Friday Night Lights

There's nothing I like more than spending Friday nights in, as long as I have something to occupy myself with. Thankfully, I'm always full of ideas of things to do - books to read, movies & tv to watch, cookies to bake - so I figured that I would share what my Friday "schedule" looks like this week. 

I had the day off work (whoever decided to give Government employees every other Friday off is a genius), so I spent the morning and afternoon running around doing errands. Out to the East End for shopping (don't worry mum I only bought sheets, pillows, and towels that I really needed), down to the South End for groceries (bought a huge box of penguin cheese crackers - the President's choice brand of Goldfish - yum), and then to the library for a stack of books. There are never enough books in my life. Clearly.

By the time that was all done I was pretty tired, so I threw a load of laundry in the machine and sat down to catch up on some tv episodes with dinner. I'm totally obsessed with Reign & Suits, so without giving away what happened on this week's episodes I'll just say that I was super stoked. 

To top it all off, I'm planning on spending the rest of the evening surfing the web - planning more books to read, researching some things, and checking out the best of the Ukrainian fashion scene to get inspired for a photo shoot tomorrow. Did you know that the Ukraine has their own Fashion Week? I sure didn't, but that's the website that I'm going to start my browsing on because it looks like it has a good showcase of old and new designers!

I'm really digging Svetlana Voziian and Zalevskiy, but from the looks of it there's a lot of talent in the Ukrainian fashion scene! If you want to surf along with me check out the website for Ukrainian Fashion Week, and let me know who you're feeling is a good prediction for Spring 2014!

Svetlana Voziian

Zalevskiy

photos from Ukrainian Fashion Week - Collections - S/S 2014

50 Shades of Grey

"I think I'm in love," she said. "You're sophisticated, ever-changing, & don't complicate my life. You're everything I ever wanted."

With a hint of a smile, the pile of clothing before her whispered softly back: "We know."

Pasturizing: 2014 Trend-Spotting

Western style has always been something that I have disliked. The over-abundance of denim, false-virginity of prairie skirts, and the shameful misuse of glitter (sorry Dolly Parton, but too much is too much) makes me physically ill, so I was loath to discover that the Wild West seemed to be cropping up again and again on style blogs recently. Thankfully, the old clichés seem to be largely gone and the trend seems to be more for Western influences and accessories than an all out cow-town revolution. Praise the shoe gods for that, since my city-girl mind can totally handle the interesting contrast between the Wild Wild West and urbanity! In particular there are four trends that I’m getting behind whole-heartedly: feminine fringe, snakeskin footwear, unexpected bandanna paisley, and (of course) repurposed denim.

Depending on the material, fringe can cross some interesting borders. Leather and lace fringes were common in the clothing of the Roma (gypsy) populations of Europe and the native peoples of North America, but most modern viewpoints are reminiscent of cowboys as well. I’ve always loved fringed purses (I have a signature silver fringed tote), but I’m also really starting to like the fringed lace shawls that I’m seeing kicking around. They might have become popular again due to the Stevie Nicks and American Horror Story influence, but the style definitely screams vintage American bohemian.

In their live form, I am absolutely terrified of snakes, but maybe that’s what makes snakeskin footwear (the fake stuff – jeez) so satisfying: I have those suckers in a place where they’re harmless. Whether it’s Louboutin pumps, sneakers, loafers, or ballet flats, snakeskin seems to be the animal shoe graphic of 2014.

Paisley is a rather odd print. In its more psychedelic hues it can be identified with the 1960s, and bandannas seem to have become more associated with gangs than cowboys. But when it’s classic white on red or blue, once again my brain thinks of Ralph Lauren, classic America, and ranches. Banana paisley seems to be making a comeback specifically in menswear – and in very surprising places. From bow ties to dress shirts, or city-slicker men are taking it back to the Wild Wild West. (Will Smith reference very much intended).

It wouldn’t be possible to post about Western fashion without including a mention of denim. Ever-practical, denim long ago moved away from being simply a working Joe’s staple and became a couture commodity. I figure as long as we steer clear of denim overalls (or any overalls in general…) and the Brittney+Justin couples’ outfits then let the denim trend reign free. 

images from Tumblr

The Fall Issues

I’ve been seriously tardy with doing my fashion homework lately… Like school, I will go to class and do the assignments (the fashion equivalents being going shopping and putting together outfits), but I refuse to do the readings. I only buy fashion magazines once a year (the big Spring and Fall issues of Vogue and W), but I am terrible at actually getting around to reading them. And when I do read them all I do is look at the pictures…

For shame, I know.

Then again, fashion is all about the visuals – guilt be gone!

