Kawaii Desho

Note: Always watch anime in a well-lit room and don't sit too close to the TV.

Jeremy brought home these adorable anime eye glasses. It is such a sweet gift! There are perforations so you can still see through them. However, it is a little creepy if you stare at someone for too long while they are wearing the anime eyes...

- jerome

7 X's, 7 Days Part 4: Reverse Richter

X #4 of 7: The Hooded Shrug
7XL Tee, Shirt by Tim Hamilton, Denim by H&M, Harness by Zana Bayne, Mirror Belt by Virgin Blak, Boots by Dr. Marten's
Scott Pilgrim VS The World is one of my favorite movies of all time. That is a bold statement, but I can say that without a doubt. It has everything I want in a film: comedy, romance, homos, fight scenes, hot dudes, and a high level of nerd sensibility. There are many great characters in this universe of crazy, but one particular character left a huge impression on me - Roxy Richter.

Roxy is the 4th evil ex (out of 7 evil ex-boyfriends) that Scott Pilgrim must face to win the hand of his true love. Richter is the only ex-girlfriend AND SHE HAS A RAZOR WHIP. Pretty much any movie with a whip fight will win me over but this was a girl fight, with a whip, and a sledge hammer, and an orgasm. KABOOM. (SPOILER ALERT. Don't watch the video if you plan on seeing the movie)



I have to make it clear that I am not a fanboy. I do not do cosplay, and I don't troll message boards hoping to meet that special someone who replies to my comments. However, after seeing this movie, I knew that I needed to have a razor whip belt, or something like it. There were a few that I found online, but the razors were tacky edge blades similar to the kind girls like to wear to look "alternative." Thankfully I was able to track down a mirror belt that has the luster of Ms. Richter's weapon. Roxy inspired this look. I needed to find a way to create a hooded piece using the shirt without looking like the great cornholio. Thank goodness for bondage and harnesses! I wore the hoodie a little on the shorter side just like Roxy's but there is still enough fabric to do a longer, short sleeved piece.



Speaking of the Richter, I am deeply horrified and saddened by the tragedies caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The video coverage I have seen online really scares me. Watching cars, houses, and entire towns being washed away is absolutely surreal. The fact that scientists say San Francisco could be next is shaking me to the core. My friends and their families in Japan are all safe for now, but there are so many who are less fortunate. If you have anything to contribute to help the victims of this natural disaster, please DONATE to The Red Cross HERE.


- jerome

Obsession Session

Now that my 11 day stretch of working is complete, I can go ahead and decide what all that hard earned cash will be spent on. Fashion month continues to pre-drain my checking account as soon as I take a peek at the collections online. My spring wardrobe hasn't even been completed yet and I am already shopping for Fall!! I MEEAANNNN??!

Taxes and receipts Reflections on the past year tell me that 2010 was the year of Louis Vuitton and handbags. It was no secret that my obsession for leather goods grew exponentially. 2011 is shaping up to be the year of Hermés, shoes, and jewelry. Acquiring my first born Birkin set a pretty high bar, slowing down my hunger for handbags. Of course the PS1 and Céline Luggage Phantom are still on my list, but outside of the iconic essentials, my attention is now focused on shoes and jewels.

Photos via Style.com
Exhibits A and B: Burberry Prorsum Tassled Creepers and Creeper Wedges. I have the Spring Prorsum Biker sandals and have only purchased one other pair of shoes from the Spring collections (reveal coming soon). Already some funds are set aside for these runway beauties. The men's shoes are calling my name with burnished leathers, TASSLES, and a chunky/contrasting sole. The women's wedges are a smart interpretation of the creeper, and they will make me approximately 6'4"!!

Image via FEARLANPHEAR
Then there is my new found love for bracelets. Hermés helped me over come my anything-on-my-wrists phobia. I am still really specific as to what can go on my wrists, but it is a start. Kate Lanphear has always served as an inspiration to me. Not only is she Senior Style Editor for US Elle, but her style is authentic and original. The picture above pretty much sums up why I worship her: Preppy elements, check. T-shirt peplum, check. Hermés Collier de Chien, check. High androgyny, check. You know how something just doesn't feel right if you forget to put on all your rings before leaving the house?? Wrists-feeling-naked is the new fingers-feeling-naked.


