smile cuz it's JCREW

Each model was wearing some ensemble of surprise. Whether it was a loosely tucked in shirt or jacquard-ed out pants or a baseball cap or quizzical prints of an exotic land, J. Crew's Fall/Winter 2013 collection covered the essentials for styling and tailoring your wardrobe. 

It was almost too much for me. Each piece seemed seemed wearable and exciting. But the collection as a whole, I was confused. I was longing for a sense of coherency but the only theme that stringed everything together was kind of a chaos. I guess J.Crew is a very wide-market brand--or so it seems, I know nothing about how to judge markets--so they covered lots of interests and captured the eye, that's for sure. However, it captures my eye in so many places that I'm almost lost. I don't know where we are, but maybe that is actually where modern America is. Maybe we are actually at the center of this hodgepodge of culture, Maybe this is the contemporary definition of America envisioned a la Jenna Lyons: USA as an eclectic crossroads of exotic inspirations.  

I loved that this model smiled at me. I love when any of em smile. I think they are all more radiant with a smile. 

When I said there was a lot happening, I wasn't kidding right? I do appreciate the coif and bright lip motifs. They were kind of my hand rail throughout the collection; I knew I could expect at least that consistency. 

Varsity jackets are an instant win for me. And funny, I was wearing a varsity jacket that day. 

fun fact totally irrelevant to the fashion part of this. the model of this photo thought she recognized me and started to wave at me and speak to me in chinese and i SO wanted to go with it and actually have been her friend but obviously at some point she realized i wasn't the best friend she had in mind but oh well. it was cool for a second. i thought someone knew me or something. 

another fun fact totally irrelevant, actually 100% relevant in it's own way: i totally was not planning on going to this show. like, i wasn't even supposed to. but somehow i walked in. and i am not complaining. HO HO

This chick was one of my favorite models from the show. It's interesting, once you get a feel for a few shows, you kind of learn to build quick chemistry with the models when you take their photos. It's actually my favorite part. Yup, leave it to me for my favorite part to be about human interaction and smiling people. Anyway, this gal had a lot of energy and was sweetly playful through her smile. I find myself picking out fav models from shows unconsciously. It happens, and it's cool.

I told you! Isn't she lovely? 

Once I turned around, I realized there was a whole line of gorgeous men behind me. That was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Key words: casual, collegiate, creative.

Oh and, sartorialist surprise! I spot Scott Shuman of The Sartorialist looking quite bundled up in some fun, genteel prints. 

song of the moment
The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

NYFW D-2: blue crew

Unbelievably silky looking wavy blonde hair, unbelievably high heels, unbelievably bright neon asymmetrical skirts--New York Fashion Week has come to conquer New York City for another season.

I was lucky enough to take some photos of the Tadashi Shoji collection for Washington Square News (which you can view here. I'm also blessed that the review was wonderfully written by a certain Helen Holmes. Shout out to Helen, although I really have no idea who she is).

And today, my agenda was to snap looks from Monika Chiang's Fall/Winter 2013 collection at Lincoln Center. But first I executed my student responsibilities as an NYU Admissions Ambassador and gave a special group campus tour to a flock of students and teachers fresh off the boat from China. After feeling awkward from all their flash photography of me and by the multiple times my umbrella flipped inside out into their faces, I went back to my room hopeful about the Monika Chiang's collection inspired by "flight."

Obvi I couldn't wear my NYU track jacket to fashion week. But I knew I would wear my tie (when I went to shoot Tadashi, five people asked to take my photo for street style stuff and I'm pretty sure it's because I was so aLtERnAtiVe and wore a tie. So many people askin for my pic was pretty sick tho.) I also knew I want to beehive (v. to beehive) my hair. So I beehive it.

