New Year, New Blog

Hello and salut!

For the new year, I'll be moving back to Paris, where I initially started this blog. If you follow me at all (does anyone follow me?) you'll know how inspirational that city is to me, so I'm sure that with more free time and a touch more motivation, I'll be updating as often as I did when I started this Quite Useless Blog. On another note, I've also decided that I want to document my study abroad experience in a more personal way as well. So in case you're interested, mosey over to http://vienssaintgermain.blogspot.com/ where I will be blogging about my day to day experiences living in Paris. Knowing me, I will have something to say about design and style there too.

Best wishes for the holidays!
xx

Weight off the Shoulders

Balmain might be known for its enormous, padded and sometimes bejeweled shoulders, but this time around, I noticed Christophe Decarnin's fabulous dresses. No doubt they'll be coveted by the fashion flock next season— just like everything else his hand graces.

Photos from Style.com

Good Sport

Now this is sportswear I could get used to. Nicolas Ghesquiere's collection for Balenciaga was so innovative it actually blew my mind— if I had been at the show, I might have actually started shouting as if it were an outdoor event. But seriously, who thinks to make boots out of laser-compressed melted down leather and hand-looming or lattice skirts? Ghesquiere does, I suppose. And I'm ever so glad.

Photos from Style.com

Making a Comeback

Versus, the defunct Versace line, just debuted its first collection with Christopher Kane at the helm. A taste of Kane's own SS2010 work was there in cut-outs and pleats. Yet here he worked with Versace's more obvious sex appeal, incorporating darker colors, safety pins and even chain mail (a material that Donatella gifted him when he was a student). Talk about coming full circle.

Photos from Style.com

Je Sais Quoi

I'm so obsessed with the latest Rochas collection by Marco Zanini that I'm resisting the urge the bust out these styles in tomorrow's 50 degree fall weather. Looking this good is surely worth suffering for. It's exactly the type of effortlessness I love in fashion. Typically, it's hard to put your finger on exactly what makes such chic, Parisian nonchalance. Yet I'm specifically digging the teeny socks with platforms, retro high-waisted bottoms, coquettish underpinnings mixed with funky menswear and touchable fabrics in plum and metallic. They're like a perfect, unexpected recipe. And then there's the jumper in smoky charcoal silk. It's the first time I've ever wanted to slip into one, and Zanini's vision makes me believe I could pull it off.

Photos from Style.com

Going Soft

Gareth Pugh, fashion's prince of darkness and sharp angles, lightened up this season— going so far as to branch out from his signature black to a light gray. I personally enjoyed his change of heart, as it makes his brilliant fabric manipulation easier to appreciate and the pieces a lot less weighty overall. Though admittedly, I do have a bias towards feather headpieces.

Photos from Style.com

Show with a View

Alberta Ferretti's demure collection stole my breath when I saw it— and held me together over the past few days while I've been smothered with work. I heard someone compare it to the film A Room with a View and I wholeheartedly agree. Everything from the straw hats to the degrade pastels to the belted (standard belts, no less) waists to the sweet little lace-up flats recall an old-fashioned, simpler time with a touch of modern cool.

Photos from Style.com

Too Little Time

Sorry for the break everyone! I've been overwhelmed with French work as of late- which is appropriate, considering that Paris Fashion Week is starting! Super chouette! Can't wait for the shows and the dish. Until then, here's a screenshot I took of one of my favorite visual films ever to get us in the spirit.

Take It Easy

Prada, usually known for her intellectual take on fashion, turned out a refreshingly laid-back collection. Still, I can't really see any young beach bums in these clothes— perhaps it's the price-tag worthy fabrics and lady-like coats.

Photos from Style.com

When It Works...

... it works. I might be biased against "cute," but something about this look from Moschino SS10 makes my inner child squeal.

Photo from Style.com

Peek-a-Boo

Romanticism is a standout trend for SS10 so far, but I'm most infatuated with Christopher Kane's sharp-edged take. He managed to turn pastels, pleats, floral motifs AND GINGHAM FOR CHRIST'S SAKE into something modern. With cut-outs, thigh-high slits and corseting, the collection wasn't even a touch saccharine. In fact, maybe it's just me, but the frilly details pushed your everyday, run of the mill bondage towards something kinkier.

Photos from WWD.com

Build Me Up

Just when you thought you were safe from looking like Joan Collins in SS10, Matthew Williamson decided to exponentially increase the size of the shoulders AND the arms of his collection.

Photos from WWD.com

Oscar Gone Wild

Oscar de la Renta, often viewed as one of the more conservative designers out there, typically fails to impress me with his covered-up sweaters and dated gowns. But for this show, I owe an apology. He turned out looks for a much more youthful collection, complete with asymmetry, shorter hems, bright pops of color and print and even a touch of— dare I say it?— Lady Gaga inspired transparent fabric. Turns out that his lady is a bit of a tramp.

Photos from Style.com

Head of Their Class

Alexander Wang SS10

Marc Jacobs SS10

Rodarte SS10

Proenza Schouler SS10

It's been a fantastic season so far, and I can't wait to see what London, Milan and Paris come up with— I'm practically counting down the hours until the Alexander McQueen show (which will be live on his website btw, in case you're interested). But in the meantime, I'll be dreaming of and drooling over these collections and pieces in particular.

