Things, More things, etc

The Joys of Public Transportation

2010-10-22T02:18:00.008+03:00

The London Underground, or Tube, is a disaster these days because of all the delays and construction during the weekends for the 2010 Olympics. With all its catastrophes; I still love riding the underground. Public transport is great for people watching. The most beautiful men that I've seen in London, since I've moved here, I've encountered in the Tube. This also applies to Boston when I lived there. Of course you can't make conversation with these men and you will never see them again. You also get to see funny tourists trying to figure out where their going, old couples, kids and their mothers, school children, and people from all walks of life. The moral of my story, I don't think there's a story here, is never to take public transit for granted. Enjoy it for what it is and whenever you live in a city that has good public transport, utilize it.

On a different note, I recently stumbled on James Blake beautiful cover of Fiest's Limit of Your Love. The video is just beautiful. Definitely my song of the moment. It also made me listen to the original again, and made me fall in love with Feist all over again.

James Blake - Limit To Your Love from James Blake on Vimeo.

Nostalgia: The Jungle Book Monkey Song

2010-09-08T21:21:00.004+03:00

I'm starting a new chapter of my life next week, so I can't help being nostalgic about my childhood. Nothing reminds me of my childhood more than old Disney movies. We had most of them such as Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Snow White and many more on Betamax. However, the ultimate classic is The Jungle Book. The Jungle Book isn't my personal favorite, but it has a consensus approval from all five siblings. My reminisence for The Jungle Book started when I discovered Louis Prima, thanks Treme, and found out that he was the voice for King Louie the monkey king. The Monkey Song from Jungle is so much fun, and it reminded how many great characters are in The Jungle Book. And on a side note, I think Walt Disney was into evolution because King Louie the orangoutang calls Mowgli cousin.

A New Sophia Copolla Movie!

2010-06-16T00:05:00.003+03:00

It's been four years since Sophia Copolla's last movie, Marie Antoinette, so I was super excited when I got to see the trailer of her new movie Somewhere. Somewhere seems to have all the Sophia Copolla elements: a bittersweet story, beautiful cinematography, and a great soundtrack (this time its provided by Copolla's boyfriend's band Phoenix). I can't wait until it comes out!

Record of the Moment: Keep it Hid by Dan Auerbach

2010-03-18T10:23:00.004+03:00

Dan Auerbach, one of the members of The Black Keys, released a solo album last year called Keep it Hid. His solo work is mellower and bluesier than his work for The Black Keys. Here's one of the songs from the album. Hope you like it! On a related note, The Black Keys are releasing a new album in May.

Record of the Moment: Gorilla Manor by Local Natives

2010-02-09T18:33:00.011+03:00

Discovering new music is very exciting. It's one thing to hear a new song from a favorite band, but it's another when you discover a new band and fall in love with their music. Thanks to BBC Radio 6, again, I discovered the relatively new band Local Natives. I heard they're single "Airplanes" a while back, and loved it, but I couldn't ever catch the name of the band. Finally, with much googling and research, I found out who they were and downloaded their debut album Gorilla Manor. What makes their music really appealing is the harmonizing, and there isn't a lead singer. They sound fantastic instrumentally as well.

Here's their latest single:

My favorite track on the album is "World News". I like how they mention Baghdad in their song indirectly by referring to the NPR news about a bomb in a Sunni Market.

Song of the Moment: Audience by Cold War Kids

2010-02-02T10:16:00.002+03:00

I've posted about Cold War Kids before, and my song of the moment right now is their latest single "Audience". I've been hearing it a lot on BBC Radio 6, but never caught the name of the song or the artist. Finally yesterday, I caught the name of the band and the track. I actually have to admit I didn't know if it was a man or woman singing. Nathan Willet, the lead vocalist, seems to have quite an androgynous voice on this track. The song is quite beautiful, and I think the video is pretty and very romantic.

Adidas Star Wars Collection

2010-01-22T11:42:00.003+03:00

This ad is so cool. I want the track.

Song of the Moment: Vampire Weekend's Cousins

2010-01-18T12:40:00.004+03:00

Vampire Weekend sophomore album Contra has finally been released. I can't wait to listen to it from start to finish. They actually have the whole album on their website, so sweet of them. They recorded their latest album in Mexico city, and like their first album they have a lot of global cultural references. I love wide that they have a wide range of musical influences. I think this album is going to be on repeat on my Ipod for quite a while.

Here's their catchy single "Cousins".

The video is so much fun! Its like an updated version of Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" video:

Beautiful Art: Charmaine Olivia

2010-01-16T01:54:00.006+03:00

I discovered Charmain Olivia's beautiful art through a very cool blog called My Love For You is a Stampede of Horses, and I fell in love. Charmaine is a San Fransisco based artist, and she makes the most sensual and sexy art. There is a surrealism to her paintings in a good way, and not in a weird Salvador Dali way. No offense to any Dali fans.

Anyways here are some of Charmaine's artwork:

I hope you enjoy her artwork as much as I do!

Images courtesy of Charmain Olivia.

PS. All fashion related posts has been moved to Al Moda.

Song of the Moment: Cruel Intention - Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T11:18:00.002+03:00

I can't stop listening to Cruel Intention by Simian Mobile Disco featuring Beth Ditto. The video is a bit strange, but the song is amazing.

I'll be definitely listening to it on New Year's eve.

Have a lovely New Year!

Musicians of the Decade Part II

2009-12-29T10:17:00.004+03:00

Continuing from yesterday's Musicians of the Decade post, here are the rest of my favorite musicians of the naughties.

6. Feist: Beautiful music is the only way I can describe Leslie Feist's songs. She has an amazing voice and her songs are either upbeat and optimistic, or super sad love songs. Feist's music is considered to be freak folk, and its the an experimental type of folk music. What makes me love her music even more, is the amazing artistic videos she makes.
Here's a silly and cute video she made for Sesame Street:

7. Florence and the Machine: I'm not writing anymore about Florence and the Machine, so I'm just going to post a video I haven't posted before.

8. Iron & Wine: The former film and cinematography professor, Samuel Beam, is the brain behind Iron & Wine. If your into singer songwriters and folksy acoustic songs, then Iron & Wine is your band. I love that his wife sings and plays the violin with him.

