Bad memories of the Dutch variety

Karl Largerfeld shows clogs at the Chanel S/S 2010 show

 So this new clogs thing... I have to say I'm hesistantly critical.  I know Karl Largerfeld sent them down the runway at the Chanel S/S show but that is a Chanel show and this, well it's real life. For several reasons clogs have been banished from my life and while it isn't strictly imperitive that I outline exactly why, I'll do so anyway. 

1.  I wore clogs for the greater part of my life between the ages of 7 and 10.  I'm not entirely sure that they were even cool as I distinctly recall my being alone in clog-wearing in the fashion circles of little girls... a good portion of childhood photographs stand as testament to this particular period and I'm not sure I'm quite over the 'cringe' to embrace the clog just yet.

 2.  Anyone who was lucky enough to be in my Year 10 Science class will recall a certain largesse girl, who  had copius amounts of everything excepting common sense and decided to wear her clogs to several  lessons.  The image of two exceptionally large clogs cum small rodent-carrying-capable-sailing-ships as shoes is something I am yet to come to terms with.

 Jeffery Campbell shoes in Natural.  lorisshoes.com.

3.  Finally, the fact that my structural engineering lecturer wears clogs, yes, white clogs with rivets (yes, those now fashionable ones) is just not OK.  Not to mention that they are worn with tramping socks and the  said lecturer is a solidly built asian man (though he claims German descent) of about 55.  Yes? No.

Also.... just as an aside, does anyone else think clogs have an unsettling similarity to crocs?

I think the clog should be handled with care.  I foresee something scary if the masses of the New Zealand market embrace the clog, taking heed from the fervour in which body-con was embraced, one can but hope that the clog is kept away from those of the short, thick legged variety.  Speaking from experience that is evidenced in certain childhood photo's, this trend like many trends should be relegated to the sphere of the abnormally tall and thin-limbed (please... no really, please!!!)

x

Dairy products, both delicious and scary

New ice-cream inspired colors for the Barry M range of nail paints, from L-R: lemon, strawberry, berry and blueberry ice-cream.  Fantastically cheap and a super cool range of colours, although you do have to wait for them to travel all the way from the UK to get here but definitely worth the wait!  Barry M stays wonderfully on trend and for those of us for whom money is scant (i.e. students and the general impoverished sub-25 age group) they are an alternative to the dreamy luxury of Chanel who have also just released a pretty pastel range as well, fav shades 'Nouvelle Vague' and 'Mistral'.  Check out Baz at:  http://www.barrym.com/nail-paints

Moving from delicious to scary hillarity, the Cody's '15 seconds of fame' has attracted some most interesting entries and this is my fav so far, the joyful shamelessness of these boys booty-shaking to Kelis' 'Milkshake' will have you laughing (or crying- depending on your disposition) from beginning to end!

Hope Monday-itis isn't getting anyone too down!

x

Avoiding Henry James and loving Celine Rita

Henry James was well known for the superfluous sentences that feature in his work.  Needless to say, on a lazy Sunday morning reading through 'The Portrait of a Lady' was not going to be ideal.  As such I've decided to do a wee plug and review (which I will say is unashamedly biased) of the latest Celine Rita 2010 A/W Collection 'So Dream...' that was launched on Friday Evening in Auckland.

Taking inspiration from the ballet 'The Nutcracker', designer Celine Chapman has created a collection that beautifully captures the playfulness, innovative design and whimsical prettiness that fans of her label have come to expect.  Accents such as gold and pearl buttons and trims reminiscent of soldiers epaulettes are reminders of her inspiration and add a quirkiness to the collection as a whole.  A brave colour palette featuring a rich orange silk, cream geometric lace, turquoise check, and blue velvet is complimented by her well chosen and unusual prints that include a dusty pink cotton with black hearts seen above in the blazer and dress

Of all her collections, 'So dream..' has been the most experimental and the biggest aesthetic change from her previous work.  A developing design sense is apparent from collection to collection and the Friday night launch was undoubtedly her most well received with some at the show lauding it as her best yet.  Celine has clearly challenged herself, experimenting with texture and trims as well as the design of the pieces themselves.  The usual beautifully designed 'out' dresses and effortlessly cute day-dresses were seen on the runway alongside urban-chic anoraks, high waist tailored pants, maxi skirts and a particularly stunning denim-wool over sized jacket with lace features was a stand out piece for casual winter wonderfulness (see below!).

Less than two years out of design school, Celine has produced some beautiful collections in the past, however 'So Dream...' is perhaps the most significant in her growth and will surely mark a period of further experimentation and risk-taking that I, personally am very excited to see more of in the future...

Check out her website (link below) to have a peek and maybe make a purchase or two!

Pictures courtesy of http://www.celinerita.com/, Photography: Anna Allport, Make-up: Kiri @ MAC

Happy lazy Sunday
x

New Beginnings

So this is starting way past the date originally planned for (yes, I planned a date to start my blog)... 27 days late in fact, but it is better to be late than never (in existence) i guess.

Not too sure what the blog will entail just yet, going to do a few experiments i think and see what happens! I am sans a camera at the moment after mine died thanks to a bad encounter with a waterfall where my poor cammy came out worse off, and as such the blog is likely to reduce some to tears. I know how crucial visual stimulation has become in an age where ones ability to process long sentences and lots of words without pictures is minimal to nil, so I will attempt to keep verbal/written posts nice and short until i have interesting pictures to attach! ... (I am aware of the irony of this statement given the long paragraph just above)

I mostly enjoy being cynical and like to think of myself as occasionally funny so we'll see how it goes

x