Okay, this is old news. Well, it is for a lot of people, but I just recently came across these Russian Matrioshka dolls from Vogue Russia’s 10th anniversary (Nov ‘08). I love the concept and execution of this so much. Commission 31 fashion designers to create exclusive outfits for a tiny wooden doll and then enlist the finest Russian craftsmen to execute the designers’ sketches. A pretty brilliant idea, don’t you think?

And I’m not going to lie — I really enjoy the game of trying to match the outfit with the designer (these are some easier ones — I’m not even going to try and pretend that I could identify the majority of them)

By row from top left: 1. Burberry, 2. Prada, 3. YSL, 4. Cavalli, 5. Dries, 6. Marc Jacobs, 7. Paul Smith Women, 8. Marni, 9. Stella McCartney, 10. Sonia Rykiel, 11. Moschino, 12. Giles, 13. Margiela 

the original Alice, as illustrated by Sir John Tenniel

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
  Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
  And the mome raths outgrabe.

-an excerpt from Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass

I love, love, love Alice in Wonderland. It is my very favorite story ever. I even played Alice once (back in my theater days) and Oh. My. God. did I have fun. I was a brunette Alice, too. I’ve very proud of that!

Well, with the upcoming release of Tim Burton’s remake of Lewis Carrol’s masterpiece (3/5/2010, a very important date!), the world of fashion is fully embracing Alice and her Wonderland. Rumors are swirling about Alice designs to come, including the quintessential Alice dress reinvented by Alexander McQueen, Ann Demeulemeester, Christopher Kane, Haider Ackermann, Maison Martin Margiela, and others for the Printemps department store in Paris. Can’t WAIT!!! I searched all over for pictures, but it appears that none have yet been leaked. What can be found on the internet are images of a few of Tom Binns’ designs based on various Alice characters.

really digging on that Red Queen necklace

Binns’ pieces are broken into 2 collections: a fine jewelry collection with pieces ranging from $1000-$2000 and a collection for Disney with prices at a more attainable $100-$500. But seriously, $100-$500 for Disney jewelry???? I get that it’s Tom Binns, but something about it just doesn’t sound quite right to me. Although, I did see a big red heart necklace that reads “We’re all mad” that I’m hoping, hoping is part of the $100 Disney collection (I know, I’m a walking contradiction. I’ve learned to just accept it.)

Hollywood/Disney mega-power aside, I am very excited about Alice-inspired fashions. The fantasy, the outrageousness, the non-sensicalness, the whimsy… What a fantastic place to find inspiration! Zac Posen found some, as evidenced by his 2010 pre-fall collection that he calls “part Lewis Carroll and part Paloma Picasso.”

Just came across this in the Dec/Jan issue of Numero. Wonderland shot by Dusan Reljin…

And who can forget Natalia Vodianova as Alice, shot by Annie Leibovitz with a host of famous fashion designers appearing as Carroll’s imaginative characters??

Olivier Theyskens as Carroll…

Viktor & Rolf as my faves, Tweedledum and Tweedledee…

Marc Jacobs as the caterpillar. Perfect, because the caterpillar smokes. And it’s also funny to be reminded of Marc Jacobs back when he was scruffy and always had his hand bandaged…

and of course, the Karl…

There are so many places in Alice in Wonderland to find inspiration. I can’t wait to see what pops up next. And in anticipation of the movie, I’ll leave you with Mrs. Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter, as the evil Red Queen. 

images from Elle.com, Style.com, Numero Magazine and Vogue.com

Admittedly, we talk about Judy Aldridge quite a bit, but we always talk about her style. Well, we do love Judy’s style, but we also really, really love her sense of humor. You get glimpses of her personality on Atlantis Home and Sea of Shoes, but for a giant dose of personality, humor, and style, we opt for Plastic Animal A Day. I love — so much — the way she takes the time to style and shoot a plastic animal a day. So darn kooky and clever — it just makes you love her even more. Here’s a little taste.

EDIT: Judy’s sister, Karen, is actually the current creative, clever and witty force behind Plastic Animal a Day. Thanks for keeping us in stitches, Karen!

Best wishes on Inauguration day…

a little plastic animal Thanksgiving feast…

Love this little eel swimming in the “sea”…

And my personal favorite series…

"This hyena looks like he'd run through the village with a baby in his mouth. And if his mouth were open, I've got a little plastic baby that I'd put in there."

"Look at him, wait, I think his mouth is open."

"There, got the baby in the mouth."

 It’s clear that she loves her little animal family…

has a blast playing with her toys…

and has a keen eye for style and a delightful, slightly twisted sense of humor…

Judy Aldridge: style maven. She knows that even comedy can benefit from a little style!

