ALEXA

I have been promising for awhile now to introduce you to Alexa - one of my favorite models who i consult. Not more needs to be said: enjoy the pictures and styling and photography by moi : Melanie Wadsworth - Prisoner of Candy! Enjoy and thank you everybody ...

MAKE IT WORK

SHORT

Not the biggest fan of Olivier Zahm; especially after the comment he made about fashion bloggers, but I do think that Purple magazines blog is worth a peek right now. Regardless of his now infamous "Kill All Bloggers" foot in mouth statement or more likely ... cheap shot for more press which makes Olivier easy to "unlike", Purple's blog did a nice job at capturing one of my favorite designers, John Galliano. They successfully presented his Spring 2011 collection with a breathtaking selection of photos. It's difficult for me to pick a favorite, but once again, as I've seen at MBFW, it seems that Galliano is also showing the much talked about new "look" for Spring 2011: the neutral, sheer, ethereal and glittery designs (in addition to "headgear") that just SCREAMS beauty and romanticism. Of course, Galliano doesn't disappoint - even though he pops alot of wildly colored ensembles in the mix - the most successful pieces; in my opinion, are : the neutral, sheer, ethereal and glittery ones. Did I mention - neutral, sheer, ethereal and glittery twice? Oh well, shame on me, but I believe these garments are noteworthy of the most praise and for most of the fashion designers for Spring 2010, stand out as favorites amongst the fashion community.
I was very interested in the photograph of the rear side of one of the models walking backstage ... seems as if after all Terry Richardson does have alot in common with Olivier Zahm. I suppose I would have to ask Terry to get those pics back that he took of me in my short skirt walking up the stairs in one of the clubs we both frequented in the East Village, circa 1994. Only my outfit wasn't sheer just short and most definetly NOT ethereal.

MILLINARY 2011

Hi everyone ... I am going to be talking about 2011 Spring Millinery: which means HATS ! Always a fan of head gear, I believe it completes an outfit - just as much as lipstick completes the face. So, i am going to indulge you in a few great sites that show the wonderful collection of Spring 2011 hats ... that are so very artistic as well as vintage inspired. I would recommend all of you at least once try to sport a becoming hat this fall season. START NOW!!! ... why wait? So, these are the designer links and articles i have put together for you to take a look at for inspiration. The first one is a great selection of looks at the Spring 2011 designers collections: This is a great slide show in forbes magazine and next is fab sugar - who shows some very cool looks. Of course, there's the one (and only) hat genius who always comes through - his collections are flawless: this season, last season - it doesn't matter - he is the master of millinery and is philip treacy. His hats are so beautiful - fine art in my eyes so breathtaking they make me cringe! I only dream to own one of his amazing creations. This seasons Project Runway did a challenge including his hats: can you imagine starting your clothes design based on head gear? It's very difficult ... to me anything adorning my head comes at the end of an outfit. It is difficult to create an outfit to go with the hat - it seems backwards and certainly quite a difficult task for those designers. I want to include some Amazon links to this post that can possibly inspire the "weak minded", no pun included, to wear HATS !!

I want to note that i sometimes call hats, "head -gear".To me the term SCREAMS ... protective head WEAR !! Some religions believe that keeping the head open is important to spiritual enlightenment, while others feel that the head should be protected, so as not to draw negative attention to the face and the crown of the head which are considered sacred. Although i am spiritual, i don't adhere to many spiritual "laws". But, i guess i am a bit prone to the idea of covering the head, i don't think much about it really it just seems to come naturally to me. The picture i have added to end this millinery post is a "head gear" design that i made for very favorite client of mine, who was always open to trying ideas WAY before their time. So, enjoy & get those hats on !!!

                Ashley Nevins " WARRIOR" 2007, Copyright Melanie Wadsworth

MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK - Spring 2010

Hello fashionistas ... so it's MBFW - Spring 2010 collection time !!! I must admit i haven't been paying much attention ... oops. But, i will give you some links to some good sites with pretty good information about what's happening. Here are the things that i have been interested in so far. There's blog.idelli.com that has been pretty good at following each day at the shows - so check that out. I like their piece about Project Runways cast and this seasons contestants designs - sorry i missed that. I was interested in Nicole Miller's collection - understated but beautifully crafted. Of course Tony Wang has tons to say - i loved Besoni - OMG ... would wear each and every one of those gorgeous creations!!! Another good site to follow is of course, is MBFW - the home of all the "BIG NEWS" !!

