STYLE – Page 20 – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

Style: Alexander the Great!

“WHEN I AM DEAD AND GONE, “PEOPLE WILL KNOW THE 21ST CENTURY WAS STARTED BY ME.”

Truthfully and spookily spoken by designer Alexander McQueen. Ever since taking his own very untimely life in 2010 at the age of 40, no one can deny that McQueen has given more life to the fashion industry than we’ve known in years. A true fashion artist!This statement is now written on a gallery wall at the Victoria & Albert Museum, in London, where the recently opened exhibition “Savage Beauty” showcases the design genius’s unsurpassed creations. (The show runs through August 2, 2015) If you’re in London and are a fashion fiend you must run to see it. A fashion designer friend raved about it.

For some people, Fashion is a Game! — For some people, **Fashion is a Game!**

The original “Savage Beauty” was held in New York, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, in 2011. It debuted there to glowing reviews – visitors thought it was brilliant. More than 660,000 people attended the show, making it the Met’s eighth most popular exhibition ever.It is not surprising, then, that upon hearing about the V&A’s plans to re-stage “Savage Beauty,” many fashion insiders found it hard to imagine how a second outing — or the enthusiasm greeting it — could match what the Met achieved. But, as it turns out, Claire Wilcox, the London museum’s senior curator of fashion, has showcased McQueen’s prodigious talent in such a dramatic manner that even second-time viewers will be awed and moved. Without a doubt, “Savage Beauty” is the best fashion exhibition the V&A has put on in recent memory.

Creations by the late British designer Alexander McQueen are displayed during a preview at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, May 2, 2011. An exhibition of McQueen's creations titled Savage Beauty will be on display at the museum from May 4-July 31, 2011. REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly (UNITED STATES - Tags: FASHION SOCIETY) - RTR2LWR6 — Creations by the late British designer Alexander McQueen are displayed during a preview at the **Metropolitan Museum of Art** in New York, May 2, 2011. REUTERS/Finbarr O’Reilly

Wilcox has put more focus on McQueen’s London roots. Most of his degree show from Central Saint Martins is displayed along with original runway samples. (Missing in New York, many of these outfits were purchased by Isabella Blow, the fashion editor and McQueen mentor/muse who also committed suicide, in 2007.) Overall, this show displays many more designs than were seen at the Met, which is surprising since the U.K. usually proclaims small is beautiful and the U.S. big is best.The section labeled “Cabinet of Curiosities” is now twice as large, a vast black cavern where flickering videos of runway shows are interspersed with fantastical accessories against an auditory backdrop of hallucinatory music. One could spend hours in this room alone — especially if under the influence of a hallucinatory substance (and apparently that might be the case according to some of the fellow show-goers looking around the space).

As writer Clair Watson said after having departed from the Met’s “Savage Beauty” emotionally wrung-out: “I staggered out of this version completely overwhelmed — how much brilliance can a person take?” Which begs the question: How much more agonized brilliance could McQueen have lived with? Five years after his death, there is enough distance to acknowledge that, just as he said, he indeed make an indelible artistic mark that we can now see, more clearly.

Source: Clair Watson – “The Unbearable Beauty of McQueen” Photos: google images unless otherwise stated

Film Reviews, STYLE

Style/Art: Dior and I

As Valentino said, “I love beauty, it’s not my fault.”

That’s why I went to see the stunning documentary “Dior and I” For the love of beautiful, well made clothes and because twice in my lifetime (so far) I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Dior design house in Paris. Unfortunately it was not to be measured for haute couture, but like a fairytale to imagine myself wearing it, and to admire everything in sight.The documentary which is part of the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), does an excellent job of bringing the viewer inside the storied world of the Christian Dior fashion house with a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Raf Simons’ first haute couture collection as its new artistic director.

