reckless emotions + fiery phoenix

Splashes of creativity just surge to my head every once in a while, and by creativity I mean motivation to do something. These surges usually occur during certain events. For example, once I get over PMS (Pre-Magazine Syndrome), which is when I freak out because my magazines haven't arrived in the mail. I actually have meltdowns while waiting for my mailman to deliver my babies. It's become a really big problem actually, because I now really have a love/hate relationship with the USPS; which is why the day is blessed when I come home to find shiny new magazines for me to read and look at.

This summer I saw some pictures of dip-dyed shirts. I don't really recall which exact picture I saw, but I believe it was one being done by somebody who worked at Calvin Klein. It was a set of pictures that showed the process of someone dip-dying a shirt. That picture really inspired me to do my own shirt. The process was a hassle the first time around. It was my first time actually dying something by myself (and where I actually cared what it was going to look like). Long story short, I got red on the part that I wanted to remain white. I gave up for about a week, and then decided to bleach the white part. That was another mess because then I got bleach on the red part and it was horrible. The red turned yellowish and it just was a mess. Round 3, I bought more dye and was careful and I was quite happy with my results. 

 I was really fascinated by the way the dye swirled into the hot water. It reminded me of Jupiter's red spot. It also made me feel like I was a witch preparing for a spell. I really was though, I was going to turn an unwanted Goodwill shirt into a beautiful addition to my closet. Magic in the making, recycling and making wonders. Eat you hearts out people.

This is the part where the mistakes are usually made.

However this time as you can see, no mistakes were made whatsoever. I loved the way the sun shined through it and made it seem like it was on fire. The red was so beautiful while it was red, it ended up being lighter once it dried but I wasn't complaining since I was overall happy with the outcome. I mean after three times, it was really like they say "third times the charm". You can really see the details of the shirt here, I love the embroidery and the pattern it makes. 

My whole idea for this shoot and the outfit was inspired by Natalia Kills' song "Kill My Boyfriend". The idea was that this was the result of a murder's shirt after committing the murder. In Natalia's song she shows this double-sided opinion on her boyfriend. The sound combined with the lyrics makes the song full of irony. So when shooting this I wanted to make it ironic also. This sick minded idea of murder, combined with my mother's garden which is full of life. It complemented the song and my ideas.

 Shirt is thrifted, Cotton On pants were cut into the shorts, shoes (pictured in the other picture) are thrifted

I’ve been thinking about emotions a lot lately. Lately I feel happy, not giddy happy, but just you know content. Things have been going okay, not the best, but not the worst. I’ve been really busy with school to actually pay attention to my emotions. Sometimes however, I catch myself singing slow songs and just craving listening to slow sad songs. I never listen to slow songs unless I am actually sad, so this really confuses me.

 One day while listening to Amy Winehouse I came to a conclusion. I think it’s the fact that lately hasn’t been very emotional time in my life, that I crave an extreme emotion. I crave the idea of getting my heart broken, the idea of feeling depressed; on the other hand I also crave being so happy that I feel unstoppable. Have I lost my emotions? Will I go on through life craving an extreme emotion, but never get it? What if an opportunity comes up to be extreme, but I don’t notice it?

I just wish the shirt wouldn't fray, since I cut the sleeves. It pisses me off, but it will have to do for now. I really need to learn how to avoid that because I like sleeveless shirts, and I make most of mine. I think it would be best if I learned how to sew. What I love most about this shirt (besides the embroidery) is the collar. I love the shape so much. My mission was complete however when I wore this to school and was asked: "What's up with your shirt?". I just smiled and responded: "I killed someone and couldn't get the stains off".

Saskia de Brauw - Just because she is my inspiration to always look mad in pictures.

Stella Tennant // Vogue Italia September 2011 

Karlie Kloss in "Go East!" // Vogue September 2011 

I think that without the emotions that we go through everyday we wouldn't be the humans we are today. No matter how silly an emotion might sound, it is still powerful. Emotions define our humanity. No matter if your emotions are because of magazines or a heartbreak, they have the power to rebuild you and make you stronger. 

