parrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiisss! f/w 2007

Viktor & Rolf

I have to be honest - I was never a fan of their women's clothing. And really, I still am not. That whole H&M line that everyone went crazy for did nothing for me. Their show was very different though... well presented.

Yohji Yamamoto

I'll be honest, I've never heard of her before this year. I thought the signature print was absolutely hideous and looked like an LV knock-off. There was too much black for me.

Jean-Paul Gaultier

I loved the concept of the show, and the use of plaid. Plaid is awesome! It was over the top, but I guess haute couture is supposed to be. I liked how wild the faces/hairpieces were.

Karl Lagerfeld

His collection was stunning. You could definitely see Chanel in it, but with an edgier feel. I love his contemporary stuff. His tees are great. Some of his designs for his line are really out there- kinda reminds me of Rachel Roy. But he still has my heart.

Comme des Garcons

I can't even describe Comme des Garcons. Just look at the picture.

Balenciaga

This was hands down my favourite. They're getting a lot of flack for being a little bit weird, but I think it's actually wearable.

More later...

Chanel and McQueen on Friday!

images from TFS!

her first time.

So my mom doesn't really care all too much about labels and brand names. Her friend goes to Hong Kong every once in awhile and brings back a (very obviously fake) designer bag as a souvenir for her. She has a Burberry (fake), Prada (fake), and one more that I cannot recall. She is... frugal at best. She likes to buy a lot, but at good prices. You'll always see her at Talbot's when it's clearance time and buy a dozen things that she kinda-sorta-maybe likes whereas I end tend to buy one or two things that I adore.

I finally talked her into a designer purse. A real, live one that requires an investment. A Prada Napa Sport Hobo. She absolutely adored her Prada (fake) and wore it even when the strap broke. Stock photo of her very first designer purse purchase below.

I can't remember my first. I just don't remember. But I do know that I love my tiny collection (2 Vintage Guccis, a Paddy, and a Prada... possibly more, I can't think right now) and the only thing that could possibly make it better is a Louis Vuitton Black Epi Passy for when I go to work. Perfect understated elegance. I love it.

I love purses.

image from Neimanmarcus.com

boutique critique

I'm pretty big on online shopping. These are my favourites.

Revolveclothing.com
Selection: Awesome! They have tons and tons of stuff on their website and if there’s something you like but they don’t have your size, they’ll special order it for you. The only thing that they can do to make it better is carry Rock & Republic
Price: Pretty much on par with every other boutique, but they always have coupon codes available for additional discounts. The only downside is that their codes don’t work on all of its brands (no dice with True Religion, Seven for All Mankind, Kooba, and some more). Their sales are really good too.
Customer Service: Their customer service is amazing. They are sometimes inconsistent with their policies depending on who you speak with, but still great overall.
Shipping: Fast and free. It doesn’t get better than that.

Adasa.com
Selection: It’s okay. Not that much to choose from, but they have Lacoste in almost every colour and a lot of Juicy Couture.
Price: Again, on par with every other boutique. They usually have a 20% coupon code floating around, but it doesn’t work on sale items. It does work on all of its brands though. Sales are decent, but you’re better off buying at regular price when it comes out and using a code. Same price, but you get it earlier.
Customer Service: They have always been really sweet to me whenever I called and had a problem.
Shipping: Expensive to Canada, and you always get charged customs. Pretty fast.

Net-a-Porter.com
Selection: Extensive for higher-end items on the International site. The Americas site needs some work.
Price: The same as all of the major department stores carrying the same items. You can sometimes find a free shipping code.
Customer Service: Very accommodating and professional. I once ordered something from them that went on sale the next day and they did a price adjustment right away.
Shipping: They ship with DHL and signature confirmation, so it’s fast and reliable. They also use gorgeous packaging! It feels like you’re opening a present every time.

Shopbop.com
Selection: AMAZING! Especially for dressier clothing. This is my top pick for dresses and pretty camisoles.
Price: They hardly ever have coupon codes but their sales are amazing, especially when they go down to 70%. Their end of season sales are really good for basics- Juicy sweats, C&C tops, and the like.
Customer Service: No complaints here! Ordered with them a bunch of times. They also have a constantly updated "lookbook" on their website, which is great for inspiration.
Shipping: They ship via UPS, so you’ll be charged a lot of fees if you’re in Canada. Otherwise, it’s free and pretty fast.

Neimanmarcus.com
Selection: In my opinion, their selection is the best out of all of the department store websites. Price: Same as other department stores. Their sales are okay. They never have discount codes- only free shipping.
Customer Service: Awesome! They’re always really helpful and friendly.
Shipping: Pretty fast shipping to Canada, but you’re always charged customs.

Saks5thavenue.com
Navigation: Really, really easy to sort it so that you only see what you want in terms of designer and size.
Selection: It’s a department store! Of course it’s extensive.
Price: Same as other department stores, but they have really great sales.
Customer Service: It just depends on who you get. I’ve had some amazing sales associates, and then one who couldn't process my credit card properly and would not try to help me figure out what the problem was.
Shipping: No shipping to Canada! Fast, though.

Bloomingdales.com
Selection: Surprisingly, not that great. They’re really limited in contemporary brands
Price: Same as other department stores, but they always have 20-40% coupon codes which makes it a lot better.
Customer Service: It just depends on who you get. I’ve had some amazing ones, and then one who couldn’t even process my credit card properly and would not try to help me figure out what the problem was.
Shipping: Not cheap, but not expensive. But they don’t ship to Canada!

milan - fall 2007

I just managed to look at all of the pictures... and wow. I mean, obviously Milan has the best Fashion Week in the world since it has the best fashion in the world. But these pictures just make me look forward to Fall, crappy weather and all, even more! I'm just not digging this whole Spring patent leather, florals and bright blue thing.