Tie in hand and beehive on head, I was ready. I pass the revolving doors and as NYFW comes to conquer the city, I go to conquer my own city of fashion. But mind you, today is the day Nemo comes to find NYC and Nemo sure found me. With each awkward step of my boots slipping in the snow/hail/evil concoction that's blanketed the city streets, and with each unsuccessful effort at opening my now broken, battered and handicapped umbrella, and with each inhale of Nemo's icy breath, my confidence to conquer fashion was quenched. As if that wasn't enough to minimize my steadfast spirit, snow/hail/evil started to spit across my cheeks and sting my face--apparently my foundation's SPF 15 wasn't enough.

So there I was. I stood in front of a Duane Reade, one hand holding a victimized umbrella, the other purposelessly feeling my beehive falling apart. This was the end. So I return and I am upset and I sit on my loveseat feeling no love.

The only way to counteract this defeat was by (following the show via NYFW but also) at least photographing my outfit cuz I was kind of excited about it. I am always kind of really excited to wear a tie.

how i felt about things after dealing with my initial firey upset.

 

 coat - zara, dress and tie - crewcuts (i tell you i am their biggest 18+ fan), tights - anthropologie, shoes - papaya, scarf - gap (also someone please appreciate all the blue that's happening, including with my tights although not terrible evident)

 

and the following has mostly nothing to do with anything in this post but watch the first episode of community season 4. i strongly believe it is like the best show of my generation.

song of the moment
Private Eyes - Hall and Oates (in my head they are called Hall's Bunches of Oates)

Reminiscing NYFW: Christian Siriano SS13

It's funny how I'm reminiscing fashion show that are for next spring/summer when I'm just getting over the fact that this summer is long gone. NYFW is such a timelined event--all things fashion rise like a tidal wave in those few days and before you know it fashion culture seems to subside. Anywho, I don't know what I've been waiting for in keep these photos to myself, so thought I'd share the NYFW love. 

A perk about being a college student in the city is definitely the ability to hit up New York Fashion Week like a boss. Christian Siriano's show was probably my favorite out of the few shows I was fortunate enough to attend. I wrote a pretty delectable review of the show for my school's paper so I'm not going to let you read it. If you're too lazy to click the link--oh our society--here it is. Read it. Because I'm actually proud of this article and I am rarely willing to flaunt my writing. 

"Set at the dimly lit Eyebeam Studios in the Meatpacking District, fashion savvy citizens including Brad Goreski and Natasha Bedingfield, were in for a treat. Literally.

(She looks like she's going to eat Brad like a mochi)

Think of your favorite dessert. Baby blue icing blanketed over a decadently sweet cupcake topped with bubble gum pink sprinkles. Something fondly familiar, but every time so new. Transfer those hues, that flavor and those uninhibited good times into metallic blue fabrics, sherbet colored gowns, and seafoam accesories. This is Christian Siriano’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection.

With whimsically fluid moving dresses, his pieces charm you like the sweet glaze of icing brushing against your lips. Inspiring this treat is the classic, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Layers of colored tulle ruffle over each other, blending magically, reminding Siriano of a favorite Degas painting, Three Ballet Dancers. Light and romantic is the name of the game but magnificently bright crystal rhinestones prove this collection is no joke. Folded ribbon bow detail on his Julie heels are reminiscent of something on a wedding cake. And for the first time, Siriano included a flat shoe, more specifically a ballerina oxford.

Soft top buns and light, shimmering make up keep the ballerina feel and sweet tone. And who says sweet can’t be serious, Siriano makes it work. Once the lavender and blue infused watercolor gown hit the runway, a gasp of awe flew into the studio, eyes aglow at the strapless tiered tulle gown.

(When these chicas stepped on the runway and strut their strut for half a minute, all I could think of was Mean Girls)  

And trends? Consider mermaid and girly girl hues, but with no shortage of rocking pixie girl metallics. Siriano is killing us softly and the crowd is eating it up."

I wish he was my best friend. For the record, he gave me a hug at his store opening during Fashion's Night Out. He is so bright and fabulous, and exuded lots of excitement when I asked him about his favorite piece for his new collection at the store, which turned out to be his bright magenta pieces. :) 

For the record, here is the actual article in Washington Square News.

GUD NYTE