Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty at the Met

Posted on August 7, 2011 by yougogirl

It was a hot July summer day when I made my way through Central Park to finally check out the finest fashion exhibit to date. Alexander McQueen – Savage Beauty. Summer 2011 will go down in history for the time when the Metropolitan Museum of Art set new attendance records with the Costume Institutes exhibit of the brilliant and iconic designer.

The exhibit was curated with some lovely insight into McQueen’s aesthetic and philosophy toward his craft. With quotes posted on the exhibit floors and walls, each room reflected a “personality” that designer showcased over his career.

Within each room, the mannequins were breathtaking while supporting masks made of leather, lace, burlap, feathers, jewels, and more created by Guido Palau.

Simply stunning, the masks made the viewer a little uneasy. They were hauntingly fabulous and quite like the designer himself would have included when presenting his collections.

It was so hard to pick a favorite piece, but I loved the Gold painted duck feather jacket over a white tulle skirt. I also thought it was fab that the exhibit started with the stunning red dress where the bodice back was made of colored science slides. The innovation that we had as design students never went away with McQueen.

The tears fell when I entered the room where the Alexander McQueen Tartan pieces were displayed. The copper walls with the period lighting sconces set off the clothing epically. The designer, who was inspired by almost every culture, was deeply proud of his Scottish roots. It is this plaid that would be another signature for McQueen.

The collection included pieces from McQueen’s design school days and you could see the start of pieces he worked on for years that he made signature. Alexander McQueen played with shapes and structure from the beginning. I was reminded through his quotes that he created clothing that would give the wearer a sense of power. This is the same inspiration I have when styling clients. For me the “power” translates into confidence. With confidence, anything is possible.

With a two-hour wait and record-breaking crowds, I was happy that I was keeping my membership at The Met current and I sailed passed the long queue. I am certain the pedestrian nature of the exhibit would have bothered the avant guarde designer, but on the other hand, my hope is that the exhibit inspired those that were never exposed to the designer…this is my making lemonade out of lemons.

Alexander McQueen was truly one of my favorite designers. Not only for his intricate and “breaking the mold” designs, but also because of his love of the art while pushing boundaries on all levels. When I art directed shows, I wanted the audience to be compelled. It didn’t matter good or bad, just wanted a reaction (vintage photos from my shows above) Alexander McQueen influenced all this. He is missed. RL

Post Script | Video links to Alexander McQueen Shows

Moods of Norway | So Happy

Posted on June 8, 2011 by yougogirl

This post is long over due for many reasons. One of the major reasons? I just wrapped on filming a feature and have had absolutely no spare minutes. I am excited to share news and costume design inside info once I get the clearance on that one. The other reason this post is over due specifically? I have been an fan of Moods of Norway since I first saw the men’s turquoise satin suit in The Finerie’s windows over a year ago. Its about time I wrote about it.

Cut to Sundance 2011 (I was there for The Off Hours) and a personal re-introduction of the line by the designers at one of the VIP lounges. I love this brand for men ~ especially those with a sense of humor who understand that wearing clothes is fun. Ironically, the tag line for the Moods of Norway line is “Happy Clothing for Happy People”. The cut and fit are especially good for the lean, however, that being said, if you have a good tailor, there are possibilities for most any size guy.

Girls, the line is so great for us too; A range of styles to choose from to fit any of your moods from romantic to flirty.I personally love the satins and plaids designed for both genders. Take a peek on the inside of the garment. The finish and construction makes the knees of us garmentos go weak.

I recently wore the coolest outfit I ever have worn to a gala I was a co-chair of (Northwest Film Forum). The theme was 80’s inspired and I chose to wear the Spring 2011 Hot Pink Hot pants and double-breasted blazer. I had a blast, felt happy and it was a fab event…I may have to owe it all to my Moods of Norway outfit. Can what I wear really make the night such a success? Perhaps…let’s just say it was part of the picture for us raising over our goal and hosting the best party ever. RL

White Lines and The Fever: The Death of DJ Junebug

Posted on March 18, 2011 by yougogirl

It is so fab to head out into the city on a Sunday night…especially to the Ace Hotel when you have a friend who has some work showing. The Ace has been hosting different film series in an awesome screening room, The Liberty Hall, on Sunday nights.

Last Sunday I was honored to check out Travis Senger’s film, White Lines and the Fever: The Death of DJ Junebug”.

His piece was a standout amongst the other documentaries that showed. The film produced by Lincoln Leopard Films and written by Travis, had soul, heart and told a story that anyone who loves music must see and hear.

