TBT: Dolce & Gabbana AW04

July 27, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Today, looking at a Dolce & Gabbana show hurts. The brand’s recent strategy to lure rich millenials through casting Instagram stars for their runway is, politely saying, ridiculous. Also, I don’t feel like writing much about Domenico and Stefano‘s pride in dressing America’s First Lady, or the latter’s drive for dramas and beefs on social media. But, even though it’s hard to believe it in 2017, Dolce & Gabbana used to do fashion. And really good fashion. Autumn-winter 2004 season is a great example of that. Inspired with Helmut Newton’s photographs and muses, the designer’s collection was about a hedonistic, ultra-chic, dramatic, yet powerful woman. Lots of sheerness, romantic lace, sassy fur, seductive satin – that was extremely Dee-Gee at the beginning of the millennium. The models – from Stella Tennant and Mariacarla Boscono to Nadja Auermann and Karen Elson – killed the audience with their walks.

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#InstaLOVE – May 2017

May 4, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

@lynettegarland

I am an Instagram maniac and I openly confess that I spend too much time on filtering my feed. But it’s irresistible, when you have so many great accounts to follow! If you are ready for a dose of beautifully curated walls, inspiring photos and delightful shots – see my May recommendations!

@sokothecat / This French actress (The Dancer) and musician (her latest track, Sweet Sound of Ignorance), Stéphanie Sokolinsky (aka Soko), is the ultimate definition of badass cool. With her post-grunge, punk-lolita aesthetic, the multidisciplinary artist has scored her place in the fashion world. Soko is the girl you want to have at your New York garden party. Alessandro Michele knows how to launch a Gucci fragrance with a wow: just bring Soko and Lana Del Rey under MoMA PS1’s roof. Petra Collins, Hari Nef, Dakota Johnson, hi!

@lynettegarland / Love Magazine’s stylist, recently working for Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs: take a look at Garland’s moody backstage images and black & white musings.

@graciehartzel / If she’s not modelling for the likes of Tom Ford or Chanel, Grace contributes to La Femme, a French psych punk band. Take a look at her intriguing DIY make-up looks once you hit her Instagram!

@saylouloumusic / Mirandra and Elektra Kilbey’s Say Lou Lou is a twin sister musical duo hailing from Australia and Sweden. Planning to listen to their songs, but for now it’s their sun bathed and chic feed that keeps we absorbed.

@_ju_lien_ / Julien Baulu is a Paris-based fashion consultant and researcher, who has a soft point for vintage issues of Vogue Paris, cult Elle covers and unforgettable Harper’s Bazaar editions. My magazine collection is quite a yawn comparing to his. A must follow.

AND, if you want to follow one more account on Instagram… why don’t you follow, ta-da, @designandculturebyed?

Comme Des Garçons at The MET

May 1, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

Autumn-winter 2000

Today, Rei Kawakubo‘s revolutionary and incomparable contribution to fashion will be honored at The MET ball, ahead of the exhibition opening this Thursday. Only the second show dedicated to a living designer in the institution’s history (the first was Yves Saint Laurent in 1983), it’s a testament to the radical experimentation with garments of the 74-year-old, whose dedication to ‘the art of in-between’ has earned her a cult fandom. Forget the celebs, who I doubt will wear any Comme Des Garçons with passion tonight (really, don’t make me laugh, Katy Perry). Here are my seven alternative red carpet looks, coming straight from Kawakubo’s universe.

Autumn-winter 2012 – This collection shaped my love for fashion. That’s a fact.

Autumn-winter 2017

Spring-summer 2015

Autumn-winter 2016

Spring-summer 1997

Spring-summer 2017

All collages are by Edward Kanarecki, the author of the blog.

Throwback Sunday – Céline Pre-Fall’10

April 2, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

When you come to a certain conclusion that her 2010 pieces for Céline would look perfect in 2017: that’s the power of Phoebe Philo‘s fashion. Those masculine, mid-lenght coats; beige cardigans with leather pockets; evening tops with feather inserts. It’s hard not to love the flared pants or this simple, little black dress styled with red tights. Pre-Fall 2010 was her third collection for the French house and it’s interesting to observe how she incorporated some of the brand’s heritage codes. The knit with a vintage automobile print used to be Céline Vipiana’s long-time signature, while the belt buckles had the brand’s old logo on them.

#InstaLOVE – February 2017

February 1, 2017 | Design & Culture by Ed

@womenandfilm

@talilennox – Annie’s daughter, a model and a ‘psychedelic girl scout’ as she describes her. Total girl crush and pure artistic talent with her absorbingly surrealistic paintings. Love her!

@womenandfilm – an Instagram account dedicated to documenting female characters and personalities on film. Daily dose of inspiration and a constant reminder of which films you still have to catch up with.

@rarebooksparis – I’m thankful to the owner of this remarkable account for posting so much and so good. As the name suggests, you will find here some very, VERY rare book gems, from collectible Comme des Garçons zines to archival issues of 032c. The original Maison Margiela shop catalogues are here, too, selling like hotcakes.

@charlottecolletcollet – Charlotte is a Paris-based stylist, who works for magazines like Re-Edition and Pop. Recently, she has visited Passage, a cult vintage boutique in Paris’ 11ème. Here’s what she saw. Dreamy.

@_another_kind_ – on-line curated vintage shop showcasing hidden gems from the archive. Sibling account of must-follow @oneofakind.archive. The styling is brilliant. Worth following, for sure.

AND, if you want to follow one more account on Instagram… why don’t you follow, ta-da, @designandculturebyed?