Shimmer Like Gold » Fashion

Natalia Grzybowski Spring 2012

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:01 +0000

Fashion designer Natalia Grzybowski has taken an interesting approach to her spring collection: one part printed, one part crisp white. A hybrid. It makes for a contrasting and complementary pairing of soft flowing shapes and silhouettes against rigid architectural constructions. I love the way these forms have been integrated between both halves of the collection, the delicate floral side and the stark white side. There is an obvious link between them but also an obvious separation. It’s unusual and inspired, and totally fits with what she calls an “intentionally part-human, part-botanic” collection. It’s like a mash-up of these historical East Orient-influenced botanic prints and this sort of outer-galaxy alien vibe. It’s so wonderfully weird. Gives me a bit of a Mary Katrantzou sort of energy too. As she’s a favourite designer of mine, naturally, I dig this. Can’t wait to see more from Natalia Grzybowski in the future. I suspect she’ll be one who’ll be constantly catching my eye.

P.S. I’d just like to quickly note that I’m currently in the midst of final projects, and the next two weeks are going to be pretty intense. After that, I will be away in California for a week for graduation (!!), and a few days in Toronto visiting family. Posts from now until June 1 have been scheduled in advance. So if you don’t hear from me as quickly as usual, that’s why. See you again in June! xo.

Images via Natalia Grzybowski.

Chanel Fall 2012

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:00:14 +0000

Surprise, surprise… I’m obsessed with the Chanel collection from fashion week. As per usual. The gemstone inspired accessories and the set design: loooove them. It’s totally bizarre because when I really think about it, the majority of the Chanel output isn’t something I would wear. But it’s the overlying concept that’s just so darn beautiful and artful that I fall madly in love at first sight every. single. time. Karl, I want your brain. I love they way he brings concepts into real life. Like the snow/ice inspiration from a few seasons ago. Or the recent pearls/mermaid theme. And as one who is never shy in her love of sparkley things, the gemstones from this Fall collection? J’adore!

Images via Vogue & Style Bistro.

Katie Ermilio Fall 2012

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:51:29 +0000

Katie Ermilio, Katie Ermilio, always the epitome of elegance & beauty. Her collections always wow me time and time again; without a doubt, she is my favourite fashion designer of our generation.

Her latest fall 2012 collection is even more up my alley than usual. Of course, it oozes her signature feminine charm, but the added nautical flair and black+white palette with a hint of sparkle and polka dots… cue me swooning like a teenage girl. Wish I could take every piece home with me.

Images via Fashionista

Charlotte Free for Wildfox

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:19:17 +0000

I’m very vocal about my love of winter. But you know what, our winter has been the pits this year. Rain, slush, icky brown mud… yuck. So bring on summer! And this campaign for Wildfox is making me crave the warmer, sunnier seasons like craaaazy. It radiates summer sunshine, don’t you think? Plus, Charlotte Free and Wildfox: they are a match like peanut butter and jelly. Her hot pink hair is the perfect complement to their look – vibrant, youthful, bold, hip. And you can never go wrong with a beautiful oceanscape on your side.

P.S. Over on k., I’ve posted some of my ideas for a hotel design I’m working on! Exciting!

Images via Studded Hearts.

Alexander McQueen, Backstage

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:00:23 +0000

Can we talk about a few things that are blowing my mind? For starters, and most obviously, this collection. Incredible. McQueen is known for bringing the mind-bogglingly intricate “how can this even be real?” detail, and nope, no disappointment for the spring 2012 collection. Just pure art from head to toe. Wowzers, Sarah Burton, you are knocking this out of the park time and time again. What a talent. That orange number? I have no words. I very vocally dislike orange, but man, it’s like like my whole belief system is falling apart! What is up? What is down? I don’t even know any more. All I know is: a) wow, b) WOW, and c) WOOOOW!

That’s all I’ve got. Baring some minor incoherent babbling above, I’m speechless from prettiness.

Images via Self Service Magazine.

Chanel S/S 2012

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:29 +0000

Chanel’s spring collection… Let’s talk details! Because they bring some serious pretty. The clothing on the whole is very obvious Chanel, but it’s the details that are breathing some new and exciting (aquatic) life into the collection.

Tell me I’m not the only one loving the mermaid vibe here. Beautiful, luxurious, sophisticated mermaid, that is. Nothing seaweed-y here. Just pure elegance. Gauzy fabrics, delicate pearls, seashell clutches, reflective sequins, slicked back “wet” hair buns, coral inspired jewelry. I love how all of these elements came together and touched on the sea theme without beating you over the head with it. It’s very polished and graceful, true to the Chanel vision. But it’s also kind of spunky! Who didn’t dream of being a beautiful mermaid when they were growing up? Once again, Chanel continues to make the dream a reality.

