Alien vs Beauty

Bonjour!
I reserved a special post for the most deserving designer of this season, Alexander McQueen. I've always been a huge fan, but there was no way for me to have anticipated this masterpiece. This entire show was on the verge of combustion from creativity. The runway floor shimmering in ice blue, the lethal looking masses of metal, which later revealed themselves to be video cameras, the opening projection of Raquel Zimmermann surrounded by serpents, all set the scene for an apocolyptic show. Then the clothes came, clutching to the bodies of rail thin models, enveloping them in an eerie glow. Teetering precariously atop aquatic alien embryos, they wore costumes suitable for a reptilian ball. Girls strutted down the runway with two wings of hair sharply turned up, out of their skulls. Graphic prints displayed themselves across their non-existant chests, a mix of sea monster and the inner-workings of a diamond. It started with tight bodesses that flared out into stiff poufs, then slowly evolved into a deluge of scaled fabric. The audience sat back and watched in awe as extraterrestrial queens seemed to swim down the catwalk. Finally, the lights came up and the school of fish ran back stage to take off their glittering masks and go to bed.

xoxo Valentine

"Oh no! They're Getting Away with Me Lucky Charms!"

Bonjour!
Two summers a go I inherited this beautiful charm bracelet from my great grandmother. I had gone to visit my Aunt and Uncle in England, when suddenly they whipped out this tiny box. You can imagine my awe when I opened it to find this! I've always been drawn to the "lucky" aspect of charm bracelets. Unfortunately, this one hasn't brought much good fortune. The first day I wore it was to a final exam at school. Not only did one of the charms fall off, I also did horribly on the test. As you can imagine, my mother wasn't too pleased with either. There are 14 charms: a toby jug, an old camera, a chapel, an old cigarette lighter, St. Christopher, a duck, a boy hanging by his foot, a windmill, a slipper, a rocking horse, the Eiffel Tower, a bell, Le Arc de Triomph, and a San Francisco trolley cart. There used to be a witch but she flew off. Out of all of these charms there are two that I love the most. The first one is the camera, because it opens up to reveal a little man under a sheet taking a picture. The second one is the chapel, because it also opens up. However, instead of a photographer, there is a couple getting married. The whole thing is sterling silver and the clasp is a little lock. I hope to add a unicorn charm soon. This is definitely one of the neater things I own!
xoxo Valentine

Putting the 'High' Back in High Heels

Versace

Rodarte

Proenza Schouler

Mui Mui

Louis Vuitton

John Galliano

Chanel

Chanel

Bonjour!
I've noticed some rather interesting heels going down the runway this past month. Warped heels seem to be all the rage. I can't imagine how the models are fairing, having to walk in 5 inch stilettos that end in a pinprick point. It must be reminiscent of walking on stilts. Rodarte features a sort of stacked abacus heel. Certainly an interesting concept but not my cup of tea. Then you have Versace who went with the skyscraper-high theme. This shoe has way too much going on! With the silver, wood, pink, white, and lace I just don't know where to look. Proenza Schouler has a futuristic meets reptile look but is still tasteful. If you like this shoe, then you'd like their boots even more! Mui Mui reminded me of a pair a pair of great Vivienne Westwood heels from a long time a go. They're bright pink and, unfortunately, not in my closet. They share that 80's disco heel and brick thick platform I adore. Moving on to Galliano! Similar to Rodarte's concept but with pearls. That shoe belongs in a pin cushion! A fabulous pin cushion for a fabulous shoe. The infamous platforms pop up once again, to the models' dismay. I think these shoes would have fallen flat had in not been for the height...no pun intended! As you can see, I have two pictures for Chanel, because I found both shoes equally unique. The first appears to be in black velvet with an ivory heel. If you look closely you can see the gorgeous details that spiral up it. The second picture shoes an adorable little shoe all dressed up for afternoon tea. The flowers are done in such a way as to keep the feminine yet classy edge of Chanel intact. A especially admire the heel that mirrors a woman's physique. Maybe I'm being to analytical? Sorry if I am! And now for the Louis Vuitton eskimo boots. Studded leather shoes have been appearing in a lot of shows this season. Chanel, for instance, had a pair of clogs with a rim of rustic studs encircling the rim. Metallic pink heel on these provide a nice contrast from the rest of the nude colour palette. If you're wondering why I have nothing on Alexander McQueen it's because I think he deserves a special post. OKAY! SO, recap on Winter 2010 shoes! Platforms aren't going anywhere, nor are mile high heels. Warped heels are coming up, which means twisted, cracked, stacked, you name it! Don't be afraid to pull off thick heels...but if you're going to, then own it. Shoes that look like they've been made from a magical "Snow Yak" are equally cool. That's my advice for winter! Good luck!
xoxo Valentine