- jerome

Target Acquired: Hermès 35cm Bleu de Malte Clemence Birkin

I feel like an adult now.
Trench by Burberry Prorsum, Trousers and Shirt by Comme des Garçons X H&M, Jumper by Zara, Shoes by Whoop-De-Doo, Handbag by Hermès

Behold, my very own (first, but not last!) Birkin bag. Having it in my collection is a big deal. Buying it myself with my own money is a milestone. I always knew I would come to own one, but never did I imagine it would come to me by fate. The story begins with a random work schedule assignment. By some stroke of luck I was allotted a Saturday off last week. Saturdays are rarely given to anyone who works in retail. This is because normal people most customers shop on the weekends. I gladly accepted because 'tis the season and I wanted a break within the busiest shopping time of the year. My dear friend Anthony wanted to stop by Hermès for his birthday so I gladly came along. We were not expecting what was about to occur next.

I originally planned to buy a ring. After selecting, sizing, and measuring we made our way to the front of the store to look at scarves for Anthony. Suddenly a woman purchased a bag in the center display, and out comes the sales associate with a new bag to fill the void: a brand new 35cm Bleu De Malt Birkin in Clemence leather with silver palladium hardware. It came straight from Paris, directly from the stockroom via late delivery, and into my eager hands. This bag had never been on display, meaning I am the only customer to ever handle it. When I took it into my arms I knew... the size, color, and leather were everything I wanted in a Birkin. Sure enough the women were flocking toward the icon, but it was too late for them. Fate had visited me that day. Quickly I ran to the bank to call upon the Birkin Fund while Anthony guarded the bag.


A 40cm Togo Birkin seems ideal for guys, but every time I would carry my friends' it felt large. I like my day bags big, but not luggage sized - especially since the bag is a top handle carry with no cross body strap. Togo leather on a Birkin is beautiful, but the structure and consistent "newness" did not feel right whenever I tried it on. I get that the Togo is scratch resistant and hard wearing, but for my first I wanted a more precious skin. The Clemence leather of MY Birkin is absolutely perfect for me. It is softer, drapes beautifully while maintaining structure, and is the perfect weight and softness to compliment my lifestyle. When you touch the skin, you can feel immediately why Hermès is known for their leathers. The color, Bleu de Malte, is one of the newest hues of blue in the Hermès palette. It has a rich, royal color that has a tendency to play tricks in different lighting.



This is the holy grail of bags and with hard work I bought one, and with good luck I got an amazing color/leather/hardware combination. I am in love. I joked that my family will be stoked that I can shut up about this bag now, but I realized that the fever has set in; I want everything in Hermès! And the obsession continues with the gold and black Birkins... One day :)


- jerome

The Scent of Anna Dello Russo

I am going to need a bottle of this.

- jerome

Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière Fall 2007

Blazer and Top by Zara, Khakis by J.Crew, Shoes by Whoop-De-Doo, Enamel Bangles from Shanghai
I couldn't think of a better title for this post than simply the actual collection and designer themselves. Nicolas Ghesquière's Fall 2007 collection for Balenciaga really changed my view on fashion; it might have been just as influential as Hedi Slimane's reign at Dior Homme. The elements of Ivy League and equestrian style spoke to me directly as the variety in color and texture on the runway was the kind of eclecticism I was seeing during my first years in college. Ghesquière's styling really shed light on how to wear classics in a modern way, while incorporating cultural jewelry and accessories. This may explain why I love Dries Van Noten so much too. These brilliant ad campaigns haunt me to this day as I continue my never ending search for the shoes from this collection. I was first introduced to open toe options for men through Balenciaga's menswear collection in Spring 2008 (whose footwear was influenced heavily by the womenswear Fall 2008). I kept these tear-outs from an issue of Vogue three years ago. The influence is still with me now, speaking volumes of the longevity in Ghesquière's work.



