why the April issue of Harper's Bazaar might be the greatest magazine of all time

There will be not one but two flawless photo shoots in the April 2012 issue of Harper's Bazaar that will make it worth checking out. Coincidentally (or rather consequently) they are both shot by Fashion/pop culture's photographer du jour Terry Richardson.

Exhibit A:
First there is a feel bad about your social life feel-good spread featuring a good old fashioned Italian feast hosted, obviously, by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The boys party it up with a few "it" girls like Eva Herzigova, Amber Le Bon, Pixie Geldof and Cara Delevigne all dressed in lavish looks from the past spring collection. I can't help but cringe at the thought of all of that tomato sauce and red wine flowing because I have a feeling that those crystal encrusted corsets and laser cut lace jackets aren't machine washable.
What makes this photo shoot great is that it is intended to appear "real" and yet it is so over the top that it mocks itself without the viewer's trying. The shoot becomes self-referential with all of the blatant Italian-ness, the spirit of Dolce & Gabbana. Throw in a few too-attractive-to-be-real-friends-so-they-must-be-male-models and boom! That's how photo shoots are conquered.

The next great Richardson shoot is a throwback to the 50s spread with the adorable Miss Miranda Kerr. Also, this particular photo might be my favorite in while:I know, I know...a fabulous girl in designer Fashion unrealistically chowing down on Italian comfort food. Where have I seen this before? But I guess if it's not broken don't fix it? The whole shoot has a very Italian vibe but it finds it's main muse in the model rather than the designer. Terry takes the Victoria Secret Angel/mom (WTF?!?!?) for a day out around town making her look classic as ever in everything from Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Dior to you guessed it Dolce and Gabbana.
I think that what I find most appealing about these photo spreads I that I desperately want to be in them. I mean who wouldn't want to be fed by D&G or be Miranda Kerr?

currently coveting

Time for 1,000,000 wishes! Or $1,000,000 worth of wishes. In case anyone ever has a hard time figuring out what to get me for my birthday, Christmas, Easter or World Meteorological Day (that's tomorrow by the way) here are some quick ideas.

Christian Louboutin purse, Lanvin cuff, Jil Sander sweater, Alexander Wang top, Miu Miu sandals, Vera Wang skirt, Miu Miu lace jacket, Marni necklace

Oh and a few more...
Because when you are digital shopping you can spend digital (fake) money.

Isabel Marant vest, Perdo Garcia shoes, Jason Wu dress, Chloe leather shorts, Alexander McQueen dress, Proenza Schouler clutch, Diane Kordas ring, Stella McCartney blazer

thanks preemptively!

about time!

The Balenciaga mega brim hat (BMBH) from last fall has finally made its first cover! I'm so excited because I have been stalking these hats since their runway debut. I had mixed feelings about the Baleciaga collection when it first showed (tweeting, like an ass, "Balenciag-huh?"...I think that I'm clever). But as I have seen the clothes and accessories shot in both the ad campaign and in editorial spreads I'm falling in love.

Emily Blunt (<3) got to rock the BMBH on the cover of TIME Style&Design which is perfect, because this extremely stylized hat optimizes Fashion design."I just loved that Balenciaga hat. And this is exactly what I like about [F]ashion. The right accessory speaks for itself—and the entire picture."

Does anyone else get a Darth Vader vibe? No? OK.

she done good

I'm a huge fan of the Hunger Games series and naturally I'm super stoked on the upcoming movie franchise (something has to satiate my post-Potter depression). The world premier of the first film was last night and the stellar Jennifer Lawrence did the fans a solid by looking like this:Katniss Jennifer continued to be the envy of every girl ages 14-85 wearing Prabal Gurung, fresh from New York. On the runway this gown was belted and had a much more severe slit in the front. But Jen keeps it young-adult while still making me forever insecure about my back/waist/butt.

Your Mockingjay...

blast from the future

Since her taking over at the label Sara Burton has honored the tradition, mission and aesthetic integrity of Alexander McQueen. This season was the first time that I felt as if the late Lee McQueen would not have designed this collection. Miss Burton took a new approach to textures, silhouettes, and color pallet than anything that I have seen from the label in the past.
This season was Sara Burton's projection of the future. And by the look of the things it's surprisingly optimistic, shiny and frilly. There is a much tighter and refined feeling to this collection than the Spring 2010 show that was also supposed to be a look into Fashion years down the road. Ironic, seeing as Miss Burton is the future of the label.

The McQ collection, also by S.B., reminded me much more of a McQueen that I have become accustomed to. Not only was there plaid (!) there were plenty of floral aspects that was a common inspiration in past collections.

After seeing the Savage Beauty MET exhibition I feel as if I am an authority on this subject. Sorry to be so obnoxious.

sensible footwear

Miu Miu, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Prada, Dolce and Gabbana

Treat yourself to a few of the most ambitious heels from the autumn collections. I adore the dainty floral details on many of these shoes. They feel like they should be in the most epic little girl's dress up trunk. While McQueen opted to go heel-less again this season Channel replace their heel with a crystal (rather than last season's coral). But the winner in my eyes has to go to Prada, obviously. I mean last season their shoes were literally on fire! I have a place in my heart for their footwear. Always.

styling wows

Haha! Try and make more puns than me, I dare you.

As the big 4 Fashion weeks come to a close I am compelled to comment on one of my favorite feature of the shows. Styling! Great hair and makeup changes everything. Here are some beauty shots from some household names:

Prada's color pallet was consisted of my favorite prison jumpsuit/haz-mat orange and plumb purple...

Jean Paul Gaultier gave each girl neon roots...is it bad that I sort of want it???


Gucci went zombi with blackened ombre lips and bleached eyebrows...


Versace and Elie Saab did the hairstyle du jour with cropped, sharp bangs...


And finally Miu Miu and Chanel introduced the world to geometric browdazzeling...

a shoutout to my main man Jean Charles de Castelbajac

One of my most anticipated shows from Paris each season is Jean Charles de Castelbajac (pronounced exactly how it looks). He is the designer who got no recognition for was made infamous for Lady Gaga's Kermit the frog coat. Each season he walks the line between Fashion and total bullshit. Please understand that I have the utmost respect for JCDC and his guts and ridiculous sense of showmanship. However sometimes I feel like designers such as he add fuel to the "no one would wear that, it's so elitist, what a waste of time/money" fire. But I really don't care, his shows are a blast. This fall season took a turn for the wearable - if you consider bird heads in place of shoulder pads wearable.

Some highlights:

And some throwback photos of ghosts of collections past:

What a boss.

if looks could kill

See what I did there? #DoubleEntendre

Granted, most of these girls weigh in at 87 lbs. but they could totally kick your ass or eat you alive (haha JK they don't eat!). This season designers presented armor more than clothes. Is there anything better that a tough model in a voluminous velvet skirt?

Givenchy, Lanvin, Gareth Pugh, Haider Ackermann

Maybe a tougher model in a chain mail mini skirt?

Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, Emilio Pucci, Mugler

Lisbeth Salander called, she doesn't mind.