Screamin' SATAN

THE DEVIL AND GOD ARE RAGING INSIDE ME. No, but really. As many of you know, they totally are. In fact, this constant inner-battle has created an unnerving obsession with all things related to the aforementioned. It's not surprising that I am often found returning from shopping binges with an array of both questionable and borderline offensive merch. Sorry? Not sorry? I suppose a bit of both.

However, I am always intrigued when I spot the mainstream mass of retailers capitalizing on the Jesus train. Or is it the Devil that's leading the way? (Can you see the conflict here?) Whatever. Once a hush-hush trend confined to goth girls and a ring of underground bloggers, sporting religious paraphernalia has morphed from being a symbol to announce your beliefs to (in extreme cases) an artistic way of flipping the bird to whoever's looking. The fashion world has taken a symbol of faith and created yet another symbol of status.

Being one who is always looking to cause some type of inappropriate scene, I have found comfort somewhere in the middle of this religious massacre. Despite my personal beliefs being roughly non-existant, I feel that there's a true artistic trend to be found in crossing the line (yup, shitty pun intended.) History has seen the shape of the cross evolve not just in Christianity, but in various forms of Paganism, the Gothic culture, and on bad ass babes like Madonna.

So, rage on, my cross-laiden ladies and gents; DO YOUR THANG. May you never feel as conflicted in choosing between the Devil & God as I do on a regular basis.

Also, here's the picture/album/artist responsible for my questionable body art. enjoy!

Kei Kagami, the "Anti-Postmodernist Futurist," and his 10 Year Retrospective

If you thought the recent shoe collections from fashion kings like McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier were something to ooze over, prepare yourself for the work of Kei Kagami. Far ahead of the futuristic shoe game than any other mainstream designer, Kagami is now being honored for his avant-garde designs with the opening of an exhibition in Amsterdam showcasing his most memorable collections from the past 10 years.

Having left a career in architecture to tackle the fashion world, it's no surprise that Kagami is recognized as being a key player in the integration of both worlds. His footwear, as well as Ready-to-Wear, all display underlying themes focused on the mechanics of the body's movement and elements of technical design. Kind. Of. Incredible.

The exhibition will feature 60 pairs of his out of control footwear and feature a live performance highlighting the design process. Kagami told Dazed Digital, "Three performers are going to be sewing, exploring the form as a connecting activity. Sewing clothes, pieces of textile, and paper to each other, they will create a huge assemblage. Created in one hour, the assemblage will be in constant movement - expansion/contraction - since every object and move are connected to each other."

So, for all my friends overseas - check this dude out. I can almost guarantee his work will change your life!

Just in Time for Halloween: Agent Provocateur Presents Les Fleurs du Mal

Since 1994, Agent Provocateur has been pushing past sexual boundaries by enticing, inviting, and even offending members of the lingerie market with their cutting-edge designs. In their most recent venture, the brand comissioned the short film, Les Fleurs du Mal, or The Flowers of Evil, to promote the online launch of Soirée, their most luxe collection yet.

The film, similar to old school Hammer Horror movies, will have you jumping in your seat all while becoming increasingly turned on as you tune in.

“The collection is quite artistic and we kind of wanted to do something that was a bit off the wall," says Sarah Shotton, creative director of Agent Provocateur, to WWD. "We’re a vintage-inspired company, and horror back in the day was a way of showing sex in film…it was a little bit of history and a bit tongue in cheek.”

If you think prices for original AP pieces are already a bit cheeky, check out the price tags on Soirée. The collection ranges from $312 for panties and can rise to $24,000 for the playsuit shown above with handmade tassels and Swarovski glass beads.

Most importantly, check out the video below. It's the Hottest Halloween Treat!

Where The Wild Things Are

Even though the hype for Wild Things is SO 2010, this time of year always gets me in the spirit for all things animal, mischievous, and well, WILD. I also find myself channeling my inner Max and adventuring far and wide around the city now more than any time of the year. This being said, it feels totally appropriate to put stylist Karen Langley on blast for her work in Dazed Digital last fall in a "Where the Wild Things Are" esq shoot. Featuring pieces from Opening Ceremony and Pamela Love, model Abbey Lee hits home with her doe-eyes and drool worthy collar bones. You can also find a few of the pieces in the shoot on Gilt and Shopbop right now; check it out!

