MCM, Don't Call It A Comeback! Or Do...

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  A couple months ago I was browsing Patricia Fields' online store and came across a collaboration between her, and the German Brand MCM, or Mode Creation Munich. It was the classic MCM monogrammed leather with Pat's standard illustrations... Very kitschy, and a cool way to re-introduce the brand into pop culture. Hip Hop artist's in the 80's rocked the gear, which lead to an over saturation of knock off's, and of course that cheapened the brand to something pretty laughable here in the states.

Pat Fields for MCM Tote
$630 at Pat Fields.com

 But in the last couple years, the brand ha been readopted by the music community, and the logo'd brand seems to be catching steam! Rick Ross is wearing a MCM bomber jacket in a video a couple years ago, then the Pat Field collab, Justin Bieber in a blue MCM motorcycle jacket... Then today looking through the March issue of Harper's Bazaar, there is an ad for the company! In fact it's a 4 page spread! That is some serious re branding! I'm not going to lie, it's nothing new, the quality of the images looks like a Dooney and Bourke ad, and the styling is a little sketchy, but, is the the start of a new monogrammed take over? What do you think? Can MCM make it again?

Leave It To My Friends...

Cartier LOVE bracelet $2,000

 Upon seeing Vogues Holiday Gift Guide, I thought to myself, "What would I put on that list if it were mine?". I asked a few of my favorite stylish friends as well, and after the cliched "world peace" and "feeding the hungry", I got to the decadent meat of the matter at hand! Here are my friends ridiculously stylish Christmas Dreams! (Disclaimer, I did ask my friends to consider being extremely selfish, and pretend money was not an issue!).

Let's start off with Me! I know everyone here is expecting me to say the albino crocodile Birkin with pave diamond padlock, but I am gonna go with a set of 8 Cartier Love bracelets! I love the idea of stacking a bunch on my right arm, so I figure 7 is a nice round number... And obviously the 8th would be for the person giving the gift! So, the person who loves me enough to give me this dream gift is gonna be able to spend a cool $20,000 for all 8 of them. Ah, The gift of "Love".

Cierra Salzano (Model at San Diego Model Management)- HEAD Ski's

Head Ski's $899

In typical California girl style, Cierra Salzano is wishing for an active, sporty Christmas! Her Christmas would be spent on the slopes, with a new set of Head brand ski's. I went all out for her and priced the best set, with all the accoutrement's! Her's was so simple, I threw in all the vital pieces... After all, she didn't ask for an Hermes ski set... At $900 for the ski's themselves, and $600 for a good pair of Head brand boots, Cierra's request should be easy to achieve.

Louis Vuitton Trunk $22,000

Jose Covarrubias (Booker and Scout, Wilhelmina Models)- Full set of Louis Vuitton Monogram luggage. Including a steamer trunk!
For Jose's gift I included a duffel, a classic hard sided suitcase, a rolling case, 2 carry ons (one hard sided, and the other a soft shell...), a passport holder and cosmetic case in the scenario. The price of the vintage steamer trunk doubled Jose's Wish price to $40,375! To be fair he travels a lot for work, so this gift would actually be considered quite practical.

Necker Island $371,000 for a Week

Elgin Wright (Stylist, Saks Fifth Ave Studio Services Consultant,  Fashion Blogger, )- 10 day vacation on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.
Necker Island is privately owned by Virgin Air owner Richard Branson. It is fully staffed with basic service, trainer, yoga instructor, chefs, guides, and a helicopter pilot. "There is nothing more indulgent than luxury travel, and sharing it with close friends, creating a perfect memory in every moment... Oh, and who doesn't love a do everything butler?" I had better be included in that group of friends!

Chanel White J12 Watch $5,000

Katie O'Connell (Director of E-commerce at Elie Tahari)- Chanel J12 in white enamel.
Katie is a classic girl, with an incredible sense of style, that mixes her fondness for street culture with designer goods from Chloe, Alexander Wang, and Isabelle Marant. Well with this post she wants to introduce some Chanel into her wardrobe, with the classic masculine watch! The white heat tempered ceramic watch is practically indestructible, and always looks great on! In fact one of the biggest trends in fashion for the last decade is a large mariner style watch on a petite frame, and who better to supply that watch than Chanel... The size Katie is looking at starts right near $5,000... Dream Big!

