mlle roitfeld: cnn

Bonjour tout le monde.
Oui, c'est Mlle Roitfeld! Je paresse ...pense à son éclat parisien.
CNN Video: Carine Roitfeld

La fin.
xoxxxo
Tu ceci appele une entrée ?!! Shame haha

soft iridescence (and a djebellah i'm crazy for) from sophie theallet

It's the airiness of the overlaid, silk chiffons in her spring pieces; each layer, a single color ― primarily ― emerging softly, shimmering into a mellow iridescence. It's what struck me about Sophie Théallet's first showing at NY fashwk last September. Then, add a smattering of floral: subdued, and yet, eye-catching, eye-pleasing.

Pics: Style.com, Top: Spring. Bottom: Fall.




Just as I sat musing about the Native American influences in Théallet's fall collection (on her (seemingly) bohemian flair), I reverted to that djellabah piece from her spring collection. How perfectly chic! And what if I could wear it both 'as is' and as a djellabah-mini, of sorts; the two bottom tiers a removable piece?? I'm serious. Brilliant, no?? And at least I'd have two pieces for the pricey one.












Btw...
Yes, she did use all black models for her spring show debut last September. Frankly, I'm amazed; as I did not know there were that many black models in my great America.
No, she was not making a political statement, she'd said. The colors just looked better on brown skin.
― No, I don't believe the former (statement) one bit. (Okay, a 95% degree certainty.)
― Duhhh?!!! re the latter notion. I think you'd be hard pressed to find colors that didn't look much better on brown skin.

PS. Her spring pieces debuted on Eluxe just about the same time the fall collections started showing. Pretty fast huh?? Well, she did spend ten years at Alaïa.


Beaucoup de bisous!

prada transformer

I'll be b.a.c.k.
Meanwhile, do click on the absolute spectacularity that is the Prada Transformation concept: a structure composed of (four) distinct shapes, which rotates according to one of four events it's expected to host at any given time. It's currently being built in Seoul; construction started in Feb. You must watch the video! I only found out about it yesterday. I'm completely amazed; but I do have a few questions. Most importantly, "Where will the internal bits i.e. furniture, design pieces, etc be stored and how will they be moved about as the transformer undoubtedly uhhh... transforms (sorry) to host each event??" Might turn out to be a pain, if they have to be moved often, whatever "often" means. Although I'm sure the smart people at FRCH Design Worldwide have thought alot about this already.



butterfly kisses.

adeline andre (i, personally, prefer seven arm-holes please)

Speaking of Parisian couture, I've had this a bit now... The subdued Adeline André, who hosts her enduringly effortless couture collections fondly dubbed Top-of-wear pieces thinks an aquamarine blue seven arm-holed knee-length dress is just fine for fall, and I agree. What makes this piece especially endearing is its layered skirt, which at first glance, is simple enough. But, on further inspection, one realizes it simply must've taken some measure of fastidious perfection to get it to fall correctly, otherwise one would, just as easily, end up with a lopsided garment (yes, that could be fashionable too, but it's obvs not Ms André's goal for her private clientele!). I have a vision of being unwrapped from this dress as I twirl away from a yummy hunk holding the outer sleeve at one end *bows head in mock shame* It wouldn't work as easily as I envision, I know. Images: Madame Le Figaro

And to say I'm taken with Adeline André is an understatement. Just when I'd pegged the Central African Republic born Ms André as a restrained woman (err... given her recent garments!), I found a youtube video that dispelled my naive notion.

Not only is there a compelling woman behind the clothes, a woman who designs a myriad of pieces; there's an intriguing intuition that accompanies her simple pieces; ironically, so obvious, it's easily overlooked. Her pieces are extremely wearable, to say the least; additonally, they offer the fashionably discerning wearer greater control and possibilities on wearing, dressing up or down. And as if her brilliance isn't enough, she had to have her three arm-sleeve garment registered in Paris only a year after setting up shop as a designer!! Umm.. do you know how difficult it is to get anything trademarked, much less anything in fashion?! Let's not even talk about in France?! ...the snobbish French manner of doing things. (Je vous aime toujours, mes chéris!)


Bisous. Bisous.

chic decadence

Carrying on ― as though I haven't got some 'splaining to do, except to say I think melancholy prods the frozen recesses of my soul, so a post for my records it is ― did you know I first titled my fashion memoirs CHIC DECADENCE? Yup, it's true, and you can totally see it, can't you?!