Before being appointed to this position, Belgium born Raf Simons was best known within the industry for designing tailored menswear, and in 2005 was appointed creative director of Jil Sander – a role in which he flourished. It was all ready-to-wear, so was he ready for Dior?Those familiar with the Jil Sander minimalistic label were waiting with bated breath to see how Raf would cast his ideas onto the Dior label especially having never worked in haute couture. In the cutthroat fashion world you wonder if they were hoping he’d succeed or fail.

For fashion fanatics there’s plenty of eye candy. There’s also humour, and tensions that arise in a high strung fashion climate with only weeks to spare before the big show and not everything is ready. Also, Raf wants to make a name for himself and do something completely different which the house has never done before. He’s a fan of art and wants to incorporate ideas from artist Sterling Ruby, whose work he admires (paintings that look like they were spray painted onto canvases) onto fabric for dresses and jackets for the new collection. It is something the atelier is not used to and not sure they can pull off.

The final scene is the big fashion show with plenty of stars, other well known designers like Donna Karan and Donatella Versace and fashion editors like Vogue’s Anna Wintour. The grand finale takes place in a grand Paris apartment where the walls have been entirely cloaked with a million flowers. Pretty heady. Hope no one had allergies.There’s a lesson learned here. People get typecast – not just in movies but in real life too. What did they call you Raf? A minimalist I believe. Looking at these photos goes to prove…

Minimalist no more!

Photos: google images

STYLE

Style: wearable art

For the LOVE of SCARVESBeing a scarf person, I love all kinds of scarves in all kinds of fabrics (especially silk) from long enough to wear as a halter to short enough to just tie around your neck. They complete an outfit, help to keep you fashionably warm in the winter or light enough to wear decoratively instead of a necklace for any season. What you see here are one-of-a-kind creations from Amoseda.com, the brainchild of Elizabeth Schnitzker. Elizabeth is from Argentina and has lived in Mexico. I met Elizabeth at a recent function where not only did she stand out because of her gorgeous blond hair, but the scarf she was wearing caught my eye. Of course it would because it was different. I decided to ask her a few questions for the blog:

How did you get the name for your company and what made you decide to get into this business?

ES: Amoseda means Loving Silk. I fell in love with it 23 years ago when I was living in Germany. I love the feel, the interaction with the dye and paint, the totally involved process it is for me to finish one piece. It takes a lot of hours and love to have that special one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art completed. I love to see people finding the right one that suits their needs or the gift that will be given to that special loved one. Go figure, it can be mailed in an envelope! That was my key point for selling out last year at Christmas time.

That’s fantastic. Tell me more about your creations?

ES: This is an affordable luxury line, for customers who understand the craftsmanship of a one-of-a-kind design done on natural fibres shawls and scarves. Dyed, painted or both, the products used are European paints, local dyes and Indian Indigo of the highest quality to ensure the designs resist time, sun, washes, traveling and a lot of wear and tear from somebody who loves the piece and takes it from day to night, from casual to dress up and city to country to beach and the moon.
These scarves are conversation pieces, and something that transforms any given outfit.
Versatility, comfort, quality, are some of the words that describe Amoseda products.
My customers honour their uniqueness and that’s why chose to have a different accessory piece that makes them stand out in a stylish way.

Do you do custom orders?

ES: Custom-orders are available upon request for clients that desire a particular palette of colour mix, design, size or need it for a special occasion and would like that to be reflected on the scarf. Bridesmaids shawls are one of the examples.

Do you ever do repeats?

ES: I can repeat motives, but they will never look exactly the same, as the designs are not printed, they are individually painted and I don’t use anything other than my brushes and inspiration to develop them.

So the customer is really getting something unique. Do you plan on expanding the line?

ES: Currently I am developing a line for men in organic cotton, bamboo, silk and cashmere that will be dyed with natural Indigo, on top of the dyed and painted on silk.
Ties are being tested. Looking forward to see my line expand into formal wear as well.

Are they made entirely of silk and where do you import from?

