Wedding of Lace

I've been a long busier than expected. Who knew a summer vacation could actually require for more time away from the computer than time at a computer? Well, one of the answers is probably my new smart phone. As amazing as it is, I've had trouble with my browser for the past two days. But other than that, since I have internet access anywhere I go, that means less time on the computer, less time stalking FashionGoneRogue's newest fashion spreads, flipping through blogs, etc.

I'm also heading to Dalian (a city in Northern China) soon! And I have no idea what to expect! I spent all last night web surfing for blogs, insider-tips, or travel guides, but it seems like there's very little on English sources and guides on Dalian. I'll be there for three weeks on my uni faculty's summer program, which also means, three weeks of no facebook or blogging. Before Saturday, I still have a concert, eye facial (hehe, awesome treat from my friend, V), packing, and many lunches and dinners with friends.

For now, here's few pictures from Hong Kong's FLASHon Magazine by the Oriental Press Group.The magazine's theme for the week of June 16th was weddings and I fell head over heels for the pictures for their "Love Full" editorial. Double thumbs up for FLASHon on doing some amazing fashion spread. A lot of magazine in Hong Kong claim to be "fashion" magazines but they're generally just glossy pages of ads, ads, and more ads. I see more artistic touch in FLASHon than a lot of other magazines. 

 

This spread reiterates the love for lace this year at weddings :) For more, check out my previous post, Lace, Lace, and more Lace. The dresses featured in these two pictures (top to bottom) are from Monique Lhuillior and Opening Ceremony.

Pictures of the editorial taken by Delilah
For more, check out FLASHon's Facebook page
 
All for now,
Delilah

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

Mass Elitism: Starting with the Birkin

Who knew Karl Largerfeld's idea of Mass Elitism would come true so soon? Bringing luxury to the masses. I used to think only Karl had the ability to do that, but it doesn't seem to be the case. There's a huge Hermes Birkin bag fettish all over the world right now and when I looked farther into it, there's actually quite a few sources. The basic idea is to print the Hermes Birkin bag on a canvas bag, thus everyone can get Birkin bags at cheap and affordable price(plus the environmental damage caused by dying leather bags would also be lowered and canvas bags can be made of organic materials). So there you have it, low prices, environmentally friendly and very classy and stylish. Here are three sources I've found so far.

Banana Taipei

in French Honey Camel

From Taiwan, this bag reaching the hands of fans all over East Asia. I would know because I just helped my aunt get one. We put in an order for a Supper Champagne Grey one late December and it finally reached us earlier this week. I had actually seen it on the streets earlier but decided not to buy one after finding it in nearby boutiques. The good thing about it is that the size is similar to the original Hermes Birkin, great for school, books and A4 files, the handle is also printed on, theres a magnetic button inside, and there are ten colors to choose from. But on the minus side, you have to be really careful about keeping it clean if you buy a light colored one. The price is around 400RMB to 590HKD including shipping in the East Asia area(I'm not sure about the price in Taipei).

Picture from: Facebook Banana Taipei

Official Site: bananataipei.com

TATA Baby Birkin

From Japan, this is the one that's REALLY hard to get a hold of. I can't even find an official site. I know it's from Japan for sure and available for purchase at a boutique called Liger in Hong Kong. There's quite a few pro's about the TATA Baby Birkin: the material is waterproof, the printing is very detailed, there are various sizes and colors, and there's an extra cross shoulder strap! But on the other hard, the TATA Baby Birkin is the most expensive of the three options. I've flipped around and found that auction sites are selling them at 3400HKD and my aunt gave me a heads up saying it around 3000HKD

Picture from: Savvy Mode

Thursday Friday Together Bag

in Blue

From the US, this is a much more simple version compared to the Banana Taipei and TATA. Nonetheless, it conveys a similar message. Three colors: red, blue, and camel. Available online for 35USD and ships everywhere (which is REALLY convenient for people in the US, Canada, or Europe because the other two do not ship that far yet). It's similar to the large original Hermes Birkin size. The longer straps are easier to through over your shoulder.

Picture from the Official Site: ThuFri website

So, what would you say?

Yes or no to a new canvas look-a-like Hermes Birkin?

As awesome as it is, I think I'll keep looking first.

All for now!

