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Haider Ackermann S/S 2015

Haider Ackermann. Such luxury and vanity and comfort all wrapped into one brand. Constantly showing fabrics in rich, exquisite colors and prints. Every season, he up's himself and parades the most immaculate pieces down the runway. This season was no different with silk lounge pants, satin robes and leather bound sandals in earthy tones. It is evident that Ackerman is a fan of long and flowy as well as rock and roll. This season showed that including a splash of bohemian goodness. Everything seemed calm yet everything seemed excessively luxurious. As if we had caught a few rockstars about to lounge around their homes or climb into bed; their satiny robes lazily showing toned shoulders; their feet encased in brogues or thonged sandals. The models stood and posed, eyes shifting around, hands adjusting slouching pants or a slightly crooked top. There were velvet bomber jackets in plush hues as well as tight patent leather pants that stopped right above the ankle. Everything to make it look as prosperous and brilliant as it could be. Everything in this collection was to look opulent and free and indeed it was.

Ugly Shoes for 2k15

dior homme ss15

Maison Martin Margiela S/S 2015

 Opening Ceremony Spring 2015 

dolce & gabbana 2015

raf simons 2015

Notice anything unusual with these sneakers? Anything seemingly different from your own pairs? Is it the fact that they're missing laces?! Orthopedic-grandpa shoes for 2015!*gasp* It seems a now emerging trend is laceless sneakers. Velcro sneaks appeared on the runway in full force in every color combo you can think of. Even the dior homme's 90's paper cup print was ooh'd and ahh'd as the male models sauntered down the runways. Maison Martin Margiela showed a shoe that looked undone, prototype-esque in its raw form. Threads were bare, stuffing shown and monochrome paired with fluffy socks you usually steal from hospital stays. Raf added a couple of inches the sole causing many to tower up to 3 inches off the ground in these trainers. The large velcro slapped across the top of the shoe and made the shoe look even bigger than intended. And last but not least was the dolce and gabbana sneakers in various polka dots in individual colors. What I liked so much about the shoe was the clasp buckle on it which reminded me of a car seat! ...Weird, right?

Burberry Prorsum

Burberry Prorsum Spring 2015

Burberry? Is that you? I honestly can't believe it. This collection was a bit different and by a bit I mean, a lot. It received mixed reactions, many from loyal Burberry worshipers in confusion. Some stated how the hats were hideous and "stupid". Some were angry about how the clothing seemed to carry a more colorful, urban approach such as the denim pieces and colorful bags. Of course, there were others like me who beamed at the new collection. I've always been the brit brand's fan but I was simply getting bored with the clothing they offered. Prorsum has always been more hip but this collection seemed fabulous. Bucket hats, no matter what color, size or structure are always going to be for this year. Denim will be in fashion forever. 

Bruce Chatwin was the muse of this season and was proud of this collection which mimicked hs lifestyle as a adventurer and writer. The satchels were large and colorful echoing the many designs of bags he had seen in various countries. Scarves were wrapped around the models neck in a absense of care, ends uneven and windblown. The beachy hats flopped over the models eyes and many sport coats didn't have shirts underneath. The colors were rich and deep. Some seemed weather-beaten as if Chatwin had personally given some of his own clothing to be worn on the runway. Shoes without socks, jackets without tops and oversized coats littered the runway providing a sense of freedom and coolness. It says vacation and travel in subtilness and style.

Hugo Boss Resort 2015

 

Hmm... What can I say about this collection? I'm not gonna lie. I went through these pictures with not much excitement. Rather, I was almost... bored. I know! I know! It's weird. The Jason Wu collection made me quite excited to see this one simply because everything was how I like it and Wu spent quite a bit of time in the Hugo Boss offices. The clothing at Hugo is often no fuss. Simple, clean lines and pure. I throw the word pure around and its probably because I view clothes with no major patters or fabrics as such. It's very simple to pair pure, calm clothing with louder pieces and odd fabrics. Hence me saying pure in almost every post with minimalistic clothing. Hugo is very lady like and business attire friendly. These are a few of my favorite pieces. The suit was perfect. Masculine with a something saying feminine as well. My favorite look is the top/skirt combinations as well as the dresses. The pilgrim-esque shoes offer a rather 'give thanks' look and the duffel-y bowler bags are in black with white stitch that adds a nice contrast. The tops and collared dresses all have pilgrim collars and perhaps the sullen model makes me think of luxury Mayflower cruise with Columbus? The silver/lightest blue in the world dress is very modern. Actually one of the most modern items I saw in the whole collection. Very now with it's thin straps and backless-ness. The cream sweater and white maxi skirt is of course on of my go to combos when I go out so I definitely have no qualms about that. All in all, I did expect a bit more with this collection. The clothes do seem quite repeated as if I have seen it done over and over in different brands. Well... better luck next time!

Jason Wu '15

Jason Wu Resort 2015

We can all say that Mr. Wu decided to play it safe when choosing color and design of his collection. Pure colors such as white, black, tan and pastels in minimal designs seemed to be his objective. He succeeded in keeping everything minimalistic and neat. My favorite piece, of course, is the top picture. A sleeveless coat with mink fur wrapped around the bottom. Elegant and chic were the two words to pop into my mind when I saw it. The whole collection seems to show Wu's starting to change up his designs and recognizes a new type of woman is being drawn to his clothes. The laciness and floral prints have been replaced. The leather is there but yet understated. Not at all flashy or jarring but indeed polished and refined. Good work Jason Wu!

