Lace, Lace, and more Lace

A red lace dress from Erdem's SS 2011 collection certainly left a lasting impression this Spring and Summer season. Michelle Williams was soon spotted wearing the dress at Blue Valentine's premier last October and Alexa Chung graced the cover of Net-a-Porter's Spring 2011 magazine wearing that same dress.The lace dress trend is definitely on the radar this summer as Issa also creates a lace dress capsule collection for Net-a-Porter this year.

For myself, I went Victoria Prison (now empty and occasionally used for various occasions) in Central, Hong Kong earlier this year for an art exhibit and came across a darkish grey blue lace on top of beige lining purse and thought "this would look really good on a dress." I'd never been a lace fan before but the combination seemed to fit perfectly and the moment I saw Alexa Chung wearing Erdem's lace dress, I was already in a must-have-this-summer mood.

Before I knew it, similar dresses started showing up everywhere! Topshop (as worn by Kate Bosworth), French Connection, Zara TRF (a sleeveless version) all have made similar dress (if I remember correctly, Marks & Spencer also made something similar). Occasionally I'd even find runway clips with a similar above-the-knee, one-color, mid-sleeve lace dress. Do you want to see more in the future? With Kate Middleton's lace wedding gown, I don't think this trend's going to be off the shelves any time soon.

All photos from Net-a-Porter (from top to bottom, left to right): Alexa Chung in Net-a-Porter's Spring 2011 magazine (in a red lace Erdem dress, another white Erdem dress, and the same red dress for the magazine cover) and Issa's capsule collection for Net-a-Porter.

For more affordable options, try Topshop's Cobalt Blue Lace Flippy Dress, French Connection's Anna Lace Dress, or Dorothy Perkin's Red Lace Babydoll Dress.

Cheers,
Delilah

Givenchy Couture Gives You Wings

I'm BACK! After a uber long delay of assignments, exams, and a wee bit of vacation trip planning, I've decided to re-vamp this blog little by little. I'm not exactly the most tech savvy person out there, but I'll try to do some finishing touches that I hadn't figured out before. Let's see if you can notice the difference, hehehe.

First off, I've been really behind with the recent season but Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture by Riccardo Tisci has recently caught my eye via a spread wit Vogue Paris May 2011. The Givenchy dress just took my breath away. The feather and stitching detail. The wings on the loose sleeves. I was totally taken a by this floor length Black Swan-esque gown. This led me to take a closer look at this couture collection. Interesting enough, the shoes and hats were by Philip Treacy. I was quite distracted by the hats when I first saw the collection but now I see the unique oriental (not the usual QiPao collar, jade jewelry elements) and Japanese samurai vibe going on. Some origami (my favorite, I used to swoon at the days when Galliano did origami for Dior Couture). Altogether, impressive Couture gowns! I'll make sure to follow up on Riccardo Tisci future collections.

On the Runway: Givenchy Spring 2011 Couture

Kate Moss in Vogue Paris May 2011 by Mert & Marcus

Josephine Skriver in Vogue Germany May 2011 by Greg Kadel

On the Red Carpet: Cate Blanchett at the Academy Awards 2011

& Florence Welch at the Grammy Awards 2011

All for now,

Delilah

Not Any Ordinary Shirtdress

I'm finished with my last essay of the semester! Woopie! It's been too long since I've had the chance to breathe. While I'm taking a very very short breather, here's a short post on the simple twist of a simple white button-down by Victor & Rolf, spotted on Emma Stone in the May edition of Glamour US.

Emma Stone in Glamour US May 2011
Photographed by Matthias Vriens-McGrath and styled by Anne Christensen.

 Photo Credits: FashionGoneRogue

On the Runway: Victor & Rolf S/S 2011

 

Photo Credits: style.com

Awesome, no? Victor & Rolf are designers that I'd definitely categorize as "out of the box." Sometimes it's extravagant, a little over-the-top even for me. But this Spring and Summer collection was a nice twist on the traditional white button-down. The dress in the second picture would even look good as a wedding gown. The third one would be Lady Gaga, hands down. That's a double thumbs up to Victor & Rolf's collection.

All for now!
Delilah

Soak up the sun with Shades

Helloes and sorry for the extremely long disappearance! I'm currently at a brink-of-crisis and completely burnt out stage. So excuse the lack of coherence in my thinking (I've probably lost half of my mind weeks ago when my assignments started pilling up). Basically, I'm halfway through with my bigillion mile run on essays, assignments, presentations, and group projects. Now I've just got group work left and extremely troublesome group members (as my friend V says "bad group members should be condemned to hell!"). Currently in a lack-of-sleep and obsessed with my eye cover-up (those dark dark eye circles haunt me every morning), I started this post ages ago but never had the chance to finish it up.

So here you go, some awesome shades for spring!

Jeremy Scott x Linda Farrow

Comes in Gold, Black, and Translucent.

Picture Source and Available at: Colette

Liberty x SUPER "LUCIA" Glasses

Picture Source: Nitrolicious.com
Available for purchase at: SUPER shop, Liberty Store

Prada Spring/Summer 2011

 

Picture Source: style.com, style.com

Next in line? Check on Jean Paul Gaultier's Fall/Winter 2011 Collection, details on style.com. I'm excited!


On the side note, the sun came out for two days, but it's gonna be gone for a bit this week. A lot's been on my mind but I don't really have the time to type it all out (seriously, I calculate my time by the minute now, even breakfast doesn't get fifteen minutes and I skip it if I can save five minutes from a grab & go source). Sigh. And I've already forgotten what I was going to write next... Got it: Please remember to support Japan. It's almost been a month since the earthquake and there's still so many families living in temporary shelters. It sad to think of how little I can do...

