hi europe, you'll meet me tomorrow

this pretty much sums up my feelings about going to paris. all-encompassing, well-styled ecstasy.

although i do have plans of blogging while away, i have promised myself that technology will not a primary focus while on this trip, as i don't really know when/how often i'll have internet access. plus, the joy of a trip is experiencing it. not sitting in front of a computer typing about it. there will be plenty of time for that when i'm home!

au revoir, mon cheres!

pour homme, pour moi?

this iconic image of ysl, used for the original campaign for his pour homme fragrance was taken by jeanloup sieff, and will soon be auctioned off at christie's in paris. read more about that here.

dibs on being my best friend for life to whoever procures this for me.

paris prep

i love books. ever since i was little they've been one of my very favorite things to spend money on, so it makes sense that as i get ready to spend 3 weeks in paris, i would go on a book-buying spree.* in my head, i've these romantic notions of journaling in cafes, and experiencing the culture and history of fashion and art in paris that i've been reading about in my prized tomes. how this cerebrally-motivated romanticism plays out remains to be seen. in the meantime, i sure love looking through them.

*special thanks to my friend doug, for loaning me his bleach-kissed guide to europe.

images: amazon.com

mcqueen via proenza

i stumbled upon these gorgeous kicks on jak and jil, and was instantly stuck by how much their silhouette resembles mcqueen's reptile booties. although a much more wearable version, i'm attracted to the curviness of the shoe and its powerful structure, and i appreciate the tastefulness of the animal skin, as well. i find that many of my animal print heels have created dusty homes in the back of my closet, but i really like how proenza schouler embraced the look here.

stylish dna

i wish i had gotten my hands on this 64-page spread in vogue paris "ADN de mode" (DNA of fashion) featuring a glorious bevy of models posing as the designers they're wearing.

love the title, the styling, the photography, the ysl smoking, karl, the whole bit.

images: refinery29

!!!

storefront windows of chanel in paris. less than two weeks and i'll be meeting these hay-stacked designs in person. true romance.

images: maison chaplin

london designer simon ekrulius's fall collection is entitled "stardust," evoking notes of another world that resonate clearly within the ethereal, multi-dimensional images comprising his fall look book. a stunning mixture of gleaming textiles and militant structures, ekrulius's distinct point-of-view editorializes given shapes and textures, bringing them to life in new and unique ways.

a welcome spread of eye candy, indeed.

images: refinery29

bang

magnificent. i'll take a naked marc jacobs straddling an outrageously large golden bauble while writhing in mylar any day.

image: the cut

philip treacy

this is certainly a brief survey of the vast array of hats that comprise philip treacy's unbelievable oeuvre. head milliner for chanel, alexander mcqueen, and now valentino, treacy's fantastical, avant-garde creations have produced some of fashion's most provocative and controversial looks.

i had the distinct pleasure of interviewing mr. treacy at an avent held at neimans yesterday, and was thrilled with the opportunity to pick the brain of one of the most innovative designers of our time. the interview will be posted on secondcitystyle.com next week, and i'll be sure to let you all know when it's posted.

until then, enjoy some hats!

images: beautifuldecay.com

shopper love

recently i've not really been in the mood to shop (i know), but there are certain sartorial necessities that have been on my "acquire before paris" list, including some new flats. and then i saw these, with which i fell instantly in love:

but then i saw these, and it was kind of hard to choose which one:

so, i just got them both. merci, paris!

SAIC fashion 2010

yesterday i spent the entire day at the modern wing for SAIC's FASHION 2010 event. a complete runway spectacular, there was a special show/event with fashion designer gary graham (featuring 10 pieces from his fall collection) as well as the showing of couture gowns from the ebony fashion fair collection, featuring designers like nina ricci, pierre cardin, valentino, dior, bob mackie, paco rabanne, and a cache of amazing fashion from the saic students.

i took over 200 photos, so please forgive the outpouring of photography. i was just so impressed! the whole day was wonderful, and the night walk party that i went to with brandon and arlene from twentythirtyforty.net was faaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous. endless cocktails and food, some ysl swag, and the best personal style i've ever seen in chicago in my life. why these people don't dress like that ALL the time is beyond me. it was a visual orgy of amazing fashion and i had a blast.

both times i saw the show, when this look walked down runway the women next to me leaned over and said, "that looks like it's made for a muslim country." true story.

i loved that this collection was inspired by "malignant neoplasm, a disease in which cells uncontrollably grow, divide, and invade the human body."

a pierre cardin gown from the ebony fashion collection.

love this! it's nice to see a playfulness in menswear.

this is my favorite photo that i took. the model's expression is so wonderful, and i can't get over the texture in this knitwear. nor the "tampon detailing" (designers words - not mine).

mushroom leggings! yes, please!

another of my faves. this collection was inspired by the idea of a woman fantasizing about the gowns her daughters would wear on their wedding days. this girl is a junior in college designing three wedding gowns for her final collection. amazing.

yes. that is a tuxedo jumpsuit.

brandon, arlene and i at cafe 28 before the show. that hunka hunka burnin' love in the background is artie. he may or may not be one of the main reasons we frequent cafe 28.

arlene, gary graham (designer, finalist for the 2009 cfda/vogue fashion fund award) boutique owner robin richman, brandon, moi.