Brachfeld Parlaghy

BRACHFELD PARLAGHY: Debut in WWD

2011-08-18T18:35:00.000-04:00

Steven Klein / Photography

2011-08-11T18:55:00.000-04:00

Photography is a constant inspiration for me, especially when it comes to

Steven Klein.

His style to me is raw, edgy, and tough-chic, with a rebellious nod to luxury.

There is always an in-your-face sexiness to his work, and a mysteriousness that makes you think, "What deviant thing was the subject doing before he/she was photographed?"

And I love how even though he/she looks like they were caught doing something naughty, the attitude is always, "WTF are you looking at?"

...but also come-hither...

St. Petersburg, Russia

2011-07-31T11:57:00.000-04:00

There are trips to certain locations that have influenced my life and work in a major way, and St. Petersburg was one of those experiences. I traveled there a month ago for the spectacular fairy tale wedding of my very dear friends, C & D, who hosted all of us as if we were royalty!

I really didn't know what to expect of Russia, but I was surprised by the different things that I felt while I was there...the sadness of the past, the strength of the culture, the passion in the art and architecture, the overt sexuality of the people, the opulence of the past AND the present, and the creeping in of westernism...

I returned to New York with a stronger identity and with a new sense of freedom that it's more than okay to dream...and to dream BIG...

Alexander McQueen Resort 2012 Collection

2011-07-14T18:05:00.000-04:00

Sarah Burton's resort collection for Alexander McQueen has everything that I ever desire...black leather, precision tailoring, military details, Gothic influences...I mean, what more do you need in your life???
Furthermore, as the master himself, Sarah also has the innate skill of designing clothes that are incredibly powerful, yet also feminine...

Here are some of my favorite looks...

My heart aches for...BALMAIN Resort Collection

2011-07-05T17:59:00.001-04:00

And so Olivier Rousteing has taken the design reigns from Christophe Decarnin...and my opinion is---WELL DONE! Balmainia is still alive and well, and I think, better than ever. Rousteing has a lighter hand with the cuts and choice of fabrics. The rocker-chic edginess is there, but now it's combined with tribal prints, refined tailored blazers, draped trousers, and featherweight romantic skirts. Not to mention those skinny pants with the slight flare at the bottom...IN LOVE! Here are my favorite looks...

Il-lust-rated

2011-06-02T18:00:00.000-04:00

These illustrations by Abbey Watkins of Tobacco & Leather are so strikingly beautiful and detailed that I just had to dedicate a post to such artistic talent. I personally used to draw portraits and was quite obsessive with them looking photo real, so her work really struck a cord with me. On top of that, the style of her illustrations is very edgy, luxe bohemian, with that supernatural McQueen fantasy to it...

-all illustrations from http://tobaccoandleather.blogspot.com/

Muses

2011-05-18T18:54:00.000-04:00

A fashion muse does not have to be chic and French. I found a real heartfelt connection with these beautiful people (and even a dog) on the beach in Brazil...

I was immediately obsessed when I saw this dog wearing a dolphin pendant necklace made by her jewelry designer owner(who was from the Amazon, by the way---how cool is that?!!)
and A HENNA TATTOO on her forehead!!
This completely killed me!! Amazing!!

This gorgeous little boy is the son of the jewelry designer
(who sadly didn't want me to take a photo
of him and his beautiful dreadlocked, nose-pierced wife).
Look at his sun-kissed fro AND his shark-tooth necklace. Way cool.

Here's a different jewelry designer dude. I bought a parrot feather earring from him.
We saw him sleeping on the beach one night. I think he must have lived there.

This guy was a real character. It was unclear as to what he did, but he would sit under a tree all day and every day doing nothing---so I appropriately named him "Siddhartha" even though he said to call him "Captain".

