what a waste of army dreamers

Oh, night before break ends. How I despise thee.

Anyway, what with everyone being all "THE END OF A DECADE-LET US LOOK BACK" and stuff I realized I should never be uninspired because there are years of style.com that I have never seen! Duh.

I am a very very lucky recipient of the new Prada book (which I will write about later this week-I spent like 2 hours today taking pictures from books and magazines I suddenly felt like writing about, so patience, child) and probably my favorite part is the ad campaign archive. Looking through the whole book page by page gave me an adrenaline rush but this one really stuck out at me:
prada spring 2000 ad
It's less contrasty/white in real life, sharper and browner. I messed up when editing this photo but whatevs, you get the jist.

So then I took a trip to style.com and looked at the Spring 2000 collection. I must say, it is definitely one of my top three favorite Prada collections ever (I think the others are lace and fairytale? Actually that's too hard. Let's not talk about this.)
lovepradapradapradaily
One of the things Miuccia Prada does best is take something thought of to be ugly or tacky or the antithesis of luxurious and totally reverse its reputation. She did it with nylon, wool shorts, rubber wellingtons, and much more, and here she did it a billion times over. WHEN HAVE BROWN, MAROON, OR TURTLENECKS (turtlenecks! CLINGY turtlenecks!) EVER LOOKED THIS GOOD? And yes, caps are TOTALLY necessary.

It makes the awkward sloppy disheveled office girl cool in every way. Somehow. And we haven't even gotten to the best part yet.
YES
THE PRINTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (CAPS STILL NECESSARY)

I can't even really say why they're so good, anything I try to word feels cheesy and lame? Somebody please try to read my mind/heart and put into words why I love them so much. I plan on finding one of these skirts and wearing it oversized, bag lady style, to piss everyone off.

More ads (thank you Laia for emailing me these!)God I love how in the first one she's bending down to fix her shoe or scratch her toe or something. Or coming up from bending down! It's great. It's like the ad for AW01 I think it was, where she's massaging her feet? I don't know, I love those kinds of details.

Aaaaaaand I need sleep.
And I also need to buy the January issue of W because Alex White is a genius.
Aaaaaand that was random and I still need sleep.

116 comments:

Savanna Bonsignore said...

Hey Tavi I love your blog and all of your inspirations :) http://zuccherosavanna.blogspot.com/

FASHION SNAG said...

I love me some Prada! Great post Tavi. xoxo

_ said...

so jealous!
i want that prada book like nothing else!
s.

Anonymous said...

What a great assessment of Prada-- I never thought about it, but you are so right on about what Prada does best. And those lip and lipstick skirts--saucier than saucy!

Jenny
(PS-I read your Darfur article and it was wonderfully thoughtful & articulate. I'm so excited to read more of your writing!)

M. said...

I just bought the January issue of W and loved it, go get it when you can!

lovelove,
http://marissaexplains.blogspot.com

blukats said...

I'm like "what does she have on her skirt...ohhhhhhhhh!"

I think a rather loose pair of pants with those prints would also be awesome. Good luck with your search!

WendyB said...

Are those lips on those skirts? I love lips.

Unknown said...

Yeah it sucks to go back to school :'(! Yeah, but I get what your saying how Prada makes the blah, unfashionable, office wear look chic, and wearable. Transforming them into aesthetics that make you go wow!
http://kemichic.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

That's what it's all about, most of it anyways!
http://kemichic.blogspot.com

brightlightsbigcity said...

god night before break. i feel ya.
love the white skirt.
on the bright side, you get to debut those new outfits you dreamed up over break at school! and yet..
http://watermelonfeet.blogspot.com

zoomslow said...

Welcome back! I've missed your bank robbery ways ;-)

J said...

AH! I love love love love love love love love love this post! :) Thanks so much for sharing!

zoomslow said...

Kate Bush <3

eesa said...

those ads are great

Renna Kuroboo said...