Candy Coloured Hair

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 12:00:34 +0000

Sometimes I dream about pastel coloured hair. Sugar sweet cotton candy shades of rose, lavender, mint, tangerine. It’s a strange attraction. I know I could never pull it off, nor would I ever even try it, but that doesn’t stop me from daydreaming a little bit. And then I get off on tangents about living in a Candyland meets Care Bears meets My Little Pony fantasy land. Almost sickeningly sweet. But it’s just so darn cheery looking, that part of me still wants candy coloured hair.

I had a long pink wig when I was about 10 years old. (Evidence. Prepare to LOL.) I wore it for Halloween one year and I thought it was the coolest thing of all time. I never wanted to take it off. Part of me wishes I still had it. Just for fun and all.

Click images for sources.

Jill Stuart Spring 2012

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:00:05 +0000

Sometimes you just need to look at pretty things. And I just can’t take my eyes off Jill Stuart’s spring 2012 collection. It’s just so pretty. Sweet. Simple. Lovely. Feminine. Nostalgic. Darling. Choose your adjective. Further evidence that I’m a total girly girl. This collection oozes ice creamy shades, minimalistic shapes, with a hint of a doll-like aesthetic. Sign me up. See also: gold strappy sandals.

I haven’t really been on the up-and-up with the fashion week goings-on in the last week. Unfortunately, I don’t quite have the time to sift through the numerous collections. Shame really, because they’re always dripping with inspiration. But from the little snippets I’ve seen here and there, this collection instantly caught my eye. Inspired by “cherry blossoms, palm trees and song birds”, it’s just the right amount of delicate, sugary and airy for spring. And I just really, really like it. It’s pretty and I like pretty things. Can that be reason enough?

Images via Fashion Gone Rogue.

Kate & Jamie’s Wedding

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 22:57:33 +0000

Have you seen the shots released from Kate Moss & Jamie Hince’s wedding yet? They’re just… wow. I’m not that kind of girl who is rabid about any and all talk of weddings and who gets teary just at the thought, but these… wow. (Though, I will admit, in the last year, I have added a “Weddings” subfolder to my inspiration folder, and there are more than a few tasty goodies in there. I also was never certain if I would get married, but now, I’m certain I do want to… someday.)

But enough talk of my far-away dreams, and back to our favourite Kate. Wow. It’s Kate Moss, so you expect greatness, but they went aaaaall out. And not in that over-the-top-just-to-show-my-riches kind of way. All out in the I’ve-never-seen-anything-quite-so-beautiful-in-all-my-life kind of way. If I were to imagine my fairy tale wedding, it would look a little something like this, I think. So magical and romantic, like a story from another time and another place.

Lace, crystal cut table ware, calligraphy, white galore, …

…wicker furniture, sunshine soaked gardens, the English countryside, …

…huge bouquets of white roses, a vintage car procession, …

… a mirrored vanity, ribbons, the cutest little military inspired jackets for the little boys, …

… and of course, that beautiful smile.

Kate’s day looked like it strayed from a dream. Other-worldly, indeed.

Photos via Vogue.com… where there are a whole whack more including party guest pictures.

Katie Ermilio

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:00:38 +0000

I’ve long admired the beautiful work of fashion designer Katie Ermilio. She wins me over time and time with her impeccable taste and tailored looks. Her designs are very timeless and elegant. Her fall 2011 collection, of course, not only meets my expectations, but far exceeds them. I think this is my favourite of hers yet!

“Pretty as a picture, as romantic as a song… Katie Ermilio’s timeless fall collection —in it’s effortless chic way- is suited for the classic beauty in all of us…”ⁱ

I couldn’t had said it better myself! I love the simplicity and effortlessness this collection conveys. It’s very clean lined and tailored, but it brings in lots of feminine details like large skirts, ruffled shoulders, draped fabrics and the odd bow as well; it makes for a very playful balance between mens- and womens-wear. I also think it strikes an interesting chord with the classic vs current theme as well. The shapes are very timeless, but there is also a great sense of current fashion trends mixed in, too.

I also looove the bright, bold and super duper saturated colour story – cherry red, electric fuchsia, and deep sapphire combined with creamy champagnes and crisp whites do a delicious palette make!

A+ from me for a collection that is elegant, chic, simplistic, and classy, not to mention youthful, spirited and current. Minimalism and femininity at its best.

Can we also take a quick moment to fawn over the gorgeousness that is the styling in this shoot? Hard wood floors, wall mouldings, crystal chandeliers, a tufted sofa, that beautiful baby grand piano? Hello, beautiful! Sign me up to the wait list for living inside this lookbook, please and thank you.

Pure loveliness.

Images via From Me To You

Source: From Me To You