for the have and the have nots: holiday edition

I’m gearing up for a holiday gift exchange among friends that’s become an annual tradition since its inception circa 9th grade. Usually, it’s easy for me to list off all the things I want, well tangible things at least; yet this year, I’m racking my brain for ideas. Given our waning economic stability, I suddenly don’t want as much as I did before. The occasional Henrik Vibskov dress and Geren Ford shirt aside, I’ve simplified my life by “notwanting”. And if the feeling-of-want starts to bubble inside, I indulge myself with some online window-shopping aka “retail bulimia”. Add what you want to your shopping cart but instead of checking out, close the page. Sick, right?

Anyway, I’m stuck trying to come up with a few things to add to my Elfster list because I have to (see line 32A in our gift exchange rule book). And as much as I’d like my gift in a cash value, I can’t– that just takes the fun out of opening presents, no? Why am I such a stickler for tradition?



Papier Labo


Rosemieke de Hair


porcelain goblets


Facing China at Vreeman Publishers


Porter “Hello My Name Is” bag


Whimsey & Spice


One Year of White Pages

nl

Humanoid










“.nl” always makes me happy. I love the Netherlands, I love Dutch design. This brings back fond memories of my short visit to Amsterdam a few years ago. I am still on the Stedelijk mailing list and frequently salivate when I get their event updates. Le sigh!

And in case this I wasn’t clear enough- Humanoid is awesome.

feast your eyes

So ironic.

I've been really feeling Toga, a brand founded by Yasuko Furuta back in '97 and wanted to dissect her S/S 09 ware. In googling Toga, I randomly came across a piece written in Nylon by my friend from the other coast, Jinnie Lee, reintroducing (or introducing, if I may) the brand's new vintage shop, Toga XTC, to Nylon.com readers. So. Weird.

With that being said- here's a little visual aid for those who are interested but have no idea!

color me badd

I am a huge fan of Daughters by Obedient Sons. Every season, I salivate a little bit when I see all the wonderful, unique designs they are contributing to the garment game. The cuts are precise and clean- and their spring/summer 09 season emphasizes on the linear color gradient that so many people seem to poo poo on. To all the folks who snub "one colla" head-to-toe... nyah nyah! (PS. Does someone want to buy me those beautiful teal platforms?)

chartreuse is my favorite color.

Again, behind with my updates.

Recently I made a very wise purchase at the Creatures of Comfort sample sale. I bought a beautiful chartreuse Zero + Maria Cornejo sleeveless blouse. My friend Alice spotted it amid the volcanic-eruption-of-clothes and luckily, there was another one for me. Of course I lunged at the last one, staking my claim. After all, the Brit-born Chilean designer is one of my favorites. She embraces subtlety but her designs definitely showcase her neurotic obsession with detail.

My shirt:



It's no wonder I'm obsessed with her Spring/Summer 2009 collection-

I xoxo PJ

I have matters of the heart to discuss.

I secretly love Peter Jensen.

As much as I try to remove myself from the Alice In Wonderland aesthetic of brands like Tsumori Chisato and Eley Kishimoto, I can't help but fall in love with Peter Jensen time and time again. His collection is never really complete- I always feel a bit uneasy but intrigued, kind of like the "Matthew Barney-effect". Not always sure where he's going, but always, always, sure that he has wild dreams that rival a speed-freak on LSD. I guess in a way, he's really representative of British fashion design. Colorful, experimental, and almost like poo-pooing on whatever is in mode everywhere else. Peter's A/W 2008 collection was precisely that- a little bit of the moody blues mixed with "grandma's sewing room". And now that it's officially Autumn- enjoy!

Magic Cloth

“Ikat, or Ikkat, is a style of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye on either the warp or weft before the threads are woven to create a pattern or design. A Double Ikat is when both the warp and the weft are tie-dyed before weaving.”


“Like any craft or art form, ikats vary widely from country to country and region to region. Designs may have symbolic of ritual meaning or have been developed for export trade. Ikats are often symbols of status, wealth, power and prestige. Perhaps because of the difficulty and time required to make ikats, some cultures believe the cloth is imbued with magical powers.”



Thanks Wikipedia!

whatta man

My affinity for menswear is a result of-

1. My mum, whose OG-unisex-preference definitely had an affect on me. While other girls were donning their frilly Quinceanera dresses in 3rd grade, I was on a tomboy tip that had me in Osh Kosh overalls and plaid shirts. Of course I was super jealous of other girls at the time because you know, frilly-dress-girls always got put in the front of class pictures. Like I said- OG.

2. My boyfriend, who has the best taste in everything of any guy I know. He’s got a good eye for design and is still always putting me on to new brands/designers that end up being “blog-worthy” months later. Because of him, I’ve been secretly wishing I could pull off Nom de Guerre head to toe without looking butch.

3. HUGE magazine. ‘Nuff said.


Here are some of my favorites for the fast-approaching fall/winter season- Is it jacket time already?

Nom de Guerre


Henrik Vibskov


Lanvin


And last but not least...Comme des Garcons wallet in ANOTHER new design

H.Lang Frame of Mind

Black has been "the new black" for the last few seasons it seems. In the publishing world, black is always in. It's kind of an initiation you succumb to when you become an editor- how many black pieces can your closet handle? Usually the answer is "infinite", at least it's been that way for me in the last year, strangely, because I live my life in technicolor. And when I think of designers who inspire my dour aesthetic, I think of Helmut Lang, who despite the occasional misses (ahem-women's resort 08), is always a hit in my book. I love the brand for its minimalist designs and even through all the early tug-of-wars between the it's founder and former proprietor Prada, a temporary production hiatus, and a relaunch in 2006, the brand still retains the look it was born into. Sure, sometimes designs appear like elevated Calvin Klein stock but when I actually get a piece in my hands, I'm always reassured that it's not by the thick, lush fabric and the strong and clean lines. Plus- Helmut Lang is the original chic goth and no one can ever take that away from him. Not even you, Phillip Lim.


Women/Men Fall/Winter 2008, Spring/Summer 2009