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30 June 2008

What is witty fashion?

Witty fashion has become and increasingly popular term in the fashion media. The term is used indiscriminately, to the point that I don’t think it has any really meaning. None the less, every time I read “witty fashion” I stop and think, what is witty fashion to me? To many it may seem like an oxymoron, but I think witty fashion is possible.

The first problem with the term "witty fashion" is that it assumes all fashion is not already witty. Creativity is a kind of intelligence that is more difficult to quantify and which is not immediately recognized by the general public as real genius. So, I'm assuming that the term witty fashion assumes that there is some other additional factor to the design that is especially thought provoking.

This brings us to the next problem, what differentiates art from clothing? Is an especially avant guard designer more an artist than a clothing designer? Does fashion have to be wearable? Comme de Garcon regularly turns out highly avant guard pieces, which are often thought provoking, but perhaps not always terribly wearable. Is this witty fashion or is it limited edition art in the medium of textile? Most haute couture is worn a very limited number of times, and given the prices it would be difficult to justify if you did not think of it as art.

Witty fashion could also be fashion that manages to be both stunning and highly utilitarian. For example, exercise clothing that looked like street clothing, but could wick away your sweat, deodorize your sweat, resist stains and bacteria, while still remaining comfortable to work out in would certainly be "witty fashion." That designer would be a genius. I also find some of the challenges on the show Project Runway to produce “witty fashion.” During the first season designers were tasked with photographing the city and then using those photographs as inspiration for a piece of clothing. There was the challenge where Austen Scarlet made a stunning dress out of corn husks, it took a highly creative individual to conceptualize and execute such a piece.

The sad thing is, despite the continual overuse of the term “witty fashion,” I see remarkably little that I would truly consider witty walking down designer runways or hanging on department store racks. Hopefully with the new movement towards green technology and sustainability, designer will start to turn out more thoughtful and though provoking pieces.

Image from Bravo

27 June 2008

Hostess Gifts

gifts

Dear Vanessa,
I'm so excited for your virtual tea party tomorrow! Thank you for inviting me. I'm sending along my hostess gifts a day in advance, because I'm sure you will be quite busty tomorrow. I thought you would enjoy this fabulous peacock, running around, adding even more glamor to the party. The peonies are just for you! Put them beside you bed so that you can wake up to something beautiful. Enjoy!

Kisses,
Sophia

Image sources on flickr

26 June 2008

What to Wear??

A Fanciful Twist's E-Party is quickly approaching! I'm trying to pick my outfit, which of these six outfits do you think I should "wear"?

outfit3

outfit2

outfit1

Image sources on flickr

24 June 2008

23 June 2008

Read of the Day!

Roberto makes me
Choose sequins over good taste,
Feathers over shame.

For more like that check out Daddy Likey's Haiku Contest!


22 June 2008

Ethan Allen Rosette Quilt


Hubby and I wandered through Ethan Allen today and I was totally enchanted by this rosette quilt. The picture does not do it justice. As I don't have $750 to spend on new bed coverings, perhaps I will have to take up quilting.

Image from Ethan Allen

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19 June 2008

Fabuless: Target Makeup

targetmake

Design for all at Target expands to Makeup! The designers of British makeup brands Jemma Kidd and Pixi will be doing makeup collections for Target, along with LA based Australian Napoleon Perdis. I think I'm most excited about Jemma Kidd's line for Target will include "clear lip gloss that reacts to the pH level in a person's skin, giving off a tint respective to that individual." (WWD) It sounds a lot like Smashbox O-gloss.

Image sources on Flickr
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18 June 2008

An E-Party hosted by A Fanciful Twist

I've just RSVPed for a virtual Tea Party over at A Fanciful Twist...will I see you there?

17 June 2008

A few favorites...

I ended up having HOURS in the airport on Sunday and waded through over 1,000 posts in my Google Reader, here are a few of my favorites:

16 June 2008

Fabuless: Upcoming Collections

i'm not a plastic bag

NY Magazine just announced the next accessory designers set to do diffusion lines at Target!!
Anya Hindmarch and Sigerson Morrison
both will launch on October 12...mark your calendars!

Image from Flickr
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Blair Waldorf's Brown Capelet

Gossip Girl maybe over for the season, but I plan to continue featuring some of my favorite Gossip Girl looks to help tide myself and other fans over the long GG-less summer. I really adore this caplet on Blair. I would rock it with my elbow length leather gloves in gold or green suede (depending on the rest of the outfit). The capelet is by Trina Turk and is currently on clearance sale at Fashion Chateau, so act fast if you want to add it to your wardrobe! I have to add it looks much cuter on Miss Blair than the website's model.

Image from LA Times

15 June 2008

I <3 Susie's Lashes

Susie Bubble purchased and posted on the sublime new Viktor and Rolf lashes from Shu Uemera. *swoon*

14 June 2008

Rally the Troops!

