April 01, 2008
Bottega Venetta - my latest obsession
Well, that's not actually true, is it? Because I've actually been obsessed with Bottega Venetta for a couple of years now. The first time I really eyeballed their Spring 2006 collection, I was intrigued. Tobacco brown paired with gray? For Spring? It was so anti-spring, yet bold that I was lusting for one of his chocolatey confections. But it was a passive lust, one of those "oh, I'll never be able to pull it off, but it's cute" affections. Me, thinking: "If only I were skinny, I could pull off one of those waspy white gauze sundresses, or the gray shorts with chocolate brown leather jacket looks". I sighed audibly and moved on.
Until Spring 2007. Tomas Maier reeled me in fully, with a complete study in neutrals, that ran so completely against all the colors other houses were showing, that I forgot I was supposed to want a Crayola 8 pack from April through September. I wanted Khaki, Ecru, Stone, pastel Peach, Blush, Nude, pastel Gray and every subtle shade between. Click the pic for a view of the whole Bottega Venetta Spring 2007 collection, and thanks to Style.com for being an invaluable resource for all my fashion research.
And even almost 2 years since I originally saw this dress, I still think this is the banging-est (yes, that IS now a word) dress I've seen in 7-8 years. I still love this dress.
So with Spring 2008, I knew they'd break me off with a new dress that I HAD to have. I wasn't disappointed.
This is my perfect spring obsession.
I love the Chemise. The line, the structure, the form fitted-ness that is ultimately forgiving, and the neutral pallette this creates. It's the perfect "base" on which I can build an extensive (trust me, E.X.T.E.N.S.I.V.E.) spring-summer wardrobe. Now this color isn't my fave (I like cooler neutrals, preferably Stone with some serious gray undertones) but I'd rock the HELL outta this dress, with my dangerous curves (junk in da trunk) and all. Click the pic for a view of the whole Bottega Veneta Spring 2008 collection.
I'm picturing it solo, with the gladiator sandals I posted previously, a nice chunky wooden beaded necklace and a substantial dark brown leather bag (like this Loeffler Randall for Target I just bought). Or paired with a safari jacket, and some killer Snakeskin pumps in Ecru, and a pale Hermes scarf. Or maybe as a jumper, with a gray, beige and stone animal print shirt, and some funky peep-toe Mary Janes. But beyond that, the silhouette extends to varying the neckline and giving it a collar, and it's a whole new dress. Or substituting the skirt with some straight-leg pants. Or maybe an A-line skirt. Adding sleeves. Changing the color. The perfect base is now a whole new wardrobe.
And this is why I like Bottega Venetta so much, because the pieces work well alone, together, and with the rest of your existing wardrobe. It's not just the design, but the versatility that I'm obsessed wtih. And I love that they can take a basic piece, in a neutral tone, and execute it so simply, yet divinely. Take their whole collection in it's entirety - see the one-off colors below. Like, just adding a slight change in tone, a lil blush, a splash of peach...which are barely one-shade off the base - and you have this whole new outfit, that works so well with all the other piece. i love the one-off looks:
I'm so completely infatuated. Too bad it doesn't come in my size. But my sewing machine still works....lol.
Posted by saga_30311 at 08:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 21, 2008
dear uniqlo...come to GA, please!!!!
Ok, I have to admit something - I'm a little obsessive when it comes to the fashion thing.
I mean, I am a bargain hunter and I do love a sale, and I don't drop majores dólares on designer labels. I also don't spend nearly as much on clothes as most people think I do. In the realm of fashion, I'm pretty thrifty.
HOWEVER
When I find something I really like, or a store I really love - I tend to obsess about it until I can buy it, or shop in it. Obsess, yes. Like, I can't stop thinking about it. Hence, the gladiator shoes I posted previously. And a giraffe print blouse I found online at some weird outlet for grandma pants (don't ask). And the 5 pairs of capri pants hanging in my closet that I got before I decided that they did absolutely nothing for me...but I digress.
My latest obsession is Uniqlo.
I dropped by and spent about an hour in Uniqlo the last time I was in NY, which (damnit) isn't nearly long enough. But I did manage to get a white babydoll shirt that made the perfect nightie ($19.99) and a cashmere poet's sweater which I've worn so much it's beginning to fray ($39) - both of which were extremely well targeted purchases. But the thing is that I so <3 this store....and if you're wondering why......