Nicolas Ghesquière is a master at making unconventional look wearable. You could imagine my heart palpitations when I saw him shopping at Prada a few weeks ago. I did not want to bother him or take pictures with my camera phone, so I merely STALKED HIM HARD CORE glanced at him through the shop window while pretending to be on a phone call. Yeah, he is definitely worth being one of those guys for. Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we?

Balenciaga by Nicholas Ghesquiere, SS2008




I will always be looking for the sandals and the white leather jacket with the green and gold detailing in the menswear collection (up there, third from the right). I saw both on my first visit to 10 Corso Como and regret not buying them. This may be another influence on my impulsive/compulsive shopping habits... GOD BLESS THE 30 DAY RETURN POLICY.

- jerome

Aspirations, Thinspirations... Like, Real Goals

Mary-Kate Olsen with Bodyguard, purveyor of my entire wish-list

Sometimes I wish I was Mary-Kate. She doesn't ever have to choose. She can have her cake Céline Luggage tote and eat it have her PS1 too. Extra large. In Python.

Since I am a post-grad living in an economy presently in a recession, I have to choose one... for now anyway. LET'S NOT KID OURSELVES - I WILL BE GETTING BOTH. It is more of a matter of which one comes in first I think. Obviously the PS1 is near and dear to my heart. I even took a poll of which color I should get because there are so many lovely colorways. However, the PS1 is the "it-bag" of now whilst the Céline tote is close to my heart as well. The tote is also an it-bag but being dubbed "the new Kelly" it has classic potential. I have been alerted that both of these beloved leathers will be making there way into the store SOON for this upcoming holiday season. Fingers-crossed they don't come at the same time... The Birkin fund cannot take too many more hits! I promise I will cool it with the bags after these... I may or may not have my fingers crossed on that one too.

Until the time comes when I can spend like an Olsen, I will continue to dream of a shopping furiously like MK for hypothetical babies.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

- jerome

Intermission

It is my birthday week, meaning a crap load of shopping and dinners. This explains the lack of updates. But here are a few things I stumbled upon the past few days. I promise to give you a full report of my birthday loot. For now, peep this:

Gilly photo from ILVOELV

- jerome

God Save McQueen

Shirt by Alexander McQueen, Jeans by Uniqlo, Shoes by Whoop-Dee-Doo

In this time of sadness and confusion, the fashion world is in a state of reflection. Many toasts were given in remembrance on the eve of Lee McQueen's passing. I think that celebrating his genius is one of the best ways of honoring him. Because, even those who find fashion frivolous cannot deny that McQueen was one of the greatest artists of our time. It is unsettling to think that no one could ever fill the void he has left in the creative collective consciousness, but maybe that is part of his legacy. He was authentic, original, and unique, and I regret the fact that I will never get to meet him. Rest in peace.





- jerome

RIP Alexander McQueen

Lee Alexander Mcqueen, 17 March 1969 - 11 February 2010

What happens when an Icon dies? I do not know how to feel right now. The world is in mourning, but my thoughts and prayers go with Mcqueen's loved ones. A tragic, major, and heartbreaking loss for the fashion world. Thank you for everything... just, everything.

UPDATE: I am home from work, and I spent the day trying to verbalize how I feel about such a huge loss, but I am at a total loss for words. I am not alone in feeling this way. I couldn't agree more with Scott Schuman when he says:

"I'm rereading what I wrote and what has been written on other sites and blogs. All very nice but I still feel so unsatisfied, so empty, even a little mad. When a big time movie star or politician dies someone like Tom Brokaw has always been there to help put it into perspective. If it was a sports star, fans would talk about it for days on talk radio. However, for someone that loves fashion Alexander McQueen is just gone and no one seems to be able to make sense of it. There doesn't seem to be anywhere to turn to make it feel right or understandable. I don't have any answers for you either. All I know is this sucks."

This might take a little more than a day to digest. What do you do when a hero takes the fall?

- jerome