Tuesday, March 31, 2009

A Waste of Paint

Not really.  I'd like to think these aren't a waste of paint =)  (But I do love that song.)  These are a few paintings I've been working on these past few weeks for Kent State's Creative Arts Festival in April.  They are DEFINITELY still works in progress, but they are almost done and wanted to share them.  I really like working with different textures, thinned out washes of paint with chunky strokes with my palette knife.  I haven't completed a painting since high school so I am rather proud of these, even though I am just getting back into the swing of things.  All are oil on canvas.



Sunday, March 29, 2009

These aren't even WORTH a witty title or song lyric

Okay typically I love (or at least appreciate) almost everything posted on Notcouture, but I just do NOT get these booties by Jump by Steve Madden... or why anyone would think them fashion-forward or even cute enough to post them. I don't know if it's the oddly shaped heel, or just the shoe itself that initiates my gag reflexes. But I am completely baffled that anyone would design a shoe like this.


I mean seriously, WHAT THE FUCK?


They aren't even remotely cute!


In fact, they look like glorified CROCS, the devil-spawn of shoewear.

If you're going to do perforated leather, at the very LEAST do these booties by Steve Madden.
THESE are cute.
THOSE up there are NOT.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Shoe Love



Alexander McQueen metallic leather heels, $1,115.00


Maison Martin Margiela sandals, $554.46


Converse All-Stars Light, $44.00


Dolce Vita Phoenix sandal, $128.00



Golden Goose Very Distressed ankle boot, $1,115.00

Monday, March 23, 2009

It's too early to come up with a witty title

Or search for song lyrics.


Louis Verdad presented his Louver collection at downtown LA's fashion week in a gallery upstairs in the Museum of Contemporary Art.  The entire 21-piece collection was presented on mannequins which is neat! and for the most part (save 1 0r 2 pieces) it was entirely black.  Okay so all black is rather boring, and this is coming from someone whose wardrobe is about half black and grey.  BUT there were some interesting pieces that made his collection not entirely flawed.


For a collection truly Goth-inspired, complete with spikes and leather, I like how he keeps us guessing with some sophisticated basics, like LBDs and great day wear.


AND I love how the pieces ranged from space-age and modern to very vintage, like the frock on the right.


And I truly adore the detail on the back of this coat, it gives and unexpected twist to a somewhat drab and dated all black pantsuit.


I also liked Verdad's nod to the strong shoulder.  It's not quite as sophisticated as Balmain, sure, but a fun bolero-jacket, nonetheless =)


"I wanted to keep it edgy without making it trashy," he said of the Paco Rabanne and John Galliano-inspired collection (no way.)  "Dita Von Teese is my muse."

So  I give it an A for effort.  We have seen all black before, but Verdad delivered some great silhouettes and details.  However I mark some points off for the awful over-the-knee slouchy shiny boots we've seen everywhere for being just plain fug.  I'll be glad when those go away.


quote: wwd

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Express Design Studio, NYC

First on our itinerary for the NYC trip was to visit the Express design studio.  While it's not my favorite retailer, the experience was definitely worth it.  We got to preview the Holiday 2009 collections, and see the beginning stages of color palettes, mood boards, and fabric swatches for Spring/Summer 2010.  The studio itself was really cool, as soon as you walk in the glass doors you face the bright red wall with the EXPRESS logo on in.  The rest of the place is all white with wood floors and chrome trims.  I'll post more NYC photos later =)



Setting up for the Holiday 2009 presentation/party, turning the showroom into a retail-store setting.


Beginning stages of S/S 2010 color palettes and mood boards.




Express in the Press!


Samples from Holiday 2009 men's collection


Color palettes for men's S/S 2010


PR room

edit: I apologize for my lack of photo-taking abilities.  It's quite hard to snap photos when you're crammed in a small space with about 50 other fashion students.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I have returned


Yes, it was a very short visit, unfortunately.  But I went with KSU's Fashion Student Organization so we got to visit the Express design studio as well as an entire day of shopping!  I purchased an Elizabeth & James top, Betsey sunnies and a sweet vintage dress from probably the best (and biggest) vintage shop I've been to in a while!  I'll post photos later =)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

I think I'll go home and mull this over

Before I cram it down my throat.


This time on Friday I shall be in NYC.  

Yay!

However, it's going to take a 10 hour drive on a charter bus to get there.

Not so yay...


photo: hypebeast
lyrics: The Shins

Monday, March 9, 2009

Eyes lit on sharp threats from dark lips

But lights press the soft skin to rough hands.




I love the pairing of army green and pale pink at Comme des Garçons.  It inspires me to take out my ballet tights and wear them with my military jacket.



But my favorite way to wear nude/pale pink is with a shimmery gunmetal skirt, like at Dries Van Noten.  The yellow jacket is pretty hot too =)

Even though these are Fall RTW shows, I can see that my spring-into-summer wardrobe is going to consist of an army green/nude/pale pink/grey color palette, with some pops of brights and the occasional black, of course.  But it can easily carry me into fall I think.  I'm looking forward to bidding farewell to these cold weather days and saying hello! to spring.


photos: style.com
lyrics: Crystal Castles

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Monday, March 2, 2009

Damn you marketing reports!

Damn you to hell! 
*shakes fist!!*

So as you can tell I have to construct a marketing report for my merchandising presentations class.  I don't necessarily mind writing marketing reports (however, I've never actually written one.  But I've never minded writing papers) but it's irritating when in all the databases I search I cannot find the company I want to research!

In my class I have an accessories company and the object is to make a report and in it compare my company to other (existing) competitors.  My accessory is scarves! and I wanted to use A Peace Treaty as one of my companies.  But since it isn't a HUGE ass company I cannot find it.  

And they have such beautiful scarves!


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I guess I'll just have to settle for using all the same boring companies that every "Abercrombie-&-VS Pink sweatpants tucked into Uggs-wearing-I-only-go-to-fashion-school-cause-I-think-it's-easy-and-cause-I-dress-nicely-in-clothes-daddy-can-pay-for-even-though-I-really-have-no-fucking-clue-about-fashion" student in my class is going to use.  Like Louis Vuitton and Coach.  Blah.

For now I shall calm myself to some *quieter* Nine Inch Nails:



La Mer

et il est un jour arrivé
marteler el ciel
et marteler la mer

et la mer avait embrassé moi
et la délivré moi de ma caille

rien ne peut m'arreter mantenant


and when the day arrives
i'll become the sky
and i'll become the sea

and the sea will come to kiss me
for i am going home

nothing can stop me now

Edit: I really REALLY wanted you guys to hear this song.  Not all NIN is dark and noisy.