Once Upon a Looklet: Viv and Vigor

Personally, I'm actually quite happy that Vivienne Westwood is alive and well, and still making important contributions to fashion and culture as we know it.



And I say this as someone who has only started to appreciate everything about Dame Westwood, after years of finding her too weird for my taste. She may have been a goddess among punks, but her aesthetic grows along with her, finding as much inspiration in art and tradition as she does in the political and the personal realms.

It's that juxtaposition between tradition and transgression that really gets to me about Westwood. Who else, after all, would still have the gumption to exaggerate the female form with bustles, corseting, and platform shoes? There's just something about the way she cuts her fabric to work with the body, and the way that both move through time and space.

Here's the item that got me started on my Westwood obsession:

The way that this wrap top appears on Looklet does not do it enough justice, I believe; we're looking at layers of lightweight silk here, so you can imagine how it would drape along the actual curves of the body when it's in motion. If I were this model in real life, I would totally want to wear this with a simple knee-length skirt and no jewelry whatsoever, since the draping of the fabric is so dramatic that it eliminates the need for bling altogether.

And if I had the same body problems as, say, Christina Hendricks, I would probably consider rocking this when I'm feeling a bit casual:

The big flower on the head may be a bit debatable, but that's part of the charm here; I just wanted to summon up the whole "madcap tea party" vibe that the Westwood top evokes here. I've examined this look from every angle on Looklet, too, and I just love that it's designed to be regal, formal, and casual all at once. I chose to anchor the whole thing with a neutral skirt and some platform shoes to play up the more classic aspects of the top's design; anything else would just look tacky next to those strategically juxtaposed stripes.

The obsession doesn't stop with Looklet, either. Polyvore has a very extensive collection of Westwood designs, as well, including those from the Anglomania and Red Label lines. It's all worth a look, if only just to witness fashion history unfolding before our very eyes.

Once Upon A Looklet: A Placeholder

Ah, yes, springtime - when a young woman's fancy turns to thoughts of... tennis lessons?

(View the complete look here.)

And while it is, indeed, springtime everywhere else, we here in the Philippines are in the throes of a particularly cruel tropical summer, with scorching-hot days followed by ambiguously gloomy ones. Not fun - and not to be confused with our rainy season, with hot days followed by massive downpours - but not exactly a bust either.

In the meantime, I am going to take this time off for a much-needed Holy Week break, and I will meet you back here after Easter. Have a good week, folks!

Once Upon a Looklet: A Tribute

Here's a confession for you: I am not a big fan of Alexander McQueen. And I probably never will be.

While McQueen's death did shock me - and I do feel sorry for the guy, having to go through so much sadness and loss to end his life the way he did - reading some of the obituaries that ran in his honor (like this one) did not really alleviate the annoyance I usually have towards the guy himself. It's already bad enough that I'm not "intellectual" enough to "get" him (like, dude, I'm sorry that I'm just an entry-level teacher who goes to work in Gap khakis, mmmkay? *eyeroll*), but I get this sense that he was an exasperating person to talk to - let alone know - in the first place. It's so heartbreaking and infuriating at the same time, to be around someone whose life and work sought so blatantly to be confrontational... yet still be unable to completely hide the fact that he really, truly needed the attention.

And let's not even get started on the armadillo shoes, which... really, why?

That said, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Alexander McQueen was responsible for some of my favorite celebrity looks. Witness, for example, the arisaid-inspired* gown that Sarah Jessica Parker once wore for the Metropolitan Museum Costume Gala:

*Yes, I know this term from all those romance novels about lusty Scottish lairds and the high-spirited, cloak-wearing lassies who yearn for them. Heeeee.

And the infamously leggy minidress ensemble that Gwyneth Paltrow wore to the premiere of Iron Man:

Okay, so the bare legs are a little bit jarring here; I would've recommended self-tanner if she wasn't going to wear hose. But the dress! With the jacket! HOT.

