Loco For Rococo

Posted on 11/08/2012 by Slim Paley

Well, just as I predicted (genius that I am) while 1/2 the country is elated this week, the other half is deeply in need of some botox right between the eyebrows.

Sorry I can’t help you with that (Virtual Blogging Botox Party?!) but I can offer some completely over the top, nothing even vaguely tethered to reality escapism for just a couple of minutes.

If you’ve picked up just one fashion magazine lately no doubt you’ve clocked the fierce force of ornamentation, brocade, bling, bang & baroque that assailed the runways this Fall.

Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Balmain, Alexander McQueen, and Valentino were only some of the big boys that pulled out all the stops with needlepoint and pearls.

Seriously I don’t even want to think about how much these jackets must cost (or how much they weigh for that matter…couture as exercise?)But the exquisite workmanship and beauty cannot be denied.

Unless of course you’re a dyed in the wool “Grunge” devotee’

In which case these Celine sandals from Spring ’13 might be more up your ballroom

I admit, chances are very slim we’re going to see anyone wearing most of these, but it’s certainly Fantasy Fashion at it’s best.

Speaking of Baroque, Rococo and Fantasy…When I was in Paris a few weeks ago I saw John Malkovich in the Hotel Costes restaurant. (Well, actually one of my girlfriends spotted him-literally the first SECOND we walked in. She’s rather genius at that. She can also read a guest list upside down. In French) It took me a minute or two before my one lasik-ed eye was able to confirm that yes, indeed it was J.M. He looked, you know, pretty good, pretty cool & pretty louche, much how you would expect John Malkovich to look holding court in a french bar at 1:00am. Afterwards, my friends had a little visit with him and said he was utterly charming. Don’t ask me why I didn’t go with them. If it had been Sawyer I would have. Anyway (sorry-this is getting so long!) when I got home to Santa Barbara a friend called and said she was having some people over to watch “Dangerous Liaisons” and would I like to come. Would I??!

Do you remember how GOOD that film was and can you believe it was made in 1988??

Does this jog your memory?

Of course we’ve had several films with similar sensibilities since then

Sophia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” comes to mind. It was beautiful and fun but didn’t even come close to the naughtiness and wit of “Dangerous Liaisons”

Marie Antoinette’s bedroom at Versailles

Alexander McQueen

Valentino

Valentino. Magical, right? I love thistles.

Subtle Baroque by Bottega Veneta, Fall 2012

Balmain Fall 2012

Dolce

I think Dolce

Dolce Fall 2012

Karlie Kloss in Dolce & Gabbana

Judith Leiber minaudière

Balmain- wow. I would just hang this on my wall and touch it every day.

Nicholas Kirkwood

and possibly my favourite coat of the season from Fendi

The moment Malkovich realizes she is completely in his power is staggeringly good. The dude can act.

Valentino. I love the way the metal studs hip up the needlepoint, don’t you?

This has to be a Tim Walker photo, right?

He loves those boots

Happy Day to you and give yourself a treat and watch “Dangerous Liasons” again.

(any uncredited images via Tumblr or Google, Kate Blanchett in first Vogue image)

Put the Metal to the Petal

Posted on 12/06/2011 by Slim Paley

CHANEL PRE-FALL 2010

* * * *

OK, so these titles can’t all be gold!

I’m dancing as fast as I can here.

Still haven’t done the tree, but tomorrow is another day...

Metal leaf night lights via Viva Terra

Hot off the press;

The CHANEL Pre-Fall 2012 show in Paris TODAY!

“Paris-Bombay”

credit unknown

Valentino SS2012

Ferre via Vogue Italia

Azzaro

Chanel pre-fall 2012

Laduree

Chanel Pre Fall 2012

What do you think?

Chanel Holiday Palette

Alexander McQueen SS2012

Photo via West Elm

A silver tree is quite chic, especially in the city don’t you think?

******

Day 6 Kids

BLACK LACE

Posted on 03/02/2011 by Slim Paley

Slim Paley photo

A treasured vintage gown, bought with great delight, many years ago at the Costume & Textiles Fair in Bath, England

Slim Paley photo

Was it just me, or did you notice a dearth of black this year at the Academy Awards?! Other than Madame Stone, who worked the black theme and then some, I’d have to say it was the least amount of noir I’ve ever seen at an awards show.

For me, Black still remains my Go To “Colour” when in doubt (which is more often than I care to admit)

and what girl isn’t a pushover for a beautiful touch of black lace?!

Herewith;

a sampling of lace, some traditional, some…not so much

Audrey

Alexander McQueen, Fall 2010

…

“Rosa Muerta” a one bedroom, 1,300 sq.ft. residence completely open to the elements located in Joshua Tree, CA & designed by Robert Stone

Blumarine Fall 2011

Valentino

Terence Koh “Black Light”

Bergdorf’s catalogue

Erin O’Connor rocks a Mantilla of sorts in Oyster magazine

Ming

Maria Carla Boscono

Slim Paley photo

Dior

Haider Ackermann Fall 2010

Black Lace Outdoor Furniture by Seasonal Living

Finally- a “tattoo” I’d wear! (For a night, anyway)

Anastasia Radevich

Fab!

