The Bolt

So the track titan that is Usain Bolt blasted the 100m world record in 9.69 seconds. Watching him sprint is just jaw-dropping. And the fact that the dude is like 8"2 blows my ind (okay 6"4, but whatevs).

I've always had a worrying soft spot for all things spandexy, lycra and tight; probably instigated by a childhood spent either swimming or running around in bike shorts (stripey, floral - love the nineties). I spent high school rowing competitively, so became very comfortable in just a spandex one piece (I kid you not, most comfy things ever) and these days I'm gym fan and also a major leggings/bodysuit fiend, and spent my summer living mad little bike shorts; great with an oversized mens tee by the way (or for "security" under short skirts and dresses).

Editorial: Vogue US April 2009 The Shape Issue "The Deep End" Daria Werbowy by Mert & Marcus

Runway Images: Miu Miu Fall 08

Sources: Zimbio, Google Images, Nike, Fashion Gone Rogue, Net-A-Porter, Style.com

Leathers and Letters

My recent (near) acquisition of totally sick Claude Maus leather leggings (thank god for layby) and Chloe Sevigny's recent killer Proenza Schouler outfit have got me tripping on intense leather-full looks even more than usual.

Clockwise: Miu Miu Leather boned bustier dress, Doma Hooded leather jacket, Lanvin Gloria leather bag, Helmut Lang Leather panel stretch dress,  

 

And while I'm on a noir tangent, this is necklace heaven. I'm pretty much obsessed with the YSL logo - I blame studying typography at uni. So this I adore. blatantly logo-tastic but still classy and simple.

YSL Glass bead necklace

Source: Net-A-Porter

Leather Legs

Okay so I am on cloud nine right now.... I FINALLY found a pair of leather leggings!!!! Was walking out of Black Box when I noticed a pile of buttery soft Claude Maus leather leggings. Actually had a heart attack - raced to the fitting room. They are so perfect. Naturally I laybyed asap. Can't wait to be reunited with these - I've been searching for the perfect pair of leather leggings/pants for about four years now.

Source:

Burgundy Velvet & Tiffany Blue

I spent yesterday making velvet leggings, and wore the burgundy pair out lastnight. So amazingly warm (def a winter must have). And they were super easy and cheap to whip up!

I also picked up some tiffany-blue nailpolish - so lovely. Photo doesn't do it justice though - flash washed the colour out.

New Goodies: Tv and Tweed

Picked up my Tv leopard merino leggings from Black Box yesterday. They are HEAVENLY. So unbelievably warm and comfortable - and surprisingly super wearable. The colours of taupe, grey and black means they go with pretty much everything.

On a cheaper note, I hit up my local salvo shop as well and got an amazing purple/grey/tan tweed oversized blazer for a cool $10. Super comfy and warm and with magically deep pockets. Handbag not required.

And I know these will def not be to everyones taste (my lil sister grimaced when I pulled them out of the bag) but i love these. Super cute!!! V similar to a pair I had when I was a kid. And $4... So I could not say no. 
Have been loving socks lately too - they are keeping my poor scrawny midget feet warm!

Tv Fix

Yesterday I treated myself to a trip to my fave boutique in town (and one of a handful that I ever make an effort to go to) Black Box - had worked a million weekends in a row and have so much uni work to do that I actually needed some retail therapy to keep me relatively sane. As always, it didn't disappoint. And bonus - they have some Tv pieces in! I pretty much died - didn't think I'd ever be seeing this in New Zealand. Thank god for Black Box. I laybyed (laybought?) a pair of these babies - pure (and thick!) merino leopard print leggings. So amazingly warm, words actually can't describe (go and try the last pair - a medium - on for yourself and see). These are def a necessity for my poor body this winter (lack of any circulation means I am always cold).

Source: Tv

26/05/09: Net-A-Porter

I love a skinny legging (still needing to get my little hands on some Black Rats) but they have to be paired with an oversized top. This drapey, cropped sleeve cashmere cardie would be perfect layered over a soft loose tank. Ironically flashy gold accessories would be perfect to kill any potential boringness created by a monochrome look.

