Last week I treated myself to some much needed new music. Well, not 'new' by album release, but new additions to my ever growing CD collection. The above is Healamonster & Tarsier, which I took a chance on buying since it was listed at the top of Amoeba's list of electronica music, and the last time I bought the CD on the top of the list, I ended up loving it and so did the rest of the world soon after. (It was Santogold, by the way) This time I like the CD, but I think it has an acquired sound that I am still adjusting to. It wasn't at all what I expected to be categorized as 'electronica.' There were a lot of acoustic flavors to its overall sound, but I know its something I'll end up loving. In addition, I bought Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Air, and Brother Ali (for the bf, not me). I love music.

Similar Aesthetics

Silly little piece of proof

Last week Vena Cava debuted their Spring ready-to-wear for next year, and I found some similarities in design aesthetic (theirs and mine). Check out this blouse I designed in January, which if I actually had the money to produce, it would be right on trend with Vena Cava's point of view. I design, that's what I do; I may not design for the right target market as a career, but I still know a thing or two about high fashion. If I had it my way, her tata's wouldn't be aired for the world to see; however, chiffon was still my fabric selection for the white sections of my blouse with solid black woven panels in between, and instead of oversized safety pins, I chose chains as the adjoining pieces.

There Was Then Before Now

Photo Cred: Helmut Lang via Style.com

Before Alexander Wang, there was Helmut Lang. And they do exist, still. With their architecturally clean cuts, seam details, and fanciful edgy draping they still know how to present a collection. (See above for latest collection from NY Fashion Week) For the modern and the bored, try Helmut Lang for a twist on classics. Leave it to Helmut Lang to stay safe on color choices by always sticking to the neutrals, another signature trait of Alexander Wang’s collections. I was actually taught how to draw by a former Helmut Lang accessories (or was it shoes?) designer while I was studying at FIDM. This is also probably another reason why I am quite fond of the brand.

Comeback Queen

Have you seen Whitney’s new look on the cover of her new single, Million Dollar Bill? She’s like the black version of Posh. I can dig it, and based on her new single, kind of excited to hear the rest of the new Whitney. Is that gayer than a gay man’s purse?

Season of Bloggers

Photo cred: style.com (Kate Moss and Alexa Chung @ NY Fashion Week)

New York fashion week is housing the elite this season at shows from the likes of BCBG to Peter Som to Marc Jacobs. Elitists of what, might you ask; no, not magazine editors, though they may be present, or department store buyers, fashion bloggers is what. The internet sensations take the front row seats at some of the biggest names in fashion, prancing around in their designer duds and newfound fashion acquaintances. These bloggers, who have all made a franchise of themselves, are the lucky chosen few which by experience of a simple internet blog and self portraits showing off their new rags, gets them the backstage pass to all of the happening parties in New York this week. According to blogs, such as ‘Luluandyourmom’ and ‘Karlascloset’, the lucky few were camped up by Coach, who so graciously hosted a party for the who’s who in the fashion blogging community. While those lucky few are overzealous at the thought of attending such high profile events, others who’ve worked hard in this industry making a minimum salary, actually use these runway shows as inspiration for future lines at in-house design offices for the mass market via Style.com for the secondhand look. Some of these bloggers, like Rumi Neely and THESartorialist have actually become the source for many high fashion designers and have become the inspiration. Mind you, the difference between bloggers and the rest of us is that they can afford Marni wedges and Chanel bags and Alexander Wang T-shirts and DSLR cameras to take sub-par professional photos of these things one can only wish for in their dreams. Who would have thought that bloggers are the new success in fashion? This new inane idolatry has become the biggest fad in fashion history, and for some it may be too late, but for the rest of us, you’ll never know when a newcomer will be the next to grace the pages of Teen Vogue. If you want to feel like you are a part of the fashion fun, follow these bloggers on their journey through fashion week on their twitter pages and get the up close and personal inside look at what they see firsthand via twitpics and the sorts.

Article by: Me

Hometown Glory

It's funny how the place where I grew up never seemed to be so appeasing. I never thought it could look this beautiful. After going back for labor day weekend, I found myself doing things I had never done before in all my 9 years of living there. Biking along the coastline: check. Nearly meeting the concrete with my face (a couple times): check. Eating a chocolate covered banana covered in peanuts: check (I've never had it covered in peanuts). Hanging out at lover's point: check. Although it was a 5 hour drive along the California coast away from home, it was well worth it, especially to see a few friendly faces again, including my boyfriend's. Next time I'll be sure to come prepped with a 'my size' bike to prevent myself from the previously mentioned mishaps.