This semester is almost coming to an end...

It's the 2nd to the last week of classes and everything is just going crazy! Papers are due left and right, non-stop homework, upcoming finals, hectic internship at BCBG and a time consuming on-campus job at Annenberg. Just like any other college student, I rely on caffeine to get me going through the days that never seem to end. This blog entry is going to be slightly different from what I've usually covered in the past since I am going to talk about my new favorite little cafe near campus.

Madeleine Cofee and Pastry on 30th and Figueroa just opened up earlier this year. It's a dainty cafe with nice ambiance inside. I do some of my studying there when I'm not too lazy to get out of my room. Their coffee selection is pretty good, I personally think that they can rival Starbucks or Coffee Bean (perhaps?) But what I love most about this cafe is their highly delicious roti buns! It goes perfectly with any coffee and the softness of the bun and the incredible flavor just makes you want to buy some more. My personal favorite flavors are the vanilla bean custard as well as the cream cheese. It's crisped sugar on the outside and incredibly soft on the inside. The next time you need your coffee fix, make sure you check out Madeleine Coffee and Pastry and see for yourself how good their rotibuns are! Yum! Heading out the door right about now to get myself some rotibuns... :)

Oh, floppy hats are back on trend! Must find myself the perfect spring floppy hat! I can't wait until this semester is over so I can catch up on some R&R and for some well deserved shopping!

Iconic Fashion Designer Fired

Christian Dior's legendary fashion designer and creative director John Galliano was fired by the famous haute couture house late last month. It was reported that Galliano had made anti-Semitic remarks in a Paris bar and news have reached the company's knowledge. He was first suspended by Dior then was eventually officially dismissed just early this month. Natalie Portman, a Jewish actress and an endorser for Miss Dior Cherie fragrance, had expressed her disgust at Galliano's uncalled-for comments. See John Galliano's 'I love Hitler' statement for yourself!

Already known for having drinking problems, obviously intoxicated Galliano made these remakrs at a group of Italian women. He said, "I love Hitler... People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers would all be f***ing gassed." There really is no excuse for ranting such blunt and racist remark. It's really such a sad thing for us to see him leave Dior this way.

Will they ever take him back in the future? What will happen to Dior now?  Will it ever be the same? What is Dior anyway without the legendary John Galliano? You decide!

Designer Spotlight - Monique Lhuillier

Now that it is New York Fashion Week, the craziness in BCBG Max Azria's Global Headquarters have calmed down for a little bit. All the craziness obviously moved to New York. Not to say that there's plenty of downtime - because really, there never is downtime in fashion!

I've caught up a little bit with NYFW. With midterms rolling around the corner and papers being due literally every other day, I'm surprised I even found at least some time to keep up with some of my favorite designers' Fall 2011 collection.

Enter Monique Lhuillier.

Hailing from my home country, the Philippines, Monique started out in the fashion industry back in 1996. She initially started out with designing bridal gowns and eventually, her line expanded from there. Her Fall 2011 collection is my favorite collection of her thus far. My jaw literally dropped as I was browsing through the beauty of her creation! "Fall is all about sensuality," Monique said prior to her runway show. All those silk organza, dark cheetah prints, bedecked ribbons, sheer lace, chiffon A-line dresses. plus the tied ankle heels..Oh. My God. Tres chic! Just see for yourself!

Doesn't Monique resemble Kate Beckinsale?

 Additionally, the variety in her collection is undeniably evident. Some pieces are suitable for editorials, parties, red carpet and haute couture. I predict her creations will be worn in the coming high profile red carpet events. I can already picture A-lists stylists, Rachel Zoe particularly, going ba-na-nas on this collection!

Coming up, Herver Leger's Fall 2010 Collection highlights!

Xoxo,
G <3

New York Fashion Week

So New York Fashion Week kicks off again!

My beloved BCBGMAXAZRIA showcased their Fall 2011 collection this morning and I am dying over it!

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the collection:

 

Lubov and Max Azria

I love BCBG. I really do, and that's not because I am currently interning for them. I've been a fan ever since!

For those who missed it, watch the runway show on BCBGMAXAZRIA  They're replaying it the whole day today!

Only 5 more days until the Herve Leger Fall 2011 runway show. It's at 11am on Tuesday next week! Get excited!

Xoxo,
G

So Haute

I can't get over Givenchy's Spring 2011 Collection. It makes it even better that he cast all Asian models for the collection. Yay AZN power!

Tisci's Origami Inspired Spring 2011 Couture Collection.

This is just brilliant! The headpieces that were used give it an even more "work-of-art" feel. Love love love! So haute!

How the Collection Looks Like From Behind.

Riccardo Tisci is a genius. I am officially swept away.

Xoxo,
G <3

Style is eternal

Coco Chanel once said, "Fashion fades, only style remains the same." 

The timeless style of Coco Chanel

Being a true lover of fashion, Coco Chanel is one of my ultimate style icons. Ask anyone that follows fashion and most likely, you'll hear about Coco Chanel from them again. The pioneer of timeless style, Coco brought us the perfectly tailored suits, menswear inspired pieces and the never-fading little black dresses. The founder of one of the most famous brands of all time, Chanel, Coco made a bold and lasting impression on women's fashion by creating sportswear for women with the use of her lovers' trousers and sailor shirts, and dramatically transformed how women of the 1920's looked like.

With her classic little black dress with pearls look

At the prime time of exceedingly structured and unbelievably tight corsets of the women of the '20's, Coco fearlessly shook up the way women looked then. She started the trend of piling on costume jewelries and fake pearls, wearing red lipstick, bobbed hair and the "sun-tan" look. Indeed, fashion fades, but Coco's style has remained up until the 21st century. Today, fashion designers and fashionistas still look up to her and allude to her timeless and elegant style.

Speaking of style, one of the few websites that I religiously follow is Vogue's Style.com. The ultimate place to see the latest fashion runway shows and review, Style.com always has the up-to-the-minute news about shopping, fashion and trends. Want to see the most recent Spring RTW 201, Resort 2011 or Pre-Fall 2011 collections from any designers that you can think of? Well, Style.com has it all! For a fashon-driven girl like me, I may not be able to afford any of the items over there, but it is the perfect source for creative inspiration for everyday dressing. :)

Style.com

Until the next inspiration comes along!

Xoxo,
G.

In the Beginning.