Something not as deep & meaningful

So, I feel that I must enlighten Eighth St Laundry clients with some information that is utterly ground-breaking. Whether you may bring cheap laundry or opt-in to services offered by the much more elusive 'drycleaners' in town, the distinctions between the three main Dolce and Gabbana lines is something that is often misunderstood.

It shatters my heart. (For those with a broken sarcasmometer, it doesn't really.)

Dolce and Gabbana, with creative direction from Domencio Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, is a fashion label that produces three lines of clothing for women. In order of the least to most expensive:

1. D&G - The plain black 'D&G' logo on a white background shows that the clothes produced are more likely to be what we consider as being 'casual' and/or wearable. For example, denim, T-shirts and plain short skirts are made under this line. They do have a D&G runway collection, which tends to be on the crazy side of wearable, but none-the-less, is still considered to be towards the 'wearable' end of runway standards.

2. Dolce & Gabbana, white label - The plain black 'Dolce & Gabbana' logo (text as is) on a white background indicates that the clothes are generally more expensive than D&G clothing, though it really produces the widest range of clothes. FYI, Madonna is one of the faces of their most recent campaigns at the moment. Whether or not I think this is a good idea is irrelevant, but I'll leave the judging up to you.

3. Dolce & Gabbana, black label - The white 'Dolce & Gabbana' logo on a black background is only tagged onto the most exclusive garments that the label produces, being the ones showcased by the stick-thin & ideally genetically-blessed on runways.

So take a look at some (black label) Dolce & Gabbana, FW10. Not their most recent of collections, but still relevant to the season we're going through here downunder.

So now I hope you understand that there are three main lines stocked by Dolce and Gabbana, being D&G, white label Dolce & Gabbana, and black label Dolce & Gabbana.

Have a nice day Eighth St Laundry-ers, & while you're at it, why not check out some of Count Lucifer's poetry picks of the day, and Cake Crusader's lovely avo-choco mousse?

~Louis Tiffon

Just a little heads up...

The next 'Big Fashion Sale' is on from July 22nd - 25th at Surry Hills. There you'll find both well-known & upcoming Australian designer pieces for as little as $30 (if prices were the same as last time). Last time I went they sold lots of items including shoes, dresses, jewelry, scarves, hats and other garments. Of special note were their modern statement jewelry pieces that were being sold at a lot under RRP.

Location wise it's a very walkable distance from Central Station (Sydney). If you're willing, once you're at the sale you can even check out Crown St nearby, which has some absolutely divine clothes, cute stationary shops & plenty of places to eat/drink. If you're going to the opposite direction (near Cleveland St) why not check out Bourke St bakery or Paris Texas (a clothing boutique)?

Bourke St bakery is absolutely amazing. It's such a cute corner place. Oh how I love Surry Hills.

Louis Tiffon

Looks from today's shows at NY Fashion Week Spring 2010

I'm loving this change of weather & the new looks that designers are bringing in at the moment. If you haven't had your dose of fashion for sometime, here's a taste of the New York Spring 2010 collections that were released today:

Naeem Khan

Calvin Klein

Isaac Mizrahi

L'Wren Scott

Phi

Threeasfour

Ralph Lauren

A few notes on trends coming back:

• White is in - keep it fresh and crisp.
• T-bar shoes - not only flattering but more practical (straps can keep them on more easily)
• Interesting textures
• Blazers = Investment pieces; white ones are in trend but black ones are classic
• It looks like comfort is in too...slouchy pants, bias cuts and looser shirts; however,
• Cut-outs and bondage is still in - specially with interesting tights

Ah I love looking at new collections - it's crazy how much work goes into those 3 min fashion shows.

~Louis Tiffon

Matthew Williamson Resort 2010 (Review)

I stumbled upon http://www.matthewwilliamson.com/collections.php when I was shopping at Net A Porter & found this gem (Spirograph pleated silk skirt £887.90)

I adore this piece because it's a beautiful eclectic mix of fluidity, gorgeous prints, an interesting texture and colours which give it a jewel effect. If only the fabric he used was fuller & a bit more lustrous - it would have been divine!

