Dear MJ…Thanks for the spring Marc by Marc show.  I forgive you for that other thing and we won’t ever have to bring it up again.  I promise.

Guys and Dolls… Wanna hear about some clothes you’re gonna be gagging over? This bud’s for you…. Marc’s a mix master and he was totally on. Cute striped vest over a puffy sleeved eyelet top with over-sized trousers paperbagged at the waist all topped off with a yummy floral scarf tied up high on the neck. Oh yeah…He took the “boyfriend” look to a whole new place.  Oversized cotton summer suits belted OVER the jacket, with like 3 belts.  Sick.  There was even a  dress that was like a giant boy’s double breasted jacket with the sleeves yanked off. On the dress front, this collection has it all on the menu: baby doll, rocker-y, trapeze, girly.  Everything but slutty and there’s a patchwork denim mini that you soooo want in your closet right this second.

Then we have the accessories.  There was a whole group of bags that has a cute little goth girl cartoon character painted on them, a  little cutesy but you’re still gonna buy them.  The bags attached the web belts? Given, they were more army surplus than fanny pack but you’re gonna buy those too. I loved all the belts. It was belt-crazy.

Sure let’s pile on 3 or 4 belts! I’m not mad at that.  Oh, P.S. DIY- ers.  Get a real close look at the jewely.  The bracelets and the necklaces? Cause it looks like bright shoestrings with bolts and washers knotted into them and then just piled on…I’m just saying…

Thanks MJ. I knew you had it in you…

Heeey Betsey!!!

Here’s the scoop people: Betsey Johnson is a national treasure. I have never been disappointed in one of her shows and I always leave them grinning ear-to-ear. It’s all fun and Daddy never takes her T-bird away….. I have so many good stories from her shows! There was the year all the models were Playboy bunnies. Not kidding, I’ve never seen more fake boobs in one room in my life.  But Betsey made it sweet and innocent. She’s insane. Her initials are BJ.  Loves her.

This season’s high camp theme was Victorian pirates and damsels in distress.  There were ruffles a plenty me hearty, lemme tell ya. There’s always craziness like the giant hoop skirt that opened the show, but it’s just there to get your giggle on and you know by the time it gets to the stores the dress with have morphed into something girls’ll be dying to wear.  Things I LOVED: The  liberty prints everywhere, especially on the empire waist dresses with the GIANT puffy sleeves;  Fair isle knits with rubber ducks, beach balls and toy boats;  More puff sleeves; The black cadet style jacket (and those are hard people, mostly when I see those I think of people playing a clarinet marching to the beat of the fight song); The sailor-style mini skirt she showed with the cadet jacket was bangin too;  The knit swimsuit with the skull and crossbones? Hell yes you want that!! There was a goup of floral prints and the end that are the kind that looks like it should be matching curtains and bead spread in a granny’s room in Boca Raton. But did Betsey make it work? Yes people, she killed it. Let’s talk about the spaghetti strap maxi covered ruffles…. You wanna know what to wear to your prom to sweat those bitches? Yeah,  there it is.  And please wear it with the same gold chain link platforms Betsey showed it with for that extra dash of “eff you”. Also, I know she put those those straw bowlers on all the girls for  fun, but I could totally see Kate Moss killing in the black one.  Hey MJ, wanna see a straw hat a cool girl would really wanna wear?  Whew, gotta catch my breath for a sec….

Then there was a whole finale thing.  Betsey always does a giant finale.  This season it was….. a parade of handcuffed brides? Did I get it? No. Do I still love it?Yes.  Did Betsey come out in a giant green ruffled dress and turn cartwheels? Yes, she did.

Loves her.

P.S. I know I already introduced myself but if you’re still curious, my friends Tamara and Sloane at The WB put together an awesome profile and portfolio for me online.  Check it out at www.virb.com/beauquillian.

REALLY Marc Jacobs?? REALLY?

When I was little my granny used to say to me, “Sugar, if you don’t have anything nice to say, then come sit next to me”.  If Granny were still with us we’d have a LONG talk about the Marc Jacobs show.