So it follows, then, that my most recent Looklet set would include some Alexander McQueen in it. It's a tribute, all right, but not a literal one; a tad conservative, but with enough dramatic elements to shake things up a bit. Why not, indeed? 

As for the designer himself: Wherever he may be, may he truly rest in peace.

Credits: Screencaps taken from the Daily Mail. "Twisted Transition" set created on Looklet.com.

Once Upon A Look(let): A Diva Is Remixed

Let me get something out of the way: Charice, the teenaged Filipino singing sensation who's currently touring with David Foster right now? Love her. Lurve her.

This look, on the other hand? Do not lurve.



And while the Chuvaness Army is currently debating whether or not this look is age-appropriate, my beef with this is that it's not very original. True, I like the big hair... but the hair and the overcooked fake-bake, together? Too. Much. Look. And Charice's God-given features are too delicate to pull it all off.

At first I thought they were trying to make Charice look like Leona Lewis, but after listening to Charice hit those high notes, it dawned on me:

The stylists in charge just tried to turn a 17-year old Filipina into MARY J. BLIGE!

Folks, let me tell you what a bad idea this is: There is only one Mary J. Blige. I know this because I grew up in the age of New Jack Swing, and Lord knows how many times I've re-watched her live performance of "No More Drama" at the 2002 Grammys. Plus, as much as I would love to hear Charice covering "I'm Goin' Down" or "Reminisce," I can't imagine her even touching a single hair on Mary's weave, let alone biting her whole style.

Besides, if the folks really wanted C. to pay homage to the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, they might as well go all the way...


In fairness, I'm probably suggesting this because I used to rock a near-exact version of this very outfit (including the newsboy cap) when I was Charice's age. Seriously, though, isn't this a good midpoint between cutesy and sexy? Not to mention height-enhancing, what with the striped pants and the nice shoes. I would probably swap out the cap for the purple fedora that Mary J. favors, but otherwise I think this should be fine.

Also, something tells me that Charice's stylists in Manila should do themselves a favor and text-message the folks who dress up Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, pronto. (Or Anna Maria herself, if she's even up for it.) Seriously, I think those girls should swap wardrobes, because I can totally see Charice rocking the off-shoulder tees better... and, admit it, isn't it about time Anna put the flat iron away, at least once?

Yeah, Fancy Meeting You Here Too: A Polyvore Set

Today's Polyvore set answers the age-old question posed by the great Pinay dance diva herself, Jocelyn Enriquez:

"Fancy meeting you here" by meimei96, featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

*Jocelyn, I hear, has retired from the music business to concentrate on her family. But, dang, she can still bring it like the best of 'em; if I'd known that the HNL gig with her and the pre-PCD Nicole Scherzinger was going to be a premonition of sorts, I would've made a lot of cash by now. ;)

Anyway, about the set: This set is in no way inspired by my own personal life. (Hello, exes who may or may not be reading this blog!) It is, however, inspired by a running theme I've seen on Looklet: the outfit you wear when you do run into, or break up with, The One Who Got Away. Lord knows how many times I've planned to wear variations on that outfit during my 20s - and yes, there have been a few instances where it was warranted - but the older I get, the less interest I have in digging up any past grievances on who did what to whom. Thus, I think that some updates on this running theme are in order.

• "Oh, hi. Had no idea you were going to be here." Hanging out at the places where you're most likely to find him is way too obvious; wearing deliberately vampy clothes and makeup while doing so is overkill. It's much easier for you and your ego to know (not just think) that you never planned on running into him, at all, and you just happened to look nice at this very moment. The makeup here is deceptively simple, thanks to the subtle neutral tones (shown here: BeneFit Big Beautiful Eyes and NARS Lip Gloss/ Lip Stain Duo in Stolen Kisses/ Pampa) which can be amplified without looking overdone with some serious mascara, well-groomed eyebrows, and a little rosy blush on the cheeks. You can also see how a similar all-neutral palette works in this how-to video from Bobbi Brown - and while you're at it, take notes on the model's hair in the video, too, which is simply brushed out and left down. Think along the lines of Grace Kelly: clean and tasteful, but never boring.
  

