Color Combo: B&G

Vintage Gold Tone Necklace

SJP Collection "Carrie" in Black

When you get creative with personal style the color combinations are seemingly endless. There are several elements that one can use to make their personal fashion expression unique to their experience and color is one of them.

Today I am feeling the Black and Gold vibe. Understated from a color stand point but a timeless and chic color combo.

I fist fell in love with this combo in the early 1990's via CHANEL. They are the ultimate black and gold fashion house to me. The accessories are, and always have been on another level.

CHANEL 1991

VOGUE Paris Shot by Arthur Elgort 1991 - Christy Turlington in DIOR

EVOLUTION VINTAGE Goes B&G

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Fashions Past is Present

Chanel F/W 1991. Model Kristen Mcmenamy

I cannot stress enough the obvious cyclical nature of the fashion industry. I could use thousands of examples of how fashions past influences fashions future. People who claim they are "not into Vintage" make me laugh as their current wardrobe pieces simply looks like a new spin on an old classic! 

The resemblances are not always LITERAL or COPIES but the essence of past collections are always present, for me anyway. My latest observation was the Balmain Spring/Summer 2014. It just reminded me of the CHANEL Fall 1991 Collection with the mix of denim, gold hardware accessories and black moto style pieces.

Quick Fashion History Lesson --> Fashion Designer Pierre Balmain (pictured below in 1952 in Paris) was an architect turned fashion designer in 1934. He one said, "dressmaking is the architecutre of movement". He worked for another designer until he opened the House of Balmain in 1945 and in the post WWII era was dubbed "the king of fashion" in France. He was born in 1914 and passed away in 1982. The house of Balmain has changed designers several times since his passing (including major designers like Oscar de la Renta) and the current designer is Olivier Rousteing.

Balmain S/S 2014

This new Balmain collection reminded me of F/W 1991 CHANEL.  Let me be clear that it is not identical, nor do I see "copies". The connection is in the the denim, moto inspiration, quilting, gold hardware/accessories and sheer elements. My overall point is that the essence of fashion's past always lives in fashion's present and future. 

 Thus, Vintage pieces are ALWAYS CHIC and TIMELESS. 

Styling is the key element to modernization of pieces from the past.

What are your thoughts on Fashion's Past?

 Do you see the connection?

BANDit

Christy Turlington - VOGUE 1990

I recently did a make-up trial which was featured here on the BLOG. I wore a 90-esque thick headband to pull my hair back and feature my face and the makeup. I was not sure if it felt chic again or if I looked like I was about t wash my face, until I saw the black and white image.

I realized I was totally channeling Lady Miss Kier of Deee Lite and it brought me back to the 1990's when being a BANDit was still SO CHIC. I was so influenced during the 1990's when designers did their spin on the 1960's and THIS was one of the key looks/accessories.

Lady Miss Kier 1990's

CHANEL Fall 1990/91

*The ultimate quilted headband*

 Linda Evangelista for VOGUE Italia 1990

              Helena Christensen CHANEL Runway 90

Other Icocnic BANDit's from the 90's

Linda Evangelista & Christy Turlington - VOGUE editorial 1990's

Groove is in the HEART ~ Lady Kier 1990's Does 60's

Christy Turlington - Spet 1990 - Image: Arthur Elgort

"Donna Martin" in 90210

"Cher" in Clueless

Naomi Campbell as a blonde - c 1990's

The Original Chic BANDit - Actress and Fashion Icon Brigitte Bardot, 1960's

I am ready to personally become a full time BANDit again and bring this look back. I think it has waited long enough.

Would you rock a thick headband? do a 2013 twist on a 90's does 60's look? You could cover 3 decades with one accessory. Why not?

Inspired: Chanel S/S 1994

It is no secret that I am in LOVE with the house of CHANEL. I have always loved the classic CoCo LBD, Suits and costume jewelry. I personally think Karl Lagerfeld is a BEYOND a fashion icon and is a creative genius.

I could really flash back to EVERY collection and site elements to become inspired by.  Yes it is fall but I'm looking at Spring/Summer .. 1994.

I adore the colours and textures of this collection, the nude/black shoes, the short skirt suits, the suspenders and of course the roller skates. The brooches are amazing as usual and nice to see the pops of colour styled on the runway in the models hair. It looks like people's love today for the contemporary coloured coiffure's, hair pieces and dipped ends.

The handbags and accessories took a really interesting direction as well; bold colours, plastic colourful chains replacing the traditional gold tone hardware on both belt and bags and whip stitching and trims in bright contrasting hues. 

Editorial from American VOGUE, MARCH 1994 - Photographer: Steven Meisel

Want a piece from this adorable collection???
Pieces like this are becoming more rare to find. If you are a CHANEL collector this is a fabulous piece!

BUY IT HERE

Watch the entire show and take a stroll down catwalk memory lane.