Not that it's a competition, but D&G wins hands down. They're really milking that whole gold thing with the RAZR, restaurant and now their next collection.

MIUCCIA, what's really good?! Prada just keeps going downhill. Their cuts and colour choices were just gross. GROSS!

My highlight:

D&G is doing it!

Find a complete set of pictures here:
http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/

old man mcQueen and his scarves

Okay so he's not technically old, but I think it sounds better that way! Anyway, I've always been the type to not really care about what is especially in style and go with what I like. But I just can't decide on how I feel about the Alexander McQueen Skull Scarf. It has been around for the past two years, but the question is will it stay around for the next two? Skulls are already pretty dead, there's no question about that. The scarf itself even LOOKS totally trendy... like in one season, out the next.

Whether or not it stays "in", I think I really want one. Paired with a cute Vince sweater, skinnies, and pointed ballet flats equals a PERFECT fall outfit!

It's almost too bad spring is coming up... fall fashion is the greatest.

david yurman > tiffany

I'm actually still fairly obsessed with Tiffany. Everything from there is classic and in 20 or so years, I can pass on all of my jewelry to my daughter (although she'll probably be spoiled like me and want brand new!)

David Yurman, however, is on a whole other level.


I'm pretty sure that's the most gorgeous necklace (worn correctly!) that I've ever seen in my entire life. Even better than Chanel pearls, which I'm dying for by the way. It's less flashy as well. When you wear Tiffany, all people see is, "Hey, Tiffany, expensive!" But with Yurman you see how pretty the jewelry actually is. It's more understated and elegant and never has a logo splashed on to it.

Does this mean I'm maturing?

images from saks5thavenue.com

my unhealthy obsession with premium denim

This is my not-so-humble premium denim collection. Believe me, it's not so bad: I know people with upwards of 100. Check out http://www.honestforum.com/ for everything you've ever wanted to know, and more, about denim.

The picture above is just what is currently in my possession right now- I've sold a few pairs and am really trying to downsize to about 8. I just love them all so much though!

Top Row (from right to left): Seven for All Mankind Caribbean Extreme Crops, Seven for All Mankind Aruba A-Pockets, Seven for All Mankind New York Dark Jaggers, Seven for All Mankind Montreal Flynts, Rock and Republic Vapor Roths, Rock and Republic Raven Berlins

Bottom Row (from right to left): Paige Las Palmas Laurel Canyon in Dark Clean, Rock and Republic Alpha Blue Roths, True Religion Julie in Dark Pony Express, True Religion Johnny Earth Rainbows in Saddleback, True Religion Joey in Medium Cowgirl Destroyed, Siwy Tina in Origin

The little guy on the end: Seven for All Mankind Camilla Gauchos

I'm already slowly growing out of this phase and into the handbag one. By the end of college, my goal is to have no more than 4 pairs. Until then, it's a free for all!

the co-ed's uniform

Abercrombie and Fitch

I know it's generic. I know that they have the exact same styles with only ever-so-slight differences every single year, season after season. But I can't help but continue to buy their zip-ups and cashmere. Is that wrong? Take these two, for example.

Really, what is the big difference? The colours are different (obviously) and the "Fitch's" are in different places, but other than that? Same shape, basically the same script and same materials. They ALL look like this.

But they're so gosh darn comfy. Perfect for those days where you really just want to go to school in your PJ's because you just pulled an all-nighter studying, but can't. Those days that even Juicy sweats are far too dressy for the way that your hair looks.

So I guess yay until I get out of college! Then I'll have no excuse. Maybe I can move on to Ruehl?

Lululemon

Love it. Can't live without it. First of all, these pants are more comfortable than any sweatpants I've ever encountered in my entire life. Second, they look slightly more presentable when worn outside of the gym. Third, they make your bum look AMAZING! I wear my two pairs at least once per week each. If you're a girl and have not invested in a pair (they cost about $93 CAD + taxes), I suggest you do immediately! The pair pictured above are Reverse Groove Pants. They come with all sorts of funky colour strips and are reversible for the boring days.

Uggs


I think that Uggs are, by far, the most controversial item of clothing I have ever come across. I have nothing but love for mine! They are insanely warm and match EVERYTHING (I wear short sand almost everyday). Even my tall black ones match when I want to dress a little bit nicer (ie. black peacoat). I don't think they're fashionable at all, but utility is key. Especially with Canadian winters. They start to grow on you after awhile. By this time, they're usually sold out of stores and on eBay for double retail. I got mine in August and am super thankful I did!

images from abercrombie.ca, lululemon.com and zappos.com

diane von furstenberg is a genius - usually

image from ShopBop.com

I cannot express how much I love Diane von Furstenberg dresses. I just bought the dress pictured above (from the 2007 resort collection) from Saks 5th Avenue and I'm so excited for the weather to get better so that I can finally wear it (pending black Jimmy Choo sandals)! I have to say though, I'm not exactly 100% impressed with this collection. The geometric prints from last season were a lot more wearable. This season is all floral prints, and no matter how "in style" they may be, I can't see them as being anything else other than granny. See Exhibit A below.

image from ShopBop.com

I really don't like this dress. Or anything else except the one I bought, really. But I still heart you Diane Von Furstenberg. Please be better for summer.