Crossroads and Clothing, Detours and Dreams...

Well its been a while, and I know that 4 months in real life is like 40 years in "blogging" time. So I have been completely and utterly useless, I suppose some would say I should just give it up and start again. But perservere I will.

Once apon a time in a faraway land of free evenings and limitless internet I started this blog to gear me up for the world of fashion, and now I simply do not have the time to spare for even a thought on what colour nail polish is trending (sad, I know).

Queue Facebook status of H&M which read: "Dress for the job you want, not the one you have".

Thats when I thought about my situation. My uniform at my current money maker is a polo t-shirt and "something casual" for bottoms (this rotates between jeans, jeans and jeans). What would my dream job be? A designer where I can flaunt all my artistic creative energy? Or a writer expressing all my opinions on the fashion world? Something in fashion for sure. Considering the most "fashionable" item I wore so far is a pair of heeled boots (carrying 20 bikes in and out of the office, does not do justice to my outfit or my feet), perhaps its time I started making a bit more effort?

But then came this thought:

For my 4 or so followers (but more importantly to myself): I may not dress for the job I want, but my heart is definently in the dream I want- and really, that makes everything else I am doing now, just a tiny pebble in the road to my dreams.

I will be back. Watch this space.

Always chic and ALWAYS inspired.

xoxoxo

Oh, to be living life on the Upper East side...

Yesterday (before I had to drag myself from the TV to live real life) I watched the first two episodes of Gossip Girls season 4. I could cry, laugh and in all honestly simply die. Between Blair and Serena (and I wont forget the other one… You know the one who’s always boho-chic) not only do they shop up a storm, but they are simply FABULOUS while doing it- they rock the shops like who knows what!

The thing that inspired me most, I have to say are Blairs glamorous bling pieces, I mean, she dares to wear shimmery shiny fashion in the afternoon (shocked face). Granted, we all know that Paris is smart-chic (and London is alternative-chic, and New York is outrageous-chic, blah blah blah.) But she could rock those outfits anywhere, and she so does. As a side note, the divine jacket paired with the blue pants-BALMAIN (just did a profile on the designer). So here are my fave Serena outfits from the first two episodes.

Now Blair. Dear gorgeous, fabulous Lady blair. She really does classy chic like no other. And I love it! She's always pretty as a peach, and I love the fact shes not afraid to mix patterns. In one scene she's wearing the most divine Viviers. (Picture me lurching at the TV like something out of Animal Planet trying to grab them). And I will not be forgetting the red ball gown she wore when she gave her heartfelt “ I'm like, so over you, but-you-still-kinda-rock-since-you-Chuck” speech.

Vanessa is occasionally a bit overlooked, but I have got to say she is very, very cool. Shes got the boho-chic look down to a tee (no pun intended). I love her offbeat clashing of textures and casual cool that she brings to the scene. Shes a little bit of a black sheep in the Upper East side, but I like that. Shes like an eclectic angel bringing a breeze of freshness to the scene. Here are my fave outfits from the first two episodes.


While my heels are gathering dust, and my dresses are covered in cobwebs (I am hopelessly dramatic) I’m dreaming of living a life on the Upper East Side.

Always chic, always inspired.

Xoxoxo

Le chic Freak

DESIGNER PROFILE: BALMAIN

DESIGNER PROFILE: Balmain

FULL NAMES: Pierre Balmain

ORIGIN: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Savoie, France

FIRST COLLECTION: 1945 (opened his fashion house)

OVERVIEW: Balmain originally studied architecture, but found himself designing dresses instead, and thus never completed his studies. His father owned a wholesale drapery business. His mother and her sisters operated a fashion boutique. Simpled tailored suites and glam evening gowns was where his biggest talents lay. Known during the World War ll as the “king of french fashion”. Today the house is led by Christophe Decarnin who ensued Oscar De La Renta. The label has morphed from classic luxurious designs to a more modern and edgy vision under Decarnin.

WEBSITE: www.balmain.com/

LATEST: Spring 2011.Punk-poetry with the classic tailored jackets and an edgy feel. Plenty coutore , bustiers and hot red pieces. Torn and holey fishnets and tees to resonate that grunge punk feel. Metallic fitted pants and bleached denims for a fitted sexy. The glam-punk shorts and detailed denim jackets- work well together. The style is Glam baroque.

LOVE OR LIKE: As I mentioned before, I am a sucker for wonderfully tailored pieces, and add a touch of Balmain detailing and you sorted. The only critique I can make (as a fashion infant) is that I missed that spark, the pieces that make me marvel at the artistic originality. The thought-provoking artistic visions. Of course, had I $25,000 at my disposal I couldn’t possibly deny the beauty that is Balmain tailoring, but this particular collection didn’t ignite my fashion appetite.

Always chic, always inspired.