Let me preface this by recounting a great moment in television: The episode of The Simple Life where Nicole and Paris have to be housekeepers for a day at a nudist hotel. Oh the ugly black maids uniform with the white peter pan collar and cuffs!! What to do? Of course the cut them off to just about an inch below the “hey-nonny-hey”.  Ever the optimist, Nicole says “now their kinda cute”, to which Paris replied, “UGH…. they look like Marc Jacobs….”.

Now, I’m not saying Ms. Hilton is a fashion icon.  Nor am I saying that I like her taste.  I’m just saying, in general, girls wanna look hot.  I’m pretty certain they DON’T  want to look like Eliza Doolittle BEFORE Henry Higgins got his hands on her.  The squashed straw hats? Really Marc Jacobs? Oh, and I’m super sure they don’t wanna wear a skirt with a bustle and the straw hat.  Yeah no one’s going “hey lemme look like a crazy dork, with a fat ass”…..

Anyway…. for those of you tragic victims out there who are gonna wear this stuff no matter how stupid you look in it? Save your money girls and wait ’till this hits the outlet malls, cause that’s wear this collection is headed.  But be warned… even if you don’t buy it at full retail, I’m still gonna make fun of you.

And just so it can’t be said that I didn’t have anything nice to say: I liked the chunky bangles and at least there was no jumpsuit.

Ciao!!

Today I get to talk about one of my fave new-ish designers.  I should  have done this Monday when she showed but I got distracted catching you guys up on the weekend’s runway action.  I call her new because I  don’t feel like this girl gets NEARLY enough attention in the fashion  press.  Her name’s Wenlan Chia and her collection is called Twinkle (I
mean… how can you not love that??)

Three or four years ago now one of the editors at SEVENTEEN told me she’d seen this girl’s stuff at the Gen Art show and I should check her out. Really glad now I did….

Her Spring ‘09 show was super concise and super cute.  This is her formula: First create a framework of really sweet black and white pieces; Then layer in color in the form of girly prints with a kind of deco vibe; Throw in some tailored pieces with a whiff of menswear; Shake and serve.  Sounds really simple and at first glance it is but when you stop to look at the details and construction you realize our Miss Wenlan is really gifted.

It’s hard to call out favorite looks cause I really liked everything.  That’s pretty major for anybody to get through an entire show with no clunkers.  The show opened with a couple of great dresses, white with black piping or the other way around that sort of recalled the bathing costumes people wore on the Rivera in the 20’s. There were a couple of tops and a dress that looked as though they started life as a men’s 3 button suit jacket and got tidily cut down to sexy little spaghetti strap numbers.  A REALLY favorite look was an argyle sweater with a graphic floral woven in over a swishy little floral skirt.  Wenlan also makes her own jewelry and this season she did necklaces with
oversized charms in the shape of men’s ties and bowler hats.  There were chuncky bangles here too but they were covered in fabrics used in the show.  Pay attentiion DIY-ers: any cute top that you have to get rid of because of a stain or a tear? Why don’t you cut it into strips and wrap it around a couple of big plastic bangles??

The Twinkle girl is ingenue with an edge and in somebody else’s she could get way to saccarine but Wenlan always keeps it genuine….She makes clothes that girls want to wear, cool but still classic enough that they won’t look retarded in a year.  The website is great too.  Go learn more about Twinkle and shop!! www.twinklebywenlan.com 

Now let’s talk about some DKNY.  Happy 20th Anniversary Ms. Karan.  Donna Karan Collection’s little sister is looking hotter than ever.  I LOVED this show.  There was a lot going on here and I almost don’t know where to start.  Probably one of the biggest messages was proportion.  Almost everything had a slouchy boyfriend vibe that always looks cool to me.  One look in particular, an oversized pair of perfectly worn jeans pegged at the ankle that was paired with a strapless polka dotted top that tied on the side with a floaty sash, ummm hello Gorgeous!  Thanks Donna, for rescuing the boyfriend jean from a certain Stepford robot….