Having to pay $10 for 2 hours of internet super sucks, but what can I say, I missed you guys too much. The first part of my adventure is over, and the next part is about to begin! So here I sit, in the smallest airport ever, ignoring hubby and writing up a little C&C post before hopping on an airplane.


SO, here is the news:
News item one: One of my BEST friends is up for a an awesome prize over at Store Adore. She is a finalist in their "Favorite Shopping Indulgence" challenge and could win a GIANT Vosges chocolate box. SO-VOTE FOR HER STORY ABOUT HER HONEYMOON SHOPPING TRIP! As an added bribe, if she wins, I will hold my own Vosges give away over here at C&C when I get back in town. Nothing as fabulous as store adore, but chocolate is chocolate and Vosges chocolate is even better than that!! While you are over there, check out Store Adore, it is a pretty awesome website and the founders are really nice! I'm planning on doing a full post on their website at the end of the summer.

Millicent Rogers, Standard Oil Heiress

News item two: Over the last week I've become pretty obsessed with turquoise jewelry. Growing up I thought turquoise was kind of grandiose and gaudy. I would see famous women in 1950s society pictures and wonder, what the heck are they thinking! But, it has been growing on me. Yesterday I purchased a sublime strand of Tiffany turquoise beads, which I plan to make into a necklace with a large white bow closure. I'll be sure to post pictures when it is done.

News item three: Yay for internet Cafes! I hope to supplement the automatic Monday posts with sporadic updates from airports and internet Cafes!

Kisses!
Sophia

Images from Store Adore and New York Social Diary

09 June 2008

Get Plurky!

plurk
So, I've started playing around with Plurk in the last day or two. I'm not quite as into it as I am to Twitter just yet, but it is growing on me fast. You can check out my full report on Girls Guide to Blogging. You should definitely "friend me" if you decide to join Plurk! We can start a Chic and Charming Clique!
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06 June 2008

Far and Away

Going on an extended leave from all things online because of a far and away work assignment in a place without reliable internet. I've written a handful of posts that will automatically post once a week while I am away. I will miss you!

Kisses,
Sophia

Lost that loving feeling: Burberry Plaid


With the rise of mastige, many venerable luxury brands are starting to dilute their image by overexposure. While I do love a classic trench, I feel the Burberry has crossed journeyed from stodgy old world brand, to hip to overexposure. One of the most overexposed luxury "icons" over the last decade is Burberry Plaid, ESPECIALLY in the United Kingdom! Despite their overexposure, Burberry has been making a comeback over the past few years, unsurprisingly through accessory sales. The only thing more recognizable than Burbery plaid on a handbag is the Louis Vuitton LV. I usually assume the LV is a fake, likewise, I assume most "Burberry" scarfs and purses are as well.


Images from answers.com
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05 June 2008

Art Nouveau Primer

I think that my favorite style of design is Art Nouveau. I simply adore the curvy, organic lines. The style was most popular around the turn of the last century (1890-1914). It has been called an artistic response to the utilitarian design of the industrial revolution, an attempt by contemporary artists to inject beauty back into cities and objects. It was also a backlash against mass production, which is something that seems to be very relevant today. At the turn of the 20th century, those with style are increasingly seeking out superior craftsmanship and durability, with eye toward supporting artisans. This mirrors the desires of those involved in the Art Nouveau movement one hundred years ago.

deco3

Art Nouveau overlaps a great deal with the Arts and Crafts movement (another personal favorite). Arts and Crafts can be simpler and less ornamental than some Art Nouveau works, and is defined by its emphasis on hand made, artisanal production.

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Here are a few names to know from the Art Nouveau Movement:
  • Tiffany Glass and Decorating Co. (yes, it is the ancestor of Tiffnay, as in Breakfast at Tiffany)
  • Morris and Co. was an early manufactures of this style, it went out of business in 1939, it has been reborn as a new company which manufacturers replicas of the original products
  • Aubrey Beardsley was an illustrator in the Art Nouveau style
  • Some works by Gustav Klimt , Mucha and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec are done in this style
  • Adler and Sullivan, Antoni Gaudi, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Frank Lloyd Wright all designed building in the Arts and Crafts or Art Nouveau style
These are just a handful of names to know! There is a full and rich body of work to discover if you've fallen in love with Art Nouveau!

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If you would like to absorb more of this beautiful style, I recommend watching GiGi or the opening animated sequences of Enchanted. If you have a lot of money to spend...Chicago, Barcelona, Prague or Glasgow all have excellent, well preserved architecture in this style.

Image sources on flickr

01 June 2008

Dear Vera Wang,

Please take note of the following citation issued in response to your Vera Wang for Kohls line AND your lingerie/nightwear line (luxe excluded) on sale at fine retailers, such as bloomys. This is your first warning, if you persist in this course of action you risk totally alienating all women with taste:
vera

You can buy your own citations at knock knock