Another blast to the past

Helmut Newton shot these for Vogue in 1979. The tuxedos are of course Yves Saint Laurent's revolutionary "le(s) smoking(s)." I find these so sensual, very compelling, and aesthetically pleasing.  

Old Family Portraits

I like your style. 

This photo is in Rome, in front of the Vatican. My mother on the left in a snazzy Ungaro coat. Grandmama in top to toe Ferragamo. Uncle and Grandpops looking gangsta.

The older generation. Everything made to measure, oh the old days. 

Don't know what my mum, aunt, and uncles are wearing. But I like the styleee. I love old photographs. I dug these out when I was in Manila last weekend. 

I'm in Tokyo this weekend. Will give you the good stuff soon!! 

Much love

Freya
xx

He's back

I think I can probably be labelled "the worst blogger ever," with my lack of consistency when I post. But I try to convince myself that it's quality not quantity that's important hahaha. Truth be told, I've started at Parsons School of Design, so things are quite busy at the moment. But, like Tom Ford, I'm coming out of hiding!!! Yes you read it right, T-O-M F-O-R-D is back. And he is back with an understated bang. In the old school tradition of fashion, just like back in the day of Coco Chanel and Dior and couture in Paris, Ford held a very small, but very glamourous show in his Men's store on Madison Avenue. But this was no men's show, it was his long awaited return to womenswear -- praise the lord, hallelujah.

A very lucky Cathy Horn of the New York Times describes the show as "the height of glamour — sharp pantsuits in black silk or a leopard pattern, gorgeous black evening clothes with sheer blouses, corsets and maybe a shrug in shredded tulle, impeccable details like hammered gold jewelry, stilettos with ankle ties and seamed black stockings. The style was recognizably Tom Ford, chic and womanly, and with that big-time sense of fashion that one sees less and less of today on the runways." And as for the cherry on the top -- the show's cast consisted of a handful of glamorous women, representing the woman from all angles and ages. According to Horn, he had Julianne Moore, Beyoncé Knowles, Emmanuelle Seigner, Lauren Hutton, Rita Wilson, Rachel Feinstein, Marisa Berenson, Daphne Guinness, Lisa Eisner, Farida Khelfa, Lou Doillon, as well as quite a few supers, including Joan Smalls, Liya Kebede, Amber Valletta, Daria Werbowy, and Stella Tennant. I can't wait to see what else he's got up his impeccably tailored sleeve!!

Beyonce at the show.

Tom Ford in the back. Daphne Guinness on the right.

(Sources Cited, and Photos from Horyn, Cathy. Tom Ford's Very Small, Glamorous Show. New York Times, 12 September 2010, http://runway.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/tom-fords-very-small-glamorous-show/)

I won't take 3 weeks to post again -- I promise!!

Much love,

Freya xx

Bang! Bang!

I stumbled upon this awesome video today. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Lee Hyo-ri. I can't understand a word she says except "Chitty chitty bang bang," but

I do understand the awesome wardrobe. All the aliens are different versions of Lee Hyo-ri. My favourite is definitely the bleached blond, gurrrlll you are FIERCE. She's like a Korean Lady Gaga, but so much better. 

Lee Hyori-Chitty Chitty Bang Bang from vong chanpheakdey on Vimeo.

I recently booked a trip to Seoul for November, oh yeahhhh. I will be shopping until I drop, thanks. 

Much love

Freya xxx 

For the love of Wang

I get a little obsessive. I think you've guessed from the title, I'm hung up on Wang at the moment. I honestly don't think the guy can do wrong. I'm not saying I love every single piece he's ever made, but the guy produces greatness. I'm loving his shoes, yummy for my tummy. So I popped over to HK briefly, and I played with the new Wang boots. The heels are fantastic. I took a photo on my phone, check me out...

I didn't buy them unfortunately, ankle boots aren't on my "buy" list for the next season. But I did buy some delish Wang pumps on SALE. I'm not afraid to admit I love a good sale. A sample sale, and end of season sale, yes I love them all.  

Yay for meeeee!! 

Freya xxx

All hail Wang

Martin Margiela at Somerset House, London - 20 Years in the biz

Very well executed in my opinion, it was very interactive. A booklet was given out at the beginning explaining each section of the exhibition -- which I thought enriched the experience. I've been to a bunch of these exhibitions 'de la mode' in Paris at Les Arts Decoratifs. They all tend to be very similar, a presentation of pieces from their archives, grouped in different sections according to collection/theme. At the end of the first half of the exhibition on the first floor, before you go up, there is a video playing of old fashion shows. Although it is a privilege to see the clothes, I must admit comparatively these exhibitions were not as interesting. This has nothing to do with the quality of the pieces, but everything to do with the way the exhibitions are laid out. The interaction element in the Margiela exhibition made it so much more interesting. They showcased major themes in collections from the archives but they also presented production methods. The work was presented in a variety of ways from video, to mannequin, to being hung up on a board. The eyes always had something new to see.

Major themes included: paint. 

More paint. 

Focus on these japanese-style shoes. I'm not a fan, I think they look like Camel's feet.  

This fur coat was amazing, my favourite piece in the collection that was on show. Its made from 2 different vintage fur coats. 

A large part of the exhibition was dedicated to pieces that are made from something else. Like this coat made from plastic. Or vests made from plates and such. 

I loved this, printed photographs. The effect is profound and interesting. My other favourite in the show 

This was the best of the prints. 

Anonymity. This has been a major theme at Margiela since its inception. Martin Margiela, the designer believes the clothes should speak for themselves. Bravo, I say, sometimes the apparel industry can be a bit of a media circus. 

Anonymity in awesome sunny g's. 

These photos are from the book about the exhibition. We weren't allowed to take photographs, and they had people patrolling to make sure no one was naughty!!

 I'm back in Singapore, so more to come on Asia. 

Much love 

Freya xxx