Another thing that I’m sure a lot of insiders appreciated were all the twists on the nylon anorak, one of Donna’s signature items.  Most notably as a series of short dresses with lots of volume, my fave was a bright yellow number cinched on the sides with girly bows.  This was a BIG collection and the hits kept comin: A bright blue trench, extremely short and belted tight at the waist worn as a dress, hits of neon everywhere (cue the applause), rash guards morphed into dresses, and while were talking dresses, I mean… The parade of blazing hot dresses that closed the show? Break out your credit cards girls, it’s time to party.  These are definitely clothes for a very, very cool girl with a lot of ‘tude…Down to the hair and makeup, dead straight hair and a practically nude face with a super defined brow, it was almost “eff you”…ferocious.  P.S. I can’t even talk about the high heeled sneakers, WHAAAT??!! Two moments that threw me: This giant denim jumpsuit that had me humming “come on Ilene”.  For those of you unfamiliar with 1980’s one-hit-wonders, Youtube Dexys Midnight Runners and you’ll be in on the joke; and Donna, you staked your reputation on making clothes for real women’s bodies. Sweetheart, more than a few of your girls looked hungry.

For my fashion obsessed girls that can’t wait for the yum to hit the stores, here’s some advice: start buying everything oversized, don’t be afraid to mix patterns (dots and stripes) layer on a bunch of punky chains, throw a skinny bright scarf over the whole thing and you’ll be livin’ DKNY’s New York state of mind…

Then we have Mister Max Azria’s BCBG…BCBG actually stands for  Bon Chic Bon Genre which roughly translates to “good style, good attitude” and Max isn’t effing around on either point. Here’s what I say: Oh My Goddess! (yes Gina I did say that).  These were some seriously ethereal girls people.  They practiacally drifted down the runway.  Why don’t we start with the fabrics? I didn’t know a piece of cloth could talk but these can, and they were saying things like “money,” “rich,” stuff like that. Beautiful satins that seemed like liquid, perfect jersey and chiffon beginning in a color palette that in other hands might make you cringe to hear: dove grey, ecru, teale green and taupe (I gagged while I typed that last one but in MA’s hands, gorgeous.  The show, as it usually is, was a tour-de-force of dresses, only this time it was less sweet and structured like fall but gossamer and almost magically seamless.  We saw dresses draped, knotted, gathered, tiered, pleated and I’m out of adjectives that mean this guy’s a master. Tres European kids…

Then just as all the soft colors and fairy dust made your eyelids start to get heavy out comes a patchwork dress with slices of electric orange, yes, orange slices. Suddenly BANG!!  A bright orange shift cut down to there. POW!!  A scorching fuschia one shoulder dress knotted over the thigh.  It felt a bit like MA was giving you a quick smack in the face: “Pay Attention!” cause then it was right back to sweet floaty frocks in blushy colors.  I also loved how minimal it was.  Every girl in the same chunky, strappy platform sandals, a perfect device for weighing down all the airy fashion.  Occasionally  a sharp clutch, most interesting when shown in a bright contrasting color.  Now, I don’t want to give the impression there were no trousers or tailoring but I’m too wowed by the dresses to care.  I will say, having spied at least one in all three of the shows I’ve reviewed so far that yes Virginia, the jumpsuit is back.

Note to all you red-carpet junkies, look for these dresses all over young Hollywood.  Paging Lauren Conrad!!  Bottom line: these chicks are super-fine.  I I’m usually put off by a “too cool for school” vibe but you have to face it kids, Max’s girls are way cooler than you, they know it, and it’s hot.

So, I’m gonna be totally clear upfront about Diane Von Furstenberg.  I heart her in a big way.  I have a whole fantasy where she’s like Auntie Mame and adopts me then whisks me around the world while she searches for the next amazing print or genius fabric.  Then when I grow up she tearfully says farwell and gives me one of her Warhols so that I never forget her…. This is getting creepy isn’t it?  Anyway, I think she’s really cool.
I’m never disappointed by her shows and Spring 09 was no exception.  The vibe was totally rich hippie (cue the angels singing) think Bardot and Birkin rolling around Saint Tropez in the perfect little dress and floppy hat, tan legs for days, the perfect flat sandals and fringe bag.  Picture Bianca Jagger on Mick’s in one of Saint Laurent’s gypsy dresses.  You with me now?

