NYFW 2018 - Brandon Maxwell Fall 2018

New York Fashion Week! Frankly this is one of the most exciting times of year for me (rivaling Christmas) where we get to indulge in fantastic new collections from established brands and new designers are unveiled.

This post, we're talking about Brandon Maxwell, by no means a new designer, however, his is a new name to me. And I have to say, I am glad to have stumbled upon this collection. The Autumn, Winter collection consists of 38 looks, the theme (as said by Maxwell himself) is 'relaxed glamour'. I would imagine this to refer to the addition of pockets, slouched fabrics and basic white tee paired with the gorgeous satin like fabrics, evening dress and sparkles. My favourite combination in this entire collection had to be the pairing of the super sexy high slit in the skirts and the fluffy sliders.

I loved the decor chosen for this runway; dark, dim with the theatrics of smoke. His runway consisted of many big-named faces, such as Gigi and Bella Hadid, Romee Strijd, Joan Smalls and one of my favourite faces: Karlie Kloss, At the time of year the show took place I couldn't help but think that this was a subtle salutation to Vday, however, this following quote from the designer himself concludes the collection perfectly:

“Every woman is not just going to a black-tie event every night. They have places to be!”

Watch the RUNWAY

Have a look at the FULL COLLECTION

More BRANDON MAXWELL

Sources include DAILYMAIL

WISHLIST: Gucci

Dayum Gucci...

So we all have some sort of a bucket list right? A list of must-do things before you die? Alongside mine, pinned to my mental moodboard (highlighted in fuschia) is my must-buy list. This is a list of items I NEED to purchase in my lifetime in my search for eternal happiness and self love. Sure, a bag may not fulfill that, however, I can dream.

As many girls do, I always dreamed of being able to purchase a Chanel handbag. I imagined one day strutting into Chanel, receiving the 5-star treatment from the staff, skipping home with my Chanel shopping bag and somehow surprising myself with the bag. I haven't worked out the specifics yet.

That being said, I think these beauties are sneakily creeping up my wishlist! Gun to my head, if I HAD TO pick, I'd opt for the Sylvie, because to me it's the most iconic and eye-catching in look whilst being the most versatile. I do imagine my wardrobe would need to consist of more red/green but let's not get hung up on all the minor details...

Sylvie leather mini bag

Dionysus leather top handle bag

Nymphaea leather top handle bag

My absolute favourite features on this new collection is the combination of styles that the brand has used. I love the addition of the athletic style stripped strap on the Dionysus and Nymphaea as well as it's functionality. I love the gold hardware featured in all three because personally I think it's the most versatile and one I never have trouble incorporating in my wardrobe. What tops it off though, it the use of thick bold stripes in red, green and navy, I can't even explain why, I just adore it!

Do you guys have a must-buy list? If so, what does it consist of?
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For more: GUCCI BAGS
For more: GUCCI

INSPIRATION: Recho Omondi

When positivity ensues from an Instagram obsession...

Below are a series of photographs from designer Recho Omondi

All images in this post courtesy of Recho Omondi

Images acquired via Instagram @omndi

Click on the Pinterest link below to explore more of Recho Omondi's gorgeous photographs.

ILLUSTRATION: FahadBoutique

Quite recently, I had joined Instagram...which admittedly for me was a big deal. Considering I had managed the majority of my teenage life void of any social networks, this was quite a breakthrough for me. 

But like most aspiring artists/designers/illustrators/creators your main goal is to get your work out there, whether it's for an approval or to convey a message or create a feeling - but bottom line - that's pretty much what we all want. As much as I try to deny the obsession with this newfound guilty pleasure of mine, I caught myself wanting to check the news feed every couple of minutes - seconds, even. And as much I hate to admit, my heart did soar a little every time someone tapped on that little heart icon...

One of the obsessions with all these "likes" and "thumbs-ups" are the advantages of checking on who in fact did like your image, because, well - let's face it, we want to know the who, what and why behind that single "like". Which gets me to right about here - where I had the pleasure of being introduced to fahadboutique, a Kuwait-based haute-couture clothing line.

Browsing the images as a sort of archive, I was torn; I either fell in love with the dress or the model...or perhaps the dress on the model. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to wear the dress or be the model wearing the dress. Either way, I figured that if I couldn't wear it, I would draw it. But of course, when it's not your own design, you kinda have to get a license/an agreement or something to give you (the illustrator) the rights..to, you know...illustrate. Thankfully, all I had to do was ask, which in return got me the thumbs up and I was good to go!

Part of my little dorky heart couldn't help but feel absolutely ecstatic and 'all grown up' as though I was a "real" fashion illustrator, and the other part was just hoping that this would be the start of many more to come. Having posted the finished image up on my Instagram, I remember feeling very, very, VERRRYYY nervous - whether the designer would like it, whether it was true to the garment or brand, whether it did the dress justice. And for those of you (the two readers I have) wondering what happened...Fahad, the designer himself chose to publish it and thought it was a beautifully done illustration. Needless to say I had an ear-to-ear grin for a whole week!