Oh..hello Tavi, I'm Verena from Indonesia. I try for make a blog like you, but always fail. I don't know, why ???

Mmmm...Good Nigth, have a nice dream !!!

Anonymous said...

I never actually realised that about prada revamping the ugly things, well I must sya they do their job:)
I love that skirt too, its so different!

Crystal said...

My favourite is definately the ad with the male model grabbing the female model's arm. It should be a really aggressive stance but the models look so relaxed!
Maybe he's trying to steal her bag...

Joëlla said...

Hee Tavi!

First, i love your blog!, and second i've got a question for you: Where did you get the prada book. I'm wondering because i've read about it on the internet, but i couldn't find were i could buy it... So, can you maybe answer my question?

xxx Joëlla

lespenseesdejoella.blogspot.com

Alexandra said...

I want the Prada book soooo bad! You are AMAZING and my inspiration for my blog: http://alexs-take.blogspot.com/
Love your work! Keep it up!
Peace and Love
Alex

ELISE said...

Prada-book, wow that's awesome! It is a special feeling holding a book and reading fashion, i mean it's not like reading wich other magazine. Im so jealous of you Tav. X

mathilde said...

tavehh why are you so rad!?!

i have to say:
those translucent chiffon cream dresses in that collection, the ones that are sort of like mini flapper dresses, are excellent. and i adore them. i want to eat them up i love them so!

and you, good sir, have good taste in prada.

omnomnom.


SHAMELESS (yet inevitable) SELF-ADVERTISING:

www.newpockets.blogspot.com

alya said...

I find your love of this collection surprising, as much of what you capslock over is infitinely more "out there." However, as a long time turtleneck lover I am feeling what went down back when I myself was but a young one...

stylespotterfashionblogger said...

I know exactly what you mean, she always takes something that should be ugly and makes it absolutely beautiful. It should be grannified but is ace. ..and wearable.

Jean-pierre MATTEI ( clothings maker who shares some fashion sketches .............................. ) said...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
All these seems to be so old !! From the 80 's ....And i don't like at all this brown touch ...
...Just my taste ! ^^
Kiss !
=======================================================

E. said...

i like :)
check out my blog people!
xxx

ANHOLM said...

hey Tavi.
I am a Danish girl who think you have a nice blog.
so I've made a link on my blog to your blog.
hope it's okay?
Have a nice day.
Annesofie Anholm

fashionfamous said...

I've been searching your blog for months, since I was told there was a girl of 14 who had a blog and was very famous, and I really love to know because right now to me you're a fashion icon :) I love you!

eiyen said...

hi tavi, am helen from Indonesia (do u where is?) I love your Blog.. give me an inspiration

Anonymous said...

Those prints are the best. Thanks for sharing!

closet365.wordpress.com

Ross said...

I love those "Lipstick" skirts. The one store in KC that carries prada regularly sends its overstock and stuff it doesn't sell to goodwill so my friend has one in orange.

Ruthers said...

Hmmm... Must have book... I like this late 60's/early 70's look, so brown and yet pretty T,T

Caroline said...

The color palette is so Mary Tyler Moore Show, I love it.

One of the Prada skirts shows up on Charlotte in an episode of Sex and the City. It looks downright transgressive on her.

sarinni said...

regarding the weird feeling about the patterns, I guess its the way its one foot on the baby-girl side (I used to have a strawberry pattern skirt when I was young) and one foot on the adult side... because of the motif and the skirt shape... don't know really

ps: keep up the good work! ;)

The Immigrant said...

u already have the prada book! lucky bitch1 good for u! wow!

The Immigrant said...

u already have the prada book! lucky bitch1 good for u! wow!

Leah Sullivan said...

