PONYO

As a fan of Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle, both of which were also directed by Hayao Miyazaki, I can't believe it's taken me this long to convince myself to watch PONYO. I've had the movie on DVD for almost a year now and I kept putting it off, how silly of me!
Anyway, wonderful movie. Go watch it. The end.
Oh, but I really do recommend watching the original in Japanese rather than the English dubbed version that Pixar did. It's just not quite the same. Why does Liam Neeson have to be the voice of everything?

Rooms

Spent a.. let's just say 'an extended amount of time' yesterday at the internship looking at wallpapers, and came across these, I just had to share.
How lovely would it be to come home to one of these walls?

Also, something about this one is quite beautiful.

Images from The Ivory Tower

Thakoon

I've recently revisited The September Issue since my first viewing a couple of years ago, and I found myself wondering what has happened to the promising designer who was one of three recipients of the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund award and collaborated with GAP for the white shirt project; Thakoon Panichgul.


After a quick typey type and 'Enter' on my Google toolbar, I was presented with an array of publications outlining Thakoon's development since his big break, which included collaborations with Italian label Hogan, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, a line designed for Target's Go! International series and being named creative director of accessories label Tasaki. He has expanded into producing handbags, footwear and eyewear; and now designs 2 capsule collections to sit alongside his mainline Thakoon, Thakoon Addition and Thakoon Carbon Copy, which developed from two very different concepts.

Thakoon Resort 2012

Addition was introduced in 2009 to offer customers more of a day element alongside his mainline. This quickly grew to be seen by stores as its own collection, and is now shown separately.

Thakoon Addition Resort 2012

Carbon Copy however was born when designer Thakoon Panichgul decided to offer a print from a past season in two tones, which he described as "almost like a carbon copy."

Thakoon Carbon Copy Fall 2011

What's also fun is Thakoon has started posting episodes of the development of his collections on his Youtube channel ThakoonNYC of anything from lookbook shoots, model castings and hair and make-up tests. Here's one that shows the birth of a dress from his Fall 2011 collection.

Thakoon's lines are now stocked at Barney's New York, Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom to name a few, and are also sold online.

But for us humble Australians, we can find Thakoon at David Jones, Robby Ingham in Sydney and Cactus Jam in Perth!

Images and video courtesy of style.com and Thakoon

Artist and Muse

Rick Genest and Nicola Formichetti

GQ Style S/S 2011

Another one for the wishlist.

If you know me, you'll know I can't ever decide on what to eat for lunch let alone trying to decide which pair of Sperry's I should purchase.
Here are the finalists.
Maybe you guys can decide for me.

'Whether you call them A/Os, boat shoes or Top-Siders, they will always be the Originals.'

Images and quote courtesy of Sperry Top-Sider

And now I understand..

Throwing myself at the canvas of life,

life threw itself back to me, and then I was covered in paint.

- Sophie Ward, RUSSH June July 2011

What It Means To Be Inspired - Men's Spring Summer RTW 2012

Toward the end of June, I spent the better part of my days either on my iPhone on my lunch breaks at work or at home till the late hours of the night on my iMac. Yep, trying to catch live previews of the Men's Spring/Summer 2012 RTW shows in Milan and Paris from twitter updates of blogs like NowFashion, GQ Fashion, Style Salvage and Bryan Boy.


There's a certain thrill when seeing new collections on the catwalk. Unusual cuts, interesting details, beautiful colours, patterns, textures and an overall sense of completion and realization of each designer's combination of influences for that particular season's collection. Each show has its own story, and the clothes are its characters.


And I reserve a certain love for Spring/Summer collections. The colours are fresher, lighter and bolder at many shows; and I pick up a general sense of frivolity in the air. Don't get me wrong, the darker hues and beautiful layering that comes with Autumn/Winter collections still make me nauseatingly giddy, but I can't get past a pair of canary yellow shorts and orange Sperry Top-Siders without squealing. Nom.

Band of Outsiders Spring Summer 2012

There were a lot of jaw dropping outfits, but this blog will go on and on and onnnn. If I had to narrow it down, I'm going to have to start with the mother of all shows.

Burberry Prorsum. Oh, where to begin. Christopher Bailey injected an ethnic twist to the signature trench and presented us a colourful, upbeat collection featuring colourful parkas with contrasting cord locks, insanely innovative knitwear and super slim cut trousers. There were an array of colour stories on the table, and plenty of tribal prints to keep the eyes glued. There was a somewhat crafty feel where we see crocheted lapels on jackets and multicoloured wooden beading on sweaters. And oh, how could we escape the fabulous raffia caps?

This season Christopher Bailey's reminded me there's never an end to how to use and combine colour to create something truly inventive.

Iceberg was something else. Again, the focus was on colour and texture. Streaks of crimson red and dashes of yellow graze the icy blue tones that dominated the collection. Tonal outfits showcased Paolo Gerani's skill and informs us that layering is in, whatever the season. Iceberg makes you want to dress up. Pile on the shades of blues and greys. There's no wrong way to do it.

Some standout pieces were acid-washed shirts and blazers that gave the pieces a certain sheen. Oh, and the bright red loafers. Amaze. Plus I am absolutely obsessed with their models. Anyone share this feeling?

Never one to disappoint, Dries Van Noten brought out a collection that once again challenged our perception of proportion (what a mouthful). Shorts over trousers, long oversized shirts, parkas belted at the waist and anoraks worn over flight suits. However, when deconstructed, they're all very accessible. And, as always, with Dries it's about the detailing touches: the contrast panelling, the conspicuous pocket under the waistband..

Last but not least (for tonight), Lanvin. There are no words. Just.. take in.

All images courtesy of French GQ and GQ