On the Cheap: The Cocoon Coat

I cannot for the life of me understand why someone would spend $300 on something they could get for $40…on sale..that look the same. OK. That's a lie, I can completely understand when you're talking about fabrication, construction, quality, but as a student who is sometimes--not that often---struggling, I just don't know where these bloggers are getting their dollars from because I am not seeing the same returns.

I saw this coat at Old Navy during one of my de-stressing prowls through Eaton Centre, and then a couple days later it kept popping up on my blog rolls' feed, so I clicked through to find out it was a strikingly similar version from J. Crew.

 Sooo $40.50 on Old Navy's website or $400 from J. Crews'?

 Precisely.

J. Crew Stadium Cloth Cocoon Coat- $400

Women's Solid Blanket Coat- $41.50

Images Old Navy, J. Crew.

Ain't nobody messing wit' my clique: Haute Couture

Here's a fun fact: only 2% of the population of the world can actually afford haute couture. That's probably because the going rate of a piece from a couture collection can go from $25 000 into the millions.
They are more so a work of art showcased on a body than actual clothing, and are one-of-a kind, hand cut, hand sewed, hand beaded, with the most precise of hands, in the best atelier's in the world, using materials that can cost as more than a car.

Alexis Mabille Spring 2013 Couture

Armani Prive Spring 2013 Couture

Giambattista Valli Spring 2013 Couture

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2013 Couture

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2013 Couture

Ulyana Sergeenko Spring 2013 Couture

Valentino Spring 2013 Couture

Zuhair Murad Fall 2013 Couture

Just as hard as it is to own couture, you better believe it's as difficult to get on the list of names, now totalling sixteen, to become a recognized couturier. The exclusivity that lies within haute couture is the kind that we as humans are constantly struggling for, and rarely achieving.

Saturday's still are Fabulous

Alright, though I was a little hard on the debut collection of Kate Spade's lower priced line Saturday, I've got to eat my words, because boy, do I love their Fall line.

Come September I'll have been in Canada three years, this will be my fourth winter. And i'm excited for this winter because I feel like I'll finally be able to say my dressing game will be on par with the summer season. My first winter hit me hard, I felt for the first time what -26° and understood very clearly what a windchill meant, so my concern was warmth and warmth only.

Alas the second and third winters met me being in a school for fashion, which was where I wanted to be, so I had to try ah thing as I would refer to it in Guyanese vernacular and began wearing tights and dresses, etc-- and I realized it wasn't that bad.

So what all that chatter was leading up to is simple, if I could look like anything this Fall, a lot of it would lie within this collection. The super wide leather belts, the mix of uptown taste and the polished sporty look. Love!

Viewers if you have any great suggestions about attractive and warm wear please give me that information ASAP!

New Art: Hayden Williams Fashion Illustration

Talent is unavoidable. There isn't a place you can go and not be inspired and in awe of peoples work. I came across this young man on Instagram, and just can't get enough of his illustrations. Hayden Williams is a British Designer & Fashion Illustrator, and at the ripe age of 21 has caught the eye of the industry-- from VOGUE to Naomi Campbell.

There is a certain realism that comes with fashion sketches, and it attaches itself to the creative flair of the designer, making it as though everything that is drawn can just as easily come to life. That is a lot of the magic that these illustrations bring.

Hayden Williams Haute Couture FW13 collection

'Strut Like Naomi"

'A Class of His Own'

'Blush Beauty'

'Getting Ready'

 I have such great admiration for talent like this. They are great reminders of why I love this industry.

Images Courtesy of Hayden Williams Illustrations

Lanvin Resort 2014

Wow. There is no better feeling than having your faith restored in anything.
Seeing Lanvin's Resort 2014 Collection gave me little heart palpitations and made me get extremely excited after being surrounded by inconsistency.
Jewel tones, jewels, structure, all pulled together with opulent fabric and design. Alber Elbaz intricately combines masculine and feminine, creating for a women a true testament of their personalities-- a little bit of everything.

Seeing a fresh take on fashion from such a talented artist is nothing short of inspiring. Elbaz solidifies his skill and highlights his appreciation of the art form in well placed structural components and draping, as well as colour and texture.

 Snake skin, jewels, and a brightly hued pant suit are all aspects of a collection that are right up my alley. Absolutely adored this one.

My Week on Fashionotes

1. Eye on E-Commerce: UNIQLO

2. Top Tumblr: Beautylish

3. LOOKBOOK.nu Lovin': Mohcine A.

My Week On Fashionotes.com

Read, read, read!

1. Eye on E-Commerce: IDEELI

2. Top Tumblr: Oscar PR Girl

3. LOOKBOOK.nu Lovin': Anouska P.

My Week on Fashionotes.com

Hi everyone!

I recently started writing for FASHIONOTES.com again, after a 2 month hiatus to focus on school etc. So every week i'll leave the links for my 3 articles and yall can have a look if you'd like.

1. Eye on E-Commerce: FITIQUETTE

2. Tumblr of the Week: Altamira

  3. LOOKBOOK.nu Lovin'

Covet this: Balmain Embroidered Skirt with Mirrors.

I don't know what it is with me and shine now, but I LOVE it. When tribal met the Indian Bazaar, Balmains' embroidered skirt was born. I wont even lie, when I saw it, my jaw dropped; then I saw how much it was and it hit the floor. At a cool $15,100 you could be rocking this too.

Covet this: Balenciaga Royal Blue Tote

I was mindlessly browsing recently and came across this amazing, amazing Balenciaga bag-- that doesn't look very Balenciaga. The shape, shade and even the texture of the leather just scream luxury.

Collection de Mode en Papier

In the fashion arts building at my College the visual merchandising students have window displays that they're responsible for. Every two weeks they change them according to themes, and the most recent displays were all made out of paper medium.