Evening Tavi :)
You've inspired me alot, in the past week, yes week. I've gotton in to blogging. I have always always been interested in fashion and always had a love for it, but i don't think i've ever had the confidence to wear what i really want to, but slowly thats changing... in a week!! You should be proud of yourself! haha
I'm applying for Universities next year and decided a blog would be an awesome way to get me into the throws of design and interpreting it, and might give me something extra in my portfolio, blahdyblahblah, and i wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart (LOL cheese) for inspiring me, you may not know it, but you and your blog has worked wonders for me. I now know exactly where i want to go from here and all i can think about is fashion and writing this blog! Really i should be concentrating on actual coursework for Textiles and Art, but hey ho.
So again, thank you GINORMOUS amounts for inspiring me and getting me on my way!
Much love
Leah
XXXX

Henry Leacock said...

Tavi, don't work too hard, dear.

Sam Harvey said...

hi tavi!
lovely browns. i love the model with the blonde bob! i still can't stand turtle necks. have you taken a peek at VIEW TEXTILE JOURNAL. another fine read.

http://lara-serbin.blogspot.com/

Elana said...

one of my favorite prada collections was the spring 2007 ready to wear line. i love the rich colors and interesting cuts and shapes of the clothes. my favorite piece was a colorful a-line tank dress with a bold print.
read my blog!
www.somewhatstylish-elana.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I love me some Prada :) TURTLENECKS AND ALL! What is that print lips? MMMMMMM.

xoxo
J

www.talkprettytome.blogspot.com

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

Prada showed some really great, wearable looks. And I love that lipstick skirt!

Anonymous said...

prada's never really hit my nail (wierd phrase) but well you just couldnt not love those skirts especialy the lip ones .I recently embelished some tights with lips -this was before reading this post v. starnge keep up the hard work and be yourself!

Chloe Tweeny said...

God, i want that prada book too!

Isabel said...

KATE BUSH LYRICS.

Hell yes. <3

Mila said...

Love it!! It is so true that anything ugly can be transformed by Prada. I don't want to go back to school:( oh wellllll...

meme-stylenewbie.blogspot.com

EdgySatsuma said...

I must say this new collection is quite divine but I'm not in love with it as much as other designers current collections (probably because my extravagant nature and mythicalobsession lean off the ordinary-office-brown-look and onto the tracks puffy skirts and bright or absent colours in other collections )

^_^

Anonymous said...

aww I hate that feeling on the last day of the holidays :'(
I live in New Zealand and here its summer so we get our summer break now-its quiet strange as I used to live in england and I'm still getting used to it.
Hope your first day at school was a good one!
xoxo

Paola and Denisha said...

Turtlenecks have never looked better ! Honestly I've always hated them because I'm at a loss to whether accessorize or not. Also, I live in LA and it is too terribly hot to even consider turtlenecks during most times of the year.
And isn't it funny how back then, that was the runway look, I mean look at the heels and stuff. And nowadays, its so different. That's like baby stuff. Like Nina Ricci heels, and those awesome bows and headbands. It just goes to show how much fashion has evovled.

average-style.blogspot.com

Becky said...

I am thinking "how does the all-knowing Tavi not know about this collection?;" But then I realized you were a toddler when this debuted! My, I feel old!
I was just getting into fashion when this collection came out; in my eyes it has always epitomized Prada. Everytime a new fashion week rolls around I look at Prada hoping it will compare to this!
If I am not mistaken, the lipstick print inspiring a few really bad knock offs!

well y'see... said...

i remain unconvinced about the appeal of brown turtlenecks, even if they are prada. I think that if a turtleneck is a must-have, it needs just a little splash of colour, or black/white (either or). but i must say the prints do take my fancy, also i love that lateritious jacket and the beige trenchcoat ;D that book looks pricey, was it?

kaku x

simonesays said...

Lovelovelovelove, AUGH.

Catherine said...

Love the lip print :)

Tavi said...

Henry-If blogging was work, I wouldn't do it.