The Mondrian

What’s up? Itchy?? Another model sorry to be in the Lanvin Fall show2010

Dolce & Gabbana

Cesare Paciotti

Karen Elson

little lace socks seen in Australian fashion show

If your tastes run more to the garden than to the runway…

Canadian artist Cal Lane’s Lace shovels

Dior Fall 2010

Roberto Cavalli’s home

Sally Hansen “Salon effects” lace nail polish strips

Marchesa Spring/Summer 2011

This model could also stand to be a little happier about her gig

Lost the credit for this fabulous laser cut black metal chandelier

Lace lighting by Gilles Eichenbaum

Helena Rubenstein Lash Queen

Bottega Veneta

Plates available via The Conran Shop

Valentino

McQueen

Ming

Wallpaper available via Anthropologie

Lady Rita

Lady Gaga

Who Wore It Better??!

Daria

Bottega Veneta Fall 2011

Cesare Paciotti

Delicate heels are making a comeback Ladies- watch your Ebay decisions carefully

The Oscars…128 Hours??

Posted on 02/27/2011 by Slim Paley

Did you watch?? Still awake?!

Oh Dear, The Oscars got some, shall we say, mixed reviews this evening…

Michelle Williams arriving

looking very Jean Seberg in Chanel couture.

There were definite highs…

“The King’s Speech” unsurprisingly won the Oscar for BEST FILM

And… a couple of lows…

Anne Hathaway and James Franco hosting the 83rd annual Academy Awards

Much like a badly judged first date that spends the night scanning the room to see if he can do any better, Mr. Franco, at least for the first half of the show, adopted an “I’d rather be anywhere than here” sort of attitude. Why the slumming James?? We’ve all been nice to you!

Anne Hathaway, on the other hand, I thought was quite adorable. She looked divine in everything she wore including; Valentino, Givenchy, Lanvin, Vivienne Westwood, Oscar De la Renta, Versace and I believe she closed in Tom Ford. Phew!

Not to mention the girl can really sing!

Mila Kunis wore possibly my favourite dress (Elie Saab) of the evening

A radiant Natalie Portman took home Best Actress Award for “The Black Swan”

Scarlett Johannsen’s dress was such gorgeous shades of berries-

I just wish she had worn a nude coloured slip underneath, instead of black, but that’s just me

Even though I’m on “Team Gabriel” I thought Halle Berry’s Marchesa dress was spectacular

Colin Firth and his beautiful wife Livia

Don’t we all just love Colin Firth?! His tux was perfection, loved his buttons

Nicole Kidman doing a “White Swan” in Dior

I like Cate Blanchett but this Givenchy couture was definitely not my favourite- Not liking that big circle effect on the chest at all.

Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor for his incredible performance in “The Fighter”

Who knew he was Australian?! I thought for a second he was staying in character for a part and I thought ; Wow, the press is going to have a field day with this. Silly me.

Bale in “The Fighter”

Gwyneth Paltrow…her dress was nice. That’s all I’m going to say.

You can say stuff though:)

OK, wait…I can’t stand it.

I just have to say one thing. When asked on the red carpet if she could chose one person in the entire world to sing a duet with, the lead singer of Cold Play’s wife said “Jay-Z”.

I nominate Gwyneth for the “Always Be Closing on The Career” Award.

Mandy Moore’s Monique lhuillier dress was perfection!

Sweet, age appropriate dress and attitude for Hailee Steinfeld, star of “True Grit”

(sorry, don’t know who designed her dress. Anyone??)

Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”

Dame Helen Mirren, glam as always.

Sharon Stone

Not sure about all that over-posing on the red carpet…a little too “Ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille”

Annette Bening & Warren. She was AMAZING in “The Kids are All Right”

one of my very favourite movies from last year.

RED was definitely the most popular colour for the 2011 Oscars…

Sandra Bullock having the last word on Biker Tattoo Loser Guy

Jennifer Hudson received some mixed reviews on her Versace dress but I think it’s just incredible how she has turned her look and body around. Cheers to you Jennifer!

Anne Hathaway & Valentino

Jennifer Lawrence from “Winter’s Bone”

Javier Bardem & Penelope Cruz looking fab

Love this tone of red

The Family Jewel tones…

me thinks the Bridges family have this year’s Christmas card ready to go! What a sweet photo!

and lastly,

Helena Bonham Carter representing

What did YOU make of the show this year?!

Blush & Black Swoon

Posted on 12/04/2010 by Slim Paley

Via Couture lab

Apologies in advance to the legions of male readers I won over with that last post. “Manly” things will definitely be making appearances on S.P. more often, and not just for Christmas, as well as more architectural and design related posts as the “Boy Barn” project continues to gain momentum. In the meantime, anyone else feeling the Blush & Black vibe in the air with all the hoopla surrounding the premiere of “Black Swan” this week?! I, for one, can’t wait to see it. I always love a film with great dance sequences, beautiful people that inspire me to work out for three seconds, and a little dark humour and twisty bits thrown in for good measure. With a cast including Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis and Winona Ryder, I’d say this will be one fun film to see with your girlfriends, girlfriends!

Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”

Mila Kunis at the premiere in N.Y. this week

What little girl doesn’t dream of being a ballerina? I certainly did.

I’d like to say my career under the lights was eventually curtailed by a crippling toe shoe injury…

The truth is decidedly less glamorous- It was terminated by a crippling case of stage fright before my first performance.

No joke.

NO ONE was making me get on that stage.

I try to recall the drive home in the car with my parents but apparently I’ve blocked that memory. Back to the frog pond for me.

Zac Posen Spring 2011

Feels as if Z.P. was attempting to channel a little John Galliano here, a little Alexander McQueen there, to bring some excitement back into his collection…

or Perhaps Zac was inspired by George Balanchine’s ballet “Bugaku” first performed in 1963,