porter

Porter bags are all over Japan. Everyone from the sophisticated businessman to the trendy teenager to the conservative grandparent carries one. And it's easy to see why. The bags are of impeccable quality.

Most of the bags are made of canvas (although some are made of vinyl). And a large variety of different canvas is used - with different textures and patterns and colours. I've seen different types of striped canvas, a beautiful coated canvas (that has a slight sheen to it), plain black canvas, and numerous coloured vinyl.

I bought one of the coated canvas shoulder bags, and have received constant compliments. The people who have complimented me on my bag have never heard of Porter. But they can see that the bag is quality - the craftsmanship is clearly superb.

The bad news is that Porter bags are extremely difficult to buy in North America. (They're sold all over asia, and are easily found in almost all department stores in Japan (Loft, Tokyo Hands, Seibu).) Vancouver's IE (Illustrated Example) sells a limited selection of Porter bags, and New York has a Head Porter store in Soho (Head Porter is a younger, flashier sibling of Porter - also by Yoshida & Co.) I'm still trying to find an on-line site where I can by Porter. I'll post the link if I find one.

mcqueen takes flight

Alexander McQueen's ss08 show was wonderful!

Glossy red accessories, scaley-patterned fabrics, feathered and wing-like shoulder wraps..., interspersed with sexy suits and flowy sheer dresses. A lot of the garments were avian inspired - in colour, pattern, and use of feathers and wings. There were also a few slightly-asian inspired; and a lot of sheer, light dresses.

ann-sofie back

I love her stuff! Ok, i've just noticed her this year, and she's been showing since 2001..., so i've been a bit slow catching on, I suppose..., but better late than never....,

I love the cut of her clothes. For her ss08 collection, I particularily liked the trousers. The clothes are simple but edgy, young but sophisticated. And she has two lines: Ann-Sofie Back and Back by Ann-Sofie Back.

pattern maker

I've been hearing a lot of people talk about the Dries show recently. So I decided to check it out.

The Dries Van Noten ss08 collection was a kaleidoscope of flowery patterns. There were patterns of long, thick stems streaming down the fabric, ending in petals. And there were tight, smaller flowers in a colourful, crowded mesh. These were mixed together, with different patterns overlapping and flowing into each other.

I liked it! Although more difficult to pull-off on the street, i'm definitely investing in some flowered pattern pieces for spring.

They were everywhere - not just the Dries show.

fiery soles

I love Christian Louboutin's red soled pumps. The red sole is his trademark, but his shoes are always sexy and always feminine.

Christian Louboutin was only 16 when he first began designing for women. His earlier career included working for prestigious fashion houses such as Chanel and YSL. His shoes have also adorned the shows of Alexander McQueen, Viktor and Rolf, Lanvin, and Chloe.

Richard Prince x Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton's ss08 handbags are a collaboration between Louis Vuitton and the painter and photographer Richard Prince.

Among other things, Prince is well-known for a series of nurse paintings he created. (That's why the ss08 Louis Vuitton show opened with the models dressed as nurses).

The ss08 handbags have an illusionary, blurred, layered look to them. (They look awesome!) I think the bags take influence from Prince's nurse paintings.

flower safari

It was all about prints at Stella McCartney's ss08 collection. Full outfits, head to toe in one print.

Safari inspired shirts, jackets and trousers also graced her show, which ended with light, sheer, and feminine dresses.

louis in colour

ss08 for Louis Vuitton was made-up of lots of colour - pinks, reds, yellows, greens, purples....,

There was a lot of layering, a lot of sheers, a lot of layered sheers, and shine.

I really liked the long, sheer gloves - sometimes worn over a long-sleeved sweater. I also liked the bright pencil skirts, combined of course, with stockings of the same colour.

Chanel

Exaggerated epaulettes, that fell partway down the upper arm, was a theme that I thought was great.

I didn't love the baggy trouser jeans, or the combination of the striped fabric with the all-over star print, but I liked the star print on it's own. And I liked the red and white stripes on their own.

The intermittently, multi-coloured striped sweaters was something else that I would love to own (what is this fabric called? It looks like it should be made into a rug, but I love it). There were also overall skirts with built-in straps/suspenders that looked comfy and easy to wear.

And of course, like every Chanel show should, there were smatterings of gold chains and tweed.

Valentino's last rtw show

Polka dots, sections of bright colour, sheer and flowy fabrics.
ss08 was Valentino's last ready-to-wear collection. It was feminine and beautiful and colourful.

I've just made a mental note to myself to make sure I buy something Valentino from his ss08 collection.....,

shipwrecked pirates

John Paul Gaultier took inspiration from the seven seas and modern day soldiers.

His ss08 ready-to-wear collection consisted of feminized, layered army wear (lots of camouflage) and/or pirate gear. I really liked the loose trousers that cinched at the knee, and the patterned or fishnet nylons.

yesterday - Dior and Westwood

At Vivienne Westwood, loose fitting dresses with asymmetrical cuts that were wrapped around and fell in awkward folds were all the rage. Shoes laced-up around the ankles, and fish-nets or thick sport socks were everywhere.



Dior's boyish, leisure-esque suits were sleek and sexy. The white dresses were pretty and proper, all swaying loosely below the knee.

crazy sunglasses

Undercover and Maison Martin Margiela.

Both had crazy sunglasses and lots of leg. But that's where the commonalities stop.

Undercover was baggy and loose - even the tights gave a baggy feeling with the purposeful wrinkles around the knees and ankles. The clothes were girly and young, with a definite school-girl feel.

The clothes at Maison Martin Margiela were tight and form fitting. The pieces were sexy and simple; and show-cased a lot of leg-warmer and arm-warmer like pieces.

Paris Fashion Week

Paris fashion week has started!!!!!
The Rick Owens show was streamlined and futuristic! I loved the short-sleeved jackets, with the odd, geometric-ish shapes. These structured jackets were paired with loose-fitting, flowy pants or skirts that went just past the knee (and were usually shiny). Shiny black boots cut above the ankle finished the look.