Oh my, what a lovely coat! May I take your photo?

A while ago the creative minds at Refinery 29 put together a How-To-Get-Shot-By-The-Sartorialist flow diagram to get your pic snapped by the reknown style stalker. That feat is about to get a whole lot easier! Scott Schuman aka the Sartorialist just blogged about his recent collaboration with Burberry for their new website Art of the Trench. To celebrate the history and heritage of the classic brand, Schuman walked the fashionable fields in search of crisp Burberry trench coat-clad characters. So we all know what to do now - grab those trenches and get going!

Art of the Trench

Louis Vuitton - Lifesaver

As a child, I admit, I was always obsessed with cute things. Especially stationary and for some reason, band aids. As a result, I perused the isles of many a cute stationary store in the hopes of finding more goodies to add to my treasured collection. My obsession was such that when the time came that I actually needed to use one, I would cast a longing glance at my cute band aid selection but the costs would outweigh the benefits and I would instead suffice with a standard Band-Aid band aid.

Now there is more reason to be sparing about the use of band aids (or unsparing in some people's case) for Louis Vuitton have created a limited edition first aid kit in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross. Aluminum cases filled with all your immediate first-aid needs are set snug in leather pockets forming a red cross with red and silver coloured cases. Enveloped in Louis Vuitton's signature monogram trunk with gold hardware to boot, the front is splashed with the Red Cross logo - a symbol of hope and reassurance should anyone be in less than tip top condition.

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This is not the first of Louis Vuitton's collaborative side-step from your standard luxury baggage and clothing range, what with skateboards and lawn bowls, who knows who (or what) will be graced with Louis' lovable label next!

Time to hit the books

Ah books; my escape, my confidant, my teacher. How I adore thee. But what usually begins as a relationship of adoration and care more often than not turns into one of frustration and despair come exam time. I often find myself desperately seeking refuge in a Mediterranean cook book, a witty novel or a meticulous biography - anything to distract me from the harsh, neglected words of a textbook. Sigh, if only my love of theory was akin to that of fashion.

During one particularly fierce bout of enmity with Strategic Marketing, my weary eyes were delighted to glimpse a preview of Maison Martin Margiela's newest self-named book. The elusive Belgian designer, as mysterious as his clothes are creative, takes the world on a behind-the-scenes journey of his modest to monumental steadily growing empire. Providing insights of his inspirations and achievements and documenting myriad milestones in his career, this book overflows with lovely images of iconic pieces, memorabilia and backstage beauties. Bound in a rustic muslin covering, the embroidered logo is a tribute to tribute to Margiela's legacy, two clean slates between which a decade of abstract design and radical fashion await.

My time is up, I must now go and seek peace with my neglected textbooks in the hopes that they will be kind enough to see me through finals!

Images from Wallpaper*

Longing fur winter...

Right now I am dreaming of cool, crisp winds, softly drifting snowflakes, warm woollen mittens and steaming hot chocolate. That's right - I am officially over summer (and it hasn't really even begun yet). Peeling sunburn, colonies of freckles, ridiculously warm breezes, sweating at just the thought of movement - it's all a bit too much for my delicate, highly heat-sensitive skin. On the bright side, I have just under one month to wait until I can once again embrace winter wonderland, reunite with my beloved winter wardrobe and snuggle up in front of a crackling fireplace somewhere in the northern hemisphere. I admit, my premature disdain for summer this year has quite possibly been induced by the myriad editorials recently prowling the magazine scene featuring one of winter's finest - fur.

Skye Stracke for Marie Claire Italy, photographed by Jock Sturges, styled by Monika Kropfitsch

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Raquel Zimmermann for Vogue Paris, photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, styled by Emmanuelle Alt

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Constance Jablonski for Vogue Russia, photographed by KT Auleta, styled by Samuel Drira

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Alla Kostromicheva for Numéro #108 photographed by Sebastian Kim

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Alas, my obsession with the spring summer collections just passed has been short-lived. But rest assured upon my return I suspect I shall be hit with an overwhelming desire for iced peach teas and slouchy tees and ready for a drop of summer - flip flops and tans aside.

