playing runway catch up... NYFW

I am a bit late in the game to be posting this but I was reviewing a few of the NY fashion week shows / presentations and there were a of couple collections that I thought were worth sharing here.  

First up, Erin Fetherston...

I have always been a fan but some seasons I do find that she plays it a little "safe" or, perhaps, the slightest bit too polished for my taste.  Though this collection isn't necessarily wild or super edgy it does live up to it's name: "Charmed, I'm Sure." How could I resist those quirky 50s silhouettes and beautiful fabrics... yes, please!

Karen Walker

Another NY designer that caught my eye this round was Karen Walker.  Even though it's about 20 degrees too hot in LA because we've been robbed of a winter (I know, I know... boo hoo. I can hear those east coast violins serenading me!) anyhow... despite that, I would like nothing more than to wrap up in that amazing structured wool coat or that gorgeous chunky sweater.  And once again I'm smitten by the prints which are, admittedly, a little all-over-the-place...

Rodarte 

Another one that ebbs and flows for me - I love the Mulleavy's and the degree of thought that goes into each of their collections but it doesn't always translate for me.  That said, I really liked this latest offering...I can't say that I was absolutely "in love" as I have been with some of their past shows but it's a lot of fun. These were my favorite looks (yes, I would quite happily wear the Death Star dress - the Yoda one...perhaps less so)...

I've been looking at London and Milan and, honestly,  I haven't been inspired by any of that, apart from an occasional pretty dress here and an amusing coat there. I am looking forward to Paris and will report back should the fashion muse strike!

For more on these collections click the designer's name above or visit style.com 

Happy days are here again | Marc Jacobs Fall 14

As my blog archive will attest, I am always interested in seeing what Marc Jacobs comes up with for his runway shows each season and it has never just been about the clothes for me.  The art direction is often so elaborate and otherworldly that it has the capacity to really and truly transport you somewhere else, even if you are watching via a lowly lifestream…on your iPhone…sitting in your car in an empty parking lot.

The Fall 2014 collection was no exception; the clothes matching the mood so seamlessly that it was as if you were stepping into a painting or perhaps you've floated off to another planet where towering beauties with blunt pastel bobs dominate the land scape while pillowy clouds hang just out of reach. 
The clothing was breathtaking.  As much as I love colorful prints there is something so incredibly calming and sensual about slightly muted tones. The organza ruffles and crystal beading were particularly alluring to my eyeballs as well as the 60s inspired footwear.  Though not as hard edged as some of his more recent collections, Marc Jacobs still manages to pull-off strong self-assured female silhouette and I think that’s no easy task.  One little teensy complaint (and, really, its not much of one) was the spoken-word version of "Happy Days Are Here Again," performed by Jessica Lange. It was interesting in the beginning but I think they should have mixed some other tracks in to add to the flow of things.  I still loved the show.  I went to find some photos to post here and came across THESE beauties that Lea Colombo took for DazedDigital and they really drive the point home regarding the atmosphere. Enjoy!

more on this show at style.com 

when the Cloudlings come

A few weeks ago, as my Instagram feed began to fill up with images of cloud sprites, antique beds on snowy beaches, beautiful clothing and a fuzzy two-legged unicorn creature, I knew something special was brewing over on the other coast.  It's lovely when seemingly unrelated insta-feeds collide, isn't it? This time it was the "dreamy team" - directors Maximilla Lukacs and Sarah Sophie Flicker - again joining forces with the always brilliant designer Samantha Pleet to create a film ("VISIONS") in anticipation of her Autumn/Winter 2014 collection.  Throw in cast including my pal Hannah Metz, fellow The-Loved-One shopper (and brilliant photographer) Tara Violet and, of course, Hannah’s brother Liam as the Creature and, well, this is a bit of magic that simply felt worth sharing.

I love the never-ending story vibe complete with a dream-pop score, Tennessee Thomas as narrator and can we please talk about THESE PRINTS!? This collection looks absolutely stunning.

Well done, everyone involved! (**claps from the West Coast**)

Cast:
Tara Violet
Louisa Gummer
India Menuez
Hannah Metz
Sarah Sophie Flicker
Liam McMillan

Clothing by Samantha Pleet
Styled by Hannah Metz
Directed by  Maximilla Lukacs and Sarah Sophie Flicker

via Refinery29

ALBUM RELEASE DAY!!! CHARADE IS HERE

I'll be back later in the week to share a few of my favorite NYFW collections but I wanted to let you dear people know that my debut full-length album CHARADE came out today! It is now available worldwide via Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon, etc... links below.

BANDCAMP: megolsen.bandcamp.com

ITUNES: CLICK HERE                AMAZON: CLICK HERE

Scissors + Fire will be the first single and it gets its debut right here on the blog! enjoy. xMeg