Savage Beauty

Alexander McQueen was my all consuming obsession before he died by his own hand last year. Its still hard for me to talk about his death and his work because I loved him so much and still do love him so much--probably even more now with his tragic and untimely death more than a year behind us. He will always be dear to my heart.

I feel very fortunate that I got to go to New York in July and see the Savage Beauty exhibition at the MET. We waited in line for and hour and a half and were crammed in there like sardines. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. This exhibition was proof of how many others feel the same way about McQueen that I do. It was magical for us to all come together and revel in his genius and share our sorrow. However, it still stings that this exhibition would not have happened if he was still alive today. Heres some pictures:

I wish I could spend every day at the MET.
My fave from Horn of Plenty.
Using some prosthesis technology for fashion (and horsetails...no horses were harmed in the making of this garment)
Insane embroidery.
What Shalom wore when she got painted by the robots.

The dress on the left is made out of medical slides and hand dyed ostrich feathers. The one on the right is made from razor clam shells.
I was pretty obsessed with the middle dress pictured here. Hard to tell from the picture, but it had the most insane lace work, it was blowing my mind.
This thing was pretty cool, I would totally wear this.
This grand feather bow garment had a quite a presence.
The new new shoulder.
I don't think this was in there but I really like this feather cocoon dress from the Horn of Plenty collection.
A triad of movement.


This thing has a vagie, kind of of sea-grass look to it.
The Cabinet of Curiosities. Look, its the Shalom Harlow robot spray paint dress. Hey, that Philip Treacy butterfly hat was in this room too, woah! Epic. From going to this exhibition I learned that when Isabella Blow died, she left all her clothes to Daphne Guinness, including McQueens entire senior collection from St.Martins. As if Daphne's wardrobe wasn't already fabulous enough! Anyway, a lot of those clothes were on display here.
This dress is made of both real and fake flowers.

An ideal wedding dress.

The final collection.


Asian inspiration.

GAGA
This middle one was so insane up close, it was beaded on the hips and the fabric was like this shiny jacquard thing. Being able to look at everything super up close was the best part, seeing all the little details and the flawless construction. I was amazed.
I miss you dude. It sucks how much you wanted to die.

Thanks for the Cool Shades Bjorn Borg

Bjorn Borg not only has a cool name but also made some really awesome sunglasses in the 80's. Ever since I got my Borg shades last Halloween at Golden Rule I have been wondering what fashionable planet they came from (probably France right?). Well I have tennis champ Bjorn Borg to thank for my newfound fabulousness. It makes sense that they were designed by a sporty dude since they hook behind the ears and conveniently don't fly off your face (while unleashing your wicked backhard or a brutal serve, or in my case mowing the lawn).

Serving up fabulousness, Borg style.
Richie Tenenbaum (who's character was loosely based on Bjorn Borg) was looking pretty fab too, but he was actually wearing Vuarnets.
I found these online for $465. Feeling like a savvy shopper for getting mine for $35.

MINE! Mine are the best!
Oh gosh, now I'm feeling a bit braggy. You can try them on if you want! I'll take your picture.
But then you have to give them back, okay? Hey, where are you going?!
That fashion illustration book 9 Heads called this sunglasses shape "Boston". I love you Boston.

Chateau Dreams: Deyn Channels Dean

So is James Franco an overachiever or what? Apparently when hes not hosting the Oscars or getting a PhD, he is shooting awesome photos in helicopters with Agyness Deyn. I almost passed out when I opened July's issue of Elle and found these amazing photos of Agoo (the most beautiful woman in the world) shot by James Franco (the most multi-talented overachiever in the world, who also happens to be pretty easy on the eye). This highly androgynous spread was inspired by Rebel Without a Cause, which I'm sure Mr. Franco has spent plenty of time mulling over since he played James Dean in the James Dean biopic. I've yet to see that one, but I did watch Howl last week and LOVED IT. Its weird that all those animated parts had so much hetero sexiness but, whatever, still a fine film.

He is so good at being Allen Ginsberg! Allen and Peter's relationship is my new favorite love story, I can't stop thinking about them. So in love. "Finally I found someone who loved me as much as I loved them." AH! Swoon! Thats all I've ever wanted!

Anyways, heres the pictures. Strong work James Franco. Also kudos to Agoo for her work as fashion editor on "Chateau Dreams". Mwah!

This photo is making me feel the fear. So high up.
Hotness personified.
So beautiful....
Looking like a hot man, my fave look for Agoo.
One moody bitch.
Exuding massive amounts of coolness, as usual.


Hot man.

Driving me crazy laying on that bed like that. Oh and a cute kitty!


James Franco working it in the fearcopter.
Allen and Peter! EEEEEE! Allen is serving up some serious David Cross face in this pic.

Golden Rule Shuts Its Doors July 31st

It is with much sadness that I announce Golden Rule's era on E.Burnside is coming to a close. Bummer dude! Why am I the only person that shops here?! I will miss running the shop on Thursday, blasting Julee Cruise and Cocteau Twins, and talking people's ears off about the merits of the Pet Shop Boys (its weird how many people have never heard the song West End Girls before meeting me). Mostly I will miss all the great additions to my wardrobe, but I guess I have racked up enough of those to last lifetime. I'm pretty much just playing dress up the entire time I'm there, so needless to say I have bought A LOT of clothes in my few months of volunteering at Golden Rule.

For those of you who haven't yet heard of Golden Rule, lemme give you the breakdown. Last year our creative director Wynde Dyer opened Golden Rule to honor the passing of her mother who left dear Wynde a 17 foot U-Haul filled with clothing and other treasures dating back to the Victorian Era. To cope with the vast amounts of clothing at her disposal, Wynde comes up with an awesome new theme and completely transforms the space each month. With a new theme comes new clothes on the racks and new artwork on the walls. Yes art on the walls, because Golden Rule not only functions as a retail space but also as a gallery space. Could it get any better? I think not!

The theme this month is "White Magic", featuring photography by Lahaina Alcantara. Come see it by July 31 (my birthday! for my present I want you to come check out Golden Rule!). I didn't think I would end up buying tons of stuff this month because I'm really messy and can't wear white without promptly staining it other colors, but lo and behold, I bought tons of stuff AGAIN.

Rosanne's couch? A doily? I think this coat is nothing short of an eleganza extravaganza!
A crocheted leather top?! WTF!
That dress was not doing this top justice. Don't worry Mom, I got a cami so I won't have to wear this with my bra showing.
Some neat objects.
These drawers are full of fun objects too.
Another darling doily.
Some cool antlers and stuff.
Why don't you fit me gold shoes?
THE MOOSE IS LOOSE!
In love with this slip/nightie thing.
Some brass unicorns with scary eyes and really phallic 'corn horns. And extremely magical waterfall tails.
Aloe plants in handmade pots next to my sweet new eel skin purse. I know, real skin, kinda gross! Whatever, its vintage!
I can't say no to a nice silk shirt.
The shirt looks better in the other pic but this photo has superior composition, no?


After July, Golden Rule will begin its new incarnation at Wynde's house. To keep up to speed on new developments (like e-commerce) or find out whats going on at the new space, go to goldenruleportland.com. Make sure to click on the blog part and check out the lookbooks.

Another Cute Outfit

I wish this skirt actually fit so I could wear this outfit out on the town. Luckily the shirt did and now lives in my closet. My wardrobe has grown substantially more fabulous since I started volunteering at Golden Rule on Thursdays. Have you been there? It is like a little gallery and you can buy clothes there. Tight! Come visit me there at 811 E Burnside Ave (In the back, follow the rainbow hopscotch) Thurs 12-6.