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.