The VMA's: Where Hollywood Stands in Fashion Now

          The VMAs is always one of the most looked forward to award shows every year. While most people are looking to see if their favorite artist won 'best female' or what funny jokes the host (hopefully) doesn't bomb while reading the teleprompter; my always fashion focused mind is analyzing the attendees attire (s/o to my friends who put up with my fashion ranting through that 3 and a half hours). In general, I found that this year the men pretty much killed and led the way from Kanye's ombre button up to Taylor Lautner's mix of casual button up and dressy blazer. The female artist and presenters were less than impressive in general but either way, here are the highlights:
         The Good:

best couple, i love that they subtly

i love that the shoes don't exactly match, chic as usual

beyonce looking amazing in her preggers glory

i love the guy look on a girl look

kinda diggin her black angel look. love the shoes and dress silhouette

Selena looks slightly evil but its still chic

ummm love the idgaf look mixed with nice jeans and blazer

idk y i kinda love this rugged look, it works

its kind of a beautiful disaster

i really love kanyes look he always has interesting clothes and combos
however i was extremely disappointed by Jay-z timbs ands tee
what was he thinking?? after so much clout and respect has been built around him
for him to rock this 'hood' look its not OK

         The Bad:

not really feeling harajuku mermaid look much as i love her

i expected more from her, especially cause she was honored

blast in a glass is not appropriate for a show

it looks too young and the shoes threw it off

2 words: i cant.
I'm all for self expression but this makes no statement
other than "im an idiot"

all that sparkles ain't gold, prime example

Collateral Queens



             The only thing better than an amazing force in fashion, is when two amazing forces collaborate. Many retail stores have been collaborating with designers and brands to form capsule collections: Sears's, Charlotte Russe, JC Penny's are just some of the few. But the ones that take the cake and continue to shine as the best in this new trend, are H&M and Macy's. These two retailers are what my fashion business teacher would call category killers lol. H&M pretty much dominates the chain retail store sector and Macy's is most likely the number one department store (course as a Macy's employee I'm partially biased) but you can look up the facts! lol

             H&M is a company known for being a head of the trendy pack so it really comes as no surprise that they would be one of the leading pioneers of this new trend. H&M has collaborated with such designers as Lanvin (for H&M), Leigh Lezark, Sonia Rykiel (for H&M), and Versace. Each collaborative collection holds true the trendiness and styling/ silhouette and cheaper prices of H&M while also fully embarrassing the design aesthetic and of that designer.

crowded H&M stores

Sonia Rykiel for H&M

Leigh Lezark for H&M

            Macy's a designer collaborative efforts I personally think is a bit of a surprise. Because Macy's is a department store and by nature is very family oriented, it's interesting that they would put such a high end idea in stores where middle America shops. Not saying by any means that the typical family in the middle of the Midwest doesn't know anything about fashion; just interesting that the designs of some of the greatest designers in our time are mass produced and found in the same place as dishwashers and duvet covers. Nevertheless Macy's has its own line up of designer combos as well; the likes of Matthew Williamson, Karl Lagerfeld (available on the 31st of this month) and the newest edition, Giambattista Valli due out in October. I personally can't wait for the this Karl Lagerfeld collection, as I am a dedicated fan of this designer he is truly talented. I still am in shock his designs will be available at my fingertips just next week. But then again maybe accessibility is just one of the many things about the 'magic of macy's' ;-)

looks from Matthew Williamson

Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse

Giambattista Valli

Body Art

               The connoisseur  of magazines that I am (I have at least 6 subscriptions to different mags and have issues dating back to 01'), I've noticed a subtle trend starting to form on the glossy editorials. Within the last 3 years tattoos have started to be shown off in magazine spreads and fashion ads alike. I'm sure of course this has a direct correlation to the sudden increase of people getting tattoos in general, but the combination of the 3 art forms intrigues me.
              I am a full supporter of tattoos, way before I got my first one I've been obsessed with the sentimental symbols and pictures and paragraphs that people choose to get permanently drawn on their bodies. Of course I prefer to see them in moderation (sorry Wiz Khalifa I'm not gonna ink my whole body) but generally speaking I think a well done, symbolic tattoo is one of the highest forms of self expression and furthermore, body art.
              For a long time visible tattoos were taboo, and to a certain extent they still are. Its true that some tattoos in some careers heed inappropriate and guarantee you don't get the job. However, this  fad of body art being paired with an industry that already breaks all the rules, I personally feel is a collaborative creative effort of epic proportions. Photography is an art, fashion is an art, and tattoos are an art form, and all three rap upon using the human body as a canvas of creativity and expressionism. I think together they make amazing visuals and produce higher level of creativity and 'art'.

(Rih Rih's side by her boob & shoulder tat are visible)