Cristobal Balenciaga and Nicolas Ghesquiere

Anyone who knows me knows Balenciaga is my absolute favourite fashion house. In it dwell the designs of two of my favourite designers: Cristobal Balenciaga and Nicolas Ghesquiere.

The house originated in Spain in 1914 but Balenciaga was forced to moved to Paris with the events of the Spanish Civil War. The french fell in love with his designs and soon after his first runway show he was in high demand. Balenciaga was most popular for the way his designs complimented the shape of women's bodies with his babydoll dresses, square coat, spherical balloon jacket, caccoon coat, sack dress and balloon skirt. We also have Balenciaga to thank for the modern popularity of the empire waist-line. He's quite sculptural in his techniques with collar that stand out from the coat and 3/4 sleeves that leave room for a view of a beautiful bracelet.

You can notice some of his influences in the designs of those how have worked with him, most notably: Oscar de la Renta, Hubert de Givenchy, emanuel Ungaro and Andre Courreges.

In 1997 Nicolas Ghesquiere took over the reins and is doing an amazing job. Ghesquiere managed to turn the house around for the better and has given the house it's cool edge back. His designs and innovative and look gorgeous on the body. Above are some of his Fall/ Winter 2009 designs and beolw are a pair of boots that have been out for a while but I could care less I'm still coveting them.

The Kids Are Alright!

On November 4 Gapkids, babyGap and Stella McCartney will be unveiling a must-have collection for kids. The collection includes do it yourself tees that allow kids to colour in action figures and a unisex, very Sgt. Pepper-ish military jacket that I want to get my nephew. The prices are very reasonable so I suggest that if you're on the petite side you give some of the kids XXL's a try because that jacket is a definite must have.

Choo-chooooo!

Start coughing girls and boys it's time to cash in on your sick day so you can be one of the first to have an accessory or piece of clothing from the Jimmy Choo for H&M line. It's debut is set for Nov. 14 so get to sneezing!

TIGHTS ARE NOT PANTS!
THAT'S RIGHT! I SAID (WROTE) IT!

Gaga over Gaga?

I once spoke to someone about Lady Gaga's style and we both agreed that while personal style does require a degree of individuality her style is kind of outlandish. More so than fashionable.

However, upon closer inspection I have to say I definately see my self looking back on pictures of her and smiling. That's not to say she has classic style in the Jackie-O sense but the image she has put forth will make her hard to forget...

And with eye-catching numbers like the one's she wears, who would want to?

(Thumbs up).

Tights being pants vs. tight's being hosiery

The time is at hand to discuss this whole tights issue. It's practically winter here and still I'm seeing female after female (and some males) wearing tights with a small t-shirt that stops just above the hip. That means I'm constantly getting traumatized with shots of tights outlining behinds and cellulite galore but even worse I'm getting full frontal from those of you who are suffocating your stuff to the point of a camel toe. If you are not a horse jockey there is absolutely no excuse for this.

RIGHT

WRONG SIENNA!

Now, for a brief history lesson.

-This might be a surprise to some, but tights are actually classified as hosiery.

-tights.sythasite.com reports that there was a similar tights as pants debate in the 14th century about Venetician males wearing short jackets on top of their tights.

-When tights first turned up on the scene they were worn to be seen by men only as women were accustomed to wearing long dresses. It wasn't until the 1920's when it became the social norm for women to show they're legs that tights were worn by them.

-In 1953 texile mogul Allen Gant Sr. created the world's first pair of pantyhose or "Panty-legs" and eliminated the idea of women having to attach garter belts to uncomfortable girdles. The sale of pantyhose took off in the 1960's with the popularity of the mini skirt.

I repeat if you are not King Henry the 8th (and that includes YOU Lady Gaga!) the madness needs to stop or rather, shop! Go out and but yourself some skinny jeans they're thicker and will provide the warmth you need to protect yourself from colds and flus, winter is not the time to being catching a draft down there.

I'll discuss leggings the next time around but for now I'm going to hand out the "TIGHT ARE NOT PANTS!" fliers I've downloaded from http://www.tightsarenotpants.com/.

You still got love for me?

Hello darlings,

Don't hate me for leaving the blog unattended but so much has happened! I was a make-up artist at a shoot by Plush Embassy, www.plushembassy.blogspot.com, I started a new job and I compiled a plan for an even better and more inviting clothing hanger atmosphere! So, let's get started!

I worked as a shopgirl this year and I gotta tell you it's not that hard and to be honest it's because people who don't know better make it so easy! I'm gonna tell you some tricks of the trade so you don't get caught in a web of sales associate lies!!!!!!!!!!

1. If you don't LOVE it DON'T BUY it! From now on when I walk into a store I think to myself, will it be my rent or your commission? It's a salespersons job to get you in a changing room and boost you into buying clothes! Don't listen to them because they'll tell it looks great even if it's hideous, and sometimes it really is!

