I have a winter skiing vacation planned in February but this bitter cold over the last few weeks has me dreaming of the spring and summer. Naturally, I’m thinking of all the new fashions that will be hitting the stores very soon. One of my favourite collections for Spring Summer 2014 is Roberto Cavalli. I can’t believe it myself.
Roberto Cavalli Spring Summer 2014
The S/S 2014 Roberto Cavalli collection is inspired by the cinematography of the silver screen, in a projection of femininity. Unique, romantic and exuberant, the Roberto Cavalli woman is the Goddess of a sensual revolution where images shine in the gowns just like in dreams. The desire to enhance reality through the filter of an extraordinary cinematographic light which becomes real in the seductive silhouettes and sinuous outlines of the clothes. Silver dominates the scene. Subtle hues of powder pink, pearl grey, mint green and light blue contrasted with black and white. Embroideries created with satin crystal baguettes, metal suspensions and Mukesh embellishment techniques stand out on the geometric cuts of the fluid dresses. Slip dresses, flowing caftans, jacquard prints, lace and tie-dye create contrasting and faded effects embodied in dynamic and luminous shapes. Python, iguana, crocodile and denim patchwork pants and jackets redefine the iconic heritage of the Maison in a contemporary style.(source: Roberto Cavalli YouTube)
This collection hit all my 20s style buttons hard. The embroidery and embellishments are incredible and at the same time very wearable. Everything is on point with this collection from the sweeping gowns, reptile pants and gem crusted accessories. I salivated watching the video which I’ve included below. Photos don’t do this collection justice at all. This is my dream collection, something I never thought would happen with the designer Roberto Cavalli
Proenza Schouler can do no wrong! This Spring Summer 2014 collection is so very strong with every look hitting the right notes in my style playlist. Jack and Lazaro relayed their inspiration to Hamish Bowles at Vogue:
I love me a good fashion documentary and the next movie to take us all by storm will be based on Carine Roitfeld!!
Carine Roitfeld ran French Vogue for 10 years, building a reputation as one of fashion’s most influential movers. Her inner circle of friends includes Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, Karl Lagerfeld, Mario Testino, Riccardo Tisci, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Alexander Wang. Yet few people outside the fashion world have heard of her…until now.
Mademoiselle C chronicles Carine’s launch of her new magazine “CR Fashion Book.” It gives a rare inside glimpse at the inner workings not only of Roitfeld’s professional world but also her personal life. It is a film about transition, letting the audience watch as Carine moves to New York, starts a new business, and prepares to become a grandmother. And of course, its filled the the models, celebrities, and eccentric personalities that make the fashion world so entertaining.
The film is set to get a release date in September 2013 in the US. No word on Canadian distribution.
I’m in love with this new webseries from PayPalCanada called The Future in Store. It talks about the technology developments in the retail industry. It’s hosted by my golf buddyAmber Mac and Doug Stephens, Retail Guru.
I have to admit that the Kate Spade Saturday shop wall is a really good looking installation. After seeing the eBay Now spot, it looks like personal delivery is going to be a big trend. Hurrier just started in Toronto and it will be interesting to see what other stores they partner with. Red Laser could be very, very dangerous to window shoppers!
I found Nomi the most interesting in episode 2. It’s very Big Brother but I’d be curious to see how the data is applied to changes in merchandizing and store design.
I’ll continue to post more of the series as they become available.
Met my fashion kryptonite with Dior using Depeche Mode as the music for their Secret Garden – Versailles video series.
May 2012 – Secret Garden – Versailles
A film by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, starring Daria Strokus, Melissa Stasiuk and Xiao Wen Ju in La Galeries Des Glaces РCh̢teau de Versailles.
Depeche Mode: ‘Enjoy the Silence’
June 2013 – Secret Garden – Versailles
The Château de Versailles, emblem of Dior’s tradition, hosts a new tale which brings to life the Dior Fall 2013 collection. The chateau and its park abound with well-kept secrets. The heart of the royal land conceals an extraordinary world of poetry and color: in the depth of its mysterious woods a secret garden blooms out of sight, inhabited by flower-women. From the Grand Trianon to the enchanted forest, Versailles becomes the picturesque backdrop of a dreamlike tale.
Depeche Mode – Behind the Wheel
Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014
The Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 collection made me sit up and take notice this year. No it wasn’t because of the clothing, it was the models. The Black Models. Like, finally.
Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014
Dior has been incredibly lily white since Raf Simons took over. It was a very different to John Galliano’s way of doing things that was a bit more inclusive. Raf isn’t off the hook and I’m not applauding Dior for anything. I’m just happy to look at these beautiful women. Like, Yasmin walked the damn show. That’s awesome.
Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014
You can watch the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 fashion show below.
Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014
Schiaparelli Haute Couture by Christian Lacroix Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014
Christian Lacroix kicks off the revival of the House of Schiaparelli with a Haute Couture collection for the Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 season. Every season the House of Schiaparelli will be inviting a different artist to create a Haute Couture collection. These collections aren’t for sale and purely for the love of Couture (and great advertising to boot).
Schiaparelli Haute Couture by Christian Lacroix Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014Schiaparelli Haute Couture by Christian Lacroix Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014
There are a couple of videos out that show the collection and interviews with the designer and Schiaparelli spokespeople.
The video below is an interview with Christian Lacroix with Suzy Menkes.
Schiaparelli Haute Couture by Christian Lacroix Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014Schiaparelli Haute Couture by Christian Lacroix Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014
I think my favourite part of the collection is the hats.
Schiaparelli Haute Couture by Christian Lacroix Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014Schiaparelli Haute Couture by Christian Lacroix Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014
The Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 ad campaigns are starting to come out and so far Miu Miu is my favourite.
Miu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad Campaign
There are some really striking images in the campaign. The love the way the colours seem so saturated and leap off the page.
Miu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad Campaign
Evoking a spirit of adventure and daring, the Fall/Winter 2013 campaign captures the passage of girls in a twilight cinema-scape loaded with intrigue, imagination and femininity. Set at the end of a seaside pier, their stories unfurl against a mysterious cityscape and vanishing horizon, brought to life in an up-tempo quirky dance video where the models move harmoniously with the rhythm and mood of the music. While standing on the dock of the bay waiting for a ferry, they dance away the fun of the night before returning home in the early morning.
In a fabricated reality of noir optimism, Inez & Vinoodh capture a diverse and exhilarating cast of characters including Katlin Aas, Emily DiDonato, Daphne Groeneveld, Georgia May Jagger, Adriana Lima, Marina Nery, Hind Sahli, Anne Verhallen and Lindsey Wixson. From these curious rendez-vous materializes the idiosyncratic sense of adventure that encapsulates this collection.
Music: “Hand Clapping Songâ€, performed by The Meters(source: miumiu.com)
Miu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad Campaign
The campaign video is even better than the still images. I just love it. The duo Inez & Vinoodh directed the film and it features the models: Adriana Lima, Anne Verhallen, Daphne Groeneveld, Emily DiDonato, Georgia May Jagger, Hind Sahli, Katlin Aas, Lindsey Wixson, Marina Nery.
Miu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad CampaignMiu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Ad Campaign
It’s been a long time since I saw the Miu Miu Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014 Fashion Show so lets refresh our memories
I’m a Microsoft girl. It’s my OS of choice since the DOS days. I was excited when they contacted me to join their Influencer Program a few weeks ago. The first event is called Work Your Game with Windows 8. Microsoft Canada invited six people (Amber MacArthur, Carl Edwin-Michel, Sharad Mohan, Steve Dangle and Tyrone Edwards) to play two rounds of golf with a swing clinic in between at the prestigious Glen Abbey Golf Club. It’s a competition with the most improved player winning $8000 for the charity of their choice.
Along with golf we learned about the new Windows 8 operating system. I received a SurfaceRT from Microsoft in order to experience Windows 8 on a touch screen device. So the first round of golf and the MAT-T swing clinic are complete and we moved on to the final round. I felt really good after the swing clinic so the competition was on.
Before golfing we had lunch at Glen Abbey and learned more about the Windows 8 operation systems and we got more acquainted with our devices. Microsoft Canada had a surprised for us. Canadian Golf Pro, Mike Weir got on Skype and chatted with us about golf and his experiences. Every man and woman in that room was fangirling and fanboying like crazy. Each of us got 10 minutes to talk to Mike personally.
Mike also had a copy of our MAT-T analysis and provided us with personalized tips. He demonstrated some of his tips over Skype with his invisible helper making sure he was in shot. It was so very cool. Mike mentioned my name in his tips to the other influencers and it was awesome. He’s totally #teamAnita on this one. I’m not much of a Skype person but the experience with Mike has changed my mind about it and I need to incorporated it more in my life. I would find out days later from my Mother, so very casually that Mike is friends with my cousin’s husband and he was at their wedding. Weird 6 degrees of separation there.