9. Kings of Leon: My love for this band is consistent and will never end, and I can boast to who has just caught on that I saw them in 2005 before they became huge. I got introduced to them when I saw the video of The Bucket from their sophomore album Aha Shake Heartbreak, which is my favorite album, on MTV music. After seeing the video, and how beautiful they all are, I went into band research mode. The fact that they were brothers and a cousin, and the three brothers were sons of a defrocked Evangelical minister got me hooked to this day. I also listened to their B sides!

10. The Postal Service: One of those super indie bands that has the lead of Death Cab for a Cutie, and Jenny Lewis has worked on some of their songs. They're know for their covers and a their only studio album Give Up. The music is fun good old fashioned indie electro-pop!

So that's my list for the decade. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year and New Decade. Can't wait to see what the second decade of the century will present us in music!

Musicians of the Decade: Part I

2009-12-28T11:12:00.007+03:00

All these different music magazines and sites in the past month have come up with their top 100 albums and song lists. Reading these lists I started thinking about the music I listened to this decade.

My taste in music was shaped in this decade. I discovered The Beatles in high school, and Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin in college. Those three bands will always be my top three bands. But I still listened to a lot of bands that created or produced most of their work in this decade. My list is a compilation of my favorite musicians, what I think their best album is (not for all artists), and finally a YouTube video of my favorite track! The track might not be from the favorite album (that's how random I am). My criteria here is similar to my Favorite Records of 2009 post.

Here are the first five (they're listed alphabetically and not in a top ten list):

1. Amy Winehouse: I was introduced to Amy Winehouse, like most of you, through her infamous song Rehab and immediately fell in love with her music. She was the first to bring that jazzy bluesy revival that everyone jumped on.

2. Arctic Monkeys: Thanks to my carpooling days to work with the coolest coworker ever, I got introduced to Arctic Monkeys. If you haven't listened to their first two albums, you really should especially My Favorite Worst Nightmare.

3. The Black Keys: just as Amy Winehouse's music feels like its from a different era, The Black Keys do the same but with a different style of music. They could fit in the late 1960s rock and roll scene. I discovered this two piece band last year, but they've produced seven albums since 2002 and this is not counting their individual work. I still haven't listened to all their work, but the three albums I've been listening to (Thickfreakness, Rubber Factory, and Attack & Release) are great.

4. Coldplay: I love Coldplay and will always love them, even if they come out with really disappointing album. Their first two albums are just amazing. Plus they're a socially conscious band.

5. Crazy P: I have only listened to one album of theirs and it's The Wicked is Music, but any band that can sample Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in a song is a great band in my book. This album is one my favorites. It's great chill out house music that I always go to for good party music.

So this is the first half of the list. The second half will be posted before the close of the year! If you have any complaints with my choice of music, don't hesitate to comment. I'm curious to know what your favorite music of the decade, or ever, is.

Christmas Song of the Moment: "I Wish It Was Christmas Today" Julian Casablancas

2009-12-24T11:21:00.004+03:00

Merry Christmas to you all. Here's a song I've been listening to a lot on BBC Radio 6 during the festive Christmas season. The song is "I Wish It Was Christmas Today", it actually is Christmas Eve today, by Julian Casablancas the former front man of The Strokes. It was a nice change to listen to listen to a rock n'roll Christmas song from the typical Dean and Frank songs that I usually listen to during this time of the year.

Here's Julian singing at Jimmy Fallon's Late Night Show. Enjoy.

Carrie Me Away!

2009-12-24T08:49:00.002+03:00

When I heard that they were doing Sex and the City 2 I was really annoyed, especially since they're playing their 80s flashbacks! Couldn't they get younger actresses who resemble the 4 ladies. I enjoyed the first one, but it's silly. I loved the clothes, but still it didn't do the mix of vintage and designer that Carrie was best known for in the show.

Anyways, the trailer for the sequel has come out and all my feelings about Sex and the City 2 have changed. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT! Looks very visually stimulating.

Song of the Moment: My Turn by Basement Jaxx

2009-12-22T21:43:00.003+03:00

Another sad song you can dance to, Basement Jaxx's "My Turn"

I love the dancing bears and the hat changes.

Favortie Records of 2009

2009-12-16T11:11:00.006+03:00

There's less then two weeks left to of 2009, and I have been reflecting on the past year. Part of my reflection has been the music I have listened to. Certain songs and artists remind you of a certian phase in your life, a specific occasion, and or a person from your past. 2009 was a very Electro-pop year for me, and my favorite albums of the year definitely reflect that (not counting the Arctic Monkeys). 2007 and 2008 was my folk music phase.

What makes a good record do you ask? For me it has to be an album you can listen from start to finish, and absolutely love. Second, you have to listen to the album over and over again and never get bored of it. The third and final thing that makes an album great, is when you stop listening to it for a while you miss it and get nostalgic about it.

Here are my top 5 records of the year:

1. Arctic Monkeys are one of my favorite bands. They're last album Favorite Worst Nightmare, which came out two years ago, is an excellent record. So I was eager to hear what they did this year with Humbug. They did a good job with it, but Favorite Worst Nightmare is definitely my favorite album of theirs.

2. Surprise Surprise Florence And The Machine is on my top 5. I could say that Lungs is my favorite record of the year. I loved every song on it. When her singles were coming out, I couldn't wait until the album was released. There was so much anticipation to this album, and the album was actually better than what I had expected.

3. Miike Snow debut album Miike Snow is a very electro-pop record, but the lyrics of the songs are what makes it special. This is great background music for a party, because the beats are great crowd pleasers and I can enjoy my deep lyrics.

4. Phoenix is the best pop band out there. This French band write the most beautiful catchy feel good pop songs. There latest album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix doesn't stray from their beautiful electro-pop aesthetic. The album came out in May and I listened to it throughout the summer, but I'm having a revival of it at the end of the year.

This video is just BEAUTIFUL! Don't you love the bride and groom!? ahh Paris.

5. And finally, last but definitely not least The xx. xx is their first album, and its a lovely one. Its filled with sad beautiful love songs. It reminds me of The Cure a lot. I'd have to say that this album ties with Florence and the Machine, because their remix of You've Got the Love is actually better an the original. Its a cover of a cover.

