acting list.

Now For the Other List ...

2009-02-10T15:14:00.002-05:00

Coming in at number five on our worst dress list is Sharon Stone at the BAFTA Awards. I admire her for wearing red when everybody else came in wearing black. However, this dress seems a bit young for her, especially the fact that it squishes her torso. The dress also seems to make her a lot more linear than the more curvier Sharon that we are used to seeing. If she wants to maintain that cougar image, then this is a good outfit, but she needs to wean back a little bit before she becomes a joke like Madonna.

At Number 4 ...

2009-02-10T15:09:00.003-05:00

Leona Lewis has to be one of my favourite singers and some day might become the new Mariah Carey, but I was not impressed with her Grammy outfits. This is a girl who has a slender but curvy physique that would make practically any dress just sit on her like a dream. This particular brown dress made her seam about twenty pounds heavier than she really is. I appreciate the fact that she went for the glamazon look with all the sequins on the dress, but it just made her look pudgy. In the future, it might be best for her to stay away from this colour.

At Number 3 ...

2009-02-10T14:56:00.003-05:00

When Marion Cotillard won her Oscar last year, she looked absolutely breathtaking in the Jean Paul Gaultier couture dress and everyone had high expectations that she would be the next Catherine Deneuve when it came to style and elegance. However, at the recent BAFTAs, she wore this ill-fated black cocktail dress that just looked terrible on her. The dress makes her seem like she has wider hips than she actually does, and the white in the front makes it seem like she is just wearing an undershirt beneath the dress. Let's just hope this is one of her few fashion mistakes.

At Number 2 ...

2009-02-10T14:52:00.002-05:00

I have to give it to Paula Abdul for trying to be edgy and fashion forward, but it
seems no matter how hard she tries, she just looks horrendous. When she wore this yellow confection to the Grammy's, it just made me want to cry in sympathy for her because she just has awful taste in clothes. What I find incredible is the fact that this woman has a stylist. During her short-lived reality show (thank god for that!) "Hey Paula," she showed to the world her young stylist named Tiffany. I don't know what school Tiffany went to or if she has a deep seated hatred for Paula Abdul, but this partnership is obviously not working.

The Bottom of the Barrel

2009-02-10T14:29:00.003-05:00

Coming in at number 1 is the female "rapper" known as M.I.A. This woman decided to come and perform at the Grammy's while nine months pregnant. I can understand how at this stage it might be really hard to find clothes that are complimentary to a woman's figure, but this is just ridiculous. At first, she shows up looking like a blue Big Bird and then for her performance, puts on a sheer polka dot looking atrocity. If I were her kid, I would be forever shamed that my mother wore these outfits while pregnant with me. Next time, I think it's best if M.I.A. stayed missing in action while pregnant.

Live from the red carpet

2009-02-09T21:17:00.003-05:00

This past weekend, two of the world's most prestigious award shows or both acting and music took place. Before I slice and dissect the best and worst dressed, I want to hear what you guys think is the best and worst dressed during the BAFTA and Grammys. And we'll compare your opinions to mine tomorrow.

Coco Would Be Proud

2009-02-08T20:28:00.003-05:00

Chanel has to be one of my favourite labels in the world, and Karl Lagerfeld has to be one of my favourite designers. With every season, whether it be Couture or ready-to-wear, Lagerfeld always manages to stay true to Coco's vision, but make it modern at the same time. For his Spring/Summer 09 collection, he stayed with the black and white trend but made it unique and sophisticated. The patterns for the tweed suits looked almost futuristic and I loved the fact that tweed patterns had a mix of black and white intertwined rather than two separate pieces. I also loved the cropped jackets and the chains that came off the sides of some of the outfits mixed with the cut-out gloves which gave the clothes a rock-n-roll feel. Then on the other side, there was this lady-like, romantic look with lots of pink and fuzzy balls on the back of shoes. I just completely fell in love with all the day wear that Lagerfeld produced for this collection. The evening dresses however, I was not impressed with. First of all, there were these weird, plastic looking dresses that looked only appropriate to wear at a rubber fetish club. Then there was the ruffled, full skirts that looked almost country-western inspired, that just left a lot to be desired. Then again, Lagerfeld always said that he liked to focus more on the day wear for his ready-to-wear collection and leave the outstanding evening dresses for Couture. To watch this fabulous collection on YouTube, click here and here. Or if you wish to watch it on the Chanel website, click here.

