Info Guru PTK dan Kepegawaian

Sabtu, 20 April 2013

Balenciaga: The First Chapter

Sorry for being such a bad blogger lately. It has already been two months (!) since my last blogpost, due to a writer's block and lack of inspiration. But I hope I can make that up the coming days/weeks/and what's to come. Pinky promise!


Now back to business!
To Balenciaga to be exact. I was immediately enthusiastic and excited when I heard the news of Alex Wang being the new creative director. But did the expectations come true?
His very first collection was shown in an intimate salon-style setting on Avenue George V. The show was referred by Wang as 'the first chapter' in a mission to retell the story of Balenciaga.
To start with the semi-fitted silhouet. This was Cristobal Balenciaga's response on the hourglass New Look with which Christian Dior seduced the postwar fashion.
The signatures of Balenciaga, like the rounded shoulders, were combined with the sportive approach of Wang.
Me likey! What's your opinion?

Selasa, 26 Februari 2013

Oscars 2013: Best Dressed

Sunday night was THE event of the year: The Oscars. Tout famous Hollywood collected at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. The revelry continued until the early hours. Enjoy the queens of the ball!

 Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence looked stunning in a drop-waist Dior Couture gown. As the face of the Miss Dior campaign she had the honour to wear the gown that was just shown one month ago. She finished the look with a delicate Cartier necklace down her back. Flawless skin and subtle smokey eyes keep her makeup fresh and young. 

 Anne Hathaway in a blushing pink high-neck Prada gown. The delicate dress suits Anne - who won the award for best supporting actress - perfectly. She finished the look with a floral necklace from Tiffany & Co. and light pink lips to match her column-style dress. A relive of Audrey Hepburn.

 Jessica Chastain in a copper-hued strapless Armani Prive gown. This look oozed Hollywood glamour with soft side-swept waves and intense ruby lips. She sparkled things up with vintage Harry Winston diamond earrings and an 60's style bracelet. 

Samantha Barks kept it simple in a black Valentino gown with a plunging neckline. She finished the look with an effortless updo, flawless makeup and an Forevermark statement pendant necklace. 

 Best actress nominee Naomi Watts dazzled in a silver futuristic sequin gown by Armani Prive. Naomi finished off her look with Jimmy Choo shoes, a Roger Vivier bag and Neil Lane juwelry. 

 Charlize Theron in a white sculptural silk bustier Dior Couture gown with embroidered detailing on the peplum. Daring, sexy and strong. She kept her jewelry minimal by only adding Harry Winston diamond stud earrings and bracelets. The simplistic approach was also carried with her flawless makeup. Stunning! 

 Kerry Washington sparkles in a coral Miu Miu dress. The gown with sweet bow detail at the bustline and a  nude tulle bodice embellished with coral paillettes and crystals. To finish the look it was accessorised with a red Prada clutch, Chopard earrings and a diamond cocktail ring from Fred Leighton.

British television presenter Louise Roe wore a fairytale of a gown by Monique Lhuillier at the Oscars. She completed her red embroidered tulle gown with mix-and-match accessories and a side-swept ponytail. 

 Zoe Saldana in a lovely lavender strapless Alexis Mabille Couture gown from the spring 2013 collection. The dress was beautiful with floral appiliques around the neckline, tonal belt and layer skirt which faded from  pale grey to black. Loose hair, Neil Lane jewelry and Roger Vivier sandals completed the look.

 Amanda Seyfried in an opulent lilac organza embroidered Alexander McQueen halter gown. Pastel makeup, a softly finished updo and Lorraine Schwartz earrings finished the look. 

 Olivia Munn blew me away by wearing a perfectly fitted ruby Marchesa strapless gown with a gold embroidered bodice. A simple side parted updo and ruby lips provided the finishing touches.

 Alicia Vikander in a light blue fully embellished Elie Saab gown which was accented with a small gold belt. A simple updo, dark lips and diamond earrings finished this look for the Swedish beauty.

