Met Gala 2014 - Best Looks

 From left: Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung, Marion Cotillard in Dior Haute Couture, Naomi Watts in Givenchy

 From left: Rihanna in Stella McCartney, Beyonce in Givenchy, Janelle Monae in Tadashi Shoji

 From left: Georgia Jagger in Thierry Mugler, Suki Waterhouse in Burberry Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Balmain

From left: Arizona Muse in Ralph & Russo Haute Couture, Chanel Iman in Topshop, Liu Wen in Zac Posen

From left: Ming Xi in Michael Kors, Cara Delevingne in Stella McCartney, Dita Von Teese in Zac Posen 

Looking at pictures of all the splendor that is the Met Gala, left me clicking the arrow button for a solid hour. Observing details, accessories, noting the designer who made it and the celebrity that rocked it. This is all part of the annual task of obsessing over the MET. There were many strong looks this year, prompting me to choose my favorites from the night. For me, Chanel Iman wore my favorite piece. To think, that asymmetrical necklined beauty came from Topshop. WHAT. 

While last year the theme was Punk: Chaos to Couture (my favorite), this year went back to a far more glamorous era of ball gowns and sculptural design; to master couturier Charles James. A man who approached his work like an artist, he defied commercialism. He was known for his mastery of sculptural designs, although never formally trained. His skill was so great that even Christian Dior cited that his inspiration for the "New Look" came from James. Although he's more associated with ball gowns, James even pioneered the sports bra, puffer coat, and the wrap dress. His legacy was translated well as designers like Zac Posen created extravagant gowns for his beauties. 

Who do you think, in the spirit of Charles James, takes "best dressed" this year?

UH & HCC Fashion Show Highlights

UH Manoa Reverie 2014

HCC C'est Si Bon 2014

Comparing both presentations from the only fashion schools on Oahu is an impossible task. Students from HCC and UH have their own ideas of what designs to put on the runway, specifics on hair and make-up, and how it's to be presented. Going in, you have to appreciate each one for what it's worth and understand, this is their vision, each one different from the other. From conquistas to Maleficent inspired designs, both schools brought life to the dreams they've been pushing to make real for semesters. I saw beauty in each one.   

Wish List - Store Envy + Etsy

Store Envy + Etsy by sceniqueroute featuring animal socks

Chanel unisex top / Animal socks / Choker jewelry / Pastel Oxford Style Gladiator Flats from Lucky Seven Shop on Storenvy / Star Wars Sweater Sweatshirt by UniqFashion on Etsy / NEW, $25 / studded shoes floral accessories from mancphoebe on Storenvy / Space Explorer Iron on Patch from Mokuyobi Threads / Rose Gold Black Diamond Ring from Monkey Forest Road on Storenvy


Although I can't purchase everything here all at once, often times, creating a list of things I want somehow fills a tiny void in my capitalist driven body. Store Envy and Etsy have been thoroughly satisfying the craving, but I do intend on getting those daisy garters when some cash flow comes in. Wearing them with every summer dress I own while channeling some sort of punk rock fairy is the grand plan.

Go to Sleep, I Dream Versace

Inspired by the song "Versace", it dawned on me, how little I knew about the brand and its famed designer, Gianni Versace. Besides knowing how to mispronounce the brand's name (thanks Showgirls), I forever knew of Versace for their sexy, body fitting styles and their well recognized Medusa head, until now. 

In history, Gianni Versace broke down boundaries and connected theater, music, and advertising together. Withstanding time and new trends, Versace is kept fresh with Donatella at the reigns. With Lady Gaga as the newest face, and with artists like 2 Chains to Grimes, donning baroque prints and Medusa heads, Versace couldn't be more relevant today. 

Founder: Gianni Versace (1947-1997)

Known for: Baroque screen prints, mixing high art and pop culture

Logo: Medusa head “he thought that whoever falls in love with the Medusa can’t flee from her.”

You may not know...