De la Renta Pulls in Another Knockout

2009-02-07T16:25:00.002-05:00

Oscar de la Renta has to be one of the legendary people in fashion. He is the king of New York sophistication and glamour. For his Spring/Summer 09 collection, Oscar stayed with the trend of the season of mostly black,white and nude colours. However, his collection still had that rich and jet-set looked to it which is completely different from the understated look the other designers have created. I absolutely loved the shredded tops and the volume filled skirts. The stand out garment for me was the white crisp trousers that were so bright, it practically hurt your eyes. Another theme in his collection was the fact that ther was these large, almost corset liked belts, and the return of the chunky necklace and bracelet look. The purses and the shoes were absolutely fantastic. Especially the shoes because even though there were heels, they weren't the vertically challenging heels that other designers have produced. Basically these are the type of shoes where you can look sexy but you won't be dieing by the end of the night. When watching the evening dresses come down the runway at the end, it is little wonder why they call him "the king of glamour." My favourite dress had to have been the black lace dress that looked sexy but yet elegant. There is not one bad thing I'd say about this collection. To watch the full runway show, click here.

Nights in Rodarte

2009-02-06T17:32:00.004-05:00

Kate and Laura Mulleavy founded Rodarte 3 years ago and, since then, have taken the fashion world by storm. These two sisters are not the type of people you would think would be designers just by looking at them. In an industry that is as superficial as fashion, the way a designer looks is as or more important as the clothes they create. This has led to Lagerfeld and Jacobs losing weight to fit the physical ideal of what a designer should look like. Aside from Kate and Laura's appearance, they make incredible clothes. For their Summer 09 collection, the girls stayed true to their goth-rock motifs when creating the clothes. Apparently, the structure of many of the outfits were based on the skeletal frame of the human body. I love the fact that these sisters are not afraid to push the boundaries of fabric and colour to make some really avant garde, borderline couture-type look. They have to be the edgiest designers to come out of New York since Marc Jacobs. Whether they start a whole fashion movement like Jacobs did with grunge, however, remains to be seen. The only criticism I would have for the Mulleavy sisters is that their Spring/Summer 09 collection looked awfully similar to their Fall/Winter 08 collection. Other than that, I loved it. To watch the full runway show, click here and here.

Same Old Same Old

2009-02-03T18:15:00.003-05:00

For a long time the label herve leger has fallen out of the fashion spotlight but then reemerged when Maz Azria took over the design and produced their signature bondage dress in 07. When it first came out it was sexy but edgy and a new element to the world of fashion. Two years on and the same dress keeps reappearing. I'm sorry but how many times can Azria make the same short, tight, cris-crossed outfit and still be considered relevant. It would be understandable for them to try and maintain their signature look and build on it with every season but you have to show some type of change and growth. Unless the owners of the leger label want to go back to fashion obscurity they have got to change it up. Who knows it may be time for leger and Azria to part company. To watch the full runway show click here and here.

Cool Britannia 2.0

2009-02-03T17:41:00.005-05:00

The Brits have brought us such great talent as Matthew Williamson, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano just to name a few. This time they have produced a talent in the form of Giles Deacon. I love how Giles manipulates fabric to produce unique masterpieces. I first heard of him last season when he produced a dress that was hand painted pictures of headless Bambi. In today's toned down commercialized world of fashion it's so refreshing to see someone who puts the excitement back into the industry. I loved his spring/summer 09 collection because it was just as artistic as his last with all the hand painted dresses and the shredded and manipulated fabric he once again produced a stand out collection. One thing I like the most about Giles, is that his clothes are unique but still wearable. All of his dresses could be worn at a society cocktail party or to the office. I especially liked the weird hats that he gave the models that from the side looked like a Mrs. Pacman. This is a designer that you can clearly tell is going places. To wait the full show click here.

