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!!!

Musing: Olsens, Erin, Wang, Chung

Opening Ceremony's Japan opening party brought out some of my alltime style faves. The Olsen's absolutely made my day by wearing matching shades and bunny ears. They remind us that fashion is best when one has fun with it - you can be humorous and ironic, yet not take yourself too seriously. I'm also seriously coveting Erin's shorts.

Source: Zimbio

Alexa's also been looking v cute lately - the girl does a tee + a-line skirt combo like know one else. God I wish I suited those sorts of outfits. That first image alone has amped up my loafer-desire even more, and now I'm wanting to pair them with spotty sheer tights. Oh dear.
The girl's also got killer festival fashion; aforementioned spotty pantyhose, perfect grandpa-like cardy/shirt combo, ace leather shorts - and that tricked out fedora has got me wanting to DIY my own.

Sources: The Fashion Spot

8/06/09: Alexa

I love quirky, statement jackets and jumpers. So understandably I adore these Alexa is wearing for Marie Claire. I particularly crave that jumper on the right (its Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony).

"Alexa Chung, Queen Of Cool"

Source: Marie Claire

Alexa has also been continuing be sartorially awesome on her MTV show lately. The girls a big Lover fan - I love how she dressed down that super sexy dress. And the girls got me desperately wanting loafers. The search is on.

Great knitwear lately too - LOVE the Chanel cardie on the left, and and oversized v neck is so so classic. I live in them - c/o Mums wardrobe. Thanks Mama.

Source: The Fashion Spot

Purrrfect Adidas

Wanting me some Jeremy Scott for Adidas!! I'm a total sucker for anything retro-athletic and logo-ed. And how sick is that leopard hoodie?! It's got a cat head! Seriously! Neeeed.

Ps: anyone know if we get this in lil old NZ?? x

Update: I totally didn't recognise her (probably because I was transfixed with the hood), but Isaac from Isaac Likes spotted that the model is NZ's own Stella Maxwell!

From EXIT Magazine

Source: Fashionista

No.6 Winter 09

Many apologies for how EPICLY delayed this post is - have finally finished the semester and had time to scan etc. So have many great posts planned!

This is the latest (and greatest yet) No magazine - issue six. Loooved it. Great interviews, and the editorials were stunning.

The Kills

The long interview with The Kills that accompanied these cute shots was super charming and a real insight. Hince and Mosshart both have really wicked senses of humor. 

Jasper

Zippora

I pretty much died when I saw this editorial - such perfection. Cool and kooky and rock&roll and just awesome. Zippora kills as usual.

One of the best things about it is the details. Particularly love the lilac nailpolish and matching lips (has given me the guts to wear my lilac lippy with my already purple nails) and how sick the look with all the gold jewelry - tons of which is heavenly Karen Walker knuckle dusters.

Sarah Stevens

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!

Lover: "White Moon Rising"

Lover's new collection "White Moon Rising" has finally surfaced! Tres excite. Have been looking forward to this since the teaser image appeared on their fab site. As always, the collection is impeccable. I have loved Susien and Nick's work since way back in high school. As much as the collections themselves, I love all the inspirations and influences that go into each; the back stories, music, cultural figures, films etc (I end up doing an intense wikipedia/library/itunes search after each one comes out).

White Moon Rising is inspired by "the bad seed" namely mesmerising and irisitable figures like "Yoko Ono and Bianca Jagger who entice and tempt men with their off beat beauty". Which is a perfect and intriguing concept as no one can deny how intriguing and hypnotic figures like that are. Whether we like it or not, we are generally all drawn to danger and risk - whatever form it takes; people, experiences, thoughts etc). 

Other influences are African Zulu rituals the films of Kenneth Anger. Both of which I'm loving. Ever since I was a little girl (and probably to my parents slight worry) I have been intrigued by the occult, paranormal and black magic (not in a creepy or weird way) more by the danger and glamour. Probably explains my obsession with velvet, pentacles and candles now. Have also been very interested in the work of Anger since reading Sway by Zachary Lazar - his films are insane trips. And will blow you away when you think of how long ago they first came out.

The opening and closing shots on their website are stunningly ethereal - so evocative of Peter Weir's Picnic At Hanging Rock (AMAZING film. Such a must see - and another childhood (and constantly enduring) obsession of mine. Thank god I have the video. It's v hard to find. Below are my favorite looks from both versions of the collection (accompanied by predictable excited rambling).

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - SUMMER 09/10

I love the prints used - sort of a love child of leopard print and tribal thats been put through a kaleidoscope.
As always, the tailoring is impeccable. Marries sharp yet soft perfectly. Im ding for that cream blazer! Has been on my Want List for forever.
As most of you know, I am a total velvet fiend. And the only thing better than velvet, is burgundy velvet. So I'm understandably totally coveting that dress. Leather shorts are also on my aforementioned list, and this pair looks pretty my perfect.
Every season the swimwear comes out I pretty much die. So so perfect. I hate pretty much all swimwear thats around - bright, terribly prints, o.t.t details etc. So Lover's comes as a sigh of relief. One of these summers I think I'll bite the bullet and treat myself to some. Not to taint with chlorine or salt water mind you. Will just live in them as daywear.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER 09/10

One of the things I love about every new collection is seeing how the pieces are styled for both hemispheres (same goes with Karen Walker's collection). Its twice as many ideas and inspirations. Spoilt for choice really! Us Antipodeans missed out on getting the fabulous Tallulah, but those of you up top did.