In our first round of golf we played the first nine holes at Glen Abbey Golf Club, for the second round we played the back nine holes. IT IS LIKE A WHOLE DIFFERENT COURSE! Jack Nicklaus, golf superstar designed Glen Abbey and the back nine is gorgeous. The Sixteen Mile Creek flows through the course and the water hazards, trees and sand traps are plentiful.
Holes 11 to 15 are called the Valley Holes with the 11th considered on of the most beautiful holes in golf. The tee off for the 11th hole requires you to hit the ball into the valley and over a pit of massive trees and brush. The back nine is way harder than the front nine and it seemed at every hole there was a story about some amazing performance Tiger Woods had during a Canadian Open like Tiger’s Run at the 15th hole or his incredible 216 yards shot with a 6 iron out of a bunker to birdie the 18th hole
It was a beautiful clear day and the perfect temperature for golf. I love being outdoors and having beer delivered to your via golf cart. I wore another bright golf outfit with pants and shirt from the Gap and my lavender Cat Worksong brogues.
The tee off for the 13th hole is pictured above. You can see how Sixteen Mile Creek weaves throughout the course.
Since we teed off around 4:30 we got to see the course at dusk. The setting sun makes for incredible views.
In the end, I didn’t win the $8,000. It went to Tyrone Edwards. I felt really great about my game though. I was hitting the ball a lot better and got some compliments on my swing. My putting could use some work as it was hitting the ball way to hard. I didn’t use Mike Weir’s gently tossing a ball advice about it. The golf bug has infected me now. I really want to play more and develop my game. It seems my Dad’s love of golf is transferring to me. I seem to have his swing so this doesn’t surprise me.
Check out all my photos from Glen Abbey
This post was sponsored by Microsoft Canada. The views and options expressed in this blog, however, are purely my own.
I want – I got x Microsoft Canada – Work Your Game with MAT-T
Each participant in the Work Your Game program received a complementary club fitting and swing analysis experience at the TaylorMade Performance Lab located at Glen Abbey. The lab uses MAT-T (Motion Analysis Technology by TaylorMade) technology that generates a 3D avatar of the golfer.
The comprehensive three hour fitting experience covers all 14 clubs in the bag, from driver to putter, ensuring a perfectly fit set of custom clubs and offering the individual a deeper understanding of the golf swing. The MAT-T system (Motion Analysis Technology by TaylorMade) utilizes 3D motion reality via 6 high speed cameras to transform the golfer into an avatar – a digital rendering of the golfer and their swing that can be viewed from any angle. It is a process and system similar to those used by video game and computer developers to capture 3D motion in a high speed environment.
This analysis is exactly the same as the pros use to get their clubs to match their swing perfectly. I was really excited about this session as I have a B.Sc in Kinesiology. Analysis of movement was something I was interested in at school. The final project for one of my Biomechanics courses involved something similar to the swing analysis but on a much more rudimentary level. The computers I was using back then ran MS DOS. I filmed one of the members of the women’s basketball team shooting a jump shot. I took the film and transferred it to the computer where I manually plotted the major joints the body over many frames. With the plotting made the computer was able to extract measurements of the player’s movements. MAT-T is way more advanced than what I was doing all those years ago.
Microsoft Canada was wonderful and provided me with black car service to Glen Abbey. I walked into the TaylorMade Performance Lab, wearing my brightest golf outfit, and there was a sign greeting me. It was a thoughtful gesture and I felt special for sure. I met Shawn, my certified TaylorMade Club fitting Professional. He would perform the analysis and give some pointers on how to improve my swing. I learned that Shawn played on the pro tour for 3 years himself. He’s a great teacher.
