In Spades

Style... in abundance

The One That Got Away

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that this is the time of year when I do most of my shopping.  I’m a designer sale season treasure hunter.  And while there are plenty of treasures I’ve taken home, there is also a fair share of pieces that I’ve left behind.

For today’s Fashion Friday, I wanted to share all of the designer sale season items I decided against (and now regret).

Phoebe Philo Celine Jewelry

Phoebe Philo Celine Cuff

Anytime I’m in NY I carve time out for two things NO MATTER WHAT.  Shopping and eating.  NYC is one of the greatest cities in the world and I’d be a fool not to partake in two of her mastery’s.

In between NYFW shows, I popped into The RealReal in Soho.  This Phoebe Philo Celine cuff and gold choker are so epic.  I passed because I didn’t think it was wise to make such a big purchase in 20 minutes – like I said, in between shows – but boy, was I wrong.

I wish I would have at least purchased the cuff.  It’s so unique.  Ugh.

Silk Jumpsuit

Silk jumpsuit

This was a random, after work shopping trip that yielded plentiful results.  The cut, comfort and level of chic attached to this jumpsuit is otherworldly.  So why the heck did I leave it behind?  I had to drive from LA to San Diego that night and wanted to beat traffic, so I passed because it was final sale.

I ended up calling the store the next day to see if it was still available and it wasn’t.  I spent the better part of 3 months trying to track it down with no luck.

Mugler Leather Jacket

Mugler leather jacket

I have a thing for Mugler leather jackets.  My holy grail is this one.  It slipped through my fingers and I’m not going to lie when I say that if I ever see it in person, it will take every fiber of my being not to snatch it off the back of the wearer.

A close second was this super structured shoulder number I found in NY.  Again, I had less than an hour between NYFW shows and decided against it.  Beyond those kick-ass shoulders was a cropped silhouette with zippered moto sleeves.

Passing on that one?  Amateur hour.

Valentino Dress

Valentino leopard dress

This was probably the biggest blunder of them all because it was from Nordstrom.  With their amazing return policy, I should have taken it home and let it sit in my closet for a few days.

The leopard print.  The jeweled eye.  The 60s cut.  It had everything.  And it was super comfortable and could be worn for a multitude of events.

Like I said.  Ugh.

The One That Got Away

Celine SS18It’s been a while since I shared a The One That Got Away story for Fashion Friday.  So it must have been serendipitous that I would run across this photo this week.

Sometimes I think my memory blocks out the ones that get away.  Like a defense mechanism, it doesn’t want me to relieve that ‘what could have been’ feeling.

Immediately upon seeing this photo, I drew in a sharp, quick breath.  WHY!  Why did I let this beauty get away?

Celine SS18Left image: Diego Anciano; Right image: Phil Oh for Vogue

Made from the most luxurious, sumptuous knit, this dress was [literally] like being wrapped in a warm blanket.  A blanket sent down from the heavens.

The circular enamel embellishment with gold pin reminded me of the t-shirt rings from the 80s.  Those, but elevated to epic proportions.

The way it draped in the front gave it an easy yet formal feeling.  Kilt-like.  Intriguing.

It was, of course, Pheobe Philo for Celine.

Here’s the rub of this beauty that got away.

This dress, this dream, was from the last collection Philo would have input on for Celine.  (Her official final collection was Pre-Fall 2018.)

Here’s the thing.  At the time, you couldn’t buy Celine online.  Ready-to-wear was only available in store.  24S would go on to sell Celine RTW online, and once Hedi Slimane took over, Celine.com would as well.

But this.  This was a pivotal moment.  It was that moment between her last ounce of creative expression for the brand, and it’s unavailability to the average consumer.

An urban fashion legend.

So why, oh why, did I let this rare opportunity pass me up?  I will never be able to answer this question.  It has plagued me numerous times.  I have an infinite number of The One’s That Got Away.  There will be more.

These treasures, these ones that got away, are like memories.  Like the Hall of Prophecy in Harry Potter (yes, super geeky) these treasures are kept on endless rows of towering shelves, stored in delicate glass orbs.

And that’s what fashion is.  A frozen moment in time.  The way it makes you feel, how it influences your interpretations, how the world perceives you.  It’s an essence.  Channeled through a physical being.

Philo’s Celine is one of the most celebrated designer runs in history.  This quote by Cathy Horyn epitomizes the magic:

“Because Philo’s clothes were not just simply for women; they were also about women — their distractions, their routines, the way they stuff a bag under an arm or concoct an outfit out of a dress and trousers, their sideways longing for red-lipped glamour, their disdain for basics, their love of uniforms, their wisdom and maturity. It was all there, every season, expressed in the clothes.”

Had I known.  Had I known…

ICYMI: The One That Got Away Volume II