Get Dressed & Into the Festive Spirit

It is official!

Six sleeps left until Santa navigates his way throughout the world to deliver presents to all the good girls. Whether you deem 2011 to have been your best behaved or not, you still need to welcome the new year in the most chic and sought after pieces!

Mentally slip yourself into the lush 80's Valentino dress, seen above. The cream versus black creation is in keeping with fashion's current enthusiasm for color blocking. The plisse treatment on the bodice provides added interest by creating an interesting texture. The piece is 100% silk and exemplifies luxury. 

Party like it's 1989 in this green polka dot prom dress from Ungaro. Beautifully made with a boned bodice and wide v-neckline, this piece is crafted out of the highest quality silk. Re-live your prom night without the acne or the crushing insecurity!

Every girl needs a go-to going out blazer. This Lanvin number is just the ticket. The gold and black brocade really makes it stand out with the black velvet outline providing a refined edge. 

Have you been nice or nautical? (One pun too far? That's not like us!) This simple yet absolutely stunning navy and white Jean Louis Scherrer dress is the ultimate in understated elegance. Loose fitting and color blocked with navy and white, this piece made from silk crepe is the perfect accompaniment to any festive celebration. 

On the Prowl in Jean Louis Scherer

Every now and again amidst the plethora of e-mails we so happily receive each day, we like to take a moment to trawl through the search engines in a bid to find some inspiring images of the most beautiful pieces by the worlds top designers. 

 

Today, we just so happened to type in Jean Louis Scherrer's name and was awe struck to find some incredible shots from collections past. 

The Chambre de la Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne alumnus and former assistant to Monsieur Dior, the designer is unabashedly renowned for elegance and high quality pieces that were determinedly not driven by trend. 



Jean Louis Scherrer Nautical Shift Dress and Jacket Set

 

Sprouse It Up in Vintage Hits

It's time to jump back from all the hot new designers we have been taking a look at recently and to focus on the veritable rock star of the 80's and 90's New York fashion scene and VagaBond favorite, Stephen Sprouse. 

Having amassed influence from the likes of Warhol, Halston and Bill Blass through a midst of internships and alliances, Sprouse was a designer who thoroughly embraced fashion as art and worked to imperatively combine the two. 

Known for his business misadventures as much as for his graffiti prints, Day-Glo fabrics and outré runway shows (models chewing on vials filled with fake blood, anyone?)

Throughout his career, Sprouse merged between overwhelming success and disappointing career lows as time and again his businesses failed.

Sprouse was the genius behind the Louis Vuitton graffiti bags, a result of an invite to Paris by Marc Jacobs to assist with the collection. Needless to say, the bags were a monumental hit with the designer admitting that even he could not get his hands on one. 

Debbie Harry, the veritable Edie Sedgwick to Sprouse's Warhol, lived for a number of years with the designer, with him styling her for Blondie's 'Heart of Glass' video. The chanteuse fully embodied the Bowery girl look and with Sprouse's engagement, quickly became a style icon for a generation who's looked is echoed in that of Ms. Moss today. 

Stephen Sprouse was a designer, an artist and an innovator. Despite his roller coaster of a career, his work is of the utmost importance in fashion history. He broke the bounds of fashion and challenged it, assuring his name will forever be in association with the legends of times past. 

1984 Stephen Sprouse Pink Wool Coat

 

Gone Baby Gone: Dries Van Noten 2000 Skirt

As much as we hate to see any of our much treasured pieces leave us, we love to know that something is going to a good home to be loved, cared for and, most importantly, worn with pride! 

 

This Dries Van Noten Green Color Block Full Skirt is on its way back to Europe. From the Fall 2000 RTW collection, this skirt fully embraces the ladylike theme that swayed through the runways of that year. The collection boasts tweeds and emerald greens, a juxtaposition that would look in place at any English countryside retreat. 

 

The skirt was paired on the runway with a deliciously cozy knit sweater. Pop on a pair of knee length leather boots and practice your best Queen Liz impression, amidst aspirations of clay pigeon shooting sessions and spots of tea. Darling. 