By the way, I saw L'Amour Fou, the movie about Yves Saint Laurent, at the HKIFF last Saturday. It was pretty amazing. Take a look if it hits theatres near you. I didn't even know that it wasn't out yet till I checked online. Note: I think I might like it more than Lagerfeld Confidential and I'm a die hard Lagerfeld fan. 

More later!

Night, Delilah

Spring into Flashing Pop Art Style

This SPRING is gonna be really colorful! Just look at all those recent magazine editorials, there's at least one editorial with the theme of "Color Block" in each magazine! Hehe. And look at the vibrant colors on fabric patterns :)


Number one example? Prada's Spring and Summer 2011 collection! Especially the Prada Brogue Espadrille Sneaker. *Drools* Those shoes are awesomeness placed on a pair of shoes. I read on Bryan Boy that they're sold out? :S Then where will the fashion lovers get this pair of awesomeness in time for the summer? Hint: I spy a pair of espadrille oxfords available at PUZZLE @ I.T. Hong Kong. Check'em out!


In the mean time, I've discovered this free magazine around Hong Kong: FLASHon by the Oriental Press Group. It's pretty awesome and here's a look into its Pattern Revolution editorial

There also seems to be a Roy Lichtenstein vibe going on, so I'll take you to look at a editorial of Nicole Richie for Harper's Bazaar Russia's March 2011 edition. Look at all those Prada stripes and fruity patterns!

Coolies! All for now :)

Le Vernis de Chanel in Riva

As I said before, Chanel's nail polish fettish is in the air this year and there's no way Chanel's gonna let this great vibe go away anytime soon. It's taking every chance it can to   come up with new colors. Inspired by the 70's, the newest addition by Peter Phillips was seen on models during Chanel's Resort 2011 Collection in May 2010. Limited edition and available in stores on November 15 (oh! Little brother's birthday! Happy Birthday! But too bad that can't be an excuse to buy this. haha) Anyways, Le Vernis Riva is a pretty light sea blue color. Very Saint Tropez, very light summery breeze, and amazing for the summer. I'll be honest: it's almost November, light blue doesn't actually match my outfit! But hey... if someone's able to prove me wrong, then Riva is another Chanel nail polish to crave for and limited edition, need I say more?

Cruise 2011: Riva

Chanel Cruise 2011

Riva as seen on Sara Blomqvist, plus a lovely summer dress!

from style.com

All for now, 

Delilah

these shoes are knockin' on heaven's door

In continuation and in addition to Knock on wood by Jeisa

In response to Jeisa's post about these wooden shoes that are popping up all over the SS 2011 collection, I decided to add some of my own picks in this wooden shoe trend. I actually had a huge obsession for clogs this summer. Wooden clogs to replace those straw platform sandals that I've seen way too often. I thought that would be a nice replacement, no? Plus wood can withstand rainy weather and not fall apart (unlike my ancient straw platforms that shredded apart after that sudden short rain shower one night). So, personally, I think this wooden shoe trend is here to say. Get ready to throw out those gladiator sandals and find some space for those clogs, wooden boots and all those wooden heel shoes that are available. Here are some of my picks that lean towards the affordable side (btw, in no way am I advertising for these companies or brands, these are just my personal preferences I've found so far)...

Jeffrey Campbell

Phone Platform Oxfords

Broome St. Wedge

Less wood, less chunky option: Lexie Platform Pump

pictures from and shoes available for purchase on shopnastygal.com

ZARA

 Wooden Sandal with Cross Straps

Vamp Sandal with Strap Wood
I swooned over these shoes for the longest time in Europe, during my summer trip. I told my mom again and again: I'm gonna get this, no matter what you say! (My mother's a very "comfort-oriented" person, so wedges/clogs are a big "no, no" in her opinion) I ended up hoping to buy these shoes in HK (*shhh, I wouldn't need to let my mom know!) but ZARA in HK didn't seem to carry these shoes. Darn!

pictures from and available for purchase on Zara's UK online shop

Swedish Hasbeens

Sky High Peep Toes

Covered Super High

the Autumn and Winter Option: Lace-up Boot High

pictures from and available for purchase on swedishhasbeens.com and urbanoutfitters.com

Next question: How will you match these shoes for the upcoming and present Autumn/Winter season? Well, before it gets too cold, I suggest a long cardigan, long t-shirt of any sort, and skinny jeans with a pair of wooden sandals. Since wooden sandals generally have a ankle strap, you can roll up the bottom of your jeans or khakis to show off your pretty new shoes. The Swedish Hasbeen boots are good for those cold winter days, wrapped up in your down jacket or this year's preferable military jackets or shearling jackets. And lastly, Jeffrey Campbell shoes are a good all-year-round option. Match Jeffrey Campbell shoes with jeans, shorts, skirts, and leggings. It'll look good and your shoes would be good for as long as this trend stays.

I'll let you know if I buy a pair of wooden shoes. :)

All for now!
Delilah

knock on wood

TREND REPORT 2011: CLUNKY WOODEN SHOES

[photo credits: style.com]

It seems to me that designers are quite obsessed with the element of wood in the recent showcases during New York Fashion Week. I'll let the pictures do the talking before I give my own take on it.

3.1 Philip Lim

Custo Barcelona

Derek Lam

Donna Karan

Doo.Ri

I'll be blunt: I'm really not a fan.

The only pair of shoes I would consider wearing would be from the Calvin Klein Collection, who did an amazing job in utilizing the element of wood in a more modern and demure manner.

What do you think of this trend? Will it last or disappear after a season?

More fashion week posts coming soon so stay tuned!