The Ancients Were Right!

There are some textiles that have been around for thousands of years that are still useful today!  One of these is ramie.  It has been in use for at least 6,000 years and is native to parts of Asia.  It is linen like in texture and considered antibacterial/antifungal.  Some mummies in Ancient Egypt have even been found to be wrapped in ramie!

Ramie is made from a bush-like plant and is harvested several times a year, up to six.  It is made of the layers of the plant that are just inside the bark that are then processed and spun into fabric.  

Even though ramie has been used for 6,000 years, it is still used today.  Most of the time it is used in China, Japan and Brazil, although some designers have started incorporating the fiber into their fabrics and designs.  One

 of these designers is Marni--in 2008 a number of garments were produced with ramie in the fabric.  Pictured is one such dress--the ramie is blended with synthetics to stabilize it and increase its durability.  Not only is the dress extremely stylish, but the textiles used have truly stood the test of time!

Pictures courtesy of ebay seller "rra2531" and listing number 230322949516

Where's The Tweed?

It is the spring Couture time of year!  Yes, the time when models dressed like cracked out Cleopatras galavant down the runways.  It is fun, though!

The Chanel Spring 2009 Couture show seems to be widely loved by the critics.  Sure, it is wearable and looks chic and well-tailored.  And, it has the crazy paper head-dresses.  But, it is missing something.

Tweed.  The Chanel show seemed to be completely void of their most signature look of them all--the tweed blazer.  Sure, the nice white tailored blazer pictured is lovely.  But, it isn't the signature Chanel look that will never, ever go out of style.  It is so....weird.  Hopefully, at the ready to wear show, the tweed will make a reappearance.  Because, what is Chanel without tweed?

Picture from style.com

The Ghost Bride

The spring Couture shows are something of legend and I hope to attend one day!  What makes French Couture the special art that it is the level of skill, time and talent that it takes to pull off the shows.

Givenchy is a legendary French fashion house that has recently been trying to revive itself after falling into fashion disrepair.  Well, Tisci sure is trying his best.  The fact that the house was able to put together a Couture show for the Spring that was worthy of being photographed is certainly a victory. 

Tisci is definitely known for being gothic & dark, and even though the collection is primarily in white, it stays true to his over-arching signatures.  Quite frankly, it looks like something a ghostly bride would wear.  Not that it is bad, it actually is a wonderful take on this spring's white-based neutrals and art deco inspired cuts.  It will be interesting to see how the collection is interpreted into the ready to wear!

Picture from style.com

Some Things Are Just Wrong

There are some things that look great in runway shows and store displays, but don't always work out in reality.  One would be Marni's peep-toe platform boots.  It isn't that they are bad in and of themselves, but boy, with the wrong outfit it is just a mess!

What I am specifically speaking of is the disaster of a combination as exhibited by Mariah Carey that appeared on www.perezhilton.com  Wow, is that no good!  The whole leggings/tights the same color as the boots with the most neutral and boring of outfits just isn't nice.  And, the boots appear to be too big or of a length that just don't look right.  

I get that boots like this were produced by a number of designers.  They have the potential to be great.  But, please, make sure you pair them with an actual outfit and that they look like they fit you!

Picture from perezhilton.com

Another One Bites the Dust

The economy isn't that great right now and has slain many company.  Well, one of those companies that isn't doing so hot is Conde' Nast.  It has decided to shut down its magazine, DOMINO.

DOMINO was the home-decor version of LUCKY MAGAZINE.  It was probably one of the only decorating magazines out that was aimed at younger people who aren't interested in having farm houses like Martha Stewart.  It even had decent cooking suggestions.  It is very sad to see such a new and fun magazine fold!

Picture from dominomag.com

Ocean of Ideas

Sometimes there are designers that are so interesting and unconventional that their work is more like artwork instead of just something to wear.  A major player in the realm of wearable art is the design group ThreeAsFour.

ThreeAsFour was originally "AsFour", but in 2005 one member left the company due to personal problems.  The three remaining designer

s have continued making their unconventional ideas come to life.  They generally collaborate with major icons like Bjork and Kate Spade.  In recent years, they released a small collection called As FourKateSpade, which included textiles and clothing.  They also frequently use Kate Spade shoes in their shows--probably not what you would expect for super avant-garde fashion designers, but they always defy expectations!

The trio design out of their New York studio and show in New York Fashion Week.  But, they are also known for their very unconventional ways of exhibiting their clothing.  Because they don't just make clothing, but rather all manner of artwork, they are well-known for exhibiting in major museums and other artistic avenues.  

The trio are well-known for their circle-shaped bags and circle-seamed coats, such as ones worn by "Samantha" on SEX AND THE CITY.  They derive much inspiration from nature and in their SS09 collection, even had cut-away sea shell ornaments on their clothing as decorations and clasps.  

Pictures from threeasfour.com

Shiny Pretty Things!

In the realm of jewelry there are usually two kinds--cheap costume and expensive real stuff.  The middle ground of do-able priced jewelry with high-quality metals and stones is extremely hard to find.  And, usually if they can be find they either have the world's smallest stones or are incredibly cheaply made.

That is what makes dashaboutique.com so cool!!  The prices are incredibly reasonable and half the time there is a great discount code available too!  They have stuff of every stone and design to go with just about everything.  Even diamonds!  What really makes it cool is that they will do custom orders, especially for weddings or other events and at a discount.

The earrings pictured at green prehnite and pearls--the ear findings and metal are up to you!  These earrings are absolutely beautiful in person--I know because I wear them all the time!

Picture from dashaboutique.com