Hermes Birkin Starting $6,00

Silvia Hermanny (Personal Shopper, Stylist, Owner of Fashion House by Silvia Hermanny )- Canary Yellow Hermes Birkin.
A classic bag in an exciting color would be this San Diego based fashionsta's dream! The Birkin's classic nature is offset by the fabulous Canary yellow! The bright yellow is a brave choice, but Silvia is nothing if not brave!  The Birkin starting price is now right around $6,000, and with the bright color, and depending on hardware, the cost will go up from there! I would typically be asking for the same thing, probably the classic Hermes Orange color, but Silvia came with her answer first!

Chanel Bike $17,000

Jeffrey Parish (Owner Junc Boutique, Clothing Designer)- Chanel Bicycle, to ride to private cooking lessons in Provence.
The collectors edition Chanel Bicycle was all over fashion weeks, a couple seasons ago. Agnyss Dean rode it to shows in Paris, and Jeffrey put it on his X-mas wish list as well! Specifically for transportation for the cooking classes at Hotel Le Pigonnet. Having eaten at the Parish compound more than once, I don't think the classes are necessary, for Jeffrey, the experience alone would be the reason to traipse around the French countryside! The bicycle runs a mild $17,000, with the classes running $2000 for a week long visit!

Hermes Cuff $1,000 Each

Brigette O'Donovan (Public Relations Expert atBaby Bird Communications)- Hermes, Collier De Chien Cuffs.
Hermes is a popular dream gift this season. Brigette, a local favorite of mine, is wishing for the classic black and gold Hermes cuff. I personally think she deserves 2! The cuff adds a touch of tough chic to a cocktail dress, and still manages to class up jeans and a sweater. The cuffs start at around $1,000, and end up close to $70,000 for the gold one (a secret holiday wish of mine...) But as Brigette just wants the leather piece, we'll say $1,000! For the look at right, we'd better go with $2,000!

Heidsiek Diamante Bleu $250,000

Jose Rivera (Lead MU Artist at Sephora Pro)- Heidsiek Diamante Bleu Vintage 1907.
Well, a VERY impressive choice! This is the highest price ever to be put on a bottle of bubbly! With good reason, they were sunk at the beginning of WW1 and sat at the bottom of the Gulf of Finland! Sold at auction, after being discovered on board the shipwreck of the Swedish freighter Jonkoping in 1998, the bottles tend to sell upward of $200,000, with the highest going for $275,000! Of course they normally sell as historic novelty items, I certainly wouldn't turn down a glass when Jose offers, after all, they were preserved in the frigid waters!

Billy Kirk Satchel $325

Tyrone Spencer (Menswear Bloggist, Style Consultant)- Billy Kirk NO.95 Satchel
Tyrone says of his choice "I don't ask for much really, just something that has a bit of substance. The weight and meaning behind this hand-stitched shoulder satchel only comes with something 100% handmade and stitched together, each one taking several hours to complete. Think about it: It's few and far between that you come across this kind of artisan craftsmanship, with built in heirloom quality out of the gate." I totlly agree, and am so looking into other pieces from these guys! Check out the entire collection at BILLYKIRK.com

Cavalli Dress $10,000

Mimi Abrahams (Personal Stylist)- Gulf Stream 6, Vacation in a Moroccan Riad, and Cavalli Gown.
Ms. Abrahams is definitely not your typical young mother, she is a diva all the way! Mimi is wishing for a flight to Morocco, to stay at a Gorgeous Riad (a classic Moroccan palace!), and hosting a star studded party at the palace! With a lot of specifics! Flying to the north African country in her private G6, and departing the plane wearing her Cavalli gown! With a guest list including Valentino Garavani, Karl Lagerfeld, and Anna Wintour, this Christmas list is the most fashionable (read expensive!) and definitely would blow the Vogue list out of the water! At 8 hrs, for the flight, at $14,500 per hour, a flight to Morocco is $116,000, double that for Mimi to get home. Renting the Riad would be about 16,00 for a week... The party is set to be extravagant, so figure another $70,000 for that event, and the Cavalli dress? Well, add another $10,000...So with all added up, Mimi gets the grand total of $328,000... God, I am set to have some great vacations this year, with some really great people!

