I'm late! I'm late for a very important date!

“I think my favorite Alice character is the March Hare. You can see I’ve made his watch rather prominent. This was a different design process for me, because I’m not usually so applicative—typically, I’m thinking about line, silhouette. But this time, I figured, why not just pile as much as I can on top?” —Nicholas Kirkwood

“I went to John Tenniel’s original illustration of Alice for inspiration. She’s seated at a table having tea, and her dress looks much more asymmetrical and theatrical than that boring Walt Disney version. It was also an auto-reference to my collections, as Lewis Carroll’s work has been one of the main inspirations of my label since its creation. Alice Liddell, the real little girl with long dark hair who inspired Carroll, is one of the very few icons that I have. The pictures of her are a constant inspiration for me.” —Charles Anastase

“I’ve always been intrigued by cutout silhouettes. They are so intriguing, so poetic—the shadow of a soul. They tell everything about a character and they are open to be filled with one’s own imagination.” —Ann Demeulemeester

“Alice’s silhouette is a blue upside-down dress with cage sleeve, as if she walked through the mirror and her dress completely reversed. A long ball gown has been reworked, upside-down, into a minidress. The bustier in taffetas becomes a pleated miniskirt. The petticoat in plonge becomes an asymmetrical draped top. The skirt in ‘plumetis’ tulle becomes a veil. A cage sleeve of whale-boned velvet ribbon is embroidered with pearls, crystals, and recycled jewels.” —Maison Martin Margiela

“My favorite character is the Duchess, who at first seems nearly as unpleasant as the Queen of Hearts. But she’s the antagonist of the queen, and at the end was only respectful and friendly, despite her tremendous ugliness. When I was designing this piece, I was seeing Alice running, escaping through the forest destroying her shiny dress.” —Haider Ackermann

“Running around careless and free in a romantic dress, falling down the rabbit hole, chasing time in a dreamlike state of mind, meeting unexpected characters with many tales to tell—sounds like many a girl’s night out!” —Chloé design team

Tom Binns joined a few other big names in the Printemps Alice in Wonderland Exhibition to celebrate director Tim Burton's take on a Disney classic. In the months leading up to the movie premiere Disney Couture asked designers such as Charles Anastase, Haider Ackerman, and Martin Margiella to create pieces that they felt personified a more modern Alice. Some chose to incorporate cliche symbols from the movie (i.e. key holes, tea cups, and pocket watches) with a gothic lolita backdrop, whereas other started from scratch completely. Anastase draped large quantities of white and navy fabric to create an androgynous bodice and then used playful tulle to lighten the mood. Another personal favourite was the upside down dress created my Margiella. He captured the plot of Alice in Wonderland without relying stereotypical Alice icons. The upside down skirt could be representative of Alice falling into the rabbit hole, the veil, her new warped perspective of the world, and the caged sleeves remind us that she is, in fact, trapped, despite her wondrous surroundings.

This is the sort of dress that grows on you gradually as you realize how the hell it's held together. The electric blue organza subtly emphasizes Mia Wassikowski's innocence and overall nakedness, as she ventures into Tim Burton's LSD trip of a Wonderland. If it were possible to bind up ice cold water and then wear it as a size extra large, I imagine this would be very similar to the resulting dress. Bonjour!
I know my opinions on the Alice in Wonderland wardrobe are waay over due but I thought I'd share them anyway. The iconic blue frock that Alice donned in 1951 has been traded for a more modern electric blue. I can't say that I'm surprised (as we are talking about a Tim Burton film here) but I also can't say I'm disappointed. Alice's new wardrobe gave her a completely new dimension. Before, she was confined to the innocence of a little girl and the stubbornness of an old lady, but now she has genuine curiosity. Just imagine looking at one of those dresses through the eyes of a cat: That girl! Why, she's wearing my toys! All my strings and shredded curtains, they're all right there dangling off of her! How very curious. hm.

xoxo Valentine

Just Some Photos

Chantal Thomas designed these brilliant PORCUPINE QUILL earrings!
(check her out at http://chantalthomas.net/home.html)

*ring ring* "Hello?" "We love you!" "Aaaaw I love you, too!"

This is an antique tiara my friend let me borrow for my Birthday.