Ross-That is AMAZING, so jealous

Leah Sullivan-That is so, really, very nice to hear, you are way too kind..best of luck to you and have fun <3

Paolo and Denisha-It's interesting you say that! But there are designers now that still show looks as wearable as these. And at the time this collection showed, and even before, people like Olivier Theyskens and McQueen were showing more extravagant pieces; Prada's aesthetic just leans in a more wearable direction.

Becky-I think it epitomizes Prada too, totally.

NorwegianWood said...

I really hope I didn't ruin this skirt for you! BTW, something special coming in the post ASAP...so mysterious, I know ;)

Baro Lucas said...

Hello Tavi, I called Baro Lucas, and your blog is very beautiful.

I follow !
I love it.

I love Fashion, Glamour, etc.

Cerrissa said...

I have the lip slingbacks from this collection and forever more will probably be known as the girl with the lip shoes...I used to have recurring dreams about this collection, is that sad? hopefully not, because those shoes are still pretty awesome!

Wayreading said...

I love your blog

Bailey Faye said...

Everytime I see your blog header I want to yell "CARPETBAGGER!" at the lady...

Anywho, neat post! I love looking at ad campaigns. I ought to get myself one of those books....

My Japanese miniatures finally came! If you care to look, I just posted them on my blog:

http://sous--la--pluie.blogspot.com/

I hope you also had a good first-day-back-at-school-from-winter-break :]

-Bailey

hannah banananan said...

hey,!! i live right near a prada store but never gone in becuase it very intimadating but i always gaze at the pretty thing and spiral arcitecture in side!! i love the preppy femanimity of the dresses there very kool!! i also really like the advertisings my dad make adds so i always drawn to the little details my self. i love the tabluex look of the fotos like a still life so kool!!!!

Steve said...

To be honest, turtlenecks HAVE never looked better! But "best turtleneck ever" is still nothing to brag about.

Now the prints, they are great because they're simple and understated, yet infec... no that sounds lame too.

emily said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kristen said...

I would wear the heck out of those skirts.

Molly Gertenbach said...

she puts the craziest prints on her clothes but THEY ALL WORK... AMAZINGLY.

Andrea said...

My favorite Prada print, possibly EVER (the caps! they're catching!) was the shaft of wheat/colorblocked coat from ...1999? Be still my heart. Someday, it will be mine. (Le sigh.)

Fashion Idiosyncrasy said...

God I love old fashion discoveries. Tavi, I'm not excpecting you to read these- but I've been commissioned to make a dress for a fundraising fashion show in Seattle and I'm hoping for your input on a design!! If you've got the time- slash even read this, please contact meeeeeee. gracias chica.

Miss Tami Lee said...

Eh, this collection is too bland for my taste. I feel like everything is very JC Penney

Robin Humphrey said...

my friend turned me on to your blog today. love it!

ifeden. said...

lol. you're so funny. miuccia can make a salty tooth ostrich look divine..
www.ifeden.blogspot.com

Wombstone said...

It is not often that we encounter young girls as cultured and likable as this. Bravo.

miyuki yoshimura said...

I love your blog! it's so cute.

Pretty Morose said...

I am totally the dishevelled office girl in a turtle neck right now. Booo! Saldy not prada but uniqlo. Whatevs, I love your blog. Good luck with your studies. X

HumanAdult said...

Actually when I first saw these ads when they came out, the word that everybody threw around was the "an affair at the office".

The star here is of course the Prada woman. They're quietly sexy in a Prada kind of way - all covered up but with pronounced bust line, or showing cleavage with the cardigan, the sexy shoes, short shorts covered in a long jacket - the kind of girl that Daria Werbowy portrayed in that Prada film, I forgot what its called. (if you havent seen it, you HAVE TO!)

She is also smart and sensual with a strong head on her shoulders. Even the guys in the ads are the extension of the Prada Women's personality. In both pictures, they are shown communicating, having some sort of intense discussion, showing that they are intellectual equals.