Expectedly, that blood red velvet dress looks killer (appropriate operative work? Haha) with opaques. Therefore I need it even more. The duffle jackets with detachable capelettes are also insanely cute. Much to my mothers dismay, I have always loved a duffle I blame the Paddington Bear I had as a kid - so therefore its your fault Ma!
Also on the vein of cosy (and v necessary) outerwear. I've been coveting their voluminous capes for a couple of seasons now. Pretty much a v stylish blanket, which would be perfect as I am totally cold intolerant.
Lover always do the most amazingly angelic white pieces (that always make me think of Picnic At Hanging Rock). Im totally dying for the dress on the left. It has shoulder cut outs! SHOULDER CUT OUTS!!! Need. Now. Wonder if they will be doing it for the southern hemisphere? God I hope so. I am a total sucker for a white dress in the heat of summer. V colonial. Best accessorised with a gin and tonic.
I can't decide which version of the black lace body con I like best? Dress or bodysuit? And to sleeve or not to sleeve? Im thinking sleeved bodysuit could be pretty amazing. Especially as I feel like I need a wardrobe stable like that right now.

Source: Lover

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

Donna Karen Fall 09 Shoes

These I love. God I need a hot-as-hell pair of platform ankle booties - ideally with super fun features like print, texture, buckles etc. Unfortunately my scrawny midget feet are always swimming in all the pairs I have tried on so far! Search will continue.

Donna Karan Fall 09

Source: Style.com

Oceans Blue

This is how swimsuit eds should be done - so far from vulgar or tacky or blatant. Yet they still have a captivatingly dirty/sexy quality (in the best possible way). I'm loving anything in gathered/tied/twisted white tshirting at the moment - top faves of mine done by Alexander Wang and Karla Spetic. I love how the classic swimwear is paired with iconic, tough pieces like the studded leather, denim and leopard. Takes it totally away from the beach.

 

Ps: Anyone else miss summer already? I do.

Vogue UK June 09 "Oceans Blue" Lara Stone

Source: Starbucks and Jane Austen

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

20/04/09: Cobrasnake

Loving the new shots on trusty old Cobrasnake from the Jeremy Scott for Adidas do. So much sick leopard print - particularly love the male cardy paired with gold chains, and Zoe Kravtiz's everything.

And as usual, Tallulah looks fab. Cropped black tank with leopard adidas logo is pretty much perfection. Def going to invest in one of those - wonder if the range is coming to our little corner of the world?

Source: Cobrasnake

Alex & Erin At Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony have their online store open now!!! Psych!! I went straight to the Alexander Wang and Erin Wasson x RVCA sections.. And pretty much died. Basically the perfect capsule wardrobe of my dreams.

Clockwise: Erin Wasson x RVCA Mystic pants, Alexander Wang Denim leather motorcycle jacket, Alexander Wang Perforated leather pants, Erin Wasson x RVCA Unknown Legend vest, Alexander Wang Black leather fringe sweatshirt,Erin Wasson x RVCA Unknown Legend vest in black.

Source: Opening Ceremony

Great Southern Land

There are a few new Australian designers that have been totally blowing my mind. Doing amazing new things and really breaking the mold.

DION LEE

Only has two collections under his belt, only out of Fashion School for a short time. He was recently featured in Australian Vogue. Is definitely one to watch! His collections feature alot of insane laser cutting and futuristic tailoring.

SUMMER 08/09

The laser cut leggings are to die for - remind me of the amazing Rodarte ones. Also love the tailored slashes that he uses on the orange pants.

WINTER 09

I adore the colour palette for this collection (I'm a total sucker for a good pale blue). The lookbook is especially lovely - very desaturated, really emphasizes the colours of the collecton. The laser cut folds look stunning - amazing pattern, texture and shadows. 

His tailoring is out of this world. Cutouts in knees and elbows, amazingly paneled jackets, sheer pants!!

Source: Dion Lee

TV

These guys have been around for about three seasons, and am already so loving what they do - its exciting, different, and doesn't play on any necessary "trends". Also gives me another reason to covet leopard print right now.

WINTER 09

I also die for their pants - insanely perfect slashed jeans and skinnyskinny pants.

SUMMER 08/09

And I'm always won over by a good bodysuit (obsession much? But they are so handy!) and these are some of the best I've seen - looove the cut outs and LOVE the dreamcatcher details. Have already had a look for some on Trademe (to DIY into a necklace hopefully!)
The bikeshorts (another staple I couldn't live without) with cut outs are fab too.

Source: Tv