W.S.V. DNA

Summer Solstice – Time for The White Wonder By Alexis J.

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 20:01:48 +0000

White – How do I love thee in Summer , Let me count the ways ! I love thee in a bubble …

I love thee theatrica , contoured and spiked!

I love thee with ruffles, leather, bright colors, roller blades and holes …

I love thee conical,starched tattered, and torn .

I love thee in panels , with feathers or lace , flowers , masks , circular and or pleated

You can be a girly girl or you can be a tomboy, but there is no denying that all of us Girls love white. It is eternally classy and looks ever so pretty.

Maybe not an all white ensemble, maybe just a hint of white in the form of a headband or a pair of white rope wedges. I personally love white handbags, especially clutches, as they look uber chic !

You’re not a big fan of white? Then opt for a white belt white hat or various styles of white shoes.

If you are more experimental, you could try a pair of sheer white stocking like these Asos darlings or white ensembles with splashes of color like a dress with a pink bow at the back or a skirt with black detailing.

White for us is a consistent trend for Spring/ Summer , from the archive we did created this embroidery for Catherine Malandrino Spring 2008.

However you wear it or whichever form you wear it in, there is no doubt that anything white (as long as it isn’t bright, wall-paint white) will keep you stylish and cool.

Alexis J.

“Extremely passionate about fashion, Alexis Jefferson is a 16 year old style and fashion writer who lives, eats and breathes fashion. Obsessed with shoes, this aspiring Carine Roitfeld writes for several online publications and websites including her blog Candid Couture - candidcouture.com//

Photos:

lisa kidebe- Alexei Hay

Craig McDean

Style.com

Blogging – What Is The Big Deal? – By Alexis J.

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 03:05:32 +0000

Anyone even remotely interested in fashion would know that while florals and pastels are current trends people are coveting, blogging is the trend reigning supreme in the industry. But what is with this new found obsession with bloggers, blogging in general? Let me Alexis J. break it down for you.

Some might say that bloggers are the shiny new toy that the industry can’t get enough of because, well, it’s shiny and new. But that doesn’t explain why the rest of the fashion enthusiasts are so enamored by blogging.

Here is the main reason why:

Bloggers tell you the truth.

Sure, Vogue might say that XYZ new designer is fabulous and his/her designs are just what you need to be in the “in” crowd but bloggers are the only ones who will turn around and tell you that while said designer may be the “in” thing right now, his/her $1000 garments are complete rip-offs and the quality is nowhere near as good as they claim.

The honest truth: That is what people want and that is what big time magazines/websites have stopped giving us. Don’t believe me? Head over to Vogue UK.com and go through the various show reports. Save the Lindsay Lohan for Ungaro collection, none of them has gotten a bad review per say. Now, I get that they want to gush over how amazing the latest Oscar de la Renta gowns are or how utterly fabulous the latest Dior mini-dresses are, but how can anyone possibly love each and every one of the 28947942 shows out there? They can’t.

But when you are being handed out weekly “care packages” and “samples” who would dare turn around and say “Well, thanks for giving me $5000 worth or merch but I am so sorry to inform you that your collection sucks.”

Bloggers, that is who. Sure, receiving free things and being sent the best of ever collection isn’t something a blogger would turn down, but in the end, they will tell you the truth about the products. The fear of never being contacted by the said merch-giver isn’t something that stops bloggers from saying what they really feel.

Say, when was the last time you read an article telling you about all the various things wrong the fashion industry really is? Sure, you read an odd “Models below eighteen shouldn’t be allowed in this industry, it ruins their childhood” or an “Eating disorders are extremely commonplace now-a-days and the fashion industry is the one to blame for that” here and there but never an article talking openly about the industry’s (various) flaws.

Bloggers however, do talk about things like this and as I have said before, their honesty is, pardon the cliché, ever so refreshing.

And that is what makes them the go-to people for any fashion related issue.

