leCHEAP c'estCHIC

not only is it the name of one of my favorite blogs, but the meaning behind this fashion mantra is fully representative of our style aesthetic here at the haute commodity.

"leCHEAP c'estCHIC" : mixing and matching high-end with high-street, vintage with re-purposed...something old, something new, something borrowed, and something balenciaga, we Tran sisters are all about layering it up, no matter what the brands are. 

my outfit, for example cost under $100 (well, you know..minus the purses and some jewelry)! i am an avid supporter of bargain hunting and cheap thrills. trends come and go so quickly that it's sometimes really hard to imagine paying full price for every item in my closet. there's a difference between investing in classic pieces and splurging on of-the-moment trendy items. 

so here's the breakdown of my outfit --

wool chain hat: f21, $14.80

stripe tank: vintage ck, $1

shorts: bdg @ uo, $10

stockings: uo, $14.

shoes: f21, $25

belt: ysl

sparkly cardigan: f21, $25

animal print cardigan: f21, $27.99

shearling jacket: lamixx, gifted (actually $138 here)

spike stack rings: nOir @ 80spurple, $42.

chanel + B-bag not included :) 

moral of the story is: you don't have to pay the big bucks to get the look you want. you just gotta take the time to find the pieces and mix 'em all together!

[chanel camellia brooch, f21 bangle, antique necklace frm uo, cartier trinity, nOir spike rings, telephone ring frm thailand]

lamixx + me

a couple weeks ago i had the privilege of styling the LAMIXX show at project Ethos. along with owner/designer jacqueline rose, we grabbed pieces from her past and present collections to put together a total of ten looks that represented the essence of the brand – classic with an edge, comfy and flattering, beautiful and timeless.

the show was a success. and among the dozen of other designers showcasing at Project Ethos, (without bias), LAMIXX was definitely the best in show.

below are a few photos from the show + behind-the-scenes snaps i took.
to view/purchase the full LAMIXX collection, click here.


CONCEPT -- BECAUSE LAMIXX IS SIMPLE AND SO EASY TO LAYER, WE DECIDED TO PILE ON PIECES THAT WOULD BUILD TEXTURE, DEPTH, AND DIFFERENT LENGTHS. I ALSO ADDED A THICK BLACK HEADBAND ON ALL THE GIRLS TO TIE IN ALL THE LOOKS. THE GREAT THING ABOUT LAMIXX IS THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR CLOSET, LAMIXX WILL FIT INTO YOUR WARDROBE. 

//

 BACKSTAGE //

 

we had such a great time. it's hard not to though, when you're around such beautiful clothes!



on me:
seven cutoff shorts
vintage flannel
faux fur trim corduroy vest (i've had this for years and still love it til this day)
clip-on earrings from f21
mustard balenciaga
rings: noir, cartier, and david yurman



xx

SHEARLING, sure thing.

i was inspired by all the shearling in my last post about j.crew's fall campaign and decided to compile a few random shearlingized thangs i'm lustin over...

as far as trend reporting goes, i am pretty confident that this particular one will be on everyone's radar come fall..

LAMIXX SHEARLING JACKET: i completely adore this piece. oversized collar, warm, and no fuss zippers or buttons. just throw on and GO. (on my must list)

i am truly, madly, deeply TORN over which one of these j. campbells to get to add to my repertoire of wooden heeled platforms. the LITA is so slick and paired with some over the knee socks, some cuffed shorts, a simple tee, and a blazer, i know the outfit would be pretty amazing. but then here we have the DENMARK. i don't know if its the cuffed shearling, the studs, or the wooden heel, or maybe all of the above, but i know for sure that if i don't have these for fall/winter, i will be doomed. what to do, what to do..? help! (solestruck, you got me good)

massive shearling collar worn by Emily DiDonato on the cover of Numero, August 2010

a jak&jil-spotted shearling'ed burberry bomber

liu wen working the shearling