Read Still Lolo!

Lauren Scruggs is a true inspiration.  A year ago, she was in a serious accident and has overcome so much.  But she's been so courageous and is now Still Lolo, which is the title of her new book.  I had the pleasure of meeting Lauren at the exclusive Jean Paul Gaultier media event at the Dallas Museum of Art in 2011.  She came up to me and introduced herself, saying she recognized me from the blogging world.  I was so excited when someone so huge in the fashion industry recognized me, a freshman at the time.  Even though I only met her once, she made such an impression on me.  Lauren writes an online magazine, Lolo Magazine and has her own fashion blog, Lolo.      


After finals, I'm looking forward to reading her book.  I am so excited for all of Lauren's success and all that she has overcome.  You can get her book at Barnes & Noble and Books A Million.

Summer Reading

Finals are almost over (4 down, 1 to go!), and I'm dying to put away the textbooks and read my fashion books!  I'm a fashion nerd like that.

1. Born to Be Brad - Brad Goreski

Celebrity stylist Brad Goreski writes about his life and style.  I interviewed Brad, I can't wait to read his book!

2. Gay Men Don't Get Fat - Simon Doonan

I started reading this during Christmas break, and need to finish it.  I interviewed Simon, and he is absolutely hilarious!

3. Parisian Chic - Ines de la Fressange

A guide to being Parisian Chic... I J'Adore!

4. Vogue: The Covers 

A book of Vogue covers from it's beginning in the 1890's.

5. The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier

This is the catalog for the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit that appeared at the Dallas Museum of Art.  This book is such a cool memento from seeing Jean Paul in person last November. 

6. Dior Couture

My cousin David got this for me for Christmas, and it is just beautiful.  Dior is one of my favorites!

Say Au Revoir to Jean Paul Gaultier at the Dallas Museum of Art

I saw The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the Dallas Museum of Art for the fourth time this week.  Each time I visited this magnificent body of work from Gaultier's 35-year career, I felt so inspired and discovered something new and exciting every time.  I had the privilege of attending the press preview event in November 2011 when the exhibition opened.  Seeing Monsieur Gaultier in person (and having him wink at me!) on his first trip to Dallas was an experience I will never forget. 

But don't get too sad yet, the exhibit is still in Dallas until Sunday February 12!  This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (February 10, 11, and 12), the exhibit will be open late at the Dallas Museum of Art, from 11:00AM til 11:00PM.  For more information, visit the DMA's website.

"For Dallas, With Love! Jean Paul Gaultier"

Au Revoir Jean Paul, Dallas will certainly miss you! 

To see more photos from the exhibit, click here.

Jean Paul Gaultier Exhibit T-Shirt

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art is closing :( next month (February 12).  To commemorate the fabulous exhibit, grab one of these super-cool Gaultier Tour shirts at the DMA.  Or, to purchase your Gaultier shirt online, go to the DMA’s website.  

Jan Strimple and Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier's exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art was a major event in Dallas' fashion history.  Jan Strimple had said “events preceding the public opening will cause Dallas's fashion community to collectively hyper-ventilate.”  I saw on her Facebook page that she had gotten a picture with Jean Paul Gaultier.  So I emailed her, telling her how cool I thought it was that she got to take a picture with him.  And she sent me this email:

SO COOL!  I was so excited when she sent me this email.  Jan Strimple knows how to tell a good story!

Jean Paul Gaultier and Jan Strimple  (From Ms. Strimple's Facebook Page)

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

Wednesday: Schoolgirl Glam

Prep with a twist is today's 2012 trend.  Looking totally put together isn't always fun!  Mix it up with "Violently Opposing Plaids" as Jan Strimple says.  Peter Pan collars are also huge this season; pair them with jeans for a daytime look.

Schoolgirl Glam

Peter Pan Collars, "Violently Opposing" Plaids (A quote from Jan Strimple)

Photo Credit: Glamour Magazine

A look from The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the DMA

Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl  Photo Credit: collegefashion.net

Photo Credit: thefashionpolice.net

Get the Look!

J Crew Pants, $138

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nordstrom  Blouse, $248    Shorts, $228

ASOS Peter Pan Collar Blouse, $27

Fashion is not an Option
XOXO,
Alex

Monday: French Sailors

New year, new style!  Every day this week I'll post a new trend prediction for 2012.  Today's trend inspiration is French Sailors.  Jean Paul Gaultier and his famous stripes has been a huge deal in Dallas since the opening of his exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art.  This trend is all about class and effortlessness.  Throw on a striped sweater or a beret and you're a trendy Frenchie!

