Vogue June 2010 Inspiration

Although it is nearly eclipsed by disturbing articles about surrogate motherhood (a bioethical nightmare that has no place whatsoever in a fashion magazine, in my opinion) and expensive vacation destinations (??) in the June 2010 issue of Vogue, the feature "Two If By the Sea" offers some summer inspiration in the form of a photoshoot of Glee's Matthew Morrison and model Raquel Zimmermann. Here is the photo that jumped out at me from the issue as a whole:

(Photo from Vogue via chungkit)

I love the use of a simple white blazer (this one from Tommy Hilfiger) as a swimsuit coverup - it is very different and adds a surprising contrast between work and play. Another photo in the shoot shows Raquel using a tiered skirt rather than a sarong to cover up. What do you think of the trend?

Head over to Vogue via the link above to see more pics from the shoot!

n.b. As an aside, I will say that I am unhappy with Vogue magazine and am not likely to renew my subscription once it runs out next year. It favors celebrities over models in the shoots (a definite turnoff for me) and features articles like those mentioned above that not only have nothing to do with fashion, but are also offensive.

Creative Layers

(From The Sartorialist)

I actually had a conversation the other night with Fr. Mark White (recall: the priest with the cufflinks) regarding where the best fashions are coming from these days. Although I have a great deal of affection for vintage and vintage-inspired clothing like that we are seeing on the runways, is it really new? I wonder. Anyway, after some thought we concluded that Asia is really producing some new and creative fashion these days.

To my delight, the Sartorialist has been in Japan recently (the above pic was taken in Toyko). Don't you love the layering that the girl has in the photograph? Layers of lace over cotton skirt, with colored stockings...my roomate is from China and she has the same sense for lovely layering that I wish I possessed. Even the dude in the photo has an awesome aesthetic, with the vest thrown on over the t-shirt (so effortlessly cool!) and the hat.

(p.s. ack! where did all my old pictures go?!? I will fool with that later...sorry!)

Blog Review: Young, Fat, & Fabulous

Have you been thinking about the so-called "curvy" model controversy? With my sisters, myself and my mother, there are four girls in all living at my house, and the issue has definitely come up around the dinner table. The questions we've discussed involve whether catalogs should use "regular" women as models for their clothes, whether designers should use curvier models on the runway, and the definition of "plus-sized" and "curvy" in the fashion world today.

While I think I prefer to see designer clothes, and clothes in general, modeled on very thin models - giving me a blank canvas to help me appreciate the designer's art so to speak - I have at the same time a problem with the fact that the fashion world would call a normal body imperfect, a curvy woman fat, etc. What do these words mean? Would I be considered merely imperfect, curvy, plus-sized? The size of the vocabulary necessary to navigate the world of fashion makes the head spin.

Yesterday I discovered this fashion blog, Young, Fat, & Fabulous (via WORN). And let me tell you, Gabi has the right attitude and taught me volumes in the first few minutes of reading her posts. First of all, she throws the confusing body-image vocabulary out the window, replacing it with an acceptance with and love for the body one has been given in life. One thing in particular that she said really got me thinking and exemplifies her awesome attitude, so I thought I would share it here:

I still have friends who call themselves fat to get others to argue that they aren’t - something else I refuse to do. Be warned: if you call yourself fat, I’ll probably just agree with you, even if you’re a size 4. Because, what’s fat, anyway?

Too true.

Anyway, hop on over and take a look at her site. Add it to your Google Reader. Not only does this gal have a fabulous fashion philosophy, but the fashion sense I wish I had!

Classic Gangster Style

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending two performances of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (written by Bertolt Brecht and performed by CUA Drama). Aside from being a fabulous and thought-provoking production, the costuming was delicious and satisfied the so-called "greedy eyes" of this wannabe fashionista. The play made me cast my mind back to classic gangster style I'd seen in old movies like those starring Jimmy Cagney and Edward G. Robinson.

