Thom Browne Fall 2013 Ready-to-Wear: Fantasy Garden

I truly believe that there is nothing to dislike about Thom Browne's fall 2013 collection. Not only were the designs amazing, but there was also a huge theatrical aspect behind the designs; the clothing told a story that was both beautiful and strangely mysterious, leaving you wanting more. I always love a touch of the mystical, which is basically the definition of one of my favorite shows, like John Galliano's Fall 2009 collection. Anyways, with it's constant rose buds, boxy shapes and overall beautiful designs, I will now appoint Thom Browne to create my own personal dream world, filled with dark beauty.

I love the cinched waists and almost pannier-ed hips

 Texturesssss

 I love the doll-like, almost geisha-like makeup, with the rouged lips and cheeks and the pale skin. It adds a great contrast of color to the more monotone ensembles (along with the rose embroidered stockings) and works perfectly with the red ones. I think that there's so much to look at in one single outfit, that this show wouldn't leave the audience feeling bored or make the runway seem repetitive. Every model has a different expression and something different to wear that makes me want to just stare at these runway photos...if only I could have been there....I would've gotten goosebumps.

All photos from Style.com

Japanese Street Fashion

It's extremely hard to imitate the street style you see in Japan and no other country has style like the kind you see in Harajuku and Shibuya. Dressed to kill everyday that they go out, many street style icons, such as Juria and Ikeda Hirari, are idolized and often become famous because of their personal style. Seeing the creative fashion of Japan was one of the first things that triggered my love for fashion and I often try to incorporate some of the things I see on Tokyo streets into my outfits. 

Mademoiselle Yuria

 Notice the delightful platforms in almost every picture

 Two trends of the moment: the forever popular Tokyo Bopper, which I've been desperately wanting for years, and cat platforms

 Too perfect...Layer, upon layer, upon...layer

I don't even have to explain how amazing this guy is; you can clearly see it.

I think just looking at the different styles of people on the streets of Tokyo is an adventure. My dream(since I want to live in Japan) is to able to mingle with these people, share style tips and just...have their level of awesomeness. For a while now, I've had a list of stores I want to visit in Tokyo. Most of them are resale shops, such as The Virgin Mary and Panama Boy. The resale shops are (like many things in Japan) unlike anything seen anywhere else in the world. Shopping is truly an adventure when you shop there.

Japan's fashion is just another reason to make me love the country dearly. It's so inspiring, because Japanese fashion goes by no rules nor set ideas. Everyday, trends on the streets of Tokyo are changing, and new ones replace old ones, making the city a forever interesting place. x

(All images either from various sources on tumblr or google)

Obsession: 18th Century Fashion

The fashion of the 18th century was full of beautiful silhouettes and fabrics, accessories and quality tailoring. Although there was a massive population of poor and lower class, the relatively rich had available to them all of the riches of recent court fashion. Although I'm not a certified fashion historian, there's a special place in my heart for the beauties of the 1700s.

Court dress, 1750s

 Stays(Corset)

 1765( I love the saque-back of this dress!)

Stays, Chemise and Panniers (1760s)- All of the under garments of the century were key to producing the silhouette needed for gowns of the time.

Robe à la française's 1770s

Stays

 1775

Henry Guillaume Schlesinger

 The Flower Girl - Albert Lynch

 Robe à l'Anglaise late 1780s

 Robe à l'Anglaise's late 1780s

 Stripes!!! These are probably my favorites (1780s)

 More beautiful stripes(1790s)

The closer the time is to the end of the 18th century, the more I love the dresses. I like that, towards the end, the hips aren't AS pronounced and the dresses are very simple, yet appealing. Of course, there are many beautiful gowns still preserved in museums around the world, but I just like to wonder what other beauties were lost with time.

Also, of course, we can't forget Marie Antoinette! Marie Antoinette is definitely one of my favorite movies...the costumes are so visually beautiful, as is the filming...and the soundtrack....gah!! There is nothing that could make the film better! 

 Marie's riding habit/Travelling dress literally steals the soul out of me...it's so perfect...

I love how, as the film progresses, the fashion does also, as they get further and further into the 1700s. The hips start getting smaller and the hair starts getting wider! Marie Antoinette started my love for the decadence of the 18th century....

These are a few photos from my visit to Colonial Williamsburg over Winter break. I was itching to wear my 18th century gown (far from historically accurate) and I felt like a Duchess, walking through the big houses that you can take a tour through and having people look and smile in my direction. I swear, my soul wasn't meant for this century. x