F/W 2011: Vivienne Westwood

images via style.com

I can only imagine how wonderful this show must have been in person. A gilded, glitzy runway - with matching shoes? With that being said, people are notoriously distracted by "shiny things", but with this collection, I'm willing to bet the crowd managed to direct its attention to the magically diverse apparel.

This collection has a wide appeal, with pieces for anyone. Named "World Wide Woman" by Westwood herself, it maintains cohesion that literally awes me. And of course, it's about more than just the clothes. It's making a statement.

xox Catherine

F/W 2011: Junya Watanabe

images via style.com

Though my style is probably more feminine in comparison to this collection, I have a huge soft spot for leather jackets, combat boots, and general bad ass fashion. So many jackets in every silhouette imaginable... almost makes me wish my pleather jacket had a nipped in waist to give that extra something. And of course, I'd want to pair it with a pleated skirt, like so.

xox Catherine

F/W 2011: Roland Mouret

images via style.com

"Live for today, love what tomorrow might bring and be grateful for yesterday" - Roland Mouret

French by birth, and English by residence, I must admit, I have never even heard of Mouret prior to browsing the newest shows on Style.com. I can't say a new obsession has formed, but I feel slightly more "in the know." (I hate that phrase, by the way.) Acclaimed for expertly tailored pieces, these were a little looser, perhaps trying to appeal to a wide audience for the opening of his first store.

...And can we note how good that chartreuse dress (middle left) is? Seriously.

xox Catherine

F/W 2011: Balenciaga

images via style.com

Out of all the collections I've posted so far, Balenciaga's 2011 autumn is by far the least wearable. Incidentally, it happens to be a particularly tamer collection from the brand, led by Nicolas Ghesquière. Indeed, it is more refined and a little less out there, but I still get a hallucinatory feeling from it. The floral print on those flowy skirts is a little trippy, though not reminiscent of typical "trippy" art.

Looking at this has continued my thoughts about fashion as an art. Of course, many are quick to categorize all artists as the starving/painting type, but still, fashion is regarded by some as being frivolous. I've pondered this issue before, but haven't come to any final decision. If fashion is frivolous, isn't buying an expensive contemporary painting? And pardon my stereotyping - most of the opposition I've heard has come from the middle-America-sports-obsessed type. With that being said, isn't paying $500 for a "good" seat at a football game a little absurd?

I intend to continue this thought at a later date, but for now, enjoy your weekend!

xox Catherine

F/W 2011: Bodkin

I know I'm a little late on this - it's from NYFW. Also, I'm not really sure what's possessed me to post so much about the collections this season, but apparently, the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry is appealing. Kind of.

It seems only natural that I'm drawn to Bodkin's F/W line... comfy drapey pieces as well as comfy sweaters, presented with platform sandals and combat boots. And naturally, Eviana Hartman's environmental interests lure in the nature geek in me.

Images via style.com

F/W 2011: Mulberry

I can't help but describe this collection as charmingly English. Notorious for the Alexa bag, named after muse Alexa Chung, this brand also shines in its ready-to-wear clothing - literally. And the outerwear. Swoon. I love this quirky color palette applied to modernly classic pieces.

Images via style.com

xox Catherine

PS Just a reminder - once I hit 250 followers, I plan to have a giveaway!

F/W 2011: Rodarte

I love the designs of Kate and Laura Mulleavy, honest. But when I think of Rodarte, this isn't necessarily what I think of. Instead, images of perfectly feminine yet bad ass draping comes to mind. This collection is significantly more ladylike, but still maintains that cool factor rather than just promoting itself as yet another New Look inspired line, popularized by Mad Men (which I've never watched).

