Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Dress Inspiration. Oriental Bohemia

   Recently I was invited for a tea party to a very unique house. The richly-patterned oriental rugs were a plush cushion for my feet and I smelled cardamom as I was seated by the hostess. On the wall I noticed unusual framed art, somewhat resembling fabric with golden threads.


 As I was sipping tea and munching on traditional oriental deserts, I asked the hostess about the shiny "art" that had caught my attention. As she began, for a moment I forgot I lived in America, as my imagination transformed me to Central Asia, particularly to Uzbekistan, and I listened to her fascinating story about the fabric on the wall...

She recited an old legend about a khan who wanted to marry for the fifth time. He was very old but very rich. He saw a poor artist's daughter, fell in love and chose her to become his wife. The artist distressed by khan's decision rushed to the palace and begged khan not to touch his beloved daughter. Khan announced that would reverse his decision only if the artist created something more beautiful than his daughter. The artist was really saddened, couldn't sleep and walked to the creek. At dawn he noticed a rainbow reflecting on still water, as he wept, his tears dropped into the water and created an intricate tie-dye effect of the bright rainbow hues. The artist was so mesmerized that he weaved a unique fabric, as light as a cloud, as cool as the mountain air and reflecting all rainbow colors. He brought the fabric to khan and he was so enchanted by the beauty of fabric that he named it "khan silk" and released the young girl.
Apparently, it was ikat silk cut in pieces and framed but the intricate patterns still remained intact. Ikat fabric is a traditional fabric in Uzbekistan and mostly used for female attire.




 Ikat caught my attention not only for its unique textural qualities but also because of its tribal roots, and tribal elements have really been present on runways for Spring/Summer 2012.

Missoni S/S 2012 via here


Also, ikat pattern has been spotted in Thakoon Addition S/S 2012 collection  on Net-a-Porter.

Thakoon Addition ikat dress $550 via here

Thakoon Addition ikat dress $890 via here
***
That evening was a very special tea party for me as I gained new perspective on the culture of Uzbekistan (a country I knew nothing about before). I was even more intrigued and grateful when the hostess gifted me one of her traditional dresses and now I'm so excited to work with a piece of "khan's silk" and make it into my own unique outfit for the approaching Spring. Tomorrow is March 1, remember??

The new dress is in its' finishing stages and I hope you'll see me wearing it by the end of this week.

***
What did you think of this story?
Have you ever wanted to transform a garment of ancient tradition into something modern for today?
Let me know!

***
All fabric images by DC2NYConfessions

Monday, February 27, 2012

And the Oscar (Best Dress Award) goes to...

Dear Friends!

How was your weekend?
I was anticipating the "Red Carpet Sunday" and was really excited to see those A-lister actresses impress millions of silver screen viewers with their exquisite gowns.
I was pretty much glued to ABC channel for hours and hours acting like a Fashion Police analyst while the red carpet rolled for kings and queens of cinematography.
As it is common in the fashion world, some dresses generate a positive buzz with a dose of contemporary and unique silhouettes, however, others leave us puzzled and questioning the taste level of those Hollywood stylists...

So, I decided to share with you my take on the BEST and WORST dress choices for this Oscar season 2012.


1.  Stacy Keibler (George Clooney's girl) made it to #1 in my Rank! She is gorgeous in a form-fitting, draped, off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown. This is not only perfect color for her, but also a perfectly designed silhouette! Thumbs-up, Stacy!
2.Milla Jovovich showed off her softer side in a couture Elie Saab gown with all-over silver beading detail.
3. Jessica Chastain looked stunning in royalty-inspired embroidered Alexander McQueen gown.
4. Gwyneth Paltrow is going for the superhero title in this bright white Tom Ford gown with built-in long cape detail.Very original and unique approach!


5. Angie's black velvet draped Versace gown was absolutely astonishing with a dramatic high-thigh slit.
6. Emma Stone impressed us with crimson Giambattista Valli gown and the oversized neckline bow was sophisticated yet feminine!
7.Missi Pyle made an eco-friendly fashion statement in the Red Carpet Green contest-winning dress, designed by Valentina Delfino, which was made entirely of recycled polyester and silk from cruelty-free silkworms. Two thumbs up for recycling efforts!
8. JLo's stayed true to her revealing nature with accent on curves. Her gown choice was given to Zuhair Murad, and that dress looked absolutely stunning up-close!

