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. 

Daria X Céline Round V

Do you frequently read fashion magazines, spend time on blogs, or shop in fancy schmancy department stores? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, or just pretended to for the sake of the exercise, then the chances of you seeing Daria Werbowy’s magnificence are extremely high.

At 30 years old, this Polish-born model is basically a living legend. Her fiercely alluring charm has made her one of the most successful models of all time, and the record holder for most show openings and closings in a single season. The Annie Leibovitz spread from last year’s September Issue alone inspired me to chop off my hair and attempt to rock a similar gold nose ring as effortlessly as Werbowy (Side note: Not quite there yet). And don’t even get me started on Daria’s cheekbones. Let’s just say they are equivalent to Cara Delevingne’s eyebrows and Cindy Crawford’s beauty mark in ability to slay.

Daria has recently teamed up with French fashion house Céline and the incredible Pheobe Philo for a fifth campaign. Even though it’s (sadly) missing the outrageously non-normcore Céline Furkenstocks of 2013, the Fall 2014 campaign does not disappoint. With Daria’s supreme bone structure and Philo’s expertise in trench coats, how could it?

Check it out:

Style Icon: Carrie Bradshaw

There are very few things in the world I love more than Sex and the City. Carrie and Big's passionate, roller coaster ride of a relationship, Samantha's quotable one-liners, Charlotte's naiveté, the evolution of Miranda's hair, and, on top of it all, their undying love for each other, never fails to keep me entertained. I feel as though I am a part of their world, a dream that I surely do not share alone.

I am sure all Sex and the City die-hards have their favorite character, but I think we can all learn a lot from Carrie. Sure she cheated on Aidan and repeatedly returned to Big when her friends (and viewers) warned her otherwise. She was real, she made mistakes, obsessed over petty details, and always tried to do what was best for her. Her vulnerability is something anyone can relate to; despite the fact that she  is (sadly) a fictional character.

 Carrie's rapid emotions are reflected in her equally dynamic style. Her acute fashion sense was undeniable. Who else could rock a cropped button-down shirt, printed midi skirt, flower adorned top knot, and a completely inoperative belt? Carrie could. She was the ultimate fashionista, with an unparalleled and charismatic sense of style. Her clothes never failed to exude the inner confidence that her character sometimes lacked. Although some of her fashion choices may now be outdated, her conviction and one-of-a-kind creativity are timeless components of any successful style.

The fact that Sex and the City can maintain relevancy a decade after going off the air is quite a feat. Some may attribute its long-standing popularity to the endless re-runs, or even the engrossing character development. Personally, I am drawn to its portrayal of confident, passionate women. Through the ups and downs, all four characters–Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte–worked hard to chase their dreams, and continue to inspire new generations of young women to do the same.

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. 

#worldsmosttalkedaboutcouple: Kim, Kanye, & Vogue

The always outspoken Kanye West and beau Kim Kardashian never fail to make headlines. After months of advocating for a cover on Vogue, West finally won his battle just in time for the April 2014 issue. Cue the eruption of the entire fashion world. 

Before even making their relationship official, everyone had an opinion on Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. They are highly controversial figures in their own right: Kim, a reality star who gained public attention early on through rather questionable means, and Kanye, a talented rapper famous for his frequent outbursts and arrogance. Fast forward a few years to the couple's engagement, birth of their child, and a risqué music video to watch those public opinions grow to either extremes. Yes, they are trending icons of all things celebrity. We have seen their faces plastered on the magazines in grocery store aisles. But, Vogue is the Holy Grail of them all. Do they really deserve to be on this cover, too? 

I am torn. 

Immediately, I echoed the cries of thousands of other Vogue die-hards, unhappy at the validation of these two into such a prestigious realm. However, I am not ready to cancel my subscription just yet. In recent months I have been incredibly impressed with Kim's fashion choices and her progression into a street-style icon. Furthermore, Kanye has always been a major force in the fashion industry, even dabbling in design for both men and women. They are edgy and unsettling, two characteristics Anna Wintour has historically been drawn to in her twenty-six years with the magazine. In a recent interview defending her decision, Wintour eloquently addresses the haters: “Part of the pleasure of editing Vogue, one that lies in a long tradition of this magazine, is being able to feature those who define the culture at any given moment, who stir things up, whose presence in the world shapes the way it looks and influences the way we see it... I think we can all agree on the fact that that role is currently being played by Kim and Kanye to a T. (Or perhaps that should be to a K?)” (GulfNews). 

I find it difficult to question any of Wintour's decisions, but this cover still does not sit well with me. 

Congratulations to Kimye for finding yet another aspect of modern media to conquer.