The documentary highlights the scene in the South Bronx and the double life of DJ Junebug who was a true talent and iconic founding father of Hip Hop in the early 80’s. I want to tell you all about it, but I want more for you to see it. The film is showing around NYC for the next few months and the next time will be in Harlem at the Maysles Theatre on April 28. Please check it out if you can.

I will tell you while my eyes were full of tears at the end, I was proud to see a whole list of amazing Seattle filmy friends work on this award winning project [Grand Jury Prize at Tribeca Film Festival, South by Southwest Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival]. A huge shout out to them. I am looking forward to more amazing films by Travis and Lincoln Leopard. RL

A quick Dial in on Fur Purse Charms

Posted on March 9, 2011 by yougogirl

As I entered my flat after a lovely dinner in the city with my film gals at Peels, I saw to my roommates bag. I said to myself “Oh No. She didn’t!”

Attached to her bag was a bag fur tail bag charm. A faux fox one fashioned like the Luis Vuitton one Victoria Beckham sported last year.

The trend of the fur tail bag charm has been an interesting one for me to follow. I don’t know… I like it in photos…but there is no way I can get around my history of costume roots on this one. As my friends and clients know, I love sharing those interesting facts behind clothing and design. This is good you guys…

The fur attachment reminds me of the periods both in England and France when the gowns and garments were heavy and layered, especially in the courts. Wigs were added and bathing was not an every day thing. Lice and mice were common in and amongst the garments. Yikes. So, the idea was to attach fur charms on the garments or carry a small fur pelt in their hand so that these little critters would go away from the person and onto the fur charm away from the body. Double Yikes. This practice in fashion history was during the Tudor Period (the first half of the 16th C. under Henry VII)

My roommate’s response to this story? “Mine is to keep dirty hipsters away”. Ha. RL

P.S. Special Thanks to my history of costume professor, Dr. Stella Warnick, for her help in confirming the details and finding a great example.

Ivana Helsinki FW 11 @ Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Posted on February 22, 2011 by yougogirl

The last show of the season was pending. As I enjoyed a glass of wine at LINCOLN, I was able to watch as the crowds poured in to check out the last of the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

The tents were packed with fashionistas. LAMB (Fabulous) had just finished and I was heading to Ivana Helsinki the very last show of the night.

I first found Ivana Helsinki in a lovely shop in San Francisco on the tip of North Beach. Our intention was to go out and get coffee and get right back to the hotel. We went shopping…

I was instantly drawn to Ivanas knits. I didn’t just buy one piece of hers that day. I bought two; Both of which I still wear two years later |

Ivana Helsinki pieces are often notices for their prints. The prints are designed by Paola Ivana Suhonen. Usually quite lovely. For FW 2011, the designer’s theme was “Velvet Lake”. The show opened with a 35 mm film shown on a reel to reel. Cool. I will just share the words that inspired the collection and show you the pieces. I loved; All that I highlight here. The boots are designed by Ivana Helsinki as well for Seychelles.

You know the moment

Just before the lake will freeze?

It’s lazy, slow

Like a velvet coat

On top of dark water

Like feathers, smooth

Ready to cool

Liquid to solid

Velvet Lake

That is what we call it.

Had a blast at the after party. Chelsea Hotel. Couldn’t be better. RL

Photo Credits |

Middle | Rebecca in Ivana Helsinki

White Trash Beautiful FW 2011 @ Style360 NYFW

Posted on February 21, 2011 by yougogirl

I like Style360’s approach when it comes to New York Fashion Week. They tend to have unique designers that have interesting stories to tell not only through their collection, but also are interesting people personally.

WTB ~ “White Trash Beautiful” is a line that premiered in its first New York Fashion Week on Thursday. It is the design line of Richie Sambora, who all of us know from Bon Jovi and Nikki Lund, who admittedly I didn’t know…I had to do some sleuthing. [Nikki is a LA Designer & Musician with quite a career]

The concept of ‘Trailer Trash” has intrigued us all for several years and quite honestly I didn’t get that groove. I just got a rock and roll vibe that I love.

The distress grey leather jacket is something I know that would work for several clients. I think the lines are perfect over a skinny jean, wide leg pant or dress. I kinda can’t wait to get my arms in one.

These two looks I love. First a take on the leather dress with the asymmetrical keyhole. The second is this fab tux jacket with major embellishments on the shoulder. Cute. By the way, the footwear was all by Report. This is a line that I often buy personally and use in shoots. I hold a special place in my heart for them…extra special that they are based in Seattle.

The gowns were sexy and clearly more LA than NYC ~ Designed for women with curves. The teal accent in the collection was seen in bits and pieces throughout. Lovely.

