Tales From the Reading Room by Justin Ridler

Sarah Burton x McQueen SS2011

Ok we're back and all-in. Sarah Burton's job of filling Alexander McQueen's shoes was a tough albeit feasible one, apparently. Her show is being compared to a story in which the woman becomes one with nature. She begins with a loose white jacket complete with McQueenesque tail but without McQueenesque peaked shoulders. Her femininity becomes apparent as the looks become more enveloped in everything from embroidery to full feathers to leather leaves to monarch butterflies. Everything about the show felt earthly, an ode. Extremely successful.

LV x World Cup

Givenchy Couture Fall 2010

Givenchy's Fall 2010 collection, the phenomenal creation of Riccardo Tisci is beautifully ornate and somehow reminiscent of McQueen's last collection with the gold hues and lavish materials. The details on each piece is incredibly remarkable and shows extreme craftsmanship - beading, feathering, lacing - each adornment is striking to say the least. There's a sense of the ethereal in this collection as well as a hidden touch of the diabolical (look closely and you'll find skeletal shapes). Gorgeous!








Song of the day: The Pass - Treatment of the Sun

Sarah Burton

Sarah Burton's first Resort collection as creative director of Alexander McQueen - completely successful. I'm really hoping that Burton will be able to succeed this fall in creating a collection that is McQueen-esque but with her own flare. She has a knack for creating a wearable collection out of the unwearable brain children of Alexander McQueen - the gold accents with a mix of strong angles and subtle silhouettes or strong silhouettes and subtle angles, which are commonplace in the McQueen collections. The collection is highly reminiscent of the late McQueen's final collection, with warrior accents and uber-feminine fabrics, but is very easy to wear. My absolute favorite is the black dress with the one lace sleeve. Lovely.































Song of the day: Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West - Erase Me