Monthly Archives: June 2011

Runway to reality

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European Designer, Sandra Backlund adds an untraditional twist to classic pieces that are daytime chic and perfect for a night around town in her Spring Summer 2011 Collection. Backlund enables wearing the runway to become a fashionista’s daily reality. Her classic creations are crafted with traditional colors that look sophisticated but she also adds an untraditional twist by sculpting each outfit into a work of art.

Photographer Thomas Klementsson, stylist Naomi Itkes, hair stylist Peter Andersson and make-up artist Anye De Tobon feature model Theres A in Backlund’s latest Spring Summer 2011 Collection campaign in a creative, yet elegant light.

Sandra Backlund, SS 2011

The dark grey basket weave pattern looks creatively elegant. The voluminous detailing around the shoulders make this monotone piece a show stopper and true work of art!

Sandra Backlund, SS 2011

This jacket does not only look comfortable but this piece is also super fashionable. This jacket will look picturesque paired with jeans, trousers, as well as a variety of different bottoms. The anomalous craftsmanship of this three-dimensional jacket makes it a playful wardrobe must-have.

Sandra Backlund, SS 2011

Not the ordinary little black dress. This black dress is extraordinary with extremely intricate detailing and texture, which give this dress uniquely elegant appeal.

Sandra Backlund, SS 2011

The monotone layering has a ripple effect that add an extra creative element to this monotone masterpiece. The extra layering around the waste and chest accentuate the best part of the body in an artistic light.

Celtic Couture

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Friday night I went out for drinks with my friend Sean, he’s Irish. We spoke about his Irish step-dancing among other topics including geeky science stuff that I actually find intellectually stimulating… Sean performed a traditional Irish step dance with Corcairdhearg (pronounced: Core-Key-AIR-egg) for Shakira at Harvard’s, Sanders Theatre during Cultural Rhythms.

Irish Dance Dress, Matching Skirts

Irish step dancing is phenomenal for more than the rapid foot movement and rhythm. I’m particularly intrigued by the dresses the women wear. The traditional Irish dancing dresses have stiff embroidered pleated skirts, which come in an array of vibrant color combinations with authentic designs and intricate detailing.  Although I don’t own much European street or ethnic clothing aside from select higher-end pieces designed by English, Parisian, and Italian designers…. I’m obsessed with Irish step dancing costumes, I would wear the costume everyday if I could get away with it. And I’m considering ordering an Irish dancing suit for the next time I go out. In any case, I wear the runway everyday so Irish dancing dresses would not turn heads that much more. What do you think?

Irish step dance dress collage

Irish Step-Dancing Dresses

Multi-Colored Traditional Irish Dance Dresses

Here’s the video of Sean step dancing with fellow Harvard students for Shakira at Cultural Rhythms… This ought to also be a fashion show…

THRIFTY TREASURES

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Since I’ve moved to my new apartment in Boston, I’ve been so busy with moving stuff, paperwork, etc. It’s exhausting. But one of the most prime shopping trips, out of the many with my new roommate was to the thrift store to purchase unique decorations for our apartment. Unlike department stores and designer boutiques along Newbury Street, thrift stores are stocked with a variety of vintage accessories that will make you stand-out on a tight budget. So following our visit to the thrift store to select decor items, I made an additional shopping trip to stumble upon some very authentic trendy treasures!

Vintage belt and jewelry

Close-ups

Some hip finds from the local thrift store, temporarily hanging on the back of my closet door hooks – the pictures don’t do any justice. Each item ranged in price from $2.99 to $4.99. This thrifty price point is a plus for budget savvy fashionistas. I love how all the accessories have a vintage charm, which make them each one of a kind!! But I’m particularly a huge fan of the oversize belt buckle and unorthodox use of beading on the necklaces that makes them look aesthetically dramatic. These accessories are ideal for adding a bold touch to an ordinary outfit, as I demonstrate in the following photo.

Big belt and thrift necklace

Me, wearing one of the necklaces and the belt! This look is so simplistic but it’s unique. Here, I paired a basic striped t-shirt with the untraditional large buckle and colorful necklace! By adding untraditional accessories it accentuates the entire look and makes the basic t-shirt look quite trendy!

Vintage decor items from the thrift store

Out of the trips my roommate and I made to IKEA, Target and other stores alike, we didn’t find any decor like the treasures we found at the thrift store. First item on the left is a lovely yellow vase, sitting on the window sill in our kitchen. The item in the middle photo is a vintage floral shaped decor plate, which is featured as the center piece on our kitchen table. Photo on the far right is an antique-looking chest, which is perfect for storing treasures!

Once upon a time….

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As a child, I loved Disney in general, watching Disney movies and going to Disney World. I’m sure many children shared similar interests and fantasies to myself… I got a confession to make, watching cartoons remains one of my guiltiest pleasures at the age of 23.

Anyhow throughout childhood, I particularly loved Disney princesses and still admire their influences on fashion and pop culture to the present day (no wonder, I was a different Disney princess on Halloween for several years)… Disney princesses always sport mystical attire and represent enchanting tales, which emulate our greatest desires in life. In particular, Disney’s brand also plays an integral role in pop culture beyond the fashion realm by bringing out magical concepts that translate into ingenious marketing campaigns and stories.

Drew Barrymore, as Belle in Beauty and the Beast photo shoot by Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz captures a picturesque photo of Drew Barrymore resembling a scene as Belle from the classical Disney fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. Leibovitz applies a whimsical style, which is extremely scenic like a movie rather than an actual photograph. This is definitely an eye-popping masterpiece that doesn’t only sell fashion but it markets a cultural fantasy. Plus the lion is one heck of a royal beast…

Coco Rocha, as Ariel in the Little Mermaid photo spread by Craig McDean

Fashion photographer, Craig McDean scores big again with his Little Mermaid photo spread in Vogue featuring supermodel, Coco Rocha. Again, I think this photo shoot is phenomenal. More importantly, the concept of the Little Mermaid is ingenious for a photo spread because life under the sea is full of hidden treasures.

Cinderella Bridal Gown designed by Alfred Angelo

It’s every little girls fantasy to have a Cinderella inspired theme wedding and sometimes even wear her big mystical theme ball gown in general. I’ve always dreamt of owning a Cinderella dress, plus possibly trading in my car keys for a horse and carriage…. Alfred Angelo makes that Cinderella dress fantasy come true with a collection of Disney princess, inspired gowns that emulate our stereotypical desires to look and feel like a princess. Look, he even adds a glass slipper as a prop to complete the perfect picture.

Snow White by Eugenio Recuenco

In the  enchanting forest, Snow White is about to awaken in her coffin following the deep sleep from biting the evil Queen’s poisoness apple. This scene in the Disney classical represents an eternity of battling the forces of evil and defeating the impossible to eventually win over the Prince. Thus, the utopian concept behind this scene gives the fashion a timeless flair…

Not such a princess, but next comes the pretentious snob…

Cruella Devil Fashion Shoot

101 Dalmations vilan, Cruella Devil is not a princess but she has a bold presence and has been associated with pretentious snobs in contemporary culture. Cruella Devil’s snarky attitude embodies a powerful presence that can be easily noticed in this glamorous photo spread that will make heads turn…