Gossip Girl Fashion: "Damien Darko"

I have been excited about this episode of Gossip Girl since last week. But before I tell you why I feel like I should warn you, yet again, of the spoilers ahead. Although let me just say that if you keep coming back on Wednesdays it's kind of masochistic unless you've watched the episode before.
The main and, to be honest, the only story line worth it on this week's episode is Dan and Blair's. Not only their brand new friendship (which-may-end-up-in-something-else-but-no-one-really-knows) keeps growing and getting more fun but this time they competed on an internship at W magazine. Now, I am still wondering whether those are the actual W offices. If they are, go them, I have never seen such an immaculate space so well conceived for its purpose. Also, it was such a clever move to further revamp the magazine's image after its radical makeover for the September issue (Please notice the controversial Kim Kardashian issue on the wall). My favourite bit of Dan and Blair's episode is the stuffing bags. If only it looked so glamourous in real life...

But the best moment of them all had to be when W's very own editor-in-chief Stefano Tonchi shows up at the mag's party while Blair and Dan wrestle on the floor. I really appreciate that he wore his signature look of neckerchief and shirt rather than the cleaner more modern look he's been sporting as of late. I also particularly enjoyed his very stylish accent and how he owns his moment and poses for the cameras.

Despite the episode's uneventfulness, this week GG was refreshing because it lacked all that cloned drama we are used to see every week. There were even two great Dan Humphrey fashion moments. The first, when he walks into the W offices looking extremely cool in his chunky cardigan and looking as if he hasn't even tried. And the second, inside W's closet when Blair tries to play him by giving him the wrong pair of shoes to which he responds: "I didn't date Serena van der Woodsen for two years and not come away knowing that those are Marc Jacobs and their mustard". Go Dan!

And someone has finally realised Blair deserves a much cooler wardrobe than she used to... At the end of this week's episode she wore an incredible, although completely wrong for the season, outfit with patterned tights, high-waisted pink shorts and a really cool embellished cardigan. Please notice her amazing legs and how stunning and cool she looks as she walks into the office. Maybe this W internship will do it for her...

Serena also had her fashion moment. Even though her little plot was quite dull and she still wore some very SVDW things I was really keen on her first outfit, which included a winter D&G see-through top. I really liked that collection and it was a nice touch for S, kind of funky for her, no?

And, of course, I couldn't forget the breakfasts. Now that the Humphrey-van-der-Woodsen-Bass have kind of fallen apart as a family it's hard to put together a decent breakfast scene. However, it seems like Lily and Rufus are taking advantage of the alone time to cut down on eggs and bacon and enjoy more morning cakes. Serena and Blair also share a pretty brilliant breakfast moment in bed. The assortment of food is impressive. As must be the muscles of the maid who carried that tray to their room.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Screen caps, CWTV.com, Zimbio.com]

the cherry on top

Milan Fashion Week wrapped up yesterday after four days of non-stop hit collections. I was in awe of the usuals (Zegna, Jil Sander, Burberry) but what made things even better was the fact that Domenico and Stefano at Dolce & Gabbana and D&G really showed why they became so popular in the first place. Going away from the usual Italian stereotypes of gold sneakers and stuffed shirts and ripped jeans, the Italian duo keeps finding inspiration in the country's traditional clothing and putting it through their funnel to bring their clothes to the present. For the D&G line, which I haven't liked since I was 16, they gave us a picnic orgy of gingham and espadrilles. They created mono-colour outfits that played with patterns, prints and texture. Everything was extremely wearable, fresh and, yes, desirable.

Dean and Dan at Dsquared2 were my second surprise of the week. I normally find their collections really fun and clever but too stuck into their own cliched Italian-ness. For SS11, however, their found inspiration in the classic 'American Gigolo'. Personally, I think they couldn't have chosen a theme that suited them better. The 80's vibe works amazingly with the really modern colours of the tucked-in t-shirts and tight straight-legged jeans. Their collection also had that kind of cocky attitude they always add to their clothes but this time it was a cool kind of cockiness when men slick their hair back and leave undone a few buttons on their shirts for the walk of shame they will enjoy.

And now we're on to Paris. It's only getting better. Which was your favourite collection from MFW?
I'm off.

[Pictures: GQ.com, larapixie.blogspot.com]