ENGINEERED FOR YOUR COMFORT

Ever wonder how high heels are made? How strutting around in tiny pencils all day do not split and break? CNN and Christian Louboutin go into detail about the making of his legendary stilettos.  In making such great shoes starts with high quality materials. From the wood for the heel, the aluminum support for the wooden heel, and top grade leather. The reason why the heel does not move is because, "If it is not exactly inside the center of gravity position, inside the gravity line, the weight would make you flip out behind, or the weight would make you break the heel and (fall forwards)," he said" (Turner). 

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OPINION: DOES GAGA LIKE G.I.S.M.?

                                                                                                 A previous comment to one of our posts brought up the subject of appropriation. As this is a large issue in fashion (ahem, Mugatu’s Derelict?), I think it’s an important issue to address.

Indeed, fashion is fueled by inspiration, but what happens when the inspiration is class-based? There’s no doubt that there’s a cycle in fashion: street style is inspired by designer fashion from a trickle down of course, yet high fashion is often inspired by street fashion--punk fashion in particular.

This is by no means a new phenomenon, as many big-name designers were out there going to punk shows back in the 70s (I’m looking at you, Westwood and Gaultier), but lately it’s been a growing trend to sport what is known as a “rocker” look.

The Avengers

Yes, it may look tough and “edgy” (more intended to look threatening), which is precisely the point, but this particular case of inspiration may come off to punk rockers as an exploitive, almost watered down, version of a hard-boiled subculture that grew from working-class, disaffected youth—a time when  fresh revolt and change against conventionality and consumerism in music and fashion was imperative to creative regeneration.

The Ramones

Mary Kate Olson in Givenchy
Source: StyleBakeryTeen.com

Just as punk music has been hugely influential in musical genres that followed, it has been hugely influential in fashion. During the past few years, “punk” style has been worn by practically everyone, most likely because of the recent demands of studs and spikes popularized by houses such as Christian Louboutin, Burberry, Balmain.

Pharrell Williams x Christian Louboutin
sneakers
Source: Materialist.com

Haven’t you seen those friendly looking studs on your mother’s purse, or the vinyl motorcycle jackets from Forever 21 that have recently become a huge hit? Perhaps this is something that’s fueled by celebrities, since it’s a known fact that many people look up to the rich and famous for inspiration.

Britney’s recent music video featured her dancing like it was the end of the world wearing a  Burberry studded Burberry jacket that's going for $5,995 on Net-a-Porter.com. Tough-looking? Of course. Attractive? To some. But as many punks know, punk fashion is all about DIY. Why would anyone want to spend that much money when a studded jacket is a piece to be cherished, something many adolescents spend their allowances on, to carefully stud, design, patch, and paint to their liking? Britney, you may look great, but it’s obvious that Burberry loaned you a pre-studded jacket to entice others into the trend as well.

Then there’s Gaga. Oh Gaga. Who else would be as daring to wear something as controversial as a studded moto jacket? Here she is, in the Telephone video, showing off what actually looks like a hand studded jacket. Go Gaga! Oh, one thing. There’s a G.I.S.M. patch? Strangely, as a pop artist, it’s highly doubtful that Gaga’s mainstream appeal could be inspired by one of the most intimidating Japanese hardcore punk bands whose usual stage antics included a flame thrower. 

Let's take another look--

G.I.S.M. VS. GAGA

?
Yeah, I can't either.

So, I say to my readers. Being on trend is fun, but it’s not quite the same when it’s not you. If you do like punk fashion, it might be a good idea to keep in mind that the studs you see on that belt may not be the best of quality, and that it looks way cooler if you make it yourself. Plus, it’s way more fun.

Also, it might be a good idea to listen to some punk while you’re at it. Just so you can get a taste of the DIY experience.

Here’s a link to some online stores for quality studs-

-Angry, Young, and Poor

-Studs and Spikes

And a link to Ke$ha Void--

Screaming Sneakers-Violent Days and my personal favorites, The Cramps', rockabilly-inspired Hot Pool of Womanneed

Enjoy.

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: ZUHAIR MURAD

The first time I had ever heard of Zuhair Murad was when I working at MNG by Mango two summers ago. As I browsed all the dresses on the floor, I noticed a few full length gowns that were absolutely stunning. The colors were very flattering with extravagant detailing that I could not take my eyes or hands off the dresses. I looked at the label and he was a featured designer that collaborated with Mango. Since then, he became my favorite designer that I always look up to.

Zuhair Murad is a Lebanese designer with a high reputation in the fashion world. His extensive line includes ready-to-wear, haute couture, and accessories. With his background as a huge influence on his garments, he incorporates culture with luxury where it is reminiscent of Egyptian princesses and Grecian goddesses. Murad is well respected and popular amongst celebrities such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Shakira, and Miley Cyrus.

