Muse Profile: Y3

Yohji Yamamoto: Shoe Fetish

The shoe seen round the world, Willow Smith sporting the Y3 high heel shoe, which was captured by every photographer for Spring 2012. I love the shoe!! Most talk shows and “news” shows kept talking about the price. Who cares, real fashion lovers don’t care about price, only style!!! Fuck the price, credit cards take care of that problem.

willow-smith-shoes
willow-smith-shoes: Y3
willow-smith-shoes-photos
Y3 Shoe

What Willow Smith’s fantastic shoe choice made me think about was Yohji Yamamoto. Before Rick Owens ruled street style, Yohji Yamamoto was giving us exaggerated shapes, while blending 80’s Punk into high fashion. Today, he uses Hip-Hop’s shapes, layered with 80’s Punk, and Hipper chic, if we can blend all those together. Well he did.

Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-003_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-026_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-023_runway

Yohji Yamamoto’s Y3 collection, is a connection to street style. Willow Smith is a great example of how we can take apart what is on the runway and make it our own. Labels have become a thing of the past, as every Tom, Dick, and Sally sporting an LV logo bag. Today, real fashionistas still like designer fashion, but look, shape, and context mean so much more.

Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-010_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-054_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-021_runway

Y3 takes all of Yohjo Yamamoto’s main ideas and makes them practical. Made in part with Adidas, Y3 can not be looked at as the little brother to Yohji, but a full on individual brand. Not made for everyone, Y3 take guts and confidence to wear. Goal for Spring, something Y3 to ignite my Spring wardrobe. What about you?

Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-050_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-031_runway
Y3-SPRING-2012-RTW-PODIUM-015_runway

MC.

Cover Me: FACETASM

Tokyo Fashion Week Fall 2012: FACETASM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgs9Oifubr4&w=560&h=315

Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012

I was doing some research for Tokyo Fashion Week, and I came across one of the coolest collections–FACETASM. I love when I find new things. This Spring I was obsessed with Rick Owens and Givenchy, but Facetasm seems to blend everything I love about both of those collections into one. Also, “hello,” everyone knows I love a scarf, and these are awesome!!

Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012

I’ve always felt that fashion today flows from Tokyo street style, into Paris Couture, and then New York mainstream. Milan is always doing its thing on the edge. When I spend time in Japan, I am always amazed that I can wear anything. New York street style is very edgy, like Tokyo, but there is something to Tokyo that is outrageous. Case and point, I am walking down the streets of Shibuya and this girl is waiting for her boyfriend to apply his make-up — flabbergasted! Anyway, I am not here debate “New York Street Style” and “Tokyo Street Style,” both are very unique and amazing to me.

Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012

The Facetasm collection designed by Hiromichi Ochiai, did a great job blending street style into a streamlined collection that is sophisticated and wearable. When a collection pushes the limits of style while keeping it wearable is always refreshing. Fashion produces so many collections, but for the average consumer most looks are not practical. This collection has some great fashion and style elements. Created for both men and women, this collection has wonderful points for all.  I hope you will find as much inspiration from this collection as I did.

Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012
Facetasm Fall 2012

MC.

Cover Me: Riddle Me This…

Stepping Up

During NYFW Fall 2012, J.Mendel gave us a big show.  Front row seats were full of celebrity guests. Fashionable noted, two sunglass clad twins. Also spotted front row was fashion commentator and stylist, Mary Alice Stephenson. I got a chance to speak with fashion’s globe-trotting Queen backstage at J.Mendel.

rby-mary-alice-stephenson-prabal-gurung-fall-2012-s2
rby-mary-alice-stephenson-prabal-gurung-fall-2012-s2
kristen-wiig-2012-oscars-j-mendel-dress
kristen-wiig-2012-oscars-j-mendel-dress
J.Mendel: Pre-Fall 2012
J.Mendel: Pre-Fall 2012

For this year’s Academy Awards red carpet breakdown, Wendy Williams called on Stephenson. She has also  dressed major celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker,  and she  is a major contributor to Harper’s Bazzaar, so I knew I was in good hands talking about the inspiration for the J.Mendel show. Minus her credentials, I may have been a little taken by all her compliments to my outfit.

J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012

 Kristen Wigg won Oscar gold in  J.Mendel this year. J.Mendel is known for amazing furs and modern evening wear, which did not disappoint. I picked a few pieces to highlight Fall 2012.

J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012
J.Mendel Fall 2012

Fashion Chat: Jeanne Beker

“What You Takin’ bout Willis”

If you told me I would be talking to Fashion Television Host Jeanne Beker one day, I would say your smoking crack. Well light up the pipe because, I am in a haze. Recently during NYFW Fall 2012, Reem Acra show, I had a moment to chat with Fashion Television host, Jeanne Beker, about her career and fashion insight.

Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012

Let’s start with the show, Reem Acra, Fall 2012. say what?!! Yes, not many of us our familiar with this designer. Well let me tell you who does know Reem Acra: Madonna, Taylor Swift, and Jennifer Lopez. Madonna wore Reem Acra to this year’s Golden Globe Awards, and won, well best dressed for me, and Jennifer Lopez has also been seen in a Reem Acra creations. The collection was sexual, sensual, and fun; the models were confident walking down the runway. Also, Reem Acra has an amazing Bridal collection that is on par with Vera Wang. Here are some looks from NYFW Fall 2012.

69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals: Madonna Reem Acra
69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals: Madonna Reem Acra
taylor-swift-nashville-symphony-ball-2011-reem-acra-dress
taylor-swift-nashville-symphony-ball-2011-reem-acra-dress
2012 Univision Winter TCA Breakfast: Jennifer Lopez in Reem Acra
2012 Univision Winter TCA Breakfast: Jennifer Lopez in Reem Acra

Back to Ms. Beker. What do you say when your faced with a women you’ve grown up with your entire life. Living in rural Alberta, she was my only connection to the fashion world. Over 25 years in the business, and still going strong. Hence, you will see how nervous I was speaking to Fashion Television’s talk Queen.

Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012
Reem Acra: Runway Fall 2012

First, I must say she was delightful. To be honest I’ve had my eye on her job forever, plotting my move to conquer, however after meeting and chatting with her I concede. I will be more than happy to find my own way, as Jeanne is the master of her craft. Growing up, my battle was between Tim Blanks and Jeanne Beker, both Canadian, and both covering fashion. Tim always seemed to be on point about his assessment of each collection: smart, insightful, and exact. Meanwhile, Jeanne felt more free and unrehearsed. I met both during NYFW Fall 2012, and I respect them both as trail blazers for Canadian fashion coverage. Both put Canada on the map, as champions for fashion. We may not have pockets as deep as Americas, but damn it, we’ll help you sell shit and expose you to the world. “Well done!”

Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection
Reem-Acra-Fall-2012-Bridal-Collection

I must have done something right in my life, at some point, because as I think back and wonder how, not only do I get to share space with Jeanne Beker, but she is standing in front of me talking. I hope you enjoy my backstage interview with Jeanne at Reem Acra. I skipped interviewing the designer, to wait and speak with Jeanne, it was a toss-up, but I am glad I did.

JeanneBeker-nophotographer
JeanneBeker-nophotographer