DIY: The Messy High Bun

Jenni Kayne Spring 2009, Lanvin Spring 2009

The High Bun has been on the fashion scene for a while, ever since Spring 2009 when the look exploded on the runways. They've been making their way onto the streets off the runway as well on Chloe Sevigny, Alexandra Richards and Erin Wasson. I'm actually more of the messy incarnations at Jenni Kayne and Lanvin to the perfectly sculpted version at Phillip Lim .

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2009

Anyways I've been wearing this look for a while because it's fun, easy and not that hard to do. It' adds a sense of perfectly disheveled glam to just about any outfit.

Hope you enjoy the vid and are rocking your high buns soon^^ Wish I talked a bit louder but was a bit nervous shooting on my own! xoxo, Erin

Billy Reid Spring Sale

Who: Billy Reid
What: Up to 70% off Spring 2009 merchandise. There is also a Limited Edition collection sample sale, prices from $20 to $100.
Where: 54 Bond Street.
When: July 23-26, 2009. Thurs -Sun 2 pm to 9 pm.

Noteworthy: Bourbon and Southern fried chicken will be served! Yum

dupli-Caught: Mango vrs Dries Van Noten

Dries Van Noten Left, Mango Right

Remember how I reported recently that Topshop was "borrowing" from the Jewelry design at Dries Van Noten? Well looks like Mango has jumped on the knock off bandwagon. Did they think we wouldn't notice? While the design of the top and dress that the print was used was definitely not Dries, the print was clearly straight off the Spring 2009 runway!

Mango's Gloria dress retails for $84.90. The top version retails for about $35 and is not available online. While the Dries Van Noten would probably be around $900, as the skirt version retails for about $440 online. The fabric of the Mango version is a thin slinky jersey while the Dries Van Noten is a 100% Cotton woven fabric. There are also slight differences in the print, the Dries Van Noten's squares fade into almost nothing and all the squares are even and not distorted, while the Mango verson has the squares slightly bigger and skewed on some parts to try to dramatize the optic effect. I understand inspiration is one thing, but shame on you Mango for not hiring graphic designers to create new prints.

We Could All Use a Little Neurotica

A week ago I would have told you that pastels were my least favorite color palette. I have a few pastel items in my closet that I always struggle to wear, but Neurotica's spring summer 09 collection “The Kick Inside” has shown me the light.

Last week I came across Neurotica on Save Our Shoes and fell in love! Peach, pale blue, grey... who would have thought they could look so fun. I love how effortless, yet playful and unique the colors look together.

A fan of prints, I'm gushing over the hand drawn illustrations of foliage and spider webs. Throw in the color blocking and adorable tailored dresses, I'm all smiles. I would seriously wear all of the pieces from this collection. They're so wearable and could be easily dressed up or down with the right accessories.

The collection available at Pixie Market in New York, Acrimony in San Francisco, Voulez-Vous in Hong Kong, Noir Kennedy in Paris, Shop 172 (Brick Lane, London), Topshop Oxford Circus and online at shop.thisisneurotica.co.uk and pixiemarket.com.

Trends: Fluffed Out Fur

Maison Martin Margiela Spring 2009, Louis Vuitton Spring 2009

Above are the looks no one could seem to forget. Maison Martin Margiela's Hairy Coat from Spring 2009 and the Oscar the Grouch dress from Louis Vuitton Spring 2009. I kind of wish that they were forgettable! I appreciate that Martin Margiela is a creative wizard, however now designers across the world seem to think women want to look like a Snuffleupagus! Where is PETA when you need them? I'm not particularly against fur, but I'm definitely not a fan when it is used like this! btw I believe Stella's version is some sort of fake, while Rodarte's is a knit, but they still give a similar effect. The only version of the silhouette that amused me was Jeremy Scott's take on Mickey Mouse gloves which is reminiscent of Martin Margiela from 2001 that I thought was sort of genius at the time!

Gareth Pugh Fall 2009, Mario Scwhab Fall 2009, 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2009

Rodarte Fall 2009, Stella McCartney Fall 2009, Behnaz Sarafpour Fall 2009

Jeremy Scott Fall 2009, Maison Martin Margiela Spring 2001

Preview: Uniqlo Designer Invitation Project

Opening Ceremony x Uniqlo

Steven Alan x Uniqlo

Uniqlo's guest designers for their spring 2009 Designer Invitation Project will be: Shipley & Halmos, Opening Ceremony, Steven Alan, and Gilded Age. Opening Ceremony will do a men's collection and Steven Alan will do a women's collection, set to hit stores in March 2009. While Shipley & Halmos will do a women's collection and Gilded Age will do a men's collection that will hit stores in May 2009. All of these capsule collections will retail from $19 to $79.

Shipley & Halmos x Uniqlo

Gilded Age x Uniqlo

Trends: Skeletons in Your Closet?

Both Looks Rodarte Spring 2009
Got something to hide? Not anymore. Designers showed the world on the Spring 2009 runways their bones. Whether it be through X-ray Vision Prints/Panels at McQueen, Narcisco Rodriguez or Ohne Titel to Rib-Cages at Lacroix and Rodarte or Skeletal Armour at Gucci, there is no better time to let the skeletons out of the closet.

Left & Center Christian Lacroix Spring 2009, Right Gucci Spring 2009

Left Narcisco Rodriguez Spring 2009, Center Alexander McQueen Spring 2009, Right Ohne Titel Spring 2009

Trend: Take a Bow

Perhaps another Gossip Girl inspired fashion moment? Bows are nothing new, but they have been coming back to runways since Fall 2008 on both the Sportmax and Luella Runways. From oversize to tiny, stylized to soft/floppy bows look like they're here to stay. Satins, grosgrain, velvets and patent are the major materials. This look could be altered for different women: feminine and sweet like at Luella; prim and proper at Chanel; or dangerous and sexy at Christian Lacroix.

Looks for Luella Spring 2009. Notice floppy bows on hair accessories as well as apparel.

At Chloé Spring 2009, bows were both large and dramatic or small and perky.

At Chanel Spring 2009, A soft bow was used at the neck while more structured bows were used for shoes.

Christian Lacroix Spring 2009 used bows alongside contrasting materials and textures for shoes and body. I love the juxtaposition of the metal ankle chain with the plushness of multiple velvet bows.