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Showing posts with label oscar de la renta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oscar de la renta. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

art becomes fashion in 2008

Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2008
oscar de la renta fall rtw 2008
style.com

christian dior fall rtw 2008 

michael kors fall rtw 2008

sonia rykiel fall rtw 2008

dries van noten fall rtw 2008

chloe pre fall 2008

Move over Miss Sykes, there's a new "Plum" in town! The editors at Vogue better watch out. I never intended on writing much about fashion but ever since I posted Plum Perfect in 2008 people have been calling me Plum and (get this) sending me actual FAN mail... so I think I'll continue (not because I'm high on the power, but because I really must give the people what they want).

brush strokes & paint daubs

Several of fashion's top designers took a cue from the old masters when creating their fall 2008 collections, as evident by the explosive bouquets of color that adorned billowing silk dresses and skirts. The vibrant florals of Michael Kors and Christian Dior by John Galliano were reminiscent of beautiful impressionist painting while Oscar de la Renta's collared evening gown looked surprisingly Gustav Klimt

And while much attention was given to romantic florals by some, other designers (Emilio Pucci by Matthew WilliamsonSonia Rykiel, and Chloe) channeled the abstract expressionists of the 20th century to create modern, edgy, and pretty art prints. It may not have been the biggest trend on the runway, but it's going to be huge for this fall's contemporary lines... 

So go ahead and applaud because now you have something fun to go with all that black and navy they'll be pushing this fall.

express yourself...

clockwise from top right:
pringle 1815 abstract print mini skirt, $162 net-a-porter
see by chloe graffiti print mini skirt, $350 net-a-porter
alexis bittar large brat pack necklace, bag borrow or steal
luisa cevese riedizioni placemats, $36 barneys new york
vintage art deco perfume bottles
mint by jodi arnold abstract pattern dress, $435
michael kors lattice a-line dress
christian louboutin graffiti pumps
the art book, $9.95 MoMA store
t-bags off-the-shoulder top, $65 net-a-porter
paul marrot edition "graphic plaid" coinpurse, haydenharnett
pringle 1815 colorblock cowl dress, $375 net-a-porter
8" floral plates, urban outfitters
paule marrot edition "tango red" beatrice satchel, $485 haydenharnett


clockwise from top right:
eccentric glamour by simon doonan, barneys new york
marc by marc jacobs crazy bow headband, $125 marc jacobs stores
rebecca taylor floral print blouse, $275 net-a-porter
18th amendment heartbreaker high-waisted jeans, $138 net-a-porter
christian louboutin orniron booties, $1145 barneys new york
marc by marc jacobs abstract hanging gem necklace
marc jacobs satin flower ballerina flats
j.crew collection floral print skirt, $125 jcrew stores
derek lam silk chiffon ruffle blouse, $890 net-a-porter
rachel leigh margarita ring, shopbop
rachel leigh gold and enamel faceted ring, £17 bunnyhug
diane von furstenberg signature box bag, $298 dvf
le sportsac kevyn bag, $23 lesportsac
armbanden from creatief op commando bangles, £19.50 nina valkhoff
dries van noten runway oversized bangle necklace
marc by marc jacobs runway torn print prom dress, $700 net-a-porter

four fall inspirations

the founder of french-impressionism...
Water Lilies, Claude Monet, 1916

the russian  father of abstract art... 
Helles Bild, Wassily Kandinsky, 1913

a 20th century abstract expressionist...
Untitled III, Willem de Kooning, 1982

a notorious post-impressionist... 
Irises Saint-Remy, Vincent Van Gogh, c. 1889

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

plum perfect in 2008


the color purple

Doesn't it look delicious? Almost as enticing as Eve's apple... I've been a bit of a rebel lately myself, evading my blogging responsibilities and instead opting for pedicures on the Georgia coast. Who wouldn't choose a good sugar-scrub by the ocean over hours at the computer? My pampering wasn't entirely in vain, as my polish color inspired me to write about one of the latest fall trends... the color purple.

oscar de la renta fall rtw 2008

michael kors fall rtw 2008

matthew williamson fall rtw 2008
style.com

Plums, eggplants, grapes, and violets turned up all over the fall 2008 runways from Paris to New York... which is good news for all. Rich shades of purple tend to be very forgiving and universal -- that is, they are easily complemented by most neutrals and they do not favor a particular complexion -- making them ideal for blondes and brunettes alike in Oscar de la Renta's fall ready-to-wear collection, which featured shades of royal purple, plum, and deep fushia intermixed with light browns, dark greys, and wine-colored suede boots. American designer Michael Kors opted for feminine shades of violet paired with soft camel-colored sweaters, furs, and accessories and elegant nude pumps. The look exudes soft sophistication and the models looked as cuddly as cashmere teddy bears... but beware! violets and light purples can wash-out certain complexions, particularly in the paler months. Last but not least, quirky British designer Matthew Williamson brought a touch of Indian flair, mixing rich fushias from Mumbai with modern tartans from Edinburgh.

black cherry chutney
louvre me or louvre me not
parlez-vous opi?

And, of course, the trend extends far beyond the realm of slick catwalks accessible only to global fashionistas. Nail polish is an excellent way to find your perfect purple (or to be fashion forward without a huge investment). OPI has added several stellar shades for the fall: Black Cherry Chutney is deliciously a dark black-red that evokes the vivid landscape of the East... Louvre me or louvre me not is a bold purple that screams royal glamour (and would look divine paired with black)... while the smoky-violet Parlez-vous opi? has a sensuous 'come hither' quality that compliments just about any style...

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better...



rebecca taylor ruffle sleeve top, $225 net-a-porter
rab labs agate picture frame, $45 vivre
diamond pattern dome paperweight, iomoi
kim seybert "wood bead" placemat, $60 vivre
chanel purple cross bracelet, bag borrow or steal
catherine malandrino deep v-neck sweater dress, net-a-porter
kim seybert "jewel cuff" napkin ring, $115 vivre
lauren merkin sequin "classic clutch," $228 searle nyc
betsey johnson "wells" pump, nordstrom
thomas paul "goldfinch" silk twill pillow, thomas paul
marc by marc jacobs "geo gems" print skirt, $187 net-a-porter