Favorite Fall '09 Collection: Balenciaga

For the past few weeks, both at MC and at home surfing Style.com, I have been paying a close(r) eye to this coming fall collections. From what I've observed military is in, velvety, draping tunics are a hit and the higher the platform the better.

Hence why I'm obsessed with Balenciaga's fall '09 RTW collection--minus the military-esque approach. No, instead designer Nicolas Ghesquière decided to take the opposite approach by playing with girlish dresses that show silky legs in black-sheer tights. According to Style.com:

"The designer had mined the Balenciaga archive, examined the structure of a drape-waisted forties redingote, thought over a later sari-inspired collection, and pulled up three late-sixties scarf prints. He took it from there to design a modern translation in satin, printed silk, and fragile dévoré velvet."

As I rolled through each look I was always surprised to see the next image, for each garment is so unlike the previous, yet all the looks are brilliantly cohesive.The ingenuity of the collection is seen with Ghesquière's mixing of ironic materials and the feminine with the ardent. In one ensemble a black leather belt cinches a luxe, wool coat; in another a silk gray mini skirt with immaculate ruffling is matched with a knit sweater. Likewise, the color palette displays this mixing of identity with the contrasting pastels and deep, dark colors. What's even more spectacular perhaps is the brilliant gathering and layering seen on all of the outfits. Each skirt, jacket or pant is layered perfectly and entwined with another piece of fabric with evident intricacy. The result is a tailored dream fit for the girl who isn't afraid to mix and match textures and styles. And the shoes? To die for.

Below are a few of my favorite outfits from Balenciaga's Fall '09 RTW collection:

All photos courtesy of Style.com

Style Inspiration: The Beatles

To me, the essence of a truly stylish person is one who can incorporate and play with a magnitude of styles, especially simultaneously, and successfully pull it off in a way that best befits their personality. I try to practice this notion by changing my look from time to time, and to do so I look to other style icons as a form of inspiration, and never replication.

Case-in-point the oh-so-fabulous "fab four," better known as The Beatles. As we all know, the group sky-rocketed up the charts in the early 1960's as for their catchy, swinging and undeniably fun songs that are still rock 'n roll golds today. Though they are best known for their ingenious musicianship, one mustn't overlook the crisp and chic Euro flare the lads brought to America from all the way across the pond.

The Beatles' infamous first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in Feb. of 1964.

During this time when fashion, especially in America, was on the onset of rebellion from the uptight styles of the 1950's, teenyboppers looked to The Beatles' sophisticated, dapper yet always fun attire as a breath of fresh air from the clean-cut and essentially boring outfits of the 1950's. Slim pants replaced loose fitting trousers, tailored blazers overtook lettermen sweaters and chic pointy-toed Italian leather boots stomped over penny loafers and converse sneakers. It was definitely a radical change in fashion. To say the least, The Beatles understood the proper mixing of styles as above mentioned by exuding European chicness with their signature three-piece suits and skinny ties, and rebellion and innovation with their long hair. When one looks at the group during their early days (as in the above photo), it is clear that they possessed a level of high-class with their gorgeous black tailored suits. The hair on the other hand signifies an underlining sense of boyish charm and boldness, since long hair on men during this time was deemed ridiculous. And how handsome do they look? I mean, really?

But what's more is that the boys' fashion statements also affected women's wear as well. With their fame in the US, came the recognition and replication of 1960's British fashion. As with menswear, female clothing became snugger, more form fitting and hemlines inched up thus the mini skirt explosion which began in Britian. Of course, The Beatles didn't cause all of the mid-60's transition into mod, but they did assist with their dancy songs, and of course decadent British fashions.

In the years that followed, The Beatles went through a slew of fashion changes, some good, some not so good (see: "The Yellow Submarine" years) but still maintained a degree of fashion consciousness and innovation that designers still emulate. In my opinion, nothing beats the boys' early years when they were fresh off the boat, er-plane. They captured the exact fashion change America was in dire need for, and with that brought over a new and exotic foreign look that Americans could call their own.

Andddd for your viewing pleasure, I present to you The Beatles' first ever appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on Feb. 9th, 1964. Ready. Set . Drool.

Thank You!

Again, just wanted to say thank you to everyone saying the kinds words lately. I really do appreciate everyone who takes the time to read my blog and hear what I have to say. I do write this for you guys, especially for those not from NYC but are interested in learning about the inner working of the fashion/beauty industry So, for you guys out there (and ones close by!) I hope this blog is helpful and sheds some firsthand insight on what its like working at major fashion magazines.