So to give myself a little motivation for actually doing my “homework” I went through Vogue and W and picked out a “best” and “worst” list for this little post. Ironically, once I was finished I didn’t even want to go through the effort of collecting images from the “worst” list, so you’re only getting the positive feedback! Things are are a-changin’ apparently…

The Fall Issues - Best by riella03 featuring Yves Saint Laurent leggings

Handbag: Dior

Normally I loathe the idea of a shoe-printed purse (and a curse upon all shoe-shaped purses), but this artful little sketch is perfection. It’s whimsical, yet classic, and all tied up in a useful accessory!

Dress: Dolce & Gabbana

Red and lace and sparkle and the models wearing crowns? Love it! Bring on the oppulence of the Italian aristocrats, I say!

Shoes: Chanel

Everyone should have a little Chanel in their closet, I always say, and these quilted leather riding boots with chain detailing are definitely worth swearing by (if Carrie Bradshaw is any kind of indication).

Coat: Versace

Something about a bright red maxi-coat just speaks to me right now. How odd, that two reds are on my list, when it’s normally a colour I avoid?

Pants: Saint Laurent

Putting aside my issues with their name-change, no one does chic trousers like YSL, and these leather beauties are no exception.

Makeup: Marc Jacobs Beauty

He had me at smokey rainbow-hued smudges.

Jewelry: Versace

Versace wins again, with punk-rock spikes and layered chains amping up their editorial edge.

Prints: Etro

This brand isnt normally on my radar, but they stepped it up this time around by pairing graphic and organic prints in a rather interesting way.

Male Model

Jeremy Irons for Berluti: Props to Irons for making his way in what is definitely a young man’s field and repping for Berluti. Pairing well-known male actors with fabulous fashion seems to have become a trend in the last year (Ewan MacGregor for Belstaff, etc) and I am definitely all for it!

Newcomer: Belstaff

They might have been around for ages, but the last year has seen this British brand break into the ranks of the major fashion contendors with their classic leather and knitwear lines. We’ll see if they manage to maintain their momentum, and whether they attempt to break out of their well-established mold.

Ad Campaign: Kenzo

It seems that the models have become the print in the latest editorial campaigns from Kenzo, and while I am not a big fan of bugs I find this juxtaposition quite amusing and visually pleasing. 

(Lady) Suit Up

 Why should boys have all the fun? We may have more options to choose from, but the words of Barney Stinson still ring true: "Nothing suits me like a suit!"

shirt by Lanvin, pants by Et Vous Paris, jacket by Vero Moda

Retroactive

As the years go by we see certain things come into style, and then suddenly disappear, only to be remembered with a fond sort of horror and nostalgia. Like fanny packs. Convenient for carrying snacks and such, but complete fashion suicide.

I’ve never been one to follow trends, as it’s almost impossible to find things that are in vogue at the thrift store (even with my shopping karma), yet I often find things that are clearly from ages gone by but are once again fabulous. Or maybe I just think they’re fabulous because I’m living in the past.

Like this retro jacket from Givenchy. I’m not sure exactly which collection it’s from, but I have the feeling that it’s from the Alexander McQueen-era, since the tailoring is impeccable and the silhouette is exaggerated. Either way it’s absolutely fabulous, and I can’t wait til the weather cools down so that I have more of an excuse to wear it. Afterall, one must not sweat through couture…

* jacket by Givenchy, skirt by Annie Alexander

The Little Gucci Dress

Boy, has the little Gucci dress grown up. In fact, it's not so little anymore!

The little Gucci dress of the Posh Spice era was known for its provocative hemlines, monochromatic colour, and borderline trashy persona. Yet, with the departure of Tom Ford the brand has gone in almost exactly the opposite direction and still retained its fan following. Floor-brushing length, splashes (or slashes) of colour and print, and a decidedly grown up chic has proved that the house has grown out of its sexy teen years and metamorphosed into its sexy adult age. Maybe the designers were just following the transition of their biggest fan from a globe trotting Spice Girl to hot mum Victoria Beckham, but really what else are they going to do? Fashion Houses that don't change are like Spice Girls who don't change; they don't marry David Beckham. And we all want a little Beckham in our lives don't we ;)

Images from Tumblr. 

Don't stomp your little last season Pradas at me honey!

When I think of Italian fashion I inevitably think of the Prada. Not just because of the infamous quote from the best lawyered movie ever, but because Prada tends to show some rather strange things on the runway that I just can't quite connect with. Their strangest stuff lately is their rather conceptual take on Fall florals for Spring/Summer 2013. I'm all for messing with seasonal fashion expectations, but flowers on fur? Totally not digging it. Especially when the fur (and the flowers) looks totally faked.

And then there's the odd proportions... I'm sorry, but who is honestly going to be able to pull off that odd tunic without looking like they're wearing their kids' clothes? Or having that much bulk around the hips? Only women who are 6'5 and weigh 110 pounds. Which is like no one in the real world.

