Pure Perfection

I promised myself not to post any fresh-from-the-runway collections.

Well, you can just all check them out yourselves from Style.com or Fashiongonerouge.com.

I just can't help it anymore.

Givenchy's S/S 2012 was just too perrrrfect and therefore I'm wayyyy too excited to not write about it.

You can all see how excited I am by the the ungrammatical words in the previous sentence. Hint: letter exaggeration. Talk about mythomania.

Riccardo Tisci reported that his new collection was inspired by surfers and mermaids.

Pardon?

Note to self: Never underestimate surfers and mermaids again.

Contrasts between strong and soft (strong ruffles from flowy materials), masculine and feminine (light pinky-peachy tailored jackets), matte and glossy fabric choices, loose and fitted silhouettes, darkness and lightness. In one word: everything you can expect from Tisci.
Six words to be precise. Blame it on mythomania

In the second half you get the "mermaid" inspiration. Sequin embroidered pieces.

And my heart skipped a beat.  

I'm gonne be totally honest with you (cause I think your special). I'm not a big fan of sequins. There are only a few who are. But I have to say this: those sequin pieces remind me more of mosaics istead of the crazy 70's.

And it makes sense. Riccardo has been known for his love for gothic. And in it's own way his final pieces associate with gothic cathedrals.

I absolutely love his new pursuit to find "darkness in light". Maybe it's my infinite affection toward his design talking here, because, you know: "love is blind", but I actually see gothicism (if it is even a word) in his latest work. Yes, even in the peachypinkish colour.

Whatever it might be that influenced my thoughts, I still want to own everything he makes, has made and will be making in the futures to come.

I might have to figure out where to wear these mermaid suits, however.

What do you think?

All pictures from fashiongonerouge.com

Who's the man?

"Eureka!" I yelled quietly by myself in my doctor's cabinet.

"Why?" you ask

Well, I finally figured it out why I'm so obsessed about men's fashion.

My body is producing a little bit more of the male hormone than the body of an average woman (tall, dark and beautiful aka The Girl from Ipanema) produces.

So, the alfamale in me craves for clothes that he feels comfortable in and so more of himself.

That sounded like a case of bipolar disorder.

No more questions, please. I have already revealed too much embarrasing, you-did-not-have-to-know-about-it and more-than-this-blog-can-take information about me.

Case closed.

Let me get to the point of this post.

I was delighted to have found out that one of the biggest (THE biggest for me) trends this fall is "Borrowed from the guys"

  Houses like Yves Saint Laurent, Acne, Balmain, Dolce&Gabbana, Givenchy, Michael Kors, Stella McCartney (the list goes on and on) had their fare share of influences from the men's closet this fall.

If you're one of those who tend to say: "Who cares about what's in and what's out?" I will say to you this: " "Feast your eyes on the truly great amount of art on the runways"

Stella McCartney

Michael Kors

Givenchy

Haider Ackermann

From photoshoots:

"Hey Boy! Hey Girl!"
Photographer: Lachlan Bailey
Model: Alla Kostromicheva
For Net-a-Porter

"The Beat of Fashion"

Photographer: Will Davidson

Model: Aymeline Valade

For Russh magazine

"Man Up"

Photographer: Justin Hollar

Model: Marina Munoz

For vogue.com

To conclude, I'm the man.

Pictures from: style.com and fashiongonrouge.com

Eat Learn Move

Pure Brilliancy

Pure Beauty

Pure Motivation

Pure Breath of Life

Pure everything

3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage... all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food ....into 3 beautiful and hopefully compelling short films.....

= a trip of a lifetime.

Rick Mereki : Director, producer, additional camera and editing
Tim White : DOP, producer, primary editing, sound
Andrew Lees : Actor, mover, groover

 



Still holding on a dream?

Go for it.

God save my shoes

A documentary about the relationship between women and shoes.

Set on a quest to decipher-from a psychological, sociological, historical, cultural, and erotic perspective-the fiery emotions that shoes exert on most women (and on quite some men), God Save my Shoes went from New York to Los Angeles, Paris to Milan, Toronto and Florence to interview extreme shoe collectors, from everyday women to celebrities, fashion historian, and all those that play a role in the ubiquitous shoe phenomenon! Written by Julie Benasra

Yes, please

#2 Sibelius monument

I was wondering through my inspiration folder the other day and found this picture:

I was taken from Andy's blog.