While this may be the major reason for the sudden shift from magazines to blogs, money is the second issue. Why pay XYZ amount for a magazine that only comes out once, maybe twice a month when you can get instant fashion updates every few days? I can’t think of any reason why. Ever since I started blogging and discovered the various blogs out there, I have bought two or three magazines. And this is coming from a person who used to rush to markets at the beginning of every month and buy every fashion magazine available at the stall.

Whatever be the reason, blogs are now replacing magazine faster than lightening and I for one couldn’t be happier; not just as a blogger but also as a fashion-lover who doesn’t want to see just the sparkly side of fashion.

Alexis J.

What’s Our Best Kept Secret ? Colour

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:31:40 +0000

All of our Designs begin with colour ! Colour dictates the line , the materials and the energy of our design. Enjoy , and tell us what excites You ?

”Colour is the key. The eye is the hammer. The soul is the piano with its many chords. The artist is the hand that, by touching this or that key, sets the soul vibrating automatically.” Wassily Kandinsky

Color… thinks by itself, independently of the object it clothes. (Charles Baudelaire)

“Mere colour, unspoiled by meaning, and unallied with definite form, can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.”Oscar Wilde

Colouring does not depend on where the colours are put, but on where the lights and darks are put, and all depends on form and outline, on where that is put. (William Blake)

I want to know one thing. What is color? (Pablo Picasso)

Colour is a creative element, not a trimming. (Piet Zwart)

Color which, like music, is a matter of vibrations, reaches what is most general and therefore most indefinable in nature: its inner power… (Paul Gauguin)

One has to arrive at a specific temperature, at which the objects become malleable. (Georges Braque)

The more an object is polished or brilliant, the less you see its own color and the more it becomes a mirror reflecting the color of its surroundings. (Eugene Delacroix)

I try to apply colors like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music. (Joan Miro)

Each day has its own individuality of color. (Charles Hawthorne)

The fabulous handbags of Lena Erziak- by Arushi Khosla

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:12:26 +0000

My love affair with Lena Erziak dates back to their decadent SS10 collection, which left me gaping (and predictably penniless)

. Their fabulous handbags just got even better this Fall, with a plethora of beauties named after, get this; Hollywood male celebrities. Having snagged four (count em’, four) of their creations, here’s the lowdown.

Armed with a collection of eighteen stunning bags, sisters Leona and Hasna, the creative forces behind the label have outdone themselves. To recap: all Lena Erziak handbags are handmade in Florence, Italy with only the most luxe materials; thinkPrinted Python and Ostrich galore. The best part is that the bags are very accommodating, even the seemingly tiny ones. You can easily fit in your Blackberry, lip gloss, assorted keys, camera, and everything else you could possibly need.

The Valentino: Already becoming an extremely coveted It bag, the Valentino comes in Printed Python and Calfskin in three gorgeous hues: a deep green, a slate grey and a black. The green is probably my bag of the season. With Lena Erziak’s signature tassel and light weaving in white with gold accents, it’s absolute perfection. This paired with anything is a huge boost to your self esteem and your look.

The Edward: Preppy enough to be the object of Blair Waldorf’s affection, this adorable bag with an oversize bow is too cute not to grab. There’s Printed Python and sumptuous Calfskin in three colors; a deep crimson, a lovely beige yellow and the prerequisite black. It’s got a slight gold chain link leading t a short strap and enough room to hold a laptop inside.

The Anthony: A break away from their usually preppy chic designs, the Anthony is very Alexander Wang meets Yigal Azrouel. With a faux zipper slanting across diagonally, it gives off an air of rocker nonchalance that immediately catapults you to Becka Diamond-esque status!

My favorite is the basic black which comes in leather. There’s also a crimson. In Printed Python, there’s a captivating pale grey , and blush pink. There are handy detachable straps for heavy lugging.

