Many studies suggest that our childhood shapes the majority of our adult traits. Our personalities, our hobbies, our choices and decisions ... you name it. How does fashion play into this? Well, thinking back to my own childhood, I attempted to discover things that might have led to my choices in fashion today.
It certainly wasn't my choice in friends; the most influence my comrades have in my fashion sense is the giggles and joking insults they give me when I wear something particularly out there. Oh, well. It's all in good humor! It definately wasn't the hobbies and interests I developed, either. If it were, I'd be decked out in silky knee-length basketball shorts, "fancy" tops with ruffles in strange places accustomed from dozens of piano recitals, or those horrid khaki cargo pants I lived in during my beach-combing phases. No, my hobbies definately had nothing to do with it.
After a lot of thinking, I discovered something that just may have had enough influence on me to sculpt my insane sense of style. It all came about from two simple words: Walt. Disney.
My collection of Walt Disney movies were my greatest treasure; I would throw a bloody fit if my sister dared watch them without rewinding them all the way back afterwards. My best friends were comprised of the magical Cinderella, the spunky Ariel, and the gentle Sleeping Beauty. There was, however, only one princess (of sorts) that I considered my alter-ego. Her name was Alice, from the timeless tale of "Alice in Wonderland".
Alice had everything I ever wanted; energetic and fun-loving friends, a world full of bright colors, and blonde hair. She got to have tea parties in her charming blue dress, and this made her my idol. My "Alice in Wonderland" VCR was one of the most watched (and most worn) videos in my movie case. Twelve years later, less than a month after my seventeenth birthday, the 2010 edition of "Alice in Wonderland" will be released on March 5th. And my, do the costume designs tickle my fancy.
Two particular characters that caught my eye are The Red Queen and The White Queen, played by two of my favorite actresses, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway, respectively. For those who don't know, Helena Bonham Carter is one of the best actresses (in my opinion) in the infamous Harry Potter movie series, playing the role of Bellatrix Lestrange to a tee. Anyway, for this post I've decided to modernize the looks in "Alice in Wonderland (2010)" so we can all embrace the inner Alice characters in ourselves.
The White Queen
The White Queen is the beautiful pale queen, known as Alice's ally. She dresses in an elegant Cinderella-esque ball gown of the purest white. In order to capture The White Queen in your day-to-day outfit, you first and foremost must wear a white dress. After all, it is the fundamental piece of the outfit.
Kate Moss for Topshop
Elie Saab
Jewelry is also a very important part of The White Queen's presence. You can do either gold or silver, but be sure you don't mix the two! Although gold/silver pieces are emerging, I still believe that the classic way to approach it is to use only one. What do you think?
Yves Saint Laurent
Polyvore
Chanel
The shoes are, of course, an important part of any outfit. You should try to stick with the theme of white, silver, and/or gold. Try these:
Gareth Pugh
Dior
And for the whipped cream on top of the sundae: don't forget white tights!
The Red Queen
The Red Queen is, in a sense, The White Queen's opposite. She is opposing Alice's side, therefore making her the somewhat antagonist of the story. She is mischievous, quick, and effortless. Her clothing is much less simple than The White Queen's; The Red Queen is all about patterns, fullness, and attention-grabbing garments. First and foremost, you're looking to create an outfit made up of black, red, and white. A full, patterned skirt will give you a look demanding your presence, while all the while looking sly and sexy. If you're not one for fullness, try a silhouette-enhancing dress.
Yves Saint Laurent
Newport News
Forever 21 (What a steal!)
BCBGMAXAZRIA
For the top, go with a form-fitting blazer in either red or black. White will make you look too innocent, and the red and black in a solid color will give you just the punch you need. Plus, it will balance nicely against the pattern of the skirt.
K Karl Lagerfeld
3.1 Phillip Lim
Your shoes simply must be intense. It is always the shoes that give that final touch, and to be The Red Queen, you must go out with a bang. Try either an extreme boot, such as ones by Ann Demeulemeester, or an over-the-top heel with decorations such as these by Prada. No jewelry is neccessary for this outfit; you've got all the kick you need in the patterns and silhouettes!
Ann Demeulemeester
Prada
So, are you The White Queen or The Red Queen? Or are you the timeless Alice, with her naïve persona and her cornflower dress? I suppose you could even be The Mad Hatter ... to be honest, he sort of frightens me! Either way, check out "Alice in Wonderland", premiering in theaters near you on March 5th, 2010. I know I'll be there! By the way, who's your favorite Disney character? I'm also particularly partial to Winnie the Pooh!
Disclaimer: All of the above photographs were taken publicly from the internet. If the owners wish for me to take them off, please contact me and I will remove them immediately. Thank you.