By-the-by, afterwards I checked out his Resort 2010 collection which is apparently inspired by the "DNA of his signature style" (PRLog). Given the statement I was quite disappointed overall with this collection because of the lack of continuity that emerged after the first five pieces which seemed to disrupt his work as a whole. Otherwise, I loved some of his beautiful prints (as per usual), the statement accessories & some drapery that was used.

(Images from style.com)

The first motif of the collection that he presented was the beautiful ombre that gave fabrics even more fluidity, contrasting with the strong nude statement shoes. Silhouettes were soft and made modern with volume created through pleats, draping and evenly-spaced tucks.

Although colour is definitely a strength of Williamson's, I found that his speckled use of contrasting brights among pastel and neutral hues shaped the Resort collection into being as diverse as it was disjunct. The orange-blue combinations just seemed too harsh in comparison with the kaleidoscopic, intricate prints that dominated his beautifully-styled outfits. Even the end of the collection, set up with a series of maxi dresses, seemed to lack the flamboyance and statement-ness that Williamson is most famous for.

What is note-worthy in this collection, however, are his more heavily-embellished accessories and continuum of brilliantly-designed fabrics. They give his outfits more strength as pieces themselves and a refreshing vibe that can only be provided from his technicoloured palette and eye for unique fabric treatments.

Overall I was impressed by some pieces, but didn't think that the order in which he presented his pieces worked for him as favourably as it could have been. My favourite? The first one (shown in the last image above) because it lets the fabric speak for itself =)

~Louis Tiffon

oh, I don't know...music+clothing=XD

This will probably be the first and last time I ever blog about something remotely related to fashion, but it just so happens to be that graphic designer/artist Sanna Annukka who designed the lovely album artwork for Keane's Under the Iron Sea comme ca:
...has also designed a clothing range at Topshop which you can visit here: hello!






They're pretty and pretty baggy! yay for random links

[disco.read]

Mary Katrantzou

Graduating from Central Saint Martins just last year, Katrantzou is a print, jewellery and fashion designer that showed at London Fashion Week (Fall 09), focusing on translating the concept of jewellery onto textile prints/fashion wear.

I just think their outstanding prints :)

Want more print inspiration? Check out this blog.

~Louis Tiffon

'The Morning Line' - Matthew Ritchie

Well...I was reading www.wallpaper.com under the 'Architecture' tab & I came across this amazing aluminium sculpture named 'The Morning Line', designed by New York-based artist Matthew Ritchie. It's located at Seville and actually based upon another sculpture (designed by the same artist) called 'The Evening Line' located at the Venice Biennnale. Check it out:



~Louis Tiffon.

Maison Martin Margiela RTW SS09 (Paris)

It's already Day 3 now of the ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2009 collections showing in Paris & we've come now to have high expectations of the hundred or so designers which are showing there...But I have to say, how is this ready-to-wear? Sure, Paris is the one of the most influential fashion capitals in the world, but talk about practicality in a ready-to-wear collection! - Then again, I guess that I have acted quite hypocritically in accusing such impracticality, seeing as the focus of my attention has been placed incorrectly on the models faces, as opposed to the clothes themselves. The garments themselves are actually quite wearable (considering their limitations/freedoms earned in upholding the house's reputation) & play interestingly with shape and texture.

But I guess the verdict of the collection is, more importantly, for you to decide...& so now, I leave you with a couple of shots from their collection (and yes, more admittedly, the weirder ones that freaked me out just a tad)...

OK, I think I've contradicted myself here in saying that the clothes are quite practical, but you have to admit that it's pretty cool.

OMGosh it's like her head's exploded into a ball of hair...perhaps after prematurely seeking hair-loss treatment in preparation for the assault of the HSC (lol, Hurley Who)

I think I'm seeing double...Is this a tribute to our long lost English Area of Study?

xx,
~ Louis Tiffon

My little erratic post

Hello everyone!

Being dormant for the past week or so, (blame that on exams) I have finally burrowed out of a mass of paper, books and pens. Sorry if I sound a little erratic but I have two totally unrelated things I want to mention. (this is going to be a funny post)

Firstly - the dissolution of the NSW Government.

One thing - who saw that coming? I certainly didn't. I knew SS Iemma was a sinking ship from the start, but I didn't think it would go down better than the Titanic.

