Sunday, October 2, 2011

Content 2011. Sophmore Year Not as Promising.

Content '10 was disappointingly cancelled, so after taking a year off, Content was back this year reportedly with a lot of support. I was ecstatic, as Content's first year of 2009 was amazing. Such a great showcase of the independent, "weird" (I say ideal), and soulful place of Portland. But walking away last Saturday night I was a bit less enthused about the entire experience. What was it missing? Less time to plan this year? Too many politics? The pressure of the expectations? Never as good as the first time? Le sigh. There seemed to be less of a fusion of music, art, and fashion as before. And less of a communal feel, with no focal afterparty (only many fragmented small ones).  My criticisms mounted as I walked through the 28 rooms of the independent Portland designers.

I still enjoyed myself immensely and think there is a lot of talent in little PDX, this just wasn't the best of show. I must say I did love the addition of the champagne room (no, not the type you used to frequent/work. Though this is Portland, so I wasn't sure what to expect...).  And it wasn't just solely fashion. Performance art for Content? But of course, I want more! Though after Adam Arnold's performance last year or the amazing band in Sword and Fern's room, how can anyone follow that?  Well, with a performance in one room from a collaboration of a costume designer, graphic designer, fabricator, lighting designer, sound artist, composer and a puppeteer (SYS/Jayme Hansen. Didn't post photos as with the crowd and lighting I didn't get any decent shots). Loved it!

Here are a few of my highlights.


Champagne Room. A first stop (and perhaps a second, though never a third. Okay, never say never).


Sarah Seven. I love her designs, but the room was the tiniest box and did not showcase her amazing talent. Loved the lighting and ethereal feel, though.


Carly Mick and Susanna Hohmann. This dress was utilitarian, retro but modern, and beautiful. Very Rosie the Riveter for 2011.  The dress, singular. I say this because though there were 5 different dresses shown, it was the same basic design in different dyed fabric.


 AfterAll creative studio. An art instillation, really. I just loved the effects of the feathers, mirrors, and lights. Like a beautiful dream. Me pictured, totally enthralled.


Haunt. Definitely favorite. I fawned over their rack for hours (sounds a bit scandalous, but really, they had an amazing clothing line)!


Frocky Jack Morgan. I imagine their inspiration is Helena Bonham Carter. Great to run into an old friend that was modeling for them (Suzy rocked it). Always love FJM's shabby vintage luxe look. And I just was enthralled with the wolf taxidermy table.










IDOM. Her room did not have the same impact on me as 2 years ago, but I do oh so love her style. Especially the 60s madame with a turban.


Dawn Sharp. The shadow images of the mosques on the dress and the photos of Jerusalem on the walls created such an amazing concept. Sacred imagery combined with a modern fantasy.   But when I asked for the inspiration her response was, "She is the queen of 2012, this represents when the UFOs land on the churches." I had hoped for a response more worldly than "churches" to blanket represent the fantasy religious apocalypse I think she was trying to represent. I still love the concept and the result. Beautiful.


I love Duchess Clothier. Amazing custom designed men's clothing, absolutely love them. But this was definitely a last minute job on room design...at least I hope.



 Bridge & Burn. Very Portland hipster style meets lumberjack.

Andy Lifschutz jewelry. Loved him the previous year and one of the few rooms I loved more in 2011. So unique, combining bone, stone, and metal.



Moonwoods. I hate to wear glasses. I'm in denial that distant neon signs are starting to look fuzzy. I think lasik surgery may be in my future, but do I wish I had the features to wear them because I love a girl or guy in glasses, especially such organic, beautiful ones as these. I just don't have that delicate face that can balance the strong wooden frames of Moonwoods. But if I did I would so be rockin' a pair of these. I think they will be the next pair of glasses for my husband, who could pull these off beautifully.


The Student Stylists from The Art Institute of Portland. Loved the 60s inspired looks.


Love the women's line of Studio SKB. Now there is a men's line called Chicago Harper. There was a 1930s inspired amazing blouse and skirt on the side rack that is the first on my list to buy.  As far as the men's line, I just couldn't take my eyes off the man in the white suit. A great modern twist on the Gatsby-esque white linen suit.

Ruki. Wearable art. Love, love, love.



 Pattern People. Peeping through a small hole into the room. Very voyeuristic. I loved this concept. And I love pattern and adornment. There was a rumor a naked man randomly ran through. Through a miniature box room? That would be one small...man.

John Blasioli. My husband has a man crush on him. After 2009 Content he phone stalked him trying to get a jacket made. His newer line is a bit more formal, but still with amazing detail.


28 rooms in all. The designers were not as well represented as they could have been. Start planning for next year, I say! A big thanks to the organizer. Do I need to even name? I mean, I've never seen project runway, but even I know who this talented girl is. Thanks, Gretchen (with Killian Repasky, right, fashion loving teen) and Ace Hotel!



All photos by my husband and me.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Ooooohhhhh... Paris!

OK, I am (sort of) over the Galliano debacle. So, here we go...

Dear Mr. McQueen, your legacy lives on. I think you would be proud, but you absence is definitely felt in this collection (except maybe the last pic...LOVE).





Chanel, so dark and dramatic! Karl gets a bit tough and goth.



Chloe was all about the reptiles. Even this delicate dress had snake print fabric.


