In the year 2000...er 2012.

The end of yet another year is approaching us, like a friend in little kitten heels at a New Year's Eve party. As usual, we are pledging to become better versions of ourselves, staring into mirrors before going out, willing beauty into our features. Soon, some of us will start a diet. Others will end one. And most won't even attempt it, remembering last year's failure.

It's time to put away old things, those Christmas sweaters, for example, and don all those clothes you bought during the holiday--that gingham scarf from H&M, or that knit top from Forever 21. The winter will be cold and since it's 2012, you'll have to be more mindful of what you're wearing at any given moment. The apocalypse is happening after all, and you don't want to die wearing a fanny pack, do you?

Predictions: Next year will be a monumental one for fashion. Michelle Obama's high-brow aesthetic will take prominence again with the presidential election (not to mention our increasing obsession with the royal couple overseas). And somehow, being 2012 and all, a refined form of grunge will find it's sloppy way into our closets. Yes, I can see it all now.

Whatever happens, remember to enjoy yourself. Dress well and prosper.

Upcycling

The other day, I was browsing collections on this site. As I examined the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 collections of great artists like Jenny Packham and Michael Kors, it occurred to me that each collection was somewhat insular--designed without a strong sense of interconnection.

Designers like Panichgul Thakoon used plaids and trippy silhouettes for the fall, for example, while others, like Collette Dinnegan, explored airy colors on varying lengths of light fabric. And of course, heavy, dark pieces dominated most collections. 

Thakoon, Collette Dinnegan, Isaac Mizrahi, and Badgely Mischka.

As we approach 2012, the 1960s takes prominence again...which makes me wonder why we keep consciously recycling (or "upcycling") the past four decades, along with the pesky '20s. How many times will the 80s will be reinvented? Will crushed velvet be en vogue soon? And for goodness sakes, who brought the fanny pack back?

Often, when spotlighting trends, magazines will indicate the origins of said trends. When beaded cross sweatshirts are featured, for example, you'll usually see Madonna's photo somewhere on the same page. And although it's fun to think about trends, it's impossible to know why certain items are popular while others are not.

Sometimes, fashion just seems like one big spinning wardrobe that the-powers-that-be turn to select the latest piece. It's arbitrary.

I guess that's the nature of this postmodern era. There are so many random, competing ideas (all of which seem to be expressed on the hipster's body these days). ;-p

Anthony Ryan Auld Spring 2012 Tumblr

Blush

When it comes to clothes, I've always preferred colors that make a statement (preferably, slapping me across the face with it :0) --dark, solar purples; bright, spring greens; or vibrant prints.

Lately, however, modest shades have held increasing appeal to me, though I've always been conservative when it comes to dressing myself.

Now I can say that I appreciate the advantages of subtlety more consciously. I have seen the light! (which guess I should have seen this sooner, as my favorite color is quite mute).

In their July 2011 issue, InStyle Magazine featured the color "Blush," a light pinkish beige, and probably one of my least favorite colors, besides red.

(InStyle, July 2011)

Blush has always reminded me of salmon (which I find disgusting), or a piece of clothing whose color was drained during a rinse cycle.

Like carefully groomed eyebrows or glossed lips, however, understated accents highlight one's beauty without being pushy about it.

One drawback is that blush may be difficult to pull off, as the wrong shade of pink can be as damaging as the wrong shade of foundation. Judging by the flattering shades of pink on the racks, though, I probably won't be running into this problem anytime soon:

(H&M, July 2011)

Happy blushing :-)

Steampunk

Re-purposed fashion has gained considerable popularity in our environmentally-conscious era. Especially with the rise of hipsters and eco-friendly clothes.

If I'm honest, however, I sometimes find that re-purposed things just look like plain junk. (Consider the amount of raggedy cotton t-shirts or patchwork pants for sale online, for example.)

Quite often, clothes are recycled just for the sake of being recycled.

However, when entire concepts, like whole eras, are re-considered with a true purpose in mind, great things emerge.