Nathan Rees looks too eager beaver in my opinion. Too fresh-faced. I'm not sure he's got experience and ability to turn NSW around. There are so many issues facing him - budget deficit, hospitals, transport, electricity... The list goes on. Can he save our flailing public system?

What are your thoughts? Maybe I'm just a cynic?

Secondly - The Sartorialist

Okay so Louis Tiffon has set a pretty high standard on this blog when it comes to fashion and beauty. I'm not going to match that, but I have been wanting to mention another (very famous) blogger and he so happens to blog about fashion.

Check out The Sartorialist. It's by fashion photographer Scott Schuman. He takes photos of well-dressed people across the world (Milan, anyone?) and posts them. It's great to see some real people in great outfits. (also good for inspiration)

I love the photos of the men's clothing more than the women - it's not everyday you see very-put-together outfits on men. My point:

Love his pants.

Only Asians pull off shorts like that. Also check out his fierce Louis Vuitton organiser. (tribute to Louis Tiffon)

Man-jewellrey: yay or nay?

Like his hair, it's such a contrast to the rest of this outfit.

The Sartorialist called this "the last looks of Summer"

If only Sydney-siders were as stylish...

- Hurley Who?

Fashion Trend Forecast SS09 (Pret-a-porter): The Maximalist (+ The Season that Was)

With just a week of new 2009 Spring/Summer Ready-to-wear shows airing in New York, we are already seeing a transition from the more minimalist styles and darker colours of winter to the wonderful erratic plays with textures and tone (haha I think I am three-quarters maximalist/a quarter minimalist myself). This season, it’s probably going to be all about dressing it up – with statement pieces, whether it’d be in your jewellery, heels or bags.

The transition from minimalism to maximalism has not been just a sudden ‘wave’, storming into the fashion industry, but rather, indications from the past season did show that the ‘maximalist’ would inevitably come eventually…So let’s look (at some of my favourite pieces) from the season that was.

The pieces:

Rue Du Mail - Embellished trapeze dress (£1,310.64)

Bill Blass – Flamenco backless blouse (£1,557)

3.1 Philip Lim – Fan Pleat Dress (£455.31)

Marchesa – Beaded Chiffon Gown (£4,312)

Fendi – Petal-trimmed Dress (£1,804)

When I say about playing the maximalist, I’m talking about experimentation. As hard and disastrous as it may sound, it sounds like the runways looks (especially off NY) are finally giving more freedom to us, the consumers, in relaxing the structural and thematic elements of specific shapes and silhouettes that have appeared on runways for years…In other words, they’re finally making some of their clothes more adaptable to a wide range of different styles, cutting them so that average builds would actually be flattered and also so that the clothes remain (what I call) easy to wear.

BUT when I say that we might be going maximalist, it means that you’re going to have to mix & mash it up a little – however crazy it might seem at first. So, the best way to do it (without stuffing it up) would probably have to going with a statement bag and/or statement shoes. For example:

· Grey is totally the new thing at the moment – layer it up with a plain grey tank, drape a large scarf around your neck and wear some worn-out/stone-washed or otherwise pair of black or grey denim skinnies

· For those with a more hour-glass figure (or with extremely wide-hips, like moi) go for layering more structural details like collars/lapels & ruffles around the neck – just make sure you define your waist & don’t turn into a puff-ball.

· Get a textured jacket – maybe not fully patent, but maybe faux leather (layer with more luxurious fabrics like jersey/silk) or even crotcheted

The easiest way to probably work this trend is by simply by mixing up different pieces of jewellery, layering scarves & just chucking in a textured hand bag (my personal fave would probably have to be a black, patent, faux snake-skinned tote).

In contrast to this maximalistic effect with busy textures and tone, the colours on the runway have started to lighten up. Although the colours of SS09 have lightened-up a little, we’re still seeing that metallic trend come through – however, this time, without the patent, but rather, a more muted, softer feel. In particular, pastels and ‘softer’ colours are in – especially in layers with monochromatic colour schemes.

So to sum it up, the outlook for SS09 at the moment seems quite adventurous with the wooing of the maximalist on the runway…

~Louis Tiffon