More Than Mary Tumblr

Balmain (submitted by Allegra)

Too many different looks going on here.  Your description is perfect, but I’m not in awe.

Allegra:

This dress reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer the movie (appropriate since the 90’s is back and and since 90210 is back——hello Luke Perry as a vampire), when she cuts her prom dress to help her kick ass on vampires. I adore the sweetheart bodice, and the two tones of purple fabric is to die for (I know, I know, purple is in, I get it). But, the best part of this whole look is the stunning detail of the bodice, which is both futuristic and reminiscent of the French Revolutionary dresses in Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette.

WEARABLE (AKA NOT A JAW-DROPPING SPECTACLE, JUST A LOOK BUT DON’T TOUCH YOUR WALLET SITUATION) 

Christian Lacroix (submitted by Kendall)

I can only imagine the details of that blouse.  Photographs NEVER do the details justice.  It’s unfortunate because it’s the stitching, buried sequins, intricate lace, and the way the ruffles bounce that really make these pieces worth their pretentious price tag. 

Kendall:

Doesn’t it make you want to get up and dance? The detail is extraordinary…You could pair the top with almost anything.. dress it up, dress it down.  So versatile! 
It reminds me of one of my favorite… correction, interesting… people I’ve researched: Marie Antoinette.  Yes, I’m aware that WWD also claims this comparison, but however similar our observation, you can’t argue the fact that it’s true!  It’s loud, yet undeniably feminine.

Veronique Branquino (submitted by Gillian)

Yep, I’d totally wear this.  Love it.

Gillian:

It might not be an obvious pick because it definitely wasn’t as loud as Gareth Pugh or Commes des Garçons, but for some reason, the muted, powdery blues with the crisp white shirt and the coral lip just rendered me speechless haha.

Funny you should say that about Gareth Pugh….

Vivienne Westwood (submitted by L)

She had a lot to say about this look:

Somehow Vivienne Westwood has put together an outfit that encapsulates where fashion, in my mind, is today — young women who wore leggings and oversized tunic sweaters, neon high tops and visors at age 6, and now again at 26. Tethered to the past while wildly trying to figure out how to modernize. This look would not be out of place on any number of street fashion/style blogs, where young women cock their hips and split their legs, pout and stare aimlessly at something out of frame, like they’ve got lazy eyes and their moms forgot to make them wear their corrective eyepatches. But here comes Ms. Westwood, putting it on her runway, on a model that looks like she knows just how silly it all is, but also knows she can pull it off. Fashion is silly. But not believing in your own personal style, or look, is even sillier. So major claps to Westwood, for pulling off my ‘favorite’ look, neatly tying together street trends, humility, confidence, and vertical stripes.

I read the letter before I looked at the picture, and I was little surprised by the ensemble.  Because it’s Vivienne Westwood, I guess we have to applaud her and shake our heads, but I’m not sure I agree with L.  I think this is WTF, not jaw-dropping, or even really remarkable.  But that is the beauty of fashion, you don’t have to agree.  You just have to rock the shit out of the look.

Balenciaga (submitted by Kate)

Reminds me of something I would have insisted on wearing in the 80’s.  My mom let me dress myself, and I’m pretty sure I would have worn this everyday.  (Times have changed.)

Kate wants to wear it NOW!

“In real life, I would lose the body suit and crazy boots and do tights and a 1/2 boot or bootie in a neutral shade matching neutral colored tights. I could even grab a basic long-sleeved tee from Gap to put under it for layering. Drop the layers and pull on strappy heels and it’s a total party dress. Looks like it could be functionally fun. “

SECOND RUNNER UP

Hailey with Manish Arora

Is that splatter paint on the dress?  Spectacular spectacle.  I’m surprised they didn’t paint her arms blue.

Hailey says:

“So. The attached is one of my favorite pictures from Paris fashion week, by Manish Arora. While this dress seemed semi- out of place in the collection, I love the long, metallic shimmer, mermaid- esque feel about it. And the ruffles! I’m a sucker for ruffles…   

 

Seeing this collection, my first reaction was, “seriously?!” And yes, clowns scare the crap out of me. But looking at it closer brought me to this conclusion — this entire collection is ridiculous, fabulous, and will have everyone talking…and what’s more fashionable than that?”

