House of Holland AW11

Henry Holland came out with this cheeky fashion film featuring himself and Pixie Geldof in a sort of cheesy informercial that shows off his “Hawt Couture” collection. Directed by Sara Chatfield with Jaime Perlman as art director, this humorous little short is a wonderful leap away from all these black and white studio films we have been bombarded with for the past two years.

Interview Magazine reported, “I wanted to make a fashion film that was transparent to the end desire to sell clothes,” explained Holland after the film’s exclusive screening party in the London environs of the House of St. Barnabus off Soho Square. “The idea of QVC was perfect, as it allowed us to inject humor whilst still allowing us to show the collection.”

via Interview

Gareth Pugh AW11

Kate Moss/Balmain Video

Balmain has released a video version of their fall campaign, and it looks like they had some fun in After Effects to make it a little magical. Watch below for Kate Moss’s magic chameleon hair and the adorable smoking aliens and hand monsters that visit her as she poses.

By Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, via The Cut

Fantasy Motionbook

I can’t believe I forgot to post this! Prada, pushing the envelope as always, made this great mixed-media “Fantasy Motionbook” as their AW10 video lookbook. Directed by James Lima, the video includes runway footage on sketchy backgrounds, still photos of key pieces and illustrations as well as animation.

Thoughts? I think its great to see something new and different in video lookbooks and I find that it read almost like a magazine spread or a mood board. Also, I might have to adopt the term “motionbook” because “video lookbook” is a bit clumsy.

Fall Essentials

Today was a beautiful foggy day in London, check out my view! I’ve always really loved the fog, and I’ve been spoiled in terms of gray weather; London, Paris, Monterey, San Francisco…all gray, foggy cities.

Anyway, now that I am in a thoroughly Autumnal mood, I thought I’d post my fall essentials list.

• Leopard print crop jacket from Topshop. As far as I’m concerned, leopard print is ALWAYS an essential. I’ve been wearing this jacket way too often.
• Comme des Garcon‘s “Wonderwood“. I already rambled on about it here and here but I think its the perfect fall fragrance…very warm and not flowery at all.
• Nars matte red lipstick…I’m really liking red lips right now, even though I didn’t used to be a lipstick person. Now I wear it almost every day.
• Doc Marten Divas. I don’t actually own these, but I love them and I think they would fit in nicely with my fall wardrobe (HA! Excuses).
• Bandanas/Head scarves. My hair is in that awkward growing out period. Actually its been in that awkward stage for over a year now but the best way to keep me from hacking it all off in frustration is to cover it with a scarf.
• Peter-Pan collars. I’m not sure why but I love these little collars on everything lately…this one is Topshop but its funner to find vintage dresses with this feature.

Rant About Wang and Fashion Film

I have a confession to make: I’m not a huge fan of Alexander Wang. I know, I know, that could be considered criminal by the fashion Powers That Be, those that a few years ago hailed Wang as the next big thing. But I am troubled by his work. I think my real problem with him (as a designer, not personally, obviously), is that his work embodies the “off-duty model” look that I HATE with a fiery, burning passion. Don’t get me wrong, there have been some pieces that I wanted desperatley, but I feel like everything about his brand screams “hipper than thou” and, well, I hate minimalism.

That being said, I tried to be objective about his new campaign video, since I’m always on the hunt for fashion films. The film is for AW10/11 and is directed by Craig McDean, and stars Abbey Lee Kershaw, whom I love (who doesn’t?). It takes a now-classic music video approach without a narrative and, though thankfully devoid of mirror effects, employs every other technique that has become conventional to this relatively new genre of video lookbooks/fashion campaign videos;

He’s got wind machines, split screens, an uber-hip dubstep soundtrack by The XX, slow-motion, boobs, rapid intercutting, and Abbey writhing around on grungy furniture in a dark room….basically the whole nine yards of the classic video campaign. For a designer who is known for being “fresh” and “edgy”, this is a very conventional video.

Jeans X AW10

Here is the latest of Calvin Klein‘s campaign videos; This one is for CK Jeans Fall 2010. As usual its sexy with a classic American vibe, but this time with a trendy, black and white, biker edge.

Thoughts?

Miu More

Everyone is raving about the new Miu Miu video campaign for AW10/11. The models look gorgeous, the makeup is amazing and the clothes are of course incredible but I feel like the video could have been more creative. The models are Ginta Lapina, Lindsey Wixson (love her), Siri Tollerod, and Daphne Groeneveld.

Thoughts?

Good Bad Not Evil

Gareth Pugh A/W 10=Pure genius.

