Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Genevieve from Wonderland

For a while now, I'm having an obsession. Her name: Genevieve Gauckler. If you know her - you know her works, if you know her works - you know here (believe me, you know her).

She is a French graphic designer, that has been working on her own for 12 years in different fields : print, video, web...Genevieve had collaborations with Yves Saint Laurent, Pleix (video), Mandalas and many more.

But that doesn't matter. What I want to show you, are her works, especially a new project. It's a comic book, entitled L'Arbre Genialogique The story? It's pretty straightforward: a man and a woman fall in love and get a child who becomes a grown-up and meets a woman, they fall in love and get children, etc. So it's a kind of a genealogic tree with around 200 generations (as described by Genevieve).
The interesting thing about this illustration, is that the characters (very simple as far as the design goes), are set on a neutral background (white). So, even if all is black and white, a beautiful, fascinating world is created.
Here are a few family members:



She is truly an artist, but she exist in a much different world then ours. A wonderland. Yes...she must be an alien!

For more info's, works & stuff go to her blog or web site.

Purrrfect Fashion

You'll start purring, or be horrified when you'll see this. I just can't make up my mind. Do I love it, or do I hate it? It's just so stupid, so crazy, so funny that you just don't know what to say...


Yes, Hello Kitty went shopping, became friends with many big fashion names and modeled every piece from the Dior fall winter 2008/09 collection. As soon as you take a look at the photos, you'll know Galliano had something to do with them.


The spread also included a montage of images of Hello Kitty with all her famous fans which includes the likes of Paris Hilton, Carine Roitfeld and Hilary Duff.


What can I say? I love Hello Kitty, I love Galliano and Dior, I love Vogue. But this is the perfect example for the fact that some things just don't go well together!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Redhead - j'adore


Most people like to make a connection between hair and personality. But I think it goes the other way around.

We know what it's said about blonds and brunets, but what do we really know about redheads? The most impressing thing that I found about them is related to religion. The innocent, pre-apple Eve was blond, whereas the Eve being kicked out of the Garden of Eden was wearing nothing but her long red hair. You can see this on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Another strange and interesting thing, is that redheads make up only 4 % of the world's population. Yes, I'm talking about natural redheads. Even so, the redness of the hair comes from within. It's pretty hard to be one!
Red hair also had an up and down relationship with art throughout the ages. Both Botticelli and Titian are noted for painting red haired women, as are the pre-Raphael painters of the 19th Century. You can see some interesting paintings featuring red hair women on this little on-line gallery.

But enough with the serious stuff, this girls are suppose to be extremely bubbly. That's why I'll talk about my favorite redheads! They are all cartoon characters, mostly because I just don't want to forget anyone. So, first of all, there is Jessica Rabbit. The first time I saw her, I was about 12 and I still think she is the hottest cartoon character ever (simple and sexy). On the other hand, I just adore Louis Griffin - for all that she is. This two together are the definition of redheaded women: sexy, smart, stubborn, full of ambition, with a little bit of evil!

So, I guess redheads are witches, muses, saints, actresses, cartoon characters, girls with braids (that are so tightly wound that they stick out sideways from her head) and even desperate housewives. All in one: fascinating!

Why write about redheads? A Hello-Kitty loving, dream catcher, muffin maker redhead inspired me!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Easter, Eggs and Art


Easter is the most important celebration in the Christian calendar and you all know what it means and so on. So, because the orthodox Easter will be in a few days, I decided to chat about egg printing (very popular in Romania and other orthodox countries).
What’s the connection between fashion and these eggs? The print is inspired from traditional Romanian costumes and in my opinion it could also go the other way around (also form the technical point of view, the manufacturing). Just imagine a beautiful summer dress, with the borders printed in different types of pattern.

There are many ways to paint eggs and the traditional ones always involve natural elements (natural paint). The most popular one is the wax technique. Using a special tool (a piece of wood that has a short and tine metal tube at the end) and clean candle wax, local artist realize the outline of the wanted drawing. After that, the egg is dipped in hot paint mixture (during this, the wax will fall off, leaving behind just the print). In order to obtain a multi-colored egg, use as many layers of wax and color as you need. Remember, the part that is covered in wax won’t get printed.


