moloko i moda

julian koster (of neutral milk hotel and the music tapes) telling a story about his great grandfather and his most vivid memory #vscocam (at Erikson Clock)

“He smiled understandingly-much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced—or seemed to face—the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you as you would like to believe in yourself, and assured you that it had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Perhaps I was a flapper in another life, and perhaps I drank champagne on Tuesday afternoons and whirled on dance floors in my lace dresses and sequined pumps. Perhaps.

Perhaps everyone is talking of the film and of the era, of the fashion and of the decadence. Perhaps you hear of it on nearly every blog you read and almost every conversation you pass by. And perhaps it appears here as well, but there is simply something so inherently magnetic and enchanting about the story that I cannot bring myself to not post about The Great Gatsby. The book is, by far, my most beloved read. 

The fashions are, undoubtedly, captivating. Putting aside the question of accuracy, Prada, Miu Miu, Brooks Brothers, and Tiffany & Co. really outdid themselves here. (Always leave it to Prada to bring me to a halt.) More importantly, other retailers—including my fave Warby Parker—have created impeccable collections of limited-edition lines and products inspired by the era. This leaves us, then, to trust that these designs, and this era, will forever seduce, forever inspire, and forever intrigue us. So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past…

Words can’t describe how much I wish I could attend the 2013 Met Gala in NYC, especially because this year, the theme is right up my alley: PUNK: From Chaos to Couture. How perfect is that? To get me in the mood for this event (even if I have to live it out vicariously through photographs and instagrams), I’m uploading a recent fave editorial from Fashion Gone Rogue. The editorial is by one of my favorite photographers, Gianluca Santoro and the model is the stunning Natasha Ramachandran. Beautiful styling and makeup, accentuated by rock ‘n roll hair and coupled with a balance of hard and soft accessories, make this an editorial to remember. After all, black is the new black. 

Bali-born, Antwerp-based jewelry designer Heaven Tanudiredja is now on my radar for his bold, futuristic (and darkly exquisite) statement jewelry. These are not your ordinary bib necklaces. By giving each one a name such as “Pyromania” and “Anorexia Nervosa, “ Tanudiredja attaches a mysterious energy to his pieces, translating meaning into his striking designs. “My starting point was, as it has been for some seasons, mental disorders. Which, at first introduction, sounds heavy, but in truth I try to sculpt the beauty behind the chaos,” Tanudiredja said in an interview with Business of Fashion. What an incredible display of the deeply-rooted emotion that is attached, but often overlooked, in fashion and design. 

Favorite label getting a lot of attention lately: CUSHNIE ET OCHS, created by designers Michelle Ochs and Carlie Cushnie. The pieces define modern edge, play with sharp attitude, and exude polished sex appeal. Their signature cut-outs are executed with perfection, and their fall/winter 2013 line is stunningly bad-ass. For me, nothing says beautiful and empowered like solids, leathers, and silks, and their line rocks them impeccably. 

Could it be? A favorite new it-girl on the snow-covered cobbled streets of Russia. Sofi Eliseeva, Russian fashion blogger, TV host, stylist, is a hit among photographers at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. She’s been popping up on newsfeeds everywhere, including the New York Times Fashion Department’s Instagram. Shown here chicly playing with textures and colors, you can expect to see this well-dressed Russian gal more and more in the months to come. You can read her blog here.  

there often comes a time when you sit down and all the moments of your life prior to that second come to the precipice of your mind, like little lights from another world waiting on order. most of the time, that order never comes. and all we can do is appreciate the beauty of that moment and the light from within. 

front row at #annasui with grace coddington #nyfw (at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

this was an unbelievable moment that happened completely by chance, and yet, was meant to be. 

fab metal corset dresses at falguni and shane peacock #nyfw (at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

these dresses, and falguni’s entire collection, was avant garde without being too loud. it was sophisticated and pushed limits chicly. 

another favorite look from @badgleymischka (at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

beautiful, clean lines and fabrics. of course, a few embellishments near the neck line (because where would badgley mischka be without embellishments?)