It's another day, and yet another obsession is reeking havoc upon my fashion-starved brain. I'm trying to drown it out with music (currently "Eyes on Fire" by Blue Foundation, one of the excellent additions on the Twilight movie soundtrack), but even my brand new iHome won't do the trick. I can't stop thinking about it. Must. Write. Down ... Must. Write. Down ...
The thing is, Anne-Sofie Back's 'Boo' A/W 09 Collection isn't the normal addiction for me. It's usually either some combination of grunge, studded, spiky, kick-ass leathery goodness or velvety, silky, lacy, renaissance-esque, rich hued classic beauty. (What a contrast!) No, Anne-Sofie's collection isn't leathery or velvety. To the unfashionable eye it is, rather, the likes of a bunch of cloth ripped to smithereens by kitchen shears. To me, however, the collection is pure seduction.
I'm not sure how she manages to make something so destroyed look so fantastic, but this designer pulls it off. Surely if anyone else tried to do it, it would look like a bunch of old dish rags headed straight for the dumpster. I suppose it's just as the saying goes: one man's trash is another man's treasure. (Or, in this case, woman's.)
And, to all of your lovely souls: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a very happy holiday to you all. Christmahanakwanzika? Whatever the case may be, I thank you all for making this year one of my very best. If it weren't for this blog and all of the wonderful people who read it, I would be utterly and completely lost. Thank you.
I am tired. I am awake. I am ugly. I am beautiful. I am dead. I am alive. I am old. I am young. I am serious. I am outgoing. I am quiet. I am loud. I am ungrateful. I am thankful. I am cold. I am hot. I am close-minded. I am a dreamer. I am nobody ... who are you?
Courtesy of W Magazine's "The Art Issue", and artist Maurizio Cattelan.
My heart is racing. I close my eyes, trying to convince my lungs to take deep, steady breaths while my brain is, contradictingly, going haywire. My fingertips tremble, and I can feel the glossy, fragrant pages of the magazine slip through my grasp and tumble to the floor. I stop. I sit. I breathe.
Alright, I'll admit it: my daydreaming really is getting the better of me. In reality, I am shocked, but not to the point where my body is curled into the fetal position and my cheek is pressed to the cold floor. The latest edition of ELLE sits open on my lap, pure beauty emanating from its pages as usual. The magazine is, naturally, open to the cover story, and this month, it's all about Lady Gaga. However, this is not exactly the shocking part. What I'm surprised to see is not the lovely photography, the breathtaking clothes, or Gaga's gorgeous portfolio. I am shocked because Lady Gaga is wearing pants.
Since the pants are so clearly there, Gaga is unsurprisingly topless. I suppose it's either one or the other with her. Also unsurprisingly, her clothing is unique and painstakingly fabulous. The incredibly high platform shoes, oversized hats, and geometrically skin-baring pieces flatter and satisfy, as the infamous Lady Gaga has been noted for over these past few years. Such beautiful photography, and an even more beautiful woman. Photographer Tom Munro has delivered again, making my love affair with ELLE magazine even stronger. By the way, I wouldn't object if any of you bought me the amazing Margiela leather jacket Lady Gaga is modeling for a Christmas present. Just saying ...
Larger Than Life in 3D Dave Matthews Band, Ben Harper & Relentless7, and Gogol Bordello
When: December 11th, 2009 - December 17th, 2009 Where: Showing in hundreds of theaters throughout the country. Click here to find a theater near you! Why: This exclusive 3D movie will never be released to DVD. The only way to see it is in theaters, so get your tickets soon! You won't want to miss this amazing opportunity.
Check Out The Trailer:
Never Heard About the Movie? Here's A Little More Information: Music fans now have the ability to experience their favorite bands--in glorious 3D digital technology--by going no further than their local movie theatre. This December, the first in a series of 3D concert events will debut with the digital cinema 3D release of “LARGER THAN LIFE…IN 3D” FEATURING DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7 AND GOGOL BORDELLO.
Shot in Digital 3D--which renders a cinema quality comparable to that found in this fall’s other big 3D releases (A Christmas Carol and Avatar)--the format essentially brings viewers onstage, giving them a stunning 360◦ view of each live performance. Filmed by inconcert3d at critically acclaimed music festivals this summer, the performances include Dave Matthews Band--the highest-grossing American act of all time--at the 2009 Austin City Limits Music Festival in Texas, Grammy��- award winning artist Ben Harper and Relentless7 at the Mile High Music Festival in Denver, and internationally acclaimed Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello at All Points West Music & Arts Festival in New Jersey.
“LARGER THAN LIFE…IN 3D” FEATURING DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7 AND GOGOL BORDELLO is the first in a series from the joint undertaking of inconcert3d, Action 3D Productions and AEG Network Live. It will be distributed by Cinedigm Entertainment Group and will screen in 3D theaters across the country (details about specific theatres will be announced in the coming weeks). “LARGER THAN LIFE…IN 3D” FEATURING DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, BEN HARPER AND RELENTLESS7 AND GOGOL BORDELLO was filmed with support from Fujinon, Evergreen Films, Sweetwater Digital Productions, SONY and All Mobile Video. The “Best of Lollapalooza” and “Best of Austin City Limits” are set to follow in 2010.
