Hot couture
MANILA, Philippines - In this week’s Look of the Week, we’re serving haute couture with an exit from Martin Margiela’s fall 2015 collection.
This week’s YStyle look is informed by the exuberance of couture as seen flitting down the runways of Paris, Milan and Rome, taking a note from the playbook of the late Jacqueline de Ribes, comtesse, purveyor of couture and the subject of next year’s Metropolitan Costume Institute exhibition. There’s no better muse to look up to than the lady who’s been dubbed by Valentino as the “Last Queen of Paris.”
Our woman is elegant and she moves fluidly within the realms of fashion, carrying style that transcends the trends. Read up on the look as YStyle gives you the score sheet.
Shoes: Christian Dior , Resort 2016
Whether classic or edgy, this straight-edge boot from Dior is the definition of being comfortable while still looking chic. Bold and still feminine, this boot is must-have in our books. Trust to see our YStyle woman in a pair, no matter the season.
Exhibition:“Great Names of Fashion”
Held at The Fashion Museum in Bath, United Kingdom from January 2015 to Jan. 3, 2016, “Great Names of Fashion” exhibit showcases the history of modern fashion of the 20th century by major fashion designers whose work molded the look of generations. Expect to see glamorous evening gowns and works by Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Elsa Schiaparelli, Vionnet and Yves Saint Laurent to name a few.
Hair:Donna Karan Fall 2015
On days when wearing a hat seems too much, having your hair swept to the side is always a good idea. Sleek looks can have you looking posh in no time and the only thing you need is gel and a fine-tooth comb. Another way to execute this look is to add gel in the front section, which can give you a headband-like effect. An easy and fuss-free look for our YStyle girl.
Book: Maison Martin Margiela
A fan of Martin Margiela, the YStyle woman will try to get her hands on anything that involves his maison. The elusive designer rejected the idea of mass media culture therefore he has become anonymous with the fashion world but still maintained his grunge, deconstruction, recycling and raw techniques until his exit from the label in 2009.
The ideal coffee table book, this hardcover is a work of art in itself as Margiela himself designed it. Get to know his design process and his beginnings with his mentor Jean-Paul Gaultier. Step into the intimate, handmade world of an exceptional designer despite his effort to stay away from the media.
Travel destination: Fondazione Prada
An institution that dedicates itself to contemporary art and culture, the Fondazione Prada is a place where film festivals, forums and design projects take place. With the unveiling of its new permanent location in Largo Isarco in Milan, the architecture allows exhibitions to take place and to be shared with the public. Internationally acclaimed artists like Louise Bourgeois, John Baldessari have all been a part of one of the 24 solo exhibitions that took place in Fondazione Prada.
Makeup:Jean Paul Gaultier, Fall 2015 Couture
If you’re fawning over the looks from the Martin Margiela Fall 2015 Couture show like us but feel intimidated about wearing it on a daily basis, let’s be real: dial it back a notch with a simple cobalt blue line on your lids like Cleopatra and take it along the under-eye to brighten up your look — literally. Pat McGrath would be proud.
Bag: Louis Vuitton Kusama Pumpkin Minaudiere Bag
What happens when you have one of Japan’s most celebrated contemporary artists collaborate with luxury design house Louis Vuitton? You get a limited edition jewel bag that retails for $133,430. Yayoi Kusama’s known for her use of dense patterns of polka dots and nets which resulted in this unique pumpkin-shaped bag. Sold in Selfridges, this jeweled bag is a coveted piece on our wish list.
App: GLP – Great Little Place
Whenever abroad, looking for places to hang out where the locals do can sometimes be a challenge. Google isn’t always the most reliable source and can sometimes lead you to the weirdest places — trust us, we know. GLP allows you to uncover places like bars, museums, restaurants and galleries, right in the palm of your hands. Each place is a personal recommendation by fellow users who have had amazing experiences in the city that they’re in. Live a little and try out this app if you seek an experience you won’t forget.
Movie: Dior and I
After the controversial firing of creative director John Galliano, Belgian designer Raf Simons was given eight weeks to create his collection for the French fashion house Christian Dior. The film provides a window into the behind-the-scenes conception of Raf Simons’ first haute couture collection as its newly appointed creative director. This documentary focuses on Simons’ struggles to break himself from his minimalist aesthetic to a more complex and ambitious style for the legendary Christian Dior house. We also get to know the women and men whose hands create these intricate, beautiful garments and watch how they bring Simmons’ creations to reality.
Muse: Jacqueline de Ribes
An internationally renowned style icon, Countess Jacqueline de Ribes is a French aristocrat whose elegance is celebrated around the world. She is a lover of haute couture and once had a secret desire to become a fashion designer. Constantly rebelling against her family’s wishes, this led her to legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland’s doorstep in New York. She worked with designers Emilio Pucci, Oleg Cassini and even hired then unknown Italian designer Valentino to sketch for her.
Because of her elegant style, The Costume Institute’s fall 2015 exhibition will be dedicated to her. Entitled “Jacqueline de Ribes: The Art of Style,” the show runs from Nov. 19, 2015 until Feb. 21, 2016 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
