back in black

Wow. I know! Where have I been??

Things have been a little unsettled,slash, gone a bit haywire for the last few months– hence my extended absence. But, alas, I am back.

The winter weather has struck Melbourne and I found myself rather unprepared for the cool temperatures. I have no current desire to splash my wardrobe with any colour whatsoever, instead all I want to wear is black, grey and navy. This season I am focusing even more on the concept of quality not quantity and plan to invest in a small number of good quality items that will last. So the emphasis is on simplicity and wearability.

Number one on my purchase list is a black leather bag. I visited this Status Anxiety one the other day and it was really lovely. My budget is not all that generous, so it would be a good (and dare I say, cheaper) option than the Chloé and Marc alternatives. I know I've done a post on black bags before, and I think my criteria is generally the same. It has to be simple, a good size, not too many zips and 'bling' and made from soft leather.

Right to left, bottom to top

Wittner Baelan boots

Tony Bianco Stallion boots

ASOS Archer boots

Acne Comet boots

Chloé 'The Marcie' bag

Marc by Marc Jacobs Calamity Rei bag

Status Anxiety Wanderer bag

Sportsgirl Kate cardi

Witchery cable knit

Florabotanica by Balenciaga

Baggu leather pouch

Saint Laurent studded leather bracelet

Acne Pascal sunglasses

another post

home from hospital yesterday...

1. poc denim 2. alexa chung @ mulberry show 3. hanne-gaby odiele 4. sushi 5. preen by thornton bregazzi 6. hanne-gaby @ lacoste rtw a/w 2013 7. natascha's balenciaga derby boots 8. unknown 9. prada chandelier dress

Clockwise from left

1. Alexander Wang shirt dress

2. Acne denim jacket

3. Alexander McQueen iphone sleeve and cuff

4. Balenciada derby boot

5. Comme des Garçon clutch

I want to dress in a way that is simple, yet classic, and elegant. I think there is really something to be said about, not only buying expensive clothing (this is really only the first step), but being able to wear them in a way that gives justice. I sigh out loud when I see expensive, beautiful garments worn in a way which, undermines their beauty. I cannot imagine how frustrating this is for the designer and I can only hope that they never see their clothes being worn in such a way. 

I think there is also a way in which we can dress to look expensive, classy and elegant without spending extreme amounts of money. Dressing to suit our bodies is, in my opinion, the most important aspect. And not following trends for the sake of being "cool". You will always look and feel better if you instead concentrate on wearing things that suit you and reflect your personality.

So, having blabbed on a bit too much (feel free to gloss over my rambles), this is my dream outfit at the moment. I don't think I will ever tire of Balenciaga's derby boots, and Acne make the perfect denim jackets. Paired with a simple, clean cut Wang shirt dress and Comme des Garçon clutch (plus some sneaky phone and arm bling) I think this outfit is the image of sophistication and cool.

spring into action (i.e 2013)

i must admit i was not all that enthralled by the array of spring 2013 collections. despite my usual enthusiasm for fashion week's offerings, few designers had me feeling anything more than mild excitement.

alexander wang never fails to deliver, and the collection of laser cut, crisp white dresses and heady leatherwear was very much pleasing– albeit it rather expected, and a little lacking in refreshing juices (if you know what i mean).

stella mc cartney steered away from her previous vision of digital prints and floral explosions, presenting something all the more crisp and clean. the boxy silhouettes and lowered waist lines made for a rather masculine theme only to be challenged by the plunging v neck lines and dramatically split hemlines.

acne had me drawn in by the concept of layering loose fitting clothes with tailored, tighter pieces, and balenciaga's focus on box-like silohuette, and tissue-like skirts was also a source of inspiration.

a wang

leather, zips, laser cut, semi sheer, iridescent whites, straight lines, raw cut hems

 

stella mc cartney

sheer white fabrics, brushed suede heels, muted grey, masculine dropped waists, middle parted hair

acne

baggy, loose fabrics, de-feminised skirts and dresses, biker boots with floaty fabrics, supreme-like printed tees, muscle tops

balenciaga

boxy shapes, midriffs, tissue-like shirts, gathers and pleats, up-down hair do, high waists and short hems

resort '13 wrap up

I feel like the resort collections this season show a lot of relevance to melbourne winter. it is not often that melbourne weather patterns, in all their waves of shivery/warming glory coincide with what the models are wearing on the catwalks half way around the world.

So, the fact that we winter dwellers can draw inspiration direct from the european, american and british design houses is quite a novelty, and well, quite frankly damn exciting. 

 Here is a wrap-up of my favourite collections (I am becoming more and more of a fan of the resort collections for their absolute wearability) and the key themes and ideas I will be drawing upon for inspiration when dressing this winter.

 

3.1 phillip lim

white hair, triangular shapes, paper-bag brown, sky-blue, black and white, tailoring, short hems

acne

box-like shaping, dropped hemlines, 'long and lean' accentuated by limp hair-dos, pale blue, cream and white

balenciaga

insipid colour palettes, dark lip colour, parted hair, black vs. ballet tones, wearing colours that 'don't suit'

celine

leopand, leather, white matched with off-white, crisp folds, dropped hemlines, emerald green and navy blue, zips

louis vuitton

wide legged pants, accentuated waist lines, crew necks, pink, textured knits 

stella mccartney

leopard, lace, fringing, box shapes, hollographics, monochromatic layering, limp wavy hair, sheep skin fur 

t by alexander wang

v shapes, androgyny, bomber jackets, tailored vs. loose fitting, black with grey, hoodies, meshed fabrics, hints of sheer