BACKSTAGE AT PHILLIP LIM

Feature: Backstage at Phillip Lim. I will admit that I possibly love looking at backstage photos of fashion shows more than the shows themselves. These do not in any way compare to the Rodarte backstage photos but they are still gorgeous and remind of me those Prada ads from a few seasons back, especially that devastatingly romantic and blurry ephemeral quality. I'm going crazy with the posts today! Images courtesy of www.31philliplim.com






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YIGAL AZROUËL RESORT

Feature: Yigal Azrouël Resort Collection. Today is obviously resort day here on breathe design. I hope you are enjoying these collections as much as I am. Style.com's describes this collection best: " Yigal Azrouël offered a number of his tried-and-true draped frocks—from liquid jersey columns to floaty chiffon tunics—but the juxtaposition with harder elements made this one of his more sophisticated efforts. There was a covetable turquoise suede fringe vest and a denim and leather jacket with detachable sleeves. And an interest in traditional Uzbek textiles yielded delicately embroidered caftans in sun-washed hues and a Raj vest with intricate metal beadwork. Azrouël, an avid surfer, gave the looks a casual touch by wrapping his filmy scarves into chic caftans." While I have my reservation about those weird jean tight things, I have to admit that I love the overall ease of this collection. Images courtesy of style.com.







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3.1 PHILLIP LIM RESORT

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Feature: 3.1 Phillip Lim Resort. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Phillip Lim, in the world of putting on every day clothes, is my favorite designer to wear. End of story. Images courtesy of style.com










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BALENCIAGA RESORT 2010

Feature: Balenciaga Resort Collection. I'm totally head over heels into the volume, shapes, proportions, prints and colors in this collection. I can't even talk about the Elizabethan collar detailing I love it so much. It's so whimsical and severe all at the same time -- oh paradoxical styling, how I love thee so! Images courtesy of style.com.







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ANDREA AYALA CLOSA

Feature: Andrea Ayala Closa. Tipped off by Grijs about Closa, I immediately was drawn to the conceptual and artistic vision of her work. I honestly think that it perfectly balance color with texture and shapes. Each of these looks is honestly a work of art and I hope you'll appreciate it as so. I also think you get a much better idea of how amazing these things are Images courtesy of www.antwerp-fashion.be.






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SHEILA FAJL GIVEAWAY!

GIVEAWAY

Feature: Sheila Fajl Jewelry . Recently, Alyssa from chickdowntown.com contacted me about doing a giveaway of an item of my choice from their amazing selection of clothes and jewelry. Looking through their wide range of beautiful scarfs, jewelry and designer dresses, I immediately was attracted to this chain link necklace by Sheila Fajl and want to offer you an opportunity to own it yourself! In order to win this necklace, valued at over $100 dollars, all you have to do is comment on this post with your name and email and briefly tell me why you'd love to win the necklace. I'll draw a winner on June 21st (Sunday).

As for the piece itself, it's called the Glow Silver Rounded Cut Out Link Necklace and is made up of multiple interlocking cutout circles in matte-finished silverplate. A cool, elegant accent for bare summer necklines, suspended from a boldly scaled oval link chain, it's 16" long, with 4" drop. Personally, I love its minimalist yet overwhelming statement. I think it would virtually match any single outfit I put on and would give it that extra architectural detail that I love. As for the artist/designer, Shiela Fajal was born in Brasil and now lives in California. She started her fashion career as a model, went into marketing, design, sales and now designer her own line of jewelry. Her goal is for women to look and feel special in her designs. I think she achieves just that with this necklace.








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MALENE BIRGER

Feature: Malene Birger. I stumbled across this design from Jenny's blog, Wiksten Made, and took a look at Malene Birger's Summer/Spring and Summer lines. Although it could be more cohesive, she produced some pretty killer looks. I really like how her colors compliment the shapes of these looks. What do you all think? I've really been into prints lately! Images courtesy of bymalenebirger.com






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A STEAL

Feature: Steven Alan Soma Dress. I've been obsessed with this Steven Alan dress since I first saw it on the Totokaelo site a few weeks back, and even posted about how I couldn't afford it but loved the print so much. I've been adding prints to my otherwise minimalist and monochromatic wardrobe in order to achieve a more interesting and balanced look. Well, after kicking myself for failing to buy it for $150 + free shipping over at Ron Herman, as advised by Erica from ahistoryofarchitecture, I was desperate for a medium that was only available for $200 at Totokaelo or Net-a-porter. Having given up on the prospect of buying the dress because of the lack of a significant enough discount, I gave up. To my surprise this morning, I received an email from Giltgroup advertising a Steven Alan sale, I was pretty skeptical to find the dress but then voila, it was just sitting there at $117 in medium. Although their holding in your/someone else's cart policy is pretty annoying, after some patience, I finally purchased it at about 60% off. All in all, the patience was worth the wait and I can't wait to receive my serendiptous dress soon! I keep imaging myself in it in London and Paris within the next couple weeks! I can't hardly wait! Image courtesy of totokaelo.com








