Friday, December 12, 2008

Designer of the Moment


Last fall as I was shopping for a dress to wear to the CMA Awards show here in Nashville, I stumbled upon a brand new boutique in the Hill Center in Green Hills called Hemline. Small and to the point (it's about the size of my bedroom) it is nevertheless packed with hard to find designers like Sweetees and Wendy Katlen. Almost immediately, my eyes were drawn to a fuschia colored mini dress by a designer I'd never heard of named Yoana Baraschi. I loved the clean, simple style contrasting with the jewel encrusted collar. And it had pockets too, so I was already sold on it. Since then, I've bought several more of her designs, including the black and blue dress above. She has consistently impressed me with her bold, jewel-toned fabrics as well as the girly little details like bows and ruffles that I love so much. I checked out her Spring 2009 collection on her website (www.yoanabaraschi.com), and instantly fell for at least two of the lace infused dresses. I'm seeing a pattern here and it's a little nerve-wracking to think that I may have to get a second job in order to sustain my habit.

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Lost Art Of Prettiness


I think I may have been born in the wrong time period. This land of jeans and sweatshirts feels slightly foreign, and I find myself daydreaming of lace and petticoats. I love the idea of a woman being a woman, and even ever-so-slightly girlish. Satin and silk, lace and big bouncy bows all bring a smile to my lips. While I completely understand the need for comfort and maneuverability, I would readily give that up if I could wear dresses like the Balmain creation pictured above on a daily basis. There was a time in the not so distant past when a woman would not be caught dead without lipstick, mascara, and gloves. But these days, in our microwave quick, drive-through window kind of world, all is done in the name of instant gratification. We can't, or don't want to take the time to roll our hair or fuss with layers of clothing and undergarments, so we throw on our trusty pair of jeans, pile our hair into a ponytail, and rush out the door, completely bypassing our sacred right as women to take pride in the way we look. Not for men or even for other women, but for ourselves. I have been guilty many times of this, as I've become accustomed to the rapid-fire pace of our world. But I have to admit that I savor those special times when I can spend hours getting ready for a fun night. I love the rituals of being a woman. And I especially love that magical Cinderella moment after I've been transformed; when I can look in the mirror, do my little twirl, and thank God that I was born a girl. 
( The above picture is from the Victoria & Albert Museum's Golden Age of Couture Exhibition. www.vam.ac.uk)