• "Thanks. Everything's going great with me - how about you?" A tailored piece or two can convey a great sense of confidence, even when you feel like retreating into the nearest dark corner. The Vivienne Westwood jacket that I chose for this set practically redefines "sharp tailoring" for me, especially with the nipped-in waist and that wickedly pointed collar - the better to show off the built-in corset of the Diane Von Furstenberg dress, not to mention a wicked pair of stems in sheer black hose. And while I did go back and forth about which shoes I should pair with this get-up, I ultimately decided on this perfect pair of Louboutin booties to pull it all together beautifully, as a witty counterpoint to all that black. Tailored clothes, after all, do work best with tailored platform heels.
  
  
• "By the way, Jason says hello." A hunky date may be the perfect accessory, but bringing your own bijoux to the party - especially those you've bought for yourself, with your own moolah - makes the moment even more deliciously memorable. Delicate jewelry, like the Kara Ross necklace or the thin, stackable diamond rings (worn on the right hand, so it won't be mistaken for a wedding set), sends the message to Mr. Ex that you cannot be bought by anything or anyone, not even for the whole universe.
  
  
• "Wait, you haven't introduced me to your date yet!" At this point, a colorful manicure can send all sorts of wrong messages, so it's best to keep the nails short, clean, and at least nude-colored. That way, if his date is already sending dagger looks your way, you can simply hold out your hand and smile sweetly... let's face it, a classy lady like you isn't going to handily pick a raging catfight over him, are you?
  
  
• "Yes, that would be nice, but - whoops, gotta go!" It's your call on how quickly and gracefully you want to exit this scenario. If I was in this situation, though, I'll just say a few short farewells, wink slyly at The Statham, and leave nothing but a cloud of Chanel No. 5 in my wake - ready to move on and move forward with the rest of my Great Plans for World Domination.
  

So, in summary, here's a little take-away: Revenge and jealousy are like a diet of simple carbs: exhilirating at first, but not enough to keep you going in the long run. Fill your time and space with the things that satisfy your essential self instead, and you'll still be ahead of the game.

Once Upon a Look(let)

Or as I like to call this new series, "An Addiction is Born."

Credits from Looklet.com: Shoulder bag, Longchamp; bracelet, Hermes; tank, Topshop; skirt, Stockhlm; heels, Burberry.


Hong Kong, 7:25 pm. "It sounds like they're going to be late," the traveler heard L. say to him when he got out of the bathroom. "I bet you it's going to be some kind of wardrobe crisis, or something."

He didn't let L. finish the thought. This night was L.'s idea, after all. Every night was the same in every city: Take these nice ladies out to dinner, take them out dancing, let the chips fall where they may. In L.'s case, it always meant that he got to take a girl back to the room. For the traveler himself, it was good night, good luck, and Glenlivet at the lobby while he waited for L. to finish his business...

At least I bothered with toothpaste and aftershave, the traveler thought, as he adjusted the sleeves on his dress shirt.

Doorbell. L. runs to the door, kisses his date on the cheek. The traveler smooths out the creases from the front of his jeans. He immediately spots the woman who was to be L.'s date for the evening: tight black dress, fake-label handbag, strappy sandals meant to look "sexy" and "hot" but come across as "crippling" in real life. In short, exactly L.'s type.

"I brought my friend," L.'s date announces to the room. "I hope you don't mind if she joins us? She could be a partner for your friend over there!"

Aha! The traveler has seen this scenario before, too. Yet another guarantee that he will end up spending the rest of the night getting acquainted with the lobby bar's collection of fine single-malts.

"That's fine," he hears the other girl speak. "That makes two of us who'll be staying up at the lobby tonight."

Then she enters the room.

The traveler stands up. For once, he was glad that he also bothered with his contacts.