Roberto Cavalli S/S 2010

Caught a glimpse of Roberto Cavalli's men's Spring 2010 line while flipping through WWD this morning. I'm crazy about the fold over details on the pants. Everything else is leaving me a little cold.









images courtesy of style.com

Feed My Eyes, Can You Sew Them Shut?

Been feeling a little bit moody lately and listening to Man in the Box over and over and over again lately.. Layne was such an amazing singer


Anyways......

For the past year or so, I've been completely obsessed with getting my hands on a plain black maxi dress (non-empire, non-halter) or plain black long skirt . It also seems like everyone else is on the same page, because everytime I found one, they'd always be sold out or out of my size.

A couple weeks ago, I finally found it: A gorgeous Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto maxi dress with horizontal stripes of varying degress of sheerness.

Originally wanted to wear my platform boots (from my early college days) but I was anticipating a day of possibly carrying boxes around the office, so decided to stick with the flat motorcycle boots.

I tried taking pictures of the actual outfit I wore, but the details wouldn't show up, so it's just the dress and boots.

"Let Them Eat Cake" She Said..

Just wanted to share what is, quite possibly, my favorite Christian Dior Haute Couture collection. This is Spring 2006 inspired by the violence of the French Revolution.

I love practically everything about this collection. The corseting, the asymmetrical skirts, the volume, even the blood.

I particularly like how some of the makeup makes the models look like wax death masks a la Madame Tussaud. If you do a google search for Marie Antoinette's death mask, it'll pop up, as well as Louis XIV's.

I suppose I only wish the shoes were stronger.... and that I could afford it (I suppose that's a given).

I say this everytime, but it doesn't hurt to say it again.. Click the pictures. They blow up approximately 3 X bigger.

Scarification

Scarification, like tattoos, are utilized by tribal communities for any number of reasons. Just like in present Western societies, their purpose can range from pure decoration to a permanent declaration of membership to a specific group.

Some tribes start to inscribe their children at birth. This process continues even after death.

I find the amount of commitment and trust one must possess to endure such a process, as well as the beauty that comes from what I can only assume as an excruciating process extremely inspiring. While I could never get this done, I'd love to emulate the look through embossed leather in similar motifs.

"At a time when the Western world is desperately seeking to escape a dreadful uniformity of dress, it is important to understand the wealth and symbolism of practices from other corners of the world, a veritable language employed by people who are sometimes still dubbed 'primitive.' Yet aren't we all 'barbaric' in someone else's eyes?" - Bernenice Geoffroy-Schneiter, Ethnic Style History and Fashion (2001)

The pictures below were scanned, again, from Ethnic Style. A great majority of these images were taken in the early to mid 20th century.







More images I pulled from google images:






*images from uihealthcare, flickr, and beautyisnotonlyskindeep blog

Ouch..

Stainless Steel heels by 6 Inch Heels Forever .. Soo sick. I love the look of a severe arch. My feet on the other hand...

I also wouldn't mind owning a pair of these. They're just so trampy, I can't help but love them.

Coiffure

More scans from Ethnic Style . This time, I have selected various images of African tribal coiffure.


Ladder Coiffure showing high standing for major social occasions


Mangbetu woman


Woman from Angola


Woman from Ethiopia


Woman from Angola

Inspiration

Everytime summer rolls around I really start getting inspired by the traditional costume of other cultures. So I thought I'd start sharing some scans I did from two of my favorite books on the subject: Ethnic Style: History and Fashion by Verenice Geoffroy-Schnieter and (Un)Fashion by Tibor and Maira Kalman. I actually have way too many to post in one post, so I thought I'd share according to culture.

First up, India. I highly suggest clicking on the pictures to make them bigger.


From Ethnic Style: Women in Saris. Worn in the style of Northern India (influenced by Muslim culture). Hand Ornament in Silver and Colored Glass How great is that hand ornament!?

I find Indian jewelry to be extremely amazing. While bangles are nice, I'm particularly interested in naths (aka nose rings). More specifically naths with chains. Lucky for me that most naths do not require a nose piercings. I'd love to wear one around. Debating if I would want a nice small one with a chain, or a large "in your face" one like the kind gentleman wearing it two pictures down.


From Ethnic Style: Ceremonial jewelry and makeup


From (Un)Fashion: Man from the Jodhpur region of India

Speaking of Jodhpur, I'm dying to visit this place, particularly during a time when there are a lot of Hindu festivities. It just looks divine. I'd love to roam the blue city, tour the fort (see 3rd picture down), stay in the palace and shop the local market... you know and score a bitchin' nath with chain and silk fabrics.








Remaining images via Higher Being Blog, Photos By Martin, Holiday IQ , and other sources via google images