Hoping 2012 will be a great year for Dragon babies! xx

Recalling color predictions for SS12–we see a lot of strong blue and yellow tones, as well as, use of plastic finishes, sports meshes and breathable fabrics for garments.

That’s three weeks and to keep us going gaga (I refer this weak pun to Lady Gaga’s promise to only wear Versace for her ‘Edge of Glory’ tour for the past two months) they’ve started sharing BTS images of the collection’s advert in cyberspace! I’m usually not very into the high street collaborations but Versace has got me so excited about the printed scarves, studded dresses and leather jackets that this might just be the very first time I will consider going early to get my hands on something! Even a cushion will do at least I can sleep on it, haha! This reminds me that I should really start repairing my grandmother’s vintage Versace belts–and I say vintage because I found her designer stash at the bottom of all her other accessories, unused for nearly 10-15 years as soon as I get back to Manila for holiday. I’m incredibly lucky I have relatives who like to pack everything. Now it’s just a matter of polishing it off to its former glory. Excited!!

The thing about Parisian shows is that its all so very pretty. I’ve selected images that focused on the floral laser cuts, appliques, and hand embroidered garments because it always interests me how fashion houses keep with the tradition of producing a piece with couture finishing. What I most enjoyed were the Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Valentino shows because of the use of translucent and sequined materials and feminine silhouettes. Definitely, a very sweet and feminine season to look forward to, which isn’t surprising considering that it is PARIS. From a very dark romantic sensibility show by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen–amazing take on sea creatures by the way, loved the interpretation of jellyfish, sea oysters and what I would think is a very beautiful and twisted take on red tide and oceanic oil spills?; a very light and innocent sea nymph sort of theme as seen in Chanel, to this sort of surfer meets mermaid story going on at Givenchy, everyone seems to be focusing Spring-Summer ’12 towards the ocean. Anyway enough talk, I think the images all speak for themselves.

What I love most about London is the strong floral and tribal/graphical prints from the Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto collections. Prints are something that I have difficulty getting my head around as I tend to go for more basic non-colors and neutrals on an everyday basis, but the detailing of each piece was just so amazing I might actually start investing more on a few printed dresses or tops. Another favorite was Christopher Bailey’s awesome tribe-inspired Burberry collection! I mean, who doesn’t love Burberry. The fabrication was just so refreshing to see on a very English heritage brand, but loved their interpretation of weaves and use of what I think is raffia and wooden beads for its shoes and accessories. It’s my dream job and part of the reason why I choose London over every other city. I would imagine each piece would be something of a collector’s item in the future. Personally, I cannot wait for the day I can get my hands on another Burberry coat, one can dream.

Something I’m a little more accustomed to is the pastel trend as seen in Jonathan Saunders and Roksanda Ilincic. I think that what would differ in the upcoming season is the concentration on a pastel blue and yellow (also with a bit of cyan) rather than the usual pinks and beiges one would refer to with anything pastel. The cuts were relaxed and feminine and actually, is a perfect seque for the Paris shows.

My London Fashion Week Spring-Summer ’12 Review and Favorites
Click to view slideshow.

Side note: Blue, Yellow and Orange–very big in 2012. In the next couple of days I’ll be adding the research on the Paris, Milan and New York shows. I need to keep up with my promise of writing more if not about my life, then on what I’m learning in school.

Oh and one more thing: My work-in-progress draping project for Pattern Cutting class. I’m very excited with my first draping on the stand dress, and I suppose I got into the whole my tutor is a Vivienne Westwood pattern-cutter and I want to do something wild to impress her but now that it’s taking on this very geometric and 3D shape I’m thinking oh my! what did I get myself into. It’s gonna take a while for me how to figure out the 3D pattern on paper with this dress. I hope it comes out well. :3 Kagulo!

Cheers from Luhnduntown!

Dear Rosenthal,

Thank you for your kind email.

I am pleased to confirm that you have been accepted for our Master Fashion Design Womenswear Program – MA *subject to validation.

The official communication will be send to your attention shortly from our Admission Office, in the meantime I would like to say that Education Committee loved your application and portfolio and they mentioned that they wish all students were like you.

Should I be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you.

~

I am officially a happy bean and so thankful for the wonderful opportunities I’ve been given. Can’t wait for greater projects and internships to come! Going to make 2011 epic!

A 15″ satchel from the Cambridge Satchel Company. Traditional English in every way and I can’t decide what color I want but this is definitely on my to save up for list. It’ll be the perfect partner for my London Brogues from Anthology Shoes.

There’s the SS11 fluo orange one done by the brand for Dover Street Market, and I’m pretty sure I want either the 15″ version (about £117) or maybe in the traditional red (£84), the latter I can have my initials or name engraved. What to do! I think for this soon to be purchased bag I’ll need my friend, Arianne of A+B in the Sea to help me pick out which color to get. Cannot wait to see her in May!

The Dover Street Market fluo exclusive:

My personal picks:

Traditional Red

Fluo Orange

which, I digress would probably go quite well (it’ll be a fun and kooky explosion of neon) with the only brand of flats I’d wear to death mainly because I’ve got loads of bias (objectively speaking, the hype is all worth it) for it and they’ve got my shoe size–I’m a US 4 and IT 4/ UK 2– the Anthology Shoes Neon Classics .

JS Wings. I love the Hermes reference done by Jeremy Scott on his women’s collection for Adidas. I think the first time I saw the Hermes wings reference was back in 2009 but I ignored it because it was for men, and in sneaker form. (Not a big fan of the chunk. ) I’d much rather wear flats and these are just too cute! It’s too bad that it doesn’t come in a US 4 (UK 2).

The coolest French manicure. Glossy black tips and matte base, how was this done and where can I find the polish? I first saw this at Outsapop, one of my go to sites on all things DIY and trashion (fashion from trash?) and it’s really a good personal reference to check out for ideas and inspiration.

Mercura NYC Shades. What’s crazier than this? Too bad sun isn’t really a word one associates with London. Ha!

Ta!

Campus London from Istituto Marangoni on Vimeo.

Wearing Red My Fortune Cookie by OPI Hong Kong Collection!

I’ve been wearing a lot more of coral, tangerine, and red-oranges and I have to say I’m obsessed with this particular shade right now. It’s a personal shallow happiness of mine to have nicely painted nails and though I can’t do it so perfectly yet, I’d like to think that six months without having to see anyone for my nails is some sort of forced achievement for an obsessive compulsive nail biter. I’m missing Malaga Wine, which I had to leave in Manila but hopefully my sister can bring it in two weeks and my nails will start to turn wine-y again.

On a side note: Happy purchase for the month! Tailored Blazer from Zara