The Outnet: Balmainia

I feel like a blatant fix of Balmania. A ton (no joke) of it has popped up on The Outnet lately, so I spent the whole other night salivating over all of it.

One of the iconic looks I associate with Balmain under Christophe Decarnin is silver embelishd black pieces, be they bejeweled jackets or sequin encrusted dresses.

Left to Right: Embellished Collarless Jacket, Lightning Bolt Dress, Embellished Tulle Dress, Disc-embellished Lace Jacket.

On the flipside, I have always been a sucker for the Little White Dresses that pop up every season. Kindof "Groupie Goes To A Garden Party" dont you think?

Left to Right: Mirror Embellished Shift Dress, Fringed Mini Cocktail Dress, Ecru Drop-waist Shift Dress.

Their infamous distressed skinnies have been hot property for seasons now - I particularly love the pairs with the detail at the knees.

Left to Right: Zip-detail Narrow Jeans, Stonewash Biker Jeans, Distressed Denim Jeans.

That sequined top is undoubtably one of my favorite pieces ever - from the Spring 08 collection (one of my all time most loved collections from anyone ever) it is surprisingly timeless and trans-seasonal. I'm not gonna lie, I would wear this with EVERYTHING.

Clockwise: Mongolian Sheepskin Jacket, Bell-sleeved Cotton Dress, Linen Fringed Poncho Dress, Mirrored Silk Top.

That black lace tee with killer shoulders from Spring 09 is also an all time favorite, and likewise would actually be super wearable (as opposed with uber-embellished mini dresses).

Left to Right: Fringed Cocktail Dress, Cropped Leather Bustier, Black Leather Waistcoat, Lace Shoulder Pad T-Shirt.

And while I love their OTT animal print jackets, that tee grabs me a lot more - simplicity, comfort etc.

Left to Right: Leopard Print T-Shirt, Leopard Print Leather Jacket, Zebra-print Calfskin Blazer.

And I will always be a sucker for the tie-dyed print pieces from the afor-mentioned and much beloved Spring 08 collection. Although my favorite of all were the tie-dyed flares that Erin Wasson was seen out and about in.

Left to Right: Silk Maxi Dress, Tie-Dye Crepe pants, Silk Tie-Dye Blouse

I love all the detail shots - the beadwork, sequins and mesh are dreamy.

Clockwise: Asymmetric Silk Gown, Embellished Collarless Jacket, Embellished Tulle Dress, Studded Mini Skirt.

Left to Right: Embroidered Mini Dress, Embroidered Leather Waistcoat, Mongolian Sheepskin Jacket

And, I will always ALWAYS love this dress.

Asymmetric Silk Gown

Source: The Outnet

Ps: Sorry guys, some of the pieces sold out before I could go back and add links to them!!!

Topshop Noir

Lets all take a moment to enjoy the calmness of the colour (well, shade technically) that is black. It's the perfect foil to more out there elements like sequins, leather and lace. It magically lifts everything - giving a chic and serious air. I particularly love the nostalgic masculinity and "finished" quality of a good black hat.

Clockwise: Fedora Down Brim hat, Stud Shoulder sweat, Lace Leather Bodycon Dress, Premium Pintuck teddy, Bowler hat, Zip Back Sequin Bodycon dress.

Source: Topshop

Lacey, Florally, Velvetty Goodness To See In The Big Two One

As I had been mentioning the bits and pieces I had picked up for my birthday outfit (and they general stress of me being an idiot and leaving it to the last minute) a few of you asked for an outfit post. I know I rarely do these, but I'm all shy and shit - but shall try harder. Anyway though, I was fully psyched by what I ended up piecing together - had wanted some intense shit as its my 21st so why not! And am so glad I used it as an excuse to get the bodysuit that I'd been coveting forever.

Wearing: Stolen Girlfriends Club D n B Leotard, self made skirt with Karen Walker fabric, vintage velvet jacket, vintage belt, Karen Walker Jetplane pendant, Tissot watch, makeup by MAC

Couture Fall 09: Alexis Mabille

The Couture Fall 2009 collection from Alexis Mabille is like a breath of fresh air. Its so refreshing to see soft tailoring and loose white silhouettes as opposed to the OTT, corseted, exaggerated and almost harsh, threatening femininity that is most associated with couture. One doesn't usually say this with couture - but I would live in all of this. Especially the cream lace pants - those I am really digging.

Source: Style.com

Summer 09/10: Ruby & Lonely Hearts

The summer collections from Ruby and Lonely Hearts are like flip sides of a coin - one more innocent and light, the other darker and grungier - both quite complementary to each other. I'd love to mash both of these together.

RUBY

Summery, fresh, a bit retro - chambray, lace, high waisted denim and beachy hues. Reminds me of young Brooke Shields.

LONELY HEARTS

Grungy yet delicate - monochrome with sexy-sheer lace and loose t-shirting. LOVE the lace shorts. 

