Handsome Girl

Women have been trying to wear men's clothes for ages and seriously, how many of you have found it extra cozy to slip your man's tee shirt or hoodie on?  And what about the boyfriend jeans style for ladies?  Or how about when it was popular to wear the top to your guys pajamas?  James Brown sang "It's A Man's World" & I guess he was on to something, as women have been trying to incorporate the power status of their male counterpart's attire into their wardrobe since the 1920's when vintage silent film star Marlene Dietrich frequently wore tuxedo's & suits and thus began the birth of sexual ambiguity in regards to the usual 'boy/girl' social norms regarding clothing.  

Her idea, borrowed from the boys staples (i.e. fitted jacket, trouser slacks, neck tie & maybe even a fedora) has trailed into present day designs as women seek to continue the attempt to feminize men's styles.  The style is now called, the 'handsome girl'...

Designer's such as Yves St. Laurent & COCO Chanel have been tailoring suits for women with a dude appeal for decades...

Back in 2008, the eccentric designer John Galliano touted that if YSL can put women in men's suits, he was going to go out on a limb and fashion a man skirt and not just for the Scottish bros!  I don't think it took off as well as he'd expected.  There's just some instances when gender neutrality in fashion has a cut off point dont'cha think?

: sodahead.com , hijabi-girl.blogspot.com , dejourmagazine.com , nymag.com 

Maria Shriver...Status Quo Style In Spite Of The Split!

Arnold Schwarzenegger gave the ultimate diss to his soon to be 'ex wife' Maria Shriver by confessing to her that he had a child with the hired help & has been entertaining an affair with his mistress for over a decade!  I'm sure you've heard about it by now in the news, in the tabloids, trash mags, etc...  She has dealt with many hardships in her family and of course everyone knows about the so called 'Kennedy Curse' which was nicknamed as such, by all of the continued misfortune the clan has had fall upon them. 

In spite of it all, Shriver has maintained an air of style, grace and elegance and being a part of America's most legendary family, who would expect anything less? In 2009, she was voted Glamour Magazines 'Woman Of The Year' and rightfully so, as she has been and remains a strong female role model for women everywhere being an activist, author & journalist.

    
On top of everything else, she loves fashion as she was seen in Paris during fashion week for the Fall/Winter 2011 Chanel Show. 

She stated in an interview once that Tom Ford for Gucci was her favorite designer... Regardless of all the hoopla and media frenzy that's surrounding her at the moment, just like always, Maria Shriver is going to come out on top because after all she's a Kennedy! 

pics: examiner.com , askmen.com , zimbio.com , fashwong.com , looks.com

'MoD' Monday

This week the word 'MOD' isn't referring to any retro fashion style, it's about 'MoD...Models Of Diversity.' 

Models Of Diversity is a non profit organization based out of London that advocates for the recognition of men and women of all colors, shapes, ethnicity's & abilities. They even sponsor modeling workshops for individuals with disabilities which is way cool!  They strive to fight against inequality and have a zero tolerance for the 'size 0' mentality that more often than not is the status quo mind set of the fashion world.

How often do we really see a true representation of anyone?  Magazines airbrush and crop and in real life catwalk models have to be stick figure thin to even get a gig!  'MoD' holds firm to the concept that 'not everyone is model potential' in the sense that the individual still has to have marketability, however, they reject the ideas of today's 'norm' that include a narrow range in regards to age, race, etc...   


Angel Sinclair, founder of 'Models Of Diversity' is herself a former model who began campaigning for model equality because she was appalled by what she was witnessing in regards to the way people were being treated if they didn't fit the mold. Although, I am all for this movement, from a realistic perspective I cannot foresee that there are going to be any size 20 models hired by Dior or Chanel to strut the catwalk anytime in the near future. The sad truth is we are a 'look oriented' society people! And it's only getting worse!  How many girls and women these days have issues relating to 'not being happy with themselves' in regards to their appearance?  How many have eating disorders because of it?

When you can listen to the news and hear of eight year olds undergoing plastic surgery in an attempt to counteract bullying you can pretty much assume that the idea of 100% equality on any level is pretty much a mute point!


