Mermaids Exist at Rodarte SS15

In preparation for New York Fashion Week, designers find inspiration from a wide array of sources. In recent years, popular collections have incorporated the revival of trends from decades past. The 70's seem to be a constant wealth of influence, as well as 80's neon and 90's grunge. I was beginning to worry that the fashions of my youth–the early 2000s–were next on the agenda. Nothing was worse than cropped polo tees, Juicy velour tracksuits, or Von Dutch trucker hats. Nothing. 

Luckily, the Mulleavy sisters saved us from yet another fashion resurrection. 

During the preparatory phases of their SS15 line, sisters (and Berkeley graduates) Kate and Laura Mulleavy of the renowned fashion house Rodarte, set their sights on a timeless, natural piece of inspiration: tide pools. As young girls growing up in Northern California, the Mulleavy sisters frequented the mesmerizing underwater tide pools of Monterey. Kate told Vogue.com, "We wanted to re-create the texture of those underwater tide pools... to explore this idea of underwater worlds, with all the movement and fluidity." By channeling a personal memory from their youth, Kate and Laura Mulleavy were able to achieve wizardry at NYFW. 

Tuesday's runway show was magical from the start. Spectators arrived to find the set a seaside reverie; the floor bejeweled with broken beach glass and Swarovski crystals. Once the show began, the venue finished it's transformation into an underwater realm. The models stunned in delicate dresses made of netting and tattered chiffon, like sirens on the shore. You could practically feel the ocean breeze as the ever-flowing ruffles on dresses, skirts, and scarfs danced down the catwalk. Opalescent sequins and scales added to the shipwreck vibe. 

The most remarkable facet of Rodarte's collection existed in it's ability to offset fluidity with rigid structure. Instead of allowing cascading fabrics overrun the runway, the Mulleavy sisters skillfully balanced things out with elements of sheer strength: thigh-high gladiator boots, skin-tight jeans, anorak jackets, and, of course, those incredible rows of sliver eyebrow piercings. 

Feast your eyes on the entire collection here. 

Amazing. All I can say is... Go Bears. 

Candice Swanepoel for Vogue Russia

I sincerely apologize for neglecting my blogging duties these past few days. Now, with finals and classes completed, I will try and get back on my game. Hopefully. 

I recently came across this stunning editorial from Vogue Russia featuring Candice Swanepoel. We all know Candice as a beloved Victoria's Secret Angel. From runway shows, to television advertisements and in-store features, the girl's face is everywhere. In spite of her risqué ensembles, the South African beauty has exuded a pretty cookie-cutter, "girl next door" persona in both interviews and past commercial photo shoots. However, this shoot in particular–shot by David Mushegain–sheds a new light on Candice. She inhibits a new found edginess within her fierce gaze. She recognizes that her killer bod is fully covered in exquisite garments, and acts accordingly.  Her poses are strong and powerful as she transitions from the flirtatious world of Victoria's Secret. 
I really love this side of Candice, and am eager to see her step outside the "Angels" bubble in the future.