ES: 100% Silk and silk blends as well as cashmere and cashmere blends are directly imported from Germany, India, Vietnam, Nepal and Thailand as well as China. Customers will find pashminas, thai silk, noil silk, habotai, silk velvet, linen and silk blends as well as silk cashmere and pure cashmere.

But you design them here in Vancouver?

ES: The designs are entirely done in Canada, and shipped internationally.

How about cleaning? I once had someone spill red wine on a beautiful beige pashmina which luckily was able to be drycleaned.

ES: I love Mother Nature as well and that’s why all the shawls are hand washable. No need to dry clean!

Perfect!

Website: http://amoseda.com/

Product photographer: Andres Velez Posadas – Logo and website: Pablo M. Margain

Film Reviews, STYLE

STYLE in Film – with IRIS

GLAMOUR is IRIS APFEL

I am so going to see this documentary! I’m sure it will be rated right up there with other favourite arty ones I really enjoyed like Herb and Dorothy, Searching for Sugarman and Valentino: The Last Emperor.

With more than a dash of eccentricity and over 75 years in fashion and interior design, Iris Apfel is an inspiring life force well into her ninth decade. She’s strong, quick-witted and always flamboyantly dressed. Iris retains her enthusiasm for life in fashion, art and people. What I admire about her is that she’s completely unique – true to herself with good values and work ethic. Sadly there are not enough women like her.

Iris says:

About her style: “I like to improvise”

“Someone told me you’re not pretty, you’ll never be pretty but it doesn’t matter, you have something much better – you have STYLE!” I couldn’t agree more.

“It’s better to be happy than well dressed”

“I feel lucky to be working. If you’re lucky enough to do something you love, everything else follows.”

“A woman is as old as she looks, but a man is never old until he stops looking”

Watch the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo8jwJ_2l0c and if you’re the least bit into style (of course you are, you’re reading this) then GO SEE IT! I know I can’t wait to.

From the Director of Grey Gardens (I thought it was excellent) and Gimme Shelter – Albert Maysles

Two years ago I posted about Iris:https://girlwhowouldbeking.com/2013/03/26/style-substance-according-to-a-chic-91-year-old/

FUN

style: In Coco’s Closet with good cause!

Need to update your spring wardrobe? Head down to Coco’s Closet tomorrow (Thursday, May 7th) and 10% of all purchases for the day will be donated to a very good cause – the *Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Western Canada. A UNIQUE, LA-INSPIRED BOUTIQUE in Vancouver’s Kits Neighbourhood.

Brochu Walker - Harrison Shrug, Stone — **Brochu Walker** – Harrison Shrug

Coco’s Closet offers Vancouver’s style-savvy women a fun, relaxed environment featuring hard-to-find fashions and accessories straight out of the latest magazines.Lots of Great Brands! Stop by Coco’s Closet to add a splash of LA hotness to yours!

Equipment Silk Shirt — **Equipment** Silk Shirt

Address: 2190 West 4th Ave (next to Purdy’s Chocolates).

MAY IS CYSTIC FIBROSIS MONTH – HELP SUPPORT SOMEONE WITH CF

*About CYSTIC FIBROSIS (or CF) in a nutshell : Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease of the secretory glands, including the glands that make mucus and sweat.”Inherited” means the disease is passed from parents to children through genes. People who have CF inherit two faulty genes for the disease—one from each parent. The parents likely don’t have the disease themselves. CF mainly affects the lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines and sinuses.

The symptoms and severity of CF vary. Sometimes there are few symptoms. Other times, the symptoms may become more severe. As the disease gets worse, the symptoms become more severe with increasing regularity. Lung function often starts to decline in early childhood in people who have CF. Over time, damage to the lungs can cause severe breathing problems.

Early treatment for CF can improve quality of life and increase lifespan. Treatments may include nutritional and respiratory therapies, medicines, exercise, and other treatments. As these treatments continue to improve, so does life expectancy for those who have the disease. Today, some people who have CF are living into their forties or fifties, or longer.