Source: Fashionz

Resort 2010: Karen Walker

These are my fave looks from Karen Walker's resort collection. Loving the asymmetric ruffles, the drapey, collapsed puff sleeves and the fabrics! Molten bronze, navy lace and sheer spots. Lovely. The jeans are also too cute.

Source: Karen Walker on Facebook

Lacey Legs

Rumi from Fashion Toast just posted these insanely awesome lace bell bottoms. I NEED SOME. like asap. They are  Lace Flair Pants by With Hearts In My Eyes (available at Bona Drag).

I'm thinking I may DIY a pair (have got leggings in my to-sew pile so these should be simple). The tight thighed bell bottom silhouette has been seriously growing on me ever since seeing the mindblowing tie dye pair in Balmain's Spring 08 collection - I think they work best when not done in denim actually.

Source: Fashion Toast

Resort 2010: 3.1 Phillip Lim

Love the mash-up of black and white lace, and gold embellishment. Crazy awesome textures and patterns (which themselves have a modern look - refreshing when it comes to lace).

As you know, I'm obsessed with dressing up grey marl pieces at the moment - so am loving the sweater teamed with pants that look like liquid gold.

Source: Style.com

Showroom 22's Media Open day for Summer 09/10: Volume Two

Wish I could have posted this in the morning today, but sadly uni/gym/work combo got in the way. Heres the d-low from the rest of our amazing afternoon at Showroom 22's Media Open Day;

The suits and shirts from Working Style were heavenly. I am a total sucker for menswear - and only buy mens shirts, women's generally just do not fit me properly (cursed with broad shoulders. But I like mens shirts better anyway, so its a perk). Gorgeous fine corduroy jackets - so elegant. Eddie and Tim were super nice as well - and put up with me saying the jackets were cute - sorry guys, not an ideal operative word for menswear. My bad.

Sherieyvonne

Source: Sherieyvonne

Amazing details from this collection; inserts, multiple collars and reversible pieces. And I loved the cut out shoulder details. 

TwentySevenNames

The collection from TwentySevenNames is to die for - we were so excited we were practically hyperventilating. It was an amazing sartorial lovechild of Jimi Hendrix and the nineties. Insanely cool.

Loved the peach and white denim pieces - such a fresh take on ubiquitous pieces like the vest, jacket and cutoffs. Such perfect summer hues too.

Left to Right: Peaches short shorts, Peaches denim jacket & Sleeveless cut off denim vest

I am seriously coveting the tee on the left. The image doesn't do it justice - its the palest neutral pink, like dirty ballerina tights - in the BEST possible way, I am pretty much obsessed with that colour right now. Its delicately sheer and I would definitely thrash this.

Left to Right: Basic scoop neck tee, Jimi-James tshirt dress, Crush with eyeliner skirt

The cropped tops were all heavenly - the zip lace would be great even for winter. And the stripe is cute, nautical and I love the slightly long crop length. Would most probably buy it a size or two too big I think.

Left to Right: Little kicks lace cardi, Monterey pop crop top, Lace cardi and Lace tights

So much angelically sexy white lace. Brigette and I both NEED that bodysuit. Much to her disapproval however I really loved those little briefs. Wearable? Surely... Somehow..

Left to Right: Little wing bodysuit, Art star check dress, Slip-knot lace dress, Lace knickers

Love the jeans and leggings that featured knee patches! I made a beeline for these when I saw the cute little suede patch peeking out of the rail.

Left to Right: Oxford knit zip jeans, Oxford patched tights

Standouts investment pieces were definitely these two stunning jackets. The frogging on the left is all hand done (and amazing). The suede fringe jacket is actually quite slick - has amazing panels on the arms and elbow.

Left to Right: Jimi Jacket, Joplin Jacket

Source: Showroom 22

The Met's Costume Institute Gala 09: Jessica Stam, Kate Bosworth, Diane Kruger & Kate Moss

I can't get over how mind blowing Jessica Stam looks in that Rodarte.. It is absolutely amazing with her colouring - fair skin and warm blonde hair. This is how its done. The Boz does Old Hollywood without an ounce of cliche. Loving the side parted hair and the black lace Stella McCartney - so elegant and just a little bit of siren and romantic gothic. 

Diane Kruger manages to look super strong even though wearing stunning, delicate white Chanel lace. And the divine Miss Moss is literally the golden girl of the night in (and with) Marc Jacobs - love the turban (had been hearing rumours about it for the past week).

Source: Fashionologie

25/04/09: Street Style and Bloggers

Im loving seeing all the fashion coming out of the Northern Hemisphere as they transition into spring and summer - I'm always jealous of whatever season they are having, probably because the bloggers, streetstyle photogs and fashion mags make it look so appealing. When we were in the heat of summer I was lusting after army jackets, fur gillets and thigh high boots. So I pretty much torture myself year round. Clever.

Left to Right: Tallulah Morton from The Cobrasnake, Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast, Face Hunter, Fashion Toast

Dan Martensen: Abbey Lee

I dont know why its taken me sooo long to  note Dan Martensen's amazing work, but suddenly it seems to be popping up everywhere I look. Abbey Lee is one of my favorite girls (and a fellow aussie) - so I understandably love these shots. Martensen is amazing at capturing the girls' natural style and beauty (like the Erin Wasson shots I posted previously).