And now, my dear friends, I'll share not so favorite choices...I want to emphasize that the actresses still looked exquisite, I just wish they styled themselves a little better.


1. Even though Melissa McCarthy is my favorite character of "Bridesmaids", however, the dress choice was certainly not so flattering! I heard she studied fashion design and had a vision designed by Marina Rinaldi team. Sorry, but dusty beige and heavy draping only adds volume to her already curvacious figure.

2.Viola Davis is an adorable actress but this green Vera Wang dress has too many details and makes it hard to focus.

3. Sandra Bullock is a fantastic actress. This black and white Marchesa gown is ill-fitting and it's the strange parasitic-looking applique around the waist left us wondering in confusion.

4.  Berenice Bejo is stunning, however Elie Saab gown is such a disappointment. The sheer long sleeves and sequin detail are lost in the super pale mint color that does not flatter her skin tone.


5. "Bridesmaids" star and co-writer Kristen Wiig is so talented but looks less exquisite in this blah beige J. Mendel gown. Again, the hue is too pale for her skin tone.

6. Natalie Portman is one of my idols, so the Christian Dior red dress fits her well, however, the polka dot pattern looked a bit inappropriate and too casual for the event.

7. Shailene Woodley is only 20 years old and already a rising star on big screen, however this Valentino Couture gown is way too simple and not age appropriate for her.

8."Bridesmaids" star Rose Byrne is an amazing talent. This Vivienne Westwood sequined gown is too tight at the top, bunchy in the middle and not doing her flawless figure any favors.
***
Images via here
Image editing and text by DC2NYConfessions 
 ***
I hope you liked my recap of the Oscar "Fashion" Night.
And I can't wait to hear your opinion on these dresses.
Do you have a favorite?
Which one missed the mark??
Let me know!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

The crops of London Fashion Week

The fashion houses across the ocean have been overwhelmed the past week in final preparation for Fall/Winter 2012 collections. Lights, camera, all the models prepped up and ready to walk the catwalks...
So here are some of the highlights I spotted along the virtual runways.

Peter Pilotto mixed in oceanic theme in his collection, partially adding the floral prints and ethnic motives.The collection turned out quite original and most importantly, wearable!


Even though Paul Smith still fantasized about menswear in his womenswear counterpart, the collection turned out much more feminine than the last season.



McQ line was debuted this Fall season, and turned out quite a success with oversized bobbed wigs and military influences.

Mark Fast presented his collection mostly in knits, in quite simplistic shapes and neutral palette. However, the obscure sexiness of revealed skin would make you think twice before wearing these pieces .


Burberry Prorsum stayed within its traditional fabric choice, however a playful element was introduced in the form of cute bows, oversized patch pockets and intricate draping techniques. And the owl print, how fun is that??


And last, but certainly not least in this sequel, Mary Katranzou! My biggest fashion inspiration stayed true to her digital-print-obsessed style! Oversized jewels and exotic architecture were the theme here, and each piece could easily walk straight to museum...But no, we'll keep them for next seasons wardrobe!


***
Which of these collections intrigued you the most??
Which piece would you wear from these collections??
Let me know!
***
Images via here

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

NYFW Inspirations. Part 2

Hey loves!
Tonight I'm showing you two more designers from the past NYFW and their inspirations.

Chris Benz was really nostalgic this season. His collection was inspired by his mother's dressing habits as well as influences of Turner Classic movies. Costume wigs, pillbox hats, cabaret soundtrack music, and a gold sequined backdrop amplified the retro vibe of the clothing.


Doo.Ri, on the other hand, stayed close to her "draping roots" this season.
Her collection was inspired by Japanese Butoh dance and its poetry of motion. She portrayed her neutral silhouettes literalizing the Butoh reference, to create jackets and coats that looked like two overlapping garments.

 
 To be Continued...
***
Images and partial text via here
Editing by DC2NYConfessions

Monday, February 20, 2012

NYFW Inspirations

Hey loves!

New York Fashion Week for Fall 2012 has officially wrapped up last Wednesday. All this time I've been endlessly staring at my computer screen mesmerized by the runway looks and styling. I'm always wondering what is behind those collections, what inspires creators of fine cloth to go into a specific direction. I was looking for clues what inspired those hundreds of most coveted and highly-curated designs. Well, I found some interesting themes, and tonight I'll share some of my findings with you.

3.1 Phillip Lim was inspired primarily by " modern-day superheroes who are walking around us every day". Minimal parade of sleek jackets, deconstructed sturdy ribbed knits, sharply creased trousers, and great tailored coats was simply this: strong clothes for strong women.


