Random blog about Phi, Fur and life

Phi is suddenly hot this season. I was reading some of my favorite blogs this morning when i realized all of them mentioned Phi somewhere in their last 5 entries. I must admit that Phi is one of the strongest collections this season. It’s dark, modern and yet very whimsical. And who can resist that amazing ad campaigns with Sasha P in it?

I’m currently obsessed with fur. After trying on several Palais Royal fur jacket at maxfield, i realized how comfortable they are. But with a price tag that can give most people a heart attact (well, except the Russian ones), one can only dream for the moment. Beside, i just realized how hypocrite some PETA people are. What is the difference between wearing fur and leather? The answer, there isn’t. To get fur or leather, the animals still need to be killed and skinned. I totally support PETA people who don’t even wear leather. But if you lecture me about fur while wearing a LEATHER jacket or shoes or anything like that, please just shut up. And let just don’t forget that 75% of our shoes nowadays are made from leather. Don’t believe me? Check your soles.

I’m going through a quater life crisis right now (that exists, right?). One of my best friends decided to cut all of the communication channels without giving me a reason. But then, i realized that people do drift away from each other in life and sometimes, you just have to move on. And if we are meant to be friends, we will see each other somewhere down the line. Otherwise, i can always have great memories to remember.

June’s Update

I just came back from a short trip to Hong Kong a few days ago. Our family goes there twice a year to shop and relax. This time, most of the stuff i got were from Ann D., Comme des Garcons and Margiela. Too bad they didn’t have the Junya Watanabe’s jeans jacket that i want.

Philo’s new collection for Celine was, like she said, “a strong start”. But then, it feels so Balenciaga last spring it’s kinda wrong…in a good way. There are two particular jackets that I want though

So with Celine becomes suddenly hot again, next season will be very interesting to see (Theyskens out and Copping in for Nina Ricci, Burberry Prossum and Pringle back to London Fashion Week).

Ann Demeulemeester S/S 09 sandals

So Claudia (god bless her, she’s so unique and sophisticated) thought that i need a new sandals for this summer. Our eyes got fixed on the Balenciaga gladiator sandals. I tried on the blue pair at the Balenciaga store and the pink one with lizard skin at the Satin boutique and we both decided this is a must-have. But then i discovered something else that i must have: the new Ann D. sandals. I missed the laces-up boots from last season so this pair of sandals will act up as my replacement…Pair it up with a blue t-shirt, Philip Lim safari jacket and straight cut jeans and we will have the perfect outfit for this summer…

Prada Men S/S 09 Ad

Dior Homme, i mean, Prada’s newest ad campaign was shot by Heidi Slimane and featured Louise and Claude Simonon. Apperently, the models are the sons of Paul and Tricia Simonon, the bass player and manager of Punk band The Clash. The first picture feels very nostalgic, edgy and enfant-terrible, the kind of atmosphere that u will always get from Heidi’s vision.

And what’s wrong with the choice of clothes? Where are the cleavage-showing designs? Is this a sign that Prada men will be replaced by Heidi’s Prada Homme?

An open letter for Karl Lagerfeld

Dear Karl,

I’m not sure if i’m drunk or high right now, but i have to say this: I love you, or to be more precised, i love your clothes (thank god i’m not in love with a 60 something years old man who is obsessed with black clothes). So please say you love me too (don’t be shy) and send your shoes, belt, portrait bag and the over-the-top fake tattoo so we can have a fabulous date at the Palais Royal after your Chanel show (i don’t mind if you skip the dinner but please don’t forget the accessories).

xoxo

C.

P.S: can you please ask Natasha Poly how could she maintain that fierce look on the runway?

Balenciaga S/S2009

Christian Dior RTW S/S2009

Money kills art. I’m sorry to say this, but John Galliano’s talent has been killed under the pressure of commercial sale.

After the spring show, it is clear that CD is no longer an icon for the flamboyant, over the top trend in the fashion world. Nowadays, as many fashion editors pointed out in the last few reviews, CD becomes so unmemorable. Their clothes are no longer to-die-for-items and their bags are so hideous, save the Gaucho bag (but that shape is so overplayed lately that it is very irritating). There is, however, still one thing that the house should be proud of: their haute couture collection. But sadly, that kind of high art fashion is not for everyone.

For Spring and Summer next year, Mr. Galliano sent out a tribal influence collection. And because he is not obsessed with ethnic print like someone else (hello Frida), he decided to play with color and shape. I have to agree that most of the clothes from this collection are the toned down version of the haute couture collection, so kudos for John for that. But then, the color is so…i don’t even know how to describe it, but let just say it’s something that Barbie will wear to go on a weekend romantic get away with Kent. And then comes the shape. It is too young for CD older customers yet too historical for the new ones. As WWD pointed out, Carla Bruni will have a hard time finding something to wear for a political meeting (unless it is held close to a LGBT convention so she can use it as an excuse). And then, even Miley Cyrus will have problem pulling out the sheer dress with pom pom details.

Nowadays, CD is aiming more for commercial success than artistic achievement. Sadly, John Galliano is involved with all of these messes. So whoever at CD, please let Galliano do him jobs. Your sale figure might go down for a bit, but then your collections will be written down in the history book of fashion.

images via style.com

Dior Haute Couture F/W 2008 shoes

Here is the question: after killing each other to get one of these unique, haute couture pieces of art, will women torture their own foots to achieve these looks?

images via style

Dior Homme S/S 2009

Since Kriss Van Assche took over Hedi Slimane’s Dior Homme two seasons ago, the fashion world was waiting for the successor of Hedi’s heroin-chic, slim-silhouette pieces that rocked the world upside down. While everyone might agree that Kriss has a really big shoes to fill, the newest S/S 2009 proves that he might never reach that stage of development.

The moment Kriss Van Asshe stepped into Dior Homme’s creative directior, he was stuck in a dilemma: either to follow Hedi’s direction and become his shadow but maintain the house’s impressive income or to start everything from scratch and faces the fear of being replaced. Dior Homme S/S 2009, however, demonstrates that Kriss chose neither but a mix of these two visions. While this decision might be safe from Kriss’ own perspective, it shows that Dior Homme no longer stands for what it was known for during Hedi’s time: being an exclusive trend setter. For example, while the skinny jeans and trousers have been long made famous during Hedi’s reign, puffy jackets are what Raf Simons is known for. Even the most simple piece, the white dress shirt, is a toned down version of Dolce&Gabbana’s signature creation.

While Kriss still has sometimes to redeem himself, those who fired Hedi might soon regret their decisions . The fashionistas who come for Dior Homme crave for slim, almost couture-like pieces of art and those, sadly, are nowhere to be found in Kriss’s designs.

images via men style

Atelier Versace F/W2008

One thing is for sure, Versace is done with the tacky, over sexy and color crazy era. The Versace Atelier’s newest collection shows something that Gianni was long known for: the beauty of silhouette-ephasized-cut and the attention on details. Nearly 11 years after the death of her brother, Donatella has finally came up with something that was nearly as pecfect as Gianni’s original vision.

The Fall Winter Collection from Atelier Versace proves that, as the fashion world is always a round circle, the house of Versace has finally came back home.

images via TFS