Oh Canada!

2009-02-02T16:49:00.003-05:00

The Canadian twins that are sweeping Italy have produced another stand-out collection. Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared2 came up with a 1970s Charlie's Angels theme for Spring/Summer '09. This was a very sexy, retro, but yet modern type of clothes that could fit quite frankly a wide range of women. My favourite was the high-waisted wide legged pants because the Caten twins did proper high-waisted pants. This look is hard to carry off because a lot of people think that high-waisted pants need to be so high that they touch your nipple. In reality, they are pants that are situated right above the hip bone. The only thing I didn't like about the runway show, was that it was so theatrical it became borderline campy. The whole intro they had in the beginning about the Dsquared2 angels was just too much. All in all, I think that Dean and Dan have made Canada very proud and will continue to make Canada proud. To watch the runway show click here and here.

Angels Wear Prada Too

2009-02-01T17:38:00.003-05:00

For spring/summer 2009, Miuccia Prada decided to take more of a sexier twist to her family's label. This collection was sportswear inspired but with a twist with all the sweetheart lined crop-tops and the lingerie inspired skirts. It was as if Miuccia took a page out of the Dolce & Gabbana handbook when she designed this collection. I loved the delicate look of the clothes and the sim[ple yet meticiulous detail that showed every piece. My one area of contempment was the was the gold fabric at the end that looked like yellow seran paper on the models. The bra-like tops were also meant for skinnier girls because if you were amble sized bosoms you would look like a high class hooker. The biggest show stopper in the entire collection had to be the shoes. I have seen many high heels come dowqn the run way for many years but these heels were at a whole other level. The shoes were so high that the models were practically on their toes. So unless you're a ballerina, admire these shoes from a far. To watch the full runway show click here:

Rising Star

2009-01-31T16:39:00.003-05:00

Many of you may not know the name Giambattista Valli, but he is the next "it" designer in fashion. This Italian oozes talent from every part of him. His clothes have elegance of Givenchy, mixed with the creativity of Lacroix. Valli's Spring/Summer '09 collection kept with the same colour pallette of other collections, with many black, white, and champagne colours. However, unlike other collections, there wasn't anything simple about Valli's vision. With all the ruffles, fur, and maticulous detail, it resembled more of a couture collection than ready-to-wear. I simply love Giambattista and hope that he can someday take over the reigns from Valentino or Armani because he makes romantic and whimsical clothes that are just to die for. My only negative comment about his collection is the fact that some of his knee-length cocktail dresses resembled the Alexander McQueen collection from a year back. Other than that I loved everything about it, especially the shoes. To watch the full runway show, click here and here:

Howdy Partner

2009-01-30T17:19:00.003-05:00

For Spring/Summer 09, Jean Paul Gaultier decided to do a Wild West theme for the House of Hermes. Personally, I'm not a fan of fringes and cowboy hats because I think they look tacky on anybody who isn't a cowboy. Especially fringes -- they are as bad as corduroy. The whole collection wasn't bad though. For me, I personally liked all the shirt dresses that they had, and in the end, they had very colourful, striped outfits. I especially loved all of the leather and suede pieces that came down the runway. But let's be honest. Hermes is not known for their clothes. They are known for their accessories, and when it came to this collection, Gaultier did not disappoint. I loved the suitcase looking bags that they had. I especially loved the crocodile Birkin bag. The belts and the shoes were understatedly stylish and not the exaggerated styles that we've seen from other collections. When it comes to this upcoming season, I would probably stick to more of the accessories -- except the cowboy hat. To watch the full show, click here.