I wish!  No…this is favorite editorial #2.  Kaze No Uta Wo Kike (translated-’cover up, it’s cold outside’) from Jalouse this past Sept09.  It’s been posted on my board for a few to many weeks now.  Everything about this editorial is very near & dear …. the layers and layers of knits & scarves, nature + city, Asia & the Far East and the piece de resistance…the cute bebe.

images lovingly borrowed from Jalouse, Sept09

Look at this amazing photo of Natalie Portman!  This photo lead me to read the article in Interview written by Jake Gyllenhaal…..wow, when did she grow up??  Her list of accomplishments lead me to blog about her.  

Every designer would love to dress her, she’s Harvard grad smart, she’s inspiring AND funny.  She’s easily our girl crush.

We’ll close with one of our favorite Natalie moments… If you haven’t seen this (or at least not in a while), it’s definitely worth a couple of minutes! But turn the sound down if you’re in the office!

images via Interview Magazine

You know we love sharing all the behind-the-scenes.  For our last Cover Story we collaborated with illustrator, Joanna Walsh of Badaude, to give our Fall Story just the vibe we were looking for.  With all these fantastic images, you can see our challenge…lots to choose from and we wanted to use them all!  Check out Joanna’s Biba Girls post here and here to get her take on 1960’s London.  Thanks Joanna!!

You know what’s just fascinating about the blogosphere?  Well, the blogs, of course!  Like the fabulous Park & Cube that is filled with fantastic DIY projects (she is the go-to for the easiest, chicest updates to your wardrobe) fantastic photography and great style inspirations.  Ms Shini of Park & Cube also introduces the best unknown designers to we Midwesterners.  Like this new obsession, copy of an imitation.  Easily Art + Fashion for me

photos lovingly borrowed from copy of an imitation via Park & Cube

check out Park & Cube’s Bazaar….great stuff y’all!!

The minute I came across this fantastic coffee table book at Golden Age, I just wanted to order a drink, throw myself on the couch and start flipping!  Before I even made it through the first couple of pages, I was already broadcasting to anyone in earshot, well really Brandon, that we need this book at the very least in our office.  How clever of artist, Asher Penn, to use the perfect canvas, Ms Kate Moss, to draw us in.  This is just a small sampling.  There are three full volumes to give you a giggle (I cracked up for days) and to showcase this artists talent using the simple idea of Rorschach’s inkblot.  What do I see?  I see one really creative talent and a heck of a lot of fun

photos lovingly borrowed from Kate Moss Rorschach #2 via Golden Age

I just need to share with you all this amazing editorial photographed by Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia (Dec 07) I happened upon it via an equally amazing blog, Inspire the Starling.  (via XS.com)I wish I knew the stylist, prop stylist, hair & mu to share with you as well.   I’m drawn to look at every tatoo, each pattern, the perfectly glossed lips over and over again!  Genius!!

A little over a month ago, Garance posted an illustration of her and Scott, drawn by the “unknown hipster.” She generously linked us to his website where I immediately fell in love with the self-proclaimed French Hipster’s wit, creativity and talent. I long for each and every post and savor them when they do come out. I’m not sure what I love the most. His illustrations are obviously to-die-for, but the way he presents them as photographs gets me every single time. This combined with his unparalleled knack for storytelling, makes the Unknown Hipster an absolute must-read. His hilarious recounts of trying to crash important and elite events will keep you in stitches. I’ve included a few excerpts, but please go and check it out for yourself. I promise you will not be disappointed!

from his trip to Australia…

“I met this person at sunset by the Opera house. I was astonished by her elegance – look how fabulously tailored is the hat! and the oh-so well choosen orange of the soft plastic bag!.. – and politly asked this woman what was her position in the Fashion world, assuming she was famous. She started screaming at me and throwing things. I had to run back to my hotel in an emergency.”

trying to catch the attention of Garance Doré and The Sartorialist…

“[I was] feeling strongly appealing to the occasional Street-Fashion blogger ! But somehow, this great look failed to catch their eyes. Maybe they had seen too much over the week? or just wanted to relax? or reflect on the true meaning of Life, versus the seductions of Appearance ? I took it as a lesson in humbleness, or as we French hispters put it: une vraie leçon d’humilité. In despair, I  handed over my camera to a random tourist, asking him to photograph me. The result was outstanding. Of course, he worked under my directions, but one have to admit, this man should be a photographer!”

trying to crash an event in the Venice Biennale…

comment on the above photo from someone named “Marc”…

“Marc here. I resent the implication that I kicked you into the canal when you know quite well that you fell in. Even when covered in canal slime one could infer from your odor that your lack of equilibrium was due to one too many grappas before your clumsy debarkation from the loony boat you sailed in on.
Please note: I wouldn’t have even noticed this deviation from reality if you hadn’t harassed my assistant into visiting your website…”

In addition to the Unknown Hipster, I have fallen very much in love with Jean-Philippe Delhommeand all of his fabulous illustrations.

Be sure to check out this great interview with the artist in Interview Magazine.

all images lovingly borrowed from unknownhipster.com and jphdelhomme.com.