Hope you liked my choices. Its just my personal opinion, and you can disagree and complain about my choices and think that they are totally ludicrous.

Pre-Fall 2010: Lady Like Glamour

2009-12-11T16:09:00.010+03:00

I think Pre-Fall Season is the most obscure collection in the fashion world. I understand Cruise Collections because its about taking a holiday and traveling with your spectacular clothes to a fabulous destination, but I really don't get Pre-Fall. That said, it doesn't mean that I don't like the clothes that are presented by designers in this obscure fashion season. Actually, I think the clothes are more wearable then the clothes presented in the spring summer and fall collections.

The Pre-fall season has already started, and I've noticed a theme in the collections and it's ladylike tailoring and high glamour. Nothing is over top, instead its just beautifully made wearable clothes. Anyways here are my picks from the season so far.

Carolina Herrera

Body-con in different lengths at Donna Karen.

Perfect draped and colored party dresses at Jason Wu.

Old Hollywood at Michael Kors.

Uber-Glamour at Oscar de la Renta.

Images via Style.

I think a young Liz Taylor would love these clothes, and top them off with jewelery from her amazing collection.

Woody Allen and Larry David.

2009-12-10T22:48:00.005+03:00

I just finished watching Whatever Works the latest Woody Allen movie. I absolutely loved it. Its classic Woody Allen, but what made it extra special for me is Larry David as the lead. If you don't know who Larry David, you have to get on top of Curb Your Enthusiasm. He's also half the brains behind Seinfeld.

Anyways back to the movie, Larry just played the perfect grumpy pessimistic Woody Allen hero to a tee. I love Woody Allen's take on love, and he just makes the best romantic comedies that have the right take on love and relationships.

My favorite Woody Allen movie will always be Annie Hall! It's the best relationship movie! It gets everything right, and also I love Diane Keaton's menswear wardrobe.

And best for last, Larry David's Charm.

Babies

2009-12-07T13:04:00.004+03:00

This documentary looks very interesting. It follows four babies during their first year. What makes it really cool is that follows four babies from four completely different locations around the world. The locations are San Fransisco, Namibia, Mongolia, and Tokyo. I can't wait to watch it, and see the different child rearing techniques in each family. I'm curious the most about the Namibian and Mongolian children since they have a more rural environments compared to the modern American and Japanese environments.

Objects of Desire: Shoe Porn

2009-12-01T22:14:00.000+03:00

It's been a while since I've posted. So I've decided to satisfy your inner shoe-fanatic with this post. Here are my favorite shoes form the spring summer 2010 collections. I get excited about the fashion shows, but I what really makes me super happy is when Style finally has Candy Pratts Price Accessory Report. Hope you enjoy!

Christian Louboutin for 3.1 Phillip Lim's hot red and black vixen shoes.

Donna Karen snakeskin strappy sandals.

Fendi' romantic leather and lace nude heels.

Dolce & Gabanna's black lace booties.

Givenchy's beautiful velvet goth wedges.

Lanvin: My favorites!

Nicholas Kirkwood's perfect structural heels in the right shade of gray.

Pierre Hardy heels. Enough said.

Images via Style.

Song of the Moment: Since I Left You - The Avalanches

2009-11-22T18:12:00.004+03:00

Thanks to NME's Top 100 Albums of the Decade I was rekindled with a great song from the past. The song is Since I Left You by The Avalanches. The song has a lot of good memories. It came out in 2001, and it reminds me of a favorite summer! I was 17 went to Paris with a great group of people, and who I'm still lucky to call them my friends. My older sister and brother took me to Ibiza, and I experienced a lot of firsts there. It was just a beautiful summer, and this song just took me back. The song is so beautiful and sad, and the video is a great visual complement to the song itself.

On another note, the first decade of this Century is over. I've been wondering for the past month or so what my favorite records of the decade are. I still didn't come to a conclusion. I was kind of disappointed with NME's top ten. I'll definitely be compiling and sharing my list before the year ends. I'm curious to know what are YOUR favorite records of the naughties are?

Tahia Carioca Greatest Belly Dancer

2009-11-21T20:34:00.006+03:00

Old Egyptian belly dancers are the best. They were so glamorous and sexy, and not vulgar like today's dancers and singers. The costumes were always fabulous. Below is a video of Tahia Carioca the best belly dancer ever. Her moves made men swoon over her, she was married 13 times.

Super Lady Crush: Alexa Chung

2009-11-20T01:11:00.009+03:00

Since I've been talking about Alex Turner, I have to mention his super hot and cool girlfriend Alexa Chung. Alexa Chung is the new Carson Daily, but a hundred times cooler! She's extremely funny and stylish. Once in a while I check out her show on MTV. I love how she's effortlessly cool! I want to emphasize that I really think she's great, not just because she's dating a rocks star and she's stylish, but because she has a great sense of humor and has amazing interviewing skills.

Why Alexa Chung and Alex Turner are one of the most annoying couples. I totally agree!

My favorite Alexa Looks:

Song of The Moment: Cornerstone by Arctic Monkeys

2009-11-17T20:46:00.005+03:00

So my Song of The Moment is Cornerstone by the Arctic Monkeys, one of my favorite bands ever. Their latest album Humbug, that came out last August, is a really a great start to finish record. What made Cornerstone a song of the moment for me is the video. Watching Alex Turner singing and dancing awkwardly is a blast! And the lyrics, like any other Arctic song, is fantastically written.

Mad Men Season 3 Fashion

2009-11-11T21:44:00.007+03:00

*Spoiler Alerts*

Unfortunately Mad Men season 3 has ended. I have to wait another 8-10 months to look at Jon Hamm's beautiful face. I hope he does more funny cameos.

I'm not only going to miss John Hamm, but I'm defiently going to miss the early 60s ladylike fashion. This season was set in 1963 and it was the year known as the end of innocence in America, and the beggining of the 1960s cultural revolution. However; I'm excited about next season because it will be set in 1964 and that means Beatlemania. Also, I predict an Andy Worhol cameo since Don is single he'll be experimenting at The Factory. I can't wait to see Joan, Peggy, and Betty in Mod clothing; and the guys with shaggy hair!