One other fashion designer that took me by surprise was William Tempest his spring collection was ethereal and easy for anyone to accessorize with opposite elements to make a BIG fashion statement !!! I have included a photo below that i styled for Ashley Nevins, one of my clients - it reminds me a bit of his spring looks - only this dress was a deconstructed garment and there was nothing deconstructed about Mr. Tempest's looks. His collection was perfectly constructed. Use contrasting  elements like one bold jewelry piece or very chunky shoes to make this look more modern. It has a nice feel to it for Spring 2010 and the very light washed out makeup totally works. 
   
Ashley Nevins, NYC, 2005, Copyright Melanie Wadsworth.                                            

COLORS FOR FALL

Trend Watch | Jul 26, 2010 06:56 AM 102

Fall 2010's Top Color Trends

By: Christene Barberich & Piera Gelardi

We're not sure when the whole wide world of Fashion gets the annual "memo" about what colors will take the runways by storm, but season after season, the big tonal trends do shine through. Like everyone else, we love fall colors best...partly because the shades go deep and dark, or alternately, bold and bright. But this fall introduced a few unexpected contenders in the color category: Along with rich purple, mixed olive tones, and more burnished metallics, soft classic camel made a comeback and so did the brightest red. To get you on the right color wheel, we've rounded up the six fall color trends to start bringing into your own closet...September is, afterall, just one little month away.

1. Camel—If you're not sure if you have any camel in your fall/winter wardrobe, now's the time to stock up. Gucci, Chloé, and Dries all paid homage to fashion's most decadent neutral. We recommend a camel blazer or overcoat, just like Dries and Michael Kors did.

2. Rich Purple—Gem tones reigned supreme for fall/winter 2010, but the deep purple and plum colors that lit up the fall runways of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Burberry, and Oscar de la Renta dazzled us most.

3. Modern Metallic—When designers remind us they love metallics, let's just say they're preaching to the choir. In little skirts, tailored blazers, and floor-length dresses, silver, gold, and soft copper all returned the runways for fall in a big way, thanks to Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, and Moschino. And we love every bit of it.

4. Mixed Olives—Building on the military trend that began a few seasons ago, all shades of olive greens, browns, and fatigues had a surprise impact for the fall season. Burberry Prorsum lead the charge with Jill Stuart and Rag & Bone all turning out their own delicious helpings of mixed olives.

5. Pale Blue—The dark horse of fall 2010's color trends, pale blue really caught our attention not only because it seemed unexpected for the cold season, but because it had an icy-cool modernity that seems incredibly chic right now. Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger, and Marc Jacobs all delivered a cool-blue spell worth catching.

6. Bright Red—Give us a bright red blazer or day-dress any day! And this fall, designers like Dolce & Gabbana, Jill Stuart, and Yigal Azrouel all revisited this classic red-hot shade in a fresh new way.

I'm sorry i couldn't include the fabulous photos of this article, my scanner is on the fritz due to liquids being very close to the danger zone ( i will never learn - ha!)- please go to my favorite site for the photos of this post at refinery29 - enjoy the magic - i poured over these fabulous creations and my enduring fashion spirit is so excited seeing all of these amazing looks and anxious to try some new ideas for fall ...

P.S. i was just given TWO sewing machines - lord have mercy - i am in heaven - awww!!!

VIVIENNE

Hello there ... a very good friend of mine gave me this book that you see on the amazon pic that i included for this blog.
 
As we all know ... Vivienne Westwood is the queen of british fashion designers . We fashionistas admire her so much that i felt i should create a blog solely for her highness. We all know that Vivienne started her notoriety with Malcolm McClaren and the Sex Pistols... blah - blah. But what i found fascinating about this book and the history of her designs starting in 1964, was how much all of her designs from way back then to now conform to todays looks ... in other words Viviennes designs truly erases the concept "trend" and has created her own rules; a design asthetic that most designers cannot do because her fashion is not about time or trends, but about consistency.  So, that being said you could also say that her fashion transend time. And that is a rare in a fashion designer- indeed! You have got to applaud her for that - if you do in fact purchase this book you will see what i am talking about - her fashion designs from the 60's till today all speak Vivienne ; her designs from the 60's can be worn today and look very fresh and fashion forward. SO, check out the book if you'd like to see what i am talking about . 

This image to the left is in her book. I scanned it so you can see the image of her design in collaboration with Tracy Emin - one of my all time fav fine artist. I too am a fine artist and being a fashion consultant as well , the subject matter of most of my work has been about fashion and how images of fashion bring out certain emotions in me. This beautifully composed image with type scribbled on it is a fusing of two like minded souls. Enjoy and savor the career of the high priestess Vivienne Westwood ...this is Prisoner of Candy signing out - remember the message and the messenger !! Next time you see me posting Alexa (as promised)one of my very special and beloved clients who i completely transformed into a - downtown NY hipster but with a distinctive style that is all her own ... till then -