Emporio Armani: Are you ready to be conquered?

Read us here, it's prettier! :) http://wp.me/p2X2CO-aQ

Time goes by faster than we realize, and while the fall just started and most of us are pulling our coats, tights and boots out of the closet, truth is designers are covering their little mannequins with short dresses and warm colors to walk the runway. Why? Well, simple! Because fashion changes with the blink of an eye, and couturiers have to be ready to satisfy eager fashionistas who have to be “in” all day, every day. Obviously, they can’t wait until the season is over to go prepare their outfits for the next one, precisely because preparation requires time. What if all the labels and maisons decided to show their collections one week before the next season started? God bless us all!

Anyway, I don’t want any of us staying behind, so due to the circumstances, I’m starting with the Spring-Summer 2013 collection, and as said on the title, I chose Armani’s collection to serve our purpose. Why Armani? Because honestly, I haven’t paid much attention to the high-end-executive look and we can always use some help to know how to bring some vogue spirit to our offices, meetings, formal school presentations or job interviews.

1) Look A

I mean, yes, the rest of the designers we’ve examined have one or two executive looks, but lets face it, this area is Armani’s empire. Are you ready to be part of it? Are you ready to be conquered? Here, my Top Three:

1) Look A.  Goodbye, symmetry! Let’s break the rules a little here, shall we? If you read last week’s blog (as I hope you did) you’ll recall Gaultier’s fall-winter 2012-2013 collection was all about what Armani’s violating here: symmetry. Well, my friends, weren’t we talking about how fast fashion changes? Anyway, I love the lightness of the blouse, don’t you? It’s interesting how transparencies here are more opaque than last season. Also, there’s no skin showing under the clothing, but that’s mainly because that isn’t something the label loves to do. I’m in love with the skirt, which is very classical and contrasts with the unusual cut of its upper body compliment. It’s funny because if you see half of the outfit vertically, one half looks like a dress and the other like two different clothes. The colors are very light, again, to repeal the heat, and the metallic touch gives it a sophisticated air that lets us know who’s the boss.

2) Look B

2) Look B. Uh! Leather with texture!  Absolutely genius. I love the idea of wearing something that isn’t a jacket or a sweater or a blazer over the dress, simply because it innovates and originality is something the world craves. The dress is all right, I mean, it’s got a very traditional cut, the grey fabric under the light brown one makes gives it a complexity that boosts the look and makes the dress look longer, even though it’s obviously quite short. The leather blouse on top contributes to this optical illusion. Tip: buttoning the first button (yeah) of the accessory clothe on top makes you look thinner. Also more conservative, so be careful and use your judgment; else you’ll look like a very young grandma.

3) Look C

3) Look C. I. WANT. THAT. BLOUSE. What an idea! Really! Oh, and using black and white, the most powerful combo ever… just breathtaking. See how the sides of the blouse are longer and pointy? Well, it works for making us look thinner; as well as letting the darkest color be the dominant one. Take a look at the pattern on the skirt, see how again, it’s very classical but it’s contrasting with the abstract cuts of the blouse and the skirt itself? Also, the fabric is sort of plasticized, which adds modernity to the whole thing. Fun fact: the plasticized fabric reflects the light, which is almost like having our own spotlight as we walk, isn’t it amazing?

So, how can we summarize what we have learned about Armani? Like this: They like to 1) take classics and twist them up a little by 2) complementing classics with unusual textures and shapes. Post modernism on the runway, see? That’s why I say fashion is simply art in motion.

Well, it’s time to say goodbye, crazy diamonds! I hope you’re completely conquered by Armani as I am and well, see you next week! Shine all over and dream on! Lotta Love.

P.S. Follow me on twitter: @alanandall

P.S.2 All the photos were taken from Vogue.fr; enjoy!

http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/printemps-ete-2013-milan-emporio-armani-1/6893/diaporama/defile-2032/9962/pag

Quick Post: Put yourself in their OMG Shoes

So, I had some free time today and I was thinking, “God! I haven’t posted anything about shoes yet!” and so, I decided to write a quick post about the shoes of this season that, according to me, are authentic pieces of art. This is the Top Three of the Most Exquisite Pieces of Footwear a.k.a. shoes:

1) "Cedar" by Jimmy Choo

1) “Cedar”, by Jimmy Choo. Generally I’m not a big fan of animal print because it tends to look cheesy, but oh, wow! Jimmy Choo just made me swallow my prejudices with this pair of super classy printed pony pumps. Yes, pony, like, they used pony hair to make them; that I personally dislike, but hopefully they have a version that doesn’t involve something else’s hair. I love the strips on top; they make you ankles look narrower. The colors are perfect, because black and white never die and they match pretty much everything. Heel high? 12 cm.