Anyways, here are my favorite outfits from the season:

Trudy at a day function wearing a paisley dress and floral hat, and then looking extremely elegent and trendy (for the time) in a beaded evening gown for the Sterling Cooper 40th anniversary.

Don and Betty decked out.

Sally's cute cardigans.

Don's cool and comfy white pajamas.

Don's pastel vacation suit.

Margret's beautiful feather wedding veil.

A very elegent broken family. I like it when Betty wears pants. I've been swooning after her plaid pants. I also love those vnecks that don wears. I think I like him in leisure wear more than I do when he's in suits.

Broken Embraces: Penélope and Almodóvar Join Forces Again

2009-11-03T18:35:00.006+03:00

I can't wait to see the new collaboration between Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz. I fell in love with Cruz as an actress and Almodóvar as a director in their second collaboration in All About My Mother, one of my favorite movies of all time. This is a great article in the Times about their relationship as actress and director. It sums up their relationship really beautifully.

Here's the trailer for Broken Embraces, their latest movie:

Florence and the Machine, Studio 54

2009-10-29T21:24:00.004+03:00

If only I had a time machine.

The new Florence and the Machine video to "You've Got the Love" is clearly an homage to Studio 54. The xx remix/cover of the Florence's cover has a great beat, and the vocals are just lovely. I kind of like it more.
Anyways, here are both:

Sometimes I wish I had pale skin and fiery red hair.

Fashion Crush: Anna Dello Russo

2009-10-27T19:17:00.002+03:00

Following the SS2010 fashion shows I realized I was excited to see street style just as the clothes on the runway. While looking at these sites, such as Scott Schuman and Tommy Ton's, I developed a new fashion crush on Anna Dello Russo, the fashion director at large of Japanese Vogue. I love her because outfits are just great, she brought back Tom Ford's YSL cherry shoes from 2003, and she's Italian. I just love her style. Thanks to fashion bloggers, magazine editors and stylists are the it girls of the moment. They are way more interesting then Hollywood celebrities, and they dress themselves!

Images via The Sartorialist

Images via Garance Dore

Image via JAK & JIL

Image via Maydele

Show of the Moment: Glee

2009-10-25T09:42:00.001+03:00

My new T.V. obsession is Glee. A friend recommended it to me, and I'm so happy she did! Its a fun lighthearted show with a twist, it's a musical! The show is about a choir club in a high school, so there are a lot of song and dance numbers incorporated in the show. The music is everything from top 40 pop, to old Broadway show tunes. If you want something light and fun to watch, Glee is your show!

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-10-19T17:23:00.000+03:00

Its when movies like this come out that I wish I was in the States. Sundays was my movie day in college, so I would have definitely watched Where the Wild Things Are yesterday afternoon if I was in the states. The movie looks really good, and I can't wait until it comes out on blue-ray. I'm really excited because James Gandolfini, aka Tony Soprano, does the creature Carol's voice. I never had the luxury of reading the actual book, but maybe I'll check it out since I won't be seeing the movie for a while.

The movie got great reviews and topped the weekend box office.

I'm so excited!

Objects of Desire: SS2010 Paris Fashion Week

2009-10-10T11:42:00.021+03:00

Paris Fashion Week just finished two days ago, and the end is here. Well not really, because thanks to Pre-Fall we don't have to wait until February for new collections from our beloved designers! Here's the Paris Fashion Week wrap up, my Objects of Desire.

Stella's cool one-piece.

Miu Miu's Pink and black striped bird clutch.

The black party dress
Green python and black two toned shoes
The embellished black pump, all from Giambattista Valli.

Phoebe Philo's great tan pants at Celine.

Great Givenchy wedges that will make anyone feel tall.

Also from Givenchy the perfect little white summer dress.

YSL's black strappy shoes, great chunky silver bracelets, and a great strapless versatile green dress.

The Medusa statement necklace
The sexy python pump
The nude pump with an ankle chain
The updated strappy sandal
And the sexiest party hair and makeup. All from my favorite collection of the season, Lanvin.

Youth Culture: Miu Miu and Giles Paris SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-10-08T12:50:00.007+03:00

Both Miu Miu's and Giles collections are influenced by youth. They reminded not of high-schoolers but of middle and elementary school students.

Giles accessories, frilly dresses, and the hair just remind me of kids. Purple and pink streaked hair is something a girl would want to do to get noticed by friends, or her parents. Giles Deacon was definitely thinking of Halloween for his collection, because orange and spiders are all over the clothes. But my favorite thing, is the Centrosaurus shoulder bags! They just make me smile!

The Miu Miu collection was very school girl. The ensembles, the hair, and the prints just screamed little girl. Miuccia used the quirk factor in her prints. The cute cat and bird prints remind me of little animal
cutouts from grade-school.

Fashion recently is being taken over by kids. You have popular bloggers like Tavi, an 8th grader, and Jane Aldridge who is in high-school. Don't let their age make you hesitate visiting their blogs, because they have a great eye into fashion and an amazing sense of personal style. The fashion world has adopted them with open arms, Jane and her mother have been featured in Vogue, and Tavi blogged and posed for Love and has an ongoing blog for Pop. I just find it exciting, and bizarre, to see young girls writing about fashion.

Katherine Hepburn: Hussein Chalayan SS2010 Paris Fashion Week

2009-10-07T16:53:00.002+03:00

If Katherine Hepburn was alive today, and in her prime, I think she would definitely be interested in what Hussien Chayalan did this season. Katherine was known for wearing lots of pantsuits and simple neutral colored gowns in the evening. That is exactly what Chalayan presented in his show this season. The collection has a very modern Casablanca feel, and it just reminded me of an updated 1940s Hollywood glamour. This is a different, and nice, direction for the designer since he is know for his avant-garde over the top collections.

Images via Style

Ruffles: SS2010 Paris Fashion Week

2009-10-07T16:07:00.010+03:00

Orgami at Yves Saint Laurent

Large and carefree ruffles at Stella McCartney

Floral and bright at Giambattista Valli

Romantic and pale Givency

Abstract at Alexander Mcqueen's

Anime influenced at Victor & Rolf

Images courtesy of Style.

Bored to Death

2009-10-06T21:33:00.002+03:00

Bored to Death is a great new show from HBO. A very clever and funny show that stars Jason Schwartzman and Ted Danson. If your a literature nerd, your going to love the many cool literary references. Its definitely worth checking out.

