NYFW Spring 2010: Alexa & Erin

One of the things I love about fashion weeks, other than the amazing collections obviously, is that it brings so many of favorite sartorial muses out of hiding. Granted, we have been getting a lot of Alexa action lately with her stateside MTV show, it's still nice to see her "in the wild" so to speak. And I would quite possibly snatch and grab that Mulberry bag. Survival of the fittest oui?

Erin, as expected, looked all kinds of crazy-awesome at her show. Although I'm always a sucker for an ethnic blanket jacket, I'm not gonna lie.
Source: Zimbio

Perfect Knitwear

I think this is one of the most perfect jacket/shirt combos I've seen in a while. Im totally obsessed with the "PostWar British Child" look at the moment; to short knitwear, shorts, mary janes etc. For a while I've been wanting to get my hands on a patterned jersey and a peter pan collared shirt, so this has obviously inspired my even more.

Ps: how gorgeous does Alexa look here? Soft, youthful, fresh.

Alexa at a Uniqlo party Nov 08

Source: The Fashion Spot

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

Thursday Muses

Boy have our girls been laying low lately. But when they venture out in the public arena they remind us why they are total style icons.

I totally love that they dressed complimentary again. I secretly adore it when best friends and sisters dress matchy; it conveys solidarity, friendship, exclusivity and the power over being a pair.

Source: Le Cheap C'est Chic

I also love the end of the week as there is usually a ton of new Alexa outfits from her show. These are great examples of why navy rules. Softer than black, carries a print or logo awesomely and is just a little bit old fashioned - navy is, after all, the quintessential nanna hue.

And although I'm not a skirt girl, the few times I do it's always itsybitsy and covered with a baggy tee.

Oh and I've been secretly contemplating purchasing a pair of roman sandals... And this has cemented the decision.

Source: The Fashion Spot

I've been desperate for a matelot striped top for what seems like forever, so I'm tres jealous of the stunning Alexandra Spencer of 4th And Bleeker who has the perfect one, and pvc pants, AND is in Paris. Ah merde. Le sigh.

Source: 4th And Bleeker

Diane K

Trust French Vogue to totally nail a Diane Keaton inspired editorial. Other publications have tried, but Carine and co have blown them all out of the water. I've always loved Diane; ever since Woody Allen's divine Annie Hall, and right up to the awesome Something's Got To Give. This post is also dedicated to my Mama, who has been a Keaton fan for forever.

Diane/Annie is a major inspiration for why I love a good mans shirt and blazer, tweedy colours and a good pair of pants.

Vogue Paris September 2009 "Diane K"

Anna Maria Jagodzinska by Mikael Jansson

Source: Ru Glamour

22/08/09 Daily Alexa Fix

I've been feeling the urge to attempt dresses more, and Alexa has, as usual, provided. I love the bright red - and that its short but long sleeved and high necked (we all know what short red dresses can sometimes look like). The statement necklaces pop amazingly.

Even more than the red, I LOVE the dress she wore to the premiere of The September Issue - that she described as "victorian undergarments" (the dress, not the film  - obvz). I love the dirty cream - like its been worn one too many times. The prim neckline and endearingly awkward length are foiled by the sheerness of the bodice. 

At The September Issue premiere

Source: The Fashion Spot

I'm really coveting a dress or skirt that length, and I find they actually suit me better than knee length. There's something youthful and innocent yet nostalgically prim and nana-ish about it. My favorite executions of it have been from Burberry, Karen Walker and Juliette Hogan.

Burberry Fall 09

Karen Walker Spring 08 "Lucky"

Source: Style.com

Full Circle Skirt

Source: Juliette Hogan

18/08/09: Alexa

Sorry about the delay in posts - I have had supremely epic techno-karma! My deceptively angelic kitten/gremlin chewed through ANOTHER macbook charger so poor laptop has been dead as a doornail.

To improve the mood, here are some shots of Alexa looking great - as usual. This shows the worlds still in balance.

I am totally yearning for a stripey cardigan; nautical, preppy, frenchy etc. And the white dress is perfectly childlike, innocent and ladylike - yet somehow totally badass. Love the studded belt. Man I need to learn to wear dresses.

Left: in Alexander Wang, Chanel and Marni. Right: in Opening Ceremony

This is the best I have ever seen an all-buttoned-up shirt. Mostly because of the wider collar (making it look more relaxed) and the killer studs. It's Phillip Lim, and I want.

At the Cinema Society Screening of Inglorious Bastards

Source: The Fashion Spot

Ahoy

This dress is totally adorable. I've always been a total fiend for anything that turn-of-the-century British children would have worn; brass buttons, sailor details, peter pan collars etc. It reminds me a lot of Lover and Alexa Chung - ultimate daytime dress.

Kirsten Dunst

Source: Just Jared

Boz

The Boz always kills it with her weekend style - relaxed, cute and totally attainable style wise. I love how she's wearing a Chanel 2.55 with a washed out sweatshirt and cutoffs. And I'd bet my first born that the romper on the far right is by Karen Walker - I have this bodysuit in the same heavenly floral fabric.

Source: Just Jared

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

Karl Loves Brian Too

Brian Jones is one of my favorite male muses (along with all the other Stones - they're my boys!). He's the sole cause of my inexplicable desire to possess an american flag shirt. I also love his iconic mop of blonde hair - and crushed all over the incarnation of it that Karl put his girls in for Chanel's Resort 09 show. Makes me want to get a fringe cut into my new crop. 