Photo Shoot of Philippa in Ilhabela, Brazil

2011-05-10T22:32:00.000-04:00

I brought my Philippa bag on vacation with me with the thought that the bright yellow leather
and black hardware was the perfect combination of surfer chic for the vibe there...
I'll bet you thought there was going to be photos of some Brazilian model, right?
In my opinion, she's just as hot...

A long way from New York

2011-05-03T19:07:00.000-04:00

After a 6 hour flight delay, a 9 hour flight, a 3 hour drive of winding, bumpy roads,

a 15 minute ferry ride...

we arrived to the beautiful island of Ilhabela in Brazil!

The past 2 months have been nonstop work---working late into the night almost every night(actually morning) until 2am!

So this vacation is a true gift...

The calming sounds of the ocean.
The wide-open space of sand, sea, and mountains framing it.

Peace.

Relaxation, hippie-chic style.

Nature.

Spirituality.

Heaven.

Introspection.

Fashion Storytelling

2011-04-24T22:14:00.000-04:00

I have been waiting excitedly for Emmanuelle Alt's first issue of Vogue Paris to hit the newsstands.

As I suspected, she did not disappoint. Her style of editorial is storytelling with fashion. Fashion film stills best describes it, I think.

Unlike other magazines, where the models are posing or jumping(what is it with all those jumping shots anyway??) in front of a grey background(BORRRRINNNG!), Alt creates intrigue. Instead of just flipping through the pages, I want to linger on each image and take in every detail, accessory, texture, and expression.

Who wouldn't want to be a cowgirl...

...and then there's this very clean spread, all white background and clothing, lit with heavenly light. Here's a completely different story that Alt is telling. This girl is a bohemian-rocker-chic Jesus of sorts.
The pure white signifies innocence,
but you can sense she's far from it...

Simplicity...

2011-04-14T17:12:00.000-04:00

It's been WAY too long since I've posted anything!! Work has taken over this past month, but it's not that I hadn't often thought of posting(I know...poor excuse!).

This is a quickie, of a spread I found in Vogue China of designs by Givenchy and YSL.

I really love the simplicity of the photography, with just the wisps of smoke delicately

enveloping the model...

-all images from Vogue China

My favorite looks from Paris Fashion Week

2011-03-11T15:49:00.000-05:00

HAIDER ACKERMANN:

Knife-point lapels and slashed metallic skirt with statement belt.

The purity of the white mixed with layered black leather.

These shades of green and teal are absolutely stunning together!

BARBARA BUI:

Barbara Bui showed great outerwear. My favorite is this leather jacket
with removable
goat fur bottom to keep your bum warm.

YVES SAINT LAURENT:

70's luxe

Beautiful manipulation of fur, especially the tweed-like
effect at the top.

CHANEL:

Love how her skirt looks shredded by an apocalypse.
War-torn chiffon and feathers!

Such a clever take on the traditional Chanel quilting.
She's suited up to pump gas into her Bentley!

LOUIS VUITTON:

Luxe Dominatrix

Designer cuffs ; )

GARETH PUGH:

It's this unique design of shearling
and the techno boots that I'm loving here.
Creating different textures with black is one of
my ultimate favorite things, to the point where one
doesn't even need to use color.

-all photos from www.style.com

Sex Sells

2011-03-03T18:34:00.000-05:00

Pure and simple: I love Tom Ford's advertising.

There is nothing at all complicated about it---the photography is straight-forward and graphic.

The message is clear---sex sells!

The thing is though, the way Tom Ford sells sex(and his brand) is in an exclusively luxe way, and with a devilish sense of humor. It's the sexual deviance of jetset millionaires and billionaires.