Very awesome. Since the first time I saw the play on Thursday night, I've been set on incorporating some classic gangster-style subtly into my wardrobe in case the mood hits me. Any ideas on how to do this? I did some Etsy browsing this morning and found a few pretty fabulous things:

Steel-grey spats from here.

Earrings made from bullet shells.

Finally, my personal favorite. Pinstripe cuffs. :)

Vogue Korea March 2010

The March 2010 Vogue Korea has an absolutely gorgeous spread of Han Jin. All the photos have an ethereal, feminine quality that is a great inspiration for Spring. I love the ruffles, pleats, and delicate folds on her dresses. Makes me want to find something beautiful to wear, and put flowers in my hair. (Maybe like these from whichgoose?)

Photos from Vogue Korea via Asian Models. Head over to AM for the rest of the photos (and beautiful, full-size versions!).

Inspiration India

The Fashion Spot featured an article this morning on India’s Expanding Fashion Weeks and Middle Eastern/Indian inspired fashion. Am I a little excited that I had my finger on this fashion pulse? Yes. Do you want to know where to get some inspiration on how to incorporate the look into your own wardrobe? Of course.

To start you off, my favorite place to go is High Heel Confidential, a fabulous blog written by Payal and Priyanka about Indian celebrity fashion (both male and female). The commentary is fun, but I enjoy the roundup of awesome photographs. Indian fashion is gloriously colorful and forever interesting.

The featured fashions vary from traditionally-inspired…

..to modern...

(Images owned by High Heel Confidential)

To Die For

Is everyone else loving Danni Li in her gorgeous gown and floor-length pearls as much as I am? Photo from the April-May 2010 Issue #69 of the City Newspaper, via Asian Models.

Mixed Bag

I’ve been awful about posting to my blogs lately – so sorry! Hopefully I can get back into it soon because I miss my favorite hobby. Life has been crazy lately with many exciting changes.

That said, I have a couple questions for my (scanty) readers:

1) What do you think of harnesses as fashion?

(from iheartnorwegianwood)

I am kind of digging it – seems like a nice way to define your waist.

2) My priest-fashion post was pretty popular: should I feature some more fashion-forward priests on my blog?

In budgetary news, I’ve used my book budget for the past two months to subscribe to Vogue for a year. Can’t wait for my first issue!

Lingerie on the Outside

What do you think of the lingerie-on-the-outside trend for the ladies? I think it can be done tastefully, and with a little layering can make an outfit deliciously feminine. I’m not really into the over-corseted dominatrix look, but this slip dress from Topshop would be lovely over an onionskin tee and leggings.

It is warm outside and I am getting very excited for Spring. Today is the first day I wore a short-sleeved top.

As soon as I get my hands on a camera I will post photos of my Portland purchases!

Inspiration

Head’s up: Nancy has a new post of her favorite outfits in her closet from April – December. Check it out!

Military Fashion

From Vogue.com

I saw the military spread in the latest issue of Vogue…is anyone else drooling over the look as much as I am? I can see incorporating some girly florals to offset all the khaki…

(More pics from Mario Testino’s shoot here.)

(blog it forward) what inspires me?

Whether you have visited before or this is your first time, welcome to my musings on fashion and how to stick to a monthly fashion budget. I was SO excited to hear about the blog it forward mashup and had to join in on the fun. Each blogger is supposed to post about what inspires them, their creativity, their appreciation for beauty.

Yesterday, Design Fixation gave us an exciting roundup of very colorful images and on Monday we will be treated to the inspiration behind the awesome Diary of a Smart Chick.

What inspires me?

That is a difficult question to answer.

My Lord and My God, the King of Creation, from Whom all Beauty flows. We ultimately glorify Him in the way we dress our bodies that He so lovingly fashioned.

Silence is the best school at which to learn about ourselves, our hearts, and find God speaking to us in a quiet place.True beauty flows from peace within, and being comfortable in silence is a prerequisite to learning peace. (Photo from the globetrotting Henzlerworks)

Love. My family and friends love me and enable me to be able to pass that love onto others who need it. (Photo from my collection.)