I have a friend in her mid fifties who has CF and has had a double lung, heart and kidney transplant because of this disease. She’s doing remarkably well, looks good and is basically a living miracle. Because of this I try to help support the CF foundation (Vancouver chapter) to retrieve silent auction items for their yearly gala fundraising event in Vancouver. See my previous post: https://girlwhowouldbeking.com/2014/11/08/health-matters-raising-awareness-key-to-a-cure-for-cf/

FUN

style – the latest SCOOP for Spring

Spring Fashion is popping up all over SCOOP, Vancouver’s favourite pop-up shop.

So what could be better than perusing the aisles while listening to music played by a deejay with a glass of bubbly in hand? That’s what happened when I attended their blogger evening last week at the South Granville Location.What used to be a rather small operation for up to six weeks at a time has turned out to be two store locations for all seasons. At present, Scoop is open for 6-8 weeks at certain times of the year. Those times being Spring/Summer and November/December.

Owner Deb Nichol strives to keep each of the Scoop locations fresh and exciting by creating a bit of a buzz surrounding the night before each opening so it’s always a surprise.The thing about Scoop is that there’s so much turnover of merchandise that each time you set foot inside you find something different. They source merchandise and get inspiration by traveling to places like New York, LA, Vegas, Atlanta and Toronto. Besides clothing, they offer jewellery, cards, candles and wall hangings. If you don’t scoop up something fast you may never see it again. Then again, I did come across a pair of linen pants I once purchased that they brought back the following year. Must have been a popular item. Normally I don’t want to see something repeated, but in this case I wanted another pair anyway so it was a good thing.

Locations:

The Latest Scoop on S. Granville – 2928 Granville St.

The Latest Scoop in West Vancouver – 2470 Marine Dr.

STYLE

Style: Glamming up Gingham

When I think of gingham the first things that come to mind are usually old fashioned picnic table cloths and quaint Italian restaurants and the frock Dorothy wore from the Wizard of Oz (one of my & my mom’s favourite movies of all time). Then I came across these photos of Audrey Hepburn and Jane Fonda and these women look stylish & glamorous.
The fabric that’s been around forever and is more cutesy than sexy, is getting a makeover.

Diane von Furstenberg, Altuzarra and Michael Kors were all inspired to show gingham on their Spring 2015 runways, collectively creating the pattern's renaissance in the fashion world. — **Diane von Furstenberg, Altuzarra and Michael Kors** were all inspired to show gingham on their Spring 2015 runways, collectively creating the pattern’s renaissance in the fashion world.

It’s been showing up on designer runways and on everything from cropped pants to suits and dresses. For me, the best way to wear it would be a little bit of fabric here and there like on the heel of a pair of shoes or on a shirt (which seems farm girl style when worn with jeans).

But these photos are giving us a few more ideas of ways to incorporate it into a wardrobe. From the photos you can see different looks from movie stars of yesteryear to today’s glamour girls.

THE FASHION SHOOT Model Candice Swanepoel is captured by Terry Richardson at the Grand Canyon in Dior for Harper's Bazaar's August 2013 issue, proving gingham can work in almost any location. — **THE FASHION SHOOT**
Model Candice Swanepoel is captured by Terry Richardson at Monument Valley **in Dior** for Harper’s Bazaar’s August 2013 issue, proving gingham can work in almost any location.

Brigitte Bardot inspired dozens of style moments, from her iconic cat eye makeup to bouffant hair and black headbands. Here, she proves that a sweet gingham dress can have a sultry side. — **Brigitte Bardot i**nspired dozens of style moments, from her iconic cat eye makeup to bouffant hair and black headbands. Here, she proves that a sweet gingham dress can have a sultry side.

What goes around comes around…or never left.

It fashion girl Alexa Chung — It fashion girl **Alexa Chung** from “**House of Style”**

I’m liking it.

