FIDM Student Blog: Michelle Smith

Lanvin for H&M

+

  ?!

"H&M is proud to announce that its next designer collaboration will be with Lanvin, one of the most influential brands of the 21st century. Designed by Lanvin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz, and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver, the collection will go on sale on November 23 in  around 200 H&M stores worldwide. The collection of both womenswear and menswear will be revealed to the world on November 2, just three weeks before the clothes hit the store, making the launch of Lanvin for H&M among the most anticipated fashion events of the year." -H&M Press Release

    Rumors began circulating just days because the confirmations and I remember thinking, no way. This is way too good to be true. But alas, I have never been happier to be proven wrong. What an exciting opportunity for us fashion lovers on tight budgets, hah! One of the oldest fashion houses to date (the brand was started in 1889!), Lavin is most famous for their elaborate, luxurious couture. My mind is a dizzy whirlwind just fantasizing about the garments I might just be able to get my paws on. November can't come soon enough!

 

 

 

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

 

Pink Hair Pondering

I've reached an interesting point in my path of self exploration. I wouldn't call it a "bump" or a "block", because it isn't negative, nor a hindrance. Simply a point of self reflection and pondering. The first of July was my one year anniversary of having pink hair, and I suppose that made me contemplate just what my mane means to me. I do adore having pink hair. I enjoy how it makes me easily memorable, and how it immediately labels me as someone who is just a little "odd", hehe. I love having it "kid approved", as I call it, when children squeal in shocked delight. Pink itself, I feel, captures a lot that I am. It's feminine, mischievous, sweet, and silly. It makes me think of frosted cupcakes, dreamy fantasies, and wonderfully glossed lips. It's innocent, yet versatile.

However, at the same time, it just feels sort of "unnatural" now. On a physical level, my hair is still soft from being constantly conditioned, but the ends are fried. I have to bleach my roots and re-dye my hair at least every month, and when the pink fades it's bleach blonde and my split ends are evident. I'm curious if going back to my original dark brown hair would help me, on a more philosophical sense, reconnect back to my roots. If by going back to a more natural color, I could feel more comfortable with myself, and no longer stress about covering exposed roots with a scarf, or showing too much blonde, etc. I'm afraid that perhaps I rely too much on the brightness of my hair for attention, rather than relying on the vivaciousness of my personality? After all, it's still quite possible to be a creative force of loving energy without pink hair. It's just on a deeper degree, I feel I have defined myself by it too long; I'm afraid of being forgotten when I can do longer include "pink hair" as my identity.

 

What do you think? :-)

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Style Inspiration for Spring 2010

    What inspires your style? Some are slaves to trends, who fear straying from the dictation of fashion elitists. Others are emotional dressers, with their hearts on their sleeves…quite literally, usually. For me, runway shows can be inspiring, but I hardly follow along with mainstream society. And emotions-wise, my outfits never exactly seem to match, in fact, I tend to be the most dressed up while feeling troubled, and sloppier when I’m feeling content. I think events and present situations tend to be the most inspiring pour moi. I'll dress to fit an ideal image of who I aspire to be and to complement whatever is currently occurring in my life.

    It could be the rapid approach of spring, or perhaps my latest curiosity for all things light, airy, and free, but I feel that lately my style has been straying from the old “dark and edgy” aesthetic and into a  more relaxed and “bohemian” feel, if you will. I wouldn’t suggest I’m going completely au naturale, as I’m still craving gaudy jewelry, vibrant colors, and loads of makeup. There’s that  hippie inside my that wants to play in a field of flowers and decipher the shapes of clouds…and a posh, psychedelic, mod side that wants to tease my hair, hike up my skirts, and fall down a rabbit hole.

    Thus, enjoy the following compilation of images as I try to bring all these themes together to what will ultimately be the theme for my Spring 2010!

 

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Spring/Summer 2010: Valentino

The new ad campaign for Valentino's Spring/Summer 2010 depicts model Dree Hemingway sprawling about with pink hair! (I spotted this while flipping through Vogues before class in the library with a few friends.) I love to see colored hair slowly emerging it's way into accepted high fashion! Plus, It comforts my mom about my own colored choice to see couture designers featuring it on their models, ha! What are your thoughts?

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Astrological Fashion

I saw this spread in Vogue Russia and loved it! Though every photo doesn't perfectly convey it's respective sign, I think it's just charming when fashion interprets the zodiac. The model is Anastasija Kondratejeva, photographed by Matt Irwin. What is your astro sign? I'm a gemini sun, with a leo rising, and libra moon ;)

 

 

 

"Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer -Oh! Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius - I love all y'all" - "Signs" by Beyoncé. I used that song to help me memorize the order, ha!

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Fall 2010: Fashion East

London Fashion Week has begun! It is with a heavy heart that we are forced to remember the tragic absence this week, and in the entire industry in general (Long live McQueen!). However, fashion continues to move forward, and thus I will attempt to do so as well. Fashion East had a delightfully edgy collection this season. Not only did the colorful structured hair catch my attention (Shout out to my fellow pink ladies! hehe), but I adored the neon leopard tights...or is it stockings? Paint? Whatever it is, I want it. (I have a weakness for anything that shimmers.) There is a definite separate from the beginning of the show, which felt very much like an animalistic Harajuku girl, from the end of the show, which was feminine with floral draped dresses. Slightly odd, but I love it nonetheless! Click the images for a larger view.

