Today is the Birthday of my favorite author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He wrote many of my favorite books, making him a writer of magic realism. If you have not read any of his work, please do yourself a favor and look it up.
“Nobody deserves your tears, but whoever deserves them will not make you cry.”
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Edgard Garrido/Reuters
Hello Followers, If you have been following my journey since the beginning, if not then now you will know, that I have ALWAYS LOVED the Carolina Herrera brand and the Fashion ICON herself. I remember being fascinated by her collections when viewing the TV show Behind The Velvet Rope, many many moons again on a cable channel called Style Network, and then once again viewing Style.com’s video reviews by the one and only Tim Blanks, I miss those videos dearly.
A week ago, Wes Gordon revealed Carolina Herrera’s Fall 2024 collection, 41 floors up that overlooked the Financial District of NYC as the show’s backdrop. I was never a fan of Wes Gordon but upon his appointment, I knew the Queen made a wise choice. He did intern with the brand and shadowed her for the last few years as she produced collections. Wes has surprised me each season, and if the Summer 2024 collection was any indication, paying homage to Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, I had great hopes for Fall 2024. And it did not disappoint.
The narrative was empowerment, this collection had verve and confidence. It was evident in every piece. especially in the color-blocking pieces of the collection. The collection was very CHIC with hints of the 1930s meets 1980s in the sense that it was fit to the body, with straight lines, flowy gowns, boxy shoulders, and ruffles. The tailoring was very meticulous, the craftsmanship was very impressive, and the way that the silhouettes flowed on the runway was jaw-dropping. A couple of dresses shaped out of crinoline style with no tulle or petticoats underneath to hold their shape were built into the silhouette. A beautiful black plunging décotellage that was sexy yet CHIC. The purple gown that cinched at the waist with a train is ready for the red carpet, as well as the day dresses ready for those socialite luncheons.
The Herrera brand is not a house that produces trends, and why should they? They know their clientele and they know what they can do each season. This latest collection is for that woman who does things her own way and doesn’t follow trends.
G!
For today’s quote I have chosen George Washinton in honor of his birthday celebrated on President’s Day.
“Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.”
– George Washington
Men’s Fashion Week came and went for Fall/Winter 2024. We all had the chance to look over the many collections that were presented at Putti Uomo in Florence, Woolworth Black Label by Jack Snyder and Jack Synder himself. We went to Milan which gave us some amazing fashions from Gucci, Fendi, and Zegna, in no particular order but they were the top shows for me.
Gucci’s collection is still buzzing even after a month. Helming this Italian house is Sabato De Sarno, for those who cover menswear, were waiting for this collection. The collection’s name, Ancora, which translates to “Again” was a mirror image of his debut women’s collection. Some outfits are literally the same but fit for men. Some are lightly reinterpreted, and others share colors or fabrics. Standout pieces were the coats!! oversized but not overly done, long and double-breasted, spacious leather shoulder bags that matched vibrant gloves, and leather lead-like ties, which were finished with collar-like fastening, nodding to the themes of lust and desire, rooted in sensual escape, paired with leather gloves, and worn shirtless. It reminded me of the glory days of Tom Ford for Gucci. When fashion designers were creative, were serious about the job of designing, and knew the history of the houses they helmed. I know I am a “nobody” and a “want to be fashion critic” but De Sarno has the vision to make people fall in love with Gucci again, he is doing this with archived references and being experimental for the present. He has won me over already.
We’ve all seen the collection. Here are some detailed shots from Armando Grillo/GoRumway.com
G!
Hello to anyone who is reading this. A little refresher, this blog started back in May of 2012 as part of a college course assignment. For someone who really struggled with putting “thoughts on paper,” I sort of struggled with this, yet after the course was over I pursued it.
My career journey took me to a small boutique marketing firm, I was hungry for industry experience but doubtful about myself as the years went by. I had a mentor who was my boss but also turned into a friend, someone who pushed me when needed and gave me the confidence I needed. With each year I tried to keep up with this blog but I found myself putting work and other things before it. I remember one night forcing myself to write a post and then looking for visuals and this blog all of a sudden felt like “work”. I found myself coming here each December or January to revamp this blog and promising to write more, and each year I failed. I guess laziness is my superpower.
As you all know 2020, known as the COVID-19 year, was tumultuous for many. Being in quarantine was too much to handle. I went from working at an office to hybrid, to remote. Adapting to a virtual world took time and many of us struggled. Getting Vaccinated, educating people on it, and slowly going hybrid for work took some adjusting. I promised myself that once “we came out of this” I was going to focus on myself, family, and friends. 2022 took some adjusting and it made me realize I needed a change. Not sure what “CHANGE” I was looking for but I know I had to seek it. Was it less work more leisure? or a new career, a new workplace? Even thought about relocating.
I decided that 2023 was the year that I would focus on myself, emotionally, physically, and mentally. I was one of those who laughed at mental health, the phrase “burned out”, and “feeling fatigued” felt like excuses when work was not slowing down. I didn’t have time for a breakdown. Work was demanding and I needed to roll with the punches. I was the lead in everything. While my boss handled his own 9-5, I handled his business, his reputation, mine (lack thereof), and our events rested on my shoulders. I was STRESSED TO THE MAX.
Back then this was the time when I logged on here and wrote about men’s fashion. January is Men’s Fall collections and then fall off the grid. Yet, I want to challenge myself this 2024. I have a few ideas brewing in my head. I know I can do it. I know that I can achieve my goals. Success comes with struggles, nothing is handed to you. I am scared. Scared of taking the leap and failing. Yet, I also know I have amazing colleagues, friends, and family who are willing to help me out.