Here's the series trailer:

Betty Draper

2009-10-06T21:04:00.003+03:00

Betty Draper's latest outfits in the last two episodes of Mad Men are to die for. I got more excited about her outfits then any show from fashion week. How exciting was it living in the early 60s, or earlier, when trends were brand new. Unfortunately, nothing in fashion today is new. I'm not saying there aren't amazing and great designers today, but fashion isn't fresh and exciting as it used to be. Fashion is always recycling a trend from the past century.
Mad Men's Fashion File is the shows blog that talks about the clothes and how important the costume design is to the characters.

Trying a new updo in Rome with a very sexy black dress.

The perfect white dress with a scarf and SILK ORGANZA GLOVES!

A floral bright dress with great lace gloves.

Paint It Black: Paris SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-10-06T15:53:00.006+03:00

Black was more widespread in the Paris runways than in New York. Some designers chose to be romantic, while others chose to be hardcore and goth.

Ruffles, leather, and a keffiyeh prints at Givenchy

Leather boots and strong shoulders at Margiela

Ladylike tailored leather at Lanvin

Utility and Military at Haider Ackermann

Romantic details at Sharon Wauchob

Goth at Ann Demeulemeester

Images all via Style

Pretty Tough: Lanvin SS2010 Paris Fashion Week

2009-10-03T16:29:00.008+03:00

Alber Elbaz's spring 2010 collection for Lanvin is every girl's fantasy wardrobe. You've got everything from the sleek black suits, the house's famous airy draped silk dresses, the bright red and pink dresses, beautiful jumpsuits, and finally the metallics for going out at night. The accessories were just as wonderful: sexy stilettos, clutches, chunky jewelery, and the great one arm leather glove. What is great about this collection is how it was beautiful and girly, yet masculine and strong at the same time. So far, this is my favorite collection of the season.

Black suits with a twist.

Drapery

Color: who doesn't want a tomatoe red leather dress!

Bling Bling

Images via Style

Benares and Miike Snow

2009-09-30T23:04:00.004+03:00

The video to Miike Snow's song "Burial" was shot in Banares, and it's so well done. The lyrics of the song are really sad but the music is uplifting, which is kind of creepy, and the video is just amazing.

I've been to Varanasi, or Banares, exactly three years ago and its one of the most exciting places I've been too. There's so much culture and life, even though people cremate their recently deceased relatives there. Its one of, if not, the holiest cities for Hindus. The video just takes you there. I think its a great location for the song, because the song is about death: "don't forget to cry at your own burial".

Here are some really bad quality pictures from my trip:

Ahh I miss India.

Song of the Moment: Animal by Miike Snow

2009-09-29T22:45:00.002+03:00

Thanks to my guilty pleasure I've got a new song! I've heard this song, but I can't remember where. Anyways here is Miike Snow's cool video to "Animal".

Objects of Desire: Milan!

2009-09-29T17:30:00.008+03:00

Last February, I had the pleasure to be in Milan during Fashion Week. I wasn't there specifically for fashion week, but I did attend one show. Even if I didn't attend any shows, I would have been more than happy. Milan is just a beautiful city, with stylish beautiful men and women, and great food. Anyways, I'm just being nostalgic with the end of Milan Fashion, and wishing that I was there. Here are my Objects of Desire Milan SS2010 edition:

The ensemble outfit from Moschino

The canvas satchel with crystals from Prada

Red wrap around platform shoes

Grandma's needlepoint bag

And the updated garbage bag dress all at Fendi

The super hot red dress

The chain necklace and silk floral shirt

And the black see-through party dress from Dolce & Gabanna

And finally

Shopping and eating 10 Corso Como

Legs: Milan SS2010

2009-09-29T17:13:00.004+03:00

Super short shorts and skirts appeared all over New York and London, and now Milan has proved that this trend is here to stay. Lets see if Paris proves this trend right in the following week.

Here are my favorite short shorts!

Peter Dundas' glamazons at Emilio Pucci

The California beach babe Prada

Fendi's flirty coquette.

And the sexy city woman at Dolce & Gabanna

Shredded Wheats: Milan SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-26T21:23:00.008+03:00

There is an unusual trend in Milan SS2010 Fashion Week, and it is of shredded edges. It was most obvious in Prada, Fendi, and Jil Sander. Designers kept the lines of shorts, dresses, and jackets unfinished yet everything looks put together.

Fendi

Prada

Jil Sander

Albino

Roman Holiday: Alberta Ferretti SS2010 Milan Fashion Week

2009-09-26T21:12:00.003+03:00

The Alberta Ferretti girl for SS2010 reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday.

Oh my Prada: Prada Milan SS2010

2009-09-26T21:04:00.004+03:00

I was so glad the Prada's show was one of the first shows in Milan. Usually I'd have to wait till the end, which isn't a lot of fun! The clothes and the prints are just so pretty!

Objects of Desire: London SS2010 Fashion Week Edition

2009-09-24T22:43:00.008+03:00

Here are my favorite things from London Fashion Week!

Matthew Williamson glam swimsuit and ruffley bloomers.

Mark Fast's long necklaces.

Marios Schwab bondage heels.

Burberry's updated trench coats.

and finally

Roksanda Ilincic's shiny shoes and bangles.

Interesting Prints II: London SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-24T21:49:00.005+03:00

Hands on, London Fashion Week always introduces us to avant-garde ideas in fashion. Designers aren't afraid to push the envelope. What impressed me this season are the prints. Spring/summer is the time when designers present colorful and bright prints in their collections. Interesting prints were seen in New York, but there were so many more innovative designs in the English shows. From Luella's pop-roses on classic party dresses, to Nathan Jenden's super bright and abstract prints. Below are the designers, that I thought, had the most captivating designs.

Mary Katrantzou was influenced with the idea of trompe l'oeil illusions in her latest collection.

Art Deco shapes and architecture were seen in Krystof Strozyna's dresses.

Basso&Brooke presneted a refined take on psychedelic art.

