monika chiang fall ready-to-wear 2012

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I told you these fashion posts would be coming back. A lady always keeps her word, now, doesn’t she?

I could start of a slew of fashion week related reviews with my predictable usual favorites; Versace, Michael Kors, Gucci, Martin Grant, et cetera (see sidebar for the complete list, if you’re a curious kitten). It’s not to say they’re not to come eventually. I may be quite the stickler for the classics – from clothing items to the brand itself – but nothing excites me more than a fresh perspective. A new direction, and different vision. Is it not the very essence fashion (versus style)?

Introducing: Monika Chiang‘s first presentation this NYFW for Fall 2012.

So  wasn’t exactly groundbreaking in the grand scheme of things: I realize that. But it is me we’re talking about, and for better or for worse, I enjoy simplicity and wearability more than I ever would anything worthy of a V magazine editorial. Still, Chiang combines the elements of a few favorite ready-to-wear brands (DKNY meets Alexander Wang with a touch of J. Mendel, anyone?) for an all-inclusive wardrobe.

Both the aesthetic and essence of the New York working girl – still young, but far mature for her age – is captured by the collection. She is the modern lady who stays true to her roots – black will always be the new black – but dabbles into the color wheel. Plummy reds, rich purples, woodsy neutrals are her accents. Each separate is styled beautifully together, yet allow for flexibility in mixing and matching within the line itself, or into an already existing wardrobe. Versatility and seamless integration are brilliance in this day and age of time. A necessity, even. How else is a girl to fully utilize her tiny apartment wardrobe? I refuse to sacrifice floorspace meant for daily Pilates for clothes. Let’s not be silly here, ladies.

I love it all: it’s a succinct collection that brings together the essentials. It is possible to live with just a few pieces: a wide leg trouser, a skinny pant, a cropped trouser, a leather knee-length skirt on rotation for bottoms, and a few sweaters, blouses and coats as the only needed tops. Minimalist is entirely viable, and less is always more.

And while these are all classics, there’s an edge to each basic which elevates the piece from, for lack of a better word, basic, to stylish. Fur. Leather. Muted jewel-tones best suited for the inner rocker chick. A ladylike A-line skirt done in red (!) leather, a popped collar on an Audrey Hepburn coat. Juxtaposition and balance – it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.

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x

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alexandre herchcovitch: simplicity and basics are golden

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 I once said that a hint of vulgarity is always welcome in a lady’s wardrobe. I still stand by it. (I’m quite stubborn when it comes to personal philosophy, superficial and otherwise.)

I’m also a firm believer in simplicity. Less is more, so the saying goes, and it allows you to speak (rather than have your clothes do the talking). It’s also classic. And easy. ‘Tis the beauty of knowing your own style so well you’ve created for yourself a uniform.

… it’s been a while since I’ve written/spoken about anything fashion-related here – which is irresponsible of a self-professed fashion/style blogger. Busy, vaguely uninspired (or apathetic? I’ve been unable to put down Bitchfest) – I could come up with fantastically viable excuses. But all that is irrelevant, I’ll make up for lost time. I saw the below snapshot on the one and only xoJane.com and felt all sorts of giddy and excited – feelings I haven’t felt about fashion since… I don’t know when.

Spotted, at NY Fashion Week, backstage at Alexandre Herchcovitch:

Simplicity is golden. Literally. Look at those eyes!

Tell me this isn’t amazing. (Thought so.) Yes, the model is stunning, and yes, those gilded eyes are gorgeous against her complexion, but let’s focus on the perfected art of the model-off-duty look.

Basics are essentials for a reason. A heathered grey tank paired over a mesh bralette is simplicity at its finest: part edgy, part sexy, wholly effortless. While I can’t see what she’s wearing on the bottom, I’d imagine this top half of the ensemble to go perfectly with black skinnies, leather pants or leggings and combat boots, Converse, or a pair of pumps. Versatility is king, and this look takes a busy girl from day to night with a change of shoes. Makeup touch-ups optional.

