Cynthia Rowley: Spring 2010 Collection

Sharing some beautiful outfits designed by the darling of New York fashionistas, Cynthia Rowley; for her Spring 2010 Collection.

 

(Images via Style.com)

 

The theme of this collection in Rowley’s own words is: Things are out of focus and starting to unravel. This is evident in the blurry floral prints, ink bled patterns and horizontally slashed outfits. The collection is almost entirely composed of lady like dresses in mono coloured linens and printed silks with a rare few outfits featuring relaxed trousers and distressed shorts.

Whilst some criticized Rowley’s collection for not being exactly cat-calls worthy. I seem to precisely like it for the fact that the outfits are extremely wearable in the real world by real women with some amount of curves.  I especially liked her fit and flare dresses and the  sequined cardigans.  I also found those bow shaped slip-ons and taupe tie-up booties with bobby socks extremely cute and girly!

The collection has a whimsical and retro vibe and whilst it may not guarantee to make heads turn, it does guarantee one  a walk down the memory lane back to those Sunday afternoons spent rummaging through your granny’s attic.

Style Verdict : Pretty but not Precious.

What do you think of Cynthia Rowley’s  designs and her Spring 2010 Collection?

Talking About Twiggy

It is about time I did a post on  one of the most prominent icons from the 60s and  the first ever international supermodel- Twiggy.  She was discovered at the young age of 16 and quickly went on to become a teen idol and one of the most prominent faces in the fashion world.

To her credit, she was ‘The Face of 1966’ in Daily Express, voted the British Woman of the year, appeared in over 13 different photo shoots for international Vogue editions and became an modeling sensations in France, America, Britain and Japan. The Twiggy phenomena soon became a  sort of a cult and magazines such as Life, Newsweek and New Yorker wrote several articles about her success and the New Yorker was said to have devoted nearly a 100 pages to this subject!

Twiggy was best known for her thin androgynous build (at 5’6'she weighed a mere 41kg/90lb.), big dark eyes, short boyish haircut and strikingly long eyelashes which later came to be known as Twiggys. Describing how she achieved prominent eyes, Twiggy said, Back then I was layering three pairs of false eyelashes over my own and would paint extra ‘twigs’ on my skin underneath.

Twiggy also brought out her own clothing line from which the Twiggy dress went on to become equally as popular as the super model herself. After modeling Twiggy went on to become a successful television and screen and stage actress. Her autobiography Twiggy in Black and White is a best seller.

Although Twiggy has faced much criticism for promoting an unhealthy skinny image amongst young women and for glamorizing thin, boyish androgynous frames that gave rise to eating disorders amongst teenagers , the model has spoken out against the recent trend of waif thin models explaining that her own skinniness was natural and genetic and that she has always been a sensible eater.

I consider Twiggy a formative character in the history of fashion. While I don’t quite aspire to be like her idolize her, I do like her cute boyish charm and the ‘fun’ that came across in all her photographs. I also love her dramatic eye make-up and short dresses. Diana Vreeland once described her as, She's no flash in the pan. She is the mini-girl in the min-era. She's delicious looking."- and that sort of sums up Twiggy for me. 

Here are some incredible Twiggy shots...

 

… and it isn’t hard to see why I find her so very captivating. There are so many of such gorgeous pictures all over the net and it was an extremely difficult task for me to put up just a selected few here.  What do you think about Twiggy?  Have a lovely Vintage Wednesday!

Turn To The Darker Side

Sharing some images of an extremely interesting apartment that belongs to  "the international woman of mystery", Cindy Gallop. As a former chairperson of advertising giant BBH, Gallop didn’t have much time on her hands and her brief to the designers was simple: At night I want to feel like I’m in a Shanghai night club. The result which followed is this unconventional black lacquered Chinese box like living space that is sure to bring out the darker side of even the most saintliest one of us! See for yourself...

The ‘Black Apartment’, as it has come to be known, is designed by Stefan Boublil and his team at ‘The Apartment’. This place was previously the locker room of America’s first YMCA.  The apartment has no demarcating walls inside it and when required private places can be created on the go with two track curtains.