Alexander Wang

I came home right after school just because I was so excited to write this review. I didn't socialize, and just told everyone I had too much homework just so I could get home to write this before I dove into a pile of homework. I mean Alexander Wang's (I was going to just say Alexander's but I don't know if we are on a first name basis yet) collection had me going crazy in class. Usually collections just enchant me in the moment, then I forget about them until they start showing up in magazines; with the exception of my favorite brands of course. I'm going to be completely honest here and just say that Alexander's (heehee) last collection was one of those that had my attention for about a day. Don't get me wrong I loved it, but as Fashion Week continues you are often distracted by all the flashing new clothes that you just are overloaded with so much that one or two collections ends up slipping your mind.

This year was such a different story. I actually watched this collection through livestream which I only usually do for one or two shows because the time zones just mess me up completely, and I never have time. I do tend to like collections that are great, if I see them live (of course I mean live through my computer screen since I haven't been actually invited to any show yet). I had the luck to be able to catch this show, and I will never regret it.

 

 

The mesh was really one of my favorite parts of the whole show. I mean the way it let the color under it seep through the holes to just allow this bright display of awesomeness was just simply incredible. Yeah i know it isn't something that is new, but I mean I hadn't seen a designer actually do something like this and deliver such a wonderful presentation. I really understand how the "critics" are saying it's too sporty, because when I went back to look at pictures I was reminded of my times in middle school when I had to wear those dirty mesh jerseys when we played soccer. However, I don't think the collection was too sporty, it was defiantly sporty but it fit and it made sense. The MESH POCKETS  had me dying. I love my pockets. I use them for everything because well most guys don't carry bags so we need a place to put things. I like to put my hands in my pockets when I try to channel Coco Chanel, so these are like the perfect shorts for this. I really like the way the long sleeved shirts make it seem like the whole body is consumed into a mesh bubble, when you also put your hands in the pockets of the mesh shorts.

Usually I disregard criticism on collections I like, because I think everyone is entitled to their opinion in fashion; which since fashion is art it is really seen differently by different people. However I do not understand some of the criticism for this collection. "It is like a sportier version of Balenciaga" "It looks more like a Fall collection than a Spring/Summer." Well you know that last comment pisses me off more than the first (because well I just hate when people think that some little thing means that a designer totally ripped off another), because I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT PEOPLE WANT SPRING TO LOOK LIKE!? Is a Spring collection supposed to be all florals or crop tops? Or maybe it's both...floral crop tops. I just hate this idea that Spring is supposed to be like what the cliched idea of Spring is. To me this collection was PERFECTLY Spring. It was something you could get away with anywhere. I see this as more casual clothing, but it fits because it was Alexander who said: “Anyone can get dressed up and glamorous, but it is how people dress on their days off that is the most intriguing.”. I live by this quote, because it is extremely true. Now with this new collection people can look amazing on their days off, or you know what ANY TIME THEIR LITTLE HEARTS desire!!!

As the show progressed we saw some more textures. There was printed leather and sheer, and also there were these cool little outfits that had a bunch of holes everywhere, which was referencing the mesh in the beginning of the show. If you notice also the leather dresses/skirts also seem to have that mesh reference on the sides. It was like a fashion allusion. Then we begin to see the arrow pattern on the dresses, which make the models look like angels by the way. I think it's the fact that the sleeves are sheer and relate sheer to angels.

Then there was the the sheer and the arrows; WHICH I LOVED! Besides the mesh, this has to be my favorite part of the whole collection. Some of the pieces included the floral print that some of the other clothes had (just so you "too fall" haters can shut up). I loved the tunic tops because they are so perfect for summer, getting out of the pool, at the beach, or just out on the streets if you wear the right things. The arrows were really such a good part of the collection, I believe Wang called the arrow pattern clothes racing suits, because well it does resemble NASCAR sort of. It just went really well with the sportswear theme.

There were a lot of other different types of prints and clothes (including the full body "racing suits" and the floral suits), but these were really the most important (and my favorite) parts of the collection. I know there was a lot of talk about the helmets, but I didn't really pay much attention to them.

The accessories were so spectacular. They had these "golf bag" bags (which is what everyone called them), and they had those in smaller versions to make like "mini golf bags" (which is what I called them). The leather bandannas were a nice touch, I mean I'm not a bandanna person, but Im going to be a label whore and admit that I would wear an Alexander Wang leather bandanna if I had one. 

