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Raw Edges: Baiyu

March 7, 2012musecloset2 Comments

=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6_uDsUPyLQ

When you get to an after party, you only have one thing on your mind. Whose wearing what! Well, maybe only me. Victor dE Souza (VDS) had a wonderful after party during NYFW Fall 2012, and he is the man who dresses major singing sensations like Rihanna, Gaga, and Cyndi Lauper, so when I spotted Baiyu, I shouldn’t have been shocked.

Baiyu: Official Website (Source) http://www.baiyuonline.com/site/

I noticed this fashion savvy singer front row during the VDS show. Her style was eclectic and luxurious, “girl, I see your Chanel bag.” Her fur hat was fitting for the cold NY air, but her personality was all sunshine. Check out our Muse Closet interview with Baiyu, to hear how this lovely song bird describes her style.

When Baiyu told me she was a singer, I was curious to know her musical style. I admit, l’ve grown up listening to Asian pop music, so my mind was racing to see if this girl was on my iTunes playlist–I was wrong. This American Asian signer sent me her track, and I almost fainted–girl has soul.

Her music, like her personality, is electric. Her smooth alluring voice reminds me of great R&B divas. Her singing chops are authentic and original, like her style. I am now obsessed with her, and her music is on my iTunes in full rotation. Check out her videos and music for yourself. (Baiyu: YouTube Channel)

VDS SHOW

=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClBz9YTCrgM

Raw Edges: Backstage

February 27, 2012musecloset1 Comment

“Celebration Time”

“Well, did I call it, or did I call it? Ah… yeah I did!” Check out my Oscar prediction post: “Iron Lady”

Congratulations to Meryl Streep, I can see why she won for Best Actress. Her speech was witty, emotional, and gracious. I cannot say I loved her dress, but who I am to say anything to a three-time Oscar winner. She may have had her own prediction by dressing in Oscar gold.

What I really liked about Streep’s win is that even after seventeen nominations, she was sincere with emotion. We all work so hard at everything we do, and in most cases our effort is overlook, so when we’re applauded for our tenacity it feels so deserving.

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Here are some of my favourite “winning” looks during New York Fashion Week, Fall 2012. What I love about each of my fashion favourites is that their style is effortless. The clothing of each street-styleista is simple and achievable, but attitude and confidence is centre stage.

Raw Edges: Fashion in Motion

January 30, 2012musecloset2 Comments

Power House.

Givenchy Spring Summer 2012 11

For those of you who follow fashion know that brands go “in” and “out” like hemlines. The power of a brand is to start with a powerful creative designer force that mirrors society for a moment in modernity. What becomes difficult is when a brand no longer speaks volumes by way of designer death, retirement, or bankruptcy. How does a brand go forward?

Givenchy Spring Summer 2012 11

Like Hollywood studios, brands have become crippled by corporate rule. A brand must take what is iconic and familiar to audience, then reference past images to gain stability in today’s market place. Take for example, comic book film genre, which references nostalgia, textual material, and iconic symbol into box office results—now fading. Always reading the pulse of society, fashion has stepped forward with symbols of what is to come—style customization.

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The romantic build of a brand has faded—a bit—think Galliano early 1990’s, when models helped financially keep a designer’s vision afloat—I know his current situation—but he has contributed to our fashion vocabulary. Galliano, McQueen, Ford, and Largerfeld created the blueprint to resurrect a Power House Brand; take the essence and symbols of the past and remix them for today’s marketplace—now what?

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Post resurrection, designers are taking back what belongs to them—creative control. Corporations may own the name and supply the cash, but designers are taken fashion back. Case and point, Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci, and Celine’s Phoebe Philo, who’ve taken creative control of these bands by way of stylization; by separating from past imagery, these two designers have been able to connect fashion in today’s world. Fashion will always be about fantasy because style built by identity through self-image expression is timeless. A band can no longer blanket society, but create discourse with a highlighted niche. Philo has taken what was Calvin Klein’s modern woman, and elevated her consciousness of motherhood by giving her style power and function at Celine. Tisci has taken Gianni Versace’s vamp and made her elegant and stylish in Givenchy.

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Take a look at these images and let me know what you think.

Celine

Givenchy

Style Profile: Vivienne Westwood

January 11, 2012musecloset5 Comments

Vivienne Westwood: Let It Rock—1971

I don’t know what a train wreck looks like, but I do know what fabulous looks like, and here it is—Westwood Spring 2012. The Queen of British fashion is most defiantly keeping face with her new royal subjects—China! With a new store in Shanghai, Westwood’s runway presentation used Asian models, Japanese inspired prints, and, like British fashion, Westwood deconstructs the Chinese costume.

To me, this was one of her most outstanding collections since her Fall/Winter 1994, when Westwood was blasted for making Kate Moss look like a prostitute according to Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), March 8,1994. Why the little history lesson? Well, like the Mad Hatter in “Alice in Wonderland,” Westwood is a personality all her own. What looks like a mess to others is simply genius in disguise. There is a reason why Sex And The City, part one, used Westwood as their fashion muse; WWD (1994) said it best: “Long Live the Queen!”

Westwood has a sense of humor with fashion that is unlike any other designer. She is not afraid to challenge beauty standards by exaggerating hemlines, hip proportions, and traditional dress. I like that Westwood allows her customer not be perfect. One of the most beautiful things about human beings is asymmetrical–Black, White, and Yellow; tall, skinny, and short—we’re all amazing. Society today requests us to fall into fashion line; buy the right trend; create the right look; follow Celebrity lines. Never one to conform, Westwood has always been on the fringe fighting for individuality, creating rebel fashion. Spring 2012 says she’s still kicking ass!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D5wCGsmtzI&w=560&h=315]

Website: Vivienne Westwood

edited by: desean