Shiny and New: Roksanda Ilincic SS2010 London Fashion Week

2009-09-24T18:11:00.003+03:00

Slowly, and surely, Roksanda Ilincic is becoming one of my favorite designers. Her latest collection put the cherry on my London Fashion Week sundae. I just loved everything about the collection; the feathers, the lovely colors, and all that shiny material just did it for me! Here are my favorite pieces:

Colors of the Sky: Peter Pilotto London SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-24T17:42:00.005+03:00

Peter Pilotto's uses the different colors of the sky in his spring 2010 collection. The collection starts with colors of the sky during sunrise, then moves to sunset, and finally ends with dark pitch colors of midnight. I don't know if he had the sky in mind for this collection, but the collection just reminded me of the sky transformations from sunrise to midnight.

Sunrise

Midday

Cloudy Skies

Sunset

And midnight in a city

The palettes used reminded me of the American artist James McNeill Whistler's paintings.

Embellishment: London SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-22T16:59:00.009+03:00

Krystof Strozyna

Antonio Berardi

Sass & Bide

Matthew Williamson

Son of Rambow

2009-09-20T17:22:00.005+03:00

I recently was fortunate enough to catch Son of Rambow on TV. Its a very interesting and funny movie. The film came out two years ago, and the two young leads are wonderful actors. You can find the synopsis at IMDB. What I really liked about the movie is how the artwork created by the lead character, Will, is intertwined into the plot. The movie is set in the early-mid 80s, so the soundtrack is unbelievable. Great new wave, pop, and old school hip hop. And there are definitely some wacky outfits and hairdos. I highly recommend watching it, because its a very visually stimulating feel good movie.

Here's the trailer of the film. Enjoy!

Mark Fast: London SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-20T17:19:00.007+03:00

Mark Fast's latest collection is a wonderful take on summer knits. What I loved about the show is that he used regular (super skinny) models, and plus size (regular sized women) models. Its a relief that you see healthy sized women on the runway. I loved the collections in New York, but seeing them on ultra skinny women is quite uncomfortable. Thanks Mark Fast for putting your clothes on a variety of women! And I do hope all the major fashion capitals pass the Madrid Law banning underweight models. Recently Johan Hari wrote a great article about this topic.

Objects of Desire: New York SS2010 Edition

2009-09-18T14:52:00.016+03:00

If I was a famous starlet or a super cool fashion editor, the following pieces would be my it picks from the New York Spring 2010 collections. So my New York fashion week wrap up will be my objects of desire. Enjoy.

Chris Benz's sequined blazer

Proenza Schouler's cute party dress and aqua leather shoes.

Christian Cota's lovely caftan or bikini cover up.

Peter Som's nautical inspired statement necklaces.

Zac Posen's glamorous leopard printed shoes.

Thakoon high heeled sandals.

Marc Jacob's velvet slip on flats.

Derek Lam rope lace up booties with a cork heel.

And last but not least

Rodarte's post-apocalyptic stilettos.

Objects of Desire VII: 3.1 Phillip Lim SS2010

2009-09-18T14:06:00.011+03:00

Phillip Lim's Spring 2010 collection is so pretty. The clothes are any girls dream. I love how he made basic sweaters and vests tie in the back to make them special and a bit quirky. Also, his take on a romper is lovely and flirty. What really did it for me where the shoes and the jewelery.

The cream vest.

A twist on a classic gray sweater.

The oh so beautiful gold sequin romper.

Lovely Gold Jewelery

The SHOES! Christian Louboutin for 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Images via Style

The New Flapper Dress: Proenza Schouler New York SS2010

2009-09-18T12:45:00.005+03:00

The way Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler use prints in their latest collection is very impressive. There are many prints in the New York spring shows, but Proenza Schouler's are different. They have a theme for their collection, and it is executed perfectly. I love how the show was innovative and wearable at the same time. My favorite pieces were the flapper-esque dresses towards the end. The silhouette is a classic, yet the colors and the prints make it super modern.

Images via Style

Paint it Black: New York SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-17T22:36:00.008+03:00

Spring collections usually are about bright colors, pastels, whites, and prints. All of this is obviously seen in the New York Spring 2010 collections, but that didn't mean that some designers didn't use black and grays. Dark colors in fashion are usually used in winter; however, designers translated them into summer by using light and airy materials.

Vera Wang images via Style

Doo.Ri images via Style

Temperley London, and here is a video of Alice Temperley explaining her collection and installation.

Bibhu Mohapatra images via Style

Rodarte: New York SS2010

2009-09-16T11:51:00.006+03:00

Rodarte's latest collection is fantastic! That's all I can really say.

Oh and don't the models tattoos remind you of True Blood's Godric? Maybe they're fans of the show.

Below are two videos on the show. The first video is from style with interviews with the designers, and people attending the show. This video will really explain what the collection is about, and how the clothes are made. The second video is of the runway show itself. The photos of the clothes are great, but I feel they don't do the clothes justice. Seeing the clothes move really takes it to another level.

Chris Benz SS2010

2009-09-15T14:59:00.004+03:00

Chris Benz images Style

Summer Whites: SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-15T14:34:00.009+03:00

Julian Louie

J Mendel

Erin Featherston

Donna Karen

Carolina Herrera

All images via Style

Girly: Marc Jacobs SS2010

2009-09-15T14:17:00.007+03:00

Marc Jacob's latest collection is a relief to his super bright eighties influenced fall collection.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from his spring collection:

Marc Jacobs images via Style

Diane Von Furstenberg

2009-09-15T14:04:00.004+03:00

In this video Diane Von Furstenberg explains her latest collection, and the future of fashion in New York.

Brights: New York Fashion Week SS2010

2009-09-14T20:32:00.006+03:00

Rachel Roy

Ohne Titel

Derek Lam

Araks

All images via Style

The Classic Fashion Show: New York SS2010

2009-09-13T16:28:00.008+03:00

I'm loving the new (or old) non runway fashion presentations that are going on in New York this fashion week. Here are some of my favorites:

Haute Hippie image via WWD

Lorick images via WWD

Tom Scott at The Chelsea Hotel.

The Modern Toga: Jeremy Laing New York SS2010

2009-09-13T16:14:00.002+03:00

Jeremy Laing images via Style

Saloni: New York SS2010

2009-09-13T16:03:00.008+03:00

images via WWD

I'm loving this brand Saloni. The clothes are modern, with a girly twist.

