Keita Maruyama.

Currently Listening to:
Amore! Amore! Amore! by Dimitri From Paris

I was browsing one of my favorite street style blogs, Japanese Streets and was totally swooning when I saw these photos from the Keita Maruyama SS 2011 show!


Here are some of my favorite pieces:
































(c. Kjeld Duits/JAPANESESTREETS.COM

What a fun show that must have been! I wish I could've been in attendance! I am definitely head over heels IN LOVE with the collection. The light, airy feel and the cotton candy colors are so wonderful. Each outfit totally embodies Japan to me and seeing them makes me want to break out my old Manga collection! Also, how do you say "I WANT. NOW." in Japanese? I'd certainly like to know, so I could tell the heads at KM how much I want that flower and sequin embellished maxi skirt. I think I even feel a DIY project coming on! Lol!

Anyhoo... I trust you all had a fabulous Halloween weekend? I myself had a very quiet one at home - I wasn't feeling too good unfortunately, but I did enjoy a marathon of The Haunted and Paranormal State! Not to mention I had my Boardwalk Empire fix, like every Sunday night. Michael Pitt is such a hottie! And I actually really like the new "No-Face" sniper guy. He's pretty much awesome. <3

xoxo coco

P.S. If they made a live-action "adaptation for the screen" movie of Sailor Moon, I'd imagine the costumes would be done by Keita Maruyama. Just saying. Lol.


Who Was That Mysterious Moustached Woman?



I like to wear my old prom dress when I want to feel good. When I put this thing on, it makes me feel fun, flirty, and girly and love it! It didn't look anything like that back when I first bought it. It was this floor length tulle mess, which the tulle was completely destroyed, as was the slip underneath, so of course as with all things ugly; I took it home with me. Lolol. I upcycled it by taking what was left of the glittery gold polkadot overlay and added it to the bust, shortened the slip underneath to a tea length, and then made a brand new tulle skirt for it, which is also a removeable tutu.

Originally, back in 2008, I wanted something different than the rest of the girls in my class would be wearing. I'd really, really, really wanted a Betsey Johnson, but they were too expensive, and I couldn't find a vintage 40s/50s style prom dress in my size, so I tried to DIY my own BJ SS08 Prom wear. I guess I got it right too, because all the girls in my class kept asking me if it was a Betsey. Granted, I'm not wearing the gold ribbon and flower cumberbun in these shots (so its not really the dress in entirety), but I still love it. In case you never had the chance to see, here are just a few photos from Betsey Johnson's Spring/Summer 08 Ready-to-wear collection, the inspiration behind my old prom dress:








(c. VOGUE.COM)

Yesterday I also took a tip from Proenza Schuller, and paired my dress with a sleek black sweater and some black thigh high stockings. Today, I anxiously await the arrival of the newest addition to my family (my wardrobe, really lol). It should be here today, I HOPE its here to day, but you can bet your sweet bippies that I'll be posting when it does! <3

xoxo coco

Dreaming of a Retro Island Getaway.

As I'm sitting at my computer waiting for my afro to dry, I find myself falling over and over again, head-over-heels in love with the Christian Dior SS11 Ready-to-wear line. I'm a huge fan of vintage, especially from the early to mid century, so when I saw that the collection incorporated 40s and 50s styles into modern couture looks on the runway, I couldn't help but swoon, but of course; why wouldn't I? When John Galliano is the genius behind the collection, hm?

My favorite looks had to have been from the evening wear, here are just a few of them:


















(c. VOGUE.COM)

This is my favorite kind of Galliano: ultra feminine and vintage-inspired. Don't get me wrong, I love all of his work, but I do prefer his softer, womanly looks over his harder edged ones; and this ready-to-wear line he designed for Christian Dior, from its sailor inspired suits (complete with sailor hats) to its hula cutie cuts, is nothing short of chic. I applaud Galliano and CD for their subtle hints of Atomic, Hawaiian prints and punches of electrifying Kool-Aid colors, something thats been missing from a lot of the other Spring and Summer shows this season, which have for the most part shied away from the warm and hot; sticking to mostly cool, muted pastels and vintage flowery prints.

I especially love the styling and mood of the show, which was reminiscent of a retro island getaway and inspired thoughts of volcanic goddesses, surfing with Duke Kahanamoku, and sacrificing cheesecake cuties to the mighty King Kong. As a model who dabbles part time in pin-uppery, I am just downright in love with these styles and I'm looking forward to incorporating them into my Spring/Summer wardrobe! (I'm also severely missing my 'Bettie' fringe right now lol) So whether you'll be in Hawaii or Tahiti drinking Rum and Coke-a-cola or not, I think every lady could do herself a favor this Summer with at least one of these tropical looks in their closet...

Finally! A way to do Tiki without looking like a cheesy tourist. Thanks, Galliano! <3

xoxo coco

Blast From The Past.

With all the talk of fashion week, I can't help but reminisce about some of the amazing collections that have previously graced the runway. It got me thinking about which ones I admired most... And one of my hands-down, all-time favorites EVER had to have been John Galliano's Ready-to-wear from Spring/Summer 2008.
































(c. Marcio Madeira/VOGUE.COM)

Ever the theatrical snob, John Galliano's pieces flounced down the boardwalk in a scene right out of the history book pages of the prohibition era; with obscure songstress Robyn's old time-y "Jack You Off" at the top. It set the stage for a very nostalgic show, which seemed more like a 1930s stage revue with its glitz and glam and subtle hints of classic burly-q. The models looked like black and white cartoon characters colorfully come-to-life as they frolicked, some hand-in-hand, in vintage-inspired cuts, frothy tulle, and feminine lace, through a magical, made-up world that Galliano and his genuis art director conjured up for us; complete with seagulls, a working carousel, and very real, very cute sailors. Welcome to Boardwalk Empire with a just little more glitter (alright, a lot more).

You wanna see how John Galliano does business, show your face in Paris again <3

xoxo coco

Amen to Mark Fast.

I know it's been several weeks since this story made the headlines, but... I'm still obsessing over knitwear designer Mark Fast's SS11 show in which he featured not one, but three industry plus models on his runway.

(c. Getty Images)

The size 12 and size 14 models (Haley Morley, 21, Laura Caterrall, 20, and Gwyneth Harrison, 25) strutted the catwalk in his figure-hugging bodycon designs, which looked absolutely stunning, in my opinion, coupled with their curves.

The project almost didn't make it to Fashion Week though, when two members of his design team were so enraged at the idea of using plus size models that they quit the show three days before opening. Fortunately for us, it was saved by Natalie Hubbarb and Daniela Agnelli, two freelancers who stepped in to help Fast when his stylists stormed out over what they call 'creative differences'.

"The decision to use fuller girls is something we have been talking about. There's an idea that only thin and slender women are able to wear Mark's dresses and he wanted to combat that. We wanted women to know they didn't have to be a size zero to wear a Mark Fast dress - curvier women can look even better in them." Said Amanda May, Fast's creative director.

"Mark has been passionate about using larger women and really wanted to show that they look great in his dresses. Every time I think things are progressing, they end up going back to how they've always been. I hope this has sparked lasting changes."

(c. Getty Images)

It's not hard to believe either. The fashion industry is rather close-minded, but luckily to these great individuals, we were able to see larger women on the runway looking just as sophisticated, stylish and sexy as their size 0 counter parts.

Is it possible that curves and coushin (and dare I say, muffin tops? ;D) might be the new skin and bones?

xoxo coco