On a Mission: Fabrication Fantastic

Dolce and Gabana's 2011 Spring outing entered virginal territory. Based on the caches of cloth brides would prepare and bring with them as part of their wedding day trousseau, the show was a mostly white ode to needle craft. The handiwork that results in the fabrications they showcased has been specialized, skilled labor for centuries, and is timeless in its crafted beauty.

In choosing pieces for my own wardrobe, I'm taking on a commitment to own garments made of special fabrics. I've found two pieces recently: one black top with embroidered cutwork, and another zipped, quilted jacket made of embroidered, creamy cotton. They were both cheap thrift finds ($8 and $3, respectively) that feel priceless and timeless. They are classic black and white pieces that dress up my basics and make me feel a little special. In that good way--not, you know "special".

Photos: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com via Style.com

On a Mission: Lalalalace

Doing this On a Mission exercise of seeing what catches my eye this fashion month, I'm noticing that I'm a bit of a tomboy. I don't like fussy, or frilly, or straightened, glossed, and shimmery. But I do like feminine touches to go with my fairly boyish fare. I think it has something to do with my curves, they are almost aggressively feminine. Having boobs and an ass makes you a little bit of a sexual display case for the world. You are announced as a female, announced as a sexual object just by being in your body. Sometimes that's great, sometimes that is powerful and beautiful. But sometimes I want a volume knob on it all, and that is where the comfort in more masculine clothes comes from. In fact, a little bit of boy on me makes me feel even sexier than all the girlishness most days. However, a shot of something really girlie, like the pretty lace in Imitation's latest outing, is so beautiful and keeps me remembering that I have girl power (you know the ability to generate life, cry in public when I want, and play dress-up unquestioned).

Pair it with some red lips, jeans, and boots, and keep it in a solid, simple palette and it's tempered to a perfect pitch of pretty. It's not little girl, it's a soft weapon.

Photo: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com via Style.com

On a Mission: Let It Fall

The real mark of high style is fit. A shaped, tailored garment is priceless--yet so is one that falls and gathers just right. The sparse new collection from Helmut Lang includes some pieces that give in to gravity in the prettiest ways.

Lang isn't a house one would usually associate with the word "pretty" (pretty tough is usually their aesthetic) but with wide collars gracing shoulders and slouched necklines sloping southward, the flattery of these garments will be imitated by many a femme.

Photos: Dusan Reljin / Management Artists via Style.com

Manifest This: Collars Pokin' Through

I love fall mostly because I can layer things. Layering is fun when it's done with cake, or maybe my hair, or bricks, but it's fabulous when it's done with collared shirts and light-knit sweaters or dresses a'la 3.1 Philip Lim.

I like that.

Photos: Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com