The amazing necklace was made by an Italian designer Giia. You can find more of her unconventional accessories here.

It made me go wandering in my memories from my last trip with the girls to Helsinki.

The necklace for me resembled the Sibelius monument.

Well, that was the second thought. My first thought was that it resembled Spongebob. You know, because it is spongy, yellow and has holes with different diametres. Are we on the same page? Yes?

"It consists of series of more than 600 hollow steel pipes welded together in a wave-like pattern." Wikipedia

So, my third thought was "Why not make a souvenir yourself to remember the good times we had?"

And I did and used Giia's necklace as an inspiration.

Well, I kind of copied it rather than used it as a source of ideas, but as they say "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". I hope she doesn't mind.

I made it using a thin layer of turquoise felt (the picture's quality doesn't serve the colour right) rolled into many circles that are later sewn together by hand.

Later I found two more ways to wear it.

#1 as a mask
For those festive Venetian carneval nights

#2 as a (wrestling championship) belt

I would suggest to add another accessory: your mean face.

Oh, yes. This is my mean face.

                 Hulk Hogan                                                               Jane Who
                     blogger                                                                   wrestler

See the resemblance?

                          

PS: happy name day to me and to Hanna, Jaana, Jaanika, Janne, Jenny, Johanna, Nanna!

Fashion illustrations exhibition in Tallinn, Estonia

Remember an artist named Cecilia Carlstedt I introduced you to here?

Well for those that found her illustrations fascinating I bring good news.

From august 19 to september 18 an international exhibition called "New Nordic Fashion Illustration" will take place in Rotermanni Quarter. That is located in Tallinn, Estonia.

The exhibition belongs to the official programme of European Culture Capital 2011 and is part of the Tallinn Fashion Week. Next to Cecilia seven more Nordic fashion illustrators works will be shown. Exhibition is open: Mon-Sat 10-20, Sun 11-18. FREE entrance. Amen.

For more information click "I'm there"

The New Beginning

Me: "Why hello there, old friend! Long time no see, right? How are you?"

You: "I'm great, thanks. How you doin' (with your best Joey from Friends imitation)?"

Me: "I'm finally making time for my blog!!!"

That was not the best introduction in the world. Oh well.

Do you remember my last post about saying (read: lying) how I have a few ideas you were supposed to read in the near future and invited you to meet me here soon. Sorry if you came.

I was also writing about not having a game plan. Well now I do.

Ahhhyeah.

I remember how confused I was seeing a cooking recipe here. You know what? I'm not anymore.

I have decided to dedicate mi casa aka my blog to two of my greatest passions: Food and Fashion.
Yes, people!

Don't leave my hand just waving in the air. Gimme five.

So what to expect from a visit to this page?

Everything that is related to the magical worlds of food and fashion: recipes, DIYs, tutorials, photoshoots, fashion show reviews, inspiration, thoughts, fashion imitatons, etc. Well, you'll figure it out in the process.

And that's the plan little man.

XX Jane

Portrait

"Rapture"

Photographer: Jeff Tse

Stylist: Ise White

Model: Brittany Hollis

There is something seducing and sensual about delicate flowing silk on bare porcelain skin. Don't you agree?
Hauntingly stunning.

Oh and by the way: I'm alive!

As you have already figured it out. I knew you're one of the sharpest tools in the shed.

When two of my readers said they were really excited to read my next new post (they expressed their excitement insistently throughout the past weeks), I wanted to do something special.

But I didn't like the direction this blog was taking.

The last post was a dessert recipe?!

So I took my time (really took my time) to try to visualise what I really want to post about and to think up a plan.

And do I have one now when I'm writing? Well, no, not actually, but I do have a few ideas I want to share with you. I hope you'll get to read them in the future (in the near future).

So I will see you soon here!

You're my honey bunch, sugar plum, pumpie umpy umpkin...you're my sweetie pie

It's the perfect dessert: with a crispy crust and a light marshmallowy inside.

If I were a summer girl, this would be my birthday cake:

 The Pavlova recipe is originally from New Zeland.

The dessert was named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova.

A hotel chef in Wellington created that dish when Pavlova visited as part of her world tour in 1926.

Since then there are hundreds of different versions of this sweet dessert.

Professor Helen Leach, who studied the history of food, collected 667 pavlova recipes.

But there is one that I consider my ultimate favourite.