Alexander Wang, how do I count the ways? In an utterly wearable but funky collection, the dear Mr. Wang managed to make football appealing to some of the most un-athletic individuals on this planet. Never thought I would want a "varsity" sweater, that's for sure. Of course, I also never thought football shorties could cost around $800 and be made of leather. Welcome to fashion! I love the above look especially because of the worn-in but otherwise luxurious fabrics and the thrown together quality of the ensemble— though you know those proportions have to be hard to nail.

Marc Jacobs exists to make this world a better, more theatrical place. This collection excited me because he managed to take inspiration and run with it, but also simultaneously mock it, and take it apart. Note: the men's shirt underneath a ruffled gown and the deconstruction of gorgeous, prim skirt numbers by styling underpinnings on the outside. Sure, it's been done before, but I never really get tired of seeing it.

Rodarte is one of my go-to brands, though this collection didn't thrill me as much as others. Truthfully, ever since the "slasher" one a few seasons back, I haven't experienced the same high. But Laura and Kate still managed to pull out a unique interpretation of their signature draped, body-con dresses. I feel like Rodarte is best when it embodies dark simplicity, like the above frock. This photo scares the hell out of me but I still want to be that girl.

Proenza Schouler became my new love this season. Not that I'm the first- everyone in the fashion industry has adored them for awhile now. But Jack and Lazaro's work seemed more youthful this time around, with vibrant prints and flirty dresses. And I'm so glad I finally caught on to what the noise was about.

Photos from Style.com

Print Perfect

Narciso Rodriguez SS10

Ports 1961 SS10

Proenza Schouler SS10

The trend I fell for the most (other than braids, naturally, but more on that later) has to be prints. Prints, prints, prints. They were EVERYWHERE. Not just the usual florals, but new interpretations of geometric, animal and God-knows-what. Some highlights were the abstractions of Narciso Rodriguez and the incredibly delicate, barely-there patterns of Ports 1961. Bu the best take might just be Proenza Schouler's undeniably cool mix and match of busy brights. It shouldn't work, but each look proves you wrong.

Photos from Style.com

Jean-ius

Helmut Lang has long been one of my favorite brands. Yet I always seem to veer towards the more exclusive pieces. For example, a $15,000+ anaconda jacket... hey, it's an investment piece. But now that Michael and Nicole Colovos are launching a jean-based diffusion line, Helmut Lang's edgy simplicity will be accessible to even more clients. I was hoping that it would be even half as good as the Acne/Lanvin collaboration. And as you can see from the recent Helmut Lang presentation, prayers are about to be answered.

Photos from Style.com

True Black

Michael Kors SS10

Phi SS10

However, plenty of designers eschewed rainbows and sparkles for a harder look reminiscent of Fall09. This is excellent for those of us (me) who have hearts that are three sizes too small. Of course, the dark and brooding look received its seasonal update as well, in the form of sexy cut-outs in new and unexpected places.

Photos from Style.com

All the World Needs Now

Narciso Rodriguez SS10

3.1 Phillip Lim SS10

Marc Jacobs SS10

If you're already sick of Fall's studded boots and leather, then the 2010 shows have welcome news for you— romanticism and everything sickly sweet is in. My favorite looks from the New York collections dove into this theme with frothy abandon, yet were set apart by a little spunk. Think the flowing grey silk gown Narciso Rodriguez sent down the runway. It's dramatic and soft, yet ever so slightly boyish in its shapelessness and unexpected color. Likewise, Phillip Lim balanced a pale pink shift with a fire engine red trench, and Marc Jacobs' finale of a ruffled gown avoided banality thanks to its see-through fabric. Being good never felt so fun.

Photos from Style.com

Clean Slate

When it comes to make-up I'm incredibly indecisive, despite my background in fashion. I hop around from brand to brand, product to product, color to color. Yet one item I've been using for years and have always been satisfied with is Lancome's Bi-Facial make-up remover. It works on everything— even waterproof mascara and lip stain— without leaving behind that gross, greasy feeling. I was talking to a Lancome rep the other day who said that some clients claim it's too strong. But take it from someone with the most sensitive skin around... Seriously, when I was little, classmates thought it was fun to "draw" on me, i.e. make welts shaped like letters, flowers, small animals and other kiddie paraphernalia. Yeah, I know. But I digress. If the old Bi-Facial leaves me unharmed, my bet is you too shall remain unscathed. Not to mention free of raccoon eyes for all time.

Image from Lancome

Let Me Count the Ways...

Cream Check Lace Woven Scarf, Burberry

Crocodile Scarf, YSL

Blue Hera Silk Scarf, Liberty of London

I love the way women wear their scarves. It says so much about a person or their mood- doubled-folded, knotted around the neck, thrown carelessly about the shoulders, tied onto a Birkin, and so on. Liberty, my favorite London department store, has one of the most impressive stocks I've ever seen. And as Liberty has always been praised for their prints- everyone from Cacheral to Topshop has used their archive- it only makes sense that their collection would be the best around. When I visited a couple months ago, I had a chance to see their renovated scarf room. Yes, a scarf room. Hold me now. They carry everyone from little known British designers to Givenchy to twillies made from their famous fabrics. Ah, indecision!

Images from Liberty.co.uk