Eternal Masquerade

Links à la Mode

The Anti-Fashion Week

Edited by Dramatis Personae That isn’t to say that I’m against Fashion Week… but more that this week’s Links á la Mode just really isn’t focused on it. With amazing interviews from kaKofoniesOfsi(gh)lens, Fashion in My Eyes, and Eternal Masquerade to great features on vintage clothing from Retro Chick and Unfunded, there’s as much fabulousness on off the catwalk as on. Maybe it’s bitterness that I’ll be missing out on NYFW for the 3rd season in a row or maybe it’s my gentle heart preventing you all from Fashion Week burnout too soon…which it is, I’ll never tell. Note from Editor : Please be sure to check out the IFB Conference at NYFW : Evolving Influence

Links à la Mode: February 11th

• 39thandbroadway.com: – How Designers Really View Their Customers
• A Typical Atypical: – I chat about how hard it must be to love fashion and be blind, and I question whether there ought to be a charity dedicated to helping people feel good about how they look even if they can’t see it in the mirror.
• Cafe Fashionista: – Style Secrets: Symbol of Style. A how-to on creating your very own trademark/signature look.
• dramatis personae – How to Pack for Mardi Gras!
• Eternal Masquerade: – Interview with young designer, and Teen Vogue/CFDA/Target scholarship winner, Jennifer Huang.
• Fab Blab: – Even after all these years, we continue to differentiate between dark and fair. How does this affect the fashion industry adversely?
• Fashion Cents: – Seven Style Basics that EVERYONE should know! Make sure you are not committing these style “sins.”
• fashion in my eyes: – Fashion is supposed to be fun! Interview with designer Arina Varga
• Haute World: – A Mad Tea Party? An exclusive look at how 9 luxury designers interpret Alice in Wonderland for French department store Printemps.
• Instant Vintage: – Blood, Sweat & T-Shirts: Learning the true cost of that cheap and chic outfit you just scored.
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS: – Interview with Anna Osterlund of Ravishing Mad
• Model Max: – Are ‘respectable’ fashion writers insecure with ‘upstart amateur’ fashion bloggers?
• Oranges and Apples: – Is fashion oppressive or fun? some belated thoughts on Tanya Gold hating fashion
• Rags to Reverie: – Vivienne Westwood showed that fashion forwardness could be inspired by the past
• Retro Chick: – Top tips to on the spot dating of Vintage Clothes
• THE COVETED: – Devil’s Advocate : blogging and corporate seeding
• The Fashion Planner: – DIY: How to Make Naughty Granny Panties for Valentine’s Day!
• the musings of ondo lady: – Back in 2006 Slave to Fashion, a three part documentary was aired on Channel 4 which took a really good look at the fashion industry.The aim was to make sense of the multi billion industry which everyone from the media to consumers seemed to be obsessed w
• The Recessionista: – an hour ago Rebecca Taylor & Milly: Fashion Week Inspiration
• Unfunded: – Photos and thoughts from the Vintage Fashion Expo in Santa Monica, CA.The

Thanks again IFB!

Long Live McQueen

 While I had recently woken up in a fairly decent mood this morning, all hopes of a good day were lost when the news of Alexander McQueen's death struck. You may see the above image posted on many blogs today, but that is because it really is a beautiful photograph highlighting a beautiful man. It's almost strange to think that while we didn't know each other, his death has deeply affected me. 

I remember when I first discovered McQueen; I was thirteen years old and peering over the pages of an InStyle Magazine when a photograph taken of him with Sarah Jessica Parker at the Met Costume Institute Gala (much like the one below) popped up across the pages. All I could think about was who that man was in the fabulous plaid skirt and how he held his own of a red carpet while hand in hand with one of the most sought after actresses of our time. The man unknowingly exposed me to a world of fashion that was daring and creative. A world, that one day I hoped to be a part of, and still do.

 

To read what other bloggers have to say about the tragic story check out:

Ode to Awe

StyleCaster

 For more information on the visionary's death, check out:

New York Times

BBC News

Daily Mail

The Cut

Winter Song

As the winter weather forges ahead- despite my desperate attempts, I find myself trapped in a snowglobe-like atmosphere. So what else can I do but give in? I've decided to make the best of the frigid temperatures and impeding cancelations of plans by reveling in the beauty of Old Man Winter's creations from the comfort of my grandfather's equally as old leather recliner.