Umm

helen lawrence fall 2014

Maison Martin Margiela

032c #26 ss 14

So basically my life is soon to consist of pale mohair sweaters, pale ribbed sweater-y ponchos, rough edged linen and laser cut tops. Can I get a heck yes?!

Ugly Shoes for 2k14: Heeled Shoes Edition

Chloe

House of Holland FW 14

     Miu Miu F/W 2014-2015

                     

Nina Ricci AW14

Ugly! Hideous! Disgusting! Gross! How would you describe these shoes? Why would you describe them in that way? I think they're divine. I mean I would wear them of course. I have always been sort of an ugly shoe connoisseur. I've treasured wearing leopard print booties amongst a sea of adidas shell tops while in high school. I rocked hunter green elf shoes for junior year. I distinctly remember a pair of T.U.K 2-inch platform creepers in white/black that I wore for a year straight. I have nothing against ugly shoes. Not everyone can wear them though. 

Now truth be told, some of these shoes aren't ugly. Just a bit weird. Not many people can wear furry/velveteen shoes. None the less heels. I'll admit the Nina Ricci's are gorgeous in that deep grey. The fur poking out is a beautiful, plush touch to the delicate looking shoe. House of Holland definitely thought of glamour when they paired those furry low heels with gorgeous colorful outfits. The furball on top is a playful touch. It reminds me of a bunnies tail!

The Miu Miu's though need a separate section. Now I have worn a lot of hideous shoes in my lifetime, but those seem to take the cake. And I mean they took it and ran halfway around the globe with it. Those shoes are ugly. I sat around my room for a good while, thinking of how to pair them and if I could wear socks with them. I can't think of what kind of outfit to wear them with which to me is a red flag. My feet aren't cute enough to be let loose in that plastic-y stuff. In fact, my feet would probably melt. It looks a bit warm in it. Like being in a raincoat naked in the middle of a brazilian jungle.The heels look like screws and aren't even straight. They slant off towards the middle of your foot if you buy the leather ones. Very wear-at-your-own-risk! These are definitely the shoes that should stay only on the runway and not find it's way into your closet.

Orange

Diane von Furstenberg

Word on the street is that orange is hot for 2014. So hot in fact, designers are taking them to the streets, runways, and shops. Shoes aren't being found in just white or black anymore. Orange, red, sherbert and numerous orange/red colors are popping up in shoe stores all over. You know what all these shoes have in common? Your toes will be out aka nows the time to get those feet pretty and pedicured!

Orange you glad I didn't say BANANA!

Fausto Puglisi

Christian Dior

Three orange and one blood orange outfits for Pre-fall season! Can you see it? Can you see the blood orange fur Christian Dior coat slung casually over your shoulders as you wait for little Sally to pick up her favorite pumpkin from the pumpkin patch? Can you feel the Puglisi coat protect you from the snowflakes of a surprise blizzard? I sure can. These bright shades are sure to keep you toasty in the brisk weather this fall!

I love Ugly Sandals

//ann demeulemeester//

I love ugly sandals. My love for them started out when I was a kid. My parents were immigrants, new and innocent. Broke and lost in a country full of expenses out the ass. My mom cleaned peoples houses and my father worked at a fast food restaurant before getting his law degree. Being broke and have two small children, they accepted children clothes from friends. The sandals given to me were always cute but so uncomfortable, with leather digging into my ankles or toes. Fast forward to when I was a senior in high-school and I was wearing the ugliest cool clothes. They were cute to me though. Very avant-garde. Black baggy pants, grey smock dresses and hideous chunky boots littered my bedroom floor. Ugly sandals from friends and family who were 50 years older than me filled a box in my closet. They were comfy and worn in. But when I got made fun of for not having tassels or gems on my sandals, I realized how different my footwear really was.

So what's wrong with ugly sandals to most young kids/teens? One thing is they're never in style. Ugly sandals are only seen ugly because they are comfy and a lot of them are what older people wear. (And apparently old people aren't into fashion??? We know this isn't true) I remember being dragged to Macy's with my grandmom for a pair of clarks which I fought against the whole ride there. I currently have them sitting in my closet 3 years later, comfy and casual as can be. I used to beg for my mom to take me to cheap shoe stores so I could buy the flat sole sandals with no arch support but for the newest colors and prints. That's the second thing that kids don't like. Comfy shoes aren't cheap! The first time I started to look towards comfy shoes is when I saw Born sandals in a consignment shop. I raced home, got on zappos and saw that they were $120. I never looked at them again. So many comfortable shoes have a high price simply because they last longer than those $20 flip flops from Barefeet Shoes. I had to buy shoes with my own money since I was the person saying how stylish they were and I could not pay $120 for one pair of shoes. So I bought 3 pairs of $20 dollar ones and cried when they all fell apart in 2 weeks.

So why should people even get ugly sandals if they don't look good? So many young people buy cute, flat sandals and feel proud of their recent purchase. But that all changes instantly. Your feet start to ache and get blisters in a few hours. You start to get tired and grumpy because you're in pain. Things go from bad to worse. Your feet feel as if they are on fire and you're walking as if you just skipped across a bed of hot coals! Just buy comfy shoes! Ugly shoes are almost always comfy and Birkenstocks are making a comeback this season anyway! Comfy, ugly shoes are definitely worth the price. They last way longer than those cheap shoes you buy for style and style only. Your feet won't be aching after 2 hours on them either. If you really don't have the money, just save up for one pair of comfy shoes and buy them when it's boot season! They go on sale and you can even get two pairs for the same price of one. But the point is buy comfy shoes and your feet will thank you!

These photos are not mine