Bonjour!
I apologize for the lack of posts! The past month has been so incredibly busy...Spring break saved me just in time! Anyway, above are some new accessories that I acquired a couple of weeks ago from friends and swap meets.

xoxo Valentine

"Heaven is a feeling I get in your arms"

Bonjour!
I have been busy busy busy lately. I'm having a bit of a panic attack because I need to find a piece of furniture to paint by tomorrow. It's for the notorious furniture project that my art teach assigns intermediate students. Last weekend I went to Berkley and I haven't fully recovered from the lack of sleep combined with the high stress atmosphere. It's one of the largest national debate tournaments in America and I placed in the top 8 for junior varsity...the words "numb" and "ecstatic" come to mind. I also won 7th place for speaker points (points on the style and eloquence of your speech ^.^). Okay okay, I'll hush up about debate and move onto the clothes. I'm wearing a vintage sequined top I bought at Una Mae's. I reserve this snazzy number for parties because it's a little over the top for just a day out in the neighborhood. In order to balance out the shoulder pads, I paired it with my harem pants. Harem pants look cute on runways but in real life they are extremely unflattering. If you absolutely MUST wear them at least make make your shoulders and thighs equally disproportional.

xoxo Valentine

Wish Upon a Cupcake

Sooo, last Tuesday (February 9th) was my 15th Birthday! It often surprises people that I'm not born Valentine's day. I was SUPPOSED to but I had other plans. I didn't have a whole lot of time to post, for this I apologize. That night I went to Denny's to eat breakfast for dinner...classy.

Then, my really good friend Darby and I went rollerskating. Tuesday is organ music night so the rink was filled with old people and pros. We had a blast nonetheless!

But before all of that happened we did a quick photo shoot. I just bought this really adorable dress and wanted to make sure I had some decent pictures of it. Darby modeled it for me in front of an old movie theatre wearing shoes 2 sizes too small.

She didn't know I took this.

I opted for red velvet...the oreo one was later smashed in my face.

Bonjour!
My Birthday is becoming hazier each day...I don't like it one bit. I woke up (in the morning feeling like P Diddy) to a bed filled with presents! HURRAH! My mum got me a really retro looking record player along with some killer vinyl: The Velvet Underground, The Best of Jackie Wilson, Tracy Chapman, Fur and Gold (Bat for Lashes), Vacation (Gogo's), The Unforgettable Fire (U2), Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits. They're all super. I also went shopping with my dad the night before. I bought a lot of sparkle embellished tops as well as the cute dress you see in the pictures. For now let us focus on the dress; I'll do a post on everything else later. Well, it's pastel which is an automatic plus. I wreckin pastels will be especially popular this summer. I guess you can say I'm endorsing a trend..but hey, why shouldn't I if the trend is adorable? Onto the glorious sleeves! I've always been a huge fan of the really puffy little girl sleeves. I borrowed my friend's antique tiara so that I could pull off the princess look to the best of my ability.

xoxo Valentine

"Then a silence that chilled my soul"

I was in english class when I heard the tragic news. I feel sorry for all of the girls in my class who were absolutely oblivious to the pure art that poured out of this man. "Yeah, this guy Alexander McQueen just died...I think he's a designer or something." They continued on with their conversations as if nothing had happened, as if one of the most talented and dedicated designers in the world hadn't just passed away. It was just a couple of months ago that I was oggling at Atlantis and now *poof* he's gone forever. I always dreamed of getting married in one of his wedding dresses because such an occasion calls for true beauty. He lived an inspiring life and he will be missed dearly. RIP Alexander Mcqueen. <3

-Valentine

"Solitude, I'm doing fine. I dance alone with my head high."

Miu Miu clogs 2010!

Chanel 09 Clogs. I think the Tower of London guards should wear these.

I read a story about this horned snake man who gave his wife a dress made out of snake skin so that she'd become a snake too. I imagine these shoes to have the same mystical powers.

I love how the little pink flowers soften the normally rugged interpretation of clogs.

Louis Vuitton mustache clogs!

Bonjour!
I had a very busy Saturday so I'm balancing it out with a very lazy Sunday. Yesterday I went to a Speech and Debate tournament from 7am (x.x) until 8pm. I won third place for my humorous interpretation of Alice in Wonderland and rounded off the day with some rollerskating. Now onto fashion: I've just realized how much I like clogs! Yes, you heard me correctly...C.L.O.G.S. I remember I had an adorable bright green pair when I was in 4th grade as well as some old fashioned red ones in 6th grade, but that's about as far back as my clog-wearing history goes. Anyway, I never really payed much attention to the clog clad models in the 09 Chanel, and Louis Vuitton shoes...until now. I think this new-found love has a lot to do with Miu Miu's newest 2010 collection. They've taken tacky prints (you know the really cheap ones that you forced onto your Barbie dolls?) and have turned them into into something so bad its good. Fashion has become a game of "let's see who can make the most egregious thing stylish." This definitely puts Miu Miu in the lead with the help of daisies, kitty cats, and, of course, clogs. They'd be so cute with a pair of colorful tights and a flouncy high-waisted skirt, don't you agree? I never thought about making clogs into heels. I think it gives them an extra boost (pun absolutely intended) that makes them less grandma/4 year old.

