Posts Tagged ‘Current Crushes’

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Current Crushing On // Duro Olowu for JCPenney

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

For their first designer collaboration JCPenney chose no other than the inimitable Duro Olowu. Style enthusiasts all over rejoice because JCPenney could not have made a better choice. The Nigerian-born British designer is celebrated for skillfully making beautiful clothes that embody a joyful juxtaposition of 70′s tailoring, rich texture and vibrant print.

Olowu’s (a favorite of Michelle Obama and Uma Thurman etc) collection for JCPenney consists of women’s clothing, shoes, a full line of accessories, home decor goods and stationary. The line is pure Olowu through and through; the clever mix of fabrics and textures, the timelessness (his clothes are not bound to fickle fashion seasons and flatter every woman no matter her age) the 70′s sensibilities and the joyful celebration of women.

For the collection the designer had the genius collaborate with other talent on certain elements; accessory queen Iris Apfel on the multi colored necklaces and bags and artist Bella Foster on the prints.

In stores and online in March (priced between $10-$100), JCPenney could not have chosen a better fashion designer for their first seasonal designer collaboration.

See more images from the Duro Olowu x JCPenney look book

More on Olowu here.

Past crushes.

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Currently Crushing On // ALDO Rise Spring 2012

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

Fashion is no longer a commandment, it’s a collaboration – ALDO Rise zine issue 2.

I could not agree anymore with that quote.
In recent years we have seen fashion and the creative industries join forces, come together and collaborate more than ever before.  I suppose it is very of the moment, a sign of the creative times, perhaps to be seen as the new order…
 
Reiterated by  the whole phenomenon of blogs and a site like this, fashion has gone from the dictated to the discussed.
 
It is no wonder that this pattern of teaming up has become the shape of things, not to come but of the present moment. Some of these collaborations have been significant, others not so successful and unfortunately not particularly memorable.
 
I thought it was time I shared one such collection that I’ve been crushing on for some time now. I even wore a pair of shoes from the initiative (the Preen x ALDO Rise design as seen in the above collage) in question in this style diary post.
 
I think it was genius that through the RISE collaborative project, high street shoe giant ALDO came teams up with the fashion’s most interesting talent. For spring 2012 which sees the second collection of ALDO Rise, ALDO collaborated with a varied designer roster; J.W. Anderson, Mark Fast, Preen, Cushnie et Ochs, Libertine, Julian Louie and Christian Cota. The shoes birthed from this teaming up of high street footwear and high fashion talent were worn in the runway collections per respective designer.

It is like a celebration of each designer’s unique aesthetic in shoe form as powered by ALDO.

With each shoe distinctively staying true to the vision and creative voice of each participating talent. Take the three above as examples; J.W Anderson’s continued exploration of texture is seen in the feather juxtaposing against the leather etc, Mark Fast’s genius with knits comes through in the above stilettos as the cut outs look like actual loop holes in knit, Preen’s blown up pixel foray and focal proportion are as present in the above heels as they were in that corresponding collection.

Two heads (here it is two very clever heads ie ALDO and the collaborative individual respective design houses) is usually-always-in this case better than one.

Crush on the current ALDO Rise collection
 
Past crushes.
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Currently Crushing On // Paisley Print

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

I’ve always had a soft spot for the good old paisley print. As a teen I wore a battered paisley print shirt to shreds. If I could wear any paisley today as an ode to that beloved shirt and my teen self, these would do nicely. Somewhere along the line paisley grew up and got pretty rad if I may say so myself.

J.W Anderson
This designer is one to watch and is it just me or is there a pretty punk feel about this shirt. He had me with that abstract paisley meets amoeba print.
More information here.

Jil Sander
Nothing cooler than a traditional print modernized by a fresh colorway. The contrast of the pink and green keeps this memorable.
More information here.

Miu Miu
I am enamored with this bag! Adorable mini bucket shape meets zany print combo (paisley is joined by a joyful Elephant print) in an irresistible bag.
More information here.

