Dozens of red, red roses

Image courtesy of vogue.com

It's funny that I love floral pieces the most and yet I actually despise flowers as gifts. They look all pretty one day and die the next.

But fashion. Fashion is forever.

Erdem always is a go to for floral pieces. I love the layering of flowers. They are huge to show the depth of a rose. It really does resemble a bouquet. What's unique about this dress is the loose threads. Maybe it's a reference to the thorns on rose stems. The ankle boots are very cute and a perfect ode to Fall. Love the thick white base and laces. Back to the dress. Love this shade of red. It is perfectly red. Not pink, not maroon. Just a pure red.

Return to McQueen

The theme of that resonates with me as I ooh and aah over the collection is classically daring. There are some amazing pieces with great dimension with lots of ruffles.

And then there's something like this. So daring and different from anything I've seen. The use of the bird is like a sash. The element of the bird says tranquility. I love that it takes up the whole dress. I am a sucker for high collars and every since the Duchess had long floral sleeves on her wedding say, I've also become a lover of these sleeves. The canvas the bird is imprinted on is perfect. Black+white. Now a opaque black would just say "a dress with a bird on it" but this transparent floral background screams fashion, uniqueness, visionary.

This is a great fashion piece that I will look back at fondly.

Clean, crisp, and white

Keira wore another great dress from Erdem on Late Night with Seth Meyers while promoting The Imitation Game back in November. This dress has lots of texture and pattern to it. It has lots going on and yet it manages to be clean and crisp. Starting from the top, a design that reminds me of tiny sunflowers. This works into a high waisted skirt portion. The layered look is a replica from the purple Erdem she wore at the SAG this year, my favourite feature of the dress. I love the cut out feature throughout the bottom. Ends with a popping pair of red heels - makes the white dress even brighter.

RTW blue flower shower

Image courtesy of Vogue.com

I am a sucker for floral. On top of that, blue floral and I am sold. I love this look for it's simplicity. It's a true RTW piece. Really enjoy the shower of blue and blue+white flowers. I like the leaves are there to add a contrast of black. The sleeves are a great wide width to complement the flow of the dress.

Shimmering flora

Image Courtesy of Style.com

Mirroring Spring RTW 2015, I chose a Badgley Mischka ballgown for Fall. The top is wonderful -- risque, shiny, fashion forward. What sticks out to me is the shine of the blue, very metallic. The choice of a brown background is a unique element. It doesn't make the blue pop out, but softens it so the shine isn't overbearing. I would love to have a shortened skirt of the same design.

You're looking kind of cute, in those polka dot leggings girl

Yes, behind on the Fall RTW Fashion Week choices. As I endlessly searched through Vogue.com, I fell in love with so many great designs. Great outfits from casual cocktails to red carpet heaven and everything in between. I thought it would be fun to compare my Spring picks to my Fall picks with the same designers, see how they evolve (and also throw in some other designers I adore.)

First up is DVF.

Image Courtesy of Vogue.com

Last season, I chose a casual pick. Reminiscent of a wrap dress, this dress still has that casual ambiance, just at a higher-end feel. Absolutely love the slit in the middle to show off the translucent polka dot leggings. Another hint of translucent shown at the shoulders. A great mix of blue and purple at pastel and neon levels (a nod to my last two Duchess fashion picks.) The black is a great backdrop to show off the brightness of the colour palette. I would've loved the pattern to exist on the inside instead of the white fabric for continuity. But nonetheless, a great show by Diane.

Blue flowers dancing in the wind

Courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk

The blue petals are placed as if they are dancing around in the wind. I like that the design is free from symmetry, mimicking the free flow of nature. Similar to the purple Prabal Gurung dress, the white canvas allows the blue to really pop out. The shades of blue play with the shadows and lights created by the sun, another mirror of nature. The square neckline is a great feature as well, something elegant about it. A perfect dress for a gorgeous day in Brisbane.

Electric Purple

Image Courtesy of www.addictionsofafashionjunkie.com

Purple is the colour of royalty and a favourite of mine. Yet, I barely see it worn (even I barely wear it.) Way back when the dye was extremely expensive, very understandable. Maybe seeing it rarely allows the colour to still remain unique and royal.

This Prabal Gurung dress from the Royals trip to Asia was so fun. Smart political choice as well for the day in Singapore as the designer was born in Singapore. Great range of shades of purple, from electric almost neon to conservative and dark. The floral-esque pattern looks so much more vibrant on the white canvas of the dress. Really bold with an all over pattern and yet the symmetry doesn't make it an outrageous choice. Some of the pattern reminds me of water ripples, adding to that floral/botanical feel.

A Return to Royalty

Amidst the excitement of the many fashion week posts, I want return to the continuance of brilliant style from the Duchess.

Image courtesy of WWD.com

This stunning floor length black dress is DVF. I love that it is not overly fitted, rather is falls straight down. It shows her great shape in a modest way. The sleeves are a great middle ground for incorporating conservatism, elegance, and modernity. Choosing black adds to all three elements.

Will You Be My Valentino?

Image courtesy of Vogue.com

Hailing from Paris, Valentino's latest collection is composed of blacks, whites, pastels, and bold eccentric patterns.

The theme I found in many dresses is distinct patterns with exact symmetry. Love the beginning layer of black+white with a bold dash of pink. Hitting the pink at the collar and sleeves adds wonderful symmetry. The middle portion of deep blue-green tied together with mirrored feathers contrasts the warm colours and floral above and beneath. The skirt portion also plays a two tone element. That bright marigold yellow adds great warmth to the thick black trimming ending the dress.

I love those sandals. Very Roman/Greek-esque (taking a classical studies course right now, so the sandals are a huge win.)

Sometimes crazy contrasting patterns just work together. The more unique from one another the better.

For Oscar

The fashion community lost a talented designer last week. He will be forever missed.

Today's post focuses on his latest collection from NY. It ranges from bold blacks to floral; from casual to ballgown, and everything in between.

Image courtesy of Vogue.com

I am always a fan of black+white with a dash of colour. The white jacket has a great A cut paired with a high round collar. I like this twist rather than the usual V cut and a round finish. This unique cut allows more of the skirt to be shown. I like the big black flowers on the skirt contrasting with the small colourful ones on the jacket. When the right contrasting elements are put together, it makes for a beautiful ensemble.

Botanical is the new floral

Erdem and floral. This is how I usually pair the designer. But recently, I read the word botanical and found it even more fitting. There is something enchanting about this collection. Mysterious hues of blues and greens. The loose fabric flowing off the dresses. Almost mermaid-esque.

Image courtesy of Vogue.com

This dress embodies all the amazing highlights of the collection. It's not symmetrical, the loose fabric is free to wisp around. It's translucent and solid all at once. The blue is darkened with black to create a sultry vibe. The Peter Pan collar is a cute touch to the neckline. This dress is just so free to move, like waves crashing onto shores.

Modern Ballgown

Badgley Mischka stuns this year with incredible gowns. The deep cut neckline makes for a modern spin. It is a smart cut to allow for a floral patterned top without being centrefold. The embellishment beneath guides into the incredible two tone skirt. Looking closely at the bottom portion, I saw the texture of the darkened half. It works beautifully as it hints at the lighter portion - a strict white and black would feel too static and closed-off. The full skirt would make any girl feel like royalty.

Ah, Fashion Week

"There's something about waking up the morning of a fashion show, the smell of pleats wafting through the city." - Blair Waldorf

My dream is to attend Fashion Week in NY. Experiencing the new collections and comparing the looks: heavenly.

First up is DVF. This dress complements the traditional patterned ensembles of the designer. I usually stay clear of mixing patterns, but this was done perfectly by using black and white. Checkered is sleek and conservative. The addition of floral fun allows the dress to come more to life. The addition of the belt adds a sense of elegance to me. Love the looks that can be worn directly off the runway to the streets.

Those sleeves

Just look at those sleeves! Bold and fresh. I am in love. They are fitted at a perfect length - any longer and they become unmanageable for shaking hands. Another bold floral design by Temperley. Smart move to highlight floral at the top with the sleeves and then the bottom with the skirt. An all over pattern with be too busy. Makes the floral touches more special.

Canada meets the UK

When the Duke and Duchess came to Canada, I loved that she picked Erdem - Canadian born designer. Still to this day in love with this dress. So stylish and appropriate for her first Canadian engagement. Lace sleeves always suit her. That deep navy blue is paired perfectly with a beige clutch as a contrast element.

Tempered with floral

The icy light blue could seem dull. Alice Temperley's floral inspiration allows the intricate design brings the dress to life. I like that the design sits atop rather than woven in. She pulls her hair back to show off the beauty of body of the dress.