Ferocia Coutura on Ugly Betty...

Balenciaga Angel

I hope that a little Balenciaga angel flies into my window soon. Illustration by Samantha Hahn.

This and That From Here and There

• A Fashion geek must-have "A Fashion Questionnaire" by Michael Specter has just been released by Assouline. It interviews 21 designers, everyone from Albert Elbaz to Karl Lagerfeld to Sonia Rykiel. (Assouline)

  "In the tradition of Assouline's bestselling Proust Questionnaire comes The Fashion Questionnaire. Proust's legendary personality revealer has been recast with a fashion angle and posed to the fashion industry's most important and influential designers. From legendary greats such as Carolina Herrera and Karl Lagerfeld, to contemporary designers who break the mold such as John Galliano and Thom Browne handwritten answers intimately reveal the personalities and tastes of each designer. The Fashion Questionnaire is rare, inside look at the creative icons who influence not just fashion but contemporary culture. An insightful essay by Michael Specter on the evolution of fashion and its influence introduces the designers' answers. Like Proust, this volume also includes blank questionnaires for readers and their friends to answer."

• If you live in the UK, you can rush over to Asda and buy a £3 bikini. (Female First)
• There is a Summer Mix download for free at Urban Outfitters. (Urban Outfitters Blog)
• Albert Elbaz to design a line of jeans for Acne. Sweet. (FWD)
• Louise continues to dazzle the world with her overabundance of chicness. (The Sartorialist)(Punky B) (and about a thousand other blogs.)
  
• On a personal note, it appears I'm having one of those low self control days and have decided that it's much more important to me that I buy some new jeans and these other items than do anything else extremely boring with my money like pay my health insurance bill. Here's what's up for consideration...
  

(Glasses: Asos, Jeans: Cheap Monday, Sandals: Newport News, Skirt: F21,)

Vice Fashion Issue 2008: It Usually Began Like This

Using excessive Photoshop techniques for good and not for evil. Love this editorial, Vice is just soooo much fun....








(pics: vice)

Chloe Sevigny for Very Elle

Very Elle is a new addition to the French Elle family. It's a biannual magazine featuring "icons" such as Chloe and Charlotte Gainsbourg and the good news for people like myself is that it's heavy on photos. Chloe is wearing pieces in this editorial from her Opening Ceremony line. It certainly gives her line a bit of polish but takes away a bit of the fun and eccentricity (imo) which I really liked.






(Pics: Lux Lisbon via tFS)

Monki from Sweden

While we are finally getting a Topshop in NY (at the old YRB local) it would be even better if we can also have at Monki, a chain of shops from Sweden that sells female streetwear with a Japanese touch at reasonable prices. The same company is also behind Cheap Monday jeans which everybody seems to love. And yes, it's ferosh...

Nicole's Dress... Yay or Nay?

Oh, and if this changes anything, it's Chanel. Me.... I kind of love it.

(splash)

Aplace Video Lookbook

A short film inspired by the Swedish label's S/S 08 collection...

If I Could Have Things My Way....

(Anne Valerie Hash HC)

... this is how I would dress all the time.

(via: Brocade Design)

Lowery's Farm

Ever since I came across Japanese based label Lowery's Farm I have been a huge fan. They have a Trovata with a dash of A.P.C. and Françoise Hardy sort of vibe which I adore. Their cute and easy pieces are just what I want to wear in the summer but I have not yet been able to find any stockists that carry it outside Japan. In any case their catalog is really inspiring and fun to look at so check it out here.

P.S. They even included a crossword puzzle in their latest catalog... it's very amusing.

My Spring Wish List

(left to right): Tom Ford Black Orchid, Ylva's Fairytale Shoulder Bag, Daniel Palillo Huge Tee, Henrik Vibskov Helsinki Unisex Leggings, Maison Martin Margiela Waistcoat Dress, Alice McCall Dancing Girl Print Dress, Topshop Button Through Skirt, Linda Farrow for Luella Black Framed Geek Glasses, Whitehorse Light Feather Indian Tank, Tibi Francoise Flats, Ksubi Pleated Bubble Skirt, Alexander Wang Charcoal Suiting Dress, Moschino Vintage Skirt, Topshop Gladiator Ankle Boot, Greta Shoes by Biba, Made by Elves 1920 Oxford, In God We Trust Button Up Shorts.

Jena Malone for Dirrty Magazine

1. I love this cover, Jena looks ferosh.
2. I love those glasses.
3. You can read the full issue of Dirrty online. It would help if you understand French but regardless, they have some really lovely editorials for the rest of us.

A.P.C. Madras

You can tell when summer is just around the corner when APC releases its yearly Madras Collection, a collaboration between Jean Touitou and Jessica Ogden. The pieces are so wearable and and I am already seriously considering that one-piece...

The CobraSnake YardSale/DeathSale

Etsy Favorites of the Moment

Allison Dahl from Project Runway Season 3
Tulip Dress


Holly Stalder
Black Silk Puffy Sleeve Dress


Cocotte Couture
DORA black silk crepe tiered mini dress


ShayBelle
Carpenter Dress in Variegated Linen


Call a Rose
Super Soft Brushed Twill Cotton Shorts


Seed Clothing
Doris Mini-Dress

A Small Piece of the Puzzle

(Jean Shrimpton, NY 1962)

Could this picture have been on Miuccia's inspiration board for her F/W07 collection? One of my absolute favorite collections ever.




