Category Archives: Fashion

DIY RIPPED DISTRESSED BALMAIN STYLE T-SHIRT

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 26 Apr ’11

Even though I’m not a t-shirt kind of girl I do have a favorite Tee. Two actually. My favorite Tee is my Lavin x H&M, and then a plain white basic one. I love when they are loose so I get them in Large. Recently I was going to the neighbor’s house to talk to her daughter, so I threw on my favorite Basic white tee and leather pants, my black heel booties and was just about to run out the door. My mother was here and goes “Stop. Your T shirt is ripped.” So I went to change. I was so angry about my shirt, even though it’s just a plain white shirt and I can get an almost identical one anywhere (notice how I said almost).

I had some weird attachment to this shirt. Maybe because It was pointlessly expensive, or maybe because it feels like you’re swimming in cotton ball clouds when you wear it..Now with holes in it already, it would make the perfect opportunity for a Balmain Style DIY  Ripped T shirt.

I’ve wanted one of those Distressed slash destroyed Balmain shirts the second I saw them come down the runway. I love distressed tee shirts, or anything Balmain as a matter of fact. Unfortunately, when I very happily went to the store to purchase one of these weirdly gorgeous creations I couldn’t quite fit a $1,600 something ripped t shirt into my budget. So today (again very happily) got a pair of scissors, safety pins, anything that look like it could destroy and stabbed, cut out, and ripped holes into my very favorite shirt .

What you need

  • T-shirt (The thinner the cotton, the better; Notice how you can see my finger through the material) which you are willing to rip and destroy
  • Anything that looks like it could destroy your T-shirt. Scissors, knives, beer bottle cap.
  • Sandpaper
  • Stainless Steel Safety Pins

Instructions

  • Make sure to try on the shirt and visually mark where your breasts are so you don’t go Mean Girls on us with two holes for your breasts.  I mostly destroyed around the neckline, shoulders and the bottom of the Tee.
  • Sand parts of the shirt to wear-down the material, making it appear more see-through (especially at the shoulders)
  • After you think you are satisfied with it, try it on because there might be places that look “neglected”.
  • I happened to have a box full of safety pins, and decided it was the perfect time to use them
  • I chose to put them on the bigger holes I had made, and on the shoulder seam.

What do you think of my DIY ripped T shirt? I think I’m in love! I I think I might add safety pins all the way around the shoulder seam… This would look killer with leather pants and a power shoulder blazer with a pair of heels. Next outfit post? Maybe…

Posted in DIY, Fashion | 2 Comments

A FASHION BLOGGER’S SUITCASE

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 16 Apr ’11

I have received a special request due to my last post [about me living out of a suitcase for a very long time].  I have been requested to post about how and what I pack for when I travel. Personally, I always travel with two suitcases: A large suitcase, and a small suitcase no matter where or how long I go for. Unless I’m going to fashion week, or a fashion event, I try not to take my very expensive things.

First of all, and most importantly make a list before you start packing!!!

2 Suitcases: A large one for clothing and a second carry on with necessities other than clothing (I know you’re supposed to pack you carry on light, but I don’t. I put all the heavy things inside my carry on like shoes, otherwise I’m faced with overweight equivalent to the price of my flight)

Shoes: I take a very small amount of pairs. Right now I have 5 Pairs of shoes: Aldo Leopard Print Booties, Luxury Rebel Lily Embellished Black Booties, Christian Louboutin Black Peep toes, Top Shop Nude Ballerina Flats (I don’t wear flats, but I always carry them around just incase I need to, though I’m thinking I should start Before I screw up my back?)  and Nine West Thigh High Boots (Not pictures, they are being repaired L). I recommend Nudes, Black, and an animal print which rarely ever do not match something.

I usually take my “favorite pieces of the moment”. Which right now is a sheer white button up boyfriend shirt from H&M, Lanvin x H&M fur coat, Leather Pants, Luxury Rebel Lilly embellished boots, Power shoulder tuxedo blazer, and my green Balenciaga bag.

If I don’t know when the next time I will be able to replenish my suitcase: I take what I call “safe” pieces mostly, which means safe colors, black, grey, white, camels, and only little splashes of color like red, electric blue, orange etc.

I make sure to take a lot of blazers, jackets and shirts opposed to bottoms which are not as noticeable when “recycled”.  I love blazers and jackets because they are usually the main focus of my outfits especially if they are power shoulder, fur, embellished etc.

I usually take a bunch of Shorts.

Leather pants, and black pants are a MUST.

I take dressy-ish shirts when I need to go from morning to evening without being able to change, which happens often. Oops, I forgot to take a picture of them.

I usually take jumpsuits, and maxi dresses because they are the prettiest things you can just “throw on” and look amazing. I love my jumpsuit from H&M, it’s also a great piece which I can go from day to night without changing.

Think about what you will be doing and what is appropriate. Even if I don’t intend on going to fancy-dress events I take at least 3 evening outfits which I usually stick to dresses. Whatever might come up: Dinners, evening meetings, random invitations to events that were unexpected. I always make sure to be ready. Right now I have with me 2 Lanvin x H&M dresses and a Mango Dress (will be shown in outfit posts soon!)

