How to Pull Off the Monochrome Trend: Balmain Paris x Proenza Schouler

Gaah, I feel you! The rainy days are yet from over. But is it time to make ourselves look stormy as well? We need to rethink. 

Monsoon weather is primarily dark and gloomy, but it is partly a fashion blessing in disguise. No, seriously. We can forget about bulky rain jackets and start to experiment on classic wardrobe staples to make us stay fashionable even on the wet days. 

Monochrome. Graphic B&W. There's something that makes this trend beguiling to the eye. It takes you in, makes you look taller, redirects your imperfections. Score an organized pattern of stripes and grids and you'll look modern and (not overly) well put together. Plus you can never go wrong with B&W, eh. 

Your complete monochrome guide: burglar stripes, checkerboard prints, diamond patterns, op-art. Rules of thumb to rock this outfit: 

• pair black with white or white with black (no kidding!), 
• if you're wearing patterns on top you can leave your bottom plain and same the other way, 
• if you're trying on all- black or all- white make sure to have either your top or your bottom printed (it can be word art like Jack Daniel's or Chanel's inverted C's logo, or perhaps The Simpsons), 
• you can incorporate primary colors as accessories the top picks being red and blue, 
• and you can also mix and match two patterns at the same time. Yes, it's possible! You only have to remember NOT to mix a scattered pattern with another scattered pattern, for example, a diamond patterned top paired with chevron bottoms. Ack! Disaster. 

But with a scattered diamond pattern paired with vertical stripes-- match made in heaven! That's what makes me love Balmain Paris' previous collection below. 

And just like the rainy days, we're not yet done, too. Here are other tricks that can work well for this outfit:

• you can rummage your closet if you remember having horizontal striped tops, a mono dotted bag, or any B&W accessory that you can add to this look without necessarily spending a precious amount for new items
• accessories on trend that are good addition to this outfit: B&W baseball caps, leather jackets, round sunnies
• keep your make up toned down by simply highlighting your bones and browse, nothing fancy in particular
• you can leave your hair naturally flowing or tie it in a high rise bun or any up-do hairstyle 
• remember: the more and the brighter the color you add, the less impact the outfit creates. You can be safer with a touch of gray or silver and gold neck & arm candies.
• you can wear it with a white or black pumps or a mix of the two, a grunge sneakers, or monochrome patterned footwear like this checker heel sandal that I'm dying for from Proenza Schouler. 

Oh, just because it's rainy season and this monochrome trend is dark doesn't mean you're bound to match your mood with it. Wear that smile and confidence instead that can liven up others and, of course, your inner self. You'll never know whose eyes you're winning with all these things on.

Photo Credits:
harpersbazaar (dot) com

Oscars 2013 Who Designed for Who?

Oscars is the highest accolade for Hollywood movies. Looking back 1929, when the first Academy Awards of Merit was presented at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. 

The Best Actress Award is the ultimate goal of every female stars for the event, as it is for fashion designers. Red carpet photographers and every girl watching anticipates Who wears what. And whoever gets the Best Actress award becomes the most photographed woman in the world, so designers become suckers for the glitz and glam that goes with it. It's as good as being tagged for the "title-holder-best designer" line.

I've never really been a fan of Oscars. This year's Oscars was by far the second Oscars event I've ever watched. Shame on me, I know. :D

I barely see statement creations of the famous designers for the celebrities on events like this. That's why the effect on me is as fascinating as watching who wins at the Miss Universe pageant.

Here is a run down of Who Designed for Who. Celebrity gowns created by famous designers:

Amanda Seyfried in a lace, tulle Alexander McQueen gown

Amy Adams wearing Oscar de la Renta gown

Kristen Stewart in Reem Acra gown

Sandra Bullock in an Elie Saab gown, my favorite outfit so far!

Jessica Chastain in Giorgio Armani

Adele in black Jenny Packham gown

Naomi Watts in Giorgio Armani

Jennifer Hudson in a Roberto Cavalli gown

Nicole Kidman in L'Wren Scott

Halle Berry wearing Versace

Catherine Zeta- Jones in Zuhair Murad Couture

Anne Hathaway wearing a minimalist Prada gown, simple and classy. Another favorite!

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture

Samantha Barks in Valentino

Jennifer Aniston in Salvatore Ferragamo

Olivia Munn in Marchesa

Reese Witherspoon wearing a royal blue-black combination Louis Vuitton gown

Jennifer Garner in an elegant gown by Gucci, also my favorite Oscars outfit!

And the Oscars 2013 Best Actress goes to...

Jennifer Lawrence for the movie, Silver Linings Playbook. Stunning in a Dior Haute Couture gown despite falling on Oscars stage at Dolby Theater. Applause for a 22-year-old actress like her.

Jennifer Lawrence in a Roger Vivier Clutch for the Oscars.