I think the decadent part is really a combination of my burgeoning (just plain-old greedy) desire for truly luxurious fabrics that I can't even afford; my mother's impressions on me, growing up, unveiling a treasured item for a special occasion and sometimes, just because... (she felt like it, honestly, mom?! indulgent much?!); and lastly, let's face it: even though I do a very good job of pretending I'm not Nigerian, there is a certain hedonistic 'fanfare' that comes with every ounce of every drop of Nigerian blood and culture (and I love it! more and more!! each day). So you see, nature +nurture, I totally can't escape it!!

So yeah... sorrowfully pensive state well established (fall's line-up alternately permitting me temporary reprieve (and forcing me downward still as it fuels my insatiable hunger)), and it's on to Giambattista Valli F/W 2009-10.

Relatively subdued for the man who'd sooner dress what's (or who's) the left of the world's Lee Radziwills (but just perfect for me!), Mr Valli showed a collection suffused with clean, clear-cut lines, and sprinkled, here and there, with ornate glimmering silks (or brocades). Of course, having foraged as a magpie in a former life, all the shiny fabrics are especially attractive; and yet ― perhaps c almost distracting from the simple wearability of Valli's pieces.

Even then, the shiny (haha) pieces aren't the best of the lot! Okay (I lie and I die!!), save for this long coat (pictured left) accompanied with its exquisite silk-corded tassel, a pleasing theme running through the collection. Really, the coats have it and all I want to say is... I want this (coat)! and this! and this!! Thank you very much. A gyrl can dream, can't she?? BTW, I'd never catch this niggling cold, if I had one of those coats... I'm just saying.
(pics: thanks Style.com)

But seriously, I especially love this peacock-feathered skirt and I ― undoubtedly ― want it for my mom!! She wouldn't buy it herself (given the game-of-pick-four-or-five-random-numbers price-tag that will certainly accompany it) that much I know, but she'll definitely take it from her gyrls (if we ever found it *on sale*). I know she'll also say something like, "how am I supposed to wear this in the stifling heat (of Nigeria)?" True. So maybe, it should be a tea-length affair... (perhaps attach a simple light-weight (sheer?) ruched fabric at the bottom mimicking the edges of the feathers.. It's kinda hard to explain... but I'm altering and refining the skirt in my head... HA!) what am I saying?? Nigerians wear much more in the stifling sun, no?? Pictured with that turtle neck, it makes me feel hot (temp-wise), just looking at it. Anyway, I think it's just perfect... *giggles*



Decadent kisses, leaving lip stains on each of your cheeks.

seven photographs that changed fashion (rankin)

I'm sure the folks at BBC4 are wonderful people, I just don't know why they refuse to keep their docu videos online for more than a week! So I went on youtube... Benevolent user Watoic ― however shall I repay you, doll?? ― has the entire documentary following acclaimed photographer, John Rankin Waddell bka Rankin, as he recreates his most inspiring and provocative images shot by fashion's most revered photographers. Truly captivating.

Provocative kisses, swollen lips.

sheer body (bebaroque)

(My second younger sis and) I had to do a bit of cleaning this past weekend. (Daddy came into town. *happy grin*) In need of gobs of motivation, I switched to MTV Hits on TV, alternating between two or three other music channels. The music blaring, an approving glance ― at regular intervals ― at the crazed woman ― staring back at me ― shaking her seemingly detectable tush in and out of brilliant contortions, I was making progress: a clean square of space for every five minutes of rump-shaking.

Of course, practically everything I was seeing on TV ― and hearing ― was new to me. I hardly ever listen to (new) music, so my pop-culture knowledge is appalling and dwindling continuously.

Anyway, to one of the (long-winded) points I'm trying to make: Britney's Circus video came up. I can't tell you anything about the album's premise, and very little about the song itself, except, that I did admire Britney's reemergent strength and the video concept... performers in a circus/carnival (duh!!).

Britney Spears - New Music - More Music Videos

Second point: Britney's nude bodysuit encrusted with crystals at (ahem!) strategic points ― pretty hot. However, my barely-underlying patronizing fashion-self can't help but think that while bodysuits/catsuits are de rigeur for many circus acts, Brit's fashion esthetic played a slightly lesser-to-nonexistent role than her need to wear next to nothing on TV. (But who am I to judge?? My need for barely-derriere-grazing dresses ― or tops disguised as dresses ―knows no bounds!!) Umm, quick question, who died and made bodysuits the uniform for gyrlies' music videos?!!

