Beauty in her Veins

I love stumbling across a new artist that I can appreciate. Kris Chau, formerly of the lovely state of Hawaii, and now dwelling in Philadelphia, is the sort of illustrator that a girl of my generation can look at and understand instantly. Not that her work is simple, but it's immensely visually appealing on a very basic level the moment you see it. There are so many fantasy based illustrators these days that the concept has become a little bland for me (yes, it's both a horse and a man wearing a clown costume, i get it...) but something about the fresh images of these girls makes me appreciate the idea again.

As I was looking at her work I also couldn't help but think, this girl should get in to fashion! And come to find out, she is in fact working for Free People as a knitwear designer. Fabulous!

Here is a little snippet of what she has to say:

"...I don’t really make a lot of money, and part of that is to make me work harder at home so one day I won’t need these stupid jobs and I'll be able to somehow make art all encompassing. The picture of the little girl that you like – I have a print of her in my office with a bubble that says, “Get off your ass you lazy ho or keep your day job!” Every hour that you want to go out drinking with your friends or spend money on that shirt. I look at that picture and think I have to make that choice for art."

That quote is from a nice interview with her in dorkmag...

http://www.dorkmag.com/kc_page_1.html

I'm vastly pleased to have made this little discovery today, and I hope to be able to see some of her lovely work in person sometime! (come to Seattle sometime, Miss Chau, if you are reading this!)

xoxo,

marion

Forget SIFF!!

The Seattle Film Fest may be in full swing, but for my part I'll be checking out the Northwest Film Forum next week for PRÊT-À-FILMER: A WEEK OF FASHION FILMS
"This series of five documentary films celebrates fashion icons— those who made fashion and those who wore fashion in ways that changed the definition of style."

What better way to spend a summers evening than ogling vintage fashion footage, sighing at the perfection of Yves St Laurent at work in his atelier, and rolling your eyes at Victoria Beckams latest fashion statement.

Although it occurs to me that popcorn doesn't really suit this sort of film watching... I wonder if they allow champagne at these things...

For dates and times check out http://www.nwfilmforum.org/cinemas/fashionfilms.php

xoxo,

marion

Find of the Day

In my wanderings during my lunch break this afternoon I stumbled upon this interesting item that I thought I would share.

For all of you who suffer bouts of wanderlust I recommend this charming little travel guide from an equally charming little publishing house, which apparently specialises in making me wish I had a lot of money to go to all these places! This thin, no frills book lists ,by date and city, every possible antique and flea market in Italy along with location and what you can expect to find. I am one of those people that likes my travel books to be full of pictures and pull-out charts and graphs, but this book doesn't need any of that. You can just read the names and picture yourself pawing through stalls of pottery and old prints.

Available from the publisher at http://www.littlebookroom.com/, or at Watson Kennedy on 1st.

Lust Factor

Lets face it; there are clothes that we can buy, and then there are clothes that we can only afford to look at and drool. Sort of like how I feel about the drummer from Two Gallants. That being said I give you Thurley, a high-end niche brand from Australia that is developing a cult following in America with all the artfully disheveled trust fund babies.

I don't know what it is about Australian designers, but they seem to be able to pull off a slightly vintage, more romantic look without seeming the lest bit contrived or desperate. Instead it comes off as a simple, practical desire to look pretty, and feel good about oneself. I have had a soft spot for Aussie style ever since discovering the wonders of Vogue Austrailas Entertaining and Travel magazine. It's my favorite thing Vogue does, and it never fails to inspire me.

