The Fashion Notes

I haven’t posted in what seems like forever and look what happens when I’m gone, kids: Fashion’s Night Out goes on hiatus for 2013. This, according to WWD, because apparently the fashion extravaganza hasn’t generated much income for all the hoopla it creates. Cee and I have always wanted to attend a FNO, but to tell the truth, from what I’ve seen just on footage, I personally don’t see how anyone can get around to the stores since it’s so packed. The last time I was in an event as packed was not even a music concert, but it was at Alexander McQueen’s tribute exhibit at the MET where I had the pleasure of being pinned against the wall by gay men. No, it wasn’t as sexy and kinky as it sounds since I was only up against the wall because the crowd was so dense. I did get a chance to enjoy the titilating conversation that only takes place among the fashion obsessed, such as <gasp> “Jacques, look at that beading. It almost conveys a sense of tragic love gone wrong, doesn’t it?” Priceless. That made it worth the extra $60 to become a member of the MET even though we live in California and it only meant we could skip to the front of the line, which was located roughly around Anatolia.

After reading all the comments on various fashion news sites, I haven’t missed much by not attending FNO. Many commenters delivered less than rave reviews by pointing out how panifully crowded the streets became (so a good “powder in the panties day” would have been in order). And the only incentives stores gave to shop was free champagne. I could get free champagne from the guy with a paper bag downtown, but to tell you the truth he’s pretty possessive of the good stuff, so never mind that. But this cancellation is only stipulated for this year, and only in the U.S. This isn’t to say Fashion’s Night Out is gone from the U.S. forever, but until they find a way to make the venture more profitable for designers who also say their attention and resources get stretched by fashion shows occurring at the same time, higher ups will have to reconvene on how to go further with FNO. For now, Fashion’s Night Out Worldwide is set to take place in 19 countries, one of which is South Korea. If only they could host an FNO Worldwide in North Korea; But I guess they already covered that when Dennis Rodman visited.

Images: 
Divas & Dorks
Fashionista 
Style Republic Magazine
Kim Kardashian's Twitter

Posted by: Dee

So now that Spring 2013 runway shows are over, and the new season has just started (more on that later), it’s time for a recap.  In the real world, aka non-fashion world, mere mortals are able to finally dream about getting their hands on some of the stuff we saw on the runway.

The fun of winter lies in the marvel of the rare rainstorm, at least here in arid SoCal, but after the most recent apocalypse-sounding hailstorm terrified me into staying indoors on a perfectly wasted Saturday night, I’m ready for the trumpeting of spring from Punxsutawney Phil.

Fortunately, the luscious offerings of the Spring 2013 Fashion Collections are a more accurate forewarning of the (soon-ish) coming thaw, and the excitingly bright colors, femininity-driven trends and delicate embroidery from the likes of Rodarte, Marchesa and Marc Jacobs are making me downright giddy for Easter.

Proenza Schouler

Marchesa

More Boisterous Than Blooming

Let me begin with my favorite antidote to the winter blahs: brightly hued ready-to-wear. The color palette this season is, in a word, delectable. Elie Saab’s indulgent use of blueberry blues and teals gives way to explosively colored patterns and red hot shots of fashion caffeine, before incorporating a balm of warm neutrals.

Elie Saab

Moving along, Michael Kors’ bold color-blocking is fun, fresh, and it reminds me of ripe fruit, so I’m dying to take a bite. Probably because I’ve been comfort feeding on bankruptcy Twinkies ever since my favorite guilty pleasure, “Grimm,” went on hiatus, and I think I’m developing scurvy.

Michael Kors

Speaking of MK, I enjoy few things as much as watching fashion reporters go on extended tangents about flight attendant uniforms, and Derek Blasberg never lets me down. At some point in this video, he references the Kors’ show.

Pretty is the New Black

The critics are absolutely atwitter about the “return to pretty,” which briefly unnerved my raccoon-smudged eyes and unwashed hair. Though it may mean higher maintenance on my part, I’m thrilled the lady-like and casually feminine look, as seen at the Jenny Packham and Tommy Hilfiger shows, is making a return. One small step for the female sex, one giant leap for hygiene.

Jenny Packham

Ultimately, the frothy confections showcased at the Spring 2013 shows have me dreaming of strawberry lemonade and Rainbow flip-flops. It’s time for winter to retire, so I can slip into a Marc Jacobs onesie and rule the boardwalk.

