Homecoming For McQueen

Designer Profile > In the late 80's and early 90's, Lee Alexander McQueen called Savile Row home. McQueen spent years here as an apprentice, learning the impeccable tailoring we see throughout all of his work, and now the fashion house returns.

"Lee really wanted a shop on Savile Row," says creative director Sarah Burton, " It was really important to him." "It feels special to be back [Savile Row] - almost like a homecoming in a way."

The fashion house left no detail uncovered nor did they withhold any item, as the store holds the largest offering of McQueen menswear in the world. Available in open display cabinets, all of their ready-to-wear along with their  accessories are there for clients to feel and explore before purchasing. If that wasn't enough; within the year the store will open an in-house tailoring service that will train apprentices in the same way Alexander was when he first started on the famous street. 

The detail in which you can sense McQueen in this boutique is magnificent and beautiful. The carved wall detail in stone white against cabinets with handles carved liked horns, feet like claws and cases held up by medieval chains decorated with all the romanticism and dark beauty that we have come to know and love, as McQueen.

I Watch You Move and I Can't Think Straight

Cover Lovin' > Mirander Kerr stars in this Cover story for the Australian publication, RUSH. Now I have never been a reader of RUSH myself but I have recently been drawn more and more towards the fashion world of down under. Whether it be Christine Centenera's impecable style or the color infused collections, the Aussie's know how to pull together sexy cool and this feature is a testament to that.

Take away two things from this article. 1: I would totally wear the outfit from the cover if someone would give it to me. And 2: This body just had a baby.

Maison Martin Margiela x H&M

Collaborative candy > In June of this year, H&M announced that it would be releasing a collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela in November 2012. It is almost November.

"It's a pleasure to present these re-editions of Maison Martin Margiela to a new audience, to those who were too young to buy the original pieces and those who didn't have access to Maison Martin Margiela before the days of internet shopping,"

The Collection will be released November 15th and I must say this is one of the top collaborations I believe to be done thus far with H&M. These pieces are phenomenal. Keeping their signature looks and even offering iconic styles remade and available at a more affordable price. The only thing that depresses me is the ability to get to them before they sell out. I may have to take a day off for this one..

View more of the collection here.

YSL Springs but Falls Short

Runway Review > The fashion world has been anxiously awaiting the debut of two fashion houses' new lead designers. With Dior's new lead designer, Raf Simons, premiering his first collection this week as well as their past designer, Hedi Slimane coming out of retirement to premiere his first collection with Yves Saint Laurent; both houses were under the spot light more than usual. Unfortunately, one of them turned out to be the obvious disappointment.

Reminiscent of too many 90's movies rolled into one, Slimane left me feeling confused and feeling out of touch with the season of the moment. His pieces were not cohesive and although some stood out, I was too distracted by the randomness of his presentation to truly fall in love with his collection as a whole. I felt as if the movies Hocus Pocus and The 3 Musketeers must have been playing in his workshop and somehow collided, creating a Spring 2013 Ready to Wear line, that is not so ready to be merchandised to any taste.

Positives: amazing structured blazers with piping and sequence, accessorized with large silk and chiffon bows at the neck.

View the entire collection here.

Olivia Palermo In Velvet

Cover Lovin' > Shot by Luc Coiffait, Palermo does what she does best in Velvet's 2012 September issue. She makes fashion look good. Olivia has an incredible and keen fashion sense that allows her to be feminine and decadent at all times. Always perfectly put together, sexy, classy and incredibly stylish, she is a fashion star with one of those natural abilities to hit the mark every time.  

Palermo prepares us for Fall in the most fantastic way donning Dior, Gucci Preen, Mulberry, Lanvin and more, set against a whimsical background. Seen here modeling looks very similar to her own style: dark and colorful, mix-match prints, layered and feminine, she looks right at home in looks we wish we had in ours.

Barney's x Disney

Campaign Obsession > Barney's and Disney. And no, I don't mean the purple dinosaur. What I am talking about is all of your favorite Disney characters, Minnie, Goofy, Snow White and more, transformed into high fashion runway models to don staple pieces from F/W 2012 Collections carried at the famous retailer.

