Holy Chanel!

From the EPIC Chanel RTW show last week in Paris:

oh my...

Though for the most part the looks from this RTW collection are farrrrr from ready-to-wear (in my opinion) the overall show was nothing short of stunning.

I can't even imagine what it would be like to experience it in person... I know I've said it before but I honestly believe I would have cried! I imagine that seeing something like that pink floof above walking down the runway would be, literally, breathtaking.

...and I die!

Kraaazy Karl!

What an amazing venue.

On the first day of French class, back in middle school, we all got to choose French names and I chose "Chantal", for no other reason than it resembled "Chanel".  At this point I was not remotely familiar with anything the fashion house actually produced, but I knew it was something special, special enough to name oneself after!

(side note: my parents are regular working class people who like to hike/don't shop at Bloomingdales etc., and are still baffled how they ended up with the sort of child who at ten begged for a subscription to W magazine... quizzicle)

Some of my preferred looks from the collection... which to be honest I did not love:

The majority of the pieces present a sort of ladylike-victorian-gothic look. I love the constant reinvention of the classic Chanel tweed suit and the sparkling black halters amongst the evening wear.  There was also lots of feathery fringe, dark dark eye make-up, and what I consider HIDEOUS flat across platform sandals (those are hideous right? does anyone disagree?).

Hope you enjoyed the rundown!  I don't know if anyone cares but I am sorry for being so absent as of late... it feels really good to get back the the bloggy!

Love you dolls, xo Caitlin

Marc Jacobs Collection

I love how a Couture vs. RTW collection from a single designer can appear at first glance so, so different (see previous post), but at closer inspection so clearly follow a similar trend and trajectory.

My favorite looks from the Marc Jacobs Collection SS '11 show at NY Fashion Week:

To be honest I hated (really) a lot of the peices I saw (those I did not care to present here, whoops!), but as a whole I greatly respect and admire the collection as a whole.

These styles are larger-than-life. They are statements. So bold! The color palate so vibrant! Awe-inspiring really, the collection is awesome. "Awe", here clearly, is the word I'm gravitating towards, c'est le mot juste.

Honestly I'm sure if I were physically present at this show it would have brought me to tears - yes, clothes can make me cry (fashion is an art form!), but to be fair I am the sentimental sort (...Marc Jacobs SS '11 leads to Stendhal Syndrome in local blogger?).

As to my previous statement on the similarity between this collection and Marc by Marc there is again a very retro vibe, but one that leans towards a later decade - very 1970's, very disco-age. Again there are the jumpsuits, a vibrant and pervasive color scheme, and mixed materials, satins, sheers and leather.

Right now my style may be more MXMJ, but someday, oh that someday, you'll see me in Marc Jacobs.

Love! and Awe! and Fashion! xo Caitlin

original images via The Cut, edited and collaged images property of Pour L'amour de Fashion!

Leave it to Marc

If you follow my blog you may have gathered I have an everlasting love for Marc J., one still going strong after 8+ years.

The MXMJ ready-to-wear shows are always a highlight of my fashion week experience (one still via the internet at this point) - The Spring '11 collection was no exception. 

The looks he presented in New York this past week came across as wearable (true to the RTW title, often not true of fashion show styles in general), and at once unique while maintaining a distinctly "Marc" aesthetic.

My Favorites: 

 

The overall trend of the collection is clearly very retro - heavy on the fifties/sixties vibes - especially in the cut of the garments.

Notice:

• high waisted a-line skirts 
• shirt-dresses
• what I'll characterize as a retro, carefree, beach girl look (in swimwear, casual sneakers, sundresses)
• stripes! everywhere!
• a distinct color palate - dark oranges and yellows
• the transition from romper to jumpsuit
• mixed materials (sweaters, satin, jersey)
• and definitely note the adorable cross-body colorful box purses (the Marc bag will always be dear to my heart - my first major non-rent purchase was a Totally Turnlock in 2006)

What do you think of the collection? The looks above are only representative of my favorites, and a small portion of what was shown.  As in any collection there were certainly many I did not like, and those I choose to ignore...  

yes, shockingly this blog is pure editorial.

Love Love Love! xo Caitlin

original images via Style.com, edited and collaged images property of Pour L'amour de Fashion!

Spring into Spring

Oh lordy, lovely readers, you asked for it, and it seems like this "Transition into Spring" post has been in the works for a thousand years (seriously, all this collaging, linking, and pretend online shopping takes time!), but finally, I am ready to post! Okay, ready?

shoes!

platforms! wooden soles! neutral colors! clogs!

(1. Kimchi Blue Patent T-Strap Skimmer,   2. Loeffler Randall,  Yvette Cut Out Bootie,   3. Rachel Comey, leather "DEKALB",   4. Diane von Furstenberg, Opal Crisscross Wedge Sandals,   5. DVF, Zia Sandal,   6. Jeffrey Campbell, 'Snick' Platform Sandal,  7.  Cole Haan, Air Jocelyn High Sandal,  8. Pedro Garcia, Patty Suede Wishbone Sandals,   9. Deena and Ozzie Wingtip Oxford,   10. Pour la Victoire, Matila,   11. Coclico Shoes, Lilly Platform Sandals,   12. Ash, Kim Slashed Ankle Booties)

tights!

in oh-so-pretty shades of pink and white!  sheers!  patterns!  prints!  fishnets!  lace!  knee-highs (I LOVE knee-highs)!

