Gossip Girl "G.G." Fashion Round-Up

If you are a dork like me, then you'll remember that the Gossip Girl pilot began with Peter Bjorn and John's "Young Folks." It brought back memories to the show we all once loved, the show that brought us catty teenage joy and a new found fondness for headbands. This week, Gossip Girl celebrated its 100th episode, and I really wish the celebration was a happy one. Sadly (and most of my commenters tend to agree) we have lost the show's most enticing character, Blair Waldorf. Her sass and quick wit has been unrightfully wasted on this ridiculous royal storyline that engrossed a hefty chunk of the last two seasons. The writers left the real Blair behind at the top of the Empire State Building, where she might as well still be waiting for Chuck.

Item of the Week: Givenchy Shark Tooth Necklace

It was by far my favourite piece of jewellery from the S/S 2012 shows. And I find that odd, considering that there are no sparkly crystals and/or bows attached to it. It's an aggressive, somewhat morbid trinket, worthy of a warrior hunter. Except in this case, it's a sharply tailored urban warrior. 

Givenchy S/S 2012

Of course, it comes in a shiny pale gold finish, making me want not only one, but two. While the white resin appears very elegant, there is something wonderfully gangsta about a giant piece of metal hanging off one's neck. 

$681 (small) and $892 (large) at LuisaViaRoma (pre-order). 

PS. I spot a DIY.

Beauty Fridays: Oil Fix

La Licious 'Sugar Kiss' Body Oil ($34 at Kiss & Makeup) 

Pangea Organics Pyreness Lavender with Cardamom Body Oil ($26 at Pangea Organics Canada)

I'd previously mentioned in this Weleda interview that when it comes to body care, I prefer oils to lotion and creams. I still use creams from time to time, mainly for my hands and feet, as I worry sometimes that I'll stain delicate silk garments (some oils tend to have a yellow tint to them). Otherwise, winter or summer, my body care regimen is all about the oils. From the recent ones I tried, a couple stood out, so I figured I'd share them with you. Especially since winter is prime time to kick up your moisturising routine. 

The first one is a delicious Sugar Kiss by La Licious, utilizing coconut oil with sweet almond oil and macadamia nut oil for a sweet-smelling and very moisturizing combination. It does kind of leave you smelling like a sugar cookie all day, but that could be a very good thing.

And the second one is Pyreness Lavender by Pangea Organics (I recently reviewed a couple of products from this line). I'm a huge devotee of lavender and its calming properties, so this one is a no-brainer. I love using this after a muscle straining day (read: gym), after a long bath, or before bed (because lavender is dreamy). 

OIL TIPS: 

1) Apply oil immediately after showering while your pores are wide open, so it can absorb into the skin on a deeper level;

2) Ditch your shaving cream and try using oil instead to get an incredibly close shave; and

3) If you are worried about staining your clothing, opt for clear oils or lighter colour oils -- both of the ones above fit in that category.

Tell me about your winter body care routine -- does it change? 

PRADA Spaces (or Why I Love Prada)

Prada catwalk, Office of Metropolitan Architecture (Man SS 2012)

You may or may not know that my background is not in writing, or in fashion for that matter. I spent eight years studying fine art and architecture, both in which I still dabble occasionally (the former more than the latter). This long, and sometimes exhausting, academic ordeal made me appreciate Miuccia Prada, and the culture that surrounds the name PRADA, more so than any other luxury label today.

Prada 24 Hour Museum,  Office of Metropolitan Architecture (2012)

Prada is a culture, a clique for the discerning and for design-minded individuals that transcends way past fashion. Miuccia Prada is, to me, one of the most interesting individuals in the industry. This is a person that holds a PhD in Political Science, was an avid women’s rights activist, and who also, curiously, studied mime for five years before deciding to join her family's business of manufacturing handbags and launching the label into the world of luxury. I'm not sure if this unique, non-fashion background has given her a different outlook on how we experience something so straightforward as clothing, but Prada single-handedly changed the game of visual presentation.

