The Past is so Now












The Past is still relevant.
Admittedly these images come from Fall 2011.
Via Harper's Bazaar runway report.
I find these collections so on trend, as they show the kernel of the designers ideas that have now bloomed into a more main steam zeitgeist. Many of the themes in this collections are still going strong: Bright Color, Statement Coats, and Prints everywhere!

The Green and Grey of It




In keeping with the style theme of the "new neutral" these wardrobe building piece are even better in alternative greens and greys. The clean and polish is there but with a bit more of a tomboy, masculine twist, army green is the ultimate modern girl neutral.

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!
 More about Piamita


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.

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

A Marc Jacob's Palate

           Overall I am a fan of Marc Jacob, because he is a fan of Art. The artist side of the brand really shows through in all of his marketing campaigns: recognizable, quirky, well lit and photographed from interesting perspectives. I have had many favorite Marc Jacob adds over the years. This particular series I like for the lighting and the palate. the youthful grunge look is great well.
Fashion Light and Palate #2