"Grown-ups before girls"

Oh, the fun I would've had living in 1940's Manila as my Grandmother Magdalena. Not only was she young and beautiful (with a hint of Spanish blood), but she also had an impeccably glamorous wardrobe. Really, what's not to love about sleek pencil skirts, airy silk blouses and thick woolen coats that hit perfectly at mid-calf level? The inspirational retro-dazzle of one of my favorite decades can be found almost everywhere this season, most prevalently in Lanvin's A/W 2009-2010 Ready-To-Wear collection which debuted at Paris Fashion Week this June.

As Sarah Mower mused in a recent Telegraph article, "The Forties are back – and favouring grown-ups before girls."

Rita Hayworth

 

Lana Turner

 

Gene Tierney

Channeling Old Hollywood stars like Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Gene Tierney, Lanvin's collection is full of elegant forties timepieces like lush floor-length gowns, vintage fur stoles, whimsical feathery headbands and serious pieces structured at the shoulder. Instead of other designers who ultimately try too hard to embody "new creativity" at their catwalk shows, Alber Elbaz kept it classy, creating pieces that delicately emphasize the feminine silhouette and hug the body in all the right places, all the while maintaining an unavoidable sense of drama and seduction.

images courtesy of

VOGUE.com's Lanvin A/W 2009-2010 Show Report

While forties fashion was certainly classic and aesthetically pleasing, it can barely be deemed innovative by today's standards. Elbaz addresses this issue, successfully bridging the gap between then and now by substituting today's fabrics and cuts for otherwise obsolete patterns. Ensuring that the collection remains relevant to today, the elbow-length gloves are leather where they once were satin, and skirts and jackets now possess swing and shape where they once hung flat.

images courtesy of

VOGUE.com's Lanvin A/W 2009-2010 Show Report

In short, bravo to you, Mr. Elbaz, on a dramatic performance well-done; one which Jeanne Lanvin herself would surely have been proud to witness.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Accessories 101

If you know me at all, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'm guilty of putting less emphasis on accessories than my creative license warrants. It's taken me my entire life to perfect my own style philosophy in terms of dresses and separates, yet I still find myself getting flustered when presented with the responsibility of working with an unlimited option of small items that each have the power to change the outfit's ultimate story. Baby steps are good, though, and I've decided to take on this learning experience one day at a time. Already, I've purchased some everyday wardrobe staples (like my cognac H&M cross body satchel) that I can't imagine my outfits functioning properly without.

In short, Londoners are all about their accessories. It's uncommon to walk around a single high street without being able to count on both hands the sheer number of long-strap satchels and meticulous silk scarves that the locals tend to be sporting. Below is an ever-growing list that I've compiled of the most popular accessories in London today.

(Side note: I was ecstatic to find that each selection remains within an affordable £30. Lush.) 

Tights with personality

Feather Printed Tights

Urban Outfitters, £25 

Wool beanies

Unisex Wool Beret

American Apparel, £21 

Gold-chain cross body satchels

Patent Shoulder Bag

new look, £5 

Chain-print scarves

 

Vintage Belthain Scarf

Miss Selfridge, £15 

Skinny headbands

Stretch Vintage Style Leaf Hairband

ASOS.com, £4 

Neutral-toned cross body satchels

Buckle Cross Body Bag

Topshop, £30 

Chunky circle scarves ("snoods")

Knit Design Snood Scarf

Marks & Spencer, £15

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

An American Brand in London

Question: How much do I love Ralph Lauren Rugby? Whenever I receive a periodic e-mail here or there about styling events and  new outfit concepts, my heart skips a beat. There's a lot about the States that I miss, but one of them is walking into the Rugby store in Georgetown and being completely engrossed in their window displays and mesmerized by the outfits arranged proudly on the forms.

Here is a simple yet statement-making outfit constructed from Rugby's current website offerings. Browsing through their pages upon pages of quality merchandise, I made a vow to step outside my box, mix prints and patterns, wear boyfriend jeans with heels and go crazy with the layers. Risk is what makes it fun, as long as balance is maintained, of course.