J.Crew
These pants are giving me Bali by way of Phuket. Named ‘Capri’, could that be more apt?
More information here.

Past crushes.

Images:Polyvore.com

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Currently Crushing On // Colored Soles

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

Our appetite for colored soles were first put to the test with baroque informed Prada’s spring 2011 collection. No sooner did her stripe stacked sole loafers do the length of the Milan runway and they had inspired a sea of colored soles.
 
Seasons later and the colored sole is still making the rounds. How has it lasted so long in the fickle world of trends? Its lifespan has been bolstered on and preserved by trends such the graphic color block wave, the bright floral and now the sugary pastel moment.
 
These varying moments have continually informed the colored sole, keeping it fresh and current within a relative moment in time.

Right now, I’m currently crushing on these focal colored soles.

Chloé
Add a dose of color block 101 with these wedges. Easy color in 1,2 and 3…
More information here.

Steve Madden
Jazz things up with Madden’s purple soled black nuback upper oxfords. Their ‘Jazie’ name could not be more apt.
More information here.

T&F Slack Shoemakers London
Palate cleanser in mint green oxford form is perfect for spring.
More information here.

Nicholas Kirkwood
Let your inner child out to play with these scribble-flower heels by Kirkwood. The contrasting colored sole is a bonus.
More information here.

Bottega Veneta
Color me pink. I like an accessory that surprises, good surprises are always welcome. The focus on traditional artisanal seen in the leather upper is given a modern punch with the bright pink sole.
More information here.

Topshop
Kill three birds with one stone with these loafers; the white trend, pastel trend and colored sole trend.
More information here.

Stella McCartney
Contrasting colored perspex heels keep things interesting.
More information here.

Dorothy Perkins
Do channel the feminine grownup mood of spring 2012 with these girly heels by high street brand Dorothy Perkins. A tan upper is given a complimentary pink sole and heel.
More information here.

Past crushes.

Images:Polyvore.com

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Currently Crushing On // Gown By Marco Zanini For Rochas

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Apparently it was the work of twentieth century Swedish artist Wilhelm Kåge that provoked Marco Zanini’s exploration of Scandinavian pottery which in turn inspired his fall 2012 offering for Rochas.

The texture and print (channeling Kåge’s work) are interesting but I particularly like how Zanini uses volume in these gowns from the collection. Despite being fairly clean in silhouette, his proportion play which seems to be informed by the material adds faceted depth to each gown.

My past crushes.

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Currently Crushing On // Elie Tahari Fall 2012

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

This collection was luxury through and through. Brocade set with fur, thrown against exotic skins.

This message of fine luxury was driven home in bold unadulterated shots of color. The true azure blues and rich plums are my favorite.

I want to be the Elie Tahari fall 2012 girl right now.

My past crushes.

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Currently Crushing On // Drama Accessories

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Let your accessories bring the drama…

Kenneth Jay Lane
Inject opulence into everyday outfits with this 22k gold and crystal necklace. Wear with joy.
More here.

Miu Miu
Scarlet and feathers go hand in hand in this Miu Miu collar. Wear with abandon.
More here.

Topshop
Snake effect is given new context in a green shade. Wear fearlessly.
More here.

Miu Miu
The Miu Miu Noir sunglasses from fall winter are the perfect shade from winter sun. Tortoiseshell by way of 40′s inspiration. Wear glamorously.
More here.

Past crushes.

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Currently Crushing On // Chic Stocking Fillers Part 1

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

As you fill those stockings this holiday season, be inspired by these products. Chic is only ever going to be as chic as chic does. Make this holiday season your most chic one to date.

After all tis the season to give all things glam…

Bodhi // Duet Pouch
Treat someone special to something as special as Bodhi. The new duet pouches (including one moisturizer and one bath & shower therapy) from the award winning luxury natural beauty brand would be perfect. Current favorite is the Ylang-Ylang Incensa Duet Pouch as seen above.
More here.