Interesting Prints: New York SS2010 Fashion Week

2009-09-13T15:51:00.005+03:00

Nima images via WWD

Michael Angel images via WWD

A Single Man Tom Ford's Directoral Debut

2009-09-13T15:40:00.004+03:00

Tom Ford's directorial debut just showed at the Venice film festival. The trailer of the movie is stunning. The movie looks very interesting character study with beautiful visuals.

Can't wait to watch it.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

2009-09-12T22:20:00.001+03:00

Cool Pants New York SS2010

2009-09-12T12:37:00.009+03:00

Yigal Azrouël images via WWD

Twinkle by Wnlan images via WWD

Rag&Bone images via Style

Preen images via Style

A Détacher images via New York

Very Fancy Pencil Dress

2009-09-12T10:10:00.004+03:00

This seller is selling a pencil dress on etsy.

I love the texture, but I can imagine it would be very hard to wear.

Josiphine Baker as a Goddess: Monique Lhuillier SS2010

2009-09-11T15:33:00.004+03:00

Josephine Baker

Monique Lhuillier images via Style.

1940s Leisure Wear With a Twist: Organic by John Patrick and Rosa Chá SS2010

2009-09-11T15:17:00.010+03:00

Organic by John Patrick image via Style.

Rosa Chá photos via New York.

NYC Fashion Week: Rachel Comey and Janis Joplin

2009-09-10T17:09:00.006+03:00

Rachel Comey's latest collection is clearly influenced by Janis Joplin's hippie aesthetic.

The layers, the prints, the big hair, and the round sunglasses just scream Janis.

Rachel's collection is a more refined than Janis. Here are my favorite pieces from the collection:

Style Images

Here's my favorite Janis song. Enjoy!

Record of the Moment: xx by The xx

2009-09-07T17:16:00.004+03:00

The xx is a new pop new wavy band from London, that has a touch of soul. I first heard the song Shelter from the Dazed Digital August Playlist (Thanks Pat!). Its a beautiful song and made me want to look into this band.

I first youtubed them, and found their cover of Lovestation's Teardrops.

After hearing that cover, I had to download their album. I was really impressed. The vocals are both haunting and beautiful. Their influences, posted on Myspace page, are very interesting: Aaliyah to CocoRosie, Rihanna to The Cure, Missy Elliott to Chromatics, The Kills to Ginuwine, Pixies to Mariah Carey and Justin Timberlake to Tracy + the plastics.

Enjoy their single Crystalised:

I love the video, its so emo!

Men's Style in Mad Men

2009-09-03T17:28:00.005+03:00

I'm usually gawking after Betty Draper and Trudy Campbell's marvelous outfits, but this week I was swooning after the menswear. My favorite outfits from episode 3 of season 3 were:

Paul Kinsey's mohair sweater.

The drug dealer's plaid jacket. What a fancy drug dealer.

And Smitty's super cool red lined leather jacket.

Spring 2010 Fashion Week!

2009-09-03T16:57:00.004+03:00

Its that time of the year again again. In a week's time, New York Fashion Week will start and then London, Milan, and Paris will follow! To wet your appetite check out Style's Spring 2010 Preview.

Oh if I only was in New York. *Sigh*

Mad for Mad Men: Vanity Fair Don and Betty Photo Shoot

2009-08-30T21:28:00.007+03:00

My favorite show, at the moment, is Mad Men. If you haven't seen it, you really should. It's smart, visually appealing, and has the beautiful and talented Jon Hamm playing the lead.

My favorite thing about the show, other than Jon Hamm's face and the brilliant writing, are the beautiful costumes.

Here's an article from September's Vanity Fair on Mad Men. The pictures, taken by the legendary Annie Leibovitz, accompanying the article are stunning. They capture Don and Betty's relationship perfectly.

It's great how its a fashion editorial showing the clothes of the Fall 2009 season, that could be easily worn in 1963.

Here's a bonus short behind the scenes video of the shoot with the writer of the article explaining the appeal of the show.

Jay Z

2009-08-27T20:33:00.008+03:00

I'm not a big fan of hip hop, but I have a very soft spot for Jay Z. He's the greatest rapper, ever.

My interest with Jay Z started in the 9th grade when I heard Hard Knock Life. Then I heard Girls, Girls, Girls. But I fell for him, when I saw him on MTV Unplugged with The Roots.

I forgot about him for a while, and then rekindled my interest when I heard 99 Problems. Then he decided to retire from rapping.

But thank god he's back!

His latest single is brilliant. The electric guitar and horns sound amazing. The title D.O.A (Death of Autotune) is so relative. I really really hate auto-tune. If you don't know what auto-tune is, it's that horrible machine that alters your voice. Kanye and Lil Wayne use annoyingly.

The video is just as great as the song. It has Harvey Keitel, a proper Italian restaurant, an illegal card game in the kitchen, Lebron James, and a NYC setting.

Enjoy.

Noon Launch

2009-08-27T19:53:00.004+03:00

Two of my favorite people, in the whole world, are launching their really cool brand next Wednesday. Come and join the festivities. It will certainly be a treat.

Song of the Moment: Learn to Lose

2009-08-27T19:41:00.004+03:00

I used to see this video on VH1, and I absolutely loved it. There was a slight problem, and that was they never had the banner with the band name and title. I found out who the band are from a blurb in the latest Marie Claire. The band is called Hockey, and they're from Portland Oregon. Aparently Portland is the new music hub.
Anyways, here are two videos for the same song!

I personally like both of them, but if I had to choose at gun point, it would be the second one because of its artsy fartsy appeal.

Models...Finally!!

2009-08-24T22:34:00.009+03:00

The financial crisis caused this years September issues to shrink, which was quite a downer.
But there is an upside to this crisis!! What is it? A rise of models featured in fashion ads! It was a relief to see models in the fall 2009 print ads.

Here are some of my favorites:

Christy Turlington for YSL

Miu Miu chose some up and coming models for their ads.

I think these ads are great. The gray of the models skin and background really makes the products pop.
Last year they had the oh so boring Katie Holmes

I really like the Marc Jacobs campaign. As always it was photographed by the great Juergen Teller. It was a relief to last year's worst and most obvious choice, Victoria Beckham.