My Fair Marc

2009-01-27T15:01:00.004-05:00

Marc Jacobs has done it again with his new collection under his own line. One thing I love about Marc is the fact that he does not care about trends and follows what he imagines women to look like. For Spring/Summer 09, the clothes remind me of Mary Poppins and Eliza Doolittle partying at Studio 54. The collection was very Victorian-style but with an edge. So far, Marc is the only one to use plaid and gaucho-ish pants. He stuck with his signature layered look by putting vests on top of tops on top of t-shirts and what not. But in this collection, it still seemed very refined and elegant instead of the grunge look that he was famous for creating in the late 80s/early 90s. The accessories were absolutely fabulous. I would want to wear that hat forever. And the shoes, although beautiful, looked a bit tricky to walk on. All in all, I think this is the first collection that everyone could wear, no matter height, weight or age. The only thing I was underwhelmed about were his gowns at the end that looked quite matronly. To watch the full runway show, click here and here.

The best of the night

2009-01-26T18:26:00.003-05:00

The Screen Actors Guild awards took place last night. For the most part, all the dresses on show were either really ugly or really simple. In my opinion, Anne Hathaway was hands down the best dressed of the entire evening. I love how the dress is flowy to keep with the season's trend, but is belted to accent her small waist. The little detail that is on the waist and neckline give the whole dress a little bling to bring the whole look together. It seems as if all the great styling that went on during the filming of the Devil wears Prada rubbed off on Miss Hathaway. To read more, please click here

And now we come to the worst

2009-01-26T18:11:00.003-05:00

Angelina Jolie is ususally one of the most best dressed celebrities on the red carpet. Her and Brad are considered American royalty. She also has one of the best bodies in the world, and yet she wore this atrocity. Even though tent dresses are in trend for the summer, I would not expect that people would actually wear them to award shows. Dresses like these are best left for the beach, or if you're pregnant. So unless Angelina is expecting baby number 35, she should hide this outfit in the back of her closet. To get another persons take and more pictures, click here

J'adore Dior

2009-01-25T20:23:00.002-05:00

John Galliano has produced another fantastic collection for the house of Christian Dior! His Spring/Summer 09 collection for the house is very similar to his couture collection for Fall/Winter, except with a lot more vibrant colours. There was no tent dress in sight. Even though a lot of the skirts and dresses were made of flowy chiffon and lace, there was also a lot of corsetted and belted tops. The obvious sentiment that Galliano was trying to portray was that of sex, sex and more sex. It was quite interesting coming from a very edgy designer and at certain times, it felt like he was channeling Gianni Versace as inspiration for the collection. The accessories were lovely, but I must warn you about the shoes, which were so high that professional models had trouble walking in them! So tread carefully. Even though I loved this collection, I must admit that most of the clothes seemed better suited to young, tall, slender girls. For those of you that do not fit in this category, maybe the accessories are better suited. If you wish to watch the full runway show, click here and here.

The End of an Era

2009-01-24T18:10:00.002-05:00

The Emilio Pucci's Spring/Summer 2009 collection was the last that Matthew Williamson will do for the famous Italian house. What I love about the Pucci collection is the fact that it is bright and colourful all the time. For the summer of 2009 we have seen nothing but somber and quite frankly dull collections from other designers. The house of Pucci stays true to its vibrant geometric prints. This is the first collection that truely looked like a summer collection. In his own way Williamson is saying forget about the recession. Other trends that were prevalent in the collection were that of dresses and tailored suits. There were also a lot of oversized bags and bulky accessories such as belts. The standout in the collection for me were the shoes. Even though they had metallic colours (ugh, metallics are truely back) I loved the way that they were above ankle and yet had a cut-out for the toes as if a new approach to the open toe shoe. I also loved the cut-outs that some of the outfits had that brought a certain sex appeal to the dresses. So far my favourite collection has to be Pucci and hopefully the designer who takes over from Williamson will be just as good. To watch the full runway show click here and here.

