CARINE.

Hey dolls.

So I figure some of you heard Carine Roitfeld's announcement on her decision to leave her position as Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue, where she has worked since 2001, this coming January. Boohoo! I am a true fanatic of her work, both editorial and stylistically when forming part in the styling of French Vogue's beautiful covers. Roitfeld to me is a symbol of the proper way to misbehave. She had nudity, Tran-sexuality, Plus-size models, and beautiful photographs throughout her years with the magazine. Definitely a boundaries crosser. Along Editor-in-Chief of U.S Vogue, Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld definitely contributed a lot of positive changes to the art of not only fashion but of art and photography in journalism. WE'LL MISS YOUU! I wonder who will be the next Carine.

She said she doesn't have any plans for now, but that its time to move on. What do you guys think? Would the next Editor-in-Chief of Vogue be anyone already working for the magazine? Any suggestions?

One of my many favorite editorials by Carine Roitfeld.

(Issue: August 2006, Photographer: Craig McDean)

GO check an awesome ode to Carine Roitfeld's with many of her Editorials and Covers while working at French Vogue. Their beautiful. Just click the link below if you want inspiration ;)

http://www.fashionologie.com/Photos-Carine-Roitfelds-Covers-Editorials-Vogue-Paris-12654950

Missing In Action for The Love of Fashion.

Hey my little Fashionistas! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I would love to know what you guys wore and how great the dinner was! My Hispanic family cooked a fabulous pernil and well seasoned turkey with rice, salad - and my favorite, DESSERT (Cheesecake *wink wink*). And Oh my god! That wine was delish. It almost tasted like apple cider, i absolutely loved it.

                               

                              

Unfortunately I couldn't play dress up this year because I was a little sick and had dinner in really casual lounge wear. Sucks, I know. But I can't wait for the Holidays where I'll be traveling to my mother's homeland and I'll be rocking a lot of Camel, Cheetah Print, and Metallics !

Sorry I've been M.I.A for a couple of days, but its crunch time here at F.I.T & I'm overloaded with Final Projects about designers and fashion businesses, and Prep-ing for Finals which are NEXT WEEK! I must love my fashion courses. Hahah. I've also been busy buying things for my trip to Dominican Republic in 2 weeks ! Can't wait to go places and do research in a place so close to my heart and see what people in this island are wearing and what is influencing them to dress that way!

'Till next week lovelies !

New Girl On The Block.

Iris Van Herpen Autum/Winter 10-11

   

Synesthesia by Iris Van Herpen Autum/Winter 10-11

The first time I heard of Iris Van Herpen was when I came across Kim Kardashian's blog, and she mentioned she was wearing the mind stricking Iris Van Herpen shoes. At first, I couldn't help but to remember Alexander McQueen, but I don't like to compare. It results the Dutch designer has actually worked on the fashion shows of Alexander McQueen and Victor & Rolf. I don't exactly know if her designs are influenced by that of McQueen's or any other relatively close to the designs of McQueen, but I can definitely see that she and the legendary dead designer shared the same love to create and innovate. They don't have limits when it comes to controlling their imagination-which can either work in your favor or not. Gladly, in this case, it worked like a work of art.

Iris Van Herpen makes her designs her own with her high-tech materials such as boat yarns, children's umbrella pins, metal gauze wire, and different types of high-tech foils. All the leather is hand sewn and she mentioned that she would never work with fur, feathers or sequins-she hates them. Hmmm, interesting. Van Herpen is inspired by electronic music which you can probably see in the vibe of her collections. Every designer has a relationship with the body and the dutch designer is no exception. She has an interest in the expansion of the body, which is reasonable since she use to study dance and has even collaborated with award-winning choreographer, Nanine Linning.  Iris Van Herpen said "It's really amazing to see the way the clothes move on the dancer as it's so different from when the models walk in them." Van Herpen keeps on striking me with her individuality.

I love seeing designers with a world of ideas and even if to the world they may strike as "weird", is good to start having the confidence to break out of that shell and show your "weirdness". Weirdness is good-it's different. I know, what many of you think: "Lady Gaga would probably wear this!" You bet your ass she would. Celebrities have made various creations acceptable, because when the world sees them wearing these things-they automatically respond to it as "ok to see, and ok to wear." I cannot emphasize the word art when speaking about fashion and I like to believe that apart from her technological uses-Iris Van Herpen invokes art in her designs. Whether it is dancers, electronic music, and foil-like materials, her designs are like watching an art exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum. I wonder if celebrities would ever be seen in her designs(besides her amazing shoes)?

*Iris has regularly shown her collections at Amsterdam International Fashion Week, before going on to show her AW10 collection entitled ‘Synesthesia’ as part of the Blow PR presents show, to great critical acclaim.

Left: Kim Kardahian in Iris Van Herpen Shoes-October 2010, New York City

Right: Solonge Knowls in Iris Van Herpen Shoes-September 2010, Fashion Week, New York City

To see more on Iris Van Herpen, check out her website: http://www.irisvanherpen.com/

PS: Make sure to CLICK the introductory image when entering the Iris Van Herpen site, it'll take you to her collections.

Couture Please.

(Elie Saab Fall 2010 Haute Couture)

I don't know if it is "correct" that I begin a fashion & lifestyle blog with couture, but what I do know is that my fashion class has made me not only fall in love with the mind-blowing task of couture, but to respect it and admire it. When we think of couture we think of legendary designers like Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Chanel, Givenchy or the child prodigy Balenciaga. But I must say that through my lounging sessions of Google searches and celebrity stalking (Hahah) I've had the chance to see the name 'Elie Saab' appear in many places. I kept looking at his collections from 2009 up to current ones, both Ready-to-Wear and couture, and I have to say I just fall into some sort of dream fantasy when I look at the craftsmanship Mr. Saab invokes in all his couture gowns. He's a genius when it come to drapery and embroidery. He chooses these soothing colors and silhouettes, and he lets us understand that what he is creating is truly one-of-a-kind, and not able to be duplicated. It is so surreal to me, that this man can make such masterpieces every season and all by hand. Couture today may not be as popular as in maybe the French Revolution, or during the times of Balenciaga glory, it sort of feels like people have focused on the cost of these "works of art" and ignored the visonary efforts and influence these couture collections have. 

We have to consider that when we speak of couture, we speak mainly of "fit". Whenever a person requests a couture gown that was at the runway, they don't just get it off of a rack. It is made for YOU from scratch. From waist, to hips, to arms and neck-couture is made to fit you and only you. And of course give you the advantage of owning a one-of-a-kind piece. The designers look for a challenge in couture, and the skills learned are then applied to their Ready-to-Wear lines, making them better made each season. Couture gives the designer a chance to explode their artistry and imagination. And the few population who can afford couture, pay $30,000 for a gown because they can. I believe couture is the hierarchy of fashion; it influences every other aspect of the fashion industry. We don't have to look at couture as simply expensive any more. I think we should give it a chance and truly believe that couture exists to prove to the fashion lovers of the world that there is an ideal world in clothing and that textiles really do have the power to create a dream or a fantasy. 

I'm glad I came upon Elie Saab, because I truly believe in his artistry and he's such a talented couturier. I am glad I get to see mainstream artist like Rihanna and Beyonce wear Elie Saab's work because they are letting us know that it doesn't matter if we cannot afford them, they are there and they give fashion it's definition of workmanship and imagination. 

Left: Rhianna in Elie Saab Fall 2010 Couture at the American Music Awards 2010

Right: Beyonce Knowles in Elie Saab Haute Couture at the 2009 Golden Globe Awards.

To check out more of Elie Saab and other talented designer's collections go to:  www.style.com

PS: I am officially Elie Saab OBSESSED.