 As you can see, the apartment has a bold and dark colour scheme through out, which adds to its glamorous and over the top look.

Modern and classic elements are finely balanced to create a highly ornate and retro-ist atmosphere.

Cindy is an avid art and curios collector and her apartment is filled to the brim with gigantic  religious paintings and  objets d’ art from her many travels to far flung locations. Stuffed armadillo, gilded crocodile, lepord skin throws, Cindy sure has a penchant for the unordinary!

The wide sofas, reflective chandeliers and large wall art integrate so well with the open and flowing theme of the apartment.

I’ve always coveted homes with crisp, clean white walls and minimalistic living spaces but even still I’m completely in awe of the ‘Black Apartment’. I don't know if I love it, but I'm definitely intrigued with it.

The apartment houses  so many interesting bits of design elements, lights, furniture and accessories that it is almost impossible to take it all in at one glance.  You are likely to discover something completely new every time you see these images.

And of course, I saved the best for the last, Cindy Gallop is an avid shoe collector and considers her 300+ pairs of heels no less than art. Her shoes are proudly displayed all along the width of the apartment in their own light box!

( all images via Trend.Land )

Although the ‘Black Apartment’ may not fulfill everyone’s expectations of an ideal home it does recreate the atmosphere of a Shanghai night club, I can almost smell the whisky and cigarettes too!

The place is a vivid reflection of the Bold and the Beautiful personality of its owner.  To me it is a perfect testament of Cindy’s words of advise to her clients, When the world goes zig, ZAG.

*These pictures are just the tip of this eccentric and unusual apartment. Be sure to watch this video where Cindy Gallop opens the doors to give us a sneak peak of  her luxe loft.*

How To Disappear Completely

And finally it IS the weekend! I'm  looking forward to my facial and massage appointment in the afternoon and then I plan to soak in the bathtub forever until hubby is almost ready to pee in his pants and decides to knock the bathroom door down! It has been a loooong hectic week and I am worn to a frazzle.

My aplologies for the lack of posts here since the past two days. I've recently encountered Tumblr and it has kept me a wee bit occupied. It is a fantastic place to discover and share stuff via pictures, notes, links etc. You can find me there at A life less ordinary. Adios until Monday... have a relaxing weekend!

( images via Weheartit )

Recreating Diana Vreeland

I blogged about the legendary fashion editor of yesteryear, Diana Vreeland a couple of days ago ( here ) and today Im sharing a photoshoot of Sarah Jessica Parker posing as DV for Harper Bazaar's March Covergirl Issue '09. The editorial was shot by Peter Lindbergh.

 

( all photographs from Trend Land )

I think SJP does a fabulous job of emulating Vreeland's sense of style. However, if I had to  nitpick on something I'd have prefered SJP to have posed without smiling so much in order to have captured DV's ferocious personality. What do you think of this editorial?

Grandma Knows Best

Sharing some lovely photographs that inspire nostalgia from SaraClaireandEsther - a vintage inspired women's wear line based in New York. The outfits featured in these pictures are  from their last year's Spring collection titled Vintage Reimagined.

Isn't the black high waisted ruffled skirt to die for?

The model on the right is wearing a dress called The Democracy Dress. Love the eye-catching golden mini skirt. Absolutely fun and flirty!

This timeless elegant dress is so aptly titled  The First Lady Dress. Indeed fit for the President's wife.

The brand Sara Claire and Esther was founded by  Sara Jordan and Aimee Mars. It's named after the designer duos grandmothers Sara Claire Peacock and Esther Wolk who greatly influenced their sense of style and ambitious desires.

Each season Sara and Aimee recreate a time period or a past event and base their collection around this theme. The Vintage Reimagined collection was inspired from their grandma's experiences during the 1940s in the South. I love the use of black and white colours with touches of gold in this collection. Also, find the feminine details in all the outfits extremely pretty.