It is the 1950's Babes in Toyland meet the KGB at Louis Vuitton. Ok, I know many are going to say...really? Who is going to wear the hats with such ensembles? It is fashion, people! Stop copying lame-ass Hollywood that is only concerned about figure conscious flattering dresses, it's boring. Fashion is an art, not just a way to show off your fake breasts and borderline anorexic thin waist (Note: yes, I do work out regularly and watch my weight, and though I could claim it's all for my health, it's also so I can be the most lovely backdrop for gorgeous clothes such as this, but not for clothes add sex appeal! Have I justified myself enough?).



 I love the 1940s style broad-shouldered dames in Miu Miu.



Valentino. So feminine, flowing, and absolutely lovely! I wanted the entire collection, so timeless and elegant. 






Images from FashionGoneRogue.com

Monday, March 14, 2011

An Amazing Week of Overshadowed Beauty...

I love fashion. I have always loved Dior and particularly John Galliano. So imagine my disappointment to learn of the recent scandals. I am so appalled after learning of his actions, but on the same note I myself am a bit notorious for drinking and spewing ridiculousness. Luckily, I have not been held accountable for every drunken encounter. I try not to drink more than 1 or 2, but when I do… oh the stories. Unfortunately, I am infamous. The turtle incident, broken clavicle incident, skiing incident, Cuzco incident, the annual American Medical Association Internal Medicine presentations 3rd year of residency (I am told it is still brought up)…and I was just recently reminded of the yellow stream out of a window while doing 60 on a highway incident (yes, sadly, I was driving) when in high school. I’ll stop while I’m behind.

My point of this is I feel it is very wrong that he may be facing a six month jail sentence and a fine that amounts to over $30,000.  OK, I understand why Dior fired him, but I think it's wrong that he has to stand trial. In the U.S. if you deface a religion, spew hate, or make completely racist remarks you apparently get elected to congress or become a multimillionaire on some talk radio or tv "news" show. I mean, according to a few of our current congressmen and women our current president is a terrorist supporting extremist that was born in Kenya, not America (oh how facts confuse the simplest of minds).

And let's be honest, Galliano go to prison? He would be the bitch of even the *fairiest* of gay men! I guess if Dior wants to fire Mr. Galliano, that's their business, literally. Yes, there are freedom of speech laws in America, and there are sometimes days I question the legitimacy of that (KKK rallies, Koran burnings), but I am in shock that today, in a Western country, a man can go to prison and face an exorbitant fine for something he slurringly mumbled in a private affair, all because it happened in France.

Needless to say, it has left a bit of a damper on my entire view of my most anticipated holiday, Paris fall fashion week. Hence, the late review. Le sigh...

Friday, February 25, 2011

In a Fashion State of Mind...

Oh New York, London, Milan, how I wish I was at each fall fashion collection showing in each city. Due to time and financial constraints, I had to settle on viewing the collections on line. Here are a few of my favorites...

Jason Wu in NYC
I love any collection that has that timeless Audrey Hepburn appeal.



Ports 1961
Ohhhh, the delicate leather overlay details in this skirt! Leather has never been so feminine.



Marc Jacobs, NYC
 Well hello, futuristic 1940's. There would be no ignoring these ladies if seen walking down the street in these threads.


Preen, NYC
I love the asymmetrical skirts and the lovely details. The last picture is origami hip granny style. Love it. 


Carolina Herrera, NYC
Carolina, such an elegant woman with an amazing style. The top two are on my must buy list. I think her collection is my absolute favorite collection of fall 2011 so far (of course, eagerly awaiting Paris).




Diane Von Furstenberg, NYC
I always think of 70's inspired amazing printed dresses when I think of DVF, but I also love this!


Vera Wang, NYC
Feathers, leather, chiffon, oh la la...


Jill Stuart, NYC
There were so many owl prints in this collection...love, love, love. Reminds me of the movie Labyrinth when David Bowie turned into a white owl. It was a fantasy retro 70's collection.  And this yellow, metallic, feminine goddess number? So modern, yet so delicate. I would invent an occasion any day of the week just to wear this dress.


Prabal Gurung, NYC
This is classic with a bold edge. For my strong confident side...




Rodarte, NYC
 But I am a romantic at heart. I am such a fan of Rodarte! A tribute to the fall harvest at your feet and
wrapped luxuriously in these two amazing sisters vision of the sky. The entire collection was like remembering my childhood days on the farm in Iowa...I WISH!!! It almost makes me nostalgic for time I spent on my aunt's farm. Unfortunately, there were less fashionable, wandering through the fields, singing, dressed amazingly moments and more getting up at the ass crack of dawn to do hard labor as a young child rather than playing moments. Nonetheless, it takes me back with fond memories. That's how amazing of a collection this is.



Alberta Ferretti, NYC
I love that early 60's look, when Audrey Hepburn was the screen goddess, there were no paparazzi, women wore hats, and everyone wrote hand written thank yous instead of emails. I was born in the wrong era...


Etro, Milan
I am such a romantic bohemian. I am so in love with the tribal spring/summer prints of Etro. So glad
to see more amazing patterns in the fall collection. I really adore the Asian/SE Asian inspiration.



Gucci, Milan
 Oh, the Italians and their flair for drama. Annoying in soccer games, outstanding on the runway (and on any woman's body)!


Bottega Veneta, Milan
I cannot get enough! Another homage to the lovely 60's. Adore, adore, adore.




Mary Katrantzou, London
So artistic and amazing! I love the print, the shape, and can just imagine the luxurious feel of the silk. She looks like a collectible tea cup!

 I cannot wait until the shows Paris! I am counting the days!!!

Pictures from fashiongonerogue.com