Sources: Style.com, Google Images

Muse: Erin Wasson

Our girl Erin is amazing. Every time I see a shot of her epic tattoos I want one even more. And love the shot on the right. Makes me wish I had balance.

Source: Rackk And Ruin

Alexa Alexa Alexa

Alexa has been kicking sartorial ass lately. Perfect mix of tomboy/little girl/grandma - one has to wonder what the stateside audience of her MTV show think of it?

Special mention for these babies... I had a heart attack when I saw them - they are PERFECT. By Acne, but aren't on their site yet. My god I love these.

Source: The Fashion Spot

Sources:

Chloe Does Leather

Well the Fug Girls didn't love this, but I do! Our girl Chloe totally kills it in Proenza Schouler. I actually love that its leather but not tight - refreshing, refrains from bordering on hoe-territory (and is way more comfortable). Also, the classic Sevigny beauty look of soft, relaxed (normal looking!!) hair and minimal makeup (freckles are a good thing ladies) act as a perfect foil to the full on leather and exposed zip.

At "A Magazine" party.

Source: Go Fug Yourself

Alexa On Style

"I'm obsessed with nautical things and it has gold buttons with anchors on. It makes me feel a bit like a sailor, or a public schoolboy, which is my favourite look in the whole world."

"I prefer it when I look like a boy to when I have to dress up like a girl."

"I'm kind of obsessed with the Olsen twins. I find them amazing because they look like little well-dressed animals."

"And I don't like T-shirts that are cut for girls."

T by Alexander Wang

Image Sources: The Fashion Spot,

Quotes Source: The Guardian

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

Muse: Jimi Hendrix

I love love love Jimi Hendrix - music, style, mystique, magnetism and tragic early demise. I'm not sure if I should be concerned that a lot of my key style idols are drug addicted rock stars from the sixties and seventies - but I have always been drawn to that whole world; the clothes, music, stories, danger etc. Hendrix's sartorial aesthetic was exotic, psychedelic, earthy, wild and primal - operative words also ideal to describe his life and music.

Twenty Seven Names' awesome summer collection "Jimi James And The Blue Flames" was inspired by Hendrix - I've wanted the whole collection the instant I first saw it at Showroom 22's Media Open Day. 

Also, Balmain's Spring 08 collection totally captures Jimi and the era perfectly (I still want everything.. Sigh) as does the already iconic frogged military jackets from Spring 09.

I always have quite a few of his songs on high rotate on my pod:

- Electric Ladyland

- Fire

- All Along The Watchtower

- Castles Made Of Sand

- Hey Joe

- Wind Cries Mary

Featuring: Balmain, Lover, Sass & Bide, 3.1 Philip Lim, Kova & T

Featuring: Matina Amanita, Bally, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen

Sources: Scans, Style.com, Net-a-porter, Matina Amanita, Showroom 22,

Fly Girl

I've always loved the romanticism, adventure and mystery associated with Amelia Earhart - a strong, pioneering woman bringing elegance to a dangerous, manly field. Who just disappears in the pacific. Classic and still a total mystery. So I pretty much died when Hermes sent leather, fur and goggle clad aviatrices down the runway for Fall 09. This all also explains why I have always strangely coveted a leather scull-cap.

Editorial: Harper’s Bazaar US July 2009 "Fashion Takes Flight" Heidi Mount by Peter Lindbergh

Collection: Hermes Fall 09

Sources: Fashion Gone Rogue, Style.com

Men Of Wealth And Taste

THIS is style.. Haphazard, spontaneous, romantic, genderless, disheveled, embellished.. Dangerous.. I want everything they are wearing. Love Brian and Jimi - music, style. Two tragic icons.

Source: Found on Google Images

Muse: Jerry Hall

Right now I'm loving the young Jerry Hall. Statuesque, long blond hair and Mick on her arm. She was featured recently as one of Style.Com's "Beauty Icons". When I think jerry, I think body con, cut outs, asymmetric and long tailored blazers - all in block colours of black, cream, or brights. And with some kickass bold jewelry of course. All of which are major trends from the recent shows.

Source: Style.com

Russh has also been on a similar wavelength, with a stunningly sexy and refined editorial dedicated to, and named after, Hall.

"JERRY"

Source: Russh September 08 - scanned by moi

Classic pieces would be bandage dresses, metallics and a sharp oversized blazer - all of which I am digging in a cream/nude palette (a fave right now) as it gives it both a softer, more feminine edge, but also a sense of high maintenance/untouchable/pampered.

Clockwise: Stella McCartney Silk blend bandage top, Diane Von Furstenberg Chefly sequined blazer, Alexander Wang Goddess jersey dress, Stella Mcartney Oversized silk jacket, Balmain Wool satin tuxedo jacket, Stella McCartney Tailored blazer cream, Zac Posen Lame asymmetric dress, Center: Preen Fran bandage dress.

Source: Net-a-Porter

Left to Right: Alexander Wang Fall 09, Balmain Fall 08, Stella McCartney Spring 09, Josh Goot Fall 09, Herve Leger Spring 09

Left to Right: Alexander Wang Fall 09, Stella McCartney Spring 09, Balmain Fall 09 x 2

Left to Right: Balmain Spring 09 x 2, Balmain Fall 08, Iceberg Spring 09,

Source: Style.com