The art of Recycling

Maison Martin Margiela is well known for their ability to transform antique or vintage scavenger hunt treasures into beautifully modern pieces by incorporating them into their collections. This year, was groundbreaking for Margiela as the Fall 2012 Couture show was their debut on the Couture scene. The Artisanal Collection includes pieces made from items such as vintage baseball gloves or a windsurfing sail. 

The raw cotton sleeveless jacket, pictured above, replicates a tailcoat from 1905. A remarkable detail that adds the perfect amount of vintage without overdoing it is the closure of the jacket. It is an antique doorknob found in New York City. 

The designers in the house of Margiela focused on the upper part of the body rather than the bottom half. To succeed in doing so, lace from all over France was used by making straight legged pants that revealed just enough skin to make the pieces even sexier. 

Margiela is a designer with a fondness of  clandestinity which is evident from the crystal embroidered masks the models sport to conceal their faces. 

Personally this is my favourite look. 

Amazingly beautiful coat made from, wait for it, a windsurfing sail. 

The infamous vest made from vintage baseball gloves. 

Shall We Use a Chain Saw?

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Let's have a look back at the Spring 2010 collection of Viktor & Rolf. Over the years, the Dutch duo has been pushing the limits of fashion with breakthrough pieces that one can not seem to forget. At the height of the economic crisis, when designers were tightening their budgets for extravagant pieces, Viktor & Rolf took it upon themselves to steer away from skimping with layers upon layers of beautifully chainsaw-cut tulle. 

Two years later, we are still mesmerized with the intensity and creativity that seeps through the meticulously cut holes adorning the pieces in the collection. 

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Roisin Murphy performing on the runway of the Spring 2010 collection.  

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Musing

Lana Del Rey at the Brit Awards                         Yves Saint Laurent 80s Halter Neck Maxi Dress

Time and time again we have noticed the similarities between Lana Del Rey's fashion choices and our selection of vintage designer clothing that we keep in our treasure trove. For this post, Lana Del Rey became our muse as we put together a collage of LDL inspired pieces for you. 

Above: Lana Del Rey shows off her Vivienne Westwood dress at the Brit Awards. On the left is our own version of the singer's outfit- a vintage Yves Saint Laurent Halter Neck Maxi Dress from the 80s.

Lana Del Rey at the Met Ball                            Claude Montana Sheer Black Chiffon Duster Robe

Not so long ago, the pop star showed off her, what many identified as bat-like cape bearing ensemble by Joseph Altuzarra at the Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversation Metropolitan Museum of Art Ball. On the left is our Claude Montana 90s Sheer Black Chiffon Duster Robe that is not far in resemblance of the one of LDL. 

Lana Del Rey Ferrari Jacket            Nobu Ikeda 80s Bold Pink Wool Patchwork Bomber Jacket

Bomber jackets are a hit this season and Lana Del Rey has made a point of a wearing them on many occasions. Above she sports a Ferrari race car jacket. Not far off is our Nobu Ikeda 80s Patchwork Bomber Jacket. 

Lana Del Rey Silver Bomber Jacket                  Escada 80s Metallic Gold Stadium Jacket

Here the star is wearing a silver jacket much like our Escada 80s Metallic stadium jacket. 

Stitches. Fabric. Soul.

I often like to big up my fellow countrymen and this blog in particular is a firm favourite of mine. It's great to see someone pay attention to the sartorial choices of my increasingly stylish brethren. This look, straight from the streets of Dublin, caught my eye recently. Any gal who can pull off a wide brimmed hat is alright by me:

RIP: Vidal Sassoon

RIP to a true legend and a man who has had as huge an influence upon fashion as any of the great designers out there. We love this image of him styling Mary Quant, another inspiring legend:

Le Shocking

Ah yes, the Met Gala. A night as highly anticipated by the fashion elite as Tanning Mom's next sunbed session. The creme de la creme of the fashion scene were out in force for this year's 'Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations' exhibit. 

La Wintour has her talons tightly secured around the guest list, ensuring that only those with the audacity to flaunt the most amazing gowns made it to the red carpet. 

Prada's own designs were out in full force, with our personal favourite of the night, Diane Kruger, donning an incredible purple gown by the designer. 

With Schiaparelli creations so notoriously difficult to lay one's hands on, the divine Cameron Silver was one of few attendees who could boast the designer's name when the de rigeur 'Who Are You Wearing?' question was asked of them. 

Having trawled through the innumerable photos from last night, the following artists, musicians, writers and poor little rich girls caught our attention here at Vagabond NYC:

Anna Wintour in Prada.

Leave the ombre for your hair, B.
Beyonce in Givenchy Haute Couture.

Coco Rocha paying homage to Schiaparelli's 'Le Shocking' in vintage Givenchy.

Diane Kruger in Prada.

Emma Stone with the ever adorable Alber Elbaz in Lanvin.

Florence Welch looking other worldly in Alexander Mc Queen.

January Jones in Atelier Versace.

Not interested, Kristen? Why did you show up then? Mrs. Edward Cullen in Balenciaga.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Batman's new girlfriend? No, it's Lana Del Rey in Altuzarra.

MKO looking suitably Olsen-ish in The Row.

Wearing a dress Crocodile Dundee would be proud of, Rihanna in Tom Ford. 

Rooney Mara in, yep, you guessed it, Givenchy.

ScarJo in Dolce & Gabanna.

SJP clearly robbed her granny's curtains and asked Valentino to make her a dress out of them.