From the Fall/Winter '09 ad campaign

From the Spring'10 ad campaign

From the Fall/Winter '08 ad campaign

Spring/Summer '08 ad campaign shot by Terry Richardson

-all images from www.tomford.com

Art and fashion intertwined

2011-02-24T18:35:00.000-05:00

No. 4, David Foote
One of my favorite artists, David Foote, seems to be very inspired by the beauty, strength, and mystery of women
(hey, I'm a mystery to myself sometimes!). You can see more of his amazing artwork at http://www.davidfootestudio.com/.
I've noticed that his work resembles the style in which two of my favorite fashion photographers portray women.
Those photographers would be Peter Lindbergh and Mario Sorrenti.
I'm sensing an almost comic book, heroine vibe here, but in a chic, not silly way.
It's ethereal...but powerful.

Peter Lindbergh photograph of "The"supermodels

No. 1, David Foote

Elizabeth, David Foote

Mario Sorrenti photograph

Jessica, David Foote

Mario Sorrenti photograph of ChristyTurlington

Elissa, David Foote

Peter Lindbergh photograph

Things I will never tire of...

2011-02-16T19:02:00.000-05:00

SLEEK AND EQUESTRIAN

BONDAGE BUCKLED DETAILS

STREETWEAR, STUDS, AND FUR

SPACE AGE DRESSING

MYSTERY

SINEWY EQUINE LINES

ROSARIES

THE EXOTIC

Cyber Women of Thierry Mugler

2011-02-07T18:26:00.000-05:00

I was searching the internet for images of vintage Thierry Mugler designs and sadly they are few and far between. Just as I'm inspired by Medieval armor, so too do I find inspiration in his industrial, machinist and bionic fashion. He created an incredibly strong stereotype of a woman, on par with superheroes.

She is, no doubt, from out of this world and could easily
kick your skinny ass.
He found beauty in the power a woman has and accentuated it with the curves
one might find on a car.

Love this leather armor!!

This number isn't the prettiest, but cool nonetheless. This is so '90's! It's a bit scary ;)

This image of '90's model, Helena Christensen, is the epitome of how I think
his designs should be portrayed.

Lovely Bones

2011-02-03T18:40:00.000-05:00

My last post on skeletally tattoo-covered Rick Genest made me want to post on 'luxury skeletal fashion'. I had so much fun gathering all of these photos of how luxury brands have incorporated skeletons, bones, skulls and the macabre into their accessories and clothing...

DSquared boot with spine heel craziness.

Alexander McQueen dress with embroidered skull.
I love how he took something that is normally considered Goth
and made it so feminine.

Alexander McQueen men's bracelet

...and cufflinks

Alexander McQueen minaudiere with cone studs in shape of a Union Jack.
I would, hands-down, wear this to a black-tie event.
Can you tell yet that I love McQueen??

Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy masterpiece.
He has envisioned the skeletal form in a way that is so new.
There is just a hint of pelvic bone and metacarpals
delicately embroidered in lace-work that is surprisingly ethereal
and angelic for such a macabre theme.

Dior King & Queens Collection
by Victoire de Castellane

I would die for one of these rings! Pun intended ; )

Death Becomes Him

2011-01-30T18:58:00.000-05:00

I am suddenly oddly fascinated with Rick Genest aka Zombie Boy...

Who the hell is this freak tattooed to resemble a cadaver, you might ask?

He is the muse of the creative director of the newly launched Mugler(formerly Thierry Mugler)...AND the creative director is Lady Gaga's personal stylist, Nicola Formichetti...

For me, it's easy to see why Formichetti would find this living skeleton an inspiration for his recent menswear collection...

Shrouded on the runway.

Militant Zombie Chic

The revolutionary boldness and rebellion of his appearance is exactly
what Formichetti has created for Lady Gaga.

Death becomes him.

Secret Weapon: Inspiration for my next collection

2011-01-24T18:53:00.000-05:00

About 2 weeks ago, I went to my favorite area of the Metropolitan Museum, the armor section. It's funny because before I went to college I hated anything having to do with Medieval history---so dark and dreary and filled with syphilis and plagues, right? Well, after taking an art history course on Medieval manuscripts, I had an epiphany so to speak. My repulsion quickly turned to fascination.
It's really unfortunate that now, to some people, armor and anything Medieval reminds them of one of those cheesy Renaissance fairs. To me, I find armor to be so futuristic in design and really very beautiful in all of it's detail...
Here are some photos that I took at the Met of my favorite pieces...