2) "Decorapump" by Christian Louboutin

2) “Decorapump”, by Christian Louboutin. “Gaga? You there? I found you some shoes for your sober outfit!” No, really, they’re WOWing: rocker yet classic, just perfect. Gaga may wear them for office meetings, but us, well, let’s keep them for any informal outing after 12 p.m. If you want to fancy them a little, wear them with a long dress, yes, long dress. With short dresses is harder, you don’t want to look like a, well, you know. Heel high? 16 cm.

2) "Vulgara" by Manolo Blahnik

3) “Vulgara”, by Manolo Blahnik. When I first saw this pair, I thought I was going to faint. Look at this, I mean, they should be inside a shelf at MoMA! Look at the patterns so carefully traced and the texture and the unusual glow and the silhouette! I don’t know if I’d dare to wear them, quite honestly. It would hurt my heart using something so beautiful where nobody could admire their exquisiteness. If you’re using shoes this complex, keep it simple with your outfit, so your clothing don’t take over your beautiful footwear.

So, what do you think? Would you put yourself in their OMG shoes? I certainly would.

I hope you enjoyed this quick post and remember, see you Thursday!

Shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds! Lotta love.

P.S. Follow me on twitter: @alanandall

P.S.2 All the photos were taken from:

Jimmy Choo: http://us.jimmychoo.com/en/us/autumn-winter-12/cedar-online-exclusive/invt/122cedarblppo/

Christian Louboutin: http://eu.christianlouboutin.com/fr_fr/homepage/decorapump.html

Manolo Blahnik: http://www.manoloblahnik.com/

Jean Paul Gaultier- L’Enfant Terrible is here to steal the spotlight

Read us here!: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-6p It's prettier :) 

"Dressing is a pleasure; clothes are not a joke.”

- Jean Paul Gaultier

Why Jean Paul Gaultier? The real question is why did I wait until now for Jean Paul Gaultier?! This grand couturier has dressed personalities such as Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard and Lady Gaga, and I must admit the last celebrity is the actual reason I dedicated this week’s post to l’enfant terrible.

1) Look A

You see, last Sunday I was watching E! and some TV show comparing Gaga’s and Madonna’s styles popped up. Towards the ending, they showed Gaga in a beautiful JPG gown, all black with a gorgeous collar with golden details and huge feathers framing Gaga’s face. It was outstanding, you know why? Because it was classy yet risky and gothic at the same time. I really believe it has been the best outfit Gaga has come out with ever, and believe me, I’m a huge fan of hers and, of course, of clothing. Anyway, then I remembered when I was checking out the new prêt-à-porter fall-winter 2012-2013 at Vogue.fr, the first post was dedicated to him, which I totally should have interpreted as a sign to write about him ASAP!

But oh, well! No more “What ifs”! Let’s cut the blah blah blah and start with what we all care about: The Top Three.

2) Look B

1) Look A. Is that a dress? No! it’s a black velvet jumpsuit with a faux heart neckline that’s got covered the rest of the chest up to the neck and most of the arms with an extraordinarily vaporous fabric. Don’t you love the effect? It makes the femme fatale outfit actually pretty classy! It gives a sort of black wings to the model. Gaultier is an expert on making glam black angels. Jumpsuits are generally pretty good on making you look taller and slimmer, no mention the little black vest reduces the amount of clothing seen underneath and makes you look thinner still (if you have a little waist, if not, use a longer vest, one that finishes right at the hips). See the big necklace? Stay away of those unless you have a long neck, otherwise it will disappears and the neck is one of the most beautiful characteristics of human beings.

3) Look C

2) Look B. What a dress, ladies (& gentlemen, if any)! Transparencies, transparencies everywhere! I love the contrast of textures and the iridescence of the fabric! The color lies somewhere between a dark-greenish blue and a yellowish green, and though I’ve never seen it before, I think it’s a perfect fit for this season, don’t you? The imperial cut (tighter right in the middle of the ribs, under the breasts) makes the skirt fall beautifully, due, in part to the lightness of the material used on its making. This kind of dress favors almost any women. Do you see what he did with the sleeves? How they’re a little bit more open? Well, it serves the purpose of making the arms look thinner and longer. The geometry employed on the design is delightful and, in a way, adds symmetry to the body, which, believe it or not, potentiates our beauty (or so its said).

