New Tom Ford...

For some reason I have the strong urge to buy new glasses...

I wouldn't mind that blazer and bow tie either... 

Oh no! I'm succumbing to the overtly sexual advertising power of Tom Ford!

Milan Fashion Week: Day 1...

Well today was the start of Milan Fashion week, and I think it got off to a really good start. Just when I'm starting to crave dressing for spring again, the F/W collections come out and I don't want the cold to leave. If I was going to start predicting trends for fall I would have to say it is about the winter whites and warm grey tones. As for key items, it is definably the statement jacket.

Burberry F/W 2010

I know why fashion people always complain about shows not being on time. I had a few things to do today and I took some time to catch the live stream of this show, but it was 30 min late, and unlike Dolce & Gabbana, which showed all the backstage stuff before the show (20 min late) I had to stare at the Burberry logo until things started going. I think the wait was well worth it though. This collection was spectacular to say the least, and one of my favorite Burberry collections to date. I loved all the different military references like the aviator jackets and Khaki jackets with epaulettes. The latter felt like good ol' Balmain if Christophe Decarnin didn't roll the clothes through dirt and a blender. I really like the yellow leather trench coat, it is a great way to add that bold color to an all black ensemble.

Costume National F/W 2010

I really liked this collection. Milan tends to not be edgy enough for my taste but this collection felt so cool. Again we saw big jackets and the typical suit (cut in a very Slimane era Dior Homme way if you ask me) but my favorite addition was the saddle leather shirts. Ever since Pheobe Philo's knockout Celine S/S 2010 collection with saddle leather shirts I have been waiting for someone to make a mens version. My wait is over. I also love the double breasted suit sans shirt. It takes a suit which would normally feel "old, rich, and European" as I like to say, and makes it feel so youthful. Don't yell at me if I try something like that at a future art party or something, the lord knows I love a deep neckline. Finally this collection also had a trend that I'm particularly excited about if it continues past day 1... SWEAT PANTS! of course these ain't yo' typical oversized high school student sweat pants, these are detailed like dress pants, great for a modern, young take on the conservative suit.

Dolce & Gabbana F/W 2010

Talk about a collection revolving around the sweat suit. I also love the whole underwear-as-outerwear trend that has been sweeping through the women's collections, but with that masculine twist, in this case, thermal underwear. I guess that means I can't leave the house this winter in only my briefs. dang. I was so looking forward to that. Other things I like about this collection was the layering of tank tops and the denim on denim (my current obsession). I really love the rusty grey tones that were used throughout.

Jil Sander F/W 2010

If Fred Flinstone was to do 90's minimalism a la Jil Sander, this collection would be the result. The organic cutout shapes remind me so much of river stones that I can't help but think of Bedrock in the old cartoons. I love the statement wool jackets held together by these rounded forms, they perfectly blend conservative and edgy.

Giambattista Valli...

Cruella what chu doing at Valli? 

Correct me if I am wrong, but is there an unusual amount of black, white and fur on the pre-fall runways? Usually when I think of pre-fall I think of jewel tones and easy layering pieces as we transition into colder weather, so I am a bit shocked by the minimal color pallets and excess of fur. Don't get me wrong though, I'm ecstatic about it, I'm just a bit surprised. Now I really feel the need for a goat hair coat, or better... CURLY GOAT HAIR! Nothing gets my mouth watering more than a nice hide of curly goat. Now to go daydream of the Chanel curly goat vest that I needed to be forcibly separated from... or that mink and fox Valli vest in the second picture...

This Little Piggy Called Up Prada...

And guess what they sent him...

Wrapped in all its Prada goodness...

THE PRADA BOOK! YAY! 

As a die hard Prada fan, this book has become my new bible. It is amazing and I cannot recommend it enough to any fashion lover. It is like a fountain of information about the inner workings of the fashion house. Take for instance that it takes you through the design and production process. Then there is a section devoted to the fashion shows, with technical drawing of the runways and images of every single collection. You then move on to store information with floor plans and how they change the displays. And you finally end with Prada art collaborations and Fondazione Prada. 

Suddenly I'm craving some more Prada in my life, maybe a matching briefcase to go with my saffiano wallet? 

 Or how about those studded oxfords? Yes please!

Shopping For Spring...

When you get my mother and I together, we tend to get a little spend crazy. Like today. Our house was being cleaned so we needed to get out and do something. What started as trying to find bathroom accessories ended up being 6 hours of shopping for ourselves. Not that I'm Complaining. Anyways, now I'm looking at what I bought and I think I'm spotting a trend... buying things in double. Pardon the poor image quality, I hate flash, but I think it looks better than the orange glow from the light bulbs. One day I'm sure I will be capable of taking a decent image... or haul myself to a window near natural light.

First, we got some Marc Jacobs jackets. I know, I know, I don't like Marc Jacobs. But I couldn't help it. I'm surprised I tried on his stuff in the first place. Needless to say, I fell in love. The first one is dark green corduroy. I've been wanting a corduroy jacket for a while, so I figured why not now. Plus I love green and earthy tones. Next is my favorite purchase of the day; Marc Jacobs khaki jacket. It totally reminds me of Veruschka in that famous YSL Safari photo, not to mention that I'm a sucker for epaulettes. It also fits crazy good.

Next we got some John Varvatos Blazers. Same blazer, different colors. The first one is navy, the second is brown. They fit really good, by which I mean they are fitted and have short enough sleeves that I feel like Thom Browne raided my suit closet. 

Like I said when I started my blog, I go through trends really quickly and tend to fall back to the preppy look, especially during the spring and summer. While I still love all my black clothing (I had TWO PAIRS of black pants before august, and that was all the black I had, now half my closet is black [and I have a big closet; 2 walk ins and 2 garment racks]) (back to my sentence) I just love the ease of classic americana, and my newest obsession, blue shirts. Both are Ralph Lauren, the top one is an oxford that I have been eyeing at Macy's for quite a while and the bottom one is distressed denim. 

And finally. Suede Cole Haan driving mocs/penny loafers, because no summer is complete without those and my trusted Sperry Top-Siders. And a pair of Earnest Sewn jeans. I have been craving some torn up Abercrombie style denim this past week, and a nice pair of dark wash denim was just the thing to snap me out of it. I was going to get some 7 for All Mankind, but a boy cannot live on 7's and Levis. 

I'm on my way to getting sartorially ready for when I casually run into Scott Schuman whilst in Paris over spring break (I know you'll be there Scott, cuz it is Paris Fashion Week. You can't hide from me for too long!) (You either Garance Doré and Tommy Ton!)

Hello Givenchy, It's Me, Erik...

Brand spanking new Givenchy Nightingale Trolley from the P/F 2010 show. I think I just died and went to designer bag inspired luggage heaven.

Cruella De Vil Pays A Visit To Celine...

And I of course, go bananas. I seriously cannot wait to move to Paris this fall, if not for the sole reason to run to Lanvin and Celine and try on every single fur in the store. And I hear the Paris store is getting a total renovation, so I will get the whole Phoebe Philo experience.

Celine P/F 2010