London

This is my first trip to London. I did not attend the royal wedding but I am in the middle of it all. The shopping here is crazy. I love it!!! A fashionista could not ask for more. My next stop will be Paris for two days. This has been such a great experience. PLEASE stand by for pictures I will upload very soon.

Hats off to Philip Treacy!

The Queen‘s dress code for the Royal Wedding required that all ladies wear hats. I’m not sure if that’s a British royal tradition or because the ceremony was being held inside of a church?  All the ladies arrived adorning a wide variety of styles with the exception of the Prime Minister’s wife. I bet she will be dealt with later by the Queen for her public display of disrespect.

Philip Treacy’s hat designs were the show stopping, statement makers for the occasion. As a creative person,I admire his creativity because his designs are so over the top. I love it when a designer is able to merge art and fashion to create a beautiful masterpiece and Philip Treacy does not disappoint. For all those that are criticizing his work calling his creations crazy, I think they are crazy too because people criticize what they don’t understand. Those who appreciate art and fashion get it. Those who don’t have a clue, I say off with their heads!  Just kidding. I am posting a poll for the most fierce hat of all. Be sure to vote.

Victoria Beckham

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez and Annabel Ballin

Sophie, Countess

Claudia Bradby

Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatric

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

America’s Next Top Model Week 9

The models arrive in Morocco this week. They toured all of the hot spots.
 Marrakech is a beautiful and colorful city often used for photo shoots.
 My personal highlight of week #9 was seeing my fashion god Andre Leon Talley
throughout the entire show. When the girls arrived at the designers showroom, 
he was there waiting for them. They walked in and his first reaction was,
 "I hope those are your travel clothes. You look dreadful",
 to a group of aspiring models. Imagine that! My look has to be fierce at all times.
 You never know who you may meet on a plane and especially on the streets of NY. 
I have been stopped before by a photographer for an impromptu picture, 
I stay picture perfect. The photo shoot was in the desert on top of a camel. 
Molly was still complaining about any and everything but she took the best photo. 
From a stylist point of view, I couldn't pick just one quote because several
 stood out to me during Molly's critique.

 Andre' Says
TM

"Do you see the message in the clothes?"
"This is a dramatic picture it's a story. It has a narrative. I see the message of a high fashion princess."
When I'm styling an editorial or photo shot my job as a stylist is to answer that question 
with a resounding YES!!!!!!!! So in my opinion the message can be conveyed by a 
stylist but the model is there to bring the story to life. Like a marriage they walk
 hand in hand. FYI. I am working on a very special blog in honor of Andre' Leon Talley.
I want you all to see why I love him so much. 

TTYL,
Miquelle

Happy Birthday!

This week is really hectic for me but in a good way. I’m busy getting ready for my trip to theUKon Friday and at the last minute I get a call to do a styling job the same day. My #1 priority is fashion, so I have to pull off a Tim Gunn and make it work. Before I head out today, I need to take a moment to acknowledge three important April Birthdays.

First and foremost, the person responsible for me being born into this fabulous world of fashion is celebrating her birthday today. Happy Birthday Mommy!

Happy Birthday to the fashion world triple threat Marc Jacobs who celebrated his birthday on April 9th.

Happy Birthday to fashion risk taker Jean-Paul Gaultier who celebrated his birthday on April 24th.

Best wishes to you all!

America’s Next Top Model Wk 8

The models will be traveling toMorocconext week, but the go-sees where done inL.A.  My favorite ANTM weeks are the trips to other countries and getting familiar with unfamiliar designers abroad. Since the go-sees were local not really much to blog about so I will move straight to the photo shoot.

Week #8 featured an Eco Friendly fashion shoot with designs by Eco Friendly Couture designer Michael Cinco. The models wore custom made designs which I thought were amazing. The catch to the shoot was the location a garbage dump. Yuk! Since the shoot was eco-friendly I think a recycling plant site would have been a better choice but that’s just my artistic opinion.

Alexandrian stepped her game up winning best photo and the go-see challenge. At panel she wore a Chanel inspired No.1 t-shirt (that’s kinda in your face) and she received my pick of best critique from Andre Leon Talley.

TM

“The star of the picture. The birds, the poop, the funk didn’t take over.”

My response…

When everyone around you wants to see you fail, it’s all about focus. No matter what you are doing in life to achieve the best results, you have to stay focused at all times.Alexandriastood in the midst of garbage with one goal on her mind, nailing the shot.