SC&E's designs feature recycled fabrics, thrifted accessories and other authentic little details which make every creation unique and one of its kind. These outfits are designed for (in SC&E's own words) Classy girls who grew up loving tea parties and playing dress up. Today this girl has grown into the lady who still loves dressing up and feeling beautiful. She adores pearls, lace, romance and getting recognized for her gorgeous attire. She appears fine quality and detail, and regularly updates her wardrobe with flirty and tasteful pieces. -- Whoa...this girl sounds just like me! Jokes aside, I do think SC&E's designs are absolutely classy and they remind me so much of my expeditions into my grand ma's closet when I was a little girl.

If you fancy outfits that are subtle, classic and timeless, then SC&E's Spring '10 collection-Valley of Belles  is sure to make you swoon with delight. This collection is inspired from their grandmothers' lives in the year 1967. Here's a little peek to whet your appetite:

(images 1,2,3 via Fashion Indie image 4 via SC&E's blog)

Aren't these dresses utterly sophisticated and romantic? I guess what they say is true after all, grannies do know best!

They Shoot Horses Don't They - Alexander McQueen 1969-2010

His work was brilliant, bold and unapologetic. He dared you to question limits. He had you on a leash and yet his ideas could set you free. He could bewitch you with his breath taking designs or horrify you with his morbid ideas, sucking you into his own private land of imagination whenever he pleased. He backed up his visions of grandeur with incredible tailoring and attention to details.  He was the master of provokation and dark beauty...and he shall be missed! Rest in Peace Alexander McQueen.

( all images via Harper's Bazar )

Back In Business

Hellooo! I'm back from my weekend getaway. It is amazing what just three days of time out from work, home and the mundane routine can do to one. My holiday was everything I had hoped it to be... (Dear internet, I think we should see other people every now and again.) So here I am, back in business - completely recharged and ready to take on the world!

Got tons of brilliant ideas for the blog as well. But I'll get down to putting them into action only after I've neatly tucked all my shopping away. I so love coming back home and arranging all my new purchases into my wardrobe. If shopping isn't therapy enough, then categorizing and organizing everything systematcially definitely is.  =)

( images via Weheartit )

See you tomorrow!

Bombay Calling

Today I'm occupied with the arduous task of packing. As tomorrow we're going to Bombay for the weekend. Our short break shall (hopefully) include the following:

~ Catching up with old friends who're visiting from Glasgow

~ Lots of uninterrupted retail therapy!

~ Checking out some new restaurants/lounges in the  city

~ Hogging some delish food

~ A lil' time to just kick back and chill with hubby dearest

But first, the dreaded packing. I always have a tough time deciding what to pack what not to pack. I mean what if I need that black clutch in case we decide to go clubbing. Or what if I need my flip flops in case we decide to lounge by the pool! ::Sigh:: Decisions, decisions and All that you can't leave behind. I do prefer to pack light. No seriously, I do! But coordinating different shoes with different outfits, carrying matching accessories, make up, toiletries and making sure that nothing is left behind is a tedious task for sure.

However, this time I shall try to not over stuff my bag. I need it to be almost empty in order to stuff it up with all the shopping I can't help but do in Bombay.

The city is an absolute delight for people who love to dress up. You get all sorts of western and ethnic outfits, shoes, accessories and what not. Whether you're into designer labels or street fashion, Bombay caters to all kinds of tastes, pockets and trends. It is truly a shopaholic's haven!

But right now there are bags waiting to be packed...and the only thing that shall get me through this tedious task is the thought of coming back and unpacking - which is even worse! Gosh, how I wish someone would invent bags that unpack themselves. 

Anywayz, I shall end here, 'coz I still need to take care of some unfinished business. And Bags packed or not, I'm quite ready for this much needed vaccy!

I hope all of you have an enjoyable weekend too. I'll see you back on Monday. xo...