So once again, thank you and keep reading! :)

Claudia x

Update!

Well, it's certainly been a while. Many wonderful and exciting things have been happening for me lately that I must share.

For one, as I previously mentioned, my NYLON internship has come to sad end, but no worries, I shall be back in the fall to intern with Ms. Siegel, the Beauty Director. (Cannot. Wait.)

With that, my junior year at Wagner College has come to a close as well. And honestly guys, THANK GOD! Balancing relatively advanced classes with a demanding internship is not an easy task. But c'est la vie, it all works out in the end. Luckily, I did well in all of my classes, having received all A's, with exception of my loathsome and inherently evil sociology/psychology class in which I received a depressing C-. But hey, as my good friend Kris advised me, you must concentrate on what is best for you and what will ultimately benefit your future and devote your energy into those things. And I believe concentrating more so on my internship and English classes are definitely primary over a stupid pre req that I will never think about again.

Any who, and more importantly, I BEGAN MY INTERNSHIP AT MARIE CLAIRE THIS WEEK!!! It's been going relatively well, considering it's 'hell week.' (Editors and assistant always try to make the first few days hard on newbies in order to weave out the weak. Sorry if that sounded a bit too Darwinian.) In spite of that, I was able to grasp the basics in a mere half hour, which I thank NYLON for. Seriously, if it weren't for NYLON I know I'd be a lost cause who screws up every which way. But because I followed my plan of starting out at a smaller publication, I was able to get a more intimate and collegial understanding of how fashion editorial works. From there, working at a larger magazine like Marie Claire is only a step up and little faster paced which I am now capable of enduring.

Day-to-day the tasks are essentially the same at NYLON: check-ins, returns, occasional errands, organizing, etc. It's just the technicalities at MC are a bit tedious and more involved. For example, instead of just writing up an invoice for a "check-in" pictures of each individual item MUST be taken for clearer identification upon returning. Also, if a check-in comes from a PR firm and encompasses several items from various designers, separate invoices must be issued pertaining to each designer, not the PR firm. Though it sounds a bit complicated, and sometimes unnecessary, I found out quick enough that taking these extra steps is worth it. A lot of times at NYLON invoices and garments would get lost or mixed up, and I think it's because of the vague system. At MC, though mistakes do happen, they aren't are prevalent as at NYLON which is partially because of the intricate system.

As far as my co-workers go, the other interns are sweet and enthusiastic. The only problem I have is that there are far too many of us working on a given day which causes lots of bumping into each other and standing around time. Other than that, they are a pleasure to work with. :)
I have yet gotten some one-on-one time with the fashion editors and assistant, but I think that will happen once they get to know me and see I'm a hard worker. I have noticed that many of them are friendly and appreciative of the interns, thus including Nina Garcia--of whom I was caught alone in the elevator with on my very first day. I've never been so excited/scared/nervous/confused in my entire life. During a brief meeting a few of the fashion assistants told us that they understand it's the first week and the system is new for a lot of us, but nevertheless they appreciate everything we are doing. Knowing you are welcomed and needed at a large publication is very warming to hear. Sadly, this never really happened at NYLON, but I sensed they felt the same.

I will be sure to give an update as the weeks roll on. As for now, I'm going to walk my two pugs and eat some dinner.

Ciao belleze.

I Hate Goodbyes

Well, my last day at NYLON was Tuesday and honestly, I am pretty upset to say goodbye. My time spent there was one of the most valuable and insightful experiences I've ever had. I learned a ton about the inner workings of the fashion industry and acquired a great sense of direction in pursuing a job in the field. I also made great connections with editors and learned the value of proper networking.

Even though I will be returning in the fall to intern with Holly the Beauty Director there, it's still tough to say farewell. But on the bright side, I will be embarking on a new chapter in my life when I start at Marie Claire which will only strengthen the abilities I adopted at NYLON and ultimately be even more useful when I do return.

Overall, NYLON was awesome and I will greatly miss it.

:(

21.

Officially 21 years-old. Weird feeling.

Birthday Madnesssss

Tomorrow I shall be 21-years-old. Holy crap.

I'm going out partying tonight in Brooklyn with my best friends and of course, I need to look smashing.

I want to hear what you think the quintessential birthday (21st birthday, that is!) outfit consists of. Oh, and please no jokes about going in my "birthday suit."

xx.
Claudia