Fashion Faceoff

2009-01-23T23:36:00.003-05:00

Dolce and Gabbana Menswear Fall/Winter 2009

Armani Menswear Fall/Winter 2008

As many of you may have heard, there has been a little disagreement between Armani and Dulce & Gabbana over a pair of male trousers. Milans' Men's Fashion Week Fall/Winter '09 just wrapped up and Georgio accused the italian duo of copying his patchwork pants from last season.
He said in an interview;

Now they copy, later they will learn

Dolce and Gabbana were not about to take this lying down and have retaliated by calling Armani irrelevant and saying;

Surely we still have much to learn, but definitely not from him

There hasn't been a dispute of a copyright when it comes to fashion since Ralph Lauren and Yves Saint Laurent battled in court over the issue of female tuxedos more than a decade ago. My question to you is this. Can fashion or style really be patented when designers seem to find inspiration from each other? To read more on this story click either here or here

An Armani Summer

2009-01-20T16:51:00.004-05:00

Georgio Armani's collection for Summer of '09 was very much about comfort. Long gone are the corsets and tight dresses. Instead, there was a lot of tent dresses and Aladdin-type pants. Now the Aladdin pants and tent dresses can only work on a tall slender person, but Armani's loose slacks and flowy skirts with the tailored jackets would work on any size. The colours were the same as the other collections: black, white and pastels. You can tell that fashion has decided to go to more of a sombre minimalist type elegance for Summer of '09. I don't know if it's the economy or if it's just a trend, but it does resemble (strictly by the colour choices) more of a fall/winter type look to it. I especially love the oversize purses at Armani and the minimalist jewelry that he sent down the runway. All in all, it was a very elegant and beautiful collection by Armani. If you wish to watch the runway show, click here

The Valentino Mis-step

2009-01-19T16:05:00.003-05:00

This is the third collection for Alessandra Facchinetti at the house of Valentino. Seeing as how her previous ready-to-wear and couture collections have gotten lukewarm reviews at best, many thought that this was her "make or break" collection. In my opinion, I think it broke her, because even though it was a nice and summmery type of collection, it just fell short. Valentino is known as the King of the red carpet in glamour and opulence. Facchinetti's choices for Spring Summer '09 seemed like a cheap knockoff of Valentino's original vision. While I admire her efforts, I just don't think that the house of Valentino is the best place for her, and would rather see somebody like Giambattista Valli because his look is similar to that of Valentino's. My heart goes out to Alessandra because she wasn't a right fit at Gucci and I don't think she is a right fit at Valentino either, which must do a number on her self-esteem. Maybe it'd be best if she just finds a financial backer, and does her own clothing line. To see pictures of the collection, click here and to watch the video click here and select pret a porter's spring/summer '09 in motion.

Dolce & Gabanna Girl

2009-01-18T18:27:00.005-05:00

I was very surprised with the route that Dolce and Gabanna took for their summer 09 women's collections. The Italian duo are ususally know for their very sexy commercial style clothing. However, thing time their clothes seemed far more avant garde look that would usually come from McQueen or Viktor and Rolf. The key theme for this collect is: volume, volume, volume, usually in the shoulders and the skirts. Even though I love his collection's edgey look, its probably best suited toward women of slender and tall frame otherwise it would make you look fat and paunchy. The same thing at Versace, Dolce and Gabanna decided to use lots of balcks and white with a little bit of flower and metalic-like colours. Their shirts seem to have a komono wrap style to them which to me resembled more of a house robe than an outdoor top. I absolutely loved their bags and shoes that they had this season, it was beautifully done and over the top but not costumey. Unfortunately their necklaces and belts were a bit culky and seemed a little to Mr. T. All in all it was an inventive collection by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabanna. If you wish to watch the runway show for yourself, please click here and here.

Continuing A Legacy -- Looking at the 10 Best and Worst Dressed of '08

2009-01-18T15:08:00.003-05:00

Seeing as how the incredibly talented and insightful Mr. Blackwell has passed last year, so has his annual 10 Best and Worst dressed lists. Since I'm a huge fan of Mr. Blackwell, I've decided to make a list of my own, which I hope he would agree with. So let's start the countdown on an uplifting note, with the Best Dressed of 2008:

At #10, Suri Cruise has to be one of the most adorable creatures that ever lived. The little dresses that Suri wears on a daily basis adds to her appeal because it makes her so beautiful and elegant. One would hope that for the future, whoever dresses Suri could take the time to dress Katie as well. continue reading further

At #9,

2009-01-18T15:07:00.002-05:00

Penelope Cruz is certainly one sultry senorita. Everytime this woman hits a red carpet, especially the Oscars, she definitely dresses to impress. This dark Lagerfeld number makes her look sexy as well as sophisticated which embodies Penelope's personality through and through

At #8,

2009-01-18T15:07:00.001-05:00

Cate Blanchett is not only statuesque, what I love about her is that she's not afraid to take risks. This McQueen outfit is so elaborate that it would overshadow most people. But Cate, unlike many others, has the confidence and personality to pull off even the most costume-ish looking outfits. She proves why she is one of the few people that is deserving of the fashion icon title.