 This was a really fun post! Thanks to everyone who helped with it! You guys are some of the most fabulous people I could know! Happy holidays, no matter what you're doing!

Everything's Hotter Under The Water! (or Under The Sea, Continued)

Givenchy's Glam Fins
Photo from Style.com

So my last post started as a trend story on the oceanic themes from many of last month's shows, but was derailed by the "On The Street" post! So here it is! Next spring is all about Ariel, The Little Mermaid! I know, it sounds trite, but the amazing feats designers pulled to express the trend, are so beautiful, it doesn't come across as cheesy at all!

Chanel's Conch Clutch
Photo from Style.com

 See the conch shell clutches at Chanel, especially the sea foam pink version covered in pearls. The shoes with coral stem heels, were fun, and a little frivolous with a miniskirt, but could be worn as seriously fierce heels with long bias cut dress! 

 I know I have already ranted about the brilliance of Riccardo Tisci, and his spring collection at Givenchy, but here we go again! The shark tooth necklaces, and fins coming off the beautifully tailored suits, were amazing. The shark teeth reference was repeated on shoes as the clasps. So clever and understated. And again lets mention how sharp the edges were on the suits! They were clean and crisp lines accentuated by brilliant, seemingly alive flounces. 

McQueen's Coral Wedge
Photo from Style.com

 Sara Burton at Alexander McQueen, went in a less literal direction, using coral to cover shoes, and even a dress, but most of her sea live was represented through organic shapes on garments. The leather belts over day suits were shaped like waves, and there were beautiful little baby dolls that appeared to move in a ocean current when the model walked! 

Versace Starfish Gown
Photo from Style.com

 While most designers stayed away from prints next season, Donatella Versace, never one to understate, used sea stars, and clams, on her crisp pastel laden collection. It was a definite Versace moment using the classic printing technique, on little shorts, suits and corset tops. Lucite wedges had Sea horses appliqued onto them, and the finale dress plastered with jewel encrusted star fish!

 Designers escapism was showing through, or maybe a hint that they feel like things are picking up, and the brief dark, and minimal period is over, and we need some bright and sunny... Or maybe they just need a vacation!

Out In The Dark!

 I ran into my friend Charlene (from CharleneEileen.com) last night at Starbucks, and she mentioned that she hadn't seen any new posts... FACT! I have been super busy! I had a new internship opportunity come my way, in which I was working directly with Neiman Marcus to coordinate their Fashion's Night Out event! They had an amazing idea for the event, they were gonna show a group of local designers, prior to their Fall 2012 trend show! The best part was, I was gonna style the event, using NEIMAN MARCUS ACCESSORIES! Yes, I had access to the entire store (minus Chanel, and Precious Gems...) in which to dress the girls!
 Well afternoon of the event, my friend Jeffrey Parish, one of the designers that was selected to show, and myself, were walking in to Neimans, and the power went out... We assumed it was due to overloading caused by a HUGE amount of air conditioning... It was literally 1000 degrees outside, and 98% humidity. Well, it turned out the power was out all over southern CA, and would not be turned back on for 12 hours in most places... Leaving myself, and the designers, who by the way had created entire collections for this event, out in the... wait for it... Out In The Dark...
My friend Chantal over at NBC's "The Feast" covered the event... or lack there of for her website the next day! Here is her take on the situation (FNO Cancelled!)... And a little more from me! Make sure to check out the link under my name for my take on visible socks!

Cartier... No, Not The Bracelet, I Mean Willy

Image from Marquis De Lannes

Image from
Schon Magazine #11

  So every once in a while, I come across a model that really speaks to me, Linda, Naadja, Karlie, even Daphne Groenveld, but this one really does it! I love his work.Rarely is this ever in reference to a guy male model. I think the problem is I don't want to sound like I am mooning over a boy, especially a celebrity. I am a man of a certain age, and having posters of "hot guys" is not my style. With Willy Cartier I am willing to do it. Yes, yes, yes, I think he is definitely attractive, his features are both extremely masculine, and soft at the same time, showing his versatility as a model. He plays the "rough trade" card just as believably as the "androgynous" role.