 (1., 4. and 6. via Urban Outfitters,   2. and 3. via American Apparel,   5. Stretsis via Revolve)

jewels etc.!

statement necklaces!  drape-y chains!  "ethnic" (sorry, I don't know) pieces!  feminine hair accessories!  fedoras!  agate stone jewelry!  plastic framed sunglasses in shades of blush!  friendship bracelet style bracelets!!!

(1. Sachin + Babi, Kahlo Necklace,   2. Lizzie Fortunato Jewels, Lightning Field 1977 Necklace,   3. ABC by Annie Costello Brown, Y Necklace,   4. Cascading Chain Knot Necklace,   5. Filigree Leaf Headband,   6. Bop Basics, Panama Small Brim Fedora,   7. Raw Crystal Studs,   8. Mixed Media Bracelets,   9. Mosley Tribes Eyewear, Bromley Sunglasses,   10. Julie Rofman Sparkle Beaded Cuff)

spects!

big black framed spectacles!  apparently all the cool kids are doing it, not me though, bad look for me!

(1. Holly Readers,   2. Dree Hemingway via Fashion and Fables,   3.  Pandora via Haute Design)

dress!

ahhh the grand finale!  start integrating color back in, yellow, pink, blue and watercolor like prints!    waist-defining frocks!  tulip skirts!  for those of us where it's still chilly transition by pairing tights, scarfs, cardigans and light jackets with lighter spring pieces (see Taylor in the yellow skirt with booties, tights and sweater, or Emmanuelle in her signature shorts/tights combo and a fitted jacket)!

(1. See by Chloe, The Favorite Chloe Day Dress,   2. TOLANI Scarf,   3. Organic S/S 2010 via Otte-a-Tete,   4. Something Else by Natalie Wood, Waisted Stripe Skirt,   5. Eight Sixty, Brushed Stroke Tunic Dress,   6. Shabd, S/S 2010,   7. Taylor via Sterling Style,   8. Emmanuelle via Dress, Design & Decor,   9. ValJean via Dress, Design & Decor,   10. Emily via Cupcakes and Cashmere)

That's all for now mes amours, I hope you feel enlightened and inspired. and I hope you are getting ready for bed... I on the other hand have two papers due tomorrow and an all-nighter to look forward to, but I just had to get a little fashion in first. Pour L'amour de Fashion! night-night, poupées, xoxo.

Les Looks du Printemps of which Je Meurs

image via lucky mag clog roundup

Swedish Hasbeens! I have coveted these shoes since I saw a different style on a favorite blog, bunnyshop.org, last year. Unfortunately these are $243, and I have committed myself to putting my tax return towards my (maxed-out) credit card, so I probably won't be getting a pair this year either.

Miu Miu S/S '10, Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere.

Shabd S/S '10.

Sadly these looks are not courtesy of H&M or F21... Miu Miu, Phillip Lim, and Shabd... sigh,  someday I will be such a famous fashion blogger designers will be sending me these things just for the shout out; til then... dare to dream?

Anway, this blog is all about fashion as inspiration, and I think all of these looks are beneficial in that regard; not as specific pieces we must have, but as greater wardrobe inspiration.  These beautiful Spring colors are going to be everywhere, and these shapes and styles aren't exclusive to Miu Miu or Phillip Lim either.  Luckily for those of us with slightly more meager budgets, more affordable lines look to the high fashion shows for inspiration, just as we do, and put out versions accessible to the rest of us (though believe me, I'm all about intellectual property/fashion as art, and would never ever ever buy an actual knock-off anything, totally against it).

Innnnn conclusion, I know I'll be watching for dresses in these shades of blush, and something the shape of the second amazing Shabd dress (check out the link above to see all of her hand-dyed pieces, they are so so so gorgeous).  The Hasbeens are somewhat more affordable (well, a million times more affordable than the other looks), and they seem like the sort of shoe that will last forever, and never really go out of style. 

Man, now who wants to go shopping?! Fo real. 

xoxo mes poupées.

But Cakey, it's Spring!

...That's true!   I posted Fall's looks from the collections shown this February in NYC, but it's the Spring looks debuted at Fashion Weeks this past Fall that are now appropriate for the season, and that are showing up RTW in stores.

And the Spring collections were gorgeous! Clean white lines, some of the military influence that has carried over into Fall '10, bright patterns and prints, a softer mauve/cream/hazy blue-grey color palate, sheer gauzy fabrics, and menswear-style tailoring in long straight pants and structured jackets - also very prominent in the Fall collections.

These three images above are good examples of the overarching themes. Clean, simple, long white lines; bright patterns, gauzy fabrics, and sort of a modern, wild, Little-Bo-Peep style of dress; and, very tailored yet loosely flowing pants, sheer fabrics revealing pretty, deconstructed undergarments, and a creamy, muted color-scheme.

Check out the rest of my favorite spring looks after the jump!