The shoes were the only things that weren't sporty. Which was completely cool, because it added that feminine touch to the collection. (I think that is why I liked the collection, because I could probably get away with wearing most of the things) The shoes were beautifully crafted. Some of them had this paper mache look the them (it was like if they were just mache-ed onto the model's feet). Then other pairs were smooth and clean, but in the end Alexander always impresses with his shoes. I really think that is what he is best at, but I mean his designs are wonderful so it is perfectly okay.

The set was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! It was one of my favorite parts of the whole show. When the first model walked out and you just saw her image race across all these different directions I just gasped. This continued on for about a third of the show. I was also impressed by the fact that (I believe) the seats were set up to imitate the arrow patterns. This picture was taken by Julia Chesky of Blackberry Vision. I envy her so much for being able to witness this live.

I usually don't do this for runway reviews, but I just need to acknowledge my favorite people who attended the show. CARINE ROITFELD + JULIA RESTOIN-ROITFELD. I mean the fact that they both attended was amazing enough, BUT CARINE (yes I feel like her name deserves to be in caps) wore GIVENCHY; which just won me over (if I could be won over since she already has me worshiping her). Mother and daughter looked extremely amazing. They always seem to exert this presence that just has me in awe (it might be their French swagger). I believe Julia is a close friend to Alexander so it was really another reason to watch the show, since I knew she would be there.

Julia and Carine Roitfeld with Linda Evangelista

This is such a memorable show. When I think Spring/Summer 2012, I WILL AUTOMATICALLY THINK OF THIS SHOW. It is one of my favorites of the season. If you also haven't already noticed by my syntax, I am really passionate about this show.

To see my reaction to other shows follow me on Twitter. I get really passionate. 

Runway pictures provided by Vogue and the Julia and Carine's pictures are from TFS.

The Row

Waking up and having to catch up on all the NYFW news is a lot of work. However this work is so much more amusing when you have wonderful collections. An early favorite of mine was The Row's S/S 2011 collection. What I loved is that they had the perfect balance of hair, makeup, and setting. The whole collection was in white, off-white, cream, and light, light blue. I love simple colored clothes for spring, because I hate the assumption that spring/summer clothes have to be all these floral shades.

Everything was so effortlessly fabulous. The way things were layered only intrigues me more, because it makes me want to see every single item individually. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen really impressed me with this collection. There is always that fear, the fear about celebrity designers. The Olsens are known for their fashion sense (and I myself am a big fan of their style), but I never really looked too much into their collections because I didn't want their image to be ruined for me. This was a collection that I actually put much attention on, and I was really content with it.

The whole collection to me reminded me of Morocco. Even though I have never actually been there, I have seen many pictures of the fashion and of the country. It is one of the places I want to visit sometime in my life. This collection was just perfect for something to walk in around Morocco's city's and deserts. Not only is this wonderful for the Moroccan desert, but also for New York City's summer heat. The clothing is light and cool, which is really refreshing to wear in the heat, but also to cover your skin from the Sun's rays. (The tunics are a perfect summer outfit)

 

My favorite part of this collection was the fact that every individual piece was perfect by itself, and then put together it was even more extraordinary. Everything was so angelic, and that was the Olsen's goal. “We wanted something floating and angelic, but also to have things that made a sound.” , Mary-Kate told Vogue. The lighting created that angelic presence and the hair allowed the model's faces to look soft yet striking. 

 

I love that the clothes are so casual, because in reality we really do spend most of our time dressing up in a casual manner than in a formal manner. To me this is casual, and it's perfect. My idea of casual isn't a t-shirt and jeans, but dressing more minimal yet in a very presentable manner. This could be worn coming out of your NYC apartment on your way for lunch with friends, and some pieces could even be worn at night if put together with the correct things. The pajama-y pants are my favorite, because I am sweat's #1 enemy so this is a more stylish replacement. A relaxing day at the park wouldn't be complete with these pants.

These last pieces show off a more formal side of the collection. The shells on the clothes add a nice touch to the clothing, and I mean if you want to get cliché you could wear these pieces to a beach-side beach party. The kind where volleyball and actually touching the sand isn't part of the party. I can only imagine the way these clothes sound when they have someone walking in them. The shelled top almost imitates the idea of suspenders; yet at the same time has a very sexy cut that is very feminine.

I am actually going to pay much attention to The Row now after this collection. Mary-Kate and Ashley have proven that they never will disappoint. A perfect collection to look forward to in February.

Photos provided by VOGUE.