Mulberry // Postman’s lock keyring
This keyring in a pale gold finish will add that charming touch to any stocking. A little Mulberry accessory, goes a long away.
More here.

Tom Ford // Lip color
Stocking fillers never looked so glamorous. Amp the octane glamor with Tom Ford’s lip color.
More here.

Biscuiteers
Every stocking needs a sweet treat. Satisfy those sweet cravings this holiday season with a tin of Biscuiteers. Founded by husband and wife duo, Steve Corrigan and Harriet Hastings continue to come up trumps with their bespoke baked goods.
More here.

Balenciaga // L’Essence eau de parfum
Vetiver, conifer and violet leaves come together to create a winter perfect perfume. Balenciaga perfumes are the closest scents get to couture.
More here.

Diego Dalla Palma // Winter 2011 dark violet
If there is a beauty brand to be had, I will stumble upon it. This Italian brand continues to keep me enthralled, this time with their winter 2011 nail palette. The dark purple and other shade friends will make for wonderful stocking fillers.
More here.

Fresh // Sugar Passion tinted lip treatment SP15
On my beauty speed dial this winter is Sugar Passion tinted lip treatment by Fresh. Based on sugar which is a natural humectant, the lip treatments by Fresh could be in the list of the thing that ever happened to lips. Sheer but with a rouge tint, this soothing lip balm also has an SPF 15 that keeps lips free from sun damage. If this does not make a chic stocking filler, nothing will.
More here.

Violent Lips // The Black & White checkered lip transfer
Violent Lips make me a very happy girl with their array of temporary lip tattoo transfers. Who says Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj need be the ones having all the fun? Inspire loved ones to get creatively self expressive by filling their stocking with a Violent Lip transfer. A current favorite is the checker print. Pouts were never this much fun.
More here.

Past crushes.

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Currently Crushing On // Nicholas King x Freedom at Topshop MO SAÏQUE Lanvin Christian Louboutin

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Cartwheel wide brimmed hat by Lanvin
Embodying the glamor and dark aesthetic that seems to fit perfectly in to colder season. Pair the wide brim with brooding maxi lengths.

More information here.

Eden studded clutch by Christian Louboutin
This clutch is everything and more. Louboutin always manages to balance the creatively explorative with timeless luxury.

More information here.

Bonica boots by MO SAÏQUE
I was introduced to this line by actress and presenter Ama K. Abebrese. The Italian handmade luxury footwear label founded by Afua Dabanka is the meeting place of the rich palette, timeless structure and a reflection of Dabanka’s cosmopolitan experience (The London based banking and financial professional of Ghanaian heritage turned shoe designer was born in Germany). Creme of her autumn winter 2011 crop is Bonica.

More information here.

Nicholas King x Freedom at Topshop
Magpies will flock to Topshop for the capsule Nicholas King collection for Freedom at Topshop. I first encountered two years ago when I used them to style an editorial for digital fashion magazine, Dirrty Glam. King had just launched his signature resin label after working with likes of Galliano, Alexis Bittar and Donna Karan. The collection (bright resin cuffs and heart necklaces featuring embedded studs, rhinestone, skulls etc.) is part of a specially curated jewelry and accessory selection.

More information here.

Current Crushes series here

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Currently Crushing On // United Colors Of Benetton Autumn Winter 2011

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

For autumn, United Colors of Benetton have these knits and snake skin prints that feel slightly nineties in their approach. There is a nostalgia about it all, a good nostalgia, that beckons.

Take the crop long sleeve as case in point, couldn’t you see it on Rachel in Friends or Cher in Clueless? I like clothes that recall great reference points and memories. I like them even better when I can see how that sense of dejavu, is still relevant in present day. Any of the above would be interesting paired with mannish tailoring.

With snake print, knits, heritage fabrics, oversize zany black and white rose prints, masculine suiting and textured faux fur, this is a collection with memorable elements.

Visit the site here.

More in the Current Crushes series here.

Photo Credit: Polyvore

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