Prada "Magic Mirror," Office of Metropolitan Architecture (2000)

To coincide with the launch of Fondazione Prada in 2002, Prada began enlisting creative architecture geniuses (I refuse to use the word "starchitect" as it makes me cringe as much as "fashionista" these days) like Rem Koolhaas of OMA (Office of Metropolitan Architecture) and the dynamic duo of Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron (known simply as Herzog & de Meuron) to re-design the shopping experience, all with the same careful programming usually reserved for museums and libraries.

Prada Epicenter, SoHo, Office of Metropolitan Architecture (2001)

The inaugural project was OMA's Prada flagship in SoHo, completed in 2001, a space that prompted exclamations like "Oh, you're going to New York? You must see the Prada store!" from people that previously cared so little about the triangle-shaped logo that embellishes $2,000 handbags. Its space is vast, with very little devoted to the product, with a singular wave gesture making up for most of the store's interior. The space utilized new "Magic Mirror" technology, also designed by OMA, a plasma screen invisibly built into the large mirror surface, allowing customers to see themselves both from the front and the back simultaneously. Koolhaas went on to design Prada's Los Angeles store, countless runways, and the most recent project, the 24 Hour Museum. 

Prada Aoyama, Herzog & de Meuron (2003)

Perhaps the flashiest of Prada projects comes courtesy of Herzog & de Meuron, with their flagship in Aoyama, Tokyo. In comparison to Koohaas' elegantly resolved interior solution, this one is a monster...but a beautiful one at that. This six-storey, sharp-angled shape, reveals its smooth, interior infrastructure through concave and convex windows (“bubbles”), and is visually aggressive, something necessary in a city like Tokyo. Inside, an almost clinical shopping environment: part store, part kaleidoscope to the great city.  

Prada Aoyama, Herzog & de Meuron (2003)

Prada consistently redefines the way fashion is experienced, whether it's through her runway presentations, through her stores, or even (and this is not a stretch) through the label's website -- as a space in itself. 

Images courtesy of OMA and Herzog & de Meuron. 

Blue, Blue

Sponsored

Elizabeth and James Pullover Hoodie ($395) and 'Kayden' Pants ($295); Diane von Furstenberg 'Raiko' Jacket ($645); Vince Crossover V Neck Dress ($320)

After its absolute runway domination last season, bright blue returns as one of the brightest shades for spring. With that said, blue -- in any range -- is one of those colours that has almost become a neutral (probably thanks to blue jeans), so it becomes super easy to work it into one's wardrobe. 

House of Harlow 1960 'Riley' Clutch ($225); Ray-Ban ($129); A Peace Treaty 'Cachibo' Earrings ($198)

O'Clock Gold Face Watch ($47); Maison Martin Margiela Open Toe Booties ($835); Alexander Wang 'Prisma' Tote ($685)

I scoured through SHOPBOP's sea of blue, and found some things I would be more than delighted to add to my wardrobe. You know, mostly the usual suspects like DVF, Maison Martin Margiela and Alexander Wang. But my favourite? The blue Ray-Bans. Although if this was a turquoise feature, it would be these aviators by Matthew Williamson. 

Shoe Wednesdays: Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Wertmuller' Wedge

How high is too high? Are these too high? They claim to be only five inches, but to me they seem Lady Gaga insane. Needless to say, I want them. I like towering over everything (it's such a rare occurrence, being 5'6"). It's all about the mega platform -- reminds me of the Fendi stompers I lusted over last spring.

Imagine floating so high above the ground? Would you dare?

$400 at SSense.

Gossip Girl "Father and the Bride" Fashion Round-Up

That was the lamest bachelorette party ever. Where was Dorota? Maybe this show went downhill once they demoted Dorota's role as Blair's main minion. Dorota was there through everything. She deserves to be involved in the storyline, even if she's just making Saketinis. 

Amy Hackerling, the genius director behind Clueless, directed this episode. It made no difference.