Diane Von Furstenburg Spring/Summer 2015 Ad Campaign. — **Diane Von Furstenberg Spring/Summer 2015 Ad Campaign.**

Source: Bazaar Magazine

FUN

Style – Gladiator Game

I’m not so Glad and I’m not so Game for these Spring 2015 lace-ups which are beginning to reign and growing taller in flat and heeled versions.

I’m fascinated by their bondage-like sexiness but I don’t find them practical. Not that practicality has ever come into play with shoe styles (in the past) but they look like too much work. Plus they’re seasonal and it rains a lot here.

Michael Kors - these are simple and cute — **Michael Kors** – these are simple and cute

Stella McCartney - I like these — **Stella McCartney** – I like these too

What if it’s a sunny day and when you take them off you’re left with a crazy leg tan?

Some of the heels look challenging – like the pair by Alexander McQueen.

Mind you, the more I look at them the more I like them. This is what always happens.

What do you think? Like or not?

Givenchy - now these I would wear! — **Givenchy** – now these I would wear! They remind me of a pair I already have.

Source: HarpersBazaar.com

p.s. – if you’re receiving these posts via e-mail and they’re not displaying properly please click on the “blue” title at the very top which will take you to the original website.

FUN

Style: Sneakers

Did I just put the words sneakers and style in the same sentence?

Vans in all the right shades — **Vans** in all the right shades

It seems so. I’ve been drawn more and more to these adorable sneakers that look good with capris and rolled-up or cut-off jeans. These are not the same as running shoes (ones you use to actually run in), they’re meant for walking and comforts sake. A Sneak Peek:

My Vans slip-ons that go with everything

This doesn’t mean that I’ve given up on shoes with heels, it’s just that the styles I’ve stumbled upon are so cute and practical that I feel like buying several pairs.

Something is happening to me. Lately I’ve found myself twice in the downtown Vans store considering the sunflower pair and the silver glitter lace-ups but I ended up walking out (literally) with Van Doren limited edition 80’s slip-ons. They’re a bit abstract and kind of Warholish. I also like the Italian Superga leopard, houndstooth, linen, metallic and perforated leather pairs. This is worrisome. I hope it’s just a phase like the Reebok cool-girl hightops I used to wear in red, black and bubblegum pink – a period that fortunately did not last for very long. Because looking back they were not all that flattering.

Superga Annabel Platforms — Superga Annabel Floral Platforms

Until this is over I’ll just enjoy my casual lifestyle knowing that I can always slip on a pair of high heels to go out for dinner or dancing. Mind you, recently I’ve even been wearing flats to dance tango. Is this something I should be concerned about? It’s good to diversify right?

What do you think about the latest crop of sneakers – will they be replacing regular flats?

STYLE

Life/Style – Doggy Style

It’s at times like this that I wish I had a second dog. Specifically a Chihuahua. A cute little female that I could dress up like I used to do with my Siamese cross-dresser cat when I was a child ~~okay, a teenager~~. I could have started the whole trend. He was a fully grown male that looked like a baby wearing a pink bonnet and frilly dress (taken from my doll collection). He didn’t seem to mind.

Fast forward to last Saturday when I strolled around Yaletown and discovered barking babies for the very first time – a lifestyle store for the hip and canine. Of course it’s hip, it’s in Yaletown.

If I had brought my mid size sheltie along he would have come across like a bull in a china shop with all the dainty little doggies
dragged in by their Lululemon wearing owners.

So definitely, yes, I can see myself shopping here on occasion.

And I’m thinking it’s only a matter of time before the designers have full blown seasonal canine runway shows. Can’t you picture it? I wonder what the resort collection would look like.

TOYS

TREATS

This is a BIG business. People treat dogs like children. There’s a theory that people who dress up their dogs miss having actual babies? Do you think that’s true?

http://www.barkingbabies.com