2008-05-18 ~ Trend de la Creme - Trends in fashion, style, beauty, design, and popular culture.

Marios Schwab's Feminist Beetles

London designer Marios Schwab has an uncanny ability to find complexity in the most simplistic of design. For his fall 2008 collection, his inspiration came after reading a Victorian proto-feminist novel, The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Why then, might I ask, does each piece resemble a member of the Coleoptera family? (Unless, of course, Schwab was able to make the connection between the hard exterior of a Victorian-era feminist with the hardened shield-like forewings of a beetle.)

Queen Elizabeth, Eat Your Heart Out

Bosnian fashion designer Adnan Hajrulahovic Haad showed us how to rock the oversized collar this week at Sarajevo Fashion Week. (The first one reminds me of a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup wrapper!)

When Orange and Blue Collide

Orange and blue, one of my favorite color combinations, is making the rounds right now -- from soft turquoise blue to deep cobalt blue. And I'm really loving the busy patterns to add to the complexity! Here are some of my faves:

Lucky Brand Eastern Print Dress at luckybrandjeans.com
Twisted Strap Jersey Dress at intermixonline.com
Selma Zig Zag Dress at fashionaddicts.com

Alberto Gozzi Optical Sky Blue Hobo Bag at forzieri.com
Silvia Bertolaia Wide Strap Sandals at luisaviaroma.com
Indigo by Clarks Giana Dress Flats at zappos.com
Chinese Laundry Sinead Sandal at endless.com

Pigs Don't Fly, But Everything Else Does

If you're not a fan of hockey (which would put you in the majority) then you probably aren't aware of the "flying octopus" tradition practiced by the Detroit Redwings before the Stanley cup playoffs (which is now). I won't bore you with the slimy details, but I will give you a link to the video that shows Redwing fans slinging a dead octopus around a hockey arena. (Can I just saw "ew" and, um, "hella no!")

While I draw the line at flying octopi and winged Victoria Secret models [I do have standards], I am open to flying seahorses, cats, hearts, skulls, etc. -- but only in the form of something shiny that I can hang around my neck or pin to my shirt. (These winged accessories are popping up everywhere, and they're really cute in a fantastically creepy way.)

Steven Shein Wood & Gold Winged Heart Necklace at 80spurple.com
Fluttering Heart Necklace by Imogene and Dannie
Winged Heart Necklace by Lotus Jewelry Studio
Copper Winged Heart Necklace by Natha Perkins

Winged Skeleton Brooch at hervia.com
Tom Binns Winged Skull Necklace at net-a-porter.com
Emma Brite Flying Skull Necklace at emmabrite.com

Flying Seahorse Necklace by Anomaly Jewelry
Flying Rabbit Pendant by Roadkill
Flying Bear Necklace by Kill Taupe
Flying Kitten Necklace by Anomaly Jewelry

New Obsession: Diana Shoes [Japan]

Check out the entire collection at http://www.dianashoes.com/

Nine West Deco Delights Cuff Bracelet at ninewest.com (on sale!)
Jonathan Aston Ringers Tights at sockshop.co.uk
Liquorice Stripe Dress, Wide Spot Elastic Belt, Overlay Star Earrings, Sporty 2 Strap Sandal, and Leather Jacket with Zips -- all at topshop.com

There's No Place Like Home

In a recent interview, actor Shia LaBeouf (of current Indiana Jones fame) revealed something interesting about his hippie mother's living arrangements. "She lives where trolls live in a magical forest called Angeles Crest Forest. She lives in a little person's house. The house was built by one of the little people who was in the Wizard of Oz."

That, Shia, would make you a lollipop kid. Well, sort of.

In honor of Shia's love [um, er, disdain?] for little houses, I pulled together this collection of wickedly cute accessories. (Just be careful not to poke your eye out with one of them!)