I want – I got x Microsoft Canada – Work Your Game with MAT-T
We walked into the analysis room which is fitted with 6 high speed cameras place strategically around the room. Shawn got me suited up like an actor in a sci-fi movie. Sensors were placed all over my body and the machine was calibrated to my frame. I was handed an iron that also had sensors placed on it and was instructed to swing. It was a little weird smacking balls in a small room but there is a net and padding that prevents the ball from bouncing back and smacking you in the head. After a few hits you ignore it. Shawn showed me the details of my swing with an iron on the screen. He heard that I had a B.Sc in Kinesiology so he went into extra detail for me. I was in sport nerd heaven. Shawn corrected my swing stance and showed me about proper placement. We then moved onto the driver
Shawn’s tips were amazing and I really felt like I improved on things. My analysis proved it. It was time to take things outdoor to see if I could carry my new golf posture outdoors. Shawn was amazed and surprised at my swing. I was amazed and surprised at my swing. It was consistent and I could hit it pretty far. I felt like my late Father was helping me here. He was known for his swing. After some hits outside it was back to the Performance Centre to analysis and work on my putting. The MAT-T system is pretty amazing. You can compare yourself to previous recordings which Shawn did to show me how I improved my stance. It’s also great to comparing yourself to the pros as they have many of their results on file.
After the session was over I received a customized list of clubs and settings for when I’m looking to get myself outfitted and a CD of the analysis. Unfortunately, the CD only runs on 32bit machines and the only laptop I have with a CD is 64bit. So I haven’t even gotten a chance to review it myself. I learned so much about Golf from Shawn and how complicated the equipment is. It’s absolutely baffling. After going through the MAT-T system I don’t know how anyone goes and buys equipment off the shelf without expert consultation. It’s amazing that this technology is available for everyone from beginners to experts.
I want – I got x Microsoft Canada – Work Your Game with MAT-T
So armed with my improved swing, I got mentally prepared for the final round at Glen Abbey. It would decide who gets the $8,000 for their charity. I can raise more money for Story Planet with the help of my social networks. The more you RT my tweets, view my blog posts and videos will give me an opportunity to add up to $1500 to the minimum $1000 Story Planet will receive because of my participation. Use the hashtag #teamAnita on twitter to show your support. Whoever has the most active social community will receive and Xbox 360 and Windows 8 tablet to give away to their lucky readers.
This post was sponsored by Microsoft Canada. The views and options expressed in this blog, however, are purely my own.
Yes, Microsoft Canada invited me to playing Golf for charity. I imagine there is some confusion happening on your end. Golf, Microsoft and I want – I got, how do these things fit together? Well let me break it down,
I’m a Microsoft girl. It’s my OS of choice since the DOS days. I was excited when they contacted me to join their Influencer Program a few weeks ago. The first event is called Work Your Game with Windows 8. Microsoft Canada invited six people (Amber MacArthur, Carl Edwin-Michel, Sharad Mohan, Steve Dangle and Tyrone Edwards) to play two rounds of golf with a swing clinic in between at the prestigious Glen Abbey Golf Club. It’s a competition with the most improved player winning $8000 for the charity of their choice. Along with golf we learned about the new Windows 8 operating system. I received a SurfaceRT from Microsoft in order to experience Windows 8 on a touch screen device.
Regular readers have never seen a mention of golf on this site until now. I’m not a regular player but I do enjoy the sport. My connection to golf is through my late father. He loved golf. He was my model of someone who was totally devoted and in love with their sport. This was something that I would model throughout my young adult years when I dedicated much of my life to sport. My father tried to get us into golf as kids, taking us to the driving range and getting us to hit balls in the backyard. It didn’t take. My brother and I loved soccer and running around. Golf is too cerebral a game to grasp as a hyperactive kid. So fast forward to now and the last time I played a round of golf was 8 years ago. I jumped on the chance to join the Work Your Game with Windows 8 event because I wanted to be close to my Dad in a way. I was hoping I could channel some of his amazing skills as a golfer. He was really good and my childhood memories of him are filled with his golf trophies. My charity selection is Story Planet. I learned about this youth literacy charity through friends who did some branding and illustration work for them.
Story Planet is a literacy organization that inspires young people to be creative and effective communicators. We encourage them to develop their unique voices and help them launch their stories through the written word, visual arts & digital media.
Microsoft piled all of us in Black cars early one Tuesday morning and we made the drive from downtown Toronto to Oakville. Glen Abbey is a super exclusive club and we received a lot of rules before arriving, especially about dress code. Collared shirts and golf pants are a must. Sporty clothes are not acceptable and make sure those shoes have no spikes. It wasn’t hard to dress the part because I actually have golf shirts in my closet. They are colourful and I use them under sweaters generally. I opted for Tretorns instead of Converse.
