The Queen! In The Pit?

Let's take the very decorative sensibilities of an aristocratic mindset and put it in the pit at the most private Punk show in Brooklyn and see what we get. If Gingee and the Gun were going to opening night at the Met I'm sure she would rock this frock and still maintain her cool rocker chic status where fashion meets music.

Only McQueen could pull off a look that lends itself to an ageless audience that wants to identify with the historical references that inspire the textile genius of this garment and the contemptuous direction of youthful styling at its best.

The NEW COOL

If you are wondering what the Rock Stars' girlfriends are going to be wearing this SPRING 2010, then you better ask  the guy who dresses them.  Christophe Decarnin, (Designer/Balmain) for the past two seasons, has had the world's trend forecast embedded in his DNA. The House of Balmain has mutated and fused subtle textures and over-the-top drama. 
Keeping in stride with his flair for exaggeration ,again, the shoulders are addressed with details that define the focal points of his vision.  Above, the shoulders are strategically exposed by the extensions of corset string...minimal, and so effective.
The Balmain "RockStar/Alien Chic" look has quickly become the generic "go to" for the masses and it is so very obvious why.  Why else would all of the top models (who can fit the drag) be lined up to do his show every season.

The show itself was a runway masterpiece of gorgeous super-model show-stoppers who always deliver: Madgelena Frakowiak, Anja Rubik, Natasha Poly, Isabeli Fontana,  Daria Werbowy (Above) had 3 looks in one show!  When does that happen!?

Put It In The Bag

Summer bags for all occasions bearing prints that express every facet of the season's personality are all up for grabs. Florals, ethnics, geometrics, and vintage favorites will all make places for themselves on the boards for inspiration and optimum trend impact.

Marc Jacobs leads the race with all kinds of goodies at every price point and for every kind of customer. The "Miss Marc" tote (Above) by Marc by Marc is a darling character inspired by the fashionistas of the world. A more complicated fabrication of a heart applique' pattern on the "Andy" tote (Below) strikes a jackpot on the "Must Have" lists of women all over the globe.

Elaine Turner makes a great statement with her "Ring Handle" tote (Above) that bears a funky 60's print rendered with clean bold graphics and colors that pop with vibrancy and eye-catching style.

Juicy Couture is known for their regal crests & heraldic icons, but they chose to switch gears with the chain strap hobo (Above) this season and use an ethnic look called the "Stewart-Inez" print.

Flowers are a season requirement because they connote the feelings of growth, sunshine and of course, SUMMER. Kenneth Cole throws a large scale abstract print in the mix (Above) for a relatively striking floral-like concept.

Design giants like Chloe' and Kate Spade take the flower concept a tad more seriously and initiate more literal interpretations. "Les Jardins" by Chloe' (Above) is a true to life garden scene and "Fairchild Garden" (Below) by Kate Spade depicts a subdued impression of blooming tulips.

If you remember last season's Dooney& Bourke giraffe print that swept the market, then you can appreciate Michale Kors choosing to capitalize on the success and run a very similar rendition on a large shopping tote(Above).

The world is making a commitment to go green and designers are making every effort to correspond with designs that adhere to this principle in both form and function. Orla Kiely delivers a cross-hatch burlap print overlapped with the trademark vine print (above). A very organic feeling is the message delivered by Longchamp with the "Bambou" tote (Below).

Longchamp has very fun and recreational bags this season for both sides of the Atlantic. The cleverly named "It" bag makes the statement all on its' own and a very futuristic bag rocking the name "Xlight Imprime" (Below) is a pixelated pattern that has influenced many brands to follow suit.

Tokidoki is all that is Harajuku and then some. The print is a feeling that is very recognizable as their own and packs a punch on any shaped bag. (Below)

All Available @

NORDSTROM'S

Newly Ruined

Every once in a while a collection of very interesting combinations comes along and awakens our intrigue with the unusual. Miu Mui made a very memorable and noteworthy statement on urban decay this season in Milan with the prints showcased in the Spring 2009 Collection.
Ancient hieroglyphics were the underlying theme of the patterns that were approached from several different perspectives and infused with urban influences. A mosaic technique (Above) gave the dress a regal appearance as if encrusted with individual ceramic tiles.

Some of the prints have a more literal interpretation (Above) and procure elements from a civilization that began with the age of fashion.

Perhaps the most significant was the interpretation of the "Ruins of Europe" being defaced by graffiti tag artists (Above, Below). An unsightly visual that has become common in modern culture and Miu Miu displayed it perfectly with winning and unexpected style as an homage to both art forms.

Let's Go To Bed

When it comes to dressing the bed, even the most stylish of fashion enthusiasts find themselves lost for exactly what will work in terms of texture, pattern and color. Bedding comes in many gauges and classifications from affordability to unsurpassed luxury for every taste level. It's only befitting that one of the world's largest home retailers, Ikea, offers some of the most affordable and appealing choices in the contemporary categories that appeal to both men and women.

The "Andrea Satin " (above) is the very functional stripe variation in a retro color combination that makes a good choice to dress the room up or down.

The "Jorun Vaxt" (Above) offers a more subdued and tonal palette that caters to a more refined and neutral aesthetic.

