Gothic Chic & Dark Glamour

As a fashion designer, I’m inspired by many things around me. The imagery of a photo, scenery, sounds & musics, movies… just about everything! In recent conversations with a good friend of mine on facebook about “Goth” and it inspired me to do some research, finding imageries and articles about this mysterious & fascinating lifestyle which has inspired many arts & fashions.



So what is “Goth”? in simple definitions: To some, Goth is a style of dressing; to others it's a lifestyle. Either way, the gothic look involves very black clothing and very white makeup with edgy, tough accessories. Prime example of classic gothic style: Musician - Marilyn Mansion. But as a person with an inquiring mind ( yes I do read the trashy gossip enquirer magazine ok! Haha) I know it has to be deeper than just the black clothing, smoky eye make-ups and of course ever so dreamy vampire Robert Pattinson aka “Edward Cullen” from the hit movie “Twilight”.



So after some googling, according to Goth.net

“Most Goths become Goths because they have been spurned by 'normal' society because the way they want to live their lives does not fit in with how most people are told to live theirs. Goths are free thinkers, people who do not accept the moral rules of society because they're told 'This is just how it is' or 'This is what God says!'. Rather Goths tend to listen to what you have to say, and make up their own mind..”

But of course this is not the case for all Goths. Many Goths today are Goths for a variety of other reasons. They like the music, or the clubs are better, they have Goth friends and joined in with them, or they just like staying up late nights and Goths are the only ones awake to talk to.

To us the fashionistas, the theme “Goth” has inspired many fashion designers over the years and here are some of the collections I think are super fabulous & go with our topic perfectly!

Junya Watanabe


Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2005


Rick Owens Fall 2006 Collection


When John Galliano was traveling south to research his couture collection during summer of 2005 he was inspired with the French Revolution stories & history, so in Dior’s Spring 2006 Couture show, blood- and gore-spattered drama was the theme and to me, it’s also very “Goth Glam” ,too!

Christian Dior 2006 Spring Haute Couture






Christian Dior Haute Couture 2006 Fashion Show


Harper’s Bazaar Magazine October 2009 & Film Maker Tim Burton

As if Tim Burton’s characters all got together and did a fashion photoshoot, this amazing pictorial for the October edition of Harper’s Bazaar features characters from his past movies like The Night Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and more, all look amazing in designer clothing and shoes.



Versace Haute Couture


Comme des Garçons Coat (Left) - Salvatore Ferragamo Jacket (Right)


Dolce & Gabbana


CHANEL


Alexander McQueen


Valentino


Givenchy


And for our male readers, me & mei-mei the pug didn’t forgot about you! Here are some fabulous menswear from Ann Demeulemeester Fall – Winter 2009 Collection for you! I just LOVE that chunky sweater in the middle



Of course how can we end this “Dark Glamorous” posting without mentioning one of my favorite designer Alexander McQueen!



Alexander McQueen 2007 Fall & Winter

In this collection, McQueen had put a heartfelt personal passion into a collection that was based on a startling revelation from his family history. His mother, who traces family trees, discovered that her bloodline leads back to a victim of the Salem witch trials who was hanged in the Puritan hysteria of 1692. The themes of witchcraft, paganism, and religious persecution played on the dark and angry side of McQueen's creativity.





Here is a video of Alexander McQueen 2007 Fall & Winter totally fabulously spooky fashion show



All of you must be wondering ….how can I achieve that beautiful vampy smoky eye make-up to complete your Gothic Chic outfits & accessories?! So we have found 2 tutorials for our gal & dudes readers! Here is the female smoky eyes tutorials that shows you how to do it!



And here is the “Guyliner” smoky eyes tutorial



Don't forget to check out our designer candles selections! D.L. & Co. is famous for his "Dark Glamourous" presentaions of his candles & diffusers! Utilizing the rarest of extracts, essences and absolutes, they are able to create fragrances that conjure time and place, transforming enviroments from the mundane to the sublime! it's a MUST HAVE for all fashionistas! click on the picture below to check out our selections of D.L. & Co's candles!



We hope this posting totally inspired you to bring out the “Dark” side of your inner Goddess! Until next time, Be well & look fabulous!


XOXO

Alan + Mei-Mei the pug

Cutest Sweetie Tins - Les Anis de Falvigny

Still made within the walls of the ancient abbey, the candy conceals an aniseed in its heart. 

The Anis is a hard candy that traditionally symbolizes the happiness and fertility of families and friends' wishing to young married couples, like grains of rice thrown when leaving the church, or like confetti (confetti means candy in Italian). Sharing a candy that holds an aniseed in its heart is a demonstration of love. All of these engravings and illustrations, taken from the Abbey’s archives, were designed by the successive manufacturers of Anis de l’Abbaye de Flavigny ®.

In 2002, a collection of tins was specially created for the organic range.
In 2006, a new collection was designed to illustrate the love story of the shepherd and shepherdess.
These days, the shepherd and shepherdess are spreading their love with ‘tasting sachets’ in cafés, hotels and restaurants.

Lash Rebublic - New Design By Blossom

 

Just was a bit happy with Blossom's new look for Lash Republic. 

