"To Die For" (Thomas Wylde)

I was busy, pretending to be busy, when my random—but not unexpected—bit of adult ADD/mini-panic attack for glamour forced me unto the Eluxe website (yes, it's on my bookmarks bar for quick access!!). I went directly to handbags, shoes & acc.— then clutches, specifically; I'm obsessed with bags and always looking for something that catches my eye. Most women have shoe addictions and I very much understand that;¹ however, it may not compare to my ardent love for handbags. And, I'm very particular. I'm never in a hurry to buy a bag because I love what I have; and I make certain that I buy the chicest, yet, least possible coveted bags², or an ever-classic Chanel piece or two.

Well, on the Eluxury webbie, I came across this Thomas Wylde clutch—"To Die For (II)." Literally. Really catchy. A smile formed on my lips. Naturally, my inane smiling must have lasted an inordinate amount of time because my little brother came over and peered at my screen to see what I was smiling at. I assume he'd spoken or inquired about my sappy face; but I mustn't have heard heard him because I didn't respond.

"Wow!! A skull!! Can I have?? Is it for gyrls??" the words tumbled out of his mouth.
"Yes, it's for gyrls. But you can have it if you want," I replied. [Yeah right!!]

Of course, he turned away. [He loves his status as the only boy, but he does have three older sisters, so it's tough for him to note all our gyrly things, try as he may to fight it!! Haha!! Plus, he's only nine—the stage where boys and gyrls play separately, (except when he's hassling us, that is).] He did let me know, however, that the bag was "cool," but he'd like a shirt with the skull on it instead. That, certainly, was it!! The bag was cool!! Captivating, really!! I absolutely love the metallic "mercury" color and the textured look of the leather. This clutch has glam punk-rock/modern-goth chic written all over it. And, unsurprisingly, British—some say she's Welsh—model/muse-turned-designer, Paula Thomas, is the brains behind this chic label. A fair amount of editorials report that the label is named for her (Welsh) grandfather, Robert Thomas, and her (Brit) grandma, Catherine Wylde. See fashion week daily. There was such brouhaha following her second collection last year and now I can understand why.

And, while skulls and bones aren't my thing, in the least—or more likely I can't pull it off to save my life—a number of pieces in the collection appeal to me. There's an element of refinement and softness integrated into Ms Thomas's designs (minus the sneakers of course)³ that make her clothes elegant and very adaptable to various styles and personalities. I mean she's got a couple of shapely skull print jersey dresses and silk twillies; and, it doesn't get much more feminine than jersey dresses!! There's also a silk "Performer" dress in which I'm completely in love!!

If you adore the glam rock look, then Thomas Wylde is available at Eluxury, Electric Ladyland, Aloharag, Brownsfashion and Harvey Nichols in-store.





Lollipop kisses.




Footnotes:
1. I just got a pair of peep-toe pumps made by Prada especially for Neiman's 100th anniversary. I'm still swooning. I'll have to take a pic!! The heels are AMAZING.
2. I've never understood the idea of clamoring for pieces that other people have.
3. I just can't wear sneakers.


P.S. Aside, please click new trends "Future Proof" at Harvey's. I'm not very trendy, am I?? Haha!!!! I just can't fathom wearing those pants!! I can pick the headliners, but it certainly doesn't mean I'll be wearing all of them.

Strap 'em on!! (these shoes, that is)

Shoes!!!
At the moment, it's one of the few details I'm truly able to anticipate for the fall season. While I'm terribly over summer, I'm not ready to contemplate my fall wardrobe yet; looking at knits and sweaters increases my body temperature ten degrees in the prevailing heat!!

As fall fashions came alive on the catwalks last February, a style of shoes caught my eye. They're a more refined version of the platform heel, adorned with more prominent straps, or buckles. It's the adorning thick straps that really got to me. They gave the shoes such character—if that's possible—indeed, transforming them into les objets d'arts exceptionnels!! I'm even gushing in French—excuse my French!! I mean without these straps, I wouldn't even give the shoes a second glance. As I saw more of these shoes, I couldn't help feeling excited. On the feet, they seem to make the women more statesque; bolder and more confident. I mean these are shoes in which you stand up straight; if anything, they'll afford your center of gravity better balance with their broader, but very shapely heels. They're not dainty, skinny heels—which, of course, I love!! Balancing precariously on four/five inch pin-stilts is an art-form at which I excel for all of five minutes, before forcing my admirers to ogle my heelies from my sitting position, legs sideways-crossed!! No, these heels are thicker and inexplicably sexy!! No, I'm not into sadomasochism, but these shoes do have that dominatrix feel to them, exuding in the wearer a force of confidence that's alluring and sexy. Hot!! Haute!!

I'd probably wear a pair with more feminine clothing—delicate laces, wispy chiffons and silks. The stark contrast would be pronounced, yet, complementing; very charming. O course, if you knew anything about me and my shoes, you'd know how particular I am about the look of shoes fit on my feet; skinny heels just look better on my feet and with my legs—however, I just stopped by Saks and Barneys and I tried the Pradas pictured below... Love em!! Being the utterly responsible young woman I've become, I didn't buy them!!
Yet.
My absolute fave's the A. Dell'Acqua!! Okay, I also loooove the Loubous. The two non-studded ones. And the black Lanvins!! That strip of fuschia-pink on the soles screams haute!!(Pics from style.com)
1st row: Versace, Christian Louboutin for Peter Som, Bottega Veneta, Nina Ricci (ok, I cheated here, she did have some shoes with the thick straps, but this pair was my fave, it's actually the criss-crossed stockings that give the illusion of thick straps!!)
2nd row: Christian Louboutin for Rodarte, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Michael Kors, Christian Louboutin for Peter Som
P.S. do you know how much I detest labelling?!!

