Latest Obsession: Lykke Li

Straight out of Stockholm, Sweden, Lykke Li (Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson), brings a unique voice, sound, and style. At first, I did not think anything of her, but the more and more I researched and listened, she gave me that sense of "something new". It is like a piece of art work that is easy on the eye, but avante-garde at the same time. Her style and presence is strange but beautiful. After watching "Little Bit", the top bun never looked so good with a silver jacket and striped shirt. Also, it might be safe to say that she is definitely bringing the bun back. Another trend you will see in her videos are dancing; unique and interesting dancing. Why not? She does have a past of dancing on Swedish T.V. shows.
Not only does Li have an interesting voice, but her clothing and style are up to par as well. She keeps her color palette quite simple by wearing colors like black, grey, and white, with some gold jewelry. Her style definitely defines and represents European street fashion. She' so cute and fierce at the same time. I can't get enough of her.

Oh, and I recommend watching live acoustic videos of her because her voice live will blow you away.

Here is "I'm Good, I'm Gone" music video.

DECONSTRUCT, DECONSTRUCT

Deconstruction at its finest. It is a growing trend in and out of the fashion industry. Clothing that have been deconstructed, are seen everywhere from the runway, on to the streets of Stockholm and any other popular cities.
Remember when Christian Siriano was complaining on Project Runway, "Deconstruct, deconstruct. All they want us to do is deconstruct. Its so elementary."? (Well, he said something close to that). Too bad Christian, looks like deconstruction is back in full force this year, and probably next year too. Designers from Louis Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood, and the notorious Rodarte with their deconstructed tights, are all in the hype of deconstructing their clothes. So if you think your clothes look tattered and ripped up (intentionally but not, kind of), do not fret, you are on the path of following a trend.

Yves Saint Laurent

Vivenne Westwood

Rodarte

Maison Martin Margiela

Jean Paul Gaultier

Givenchy

Dior Homme

Dior Homme

Costume National

Comme de Garçon

Comme de Garçon

Christian Lacroix

Blaak+Homme

Tycho ISO50

Scott Hansen is a genius.

I was listening to his "The Disconnect" and a friend listening in said that it "sounds like colour", which is so spot on, but such an odd way of describing sound. How can music sound like colour? I'm not sure, but it does, and it looks like his posters, which are the best reimagining of late 60s early 70s advertisements, besides being classic good design. I attribute this visual/auditory awesomeness to his design influences, which he and others write about in his popular blog. I get a lot of a Northern California influence feeling from a lot of his posters, and it specifically reminds me of this one Walnut Creek area house I was once in that had wood panelling and basement type place with chartreuse shag carpeting, but it was built in to the side of a hill, so we could see into the woods. Also kind of reminds me of the house I grew up in, built in the 70s, it had that pumpkin orange and brown tiling and a lamp made out of that translucent seashell material. Anyways, I can't get enough of his style. 

So Good, but a Bit Expensive

Having trouble finding Euro-styled clothing in America?
Well I got an amazing store for you. Pixie Market. The price is not cheap, but not ridiculously expensive. If you got some moneys, you should spend it at Pixie Market. Everything from their dresses, coats, shoes, and accessories will blow your mind. They got lace ankle boots, braided scarves, jumper dresses, tapered trousers, and more. I can't get enough. Cat and I give it a thumbs up.

Here are some samplings of their amazing-ness.

Everyone wants Mohr.

Big hype. Huge deal. If you're in our world, you will probably agree.

The big hype and the huge deal, is someone who has been internationally everywhere in the fashion industry. I have been wanting to mention him for a while now, because every time I pick up a men's magazine (I prefer men's fashion most of the time), I always run into his face for some ad or photo-shoot. In addition, whenever I am viewing photographs from a runway show, there he is, walking down the runway for designers like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Dior Homme, Dries Van Noten, Hermès, John Galliano, Burberry, just to name a few..

So why is Cole Mohr, Texas-born, punk-rock loving, edgy, goofy, yet sarcastic boy so popular and wanted by everyone from NY to Japan? Here's why.








Oui.

I don't think I have to write anything persuasive about his strong, yet soft face, complimented with his big blue, eyes, plus bitchin' jaw-line, and how he can pull off a plethora of looks. Even though he is everywhere, his face will never get old. He is always doing something daring, and completely different, while looking good doing it. Plus, his taste in music is pretty elite and his tattoos give him street cred.

Next 'vintage'?

60s, 70s, 80s. These are the generic decades of vintage fashion and music. Supposedly the nostalgia for an era gone by reaches its peak about 20 years after. If this is the case, then this is what's next:

(Bobby works out and reads and likes to stay home. Or he did back in 1989 anyhows.)