It is ultimately up to me. We are our biggest critics. Our Biggest Fear. We must overcome. We must persevere. I am all 100% for that. I am seeking change and I will see it through. I need to fight my way out of laziness, out of this depression, out of this feeling of being “stuck”. January is almost over. I have returned to work, I have set boundaries, I have set new personal rules. Now, let see how far I achieve this year
G!
This is my Mid-day quote.
Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
I am doing this quote challenge based on how I am feeling the moment I sit at my desk in front of my computer. I have a tendency to begin something and not finish it because I put family, work, friends, and others before my personal needs. 2024 is about me. More of that to come in a separate post.
” Fear is a pair of handcuffs on your soul.”
– Faye Dunway
What would have been his 51st Birthday, if he was still alive, Alexander Lee McQueen, I wonder what things would he have created in the world that we are living in today.
With Brexit, a Trump Presidency, and now Covid-19 practically shutting the whole world down, I think WWLMCQD? He has shown us a fashionable Asylum, underwater world, taught us a game of chess and even a hoarders perspective. All we have left is “What Would McQueen Design Now?” Sara Burton has done amazingly keeping the essences of the brand, yet still having her voice shine through.
But today is his birthdate, alive or not.. and here are some amazing inspiration he left behind.
“Give me time and I’ll give you a revolution.”
Alexander McQueen
-G
It is Tuesday, 6:23 pm as I begin to write this post. I am in the kitchen breakfast table typing this post as I spent the last 8 hours working on New Year’s Eve like most people. I am here sitting, as my father cooks the nights dinner, my sister feeds her 6 month old baby, mother is in her room napping and the sisters oldest lounges on the couch watching something on TV.
As I sit here reflecting the years moments, personally, I have been through a long, dumpy roller coaster of a ride. This summer was the toughest one yet. Having family issues hitting my immediate family hard was the toughest test we had to endure this past year, heck this decade. We had to move, we had to adjust financially and sort out or own personal priorities in order to make our living situation work. It was hard at first but I adjusted. Not saying that I never but family first before but this year I had too. At the end, I learned that my parents have taught me enough to deal everything head on. That at the end of the day, I am okay with dealing with family situations, that in their eyes, ” You will be fine when we’re gone.” You guys, I think I have matured and grown, perhaps a little.
I have missed many celebrations with friends, skipped a few gatherings, miss going to my favorite bars, even missed a few fashion moments on here but I think I am content with it. That sometimes it is okay to have a cramped calendar, or your To Do List various from week to week as long as family is taken care of. With that my same resolution, as every year, I vow to be on here more. I must, because I have a lot of goals to reach by 2025. In order to get there, 2020 is going to be the test of times. It is the year I get certain things in motion. I want all of you following my many moves.
As this is a fashion blog, I cannot end the year without some fashion. There has been many Fashion post on who is who in the end of the year. All major publications do their own versions, decades, year, and monthly. I will not bore you with that. If you have followed this blog from the beginning, I have been saying that the since 2010 menswear have been on the rise. In the last decade it has showcased many great designers in menswear, Haider Ackerman, Kim Jones, Kriss Van Assche, Lou Dalton, Craig Green, Rick Owens, Carlos Campos, and recently added to my list Palomo Spain. Of course, there’s many more like Clare Waight Keller, pushing the boundaries for Haute Couture Men for Givenchy, and Stella McCartney laughing her menswear this year (which I felt it took her too long to launch).
All these designers pushing menswear creativity, with the right amount of idea and accessibility to the design. Merging Female and Masculine lines into a suit or tops. Making it just enough feminine to not alienate the customer. The one who has done this perfectly has been Timothée Chamalet has been able to play with menswear to benefit his own sense of style. He can pull off a grunge look at the Little Women photocall in Paris to a magenta color suit the next day. Wearing the Haider Ackerman to his 2018 award season rounds. In my opinion he rocked the Ackerman style.
Time can only tell what he has in store next. This new decade is shaping up to be amazing for menswear. Let me know what were your favorite looks or who to you is the current 2019 stylish man.
Hello Fellow Readers. I know my title doesn’t make sense since the first day of Autumn was a week or so ago. I have been busy with work but with family, that at one point I felt I was going to lose one of my siblings. Although, this is a fashion blog, yet I cannot help but to sometimes get personal on here. Afterall, we’re only human and this is my blog. I will not bore you with the family incidents but summer, although, I did enjoyed it more than other years, it was an emotional one as well.
We welcomed a new member to the family. My sister had her second offspring, which came with complications. I had to leave my job at the this place in order to be there for my family. Went back to my old job and there, I found myself again. I rediscovered my passion for event production and coordination. I fell in love again with fashion, although I still have a podcast, this is different though. Here, you’re front and center of it all. You’re looking at it, you’re feeling the fabric and you’re expressing yourself with it.
I had the opportunity to rejoin the Honduras team of AGUE BOGA and their may talented designers. One in particular Bonnie Casteñeda de Garcia. De Garcia, is a well established woman, lives in two castles, and has the best art collection in that country. She works and mentors these artist and then they have the privilege to transfer their work onto her silhouette creations. They’re magnificent. And thus, the brand Kolori Diseño Honduras is well known and respected. The dyes used on the fabrics are non-toxic and the brand is conscious about sustainability. If that does not make you want to buy the garments, Kolori donates a percentage of their profits to “Women for the Arts”, a Honduran initiative that provides art education.
We had the honor to throw her a private show during Latina Expo. An expo dedicated to empowering Latina and all Womens into leaders and advocates. Here was the perfect place for such collection and the recognition that this amazing lady, socialite, designer, art collector, and overall an awesome lady deserved. I have attached some pictures. Enjoy. until next time.
G!
morethanabowtie 