I make sure to have a pouch with Leggings, tights, stockings and what have you incase it’s cold.

Bags: I won’t show you all my bags because I will show them to you eventually, they deserve a post of their own. I can tell you one thing, this baby is getting some serious frequent flyer miles. I take it everywhere. Its so comfortable, and because I take safe colors when I travel it breaks the ‘tension’. I love this bag. Essentially, I try not to take more than 3 bags, 1 of them being a clutch.

If you’re traveling and your bags/shoes don’t come with these, purchase some, travel will kill your things, eventually.

Scarves: I have to have at least 2 in my suitcase

Toiletries: These are my must haves. I have to have at least 2 perfumes they change all the time, right now it’s Chanel Chance and Narciso Rodriguez for Her. Lancome Skin Recharge, Victoria’s secret Berry Kiss Body Lotion, Victoria’s Secret Pretty Pink Body Spray for Gym, Neutrogena Cleanser, In the back is Michel Mercier Marroccan Oil for Hair [works miracles for my hair]

I know this looks/sounds like a lot. I promise it fits in a suitcase and a carry on. I will try to make a video soon of how to pack efficiently.

xoxo

Posted in Diane De L'Orpaz, Fashion, Travel | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

FASHION INSPIRATION | FASHION ILLUSTRATION

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 7 Apr ’11

One of my favorite things and essentially what got me so hooked into fashion is that you have to have or develop several talents within the subject to study and/or work in the field. Sketching and drawing being one of them. I love, love, love fashion illustration, I cannot get enough. I have a million giant coffee table books full of them, and it’s also one of my favorite classes in uni.

My favorite fashion illustrators are Sandra Suy and Nawel. The reason they are my favorites is not only because they are beyond talented; it’s because with every piece I am mesmerized all over again. Nawel uses oil paint which takes it up to a completely different level I can’t get enough of her work.  She recently collaborated with Vogue Nippon if any of you have seen it. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  I have a few other faves such as Kelly smith, and Myltan aka Hanna Müller. Here are my fav pieces from each:

Nawel

Sandra Suy

Myltan


Posted in Fashion, Fashion Illustration | Leave a comment

One Fashion Blogger + One Suitcase =

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 1 Apr ’11

So after the hectic-ness of fashion weeks, and the change of season has me contemplating a wardrobe upgrade. My wallet disagrees; and insists I do not need to do such a thing. [Yes, I have a talking wallet. Take that, Gucci.]

As most of you know, I have been living out of the same suitcase for over a month. Which is every fashion bloggers dream, to be living out of suitcases, right? It means you have a lot of work, you get to travel a lot. However, notice, I have been living out of the SAME suitcase, and a fashion bloggers dream is to be living out of suitcases. Meaning: Pack, unpack and re-pack with different clothes.

So forgive the recycling of clothes.

Post fashion month I am going through OMG-I-Have-Nothing-To-Wear Syndrome, and for the first time in my life it is actually true. Yes, it is quite a large suitcase with quite a lot of clothes, but it has been a over a month, and I have not even been shopping. Hence the lack of outfit posts.

Admitting this unglamorous occurrence is not exactly my idea of a “le superstar fab” post, but I happen to be human… So, bear with me; Glamour is on vacation. It will most certainly be back though so don’t worry.

Posted in Diane De L'Orpaz, Fashion | 2 Comments

Chase Away All the Sanity in Me

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 28 Mar ’11

I’m wearing: Coat and Lace ears by me, H&M blouse, H&M faux leather pants, Luxury Rebel Boots.

Photographer: Moti Vaknin [Flickr]

I love being a Fashion Blogger, more than anything, I really do. There is nothing I love more than updating this blog and seeing the feedback and all the love I get from you amazing readers. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this a Fashion blogger’s dream. I am so grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I have had through Perfectism.

My fashion blog means everything to me, and it breaks my heart everyday that I can’t update and neglect Perfectism. I was away for personal reasons, and due to the relocation of my photographer.

A huge thank you to Moti Vaknin, my cousin and photographer, who helped me make this happen and get my fashion blogger dreams rolling again, and get Perfectism back up. Be sure to check out his Flickr!

x

Posted in Diane De L'Orpaz, Fashion, Le Look De Jour, street style | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Paris Fashion Week Street Style

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 19 Mar ’11

I absolutely love, love, love street style. One of the reasons I love Paris is that there are so many well dressed people. SO much inspiration all around, and not only fashion, the architecture, there is so much beauty in one place. Then at Paris fashion week the street style practically triples itself if not more and the streets are filled with well dressed women, men, and let’s not forget the celebrities.