Most interestingly, when u put all the pictures together like you did, the picture with the purple handbag is the sensual counterpart of this "affair" story. She's dressed but with her top button unhooked and seemingly about to leave the room. He is in a sleeveless (without Jacket) therefore not fully dressed, holding gently to her asking her to stay. She's in charge.

I dont know whether these make sense to you but these ads were very defined moments back then of WHO is this smart, sensual, take charge, Prada Woman.

Lucy Bear Johnson said...

i think you may like.....http://luxirare.com/topic/imagefeed/

zoomslow said...

Fashion images that involve natural gestures help remind us that clothes are made for wearing, and boots are made for walking (the Nancy version, and most certainly not yours, Jessica Simpson).

Unknown said...

PRRRRIIINNNNNNNNTTTTTTTSSSSS.

meraldia said...

Very inspiring ads!

LiPs said...

Charlotte wore the lipstick skirt in SATC. Love me some prada.

MM x

Jillian Hobbs said...

quite stunning really, understated beauty is the best

<3

Matilda Delaporte said...

Brilliant as always! Keep up the great work Tavi- you are an idol to all

Matty xXxXxx

http://ohsokitsch.blogspot.com

rachel awes said...

i looooove your blog!!! lahahooove those shoes that deserve a nobel prize!! love your wording of loving lasagne and orange. love your style. love that you are yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hats off and tavi on to you!!

Ana Paula Gomes said...

Tiny loved your blog and how you it [and wear] fashion issue. Therefore I decided to speak briefly, about you and your blog site where I am a columnist. I hope you do not bother and you like the way I described in brief statements.

Then go to the column Talking Fashion by Ana Paula Gomes, Cool Site Area: http://www.espacocool.com.br/cms.php?id=16

I have a blog about fashion tbem: www.aiquesituacao.com after a passadinha there.

Hugs
Ana

Meadow Stevens said...

oooooo prints *homer simpson voice*
really. i want tho. NOW.

C A said...

I CANT WAIT FOR THE PRADA BOOK TOO, ACTUALLY, PRADA IS OPENING A HUGE STORE HERE IN LISBON THIS MONTH. ^.^

@ MAISONCHAPLIN.blogspot.com

Alta Moda - Aine said...

Your blog is great Tavi! I'm just starting mine and I don't know how to do much yet but if you want to check it out the URL is
altamoda2.blogspot.com
Keep it up because it looks good! Any tips on starting a blog?

ransomofroses said...

Great post. I'm the same age as you and I'm from the UK. I've jjst started an art project and I've decided to include you in it :) I'm doing a study on Fashion & Scott Schuman (aka The Sartorialist). Check out my blog. xx
www.teenstylegroove.blogspot.com

Erin said...

I've been inspired by you, Tavi! Can you please check out my blog? I need some constructive criticism!

http://Style-Savvy.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

loves it!
for fashion junkies and music fanatics check out: http://dirtyglamourxo.blogspot.com

WhatFacePaint? said...

woaah , amazing

WhatFacePaint? said...

woaah , amazing

ADJ said...

i love this entry. it is thoughtful and critical and well written. i love these ads too. designers who contrast what is typically ugly with something gorgeous is a genius. thanks for the post!

Steffanie's Style said...

we heart your blog :D

please follow our blog, we are 3 aussie teens who need some more followers.

http://steff-ellen-hannah.blogspot.com/

xx. S/E/H

Soren Lorensen said...

adore the clean-ness and brown-ness and realness-ness of the ads

Silvia said...

those prints are what I'd like to be wearing the day the apocalypse will come. I will feel surprised and open wide my mouth in a big O.

Anonymous said...

I always FORGET about that LIP PRINT. Remember that short-lived show about that all-male boarding school where the chick Shane from the L-Word pretended to be a dude and went there, but ended up hooking up with the hottie from Lost? She bought a pair of the lip-print shoes for her date with him. They are burned in my memory.