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TRES BIEN SHOP

Feature: Tres Bien Shop Dresses. A friend of mine recently asked me what kind of pieces to consider for her summer wardrobe, my answer was undoubtedly: dresses, dresses, and more dresses. They are so easy to wear during the summer months and take no time to think about putting on. I really love the subtle and not so subtle cheerful details on these dresses over at the seemingly unattainable tres bien shop. Images courtesy of tresbienshop.net







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TOTOKAELO SALE

Feature: Totokaelo Sale. My picks from the sale are as follows:

1. Opening Ceremony Sandals
2. Mociun Dress
3. Mociun Fox Dress
4. A.P.C. Wedge Sandals
5. Acne Dress
6. Rachel Comey Dress


All images courtesy of totokaelo.com





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RUCHE

Feature: Ruche. As seen on what could possibly be my favorite blog at the moment (forme-foryou), Ruche is a cute, anthropologie-esque website with amazing prices. I especially love the vintage deconstructed detailing on the collar of the dress. Since I like to mix a little feminine vintage into my clothes, I think these pieces are not only darling for summer but their prices make me feel uncomfortable because I'm not used to seeing these kinds of clothes attached to these kinds of prices. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, if this is you kind of thing, shopruche.com and knock yourself out. Images courtesy of shopruche.com.






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RACHEL COMEY

Feature: Rachel Comey Bullseye Top. All I have to say is: Say yes to the print. I can't get it out of my mind, when I close my eyes, all I can see is this print. It has taken over my life! I am saving up for it as we speak!







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THIRD DRAWER DOWN

Feature: Third Drawer Down Tea Linen Towels. I stopped by my favorite tea house yesterday and saw these beautiful tea towels being sold there. I bought one but ended up returning it but still have them on the mind. They are truly amazing and unique and quite affordable. I'm really loving the first one! Images courtesy of thirddrawerdown.com.








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ALEXANDER WANG BLAZER

Feature: Alexander Wang Crepe Voile Blazer. I know lately I've just been posting items I want instead of collections but, I can't help myself; I am over my head in love with this blazer I don't know what to do with myself. Here it is from Alexander Wang's collection:

*Update* I ended up purchasing the last size 4 sold in any Barney's store in the US for $379! You can still get sizes 2, 8, 10 if you're interested. Images courtesy of fashionforward.com.





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ESSKA SHOES

Feature: Esska Shoes. After hearing about this label for flat footed people on ahistoryofarchitecture, I've decided that I need these heels above... Pictures courtesy of esskashoes.com







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JAS M.B.

Feature: Jas M.B. Rucksack Flap Messenger Bag. I recently headed over to newly opened Barney's for their sale and picked up this gorgeous supple meshed leather one shoulder bag/back pack. For me, I love balancing feminine with masculine by mixing pretty dress and tops with edgy bags and accessories. Also, since I'm heading to Europe and traveling all around this summer, I thought this little guy would be the perfect solution and has proved to be so. Although I was debating the price tag, I ultimately caved in because of the ingenious design.

Much less shiny and more supple looking in person, I'd say this bag is perfect as a hand bag but also unique as a backpack. It has a zipper on top that lets you into your bag without having to undo the buckles. It has side pouches for my little umbrella and nalgene waterbottle. It all fits perfectly and I couldn't think of a more well designed bag. Images courtesy of Barneyscoop.com.








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WOODEN SANDALS

Feature: Vera Wang Lavender Wooden Flip Flops. I simply love the look and ingenious design of these wooden and leather flip flops. It's not surprising since they are basically my favorite materials to construct accessories from. Considering the mass market of flip flops out there, these really seem to stand out. Featured today on shopbop.com.







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SCHOOL UNIFORM

Feature: School Uniform. Although school is over for most of us, there is nothing like a little schoolgirlish charm during the summer months ahead! My best friend and one of the most fashion forward people I know (and I'm not just saying that because she is my friend), Jordan de Vault, recently opened up an Etsy shop with all the kinds of goodies that she's always had an eye for during our entire friendship. I've seen some of these things in real life and I can positively say that they are absolutely charming and original pieces. Although I don't normally post vintage on here, I just wanted to say for the record that: don't let vintage wear fool you into thing it's not fashion forward (as most of already know...I'm probably preaching to the choir.) All I know is that this blog is all about paradoxical fashion and design and there is nothing better than juxtaposing something vintage with something severely modern and minimalist. In fact, it's probably one of the most compelling combinations! Images courtesy of and shop at Schooluniform.







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