Christmas Wishes

Christmas Wishes by ahrieru featuring burberry fragrance

I want too many things now that my parents have already bought me gifts. Haha, I need to come up with these lists earlier.

Holiday Style

Holiday Style by ahrieru featuring a black tulle tutu

I'm such a girly-girl, especially when it comes to the holidays. Who could resist a tulle skirt and sparkling sweater? My friends thought I was crazy while Christmas shopping the other day as I went around ooh-ing and ah-ing at anything that glittered. It's a bit of an obsession this holiday.

My other obsession would be hard clutches, I'm pretty sure I clutched at everyone I saw. Alexander McQueen has quite a few nice ones, especially the one I featured here. I love how it's so girly with the lace and ruffles, and then a skull to juxtapose all that with a bit of edge. It is perfection and I want (possibly need) it.

While I usually dress in skirts and light colours, I've been inspired to go a little edgier (thank you McQueen), and I have the perfect outfit I think. Maybe I'll post pictures this time.

<3

Seeing Red

Photo Credit: http://imabeautygeek.com

Getting into the holiday spirit, I've been obsessing over two things. Shiny clothing and red lips. Red lips are a classic, and could be seen sported on the runway and the red carpet this season (as well as though the rest of history).



As I mentioned in my last post, Kate Bosworth could be seen sporting crimson lips for her Topshop video, and Emma Watson went for a deep berry during the "Perks of Being a Wallflower" premiere.

In the glory of it all, and because it's cheaper than all the sparkly sweaters and dresses I've put on my wishlist, I set out to find myself my own red lipstick. What better way to change your look? And I like brighter colours in winter, so why not apply that to my makeup too? While finding a shade of red lipstick was harder than I thought it would be, I finally settled on Rimmel's Lasting Finish lipstick in "alarm." It's a warmer red, but I think it will look lovely against the bleak weather we're set to have.

Photo Credit: vogue.com.au

Jason Wu Spring 2012

Photo Credit: style.com

Julien David Winter 2012
Photo Credit: style.com

Kate Bosworth Sings a Topshop Christmas Carol

Photo Credit: fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Topshop collaborated with Kate Bosworth for a lovely Christmas music video. I loved the romantic, old-school glamour feel to it, and who knew she could sing so well!

I love the styling, especially the red lipstick, but more on that later. I've also been obsessed with sequins and glitter. This is my perfect holiday look! Now if only I had somewhere to wear it. New Year's Eve party anyone?

Calgary Coats - The Puffer Jacket

Armani Exchange Printed Peplum Puffer Jacket

The weather has been mild lately, thanks to a few chinooks, but I know Calgary weather will be getting to be pretty brutal soon. So what better way to prep for the chill than to look at some new jackets!



While I'm normally a fan of pea coats, I've noticed puffer jackets seem to be really popular, and given the week of -40°C we're bound to have in a month or so, I can understand why.

So, without further adieu, here are some of my favourite puffer jackets I've seen around.

Joe Fresh Hooded Down Puffer

Armani Exchange Printed Peplum Puffer Jacket

TNA Barbeau Puffer

Banana Republic Puffer Jacket

Barbour Internationa Jacket

What are your favourite cold weather jackets?

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Missing November

Photo Credit: naplenews.com

I finally watched the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last night, and noticed…  November was missing in the Calendar Girls collection!

Why?



When models first hit the runway this year, Karlie Kloss’ November outfit featured a Native American headdress, turquoise jewelry, and buckskin lingerie. Soon after the show, the Native American community protested the airing of the design, saying it was a misinterpretation of their cultural attire. The controversy resulted the outfit being pulled from the broadcast, and an official apology by Victoria’s Secret, which Kloss echoed on Twitter.

While I understand some of the feelings behind the Native American community’s response to the outfit, I feel that there was no need to pull the outfit. Yes, I understand that the head dress is worn by chiefs and is a symbol of honour and respect; however I also feel that fashion is an art, and this is how one should look at the outfit. If this argument was made about a formal piece of art such as a painting, I doubt the piece would be taken out of an exhibit. You can’t say that the argument applies to one form of art and not another. How is fashion to grow if we put such limitations on it? Are we to now say you can no longer wear crosses or have designs featuring crosses because it is disrespectful to the Christian religion? I doubt anyone would think too much of that. Or in a cultural context, we see graphic prints inspired by tribal designs, which would have had meaning to that particular culture.

There is a difference between cultural appropriateness and taking inspiration from the culture. I can see that in the case of Victoria’s secret, they did throw a lot of items together that could be taken as stereotypically Native American, thus appropriating the culture. But as I understand it the controversy stemmed from the headdress and not the jewelry or choice of material. The November outfit was meant to show Thanksgiving, which originates from the Native Americans helping a group of pilgrims, feeding them during the winter and teaching them to grow their own food. I see the inclusion of the headdress as a testament to the natives who helped these pilgrims.

On another note, I think this year’s show was absolutely stunning, albeit a bit mellow, especially compared to last year’s.

What did you think of the show? The controversy?

Alexander Wang Joins Balenciaga

Alexander Wang was announced to be the new creative director for Balenciaga yesterday, taking the place of Nicolas Ghesquière. Ghesquière led Balenciaga as creative director for the last 15 years, leading the brand’s expansion and making it a household name again.



While Ghesquière’s designs were always avant-garde, using structure and bright colours in a modern context, Wang is more modern and mass appeal. Black and white can often be seen in his collections, as well as a minimalistic aesthetic, and simple fabrics such as silks and cottons.

With such a stark difference in their aesthetic, I’m looking forward to seeing where Wang will take the brand.

What are you thoughts?