I’m not sure what she’s wearing, but my guess (and the xoJane writer) is American Apparel (I don’t agree with their company culture, but I appreciate their vision as a fashion brand). And by guess I mean quite sure – I’m willing to bet that this model is wearing the AA Tri-blend racerback tank in tri-black over the black mesh bra.

Here’s to Friday!

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happy valentine’s day!

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I get the whole corporate-ness and superficiality of it all – I do. But I can’t help but say I love Valentine’s Day, single or not, down to the unexpected texts and hearts-sprinkled cupcakes.

Live a little, love a little and if you’ve always been a shyer or more private of a person, use this holiday as the petit push you needed to tell not just someone else – friends, family, a lover, a crush – but yourself, too, “I love you.”

Think it. Believe it. And say it, out loud.

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“every time you wear sweatpants in public, a single guy leaves new york.”

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A much warranted catch-up by skimming through Jezebel left me speechless at this image from one of their top articles:

So we’ll sacrifice any progress made in the feminist movement for a sole marketing ploy? Cute, yes, but as much as I enjoy the occasional indulgence in humoring the quintessential Cosmopolitan column, but to what extent are we going to objectify women – ourselves?

And the last time I checked, “sweat pants, hair tied, chillin’ with no make-up on” was  ”when you’re the prettiest” was the realization of the century. Drake’s words, not mine.

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x

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hellooo, february.

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Only the first of February would be welcomed with 60-something degree weather – a luxury and rarity in the midst of a New Jersey winter. A good omen? I think so.

I almost wore my latest and (one of my) favorite purchases today – a blackberry, turtleneck sweater dress with, of course, black pumps and leather jacket (taken from my mother’s closet, I adore it to no end). (Have I ever waxed poetic for you about how much I love turtlenecks? Sweaters? Sweater dresses? If I haven’t, it won’t be long before I do. Promise.) But I was barely out the door when I realized that my outfit was more suited for a date night than a morning lecture on “Statistical Methods and Applications in Business,” and promptly changed back into my uniform. Ah, the woes of a college student.

My excitement in getting ready for the day, pre-reality check, was only a superficial recognition of the fact that I love the first of every month – it’s another milestone. But the first of February is unique: it’s the signifier of winter’s closing, and spring’s awakening. And amongst being the month burdened/honored (your choice, here) with Valentine’s Day, February is Black History Month.

I sometimes need to tell myself this.

I’m conflicted. The effort in recognizing different ethnicities and cultures is commendable; I appreciate it. Students are exposed to individuals and movements the textbooks only give a minute footnote or single paragraph about. But after that one month, once the 28th rolls around, posters are stripped down and left to collect dust in the backs of supply closets or trash bins, and we forget until the next year. Establishing a “_____ Month” is admitting to a predominantly white-centered culture and hinting at the disposability and segmentation of minority history and culture from “the norm.” Year-round recognition is deserved. It needs to be interwoven and incorporated into education. Into the textbooks, so history is less one-sided and more wholesome.

“There should be a drug class, there should be sex education, there should be a class on scams, there should be a class on religious cults, there should be a class on police brutality, there should be a class on Apartheid, there should be a class on racism in America, there should be a class on why people are hungry, but there are not, there are classes on… gym.”

– Young Tupac

Yes. And more. We shouldn’t have to wait until our college/university years to be given the opportunity to have our minds opened and let our hearts question with courses on gender, race and class. They say better late than never, but if our society is any indication of what we can hope for in the future, these are the classes that need to be taught to kids. Kids aren’t stupid; it is in our youth when we retain the most and learn the best.

I understand that on more than one occasion – this being a prime example – that I’ve digressed from what this blog (and why I blogged, back in the LC days) began as. I have no control of my fingers, they type at their own free will.

I’ll resume to more frivolous things soon, promise.

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x

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