This or that

Obviously the first image that pops in my mind whenever I think of Marilyn Monroe is the one with the white halter dress, where she is slightly blown away and where she flashes that evergreen flirty smile. I am not a big fan of hers but she is respectable. Despite her objectification and her portrayal as a sex-kitten, I think in a way she had that little charisma of being a feminist, because whilst other women in that era chose to be a housewife, she did what she wanted, and that’s my definition of feminism ‘doing what you want to do, not just doing things because men did/does it too’ She had the skills of ‘sexiness’ and she just manipulated the world with it. Yes being used and viewed as an object varies from the traditional feminist aesthetics (FA) because FA encourages you to be ‘somebody’ makes an identity, but remember Marilyn did that. She WAS someone and she always has an identity. She is definitely in my book of ‘feminists who wears lipstick’

 ‘My week with Marilyn’ is on theatres and I think it’s a good time to catch Michelle William’s fashion in portrayal of Marilyn in the docu-drama. The off-screen Marilyn wears cardigans, Capri pants and pencil skirts and white, beige, camel, red and black are the prime colours. 

I wanted to dedicate this entire article to the outfits in the film but somehow the feminist jabbering (which has been in my mind for some days) sqeezed in (Apologies;)) thus the title. 

Anyways, check out Michelle's version of Marilyn, or is it the real Marilyn herself!!?

New Crush!

Okay,I didn't know who Mary Katrantzou was, until three days ago. I was browsing through style.com, updating myself with the 'creation' of designers and wishing I was there witnessing it, if not from the front row any other row. And I came across this Greek designer, of whom I will be singing high praises! Yeah yeah she's been around and she ain't 'exclusive', but you know it's never too late to find inspirations.
Her summer/spring collection 2012 reminds me of gravels, things beneath the sea, the nature and yes, the amazing wonderful lively colors! Someone remarked 'It was an art within itself' and I couldn't agree more. Her collection reminds me the simple fact 'inspiration is everywhere' So, next time I am on the beach I will take notes.

inspiration everywhere!

Victory for Victoria

"I have never tried to make a statement by looking scruffy" Victoria Beckham (that extra half inch).
Victoria NEVER looks scruffy. Despite her hectic life and four kids, she is probably the only one who can/has do/done what she has done. Her ready-to-wear collection for fall 2012, which happened days ago certainly ended in an excellence.
The silhouette was the usual Victoria style- long, lean (but there were also some flare dresses) Fitting and the back zipped amidst the booty line.
Some defined sexy military, whilst some defined sophisticated elegance much like herself, anyhow here are the best picks.

last but not the least the yummy mummy  aka the designer ;)

African Art Anyone? (part 1)

Yes, it was that fictional Psychiatrist, Dr.Frasier Crane from the sit.com ‘Frasier’ who introduced African arts to me. Albeit his sometimes annoying pomposity, I really admire the sophistication and the knowledge he carries.

Instead of starting from the foundation I decided to start from what’s been around in these recent years. I found a book which featured a collection of contemporary African Arts by Jean Pigozzi, the famous businessman, philanthropist amongst other. 

I found the collection to be interesting and intriguing. I am just getting started and here are some of the best of the best. 

Esther Mahlangu (south Africa). She is the first Ndebele artist to transpose wall painting  into canvas. she does it freestyle . Acrylic on canvas

'J'aime la couleur' (I like colour) bt Cheri . Acrylic and glitters on canvas.
"My painting is concerned with people lives. I'm not interested in myths or beliefs. I want to change mentality"

Right and overleaf, baptism colour by Barthelemy Toguo.      
"At 39 as I was still unmarried, my family suspected that I was impotent and considered having me treated by  traditional medicine. I wasn't impotent at all, but my whole life was focused on the art"
Toguo was master of watercolor and he invented 'baptism colour'.

untitled

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 by Seni Awa Camara
"I am thinking I have an idea I am working"

Valentine aroma (Valentine story)

It sounds so clichéd when I say this, but we met on 14th February. I guess it was meant to be, which is why we went for the same rose on ‘that’ flower shop (we were both buying it for someone else)

Nothing stopped, no music danced and no wind blew but when I saw him I wanted to linger on more, just so that I can get an eyeful of him.

“You take it you were here first” He said politely.

I did take the rose but after that very moment, I broke up with my boyfriend.

I wasn’t completely heartbroken but to mend the slightly cracked heart I bought Chanel no5. I bought it because I had heard it was a ‘special’ perfume.

I was at the bus stop, and it was cold. Tired of waiting I took out the perfume. I pressed the top and sprayed a little on my finger and gave a small playful rub on my neck, just like Keira Knightley in the ad. It was intoxicating. The smell didn’t completely blow me away but, I took a moment to smell it. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of Chanel no5.

“What’s so special?” thought I.

Slowly I let out the drug and opened my eyes and there he was, at the other end of the road, smiling with the rose.

P.S I am not really obsessed with designer products but if I like it I flaunt it ;) 

top three trends 2012 (spring/summer)

The peplum- yeah I thought that too- ‘what the hell is a peplum?’ I had seen it around but was unaware of what it was particularly called. It is the over-skirt or a ruffle attached at the waist of a dress or a skirt. Personally I like it because it is feminine and chic. I am very much looking forward in bringing home my very first ‘peplum’.

