Tigers, Cheetah-Print, Zebra-Print, Polka-Dots, Swirls, Floral Motifs, Sequins, Gems, Gold Chains, Lazer-Cut Leather, Things That Suspiciously Look Like Feathers, and Paisley- Oh My! And Honestly, That’s Not All of It…. Manish Arora's Spring 2013 Presentation and Why I Think It's A Bit Much

Tigers, Cheetah-Print, Zebra-Print, Polka-Dots, Swirls, Floral Motifs, Sequins, Gems, Gold Chains, Lazer-Cut Leather, Things That Suspiciously Look Like Feathers, and Paisley - Oh My! And Honestly, That’s Not All of It….

Manish Arora's Spring 2013 Presentation and Why I Think It's A Bit Much - Like Maybe This Post Title.

Photos taken by Yannis Viamos, I took them from Style.com

Everyone has been talking about this stupid Romeny - PBS comment  so I was doing some Google-ing to get the info about that public funds situation, when I got so sick of it I had to get some glamour-porn on my screen before I had an "heart attack".  I always go to V Magazine online- it’s basically amazing. There, I saw this face (slash) head jewelry thing and absolutely needed to know more. Soooo, I investigated.

The face (slash) head jewelry thing, among other things... 

I did some more Google-ing, the designer’s name is Manish Arora, and he is based out of New Delhi, (that’s in India in case you didn’t know…for some reason). His work is well, colorful. When I went to Style.com to see the show presentation is was SHOCKED to see his review, written by Jo-Ann Furniss. It sounded more like a classroom critique, encouraging (or a synonym of that) “editing, “defining”, and she used the term “blah”. I am surprised anything on style.com is “blah”. I was good and ready to get pissed, but then I saw the collection. UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, actually I think she is being quite reserved. (Also “blah” here is being used not as a synonym for boredom, or boring rather, but instead to describe when someone decides to mix all of their favorite colors together to get an even better color, but what you end up with is “blah”. Because how else do you describe that?)

Weird "ease" all ova these pieces.  

It is not that I don’t think there are elements to Arora’s collection that are not intriguing or engaging. Don't get me wrong, I WANT that face (slash) head thing! I WANT IT! And there are definitely elements I would pick out and ROCKSOHARD, but it looks as if he was afraid this might be the last show he ever got to do, so he decided to do EVERYTHING he has ever wanted to do in a collection. ALL. AT. ONCE. Further, there are moments when there is extra, we’ll call it ease, in the garments. I  know it is intentional, it just looks questionable. I mean, I assume that it has to be, (intentional that is) because how to you reach this level without professional patternmakers and tailors on your team? But, in a word, the tailoring of the collection looks, in my opinion, sloppy. So, again I think Furniss is being rather mild, and Arora could have maybe, done a tinsey bit of editing. Just a tiny bit.

Take a peek-sy and comment on your thoughts. I am really, really interested to hear what you think.

LINKS!!!!!!!!

Manish Arora's Website
http://www.manisharora.ws/index.html
Style.com
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2013RTW-MARO
V Magazine
http://www.vmagazine.com/


When I googled him this blog came up, there are pictures of Arora's worn being work by Katy Perry and Nicki Manij. (pointed look) His collaboration with Reebok looks pretty cool and his earlier work is interesting. I hope he keeps on keepin on!:

http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/2011/04/03/ecclectic-electric-energetic-manish-arora-sultan-new-delhi/

Yes! The "McQueen Bee",and She Serves!

Yes! The "McQueen Bee", and She Serves!

photos by Monica Feudiguaineri | Feudiguaineri.com Taken From Style.com

I mean, everybody knows this, but Sarah Burton is doing an amazing job continuing Alexander McQueen's creative legacy. The Spring 2013 collection was absolutely wicked, in the best way. Tim Blanks on style.com affectionately coined her the "McQueen Bee" due to the creative inspiration of her collection.  

Mother Bee, Sarah Burton

The collection utilized structured, feminine silhouettes and a warm, honey color-story that added to the sensual mood Barton conducted for us. Daring necklines, sheer materials mixed with the hard edges, oh and the tortoise shell harnesses, bustles, and romantic accessories with a bite - like the tortoise shell choker, SERVED. YES. MA'AM!

Blanks described the collection as, "slightly mad". Well Mizzzz Burton, your madness inspires me. I think this is exactly the type of sublime, romantic madness McQueen would have been dishing out. Thank you! Thank you for keeping us on the edge of our seats, and shaking in anticipation for more.

Amazing readers! Below are pictures from the runway presentation, I also posted images from the Pre-Spring collection from the website. Take a look-sy, Enjoy!

Watch the show here! the Shoes Sparkle!  http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/alexandermcqueen/en_US

Pre-Spring/Resort Ready to Wear taken from AlexanderMcqueen.com

Web-links, Enjoy!

