Oh Cristobal!

The Balenciaga exhibit was everything I expected and more!

Balenciaga was a true innovator. His love of Spanish culture and history as well as his connection to art, flamenco and religion (he was a devout Catholic) inspired him to come up with ingenious designs. He even looked at gypsies, peasants, and sailors for ideas. 

It's fascinating that even though he hated bullfighting he was able to draw inspiration from it. 

The structures and shapes, the fabrics, the pleating...
He was a true couturier known for hand-sewing at least one of his designs
before each one of his shows.

The pleats on this camel cape are magnificent. Such elegance!

One of the many dresses inspired by flamenco.

This black silk gazar dress was inspired by Goya's painting below

Francisco Goya - Portrait of the Duchess of Alba

Some examples of dresses where Balenciaga's religious
inspiration is more evident. Love the red coat.

This skirt, which was inspired by a peasant's skirt, can be removed
and worn as a cape over the dress.

Many of Balenciaga's designs had bell-shaped skirts that accentuated the hips.

The ivory silk satin dress with black velvet was inspired by Las Meninas from Velazquez.

 Diego Velazquez - Las Meninas

Francisco de Zurbaran - Santa Dorotea

The luminous fabrics in Zurbaran's painting inspired the pink silk faille dress below.

Absolutely gorgeous!

And then, how about some toreador inspiration, without any bull killing. Genius. 

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Photos: 
2, 3&5 Irivng Penn for Balenciaga 4. gamma.dnainfo.com 7&8. Diane Pernet 9. FashionIndie.com 
14. runway.blogs.nytimes.com 15. Vogue

Year of the Rabbit

Happy Chinese New Year! 

 This beautiful picture transports me to cinema

More red lanterns adorn the streets

The Dragon makes his way through...

and the Rabbits multiply. 

- Love the power of Red.

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Photo credits: 1. GOOP 2, 3, 5. AP via abc news

10, AVENUE GEORGE V, PARIS

 

I just saw these and immediately fell in love with them.

Photos via Les Cahiers d'Alain Truong

Balenciaga

Finally hitting the BALENCIAGA: Spanish Master exhibit at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute today. This is the perfect fashion exhibit to get me in a Spanish mood before going to Saura's flamenco show in a few weeks. Balenciaga was not only inspired by flamenco dancers but also by the rich Spanish culture, its art and history. Oh, and the exhibit was conceived by Oscar de la Renta, who will be speaking at the Alliance Francaise in a few months. So much fun coming up!  

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RosEros

I'm loving the home fragrances that Diptyque has come out with in collaboration with Kuntzel + Deygas. The two fragrances are based on rose. Valentine's anyone? One is described as being very Rose while the other is more Eros, and voilà RosEros is born!

L'amour, l'amour a des couleurs,

Des couleurs qui changent d'heure en heure. 

EROS: Rouge

ROSE: rose

EROS: Rouge

ROSE: rose

 

This creative duo is responsible for creating characters such as "The Beauty & Her Beast" and "Caperino and Peperone". I love that they partner with luxury brands and cinema. I discovered the single by Bertrand Burgalat & April March on their website, which like everything French I Love. Check it out at http://www.addadog.com/. 

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Images via addadog.com and aedes de venustas

New Dior Ad

The media is calling this ad risque...I have to disagree, but I do like the picture. Makes me want to go out and buy a headband with a bow. What do you think?

Fabricly

This past December, newly founded online retail company Fabricly, announced the Resort 2011 launch of their unique e-commerce platform. The company was founded in 2010 by designers Ari Helgason and Tom RileyEschewing the traditional wholesale-to-retail model, Fabricly will offer customers an entirely exclusive collection while providing start-to-finish support for emerging designers.

I have been Spring shopping today because I am snowed into my apartment and really tired of being cold. I went to Fabricly's website today and was so happy to see all the cute French inspired stripes and the Twiggy look alike model. These outfits would go great with the new Nars lip pencil I bought called "damned" its the most perfect berry red I have ever seen. Well at least that is how I feel today all snowed in. Go to fabricly.com to see for yourself and shop the wonderful clothes.

Revealed

It's all Revealed, with subtlety, with time. 

My dear friend Pallavi drew the pastel above. I love its raw sensuality, simplicity, and the composition. This image can spark a wonderful story in an instant. Just imagine what those eyes and red lips are saying. It makes me realize that I need to get myself into these Thursday life illustration sessions. While this year has just started, it's already promising the world, softly yet without hesitation or limitations. 

This weekend I found inspiring images that make me want to jump into a film, French or Spanish perhaps. The soft lumière, revealing transparency, the texture and color. Thinking of color I immediately delve into Carlos Saura's universe; I am such a huge fan of his cinema, Tango, Blood Wedding, Carmen. I'm excited that he's directing Flamenco Hoy, at City Center this February. I feel so privileged to experience his work in another form.    

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Images: The Hunted Collection by Hopeless Lingerie, Flamenco Hoy, Jackie by Neil Krug

What I've got myself into

"The beauty of what I've got myself into 

is that the unknown is both inspiring and 

terrifying at the same time." 

-Tom Dixon

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Saying Goodbye to 2010

             

I close my eyes and get ready to wake up in a new year filled with 

magic and opportunity.

Puesto Viejo

The days leading up to the New Year are a perfect time to reminisce and reflect on the great moments of the year past. So I thought it was a good opportunity to share pictures of a weekend getaway at Puesto Viejo (Old Post), an estancia an hour outside of Buenos Aires. A perfect weekend with amazing company, good food, polo, and swimming. 

 

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