This protective head piece for a horse is so space-age.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, this horse bridle, which was part of the Tibetan armor exhibit, is so delicately crafted like ornate jewelry.

I love how something worn at battle was so beautifully embellished.

The quilted stitching on this jacket is just spectacular! I would wear this today with black leather pants...

Completely aero-dynamic, aka Iron Man. I am pretty sure this is German armor, since the style of their armor is very sleek.

The combination of brass, gunmetal, and silver here makes me want to combine these three metal finishes on a bag.

A bit scary.

So many inspiring details here! The fish-like scales on the neck of the horse, the metal plates on top of velvet, all the different shapes of metal screwed together on the knight's armor. It was a fun visit.

The Queen of Cool: Emmanuelle Alt

2011-01-19T18:01:00.000-05:00

Emmanuelle Alt, as some of you may already know, is the new editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris.
This photo encapsulates her effortlessly chic style. She says, "Forget trendy designer labels. Jeans, a sweater or a t-shirt worn under a jacket that seems welded to you. When it's just right, when you don't see the effort, it's irresistible."
You will see in the following pictures that she loves a strong jacket--and she has some REALLY amazing ones. This is EXACTLY how I want to dress everyday!

Yes, she started the whole torn t-shirt trend consulting Balmain designer Christophe Decarnin.
The war torn look may be completely worn out by now, but it did have a good run didn't it?

Wearing that Balmain motorcycle jacket that I've being drooling over since I first laid eyes on it.

Front row with former editor-in-chief Carine Roitfeld.

In one of her many fabulous jackets with Givenchy designer, Riccardo Tisci.

Ahhh, slim-fitting, low-slung black leather pants always make my heart skip a beat...

I love her androgynous rocker clothing mixed with the feminine stilettos. C'est tres Parisienne.

The classic navy blazer is updated with a strong f--- you shoulder, and the Isabel Marant boots that I will never forgive myself for not buying : ( By the way, Emmanuelle has worked with Isabel on her collections as well. Yet another reason to worship her...

C'est tres tres chic, non?

Here are some of my favorites shots that Emmanuelle has styled for Vogue Paris...

Kate Moss:

Daria Werbowy:

Combat Chic:

Androgyny:

Rocker Chic:

Now you can see why I have such admiration for Emmanuelle Alt.

She brings strength, boldness, and a daring sexiness to fashion--- and to women.

I truly look forward to what she adds to the pages of French Vogue.

-all images found from various fashion sites

The photographer who remade fashion photography: Helmut Newton

2011-01-12T12:56:00.000-05:00

"There is nothing I hate more than good taste. For me, good taste is a dirty word."-Helmut Newton

"Guided by a passion for the strength and allure of the female form, Mr. Newton reflected the sexual revolution of the 1960's and 70's, which coincided with his rise to fame. He photographed some of the most beautiful women in the world in poses that emphasized their sexuality and often an accompanying sense of danger and violence."

"His images were calculated to shock, often featuring tall, blond, sometimes naked women in heels, perhaps illuminated by headlights or trapped in a dark alley. His work was closely associated with designers like Yves Saint Laurent, whose penchant for tight, wide-shouldered suits and long-legged models suited him.

"Along with photographers like Herb Ritts, Irving Penn and Richard Avedon, Mr. Newton moved photography from a staid reflection of this year's styles to a more artful presentation of mood and story."

"'Helmut was very clear that he liked a big girl and blond girl, in an impeccable suit and high heels," said Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue. "He would take that girl and put her in some wicked or naughty situation, kissing another woman or in handcuffs.'"

