New Neutral



This image (shown above) began my love affair with Valentio. His dresses are clean with the perfict balance of femmine with and edge. Build your wordrobe around one of these dresses and you can't go wrong.
Newtral: for a New Year.
After all the glittery tensile, red and green, the overall sensory overload, lets clean the plate with some wardrobe building neutrals. Chic in their simplicity. They also allow the wearer to be that much more creative with their wardrobe. It’s all about the versatility that can re-inspire you to wear what you all ready have in your closet.

Miu Miu Of a Different Age yet Timeless


 

It is impossible to speak of a 40’s cinematic aesthetic without 
Miu Miu’s 2011 fall collection.
I gushed over this collection when it first debuted, at the time, on my Tumblr page I wrote:
 "Out of all the fall's collections this was my most coveted. Subtle in its’ play on classic silhouettes it becomes about the art of the finish details. The large buttons the floral the sequined birds create a tone of whimsy while still these looks demand a elegant seriousness. A glamour not to be trifled with but can still spark fantasy." 
Looking back I still swoon but more importantly I see its relevance to the fall collections of now. The silhouette speaks to the return of suiting, and turns to a different proportion one that is larger with shoulders (bye -bye maxi dress), the appliques of glittery birds and florals hint to the hyper embellishment that is now in,  then the modernizing of fur, and the use bright color that is now every wear!  Miuccia Prada is ever pushing us forward in how we dress  and she certainly did so with a classic kid-glove and this 
stunning collection. 


I

 To re-experiance the whole collection visit:

Mood Board #7 The Cinematic 40's





So Cinematic
Taking inspiration from the 1940's, the era of the cinematic Film Noir, these looks are iconic and timeless in there glamour, polish and refinement. I find it's just the right mix of femme fatale and serious suiting. It's the season to layer up in the mystery.

The Soceity Slouch Vogue 10/10







“LOVE THE SLOUCH”
This fashion shoot comes entirely from Vogue. The joining article (HERE) is all about “The Society Slouch” – the new cocktail dressing.  “The Slouch” refers to a looseness, an ease to clothing and life. It is a style about the lux sex appealed of  fabric, draping, and mystery as appose to the body-con dress and stiletto look. These women show case their style more than their cleavage. What you get in place of vulgarity  are looks that tell you a story. A narrative not necessarily of this time and place but one that brings together classic literature and cocktail notions.





The Old Hipster or Vintage Dressing

This is an article about hipster fashion as defined by the vintage, Western, distress clothing phenomenon. News flash, to the fun fashion hipsters of Portland Or. and beyond, because this trend has hit the main stream (high fashion like in a Vogue publication, see artical) then it is no longer a "hipster style." So has the hipster look died with H&M and thick rimmed glasses on everyone, or will it morph into something new? 
I am waiting to see what the freaks and geeks on the street come up with. 
Come on hipster's show me what you got!!! 




A New Light. Mood board #5




A New Light
For this transition into early fall I start to think about those long shadows cast by a sinking sun. The photos in this mood board conjure the elegant contrast of a California light.  Th  editorial shoot featuring Mia Wasikowska expresses dressing for the west cost life, in a glitzy yet laid back mix of black, cream and gold (and desert Kachina print dress by Hermes). Classic, rock and roll, and Hollywood these contrast will make you strut into a new light.
Find inspiration in this light from The Row

Article Archive: Prints by Karen Walker

 
Karen Walker is a designer that has turned her attention to the whimsical, wearable prints that have a very vintage inspired appeal.  With collection titles such as "Perfect Day" (shown above) featuring petite oiseaux printed blouses, and current collection "Sea Monsters" featuring swirly nautical prints, the joy of dressing is the well executed mission.
Article from Nylon Magazine 

Print Riot






Print Riot 
In the joyous sun-soaked days, at the height of summer, all you need is print on top of print. Some prints are vintage, some prints are whimsically "animally" (for this you need Charlotte Taylor) and the print of the most importance, almost a wardrobe staple is the TRIBAL PRINT! 
                                      

Mood Board #4 Prints




This mood board is all about the prints. Some of my absolute favorites! Notice the origami cat print by Piamita* in the head to toe look and the reptile-esque print on the Anthropologie dress. Adding a whimsical playfulness to the spirit of summer, the looks stay polished by keeping the palates monotone and the silhouettes structured. If the other style elements stay refined then the thoughtful prints really stand out!
  
-This post goes out to my friend Felicity, a true master of print and design. I always imaged her being able to pull of the hot pant striped blazer ensemble!


Bijoux #2





This is another great jewelery design mood board. Different shapes and trends all inspired by the deep green of the emerald. Not only a redheads best friend but it remains a classic amongst the color craze of late. Think emerald is the new navy. This color is so rich that even the fine cut dresses (one the most refined by Jil Sander Spring 12 line) seem to act like full body jewelery. Confident, daring and mouth watering. Just like the redheads who wear it well!

-I am dedicating this post to my sister, as this is her favorite color for a reason! I hope she packs some emerald in her luggage as she sets off for a summer in Rome! Kiss Kiss.

Fashion and Screen




Mildrid Perice
This photo shoot comes directly from "W". If you are unaware they have a great monthly feature that goes behind the scenes with up coming screen entertainment.  Last spring was the glorious “Mildrid Perice” with Kate Winslet as the star. The shoot itself really captures the masterpiece of the HBO mini-series. From the sets, lighting, performances, and the fashion it preserved the time and place of California glamor. Mothers and Daughters everywhere were moved by the story and longed for1940’s silky garments.

mood board #3: Cutting Loose with Decorum




 Mood Board #3: Cutting Loose with Decorum
In this town were I reside (Portland, Or.) The first warming and sunny days seems signal women to step out of the house, quite suddenly, totally scantly clad. All pail flesh. This mood board is about the glory of a transition. These woman look cool and put together in lovely lose long pants, so breezy and so many playful colors. Give yourself the time to acclimate to the new weather, the new spring fever and the new style you adapt. It's never becoming to bare-all too soon.

Franny & Campari

Franny who? Franny wears brilliant trousers and holds her hands in a purposeful, suggestive manner. Franny is one in a series of character studies inspired by photos.

Mid-day sun pierces Franny's eyes. Blithely, she positions her hand above her head, reminiscent of a Victorian lady prior to a fainting spell. What lies in the distance. A bird? No. A flock of birds? A ship? No. An Armani-swathed gentleman holding two Campari sodas approaches Franny. The bold color of Campari parallels Franny's belted, chic trousers. The hour strikes 18 30. Aperitivo seems more than appropriate. Franny coyly takes the Campari soda. Tomorrow she will be adorned in her traditional day-time armor. An ideally balanced homme-femme blouse, bright tailored trousers, gold pseudo (faux?)-tie necklace lingering sensually. Sunglasses borrowed from Jackie O's personal collection hide memories of mysteries from the night before. Franny's red, nearly pursed, lips suggest self-imposed alienation, albeit inciting endless invitations. She will accept a few. Politely decline the masses. Friday evening arrives. Franny dons a new-age garden kimono, revisited. She glides from the New York City Ballet to a jazz bar in the East Village as seamlessly as her kimono. White slacks command simplicity and sophistication. Will she accompany Claude or Giovanni to the next bar du jour for Sazeracs? Franny couldn't be bothered to decide. She ponders a spontaneous flight to Oslo or Vienna.
Madeline Pearl at madtothewords.blogspot.com

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard in Vogue. 
This is a woman of glamorous refined sex appeal. This photo shoot does an impeccable job of capturing her tour de force French style while still giving a wink to nostalgia and a pin-up silhouette. How could you not be inspired by Marion Cotillard?
 
"Josephine" is a fictional character inspired by Marion Cotillard. To me she embodies whimsy. She is the first in a series of characters that will be featured on The False Unicorn.


Edith Piaf's "Non, Je ne Regret Rien" billows from a third floor lavender lined window. Josephine possesses the kind of laissez-faire elegance and ennuie that only a Frenchwoman can embody. Daytime finds her casually photographed against a Provincial blue door, hair disheveled. Purse held lazily in hand, Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" nearly falls to the ground. Josephine's slate colored lingerie evokes a 1930's aesthetic. She is cut from another era. Nighttime crawls. Josephine grows bored with the day. Dressing herself in a bow trimmed ensemble demanding any gentleman to inquire whether she would like her dirty martini shaken or stirred. Surrounded by stones and artifacts, Josephine poses, aware of the gaze she summons. Framed by sleek hair and dark sunglasses, Josephine embodies the modern woman, conscious of decades past. She hasn't yet decided where to go. She steps in to a 1937 Aston Martin, vanishing with barely an embrace goodbye.

By Madeline Pearl at madtothewords.blogspot.com