Clockwise: Louis Vuitton Paillettes bag, Michael Kors Cashmere drape cardigan, Burberry Pyramid stud watch, Pierre Hardy Watersnake sandal, Kain Silk blend tank, Sass & Bide Black Rats leggings,

Source: Style.com, Net-A-Porter

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

I was super lucky to get to go to Showroom 22's Media Open Day yesterday - all their designers were showing their summer 09/10 collections. All the ranges were amazing - was so so exhausted from talking to the designers for 3 hours straight but was on such a high afterwards! Best arvo I have had for a long long time.

Juliette Hogan

I actually can't get the skirt on the left out of my head. The instant I saw it on the Juliette Hogan rail I fell in love. It's simply heavenly; knife pleated, semi-sheer, fluid, femine and crazy-elegant. I would live in this year round - tights for winter, or boy leg briefs for summer. So hot with a soft loose tank. I just don't know which colour I like best? There was the ballerina pink (as shown), a cream or a black. Maybe I need two?

Bettina Liano

The night before, I had coincidently just watched a sneak peek clip of Bettina Liano's new campaign video on Patty Huntingtons Frockwriter blog - if you havn't seen it, do. Jessica Hart is stunning. We loved their sexy denim - especially the distressed, faded, superhot O Leg Shredded (they feature in the clip). The leggings with studs across the rear would also be an amazing wardrobe stable if I can get my hands on them. The loose silky shorts would be pretty much lived in all summer long (and then in winter with wooly tights and boots). And love the shredded black tee - they also do a tank version.

Alexandra Owen

Alexendra Owen's collection took our breath away - the origami-like folding and draping was so beautiful. The range had the most modern, soft tailoring that I think I've ever seen in the flesh. Stand outs were definitely the white top on the left (it comes in black, but I prefer it in white as I like the paper-like effect it created) and the stunning blue silk pieces (the exact colour of a perfect blue sky). The girls representing Owen were super sweet too, answering all our rambling questions and putting up with our repeated exclamations of "Wow.. But how is that done? How does that work? Wow!".

Kathryn Wilson

Wilson is pretty much every kiwi girl's favorite shoe designer - and she just gets better and better every season. I think Brigette and I spent about 40 whole minutes standing in front of her display shelf? God knows what Wilson thought! It was all just so so beautiful. We both are INSANELY coveting Bragwanath heel (pictured) but are torn between all the beautiful colourways. After about half an hour I decided I HAVE to have the nude/black pair. So stunning.

Ps: I'll be posting about the AMAZING TwentySevenNames collection when I get home from work tonight - I am pretty sure Brigette and actually died a bit in side from love. It is insanely awesome. I actually want it all. x

Sources: Showroom 22

9/05/09: Net-A-Porter

Love the Stella McCartney exclusives that Net-A-Porter's been having lately - I think that cloud print shirt is my fave (love the washed out blue/grey and the dirty cream). Would be perfect with those panel leggings and asymmetric shoes. I love paring something soft/pastel/printed with some sharp black pieces.

Clockwise: Stella McCartney Cloud-print silk shirt, Markus Lupfer Lizzy panel leggings, RingsEclectic Turquoise stone-embellished ring, Stella McCartney Embellished silk jacket, Jil Sander Asymmetric leather sandals.   

Source: Net-A-Porter

RAFW: Therese Rawsthorne

The collection from Therese Rawthorne is also one of my favorite shows so far. Another designer that played (v successfully) with white/nude/black to create a dressed/undressed collection that flirted with combining tailored and lingerie, and sheer with opaque.

Gorgeous semi-sheer white cotton pieces. Love the (lace? crochet? mesh?) leggings and jumpsuits that were panelled with white silk.

Lots of the looks worked with a gorgeous soft palette of creams, coffee tones and sunbleached blue. Im loving the tailored jackets over structured, nude lingerie pieces.
Similiar looks were also executed in black, which gave them a whole other look. The cutouts were sharper, and the mesh more in our face. Love the linear effect of the seems on the sheer black pieces. And those panelled leggings! I NEED a pair pretty much now!

Source: Australian Vogue