Colour blocking- It might not surprise you when I say this is my favourite. It’s quite risky, playing with colours but like I always say, take that risk, who knows it might just be for you. I am glad it’s back, as it was around last year too.

2011

2012

The Crop- first thing first- it’s all about the abs! If you got it, flaunt it! This has been around and I am not surprised designers getting ‘inspired’ yet again. 

2010

When I first saw the some of the Stella McCartney 2012 spring/summer collection, the pattern immediately reminded me of the traditional Nepalese cloth 'Dhaka'. I doubt she took any inspiration from that but I really like the way she worked with prints and patterns with the sexy twist. I bet you have  seen some the celebrities already wearing 'em but still here are some my favorite.

That Korean(Oriental) Revolution

I know I am a little late in discussing the revolution we had from that Oriental culture, but since I have long wanted to write it, I write.

I don’t know how it started but for me I remember accidentally coming across then popular title ‘My Sassy Girl’ and watching it out of curiosity. I wanted to know what the buzz was about, why is everyone suddenly parting their hair sideways, why is everyone making little hearts with fingers (also think the creation of the big heart with the stretching of your arms) why is everyone mumbling Korean slangs, why is when someone say ‘you look like a Korean (or someone from the Orient) it is taken as a great flattery, and most importantly why is everyone, EVERYONE (the youngsters, although I once met a middle aged man with a blonde straight side parted hair and  he looked just the opposite of ‘kawaii’) wanting to look like one of them??

I don’t despise the Orient and their culture; in fact Japan has always been one of my favourite countries.

So, after few dramas and movies I think I knew why- the lean figures, ‘kawaii’ expressions (think a smile with lower lip bitten), crystal clear skin and the fairy tale plots. And it was also easy for us Mongolian Nepalese to link features with them, the eyes especially! And I figured out that it’s more satisfying and safe to idolise someone who looks like you. Another thing is the values and attitudes that we all Asian share. Staying with our parents even after we’re 18, the food i.e. rice, the shoe opening activity before entering a house amongst others.

I also remember how hit ‘boys before flowers’ was how hit the word ‘sunbae’ was after that! Okay I admit, despite the self-control I too was blown away by Kim Joon (at first I thought he looked like Lord Krishna!!) and even wrote stories about him (talk about intense crush!

Everyone listened Big Bang, Rain, SNSD, and many other artists. Optimistically speaking this proves that music has no language barrier.

2008-2010 were perhaps the peak years for this brief culture take-over. And suddenly having noodles and reading an anime was in ‘vogue’

There was a time I completely detested this influence but as they say ‘never judge a book by its cover’ I am actually quite glad of this ‘revolution’

7 Fashion influences-

-It taught us that you don’t have to be 7year old to dress/act cute

-Oversize Pullovers and leggings with sneakers/uggs make a comfortably cute outfit.

-It taught us how to accessorize almost everything! From hair to cell phone.

-You don’t have to wear kohl to be pretty!

-It taught us how to do hair buns in any part of your head and still look cute. 

-And last but not the least colors! winter was suddenly colorful

-short hair doesn't mean tomboy

(but it made us jealous of their school uniforms!!)

She is bubbly, colourful, cheeky, and daring and one of my styles crush at the moment! She reminds me of perky young fashion/art students you see littered around central London. The London based singer/songwriter Eliza Doolittle shows the attitude, but in her own unique colourful way. The bold colour clashing might not be suitable for just anyone but she sure knows her style. “I don’t care if they criticise me, coz I fashion too loud for them” is what I thought as I went through her pictures. But then again her outfits aren’t that controversial for me to sing them words, but still...

 Whilst her style is very original, she, for me looks a bit like Lily Allen (the quirky fashion sense and sneakers!) and a bit like Katy Perry (esp. the eyes!). Anyways, I thought today I might share some of her favourite and daring fashion moments. And trust me it’s quite impossible to not take some inspirations!! 

 Eliza DO- 

Take chances and play with color

Eliza DON'T-

But know what you are doing ;)

Barbie

Years ago when I was more age-appropriate for Barbie, I got not-so-cuddly bears. If any Nepalis out there reading this, and if you have ever come across the not-so-soft stuffy toys eg. the wolf like seated animal and small animal toys with harsh furs, you will know what I am talking about. I don't completely despise it, because the harsh furs brings me the sweet nostalgic memories of my golden days. Oh! how I wish to go back again. Anyways back to Barbie, like any other little girls I wanted something to dress-up and have a hair to play with. I waited and waited, alas! I got none. Then I made a very filmy promise to myself that I will buy myself a Barbie (which I deserve) only if I work hard to be what I want, a writer, so I am still waiting for that 'happiest' day.

perfection! no wonder she is controversial!

Usually I am not in much favor for perfection but, with Barbie it's exceptional because I'd like go with the fact that she is neither die hard feminist nor a dumb blonde, she is just a girl who has it all. Barbie is pretty, perfect, very presentable and also very controversial because of 'her' unrealistically proportioned body, but nevertheless, she is very lovable and not to mention glamorous. 
She is one of the most iconic and fashionable woman out there, hence all these weird high praises for her. A

I also found an old 'when barbie meets Ken' commercial, which I have decided to call an "exclusive" for Valentines day.