The show was amazing start to finish but there were a few looks that totally reached out and grabbed me.  A maxi dress in an airy chiffon with a print that’s almost liberty.  There was a black and white butterfly printed tunic dress that you just KNOW that at some fancy pants Hamptons party next summer no fewer than six girls will turn up in ( and I wish I could see that…I’ll be honest kids, I can be bitchy sometimes).  There was a perfectly tailored white, 3 piece pantsuit that recalled the aforementioned Ms. Jagger.  Another look I loved was a sweet little safari dress that recalled Saint Laurent. Then there was the perfect poor boy sweater over denim flares that could have been worn by Jackie O in Capri.  Help me stop with the references somebody!!

Then we come to the part where I talk about the styling…. Here’s where DVF’s kung-fu is strong.  I’d like to end this with a long gushy paragraph about how I worshiped all the leather headpieces but I just need to come right out and say it.  I’m itching to put that shizz on a SEVENTEEN cover (you know how I roll, Gina).  There were the perfect floppy felt hats, rough-hewn leather studded belts, giant fringed bags, I mean…. Let’s talk about the chiffon gown printed in bright juicy colors cinched with the simplest leather belt and worn with the hippiest of sandals (did anyone catch me totally make up a work right there?). Everyone reading this should start to use it immediately and we’ll create a micro trend, work with me people!) Two words: pattern mixing.  High art here people, to a degree I say, don’t try this at home.

So, yeah I pretty much loved the s**t out of that show, what can I say? Oh I know…As much as I’m sick of dumbass headbands on Gossip Girls I’m already done with the return of the jumpsuit.

The Spring 2009 offering (don’t I sound all like reporter-y there) from Miss Sixty has something for everyone.  And, by everyone I’m really talking to the die-hard t-shirt girl: You’ve got everything from vintage inspired to slightly pop art graphic prints all in breezy loose shapes that’ll make you look hot even when you’re feeling fat.

Some of my faves though were the high-waisted denim shorts, a super cute strapless denim jumpsuit, the group of preppy plaids and a billowy nylon windbreaker shown kinda sexy over a hot swimsuit.  Try to avoid the harem pants though.  Those are the kind of things that grab a lot of attention coming down a runway but the kind of attention you’d get walking down the street in them would seriously bum you out.

Another thing that I loved about the show was the styling.  There was a lot going on that you could probably shop for right now at your fav mall stores (think Urban Outfitters and Forever 21): swingy crochet scarves tied loosely around the neck, newsboy caps in bright primary colors, really girly knit berets, wide belts, extra chunky bangles, and layers of oversized beaded necklaces (be sure to check yourself here though, ask yourself if you really look hot or wasted on a Mardi Gras float).  There was some great layering ideas, especially a nautical striped long sleeved t under a solid sleeveless shell.  The combo looked cool without looking like it was trying to hard. A great thing to point out here were the knee socks, especially worn with the really short-shorts: that’s a great way to tone down a really daring item and make it less tarty. Personally, I’d avoid the wide horizontal stripes though, outside of a tent at Bryant Park you’ll look like you should be wearing a red nose and hanging out with the Ham-Burgler. Ok…. Now let’s talk about the there clear visors…. I know they’re kitcshy but I capital L loved them and they kinda made me want to go rent Fast Times At Ridgemont High.

All in all I loved the show and can’t wait to call in a lot of this stuff for my SEVENTEEN shoots.  I totally dig a naughty school girl vibe.  Oh, and while were talking about the bad girls in the class guess who was front row? I’ll never tell, xoxo…

So my name is Beau Quillian and I’ve worked in the fashion business too long.  I know where bodies are buried, people. Know what I’m saying? Anyhoo, random WB ideas guy thinks I’d make a good fashion blogger.  I know there are a lot of you out there who are saying, who’s this guy? Why should we care what he thinks? To those of you I say:  go make a cup of tea and watch an episode of Golden Girls ‘cause you’re boring…No really, I mean that in a nice Christian way…

Really it’s just a lot of bluster because there are gonna be SO many people I know who are gonna make fun of me for writing like a teenage girl who failed English in her Freshmen year.  Gina Kelly, Fashion Director of SEVENTEEN magazine, I’m talking to you.  Be gentle, it’s my first time.

Anyway, enough blah, blah, blah, let’s talk about some clothes.  I’m gonna tell you about my fave shows and leave the rest of them alone.