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Do you live in LA? Attend the Confluence Holiday Party on December 18th @ The Stronghold in Venice, California at 9PM. BLVD, Vokab Kompany, and Adam&Evil will be performing, and it's sure to be a good time!
Enter the GRAND PRIZE CONTEST! You could win two tickets to the Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2010. Airfare, tickets, and 3 nights accommodations are included! Check out more details here.
Last, but certainly not least, The Crystal Method has just released a single called "Come Back Clean". They've just been nominated for a Grammy! Their album, 'Divided by Night' is up for Best Electronic/Dance Album. Don't be the last to hear this amazing band ... check out their song below! By the way, you can purchase their EP on iTunes now; check that out here!
Thanks a bunch for absorbing all of this wonderful information. I hope to hear some great reviews on this movie from my readers!
Yesterday, it was green. The lawn, the trees, the bushes ... all green. The sun shone through puffy white clouds dotting the blue sky, and it was almost warm enough to go outside without a jacket. It was beautiful, no doubt, but there was one thing wrong with the picture. The date was December 6th.
Today I pulled back the blinds that darkened my room, expecting to see the essence of spring hovering precariously, and somewhat dangerously, in the rumored snow-clad world of December. Instead, I was greeted by a wall of icy translucent white, a wall I had to huff warm air on to see through. And as that fuzzy edged melting circle grew bigger, the size of my eyes widened with it. Through the binocular-lens sized peephole in my window, I saw not only no green, but a different color all together. My world was now white.
It's ironic how something can change so rapidly in the span of a day, such as the appearance of the fairytale snow in my springtime December of 2009. But what I'm really trying to get at is not the change of the weather. Instead, it is my blogging patterns.
I had been on a role with my blogging, always having something new to post and something different to comment on. There were not enough days to encompass all I had to say, and it was liberating. Suddenly, there was one night when the snow came. The writer's block had arrived, and there was nothing more to say. The days were passing, the comments were thinning, and my life was getting busier. I knew I had to do something, but life was dragging me on a ride that didn't include my blog. Something had to change.
This morning, I decided to clear a couple hours of my time to get back to what I loved most in the world: writing. I researched all morning, trying to find something both interesting and unprecedented. Finally, I found something relevent, and I'm happy to announce that I'm back to my normal, ever-thinking self. The writer's block is gone, and I am back.
It started with one picture. The sweater I discovered was absolutely gorgeous, and breathtakingly unique. Clicking on it, I found the world of Babini Kuki, a sub-line of Aristo Fashion. Each item is hand-knitted and packed in a gorgeous gift box complete with a personal message from the designer who knitted the item. The knitting is done exclusively by hand, with the help of only knitting needles or a crochet hook. There are no handknitted machines or any kind of machines used in assistance. Babini Kuki knits not to make a profit, but to share their passion for knitting. In my opinion, these items showcase and embrace this message like no other. See for yourself.
Please visit the Babini Kuki website here. I promise you that you'll find something you love, and it's really a pleasure to look at all of the different pieces. Oh, and one more promise: I promise that I will never leave you post-less for this long again. I'm glad to be home.
My fellow bloggers, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for my lack of posting, which honestly has been bringing me down just as much as the rest of you. To elaborate, I'm sorry for my lack of meaningful posts. I have sort of just been skimming the surface of my limitless potential, all the while sinking even deeper into a sea of never-ending homework. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me! Maybe this will help ...
I did tell you that my giveaways will be lasting through November, but I made a teensy lie; my last giveaway will not last through November, but rather December! Surprise! Consider it a little holiday treat.
This time, Take Me Out to the Runway will be giving away a hand-made item by Sarah Lopolito Jewelry. This gorgeous choker, made from small freshwater pearls connected by Celestial crystals, is a one of a kind present that anyone will love. Heck, if it were me, I'd be way too greedy to give it as a holiday gift. This beautiful piece of jewelry would be mine! And it is just beautiful, as is the rest of the collection by Sarah Lopolito. By the way, I've seen this piece in person; it is impossibly even more lovely off the computer screen ... trust me! Visit the website to learn and see more.
To enter, please leave a comment stating your name, email address, and a comment relevant to this post. Remember, you must be a follower of Take Me Out to the Runway to enter! The contest ends on December 10th @ 11:59 PM, so put your entry in quickly! An offer like this surely won't last for long. Good luck!
When it's time to ask that special someone if he or she will spend the rest of their life with you, be certain the diamonds you buy demonstrate the depth of your commitment. And with online convenience.