(pics: photo decadent, style.com)

Behind the World of Blue Jeans

Time Magazine has a very interesting photo essay this week which chronicles production of many high end brands of jeans in countries like China and Sri Lanka. See the rest of the pics here.

(pic: time.com)

Today's the Day

If you're one of the people who has been looking forward to the Gap Design Edition collaborations the good news is that it's in stores today. The less exciting news is that most of the shirts are rather underwhelming (imo) with the exception of the one above by Phillip Lim and the dress by 3as4. Thoughts?



(pics: Gap.com)

Great Fashion Moments in Film: Desperately Seeking Susan

Before Kabballah, before the yoga/pilates and a very puzzling penchant for Ed Hardy attire.... she was so much fun.

Oh, and the "inspiration" behind the Ariella studded boots by Christian Louboutin? Perhaps these?



(pic: cafe mode)

The Dov by The Wall Street Journal

When Enough is Enough

What trends have long since expired or should, in your eyes? I am personally so exhausted from seeing the keffiyeh scarf that I can bare it no longer. The dreaded Ugg is now thankfully gone but every once in a while someone digs them out to torment us all (seriously, how comfortable do you need to be?) Feel free to express your personal trend pet peeves, I have listed some below but they are just skimming the surface.

Haute Couture and Cake

Yep, you heard right, Boudicca held it's first annual cake-off this past Saturday. In case you are kicking yourself for not knowing about this and thus entering your beautiful cake creation, fear not as it will not be an annual event. Here are some of this year's highlights. Haute couture and cake..... perfect!







(pics: platform13.com)

Just Because It's Friday

Terry Richardson on Shoes and Things

Cheeky Goodness

Martin Margiela always finds new ways to amuse me. This lovely item here is the $11 Bill Wallet which would be kind of cool to own. It retails for $375. I am of the school that believes that if you have a $375 wallet, you should at least always carry $375 or more with you to justify ownership (kind of like that thing about not wearing anything around your neck that is more valuable than your head).




Next we have the Slow and Steady Wins the Race ballet flats. Again, this amuses me cause sometimes I like things spelled out for me real literal. Then again it could be all the flu medication talking which I'm now on because someone was kind enough to cough in my face the night before last w/o covering his mouth.

Rainbows and Gumdrops

She went from this....



... to this.


I haven't decided yet which I find creepy.

(pic: wenn)

Funky Time with Brüno

Weekend Troll

Here are some lovely things I happened upon from the far reaches of the internets....

Abigail A. Percy Jewelery.


Tee shirts and things by Jezebel.


Courtney Tank from Delia's.


Morgana Sandal by Free People.


Digby & Iona Jewelry.



Kola Sandals from The Rush Collection.

Agopos Sandal from K. Jacques.


Tree Silhouette Silk-Lined Clutch Purse by Red Ruby Rose.


...and just because I really love cake...

(via Happy Mundane)

Danny Roberts Illustrations

Beautiful fashion illustrations by Danny Roberts.... more here.

Just Wondering

(Stella McCartney F08/YSL F08)

I have been told by many people that know me that I have shoe mania. I don't particularly agree because I believe most girls love shoes and in that respect I am very much the same. Today, after a longer than usual discussion on why I should buy these gorgeous Givenchy-ish sort of sandals (with a 4" heel) my husband decided to let me know that I don't wear heels enough to justify spending €300 on shoes and that anyway since we are both 5'10" I am entirely too tall for them. Now the second part of that comment I totally ignored and I am a firm believer that the only men I dress for are gay men anyway but I did have to agree with the first comment about not really wearing heels very often. The problem with me and shoe shopping is that for some reason, when I in the shop, I really think I will wear them all the time which is kind of insane since that will make me 6'2" all the time. So now onto my question, how often do you really wear heels?


And if you want any advice on how to wear killer heels and survive, read this.

(pics: imaxtree)

Dulcinée New York

Beautiful vintage pieces impeccably presented. The collection is comprised of things from 1880 to 1980 and include designers from Azzedine Alaia to Chloé YSL. The purple flower print gown from 1930 is too beautiful for words...

Great Fashion Moments in Film: Lipstick

Starring Margaux Hemingway, granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. Made in 1976. Margaux looks amazing...

Lynx of the Day

Oops she did it again.... (Sky News)

Uggs prove to be dangerous to more than just your appearance. (The Sun)

Make-up is sometimes made from unspeakably disgusting things, luckily there are some lovely euphemisms made up by the cosmetic companies so we don't have to know that we are smearing crushed beetles on along with our lipstick. (NYT)

You can now watch clothing you want to buy in action at Saks. What will they think of next. (Saks5thAve)

No words can describe how awesome this dude is... do yourself a favor. (The Arab Parrot)

At this point, you have a better chance of getting hold of actual fairies than you have of getting the Prada Fairy Bag. (ThreadTrend)

Kate Moss by Juergen Teller

I know everyone is feeling a bit burnt out by Kate but I absolutely love this editorial shot by Jurgen Teller in all his cinema verite glory.






(source)

Stop the Presses: Comme des Garçons & H&M Collaboration

This totally trumps the H&M and Marimekko collaboration. Finally everyone will be able to get a piece of the true fashion avant garde. Now the only question is, how far will she go in designing for a mass retailer like H&M? I absolutely can't wait for this one!



(Pics: style.com, source)

Lessons in Milk Maid Braiding