The design duo are teaming up on the music end as well. The runway music was all WTB. We tried to hit the after party but were too late to catch up with everyone after our last show. Too bad…its okay, it was the last night of fashion week and we had plenty of other places to go. RL

Malan Breton FW 2011 @ Style360 NYFW

Posted on February 21, 2011 by yougogirl

It was really clever of Malan Breton to have a preview of what his next collection inspiration was on line. True, everyone is doing fashion films now, but this was great as the collection had yet to be shown. It got me really looking forward to what he was going to create. Check it out |

Malan, born in Taiwan, was self-taught as a designer and through his career as a model and entertainer, he was continually designing. He does has a sense for the theatrical and I like it.

Opening with a beautiful woman in a white kimono creating a vision as she dance with a fan, the collection had a lovely retro feel with 50’s & 60’s elegance through styling and tailoring.

Clearly, the designer has a love of tailoring and those were my favorite pieces of this collection. The men’s and women’s tailored suits were lovely. I love the wide legs on the women’s trousers that Malan created.

Samurai shorts and full lace kimono paired with a lace wide leg trouser’s added a sense of uniqueness for me.

Malan’s models were uniquely beautiful and a nice change from the androgynous models seen at a majority of the shows. The model “Balto” had a killer look and I loved Kimono Silk Black Top coat and trouser that he was styled in.

The final piece was a red wedding dress that I loved but sensed the audience didn’t understand. One only needs to remember that most all of Asia and Southeast Asia, brides are wed in red. It was stunning as was the model wearing it.

The Kyoto Drummers were a cool addition and even more fab, was one of the drummers was a woman.

Malan seems to have a darker side, that I always love seeing in an artist. Overall a lovely and unique collection. RL

Sergio Davila FW11 @ Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Posted on February 17, 2011 by yougogirl

What could be better for a guy than to wear his sweatpants out on the town? Wearing ones that rock a style like Sergio Davila has created. With his origins from South America, the designer’s FW 11 collection included inspiration from “The Two Americas”. Two looks intrigued me the most |

First, a high-waisted pair of sweatpants |

Second, a pair of muted purple sweatpants paired with a Alpaca/Wool Double Breasted knit Coat|

Produced specifically for this collection, Davila’ soft fabrics are Peruvian and include wool flannel, camel blend, and pima cotton.

Primarily a menswear designer, Sergio did include some fab women’s looks.

I was drawn to the layers of texture. No surprise there. RL

STUDY NY FW 11 – an Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winner @ NYFW

Posted on February 16, 2011 by yougogirl

It was so fun to see a bunch of my Sustainable Style Foundation friends at the STUDY NY FW 11 presentation at The Standard. Designed by Tara St. James, it is lovely that this design label was one of the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Winners.

The collection included vintage and re-purposed pieces in cozy fabrics with a definite 80’s groove. From previous experience, I know that the designers at Study NY try to allow for multiple ways of wearing the pieces.

My favorite pieces in the collection show were this double knit dress …

…and this cozy oversized hand knit alpaca cardigan (made by women’s knitting co-0p Madres & Artesans)

Started in 2001, The Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation (EDFF) has become one of the most intriguing and prestigious emerging designer awards programs in the fashion industry. It is “dedicated to recognizing and supporting emerging talent and strives to inspire those who are gifted in fashion design to pursue their dreams in one of the most challenging and illustrious professions”. In its 10th year with over 1 million dollars donated to more than 60 designers, the EDFF has launched the careers of some of fashions super stars including; Zac Posen, Derek Lam, Peter Som, Alexander Wang and Prabal Gurung.

Congratulations to STUDY NY. RL

Paola Hernandez FW 11 @ NYFW

Posted on February 16, 2011 by yougogirl

Design and Art has a process. Most times for us artists, it’s the process that matters more than the final piece.

Paola Hernandez took this concept to showcase her FW 11 Collection and thought it was lovely. The collection, titled “A Look Within,” developed from the idea of balance. “The focus of this collection portrays a garment that is black on the exterior, signifying silence and emptiness, balanced with an interior silver lining, revealing the light within.” (quoted from the run of show program) The models were actual artists executing their craft for the installation. How clever.

Paola has an exceptional design sensibility and it shows through the breadth of her capabilities of design from garments to shoes and accessories.

I loved the menswear pieces with clean lines and details that are hard to see here, but the are there.

Paola’s dresses are lovely. I have been a fan since I first saw her collection for Spring. I am glad to still see the one shoulder for the next season. I don’t think it has to be a trend ~ this style is very flattering for most women. I loved the hair and make up styling for this installation. It was fresh and fun.

The designer recently designed some exclusive pieces for the W Hotel that will be available in W boutiques in July 2011. RL

Rebecca Luke Style

…an ongoing commentary on fashion and lifestyle

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