Blame is Game.

Master Blame.

Judy Blame is a stylist/designer/fashion legend worthy of some space in your brain. I hate to make an ass out of you and me and assume that you don't know Mr. Blame, but he's more of the behind the seams type here in the states than he ought to be. His career was born in the '80s in London. Working with a group of like-minded rabble rousers who went by the name of Buffalo Boys, Blame helped pioneer a look that encompassed hard, soft, masculine, and feminine (think combat boots and lace on boy toy-era beefcakes). The look leaked to pop culture and made a pro-stylist of Blame.

He's worked with musicians like Neneh Cherry, Bjork, and Boy George, contributed to ID and added his accessory design skills to haute houses like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, and, most recently, Comme des Garcons. I appreciate his pile-it-on aesthetic and love his repurposed materials (toy soldiers? Yes, please.) You want some of the Blame too? His current work can be found in CdG boutiques and online via dobedo.

Yummy/crazy/colorful. Like a bag of Halloween candy for your wardrobe.

Bullets Full Of Beauty.

A shot from Ellis Faas' portfolio.

Ellis Faas is a makeup artist who truly is worthy of the second half of that term. With collaborations with some of the fashion world's most intriguing photographers--Mario Testino, Peter Lindbergh, Jean Baptiste Mondino--under her brush belt (er, holster), the artist was asked to put together an eponymous line of makeup for the masses. Taking the natural colors of the human body as her pallate, Faas has created an array of makeup that conditions and absorbs into the skin it was colored to flatter. It doesn't sit on top of the face, or gum up, or dry out, or flake off. It's rich with emollient oils that prevent the normal and major mishaps of most makeup. The coolest part? The packaging looks like bullets. Yep, it's badass.

Faas' human body inspired color pallet.


Faas' signature color--blood red.

I'm a sucker for makeup packaging, and I think the entire makeup buying public is. In fact, what largely distinguishes one quality makeup line from the next if not their packaging? I know it's consumerism at its most obvious, but I'm all for that trick of the trade.

Faas' beautiful bullets in theory and reality.

A multi-product carrier mimics the barrel of a gun.

Nice shot, Ellis. Nice.

I love that Faas' tools of pretty wear the design of weapons. And, a red lipstick that's based on the color of blood? How incredibly Femme Fatale. The line is still only in stores in Europe and honestly costs a pretty Euro, but if you want to be cool you can buy it online via the Ellis Faas website. If you don't want to be cool, you don't have to buy it. Be cool. That's all I'm sayin'.

Collector's Collection.

Lacroix working on his latest couture collection.

I can see it now: A tawny cultural institution, who benefited greatly from the government's infusion of funds into public works and culture, hosts a survey of how the credit crunch, the housing crunch, and bubble bursting of the first decade of the 2000s impacted the fashion of the times. In its look back, prime positioning will be given to pieces from Christian Lacroix's most recent couture show.

A simply beautiful gown.

Staged amidst the uncertainty of the future of the house, the show was a mere glimmer of Mr. Lacroix's usual style. His signature favoring of colorful fabric collages, of intricate, bold, and delicate details, of volume and brocade and crystals gave way to the restrained, deft precision of expert tailoring in midnight hues.

It was a definite break in Lacroix's tradition, but it showed the designer's dedication to, and love of his craft. The garments were indeed constructed and finished as a labor of love, with seamstresses and assistants donating their time and skills for free. The clothing's restraint led to such an unusual sight-- the visual communication of sadness and mourning and honor through couture. But, this was no theatrical display, no over the top prop-festooned, dramatic interpretation of those emotions; it was plain, simple, honest and true. It was a tribute to the art of making clothing. Lacroix could have scrapped his plans, could have said no to showing at all, if his true vision could not have been realized to its fullest. But, instead Lacroix and his talented team got to work. He made clothes, he stitched and sewed and cut and draped, just like a designer who must design because he's a designer and that is what he does.

I can't stop thinking of how timely and poignantly the collection came across. It is a time capsule, a communication of how the fashion world is not immune to the workings (and failings) of the world at large. It may seem to occupy its own sphere, but really fashion is a business, one full of people who want to believe they can create the rules and the game. But, when you strip away the pomp and the circumstance, the fashion world is an arena of artists. The true artists in fashion will humble themselves to their craft. That's what Lacroix did, he humbled himself to his craft. He left his ego out of this collection, showing the world that without the bombastic embellishments, his clothes still speak volumes because he is a designer with talent. That talent is not for final sale. He will always have it. It's his own, and it leaves me with no worries that Lacroix will find a way to surface again. He will find his way to crystals and lace and color explosions again. It's inevitable. Til then, his honorable collection will be sought after by any true fan of the saga of fashion, any collector of couture.

Images: Getty via Fabsugar.com

Norma Kamali Is Beautiful.

I love these photos of Norma Kamali from an article in yesterday's New York Times.

The woman has been hard at work designing sleeping bag coats and studded beach wear for over three decades, and she still looks this gorgeous. I hate to give a lady's age, but she should be exceedingly proud of her well-lived 63 years! Her secrets? Discipline, workouts, green tea and weekly tai chi sessions in Central Park with her staff.

I have never seen a more chic tai chi student. Seriously, Norma, you are amazing!

Read the whole article (and see more great photos) at NYTimes.com.

Alber Gets the Girls.

This is an older interview from The New York Times with Mr. Alber Elbaz, the genius designer behind Lanvin, who is one of my fashion loves. This former Israeli soldier has the most brilliant visual sense. His draping, his odd choices, his ability to make dresses that manifest female desire, it's all unique to him. I also really love his round-rimmed glasses and bow ties. Really love them.

I can't stop watching this interview, and there is a profile of him that appeared in The New Yorker's style issue that keeps coming up in conversations with my friends. Both bits of journalism made me realize that his clothes are as amazing as they are because he somehow really understands being a woman. He talks about it a lot, the perfectionism that women have to contend with, the body image issues they have, and he shares those hang-ups as well. He demands perfection of himself, he struggles with his weight and shape. His clothes are rare in the fashion industry because they are really for women. The sex appeal of Lanvin clothing is not in the display of cleavage and buttocks (which he makes brilliant mention of in the video), it is in the shape and sharpness. There is something smart about his work, something so subtle and styled just right that makes the wearer look sophisticated and strong, but still has that magic feminine quality. The first time I ever heard of Elbaz, was when a fashion insider made a comment about his female friends being obsessed with the Lanvin look, like it was some sort of illicit substance. Turns out it is; it's smart feminine sexiness with an air of sophistication. It's powerful stuff, addictive even. Designer drug.

Mirror Me.

Super-site goldenfiddle has tweaked some Lindasy pap-shots and I'm loving the mirror image results. Double your pleasure, double your fun.

Double Ds? Check out the entire series at goldenfiddle.com.

These images could make some kickass wallpaper a la Rachel de Joode's repeating fashion photo patterns.

I love Rachel's work. Look at more fashion-decked walls on her site, RacheldeJoode.com.