• Presented the first Gianni Versace collection on the runway at the Permanente Art Gallery in Milan

• Actor Sean Penn wore an off-the-rack Versace suit when he married Madonna

• Created costumes for Richard Strauss’s Capriccio at the San Francisco Opera

• Had his first couture runway presentation held at the Ritz in Paris

• The designer recieved a Woolmark Award “for challenging men’s fashion standards through brilliant color, imaginative fabric, and dramatic silhouette

• Outfited David Bowie for the "Tin Machine" tour

• Designed Sylvester Stallone's Judge Dredd costume 

• Designed costumes and album cover for Elton John’s world tour

• Accepted the CFDA International Award in 1993

Versace 2014 Spring/Summer

Versace - Migos

Preferred Drake version

Versace Must Haves: 

I've Got the Gold by sceniqueroute featuring hoop earrings

Black shoes / Red handbag / MeDusa hoop earrings / Checkered belt / Versus | M.I.A x Versus - Shop the Look | Versace Official US Online... / Versace Haas Brothers Compact Mirror | Men's Accessories | Official US... / Versace JJ Sunglass Black | Women's Sunglasses | Official US Online...

Hawaii Fashion Month 2013

If you haven't seen, felt or heard the energy of fashion being reverberated into the island, then you've seriously been living life as a hermit for all of October! Sorry, not sorry.

The gist of the matter is that Hawaii Fashion Month (HFM) is here! It consists of month long events to "promote and elevate all aspects of Hawaii's fashion industry: design, manufacturing, education, art, retail, and more." Events have been held at a variety of areas such as retail centers, boutiques, factories, museums, etc; doing their best to promote Hawaii as a fashion destination and to strengthen the local community.

Although I haven't been to all of the events, I've shown face to a few of them, and even played a role in assistant producing the HFM Fash Mob earlier this month. Going by order of when each event occurred, here are a few moments that I got to capture:

Fashion as Art - The Way we Wear @ Hawaii State Art Museum

HFM Fash Mob @ Ward Center

Photos by Mark Ramelb

Work it! Pop-up shop and book launch @ Hifi 
-Visit my friend Jenny at Caobella

Photos courtesy of Caobella

Honolulu Night Market @ Kaka'ako 

One last event I've been looking forward to is the Governor's Fashion Awards. I plan on pulling out all the stops for this. For more information on Hawaii Fashion Month, click here. You can find a calendar of remaining events on that website. Don't miss out!

Autumn Ease

Autumn Ease by sceniqueroute featuring tall skirts

Topshop tall skirt / Topshop butterfly skirt / Dr. Martens ankle booties / T.U.K. woven shoes / 3 1 Phillip Lim handbag / Alexander Wang black crossbody handbag

Trying to break out of a comfortable mold, I've found some edgy things for the fall/winter season. The main reason for my wandering eye is because I just got a new job. Retail will do some crazy things to you! Lots of iridescent accessories like the mini 3.1 Philip Lim Pashli is the ultimate purse for just bare necessities. Similar to that is the oil slick which I love on the creepers and Rockie handbag by Alexander Wang. Would it be wrong to wear them together? Another fall addition is of course, a pair of boots. Besides black quilted leather being a staple in Chanel accessories, these quilted Dr. Martens are the perfect piece for fall, and something different from the 1460 style that everyone normally buys.

Now that there's a Topshop in Nordstrom, I've been browsing around and have been keen on a Mary Katrantzou esque graphic print mirrored skirt in a moth pattern. Also, a pleather asymmetrical off-white skirt would be an idea purchase for all occasions (work/going out). The reason why I've been so entirely focused on skirts is because I need a appropriate yet stylish bottom to wear to work. I could go with a black pencil skirt, but what's the fun in that? I'm perfectly fine standing out at work. Customers, please come to me with your cash/credit here!

What are your must haves for autumn?

June Wish List

June Wish List by sceniqueroute featuring an eau de perfume

Brandy Melville graphic tank top / American Apparel / Jeffrey Campbell high heels / Miu Miu / Bottega Veneta eau de perfume / Josie Maran beauty product

The hot weather can strip me of my sanity, but not my love for blogging! I've had to find other ways to blog besides doing it from my room which, I'm convinced is a portal into hell (how else could it reach such extreme temperatures?). Anyhow, from Starbucks, I've managed to compile a few items I've been eyeing out for some time now.

