{things i covet} knuckle embellished brocade box clutch by alexander mcqueen
[Photos from Net-A-Porter - $2680, available here]
It was love at first (online) sight with this clutch. Its dramatic baroque look–oxblood, velvet, brocade–is iconically McQueen and totally on trend this fall. The size is perfect–not too big, not too small–and the shape is classic. I'm still a bit on the fence about "kuckle-duster" fastenings on clutches–they just seem too specific to wear with more formal looks. Still, the eye-catching embellishment has become just as synonymous with McQueen design as the brand's trademark skulls have. Speaking of which, check out the purple Swarovski crystal eyes on the one attached to this clutch. The details here really are all so over-the-top that the final product is just impossible to resist.
{things i liked} olivia wilde + a black dress
[Photos from Celebrity Gossip]
A dress, a bag, shoes–you might think it may be too much McQueen for just one outfit to carry. However Olivia Wilde–more often than not a fashion miss in my book–did it and more by really pulling together this look. To start, she kept all the pieces by the fashion house to a foolproof standard black and accessorized with lots of gold jewelry (I love her belt, it's so unique). The result? A McQueen-guided take on the 'little black dress' that's both modern and stunning.
What do you think? Would you wear this look–or style it completely differently?
p.s. Speaking of Mr. McQueen, check out this fantastic giveaway on one of my favorite blogs, "In a Blonde World" for a 'Manta' clutch in a gorgeous emerald green. It's too amazing to pass up! x
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SHOP THE LOOK:
[Photo from Zappos Cotoure - Box Clutch in Bark Calf, Alexander McQueen - $1820, available here]
[Photo from Pearl Collective - Silhouette Collection: Canary Diamond Dangle Earrings, Pearl Collective - $680, available here]
[Photo from Farfetch - similar style: Flute Hem Dress, Alexander McQueen - was $2035, available here]
[Photo from Zappos Coutoure - Pumps in 'Noir,' Alexander McQueen - $757, available here]
{things i covet} de manta floral-print satin clutch by alexander mcqueen
Photo from Net-a-Porter – $525, available here]
This clutch was released with Sarah Burton's FW12 collection for Alexander McQueen, but it feels like a perfect late summer piece. I love the shape of McQueen's "De Manta" bags, which are modeled and named after the hexagonal folds of manta rays. Unique and modern, they're not too overtly trendy. The moody print–blood red parrot tulip flowers against a black silk-satin background–is certainly emblematic of the fashion house's designs. I'd wear the bag with an all black outfit, but the painterly pattern would look just as stunning with a colorful one as well.
ENTER MY CURRENT BRACELET GIVEAWAY HERE.
{things i learned} feels like summer
[a fun new sweatshirt from American Eagle Outfitters]
[the stands at Yankee Stadium post-game]
[a soaring building on the Upper West Side]
[Fichi al cioccolate (chocolate covered figs) from 'Stella del Sud']
[gift shop haul from 'Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations' at The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
Over the years some things have unintentionally emerged as late spring traditions: frivolous shopping, afternoon baseball games, walks by Central Park, seasonal sweets, and of course a trip to The Met to see The Costume Institute's Annual exhibition. 2012's show will be lucky if it can capture even a fraction of the success of last year's blockbuster 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' and while it's smaller, 'Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations' is still impressive and just as ambitious. Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada are two fascinating talents and to put their words and creations side-by-side in fictionalized dialogue is genius. And while my wallet may be lighter, I now have another miniature iconic shoe in my possession—a fabulous Prada flame sandal wedge (check out the real version in action here) to match my McQueen armadillo platforms from last year's trip.
P.S. Be sure to stop by tomorrow for lots of contest updates….someone will win a handbag from 'Twisted Orchid' and everyone else can enter to win a turquoise cross from Robyn Rhodes just like the one I was wearing in yesterday's outfit post!
{things i covet} printed jersey dress by peter pilotto
[Photo from Farfetch - $1131, available here]
I've been seeing a lot of celebs wearing Peter Pilotto–Brooklyn Decker is a fan (see here and here) as is Jennifer Lopez, Marisa Tomei, Jessica Alba, Elizabeth Banks, Miranda Kerr, and a very Hawaiin Kelly Ripa–and to be honest I'm not surprised. While the brand's signature patterns are very Alexander McQueen, there is also something consistently unique about its juxtaposition of optical prints with pleasantly clashing colors. Pilotto's fabulous S/S 2012 collection was apparently inspired by the Indonesian island of Java's jungles and I can definitely see Pacific sunsets and palm fronds in the designs. This sheath is one of my favorites: form-fitting with a fabulous cut-away neckline, what I love most is its combination of neon yellow and electric blue.
What do you think? Is Peter Pilotto 'one-to-watch' or do you find the team's work too heavily inspired by the late McQueen?
{things i liked} kate middleton & a velvet gown
[Photos from The Daily Mail]
Kate Middleton has worn quite a few stunning dresses since last year's announcement of her engagement to Prince William. If you pay attention you'll notice they're almost always in shades of red, blue, and white, which is one reason why she absolutely wowed in black at the Sun Military Awards in London this week. Sure, the glittering princess-y jewels she wore should have stolen the show (her spokesperson has said the ruby and diamond set were a wedding gift), but I was truly captivated by the dramatic and mature flared flair of the velvet gown. With all its alterations–the bottom was originally sheer, the top ruffle has been added, and the bodice no doubt has been taken in to hug her long torso–the piece fit and flattered her perfectly. As I overheard on Twitter, Kate's introduced us to the new LBD – the long black dress.
Special thanks to one of my favorite sites What Kate Wore for helping identify all of these items (next time Kate makes an appearance, head over to the WKW's Facebook page and watch in real time as everyone tries to identify what she's wearing– it's addictive.)
p.s. don't forget to enter my giveaway.
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SHOP THE LOOK:
[Photo from Jimmy Choo - Cosmic Suede Pumps in Black, Jimmy Choo, $695, available here]
[Photo from Large Size Designer Shoes - Pretty Ballerina Black Velvet Clutch Bag, was $245, available here]
[Photo from Net-A-Porter - Strapless Velvet Gown in Black, Alexander McQueen, was $6850, available here
{things i learned} alexander mcqueen at the metropolitan museum of art
Chances are you heard about the McQueen madness that swept New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art this summer. The Costume Institute's exhibition "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" ran from May 4 to August 7, and with 661,509 visitors it became the eighth biggest ever at the Met. I saw it three times, the first of which was on a day when the museum was closed to the public. In the quiet, uncrowded galleries McQueen's genius was at its most breathtaking. Also breathtaking? The fact that souvenirs from the exhibition are still re-selling for staggering prices. I got my Armadillo shoe ornament for $25 right after my first visit and was shocked to see how expensive they are on eBay right now ($70+). I love the little hand-painted figurine but to be honest that kind of money would be better spent on the stunning exhibition catalogue that's still available on the Met's site. With its gorgeous pictures and insider details, it's a work of art in its own right.
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