xo Val

Naked As We Came

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Bonjour!
I've had a fairly pathetic weekend. Instead of going rollerskating (alone might I add) on a Friday night I opted for a party on Saturday. Well, it was Saturday night, I had my best cowgirl outfit on (it was western themed), and I had the birthday present in hand. I never did find out how that party went because, thanks to my big mouth, I didn't get to go. My parents and I got into ANOTHER argument and baddabing baddabam, no party for moi. I spent the night watching my new favourite show The InBetweeners which, despite being hilariously funny, did not compensate for the fact that I haven't seen any of my friends outside of school for over a month. I really hope this whole teenager phase passes soon...it's such a pain. Now onto my fashion-related news! The other day I was rummaging through old editorial archives when I came across this amazing photo shoot by Ryan McGuinly for POP magazine. If you don't know already, the model is Agyness Deyn, one of my favourites. I love how her boyish looks and shocking bleached blonde (practically white) hair immediately make the clothes feel free. The androgynous tomboy look can sometimes weigh clothes down, but for Agyness it makes them float. Of course, flying mid-air probably doesn't hurt the cause. The fact that she is naked just adds to the utterly carefree vibe. Fashion doesn't have to be confined to the glossy pages of magazines! It's like air in that everyone is forced to breathe it in, be it commercialized or not,and you also have no choice but to breathe it out. Now the WAY in which we interpret/breathe it differs per person. If you're like Agyness and POP you breathe it out by jumping off of buildings while a giant red dress billows out around you; if you're like the girls at my school you go to the nearest Forever21 or Urban Outfitters and pick from a selection thats been pre-picked for you; if you're like me you might choose to watch people like Agyness Deyn and then stick together whatever you find in your closet; that's really not the point though. The POINT is that no matter how you breathe it out it's still fashion and that's why I love it.

xo Valentine

Cupcakes with Sprinkles

This reminds me of an adorable pastry...delicious no?

HAHAHA JUST LOOK AT THAT SUIT! I really hope to god that my husband doesn't wear that to my wedding...although I certainly wouldn't mind wearing that dress. The 200-metre long train might be classified as a hazard for those of us who have trouble walking as it is.

I love that shiny chrome contrast of the boots against the "fru fru" tiers of the dress. Too cute!

I just wanted to call attention to the little rose shoulder pads. She looks like a butterfly emerging out of some sort of fabric cocoon.

Look at how subtle, yet beautiful, the pink sleeves are on the right. Perfect amount of shimmer. If you look to the left you get the makings of an 80s power suit without the mini skirt. I really want fashion to go in a more futuristic direction. Thanks Chanel for encouraging the fashion world!

Right: Such a classic elegant Chanel silhouette. The length of the coat falls at the perfect place so as to avoid exposing too much drapery.
Left: I'm not a huge fan of the tie...too school girl for my liking.

Right: The structure of the bodice reminds me of a Greek goddess...that kinda rhymes.
Left: This glove reminds me of the glove Karl Lagerfield wears. It's not surprising that he designed it.

Bonjour!

I just wanted to do a quick post on the AMAZING Chanel Haute Couture S/S show. All of the clothes look scrumptious and girly and yummy. I've always been prone to voluminous cotton candy-esque dresses and skirts so of course I fell in love with this collection. It shocked me a bit when I noticed the foil astronaut boots and fingerless gloves, but I was soon won over. I was also quite partial to the bracelets that looked like they're made out of dead glow sticks. Okay, so there's one crucial element I haven't talked about yet...THE HAIR! I absolutely adore the 60's beehive topped with a big pink bow...I mean, what is not to love!? I'm glad so many frayed roses made their way into that hair because they match all of the frayed trim on the dresses. Everything is just so overwhelmingly cute! Aannyyyway, I'm still grounded, still bored, and STILL without phone privileges. Thank you Chanel for adding a some blush to my very grim pale day.

xoxo Valentine