2. Be easy on the trends. Stylistically it's a mess if you lay it all on at once and it's a waste of your money to have items hanging in your closet that you don't use once they go out of style. Also when buying trends, make sure they fit into what you think suits your personality. For example, I'll be sure to invest in a military jacket because I love the look of them (remember that Jimmy Hendrix profile I did a while back?).

3. First things first ALWAYS ask about the return policy before you purchase anything. You'd be surprised to find out how many stores no longer do refunds or even exchanges under certain conditions.

4. Always try things on, just don't get the advice of a salesperson. Clothes never look the same on the body as they do on the hanger also the size you pick out may be a smaller or larger fit for you and you might have to go up or down a size according to how the garment fits AND NEVER under the threat of death think about size numbers, they mean nothing! What matters is the fit.

5. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS look at the care instructions! It shouldn't that hard to find the tag either on your back or to your side on the inside of the clothing item. Machine washing a "dry clean only" garment is a tragedy no one should ever have to go through.

Anywho, I have to get ready for the Fashion is Art event at Nuit Blanche Tonight, hope to see you there!

kisses,
Mme Bienvenue.

Carmen Jones

This silver screen version of Bizet's opera starred an all-black cast featuring Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belefonte and Pearl Bailey. I wish I could of gotten the stills of the costumes that captured my heart (especially Pearl Bailey's hats) but I couldn't, if I find more I will gladly add more.

Haute Book: The Little Black Book of Style

The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia has changed my clothing hangers and it'll change yours too.

Prince

I can hear the screams and envision the fans fainting as I write this blog. Prince Roger Nelson has bestowed not only a sound that is unlike any other but a style that is unlike any other as well. Prince wannabes keep an eye out for Victorian blouses with lots of lace and frills, brocade blazers, pants that look painted on (preferably leather), as well as some hot gloves and your best accessory, a good guitar.

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust...

This spit-fire was created by David Bowie for the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, his outfits were created by Kansai Yamamoto representing his exploration of the worlds of hard and experimental rock.

Grace Jones, Ziggy Stardust, Prince-the aliens I aspire to be as stylish as

I challenge you to find fiercer, more fabulous people than these...you'll notice that they're all androgynous-and yes after months of not submitting anything I am still on that tip. First up in my series of swaggerlicious stylistas is Grace Jones. She was born in Jamaica then moved to New York where she studied theatre and became a model. She was signed to Island records and with her music and image she took New Wave to a higher plateau.



Ladies, If you want Ms. Jones' swagger go out and get yourselves some structured boyfriend blazers, (faux) fur wraps, outrageous bras, and a hot haircut-maybe a gumby cut if you dare...

Still feeling androgynous...

This is a man who makes heads turn when he walks into a room. Once you've seen him in Lady Sings the Blues you'll know why women just love Billy Dee Williams.




Sigh...

The Street Escape

I have to post this picture!


There's just something so hot about a graffiti backdrop and dude blends in effortlessly.

Anotha Cool Brotha: Sammy Davis Jr.

Okay so today I'm off rock and feeling androgynous I want to look classic, sharp and gentlemanly and who better to be my inspiration than Sammy Davis Jr.?





Enough said.

One Cool Brotha: Jimi Hendrix

I'm going through a phase right now, all I want to do is eat, breathe, look, listen to/like rock. I wanna pierce and tattoo stuff but most of all I want to update my wardrobe. Since rock is the theme I thought I'd look no further than someone whom I consider the king of rock: Jimi Hendrix.

One look at the man and a smile instantly appears on my face as I'm hopelessy in love with his swagger. He handles himself with the right amount of edge showing us all how to pull off boho-chic. To get his look go no further than spring/summer runways which are fully equipped with military jackets, colourful scarves and blouses, patterned vests, and big, gaudy jewellery.

Burberry/Trench Coats

At the head of this story is Thomas Burberry a young man who opened an outdoor-goods shop wherein he invented Garbardine, a yarn that goes through a process of waterproofing before it is weaved. After years of good customer recomendations/relations, Burberry was comissioned by the War Office to create a jacket that would keep soldiers dry through most weather conditions and he developed the trench coat which soon became popular with soldiers and citizens alike as it was stylish and equipped with pockets and straps (D-rings) which were meant for keeping hand grenades as well as many other things. In the 1920's the Burberry check was designed and placed inside trench coat linings and became even more popular. Well after the war was over Burberry was common with footbal players then soon rebuilt it's image to compete with high fashion houses in Europe.

Bonnie and Clyde

A film based on Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, this movie is set during the Great Depression about a couple of bank robbers who wore more than just your average ski cap.

Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway make and stunning duo and wear the costumes well and the scark above is to die for.