Ahh, sometimes you can’t fight it. You see something that doesn’t seem like it should work but you love it anyway.

If you looked at all the elements of this cape individually they make no sense but together… together it becomes super CAPE.

Photo Source: Vogue Nippon October 2010

Never in a million years, would I have thought that fur tails would look this hot. This is not something that I’m drawn to in real life. I’ve seen people rock the raccoon tail and sometimes it works but most of the time – correction – 98.5% of the time it fails miserably.

In fact, I’m usually really skeeved out by fur with the head, legs and/or tail still attached.

So, in what world could I have imagined that multiple fur pellets with dyed red tips would cause me to fall into fashion lust? Not this one.

It’s hard to tell whether the cape is black or blue but I’m leaning towards a midnight navy hue, which makes me like it even more.

Let’s not even get started on the popped collar with the huge jeweled necklace on display. Or the exquisite earrings. All together, I have to admit it is ridiculously over the top- but – I love it. lots.

This is a cape you wear when you want the world to know that you are boss. That you are a bad. ass. chick. who could care less what others think of her.

A couple of weeks ago I was able to attend the Dietch PR Fall 2010 Press Day Event at the Launch Pad Showroom in Lower Manhattan. First of all, it was an honor to be able to view some of these incredible, up and coming talent coming out of the West Coast. One of the collections I was excited to see was Le Sang des Betes which I had written about before. On top of that there were all of these amazing designers that I hadn’t heard about before.

I was blown away by the talent of the designers showcased, i.e. Gabby Applegate, who is completely self-taught but you wouldn’t be able to tell by some of the designs. I think I need the backstabber coat in my closet like now. Leather and mohair jackets – yes please!

» Read the rest of the entry..

I love that design houses are releasing little videos to accompany their latest collections. Making a visual 3-5min representation of your work is an added bonus that just watching models saunter down catwalks wearing the clothes.

One of the first mini-videos I ever fell in love with was Erin Fetherston’s Wendybird directed by acclaimed Ellen Von Unwerth. Here is Vanessa Bruno’s Printemps 2010 collection starring Lou Doillon.

vanessa bruno- printemps été 2010 from maggieontherocks on Vimeo.

♥ the alchemist

Let me say that during the whirlwind that is New York Fashion Week, it was nice to attend an event created by and for fashion bloggers. The Independent Fashion Bloggers Evolving Influence Conference was so well-organized  and extremely informative. Put together by IFB founder Jennine of The Coveted, she deserves major kudos for pulling off the event and the subsequent coverage that followed. Plus, it was nice to finally meet her after a few years of email coverage and she is just as kind and lovely as you would imagine.

Jennine, Founder of IFB & The Coveted

» Read the rest of the entry..

I missed the opportunity last year to write about the sadness and shock I felt when Michael Jackson passed; a childhood hero, a person who shaped pop culture forever. As more and more time passed, it started to feel like there was no real way for me to talk about that influence from the King of Pop.

Life is fragile and each one is precious. It’s hard to explain to someone how a person you’ve never met or knew could impact you in such a huge way. Lee Alexander McQueen is one such person. An enormous inspiration in my fashion aesthetic, his genius could be felt and appreciated by many. Someone who used their creativity to the maximum, always pushing the boundaries, bringing something new to the table. This kind of innovative freedom is what I strive for and want to nurture and appreciate in others.

♥ the alchemist

I’ve been a big fan of stockings, tights whatever you want to call them for forever. I still remember my mom dressing me in white cable knit ones to match my outfits. Also, there’s a picture of me not even two years old in a blue dress with a white pinafore, a blue barrette in my hair, white lace-up shoes and blue tights. Because my mom is so gangsta at color-coordination.

» Read the rest of the entry..

During New York Fashion Week, I went to the Untitled 11:11 fashion show and I was blown away by the clothes and the presentation. I saw their debut collection last year at Williamsburg Fashion Weekend which literally left me speechless, so I was really anticipating something equally amazing.

» Read the rest of the entry..

Around this time of year, it always happens like clock-work. I start getting tired of winter, of all the cold and the slushy ice and my mind drifts to spring and the thought of wearing outfits without having to be bundled up under a wool coat.

