A Vintage Story: A Tale About Me!

     In every fortunate woman's house, packed away in boxes that are stacked carefully on top of one another, is a collection of what is now considered vintage couture that tells the story of a fabulous women who, back in her day, had it all.  I'm sure many women in their 40's-50's have those few boxes that shelter their fashion memories.  But, nothing tells a story like the ones I have seen.
     As I sat, staring at these boxes that read Chanel, Prada and Gucci in worn black permanent marker, in a home that I felt so familiar and comfortable in, I died to see what lived in them.  I wondered if the pieces inside were returning the stare through the tiny torn up peep hole in the corner.  Without even knowing what was inside, I asked myself, do they crave to be worn as much as I crave to wear them?  Taking a sneak peek in one of the boxes, just to fulfill the wonder that was going on in my head, I find a tan linen Chanel suit meticulously folded, label up.  As I carefully unfolded I came across bottoms that were wide legged, elastic waste, and perfectly pleated down the front.  Then the top, baseball jersey inspired with outlandishly large Chanel C's across the left breast and then the gold symboled buttons trickled down like rain.  That was a turning point in fashion history for me as well as the time that I got into deep trouble with my Aunt for rummaging through her dearest collection.
    Then it all came to me, at my age she was wearing all of this.  The full make up, the designer suits, the labeled shoes and best of all she got the invite to all the parties where she could show it off.  It shows that celebrities aren't the ones that have all the fashion secrets.  They are hidden amongst the changed women of our lives that can no longer fit into them, have no place to wear them or they are mothers that no longer have the time to get themselves ready like they used to.  It's the vintage secret, these women's pasts hold the key to the future that young women wish to live in.
     As I sat there dripping in vintage Chanel, because I had to try it on,  I wondered to myself, why let this go to waste?  In the lifetime of the clothing, it had been in style, went out of style and is now back in full swing.  Why keep them locked up in the basement where they can't breath?  It should be against fashion laws (i'll look into it!).  These pieces should be past on to the next generation, without worry because clothing speaks for itself.  The more it's worn, the more stories it will generate.  And for those women that pass it on, there is no need to worry about their stories getting lost amongst the crowd because they are the ones that started it all.  They are what inspires and creates the younger one to be like them.  And that is just a little vintage tale, about me.

Vintage is the new black!

Ciao, 

Annie

The One And Only!

     Can we first focus on the unusual eco-friendly "runway" set up that we saw in the hall of the Grand Palais.  It appeared to have been made from solar panels that lay side by side with the occasional wind turbine that sprouted up in forest like form.  Karl Lagerfeld wanted to use these turbines because he said they were "beautiful modern architecture".  I think Karl was looking to connect the idea of future technology with fashion.  He used fun and playful accessories like large Lucite handled bags and wide brimmed molded plastic hats.  In my opinion, these are all extreme but somehow, maybe just because it's Chanel, it worked.  There were 80 looks that paraded down the runway from denim, the original Chanel tweed, long sophisticated evening gowns, linen, to beachy numbers.  There was so much going on in this collection that I decided to break it down into three sections, the ones that stood out the most to me.
 

     First, pearls, pearls, pearls and more pearls.  I noticed that the signature braids and chains were not a focus at this fashion show, but pearls were.  Leave it to Karl to change things up, throw a curve ball, mix and match...you get it.  Out of the ordinary, they were used to adorn dresses, cuffs, jackets and more.  But, holy shit, they were also used as necklaces.  Huge chokers with pearls the size of golfballs heavily adorned the necks of these tiny models and it was to die for.  This little pearl collection, within the large one, consisted of the wonderful, black and white.  These styles were stiff and gave the models bodies a break, allowing them to breath a little, unusual I know.  This look is unique, just like finding a pearl in a clam.

     Onto the cropped tweed half jackets.  Ok, unless you are a tiny little fairy with no mid section, these were a bit funny, if that's not a sin for me to say.  I know the cropped look has been in for a while but I feel like it's out dated now but, Karl has proved me wrong.  If you look carefully you can see that all the collars were slightly different.  We saw an oversized lapel, puritan collar, mock turtle necks and more.  There was an unusually wide variety of colors used in these baby jackets, but I liked it.  Ok, so they are starting to grown on me a little.

     Lastly, the feather burst of colorful fabric hanging off of well, everywhere.  I know it's atypical but I actually love it.  It's so curiously different that it's just fabulous.  The shag that hung off the delicate black sheer fabric give you something to ruffle over.  The extreme pants and tunic with furry cuffs shouts, "lions mane, gone colorfully wrong", but who cares?  I'd roar while wearing it and look chic doing so.  There really isn't much to say about this, just look, quietly and observe it.