Get in the Wild Things groove by picking up a few pieces below!

SWEAT THIS OR DIE

I am so beyond excited to be writing this post, mainly to be sure that everyone in the world is appropriately obsessing over my homegirl CHLOE POST, who just presented her first ever collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (hhhoohmygod.) This past Friday, Elle Magazine hosted the second-annual Elle Fashion Next Show in partnership with Maybelline New York, where recent grads from the Savannah College of Art and Design debuted their aaahhhhhmaaazinggg collections to a star studded audience. I have to say, Chloe. Kicked. Ass.

One of the most interesting things about Post's collection is her inspiration behind it. She states, "My collection was influenced by a book that I’d finished reading at the beginning of my design process called2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl. It features forward-thinking subject matter and looks at emerging new cultures, so I thought about what types of clothing people in a new culture would want to wear. My collection came together into what I like to think of as a 'cocktail soirée for a tribe of high-fashion underwater aliens.'"

There are so many up-and-coming designers today who simply follow the most popular trends season to season to fuel their inspiration, instead of taking an idea that is completely out of the box and creating something absolutely incredible from scratch. Chloe killed it! There is no doubt in my mind that I will one day have several of her designs running a regular rotation through my wardrobe. ALSO, VOTE FOR HER HERE as the winner of Elle's Fashion Next People's Choice Award.

xxoo, love you Chloe!

NYFW Street Style: Color Blocking Sensation

I took a few moments amongst the hustle and bustle outside of Lincoln Center to capture some of my favorite street style looks, and I am happy to report that color blocking, one of my favorite trends from this past spring, seems to have remained in full swing!

To provide a bit of a background about the trend, color blocking is all about creating an outfit by putting areas or blocks of solid color next to each other. It can include monotone, bright colors, muted colors, contrasting and complimentary colors. I love how even the most diehard black on black on black fashionistas have embraced this movement with open arms, myself included! Below are a few of my favorite shots:

After seeing some of the biggest hits like Derek Lam debut Color Blocking sensations, it's safe to say this trend is here to stay!

The September Issue

Alright, now that I have to finally admit it's NOT Summer anymore, Fall is in the air, and I'm once again being pummeled with all of the nonsense that comes with a new school year, I need to take a moment to talk about my September Issue. Actually scratch that - my September Issues.

As if we all don't have enough going on already, September always seems to add just that teeennnyyy bit of extra stress to everyone's load (particularly clothing-wise,) almost as to say, "HA! you think you can still laze around in Summer haze? I think not! GET BACK TO REAL LIFE AND BE A RESPONSIBLE ADULT FOR 9 WHOLE MONTHS." Even worse than the tragic farewell of Summer is the complete tease of the Autumn chill in the air - the one that gets you to pile on an incessant amount of layers in the early morning only to be sweating them off by noon. Personally, I start to freak out once it drops below 75 and feverishly throw on every article of fabooossh fall merch I've been dying to wear since about June due to failing to understand that patience is a virtue.

So to make a long story short, my September Issue, amongst other things, is how to transition myself from easy breezy summer clothing while still having the composure to hold off on killinggg it with the shitstorm of new merch I've emptied my bank account over for fall.

My preferences?

Stick with sleeved chiffon, lace, and huge holey sweaters paired with shorts or hot pants. Go all RUDE BOY with just a bandeau or basic bra to stay cool underneath.





Ankle skinnys with Summer platforms and a basic tank is super versatile. Throw on a thin blazer in the AM or late at night.
Dresses from summer can be worn all year round - throw them on with a long vest and desert boots and it's all gravy baby!

All images via Nasty Gal

SOME OF MY OTHER SEPTEMBER ISSUES:
a.) I can't get through Vogue's actual September Issue until cliffsnotes are debuted
b.)Why isn't Kristen Stuart dead yet
c.) How can I maintain a crackhead chic lifestyle....without actually becoming a crackhead?