WeHeartIt

   

Some things I've learned throughout the process of this storm:

1. I can not make coffee for the life of me. Regardless of the divine smell of carmel, the beans are a dirty mistress full of bitter trickery.

2. Fashionable shoes taking a backseat are a must. For the first snow storm this year, I have worn my winter boots, and my winter boots alone, and I haven't tripped once!

3. While some photos are awe-inspiring, the great white wind usually takes over providing less than stellar results. (See Below)

4. Baked goods are a necessity for survival. 

5. I have finally found a use for my numerous amounts of throws!

  

 

 

Introducing: Jennifer Huang

 I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Jennifer Huang. Jennifer's a young designer with exceptional talent that hales from Orange County, California. While she may be young, she's certainly had her fair share of experiences. She's been designing collections while attending Orange County High School of the Arts for years, and recently received a scholarship from Teen Vogue, The CFDA, and Target. You may even recognize her face from the photo below that was featured on Life Magazine's site.

 

 I had the opportunity to meet this amazing girl while attending Teen Vogue's Fashion U this past October where she was presented with the scholarship. Well what struck me most about Jennifer was that she didn't even mention the fact that she had won the scholarship the entire day I spent with her. I'm so glad that we had similar schedules and were able to get to know one another. 

I recently caught up with Jennifer through Facebook and e-mails and she agreed to an interview for the site! The interview is posted after the jump.

The Fashion Group International

This evening I had the opportunity to attend an event held by The Fashion Group International of Philadelphia. Some of you may not know but I intern in marketing and my boss got an invite to this swank shindig. The event was held at a beautiful fashion law firm in downtown Philadelphia and consisted of panel discussion and some time available for networking. The panel brought up some amazing points about the thriving industry in Philadelphia. For example, Urban Outfitters Inc. has made a name for themselves right out of Philadelphia's Navy Yard and just opened their 8th building there! It's astounding to hear about how in the world of recession, my city has risen. Kristie Bergy, a Founder and Executive Director of Philadelphia Fashion Week, said "We have the largest retail and manufacturing sector in the marketplace." Not only is our manufacturing industry succeeding, so is our tourism, it's risen by 29% within the last year. The city has "experienced a Renaissance" and isn't backing down anytime soon. We have "the next Nicole Millers" in our midst, which makes us a force to be reckoned with. 

P.S. Special article coming tomorrow!

Shark In the Water

Today is a historic day for musical artist, V.V. Brown. Her album, Traveling Like Light debuted on US iTunes for a mega deal at $5.99. Her songs are infectious, as is her whimsical sense of style. She was recently featured in Teen Vogue with Style Blogger, Andrew Bevan. The article can be found here. While I love V.V. for her strong voice and irresistible lyrics, her trademark non-Snooki poof will always hold a close second in my heart.

Watch out- that poof is going places. Check out Travelling Like Light, available today!    

P.S. Keep checking back in the coming days, I'm working on a special interview with someone that I KNOW you guys will love!

Pretty Girl Blues

Sorry for not posting for some time! I've been busy with homework lately, but I just finished a large portion so I though I'd post. My final assignment for the weekend was thoroughly enjoyable. I had the opportunity to pick any film I wanted (within reason) and critique it for my English class. What film did I choose?

The Philadelphia Story of course!

While the film itself was light and dramatic in all of the right places, the clothing did one better. Katherine Hepburn showed her wonderful womanly side even when she was simply wearing a robe.

Although Jimmy, Cary, and Katherine all held their own, I couldn't help that Katherine's waist gave the performance of the century. I've never seen a waist so small! According to Google results, that belt only had to wrap itself around a mere 20 inches. Ah to be a 40's actress.

One of my favorite outfits from the film had to be this elaborate dress. While I'm not sure how it would stand up to the modern day aesthetic, it's beautiful in it's own right. 

Katherine's costumes weren't the only ones that caught my eye. I adore this hat and bold shouldered look on Ruth Hussey, who played Liz Imbrie, the smart ass. At times I wanted to be her even more than Katharine Hepburn. Wouldn't it have been fun to bust the balls of Jimmy Stewart?