Good Thing I'm Not Afraid of the Dark

Bright Pink Docs

Cynthia Vincent blazer

Tom Binns bracelet and my charm one.

Lace Top from some random store on Melrose along with a nave dress from SLOW.

Tory Burch polo, Forever21 skirt, SLOW vintage handbag, and a beret I found at a swap meet.

Good Will dress

My amazing lightning bolt skirt I got from a sample sale and my Vivienne Westwood top.

My Auntie SJ's head band.

Popkiller skirt with America Apparel top

Bonjour!
I'm feeling a little discouraged today, as I have been looking at all of the blogs that are better then mine. Perhaps it is only natural that everyone has those days. The gloomy weather is not helping with my mood. Enough of this "oh woe is me" business! Last night, I went to a splendid masquerade ball and danced the night away in a Wonder Woman costume. My fellow party-goers included a peacock, a flamingo, numerous cats, a flapper, a flamenco dancer, a cowgirl, and let's not forget "Madonna". "Men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars." -F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby). Okay, no champagne or men but that's our little secret. The point of this post, however, is not to boast of gorgeous fetes but to note on the current happenings of my closet. I'm extremely unsatisfied with my wardrobes current state and hope to go shopping very soon. Hopes a strong word though. One of my favourite pieces in this whole shoot is my Vivienne Westwood top. The sleeves are so peculiar and unexpected! It used to be my mothers but it doesn't fit her anymore so it's all mine! I did this shoot 2 weeks a go but haven't had time to upload it. I'm sorry for recycling accessories so often! I have to go before my mom catches me not doing homework.
xoxo Valentine

Inspiration for the Week: Kay Nielsen

Kay Nielsen

Vogue Spreads

Bonjour!

It has been a while. Let me explain myself. I was at a Speech and Debate tournament all weekend long and have also had a mountain of homework. This blog was born during the summer, when I had a mass of free time, and is having trouble coping with such neglect. My blog isn't the only one who's having trouble coping...cough cough. High School is becoming increasingly more difficult. I never realized how easy I had it when I was a freshman. I've taken to going to bed at 1am which, as you can probably assume, is not doing my health (or appearance) any favours. I have big bruised bags under my eyes and I wake up too late to brush my hair. Thank GOD I have French first period, as madame could care less if I was late. *Siiigh* I feel considerably better after jotting this all down for my "dedicated" readers. One of the few things that have kept me going during this never ending week are Kay Nielsen's fairytale illustrations. In particular, the very first piece of art on this post. you can now find that hat in every one of my notebooks. Regarding my Speech and Debate Tournament last weekend, I went with the majority of the team to a giant invitational. I am exceedingly proud of all the novices! They worked very hard and it payed off. Our team ended up winning 7 trophies! That's 7 more then last year. I also, have a new member of my family, Charlotte. She's very tall and pretty! I won second place for speaker points (speaker points= eloquence/clarity/pace/tone) and took her home with me. NARGLE! I have so much geometry homework. This is where I leave you.
xoxo Valentine

P.S. Inspiration courtesy of Miss Simone Silly-Pants Rein ... and I suppose Kay Nielsen helped a little.