My Thoughts on Wang-ciaga

"Alexander Wang on Monday became the first designer of Asian descent to enter the highest ranks of Parisian high fashion when he was named creative director of the storied house of Balenciaga. "
                                                                                            -NY Times

Ok, first off I guess we'll ignore Kenzo,  a Parisian high fashion label founded in 1970 by a Japanese designer, Kenzo Takada, and recently rejuvenated when LVMH (who owns the line now) brought in Opening Ceremony prodigies, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, both of Asian descent to be the new creative directors. Oh Grey Lady. Fact check much?

But more importantly, how did this pairing come to be? Many industry insiders are grumbling that this a thinly veiled attempt to bring in a designer who can craft an 'It Bag' since most houses depend on handbags and shoes to make money. Balenciaga currently has none of those but behind Alexander Wang is the widely popular 'Rocco', 'Diego' bags and 'Anouk' and 'Amber' shoes featured all over street style blogs. Make no mistake PPR, which owns Balenciaga, is betting the house on proven accessory cash cow know how

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Nicolas Ghesquière left Balenciaga on such a high note built on seasons of pushing silhouettes to new limits. Volume shouted with striking, architectural constructions of shape that seemed other-worldly. Funny, the same was said for Cristóbal Balenciaga when he freed women of classical silhouettes, crafting instead volumes for women to utilize like armor

(Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, Fall 2012)

In stark contrast, Wang had popularized the street urchin chic of slouch and burnout stretch jersey. How will this translate to the house the cocoon coat built?

(Alexander Wang, Spring 2012)

Finally, and it needs to be said, especially with Wang entering "the highest ranks of Parisian high fashion", there's a quality issue giant white elephant in the room. Balenciaga under Ghesquière was made in France, Italy or throughout Europe. Wang's line is made in China (or possibly US sweatshops?) Will clients be willing to ante up for inferior products rushed to increase margins?

 (Above Wang Photo Credit: Flare.com)

Let's Go for a Walk

This past week Mr G and I watched Miss GL's glorious pup, Gia. She was a real treat and easy to care for, yet, every morning when I took her out for a walk the dilemma arose of what does one wear to escort the dog out for a squat?


Kenzo's Fall 2012 Paris runway came a'answering

This Coat

Those loose waffle knit details, that floppy collar (presumably zip up, if particularly nippy out). I want this coat in my life.  

                             

<---- Grape Print Pants 






Fine vines. Printed pants continue to trot out and into my dream wardrobe.

Lion sweater --->






Ferocious! This sweater makes it clear: "No, you may not
pet my dog" 

Next weekend I'm watching Gia again. That gives me ten days to find some thrift Kenzo. 

Ten Things I Loved in January

2012 is already 1/12th of the way done. Let's see what things didn't piss me off this month:

1. Lemon Ginger tea from Twining's 

A right kick in the a** on a winter's day.

2. This jacket from the Fall 2012 Kenzo runway

Yeah, this could very well be a shirt, but you know my dumbness would wear it as a jacket. In 40 degree cold. 

3. Finished this book! 

Before my three month deadline! 

4. Jack's Wife Freda restaurant

Turns out, it is new. And that vegetable couscous with tangy chutney is delicious (despite its hard to swallow $16 price tag)

(Photos from i-phone by candlelight. Bugger off.) 

5. I became an uncle!

Three times over. 

6. Charlize Theron on Top Chef

That Snow White flick of hers don't even come out 'til June and she's already out there peddling it with "make me a feast fit for an evil queen" throw downs. But I'm dying to go see it, so I'll shut up. Theron knows what she's doin', wicked shillster! 

(Winning dish featured a red right hand) 

7. Madonna in her various W.E. promotional Fuckery

Speaking of evil queens...

8. Getting paid to write this pun

"Worried you'd never get your hands on a fine Robert Graham shirt like this 'Venice' style? Well with prices this good, you 'canal'."

 9. Movies about masochistic, exhibitionist peak Jane Fonda with unexplained baby cheetah cameos

10. Miss Piggy re-tweeted me

Bowler League

Just the other day (before my abscess drama, so it feels like a lifetime ago) I was telling a hat-friendly co-worker how he should invest in a bowler

(Wool felt classic men's bowler, San Diego Hat Co., $35 at www.qvc.com)

I've always loved the shape and it feels so classic and sophisticated. The hat has also become iconically linked to one of my favorite artist, Belgian surrealist René Magritte

(the artist in a bowler with his Son of Man, bowler also on top)

We've already seen this trend on the runways

(Antonio Azzuolo Spring 2011)

(Ralph Lauren Spring 2011)

(Kenzo Fall 2011)

And now I wanna get Lucifer in on the bowler action too, although I don't think he's as hat friendly as the fluff-n-nutter in these photos

(Handmade acrylic pet bowler hat, Mel P Designs, $20 at www.etsy.com)

But my co-worker wasn't sure a bowler hat was right for him. Understood, my large noggin' is what's kept me away from it and any hat unfortunately. But we could don these socks from Corgi with nary a worry and nab a little of that bowler magic

And I've acquired quite an extensive sock collection already, so why not. Plus I'm diggin' the red and turquoise contrast. Color blocking and a wink of Magritte? Add it to the bottom dresser drawer, baby!

(Corgi cotton blend socks with bowler hat motif, $28, exclusively at Mr Porter, www.mrporter.com)

Not convinced? How about some gleeful dancing in a bowler. Take it away Mr Yorke!

Orange Marma-lads

Fellas, after a dramatic love affair during women's Spring 2011, fashion's still got an Orange crush

(Burberry Prorsum)

(Bottega Veneta)

(Ermenegildo Zegna)

(Mugler)

(Alexander McQueen)

(Costume National)

(Kenzo)

(Henrik Vibskov)

(Louis Vuitton)

(Jil Sander)

(Walter Van Beirendonck)