Impossible Conversations

Slightly overshadowed by all the recent Oscar buzz was the formal announcement at Milan Fashion week of the upcoming Costume Institute exhibit "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Opening May 10, 2012, the exhibit will run through August 19, 2012 and is based on fictive conversations between the two designers, exploring their innovations and the correlations of fashion + culture. While some have discussed the lack of commonality between their work, we still can't wait to see it. If it's half as good as the McQueen "Savage Beauty" show, it's well worth the trip. NYC, here we come again!

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SCHIAPARELLI

'Shoe Hat' created with Salvador Dali, 1937

Muth and Lyla Zelensky, 1938

Leaf-themed ensemble, 1935

Bustle-back evening gown, 1949

Pleated cocoon dress, 1951

Black stole + the most amazing oversized insect pin, 1952

'Skeleton dress,' 1939

Monkey fur boots, 1938

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PRADA

Miuccia Prada backstage, 1997

S/S 2012

Flame heels, S/S 2012 | 'Chandelier' shoes, S/S 2010
Peacock feather skirt, S/S 2005
S/S 2011

Colored fox fur stole | 'Baroque' sunglasses

Happy Leap Day!

Bustown Modern would like to wish you all a Happy Leap Day! And, what better way to do it than through these beautiful photos by Richard Avedon.

Oscars 2012

As everyone knows, the 2012 Oscars were this past weekend. The Oscars and the subsequent after-parties, especially the Vanity Fair party, make for one of the most talked about fashion nights of the year. We've been so busy getting our weekly listings together, we're just now getting to talk about them! We're late to the party so we'll just keep this brief with a few of our faves.

Natalie Portman stole our hearts as the belle of the ball in this vintage 1954 couture Christian Dior red polka dotted gown (courtesy of Rare Vintage).



We also loved Rooney Mara's 2009 white Givenchy couture gown. So feminine + flowy!


Emma Stone looked amazing in Chanel + Jessica Chastain was the epitome of class in Alexander McQueen.


And last but not least, dressed like the princess she's currently playing in "Mirror Mirror," was Lily Collins in this stunning gown by Monique Lhuillier.



Photos courtesy of John Shearer/Wireimage, Kevin Mazur/Wireimage, Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Rare Vintage + Reuters.

Armor Amor

My wife is a huge lover of sterling jewelry, especially over-the-top Southwest pieces. Like, obsession-type love. She loves it so much so that she constantly refers to it as her "armor" and feels naked without it. So when she came home from the grocery store looking like this the other day, I just had to take a few pics to share.

Blind Pilot

The other night we were fortunate enough to get to see Portland-based Blind Pilot, one of our favorite bands, again. They recently released their sophomore album, "We Are The Tide," which is amazing of course. Their first major tour was on bicycle so, needless to say, they didn't exactly make it out to the midwest so we've been lucky to catch them on both ends of the current tour. They were sooo good the first time around in Cincinnati but Monday night's show here in Columbus was just phenomenal. Kati's pseudo-solo performance was one of the best musical moments we've ever witnessed.

Sorry for the slightly shaky iPhone video!

To hear more, check them out at http://www.blindpilot.com.

Inside the Outsider

We had a killer time last night at the Lindsay Gallery's outsider art show featuring Morris Jackson and our long time friend + supporter, Amber Groome. A great night with great art + great friends.

Bustown ladies represent! Hannah, me, our assistant Lizzie + the artist of the hour, Amber. I finally had an occasion to wear my new Theyskens' Theory pants paired with a classic Helmut Lang black wool jacket, vintage black pleat-front blouse + my insanely awesome new wolf necklace.




Great vintage fashion on these ladies!


The talented artists -- Amber Groome (wearing vintage Adele Simpson courtesy of Bustown Modern) + Morris Jackson






Winner of "Best in Show" at the Outsider Art Fair NY


Posing with our new purchase!