It's not what I'm accustomed to from the sisters, but sometimes, change is good.

xox Catherine

F/W 2011: Suno

I've posted about Suno before here, but this label has been the darling of New York Fashion Week since it's presentation last Saturday. More ladylike than previous collections, the designers at Suno still prove themselves masters at mixing prints. Literally. And I'm a little amused to see yet more pattern mixing/matching with clothing and footwear... a new take on seasons-long unexpected print combinations, perhaps. Either way, I'm just as smitten as everyone else.

xox Catherine

F/W 2011: Steven Alan

Images via style.com

Never mind that this collection was shown six days ago... I'm still glorifying it in my mind. It exudes a certain 1960's outdoorsy vibe, which I'm going crazy over. Totally wearable, too. That cool-toned A-line dress in the first image? So good. And that casually-cool coat+leopard top+sweatpants ensemble? Borderline perfection.

xox Catherine

Lookbook: Suno F/W 2010

As summer (really) dwindles away, I've been outfitted in lackluster outfits... the chill in the air has led me to actually put on pants when I leave my house around 8pm. I've accepted the possibility that autumn might be on its way (read: I'm still in denial), so I figured absorbing a bit of inspiration wouldn't be harmful. In comes Suno, the label started by Max Osterweis in 2008.



Can we just agree that these Kenyan-crafted garments are wonderful? The prints? The colors? The silhouettes... Yes? Okay then.

So as I end my summer (hopefully on a good note), enjoy this and expect an outfit post soon.

xox Catherine

F/W RTW 2011

Two favorites so far:

Marc by Marc Jacobs


It's not that I'm not a fan of Marc Jacobs in either of his eponymous lines. But I'm not consistently smitten and I don't consider emptying my bank accounts to purchase clothing from M by MJ too frequently. And while this is no exception (designer pieces I own = 0), there's definitely a cool vibe. I guess the military jacket trend will continue into fall. Which makes me want to purchase one... the one I saw at H&M this past weekend for $50. An investment in my book, especially considering that I already have a "light jacket." But there's room for more. But that's how my clothing obsessions begin. Anyway...

Organic by John Patrick


I usually get the gist of what styles come from which decades. "Scandalous" in the 20's, a little conservative in the 30's, less fabric in the 40's, swingy skirts of the 50's... which brings me to the 60's, which this collection is definitely inspired by. I'll admit that the 60's don't particularly wow me, but this does (as well as his S/S collection!). The dress in the first photo? Lovely. And organic isn't just a trendy word used to describe the inspiration and flow of the fabrics - the fabrics are in fact organic. Being the environmental nerd I am, yeah, these are cool.

Images from Style.com

F/W RTW 2011... and not that.

As you all know, I don't like winter. As much as I enjoy clothes, I find it so much easier to get into spring/summer collections vs. their cold weather counterparts.

So in this post, I'll go backwards - all the way back to...

3.1 Phillip Lim, Resort 2009


I saw this dress before I was interested in style/fashion to the extent I am now, but I think it's perfect. Yes, it's from a long while ago. But I'm trying to get in the mood for spring...

so, some from 3.1 Phillip Lim, Resort 2010


Yes, I'm late. But I want to be outfitted like this all spring. Especially the look all the way to the right. I think a DIY of some sort might be in order.

Now, shall I get to what's new and exciting?...



Rodarte F/W 2011 RTW

I love that these are uplifting and not traditionally "fall." Usually fall=plaid, wool, etc. But it's still not quite spring. I'm feeling this. Rodarte is always a bit out there for my taste - usually I keep it simple. But these colors are magnificent, inspiring, etc.



Charlotte Ronson F/W 2011 RTW

More fall florals. This is tolerable, and doesn't make me totally hate the concept of fall, but it's not necessarily innovative. But that brings me to something I frequently wonder - why must everything push boundaries? Sometimes it's nice to settle into one spot and work it.

All images from Style.com

So I've just done what fashion bloggers all over the world have done - give their insight on the latest collections. I suppose I'm just thinking about everything on from a very personal standpoint, which is what I've been doing with everything lately.

xox Catherine

PS More later?