New York Spring 2012: Cushnie et Ochs

The future is here.

I suppose the future here is Spring 2012. But Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs' idea of this upcoming Spring style is the future. Or futuristic, I should say.

Admire below the acute edges and cutouts of the necklines, the stark whites and jet blacks (and the electric pinks and luminous yellows!), all in juxtaposition with the feminine and classic silhouettes.

With the neon, fluorescent picket fence behind the runway, it makes me ponder: this is what real housewives of the future will look like.

Cushnie et Ochs Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear

Source: NY Mag

What Do Alber Elbaz and Pitbull Have In Common?

This ad for Lanvin's Fall 2011 collection!

Why is Alber Elbaz the world's most adorable designer?

And why is Karen Elson so hot?

My Two (or Rather Three) Scents

Lancôme recently came out with a commercial for its fragrance, Trésor Midnight Rose. It stars the always magnificent Emma Watson, looking completely alluring with her pixie haircut and black fedora.

Then I got to reminiscing about other fragrance commercials. Can I just say that I find Keira Knightley equally as alluring in this one for Chanel Coco Mademoiselle:

A very different vibe (but equally sassy), wouldn't you say, what with all that sultry Joss Stone playing in the background. When all's said and done, though, Audrey Tautou for Chanel No. 5 is easily my winner. Seriously, she is like a Chanel suit; she'll never go out of style.

Introducing Electra Heart

I live for this sort of pretension. Or maybe I should call it artistic expression of perspective.

At any rate, here's some background: Marina and the Diamonds recently released two new music videos for her upcoming album, Electra Heart. They're part of a series, which she is using as a platform to introduce the character of Electra Heart who is "the antithesis of everything that I stand for" according to Marina.

To continue quoting from her Popjustice interview: "[The] point of introducing her and building a whole concept around her is that she stands for the corrupt side of American ideology, and basically that's the corruption of yourself. My worst fear - that's anyone's worst fear - is losing myself and becoming a vacuous person. And that happens a lot when you're very ambitious."

For the record, I'm genuinely impressed when musicians come up with these aggrandizing concepts.

When asked about her inspiration for the premise of this series: "I want to explore the side [of America] that's all about loss and failure. That image, that illusion we have of America really fascinates me."

I smell another Gaga act developing. No, I kid. I really do love Marina and the Diamonds.

Part 1: Fear and Loathing

Part 2: Radioactive

Get Mad, Men

I cannot think of a single TV show that has inspired me as much as Mad Men has to completely turnover my wardrobe, shoes, and accessories.

Some facts:

• I had the urge to polish my shoes after finishing an episode last night
• I desperately want to replenish my collection of shirts with french cuffs
• I desperately want a collection of cuff links
• Fedoras give me the slightest tendency to swoon (onto a fainting chair - watch the "Seven Twenty Three" episode)
• I aspire to one day have a wet bar in my office (though I suppose that wouldn't be a good idea in a hospital)

Which is why this is so exciting:

Now look at these things! All-of-which-I-want:

Who needs three-piece suits when you have fabulous sweater vests and cardigans?

Office chic has never looked so good. Also, I'm resolved to start wearing bow ties to work now.

I can't even begin to imagine what I'd do if my boss dressed like this.

I realize now that I've included all the men's looks that were previewed. But I love them all! In fact, I feel incredibly compelled to buy a mac jacket and numerous sweater vests.

Get yourself to the nearest (participating) Banana Republic August 11th.


And lastly, take a minute to admire how dapper these gentlemen look:

Too Cool for Prada Fall 2011

Honestly, I feel a little obsolete posting this, seeing as Fall 2011 is basically here (at least according to the calendar fashion magazines go by.) It seems the rest of the blogosphere has pretty much been there, posted this.

But lucky for you, I don't care about being redundant! At least when it comes to things as magical as Prada.

I was walking down Grant Avenue last weekend, shopping downtown, when I saw this from across the street, in the Prada window display (but 50 times larger, and consequently 500 times more fabulous):

There is just too much cool, youthful angst going on in this one photo. Of course the accompanying video (shot by Steven Meisel) shows an equal amount of nonchalance over wearing green, snakeskin Prada boots and furry swimming caps. As well as an inordinate amount of time focused on fastening oversized buttons.

Gaga by Gaultier

Ugh, why can't I quit Lady Gaga?

Just when I think she's getting seriously overexposed, and her music becoming highly overrated (I'll bet you five bucks that The Edge of Glory is pushing you over the edge at this point), she does something as seemingly fabulous as this:

Non, Gaga, vous êtes gentille. For working on what appears to be a hopefully galvanizing TV interview special. Obviously I'll be tuning in.


FYI, it's airing Monday, September 12 at 8 p.m. on the CW.