I told you the Best Actress gets to be the most photographed woman in the world. :)

Photo Credits:
ph (dot) omg (dot) yahoo (dot) com
justjared (dot) com

Reference:
ph (dot) omg (dot) yahoo (dot) com

Style Reverie: Fendi S/S 2013

While most Filipino internet users rant about the recent cybercrime law, I opted to use the idle hours to talk about the latest Fendi Spring/Summer Fashion Week 2013; burgeoning the statement colors and geometric style of their clothes, shoes, and need I mention their, baguettes and 2Jours bags. How the show started and ended has been nothing short of fascinating.

The designer took perspective of the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel which largely sported mixtures of triadic cadmium, blue, and sophisticated black. The sculpture-like proportions and design also gave it more savoir faire.

For someone who barely thinks runway clothes as applicable for everyday fashion, Fendi's S/S  2013 collection is one of the exemptions. Svelte and casual alike. I honestly drooled dream for it. 

Here are some photos from Marie Claire @ Yahoo

And Fendi's facebook page. Bliss!

A New Crush On Charles & Keith

I have never been so vocal about it. Most of the time I make sure my life is nonpublic as much as I am a non-celeb. 

But there are exemptions to the rule. That's when I speak of one among many others, fashion, and the way I assert my preference. And I'm having a soft spot on Charles & Keith's understated colours and subtle design details. 

I am particularly fascinated with the cream tote bag which can be used concurrently as a handbag. More essentials can be tucked inside which is something advantageous when shopping, heading for school or office, catching a get-together, or when traveling. 

The color can basically complement with anything but it can be worn less formally by pairing it with denims or basic colored trousers and tops.

The allure tote bag and the classic and funky belt are another get-up to die for. They can be worn on a Sunday stroll or on a casual date. As though this collection is suitable for a devil-may-care period of the day or they can be pulled together for corporate occasions.

They are multipurpose so they can actually be worth the deal.

Just recently, Charles & Keith announced that they are now open for shipping to Malaysia and Vietnam. It's a good news for the junkies there.

Photo Credits:
facebook (dot) com (slash) Charles (hyphen) Keith

Burberry & the London Fad

If I'm honest, I have to tell you there's a slight disadvantage about living in a third world country. The London 2012 Olympics has been running on and it's bad to know I could not, at least for the time being, travel a hundred miles to see the largest metropolis area of United Kingdom.

London is a fad not only because of the recent 2012 Olympics. It is a destination that is frequented by most travelers and on a separate context, by tourists.

If you're a legit to traveling or a junkie of it, I for sure don't need to tell you a litany of adjectives to describe London. I shall rather show you a tribute to one of the global brands that is distinctly British-- Burberry. This time not for their latest collection but for the flabbergasting photos of London that they regularly post on their website.

Cloudless sky over the Thames, London

Just a slight history: the first established settlement of this city with rich Romano-British origin happened in this Thames River.

Afternoon sunshine over Big Ben, London

If there's one landmark I'd like having my picture taken in aside from the Eiffel Tower and the Singapore Merlion is the Big Ben.

Reflections in puddles outside The National Gallery, London

You definitely won't run out of galleries and theaters to capture in London. The National Gallery is one example.

Sunny spells in Covent Garden, London

Isn't London's telephone station a good travel find?

Broken clouds over St Pancras Station, London

Western structures convince me enough that one important reason to travel is to discover a place through its history. When the desire to travel and chronicle the journeys go to a deeper level, it's not enough to merely know how a place is different from your own country. Your really crave to delve into something more.

Clear skies this evening in London over Battersea Power Station and Chelsea Bridge

Traveling to London is such a great affair. Sometimes I grapple my negative thoughts of seeing London as impossible and bring out the Charlie Brown in me. I eventually envision myself nestling my toes in a cold Europe road, having a quintessentially English tongue.

Sun breaking through clouds over Hyde Park Corner, London

Most London weather guides say July and August are its warmest months. You can probably pair up shorts, racerback tank tops, and a light colored kimono to bounce off too much heat and include this Burberry Orchard Bag and Field Boots to lightly add finesse to your August London ensemble. The Orchard Bag can pretty carry your essentials if you are roaming London over the weekend.

Everything is just so postcard perfect!

Photo and Caption Credits:
facebook (dot) com (slash) burberry

Charles & Keith Autumn ’12 Style

It’s a sudden prate of delight. Charles & Keith is adding subtle buckle details to their Autumn 2012 Style Collection.

I haven’t really blogged much about designer brand collections. But the touch of leather materials and the hues of earth colors always get my eyes trapped. Charles & Keith’s autumn collection contained ample sophistication in their choices of colors-- cream, sand, green, and beige.

I distinctly like the color blocking of beige, toasted almond, wood antique cherry in that wallet. They’re all neutral and can be worn as base with any other accent color.

Earth colors do not lose their place in the fashion limelight. That said they actually make a practical wardrobe investment.

Aagh! That belt, clutch bag, wallet, and pair of boots are a stunner!Not at a loss for words this time.








Photo Credits:
facebook (dot) com (slash) Charles (hyphen) Keith