Little Boy Polo Jacket, $298

Suede Patch Flannel Workshirt, $89.50

Boyfriend Denim Jean, $150

 

Skull Heritage Crest Belt, $98

This is a breezy, perfect-for-a-Saturday-afternoon outfit, complete with a strong-buckled belt that can hold its own in terms of bringing the entire outfit together. Undoubtedly, my favorite piece is the Little Boy Blazer, while the flannel arguably has the most personality. The playfulness of the shirt and jeans are toned down a great amount by the fitted blazer, which gives it the perfect amount of feminine charm to two otherwise androgynous items. The cuffed denim hem ensures that this outfit is not overly stuffy, as it still gives off an ultimately fun vibe. This outfit is the perfect transition piece to bridge a strong sense of American pride and the guidelines of British Fall fashion.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Jaded

Growing up, I always wondered if my older Chinese cousins knew just how cool they were for sporting beautiful jade bracelets or gorgeous pendant necklaces. No, these cultural pieces haven't become the latest fashion accessory, but the jade color concept has most definitely caught on in Europe. As somewhat of a brand extension of the mint-green hue, Chanel has introduced a new shade of nail varnish for Fall called Jade. Already out of stock on Chanel's website, the color was unleashed on Chanel's Paris runway only a few weeks ago.

Chanel Le Vernis in Jade (407), $25 / £19

 

Jade at Chanel A/W 2009 Catwalk Collection

Garnering high-profile fans like Rachel Bilson and Alexa Chung, the color is already making its rounds in the big cities and as any successful trend, has been spreading like wildfire. Drew Barrymore, in attendance of the Toronto Film Festival, had her nails painted minty green to celebrate the promotion of Whip It, her first-ever credit as a director. In observing their looks, the stars have been bold enough to try out this new color concept while keeping it classy by playing down the rest of their outfits (typically a variation on the ever-popular LBD) and keeping makeup to a tasteful yet statement-making minimum.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

We Love Locals

If you're at all familiar with London, you'll surely be able to relate to my appreciation for the bustling Camden Markets which are located fortunately a mere fifteen minutes from my house. It was there where I was introduced to the lovely Sharon, Lauren and Ellie, venturing a few tube stops up the northern line to Camden Town from the city. They divulged to me, as many Londoners would, that the Oxford Circus Topshop was by far their favorite place to shop, and that if I was looking for a locals-only place to scope out other fashion-minded individuals, Shoreditch was the place to go.

Sharon, Lauren and Ellie

Camden Markets

29 August 2009

I'm a fan of all three outfits; the three girls' individual looks tend to complement each others' rather well. Key items for London fall are portrayed fabulously well here- the long-strand mini purse, the loose denim button-up top (here worn as a dress) and the navy schoolboy blazer with gold embellished buttons. Conceptually, these girls know exactly what they're doing and it is this uncanny British composure that makes me want to learn more about what Londoners frame their outfits around. Looks like the marketplace is an incubator for creativity, not just the fabulous finds themselves.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Never Disappointing: Vince >> shopbop

Minimalism, clean lines and a monochromatic palette. As yawn-inducing as these words may seem, we all know how well Vince brings these concepts to life by personifying contemporary yet classic sophistication. Providing that happy medium between casual weekend basics and refined workwear, I've always revered the subtle dramatics of Vince's slouchy sweaters, classic shift dresses and perfectly fitted pants, perhaps because I'm a die-hard fan of fall weather clothing. In my opinion, what could be better than layers upon layers of single pieces brought together to marry themselves as a single brilliant outfit? Think balance: a cozy charcoal tie-front sweaterdress draped over a heather grey long-sleeve knit top tucked into a nubby herringbone miniskirt with violet tights and Frye boots. Top heavy, yet bottom simple.

Yes, I'm afraid I've gone off on a tangent about my passionate love for fall fashion, but I'll spare you and bring you back to my original point- Vince. While Vince is clearly not the most controversial design aesthetic out there, mixing simple Vince pieces with more risky items can always ensure an outfit that flows and just makes sense.

The Vince Fall 2009 line presented for shopbop fails to disappoint. Here are a few of my favorite London-inspired looks that make me want to conceptualize outfits for the well-dressed locals I've observed wandering Kensington High Street.

Sequined Mini Dress, $225

  

Motorcycle Leather Jacket, $750

Stella Cable Cardigan, $325

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.