Resort 2014

     Resort collections. I am not the sort of person who jets away on summer-long holidays but I can definitely appreciate the ideas behind Resort Collection clothes; they're not fussy, and neither are vacations!  Below I've pulled together my favorite looks from this season.  Currently I am into anything that references nightgowns. I love my bed and I love pajamas.  My favorite looks are the ones that would be great for running around on a golf course at 4:00AM without shoes on (in a nightgown). Quick nod to the tiny little ma stuffeddoggie - whose giant oversize style is always an inspiration (and who wears the cutest nightgowns you'll ever see)!!

I love everything about this. It's so simple! How many things is she wearing? Like, 3. The sleeves remind me of a woman in a nice blouse who pushed hers up momentarily to dead-head some flowers in the garden.

↑ See by Chloe, Resort 2014

A dressed-up summer uniform that reminds me of an adolescent witch-in-training. A robe with some party-bows at the hip.

↑ Stella McCartney, Resort 2014

I love The Row.  Mary-Kate and Ashley are killing it! This season's "uniforms" are amazing.  I especially love the pairing here - a big soft fisherman's sweater with a beautiful neck, a long skirt cascading its drapery at the sides, and old man loafers.

↑ The Row, Resort 2014

This outfit is wonderful. That leather folder really makes the whole thing. 

↑ The Row, Resort 2014

There's something so cool about a high-waisted bare midriff, especially when it's between fat trousers and a short sweatshirt. (What a weird thing - the shoulder seam is near her elbows and the sleeves have been cut-off at her hip! I love it!)

↑ Derek Lam, Resort 2014

These sleeves are great. They remind me of rolled-up poster board.  I like how this dress is like a soft and structured suit of armor that has nipples.

↑ Alexander Wang, Resort 2013

This one makes me laugh. This whole collection does. It's probably the shoes.  I love the fabric here, and the tunic-neck.  It's so... BIG, it's like OUT THERE. It's great!

 

↑ Ellery, Resort 2014

A little bit nun, a little bit french-girl. Like a cool stone church on a hot day.

↑ Lanvin, Resort 2014

Looks like Alexander Wang has been into Cristóbal Balenciaga's cookie jar! This piece is such a wonderful nod to Balenciaga's classic designs - with a cool twist of Wang's signature modern and futuristic active-wear.

Balenciaga has always been one of my favorites. Really, I owe it all to Nicolas Ghesquière... Since he left the helm as creative director I've been anxious to see what will happen. I like it!

↑ Balenciaga, Resort 2014

I like the presentation of this ensemble.  Out-of-the-bath! Escape the house in sneakers without socks! There's a fine line between bell-sleeves and gypsy caravan - I think that Giles skirts it just fine.  This whole collection is full of weird riffs on pajama pants and is really fun and cheeky/ugly.  I'm not usually into models but I like this girl's spark. I can't seem to find out who she is. Check out the full collection here.

↑ Giles, Resort 2014

Mr. Maguro マグロ

      Our story begins in Japan, at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. Our hero? A sword-wielding third-generation wholesale fish-stall owner named Kazuyoshi Watanabe. Mr. Watanabe is know in particular for his mastery with the treatment of a smaller variety of Tuna  - The Blackfin. Until this spring, his dealings with fish were purely literal... until now!

↑ マグロ dissection poster via spookkake

      In the following video - Kazuyoshi Watanabe and the artisans at his stall, Sanwa Co., demonstrate the deconstruction of a Blackfin; about which user jdrw5 comments:

"ある日、私はこのような品質とおいしさのマグロを購入する。今のところ、私は小さい魚の屈辱を被る。ある日、私の刺身の夢が叶うか、私はそのような魚介類を確保する戦いで死んでしまう！[One day, I buy the tuna taste and quality like this. For now, I suffer the humiliation of small fish. One day, the dream of my sashimi or come true, I will die in the battle to ensure the seafood like that!]". 

      What an amazing knife sword! I wonder how long it takes to sharpen? Also, how cool is it that the men at Sanwa Co. all wear Adidas tops? (Mr. Watanabe is dressed in the blue, white, and red stripes and makes an appearance around the 8:30 mark.) 

Q: So what's the deal with the beautiful little scaled-down plastic fish bits that they periodically place alongside corresponding tuna parts as they slice the fish apart...?

A:  They're pieces of Mr. Watanabe's beautiful Dissectable Maguro [Tuna] produced by Japanese model-toy maker Hobby Stock! 

	↑ Pictures via Hobby Stock website

      This incredible 10-piece model comes with its own sword-knife and cutting board and the separate tuna pieces fix together with magnets. I love everything about this! This whole museum-models and learning-tools getting mixed up with playthings and art idea is so cool.  I especially appreciate that this thing is sort-of reminiscent of a fishing-lure, and is way less dangerous to play with!  This fish will cost you ¥29,400 (around $300 USD) - not cheap, but certainly more affordable (and fun to hack at) than the real thing. What a beut!