Drum roll please: Well, Brit's body suit reminded me of Bebaroque's new delightfully sheer and embroidered bodysuits, a hot addition to their truly sublime line of tights.'Tis bad enough that Mses. McNicol and Patience's collection of tights was responsible for something of a mini myocardial infarction when I first glimpsed them early last year! Now, these body suits... I didn't even know they were expanding their line, a darling friend let me in on the pleasurable tidbit of information. Since their inception in 2007, the ladies behind Bebaroque ― a fitting name, when one considers the extravagant details, especially the reconstructed paisley patterns often hand printed on the tights ― have worked with other amusingly brazen lingerie designers ― Barrie, Lascivious, Norreys etc to produce unique pieces. Along with the distinctive kooky tattoos and paisley motifs that adorn their tights, the gyrlies maintain production in Bonnie, Scotland. Yay Scotland!! (I don't know why, but I'm obvs tickled by this whole Scottish thing.) But seriously, the Scots do have this amazing skill. I can't quite put my finger on it... Graeme, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane...

According to DD, this time, Bebaroque's collection of bodysuits and tights dubbed ''Russian Dolls" was inspired by the country's elaborate architectural domes and folklore. I'm not quite certain about a pair of so-called (red, pictured) "babushka" tights. I could've sworn the word 'babushka' meant grandma in Polish/Russian. (Even though I know this, it's the first word that pops in my head when my little bro and I start making up curse words (although said little bro is getting well-versed in real curse words!! Sheesh!!).) The tights are very pretty with the merest hint of scandal! I just wouldn't associate them with a grandma.
Btw, the pieces are so new, they're not even available on their webbie, or anywhere else, except Dazed Digital (oh you dolls are the best!! Can I be your BFF?!!) Im in love with these bodysuits!! However, personally, I'm not crazy about showing my belly button or midriff so I think I imagine another sheer layer on the front half, a more interesting light (one layer sheer in the back) - dark contrast, with a pronounced trompe l'oeil effect for me. *smile* I cant help it, I just love showing off my back better.



The merest puckering of my lips against your cheeks.

seemly avant-garde: YSL spring 2009 collection (the new power suit)

mood: sombre.

YSL 2009 refashions! the new power suit (a sharply tailored gray jumpsuit).*ow!* I want to kiss Stefano Pilati. Worthy of mention, eons ago, (2007), Mr. Pilati showed the now-seemingly ubiquitous harem/dhoti/*flo'-rider* pants¹ (oooh go Flo Rider!! Actually, it might be 'Rida'!! But, whatevs. I'm unbecomingly proud of my pop culture knowledge.). Like I was saying, that's just how innovative Mr. Pilati is.

So much I could write about these pieces...

Refined, but restrained; restrained, but avant-garde; avant-garde, but familiar; familiar, but new; new but (pleasurably) refined.

Beautiful kisses.

Footnotes:
1. You've seen those pants; and unfortunately you'll be seeing more of them on everybody!! Arrgh, it just doesn't look good on everybody. *sigh*

chic challenge: fair-trade, eco-friendly full skirt a la oscar de la renta

So, I've come up with a challenge for myself; I want to find a gorgeous 'printed' full skirt (knee-length) like Oscar de la Renta makes, but it must be produced with fair-trade organic fabrics. I know, it's daunting! But I'll see what comes of it.

As no one can tuck and gather like my darling adopted God-father¹, Mr de la Renta; I know I'm setting myself up for disappointment already. But notice, I didn't say I just want this skirt instead of one of Mr de la Renta's... (I'll leave it at that.) His fall pieces are seventy! off; the particular print I wanted ― the purple hibiscus dip-dyed skirt ― was, ummm... pretty expensive. 'How do I say, originally over three thou?!' And it's not that de la Renta's pieces couldn't possibly be eco-friendly, I just want to find one made explicitly so on my own.Fall '08. I want the third skirt from the left.

This spring, de la Renta's skirts, some made of (silk) faille, have this extra side-flounce that's just so alluring. Ahhh...

Spring '09


Wish me luck.
xoxo.


Footnotes:
1. Mr de la Renta may not publicly acknowledge my existence, but no matter. He will someday. And you need not point a finger at me, you calling yourself part of our new prez's family! Umm.. no Barack Obama is not your uncle either. Haha.

labour of love

Speaking of, for the most inexplicable of reasons I've become delightfully enamored of these Labour of Love jazz shoes. Paired with cigarette ankle-length trousers or short shorts, they'd be so chic!! This patent fuschia pair is wild!! But, they come in fourteen!! pretty colors. At Far Fetch.



Bubblicious bubble-gum kisses.