And I'm okay with that. The fact that what can be called vintage, classic or retro is starting to creep up on the day I was born makes me feel really old, but even so, I can't wait for people to start bringing back neon leotards. Seriously, thats the last time in the last 20 years that I can think of when clothing was really kitchy and odd and kind of lame. I think the 90s were kind of lame, but I like that. We need a little more lameness. We already have this 'grunge revival' thing happening (plaid much?) but please dear lord on the other side don't bring light wash back. 

Fashionably lame:

Pluses: bandage dresses

Minuses: oversized 'career' jacket

Future Mrs. Urkle has a bomb jacket. Zee end. 

My favorite early 90s style whores, Pats and Eddy. 

It kind of feels like the 90s just ended, but really 1999 was basically a decade ago. Yet no one has said bust out your denim overalls, thank goodness.

Will Marc and Maya revive 1990?

Should Marc just relaunch his breakout line? 

Jeremy Scott (with MIA again, why is she so cool? dunno... )

On a side note, how awesome is this tux hoody from Jeremy Scott for Adidas?

I use to have this pink pullover from Japan that had a dog on it that had two ear flaps that said 'hello' and 'goodbye' on each of them when you turned them up. It was quite possibly the lamest thing I've ever owned. I was six, but I'm pretty sure I'm never going to be cooler then when I was six. To me, that was the 90s, and thats how I want 90s revival to look. Like a pink dog sweater. With stirrup pants.

Lookbook: a style database?

For those who aren't in the know, Lookbook.nu is a site where the fashionable can upload their favorite looks and everyone else belonging to the site can "hype" them. Its a pretty interesting idea, like they said, "inspired by The Sartorialist", but with feedback from others. I question the motive behind catagorizing "Brands", but I almost kind of like the exclusivity of "invite only" that the site promotes, in other words, if you don't pass their style test, you can't even upload. I suppose it gets rid of the frim fram. There is a little element of ridiculous, kind of like hotornot for those fabric-ly inclined. Opinionizing aside, these are some of my favorite looks/users of the site.

Johnny D - Swedish guy (why are they so cool?) who reminds me of Tom Vek

Michael W - guy from Vegas who's got the eccentric millionaire look down pat

Aris V - really cool looks from this girl across the pond

Bien sur, M is on it as well. 

oh, coco

So here at TAL, we are a little obsessed with menswear, male models and dude stuff. BUT, we swear we like them girls too. Aside from Agyness, I haven't seen a lot of great faces (besides the crazy goodness that is Karen Elson), until I saw Coco Rocha a few seasons ago.

 She has such a distinct look, despite not really having anything too crazy about her. I think its her nose. 

...with my other favorite redhead

2009, Keep It Bold

Photographs off the runway for the 2009 Resort lines are out. Scanning through the photographs of the runway shows of designers like Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli, Nicole Miller, Bottega Veneta, Diane Von Furstenberg, and etc., I received a clear message that 2009 is about color, bold prints, bold pieces and the reminiscence of the 80's, but there's nothing wrong with the 80's when it is done right. Some of the pieces and the way the models are dressed made me flashback to the oh, so, popular online fashion blogger Yvan, or A.K.A., The FaceHunter. There are definitely looks inspired by street style from young, hip, European gals, walking the streets Helsinki, Copenhagen, or Stockholm. It is young, fresh, cool, and clean. So start sporting your fuchsia, yellow, electric blue, and any other bright, bold colors you have, but please don't be tacky and trashy.

Diane Von Furstenberg

Bottega Veneta

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Nicole Miller

Stella McCartney

Michael Kors

ALBERT HAMMOND JR.

'Yours to Keep' was amazing but will ‘¿Cómo Te Llama?’ going live up the first???
They've posted songs from their upcoming album, releasing on July 8, 2008, on their MySpace to allow the public to take a listen at what is going to be in stores. I can never dislike Hammond, but so far, none of the songs have captured my likings me right away. Some of the songs sound similar or they are just not quite interesting. Okay, I'll be honest; they're OKAY. I wouldn't go out of my way to get my hands on this album from what I am hearing so far unlike the album 'Yours to Keep' which held catchy, captivating songs. Listening to the album, honestly is like reading a book that interested you since you enjoyed the book the author previously have written in the past, but once you start reading it, you realize it is a bit uninteresting unlike the other books you've read, that when you are reading it, you can't really remember what is going on besides the characters.

I still love Albert Hammond Jr. and speaking of Albert, is he and his other band, The Strokes going to create another addicting, impressive album? Well according to their official site, Nikolai Fraiture said: "I'd like to say that I'm still looking very forward to a fourth album release. We just need to work out a few technical kinks." Fraiture also added, "It's been a long break but much needed for us to remain together as a productive band". Since their last album 'First Impressions of Earth' released in 2006, they have been under the radar for the past two years and hung low, not sending any distinct details about their future plans besides a brief mention about a fourth album. I can't wait.