When I grow up...

http://ryanmcginley.com/kids

Say 'cheese'! Styled by Panos Yiapanis and named 'Kids - We Don't Need No Education', Ryan McGinley snaps up happy little vegemites for the fall/winter edition of Purple magazine. Dressed in fall/winter 09-10 collection's best, McGinley perfectly portrays what kids inevitably do when faced with a camera - pull faces funny and strike little poses. Tweed, boots and statement shoulders come complete with child-inspired head gear, Louis Vuitton bunny ears and boys clad in heels and dresses. These kids are only too eager to fill the shoes of muses past - move over Baptiste!

Garance j'aDoré

I have always loved Garance Doré's illustration posts. Simple yet elegant they are lovely to look at. And these are no exception. Documenting Garance's fashion week frolic with Carine Roitfeld (with whom Garance will soon be collaborating with at Vogue Paris), these images include illustrations, photos, fashion week memorabilia, typewrite font AND hand writing. There is just something so refreshing about hand written notes. I guess in today's society there isn't really a need for writing things by hand anymore, what with blackberrys and the ever shrinking size of laptops, it's just easier to type! I digress. What I mean to say is: I love the design of these images; simple and chic with a lovely personal touch. J'adore.

garance doré

Gucci ♥ iPhone

Following the recent surge of social media paving a new way for fashion to mingle with the masses, Gucci is launching their iPhone application today. WWD write that the application will feature a 24hour music channel, playlists, a turntable designed by musical artist/DJ Mark Ronson to mix tracks as well as a restaurant and hotel guide. On the fashion side of things, the application will also regularly update Gucci news and events, showcase the newest collections and feature a GPS Gucci locator - all the better to find your nearest store with.

The release is set to conincide with the GUCCI ICON-TEMPORARY project, a travelling pop up sneaker store opening October 24 at 42 Crosby Street, NewYork, featuring Ronson's collaborative efforts with Gucci. Joining Chanel and Ralph Lauren in the ranks of mobile media, Gucci's application is more 'lifestyle' based and is sure to provide many a train-rides entertainment. Bets on who will be next to board the band wagon, anyone?

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The Business of Fashion Film

community.livejournal.com/foto_decadent
Killer Vogue by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia Septermber 2005

Since the beginning the early 19th centruy, film has been one of the most powerful and influential mediums through which people can portray to the world their story creations. Stimulating both visual and auditory senses (as of 1926), film is engaging and viewers revel in an enthralling plot and enchanting soundtrack. It makes sense then, that the world of fashion, subject predominantly to print and online media, should utilise such an entertaining channel to communicate with, heighten the experience of and help imprint the themes of their respective collections on the fashion savvy. And what better way to show off your creative flare to the people that care than the runway?

The Business of Fashion have just posted their Top 10 Fashion Films of the Season, collating the most "innovative and captivating" fashion films screened on the runway. From visual poetry to quirky animation, creative collaborations to state-of-the-art masterpieces, this season's showcases have it all. So sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Mannequin

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Movimento Surrealista starring Ikeliene Stange & Baptiste Giabiconi shot by Karl Lagerfeld for Elle Italia September 2009

♬
'Cause you're not a man
You're just a mannequin
I wish you could feel
That my love is real
But you're not a man

I wish I could just turn you on
put a battery in and make you talk
Even pull a string
For you to say anything

But with you there is no guarantee
Only expired warranty
A bunch of broken parts
And I can't seem to find your heart

You're just a toy
Could you ever be a real, real boy
And understand
But you're not a man
♬

Katy Perry - Mannequin

Barbie ♥ Louboutin

What do Barbie and Christian Louboutin share? Apart from their love for fashion, of course - they share a soft spot in every girl's heart. Could there be a collaboration of two girlier pleasures? I think not. Mattel has signed Louboutin on for a yearlong project in which he will design some fabulous items for Barbie's ever-expanding wardrobe, create a pair of life size Barbie-pink Louboutin shoes (first seen on the runway at Barbie's birthday show during NYFW in February) and fashion a diary documenting Barbie and Louboutin dabbling in his favourite past times (not quite sure where the robbery scene falls into here but my guess is that they just wanted to see Barbie in a sleek, skin tight cat-woman jumpsuit). A string of themed Barbies - including burglary Barbie - will be trickling out throughout the year each with their own Barbie-sized Louboutin heels and packaged in Louboutin shoe boxes. Now why didn't they make these sorts of things when I was five-years-old?

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