My new addiction.....

These are my first four Polyvore set's on my new account, I forgot just how addictive it can be. The last time I used it I was still in high school wasting time with my friend Jessie doing "Research" for sewing class. So after my afternoon of Polyvore addiction I've decided on a new "mini-column" which feature's on the side of my blog that will showcase my most recently made set's, however I will also upload them to Facebook and you can also see them on my Polyvore page.

This new little mini-column is also my way of trying to incorporate more fashion into Lace Knickers as it is my life's passion, without taking away my ability to continue writing a random array of articles. Oh and if you have your own Polyvore or are just starting one email me the link? I'd be so interested to see your own style and take on presentation!

Lot's of Love

             Audrey Megan

When did tacky become chic?

(Source)

Sitting with coffee in hand browsing through Internet shopping a reoccurring thought came to mind: At what point did tacky become chic? Now before you all go, whoa, whoa! Back down there Audrey, I'm not attacking the craze... Well, not quite if I’m honest the majority of "Tacky Chic" I look at with distaste, although I do believe tacky chic can be done well. For example I find that Lady Gaga pull's it off quite well, but this maybe as she carries an air of class. Whereas Katy Perry tends to not, due to her (excuse me) but supposed willingness to "put-out." Yes, Lady Gaga does also flaunt her sexuality however I find it to always be in a much more self-empowered way in relation to Katy.  

The classy tacky is incredibly hard to replicate, and of course it's near impossible when everyday life isn't in the same context in which Gaga lives. The internet has of course been onto this so-called new trend, for a while now so I’m hardly commenting on anything new, and I’m not against the internet's exploitation of this it's a great money maker I’m sure. However it has managed to increase the number of 90's style imitator’s as well as over-priced plastic shoes and mustache themed everything.

Jeffrey Campbell

(Source)

I have a preference for the classic's, although I wouldn’t been seen dead in a pair of Doc's I like the original’s much more than the new patent floral designs that are made in China, and I much prefer real to faux be it leather, fur (I know, horrible person) or label's. Speaking of label's and more specifically high end. One tacky chic designer who come's to mind is of course Jeremy Scott whose latest collection doesn’t disappoint in terms of tacky chic. True to form he uses a rainbow palette and mixture of unconventional patterns. Jeremy Scott does not appeal to my better sense's and yet he pull's model's from the top of the ranks and make's mega buck's selling imitation Coca-Cola bottle dresses and sunglasses patterned coats. So am I the only one who doesn’t get it? The last clothing snob left?

Jeremy Scott Spring RTW 2011

(Source)

Sometime's I feel like I am, but then I remember I'm wearing my mum's old pig patterned jumper, that sometime's Jeremy Scott does get it right and that there's alway's Chanel.

Jeremy Scott Spring RTW 2011

(Source)

Chanel Spring RTW 2011

(Source)

Lot's of Love

                   Audrey Megan

Marc By Marc Jacobs, Resort 2012

I'm not so much a fan of Marc Jacobs however I do like his diffusion line; Marc By Marc Jacobs and the Resort 2012 collection is no exception. The colour palette is quite wide with reds, blues, greens and yellows making quite bold statements and a mixture of both formal and playful pieces. There's an ongoing theme of tie belts and pussy bows which for such a diverse collection nicely pulls it all together. My favorite pieces from this collection are his structured formal pieces that follow a generally monochromatic colour scheme however he has drawn me into his 1950s green floral print with his shirt and skirt combination that has quite a coltish feel to it. Some of my favorites are pictured below.

 All Images are from Fashionologie.

Lots of Love

          Audrey Megan

Take a deep breath...

I've always had a bit of a thing for Zac Posen and when Coco Rocha posted her photos of the new collection I swear I spent about a half and hour on fashionologie just wondering over the dresses especially. They are absolutely stunning!  

The collection is mainly monochromatic with sudden bursts of gold sequins, red chiffon and baby blue satin. The collection follows an "American Royalty" theme. Uber-femme with hourglass silhouettes and an amazing quality of craftsmanship the collection has reinstated Posen back into the business with a bang after the mixed feelings over his previous collections. Oh, if a both had a place to wear and enough money to afford this I would most defiantly invest in the finale.

(Source)

Ahhhh, gorgeous isn't it, Coco definitely does it justice

.

Lots of Love

               Audrey Megan

P.S. The sky looks so amazing right now: A mixture of teal and burnt orange!!!

Chalayan's genius

I recently had to do some research into Hussein Chalayan whom I'd actually never heard of before, (I guess that show's the true breadth of my knowledge). I looked at a couple of his collections and needless to say I was impressed, very impressed. Staying true, it seems to my new androgynous obsession I fell white in love with his newest 'ready-to-wear' collection, Sakoku. Now before I write about the collection it's self. I thought that you would perhaps benefit from a quick definition of 'Sakoku' as Hussein Chalayan puts a lot of thought into his concepts and ideas; he lets his inspiration truly take form in his creations.

Hussein Chalayan

Sakoku roughly translates into "locked country" and is from Japan's isolationist policy, put into place from 1633 to 1853. This policy allowed for no one to enter Japan and for no one to leave, people caught doing so faced death. Wikipedia has a great article on sakoku here. Hussein Chalayan rigidly incorporated the idea into his latest collection. The showing of the collection was done via video, isolating the models and cutting them off from any audience, much like the sakoku regime. The video is very eerie and  that is helped a lot by the music and sounds, but also very elegant and minimalist. Vogue has it here if you want to watch it, and i well recommend that you should!

 The first looks too be shown were very androgynous, with straight cut shirts, waistcoats and the models veiled. The shoes worn represented ankle cuffs, as a thick band encircled each ankle. A small introduction of light blues, and greasy entered when the models lost veils, however much of the clothing retained it's 'boyish' shape. Finally there was the entrance of the floaty floral dress, this could have potentially been a reference to the final abolishment of the policy, however three masked ' puppeteer's' surrounded the model as she walked moving the fabric for her. A symbol of Japans holds over the people in that time period. After this both simultaneously beautiful yet also chilling dress. A range of startlingly bright colorful appeared, before returning to the monochromatic palate of previous.

(Source)

I found Hussein’s depth into his research inspiring as he took everything he could from the sakoku policy and turned into a collection that both spoke politically about such an alarming era and managed to hold beauty at the same time.

(Source)

Although I have chosen to analyze this collection, I suggest that you take a look at his site (here) because he has all his collections archived there and with each he has taken the time to thoroughly research his idea's and incorporate them into his work, creating beautiful collections, infect one of my other favorites is his 2007 S/S collection, one hundred and eleven where he created dresses that changed and morphed themselves into new positions, With on even completely disappearing up into the model's hat leaving her bare on the catwalk. He is defiantly one to be admired and he is most definitely on my list of top designers!

Lots of Love

    Audrey Megan