-Excerpts from article written by Jesse McKinley at the time of Helmut Newton's death, The New York Times, January 24, 2004

Case in point, Anna...although she's not wearing an "impeccable suit", rather an impeccable birthday suit...The voyeurism in his photography is undeniable. He was "the great purveyor of chic porn."(culturecourt.com)

Woman in impeccable suit. It's ironic that she is completely covered up, yet still sexy.

Have you ever seen a more chic bum than this? What's wonderful about this image is the sense of intrigue--there's a story behind it. Now you can start to see the inspiration in Carine Roitfeld's styling in my previous post...

I love how raw and almost cinematic this image is.

The classic playboy bunny. The New York City skyline in the background adds a sense of sophistication. Love the cigarette in her mouth which is just the perfect touch of toughness.

This photo is just the ultimate for me, as I am crazy about anything equine. Could be taken by some as degrading, but I appreciate the sense of humor.

Don't you always ask your girlfriends for help buckling your shoe?

Helmut sometimes described himself as a "gun for hire" when commissioned for editorial assignments and publicity campaigns.

This corset is to die for! And it's fantastic how he off-sets the female form with the straight lines of the architecture in the background. See the dead guy behind her? Naughty girl.

Helmut self-portrait in kitten heels.
He died at 83 in 2004, almost fittingly, when his car crashed into his favorite L.A. hangout, the Chateau Marmont.

-all images compiled from various websites

Styled by Carine. Uncensored...

2011-01-04T20:49:00.000-05:00

As promised in my previous post, here is a "porno chic" tasty bit of styling by Carine Roitfeld for Vogue Paris, October 2010. I am just IN LOVE with these photos! The way she has styled model Lara Stone, it's as if you're looking at something that you shouldn't---a sneak-chic-peak into the underground world of a fetishist rich bitch. What I admire about Carine's styling is the cinematic aspect of it(so it's not surprising that photographer Helmut Newton is one of her personal heroes...hmmmm, I think I'll dedicate my next post to him so you can become familiar with his amazing work!)....
...but back to Carine...she creates these other-worldly characters at play in a storyline, so that it's so much deeper than just photographing a model standing there in clothes. These photographs open your mind and stir you to think of things you might not normally think...

I always stand in my yard half naked with my boy-toys crawling around in women's undergarments, don't you?

WWD says: "Carine was a controversial choice from the start, having made her mark as stylist and muse to Tom Ford during his Gucci years, when together they popularized "porno chic." She brought that freedom of tone to French Vogue, whose fashion editorials frequently feature nudity and smoking."
And speaking of Tom, I think I'm going to have to do a post on Mr. Ford too! His ad campaigns are shocking, yet luxe at the same time, much like French Vogue.

Demented, yet so chic, no?

Guilty.

Carine Roitfeld

2010-12-27T17:51:00.000-05:00

I'm a bit late in posting this because of the holidays. The news broke in WWD on Dec. 20, 2010 that Carine Roitfeld, editor in chief of French Vogue has stepped down after a decade. The best description of her and her work was quoted to WWD by Riccardo Tisci, artistic director of Givenchy:
"Carine is completely unique. She has a revolutionary way of working, and her influence will continue to be present at every level of the fashion industry. She is one of the most courageous, elegant, avant-garde and bold women--a true visionary."
That's exactly how I would want to be described!
What I have always loved about French Vogue is the risk-taking in the imagery of the editorials. The photography is sometimes shocking with straight-on nudity and controversial subject matter: sado masochism, religion, plastic surgery, murder, transsexualism. All of it is done in such an artful and chic way, that only Carine Roitfeld could mastermind. She makes it all look in fashion. My next post will focus on editorials that she has styled.

Carine looking fierce with tousled hair, kohl-lined eyes, rocker-chic fur coat...and the best accessory: Marc Jacobs in a kilt.

Here's an example of how her elegance is always off-set by a bold detail, like this sheer lace panel that reveals a toned thigh.

