inspiration - valentino resort 2013

it's been a while since a collection has caught my eye… i've been in kind of a 'fashion funk' lately and am not really sure where my style is heading as the summer season fades and fall arrives. i'm not quite ready to think about making a cloak or altering any autumn pieces just yet and have been more inspired by these uber-romantic valentino resort 2013 dresses full of gorgeous lacy florals and my favorite haute 60's silhouettes. the collection is full of exquisite lace, beautiful beading, and lots of pink which is exactly what i need for a bright burst of cheer and a breath of fresh inspiration into my wardrobe.

this collection is all about the perfect party dress (and, the perfect little flared trench to wear on top.) i'd love to wear that lovely long white lace gown and the adorable polyester floral embroidered mini dress (last photo) every single day for the rest of the summer… they just ooze prettiness and femininity which are the fashion characteristics i seem to be gravitating to most right now. it's tough to find that perfect balance between youthful joie de vivre and classic elegance but i think this collection does a good job of melding the two and bringing together an air of girlish whimsy with the smart sophisticated tastes of a mature woman.

i'm thinking pinks, taupes, and tans are going to be my go-to's this fall (inspired by that last dress) with bold bursts of color mixed in somehow… what do you think?? sounds… pretty! i can already feel i'm going to want to brighten things up this fall season instead of going with my usual darker palette - it's going to be fun trying to incorporate more femininity & color and keeping everything more muted and soft. we'll see how i feel by the time autumn actually roles around… knowing me i'll have changed my mind a thousand times and been inspired by numerous other collections/photos/etc. by the time it's actually here!

xoxo

☆ emilia ☆

inspiration - red valentino

images: style.com

red valentino's fall 2012 lookbook is pretty much all a girl could ever ask for - at least one that has always dreamt of fairy tales, faraway places, and magical & extraordinary things. i love the thought of living in an animated world just like the backdrops for this adorable collection. 

i've been a big fan of red valentino's creations each season but am particularly smitten with this collection as it embraces a soft sweetness and a harder gothic darkness with equal weight while featuring a lot of interesting structural & textural elements. there are more than a few details from this collection that i'll be appropriating for my own spring & summer wardrobe - most notably altering a few of my skirts to mini-bubble skirts and adding pom pom fringe to a future pleated skirt design. i'm really loving the modern mini skirt silhouettes, gorgeous knit pieces (so crazy about that first dress) and all the vintage inspired touches throughout.

i'm also incredibly intrigued by that plush outfit as i've been madly attracted to materials like old quilts, vinyl, leatherette & plush teddy bear fabric lately for making pleated skirts but don't have the kind of sewing machine you need to handle those heavy-duty materials. it seems like i'm going to have to look into getting a tougher machine soon that can handle my wild imagination. and, maybe some of my very own hand drawn, snow white-inspired wallpaper as a backdrop for my real-life fairytale!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆

valentino: the last emperor

last night, i unearthed this fantastic documentary from the bottom of my netflix watch instant queue and just had to share a few images from the film. 

documentaries are one of my most favorite film genres period - add fashion, beauty & artistic passion and there's no way i'm not going to walk away completely awed and inspired. valentino: the last emperor was no exception. this intimate look at the legend's life work focuses on the day-to-day as he designs and shows his final two collections. the film culminates with his 45th career anniversary celebration in rome and gives a behind the scenes peek into both the daily operation of the valentino empire as well as the man & team behind the label. 

a true haute couture master, valentino is the last of a dying breed who learned the craft in the 1950's from designers who learned it in the 1920's. every garment in the entire history of the brand has been hand sewn - every sequin & bead hand applied, every stitch hand done by his amazing team of seamstresses. what a treat to glimpse into the seamstresses work room and model fittings as the garments evolve from vision to reality. overall, this a truly inspiring film that fans of fashion, beauty and creative vision don't want to miss!

xoxo

☆ c. emilia ☆