The "Unni Trad" (Above) is a very versatile ensemble because of the many colors the pattern yields for coordinates. Also, the tye dye effect is great for those who live in the bed or have kids and pets because it is virtually impervious to stains and wear.

The true Scandinavian origin of the design principles at Ikea are always apparent in their presentation of prints throughout the catalog of choices. The "Unni Slinga" (Above) and the "Hedda Blom"(Below) are patterns that are affordable alternatives to other Nordic favorites such Merimekko and Orla Kiely.
The "Kajsa Trad" (Below) is an elementary yet effective color block that provides a botanical motif that brings an organic and calming quality to any room designed around the bed as a focal point.

The "Beata Orkide" (Below) is a batik large scale floral in a universal colorway that epitomizes the balance of a both masculine and feminine look. This technique was mastered by Calvin Klein Home who coined "The Sex and The City" bed, with the hugely successful pattern, "Bamboo Floral."  The Ikea Bedding Collection is definitely a front runner in stylish bedding for the the millennium.

All Available 

www.ikea.com

Connect The Dots

To avoid being cliche and run of the mill when executing dots and stripes in a collection, it is very important to achieve the right scale and color combination. Ann Demeulemeester delivers a winning collection that brings an aire of sophistication to a very relaxed and unconstructed silhouette.
When combining linear geometrics, there is a fine line between eye-catching and optical chaos. Such pairings of this taboo combo were diplayed perfectly at her Spring 2009 show in Paris (Above).

The Dot and the stripe are textile clutch prints when executed properly and based on the fabrication, they can serve as key wardrobe pieces for every season. The neutral base (Above,Below) makes for very wearable items and maintains a clean tailored line that is serious and mature.

Want A New Tattoo?

If you haven't at least heard of the Don Ed Hardy/Christian Audigier tattoo craze that has taken the world by storm then you have been taking a seriously long break from fashion trends. This dynamic empire of lifestyle goods has inspired a movement of ornately embellished items that speak to the mindset of the inner rebel that wants a conversational edge in basic items.

This very popular look has been the wellspring of several look-a-like lines that have surfaced since the brand's meteoric rise to being a celebrity driven style. For several seasons now, Christian Audigier has raised the bar and made the novelty T-shirt (Above) and funky board shorts (Below) more than just a picture screened on a garment.

His style of imaging is easily recognizable and borrows from many forms of graphic art to render designs that are unique and in alignment with the line's objectives. There are comic book and animation references (Above) and 70's vintage concert poster looks (Below) that are very up to date and make for must-have items for the cool & hip.

The image of a skull (below) has become a favorite tattoo symbol with this particular customer base and he has paired it with virtually everything imaginable to keep breathing new life into this ageless icon of danger and revolution.

Available Nordstrom's, Ed Hardy & Christian Audigier Shops

Dress Prints @ J. Crew

The Print Collection on dresses this season @ J.Crew is like a walk through the impressionist gallery at the Louvre in Paris. The florals are dreamy watercolor viewpoints that set the tone for a fantasy escape in Renoir's garden.

1. Abstract watercolor floral


2. Indigo dip-dye

3. Rosette applique

4. Country calico floral

5. Organic botanical floral

Accessory Highlights:

Patchwork beach tote

Floral ballet flat

ALL AVAILABLE @ WWW.JCREW.COM

Asian Persuasion

Prints that are of an Asian derivation seem to always connote a regal and ornate feeling regardless of what they are printed on. The most common of which are the floral motifs screened on fine silks in bright tones and pefectly composed repeats.
Vivenne Tam takes this classic motif and applies a brushstroke (Above) to give it a more random feeling and a freehand style for the liberated and rebellious look of the season.

This technique is not new to the runway but her choice of color and scale makes this century-old idea new & appealing all over again. (Above) It is applied to a floor-length look that can easily be worn as an evening gown or with sandals for a pache resort look for the day.

Embroidery is far too often overlooked as an art form that pays homge to texture and pattern in a three demesional format. She applies it to the bottom of a dress (Above) to give it a feeling of luxe seperates.

Dignitary Style

All the world is watching the stylings of Michelle Obama since she has made a stand to support American designers and especially those who are ascending to new heights with their collections. The French have their own sytlish first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who has her eye on a fashion new-comer, French designer Alexis Mabille. He isn't afraid to take chances while he is building a name for himself and carving out a niche with the fashion elite by showing during Couture Fashion Week in Paris.
Mabille creates a playfully sophisticated conversational look (above) that is somewhat kitchy, but the effort to put some originality in the novelty of a nautical theme is absolutely adorable. A muted & tonal fractual print (below) is used on one of his evening looks by using an abstract applique to create an elongated hombre effect that is elegant and scintillating.

Gucci Pants

Since taking over the house, designer Frida Giannini has taken the Gucci brand in a much more leisurely direction for the luxury consumer. This season she took a whimsical idea and intertwined a serious textile pattern with sophisticated colors to create looks that are distinctly her own in menswear.

The subdued floral wallpaper pattern (above & below) is a subtle tropical scenario that plays on a masculine yet romantic theme for a look that will turn heads. The idea of mens trousers playing host to a print is a novel idea in the market place, but Gucci is quickly putting an end to that age old concept and hopefully making it commonplace.