It's Fall Again!

I love when the seasons change in New York. It means that I get to rediscover all of my cold weather clothes that were pushed to the back of the closet during the warmer months. While a lot of people find themselves shopping when the seasons change, I think going through your own closet is a lot more fun, especially since you come across clothing that A) you already like, B) already fits, and C) doesn't cost you a thing.

This JaeYoon Jeong coat is one of my absolute favorite pieces of clothing. This weekend it finally got chilly enough for me to wear again.

And of course, what's Fall in New York without knee high boots. I wore these constantly last year and couldn't wait to pull them out again. I shined them before I boxed them up for the Summer, so when it got cold, they were all ready to go. I'm sure people think I just bought them!

I know this might sound a little silly, but another thing I like to do as I'm rotating my coats to the back of the closet is put some money in the pockets, so that when Fall comes around again I get a nice surprise.

A ten dollar bill! Awesome.

(It's Fall Again photos © Littlehouse of Style, Jacket: JaeYoon Jeong, Boots: Dries Van Noten, Bag: Alexander McQueen, Leggings: Daffy's)

What I wore to Sunday brunch.

During the work week, getting dressed in the morning is fairly simple. I look through my closet of black and white, pick a few things, and I have an outfit— White blouse, black sweater, tweed skirt. Black and white dress, cardigan, tights. Easy. If I'm feeling particularly lazy, I wear a dress.

Dresses are great because they're a self-contained outfit. All you have to do is add shoes. And because you're "dressed up" people think you put in all this extra effort, when the truth is, you didn't even attempt matching a top to slacks because you were half-asleep.

When it come to the weekend though, I always have trouble getting dressed. Why is it so difficult to dress casually? There has to be a middle ground between looking like you just rolled out of bed and looking like you're headed to a meeting.

Shoes are the first problem. 90% of my shoes have at least a 3 inch heel, so aren't exactly conducive to weekend activities like laundry and grocery shopping. But if I put on sneakers, I just feel dumpy. And short.

A few years ago, I bought a pair of cowboy boots while visiting my friend in California, and they have become a staple of my weekend wardrobe. They are one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I own, but don't look ugly like most comfortable shoes tend to (ahem, Uggs and Crocs). They also have a slight heel, so I don't feel like a total shrimp.

I also wear brown a lot on the weekend. It just seems like a casual color to me. Instead of my black patent leather bag, I like to carry something brown or tan with enough space to hold a magazine or two, in case I find a sunny spot to read. I picked up this chestnut leather tote on sale about a month ago, and it's a real workhorse. It actually expands at the top to be even bigger!

The jacket is one of my most favorite pieces. It's made by an Italian company called Kiton, known for their men's suits. (I got it at Filene's basement for a fraction of its original price). Even though it's fitted, it never feels uncomfortable— a perfect weekend piece because it looks nice and feels nice, too. The cashmere tweed is so soft you would think you're snuggled in bed— which is exactly where I would spend my entire weekend, if it weren't for the lure of brunch . . .

(Weekend-wear photos © Littlehouse of Style: Kiton jacket, Polo jeans, American Apparel t-shirt, Gap belt, Justin boots, Alexander McQueen bag)

Too beautiful for words.

Alexander McQueen

I just got a text message from my cousin, who is in fashion school, telling me that Alexander McQueen was found dead this morning. I was hoping to find a conflicting statement online, but when every source confirmed it, I felt my throat tightening.

This is devastating not only to the fashion world, but to all creatives out there. On days when I felt stuck with my graphic design work, I would visit McQueen's site and watch his runway shows for inspiration. His use of color and line was astounding, and the shapes and worlds he created rival those of Picasso. He was, simply, a genius.

We have lost someone great. 

“Now there are some things we all know but we don’t take’m out and look at’m very often. We all know that something is eternal. And it ain’t houses and it ain’t names, and it ain’t earth, and it ain’t even the stars—everybody knows in their bones that something is eternal, and that something has to do with human beings. All the greatest people ever lived have been telling us that for five thousand years and yet you’d be surprised how people are always letting go of that fact. There’s something way down deep that’s eternal about every human being.”
— Our Town, Thorton Wilder, Act III

(All photos from Style.com)

Dear Alexander McQueen,

I know this dress is already on sale, but if you could knock off another, oh, two thousand or so, I would really appreciate it. You're the best!

Love,

Catherine

(Funnel neck dress from AlexanderMcQueen.com)

Life Magazine 1998

For over a decade, I've held onto a particular copy of Life magazine. It's a issue from 1998, a Special featuring "The Best Magazine Photography of the Year." At the time of its purchase, I had gotten into Mr Nelson's coveted photography class and was considering becoming the next Annie Leibovitz. I quickly fell in love with W. Eugene Smith's miners, Man Ray's iconic eye, Eisenstaedt's celebrities, and Avedon's gowns.

Then I picked up this magazine. And discovered David LaChapelle. His photos were like nothing I had ever seen or even imagined. After weeks spent staring at black and white photography, the bright colors and fantastic scenarios were electrifying. Six of his images are featured, 2 spreads originally from Detour magazine, and one cinematic portrait of Alexander McQueen.

Next to these two images of Galliano's designs shot for Detour, it reads, "David LaChapelle took his first photo at age six. It was a portrait of his mother—wearing a Frederick's of Hollywood bra decorated with buckles and holding a cocktail on a balcony in Puerto Rico. He had found his calling. In the two photos here, as in much of his work, he seeks 'to escape into a naughty, decadent sort of lifestyle that no one's really allowed to live but,' he hopes, 'someone is living, somewhere in the world.' " (Life, Eisie Issue, Spring 1998, p. 141)

I was in awe. I had been clutching my Pentax k1000 waiting to see something magic and LaChapelle was out there creating magic. I looked at each of his photos for hours— it was like staring through the looking-glass.

His portrait of Alexander McQueen was the most amazing of all. Originally shot for Vanity Fair in March 1997, it was selected as Life's "Style Photo Winner." I learned from the caption that McQueen was "Britain's most radical fashion designer." In a voluminous ball gown and red rubber gloves that candy his arms, he wields a torch with natural ease while the wild-hatted Isabella Blow minds his train. I instantly believed that between collections he was living that naughty, decadent sort of lifestyle where one sets fire to medieval architecture if the mood strikes.

This season in Paris, McQueen's Spring 2010 collection marched down the runway, my jaw dropped, and LaChapelle's portrait immediately came to mind. I'm only posting a few images, but the entire collection is on Style.com, if you're curious. The unbridled creativity is inspiring. It's as if he's designing for another world, another time, and another species.

I hope someone is wearing this collection, somewhere in the world. And I hope that LaChapelle and his camera find them.

(Magazine photos © Littlehouse of Style, Alexander McQueen runway shots from Style.com)