Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right

While I'd rather stray from the story that has everyone talking, I decided I couldn't go with leaving my mark on the situation.  This month's Vogue has driven controversy to a new high with Dara Lynn Weiss's first person piece on her 7-year-old's struggle with her weight and the lengths she went to, to help her shed the pounds. Weiss put her daughter, Bea, on a diet called Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right, which was specially designed for overweight kids by pediatrician and child obesity specialist Dr. Joanna Dolgoff. While most people are outraged over a little girl being put on a strict diet, I beg to differ. Weiss took an honest approach in confronting her child's obesity. A 7-year-old should by no means reach 93 pounds.

I've always heard it's harder for an adult to learn a new skill.

So why not start a healthy lifestyle in the preliminary years.

Better sooner than later.

*Cykic

In a Nutshell

I might as well claim this photo as me.

1. It sorta looks like me when I was a munchkin.

2. I have that outfit in gold leather from when I was 5 (no joke).

3. I move to the beat of my own drum.

Stubborn and still dressing to impress.

*Cykic

What's Goin' On in This Noggin

Well...

There is some sort of spaghetti gum cascading out of her mouth.

There's a blusher on finger.

And who ever is the photo editor made her dis-formed.

So what's goin' on?

I have no idea.

*Cykic

Photo Du Jour

How was your day?

*Cykic

Cash Money Millionaire

This trailer park motel photo shoot comes from a magazine called How to Spend It. 

If they're referencing how to spend it in terms of the ensembles going on in these shoots then yes, that would be correct on what I would spend It on. AKA: Miu Miu & Proenza Schouler.

But if you're giving me advice on how to spend it...

girl...

I can spend.

I just need the cash flow.

I'm on my way!

*Cykic

What's Going on in This Noggin'

Welcome to my new weekly feature: "What's Going on in This Noggin" where I let you know what the model in the photograph is thinking. 
Do not be alarmed, some people actually possess these thoughts, even if I made them on the spot.

"Thank god I don't look like that."
The Mike Tyson doppleganger on the left feels the same.
*Cykic

Photo Du Jour

I always exercise in a sharp pair of Eddie Borgo earrings and a Givenchy fishnet. 
Work it girl.
I really under estimated a model's arm strength...
But Kasia Struss has given me reason to believe with those bursting muscles.
Or are those bones?
Whoever photoshopped her arms made the right one lumpy with a limp anorexic vibe 
And the the left looks nicely toned.
Which one is real?
*Cykic 

The Collagist

point shoes and dirty tennis shoes.
Childhood in a nutshell.
EXcept maybe the Proenza print.
*Cykic

A Mini Hiatus

Sorry for the brief hiatus.
But I'm back.
Even though tomorrow I start my new job at WWD's Beauty Inc.
Excited, Anxious, Nervous, Excited.
It's a dream job.
*Cykic

A Cykic Review "Au Revoir Paris"

Paris Fashion Week may have wrapped up yesterday, but I'm not quite done reminiscing about my favored collections. By no means do only four looks cut it from the entire designer's assemblage, but I felt it important to see my most adored ensembles. I mean this is "Cykic Obsessions".

While nothing truly hatched on the runway, the embroidered Fabergé egg motifs incubated during Balmain's presentation. A couture approach took center stage with the use of thousands of pearls and crystals. This being designer Olivier Rousteing's second show for Balmain, proved that youth and effortless style are leading the way for this 26 year-old. 

Disagree all you want, although I know I'm right, Isabel Marant nails it season every season. For fall, Marant kept her consistent Parisian vibe, but paired it with savvy cowgirl flair.  Being originally from Texas and despising cowboy boots, this one collection will have me coming back for more. Western wear is usually exceptionally tacky, but a lá Marant there was a southern ease I'm willing to sink my teeth into.

While Alber Elbaz always gives me reason to want one look after the next, his tenth year at Lanvin had me roaring more! more! more! The beautiful body enhancing contours, elements of glitz, and doses of darkness gave me the chills of the best kind. Not the anxiety ridden ones, but chills that leave you energized and evoke euphoria. Lets just say Lanvin gets me high.

Alexander McQueen's Sarah Burton elates a certain beauty that no other designer can emulate. By no means was this one of the more wearable collections that could easily be seen at an awards show or charity gala, but it was craftsmanship at a superior level. Burton simply summed up her collection to fashion journalist Tim Blanks in three measures, "A beautiful future, positivity, and optimism". Burton also acknowledged that she pushed herself more this season. Truth be told, she picked the perfect words and created a breathtaking show.

I think it's fair to say that while Rochas is no question a Parisian brand, it brings a certain New York City sensation. Designer Marco Zanini told Style.com's Nicole Phelps that the collection has, "a certain disregard for quiet good taste." While it may seem as-if Zanini is claiming disdain upon his own work, I read it as the woman who wear his clothing don't care about the latest goods, she'll model whatever she pleases, whether tasteful or not.