Style.com: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2013RTW-AMCQUEEN

Alexander McQueen: http://www.alexandermcqueen.com/alexandermcqueen/en_US/search?q=pre-spring

Black Girls Killin It! & Why These Types of Support Groups are Unfortunately Necessary, Not Just Fun and Brilliant

“Black Girls Killin’ It!” & Why These Types of Support Groups are Unfortunately Necessary Not Just Fun and Brilliant

I really want to take a minute to talk about this. As I build this blog I struggle with how political I want to get and how often I want to get on my lacquered, Swarovski encrusted soap-box. Because to some people, these types of discussions are alienating, despite the fact they are a stressful and dominate reality of other people’s lives. I guess sometimes the inter-web is meant to escape that reality. However, if I am going to blog about fashion, and all relevant fields surrounding that, posts like this are inevitable.

I am currently addicted, ADDICTED to blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com. It is a FANTASTIC site, even if you are not one of the chocolate girls.  I find Erika Nicole Kendall to be thoughtful, informative, and inspirational.

I came across this article written by Kendall when I was looking for another article also written by her responding to another stupid “scientific” study about why black women are ugly and not a beautiful and deserving as other women. First if you think I’m exaggerating look at the articles, and second to be quite frank, I am so sick of this shit. When are we, (oh I’m sorry, THEY) going to get passed this institutionalize racism? Huh? How many stupid studies need to be done to try to “scientifically” support socially constructed prejudice? I know! Let’s start measuring skulls again! Or handing out IQ test to communities we find to be bothersome to our aesthetic preferences so we can justify sterilizing them, because we find their reproductive abilities threatening to our “American” way of life. Oh, by the way does this jargon sound familiar? The apparently desperate need to protect our American lifestyle?

Anyone notice greek skull compared to a marble sculpture, didn't know they had skulls...way to go. This taken from http://www.understandingrace.org/history/science/measuring_race.html

I digress.

So…in reading these articles, I had a moment of reflection, it made me extremely grateful for these Facebook groups I subscribe to. Despite some of powers that be, that continue to try to justify and propagate socially entrenched bigotry, people continue to get together to celebrate who they are and fight intolerance.

SO FUCKING TAKE THAT AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR EAR! (I mean THEY need to, not you, assuming you are not them.)

I am not totally not sure if I can take some of these images off of Facebook; so I have brought images from other related sites and added links to the Facebook groups. Enjoy!

Taken from Essence 30 Most Beautiful Black Women (link below)

Photo taken from Neef Fresh Photography: She posted on Black Girls Killin in-Check out her Facebook Page-DOPE!

Black Girl's Guide to Weight Loss 

Another good article! 

http://www.facebook.com/blackandkillingit

http://www.facebook.com/NeefFreshPhotography

Voluptuous Vixens 

Essence: 30 Most Beautiful Black Women

Rick Owens! Take Me There!

Rick Owens! Take Me There!

Rick Owens @ Spring 2013, Photos by Yannis Viamos 

As I procrastinate taking my behind to my studio to get work done, I watch the Rick Owens spring 2013 show…again. You can watch it here if you like.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I, and a close friend of mine are obsessed with the edgy, grown up feel that Owens always serves. So when I first saw the show on Style.com I was a little…underwhelmed. Honestly, I was totally distracted by the hair and I just didn’t know what to make of it everything. 

The bag like dresses with the ribbon seemed like a mocking nod to feminine details, and I couldn’t tell if the fabric was stiff or flowing.  I could see myself pulling pieces for myself, but overall I just wanted more. And I also sincerely wondered about the Rick Owen's client. Not like, “Bitch, who would wear this stuff, Bitch?”  but rather who came into the boutiques? Who were the loyal shoppers what did they look like, what did they talk about, and how did they put these pieces together?

Anyway, when I watched the show on the website, bliss.   AHHHHHH… This had everything I needed. The icebergish foam thing in the back along with the music and watching the girls walk created a mood the stills were lacking. I could witness the contrast between the stiff and flow-y silks and leather and other miscellaneous fabrics he selected.

Tim Blanks on Style.com says,

“There aren’t many designers who could provoke you to contemplate Original Sin, but the intensity of Owen’s commitment to what he does is such that the Biggest ideas attach themselves easily to his work. It appeals to the spirit and the flesh.”

I would have to agree. Although Original Sin didn’t come screaming into my consciousness while I viewed the work, it did place me in an eerie, surreal mindset. I could see myself transformed or removed to another place. I think watching the show did this for me. Owen’s ability to convert is what makes his garments exciting. They aren’t “trendy” but rather transformative and I am so willing to go to that place. 

Links, Check them out!

Photos from Style.com are attribituted to:

Gorunway.com

Style.com:

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2013RTW-ROWENS

Rick Owens' Website:

http://www.rickowens.eu/