May 29, 2009 | Fashion
I had a love affair with Banana Republic in February of 2005. My MIL took me on a shopping spree there and I seriously could have bought [read: had her buy for me] everything in the store. That was then.**
**I was also pregnant at the time and didn’t know it. MIL suspected since I had to keep running to the bathroom to pee in-between outfit changes, and then all the lovely outfits she bought for me had to be stuffed into the back of my closet as my ever-expanding waistline busted out of them in subsequent weeks.
But that was then.
And after that, Banana Republic produced crap for what seemed about an age.
And now, methinks they’re back on track. What with the BR Monogram Collection, and the regular stuff in their stores, it’s looking pretty delicious again. (Who wasn’t drooling over that gorgeous beaded silk halter-gown Keri Russell was wearing on the cover of the Dec 2008 Lucky Magazine??)
Yah, baby. Saw this in a Marie Claire a little while ago, squealed, and then scored one for a fraction of the cost on Ebay. I’m kind of between sizes though (in the ridiculous, Gap-fueled vanity sizing system that Banana Republic apparently subscribes to). In this dress in a 6, I’m swimming. In a 4, it fits, but it won’t allow my ribcage to expand (i.e., if I eat a satisfying meal, take a deep breath, etc.). I have now discovered Hollywood’s secret to staying thin! It’s wearing a skintight woven, lined Banana Republic dress that fits you perfectly only if you have nothing in your stomach. And don’t breathe.
When I wore it to my brother’s rehearsal dinner, people thought the frilly neckline was part of the dress. It’s not! It’s a little wrap in a gorgeous marbled black satin – that I found on Etsy couretsy of lolashowgirl’s shop. I love it so much…and it looks great too with a simple white tank.
The shoes are going to be sacrificed for a DIY long in the making…just a little short of funds right now, so it’s been put on hold. Pleaser shoes, from Ebay store Starry Nights (the ONLY store on Ebay that sells stripper/goth shoes that doesn’t charge like $15+ for shipping)…I feel so incredibly tall in them.
I look mad in this photo. You want something, Mister?
Everything I thought gave me a sort of vampirish-look (in a good way!)…plus I’m a sucker for anything with a frilly neckline.
May 28, 2009 | Fashion, Media
Photographed by Valentina
Frugiuele, this “Parisian Apocalypse” shoot was realized by Raoul Keil (director of Nineteen74.com, a global networking site for media, graphics, and fashion professionals), and directed by Nicholas Hardy from Factory 311. All 12 talents on the shoot were also members of Nineteen74, and you can watch the video of the backstage to the shoot here. Find out more about the concept after the jump…
PARISIAN APOCALYPSE
“The city of light is now permanently dark. The year is 2509. The streets are no longer paved; now wild and overgrown with weeds. Animals roam the streets, slipping in and out between ravaged models and restless stylists. The worlds fashion capital has become a battle ground where business, culture and creativity has been forced out onto the streets to duke it out. To find the light. To shine. The creative apocalypse has arrived.
Those who will survive are the ones who can stand out in the dark; those who realize that not all is fair in love and war; those who turn their passion into all out competition. Survivors are those who are part of Nineteen74.com.”
Dark, edgy, and I’m totally in fear of futuristic Paris. And is that model wearing only a G-string or something less?
-Carly J. Cais
May 25, 2009 | Fashion, Media
(Shoes photos, Matthew Peyton, Getty Images North America; runway photos, Marcio Madeira, Style.com)
It’s been awhile since Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC has drawn to a close (Feb 13-20, 2009, to be exact) but with Fall already on the way we wanted to pass on the tips and trends we saw only a few months ago.
Drawing inspiration from the group of French dandies called Les Incroyables that formed in the 18th Century following the French Revolution, designer Laura Poretzky showcased a tightly edited, elegantly cohesive Collection. Just as the group of gentlemen focused on tailored, regal pieces evoking a more opulent time, the designer put efforts into shape and fit; creating a sumptuous collection of versatile separates. The palette was sophisticated and muted in vintage-like “tarnished” hues: washed tones of black and gunmetal gray, sterling blue, colonial blue, dove gray, regal purple, and dusty rose. With exquisite tailoring and a focus on the beauty of fabric and texture, this collection stood out as the designer seemed to truly be hitting her stride. And to add the crowning touch: beautiful, drool-worthy shoes (the Antoine, Rousseau, and Dauphin) in velveteen and suede, from the Abaeté for Payless Collection due to be out in stores in August of 2009.
Elegant coats with sewn-in vests, nipped-in jackets with tails, layered silken ascots, slim-cut twill pants, wide swing skirts, tiered layering and petals, and regal striped wool separates evoked a time period of genteel joie de vivre. Jackets were constructed with sewn-in vests in order to function as a double-layered piece in the working woman’s wardrobe. Deep sterling blue silk dresses were shot through with silver lurex threads: the pieces literally looked as if the night sky was walking down the runways. Black and cream, gunmetal gray, and deep blues spoke of romance and longing – and all ensembles were accented by the most intricately beautiful accessories fashioned by jewelry designer Thea Grant: filigree gold brooches, multi-chain gold belts, and tiny pin accents that elevated the look to an entirely new regal level.
