Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty

Christian Lacroix has certainly been broadening his horizons as of late.  Since his namesake label shuttered in 2009, he's designed railway uniforms, served as art director for an exhibit about Middle Eastern fashion, created a capsule collection for Desigual, and, my personal favorite, made a collage of what he thinks Kate Middleton should wear on her wedding day.  The couturier's latest project is a collaboration with author, Camilla Morton, on a fashion fairy tale called, "Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty."  Lacroix provided all of the illustrations for the story, which are made from hand sketches and computer graphics.  This is totally the bedtime story that I will read to my children, should I ever have any in the very far-off future.

Blow by Blow: A Review

As I mentioned before, one Christmas present that I received was the biography Blow by Blow by Detmar Blow and Tom Sykes.  The story chronicles the life of fashion icon, Isabella Blow, who ultimately took her own life in 2007.  I had not known much about her before reading this book, but I had been interested Mrs. Blow's life ever since I had first heard of her legacy.  I began the book knowing that she was credited with discovering Alexander McQueen and Phillip Treacy, but I had no idea the extent of influence she actually had on the fashion industry.  That being said, I will save my commentary on Isabella Blow for another post, and solely focus on the actual book in this one.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yes, this is all of the women in my family wearing matching pajamas on Christmas Eve from Eddie Bauer.

Anyway, a belated merry Christmas to everyone.  Christmas is probably my favorite holiday, not just for presents, but because of the many traditions that my family shares as well.  Although I was ill for the duration of it this year, Christmas was still as joyous and memorable as ever.  That being said, I did get some really great presents that I am oh so thankful for, which I thought that I would share with you all.  So here we go, starting top left and going clockwise.

A men's Field & Stream watch with a leather band, from a local antique shop (this isn't the exact one, but it was as close of a picture as I could find).  I love bulky watches and this one is just the ultimate; great for stacking with bracelets, etc., or wearing alone.

Velvet ballet flats from the Gap.  I, like Katie, have been pretty obsessed with incorporating ballet themed clothes into my daily wardrobe.  So, I was extremely pleased to have received these perfect, go-with-everything shoes from my little sister.  Mine aren't the above purple color, but are a navy blue, which I like much better.

Like the Boys

JAX

"My approach to fashion design is influenced by my daily life... my search for new means of expression. I feel that recently there has been a little more of an interest towards those who look for new ideas and who are searching for a new sense of values.  My wish is to be able to continue the search for the new."
- Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons


Top to bottom:
1.  Desk at the Homme store in Nagoya Parco
2.  "Bonded" dress from 1986 collection, shot by Steven Meisel
3.  Fitting room of the Tricot store in Nagoya Parco
4.  Silk chiffon and organdy look from 1989, shot by Peter Lindbergh
5.  A look from the A/W '90 collection
6.  Dress with breastplate of jagged silver from 1990 collection, shot by Minsei Tominaga
7.  Freestanding Homme Plus store in Aoyama


Sources:  
"Women of Fashion: Twentieth Century Designers" by Valerie Steele.  Rizzoli International Publications.  New York, NY.  1991.
"Rei Kawakubo and Comme des Garcons" by Deyan Sudjic.  Rizzoli International Publications.  New York, NY.  1990.
Contemporary Fashion, 2nd ed.  "Kawakubo, Rei: Japanese Designer."  St. James Press.  Farmington Hills, MI. 2002.

jax likes...wild things

opening ceremony

okay, i am fully aware that this dress would be a completely unpractical purchase.  but i swear, where the wild things are was my absolute favorite book when i was little.  and how great of a halloween costume would it be?  originally priced at five hundred dollars, it's now been marked down to one hundred and twenty.  i could basically even just wear it as normal clothing... don't judge me.

jax likes...babysitters

claudia was always my favorite from the babysitters club; although i can't remember the specifics of why since it was so long ago, i've obviously had great style since a young age.  because, get this, claudia is the only babysitter that i'm aware of who has her own blog dedicated to her clothing.  meet what claudia wore. according to the blog, this look from the latest issue of nylon would be right up claudia's ally.  or something. [style.com via refinery29]

nylon, march 2010