 Academy Award winner Adele wore a black embellished Jenny Packham dress with a nipped waist and sheer sleeves. She accessorised with Harry Winston jewelry and Christian Louboutin heels. Volumious half down hair and retro eyeliner completed her look.

 Fan Bingbing in a exquisite duchess satin fuchsia dress by Marchesa from the fall 2013 collection. Fan looked statuesque with a high updo, cat eyes and bright pink lips. She completed the look with pink and magenta Chopard jewelry and a black satin Roger Vivier clutch.

 Halle Berry looked beautiful in a shining sequin striped Versace long-sleeve gown. The silver and black gown had strong structured shoulders and a peek-a-boo neckline. Messy hair and black drop earrings finished the look.

 Jennifer Aniston wore a cherry-red strapless Valentino gown with a volumious skirt. Jennifer, well known for monochrome tones and more body-conscious looks, did something completely diffrent. Except for the hair, which she kept effortless loose, like most of the time. Minimal jewels and a matching red Salvatore Ferragamo clucth provided the finishing touches.

Before the Oscars even started nominee Amy Adams already won an Oscar as she arrived in an ethereal strapless powdery blue Oscar de la Renta ball gown with full ruffled skirt. She kept her look simple by only adding a pair of diamond drop earrings and a braided rope bracelet by Moa. 

 Kirsten Stewart looked angelic in a pale blush Reem Acra gown. She accessoirised her look with Jimmy Choo heels and Fred Leighton diamond link necklace. A smouldering smokey eye and beachy waves were the finishing touches.  

Unfortunately I couldn't post all my favorite looks. But also on my best dressed list are Reese Witherspoon in cobalt Louis Vuitton, Jennifer Garner in a violet ruffled Gucci gown, Sandra Bullock in sheer black Elie Saab and Stacy Keibler in a sparkling Naeem Khan dress. 

Trend alert!
1. There were a lot of blushes, whites and nudes on the red carpet. Seen on Anne Hathaway, Kirsten Stewart and Amanda Seyfried.
2. Retro waves were spotted on Jessica Chastain and Reese Witherspoon.
3. Strapless gowns galore at the Oscars. Seen on Jennifer Lawrence, Charlize Theron and Amy Adams for example.
4. The 'no necklace trend' was seen in combination with strapless dresses on Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Munn and Kerry Washington.

Kamis, 31 Januari 2013

Playlist #5: Best Of 2012

Better late than never, right?

A very happy
2013
I can truly say that 2012 was my best year yet. A lot happened.
I hope that 2013 will be even better 
(also for you of course)!

As you might know I do this monthly category and thought it would be nice to do a 
musically retrospective on 2012

Azealia Banks - Liquorice
Azealia Banks made a huge entrance in music business with the massive track 212. This young rapunzel makes so called witch-hop. Vintage house with winks to the 90's. She's mischievous and quick-witted. This year we can expect her first LP Broke with Expensive Taste.

Grimes - Oblivion
Meet Grimes: the Queen of Dream Pop. 'I wanted to make something that reads as a symphony' and it did. I could play her album Visions the whole day. Her music is beautiful and assaulting at the same time. 'It's fit to burst with bone-bending synths, insistent beats and a sometimes shrill vocal that manages to both charm and unsettle.' The Guardian said. I couldn't describe it better.

Lianne La Havas - Forget
Lianne La Havas is just 23, but that doesn't stop her from writing sensitive soul songs. Her debut album is magnificant and was even nominated for the Mercury Prize for best album. (By the way: this is one of the most important music awards in the UK and Ireland.) This charming and talented girl is undoubtely someone to watch in 2013. 

Alt-J - Breezeblocks
Smart rock? Alt-J is named after the keyboard shortcut to make a triangle (∆) symbol on the Mac. They marked themselves as oddball geeks. Frontman Joe Newman declares his love for triangles, his favourite shape. The sound of Alt-J are the languid melodies, clattering beats and unsettling electronic skits. 

