Author: Sharon

Top Picks: Plasticland Shoes

A Quebecois buddy of mine, Alisha Ruiss, just tortured me with two emails in quick succession, with links to online stores where I want to buy EVERYTHING!! Oh no, Alisha, how could you do this to me? The first was Plasticland, an old favourite of mine, but I haven’t visited for a while, and was rather unaware of the current shoe collection. Swoon! Here are my top picks, and they’re all available right now, in the range of US$54 – $72. These shoes are a steal. They stock a few Stop Staring dresses as well, and they have some cute pencil skirts…

Book: Fashion (The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute)

This is a book I bought myself for Christmas. It covers fashion history from the 18th century to the 20th century, with glossy photographs of the collection held by the Kyoto Costume Institute in Japan. The book has been out for a while, but oh my, if you don’t own it yet, go out and buy it immediately! So much inspiration for any swing fashionista, the kind of clothes that are so beautiful it makes my chest ache. The Poiret, the Schiaparelli, the Chanel, oh god the Vionnet! The Vionnet, people! Now I want desperately to visit the Kyoto Costume Institute. A holiday to Japan anyone?

Seriously folks, this book is sheer fashion heaven. It is definitely now one of the favourites in my collection. You can buy it here on Amazon. Enjoy!

Top Picks: Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 Couture

Some very elegant looks in this collection, all with Jean Paul Gaultier’s signature touch of audacity (or indecency, whichever way you like to look at it!). The 30s and 40s influence is there, though there’s a feeling of 2011 does 1986 doing 1941, if you know what I mean. And I couldn’t help but include the can-can skirt here, how delicious! No better way to end a fashion show, but with a little high-kicking down the runway. The whole affair makes me think of a nightclub in Paris, today or perhaps in the early 1980s. The Lido, or the Crazy Horse…