Sources:

Cee is sick. Don’t think she hasn’t heard that one before. Poor thing has bronchitis, but fortunately I can claim that I gave it to her. Touchdown! Luckily, I never had bronchitis but apparently what I gave her developed into bronchitis for her. Double sweet. So, anyway, since I’m not a total bitch, I’ve been doing little extra nice things for her in the interim like making her tea, letting her come into my room at night and cough continuously, and basically just being her Little Edie to her Big Edie. (Yes, Cee even does Mama Edie’s special yoga moves!) But just to pass the time, we compiled a list of things we dream about lounging in on one of those it’s-a-good-day-to-stuff-my-face-in-a-commode days.  I guess it’s back to Dollhouse Bettie to find some movie star sleepwear and just brave the idea of sneezing on satin. For more on this theme, check out our Pinterest album devoted to fantasy boudoirs.

Cee would like to be wearing these pajamas while she convalesces. Uh huh.  Would you wear these with a runny nose? I don’t think so!

Cee says she can’t meet her Maker unless she is wearing these shoes. Yeah, she’s pretty sure she is dying. But other than that, aren’t these maribou slippers the cutest? I love the vanity, too!

Here is where Cee’s taste goes from “glamorous but insane” to “clearly weird and kitschy.” She loves this vintage Jayne Mansfield hot water bottle. I think it’s a little creepy.How do I use this for headcolds?

Cee has always wanted this Jean Harlow bedroom. I keep telling her, you probably do have it. Just pick your stuff up and look again. BTW, the one on the left is my destiny.

Cee wants this vanity, but it is MY fantasy vanity, and if she gets it before I do, I’m breathing all over it!

The truly glamorous sickie gets sick in a glamorous bathroom.

So, while Cee would like look like this when she’s sick…

… she actually looks like this.

*Cover photo is from a fabulous set of photos I found out about via Joanna Ost’s blog

Posted by: Dee

Ok, ok, this is torture! The Metropolitan Museum of Art just announced its latest Costume Institute exhibit is going “highlight the origins of the punk movement and draw direct connections to haute couture and ready-to-wear creations that it has inspired for the past three decades,” and will be called, Punk: From Chaos to Couture.  The exhibit will be opened with a  gala celebration at the Met on May 6, 2013. Why oh why oh why wasn’t I invited? I’m a good person! I’m not above forking over a first born child!

Ever since the Met Museum announced The Costume Institute’s next big exhibit is going to “highlight the origins of the punk movement and draw direct connections to haute couture and ready-to-wear creations that it has inspired for the past three decades,” I’ve been walking around a little smugly. Punk has always been a HUGE influence on me, musically, philosophically, and stylistically. So it turns out that all those years in high school I was wearing Doc Martens, fishnet stockings, and enough black clothing to outfit an entire Eastern European village of shirtless goth teens, I wasn’t a freak. I was a walking, talking premonition of great haute couture exhibits to come.

Reportedly, instead of concentrating on one designer, as in the Alexander McQueen exhibit, the Punk exhibition will showcase a wide range of designers and the influence of punk rock from its origins in the 1970′s until present day. Some of the designers mentioned in the exhibit include Marc Jacobs, Azzedine Alaia, and Rodarte.

Maybe if I dressed up as a caterer in some “I Love Lucy” type scheme, I could get in. I could hide in the dessert cart… But Dee would put a fork in my ass if I snuck in without her. Maybe if I sat on Dee’s  shoulders and we put on a long trench coat and I put a false mustache on my face (emphasize false!) we could go in as a really tall man. But wait, we’re both short. Maybe an average sized man?

Either which way, it looks as if Dee and I will be in New York come May 2013. I’m really looking forward to seeing the influences of The Great Holy Trinity of Punk Goddesses (Debbie Harry, Siouxsie Sioux, and Joan Jett) had on these designers. I wonder if Elizabeth Hurley’s infamous safety pin dress by Versace will be there?   I love safety pins as accessories!

Elizabeth Hurley in the infamous Versace Safety Pin Dress, 1994.

Bodhi Safety Pin Purse

Debbie Harry of Blondie in safety pin necklace

SIouxsie Sioux

Here are some photos of punk inspiration and the clothing they inspired and  inspire in me.

Jean Paul Gaultier, Spring 2011

Balmain, SPring 2011

Gwen Stefani’s wedding dress was desgined by Vivienne Westwood.

Rodarte stockings, 2009

 Posted by Cee