Last night I was watching America's Next Top model and they featured this beautiful Brazillian designer named Cris Barros. I found that I was having a very positive reaction to her clothes. They were so airy and light and seemed to transport me into a world draped in cotton candy shades. The colors and the textures were everything I would want in my dream closet. I live with the basic syle principle that simplicity speaks volumes. I find that I travel between two ends of the spectrum when I choose an outfit: on the one hand, I live in my Equestrian black riding boots and black skinnies. I love the sleek lines and opportunity for bold color on top of the ensemble and even bright accesories to match. On the other hand, pull out something that looks like it should be at the top of a cake and I will flip over it. Soft colors, light pastels, breezy fabrics and dainty prints are irresistable to me. Barros captures all of this and more. She has the ability to bring strength to dainty beauty. She can empower a woman's grace without compromising this indescribable gift that we have to let our clothes do the talking. The delicate looks do not supress us, instead they transport us somewhere in the fairy tale.
I've been a devoted fan of the skinny jean since it's reincarnation into the 21st century. I live in my skinnies... Recently though, I was thinking about the 1960's and 70's. Specifically, the era of Jesus Christ Superstar. I know... I know. But, if you really take the time to disect the fashion in that movie, I can't see how you wouldn't be inspired. The closest thing that anyone can get to a bellbottom (whitout really wearing a bellbottom) is a great pair of flare jeans.
They're not so disco-licious as to say "Let's go to studio 54 and inject heroin into our veins." They're more of a wink, a silent ode to the groovy generation. A flare jean can go two ways: The free flowing flowery business or the anime hooded video game bandit. If you're not careful, a flare jean can make you look at the oldest, fourteen years old. There are a few things you can do to avoid this: Please...please please please DO NOT FLIP FLOP IT... I think those "shoes", if they must be worn, should be worn at the beach (alone). Also, avoid the hoodie and the sneaker or anything too casual on top. (you're already in denim!) To make the look grown up, and pay tribute to the best generation of all time: Pair the jeans with a heal. Espadrilles would rock it out, or any other kind of platformed shoe. Want to be "comfortable"? Alright fine, work it out with the gladiator sandal I mentioned above or any other flat strappy number. Now if you think about what kind of tops look really great with skinnies, you might think of flowy, generally loose fitting blouses. Well now think of the flare. You've got the flow at the bottom of the ensemble now, so nip it in at the top. Not too much, avoid tight t-shirts. Button downs would work, basically anything that isn't a tent. You can still do flowy on top, depending on how much of Janis Joplin you want to channel but to keep the look modern stick to somewhere in the middle.
I want to mention that I don't think skinnies are going anywhere anytime soon. They're amazing and will eternally be sexy (depending on who wears them!) But let's work with the flare, give it back it's dignity!
So, a few weeks ago my sister, her husband and I spontaneously decided to see this documentary about Valentino. It was it's first weekend in Chicago, and the turn out was very very good. With that said, we huddled in the front of the theater to watch the film. To our great surprise, the director came out to introduce his movie! Matt Tyrnauer, a journalist from New York (Vanity Fair...hello future profession) had spent two years with a camera crew following the legendary designer while capturing every tantrum, tear, beautiful gown etc...
The movie itself was made for people like me. It glorified fashion. It made it important. So often, people put people in the fashion industry at the top of the pyramid but fail to give them respect because what they do isn't "important." Like hell it isn't! Even the most fashion challenged person out there as a favorite pair of shoes, or a dress that makes them feel good. You breathe it and don't even know it.
I knew the movie would make me cry, because it's all about the end of this empire. For the last 45 years Valentino has been the ultimate designer: untouched and ranked as the best. Now he's retired, and the fashion industry will never be the same. Who knows if that's necessarily bad. IT could just be that it's evolving.
One thing you'll notice is that he adores women. Everything about a woman: From head to toe, he appreciates beauty and most importantly respects it. If all straight men could move past the "hot" adjective and learn to describe a beautiful woman as a gay man does, than I'm sure they'd have better luck with a certain kind of lady. I see that quality, celebrating and empowering women, in a few designers today: Zac Posen and Marc Jacobs especially.
I walk the line between the fairy tale and the abyss. This blog is a testament to all things make believe, all things art: fashion,film,music, books,artists, muses and all creative mediums.
Last night I was watching America's Next Top model and they featured this beautiful Brazillian designer named Cris Barros. I found that I was having a very positive reaction to her clothes. They were so airy and light and seemed to transport me into a world draped in cotton candy shades. The colors and the textures were everything I would want in my dream closet. I live with the basic syle principle that simplicity speaks volumes. I find that I travel between two ends of the spectrum when I choose an outfit: on the one hand, I live in my Equestrian black riding boots and black skinnies. I love the sleek lines and opportunity for bold color on top of the ensemble and even bright accesories to match. On the other hand, pull out something that looks like it should be at the top of a cake and I will flip over it. Soft colors, light pastels, breezy fabrics and dainty prints are irresistable to me. Barros captures all of this and more. She has the ability to bring strength to dainty beauty. She can empower a woman's grace without compromising this indescribable gift that we have to let our clothes do the talking. The delicate looks do not supress us, instead they transport us somewhere in the fairy tale.
