There exist dresses made of air and bubbles...

There is a space between fashion and art perfectly occupied by these lighter than air creations.  Artist Rie Hosokai's work with balloons is uplifting and whimsical.  Knowing this exists in the world gives me a sense of peace. One may use one's hands for any task. Hosokai makes bubble dresses.

Intrigue or obscurity?

By now we have all seen the reverse crystal hoods featured in runway shows by Paris fashion house Maison Martin Margiela, and perhaps, like me, you may have wondered what they signify.  It is clear they are beautiful and interesting.  They certainly catch the eye and capture the imagination.  They also place an emphasis on the clothes and not the models, the body, and not the individual.  So, I ask, is this a western version of a burqa? Maybe.  Maybe I would like to wear one occasionally, however..... because..... Boston is a small town.

Let them eat couture!

Painter Will Cotton expresses a very sweet fantasy world inhabited by actress Elle Fanning for New York Magazine's Spring Fashion 2013 Issue.  All the clothes -- and food! -- are real.... I find this a sinfully delicious combination of some of my favorite things: fashion, art, beauty and, of course, petit fours!

Head Games

Hair jewelry! I insist this runway trend be here to stay and I take personal responsibility to rock it in a wearable way.  These gems are a staple in the definition of how to be postmodern royalty-- every queen  or princess needs a crown after all.  I love the east meets west vibe too, because fashion 2013 is all about a global sense of style.

The keys to unlocking the way to make this look work are dark, black eyeliner and even more attitude.  For inspiration think Nicole Richie, Aishwarya Rai, Marie Antoinette and 20s flappers.....

Paper tigress

There is something in leaving one's comfort zone which gives freedom and brings new possibilities.  These dresses, all made entirely of paper, exemplify how a new medium can inspire new leaps in design.  While dresses of paper are impractical, in the rain for example, they can teach nuances we may have never have considered had we not taken time to play with them.

Spring Fever

Yesterday Spring officially sprung. While some of us are spring cleaning, some of us are coveting the trends and outfits we can wear with warmer weather. I know I'm into it after a cold winter! Anyway, we've got a really great mix this week. From learning what exactly "Haute Couture" means, to various explorations of all the Spring Trends for this year, some really great remixes how to take it all in with your camera phone. I'd say it's a great way to kick off the season, and hopefully you're as excited as I am! Now... let's get started!

Links à la Mode: March 21, 2013

• Attire Club: 12 Facts About Haute Couture
• Cheap 'n' Chic Living: DIY Better Pics from Your Camera Phone
• City of Gentleman: Blue Blazer
• Empathetically Elle: 3 Reasons Why It's Great to Be a Fashion Blogger
• In Jackie's Shoes: Pastels in The City
• Inspirations and Celebrations: How to Dress Casual for Work
• Laughing Latte: First Trimester Style
• Nothing to Wear: 3 Ways to Wear a Chambray Shirt
• Primped and Primed: Trending: Holographic
• Pop Culture du Jour: Fashion Card Collectables
• Post Modern Royalty: Paper Tigress
• Shoe Pendant: How to Feel Good: Ladies Guide
• The Fashion Style: Trends Mixing Prints
• The In Club: Why I Haven't Read Mens Fashion Magazines
• TLV Beauty: Best Body Treatments
• Tobruck Avenue: Feeling Green
• Two Take on Style: 5 Things for Spring
• We Are Ready Made: The Importance of Dots
• Wild Beauty World: Beautiful People: Hedy Lamarr
• Wishing for Chanel: Fashion Week Show Spaces

  SPONSOR: Shopbop New: Vic Italy, VPL Shoes, Pierre Balmain, Frame Denim , Max Kibardin, Schutz, Zadig & Voltaire, Ishvara, Minuit Douze, Francis Leon, JW.Anderson

Postmodern Royal Cavalli = rhapsody in white.... or any color you like

Fringes, lace and classic, with silhouettes both ultra-femme and menswear-inspired, are just a few words I would use to embody Roberto Cavalli's exquisite collection for Spring/Summer 2013.  The incredible craftsmanship and detail of each individual piece is indicative of the conceptual artistry employed in the creative process. In most cases my attitude towards much that appears in couture runway shows tends towards admiration of the gifted marketing, models and showmanship used to essentially add more value to the various products displayed.  This line, however, is proof that you can, in fact, still get what you pay for.  I tried to provide the largest possible images to fully highlight the depth of the spectacular textures(!)

The samples here are only a small taste of the genius of Cavalli.  They inspire me because they allow me to make additional leaps of my own imagination.  I can picture them in any color on the spectrum..... The fringe leggings in neon pink.....  The lace, smock-front blouse in oceanic turquoise..... Simply view the rest of the the collection for a rich palette to choose from for your own musings..... *heart skips a beat*

Trending: Cartoon graphics

Not sure who designed this one but it is pretty cool. The style and cut of the piece is definitely something I would wear.

This is quite my style. By Manoush.

Another by Manoush that  I might wear.  I would certainly make people smile and, in the end, that's what I look for in my clothes.

The graphic which comprises this bag by Jimmy Choo is super cute.  It's just a tiny bit reminiscent of carrying a teddy bear around with me.... but with the right out fit.... for the right event I could see it working.

Buck wild dress by Di$count. This is a piece of art for sure.... again...there is a time and a place for anything but it might just end up hanging in my closet....unless I put it under glass and hung it on my wall.....

Two styles here from Gerlan Jeans Minnie Mouse inspired line.  Some of the pieces are really fun but might make you look crazy (such as a white hoodie with pink mouse ears and a yellow dress with a bow larger than a golden retriever).  The white shorts above however = LOVE.

So, now that Fashion month in almost over in Europe, it is clear we cannot deny one trend which keeps  surfacing on fashionable thoroughfares and runways alike: Cartoons.  First let me say.... I love to WATCH cartoons but WEAR them? Idk.  I just dk.... Buuuuut I am a fashionista.... for better or worse and, thusly, I must at least try to appreciate what those in the design world are trying to put out there.  That being said, I have put this list together of those cartoon inspired pieces I find most wearable and palatable.  See what you think.  

Full spectrum

Burberry's 2013 spring debut, at fashion week in Paris, is so graphic and inspiring.  While many designers used illustration to influence their style this season, Burberry offers us the Pantone pallet itself: A trench for every day and every mood.  The coolest image, to me, is the topmost.  I think the combination of clear neon bags and shoes with more the subdued metallics is a good reference on how to mix colors the modern way.

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