Can’t afford Haider Ackermann? Here’s a solution
August 11, 2011
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I love Haider Ackermann, way before I fell in love with Rick Owens. But every single piece of his clothing is so darned expensive, and rather difficult to pull off on an individual basis that I have a hard time shelling out my money for anything he made, not to mention the fact that I’m very reluctant to spend on silks and wools.
Having examined Haider’s collections more closely, I’ve come to realise that he has a rather basic formula he follows religiously (thank goodness!). Some common features include a wide belt that defines the waist, lots of drapery and an exposed part of the body, be it back, shoulder or thighs (avoid cleavage unless your chest is sufficiently flat for planes to take off from).
Now what I did here is simply wear my ratty cardigan back to front, add a wide belt to hold the drapes in place and voila, you can show off your summer tan in autumn while channeling a (cheap) Haider Ackermann. Obviously you can make it more complicated than this so have fun!
Having examined Haider’s collections more closely, I’ve come to realise that he has a rather basic formula he follows religiously (thank goodness!). Some common features include a wide belt that defines the waist, lots of drapery and an exposed part of the body, be it back, shoulder or thighs (avoid cleavage unless your chest is sufficiently flat for planes to take off from).
Now what I did here is simply wear my ratty cardigan back to front, add a wide belt to hold the drapes in place and voila, you can show off your summer tan in autumn while channeling a (cheap) Haider Ackermann. Obviously you can make it more complicated than this so have fun!
Cardigan – Forever 21; Belt – Damir Doma; Skirt – Gmarket; Boots – Nicholas Kirkwood pour Rodarte
Category: Wear
Christopher Kane, anyone?
August 6, 2011
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Category: Shopping
Balenciaga’s Harness Hooves
August 3, 2011
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These shoes aren’t pretty. In fact I think they’re hideous; absolutely vulgar, outrageous yet fabulous. That is exactly what I love about Balenciaga shoes. People see you wearing them and they tell you that you are utterly out of your mind.
Released in 2006, these boots pre-date any of Lady Gaga’s monstrosities, and set the platform trend which everyone seemed to hate initially with fiery passion. Find any blog posts in early 2006 and you can see the negative responses to Balenciaga’s mighty hooves, mostly from the Louboutin/Blahnik camp, I presume. Two years later, platforms became the norm, and every other style blogger wants the Sam Edelman’s almost-knock-offs.
Released in 2006, these boots pre-date any of Lady Gaga’s monstrosities, and set the platform trend which everyone seemed to hate initially with fiery passion. Find any blog posts in early 2006 and you can see the negative responses to Balenciaga’s mighty hooves, mostly from the Louboutin/Blahnik camp, I presume. Two years later, platforms became the norm, and every other style blogger wants the Sam Edelman’s almost-knock-offs.
Photos by Kar Kien
Tags: Balenciaga, leather jacket Category: Wear
Channelling Alexander Wang with less than ten bucks
July 27, 2011
byThis idea was taken from Fashionsphere (she’s a genius, one can’t help but be inspired by her creativity). I bought a long waterfall cardigan at an op shop for seven dollars and wrapped it around to create a draped dress. It’s the solution for people who are not willing to fork out over a hundred dollars for jerseys from Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang, or even RO Lillies.
Tags: Rick Owens Category: Wear
How to make one self (appear) taller
July 23, 2011
byThis is not a new trick, but it is often not executed properly because the devil is in the details, which are often overlooked. It’s especially useful on lazy days when you can’t think of what to wear. Note that I am not suggesting a trick that creates a slimmer silhouette, but somewhere along the way it may help.
So here goes:
1. I tend to choose black for its convenience and slimming effect, but not everyone can carry off an all-black outfit without looking like a funeral attendee or worse, washed out, so pick out a colour that’s flattering for yourself.
2. The basic outfit can consist of either a shirt and a maxi skirt of the same colour, or a maxi dress, and in my case it is the former. It’s important to choose a shirt with the right neckline for your neck/face shape but in all cases, cover as much skin as possible. My personal favourite is the high neck/mock turtle neck.
3. Now the bottom: it has to be a fishtail skirt, not flared nor column, the kind that clings to your bum and flares out at the knees. Not only does it accentuate your behind, it also allows you to walk freely. How far should it go? In terms of length, the skirt has to touch the floor regardless of whether you’re wearing high heels or flats. A skirt that trails would work even better but it’s not practical for outdoor activities.
When your skirt is hiding four inch stilettos, it creates the illusion that you have mile long legs. The success of pulling the trick is to create a continuous, streamlined vision from neck to floor.
4. Material: Choose slinky fabrics that clings like a second skin, such as cotton jersey or viscose. The thicker the fabric, the more stumpy you might seem.
5. Posture: As with any outfits, stand straight, tall and proud.
6. Part of the reason why I always turn to this basic formula is that it can easily be paired with a kickass outerwear, so don’t hesitate to experiment. Remember that the length of the outerwear can reduce the torso lengthening illusion, so pick something that ends around the waist.
Tags: leather jacket, Rick Owens Category: Wear