What Goes Around Comes Around

While flipping through a 1995 issue of Vogue Italia it struck me how many things seemed to fit in with the current trends. Fashion really is cyclical and this is one of the reasons I hate cleaning out my closet! Styles almost always come back into fashion and right now I'm wishing I didn't throw out my denim jacket a while back! Anyways here are some pictures from the 90's Vogue Italia next to similar trends and styles from today.

Low-slung backpacks: Fendissime & Alexander Wang
80's frills: YSL Rive Gauche & Louis Vuitton Fall 2009
Revealing shoe shots: Bottega Veneta ad & fashion photography by MI-ZO
Houndstooth coats: Anna Lisa & McQueen Fall 2009

April 28 2009

Multicolored heels from Forever 21
Man's white button-down shirt
Magenta tights from Platinum Mall
Black vintage belt from Chatuchuk Market

April 11 2009

Unfortunately my internet is still not working but I finally have some free time, after spending 3 days celebrating the Thai new year(more on that later), and have ventured out to a nearby internet cafe. So here is an outfit I wore out to celebrate a friend's birthday last Saturday:
(*Click to enlarge)
Black ankle boots from Zara
Tiered black dress from Bonanza Mall
Black heart belt, leopard print tights, & black studded cuff from Platinum Mall
Animal print heart earrings from Forever 21
Silver bangles from Khao Sarn Road

April 10 2009

Black & white block dress from Pratunam Market
Black & white brogues from Siam Square

(*Click to enlarge)

April 7 2009

Black jumpsuit and studded belt from Platinum Mall
Strappy shoes from Siam Square

April 4 2009

Top w/sash belt from Topshop
Denim shorts from Chatuchuk market
Messenger bag from Forever 21
Gladiator sandals from Old Navy
Gold box ring and layered necklace from Chatuchuk market
Gold bird necklace from Platinum Mall

March 30 2009

Gold guitar necklace from Chinatown(Bangkok)-check out Noel Fielding wearing a very similar one HERE
Gold rings and ripped up black jeans from Chatuchuk Market
Tiered sheer black top from Siam Square
Bangles from Platinum Mall
Black Converse
(*Click picture to enlarge)

I Got All My Sisters With Me

Since I live in Thailand I thought it would be nice to showcase some of the talented fashion designers we have here and I'm going to start with Stretsis.

Background:
Stretsis was launched in 2002 by three sisters- did you notice that Stretsis is sisters spelled backwards! Pimdao is the head designer and she graduated from Parsons and worked with Marc Jacobs before creating her own line. Her two sisters joined her to help with marketing, PR, and jewelry design. The Stretsis style is very girly, sweet, young and fresh. They use a lot of fun,whimsical prints, nostalgic details, and soft fabrics. I don't always like dressing up in frilly pink clothes, but when I do get that urge to feel really girly Stretsis clothes are the perfect fit. Since their start in 2002 the brand has really taken off globally, they now have stockists all over the world (USA, Asia, Australia, Europe), have been featured in various US magazines (Elle, Teen Vogue, In Style), and their clothes have been seen on celebs like Rachel Bilson and Leighton Meester who wore one of their coats on Gossip Girl-shown below.

Autumn/Winter 08:
This collection was called Parallel Universe and it was very earthy, yet ethereal and mystical at the same time. The whole style could be described as enchanted, dreamlike, and mythical, yet Stretis was still able to maintain their trademark sweet, girly details. I love the digital printing of various animals like owls, unicorns, and deers, they reminded me of Camille(Childhood Flames) who wore a similar print HERE. I also really liked their structured, yet feminine, coats and the way that they layered their pieces together to create some great looks.

Spring/Summer 09:
This collection was entitled School of Rebellious Sweethearts and was inspired by traditional uniforms from old royal heritage to newer modern day prep schools. And since rules are for breaking Stretsis used bold prints and short hemlines to dress their rebellious school girls. I loved the use of trompe l'oeil and I liked how they still kept their signature style but also roughed it up with a little edge this time. I thought this collection had a really good range from day wear to fun frilly prom dresses, and from pants and shorts to sweet garden party dresses. See my favorite pieces below.

For more information including stockists and past collections check out their website: www.stretsis.com
(All pictures from Stretsis.com - click to enlarge)

March 28 2009

Black tee shirt dress
Star ring & layered chain necklace from Chatuchuk market(Bangkok)
3 other rings from a night market in Laos
Bangles from Khao Sarn Rd(Bangkok)
Studded bracelet & black canvas flats from Platinum Mall(Bangkok)
Lightning bolt necklace
Studded belt from Topshop

March 23 2009

Black wedges from Forever 21
Pink&black checked dress from Khao Sarn rd(Bangkok)
Silver stud bracelet and rose ring from Platinum Mall(Bangkok)
Star charm bracelet and watch from Forever 21
'Live&Rock' ring from Chatuchuk market

(*click image to enlarge)

Art School Confidential

I love dressing up, especially for themed parties because you get to pretend to be someone else for that night. Last week my friends and I went to a school-themed party so we all dressed up as different stereotypes: the nerd, the prom queen, and the art chick. That's us at the party above and below are the outfits it inspired me to create. To see where to buy each piece click HERE

Meet Elizabeth and James

If you didn't already know, Elizabeth and James is Mary-Kate and Ashley's label that they launched in 2007. They named it after their brother and sister and it offers chic contemporary pieces with a mix of casual and dressy and masculine and feminine. This is one thing I love about their clothes, they blend the menswear inspired pieces really well with softer girly pieces.

Another thing I really like is MK and Ashley's aim for this label which is "to narrow the gap between designer and contemporary clothing". Their clothes are incredibly well-made and effortlessly chic, yet they are priced much lower so that women who cannot afford expensive designers can still get great quality and style. I love that the industry is starting to offer more and more fashion forward clothing at reasonable prices today. I think fashion should be affordable and available for everyone, and that is even more necessary now with the economic situation. It shouldn't be about showing off the brand you are wearing, but more about just having your own style and putting it together well. And I think MK and Ashley definitely understand this-they know how to style their outfits so well with a good mix of vintage and contemporary clothing. They always look unique and incredibly chic.

I love the latest Elizabeth and James collection and the way its styled and portrayed on their site is really cute! Above are my two favorites-I love the drape of the gray skirt and the color of the blazer and I never would have thought to pair them together. If you know me you know I just love black, it always looks so chic and it's flattering, so I really like the chic sexiness of the black outfit and the bow bracelet is adorable. Have a look at the rest of the collection HERE

(Pictures via www.elizabethandjames.us)