 

 

Diana Vreeland: Miles Of Style Personified

Allow me to introduce you to Diana Vreeland - yesteryear's renowned columnist and magazine editor (amongst many other elite labels).  'DV' as she was often referred to began her career as a fashion editor at Harper's Bazaar. Until then fashion was simply reported like all other news items, with a write up of the latest trends prevailing at that time. However, DV ushered in a change with her colourful column, "Why don't you?" in which she encouraged her readers to add a bit of glamour to their otherwise dull lives by suggesting "Why don't you....wash your child's hair in champagne?" , "Why don't you ...wear like the Duchess of Kent, three diamond stars arranged in your hair in front?" and other such impractical but super stylish ideas. Besides her ground breaking column, she also worked with models, oversaw the clothes to be featured in the magazine and took a keen interest in every photo shoot that was done for the magazine.



In 1963 DV moved to Vogue, where she became editor-in-chief. Each day she would arrive at her office in a limousine nearing lunch time. She would step out from the chauffer driven car dressed impeccably in her signature  head to toe black outfits. An assistant in waiting would quickly begin to note down her mile a minute dictations as she strutted to her office clicking her high heels. ( Makes me wonder if Meryl Streep's character in the movie The Devil Wears Prada was inspired from DV's. )  At Vogue, she discovered a lot of fresh talent including "youthquaker" (a term coined by DV herself!) Eddie Sedgwick and model Lauren Hutton who later went on to become one of the most photographed women of all times. DV had grand abundant ideas and a knack for spotting the next big fashion trend. She loved the eclectic sixties with all her heart  and she regarded the decade as that of celebrating uniqueness and confidence.



At 69, DV began the most successful phase of her career. After getting fired from Vogue (rather abruptly), DV went on to become a consultant at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Art Museum.



DV was a classic example of a woman who made the most of what she had. Traditionally speaking she was neither beautiful nor attractive. But with her trademark heavily rouged cheekbones, looong eyelashes and flawlessly manicured red lacquered nails, DV made heads turn everywhere she went. Her personal style mostly consisted of elegant black dresses teamed up with exotic jewellery, expensive shoes and hats.Even her Park Avenue apartment was an extension of her unique style. It was decorated entirely with red floral wall paper, red furniture and a red carpet. She was known to instructed her decorator Billy Baldwin to make her apartment "look like a garden, but a garden in hell."



In her free time, DV along with her husband Reed, entertained the who's who of the society in their "Red Pad". Their friend list consisted of Cecil Beaton, Cole Porter, The First Lady - Jacqueline Onasis, Oscar de la Renta, Coco Chanel  etc. The couple managed to mask their lack of finance from their posh circle of friends by sporting expensive couture outfits and having an aura of glamour around them.



(Slim Hawks chatting with DV and her husband Reed at Kitty Miller's New Year's Eve party. Photograph: Slim Aarons)

D.V's wit, intuition and good taste inspired everyone from Debutantes to Drag Queens alike. She left a mark in the world of fashion with her prompt and unique one liners. Here are a few quotes that inspire me and/or bring a smile on my face:

• The only real elegance is in the mind; If you've got that, the rest really comes from it.

• What do I think about the way most people dress? Most people are not something one thinks about.

• Pink is the navy blue of India.

• Poor darling fellow - he died of food. He was killed by the dinner table.

• Blue jeans are the most beautiful things since gondola

• I always wear my sweater back to front. It is much more flattering.

• Too much good taste can be boring.

• (Balenciaga) did the most delicious evening clothes. Clothes aren't delicious anymore.

• People who eat white bread have no dreams.



(Photograph by Bert Morgan/Getty Images)

Amongst other things, DV was an 'original'. She had her own personal style and was not afraid to wear and speak about it. And although, like all other revolutionaries, she too had her fair share of detractors, I personally admire this woman's fierce attitude and ingenuity. She did her own thing and in the process changed the course of fashion forever!



(Model Lisa Fonssagrives with DV and photographer Louis Dahl Wolf in 1947. Photographer: Arthur Rothstein)

For an in depth look at Diana Vreeland's life of "high style and high drama" visit here .

Wishing you all a glamorous Vintage Wednesday!