Miu Miu Archives

So I've basically spent the rainy day raiding the Miu Miu campaign archive, as you do. But the suns out today, finally. So I'm going to go overdose on seratonin and vitamin D. In the meantime, let's appreciate some of that excellent late-nineties Miu Miu that I love so much.

Olsens' Shoes

They've nearly single-handedly (nearly, because Katie Holmes played a part) made me love ladylike heels again - pointy toes, stilettos, kitten heels, bows etc. These are ideal examples of how refreshing a change from those big heavy wedges can be. It also whispers, "I'm a well put-together, sophisticated, female grown-up".

The Past for the Future

Designers are always looking to the past before creating fashion for the future. If you remember, in one of my previous posts, I had proclaimed my love for the history of fashion. From this comes my hobby of breaking down the fashions and finding references to past eras. It's actually become a bit of a habit. And when you think about it, it’s quite inspiring to see that these fashion leaders have been no better equipped than you or I in developing the skills to tackle fashion today and make a mark on it.

Yves Saint Laurant 1985, Gucci S/S 2011

Bergdorf Goodman 1963, Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 2012

Katherine Hepburn 1938, Miu Miu F/W 2012 

Vogue 1971, Just Cavalli F/W 2012

Prada F/W 1996, Libertine F/W 2012

Vogue 1974, Blugirl F/W 2012

What I'm willing to point out is that fashion lives in cycles, and that this is the nature of fashion. A huge part of the language of fashion has been defined during the 20th century; every silhouette, colour combination or material has a meaning that has already been established and belongs to a period of time, a specific mood or socio-cultural environment. A huge part of today's fashion lives from the reinvention of its past. That does not mean that newness in fashion is not possible, of course it is, the thing is to combine all the known elements of fashion into something new. Doing interesting things today is challenging, and I really enjoy seeing how designers manage to create something that can move us every season again.

La Casa Del Lago: Elle Mexico November 2010

There seems to be a nostalgic mood drifting around the magazines at the moment, form ladylike Hitchcock heroines, to sixties cover-girls. 

"La Casa Del Lago" An elegant mystery, ELLE Mexico November 2010

Photographer: Jamie Nelson

Models: Izzy Kurtz, Marie-Helene, Mirielle Butigan

Stylist: Anna Katsanis

Trend Report: Button Ups

If you are like me, and love buttoning up your shirt or blouse all the way up to the neck, good news - all the way, is the only way to button up shirts now! I have always been a fan of this polished look ("high-maintenance-look" my friends teased). If you remember, I mentioned before in a post, that with every trend comes an 'anti-trend'. So forget grunge, open fronted boyfriend shirts, fashion has taken a swing into the other direction, hitting on a more refined and sophisticated look. The key to the buttoned-up look is that it should appear put together, its sexiness rooted in its modesty, and an understated air of confidence. 

Cynthia Rowley S/S 2010

Cynthia Rowley S/S 2010

Madame Hawk S/S 2010

Chloe Pre-Fall 2010

Chloe Pre-Fall 2010

Miu Miu S/S 2010

Miu Miu S/S 2010

Proenza Schouler F/W 2010

Proenza Schouler F/W 2010

Preen S/S 2011

Preen S/S 2011

Proenza Schouler Resort 2011

Proenza Schouler Resort 2011

Now lets talk context. A fastened top button is typically a sign of formal wear for men and is most of the time accompanied by a necktie, but who says we can't borrow another style from the boys? (I'm really a sucker for simple, boyish prep.) The button-up has long been a staple of business attire too, so it's a thrill when we happen upon a fresh way to rock our go-to classic white shirt.