Hi Ho Silver... Michael Kors Pre-Fall 2012

These are the words that spring to mind when viewing the Michael Kors Pre-Fall 2012 collection. A myriad of neutral tones intersprsed with the most amazing red make up a line full of stunning coats and boots that you would relocate to a prairie for. The entire look is utterly classic. There is nothing fussy going on here. Personally, the outerwear of the collection is the prime aspect of the whole collection. Kors may very well have pulled off a whole other trend, we'll call it 'Mountie Chic'.

Stalin was a Hipster...

That's all the proof you need!

Rose Blossoming

Here is a shoot we recently styled for Wilhelmina Models. The ever stunning Rose was shot in pieces from the VagaBond NYC collection by incredible photographer Evan Taylor Gunville. You can see more of his work through his blog: http://evantaylorgunville.tumblr.com/

Focus On: Karly Hodge

 

In tonight's installment of the VagaBond NYC blog we are thrusting young Irish designer firmly into the spotlight. Karly Hodge, a recent graduate of Limerick School of Art and Design, debuted her '9am on the New York Subway' collection at the LSAD graduate fashion show. 

The line, as the title suggests, is inspired by her time spent as an intern in NYC at Proenza Schouler.

Motivated by the energy of the city, Hodge drew inspiration from the metro line and based her print on that of the subway map. 

The colors of the collection are a striking combination of black and neon blue, pink and orange, leaving the viewer no choice but to be thoroughly engaged.

The designer states that she 'wanted to use the prints and colors to encapsulate the energy and spirit of the city, while using the silhouette to represent the structure of the subway system and the cityscape.'

You can check out more of Karly Hodge's designs right here.

VagaBond NYC + Toto Cullen for DMAg

We worked recently with uber talented photographer Toto Cullen and so we would like to share some of the results of the creative process with you. Gwen, the model is resplendent in pieces from the VagaBondnyc archive.

Gwen wears Jean Paul Gaultier

Gwen wears George Boreham

Gwen wears Chanel

Oh Poor Atlas, the World's a Beast of a Burden

If ever there was an artist who so utilized her wardrobe so as to enhance (and not take away from, here's looking at you Germanotta) a performance it would have to be Florence Welch, often found accompanied by her 'Machine'.

Flowing locks and porcelain skin, Ms. Welch embodies ethereal fantasy. Her voice transcends the listener to whatever height she finds herself on when her voice emanates from her being.

Having just launched Ceremonials (on repeat here at VagaBond HQ!), the eagerly anticipated follow up to Lungs, Florence is about to embark upon a European tour. Something tells me that, unlike her contemporaries, she will stick to what works for her - beautiful flowing fabrics, delicate patterns and carefully selected vintage pieces - as opposed to violently revamping her image in accordance with a new album.

Everyone and their mother is award of her performance for Chanel in Paris at the S/S '12 show. When you're hand picked by M. Lagerfeld himself, what more reassurance do you need that your style is truly unequivocal? Added to this, she frequents our pop up store at Bond 07 and has selected some of our pieces for her own wardrobe. She's a true blue VagaBond girl...

Focus On: LimROCK

In order to keep things fresh here we like to feature a designer every now and then who you may be unaware of. The latest installment of the VagaBond NYC blog will focus on another new Irish designer, Natalie B. Coleman. Originating from Carrickmacross, a town in Monaghan, Ireland, the designer set off on her design studies at the renowned Limerick School of Art and Design. She developed upon her knowledge at Central Saint Martin's, home to alumni such as Alexander McQueen. Coleman embarked upon establishing her own label last year following stints in New York and designing for a dance company. 

Coleman includes hand drawings and watercolors that are printed onto silks in a bid to establish a real sense of exclusivity to her pieces. Hailing inspirations as diverse as ostriches, unicorns and biker movies as inspiration, Coleman launched her SS 12 collection entitled, 'All the Jewellery I Never Got.'