Ironically, I quite love the odd flowers transposed on the classic hard lines of a Prada purse. Putting flowers on a purse for adults can be tricky (hello we're not in kindergarten anymore), but the conceptual flower design adds a touch of whimsy and interest to the sometimes overly hard lines of the Prada purse.



Then it gets weird again, as the flowers move down the body. All the way down to shoes. For men... I'm not sure if I love this look, or hate it, but I'm pretty sure the men of today-land are not quite evolved enough to accept flowered footwear. Though I would love to see some men do it, just because they can! (Do I hear a challenge acepted anyone?)

Hopefully Prada can reign it in next year and go back to the fabulousness that they had circa Sex & the City season 6. Afterall, I totally want to be one of those women who introduces her new boyfriend to "the Prada" rather than the parents.

Images courtesy of Tumblr. 

The Artist's Muse

As we finally start to head into the warm weather (it's about time) my mind is inevitably drawn to contemplating the artistic world. I don't know if it's the fact that the flowers are finally blooming, or that the lingering twilight beckons, or if it's simply that I have more time to think about hobbies, but my mind is awash with graphic patterns, washes of watercolour, and fine lines of India ink.

One of my favourite art styles is Art Nouveau, as brought into being by the Czech artist Alphonse Mucha. His careful use of line and colour make for some exquisite paintings, and his design aesthetic translates to a much broader range of materials such as home decor, architecture, and of course fashion. Even though Mucha worked almost 100 years ago, his influence resonates with the current fashion trends - giving us cosmic emblems, floating fabrics, and an abundance of detailed organic prints to inspire some truely fabulous spring and summerwear.

The Month of May by riella03 featuring a gold plated bracelet

The Stars by riella03 featuring a pleated skirt

Art Nouveau by riella03 featuring roberto cavalli

April Blizzards

I've been praying since early March that the terrible weather we've 

been having in Canada will break, and Spring will finally come 

around. I dearly miss my shorts, open toed shoes, and tanktops. 

This week we've finally started to get some decent weather in 

Halifax, but it's still cold, so the need for a jacket is still imperative. 

Which would suck, except that lighter weight jackets can be super 

cute and are super trendy this Spring so far. Here are three looks I 

created, as inspired by the fantastic jackets made my British rebel 

designer Vivienne Westwood. Whether you want to wear your 

summer dresses early, add a pop of unique colour or texture to your 

outfit, or go classic with moto-style leathers there's a Spring jacket 

for you! 

Audrey Updated by riella03 featuring striped tops

The New Yorker by riella03 featuring sleeveless tops

Paris by riella03 featuring real leather jackets

Evolution

Whether it's the first day or the last, change is inevitable. It can be expected or it can come as a surprise, but regardless we have to let the flow of the time take us downstream. We might feel like we're being swept out to sea with the tide, but survival instincts kick in so that we either swim back to shore or grow gills and sink beneath the waves to become amphibious. 

The spectrum under the waves seems muted at first, awash with hues not carried by oxygen, but it holds a whole new world. The choice to adapt may seem inevitable, but it is impossible to stand anchored in the mire and murk. The eddies of time take you where they will, but it remains your choice how much you will allow them to change you. 

tshirt by Avirex (alterred by me), skirt by Forever 21, tights by Betsey Johnson, boots by Aldo, clutch by MMS Design Studio, earrings by Sirens, vintage bracelet. 

Genre Mixing, or Too Many Options

When we work on Cataloguing at the library, we're often faced with difficult choices. We can't have co-genres, there is no sharing the main entry, and we can't combine subjects except in very specific ways. Now I'm a pretty decisive person (95 points out of 100 on the personality test we did last semester, higher than anyone else in the class), but having to choose single topics for books drives me nuts. I always come to a decision eventually, but there's this little voice inside my head that keeps whinging about how the Anglo-American Cataloguing rules and Library of Congress Subject Headings need to learn to cooperate.

I have the same problem when it comes to clothing patterns. Some people live under the assumption that simple is best, but honestly I find that rather dull. Why shouldn't I wear stripes and polkadots at the same time? Why can't I wear decorative brocaide and leopard in the same outfit? Sometimes patterns just don't go well together, but if you learn to coordinate them properly then the combination can be fabulous. The other day I wore this outfit which contains five - that's right, five - patterns without batting an eye. Sure I got some weird looks, but I just figure that the people who can't handle it just don't have any style!

H&M tunic, Calvin Klein leopard print cardigan, Ardene zebra print earrings, Sirens marbled leggings, thrifted studded waist belt, paint-by-number Converse Project Red Chuck Taylor All Star runners.