At #7,

2009-01-18T15:06:00.000-05:00

Scarlett Johansson is one of my favourite celebrities because not only is she against the size 0 bandwagon but she also dresses respectfully. Scarlett always manages to look sexy, yet sophisticated. Instead of shoving her rather large assets into tiny outfits that look like they need the jaws of life to contain, Scarlett goes for the more understated sex appeal, reminiscent of old Hollywood.

At #6,

2009-01-18T15:05:00.001-05:00

Meghan Fox is exactly what her name says. Not only is Meghan an Angelina 2.0, she has this great sense of style to her. She wears things that are youthful and sexy, but not vulgar like some of her contemporaries. Even though her tattoos are a bit of an overkill she is still Hollywood's newest sex kitten.

At #5,

2009-01-18T15:04:00.000-05:00

who can forget this year's biggest fashion film Sex and the City! I remember cancelling a doctors appointment just to go to the very first screening of the movie because I simply could not resist. Seeing as how the show was such a fashion plate, the women of SATC did not disappoint when it came to the red carpet attire. My absolute favourite though was the first red carpet premiere in London where they all wore standout outfits probably to garner each person more accolades and press than the others. Hopefully they will do a second film.

At #4,

2009-01-18T15:03:00.000-05:00

what best dressed list would be complete without the soon to be first lady of the United States? Michelle's clothes were rightfully compared to those of Jackie O by the world's media. While you won't find her taking any risks with her wardrobe, it is still pleasurable to observe her evolution through the election process. Although I doubt that she will be as fashion forward as Jackie was, she just might be able to revise the New York fashion industry with her outfits.

At #3,

2009-01-18T15:02:00.000-05:00

Gweneth Paltrow has taken a long hiatus from the film industry and therefore the red carpet, but while promoting Iron Man she has come back to the fashion arena with a bang! I completely forgot how long and lean her legs were until this past summer. Also the fact that she's worn a lot of tremendously high-heeled shoes has boosted the popularity of dominatrix-style footwear, it is obvious that with Gwen's wardrobe choices that she wants to steal back the title of 'the most fashionable leggy blonde'from Cate Blanchett.

At #2,

2009-01-18T15:01:00.000-05:00

Dita Von Teese embodies what it means to be effortless chic. This is a woman who is constantly dressed to the nines with make-up and hair, and yet doesn't look contrived like a Mariah Carey. She's the type of person that will make everyone's best dressed list for every single year. She may pick the wrong men (ie ex-husband Marilyn Manson), but she will never pick the wrong outfit.

Finally, at #1,

2009-01-18T15:00:00.000-05:00

I picked Halle Berry as the best dressed of '08 because she was the only female celebrity that made pregnancy sexy. Every other starlet thought that once they were "sperminated", they had to wear these tent dresses and over-sized tops to conceal their bump. Halle on the other hand, wore tight, low-cut outfits that displayed not only her bump, but her fabulous breasts! Halle Berry proves that just because your pregnant, doesn't mean that you can't be stylish.

Now I will look at the biggest fashion disasters of 2008. At #10,

2009-01-18T14:58:00.000-05:00

starting off the list is the resident bad girl from The Hills, Heidi Montag. Ever since Heidi has been blessed by the hands of silicone, she has worn the tightest, most revealing outfits known to mankind. This is the woman who takes the expression, "if you got it, flaunt it" as her personal mantra. There has not been a pair of halter tops or booty shorts that Heidi doesn't seem to like. In fact, she came out with a clothing line called Heidiwood in which she created her own hooker outfits for the masses to enjoy.