Another way to obtain beautiful eggs (and my personal favorite), is the green way, the eco-friendly, green, so on, so on, way. So, first of all, you will need to prepare a natural hot color (let’s say yellow, using tea). Boil the eggs in that mixture, for aprox. 8-10 min. Meanwhile, get a few leaves (like clover) and grease one side with oil. On the hot eggs, attach the leaves (with the greased side on them). Be careful not to move it, because it may get the eggs oily and they won’t get colored. Making sure the leaves are in place, put each egg in a nylon sock and tide them so the leaves won’t move. Place the socked-eggs in red paint (obtained from boiling red onion leaves). After a few minutes, take them out and remove the leave, under it you will see its impression. (you can use this method to create street art impressions).


Using natural colors is great, especially in the fashion industry. You can make white fabrics seem warmer, by boiling them in tea (depending on what you want to obtain, you can chose from light to dark colored). Don’t be scared, the transformation won’t be shocking, but it will make a difference.
Happy Easter!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Who is Afraid of David LaChapelle?


I guess it's time to talk a little about photography (in some ways about fashion photos, right?). So, just like in preschool, I going to simply say: My favorite photographer is David LaChapelle, fallowed by Eugenio Recuenco (you google this one).
Just by looking at his pictures you can see the man has an obsession with women. It all started with his first photo shoot: family pictures while on vacation. But don't get fooled, the pictures featured his single mother, in a bikini, holding a glass of Martini.
He is not only a photographer. LaChapelle directed singer Elton John's show, The Red Piano at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace, which premiered in 2004. Several of John's songs during the performance were accompanied by short films by LaChapelle.
In 2005 he directed the documentary Rize, about krumping style of dance that invaded South Central Los Angeles. David also directed advertisements, the most popular being the one for H&M in 2006.
In the music industry he is known for his great videos, like Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own, Gwen Stefani feat. Eve - Rich Girl, Moby - Natural Blues, No Doubt - It's My Life...and the list keeps on going. For several of this songs, he was awarded Best Video from Mtv.





David LaChapelle has made an obsession for photographing stars in unusual situations. His art is surprising, beautiful and sometimes crazy. The great thing is that trough his works he is making a statement, works like Twisted sister (Naomi Campbell), Pieta 2006 (Courtney Love), Burning Down the House (Al. McQueen) and But I’m a Vegetarian (Pam Anderson) etc.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

The Simpsons in Fashion

I cam upon this while looking for old photos of Karl and other designers (but that's a post from the future).
When talking about cartoons I'm all about The Simpsons, Family Guy and Futurama...so combine that with fashion and Arina is in heaven. Here, we have the very famous Simpsons, taking a fashion-tour of Paris, with guide Linda Evangelista. The "photo shoot" was published in Harper’s Bazaar August, with Illustrations by Julius Preite. Marge lets down her hair for Versace. Lisa gives up her pearls for Alber Elbaz. Homer dresses as Karl Lagerfeld. Selma & Patty in Viktor & Rolf. Maggie rides around in Jean Paul Gaultier’s Birkin Bag. Now, enjoy the fashionable Simpsons.
That's it! Oh, try to recognize the designers without reading their name-it's so easy!
For some great animated versus reality pics of the dresses and designers, check out Oh No They Didn't.









Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Haute Couture What?


As you probably already know, this is the Christian Dior Fall 2007 haute couture fashion show. It's my favorite couture show so far and I think it's going to stay there for a pretty long time. The colors are beautiful, the music is great and don't get me started on the clothes...the craftsmanship is the definition of perfection. Everything about it is perfect.
I decided to show you this, after talking with a few friends. I realized people just don't know what haute couture is, or maybe they just don't understand it..The term refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted fashions and it began in France. Haute couture is a "protected name" that can be used only by firms that meet certain well-defined standards (in France, the term haute couture is protected by law and is defined by the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris). Even with a clear definition of this fashion term, haute couture has been misused by successive ready-to-wear brands and high street labels since the late 1980s so that its true meaning has become blurred with that of prêt-à-porter.

