Today's Fashion Flashback -- GRUNGE

Spring 2013 brings us designers with obvious grunge inspiration. Exactly 20 years after Marc Jacobs brought us the S/S Collection for Perry Ellis that got him canned.  Yes it was the infamous grunge Perry Ellis Collection.

Other designers that featured grunge as an inspiration during Spring/Summer 1993 were Anna Sui and Christian Francis Roth, but hardly anyone remembers that they too brought grunge to the runway that year.

Here is a look back to when fashion was first inspired by the grunge movement, which was beyond music, it was a lifestyle for those living in Seattle Washington.  It was never meant to be glamorous.  Grunge was a music scene whose revelers were mostly in poverty.  Grunge was even dubbed anti-fashion by some.  Blogger Ali Basye sums up the grunge influence with her blog: 

The Day that Grunge Became Glam

I was ecstatic to find some fashion footage of the time when grunge hit the runways.  This one features the infamous collections that first brought grunge to the runway.  (Just ignore the Oscar de la Renta collection which was not grunge-inspired.)



The following gem of a video from CNN's Style with Elsa Klensch features the Anna Sui Spring 1993 Collection.




Those collections reportedly did not sell well, hence Marc Jacobs being fired from Perry Ellis, but it left an indomitable mark on fashion, as evidenced through the years and by some of the S/S 2013 collections.  

Some of the designers bringing grunge back to high-end for Spring 2013 are:

Check out the entire Spring 2013 collections from Style.com for 3.1 Phillip Lim, Dries Van Noten, and Julien David.  (Just click on the names and you will be linked.)

This Up & Coming Jewelry Designer is a Gem: LILY CLASPE JEWELRY

The Website liliclaspe.com is beyond unique.  The designs offered in it are either one-of-a kind or small-production runs.  Purchase of one of the pieces will guarantee you something special.  What I like most about this site is that it is very affordable, and I love affordable luxuries.

Check the site often, as the founder and designer, Stephanie Tchamanian, updates the site with her latest designs.  Her designs have a touch of ethereal and touch of warrior. 

I love her story too -- it's heart-warming, and I wish her much success.  (I just hope she keeps the prices down when she makes it big.)  Stephanie Tchamanian named her jewelry line after her sister Lisa, who passed away in 2004.  That same year, her father passed away.  At only 17, Stephanie had to " grow up quickly and learn to live on my own."  She worked in accounting, until she decided to attend FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) in 2008.  After her education, she went to work at Nordstrom as a Stylist.  Unable to afford the beautiful accessories she wanted to style her outfits with, she decided to create her own, and ended up selling her designs from the trunk of her car after her shifts.  From there, Staphanie states, "LILI CLASPE was born."  

I find her story so amazing and inspiring!!!

The following are some of her designs.

RINGS:

BRACELETS & CUFFS:

NECKLACES:

LILY CLASPE JEWELRY is truely one to watch out for.  I hope Stephanie Tchamanian's wildest dreams come true.

Prabal Gurung Collaborates With Target

Fashionistas and maxxinistas rejoice!  Coming our way in February is another fabulous Target collaboration.  This time around, it's with New York sensation Prabal Gurung.  Once again, I am at the edge of my seat, and I can't wait for the goods to appear in-store.  Thank you Target for these amazing collaborations, which allow gals on a budget, like me, an opportunity to own something from the hottest designers.



 
The following looks are my favorites from the Prabal Gurung for Target Look Book:

Prabal Gurung's collection for Target will hit the stores on February 10th.  Prices will range from $12.99 to $199.99 and features almost 80 items.  There will be separates, dresses, shoes and accessories.  I predict this will be another sold-out event, much like the Missoni collaboration, where items sold out the day it launched.  Oh, I will be counting the sleepless nights!!!  Until then, be sure to take advantage of the Neiman Marcus collaboration with Target which is still available Online and is 70% OFF.

Oh, and here is a look at Prabal Gurung's own Spring 2013 Collection from Style.com:

Catch This: 70% OFF Target+Neiman Marcus Collection

If you're fast, you might get some great deals from Target.com now that the collaboration with designers and Neiman Marcus is a whopping 70% OFF !!!  On New Year's day, I personally got the Marc Jacobs gold-metallic clutch for $20.99 in-store.  It was originally $69.99 before Christmas!

Now $20.99.  Originally $69.99.  Marc Jacobs Pouch Gold for Neiman Marcus + Target

 

When I first heard of the collaboration between Neiman Marcus and Target for the holidays, I was shocked at the unlikely pairing of high-end and discount retailers and had to see this for myself.  I immediately rushed to my neighborhood Target.  The home goods were especially nice, but I found the clothing and accessories lacking in quality for the price.  But now that it is 70% OFF, the clothing and accessories are now priced appropriately for the quality.  The home goods are forget about it, a definite steal!

Here are some of my picks:

Now $23.99.  Originally $79.99.  Prabal Gurung Cape for Neiman Marcus + Target

Now $11.99.  Originally $39.99.  Proenza Schouler iPad Sleeve for Neiman Marcus + Target.

Now $14.99.  Originally $49.99.  Set of 4 Altuzarra Double Old Fashioned Glasses for Neiman Marcus + Target

 

Now $5.99.  Originally $19.99.  Set of 4 rag & bone Shot Glasses for Neiman Marcus + Target

Right this minute, there are a lot more items, such as Alice + Olivia luggage and bike, Robert Rodriguez dress, Derek Lam slippers in a leopard print, Dian von Furstenberg jewelry box, Philip Crangi picture frame, and more.  So get to it, and grab some of these deals!  HAVE FUN, but don't get anything you won't actually use or gift (for the future.)