Microsoft mentioned that there would be a film crew because they would create videos for each of us to share about the experience. I didn’t really grasp the concept until we pulled up to the Glen Abbey clubhouse and the Video team of with two cameras were waiting patiently. Yikes, I thought. It’s 7:30am and this film crew is here. I automatically put my sunglasses on before getting out the car, time to be on.
Everything was setup for us when we arrived. Four golf carts with full sets of clubs all lined up in a row, just begging us to drive them. Well that was what it felt like to me, I LOVE driving golf carts. Thankfully, most of the other participants weren’t golf experts. To make it easier on us we played Scramble Golf. That way we wouldn’t spend too much time at each hole pissing off the tournament that was teeing off behind us. Our ragtag crew was hilarious and the film crew followed us for 5 holes. I could only imagine what the members were thinking. I’m sure we were a total pain in the ass for the Golf Rangers who travel the course making sure everything is running smoothly.
I enjoy golf even when I’m playing badly. Being outdoors with friends is the best part about golf. Drinking on the course is another thing that makes the sport great. Unfortunately at Glen Abbey there were no beers on course. Mind you it was way too early to be drinking. Golf is the kind of sport that makes you more aggravated as you get better. My goal for this round was just to hit the ball. I couldn’t remember any tips or the proper posture. My driving game got better as we progressed and I even managed to get par on one hole. I only hit my ball into the water hazard once when I decided to use a bigger club than necessary. I was just happy with the long hit. My putting game stayed pretty consistent and it was much better than my driving game.
Glen Abbey is a beautiful course. Peaceful and immaculate with lots of water hazards around. We gawked at the houses that back onto the course, they are massive. The one time I partied in Oakville was at a house that backed onto Glen Abbey. At nightfall we hopped the fence and smacked balls around. I kept looking for that house but didn’t see it.
We only played 9 holes which was a blessing for a first outing as 18 would have been a hell of a slog. We all got back to the Clubhouse and recorded our initial scores. My initial score is crap and I’m not going to mention it here. You’ll learn about it when I tell you about the final round that will choose the winner.
I can raise more money for Story Planet with the help of my social networks. The more you RT my tweets, view my blog posts and videos will give me an opportunity to add up to $1500 to the minimum $1000 Story Planet will receive because of my participation. Use the hashtag #teamAnita on twitter to show your support as I prepare for tomorrow’s final round. Whoever has the most active social community will receive and Xbox 360 and Windows 8 tablet to give away to their lucky readers.
Check out all my photos from Glen Abbey below in the slideshow
This post was sponsored by Microsoft Canada. The views and options expressed in this blog, however, are purely my own.
If you were at WMCFW in Toronto this year you might have seen me with a camera entourage. Or you might have seen me doing an on camera interview backstage. The program InnerSPACE on the SPACE channel asked me take part in a segment about fashion bloggers along with Stefania Yarhi and Nathalie Atkinson.
SPACE’s flagship show, InnerSPACE is a daily entertainment talk show that covers film, television, video games, technology, comic books, gadgets, and all things genre. Hosted by Ajay Fry, Cynthia Loyst and Teddy Wilson, InnerSPACE takes its audience behind the velvet rope by giving them VIP access to the people, places, and things inside genre that they’ve grown to love.
InnerSPACE: Rise of the Fashion Blogger
The segment is called “Rise of the Fashion Blogger”.
Fashion reporting has changed in recent years with the introduction of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If you have a device and an opinion, fashion can be instantly accessible to the masses.(source)
The video doesn’t allow embedding so here is the link where you can check it out on SPACE.ca. Watch InnerSPACE: Rise of the Fashion Blogger. InnerSPACE also had an In Studio interview with Jeanne Beker which was its own segment. You check out the link on SPACE.ca Watch Jeanne Beker in Studio.
I haven’t watch the segment yet. I love being on camera, it comes pretty naturally. However, I don’t enjoy watching the final product. I guess I’m too self conscious or too much of a perfectionist that the experience is always jarring. I’ll get around to watching this eventually, I always do in the end.
Anita Clarke on CBC’s In The Kitchen with Stefano Faita
You don’t say no to the photographer that put you on the webpages of Women’s Wear Daily. So when the lovely James Teen offered me a tiny bit of Kitchen TV stardom I said yes, yes and yes. The show James works on is called CBC’s In the Kitchen with Stefano Faita. You may have seen it. Me, I never heard of it before. I didn’t even bother to Google it after I accepted. I went on my merry little way until a friend mentioned that Stefano, the host was pretty hot. Not going to lie, I hit up Google immediately after that nugget of information. Ha.