Haute couture is not necessarily all about strange looking outfits. Most of the time we are talking about normal looking clothes. But I must say, I love the strange ones, because this way, you can see what those houses are made of, their gratefulness. It's the one true time, when fashion becomes art. Yes, those clothes are rarely sold (mostly because of their high price), that's why people that like them (and that are someone) can rent them for a night.
I find it disgusting that some local designers (and it probably happens all over the world) pretend they design haute couture. That is an insult and it proves their lack of knowledge. Because making stupid, meaningless clothes is not fashion and it certainly isn't haute couture (in it's accepted form).
In the picture, you can see a dress from the Givenchy Spring 2008 couture collection.

I hope you enjoyed the video and that from now on, you'll appreciate more haute couture and all that comes with it.

The Age of the Geek


Like it or not, the geek is an important fashion figure thees days. In my opinion, it all started with Napoleon Dynamite and it's outrageous look ( so horrible, it became interesting).

So, before you rush out and buy yourself pocket pencil holders and pirate shirts remember the golden rule: less means more. I started to look up this trend and as far as I'm concern, the geek should find a place in accessories. You should start searching for Space Invaders broaches, Star Trek year-rings, Nintendo belt buckles, or t-shirts printed with messages in the binary code (0010100011....). Remember, when you think geek you think all of the above + Star Wars, Transformers, Lego, computers, future, space, aliens and so on...



Now this is the jewelery that I adore. Wearing something like this can be so much fun, it should be illegal (who's the geek now? :)) ).
Yes, girls. The geek can be sexy and you know it. He is clumsy and cute and he has such a big-over the top-gorgeous-sexy brain.
Tomorrow try something new. It won't be easy and I guarantee it will feel strange. But you'll get to have some fun for a change, by wearing something too strange to call it fashion. Even so, it is fashion and it's absolutely fantastic-bombastic!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Designer sketches save lives

Get ready, set, go! Get your little hands on original fashion sketches, from famous designers. I'm talking about the most important auction, organized by Style, in order to raise money for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC). That's why, some of the sketches featured in Fashion Illustrations by Fashion Designers (great book, really cheap, buy it) are offered for auction, the originals I mean.
How does it work? Every week, 3 or 4 famous designers, offer you their works and you give them money. Here is the program:
Week one 3/28 - 4/4: Phillip Lim, Rodarte, Lacroix
Weel two 4/4 - 4/11: Doo.Ri, Peter Som, Sonia Rykiel
Week three: 4/11 - 4/18: Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Giambattista Valli, Isaac Mizrahi
So far, my favorite is Doo.Ri. But the thing I like about all of them, is that non of their sketches are perfect - art school - look alike! Each one of them is original, beautiful, special. Here they are (in order):

Phillip Lim, Rodarte, Lacroix

Doo.Ri, Peter Som, Sonia Rykiel

Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Giambattista Valli, Isaac Mizrahi

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Balenciaga! Oh, Balenciaga!



It's all over, the votes are in, the people had decided! The winner is: BALENCIAGA!!!
For the past month I tried to find out your spring-summer 2008 favorite collection. So far, the winner is one of this season most popular (yes, I will say it's name again) Balenciaga. Why shouldn't it be? It's the perfect combination between some of the seasons trends: it has flower prints, it has interesting-geometrical cuts and also gladiator style sandals. Maybe that is why you voted for Balenciaga, maybe you voted it for another reason (pleas tell me), or maybe you didn't vote it...no matter what, Balenciaga is the winner!
You can view here the complete show, on video, or just look over the pictures. Enjoy!

On the second place were Dolce & Gabbana (the collection is really great, a strong comeback on the fashion stage for the 2 Italians) and Gucci(a new designer, but still a magnificent collection) - at a tie. Then, there was Chanel (some of you really love the King, I'm sure of that) and on the 4th place, Gallaino - eh, everybody's a critic!
Form my point of view, they are all winners. I just couldn't decided which one was my favorite collection, so I asked you. Do I agree with the result? Well...Balenciaga is truly the collection closest to my heart, but I don't think it's the best. Even so, it seams my favorite is also your favorite! Yeeeyyyyyy!