Cosmically Fashionable ! Where Fashion Meets Astronomy

Though out history of all cultures all over the world, we have always been inspired by the beauty of the cosmic constellations and the mystries behind each sparkling stars in the sky. And being a true fashionista like our blog reader, I am sure all of us would loves to wear our best Chanels, sipping Veuve Clicquot & gaze at the stars at nite and being amazed the beautiful starry sky above us!



well, as a true fashionistas, we're always trying our best to dress for the occations! so We've found some chic & interesting fashions and accessories that we think are fabulous and might help inspire you to dress up "Cosmically Chic" on your next trip to the planetarium! haha

The ever-onward Karl Lagerfeld (Also the head designer for house of CHANEL) is not inclined to the backward glance. So in a season when everyone else is doing their version of the 1980's, a decade he helped define, it made perfect sense that he was focused on the 2080's-or, OK, at least the future. Even tho it's totally a show piece but I think the astronaut inspired fur hat is kinda fabulous!



The house of CHANEL is one of the world most known brand for their Haute Couture fashions and one of the kind jewelry pieces. "Gabrielle Chanel" the founder of the house of Chanel has always been fascinated with the stars and the constellations in the sky. and here is one of the signature jewelry piece from their "Cometes" collection..... minimal yet extravagant, simply fabulous!



CHANEL - 18K White Gold & Diamond Necklace


When I saw these handmade one of the kind jewelries by "Treacletoffee" from west of England, I just had to get some of them! She use all different type of materials such as silk, felt, metal, glass beads to make these cosmic inspired necklaces, pendants & brooch it's simply brilliant!
(if you like her designs, check out her online store http://www.etsy.com/shop/treacletoffee)



I love these 2 super talented Up & Coming design duo Peter Pilotto! In their Fall/Winter 2008 collection, they presented scattered prints and soft sculptural shapes inspired by 'the mineralogist' (an image from 1830 that illustrated a mineralogist with all his discoveries placed on his outfit). But to my eyes, each outfit bears a striking resemblance to those massive, gravitationally bound systems consisting of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter we know and love as galaxies. Historically, galaxies have been categorized according to their apparent shape (usually referred to as their visual morphology). And given the unusual amorphous shapes of this collection, the visual morphology is truly otherworldly.

The Cartwheel Galaxy



Galaxy Centaurus A



The Messier 33 Galaxy



Galaxy NGC 1365


We hope you enjoy this posting and help you feel inspired to find the inner cosmic goddess in you! untill next time......be well & look fabulous!

XOXO

Alan + Mei-Mei the Pug :-)

January 2010 Beauty Discoveries

Just stumbled over a few bits and pieces that got me a touch inspired, so thought I'd share with you.

Anna Sui Nails Collection is a five piece kit of nail colour and accessories.

The very snazzy and glam jewel stickers will add dazzle to nails. Store and tote all your nail care gear in the exquisite purple and black bag with the signature Anna Sui rose. A very cute GWP (gift with purchase) that I would pretty much buy for the bag alone, but then I am a total GWP victim.

From yesstyle.com

Check out the cute lid and diamantes.

How gorgeous is this? Helena Rubinstein's Lash Queen Feline Black is sure to spark a few fires. Who knows how good it is - love the tube and would serious buy this just for the tube.

From Yesstyle.com

Or are you feeling like you are missing something in your life? Perhaps this cupiedoll tweezer will fill the emptiness. From Yesstyle.com

La Senza Fragrance - Identity Discovery

I was searching for lolly and confectionery packaging references for another client, and found this gem of brand identity. While it has sweet nothing to do with lollies, it's a beautiful identity, and I wanted to share it with you. I know it's a style that's been done to death, but in this case it's done well and is impeccably presented. I bet it smells musky sweet.
Apparently the lace pattern was hand drawn and enhanced by embossing and vanishing. Pushing the boundaries, the glass bottle has a 360 degree pattern on the sphere, which is really hard to accomplish.

You can find out more about it at La senza
Designed by Alexandra Rubin of Beardwood & Co.

Dorothy Draper - Style Inspiration

 The lobby at The Greenbrier, Dorothy Draper’s largest and most famous commission was recenlty restored by Carlton Varney, Drapers successor. Draper’s famous black and white marble floors remain in place, as does the white plaster over mantle, in Draper signature style.

Dorothy Draper, a New York Blue Blood, buried under the beige, brown and black cloak of depression, underwent extensive psychotherapy during the 1930's, and the resulting decorator's style was enthusiastic and inspired interior decoration. "Lovely, clear colors have a vital effect on our mental happiness" she claimed with the zeal of the newly converted.

A renewed interest on Dorothy Draper, a 1960's interior decorator from the USA, it could be said, is due in part to the trend towards an eclectic vintage style, a collage of styles borrowing from rococo, baroque and victorian, and blending with mid 20th century, to create a unique 21st century style. Dorothy Draper's style also tipped a hat to the past, but in an exaggeratedly modern manner.
"Dorothy Draper was to decorating what Coco Chanel was to fashion. She brought color into a world which was sad and dreary.  Today...everyone wants color around them again." " says Carleton Varney, who took over the Draper Company in the 1960's. 

The Museum of the City of New York held and exhibition of this iconic designer's work "the High Style of Dorothy Draper".
Sponsors of the event, Benjamin Moore created a limited edition collection  featuring fifteen of Draper’s signature paint colours to showcase her sense of drama through colour and decisive choice of colour combinations.

From the museum website:
"Dorothy Draper was a pioneer in interior design, dominating the field, not only in New York but nationally, from 1925 to 1960 when she was named the most influential tastemaker in America. Extending her influence far beyond residential interiors, Draper made her mark on big-city hotels, resorts, offices, department stores, and apartment buildings—she even styled automobile and airplane interiors. And she was thoroughly modern in today’s terms in that she approached design as entertainment —a themed experience that ranged from a room's architecture to its furnishings, menus, and matchbooks.  That she was a woman makes her achievements all the more remarkable, succeeding at a time when she had few counterparts in the business world."