Fall Forward: The MidWasteland's Top 5 Favs for Fall- Ashley's Picks

1.Pre-Fall 2009 Paris-Moscow Collection | Chanel
Inspired by the Russian Ballet, Byzantine empire and Slavic folklore- Lagerfeld presented a collection rich with shimery gold, heavy embroidery, and a blood red, black, and white color pallete. Models were adorned in tiaras, styled with military fur hats and badges and extravagantlyembellished with sequins, pearls, layers of chiffon, and feather fringe.
“After seeing this collection, I have been obsessed with all thingsRussian. Immediately after, I scoured antique stores for an amazing Russian style hat forfall and winter. Luckily, I found the perfect white mink version ofwhat I was looking for.”
2. Tutus
“Itsounds ridiculous but, I want a tutu. I’ll even settle for apetticoat. I love how they look over a pair of bike shorts for acasual look or even alone when going to a party.”
3. The Sartorialist | Scott Schuman
“After reading his blog religiously, I can finally have a collection of the best featured street style.”
4. Coco Before Chanel
This movie tells the story of Coco Chanel’s rise from obscure beginnings to the heights of the fashion world.
“I’ve been anticipating the arrival of this movie ever since I saw the write up for it in Vogue. I also suggest reading ‘Chanel: A Woman of Her Own’ by Axel Madsen before seeing this.”
5. The Marchesa Casati: Portraits of a Muse
During the first half of the twentieth century, Marchesa Luisa Casatilived a life similar to a combination Lindsay Lohan and Lady Gaga.She led an extravagant lifestyle, had an eccentric personality, and was notorious for herscandalous escapades. Always striving to be “a living work of art”.
During her period of fame, she inspired some of the mostinfluential artists of her time including, Jack Kerouac, Jean Cocteau,and Paul Poiret. Portraits of a Muse, due out in October, isa visual biography of her interesting and colorful life.
“MarchesaLuisa Casati is a major fashion icon for me. She wore live snakes asnecklaces and walked live exotic animals on leashes. She wasphotographed by Man Ray and Cecil Beaton. I cant wait for this book tocome out!”