Titled Electric Holiday, Barney's is know for it's ellaborate creative campaigns and this year's is no different. Creative Director, Dennis Freedman, hit a few roadblocks along the way while meeting with Disney animators. For example, Minnie Mouse's 2'ft frame needed to be transformed into a 5'11 runway model to be able to wear her designer duds from Lanvin. Yes, Minnie Mouse will be in Lanvin, Snow White in Nina Ricci, Mickey Mouse in Balenciaga, Goofy in Balmain, Daisy Duck in Dolce & Gabbana, Princess Tiana in Proenza Schouler, and lastly (and possibly the most fantastic thing ever) Cruella will be dressed in Rick Owens. (Insert cackle of excitement here).

This will not just be a Holiday campaign. There will be a "moving art short" featuring a film and 3-D light show, along with Barney's revered window displays. There will also be a ton of merchandise, including Mickey Mouse ears designed by L'Wren Scott and Rag & Bone, as well as  Vinylmation characters from DVF and Paul Smith. Barney's will also donate 25% of the proceeds from Electric Holiday purchases to a still unnamed charity.

Let Disney and fashion fill your heart this season, and feel good doing it.

 

CR. My Style Icon

 

Style Icon > Model turned Stylist turned Fashion Writer turned Fashion Consultant turned Editor. Carine Roitfeld is a Style Icon that everyone who appreciates fashion can relate to and look upon for inspiration. Stepping down in 2011 as the Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue for the past decade, Carine has been preparing something that will mark a great and much anticipated return to the world of Fashion. (As if she had ever really left.) To be released next month, September 2012, will be: CR. Fashion Book,  Roitfeld's biannual magazine.Aptly titled, Roitfeld's initials will grace every cover and her impeccable parisian eye for sexy and daring style will be sure to grace every page, making CR a quick and favorited Fashion Publication that will be sure to last and dominate those of it's kind.

Pre-order your copy here.

Here's a preview of the making of CR. Fashion Book, EEK! Enjoy.

LDR In My H&M

Campaign Obsession > I woke up this morning to find some Lana Del Rey in my H&M Fall/Winter Collection. Named as the face of the upcoming 2012 collection as well as set to appear in the winter campaigns, Lana seems to be everywhere. As you know Lana also appeared in the August Vogue Italia and I just happened to bump into her yesterday morning in West Hollywood while hunting for some vintage finds at the always entertaining Fairfax Trading Post.

I haven't decided my stance on LDR as of yet but my mind is made up as far as H&M is concerned. She looks fabulous. Their collection has a Bridget Bardot 50's housewife feel with the floral motif petal pushers and pink angora blend sweaters, the oversize cross stitch and tweed jackets. With Lana's porcelain skin, talon fingernails and striking red hair done to perfection, the collection brings old ideas to a beautiful light and Lana shines.

Weird Science

Fashion Obsession > Nasty Gal's creator, Sophia Amoruso, really should have thought about her devoted 'gals' before she came up with this idea. You can kiss my paycheck goodbye, I will literally be the woman who lived in her shoes. Because on August 27th, Nasty Gal releases their first collection for Fall 2012.

When I first heard Amoruso was doing a collection I thought the pieces would end up being a more expensive version of the items they sell now. But I am thoroughly impressed and ecstatic over the detailed and standout pieces Nasty Gal has created. Yes, you will see the bralettes and the fringe hot shorts, but you will also see 80's inspired cocktail dresses with sharp shapes and boning. Plunging necklines and bold colors. Fantastic feathers and curve revealing fits. Everything and more you could ask for, and things you have only dreamed of. The collection is only uplifted by Terry Richardson shooting the collection, styled by Sophia herself with nothing but a backdrop and a few vintage computers. Oh, and how could I forget, the girls are wearing shoes from the Nasty Gal x Jeffrey Campbell Collab.

There is absolutely nothing missing in this collection except its placement in my closet.

View and shop the entire collection here, availble August 27.

It's Actually Hurting My Heart That I Don't Own this

Wish List > Not much to say about this beautiful piece, for Love & Lemons has brought me to my knees. Available at the forever amazing Nasty Gal, this is one of those pieces that makes my heart hurt. I know if I let this piece go I will never forgive myself, and when I see some little twit who doesnt appreciate it, flaunting it at Coachella '13 I'll kick myself. Yes this little bandeau might be $108, and the skirt $188, but these pieces can be worn together and apart and on the right girl, will stop anyone in their tracks. Including me. Jaw drop. Wallet empty.

Unbreak my heart and get in my closet.