Alexander McQueen, RIP

Lee Alexander McQueen was one of the most successful designers of his time. He was born in London and at an early age, knew exactly what he wanted to do in life. He was first an apprentice to many tailors and costumiers and was going to art school, until he became the head designer for Givenchy in 1996 for 5 years. In 2001, McQueen left Givenchy and created the McQ and Alexander McQueen labels. Many loved his clothing, including singers, Lady Gaga and Bjork, and the supermodel, Aimee Mullins.

McQueen was known for his outlandish designs and the crazy themes to his shows, which won him the "British Designer of the Year" award. FOUR TIMES. Alexander also had a line for MAC makeup, called McQueen, which featured fall time colors, and was very popular.

This weekend, the show Fashion for Relief/Haiti, featured 7 designs from McQueen's last-ever collection, which are now nicknamed "The Magnificent Seven". See the video, featured on Telegraph.co.uk, below.



Although Naomi Campbell was included in the models showing off "The Magnificent Seven", I believe Daphne Guinness(pictured below) was the most important woman walking down the runway that day. Guinness, one of McQueen's muses (another is Stefani Germanotta, also known as Lady Gaga), was perhaps wearing the most recent design McQueen ever created; Guinness walked down the catwalk in a white, silver, sequined masked catsuit, which hid her "tear-stained" face.

McQueen's latest designs, for Summer 2010, included lots of bold lines and prints, black lace, and shoulder pads. View the designs here, on the official website.

View npr's article on McQueen's death here.

Visit Alexander McQueen's website here.

Alexander McQueen will forever be missed.

New Years Revolution

Happy 2010, everyone!


This year, I don't have a New Years resolution.
Instead, I have a New Years revolution. I think that with my constant shopping habits, I produce a lot of waste. Whether it be the small tags, shopping bags, or the fact that I am buying brand new clothes all the time made of new fabrics, new dyes, new yarns, etc., I am producing a lot of waste with my little habit. So this year, starting right now, I vow to only buy used clothing.

Instead of shopping at Nordstroms or American Apparel, Buffalo Exchange or Crossroads will be my best friends. No new jacket, I shall buy the used pea coat at the vintage clothing store. If I need some work pants, I'm off to Plato's not Gap.

There is one exception, I will not buy used underwear. For the life of me, I will not buy and use secondhand undergarmets. This small need of buying new underwear will be my only exception.

Hopefully this will make me feel a little more "green" and eco-friendly in the city. Let's see how this "revolution" goes...

This Might Just Be For Me...

Here are my best fashion-related finds of 2009 (all under $20!) : The lucky 13.

1) $16 Purple flower print heels from Marshall's

2) $7 American Apparel red tee with gray pocket from Plato's Closet

3) Free Express sweater from my boyfriend's closet

4) $8 Apple Bottom 70's style romper from Plato's Closet

5) $12 American Apparel tank from a seller on Sunset Blvd. in LA

6) $6 Vintage style Rolling Stones tee from Plato's Closet

7) $12 Charlotte Russe Sailor Style Dress from Plato's Closet

8) $16 Silver, green, purple Puma pumps from Plato's Closet

9) Free Purple clip-on jewel earrings from my friend, Samyiah

10) $19 Acid wash jeans from F21

11) $6 Yoga tank from a store on Castro St.

12) $9 Waist belt from F21

13) $8 Flower wallet from F21


My favourite places to get cheap, stylish clothes this year were:

Plato's Closet in San Mateo.
View their Yelp! page here.

Crossroads near Church St. on Market in SF.
View their Yelp! page here.

Any Forever 21. The down side is that F21 has mainstream, mass-produced clothing that many people have, so I try and go towards the more individual places.

Any Goodwill. Just bring hand sanitizer, haha.