Xoxoxo

Le chic Freak

DESIGNER PROFILE: Balenciaga

FULL NAMES: Cristóbal Balenciaga

ORIGIN: Basque County, Spain

FIRST COLLECTION: 1918 (opened his first boutique)

OVERVIEW: Cristóbal Balenciaga is the founder of the fashion house Balenciaga, which is now owned by the Gucci group. Nicolas Ghesquière (apprenticed to Jean-Paul Gaultier and Agnes B) currently holds position of creative director at Balenciaga. In 1955, Cristobal Balenciaga designed the tunic dress, which later developed into the chemise dress of 1958. Other contributions included the spherical balloon jacket (1953), the high-waisted baby doll dress (1957), the cocoon coat (1957), the balloon skirt (1957), and the sack dress (1957). His manipulation of the waist, in particular, contributed to "what is considered to be his most important contribution to the world of fashion: a new silhouette for women." Cristóbal Balenciaga closed his fashion house in 1968, and died in 1972.

WEBSITE: www.balenciaga.com/



LATEST: Spring 2011.Rock ‘n roll meets preppy. The use of materials is incredible. The lace and sheer numbers juxtaposed with the hardcore graphic or rock pieces. The feminine prints fused with metallics, cut with the avante-garde structural flair the brand is known for. All 39 pieces are individual and original, yet at the same time a fuse together to straddle the edge of fashion and forecast the future of women's ready-to-wear fashion.

LOVE OR LIKE: Two points that have me in awe- his protégés are Oscar De la Renta and Hubert De Givenchy and he changed the fashion mindset for women. Balenciaga, although never properly registered as “Haute Coutoure” was reputed as the couturier of couture. I think the biggest dream for any fashion designer is to be able to say that you altered and shaped the fashion world. As I learn about these designers, and study their pieces, I am beginning to see fashion in a brand new light. I’m paying attention to the fabrics, the originality and the beauty of expression- I am realizing it as art.




Always chic, always inspired.

Xoxoxo
Le chic Freak

DESIGNER PROFILE: Badgley Mishka

FULL NAMES: Mark Badgley and James Mischka

ORIGIN: America ( Mark Badgley from Wisconsin and James Mishka from Illinois)

FIRST COLLECTION: 1988

OVERVIEW: The partners in life and partners in fashion met at Parsons School of Design in New York in 1982. They went onto do their separate internships Badgley with Donna Karan and Mischka with Willi Smith. The pair formed their own company in 1985 with a vision for evening wear that satisfies both Uptown diners and downtown executives alike. Famous celebrities have been adorning their designs since their launch. Their clothing echo a time when women dressed for evenings, radiating youthful confidence and elegance.

WEBSITE: www.badgleymischka.com/

LATEST: Spring Summer 2011 by Badgley Mishka. The colours are a fresh and lively array of pastels, evoking dreams of ice cold lemonade on a summers day at the Sunday ladies luncheon. The floppy hats and drop-dead-gorgeous dresses may resonate timeless grace and glamour but are brought into the modern world with the sheer fabrics, lovely short skirts and modern materials.

LOVE OR LIKE: I very often wish I was living in a time where ladies and gentlemen graced the evenings in all their finery. A time where evening wear was a norm and not a dress code for a special event. This is why I appreciate all that Badgley Mishka offer, since most of us will only ever wear a gorgeous gown on our matric ball or wedding day, Badgley Mishka offer the everyday women a chance to glimpse into a time of grand balls and refined elegance.

Always chic, always inspired.

Xoxoxo

Le chic Freak

FROCK 'N ROLL

My fashion heart sang beautiful melodies as I chose my best trends for this seasons rockin frocks. I may have proclaimed undying loyalty and devotion to a few designers so far, but since I have yet to pass “A” in my designer profiles, and have not had the joy, nay, privilege of laying my eyes on Marchesa- I will now proclaim no further favoritism until I have seen them all (although, had my fashion chromosomes a voice, they would surely be screaming “VOTE MARCHESA!!” right this minute).

I have chosen to focus on cocktail dresses and the trends and inspirations for the season, because like most 20-somethings out there, red carpet glamour is not on top of my list along with say- food. (For instance)

RUFFLES

WHITE HOT


LACE

DETAILING

STRAPLESS

BOLD PRINTS

Always chic, always inspired.

Xoxoxo

Le chic Freak

DESIGNER PROFILE: Alexander Wang

DESIGNER PROFILE: Alexander Wang

FULL NAMES: Alexander Wang

ORIGIN: California (Chinese-American heritage)

FIRST COLLECTION: 2007

OVERVIEW: Alexander Wang began his fashion journey at 18, attending Parsons The New School for Design. He dropped out (sophomore year) and launched his first collection in 2007. He won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2008. Wang launched a diffusion line of pre-weathered cotton tees, tanks, and T-shirt dresses in spring 2009, T by Alexander Wang, as well as a footwear collection of towering platform sandals.

WEBSITE: www.alexanderwang.com/

LATEST: Spring Pret-a-Porter 2011.(The latest is actually pre-fall 2011). A splash of white turned literal by the paint liberally distributed through models hair. He was aiming for something bright, uplifting, pristine- but never without the slouchy grunge edge his known for. The sporty trend has been good for this designer, with his constructed pieces married with his usual rock-french chic that is the DNA of his designs.

LOVE OR LIKE: I love Alexander Wang, and alot may judge solely by this line, but there's really much more to this designer, and when his pieces thrive in the limelight, with his avid celebrity following, it puts it all into perspective. From here its easy to see why this young talented designer is moving on up.

Always chic, always inspired.

Xoxoxo

Le chic Freak