       Chanel makes a statement all the time.  It's over the top and that's why everyone loves it.  But alongside the innovations, there was a set of skilled hands that touched each and every garment on this runway.  Lagerfeld did a wonderful job reinventing the ever so simple windmill with three-dimensional embroidery and collections of fabric.  Fashion changes with the times and this world is only getting more technological and modern as it goes on.  Good future thinking, Karl.

Ciao, 

Annie

Blake Lively's Best!

      Ok, I have to talk about Blake Lively, the stunning all American actress.  We all love her, even if you don't, you do.  Whether you are attracted to her body, hair, eyes, style, it doesn't matter.  The thing is we all love something about her.  As I was creepily looking at her on google I noticed that she has worn some of the most extravagant gowns I've ever seen.  Let's just take a look at some of her best red carpet moments.

     How about this fabulous Emmy number we got going on here?  In 2009, Gossip Girl actress wore one of the most talked about Versace gowns at the Emmy Awards.  She was so red hot on the red carpet.  Ok, that was lame but true.  This dress was plunging with its neckline and back line.  To top off the fabulous look she wore a Rapunzel like braid with some killer Louboutin heels.

     Continuing in 2009 and in Versace, she cursed the runway with this dazzlingly revealing teal gown. How about showing some skin, huh?  In the back, in the front, on the sides, and up the leg!  Blake was seen in this at the Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the Big Apple.  It's a busy looking dress, to say the least, but somehow it all comes together.  The draping chiffon sleeve, the slit up to her bikini line, the plunging neck, the wrap around halter, the deep open back and the intricate beading detail all came together to create an interesting yet visually satisfying gown.   What do you think?

     As we shorten things up at the Costume Institute Gala in 2010, Blake wore a fancy little Marchesa number.  It's nice to see a cocktail dress look so fancy and over the top.  Sometimes we forget the effect that these little dresses can give off.  The flowery puff at the shoulder is a nice accent but I don't think it's too overpowering.  She's like a flowery title wave waiting to crash!  I like how she kept the jewelry  and hair simple in order for us to solely focus on the wonderful piece of art she is wearing.

     At the 2011 CinemaCon Awards she arrived in an open back Marchesa dress from their Fall 2011 collection.  Just when I think I have found my favorite 'Lively-look', I see another one that makes my toes curl even more.  As for this fiery red feathery maze of a dress with those damn Brian Atwood shoes, this look is f*****g fabulous!  The nude underlay with the stunning cap sleeve and the bright red embroidery sits on her body so perfectly, it fits like a glove.  The open back with the little necklace lay of fabric is an unexpected detail to swoon over.

     In 2011, at the premier of her new film, The Green Lantern, she appeared in a Chanel Haute Couture angel white gown.  I love how this gown appeared to be a cocktail dress with a collection of sheer madness attached to the bottom.  The patches of white flowers that softly drip down the dress to collect to a little garden at the bottom keeps your eye on the entire garment.  The high neckline and mini cap sleeves always seems to be a great look for Lively.  And the hair...well, it's a fabulous mess with a beautiful gold rose planted in it!

     And here is her latest!  From the red carpet premier of Savages, her new film, she wore a nude and black strapless Zuhair Murad Spring 2012 Couture.  This captured the eyes of just about everyone, the audience, the media, the cameras and they were all focusing on her almost non existing waist.  This gown surely is one of a kind with its tape like effect that so gracefully follows the tiny curves of her body and the train that bursts out onto the red carpet behind her.  Her blowout hairdo along with her blush lipstick made this a Blake to never forget.

     I could literally keep going forever.  I think I might have a little, tiny, baby celebrity crush and I'm not afraid to admit it!  But moreover, these dresses are all statement pieces and each of them have such intricate details that makes you stop and really observe the whole thing.

Let me know which is your favorite!

Ciao, 

Annie

Fall/Winter 2012 Color Trends!

   Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Well, I know it's a tad early to begin thinking about snow considering it is a mere 68 degrees in Rhode Island right now but, the 2012 color trends are just waiting to be worn!  The designers for this winters collections have decided to crush the gloomy "stuck in the house" look and they added a live vibrant "shocking" look.  Of course, they started out with the neutral colors like maroon, camel, caramel, tans etc.  Then they went on to the mid-tone colors such as purple, orange, red, mustard etc. Then, if you believe it, they took chances and added the vivid hues like gold, teal and turquoise (my favorite)!  The designers have stated that it is less about the individual colors but more about the textures and colors used together.  This is where you come in!  Take chances when getting dressed in the morning.  Don't just put on those boring black leggings and that dull gray oversized top (me everyday)! Go out and try these new forecasting suggestions!  After all, fashion is a daring game!  Here's how it's done!

Color Trends

Neutral

More Neutrals

Go try it!

Ciao, Annie May