Supa Kawaii en le Château

Entrance to Versailles

Ahh, Paris...the city of lights, the birthplace of romance, the wacky world of Takashi Murakami? Oh, yes he did. The gilded corridors of le Château de Versailles got a Technicolor kick by way of the Japanese artist's delusional mind on September 13, when 22 of Murakami's most prolific statues went on display at the palace. At the cries of mon dieu by some patrons seeking illusions of grandeur sans psychedelic art, curator Laurent LeBon states, "This unique experience seeks above all to spark a reflection on the contemporary nature of our monuments and the indispensable need to create our own era."

"Oval Buddha Silver" in the Abundance Salon

"Flower Matango" in the Hall of Mirrors

Statues of ravenous Buddhas and schizophrenic daisy bombs stand in the foreground of grandiose marble paneled walls and beneath centuries-old solid silver chandeliers in the hall of mirrors. Where Marie Antoinette once threw temper tantrums and ate copious amounts of delectable macarons, Murakami has added a dose of modern hallucinogens to keep the Parisians clutching their pearls.

Louis XIV, is that you?

 

 

The exhibit will run until December 12.

 {Photos courtesy of Coolhunting + ChateauVersailles.fr}

{Divine Design}: Mrs. Press Summer 2010/11 Collection

It's rare that a clothing line completely embodies every craving of mine - sheer, diaphanous textiles in storybook hues accented with sparkly details that give off a vintage and romantic effect. In other words, Mrs. Press' Summer 2010/11 collection is the personification of a whisper and a sigh. How divine!

{Photos courtesy of EatDrinkChic.com}

Afternoon Delight: Harper's Bazaar Cover Shoot - Drew Barrymore

Mid-century modern glamour is one of my faves and the stunning interior aesthetic coupled with one of my favorite actors in the fanciest retro styles makes for the perfect editorial spread. Drew Barrymore is the cover girl of Harper's Bazaar's October issue and looks like a polished pixie on the cover and interior pages. Styled by Katie Mossman & shot by Mark Seliger.

Fall Fashion Picks - ShopNastyGal.com

Maybe I'm a little late to the game, but I had to show off some of my fall fashion favorites from one of my most visited online retailers, Nasty Gal. It's no secret that I adore feminine and romantic pieces that are functional as well. What I love most about this site is that they have unique pieces that are timeless yet trendy and come in every price point. Another great feature is their vast selection of vintage clothing, shoes and accessories that will complete any outfit. Check out my non-vintage picks below and let me know which piece you want to snag this season!

1. Ryan Alpaca Cape, $264
2. Cheap Monday - Evelina Canvas Parka, $180
3. Frilled Shoulder Top, $32; Tied Tap Shorts, $38
4. Cold Shoulder Dress, $48
5. Eryn Brinie - Slated Tie Trouser, $105
6. Shape Shiftr - Silk Tail Blouse, $188
7. Spotted Fringe Poncho, $48
8. Drape Pocket Shorts, $38
9. All That Glitters Dress, $118
10. Frilled Stripe Skirt, $38

{Photos Courtesy of ShopNastyGal.com}

{Sunday Style Spread} Modern-Day Mermaid

Happy Sunday! I'm going to spend my day lunching @ a beach-side restaurant for a friend's birthday. I haven't been to the beach all summer and, when you live in LA, that's considered blasphemy. I can't wait to put on my Sunday best and kick back a bellini or two. What are your plans?

This shoot by Sølve Sundsbø featured in Numéro #117 with model Emily DiDonato really gets me in the beachy mood with the almost surreal glistening water and the sea goddess that emerges from it. I love how the textures in the shots mimic those found in nature, from the scaly paillettes to the spiky heels.

 

{Photos courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue}

{Le Collab} Jimmy Choo x UGG Australia

When I first heard of the odd collaboration of high-fashion shoe couturier Jimmy Choo with surf-and-sand-friendly UGG, I was a bit perplexed. How could a stiletto-sculpting, leg-lengthening, red carpet-ready shoe designer join forces with a beachy, bohemian and bulky boot company? The most interesting thing I discovered when I finally laid eyes on all of the designs is that there is a method to their madness. The capsule collection of five limited edition styles truly epitomizes Fall's signature trends. Studs, animal prints and fringe combine to create a chic yet casual collection. Which one will you ladies be snagging?

Mandah

Kaia

Kaia - Leopard

Starlit

Sora

Siobhan

{Images courtesy of Ugg Australia}

Tribute to a Fashion Great

It's terrible how certain celebrities' deaths are condemned to circus-like coverage. That's why I love the fashion industry - no matter how sensational a story is (Naomi Campbell, anyone?), there is still a bubble of respect and adoration of the person involved.

Cue Alexander McQueen's Monday morning memorial service at London's St. Paul's Cathedral. The A-list crowd included supermodels and superstars of the fashion world who paid tribute to their dear friend seven months after his tragic death. A party of that makeup celebrating the life of a provocative designer would surely dress to the nines in McQueen's best - and they did.

Anna Wintour

Daphne Guinness

Kate Moss

Stella McCartney

Naomi Campbell

Sarah Jessica Parker

Hittin' The Books

I can't be the first working girl who quit her fun and (sometimes) fabulous day job for some good old fashioned readin' and writin'. That's right, school got the best of me and I had to bid farewell to the 9-5 to finish up my master's thesis. Hope your workday is going well! I'm going to follow in Freja's footsteps - it's off to the book stacks for me. Maybe I'll treat myself to a follow up blog post or mani/pedi to brighten up my typing fingers after a day's worth of studying!

{Photo credit: Paolo Roversi / courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue}

{Monday Magic} Vintage Christian Dior Perfume Ads

I have been planning a massive bedroom re-do for, oh, years now and have finally found the prints that describe my boudoir style perfectly! I swoon over anything girly and glamorous and love me a good ruffle or two. How CHIC are these vintage Christian Dior perfume ads? I must have them on my main wall! Imagine them framed in a distressed whitewashed frame or gilded rococo frame.

{Photos courtesy of L'officiel magazine}

{Sunday Style Spread} Alessandra Ambrosio + Ana Beatriz Barros / Sølve Sundsbø / Vogue Nippon October 2010

Oh, to live in the lap of luxury like these ladies whose biggest concerns are, well, not much. The statement that these photos make (minus the gorgeousness that radiates - hello, Brazilian supermodels) conjure visions of classic pin-up coyness that is complemented with statement-making footwear that is no doubt highlighted in these shots. Our society's current obsession with hedonistic housewives lends inspiration to Sølve Sundsbø, whose lens captures the lazy yet lavish lifestyles of the rich and, er...rich.

 

{Images via Fashion Gone Rogue}