My two must haves are the Jeffrey Campbell Solitaire in black iridescent and the Miu Miu cat eye sunnies. The oil slick look that the JC Solitaire gives off is truly perfect for a day or night look. It seems to give off a subtle sheen, but isn't too crazy for daytime. I want to say it's charmingly unconventionally conventional because it still maintains a classic style. As for the Miu Miu shades, what can I say? A cat eye made by Miu Miu is a friend indeed. 

Shop Shop Shop

Shop Shop Shop by sceniqueroute featuring cat shoes

1. Herschel Supply Co. herschel supply co backpack- In dire need of a new bag! My black thrifted one broke from the weight of my books and now I'm left with my dad's old bag.
2. Joyrich shoulder bag- This belongs with me, nestled on my side!
3. KANYE WEST & GOOD MUSIC Cruel Summer, $27- I've listened to this countless of times already, but it's just too good, I need a copy!
4. Moonrise Kingdom (Blu-ray DVD Digital Copy UltraViolet) (Widescreen)- This would be a perfect movie for a at home dinner party with friends!
5. Nylon Magazine- because if I keep buying it at my local drugstore, I'll be too broke to eat out soon.
6. Blink cat shoes, $45- an opportunity to show love for cats while not being a gross cat lady.
7. Tripoli boot by Jeffrey Campbell- so sick! These are the perfect fall boot to pair with anything.
8. The Body Shop body shop- I have the peach and almond butters already, but I need to try them all!
9. Books with Style Opening Ceremony- I'm a huge fan of Opening Ceremony and have heard quite a few stories about their business and what they do.

July Wish List

July Wish List by sceniqueroute featuring red lip makeup

Forever 21 sleeveless top / Lace romper / Jeffrey Campbell studded booties / Ray-Ban ray ban shades / MAC Cosmetics red lip makeup / Smashbox cosmetic / Marc Jacobs perfume / Jansport Superbreak Backpack

Gwen Stacy all the way!

Gwen Stacy by sceniqueroute featuring brown boots

After watching "The Amazing Spider-Man", I don't know, I guess I think Emma Stone is super cool now. I was very skeptical beforehand because I'm more of a Mary Jane/Kirsten Dunst girl. But now...Mary Jane! I'm sorry! Gwen Stacy ain't got nuthin' on you girl. Although Gwen Stacy was more of a "hot girl next-door" than Emma Stone gave off in the film, I felt like the costumes were spot on, due to the notes of headbands and thigh highs I saw E. Stone pull off. Also, I gotta say, "The Amazing Spiderman" was way more entertaining and fun than the previous one. Here's some reasons:
1. The new and improved Spiderman- this is how Spiderman is actually supposed to be, witty, smart, and averagely good looking.
2. Gwen Stacy!- like I said, costumes were true to the comics.
3. Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield- there's some realllll on screen cute ass romance. Especially since we know that they're together in real life.

Bottom line- I would definitely recommend seeing it! 

Also, here's some nods to Emma Stone's fashion. Girl looks great during her movie promotions and on the street!

                                 

Dresses X Shoes

Dresses X Shoes by sceniqueroute featuring cut out dresses

Cut out dress
$185 - shopplanetblue.com

Style Stalker cut out dress
$169 - revolveclothing.com

Peter pan dress
$96 - topshop.com

Off shoulder dress
$41 - romwe.com

Leather bootie
$258 - nastygal.com

Wide heels
$198 - nastygal.com

Zips shoes
$188 - nastygal.com

Platform shoes
$145 - nastygal.com








While browsing for dresses online, there were a lot of pieces I really liked! And earlier today I had been watching shoe collections on youtube, which resulted in a dress and shoe pairing for this evening's post. I didn't mean for 3/4 dresses to be long sleeved but somehow it just happened! I really just love fitted flowy, lacey, pleated, skin baring, peter pan collared dress currently. As for the shoes, I found everything at Nastygal, the ultimate place for all those magnificent Jeffrey Campbell heels and boots. If I really wanted to do a shoe wish list right now, I think I would just need to take a screenshot of the Nastygal website. 


If your interested, these are the shoe collection videos I watched earlier today:


SunbeamsJess

Shirleybeniang