BCBG Max Azria cited the geometric architectural style the Bauhaus, with a twisted look of 70s American sportswear. There were belted trenches, languid wide-leg jersey trousers, and loads of midi-length color-blocked and paneled dresses, either flaring with pleats.


To be continued...
***
Images and partial text via here  
Editing by DC2NYConfessions  

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Look of the Day. Flowers n Heels

Hello, loves!
My new outfit of the day is here. I've had a piece of taupe satin fabric sitting in my closet for a while and I finally put it to good use! I designed a one-shoulder dress inspired by Lanvin (my favorite designer of all times) and paired it with my own DIY necklace too. I really loved the idea of pairing my bib textured necklace with the neutral tone of the dress. Curious how to make the DIY bib necklace for yourself? See instructions of my DIY post  here 
Also, I really thought I should emphasize the lips and I used a matching lipstick to complete the look. Today was exceptionally good weather and I thought I should get photographed with my favorite bouquet of flowers (that I have prepared for my mom's birthday today) wearing this new design.
Do you have a favorite designer of all time but his/her creations are beyond your budget?
Who is that designer and what would you do to get the inspired outfit for yourself??

***
Dress: Designed & sewn by me| Necklace: my own DIY | Shoes: Nina New York| Watch: Michael Kors| Ring: Swarowski
***
Images: via Instagram








Wednesday, February 15, 2012

NYFW. Sachin+Babi

This fashion season has been super busy, however, I only managed to attend the show of a long-known to me label, Sachin+Babi! I've always been a big fan of the brand since their humble beginning, as they are true masters of fabric manipulation. My experience encompassed meeting and interviewing the designers, full backstage scenery and of course, the show! 
Now, here it is from the beginning! I was super thrilled to receive the purple croc-embossed invite from them and I'm even beyond excited to share it with you today.


Sachin+Babi designers
  The location was away from the craziness of Lincoln Center, in a quiet art/gallery space with tall ceilings and exposed brick walls. It was really special to catch the adrenaline rush backstage, and as soon as I walked in the door I couldn't resist to examine the collection, and snap a few shots.  
The color story represented moody,dramatic shades of black, brown, moss green with touches of red, purple and cream. 



As you see, the collection features a wide array of textures (from basket weave and geometric fabric manipulation, high-glossy and croc-embossed leather, pleats to luxurious furs). 

Next, I stepped over to the Beauty Aisle where models were beautified and glamorized!
Natural looks with minimal makeup were ambitiously achieved by the Bobbi Brown artists and loose, just-out-the-bedroom hairdos portrayed the rocker-chic appeal very well.



 
As the models were getting dressed I spotted a few famous fashion bloggers arrive at the scene. Among them were BrianBoy FashionToast and HonestlyWTF . I was so happy to meet these wonderful girls, Erica and Lauren, as their blog is just one big inspiration for me!! And you should check it out too!

HonestlyWTF girls with Sachin+Babi
I was beyond amazed to approach the husband-n-wife team Sachin+Babi and chat with them about the collection. Apparently, the "rock-n-roll" theme was present as their inspiration and this season they wanted to "keep it simplified", so the silhouettes were toned down just a notch :)

Sachin+Babi and DC2NYConfessions (myself)
 Everything was happening with a speed of light...The next thing I saw the models were all ready to walk the show, so right before jumping to my seat I snapped a few shots.


And, finally the show! Unfortunately, the pictures I took were not so great due to the bright light, but here is the best I could pick.


Finally, I hope you enjoyed my recap as I much as I enjoyed capturing every moment of it and lastly, I present my favorite looks of the collection. Great job, Sachin+Babi!


***
All images except for last one are by DC2NYConfessions
Images in last collage from here, editing by DC2NYConfessions
***
Special Thanks to Sachin+Babi and TheEighthfloor PR for the opportunity
***
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All content provided in this post is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. The owner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information.

Monday, February 13, 2012

DIY Heart Shaped Gift Wrapping

Good evening, loves!
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and we are certainly will be making efforts to connect with that special someone and shower him with some lovely things. And of course, love is all about giving and sharing! 
I learned an incredible technique of creative gift wrapping from my European friend and I thought I must share it with the world, and especially you, my lovely readers!
So, today I have prepared my gift for my lovely boyfriend and I wanted to make an extra sweet presentation and surprise him with a touch of "hearts". I have selected a bottle of his favorite wine and after I finished wrapping, the bottle has transformed itself into "Fireworks of Hearts", a totally unique appearance. I'm sure my sweety will be charmed!