As long as the media keeps exploiting the idea of 'perfection'...there will never be 'equality'!         


pics: thumbs.dreamstime.com, fionasboots.com, prlog.org, womenstudiesjmu.wikispaces,com, benbarry.fils.wordpress.com
  

Flatform Platform Shoes...A New Twist to a Comfortable Stylish Classic

Have you seen the new platform shoe style that's out this year called the 'Flatform Platform?  Every well known designer is all about making their mark with this new twist on a vintage classic...

A lot of people think that the platform sandal style originated from the free spirited hippie days of the 70's, but the real deal is, these comfy high steppers have actually been around since the 1940's.

There have been many variations of this shoe style since the beginning of the design and today the wedge heel, platform and the new 'flatform platform' offers both comfort, balance and height as a diversion from it's uncomfortable counterpart, the stiletto...

This year we now have the new revamped flatform platform style that offers a much welcome refuge from the sexed up spindly stilettos and high arched wedgies that are being put on the back burner as designers from Derek Lam to Chanel are bringing back the airy cork, rich wood and woven hemp rope 70's styles with a new appeal of added comfort as these shoes are true to their name 'flatform' which puts zero strain on your little piggies! 

Now we can be kind to our feet and remain trendy all at the same time...But most importantly, we can still add the inches, minus the winces!    

: audreymonroe.wordpress.com , thehypemagazine.blogspot.com , thepleat.com , ecx.images-amazon.com , redstilletoheels.net , farm6.static.flickr.com

Vintage Film Classic 'Taxi Driver' Inspired Spring Style

Do you remember the classic 1976 four time Academy Award nominated movie Taxi Driver with Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster?  There was a lot of controversy about the film due to the fact that Foster was just 14 years old when she took on the heavy role of playing Iris, a teenage prostitute.

The American born fashion designer Marc Jacobs has recently used this vintage cult film icon as his muse for his Spring 2011 collection during the New York Fashion Week.  Inspired by the 70's, he incorporated the theme to this movie within his runway show by creating styles that brought back the floppy hats, gold sequin platforms, zigzag knits, peasant blouses and hot pants.

Palazzo pant jumpsuits, dresses with thigh high slits, satin jackets and a wild palette of colors consisting of poppy, red, maize and desert orange, fuchsia and bright violet.

Other designers such as Chanel, Moschino & Linda Farrow for Luella have come on board with accessories as well as their own creative interpretations of this 70's retro look with over sized sunglasses, patent clutches and silk scarves.

Although it's a unique concept, this fashion trend will by all means have a difficult transition to everyday life because in all reality..hot pants are rarely hot unless you're a size 3 stick figure eh?!

 granzia.ninemsn.com.au , plaztikmag.com , stylefrizz.com , caseclothesed.com , millionnews.whowhatwear.com , fashionschooldaily.com 

Black Swan...Ballet Style Inspired Fashion

Ballet inspired fashion is BIG right now because of the Oscar nominated film 'Black Swan' starring Natalie Portman. 

Delicate fabrics, tulle, feathers, marabou & sparkles.  Pale shades of pink and nude as well as basic black. Flats, flowy skirts and wrap tops...

This movie has breathed life into our love for dance inspired style just as much as Flash Dance did for us in the 80's when Jennifer Beals made off the shoulder cut up sweat shirts & leg warmers a must have fashion accessory.

The red carpet at the Oscars even saw it's fair share of Black Swan inspired couture...  Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuiller, Michelle Williams in Chanel and Halle Berry in Marchesa.

The style definitely made it's debut on the runway during Fashion week 2011 as designs inspired by the film were seen in the shows of Chloe, David Koma & Chanel...

Whatever swan you choose to be you can piece together your own ballet inspired ward robe at a more affordable range this Spring by hitting up your local mall and checking out shops such as Forever 21, Wet Seal & I'm sure you'll even find a tu tu at Hot Topic!




 moviclips.com , theprovince.com , montrealgazette.com , marieclaire.com , designerwomen.ca.uk , theatreoffashion.wordpress.com , smudgestyle.com

Runway Fashion

Something about Runway fashion, I love their look & their strut.

Lovely spring 2010 couture

CHANEL

CHRISTIAN DIOR

ELLIE SAAB

GIORGIO ARMANI PRIVE'

GIVENCHY

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

VALENTINO