Image from Givenchy

  In Givenchy's campaign he is the girly boy going in for the kiss on another guy, and in the show for spring, he is a hustler ready to kick some ass! This season's couture shows saw him as the big bad wolf at Gaultiers couture collection. He volunteers with unprivileged youth, and in behind the scenes videos, he is a goofy, funny guy out for a laugh! It's true, there may be a big ol' crush involved, but the point of this story is Willy as a model. See for yourself on this Tumblr dedicated to him!

These Girls Wanna Be On Top!

Tanisha, 25 years old, ANTM Hopeful!

  Tomorrow morning at 8am, Fashion Careers College will be hosting the San Diego America's Next Top Model Casting Event! Seeing as I am a student at FCC, and live 1 block away, I figured I would head on down at 12:30am, and see what was going on with the already forming lines. There were 3 girls waiting already, one girl was asleep, so I passed on her, and met up with the sophisticated, and sweet Tanisha, with her million dollar smile, and adorable mom waiting in the car with her! Tanisha is 25, and got her second place spot in line at 10 pm! That's ten hours before the event even starts! She says she has wanted to model forever, and she feels she was "born to do it"! Her favorite girl of the moment is my favorite too, Karlie Kloss, and the similarities don't end there. Her favorite designer is Alexander McQueen! This girl really knows her stuff! She says her dream gig would be a contract at Elite Model Management, and to be on the cover of Elle, followed by a "high Fashion contract at Chanel or Gucci". Let's all give her some positive thoughts and hope she does well tomorrow morning!

Jasmine, 18 years old, ANTM Hopeful

  Next I met with the super sweet, and so friendly Jasmine! The 18 year old, lined up at 11pm securing her third place spot in the line-up. Jasmine says, "It's been my dream since I was little to model." In fact she shared that when she was younger her mom had to hide the cameras in their house, because when she would develop the film, the pictures would ALL be modeling shots of the pretty little girl! Her modeling idol is Naomi Campbell, and when asked who her favorite designer is, she says she "prefers to shop at smaller independent boutiques where I can find things that no one else will have!" Her goal if she wins would be to be on the cover of "17 Magazine", she has dreamed of it forever! I seriously admire these girls for their dream chasing stamina! They are going to be in their cars for 10 hours waiting for the chance to prove themselves against the hundreds of girls that will be showing up tomorrow! Good luck ladies!

The Tears They Came.

  Last week, I was fortunate enough to get to NYC for the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Can I assume that if you are reading my blog, you all know who Alexander McQueen is? OK, I will also assume that you are aware of the deep feelings, and admiration I have for the man, and his visions. This was a high point of my year!
  The pieces selected for the show were McQueen classics. Pieces I had grownup staring into magazines at. Some pieces induced chills before his death, such as the black feathered dress from Fall 2009, or the Samurai football player from his chess collection in Spring 2005, they were both there! And his years at Givenchy were really well represented, as someone who is old enough to remember his work at Givenchy, seeing the pieces up close was stunning.

  Also awe inspiring was the Plato's Atlantis collection. His final full collection, which until seeing it live I was unimpressed with. What never came across in photo's and editorials was the fact that a lot of the fabrics were woven jacquard's, not printed, as I previously thought. It was amazing! I hated leaving, even now, writing this post I have chills.


  There was a point when I was watching the 3D hologram video of Kate Moss spiraling around in a glass pyramid, where I literally cried, and looked to my friend, who isn't as passionate about fashion as I am, and guess what, he was crying too! If you end up in NYC before the 7th of August, this is a MUST MUST MUST see... I seriously would have regretted missing this show forever. I just wish I had been brave enough to have gotten my own images!





Images from Style.com, and annewilliamson.com

Some Of My Favorite Things!

Pajama Pants at
D&G

  I have obviously been following the men's shows in Milan for the last week or so, but have been insanely busy... Photo Shoot, School, Work, School, and Work... Anyway, there have been some amazing shows this week, with some really great pieces that I am gonna want to rock come next spring, if not this weekend in NYC! Such as silky Pajama Pants! My favorite version of the luxe louche look came from D&G... Yes, D&G! I know, not usually my favorites, but this men's showing was so laid back, and had a couple trends I want to jump all over! Mainly the printed silk pants! Paired with a denim shirt, or matching silk shirt, they appear to be warm weather ready! I am heading to China Town Sunday in the daytime to find me a pair in NY!