The phenomenal fur coat again, which tops off the androgyny of her tailored black tuxedo perfectly. And the way the coat is effortlessly thrown across her shoulders is just something the French do so well!

Her signature look is golden hair angled across a kohl-rimmed eye and nude lips.

Carine with her gorgeous daughter, Julia, who is a model and one of the current faces of Lancome.

This is the epitome of the type of woman I would want wearing one of my bags...

-image from nymag.com
Couldn't you see her holding my Pip clutch under her Givenchy fur-covered arm?

Kate. And I'm not talking about Moss...

2010-12-18T19:07:00.000-05:00

...I'm talking about Kate Lanphear, style editor of ELLE magazine U.S..

She has the most effortlessly cool style in which she mixes black-on-black textures, leathers, metals, futurism, rocker, urbanity and goth in such a chic way.

...and there's always a sense of mystery to her, with one eye covered by angled layers.
She's never without her fashion weapons of destruction---her spiked cuffs and chunky chain bracelets.

I love how she looks so chic, modern, edgy and elfin all at the same time here.
-image via citizencouture.com

She makes black look so elegant and fresh, not dreary. The peek of red on her Louboutin's
is perfection.
-image via Jak and Jil

And when she dresses down, it's still fashion, but it's rocked out---a band t-shirt
layered with black leather jacket and trench coat, with a majorly spiked bracelet.
-image via fearlanphear/blogspot.com

The white blazer on top of all black, the Pamela Love cross pendant,
the Hermes collier de chien cuff, the classic Ray Bans.
Rockstar status.
-image via fearlanphear/blogspot.com

Her hair is her signature, and makes everything she wears look more radical.

This is one of my fave photos of her because you can't see her face,
but you still know it's her---she has completely branded the look of piled on wrists and bejeweled fingers.
I saw her on the subway one day, and was attempting to take a photo of her hands and wrists with my Blackberry(without her thinking I was a weirdo!),
but ended up getting a pathetically blurry picture. I used to be good at photography, and was going to major in it in college, but obviously I've lost that talent. Here it is...

...I guess I'll just stick to being a bag designer. You can still see all the metal though, right?
Her handbag sitting there in a blur on her lap, is this black suede Pucci bag with a flap, turnlock closure,
chain strap, and very S&M o-rings trimming the edges.
It doesn't sound so simple in my description, but in person it's just the perfect combo of simplicity and edge.

I obviously didn't take this photo.
SO COOL
-image from random fashion site

Haute Punk

2010-12-05T23:02:00.000-05:00

Graffiti, tattoos, mohawks, spikes...and a designer beaded
gown. This is how I would want to look for my next black-tie event.

Hangin in the bathroom in a $20,000 dress worn with torn stockings.
Love it....Vogue Paris, Nov.'11

She looks like a futuristic, apocalyptic, punk princess.

I love the stitching details at her shoulders and hips. I use this a lot on my designs
...Both images by designer Mother of London on twistedlamb.com

...Balmain
The ultimate for me is punk elevated to designer status.

Medieval Moment

2010-11-27T01:26:00.000-05:00

For my Fall collection, I 'm very much inspired by armor and the intricacies of Medieval dress. I've titled this post 'Medieval Moment', but it's actually not just a 'moment' for me. I have loved the history of the Medieval period ever since I took a course on Illuminated Manuscripts in college. Before this, I thought this period in history was really depressing because there's a sort of darkness to it. Now my favorite section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the displayed armor.

I love the touches of metal plates on these Lanvin boots...

...and the angular metal of this Lanvin bracelet. To me, it looks Medieval, but also very modern.

Below is this crazy statue I found an image of on a random site that I cannot remember. It looks like she's wearing armor, but it's really her skin peeled away to reveal full anatomy...slightly repulsive, but I'm inspired by the sinewy muscle...could be a cool quilting pattern on a bag.