At #9,

2009-01-18T14:57:00.000-05:00

every time I look at Katie Holmes' outfits, I just imagine Nicole Kidman rolling around laughing on the floor. Unlike Nicole, the closest thing that Katie can get to being a fashion icon is when she gave birth to one. The problem with Katie is when she's not morphing into Victoria Beckham on the red carpet, she's just plain wierd in real life! During the summer, Katie wore these pants that were obviously too big for her, and then on top of that she rolled them up on the outside! I mean for God's sake, even homeless people know that is a crime of fashion.

At #8,

2009-01-18T14:55:00.000-05:00

Victoria Beckham, also known as Katie Holmes' bestest 'frenemy', was Mr. Blackwell's #1 choice for worst dressed last year. Even though she wasn't the most horrific celebrity of 2008, she definitely wasn't the best. Victoria's problem is that she suffers from extreme delusions. In her mind, she sees this young sexpot who is still a Spice Girl circa 1990's. But what the rest of the world sees is an anorexic, mid-30's, mother of 3, who at certain angles is a dead ringer for Cruella De Ville. With all the tight dresses that she wears, it's no wonder she's so skinny because food cannot physically travel down her esophagus. If she wishes to be this generations Audrey Hepburn, then she really has to tone down the high-class hooker look.

At #7,

2009-01-18T14:54:00.000-05:00

the possible future Queen of England, and therefore Canada (as horrible as this sounds), is Miss Kate Middleton. I always assumed that when Prince William got married, he would pick someone that is fresh, unique and would breathe new life into the stuffy royal family. But then all hope was dashed when he met this woman. Kate is less like the spunky and vivacious Diana and more like the frumpy, aging Camilla. In fact, the only time that I ever liked Kate's wardrobe was when William dumped her for a month or so in '07. If your clothes are supposed to represent who you are, then Kate is portraying the fact that she is completely devoid of any personality.

At #6,

2009-01-18T14:53:00.000-05:00

it is obvious Lady Gaga wants to be noticed as an individual. But her clothes are less unique and more freakish. This woman is so consumed by her stage personality that she wears the most awful clothes on a daily basis. Someone needs to tell Lady Gaga that outrageous costumes are meant for the stage, not the red carpet. So next time please, wear some pants.

At #5,

2009-01-18T14:52:00.000-05:00

it is obvious that Beyonce's little sister is trying to escape Beyonce's bootylishous shadow, but her attempt has left a lot to be desired. Instead of asking if Solange dressed in the dark, the more likely question is if she dressed in a coma. Solange probably thought in her own mind that all the outfits she wore in 2008 were edgy and fashon forward. But in reality, they were just stupid. Each outfit she wore completely overshadowed her, and half the time, I was more consumed with the outfit that I didn't even notice she existed! Solange should do what Beyonce did and let their mother dress her. That way, at least she'll go from wearing ugly outfits to hoochy ones.

At #4

2009-01-18T14:50:00.001-05:00

if one Khardashian wasn't enough, thanks to reality TV, humanity must suffer the presence of all the Khardashian sisters. The three sisters seemed determined to find the tightest, ugliest dresses in the world. I understand that they want to flaunt their famous derriers, but have the decency to put something good on top of it! And while your finding better clothes, do yourselves a favour and get careers as well.

At #3,

2009-01-18T14:49:00.000-05:00

the sometimes actress, sometimes model is a full-time fashion disaster know as Bi Ling. This is a woman who is determined to make a fool out of herself every chance she gets. At this point, she's known less for her Z-list film career and more for the atrocities she wears on the red carpet. Everytime I see a picture of Miss Ling, I ask myself, who is inviting her to these events? And are they that desperate for publicity? Quite frankly, I don't know what Bi does in between her guest spots on TV, but she needs to spend that time finding a stylist.