Spring dresses, sandals, frolicking in the grass without shoes. I also immediately associate spring with bright colors, patterns and a general sense of happiness.

Looking at Risto Bimbiloski’s Spring/Summer 2009 collection, I don’t get that same candy-colored neverland that I imagine. Instead the palette is neutral in black and white but that doesn’t stop me from wanting a few items.

I am in love with this knit dress and shrug!!!

♥ the alchemist

Saw these images on foto_decadent and was completely inspired by all the dark clothes and these wedged shoes.

I used to have a pair of black, leather wedged boots similar to the ones in the 1st pic and I kind of miss them.

There’s something about the black, patent against that wooden heel that makes me really happy. Plus, the back on that dress is amaze. ing. That is all.

Click here for more of this editorial.

♥ the alchemist

These boots are my winter favorite. I have been wearing them pretty much non-stop for the past three months. With dresses, jeans, shorts, leggings, just about everything. I love fancy shoes and heels just as much as the next girl but lately I’ve been keeping it simple with these boots.

♥ the alchemist

I’ve said it before and I will say it again. Lookbook.nu is an incredible place to see what other people around the globe are rockin’ style wise.

Sometimes, its very easy to see that there are a lot of trends when a  lot of people start to dress similarly. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, what else can you expect when you see the same things everywhere? We’re constantly bombarded with images that look good and in turn we can’t help but start to emulate it.

That’s why I really notice when something really sticks out, like certain prints or interesting pieces.

One such person who caught my eye with these two outfits is Sana S from London.

Look at that delicious printed dress on the left. Oh, the colors! I really wish more people would wear more prints. I think it might be a viable solution to end all the problems in the world. ( I kid, I kid)

That floral top on the right is a bathing suit costume over tights under a blazer. It doesn’t sound like it should work but somehow it seems to. Plus, I give points for stepping outside of the long shirt over leggings bunch. Fashion should always be fun and like my motto: If you’re gonna do it, then do it!

♥ the alchemist

This year’s Williamsburg Fashion Weekend was a two-day extravaganza filled with independent designers with great aesthetics set in an amazing venue.
Secret Project Robot Gallery provided the backdrop for the event which added to the festive, creative energy in the air. Arthur Arbit, founder of Williamsburg Fashion Weekend, wanted to create an event for designers who are not necessarily eager to be mainstream and are willing to take more chances.
One thing that I loved was that all of these Brooklyn-based designers use eco-friendly and fair-trade materials. The designers who showed on the first night, Friday were SDN, Compai and King Gurvy. What I liked about the shows were the presentation of the designs, art meets fashion in a very installation type of way which made it all the more interesting to observe.
SDN by Marcus Hicks was a dark show with interesting silhouettes and a fantastic, edgy mood.

Compai by Faith and Justina Blakeney showcased their one-of-a-kind limited edition pieces made from recycled materials. I loved all of the quirky details in this particular show including the use of vintage gloves as embellishments.

Last but not least, King Gurvy by Arthur Arbit showed pieces that reflected his love of using recycled materials to create wearable pieces for both men and women.

The 2nd night kicked off with Untitled 11:11′s debut collection which I was simply blown away by.

The show was infused with a flight theme with the models acting like flight attendants and besides the beautiful designs, the styling of the show was perfection. There were some really amazing dresses that I drooled over as they passed by. The models helped to make the show interactive when they passed out in-flight treats to the audience. Honestly wherever designers, David Peck and Laurel Anderson were taking us I would follow in several of their amazing creations!

Next was Racecar, a new menswear line from designer Jeannette Tiso which is a collection of handmade vests. There were some great looks in there that would be perfect on those cool guys in your life.

The last show was a combination of three designers, Sodafine, Dear Birthday and Treehouse Boutique. All the models went to a picnic in the middle of the space and popped champagne and ate apples while wearing interesting pieces.

All in all, I was amazed by the scope of talent from the designers who while they all had their own unique aesthetic were united in their quest for bringing something new and fresh to the fashion scene.

Here are some behind the scenes shots:






for more pics of the event, check out the Williamsburg fashion weekend flickr pool

special thanks to Tom McAlister for all of his help!
♥ the alchemist