Men's Wear Darling of the moment, Umit Benan, has had a really great season, after wowing with his own label, Trussardi picked him up as their menswear designer. At his namesake he did a total tribute to 1980's Cerruti, full of the glam billowing trousers. I preferred the shorts version! The sort suit is a look that I am so ready to start rocking, and this incarnation is gorgeous! I am all about structure, but would be willing to go flowy for this exit!




At Burberry, Christopher Bailey showed a really amazing craft fair of a collection. What at first seemed to be printed sweaters, upon closer examination, were sweaters with plastic bits attached in an almost fir isle pattern! But more important were the SHOES!! They were an amazing confection of nerdy chic styling, mixing classic fringed loafers, and cork bottoms they are easily going to take over where the Prada creeper left off!! I WANT them BAD!

Ok, so by now you all know, I love me some contrasting colors! The more random the combination the better... Well, at Roberto Cavalli, they showed vivid suits, and then mixed and matched flawlessly! The purple printed trousers, and royal blue striped blazer paired together were perfection. It showed how to match mis-matched colors, and my new favorite sartorial mash up, print mixing! The subtlety of the stripes in the jacket was a great combo with the geometric pattern in the trousers! We should all take a lesson in matching(?) patterns! The whole collection was so slick and Italian, it blew the Gucci man out of the water!


At Dolce & Gabbana's signature line, there were a ton of cool pieceses that stood out in a show of techno ,mesh, and sheer jumpsuits, but I have to say, the ONE piece I would definitely wear were the sheer overlaid shorts! They showed it with everything from a tank top, to bare chest, but, no questions asked, I prefer the way they paired it with a dress shirt, going a mature, and dressier route would be the choice I would go with.

  The fabric and styling at Jil Sander were spot on in an example of Raf Simons minimalist  aesthetic. It was very 90's retro, and a little too modern for me, but the python utilitarian tote would easily integrate into my accessory wardrobe! The color? the rusty orange version please! I think that papers for work/school, and the fact that they were shown with almost exclusively shorts, well how Me is that!?
  More shows are coming up, so stay tuned for my Paris Menswear faves!

All Photo's Courtesy of Style.com/

fash·ion /ˈfaSHən/

Me Working!

  :the latest and most admired style in clothes and cosmetics and behavior

  I have kind of explained my emotional connection with fashion, and the relevance it took at a really early age. Now as I have grown up with it as my sole interest in life, I am faced with the question of why. I feel like those of you who have known me for a number of years, have seen many different Me's. There has been Gothic Ian, Raver Ian, Glam Ian, Prep Ian, and who even knows what some of those incarnations could be categorized as.

  From an early age, I wanted nothing more than to be accepted. I wanted to be liked by the cool kids. Very rarely did that work out, for any length of time anyway. But as I tried, I would find ways of making them think I was one of them for a while, and I discovered that clothing was a great way to do it. It was a costume for me. If I wanted to hang out with the Gothic Kids, I would find outfits that were dark and flowy, if I was going to a rave with some Club Kids, I could easily do my makeup, and have stacks made. The only things I really ever had in common with MOST of these people were my clothes. 

  As I grew, and experienced all of these aspects of life, I took from each group the music, the garments, and accessories, the ideals, and mostly the people, that made me comfortable, happy, or dance, or laugh, and helped to create this person I am now! I equate each of theses era's with the costume I wore for each of them. In tights, and Doc Martin Boots, or Blinged out crosses, and gold tooth caps I went there, and did it full throttle.

  I know this sounds mostly like a sad story, but now, as an adult who can identify the number of holes a pair of Doc's has from a distance, or whether someones bell bottoms are vintage or replica's (there was a DeeLight phase in there somewhere...), and tell you in 1 heartbeat whether your Chanel bag is rel, or faux, I am only comfortable with just being me, and the people that I still have in my life from each of the era's know me for who I am, and have been. Just Me.