Que Porter: Practical Elegance

80's Louis Feraud Silk Shirtdress

I am about to celebrate my very first Thanksgiving this week and it is a fact that I greet with much excitement. Growing up, thanks to our mass consumption of US media, we were all aware of this holiday but few get to experience it first hand.

So as the weekend approaches, I am starting to ponder my wardrobe choices for this holiday. I am guessing that since it is predominantly marked by spending time with family and friends around a plethora of delicious dishes (my fingers are crossed for pie!) that one must dress accordingly. Now, normally I would be all for making a statement and adopting a devil may care attitude with regard to my outfits but I think Thanksgiving merits a choice that takes into consideration a no doubt expanding waistline.

With this in mind, I have dug through the veritable treasure trove that is the VagaBond NYC archive and chosen some pieces that should prove to be far kinder than, let's say, that body con number you are desperate to break out of the wardrobe. We are all about oversizing and fabulous billowing blouses for the day that's in it. 



Laura Biagiotti Honeycomb Linen Blouse

70's Yves Saint Laurent Ruby Silk Blouse

Vnyc Named Top Six for Online Couture Shopping

Guess who was featured alongside Barneys and Net-a-Porter as one of the six best places to buy couture online? High five anyone? 

Inspiration: Willy Vanderperrfect

We have been looking for inspiration for an upcoming shoot and in the midst of mountains of magazines and an overused Google search bar, we fell in love with Willy Vanderperre.















The Belgian Royal Academy of Fine Arts grad has a compelling way of giving his shots a smoky lift that engage the mind and really draw you in. Every shot urges you to stare that little bit longer, whether it is commercial or editorial in direction. Heralding Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud and Jenny Saville, as well as his upbringing in Belgium, as the prime inspiration for his work.

You may have come across Vanderperre in Jil Sander, Prada and Dior Homme advertisements. Needless to say his work has also featured in editorials for publications such as Vogue China and i-D.

Focus On: Electronic Sheep

 

If there's anything Irish people are good at (I know what you're thinking and this has nothing to do with liqour!), it's bundling up! Scarves are de rigeur in the Emerald Isle, winter is cold and as we say at home the wind 'would go through you for a shortcut.' Not really too sure what that means either..

It only makes sense then that an Irish designer would take on the challenge of creating an interesting and unique line that houses that much needed accessory. Electronic Sheep are surely paving the way for the must have accessory of winter '11. Their neon digital prints are nothing short of cool and the company have been increasingly gaining attention in European media circles lately.

Baroque and Roll: Print Mania

Ba·roque  (b-rk)

adj.

1. also Baroque Of, relating to, or characteristic of a style in art and architecture developed in Europe from the early 17th to mid-18th century, emphasizing dramatic, often strained effect and typified by bold, curving forms, elaborate ornamentation, and overall balance of disparate parts.

2. Extravagant, complex, or bizarre, especially in ornamentation: "the baroque, encoded language of post-structural legal and literary theory" (Wendy Kaminer).

3. Irregular in shape: baroque pearls.

---



Gianni Versace Baroque Jacket

We love us some baroque here at VagaBond. In fact, the more flamboyant and elaborate the better. It seems baroque has been associated with couture forever, enlivening a piece and stirring any look with an intense drama. Italian in origin, the style came to prominence in the early 1600's. 

Today's baroque is less about the ruffles and plumage and all about embellishment, metal tones or bright colors and a slick of texture. Think prints as diverse as animal and jacquard. Not for the faint hearted, baroque is positively a look intended to capture the gaze of a passer by. 

In the past three decades, baroque has become eponymously associated with Versace. Think of the supermodels flaunting those safety pin dresses on the runway and bold, brash prints. The style harks back to a pre-recessionary era where glitz and glamour were very much meant to be in your face. 

Embellishments are also key to achieving a distinction of baroque. If rave colors are not your thing then look into cleverly embellished pieces. This beautiful Balenciaga jacket is quintessentially baroque with its unique detailing; sculptured shape, chain front closing and contrasting pocket flaps.



Balenciaga Baroque Silk Jacket