Cottage House Cocktail Ring by Shimmer Design Studio
Tiny House Ring by J. Davis Studio
House of Love Necklace by The Pudding Store
The Street Where I Live Earrings by Birdland Creations
Little House Ring by Ardent 1
House and Tree Necklace by J. Davis Studio

And since we're on the topic of the Wizard of Oz, it just so happens that these current looks make a convincing Dorothy ensemble when put together:

Sandra Tube Dress at delias.com
Silver Bow Pendant Necklace at bluenile.com
Xenos Designs Little Rainbow Earrings at shanalogic.com
Kate Spade Little Compton Box Basket Handbag at ebags.com
Missy Bow Mid Heel at office.co.uk

Jotaro Saito's Electric Kimonos

In March of this year at the Adelaide Banks Festival of Arts in Australia, the city’s historic architectural icons were painted with light over a two week period. These 'electric canvases' (designed by the acclaimed artist group appropriately named The Electric Canvas) featured a constantly changing array of perfect, jaw-dropping architectural projection, reflecting the heritage and function of these beautiful buildings by bringing their 19th century charm into the 21st century.

Similarly, the kimonos in Jotaro Saito's fall '08 collection -- also designed to reflect the heritage and function of traditional kimonos -- were brought into the 21st century with bold color combinations, hard lines, and modern patterns. And, it just so happens that Saito's collection reminded me of the Adelaide Banks Festival electric canvases. (Oh, how I wish I had been there to see the lights in person!) Do you see what I mean?

Am I Really What You Were Looking For?

It has been awhile since I checked my site stats for Google searches. It's always interesting to see the myriad of word combinations [having nothing to do with my site] that bring unsuspecting Google searchers to my virtual front door. Here is a list of the best [and creepiest] combinations, along with my personal commentary and [in]appropriate links, of course.

Note: These are actual screen shots I made into .jpegs for your viewing pleasure, typo's and all. (You seriously cannot make this shit up!)

I also hear it can cause dumb web searches.

I bet that goes well with peanut butter and ass sandwiches.

With mustard, pickles, and a membership to ineedfriends.com

Yes, there is actually a woman who paints with her vagina.

That's a shame. Tights are all the rage right now.

Sorry, can only help you with "sweatpants belly shots."

"White big ass girls" or "big ass white girls"? There is a difference.

As opposed to JLo's elbow in white pants?

Somebuddy needs worked on his grammers before lose virginity

Seriously? How boring must your life be?

Dude. That totally sucks. Eat a pot brownie.

Be careful what you wish for. You might just get two asses in panties.

Do you mean "boy bands in panties?" That's hot.

Dressing With the Fishes

Shevon Maxi Dress by Malene Birger at my-wardrobe.com
Masai Print Maxi Dress at monsook.co.uk
Jonathan Saunders Wyler Maxi Dress at net-a-porter.com
Trim Detail Top by Erotokritos at my-wardrobe.com
Christian Louboutin Yasmine Cork Wedges at net-a-porter.com

DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Mosaic Cotton Dress at net-a-porter.com
Raven Tube Dress at delias.com
Miso Ombre Sash Top at republic.co.uk
Mossimo Printed Tote Bag at target.com

See by Chloé Green Floral Print Dress at my-wardrobe.com
Bela Racer Back Long Jersey Dress at intermixonline.com
Milly Ava Tunic Dress at net-a-porter.com
Geometric Capri Coin Purse by Hayden-Harnett at jcmadison.com

When Birds Die and Go To Fashion Heaven

A recent post by The Coveted got me thinking about the use of taxidermy in fashion and art. Would I want to own something made from a deceased bird? No. Do the pieces bother me? A little. Am I against it? Not if they died a natural death. The choice to resurrect and preserve a creature that has passed on is really up to the person preserving it. If the designer can find beauty and inspiration in something akin to roadkill -- well, to each his own. (Now, killing them just for art is a different story. Don't even get me started.) Your thoughts?