Agreed.  When you have to compete with Galliano, Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, you better go big or go home.

Goodie Bag Giveaway

I gotta say, I’m impressed.  You sent in some truly jaw-dropping images.  Fashion no one will wear that costs more than my rent for the year.  LOVE IT!

Above is a look from Galliano. You never know where his head is (apparently the reporters were perplexed even after he explained his inspiration), but you have to love the spectacle.  Just to let you know, your submissions blew this out of the water. 

It was VERY difficult for me to make a decision.  You wrote very convincing arguments…and then pulled at my heart strings with your stories of ramen noodle dinners. Not fair.  But actually it is, I’ve been there.  Broke college life is a rite of passage. 

Tomorrow night I will post your collection along with comments, and THE winner of my front row schwag bag.

At most shows, designers leave you a little gift to say, “thank you for coming, write good things about my designs [or you’ll be standing next time!]”  Not really, but you do get a lot of cool stuff.

So I’ve collected it ALL (products, candles, makeup, towels, perfume, certificates, etc) and I’M GIVING IT TO YOU!!!

Here’s your challenge to win the goodies:

Send me your favorite picture from Milan or Paris fashion week and explain why the ensemble is fabulous.  It doesn’t have to be pretty, but obviously it must be a head turner or a jaw dropper.

Use WWD or Style.comas a resource.  May the best fashionista win!

On my way to the tents to interview Ray Costarella, Australian designer of Aurelio Costarella.

A reader introduced me to the line and set up the interview.  After looking at his collection, I’m excited to see what he has in store for Spring 09. 

(Pictured above Winter 08-09)

Reader Yarrow, who recently moved to Houston, just sent me this cute picture of her visit to Encore! (my Mom’s store).  Unfortunately, Mom (Terry) isn’t open on Sunday or Monday.  Sorry girls. But Tuesday through Thursday, you can spend at least an hour shopping and chatting about all the designer steals you find.

Thank for the email Yarrow.  I love getting your pictures, feedback, and experiences, so readers keep writing!

ALSO, for those of you who live in Houston, I will be posting a BEST OF list soon!  I know it can be hard to find new, fun stuff to do there :)

This is so cute!

It’s really too bad whoever created it wastes their time criticising someone (that’s me) they obviously hate so much.  But it’s nice to have a hobby.

If you aren’t familiar, this is BryanBoy with HIS Marc Jacobs bag. Quite stylish, don’t you agree?!!!

But as I wrote to a reader earlier who asked me if I liked a pair of shoes or not, style is personal and should be what you feel comfortable and confident in. (The shoes were not for me, but if she loved them, she should grab them!) 

Obviously BryanBoy exudes both in his pj’s with his special purse.  Confidence vomited all over this guy (I mock, but having a bag, lovely or ugly, named after you is pretty damn cool.) So who I am to judge.

Here is Rachel before with the look we all feel comfortable with. It’s the safe zone of hair cuts for women. 

I’ve been crusing the safe zone for…..well, since my Mom gave me a bowl cut when I was 5 (I cried when she would brush the tangles out of my hair.  Little did she know I would cry for 2 days when she cut it all off!)

Reader Margaret, thank you for the tip.  This is my favorite so far, it’s silly (when you overlook the sexist part, which ok, is pretty strong, but you should see some of the crap out there).  You would never see me in this t.

Let me make it very clear that I think this t shirt is clever, but my comment is not meant to say I prefer Obama over Hillary.  I don’t think it is appropriate to share political views with people you don’t know, maybe that’s just how I was raised. So it’s no surprise I’m not a fan or a wearer of political ts.

Voting is a privilege and we should respect it as such.  If you are swayed by the popularity of a t shirt, I’m scared.

We gave a toast, gracious I’m not so sure mine was.  And everyone laughed when I thanked Julia for my blog (most of them have one and knew a long time ago how cool they are), but I have really loved every minute of it.  It was her Christmas gift to me, and then she linked to mine from hers and gave me readers.  I’m so happy to have you, readers, in my life.  Cheers!