The Nigella Lawson's pavlova from her book "How to eat".

Well, of course everyone makes some small changes according to their sweet tooth.

It's so awesome that I had to share it with you.

Here is the recipe:

4 egg whites (room temperature)

0,25 teaspoon of salt

200 grams of sugar (I took a little less)

2 tablespoons of cornstarch (I replaced it with potatostarch)

1 teaspoon of white wine vinegar (I was out and sceptical about balsamic vinegar so I used fresh lemon juice)

A few drops of vanilla extract (I used a little of vanilla sugar instead)

Whipped cream and fruit of your choice.

So, I also altered the temperatures according to my unpredictable oven and preheated it to 160ºC instead of 180. Next you have to beat the egg whites until satiny peaks form and then beat in the sugar a spoonful at a time until the meringue is shiny and stiff (a trick: turn the bowl 180º and if your meringue won't drip you're ok). Sprinkle with starch, vinegar and vanilla and stir through gently. Pour the meringue onto a baking sheet in a circle and smooth the sides and the top.Place in the oven and immediately reduce the oven heat to 150 º C (or 130º in my case). Bake for 1 hour. Try to restrain your excitement and do not open the oven door or it will begin to crack.

After 1 hour had passed I turned off the oven and allowed the cake to coolio-cool down.

When you're ready to serve, turn the pavlova upside down (then your cream will merge with the meringue). Whisk the cream and pile it on top of the meringue, then scatter over the strawberries (Nigella used passion fruit only. "Don't be tempted to add other fruit" she said). In my oppinion strawberries, meringue and whipped cream is a match made in heaven and as they say: "The best things in life come in threes" (Fact: 69% of people can find something dirty in every sentence. Hey, just saying.)

This is the second time that I've made pavlova.

The first time was two years ago and it was such a catastrophe that I was scared of making another...until today. I am so glad about that. What a great reward to youself for getting rid of your fobias- a nice (read: large!!!) piece of pavlova.

I hope this encourages you to try it.

(Note: The picture in this post is a result of googling. I was too excited to taste my own pavlova that I could not stop for a second and take a few pictures. When you'll be making one yourself, you'll understand what I'm saying)

Fashion or Art?

I was feeling lost today and decided to take yet another tour at the The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Sadly, virtually.

The second floor is dedicated to the brilliant Alexander McQueen and to his most outstanding collections.

I find his outrageous and boundaries breaking work comforting. His stories are breathtaking as are his pieces. The nature, the victorian-gothic feel, the darkness and the light, the flow and the structural shapes, the perverssity, the line between beautiful and the ugly, life and death, etc. I can understand his source of inspiration. He makes you feel that anything is possible and that beauty can be found in unusual places. Wandering in his controversial fairy tale, he makes me feel me and ok with myself.

"Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" 

 

The one piece I admire the most from his works is the white cotton dress that was spray-painted on stage by two robots and worn by the model Shalom Harlow.

Shalom described the experience: "I walked right up to it and stood on top of this circular platform. And as soon as I gained my footing, the circular platform started a slow, steady rotation. And it was almost like the mechanical robots were stretching and moving their parts after an extended period of slumber. And as they sort of gained consciousness, they recognized that there was another presence amongst them, and that was myself.

And at some point, the curiosity switched, and it became slightly more aggressive and frenetic and engaged on their part. And an agenda became solidified somehow. And my relationship with them shifted at that moment because I started to lose control over my own experience, and they were taking over. So they began to spray and paint and create this futuristic design on this very simple dress.

And when they were finished, they sort of receded and I walked, almost staggered, up to the audience and splayed myself in front of them with complete abandon and surrender.

It almost became this like aggressive sexual experience in some way. And I think that this moment really encapsulates, in a way, how Alexander related to—at least at this particular moment—related to creation. Is that all of creation? Is that the act of a human being being created, the sexual act? Is it the act of, you know, the Big Bang, if you will, that violence and that chaos and that surrender that takes place?

Alexander and I didn’t have any conversation directly related to this particular piece and to creating this moment within his show. I like to think that he wanted to interfere as little as possible and allow me to have the most genuine, spontaneous experience as possible."

In McQueen’s Words:"[The finale of this collection] was inspired by an installation by artist Rebecca Horn of two shotguns firing blood-red paint at each other. It was really carefully choreographed. It took a week to program the robots."

Be sure to klick here to see the selected objects from his collections with additional comments.