On another note… One thing that has been consistent this season, the good girls are being sent home and the bad girls remain. I am not sure what message that sends with this cycle of Mean Girls. I thought for sure Molly was taking her miserable self home this week. I think everyone should be tired of hearing her complain. That’s all for now.

TTYL,

Miquelle

America’s Next Top Model Wk 7

Week #7 had more drama than a day time soap opera. The Warriors in Pink challenge really hit me where it hurts. I lost all three of my grand parents to cancer. My paternal grandmother died from breast cancer, when I was only three years old. My maternal grand mother that helped raise me lost her battle with cancer only eight months ago. My BFF lost her mother to cancer as a teen-ager, so it was painful to watch this segment of the show. I feel like Hannah, I want to kick cancers butt. A beautiful ad campaign for such a worthy cause turned into something so ugly during the shoot and at panel. ( More on that later)

On a high note…

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I am crazy for all things fashionable, so I loved this week’s photo shoot “Crazy 4 fashion”. Eric Daman from one of my favorite shows Gossip Girl, was the stylist for the shoot. That put the icing on the cake. The styling was to die for, the accessories, shoes, bags, loved them.

TM

Andre’ Says

 

“Everyone should be given a second chance.”

 

In response to Brittani being allowed to stay after being vocal and unprofessional in front of the client, Ford executives during the shoot. Nigel was the photographer. He watched Brittani express her discontent with Alexandria winning the challenge. Viewers also found out that Tyra doesn’t have the final say regarding who goes or stays, or Brittani would have went home for her behavior.

 

I agree with Mr. Talley. Everyone should be given a second chance, but in the real world life does not work that way. If only everyone felt like him and I. There are many people living in situations that are not given a second chance. I’m sure that Dalya wishes for a second chance too.

 

 

P.S. Follow me on twitter @ IAMFASHION

 

This Springs Statement Steppers

They don’t do the walking, they do the talking!!!!!!!!!!

My picks speak from a low whisper to an over the top scream, “These shoes are hot!!”, so take notice.

Low/Medium

1) Swarovski-crystal embellished, suede sandal in black. Giuseppe Zanotti. $1, 795.

2) Skyline sandals by Pierre Hardy. $1,540

High

1) Dior sandal Birds of Paradise

2) Nicholas Kirkwood Digital Leopard

Over the top

1) McQueen  Butterfly

2) Christian Louboutin Futura Retro

3) y Brian Atwood Zebra

On my radar Brian Atwood.

“2010 Designer of the Year”

I think he’s the one coming for the red bottom lover in you. Will he win you over?

Gucci Hits The Road In High Fashion!

The 500 by Gucci is just too cute for words. Travel in style this spring/summer in the limited-edition FIAT created in celebration of the fashion house’s 90th anniversary. $23,600; gucci.com

 

Long Live Alexander McQueen

At age 40, Alexander McQueen said in one of his last known interviews, “When I’m dead, hopefully this house will still be going.”  Had he still been alive, McQueen would have celebrated his 42nd birthday on March 17, 2011. I dedicate this post to his memory.

The Alexander McQueen brand was placed in the very competent hands of Sarah Burton. Gucci Group chose his assistant for the past 14 years as his successor.  His untimely death February 11, 2010 left fashion insiders wondering if his company could still thrive without his inspiration.  There was a lot of doubt because McQueen’s work is considered so unique.
Sarah Burton was the watchful eye within his design studio.  McQueen created incredible, jaw-dropping, showpieces; Burton assisted him.  She was also responsible for designing the wearable clothes that appeared in stores.  It’s very apparent from viewing her first collection as Creative Director that his design aesthetic is part of her DNA.  Hope has been renewed. The Alexander McQueen brand is alive and well.  Rest in peace, Mr. McQueen.

 

America’s Next Top Model Week 6

The eight remaining girls were separated into two groups. The blondes versus the brunettes. Their bodies were covered in mud  for a black and white artistic photo shoot. The catch to taking a group shot is for each model to shine individually. I picked Brittani for this weeks best shot, so I wasn’t surprised when she won.

 

TM
Andre Says”You do look like you own this picture. A mean defiant pout, very intriguing.” (Brittani’s critique)As a stylist my job is to create a look or bring my clients vision to life. It doesn’t matter what career you are pursuing, you have to own your look.

 

P.S. Andre Leon Talley tells Alexandria, ” The tassle and bonnet does not work. The drekatude of it all.” I had to mention that quote. I just love him.
TTYL,Miquelle