More eyegasms after the jump;

Nylon+Jeremy Scott

Jeremy Scott shows Nylon TV his FF10 collection…here you get to see a closer view of the cross dress I posted about the other day (here), its gorgeous! I adore this collection. Jeremy Scott says that the dress is a comment on the worship of fashion;

Also, can I have some of whatever Cory’s smoking? Just sayin’…

Blueberry Yum Yum

marc by marc jacobs bow beret

Got a lil bit of Blueberry Yum Yum,
And I neva would of thought that it could look this goooooooood,
Thank God Marc Jacobs put it in my hoooooood,
Its got me singin melodies I neva thought i woooouuuuld.

This hat is so sweet it almost makes me sick…its the cutest! It’s even better than the Ludacris song “Blueberry Yum Yum”.

Me and my blueberrys together and everythings all right…

:) Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter Collection on yoox.com. Drool!!!

For the Love of Cardigans

A Sloppy Ode to Cardigans

by Drooling Isn’t Pretty

O cardigan, my knitted friend,

Thou art the less itchy cousin of the sweater.

Like a pullover but better,

My love for you transcends trends. 

Buttons, zipper, tie or v-neck,

The only question is cash or check.

I long for you in every shade,

In wool, in cotton, in brocade,

With bows, with pockets, with a hood,

I’d wear you all if I only could. 

And with these words, for you I yearn,

All I ask is for love in return. 

 

Cardigans pictured, clockwise from top left: Oak NYC, Asos, Modcloth, My Sugarland

Summer Sucks

So I keep hinting at the fact that I hate summer fashion, and I’d like to say that this isn’t entirely true. Although I do prefer the crisp wind and the abundance of cardigans typical of the fall season, I’m not a complete vampire. I do like the sun, its just that I often hate summer trends.So here is the Drooling Isn’t Pretty take on this spring/summer season, along with some recessionista alternatives to these crimes in fashion.

 

Miss Hanna Beth looking cute in floral print and leather. Leatha!

1) Trend: Maxi Dresses

Verdict: Ew. Unless you are pregnant, there is no excuse. Also, “maxi dress” sounds like some kind of feminine hygiene product.

D.I.P. Take:  Believe me, the rest of the world is going to think these are as hideous as I do in about a month. So rather than waste money on what basically looks like a really aggressively patterned table cloth wrapped around you, I would recommend thrifting a short, light floral dress. Not only are these way cuter, more flattering and better suited to the apocolyptically hot weather we have been dealing with in California, they are also versatile and can outlast this season. Wear the same dress with tights, brogues and layers and you are set for the fall.

Sundrop Heels from Anthropologie

2) Trend: Yellow

Verdict: Doesn’t work for everyone, good only in small doses. 

D.I.P. Take: I know I’m really picky about color, but in theory, I do not discriminate. You just have to find the right way to wear that color to suit you. Yellow has proven to be a big thing this season, but people have a tendency to overdo it. I would recommend going with a more subtle shade of yellow rather than the canary, like mustard, which is way classier and works on more skin tones. Also, finding good accessories in yellow is a good way to enjoy this trend but also have pieces you can draw from in the seasons to come. For example, you can go the Gossip Girl route and get some yellow tights or a clutch. Personally, I’m into yellow wedges for just a little pop without looking like a walking dandelion. 

The original Sgt. Pepper jackets

3) Trend: Fringe

Verdict: WHY?

D.I.P. Take: I have a thing against suede. I think it’s only acceptable in the form of really cute boots. FRINGY SUEDE JACKETS ARE ICKY. As are fringy suede boots, purses, neckwear, belts. I’m sorry, I just can’t get behind the whole cowgirl look. Then there’s the whole cut-up fringed t-shirt thing…not into it. If you MUST indulge this trend, I would only go the route of retro evening wear. The only problem with this is there is a time and place for a flapper dress, and it sure as hell isn’t every day wear. My recessionista solution? An awesome Sgt. Pepper style jacket with the fringy tasseled shoulder pads. How could you go wrong?

Inspiration

I’m definitely a blush girl more than a bronzer girl. I do not tan by any means, I just freckle and burn and get pink, so “golden glow” is not my thing. I lean towards the cooler sheer mauve sorts of blush shades. Also, I hate lipstick. The only thing I can stand on my lips in non-greasy chapstick or lipstain. 

However, this look from a Dominic Jones Jewelry shoot made me want to run out and buy a nice dark bronzer and clown red lipstick. It’s obviously not a casual look but I love how aggressive and honest the makeup is; its about clean lines and definition rather than blending and softness. 

In the same shoot I found then that there was an alternative to the bright lip (which I will never pull off), which is to play up the eyes. Again, a little dramatic.

Finally, we have a compromise. This picture (below) doesn’t show it that well but she has the same dark contouring bronzer line that I am inspired by, without too much on the lips or eyes. 

I’m thinking this is an awesome look for fall, because matte appears to be coming back in after such a sparkly season as well as neutral grays for the eyes…so what do you think, ditch the pink and go with shadowy brown cheekbones or is it too bold for everyday?