And the funnest of the bunch, The Gap's 1969 Jeans ads.

Song of the Moment: Passion Pit's The Reeling

2009-08-24T22:08:00.004+03:00

My song of the moment, at the moment, is Passion Pit's The Reeling.

The cut and paste, scrapbooky feel of the video is really cool. The video is very appropriate for this electro/pop band from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Oh, and their synth/samples guy is called Ayad Al Adhamy.

Object of Desire VI: Miu Miu Velvet Mary Jane Pumps

2009-08-04T20:17:00.003+03:00

I want the shoes below for winter! I found them on Net-a-Porter.

They're perfection. I love the royal blue velvet against the gold soles. mmmm

Song of the Moment: "Drumming Song"

2009-08-04T19:14:00.005+03:00

My song of the moment happens to be "Drumming Song" by Florence and the Machine, surprise surprise.
Anyways I had to share her latest video, because its so AMAZING. The setting is beautiful, the costumes are to die for, and the dancing is just fantastic. I just love it.

Record of the Moment: Florence and the Machine

2009-07-30T09:41:00.007+03:00

I've written about Florence and the Machine previously, and how much I loved her cover of Cold War Kids' Hospital Beds.

Her debut album Lungs has come out on the sixth of this month, and I've been waiting for this record to come out since I heard her single Kiss With a Fist last summer. Slowly throughout the past year I've been listening to other great songs of hers, such as Dog Days , thanks to the world wide web.

I've haven't been into an album like this in a really long time. I can listen to it from start to finish without wanting to skip a song. Its fabulous. Florence reminds me a lot of Kate Bush. This record takes me back to when I first listened to Hounds of Love, which was introduced to me by my brother, five years ago.

Florence like Kate has a magical and whimsical feel to her. Her songs tell stories, and her band is very instrumentally talented. I can go on and on about what a great artist Florence is, but I think it would be a tad boring.

Here's her latest single Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up):

The video and song is clearly influenced by Alice in Wonderland.

"Beyond Here Lies Nothing"

2009-07-14T22:13:00.005+03:00

I present to you the video to Bob Dylan's great song, "Beyond Here Lies Nothing". I have to warn you that the video is extremely violent, yet the violence is so appealing when Dylan is playing in the background.
Enjoy!

The song is classic Dylan.

Givenchy's Burqa

2009-07-11T19:15:00.004+03:00

Riccardo Tisci's take on the abaya and burqa for the Givenchy fall couture collection is brilliant.
The whole collection is beautiful as well. Check it out here

Vampires!

2009-07-02T20:56:00.008+03:00

Vampires according to the Media are in, trendy, and cool.

Below are some vampire related things that are interesting to me:

The Stylish:

Roksanda Ilincic Resort Collection

The Quirky:

Vampire Hairclips from House Of Secrets Incorporated

And the downright Creepy:

The Swedish film Let the Right One In

Looks very scary!

Pretty!

2009-07-02T19:44:00.007+03:00

I'm in love, LOVE, with Giles latest Resort Collection. It's amazing, and so extremely pretty and uber cool. I love, did I say love, Pixie Geldof rocking the bright red bob wig.

Other pretty things that will cheer you up:

Courtesy of Faeryboots on Flickr

Sonia Rykiel's Resort Collection

Moschino Cheap&Chic's Resort Collection

One can only dream

2009-06-19T21:54:00.005+03:00

I want to pack these lovely outfits from the recent resort collections in a suitcase and head to the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

YSL Resort 2010

Rachel Roy Resort 2010

Lanvin Resort 2010

Herve Leger Resort 2010

This isn't going to happen anytime soon, but one can only dream.

Song of the Moment: Hospital Beds

2009-05-24T21:17:00.004+03:00

I first heard the Florence and the Machine cover before I accidentally found the actual Cold War Kids song on MTV Arabia.

I like them both, but prefer the Original.

MET Costume Institute Gala

2009-05-06T19:40:00.007+03:00

If I could go to any celebrity or fashion event, it would be without a doubt the The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute annual ball.

Each year a different show is curated, with a specific theme in mind. This year the exhibit is The Model as a Muse: Embodying Fashion.

Now for my favorite dresses from the Red Carpet!

The Legs:

Vintage Prada

Lara Stone in Alexander Wang

January Jones in Micheal Kors. This outfit maybe a preview of the Mod fashions of the mid 60s that might be featured in the next season of Mad Men!

Doutzen Kroes in Phillip Lim

The Liquid Floorlength Dresses:

Liv Taylor, Kate Hudson, and Stella Mcartney all in the designer's gowns

Rose Bryn in Marc Jacobs

Natalia Vodianova in Fortuny

Iman in Donna Karen

And the just plain cool and chic outfits:

Lisa Mayock and Sophie Baui of Vena Cava

Kristen Dunst in Chanel Haute Couture

Kate Bosworth in Stella Mcartney

Erin Wasson (left) in Phi

Shoes!

2009-04-30T19:19:00.007+03:00

Here are my picks for the best shoes from the Fall/Winter 2009/2010 Collections

YSL Platform/Pumps

Lovely Nicholas Kirkwood Platforms

Carrie Bradshaw would love these Monolo's.

Marni 70's inspired suede Platforms

And my Favorite: These shiny futuristic Louboutins!

To see me of more these designers accessories, visit Style's latest Accessory Report!

Object of Desire V: Cafe

2009-04-14T19:51:00.003+03:00

I want a cappuccino

Italy

2009-03-19T20:40:00.002+03:00

Hollywood Glamour, Oscars 2009

2009-02-21T15:06:00.010+03:00

I love old Hollywood glamour, and the ladies bellow epitomize it:

Katherine Hepburn The Original.

Monroe The Sex Symbol.

Grace Kelly The Classic Queen.

Ava Gardner The Bombshell.

On another note; there were several dresses from NYC Fall 2009 and Couture 2009 Fashion weeks that should be worn on tomorrow's red carpet at the Oscars by today's finest starlets.

Givenchy Spring 2009 Couture Collection

L'wren Scott Fall 2009

Marchesa Fall 2009

Malandrino Fall 2009

Zac Posen Fall 2009

See all the latest collections at Style.

Enjoy!