Of course, I couldn't stop myself from searching for more....
L-R: Versace, Lanvin, Prada, Balenciaga, Lanvin (pics from respective designers' webbies)
Let's get some pretty new shoes!!



Pretty kisses.

Yes, summer is so over...

Cue: Barney's Warehouse Sale.

It's time for the Huge Barney's Sale!!
NY Dates: Aug 16th- Sept 3rd
Do what you've got to to be there!!

The lovely cartoon encouraging you to seek comfort in retail therapy is by Denise Dorrance. Her cartoons are simply delightful; exaggerating the modern woman's psyche. Well, it's not such an exaggeration, some of it does really happen or escape into many-a-woman's thoughts!! Visit her website for more cartoons: http://www.denisedorrance.com

It's all in the wrists.

It's a bracelet.
It's a wristlet.
It's a new class of wristlets that double as bracelets; what I've dubbed "brislets"—oooh—and they are cuuute!! I first came across the Roberto Cavalli purses, then I scoured everywhere for some more. I looked EVERYWHERE worth looking online, and hardly found anything. These were the closest I came to them. Okay, so they don't even come close really; but they're very chic in a plainer-sort-of way. Yes??

So right now, Mr Cavalli has a remarkable monopoly on these doubly functional accessories!! Forget thinking about what bracelets you'd love to go with your outfit; just grab your bag!! I must admit I'm not a fan of the snake-shape bracelet, but I'm almost willing to overlook it.¹ They're simply beyond adorable!!

Top two rows: Roberto Cavalli
Bottom row (L-R): Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani & Isabelle Fiore.


With one exception, there was a Chloe "Aubrey" Wristlet Hobo, which looked sadly "hideous"—to borrow one of my little brother's fave words—so it's not on here; it is on the Neiman's website, however.


Delectable kisses and cupcakes.



Footnotes:
1. Yes, I know the snake is the Cavalli signature, but, why didn't he just pick something like bamboo sticks??!! John Hardy did it!! And, no, I don't have a problem with the McQueen snakey sandals in my preceding post. They don't have the colored eyes for crying out loud, unlike the Cavalli brislets. And of course I don't mind the goddess heels either.

Shoes worthy of a Queen. (Alexander McQueen) II

A pic is worth a thousand words.


The bottom pair is d.i.v.i.n.e!!
I was—still am—in love with these!!


Sugar Kisses.

Life is a cabaret... ♯♭ [Fall 2007 CTR]

...and we're going to play dress-up.
Now most of us don't think about buying couture gowns each season, but what the heck??!!
Let's pretend:
~ eating two lbs of french fries and five lbs of champagne truffles won't make you sick or fat
~ you're sunning on the balcony—ok, solarium (that just sounds pretentious!! But, we're pretending aren't we??)—of your Eaton Square flat
~ and, I'm getting my coveted Leviev cushion-cut diamond... (A gyrl can dream, can't she??)
Good.

Now that we're well immersed in our charming fantasy world, we can see why it'd be absolutely imperative to invest in some couture finery for the coming months. I mean, if an invitation to the benefit for the Ridiculously Insane Predisposed to Skylarking (RIPS) popped up, whatever would you do??!! Ok seriously, a chic gyrl could happen to need one or four chichi pieces—and I'd love to raid said gyrl's wardrobe, so perhaps I could influence that wardrobe as I tote up my fav pieces from the Fall 2007 CTR shows that took place last month.

Eight designers put forth impressive shows with some absolutely divine pieces for the fall season. And while, couture usually implies a celebration of collections that incorporate insightful nuances from designers' baroque influences—read costumes of swathing tulle and severe markeup; I'm all for absolute chic and wearability. I'm in constantly awe of many-a-designer's sartorial interpretations, but one simply cannot leave one's house in this!! ― ― ― ― ― ― ― ― ― ➛ ➛

Ergo, some my top pieces came from Armani Privé, Chanel and Elie Saab. In a (very long) sentence each:
~ Armani's knowledge of the female form remains exquisite, although I'm still quite baffled by the mutated eggplant encasing the lower portion of the body that showed up in three or four ensembles.
~ Chanel's side effect: intricate detailing on the sides of the garments—followed through—even to the hair accessories, and giving an almost planar perspective to the body, a flattened front-back sort of affair; an insightful perspective.
~ Elie Saab's collection may be hackeneyed and repetitive (by couture standards), but I'll bet every well-heeled, Judith Leiber minaudiere-toting fashionista will be clamoring for his simply GORG dresses!!

Aside: No, Dior's collection—flamboyant Pre-Raphaelites do not fly in the 21st century—did not do it for me!! *Gasp* However, Galliano remains my one of muses and I'll always love him.

Well, let's take charge of your couture wardrobe, shall we??

Super fancy Fall wedding (okay, I'm still head over heels for weddings, so what??)
[little aside: rip off bottom two layers of Valentino gown: dress #2 *bigger GASP*]

Glam Work Party; you're totally getting a promotion!!

Big (Tuesday) night on the town—you know frolicking's best done during the week; the weekend is for family and brunch to recoup!!

Haute Dinner Party. Menu: lettuce square and lots of rosé. J/K!!

Semi-authentic Benefit Gala (something like the Benefit for Trans-Gendered Poodles of America, haha, forgive my sense of humor)

Elaborate Costume party/Halloween (ok, I just love the Christian Lacroix dress on the left and I'm almost certain I've a good case on why I'd wear it in real life!!)

You deserve these. Really. (Get petite sizes, so we can share *big smile*)

Playing "yourself" in the cabaret celebrating your life

Please... It's Elie Saab!!
Delusions of Grrandeurrrr (snooty French accent)

Double sugar kisses.