The store's aesthetic is just neat. Yes, I lack a better word.
Have I mentioned that I love to stop? I mean, I LOVE to shop. Don't get me wrong - I don't love to buy (everything is not meant to be owned by me), but the whole process of picking things out, visualizing how it will look with pieces I already own, and how I can flip the item in ways unintended by the original clothing designer/manufacture - hmph, I just get a lil giddy. I like perusing items in multiple colors, determining which one works best with outfits, and even taking really basic items (a t-shirt, a cardigan, flat front khaki's, a basic dress shirt, etc.) and wearing them in outrageous colors, or really flat neutrals, in some way I haven't seen lately. And if this store isn't a shopper's wet dream, then I just don't know what is.....
They have basic items in better quality fabrics (cashmere and silk) than their competitors, in a whole assortment of colors, as well as truly unique pieces (the babydoll shirt, tuxedo jackets, shirtdresses with gored skirts, etc) that you just can't find elsewere. And on top of that, the prices aren't bad. They're really good, actually. As for quality, it's nice for the price. Seriously though - do I need to spend $200+ on a t-shirt? No - I can get them from Uniqlo!
Their website is a developer's wet dream too. I mean, it uses white space well, it presents a ton of graphics, yet isn't cluttered, the graphics are done cleanly. Alls Uniqlo needs to do is add a store catalogue back-end (ahem, hint-hint) and I'm good ;)
So this is my empassioned plea: Dear Uniqlo, I know you built the flagship in Soho, and are probably planning a NY expansion, but we're sorely lacking in anything remotely close to your store. I mean, there's H&M and Zara but they don't even come close. So when you open your next store, come to GA, please!!!!!
Posted by saga_30311 at 08:50 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 18, 2008
and now for a fashion interruption
I don't know if it's those dayum Old Navy ads, with their jungle/safari themes and beautiful skinny people, but I've got this new obsession with everything safari-like. Elephants for my house, khaki and bold prints for my wardrobe. And now that I've got time on my hands, the sewing machine is official out of storage, dusted-off, and being put to use. Without viewing any old Spring '08 fashion previews, or reading the spring issues of Vogue, Bazaar, Elle or W, I've already got my entire summer wardrobe planned out, and it's full of clean billowy whites, khaki safari blazers, stone-colored tailored suits with giraffe print shirts, and red printed dresses (w/leopard trim. I know, crazy - right? But I found the fabric, and it works).
aside:: am I totally anal retentive for plotting my entire wardrobe? guilty as charge....
But back to the subject at hand - a shoe. The quintessential go-with-everything shoe, that's high enough to be formidable, without sacrificing comfort. And it has to match e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g I just named above. And be striking. I mean, if you're wearing a neutral suit, you need a fierce shoe, mais non? Oui! And (for me) here she is:
Nine West Zanja
I honestly can't think of a scenario where I would NOT wear this shoe. Ok, I'm obsessed, but it walks the line between gladiator and corporate, while retaining it's aesthetic - good enough for me.
Posted by saga_30311 at 01:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 08, 2007
Girl Power!
my latest obsession: the dress!
I love that the designers, fashion magazines and buyers have embraced the re-emergence of the dress as RTW and wear-to-work. Nothing says hot shyt to me, than to put on a something that accentuates my curves, and go to work ready to kick some a$$!
I mean, yeah - we can all wear khakis and button-downs. But in a room full of power suits, a woman who is unafraid of her own sexuality, her cleavage, her curves - and can still manage to look sexy and professional while kicking a$$ and taking names is that bytch, mkay?
This Bottega Veneta is my one of my spring faves. From the portrait collar, to the cleavage-hugging top, to the full and graceful skirt, And the color - I am having a love affair with nudes this year, from buff to eggshell, to brimstone and all the buttery neutrals in between. Give me an ecru dress, a python print bag to match, and some blush rose patent leather peep toe shoes, and I'm in absolute heaven from now through September.
There's more dresses and spring looks in my Style.com lookbook. If you find more interesting looks, holla back.
Posted by saga_30311 at 11:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack