Vlieger & Vandam's Guardian Angel Bags

If It's Hip, It's Here

Should I hate these? I feel like I should hate these, but I don't. The Amsterdam based accessories label Vlieger & Vandam has been making these weapon embossed clutches and handbags for several years now, starting with wool and now using more luxe leathers (I myself would still love one of those wool ones). These feel nearly illegal, which is surely part of the bags' appeal with celebrities like Rihanna, and though I lean sort of anti-gun,  I love the marriage of street and sophistication.

Paris Fashion Week Highlight: Chanel

Style

Fashion week month is coming to a close, and what better way to say goodbye than to feature the Chanel show, right? This time, I thought I'd share my (sometimes mindless) thoughts on the show. To follow some of my notes, head over to Style.com to see the full collection.

1. I love those asymmetrical shoes, and the crystal brows.
2. The silver purse with the little bubble dots reminds me of something I saw in a vintage boutique, but more badass.
3. I don't know why, but I love boxy flap pockets.
4. Oh, oh, I love that blue!
5. Now teal? I like that too.
6. I wish I still had that one blue
tweed jacket from 7th grade. Sigh.
7. Look 20 feels very youthful - like five year old youthful. And I don't mind it at all.
8. Oh my god, look 21 - the geometry on those pants! The abstract sweater! The blue cardigan - oh wait, it's glittered?! OH, and the crystal cuffs... it's just all so good!
9. Look 25 WTF! THOSE SLEEVES! They're sculpted into this modern, cubist shape.
10. Look 27: the dress is gorgeous. The red pants underneath? Perfection.
11. Is this the return of brooches? I welcome it.
12. The yellow, green, and pink jewels on look 31 look like candy. Yum.
13. Drawstring pants never look this luxurious.
14. This strong cap sleeve feels so futuristic.
15. Aw, it's toddler Hudson Kroenig.
16. That pleating is amazing!
17. Look 60: netting that is edgy but still ladylike.
18. The texture on look 67 is so interesting, and Karl has a way of taking every detail into consideration - all the way down to the buttoned cuffs on the pants. Is that heel Lucite?



I Think I Love You

Bona Drag

I love Pamela Love's edgy jewelry, but these earrings are probably my favorite item she's made so far. I spotted these in her Fall 2011 lookbook a while back, and didn't see them for sale until just recently. The formation of the spikes reminds me of Native American garb, yet they are completely downtown punk at the same time.



Azealia Banks & Swagger NY Interview

Azealia Banks has been the fashion industry's go-to girl for music lately. Her tracks have been played during New York Fashion Week this season, she was recently chosen to perform at a Karl Lagerfeld celebration, and she performed at Kanye West's party tonight following his fashion show in Paris (okay, so is Kanye West really part of the fashion industry? Whatever, anyway...). Despite her brash lyrics, it's hard not to like her, and "212" is completely catchy. Swagger New York posted this short interview with the Harlem rapper, where she talks dance moves, realness, and being recognized by "French socialite people".

Catherine McNeil in Vogue Australia

Fashion Gone Rogue

I love this shot out of the April issue of Vogue Australia. The sculptural rock 'n roll hair, Catherine's multi-studded ear, that gleaming Bally top... Of course, the other photos are great too: take a look here.



"Toy Story" - Harper's Bazaar Russia

Fashion Gone Rogue

This spread out of the March issue of Harper's Bazaar Russia is a little kooky, but I love high/low styling, which this definitely has. There's high-end pieces from designers like Prada, Moschino, and Jil Sander, mixed with t-shirts, kiddie cartoon motifs, and toy cars. See more looks here.





Paris Fashion Week Highlight: Dries Van Noten

Style

I'm seeing an Asian micro-trend in some of these fall collections, no? Dries is certainly included, with prints heavily influenced by Asia, a crane embellishment on a blazer, and kimono-like cuts and fabrics. To ground the Eastern inspiration was military tailoring and shapes perfectly acceptable for pounding the pavement in the West (or wherever you may live, really) - easy trousers, belted jackets, and pencil skirts.



Paris Fashion Week Highlight: Felipe Oliveira Baptista

Style

Lacoste designer Felipe Oliveira Baptista showed a strong collection for his solo line in Paris on Wednesday.  The color blocked and pieced together garments had a boxy quality, with stiff leather being a main fabric choice. T-shirt cuts and chunky platforms kept things sporty, and the zebra print was an unexpected touch. Oh, and that black leather dress with asymmetrical zippers? So good!

Elle Magazine Brings Us a Music Video


ElleMagazine via youtube.com

Oh my god. I don't know what else to say, except for maybe now I want to work at Elle more than ever before?