Like Steampunk fashion.

Steampunk is described as "the adaptation of advanced technology into a steam age context, producing a society that looks like the Victorian world but which enjoys an even greater level of complexity."

Some of its fashion intersects with the Gothic Lolita, Cybergoth, and industrial music set. Which means you'll see lots of corsets and scarves if you browse the Google search engine under the term.

The aspect I'm most interested in is Steampunk's emphasis on transparency and re-imagining of the past with a new lens.

Basically, its explosive anachronism.

Or the examining, unraveling, and reconstructing of the Victorian Age.

(Picture lots of self-made contraptions--brass trinkets, pantaloons, and watches)

Unfortunately, Steampunk (if such a broad, unwieldy term can be grouped into a single category) has the tendency to be costumey. I'd like to see some of its more prominent trends updated a bit and combined with some of the trends of our modern age.

A hair comb by Ghost Love

Corset dress by Battyazac

With its decidedly Western stamp, Steampunk has the potential to expand its influence (much like...erm...imperialism) to other concurrent fashion trends. I'm very interested in seeing how steampunk plays out.

"Mignonne allons voir si la rose, qui ce matin avait déclose, sa robe de pourpre au soleil..."

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Now that the summer is almost upon us, I'm missing the perennial blooms of spring already. Luckily, they're immortalized every year--in various forms of tank tops, skirts, slacks, and accessories. Of course, I'll never grow tired of floral fashions. And neither will the rest of the world.

The bright rose-shaped hair piece, mod print shirt, and fuschia heels are a delightful take on floral femininity.

Moschino's update of 1920s flapper fashions, complete with green plant-print hair ties and leaf-inspired dresses

Moschino ad campaign, 2004

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Vanessa Hudgens wearing what appears to be an orchid fascinator

InStyle Magazine, March 2011

A gorgeous and reasonably priced resort dress

H&M Summer 2011

Mixed floral prints on a relaxed silhouette.

Elle Magazine, March 2011

And now, to find something for myself to wear...

Speaking of weddings...

Introducing: Princess Grace of Monaco.

I think we all agree that her embroidered gown inspired Ms. Middleton's lacey look.

Whatever the case, methinks uniforms should be worn more often at weddings. Seriously, look at William. Yum ;-)

Get hip

2011

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The hipster look is way too trendy, mismatched, and (probably) overdone. But the nerd in me still loves it. And you should too.

Just embrace it, so we can all look smart :-p

BOOM!

"Into the Light"

Walter's Art Gallery

Since my entry on Mondo Guerra's Project Runway collection, I've been thinking about the sort of pieces I would design if I had the ability to sew.

Pieces that reflect the transition from winter to spring stand out most in my mind. There's something obviously compelling about the idea of leaving winter and coming into the light of springtime.

Jasmine's Collection:

Consider my (imaginary) collection the way you would a pair of glow worms in the grass "shining unto no higher end"--that is, with no appeal to transcendence (or an overarching theme) but merely, existing as a celebration of warmth and sunshine.

Imagine, for example, wearing a long organdy dress in summertime
or a necklace of neon-colored Neopets
or a smoking jacket with pointed shoulders....

There are fresh flowers, rompers, and bakelite rings here.
Braided cloth belts that wrap around your waist,
strings of ribbons in your hair,
light colors and muted shades.

I'm fond of both structure and elasticity, so my collection would consist of competing silhouettes. Rigidity for winter, obviously:

Leanne Marshall 2010

And as time passes, the clothes begin to loosen (like flower petals, perhaps) into defined, but relaxed shapes:

Harpar's Bazaar 2004

And then they brighten from quiet shades to not-quite-electric colors:

Finally, burning out into bareness:

Australian Vogue April 2010

The idea is to start with highly a constructed collection that sort of unravels itself...like the ends of a long dress that sweeps the dirt as you walk. It consists of floral prints reflecting a garden in some city, confusing mixes of shapes and colors, and flashes of brightness.....