Laughter. God is evident in every real joy, every smile, every laugh. And smiles are really so beautiful. (Photo from The Journey For Truth.)

Nature. One can only find peace and love in the midst of nature. (Photo of Yorkshire Dales from my collection.)

Travel. I love adventures, anywhere, with anyone. (Photo from my collection)

I love the dreamlike quality of polaroids. (This one from Arielle Fenton)

I love fabulous shoes. (These from Alexander McQueen)

I love the simplicity of Asian artwork. (Via Holly Goes)

I love the chic style of old Hollywood greats like Audrey Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, and Rita Hayworth. (Sorry – don’t know where I got the Audrey Hepburn photo!)

And, of course, all the lovely bloggers behind sfgirlbybay, Sweet Sassafras, lobster and swan, Black*Eiffel, Cup of Jo, Missed Connections and many more inspire me daily with their wonderful aesthetic!

Christopher Kane 2010

While Cathy Horyn criticized Christopher Kane’s Fall 2010 line as “matronly” and “sickly sweet”, I actually find it quite pretty. For example, this one here intrigues me with all the lace and embroidery.

Oh my...

ABSOLUTELY. DELICIOUS. (From the March 2010 Issue of Harper’s Bazaar, via Sally Jane Vintage)

Collars

This post by Rachel at Lovely Clusters makes me want to focus on my shirt collars more…so pretty and feminine!

From darlingdexter on flickr

This one was actually my favorite of those in the cluster, and I LOVE the necklace. I tracked it down in Whitney Deal’s shop on Etsy, but the shop is closed while she moves. I hope she re-opens again soon! I want to buy some of her lovely looking pieces!

Inspiration: Vintage Photos

I have many, many blogs on my Google Reader under the heading of “Fashion Inspiration”, and the list grows week-by-week. When I post about these blogs here, I am trying to cover various styles and aesthetics. Hopefully you will find something from which you can draw inspiration and ideas.

For today: Shorpy Historic Photo Archives. Not every photo posted here has people in it (and I love old photos even without people!) but the ones that do are absolutely golden.

How do you draw inspiration from such photos without going completely vintage? Pull elements from outfits. For example, men could imitate the three-piece suit or – even better! - the shirt collars that I adore. Ladies could easily adopt the fur above (faux fur, if you like) or the adorable little hat she wears so confidently. Just a few things to keep an eye out for when you go secondhand shopping: don’t simply pass over that “old fashioned” $3 blouse or pair of shoes will an eye-roll. Pick it up and imagine the possibilities.

Back in January, the Sartorialist discussed the charm of historic/old photographs too. (I know, I know, I am always talking about Scott’s blog…but it is amazing!!!!)

Inspiration: Xiaoxi Zhang

This adorable gal, Xiaoxi Zhang, is a great inspiration for anyone trying to craft vintage-inspired outfits. Her sketches and fabulous outifts never cease to amaze me. Visit her at It Is Nancy’s New Blog.

Filippa on Backyard Bill

An interview and lovely photoshoot with another fashionista with an amazing sense of style, Filippa, on one of my favorite fashion blogs called Backyard Bill. Backyard Bill photographs people in outfits pulled from their own closets. Enjoy!

inspiration - garance dore

In case you’ve never heard of this incredibly inspiration French fashionista, you are about to become Garance’s biggest fan. Interview magazine has just published a feature on her! Check it out here.

Headpieces

When I was browsing this morning, I came across this photo that completely knocked me flat. Look at the chains in her hair! Lovely. (Photo from Le blog de la mechante – pretty photos, but sometimes the language can be a tad vulgar so I normally keep it in French.)

I did a little browsing on Etsy, and here are a couple links to similar headpieces (obviously investments):

3 Strand Golden Pixie Chain

Daisy Fields Chain

And, if you are shy about headpieces and want to go for a headband:

Gold Double Chain Headband