Amazing boots by Cesare Paciotti for Ohne Titel. I could be a modern-day Joan of Arc in these!
-image from The Sartorialist

Excess

2010-10-21T19:15:00.000-04:00

Anna Dello Russo, Fashion Director of Vogue Nippon, shot by Juergen Teller for the Nov.2010 issue of W magazine.
Gilded anyone?

Anna wearing Dolce & Gabbana. I adore the excess of details on the bustier and bag. For some reason, "more is more" is feeling so right to me at the moment.

Ready for Carine Roitfeld's Masquerade Ball for Paris Fashion Week, wearing outrageous Gareth Pugh headpiece and Pucci gown.

In the Baroque splendor of her Milan apartment.

Who else could pull off this winged blazer by Roksanda Ilincic?
-shot by Juergen Teller for W magazine, Nov.2010-

More of us should have this much fun with what we wear! Anna Dello Russo is fiercely chic, daring, and sexy. You can see that her happiness is completely intertwined with her love affair with fashion. I love the fact that she pays attention to every detail of the art of getting dressed.
-all images from www.annadellorusso.com-

My Religion

2010-10-05T22:56:00.000-04:00

Ann Demeulemeester. Decadent darkness.

Alexander McQueen's final collection. So strong, yet so peaceful in its beauty...

This is a random image I found browsing the web. I collect crosses and rosaries, which is why I took a snapshot. I'm not religious at all(spiritual is more appropriate), but I wear a rosary almost every day and have crosses from Mexico and Argentina hanging next to my bed. Makes me feel safe...

Vogue Paris, October '11 issue. I'm happy goth is still alive and well, and much more beautiful done in a luxe way such as this.

Sacrilege.

My Heroine, Daphne Guinness

2010-09-09T23:32:00.000-04:00

Look at the amazing details on her jacket! Makes my stomach hurt! Bag inspiration? Absolutely. Daphne Guinness has the most fierce and un-self-conscious style---I so admire her boldness, creativity, and the aspect of fantasy in her dressing. There is also an intellectual, cultured feeling to her dressing that speaks of history, and of the future. This is something I try to bring to my designs.

The hair is demure with an edge.

Lady-like with a twist.

Crazy about the Jimi Hendrix-esque painted-on pants, made modern with the futuristic booties. There's something to be said about making 'rocker' look modern--it's not easy to do. 'Rocker' will always be in the DNA of my designs, but I have to really expand upon what people normally perceive it to be---it's not only about zippers, studs and spikes...

...speaking of spikes---but see how unexpected this is? That's the challenge---to keep doing the unexpected in a market full of same-ness.

URBAN WARRIOR

2010-09-05T20:46:00.000-04:00

All these looks were styled by the uber cool Emmanuelle Alt.
I love the grimy, bandaged fingers paired with an amazing corset-shaped leather jacket.

This Balmain crocodile jacket is the essence of what I try to do with my designs. It's luxury...or is it? The material absolutely is, but the way the jacket is cut looks as if pieces were torched off, it was thrown overboard, and then washed up at sea...or the river Seine.

Bring it on.

Working in fashion is a battlefield.

Dirty, filthy fashion.

Riding into the Future

2010-08-16T13:07:00.000-04:00

I think equine photography is so beautiful. This one in particular is very
"Braveheart" to me. I can just picture a long-haired, leather and armor clad Medieval dude atop this horse.

Patent leather, lace-up boots, hooves, and what looks like to be 7" heels(or heel-less for that matter)...something mysteriously sexy about it.

Margiela madness. A top made of plaited leather that reminds me of that braided horse's mane above. A jacket made of what looks like parts of vintage python skin handbags. I'm in love with these shades of brown and beige---always looks so rich to me.

This artwork of a dress is by designer Iris van Herpen. It's like futuristic feminine armor. Check out her collections at http://www.irisvanherpen.com/

My idea of what we might be wearing in the future: a mixture of robot and tribal.