Ps: How hot is that Alexander Wang full length lace body suit. Seriously.

Dan Martensen Abbey Lee for Exit Magazine

Source: Fashionista

Hedi Slimane: Leather and Lace

Heres a bit of something for the males from the ever amazing Hedi Slimane. Im a sucker for guys in leather, skinny jeans and necklaces. Love that bullet belt and the Stones-esque luxury of that black lace. Don't even get me started on that studded leather jacket.. Seriously.

Source: Hedi Slimane's Fashion Diary

Acid On The Beach

I'm still not sick of acid wash pants - when done well. I love my faithful and well worn Karen Walker blue&whites, but seriously wanting some bleached out blacks - love the rusty orange colour they get. Also love guitars, lace and denim on the beach.

Vogue España April 09

Source: Fashion Copious

Karen Walker Show: The Believers

Went to the Karen Walker The Believers show at Stephen Marr in Newmarket last night, and it was tres fab!! Everyone was dressed so well. Brigette and I spent the whole time pointing out outfits, hair and shoes to each other - props to the girl in "Fashion Toast Shoes", Anouk Rondel's perfect topknot (seen here on Isaac Likes) and pretty much everyone. Lovely pinot noir also. And much thanks to Murray at Showroom 22 for the invite!

The Believers is without a doubt my fave collection Karen Walker's ever done, and even though I've seen it a million times (from New York on Style.com, in the lookbook online, in store and in editorials - particularly loved it in the latest No magazine) it added another dimension seeing them styled, in motion and in the flesh.

Am dying to get one of the amazing jackets or coats - need it for warmth of course.. Perfect reasoning. All of them were cut so well, with lovely details like pleats and volume  and all moved so beautifully (which is a pretty special thing to find in a coat). I think the boxy double breasted grey is def my fave, but the tan jacket and coat look so much better in person - although they are trench style, they looked like wool and the colour had amazing depth.

This is print has definitely grown and grown on me, its so delicate and warm - and perfect in the beautiful silk. Anna Fitzpatrick was lucky enough to be wearing the beautiful one shouldered dress.

Didn't think it was possible, but I love the white lace fabric even more. All the pieces were so so beautiful and worked with EVERYTHING. Am going into the Newmarket store tomorrow to FINALLY pay off my to (second from left). Seriously can't wait.
Also loved that one of the adorable straw hats was included - they SO remind me of Puddleglum the Marshwiggle in The Silver Chair from the Narnia books. Except cute and pretty. Brigette and I think these would be perfect to be anonymous and mysterious. Esp with big dark glasses - maybz my beloved Helter Skelters oui?

The blue suit is just totally insane. And we both died for the lambskin gilets - particularly the grey one. So gorge, amazing contrast of textures.

Sources: Karen Walker & Style.com

NYFW FALL 09: Rodarte

Rodarte's Fall 09 collection blew my mind - as always. They consistently manage to come up with something totally new and left of field every time - while still nodding to some of the strongest trends (sheer, asymmetry, leather). Their dresses look like handmade paper - the collection has an organic yet futuristic feel. The layered patterns and textures create such a deep, interesting look - without being busy are OTT.

 

I always love to see the close up shots, as they are where the collection does shine. I particularly love the marble fabric of the third shot.

And as always with Rodarte, the shoes are INSANE and so perfect.

Source: Style.com

NYFW FALL 09: Max Azria & Derek Lam

Max Azria showed the holy trinity of lack lace, velvet, leather - making them look fresh (but very dark) and new.

Love Derek Lam's use of gold, leather and fur for his collection - and the neutral creamy palette. Beige fur and white pants are a fresh, nice look for winter!

Source: Style.com

NYFW FALL 09: William Rast & Temperley

As usual I loved the William Rast collection, the concepts follow on nicely from the Spring 09 collection - palette of denim, black and grey, american flag imagery. Fashionista tells us Carine AND Anna were both there - major kudos for J.T! The collection is apparently inspired by Thelma And Louise. I love the use of lace (the third look reminds me of my new Ksubi lace jeans).  I particularly adore the first look - the grey and leather jacket, and the skinny black pants with zip details.

 They use of studs again works really well - especially the asymmetry of the first jacket, and the subtle sleeves of the third. Love the dark (but not black), slim yet grungy aesthetic of the third look. And love Flavia.

I am also impressed with Temperley's collection. It does the holy trinity of leather, lace and zips in a mature, refined way - while still being totally hot and badass. Love the repetition of the vertical zip lines, and the high necklines in lace. These looks are just begging to be unzipped and peeled off.

Source: Style.com

New Karen For Me... But Not Just Yet.

Have lay-byed this stunning top from Karen Walker's new collection - pictures do not do it justice. The fabric is amazing and the neckline blows my mind - so different; weird but cool! Looks great open too. Can't wait!!

Sources: Karen Walker, Style.com