Being An Angel!

     I'm sure more than half of the country was tuned in last night on CBS watching the largest fashion show of the year, The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.  And if you weren't, well, you have no life.  I know I had a bowl of ice cream in front of me while watching the beautifully tanned and toned models strut the runway.  People wait all year to watch this fabulous show, men and women both.  The one of a kind intricate outfits, the top most gorgeous models in the world, the best singers of the time and the next seasons lingerie.

     This show takes a full year to prepare, literally, they start working on the next year the day after the show finishes.  They have the top millenary designers, apparel designers, creative directors, jewelry and stone designers and more working on each individual piece for the models wear.  This year there was a little controversy with one of the outfits, which lead to it being cut from the show all together.  The Calendar Collection of outfits was missing the gobbling month of November.  The original design was a large authentic-looking Indian headdress full of feathers to the floor and meant to look like an original chief head piece.  Unfortunately, for the designers who put in all the hard work, they had to cut this outfit out of the showing on television because it caused too much controversy with the Native American community, understandably so. 

     As far as the angel wings go, they are a signature for the Victoria's Secret Angels (the models).  The larger the wings are the longer they have been an Angel.  This years wings weren't as big as in the past but the outfits themselves seemed to have a bit more detail on them than usual.  Overall, this was a breathtaking fashion show.  I assume they are already drawing out the next designs for next years show.  Take a look at these photos and see just how in-depth these "outfits" (although the models are half dressed) really get.

The controversial headpiece

Every angel gets its wings!

Ciao, 

Annie

Wearing Our Emotions!

     Graphic T-shirts have been on the rise for the past few years.  As I was searching for some early Christmas gifts for friends and family I came across many graphic t-shirts with a wide variety of artwork on them.  Then I got to thinking, do we really wear our emotions on our sleeves?  The answer is yes.  And not only do we wear them on our sleeves, but our shoes, our shorts, and even our hats.  It comes down to this, is there a message that we are trying to get across or are we just going with the tides of fashion?
     I have a feeling it is a little bit of both.  There are the trend setters, the followers and the ones that don't even pay attention to the trends.  But, for the ones that do, they know that "quotable" garments are all the rage.  Designers from Christian Louboutin to chain stores like Forever 21 are designing saying-friendly clothing for their customers.  It ranges from provocative to sweet and innocent.  When it comes to words on clothing, is there ever a line that can be crossed?   In our century, I would say not (revert to image #6 and its self-explanatory).  
     Everyone is less private these days and wearing your emotions and thoughts only makes the world a more open place.  Choose wisely because you never know how people will perceive you!

Unknown

   

Urban Outfitters

Victoria Secret

Forever 21

CHASER

Christian Louboutin

What are your emotions?

Ciao, 

Annie

   

The CFDA!

     The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a no-profit trade association that consists of over 400 of the top American womenswear, menswear, jewelry and accessory designers.  Every year they host a fashion show for new and upcoming designers to show off their collections.  The ten finalists all gathered in West Hollywood Thursday afternoon for the annual fashion show at the Chateau Marmont to show off their designs.  Although many designers felt like their stomachs housed multiple fluttering butterflies, they kept their cool while showing their collections to an audience that included Victoria Beckham, Baz Luhrmann, Katy Perry and Jennifer Aniston. 

     The evening then traveled on to a private dinner that was hosted by the Anna Wintour and Victoria Beckham.  As the young, nervous designers mingled with the crowd they all got positive reassurance from Ms. Wintour when she stated that there are no losers, only winners.  The upcoming awards ceremony will take place in New York next month and until then we will just have to wait to see who the true winner will be. 

     Let's see who wore what!

Good Luck!

Ciao, 

Annie

Color At The End Of The Runway!

     Lanvin put construction front and center in this Springs fashion show.  I found myself admiring these garments one by one and trying to solve the mystery of how they were constructed.  Many garments were half of something.  For example, half of the top would be a tank and the other half would be a blazer.  That's what I mean about the construction being a mystery that I, Harriet the spy, have to solve.  Thankfully my technical vision goggles were spot on.  I have to say that some of it was a bit out there in left field, like the one shoulder swim suit that's worn with belted loose fitted pants.  But it's different and different keeps the people intrigued and coming back for more.  

     Viewing the collection, it seemed like a contemporary tailored look was going to exist throughout the show.  But the deeper we went the more exotic it got.  Graphic dresses to glitzy jumpsuits changed the mood of the show and added an edgy look to a softer collection.  I also noticed the accessories were quite over the top but I found myself looking past that and saying that they actually work well with the chic punk mix that's going on.  

     In closing, literally, the show ended with a bang.  We saw black and white for the entire show and then a rainbow bomb went off.  This short lineup of petite satin shift dresses seemed to have such simple construction behind them, but then the surprise panels on the side flashed beads and beautiful embroidery.  These looks are simple and elegant but have such a loud statement due to the shocking color choices.  It was a fantastic show! Lanvin truly never ceases to amaze.

So Lanvin-esque!

Ciao, 

Annie May

Strike A Pose!

      And they are still at it, amazing you one outfit at a time.  Hervé Léger, now that's another story.  Those skin tight "I'm showing every ounce of my body" dresses have more sex appeal than David Beckham lathered in baby oil!  But there's a twist, the patterns that came down the runway were so unusual for Hervé but, were just fabulous and added spice to the brand.  This collection definitely stayed in the neutral color group, making everything look sleeker and sexier.  Get me a pair of ULTRA tight Spanx and I'm in!

Suck in!

Ciao, 

Annie May