The episode was called Stefano’s Restaurant-Style Dishes and it originally aired on November 6, 2012. I heard through twitter about it, ha.
Ha ha. I just got informed that my appearance on @cbcinthekitchen is on TV right now!!!
Anita Clarke on CBC’s In The Kitchen with Stefano Faita
Dressing for TV is always interesting. I opted for my vintage Dior knit twinset. I knew my hands would be prominent in the show so I wore Chanel Particulière on my nails. Thank you Natalie and Frank who sat participated in the taping too. It was great to have some friends there to help me calm my nerves.
Prada lost me for the spring summer 2013 collection. I couldn’t get past the awful shoes and not so inspired Japanese references. The Prada Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 collection is beautiful. It has some Prada quirk but it was completely wearable and mature. Not your Grandmother’s mature but grown ass woman looking hot mature. Miuccia Prada booked Mariacarla Boscono for the show and the only thing that would have made this it perfect would have been an appearance by Sasha Pivovarova.
Do something geometric and I’m probably going to like it. If the designers are Ohne Titel doing something geometric means I’m going to love it. The Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 Ohne Titel collection is called “Optimistic minimalismâ€. Designers Flora Gill and Alexa Adams took inspiration from their friend, artist Tauba Auerbach. Tauba’s cavases of woven twill tape provided the common thread that permeated the collection.
Ohne Titel Fall Winter 2013 – 2014
I loved everything about this collection from the repeating pattern, muted colour palette and knitwear.
Ohne Titel Fall Winter 2013 – 2014
The shoes are perfectly suited to this slightly futurist collection. The quilting fits in perfectly with the grid pattern.
Ohne Titel Fall Winter 2013 – 2014
Thankfully there is a full fashion available for the Ohne Titel Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 collection
This season’s Alexander McQueen fall winter 2013 – 2014 collection was only 10 looks. Sarah Burton is pregnant so they scaled down the collection. When I saw the photos initially I was like, “WTF, there are only 10 looks” then I saw the video. My “WTF there are only 10 looks” turned into “Holy Shit what wondrous and magical 10 looks”.
This pearl encrusted Alexander McQueen fall winter 2013 – 2014 collection took influences from the Virgin Queen Elizabeth I, the Ballets Russes and ecclesiastical dress. The result is stunning costume but I have no idea what we’ll see in stores come the fall.
Alexander McQueen Fall Winter 2013 – 2014
I still think that Alexander McQueen is a little one trick pony these days. The line seems stagnant and stuck in a rut. I see a lot of the same silhouettes with different treatments season to season. That’s not to say the house doesn’t produce exquisite clothing, it’s does, I’m just kinda bored. That being said, this collection was hands down incredible.
The Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 runway show was incredible. Marc Jacobs and team create a perfectly cohesive intimates as daywear collection and presented the collection in the perfect setting, a hotel. A number of doors lined the edges of the circular runway and a group of models would walk out of the doors and proceed around the runway. The finale group included Kate Moss and my personal favourite Mariacarla Boscono. The video of the collection must be seen. I love the giant corporate giants and their huge show budgets when they put on shows like this. Marc Jacobs, still love this man.
This collection is takes the whole pajama dressing style to the next level. I’m not normally a slip dress lover but the velvet, lace and embroidery is just to beautiful to resist.
Marc Jacobs and I are getting along very well this year. I loved his striped extravaganza that was the Spring Summer 2013 collection. The Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 Marc Jacobs fashion show was epic. In the middle of a circular runway was a giant glowing orb hanging. It was like a Red Giant star and models walking around where the planets. Marc is really into the Pajama dressing this season at Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton. He’s the type of designer that can convert my indifferent feelings into interest.
Street Style photography and blogs really pushed buttons this season with Suzy Menkes’ going off about in her article “The Circus of Fashion” . I had my own opinions that didn’t agree with hers and I felt that all the bloggers she called out in the piece worked damn hard and are the exceptions to the rule. Dasha Zhukova’s Garage Magazine examines the phenomenon with a story documentary called Take My Picture. It’s quite interesting and definitely worth the 10 minutes.