Delilah

pencil skirts can be comfy

I finished a 9 hour take home exam today and I decided to give myself a little break. All this essay writing and continuous analysis has really bored me out (I have no choice, it's a required course for me in order to graduate). So here is something that's on the rather exciting, although not new news, end: Alexander Wang's T by Alexander Wang Spring 2011 lookbook. My favorite part? The bunched up pencil skirts, the monotone palette, and these very very light colors. The fabric looks so comfortable, I'd wear it any day :)

Enjoy!
Delilah

the alexa chung addiction: the white collar

Hello! Among the various readings and assignments I have to do for uni, I've still kept myself rather engaged in the whole post-fashion week vibe. I really wish it didn't end! I started spending the last few days of Fashion Week on my computer every morning during breakfast and watching clips of shows from the day before. Meanwhile, as I  was going through recent pictures of Fashion Week, magazine editorials, etc and I noticed another very "Alexa Chung"  feature: a white collar. The collar might be just popping out from a knit sweater or added on to the neckline of a navy blue dress. It's simple, pretty, and very cute!

at Louis Vuitton's SS2010 show

in Elle UK November 2010

Photographed by David Vasiljevic in The Accidental Stylist

in  Madewell's FW 2009 Advertisement

I like this so much, I think I'm gonna go dig out my knit sweaters once it starts getting cold and match it with my white button downs from interning. I wonder if it works... Nonetheless, if you get really creative, you can actually try drawing on a black collar to a white t-shirt? I remember seeing a tank top in Zara over the summer with a printed on bow-tie on it. Maybe next time, Zara can do what I just suggested. hehe :)

Pictures from thefashionspot.com, fashiongonerogue.com, and refinery29.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!

The Blazers of 3.1 Phillip Lim

 

When I saw these blazers in the clip of 3.1 Phillip Lim, A/W 2010, on that VideoFashion show on tv two weeks ago, I was like "omfg" (literally) at the pale gery blue blazer and the light beige blazer. So that's where those colors came from! Because all over the boutiques in Hong Kong are this lose fit short shorts like the one matched with the blue blazer in the 3.1 Phillip Lim show. And the color combinations of blazers and shorts are all pale grey blues, greens, and beige. And it's quite dreamy for summer dressing. Plus, that blazer's gonna be very handy for autumn and those over-air conditioned lecture theatres that I'll be sitting in for hours.

3.1 Phillip Lim A/W 2010

Shorts spotted on Leighton Meester on the set of Gossip Girl

Fashion week's starting to roll! I can't wait to see what else Phillip Lim has to show to the world this time in his Spring and Summer 2011 collection :)

prints galore!

My mouth gaped; my jaw dropped; my heart stopped.

Alexander McQueen -- Pre-Fall 2010 Collection

I post this collection with a heavy heart. It's difficult to see someone with such brilliance bursting at the seams gone in just a mere moment. 

However, I was pleased to see that Sarah Burton, who was appointed Creative Director of Alexander McQueen, had not failed to encapsulate the exceptional vision he had. 

How magnificent is this collection? The prints, the exotic-extraterrestrial element to it all. 

If this is what aliens wear, sign me up. 

With love,

Jeisa

pre-fall picks!

Jeisa here! [after what seems like a year and a half] Things have been pretty busy, much busier than I would have ever expected. Anyways, with a new layout and a fresh new semester underway, I decided it would be a good time to post about pre-fall fashion! 

Fall remains as my favorite season. Not only is it where my birthday month happens to fall into, I love the perfect  cool weather, gorgeous golden brown leaves littered across the pavement and you get the best of both worlds when it comes to fashion and style, throwing on summer cut-offs, light scarf and a blazer and you're good to go.

Photo Credit: style.com

CHRISTIAN DIOR

It was so difficult picking a few key pieces that I liked because I basically wanted each and every piece. John Galliano does it again; incorporating one of the key trends this fall: military aviator with pure 1930s chic. I feel like I've been whipped back into time and falling in love with history's best.

YVES SAINT LAURENT

Having been a big fan of YSL shoes and bags, I was pleased to see that their collection impressed me just as equally. The Upper-East-Side chic factor to the clothes is enough to make you swoon. Positively timeless and classic.

VALENTINO

One of my favorite collections by far. Everything that the name Valentino encompasses and more. Feminine, chic and pure iconic beauty. The take on the classic red Valentino dresses were fresh and modern, yet the other pieces in the collection still retained the same classic Valentino touch that we've all grown to love.

BURBERRY PRORSUM

Leave it to Burberry Prorsum to come up with a collection that's uber-stylish yet wearable. The military-esque theme returns in this collection as well but in a more vulnerable and softer manner. This truly is a collection that every woman needs in her closet this fall.

CHANEL

Karl Lagerfeld is a genius. [as usual] I'm pretty sure Delilah is nodding in crazy agreement over this (she is pretty much Karl Lagerfeld's biggest fan). I'll say it over and over again: he can do no wrong. Oriental infusion with classic Chanel. What more could you really ask for? Intricately embroided fabrics, flowing black chiffon and statement pieces. Pure love.  

That's it from me for now! Leave a comment and tell me which Pre-Fall collection you're rooting for.

With love,

Jeisa