The George: The only evening bag/clutch I snagged, this little beauty is classy enough to give Alber Elbaz a complex. Thrown with anything and everything, it will definitely transform the wearer into classy and elegant. It’s Python body has a slight suede ruche cutting across it, adding to it’s delicate charm. The George is available in mustard , tan , maroon ,black and cream .

The girls on Becka Diamond, their hometown and Carrie Bradshaw…

This season, you guys are experimenting with a lot more than just chic sophistication veering towards the preppy side. For example, the Anthony is a nod towards a little more grunge. How did that evolution come about?

Honestly we are so deep within the process of creating all the time, we hardly notice that there is major evolution. We never set out to make one preppy or the other grungy. We just design bags that we want to carry and that hopefully other women will want to carry as well

What makes you and consequently, your designs tick? What are you reading? What movies have you most recently watched and loved? Do you have any favorite museums or artists?

We work a lot, as a result we watch movies long after everybody has seen them. We recently finally had a chance to see “Lost in Translation” by Sofia Copola, a real “chef d’oeuvre” .

We also love “Mister Nobody” from Jaco Vandermael. Leona is reading Narcisse & Goldmund of Hermann Hess. and Hasna is re -reading the prophet of Khalil Gibran. We just saw the exposition of Frida Kahlo in Brussels, her work, her life was so amazing in every way. We also really love the Prado in Madrid.

What decade in time is most inspiring to your work?

NOW…we design for the present.

If you had to design bags for a) Victoria Beckham b) Charlotte Gainsbourg and c) Becka Diamond, what would they be like?

We have already designed a bag that is perfect for all three, the Sean! It is great for any sense of style, and comes in classic Gray or hip Leopard.

Currently, what are things you’re personally coveted and what else is exciting you?

We are so busy that we covet spending time with our loved ones, that’s is the most inspiring things for us. Life is too short….. Seeing the smile on their faces is the most powerful and exciting thing on earth….

Will you watch the Sex and the City movie?

Of course, it’s in our plan to do so sometime soon. It’s part of girly things we love to do together as sisters.

How did your hometown influence and inspire you? In what ways?

It’s hard to tell because we have traveled around so much growing up. We feel like citizens of humanity, everywhere is home in the end.

Which is your favorite piece from the collection?

That’s like asking us, “Which one is your favorite kids?” We can’t we just love them all.

What item from your label is the trademark for perfection for you and it consistently pushes you to meet that level?

Perfection is not on earth. If we ever meet perfection, we are not even sure if it will be interesting. Real beauty is witin the imperfect for use, the weakness of things, that’s what makes them interesting.

What one item from your home constantly provides you with information?

There is more than one item that is constantly providing us with thoughts and inspiration. We would say the fresh scent of Mint, pictures of our family, art and the voices of loved ones. Those are always providing us with information and stability.

Which is the one model/celebrity/actress/social you’d love to style with your bags?

There are so many that we are interested in, we can’t name them all. We would start with Scarlett Johnson, Eva Mendez, Charliez Theron. Sofia Copola, & Anna Wintour, but we heard Anna never wears bags, so…. )

Needless to say, I’m absolutely sold. You can head on over to http://www.lenaerziak.com for more information how you can be the proud (and stylish) owner of one of these or their other bags.

Bio: Arushi is a fashion enthusiast from Delhi, India with an undying passion for all things fabulous.. She believes strongly in both the art and business sides of the fashion industry and is an ardent style blogger on her blog http://www.FabBlab.blogspot.com In addition, she also blogs for Vogue India and works for many a fashion publication including Haute Mimi International, Glossy magazine and Digital Temple magazine, etc. Tom Ford is more of an icon to her than Tom Hanks. Enough said.

Next…. Inherent Indigenous , Glamorous Color ……..

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 04:14:45 +0000

Pure…. Fire Driven… Heart Stopping ….. Unadulterated Color

Credits

Photos

Andrew Yee

Steven Meisel

Mikael Jansson

Illustrations
Franciose – Nielly