I found this couture gem drudging though youTube yesterday. The Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall – Winter 1999 fashion show is so different than what we see on the runway these days. This was 3 years into John Galliano’s 15 year term at Dior. Can you spot the models that are still working today, 14 years later?
I usually only post about my favourite collections of the fashion weeks. The Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 collection a favourite not because I loved most of the looks. It’s a favourite because Mary did something I didn’t expect this season, she changed. I’ve anticipated this move since the Katrantzou print influence took over the fashion world.
“I wanted to step back from color and print and contemplate shapes and silhouettes. It was important for me to take that time,†she said. It was the first season we draped on the stand in a very complex way.†(source)
Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014
Mary has commercial avenues with her five-year old business now so she can take these risks on the runway.Vogue Magazine has a shortened video of all the Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 fall runway looks.
Hermès does an incredible job with their product videos. They are extremely well done and hit that sweet spot of cute and whimsical that wins me over every time. The Sporting Life is the theme of the 2013 for Hermès and this set of four videos does a terrific job of conveying the theme. Each video takes items from the spring summer 2013 and incorporates them into sporty vignettes.
Ping Pong features the Toolbox bag and the Rallye 24 Porcelain Collection.
Herm̬s Spring Summer 2013 РThe Sporting Life
Rallye 24 Porcelain Collection: The new Hermès porcelain collection designed by Benoît-Pierre Emery and Damian O’Sullivan will be available in Canadian boutiques in May 2013. Rallye 24 has the emblematic anchor chain caught up in and propelled along by a new story on porcelain. It is playfully reworked as a car race track with its straight lines and oval corners, all short-circuiting with their foot to the floor.(source: Hermès PR)
Herm̬s Spring Summer 2013 РThe Sporting Life
Toolbox bag: A slight family resemblance… A cousin of the Kelly, with a vanity-case touch, this bag unites the Hermès spirit and the practicality of a surprisingly roomy “treasure chestâ€. Its swivel clasp, metal plate, snap hooks, lock and cloÂchette give it an urban and casual look. Made of soft and supple Swift calfskin, it can be carried by hand or on the shoulder thanks to its removable strap.(source: Hermès PR)
Leap Frog features the Grass Shoe.
Grass Shoe: With its two-tone contrasts and pairing of precious materials, smooth alligator and nubuck, this high sandal adds a touch of sports chic to the spirit of golf.(source: Hermès PR)
Herm̬s Spring Summer 2013 РThe Sporting Life
Croquet features their world famous ties and scarves.
I rarely talk about celebrities here but I was super disappointed that Kayne has tried to get photos of him wearing the badass Givenchy kilt taken down. That kilt made me love Kayne and it kills me to see him backtrack. During my ranting about this, I was sent this amazing video that Kanye posted in response to his critics. It made me love him even more. And I love his stylist taking scissors to Givenchy!
Miu Miu. How I love you for the latest film in your Women’s Tales series. I never expected to see a film with an all black cast by a black director associated with Miu Miu ever. As you can guess I’m pleasantly surprised to be wrong and totally in love with Miu Miu. The cast rocks Miu Miu designs and look smoking hot doing it. LOVE!
The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women’s Tale, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change.
The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist’s home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness. “In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves,” explains director DuVernay. “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.”
Clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine’s emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. In the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.
Ava DuVernay was the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at Sundance Film Festival, for her second feature, Middle of Nowhere, in 2012. The Door stars Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Adepero Oduye and singer-songwriter Goapele.
London trained designer Louise Goldin is a permanent fixture on the New York Fashion Week scene after moving in 2011. This season, her second in New York was Kayne free (yay) and left Louise to bask in her own glory. Louise is a knitwear god and the winter season is all about the knitwear for me. It’s easily my favourite part of winter.
Louise Goldin Fall Winter 2013 – 2014
The Louise Goldin collection mixed knits with leather and featured some strong prints. Here collection was inspired by fighting warriors. Trapunto quilting is used in the must have cropped sweaters and jackets giving it an amour feel. Victorian collars were blending with the knits in unique ways.
Louise Goldin Fall Winter 2013 – 2014
‘I wanted them to be handsome women,’ Goldin said backstage. ‘I love this sort of masculine but charming woman, that was both elegant yet cool.’ (source)
I learned from Cathy Horn that Louise produces her collection in China which doesn’t surprise me considering her knitwear heavy collection. Not everyone is Chanel with deep enough pockets to buy their local suppliers.
My charity selection is 