So even if you can't aford it, check them out and be inspired for your own take on a romantic look for Spring!

xoxo,

marion

sweet deal

Mondays aren't my favorite, but mine was made a little sunnier by finding things on sale!! One of my favorite local Canadian designers Dace Moore launched her new website this month and with it an online store where you can find her very wearable, comfortable designs. And wonder of wonders! With the new store comes a sale! So snap up the deals while you can!

avaliable at http://www.shopdace.com/

xoxo,
marion

Look of the Day

Ok, I'm sort of having a moment right now. Looking at the Christian Lacroix couture show from yesterday, I'm totally in love with the ombre style tights that the models were wearing. I think I may have to experiment with some white tights and dye and see if I can't craft some of my own! (I'll let you know how this works out!)

xoxo,

Marion

Bringing Sexy Back, Again and Again

For those of you who thought that my little style blog was a thing of the past, think again! My unspoken resolution for the New Year is to pick up my blog again. And since there is so much glorious spring fashion to talk about, and the up-coming fashion shows to ogle over, I've started back.

I hope you all are having a wonderful year so far. I personally am longing for Spring, but in appreciation of 2007 I will be posting a "Best of Style and Beauty" list in the next day or so.



Both hugs and kisses,

Marion(berries are the best berries)

Find of the Day

Of all the victorian-ish ankle boots and booties (god, i hate that word) that I've seen this season, these are perhaps my favorite. They are from BC Footwear, totally reasonably priced and super comfy. Also I can't help but think how adorable these would look when paired with some plum colored tights. (Kudos Keren! the purple tights, blue satin dress combo was amazing!)

available at piperlime.com

xoxo,
marion

Plaid Ain't Bad

It's not just this jacket from 3.1 Phillip Lim that I've been seeing everywhere... it's plaid. In all it's many variations plaid is very much "in vogue" and in Vogue at the moment.


I like this dress from Built by Wendy's Spring collection. And since the babydoll dress isn't going anywhere for now, I think it's safe to say that this piece will carry you though the winter (with tights and a cardigan) and still be fun in the spring.

And there are so many cute plaid accessories that are fun but don't look like they've come from Hot Topic. I especially like the hats at Hat Attack.


So all in all, plaid is still making a statement. And while it isn't the same statement that it made when Robert the Bruce wore it, it's still pretty legit.

xoxo,
marion

Fashon Week Favorites

So I realize that I haven't blogged in a while. I thought I'd celebrate my return with a few of my favorite looks from last weeks runway shows in New York.
First, of course, is marc by Marc Jacobs


Really, what isn't there to like about the 70's schoolgirl look, complete with penny loafers, all in bright primary colors. The waistcoat (vest, whatever) with shorts is a great look, and this pallet makes it eye catching.


Phillip Lim also used primary hues on his runway, but the lacy overlay gives it the subtlety and femininity that he's so famous for. Although, in spite of these details this was not my favorite show of his.


At Lela Rose (yes, that's her name as well as the name of her brand. Cute, isn't it?!) she also layered wonderful patterned lace over some very bold colors. I especially like this youthful evening dress. Total red carpet material.

Hats were everywhere on the runway this time around, everything from military helmets to floppy brimmed hats perfect for an afternoon of polo (or in my case, an afternoon of reading at Bauhaus)

This outfit from Tracy Reese (one of my fashion heroines) is perfect, from the hat to the blouse to the shoes, perfect.


I also really like the hat in this look at Diane von Furstenburg. Coco Rocha (the model) looks great in this shot.


And speaking of models. Freja Beha has never looked better than she did in this simple suit at Zac Posen. She looks so radiant, and I love her hair!

Also it was fun to see Dani (formerly of ANTM) in the line up at Jenny Kane. You sort of wonder if they actually get any work after being on the show, but it looks like she's grabbed this opportunity by the horns, and she looks great.


And last but not least...jeans. Because, lets be honest, what are you really going to be wearing next spring? Yeah, me too.

Adorable bellbottom jeans from Jovovich-Hawk (two names that I always want to add extra letters to). Love the styling (mmm... droopy braids), love the setting (The Chelsea Hotel), love those two designers. Milla Jovovich plays the freaking ukulele! And I think that we can all agree that the one thing that never goes out of style is a little eccentricity.

xoxo,
marion

p.s. expect an update on the London shows!