The hair and makeup was utterly gorgeous – and stayed true to the Victorian French masculine aesthetic. Beauty.com celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow (Tarte Cosmetics), said that the healthy “no makeup” look she did on the models is easy to recreate by first prepping the skin with Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($15), enhanced with grape, rose, and myrrh extracts to brighten the complexion. She then applied Tarte Smooth Operator foundation ($35), which gave a little more coverage than the average tinted moisturizer, to let the models’ skin shine through. She used a little bit of Tarte Lash Hugger Eco-Friendly Natural Mascara ($18) on the eyelashes, and Liquid Sunshine Vitamin-Infused LipGloss on the lips to give a natural rosy gold tone ($21). Finally she applied a dusting of powder over the eyebrows to tone them down and make the look more masculine to emulate the Les Incroyables inspiration. All in all it created a healthy, refreshing look for Fall, pairing with the dark tones of the Collection nicely.
See a behind-the-scenes video footage of the look at http://video.beauty.com/p/107/revolutionary-beauty/
(Les incroyables watercolor by G. Galat, from RubyLane.com; all other photos, Carly J. Cais for FashionTribes.com)
Lead hair stylist Mario Ruiz created super-coiffed pompadours and “basically made [the models] look like 18th-century French rock stars.” He first teased the top of the hair and shaped it into a faux-mohawk rockabilly-type look, and then pulled it back into a reverse French braid in the back, weaving a black ribbon throughout. RedKen WorkForce 9 Flexible Volumizing Spray ($14) was a must for achieving the necessary texture and holding the hair style; and one of its great features is that it won’t flake and you can brush and restyle the hair as needed and it will still hold.
All in all, it was a sumptuous, opulent collection, with fantastic separates, jewelry, and insanely affordable shoes; exquisite styling choices, and a makeup look that was just as doable in the “real world”…it flowed together seamlessly, and felt like one of those rare Collections where every element hit the right note. Bravo!
-Carly J. Cais, as posted on FashionTribes.com
May 23, 2009 | Fashion
It’s beautiful here in Portland, and apparently we’re going to have sunshine for the next 8 days straight. Ick. I try to spurn the sun as much as possible, feeling that my vampirish-pallor necessitates it. [I burn within minutes or break out in an attractive rash under the sun…or applied to heat…light…emotion…wool…yup, just about anything one can be applied to. Fall is my favorite time of the year.] Meanwhile my garden is going nuts and so I’ve been out and about, trying to control the lush jungle that has sprung up around me. Not so much time for blogging.
But, in honor of the continuous sunshine, I thought to post this – an outfit I wore when Hub and I went out for our 5-yr. anniversary to the Portland restaurant Beast. (Yup, it’s been that long, and yup, it was super-yummy.)
The jacket is vintage…my mother’s mother bought the fabric in the Philippines in the 1950’s or so, and had it made into a jacket-and-evening gown combo. The fabric is made of pineapple fibers (!), dyed to this obnoxious yellow, and has this shimmery look to it. The dye ended up taking in subtle vertical striations (isn’t that a nice word?) and gradations of light to bright yellow. It feels like soft seatbelts to the touch. My mother wore the set to her graduation sometime in the late 60’s…and ended up spilling sauce down the front of the gown; a nice brown stain. I am still trying to figure out how to salvage the gown, and though the jacket is completely the wrong size for me, I still thought it sunshiny and fun.
The dress I made as a sample for my now-defunct line RIVETED‘s Holiday 2007 Collection…it never went into production and that was the last season I produced before I ran out of funds.:-(
Boots are Payless from a couple years ago. Hot pink, slouchy, suede-y…what’s not to love???
If I look tired in the photos – I am…I was about a week and a half into my allergic reaction-pneumonitis-bronchitis trifecta saga that I got the day before going to Hawaii for a friend’s wedding.
I am currently vigorously applying myself to Gossip Girl Season 1 courtesy of Netflix…I feel it requires my attention.
-Carly J. Cais
May 21, 2009 | Fashion
Old Navy is offering $1 adult and kids solid flip-flops again this Saturday, May 23
rd ONLY.
What better way to celebrate summer and kick off the Memorial Day Weekend? Grab them quickly in a rainbow of colors, for Mom, Dad (FATHER’S DAY, hint hint*), and the kids!
Limit 5 pairs per customer, solids only
May 17, 2009 | Fashion
Vintage vest (remade), Spiral Girl shirt, silver key necklace, Victoria’s Secret convertible top (worn as a skirt), Hue tights, Spiral Girl pumps, Marc Jacobs bag, Hot Topic watch.
Fabulous, fabulous. 4″ cone heel studded with black crystals, ombre turquoise patent, hidden platforms….I die every time I see them…and to think they were $20!!! Definitely if you’re ever in Honolulu you MUST go to this store!**
-Carly J. Cais