"The Stella woman is about balance," Stella McCartney told Style.com. Merging day and night, night and day, you can easily tell that any woman would want to mirror the "Stella" persona. The vivid pigments and graphic tailoring shot my anxiety to a high knowing that I would have to wait a whole six months until I can plaster these ensembles to my body. I guess the waiting will be worth my while, given this is a definite Cykic Obsession.

Au Revoir Paris in addition to Fashion Week.  Can't wait for fall campaigns, superb outerwear, elevating booties and carefree knits. But don't expect any subdued criticism, just because the collections have ended for the season doesn't mean I don't have anything to say.

"Style is never safe and neither are my opinions."

*Cykic

A Cykic Review "Print On, Print On, Print"

As Paris fashion week comes to an end, it closed in the tradition of showing the final knockouts that industry insiders get revved up for. The finale consisted of Louis Vuitton, Elie Saab and Miu Miu. While LV and Saab have definite appeal,  I always look forward to Miu Miu's collection. And once again I was satisfied by the eclectic array of ensembles. One by one the Miu Miu rainbow took center stage with printed pantsuits, shift dresses with mirrored embroideries, clashing patterns that took over blouses, scarves and wide ties, and python platform loafers and boots. While I would wear about 75% of the looks,  it felt like an extension of Prada fall 2012. By by no means is this a bad thing, but I would have liked some differentiation.  Miuccia Prada manages to separate her brands every season so what was different about this one?

A very loyal fan I am to Miu Miu

But...

I question the corresponding collection.

*Cykic

Cykic Words of Wisdom "Go Back to Your Day Job, Kanye"

Look 1, I thought someone punched Anja Rubik in the eye. Look 2, I couldn't get past the trashy whip. And Look 3 had me wondering why Karlie Kloss agreed to walk in his show. Kanye West once again showed in Paris and once again created an unoriginal, terribly styled, and appalling collection. A fur Peplum, an overabundance of distasteful leather, and a random pop of bone and camel pigments made for an inconsistent compilation. The boots resembled a straightjacket based on the multiple leather bandages that constructed the shoe. And a camel dress showed the ill fit of his ensembles and his amateur eye for presentation.

Beyond the lack of skill he posses, it makes nauseous that Style.com, The New York Times and other prestigious publications are willing to give his collection a critique and will attend his show, when other talented designers are yet to be seen. 

I hope this showcase opened the eyes of those I look up to in the biz  

And closed Kanye's for the rest of eternity.

*Cykic

Spotlight "Valentino"

Valentino is always a bit of a hit or miss for me, but this collection was TOP NOTCH. 

Leather, Valentino Red, and alluring motifs.

Like I said, TOP NOTCH.

It felt sophisticated and modern and absolutely mystical in a Valentino sensibility. 

*Cykic

Photo Du Jour

The Chanel show, not so great.  

The makeup was weird. Karl Lagerfeld felt confident about putting  

embellished strips on the models eyebrows.

But he redeemed himself, when the mini model, Hudson Kroenig walked the runway with a mini Chanel slung over his shoulder.

Unfortunately, his wardrobe probably is worth more than mine.

But I love a punim face.

So it's all worth it.

*Cykic

A Cykic Review "Optimal Utilization of Color"

Phoebe Philo never does anything half-assed. Doubling down to a presentation and soon to give birth, Philo stuck to her sophisticated, streamlined edge and gave it an enchanting pop of color.  Maybe it was the baby blues, but this felt very experimental in terms of pigment, and of course worked remarkably. Brightly colored fur tends to have a cheap factor, but when done right, it's stunning and essential for the upcoming season.  Leather elements came in all the right places, a sleeve here, a collar there, a panel here and wrap belt there, it was undeniably well-balanced. I've come to find that outerwear is a definite strength of the brands (well along with everything else), but the coats have a distinct effortless quality. Don't even get me started on those gold metallic slight wedge, minor heel combobulation.

Three days left of Paris, who knows what to come...

But, Celine is my #1 for this season.

No Question.  

*Cykic

Spotlight "Sophia Kokosalaki"

Welcome to the newest addition on Cykic Obsessions, Spotlight. Spotlighting innovative designers with minimal words.  I know, usually I have a mouthful of opinions, but I'll let the clothes speak for themselves. 

Sophia Kokosalaki might as well be a part of New York fashion week based on her basic silhouettes, essential fabrications and principal NY hues. 

Nonetheless, her Parisian execution rings European.

The cremé de la cremé.

*Cykic

A Cykic Review "A Tilda Swinton Modus Operandi"

Nicole Phelps of Style.com said it best, "The waisted silhouettes that were the results of all that draping were the best he's ever done—a spot-on mixture of the sublime and the salable, and he's got the most sophisticated color sense of anyone in Paris." He, being Haider Ackermann, gives a pop of a color a unique finesse, fabrications a raw abstraction, and silhouettes a flawless execution. Look by look I was floored by the stunning features of collection. 

Thank you Haider Ackermann for continuing to push the envelope.

While the rest of the industry stays consistent and at times blasé, you impress piece by piece, detail by detail.

Now that I have continuously praised your creations...

Can I have one?

*Cykic