Holiday Dressing

Departing from my Balmain obsession for just a bit, all this holiday spirit has really gotten to me! Especially when I'm in Asia, where people don't celebrate Thanksgiving! But I've got tons to give thanks for, and I sure don't mind an extra week of holidays, especially when I was on the verge of collapse last week. (the after effects of too much work still remain: shoulder pain, eye strain, bad skin, ouchies what a horrible experience), Nonetheless, I treat myself towards the holiday spirit buy lots of online retail therapy (my Juicy Couture bag during Juicy's online sale on sale offer, I can't wait to get it! It's currently with my friend in the US because Juicy doesn't ship internationally. And my many purchases on taobao.com, China's ebay network, I can't wait to get all that jewelry in my hands!). It's surprising how the internet shopping trend is on a rise. Asos is doing free international shipping all holiday season and the Outnet had a free international shipping weekend last week. And Google's opened boutiques.com. I wonder if that means I don't need to go out shopping anymore. I doubt it. It's not the same when you get to feel the textures and try the items on :)

Anyways, I came across these dresses when flipping through Nasty Gal's latest lookbook on facebook. And I thought "these dresses would look awfully good during the holiday season!" Simple colorful sleeveless dress. Very cute, young chic, with a bit of a vintage-y vibe. Yet bright, silky, and very structured for a formal holiday dinner.

BB Dakota 

Halsey Dress and Winsor Silk Dress

Both dresses available on Nasty Gal's site: Halsey Dress and Winsor Silk Dress
Words of wisdom (and those of a thrifty shopper): It's cheaper on Nasty Gal then BB Dakota's site! Plus you can try to getting it during Nasty Gal's special sale periods.

Enjoy!
Delilah :)

Balmain, oh, Balmain! (2)

Remember my previous post about Balmain: Lily Donaldson in Balmain? Well, I decided to turn it into a Balmain, oh, Balmain! series and this post's going to be number two in the series. Turns out that this floor length sequin gown , in both black and gold, from the Balmain A/W 2010 collection is the favorite of magazine editors, models, and many more (hehe, hint: the person who's writing this). So I've been following where this gown's been showing up. So here it is, the same black floor length sequin gown that Lily Donaldson was wearing in Elle UK, spotted in a spread for Harper's Bazaar Spain and Vogue Russia.

Worn by Tanga Moreau and photographed by Nico for the December 2010 issue of the Harper's Bazaar Spain for a spread titled Yo Soy la Fiesta. Strong, beautiful, and feminine!

Harper's Bazaar Spain: December 2010

Yo Soy la Fiesta

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

Meanwhile, one of my favorite models, Jessica Stam, in the same gown for the December 2010 issue of Vogue Russia, photographed by Greg Kadel.

Vogue Russia December 2010

Source: Livejournal

All for now!
Delilah

Porcelain Dress

Hellooo! Sorry about the extremely long hiatus. Has it been a month? It's seriously felt like forever though. School work has really caught up and now I'm past the semester's assignments and time for exams! Nonetheless, I've found some pretty fashion pieces and pictures to share. I first noticed this really pretty porcelain, blue and white china dress in Roberto Cavalli’s 40th anniversary book. Julia Stegner's wearing Roberto Cavalli's F/W 2005 dress and photographed by Mert & Marcus. Then I noticed it in an article on style.com about Bergdorf Goodman store window displays. It's a such interesting interpretation of porcelain vases, with an Asian vibe (note the dragon on the dress), and so beautifully fitted. Amazing.

In Roberto Cavalli’s 40th anniversary book

Source: Fashion Gone Rogue

In Bergdorf Goodman's Window Display

Credits:Style.com's Style File

On the Runway: Roberta Cavalli Ready to Wear F/W 2005

on Daria Werbowy
Source: Style.com


All for now!
Delilah

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

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!