Jake Bugg - Two Fingers
Jake Bugg is only 18 years old and is taking the music industry by storm. He's called 'the next Bob Dylan' several times. He didn't disappoint with his self-titled debut album with country-rock blended with blues,. It is almost too good to be true. He sings about trouble, violence, drug abuse, booze and smoking. Piece by piece songs that stuck in your head all day (and that's a good thing!).     

Ren Harvieu - Open Up Your Arms
Ren Harvieu reminds us of old times. Close your eyes and let yourself be transported to a dark nightclub in the sixties. Inspired by old Disney movies and kitchen-sink dramas. 
Orchestral pop with a dark edge. Timeless. 

Jessie Ware - Night Light
I was first introduced to Jessie Ware when listening to 110%. I think it's genius how she combines dreamy soul with R&B. Opposites attract right? Jessie Ware proves that on her album Devotion effortlessly.

Lana Del Rey - Ride
When I first heard Video Games, I was hooked. All of her songs are about the downside of the American Dream. Lana's songs can be best described as Hollywood-cinematic-glamour-meets-urban-hiphop. Halfway suburban perfection and trailer park trash. She sings about love and vulnerability. Slumming romance and being ignored by the person you love. 

Marina and the Diamonds - Primadonna
After her quirky debut album The Family Jewels in 2010, Marina made a huuuge comeback last year. She's obsessed with Hollywood, The American Dream and materialism. Electra Heart was inspired by a few archetypes: Suburban youth, the homewrecker, pin-ups, stars and beauty queens. She proves once again that America is full of inspiration. Marina sings about her totally disappointingly love life, dependency and seduction. Nevertheless the album is catchy synth pop with a dark twist. 'If Britney Spears was gothic, it would sound like this.' 

The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling
The Black Keys are not as new as you might think. In fact this garage rock band started already in 2001 and have released 7 studio albums. But that doesn't stop me from mentioning them in my list, as they were HUGE in 2012. El Camino was a big success and they went on a world tour. 2013 will be just as promising as they're going to release a new album.

Selasa, 25 Desember 2012

MERRY X-MAS


☆ Merry Christmas everyone!!! ☆
I hope you have a wonderful time
full of love, peace, warmth, health and happiness

(what is Christmas without Mariah Carey???)

Jumat, 21 Desember 2012

Oneindig Schier


 I'm not exaggerating if I say that this is my favorite editorial of the Dutch Vogue (thus far). 
Alone. An hauntingly beautiful beach. 
Oversized silhouettes. Sleek hair.
Enchanting.

Mirte Maas by Annemarieke van Drimmelen
Vogue Netherlands, November 2012

Minggu, 09 Desember 2012

Playlist #4: December

New month, new playlist - as usual -

Django Django - Default

Peter, Bjorn & John - Young Folks

Tim Knol - Sam

Rae Morris - Grow

Grizzly Bear - Yet Again

Fleet Foxes - Mykonos

Imaginary Family - The Bird Watcher

First Aid Kit - Wolf

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home

I'm dreaming of a white christmas already ;)

Senin, 03 Desember 2012

Confirmed: Alexander Wang for Balenciaga


Today is confirmed that Alexander Wang is the new creative director of Balenciaga.
PPR, who own Balenciaga, have made an official statement. 'The Balenciaga fashion house and its staff are proud to welcome Alexander Wang, whose proven talent, modernity and individual and cosmopolitan vision of design will naturally embrace and enrich the unique heritage of this fashion house which will soon be one hundred years old.' told Isabel Guichot, president and CEO of Balenciaga. Alexander Wang has responsibility for designing the brand’s women’s and men’s ready-to-wear and accessories collections, as well as for Balenciaga’s image. Alongside his new duties at Balenciaga, Alexander Wang will continue his activities with his own, independently-owned fashion house. 'I am deeply honoured to embark on this new role for a brand and house that I have such great admiration and respect for', said the 28-year-old designer.
A new era has started!
What do you think of Alex Wang's appointment?
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