Bird Necklace from Julia deVille exhibit collection

"Death is a taboo subject. We're so obsessed with looking young, finding ways to prolong life. We need to remember that every day is important, life is important. I want to inspire people to contemplate their own mortality, in a positive way. I'm not a morbid person, but I'm not afraid of acknowledging that I'm mortal." - Julia deVille, discemori.com

Blackbird necklace from This Must Be Made By Idiots collection

“Animals are reborn to remind people of the life they lived, but also to suggest an alternative history, in which they rule the world. The resemblance to the archetypes known from fables and fairytails is obvious. From a similar moral perspective Idiots criticizes the contemporary way of life, although the representation of these famous stories is not the duo’s main aspiration. If one can speak of a certain objective in Idiots’ art it is to bring people closer to an honest perception of reality pictured through a lens of critical fantasy.” - This Must Be Made By Idiots, idiots.nl

Bird necklace from The Recycled Dead collection

Feathered taxidermy models featuring Karen Walker jewellery

Ariel sculpture from Jessica Joslin 'Curiosa' collection

Trend de la Crème is Waxing Poetic

The darling Annie Wilson of Poetic & Chic brought [happy] tears to my eyes with this Trend de la Creme shout out. Not only am I tickled pink [and orange, and red, and blue...] I am at a loss for words! (And being at a loss for words is a rare bird for this fashionista!)

Thank you Annie!

xoxoxo

"Octo" de la Renta

Leave it to Oscar de la Renta to unknowingly pay homage to the cephalopod we've all come to know and love as the octopus. His 2009 Resort Collection was ripe with tentacle-esque ruffles, mottled prints, and billowing skirts that transformed the runway into a makeshift Caribbean coral reef. When asked about the collection, his response was, "It's a very happy collection." A very simple answer for such a complicated designer. But the real stunner was the ocean blue ball gown with a cascade of curlicue ruffles. To this I tip my hat and say, "Yes, Oscar. Very happy. Happy as a clam."

Boom Boom Paper: Wipe In Style

Maybe if all toilet paper came with cute designs and colors, women wouldn't be so embarrassed when they find out they've been walking around with a piece stuck to their stiletto. (Yes, the model is sitting on a toilet. The tankless Kohler's Purist Hatbox to be exact.)

Ruler, Crime Scene, and Barbed Wire Toilet Paper at drinkstuff.com

Fleur de Leis Toilet Paper at justtoiletpaper.com

Camoflauge Toilet Paper at baronbob.com

Renova Colored Toilet Paper at charlesandmarie.com

Hearts and Lips Toilet Paper at amenwardyaspen.com
Musical Notes Toilet Paper at musicroom.com

(I just threw this one in because the label was too damned hilarious not to!)

Tulips & Pansies: The Headdress Affair

This year, an impressive roster of top tier fashion designers such as Betsey Johnson, Alvin Valley, Catherine Malandrino, Yigal Azrouel, Shoshanna, Lela Rose, Magda Berliner, Cynthia Steffe, Jordi Scott, b. michael, Alexis Bittar and others were paired with NYC's finest floral designers to create a high-fashion runway show of elaborate floral headdresses made entirely from living plants and fresh cut flowers. The event (now in its 7th year) raises funds for Village Care of New York (http://www.vcny.org), a non-profit organization that provides much-needed health care programs to people living with HIV/AIDS. (My fave is the ice cream cone!)

Images: Fashion Wire Daily via Yahoo

One Of The Lucky Few

I have always been a sucker for limited edition pieces, especially when owning one-of-a-kind just isn't feasible (due to price) or possible (due to back luck!) There is something truly special about having one of only a handful of something -- especially in a world fraught with copies, fakes, and the seemingly unoriginal. Of course, you may end up paying a little extra to own something that hasn't been mass produced. But that's the point, isn't it?

Here are some of my current craves (which I'm sure won't be around for much longer). Get 'em while they're hot ;)