What are you giving your loved one for this Valentine's? 
How does it feel to select something special for your Valentine?
Please enjoy your Valentine's Day and let it be filled with lots of love and happiness!!


And here's the tutorial with the special gift wrapping technique!
***
All images by DC2NYConfessions

Friday, February 10, 2012

DIY Bottega Veneta Inspired Belt

Hey loves! TGIF!
It's the last weekend before lovely Valentine's day, and we surely need to look gorgeous for a date with that special someone!
While browsing through Net-a-Porter in search of inspiration for my date outfit, I spotted this whimsical belt by Bottega Veneta.

Bottega Veneta Belt with a whopping $540 price tag
Creative juices started boiling inside me, and I thought I have to make it! Especially I loved that fuchsia color. And here's what came out of this (not-so-hardworking) project!

Dress-Vintage|Jacket-Saks5thAvenue|Shoes-Capparos|Belt-Designed by me|Watch-Michael Kors


To create a Bottega Veneta inspired belt you will need:


1.Any leather belt (at least 2" wide)
2.1 yd Ribbon (I used 7/8" width)
3.Ruler (better if you use graded version)
4.Fine tip marker
5.Heavy-duty X-acto Precision knife(similar here)
6. Liquid stitch Adhesive (similar here)
Also, you will need heavy duty mat and a lighter.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Fashion Forecast




It's a middle of February and winter is surely covering at least some places with its white snowy blanket. One of these places is Russia. Can you believe temperatures in Siberia hit -45 degrees Fahrenheit this winter and white blizzard paralyzed entire city for a week? But in spite of that, Russian designers are staying busy creating the true winter wonderland ensembles, like the ones you see above. In New York, Fashion Week forecasts heavy foot traffic on the runways, and the Garment District is really getting ready to be flooded with the most amazing designs of the season.
By the way, all the designs above are made by Russian designers.
What do you think of these "weather" dresses?? I'm totally mystified by these furry textures and striking details...

P.S. Stay tuned for tomorrow's exciting DIY

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Marni for H&M

Have you noticed that fashion houses are more and more involved into an alternative promotion of their product? The promo videos are becoming more sophisticated, eye-catching and mind-blowing.
Today I'm sharing another promo-video in this pre-NYFW mini series.
Whether you're a front-row A-lister or a fashionista with a strict spending formula, Italian brand Marni has it all covered. In March 2012, yet another collaboration with H&M will be a pleaser for smart yet stylish shopping algorithm. The signature boldly printed fabrics in rich earth tones and chunky architecturally-inspired jewelry are cohesively translated into the H&M collection. Drama and romance is present in daydreaming of this conceptual video.... Enjoy!
Let me know what you think of this video, as I absolutely adore it!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

American Retro

Dear Friends!
This week is going to be very special for us, fashion-obsessed people! New York Fashion Week is almost here...and there will be several posts dedicated to HiGh FaShION.
Right before I start following every move on the runways taken over by the glamorous and all things pretty, I'm going to share several highlights of some amazing editorials and ad campaigns for the Spring 2012 season.
After all, the days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter and SpRiNG is in the air....
Today I stumbled upon this fantastic video of Prada Spring/Summer 2012 campaign and I want to share it with you.
It's all about the "American Retro"... I thought it was totally brilliant, all the luxurious fabrics and old-school glamor....Enjoy and let me know how you liked it!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Look of the Day. Let's take a ride. Part 3







 Jacket: Diane von Furstenberg|Blouse& Belt& Purse: Michael Kors| Pants: designed and sewn by me|Shoes:Boutique9| Pin:Vintage
 ***
It's a continuation of the Menswear week, and as promised, I'm sharing  
my menswear inspired outfit of the day.
This week was especially perfect for the occasion as I was lucky to attend DC Auto Show, where newest latest and most sophisticated cars were presented. And since it's mostly boy's event to attend, I thought I should wear pants, a pair designed by me. I made these pants a while ago, and I couldn't find the occasion to wear them to.You probably noticed by now that I'm a skirt and dress kind of girl, so this ensemble is really outside my comfort zone.I really enjoyed wearing my outfit and I hope you liked it too.
Does it happen to you often that you wear something not particular to your usual style?
I can't wait to hear your feedback!
***
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