Photos by Phil Oh

Posted in Fashion, Fashion Week, street style | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

God Save McQueen | Fall 2011

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 9 Mar ’11
I was one of the many people who was border-line depressed when I heard about Alexander Mcqueen’s death. Someone who has inspired me so greatly over the years, someone who I idolized as an artist, someone who had such great impact on the fashion world; I think we have suffered a great loss.
However it is Paris Fashion Week and the legacy still lives thanks to the genius Sarah Burton who Style.com says is reminding the world through her fall 2011 collection
she is not only channeling the Mcqueen DNA, She is the Mcqueen DNA.
Channeling or not, there is no doubt about it, Mcqueen lives through her work. “We basically made all the fabrics ourselves. I wanted each piece to be a precious, precious thing.”  She said as she was being interviewed by journalist; and precious it was.
The extremes of endeavor went as far as the firing of porcelain pieces, designed to look like shards of heraldic plates, which paved the surfaces of two corsets. A medieval crest, dozens of hours of work, had been appliquéd and embroidered onto a bodice.
The extremes Burton went through to make this collection takes my breath away. [Literally. I think I gasped and then held my breath so long while watching the show, I beat a world record] . I honestly do not even have words to describe how much respect I have for this woman or to describe how I felt seeing this collection and going back over and over the pictures after seeing the show.
God Save Mcqueen.
How amazing is this?
I love Paris Fashion week.
Posted in Designer Collections, Fashion, Fashion Shows, Fashion Week | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

I am a Balmainiac

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 9 Mar ’11
I really, really tried to prevent myself from writing this post. I was taught [just like everybody else] if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. So here is my excuse: it’s not so bad at all.
Every year. Every. Single. Year. Every. Single. Season. I especially look forward to a few specific shows: Balmain is one of them.
Now I have my conspiracy theories whether Decarnin was involved in the designs and if he was, his new stylist needs to be replaced back with Emanuelle Alt. It was a cute collection, it was. However, Balmain is not “cute”. There is nothing “cute” about it and that’s what makes me go absolutely bonkers for it. [Yes, I said "Bonkers]
There is nothing that makes my jaw drop better than am un-cute Balmain jacket…Seriously. Just the thought of it makes me want to sell my entire wardrobe and have nothing but Balmain. I am a
LIKE NO OTHER.
I hate to say, that while I loved the collection, i was disappointed: because it was different. I didn’t feel like I was watching a Balmain show at ALL. Then when, genius Decarnin didn’t show up i had a double checked to make sure it was Balmain. Don’t get me wrong I will still have my eye out  for a few peices I loved.
I want to know, what did you think?
Opening Look
Posted in Fashion, Fashion Shows, Fashion Week | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Anna Dello Russo for Net-A-Porter

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 5 Mar ’11

Anna Dello Russo for Net-A-Porter!

I have to say, I do not idolize many people but ADR is top of my 3. She is fearless, which makes her spontaneous, risky, and ungoverned. [For the record, any fashion blogger who doesn't idolize someone who owns 4,000 pairs of shoes...should probably quit. Kidding. No, scratch that, I'm not.] Anna studied italian literature and art history, and went on to work for Condé Nast Italia, and is currently Editor at large for Vogue Nippon.

What caught my eye most about ADR for NAP was when they asked her what her first fashion item was: She answered; A Fendi Bag when she was 11/12. The reason for this is when I was about 9 my  Mother came home after a day of shopping [as usual (love you mom)] and comes in with a wrapped box, usually the box had a vintage porcelain doll in them, as I would collect them. This time, the box was smaller, a lot smaller. She said I would absolutely adore it. I opened the box, and my jaw dropped as i unwrapped the paper inside of the box revealing the present; it was a small Louis Vuitton Monogram Varnish in baby blue. To this day, I still own it, it is my most memorable gifts obviously it was my welcome to the fashion world gift.

My mother is a fashion designer so inevetably my love for fashion started growing at a very, very young age. In rebellion to following her footsteps in High School I decided I was going to become (a very well-dressed) lawyer. My mother was very supportive of this, so I dropped the act and crawled right back to fashion. Sorry fashion, such disloyalty will never happen again.

Today I am studying fashion design and merchandising, in hopes of one day being where I want to be.

Wish me luck

xoxo

Diane

Posted in Diane De L'Orpaz, Fashion | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Firenze… Addio, Mi mancherai

by Diane De L'Orpaz Posted on 12 Feb ’11

Top Fashion Bloggers

[Please, excuse my Italian]

I honestly couldn’t have thought up a better way to start 2011, and I owe it all to Luisa Via Roma and their amazing team. I could never thank them enough to have invited me to this amazing event which broing the world’s top fashion bloggers together, and especially on my first year of blogging, this has been a HUGE opportunity for me.

I have met some of the world’s top designers, top bloggers, the wonderful Luisa Via Roma team and Andrea Panconesi himself; and above all I have made some very close friends. To meet so many people, and do what I love: I got to be at photoshoots and style using only the worlds top luxury designs for this season held at Luisa Via Roma, and I got to be at fashion events all day. Could a fashion Blogger ask for more?

I personally want to thank Cami and Saba Firenze4ever would have not been the same without you and neither would Luisa Via Roma, you guys are AMAZING. A special thank you to Sabine, darling, I would have been a mess without you! thank you for your hard work and all your help!

xoxo

Diane

Posted in Diane De L'Orpaz, Fashion, Firenze4ever, Luisa Via Roma, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments