Paco Rabanne: Beyond One Million

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If I could describe Paco Rabanne in one word, it would be “originality”. I mean, let’s be honest, this guy really has got creativity! Don’t believe me? You’ll see it in a bit. So, why did I choose Rabanne for this week’s post? Simple, because he’s a great designer and most people only have heard of him because of his perfumes: “One Million” and “Lady One Million”; not fair at all.

In order to expose & analyze Rabanne’s works of art, I picked my favorite looks of the Fall- Winter 2012-2013 collection. Are you ready? Here you go! My top three:

Look C

1) Look C.  The third place goes to this black & golden suit. I love the longitude of the blazer, the golden details on the side, and how it opens in the end. Especially the design on the bottom edges of the blazer caught my attention, because it adds a beautiful motion, resembling to the frailty of a butterflies wings. The pants are average black but the belt does add a certain something, plus, do you see what he did with the belt and the blazer’s edges? He’s framing the blouse the… metallic blouse! I mean, those look like coins, right? Who else would have thought of doing such a thing? And in such a striking way? Nobody, nobody, nobody…

Look B

2) Look B.  The second place goes to this leather & metal black blouse and skirt (although it looks like a little black dress, right?). I love the shreds, I just love how they hang all over and the glow of the plastic look they have. The thing about this look is that it uses very conservative patterns but turns them all around! Take a look at the skirt, for example; see the buttons on both sides of it? That’s a classic, but we’re used to it in its regular making, made on regular fabrics. Also, see the neckline detail? That’s the one most of us used as little girls but, oh, wait! It’s made of leather and framed with a super thin metal chain.

Look A

3) Look A.  The first place goes to this black, gray and blue dress. Now, the real question here is, what is it made of? It looks like chips, like those used on board games and casinos. Well, I think it’s a brilliant idea to do something like this: it’s futuristic, it’s unique and reminds me of the dresses used for Charleston. The long V neckline is ideal for stylizing the upper part of the body and the division right at the hips is truly clever because it means any woman would look great in that dress (Yes, any).

Well, what do you think? Next time you hear “Paco Rabanne”, will you go beyond “One Million”? If you do, my work here is done.  

Have a wonderful day (morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night) and remember, shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds!

P.S. All the photos were taken from Vogue.fr; go ahead and take a look!

http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-paris-paco-rabanne/6247/diaporama/defile-1606/9014/pag

Michael Kors: The Fatal Temptation

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Last summer I got a job at New York, two hours from what’s better known as “The City”, and I’d go there on every single chance I had, even when it meant waking up at six a.m. and arriving to the little town I was staying at around 12:30 a.m. From the moment I got there, I fell in love with New York City, so I decided to spend my last two days at the U.S. in this wonderful place. During the morning previous to the one I was leaving, I walking around Madison Avenue at my beautiful Manhattan when suddenly, something made me turn my head immediately, any guesses? Well, no, it wasn’t any superstar or gorgeous model, it was this: (Yes, I even took a photo of it.)

I absolutely fell in love with this dress and, I mean, who wouldn’t? The design, as you may notice, belonged to one of the best designers the U.S.A. has brought to the fashion world: Michael Kors.

Look A

I was about, like really about, to give my unconditional love to Michael Kors instead of to my favorite, my one and only, the maison CHANEL (I know, shame on me; but hey! Anyone has its low points!). Then I remembered why it’s called unconditional love, so I decided to stay faithful to La Grande Mademoiselle. Anyway, I remembered the amazement this dress made me feel, so I decided to write about Michael Kors’s Fall-Winter 2012-2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection; ready for the Top 3? Go!

1) Look A. Finally! Somebody designs something that looks like it belongs to the Fall-Winter season! I love the coat; that Scottish pattern makes me feel like Christmas! And the fur unequally distributed makes it look arty but chic. The style is definitely the one of a New Yorker, I could be using that to go to an exhibit to the MoMA. The leather is a basic to Kors, who totally loves to boost the clothing with it, though I’m really hoping those are leather pants and not leather leggings, because there’s nothing more distasteful than using leggings with a blouse instead of grabbing pants, DON’T EVER! The T-Strap pumps are nice, though almost any shoe would do. I know the chemise doesn’t show very well, but it’s got a long V-shaped neckline that matches perfectly the leather and the Scottish pattern.

Look B

2) Look B. The skirt is genius, because it looks like a sort of poncho, which increases the ethnical look that the pattern already gives. The sweater is cool, just a little bit too average and I rarely like knitted stuff, especially when the linen is so thick. The belt is a good touch. The shoes are super nice, make the legs look longer and the feet look thinner.

Look C

3) Look C. This one’s my favorite! The leather blouse is absolutely beautiful! The baggy beginning of the sleeves and the tight end make the arms look thinner, and the pleats on the neckline help the blouse get puffed, which makes the body look slimmer. The trousers are super low rise though shorter (If you’re short don’t wear this kind of trousers unless they’re super low rise and you’re wearing high heels) and the fabric is a great choice because it makes them look more léger. The black Mary Janes are really cute.

As you could see, the favorite colors of Michael Kors are red and black, and even though I love the combination because they’re both very strong colors, they remind me of the flag people use for strikes; maybe when wearing them we’re actually protesting, protesting against looking like everyone else and not standing out; we all deserve to stand out.  Also, they’re very dark colors, a warning of their sinister power to seduce us: try on under your own risk.

Well, that was it chères readers! I hope you liked this week’s post and fell for Michael’s modern and cosmopolite style!

Shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds!

P.S. All the photos were taken from Vogue.es; go ahead and take a look!

http://www.vogue.es/desfiles/otono-invierno-2012-2013-nueva-york-michael-kors/7214/galeria/pasarela-5578/13414

IN VOGUE: It’s all about Marni, honey!

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As we all know, VOGUE sets fashion; if it’s in VOGUE, it’s on. A few months ago I was going through Vogue.fr (my personal favorite) and, in the section of “Croisière 2013”, I found on top of the page a picture of a look that belonged to a kind of style I certainly hadn’t seen before; the name on the image? Marni. I didn’t pay much attention to it because I was looking for Chanel, but the word “Marni” kept repeating itself over and over in my mind. A couple of weeks ago I bought this month’s edition of VOGUE and in one note about Eva Mendez, I saw a picture of a shoe that reminded me of Chloé with a bit of Blanhik; guessed the fashion label? Marni.

What happened next? I decided my next entry on this blog was going to be about Marni, and here it is.

What should you know about Marni? It’s relatively a young fashion label and it is so, a fashion label, not couture. The designer has been Consuelo Castiglioni from the start and, as the name suggests, it’s Italian.

Marni’s looks are definitely something to think about, because the cuts of the clothing are conservative, but the patterns are something you’d never imagine in such garments; and that, my dear readers, is exactly what makes it fabulous: the creativity behind the surprise that makes us say: “Ah!”

1) Look 3

Here are my top three belonging to, as you may have deduced by now, Croisière 2013:

1) Look 3. First word that comes to my mind to describe this? Tomboy, don’t you think? I love the pants, we’re so used to the skinny ones that this change is definitely for good. The horizontal stripes make the part of the legs look thicker, but due to the baggy effect, this visual illusion makes us believe that the legs underneath the pants are actually thinner. The lightness of the lower part of the outfit contrast perfectly with the vivid colors on the upper one: the hot & cold of the chemise is always a good choice (red + blue). The vertical lines on the chemise make the upper part of the body look longer and slimmer. The detail on the neck is really a nice touch. I wouldn’t wear the brooches, though.

2) Look 2

2) Look 2. As you may know by now I love transparencies, and this skirt looks just gorgeous. The A –Cut makes the waist look smaller, and the belt precisely on the waist, helps out the effect. This double division, one marked by the belt and one marked by the top of the skirt, make the upper part of the body look longer. The chemise is cute, but what really pumps it up is the brooch. I love the long socks and I certainly would give a try to those moccasin-wedges, the next “it” style talking about shoes, perhaps?

3) Look 1

3) Look 1. I didn’t know how much I liked the pink-deep blue-white combo ‘til I saw this; it’s beautiful! The coat is super classy and I love the buttons on both sides of it. The chemise is pretty, again with vertical lines in the middle of it. The skirt up to the waist makes her look thinner but due to the socks, she also looks shorter (which is like crazy, because the model is at least 1.75m). I’m not a big fan of the shoes, too average. The brooch is amazing. I think what really makes this a knock out is the matching of the elements, I mean, by themselves they’re great, but together they’re fantastic.