At #2,

2009-01-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

I was a toddler when Paula Abdul's career in music first started. And I thank my parents everyday for not concieving me sooner. What is interesting is that most singers' fashion sense is worse in the beginning but then it gets better over time. Paula on the other hand, seems to be working backwards. Ever since she came back onto the public's radar thanks to AI, she has worn one disaster after another. So the question is, whether she just doesn't care what people think about her clothes, or she's completely oblivious. Either way, she needs to stop shopping at the local costume shop.

The Worst Dress of '08

2009-01-18T14:44:00.002-05:00

At #1, even though she had one of the highest selling albums and the largest selling tour in '08, it was Madonna's fashion choices that really grabbed my attention. Madonna may be the Queen of Pop, but she's also the queen of "What were you thinking?" She does not have the body or the age to pull this particular outfit off. I understand that she wants to compete with all the young starlets, but she just comes off looking like she's trying to hard. First of all, she's so toned, she's practically a man, and to make matters worse, she wears a see-through lingerie outfit. I'm sorry but I don't care who you are, no one wants to see Grandma's underwear!

The Versace Woman

2009-01-17T18:52:00.004-05:00

For the summer of '09, designer Donatella decided to keep it minimal. It is refreshing, in my opinion, to see a little bit more of a conservative sexy to come from the house of Versace. They've always been known for their flesh-baring, tight garments that left little to the imagination. The colours, for the most part, are also very basic with blacks, whites, and pastels. The dresses in the end, however, had an array of colours that were just beautiful. I especially loved the last few dresses that were very flowy and tent-like. The structure and tailoring were very well done and I liked the fact that Donatella created an hour glass figure by creating a bubble area around the hips. All of the little details such as the cut-outs and heart-shaped pieces on the outfits gave it a distinctive summer, romantic feel. The only criticism I would give is the fact that some of the outfits had a metallic feel to them. I personally believe that the metallic trend has been played to death and that it needs to go away for a few years. All in all, it was a nice collection from the house of Versace. Watch the runway show here:

Sleeping with the Enemy

2009-01-17T18:23:00.002-05:00

The media industry is fast becoming one of the largest industries in the world. Many people use the media in order to get information on an array of topics. I recently saw a documentary piece that criticized Rupert Murdoch and his approach in managing Fox News. Mr. Murdoch is never subtle about his pro-Republican extreme right wing views, but one would think that a news organization should try to appear impartial. Fox News is always adamant that they have fair and balanced approaches to the way they collect and distribute information. What I found most interesting was the fact that people believed such false information that Fox News was reporting, for instance, the fact that Iraq and 9/11 were somehow connected. What disturbed many of the commentators during the documentary was that Fox was influencing every other news station when it comes to the way they report. I, for one, understand why news Medias would be more forgiving in their reporting to whatever political group was in power at the time. This reminds me of the fact that many fashion critics are becoming a lot more lenient when it comes to their critique of celebrity fashion lines. It seems that every second another celebrity is producing a fashion line as a means of revenue rather than craft. In the beginning, many of the high-ranking fashion critics from magazines, such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, would have ripped people, such as Victoria Beckham, a new one. However, it seems that any A-lister who produces a fashion line is almost guaranteed good critiques. For a long time it baffled me how these people received such good reviews, but then I realized that these magazines and newspapers needed the celebrities in order to sell issues of their publication. Established designers themselves, for the most part, remain quiet on the issue because they fear that if they criticize these celebrity “designers” it would mean fewer endorsements. It seems that now the only group that are willing to give an adequate critique are those that have blogs, and therefore, have no financial obligations to fulfill positive relationships with celebrities. Not to say that people, such as Beyonce and Gwen Stefani, are not talented, but their skills are better suited in their own field whether it be music or movies. When it comes to being a designer you need more of a qualification than just owning a credit card.

Welcome All You Fashionable People!!!

2009-01-12T14:46:00.000-05:00

This blog is designed to inform all the fashionably conscious people out there on the net. I will critique notable designers from Lagerfeld to Jacobs, introduce new fashion trends, highlight up and coming talents such as Rodarte, analyze the abundance of celebrity fashion lines as well as fashion hits and misses on the red carpet. If it has to do with fashion, we will discuss it here. So welcome to the fashionable life!
Love,
Fashion Fantatic