Take a look at Zuhair Murad's Spring/Summer 2011Collection:

                                                          all image sources: http://hotpz.com

FASHION UNITES FOR JAPAN

Global launch of celebrity designed charity t-shirts are available on June 25. Where and what are sales going towards? People affected by the earthquake in Japan. This is in collaboration with Japan Vogue and Japan GQ along side UNIQLO and Save Japan! Project. Vogue, GQ, and UNIQLO will donate 100 million yen from sales profit to the Japanese Red Cross Society for those in need. 

Who are some of these celebrities and designers? Karl Lagerfeld, Lady Gaga, Victoria Beckham, Cindy Lauper, Orlando Bloom, and Blake Lively just to name a few have worked with UNIQLO to create some of these limited edition tees. Mark your calendars everyone! These t-shirts are available at all UNIQLO stores worldwide. 

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Fashion II Fresh Futuristic for Oz Go

The Holiday Collection of Oz Go was part of the Vision and Trends Category of recently held Philippine Fashion Week as the SMX Convention Hall in the SM Mall of Asia Complex.

It was a futuristic style that reminded me of storm troopers because if the stark white used in the clothing. Nonetheless, the clothes were refreshing with the punched of color that varied throughout the collection.

Angles were put into good use by making unusual yet body flattering shapes, venturing forth into new ways of creating artistic pieces that can be easily worn.

As i stated earlier the pieces were visually easy on the eyes and refreshing, especially since there were some delightfully quirky aspects to the pieces. Like the leggings with what seems to be bolts of some sorts and the pants with angled extensions. It's in between being comfortable and relaxed to being edgy and chic.

It's like candy that has that kick in it, and makes you want more.

The futuristic trend is big this coming season, this is definitely a fresh take on the futuristic concept.

Images taken from Stylebible.ph
Photo by Style Bible Digital / Yayay de Castro

TRUMORI CHISATO READY-TO-WEAR SS 2011

"Smartly girlish dresses in bold childlike prints"- this is what people usually can recognize the design of Trumori Chisato.  It is one of my favorite Japanese brand.  Even though it is quite expensive to me, I was enchanted with Chisato's designing world.

 

 

photo source : http://www.hmr.jp/products/list.php?category_id=147

STYLE ICON: BETTY DRAPER OF MAD MEN

Cigarettes, whiskey, JFK, and sex --that's Mad Men in just a few words. One of my favorite television series, Mad Men isn't a critically acclaimed show just because of its awesome storyline with riveting characters and affairs galore, its fashion can solely speak for itself as well. Set in Manhattan of the 1960s, the fashion you can just imagine alone comes to life. Flat presidential pocket square folds to Frank Sinatra-inspired blues and suits to full skirts, petticoats, and Grace Kelly, Mad Men brings back the ultimate vintage/retro-chic. 

One of my favorite characters, based on style and wardrobe alone, is Betty Draper. Reminiscent of Grace Kelly, Mad Men's costume designer Janine Bryant has described her as "a character who is trying to create the perfect facade." The show has had huge influences on runways and designers since it first started airing. Most notable among the show's loyal fans is American designer, Michael Kors, who based his fall 2008 collection off of the show and showcased his utmost admiration by requiring all the models to wear name tags reading, "Hello, my name is... Betty". 

While the entire cast of Mad Men all have their own personal styles and tastes, here are a few of my Betty favorites. Enjoy!

Betty Draper (actress January Jones)

image source: fashioninmotion.wordpress.com

image source: styletastic.wordpress.com

image source: happyasannie.com

image source: thisislondon.co.uk

image source: happyasannie.com

image source: tomandlorenzo.com

HISTORICAL SPOTLIGHT: CABOOSES AND CORSETS

One of my favorite movies is Vanity Fair. It's a favorite because of the extravagant costumes. I'm a sucker for yards of velvet and lacy detailing. The movie is set in the later portion of the 19th century, roughly 1845. The marks the late Romantic era, which was the emergence of Italian operas  such as Lohengrin by Richard Wagner, where the "Here Comes The Bride" tune is derived from, and Barber of Seville Overture by Gioachino Rossini as featured in Bugs Bunny cartoons. In art and literature came about the talents of Degas with La Classe de Danse and Mark Twain for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. 

Now, onto the clothes: At this point in time, women went from giant crinoline skirts and leg of mutton sleeves to a sleeker more fitted top and a voluminous behind, aka the caboose. Around this time was the British occupation of India which brought in silks and color into middle class wear. Ever wonder what makes up a caboose? It is a modified bum roll, which is padding that is tied above the bum around the hips and  is a tube stuffed with horse hair, a bolster pillow of sorts. Over a petticoat and then the dress and any added train fabric.

After that came the more realistic silhouette with a fitted top, open collar and tame triangular bottom. Then after came the more tubular dresses and the caboose disappeared. And as we can see the costumes speak for itself, and i must say these costumes are pretty accurate for the styling of the time, even though things such as pushup bras and colored nylons didn't appear til centuries after. I'd write more, but then it would end up as a costume history lesson. 

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