3) Look C. Talking about geometry, look at that! Transparencies and black and velvet and leather: Gaultier (if you have any questions, look at the pattern right where the legs begin, you’ll see his name written pretty clearly). What can I say about this work of art? Maybe just, if you’re planning on wearing it outside a gala or a red carpet, you should probably put something underneath; I mean, it’s a little bit too much skin. Oh! Just not something black, please! Wear something salmon or peach or nude or yellow, it’ll look way better. Even white or gray are acceptable, just stay away from black because you’ll totally mess up the details. The triangles upside down help the upper part of the body look longer, and the velvet at the end of the skirt is a faux end, so it actually looks shorter than it is. The section of the chest is perfect, because it sobers up the whole thing.

So, now you know! Whenever you want to steal the spotlight and look like Marilyn Monroe in her rock star mode, go for Gaultier! I’m crazy about his designs and his outrageous style, what about you?

Oh, I know! You’re shining all over and dreaming on, crazy diamonds aren’t you? Well, go on lighting up the world and ‘til next post! Lotta Love.

P.S. All the photos were taken from Vogue.fr, do you want to see rest of these pieces of art?

http://www.vogue.fr/defiles/automne-hiver-2012-2013-paris-jean-paul-gaultier-2/6483/diaporama/defile-1807/9327/pag

Isabel Marant: Westerns are back… in Paris

Read us here!: http://wp.me/p2X2CO-9k It's prettier! ;)


September is already here, do you know what that means? You'd better get ready for fall!!! The first entry of this month is going to be dedicated to westerns, why? Keep reading!

Honestly speaking, I’ve never been a fan of westerns, probably because to me they’re foreign and I take them as part of the folklore of another country. Say for example, when someone says the word “Western” what comes to my mind are cowboys, so that’s pretty much why I chose this title for today’s post. Isabel Marant’s Fall-Winter 2012-2013 takes us back to those characteristic landscapes where duels took place and checked chemises and boots ruled the place.

1) Look A

Isabel Marant is relatively new in the business, and it’s a little bit more relaxed than the rest of the designers, mainly because she doesn’t work with haute couture; even though this is prêt-à-porter, it can be considered as way too relaxed compared to other maisons.

Anyway, we don’t always have to be all fancied, we could also wear more comfortable clothes and still look super fashionable. Wait! Comfortable and fashionable? Well, yes, it is possible. Don’t believe me? Take a look to Isabel Maran’ts top three!

2) Look B

1) Look A. Didn’t I tell you? Totally western. This look, composed by a white blouse, a white skirt and a blue & gold patterned belt is super simple and super comfy. Advantages? You can wear this almost anywhere in daytime! At school, at Starbucks, at SoHo… The embroidering on the blouse is beautiful (don’t you love the heart in the middle of it), and of course, the star of this season’s prêt-à-porter: transparencies. The skirt is actually very casual and the design isn’t complicated, the special thing about THIS skirt is that it is made of silk, which makes it compliment our movement, making us look more graceful.

2) Look B. More western! I’m in love with the white silk chemise. The pattern made out of applications is elegant and stylizes the figure, how? Well, see how it sort of outlines the upper part of the chest? There’s a sort of cleavage included, and remember what I always say, division lines on your outfit make you look taller and thinner. Also, the line that divides the torso helps us to look fitter. The black leather skinny pants help your legs look longer and much more defined. This, as well the skirt on the previous look and the golden belt on this one, is easy to find at any mall if you know where to look for it.

3) Look C

3) Look C. The Western Queen. So far we had observed only daytime outfits, but what do you think about this alternative version of “the little black dress”? I say, “Yes, please”. It’s got some golden embroidery and applications that make a faux cleavage that elongates our torso. The high of the skirt makes the model’s legs look longer and makes her look even taller. Just remember! When wearing something this short, please don’t wear heels! It might look distasteful and that’s a big “No! No!”

I think what I really like about Isabel Marant is that her looks aren’t complicated at all, and for all the fashionistas on training, it is an easy style to follow, since she uses pretty simple clothes. What do you think? Will you bring the Western back to your closet? I’m already on it!

I hope you enjoyed the post and I’m sorry I didn’t write to you last Thursday! You know how college is, but it won’t ever happen again! I promise! As my friend Eliza said, there are no excuses for leaving the blog unattended, fashion deserves better! So, you know what? I’m going to blog 3 times a week, because it’s totally worth it.

Well, with that being said, shine all over and dream on, crazy diamonds! Have a wonderful day! (I will). 

P.S. All the photos were taken from Vogue.es; here’s the whole collection!

http://www.vogue.es/desfiles/otono-invierno-2012-2013-paris-isabel-marant/7341