Well, hey! That’s what fashion is all about, equilibrium of the elements. So, what do you think? Did you like it? If not, I hope at least you enjoyed reading this and adding more knowledge to your already wide collection of fashion information.

Thank you so much for reading “I’m Too Editor’s Choice”, I’m looking forward to next week, do you know why? Because I’ll be talking about the one designer that made me question my loyalty to La Grande Mademoiselle!

Shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds!

P.S. The three looks were taken from Vogue.fr Marni’s diaporama: http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/croisiere-2013-milan-marni/6496/diaporama/defile-1814/9351/pag

London Taste with McCartney and McQueen: The Olympics reach the runway

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Some of you may love the Olympic games, some others may just hate them and can’t wait ‘til they’re finished this weekend; what we can’t deny is that they’re what’s hot, so I thought: “Why not?”

As we know the Olympics are currently taking place at London, so that’s why I chose British designers for this post. The ones I picked are Stella McCartney (because her dad sang at the opening and it sort of reminded me of her) and Alexander McQueen (by Sara Burton, who designed the wedding dress for Catherine Middleton).

How is this post going to work? Well, when participating at any sports events, the contestants gain and lose points depending on their performance, so I took the best and the worst looks of both designers (belonging to the Croisière 2013 collection) in order to evaluate the collection and see who deserves the gold medal on the runway.

Ready? Go!

Stella’s Best

(Left to Right) The fist look is very fresh due to the floral pattern, and I think it’s perfect for summer. The skirt goes up to the waist, which makes the model look taller and fitter, while the neckline is a long V, giving the illusion of a longer neck and a narrower chest.

The second look is really chic. The open sleeves make the arms look thinner. The dress is divided in three: below the ribs, right at the hips and 10 cm under the knees. The block that goes from below the ribs to the hips is covered in strings, dissimulating any existing volume at the stomach. The string details are gorgeous and take us back to the fifties; they’re super glamorous.

The third look is a beautiful suit, all in black, with pants that go up to the waist and a jacket that ends 15 cm below the hips. (Tip: Wearing longer jackets make anyone look thinner and taller.)

Accumulated note: (1^st 98 + 2^nd 95 + 3^rd 97) /3= 96

Stella’s Worst

Ok, I know I’m NOBODY to judge Stella McCartney, but I’m sorry, I hate gramma sweaters and she seems to love them. I mean, c’mon, even the mannequin looks disturbed by the clothes she’s wearing! On the fist look the sweater is just wrong and the skirts’ pattern is the cherry on top. Talking about the second look, the colors on the sweater, are like, what happens when a nursery meets Subway.

Accumulated note: (1^st 56 + 2^nd 58)/ 2= 57

Total: (96 + 57)/ 2= 76.5

Alexander’s Best

The first look is presenting a jumpsuit, and we all know jumpsuits are IN this year (and d’après McQueen, next year as well). The floral pattern is eclectic and elegant at the same time, and the belt right on the lower part of the ribs is what makes it a designer outfit. The straight neckline is super cool; it always makes both, back and chest, look narrower.

The second look wows me, seriously. It’s classy but edgy at the same time. The oversized neck detail makes the chest look narrower and the division right in the middle of the upper part of the body on the chemise makes accessories unnecessary. The pants are up to the waist and the white lines in both sides stylize the legs, making them look longer. I don’t really like the flared leg opening, but it’s all right. If you’re short, don’t wear this kind of pants.

The third look is really McQueen’s essence (or so I believe). It’s bright, turns heads and completely unexpected. The belt is genius. The double end makes the model look taller.

Accumulated note: (1^st 97 + 2^nd 99 + 3^rd 97)/ 3 = 97

Alexander’s Worst

I know McQueen is sort of futuristic but this suits make the mannequins look like robots. I don’t like the patterns and I don’t like the way the belts are used. Oh! And I don’t like the shoulder pads. Hate me all you want, but I have to say the fabric on the fist outfit looks cheap (Ouch!). The fabric on the second look is nicer, but I’m not sure it’s a good option for croisière; it’s more a fall-winter kind of thing.

Accumulated note: (1^st 82 + 2^nd 87)/ 2= 84

Final note: (97 + 84)/2 = 90.5

The judges have deliberated, the numbers have spoken and the winning designer is obvious. The gold goes to…

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN!!!!! (Applause!)

Sorry, Stella! Truth be told, Sara Burton thought a little bit more when designing than Stella did. I mean, dedication shows.