N. said...

Hey Tavi I only discovered your blog a couple of days ago and I have to admit that you are really good and fresh in your posts! In fact you even covinced me to sart a blog : whatyoustaringat.blogspot.com
I started it today so there's not a lot but you can step by if you want.
I almost forgot what I wanted to ask you : are there models and photographers credits in the campaign archive of the Prada book ?

The Trendy Fashionista said...

I love this post, Tavi!
Thanks for sharing this. All of the clothes are FABULOUS. ;)
-The Trendy Fashionista
http://thetrendyfashionista.blogspot.com

Moonlight said...

I lovvvee going through magazines, and looking through the ad campaigns. They're like the persona of the collection. Personality,and the look.

Sometimes I just feel like decorating my walls with all these incredible ads. And the right models, plus great photo composition can make any piece of clothing look extremely cool. just Love it.

Angeles Almuna said...

Fabulous post and great story, you inspire to me.
Kisses Lady Tavi

reckless daughter said...

such a great KB song. one of my favs!

I just watched that sex and the city where Charlotte wears that lipstick skirt. It crazy how current that collection still looks?!

Wear Nice Clothes said...

Did you get the January W in the end? Im in the UK so my friend scanned and sent me the Alex White good time and safe to say it was a very good time.

Anonymous said...

PRADAPRADAPRADA(L). i love the sort of browny dull tshirts with the white skirts. and look, people wear that nowadays. its the cycle :LL x


www.pandorasdress.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

PRADAPRADAPRADA(L). i love the sort of browny dull tshirts with the white skirts. and look, people wear that nowadays. its the cycle :LL x


www.pandorasdress.blogspot.com

WARREN WRIGHT said...

that is proably Prada BEFORE the inspirations gone crazy. you can even call it Prada now, but stripped of all the glitz and glam.

THE FAINDENT | A FASHION BLOG
http://www.thefaindent.blogspot.com

TigerQueen said...

brown is beautiful. nicely contrasted with the prints, though im not sure how elligible that is to be worn off the ramp.

aleksays said...

Old Prada was so amazing and completely different then it is today

kanishk said...

such a great KB song. one of my favs!

see through lingerie

Unknown said...

Fab. Love it.

http://fashioncancer.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I bought those brown/mustard/navy heels new from an eBay discounter in 2006 for $80, and I could never pinpoint which season they were from. Spring 2000 ftw. You're right, the campaign is beautiful.

I used to wear those shoes to class with brown ribbed tights and sometimes a green leather trench coat. Later, when I got back into modeling, I wore them for castings, because they were my only appropriately high heels. I remember the first time I met Russell Marsh I wore them, partly in some kind of desperate hope that he might recognise the footwear — and therefore recognise me as a girl whose engagement with the Prada brand was authentic, rapturous, well-informed. He didn't.

I should take them out for a spin again.

Ashley Adams said...

hey tavi! what is your opinion on Diane von Furstenberg collection from Fall 2000? love to hear it...

Ashley Adams said...

hey tavi! what is your opinion on Diane von Furstenberg collection from Fall 2000? love to hear it...

Veronica said...

those skirts are amazing! i really wish those models wore bras though...

prashant said...

you can even call it Prada now, but stripped of all the glitz and glam.

cooking video

evalicious said...

Oh, I love the pictures. ♥

Antonio said...

heeeeeeeeeey tav I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE AND LOOOOOVE YOUR BLOG IS MY LIFE LUV BBY ATTE: ANTOINE
VISIT MY BLOG PLEASE
COMMENT
www.shoutofthefashion.blogspot.com

Lavender_Blush said...

Wow! I love the skirts too. My favorite outfit is the one with a brown sweater, white skirt and polka-dot halter top underneath...It's so creative, I would have never thought to put those things together like that!

p a u l i n e said...

Brow, Maroon and turtlenecks look so good because they're worn by models.
Try putting one of this outfits on an average everyday looking woman and wait for the result..... which would be. BORING.