Miuccia & Elsa

A couple of weeks ago I made it to the Met to visit the Costume Institute's exhibit Impossible Conversations.  The exhibit was based around conversations that Miuccia and Elsa might have had if they'd been designing in the same era, Elsa died in 1973.  Their foundations are similar, they're both Italian, and both fell into the fashion and design world accidentally, and many of their philosophies on design are very much on par with one another.

 I took these photos illegally, so pardon the poor quality...  One of the most interesting parts of the exhibit was Waist Up/Waist Down, it focused on Elsa's designs being most interesting above the waist, where Prada features many of her most intricate details below the waist.  Schiaparelli was most famous for her jackets and hats, where Prada is famous for intensely detailed bottoms and her shoes, OHHH HER SHOES.  

 Schiaparelli on the left, Prada right.

 Schiaparelli, party on the top.

Schiaparelli left, Prada on the right. 

I loved the portion of the exhibit titled Ugly Chic.  Prada is the queen of this, so outrageous and outlandish that you look at something and think it's hideous, but you can't stop staring, and then you end up falling in love.  

"If I have done anything, it is to make ugly appealing.  In fact most of my work is concerned with destroying - or at least deconstructing - conventional ideas of beauty.  Of the generic appeal of the beautiful, glamorous, bourgeois woman.  Fashion fosters cliches of beauty, but I want to tear them apart." - Miuccia Prada

Prada

 About her Spring 2011 collection that she thought critics would absolutely hate, {it turned out to be the exact opposit} she said, "People are much more ready to accept craziness than people believe."

Prada.

 "Ninetey per cent of [of women] are afraid of being conspicuous and of what people will say.  So they buy a grey suit.  They should dare to be different.  Although I am very shy...I have never been shy of appearing in public in the most fantastic and personal getup." - Elsa Schiaparelli 

Prada left & center, Schiaparelli on the right.

I think my favorite part of the exhibit was walking through and reading Prada, and Schiaparelli's thoughts on fashion and beauty, and what they wanted people to understand from their clothes.

A Very Rad Week

Last week during a VERY serious re-group at work, a few ladies and I became aware of an upcoming Rodarte sample sale.  The Rodarte sample sale is invite only, so immediately after returning to our desks, we emailed Andy that we wanted in.  Fast forward a week, and we got our invites!  A couple of us headed up to the sample sale after work, and while the selection was definitely picked over, there were still some stunners, but it was the Rodarte for Opening Ceremony "Radarte" tee that I was really gunning for.

With various sizes left, I had my pick and since these pieces rarely go on sale, I went for it and bought the sweatshirt too.

 Another very notable thing happened this week.   On Monday one of my co-workers was feeling MIGHTY generous, and giving away a Prada bag, but not for nothing...the challenge was to guess what month she bought her cat Sophie.  I pondered for a bit, and was debating between November & January, before I finally chose January.

I WAS RIGHT, hence I am the proud new owner of a classic black leather PRADA bag!!  Wow.  What a week!

Impossible Conversations, Met Gala 2012

The Oscars of fashion have now come and gone, and it was a night full of gorgeous gowns, hundreds of thousands of feathers and camera flashes for days.  Warning...this one is long, but oh so enjoyable.

 Kate Bosworth in custom Prada

Cate Blanchett in Alexander McQueen

 Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo in custom Naeem Kahn in an ode to Elsa Schiaparelli

 Marion Cotillard in Dior

 Renee Zelweger in Pucci with Pucci's Peter Dundas

 Rooney Mara in Givenchy

 Stefano Pilati with Lucie de la Falaise in Prada, I this take on a Tuxedo for her!

Liv Tyler in Givenchy

Angela Lindvall in Prada, this is so amazing and unexpected.

Candace Swanepool in Rag & Bone with Davis & Marcus of Rag & Bone.

Diane Kruger in divine purple Prada!

Emma Stone in Lanvin with Alber Elbaz.  <3

Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhullier

Jenna Lyons in pink as an ode to Schiaparelli, so perfect for her personality and brand.

Kirsten Dunst in Rodarte

Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy, looking like sunshine.

Eva Mendes in Prada

Kristen Wiig in Stella McCartney

China Chow in vintage Jean Paul Gaultier

Florence Welch is ethereal and perfect in Alexander McQueen.  This dress warms my heart.

Lastly Jessica Stam Stuns in Dior.

The 2012 exhibit documents the impossible conversations between genius Miuccia Prada and the late Elsa Schiaparelli.  I'm so excited to stop by the Met sometime soon to check out the exhibit!

White House, Red Carpet

I basically went forward with this post simply because I couldn't not use the title.  Anyways, let's get political, or not...  This is the time of year that celebs and reporters descend on the White House for the annual White House Correspondents dinner, below are my candidates for best dressed!

Dakota Fanning in Prada

Ginnifer Goodwin is wearing H&M Conscious Collection

Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta

Kerry Washington in Calvin Klein Collection - so gorgeous on her!

And Leslie Mann took a risk in a floral Naeem Kahn gown.

As usual there were some real flops {Kim K wore velvet, and Alicia Keys looked WAY too casual} , but these ladies turned it out.  

Take Me To The Springs

For some reason completely out of my realm of understanding, it doesn't matter the time of year, the time of day, or the type of mood I'm in.  I am always drawn to editorials, and photography shot in Palm Springs.  With Coachella around the corner, I thought I'd go ahead and highlight a few of my favorite shots from the desert.  

 Regina Feoktistova shot by Andrew Yee for Spend It Magazine

 Bette Frank by Lachlan Bailey for Harper's Bazaar Feb. 2012

These. Shoes.

There's something about the dust, palm trees and mid-century architecture that I can't seem to tear my eyes away from.  It doesn't hurt that there's a hearty helping of Prada with a dash of Burberry, Proenza, and Balenciaga among other's, thrown into the mix.  This makes me crave a road trip through the southwest, more than ever before.

photos via fashion gone rogue