French Sailors

Stripes, Metallic Buttons, Berets, Effortless Glam

Prada Beret, Photo Credit: Dallas Modern Luxury

Photo Credit: Elle Magazine

Neiman Marcus ad, Giorgio Armani Coat

Looks from The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the DMA

Tracy Reese Spring 2012

 

Get the Look!

Parkhurst Beret, Nordstrom $24 (Comes in 7 Colors!)

J Crew Sweater, Net-A-Porter $78

Tory Burch Sweater, Nordstrom $250

Stay tuned for tomorrow's trend!

Fashion is not an Option
XOXO,
Alex

 

Lauren Scruggs

Me with Lauren Scruggs at the Jean Paul Gaultier press event in November

I met Lauren Scruggs at the Jean Paul Gaultier press event in November.  Not really knowing what to do at such an important event, I was standing alone when Lauren introduced herself.   Lauren came up to me and had said had read some of my blogs on SMUStyle.  Lauren was also a SMUStyle blogger at one time.  She put me at ease right away with her outgoing and friendly personality.  We hung out together at the event and even tried to get a picture with Jean Paul, but, of course, his handlers shut us down.  

I was so struck with how gracious and kind Lauren was to me.  It was so impressive that someone in her position in the fashion industry would approach me and be so genuine.  I mean, I’m just a freshman and she has her own online magazine, LOLO Magazine!  This is something that I will never forget even after spending just a few hours with her.  She had made such an impression on me. 

I was so shocked to hear what had happened to her.  I felt compelled to share her story with you.  From all the news stories and her website, it sounds like she is handling this like she would handle anything else in her life: with determination, courage, and grace.   If you would like to learn more about Lauren and make a donation to help with medical expenses, please go to LOLOMag.com or her CaringBridge site.   Please keep her in your prayers.

Obsessed with Gaultier!

I saw the The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art again on Tuesday night!  My dad got invited to a work event at the DMA to see the exhibit, so I went with him to see it for a third time!  To see more pictures, check out my review of the exhibit.  To see my coverage of the press event in the company of Gaultier himself, go here!

Fashion is not an Option

XOXO,

Alex

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at the Dallas Museum of Art

Jean Paul Gaultier with art curators

Gaultier's talking mannequin

Dallas fashionistas, are you ready to be inspired?  The anticipation is finally over!  Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibition is at the Dallas Museum of Art from now until February 12, 2012.  The exhibition features couture fashions from his collections over the past 35 years, as well as sketches, video clips, and photos featuring him and his work.

Organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” is an exhibition that celebrates Monsieur Gaultier’s 35-year career as a fashion designer.  Before making its U.S. debut in Dallas, the exhibition was in Montreal, Canada.  Only one other U.S. city will experience JPG’s beautiful work, San Francisco in March 2012.  So this is truly an honor for the Dallas fashion community.

The exhibition has 5 rooms that show Gaultier’s different styles: Skin Deep, Boudoir, Punk Cancan, Urban Jungle, and Metropolis.  Besides the intricately detailed couture, one of the coolest parts of the exhibition is the animation on the mannequins’ faces, created by Lucie Jolicoeur.   The mannequins seem to almost look you in the eye.  They also sing, speak, and smile at you.  It was even a little unnerving but so cool at the same time. 

I love how Jean Paul includes the Eiffel Tower in several of his pieces.  It’s so interesting to see the Parisian iconic image on the back of a pair of hose or on a dress.  What amazes me is that he makes clothes out of the most unconventional materials.   An entire dress was made of ribbon, or strips of film negatives.  When you look closely, the details become more than just stunning fashion, it’s art.  Interestingly, Gaultier does not consider his method as art; he feels his job is “to make clothes that have to be worn, to please, to sell.”  He’s a businessman as well as an artist, even if he doesn’t think so.

Corsets worn by Madonna

I highly recommend visiting the Dallas Museum of Art for JPG’s exhibition.  I have seen it twice already!  For more information on the exhibit and tickets, visit the DMA’s website.  I hope you enjoy the pictures, I'm part of the media so I got to take pictures.

Jean Paul at the Jardin du Luxemborg in Paris at age 5.  I went there in Paris!

This dress was made of film negatives!

The white stripes are hand-sewn button strips!

When you look closely, this leopard is actually beaded