I’d like to say I didn’t intend to offend any of the designers, since they’re both super capable and amazing. It was just my opinion and I totally understand if you disagree with it.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it! The Olympics are almost over, so don’t forget to watch the closing ceremony on Sunday!

Shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds! See you when I see you!

A.C.

P. S. Photos taken from Vogue.fr:

Alexander McQueen:

http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/croisiere-2013-paris-alexander-mcqueen/6382/diaporama/defile-1736/9179/pag

Stella McCartney

http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/croisiere-2013-paris-stella-mccartney/6307/diaporama/defile-1664/9081/pag

GUCCI VS PUCCI: The Italian War Is On

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Whenever any friend of mine tells me off because I don’t happen to know a certain song, haven’t seen a certain movie or never heard of certain book, I throw at their faces the following sentence: “Oh, really? Well, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Gucci and Pucci!”

My sister’s answer to this statement was by far the most reasonable: “Gucci is written with ‘g’ and Pucci with ‘p’” The funny thing is that it takes just a letter, it only takes one letter to go from a luxury brand to haute couture. Another fun fact: they’re both Italian.

Gucci’s whole name is “House of Gucci”, and its creative director is Frida Giannini. Even though Gucci is VERY recognized in the fashion world, it is not couture; it’s a luxury brand like, for example, Louis Vuitton. Pucci is the abbreviation for Emilio Pucci, and it is qualified as haute couture (even though here I’ll show their prêt-à-porter); its chief designer is Peter Dundas.

So, those where two dissimilarities between Pucci and Gucci (the letter and the classification), but hey! What about the style? That’s the real thing, because its what makes you tell a Gucci from a Pucci just by sight. In order to define the approaches of Pucci & Gucci I’ll compare eight looks (four each) from their collections of Fall-Winter 2012-2013. For all the comparisons, I took two looks that, even when using the same elements, were also defending their signature. 

Are you ready? Go!

1) Skirt & Chemise

Similarities: The skirts belong to the same style. The chemises have transparencies and turtlenecks. The two mannequins are covered in black.

Differences: The Gucci skirt is made in velvet and has got some kind of belt made of the same textile, while the Pucci one is made of leather and has an aperture on the left side. The Gucci chemise has puffed sleeves and the transparencies are covered with lace, while the sleeves of the Pucci one stick to the arms and the transparencies on the chemise are very clean, small and simple.

2) Slacks & Chemise

Similarities: Vaporous fabric for the chemise.  

Differences: Where do we start? The Gucci slacks go all the way to the floor, are super loose and start on the hips, while the Pucci ones start on the waist, have no drawings on them and finish around 15 cm before they get to the ankles. The Gucci chemise has velvet details, puffed sleeves and ties, while the Pucci one appears to be completely plane. I love the sweater on the Pucci look, btw.

3) Cocktail Dress

Similarities: The length of the skirt. Vaporous fabrics. Adjusted at the waist. Black.

Differences: The Gucci dress’s got a V cleavage covered in frills, lace and puffed sleeves. The Pucci dress’s got a halter cleavage and a v-neck combined, an aperture in the vertical middle of the skirt and sleeves that work as a second skin. It is also very plain and the details are on the seams, which give the illusion of geometry.

4) Night Gown

Similarities: Diamond cleavage. Round neck to hold it together. Black.

Differences: The Gucci dress is completely made of vaporous fabric, with feather details. The Pucci dress possesses a sold fabric and is open right in the vertical middle of the skirt.

So, what do you think? Pretty easy, huh? Gucci is more romantic while Pucci is super sophisticated. I personally prefer Pucci because it’s simpler and you know what they say: “less is more”. Nevertheless, Gucci’s pieces are also a work of art, just a little more nostalgic. It all depends on your style, which would prevail in your closet?

I hope you enjoyed spotting the differences as much as I did, have a wonderful day! And what will you say the next time someone calls you ignorant about something? Exactly: “You wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Gucci and Pucci!”

Shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds!

Write to you later!

A.C.

P. S. All the photos were taken from Vogue.fr. Here’s the link for the Pucci diaporama:
http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-milan-emilio-pucci-1/6160/diaporama/defile-1520/8838/pag, and this one is for Gucci’s:
http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-milan-gucci-2/6145/diaporama/defile-1505/8810/pag .