 

Loving vibes & Virtual kisses,

Michelle

Class Project: The Garden Nymphs' Tea Party

11 hours later, the pads of my fingers were bruised and I was exhausted, but I finally finished hand sewing the last flower to my bias dress. For Draping & Garment Construction I, we were told to take pink and white stripped searsucker fabric, cut it on the bias, and make it a interesting dress. Hrm, a little vague, but I like vague. It allows for freedom of the imagination, and I ran with it. After staring at the fabric for a while, my story hit me.

It's a brilliantly gorgeous summer day, but it was scorching hot. To distract themselves from the wretched heat, the Garden Nymphs decided to throw a tea party. They braided flowers into their hair, ate pink macaroons on exquisitely elaborate china, and splashed through the natural streams. The drops of water glistened on their wings like diamonds...

The "heat" is how I justified the use of the simplistic fabric and shape, but the hand sewn flowers were to represent the feminine tranquility of the nymphs, and even the fuzzy trimming was to resemble that of the sparkling ponds they played in.

Over all the reaction from the class was really positive! Though somehow the bust ended up being far too tight, the fit as a whole worked. (Part of the assignment was to keep the dress loose.) One thing my teacher commented on was that there was perhaps too much flowers. She said she would have preferred the large flower as the main focal point, and that's it. I took her comments to heart and consideration, and first off, let me just say that I'm glad I didn't go all out like how I originally intended! But to be honest, I truly felt every detail I put in was necessary, from the white orchids, to the tiny green leaves. It fit my theme, and my own style philosophy. I like nonsensical, I like over the top and dramatic detailing. So in the end, I am quite proud of my first dress, and I received an A! :)

I apologize for the poor camera quality, all I had was my phone:

 

Oh! And it fits me, so I will definitely wear it to school sometime, tehe! ♥

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Fall 2010: Cushnie et Ochs

    I will admit, this is actually my first time hearing of the brand Cushnie et Ochs, but better late than never! Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs make an absolutely stunning pair; as I was constantly excited from picture to picture, craving every single piece I saw. I suppose I just have a weakness for sloppily tied pony tails, smudged make up, and beautifully tailored leather. What do you think? (Click the images for a larger size.)

 

Beetlejuice stripes & dusty lavender? C'est magnifique!

A hooded jacket that wraps around like a cocoon...

I love the optical effect in the first one.

All I know is that I need the center outfit. The jeweled top appears to connect to the studded glove in a very "gothic armor" sort of way. Yum!

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

New York Fashion Week: Fall 2010

Ance

Just when you thought you had me all figured out, it is time I reveal a dark secret: I'm a nerd. Okay, maybe that wasn't really a secret, but still. As I was flipping through Style.com's photos for Jonny Johansson's latest collection, all I saw were the foreheads on the models. The metallic and rigid lines gave off quite a "Star Trek" vibe to me, (the one "nerd" aspect that I know near to nothing of), and I felt so absorbed into them I had to go back and actually look at the clothes, which I found to be delightfully rad. (Um, are those keyhole pants with yin-yang symbols?! Want!) Upon reading what inspired him, I wasn't too far off with my sci-fi assumption. Star Wars' The Clone Wars greatly inspired the looks, and immediately it clicked. With the abundance of sand colored garments, metal cuffs, and scrunched up leather sleeves, one would feel quite prepared for a trip to Tatooine.

Erin Wasson x RVCA

Yeah, baby! Far out!...okay, I'll stop. Though I believe the whole "repetition of the decades" cycle is a little over done, (but then again, maybe my love for science fiction is making me biased), I did enjoy this collection by Erin Wasson. Everything just looked positively comfortable...which is an odd adjective to use in describing high fashion. The feathered hair, loose fitting tunics, and moccasin botties made me want to jump around a bonfire with flowers in my hair. Though it was simplistic, it certainly reflects on her own personal style, so I find it fitting. The looks are definitely appealing to a younger, fashion-eager crowd, so knock-offs are sure to be abundant for those of us not quite so willing to spend over $200 on a pair of shorts.

L.A.M.B.

Still unsure how I feel about Gwen Stefani's latest collection. It's very tough and military inspired, complete with combat boots and even L.A.M.B.'s own take on the "dog tag". Very rock 'n roll, and very Gwen. I don't hate it, but I'm not exactly "wow'ed" either.

Organic by John Patrick

 

I love this collection! The plaid and tweed gave off a quaint & "posh" vibe. I'm not sure if the London feel was necessarily the intention, but I feel that the polished, tamed bee-hives and fitted jackets was all quite British. The construction looks impeccable...tea and crumpets, anyone?

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Remembering Alexander McQueen

    I am truly in shock right now. Alexander McQueen, one of the most fantastical British designers, has passed away at the mere age of 40. This is a man who made such a tremendous impact on the fashion world, and his death is devastating to us all. It's such a shame...in only a few days he was going to unveil his new collection at London Fashion Week. He will forever be one of my greatest inspirations. His imagination created such delightfully enchanting looks, he bewildered thousands season after season, and he will remain a legend for all eternity. Rest in Peace, you shall be missed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle