50% Viscose, 45% Polyester, 5% Spandex

This morning I received an email informing me that Reborn has bumped down some of their sale items to 70% off. Of course I want the most expensive pieces, making this number irrelevant. However, I came upon a Rad Hourani piece that I absolutely love (even though it's only 50% off) and can't believe is still in stock. Only two of these were ever made, exclusively for Reborn at that, and it looks like both are still available. I think Jackie O would be wearing something like this if she lived forever and became the editor of a fashion magazine. Or at least I would, if I could actually land a job like that in my very northern hometown.

Speaking of jobs, if you're fashion-minded, have some skills, and are looking for a new career, you may be interested to know that International Playground (in Manhattan) is hiring a full-time office manager (click here for details). I would definitely be applying for this one if I lived in New York. Also, SHIN is looking (or at least was a few weeks ago) for some part-time pattern makers (click here for details) to work in their Brooklyn studio. Wouldn't you like to help make my newest favorite piece? Or yours, I spose.

Vibe Johansson (et al.?), S/S 11

I snapped this photo of a rack of clothing at International Playground in NY, as I just loved the colour palette of the neutrals and purples juxtaposed with the oranges (or mustards?). Now, if my memory serves me correctly, Virginia said that these were Danish designer Vibe Johansson's S/S 11 collection. I didn't look at the pieces too closely as Virginia had them hung up in the back to decide what to order for the store in the spring (i.e. they weren't for me to buy quite yet), so I could be wrong. At any rate, there are a few photos up on NJAL of Vibe's S/S 11 collection, and I'm quite a fan of the colour palette whether it's the same as seen above or not. 

I also dearly heart that last outfit.  Methinks I shall have to revisit International Playground in February.

Ravishing Knees

So, as I previously mentioned, I barely bought anything in NY, besides many a bagel and a fabulous pair of Ravishing Mad jeans. I knew that the International Playground store would be a good stop anyway on my shopping day (yeah, I really only planned one), but the reason I wanted to go there was to find out if Anna was really right that her curved waistband jeans might be too tight for me. I mean, I had walked off a few pounds already by that point, so it couldn't hurt to try, right? Good thing Virginia pointed me towards some Ravishing Mad jeans meant for men. As far as I know, Anna hasn't tried marketing the smaller sizes of the Marv jeans (above left; please forgive the poor quality screen shot) towards women looking for a different high waisted skinny jean, but she should! As Virginia said, the tighter the better. I got a size 30 in these in a fantastic blue wash (4th one down in the colour pile, below right), and they're perfect. I would still like to get a pair of Anna's big pocket jeans (below left), which you may remember is what got me hooked on Ravishing Mad nearly a year ago, but I might also need a pair of the new S/S 11 inseam jeans (above right)...

Anyway, the point of this post, if you find it needs one, is that the Marv jeans have knee pleats (can you see them?). And though this isn't something I was looking for directly, especially as I've found in the past that knee pleats look ridiculous in pants and are only needed in work-/gardening-related clothing, my mind is now open to such stitch work (and my knees also appreciate the extra room). Therefore, since buying my first pair of Ravishing Mads, my eye has been zeroing in on knee details, and so these new A/W 10/11 'Jeanne d'Arc' pieces from Hungarian designer Dóra Mojzes have obviously got me going. 

I think they would look rather smashing on Queen Michelle, though I think it would be best to experience them in person, so I could stare at the knees as their wearer walks. I'd even be willing to wear them myself, though I'd have to walk with a friend just so I don't run into any light posts or the like whilst staring down. I'd also be more than willing to wear this cardigan, because it's, well, perfect. 

By the way, if you're wondering if you've heard Dóra's name before, perhaps her fantastic origami-inspired graduate collection rings a bell?

Sigh.

Did I do that?

As is the custom with the mind I'm stuck with, while I haven't been back home for even 48 hours, the memories of my long-awaited NYC trip seem to already be fading. The adventure itself was so out of my character (I think), that, without my photos and new clothing/souvenir acquisitions (and credit card charges), I could be easily convinced that it never happened. But I in fact did see Zach Braff, Sutton Foster, and Bobby Cannavale all act live on a stage only five theatre rows away.

And I was entranced by Carmen, the first opera I have ever seen, in HD and outdoors, no less. 

And I was in attendance of that fabulous Fashion's Night Out: The Show at Lincoln Center, where I was rather captivated by my first encounter with both a runway show and a plethora of celebrities all around me (you can see my side profile in this screen cap below of CBS's taping).

Not to mention the fact that I stayed with some of the nicest people I've ever met, was welcomed with paws wide open by the largest cat I've ever seen, touched the most heart-breakingly gorgeous Junya Watanabe and Marc Le bihan pieces, found the locations of one of my favorite TV shows ever, and finally snatched up a pair of my very own Ravishing Mad jeans from the gorgeous Study NY 4-way dress wearing Virginia at International Playground. 

Did I mention that this all happened in only the first three days of my introduction to the biggest city I've ever seen? I know, it seems impossible. So I think that'll be all I tell you tonight...