Olympic Torch Strikes Gold

Thomas Heatherwick's 2012 Olympic "Cauldron"

Yes. 

I know about the controversy surrounding the Olympic Torch for this year's Summer Olympics in London. 

Since I do have a thing for fire and flames, I suppose if I was there I'd be massively disappointed to have it hidden... 

even dismantled at times... too. 

But still.

C'mon.

It's brilliant.

First of all, this picture is just a model of the actual torch, or "cauldron," as they are calling it. It's a bit too much of a Harry Potter term for me, especially considering the UK connection, so I'm sticking with 'torch.' 

Or 'Magnificent Torch.' Maybe 'Torch of Kings'? Ah. I have it:

'Olympian Torch.'

'Natch. 

Model of Actual Petal - to Scale

The brilliance of this Olympian Torch design lies in its petals.

Thomas Heatherwick took on an enormous task with this design.

As a major in Brit Lit,

let me just say...

I know.

But with these petals, 204 of them, mind you,

he transcended the normal Olympic torch experience.

In a world of ever-increasing global connectivity and "one-ness," 

this design not only fulfills its usual purpose of representing the ongoing centuries of Olympic Spirit and Tradition, but it also, 

at the same time, shows the other side of the coin... 

the lines that do make us different, 

the borders that do separate us, 

the differences that make us each a nation of one people.

This picture, showing the torch from within its stems, illustrates my point perfectly. 

It was devoutly taken by a British Blogger by freezing her BBC channel and snapping this shot with her iPhone. I love my iPhone too... that 'connectivity' I mentioned.

The stems and petals at all times represent each competing team's unique spirit, while the flame above is that power which only develops, grows and emanates when we all come together.

Powerful, isn't it?

My many thanks to London.

My many thanks to Heatherwick.

And my congratulations to all the teams.

May your inspiration create a fire that is not easily quenched.

xoxo,

Katherine

Sources:

DEZEEN.COM

THEVIBES.ME

Going for Gold

Thank you Flare.com for bringing these cuties to my attention.

Okay.

So they really aren't "cute."

But dang, they are gold perfection.

I don't know how Mr. Louboutin managed to avoid any 70's retro flavor with these...

...but he most certainly did. 

Well done, Christian. Well done.

Who needs a gold medal? Okay, I wouldn't pass one up...

but yeah. These'll get me through instead just fine.

Just fine indeed :)

xoxo,

Katherine

Downton Hits Downtown

2012 Met Gala Favorites Series

"Elegance is refusal."

-Coco Chanel

This look has a special kind of brilliance.

Editing, for any artist, in any field,

is the one thing that stands between a good artist...

and a great artist.

The gloves.

The length.

The gold.

Her skin.

Her brows.

Her hair.

"Elegance is refusal."

If this look can only be summed up with a quote

from Coco Chanel,

then perhaps I saved the best look for last.

To my dearest Met Gala, Au Revoire!  

I'll see you next year...

xoxo,

Katherine

Actress: Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey)

Designer: Ralph Lauren (I know, right?)

Ricci Royalty in Thakoon

2012 Met Gala's Favorites Series

I'm so glad Christina Ricci snapped up

the opportunity to pose with her designer, Thakoon.

Because it's one heck of a look.

Dang.

And doesn't she know it!

Just look at that smile.

But the dress gets better.

Now, yesterday I said I wished Kirsten Dunst's dress

was shorter. Or at least tailored or structured a bit more.

Here, I wish the dress dropped to her heels.

Then it would be perfection like we haven't seen since...

Marilyn.

That's right. I said Marilyn.

But it was short and so, for me, it looked awkward

everywhere between here knees to her ankles.

But she's still on here because...

Enough said.

xoxo,
Katherine

Hollywood Glamour Hits NYC

2012 Met Gala Favorites Series

Surely I'm not the only one that thought of

Lauren Bacall when I saw this photo, right?

Kudos to Kirsten Dunst.

Perhaps the all-knowing smirk comes

from her recent transition into her 30's,

which, as any woman will tell you,

is the decade we usually come into our true power,

but this Rodarte moment makes me want to stammer.

I rarely see true "old Hollywood" glamour, 

even when it's styled on purpose.

But somehow I don't think Kirsten was going for that.

She just went there.

Internally.

And the Rodarte was there waiting to make it all fit.

I love it.
She is truly smart, witty and somehow daring in this.

I wish the skirt was shorter, but that's just me.
And it's not "Met Gala" dramatic,
but then again,
every photo of her that night convinces you that
she is smack in the middle of Hollywood,
and that Cary Grant is getting out of his limo behind her.

How can you be more dramatic than that?

And may I just say,
congrats to her courage to not fall into the dramatic plastic surgery traps
that are enveloping anyone over the age of 18.

Because of it, she looks better than them all.

xoxo,
Katherine

Pitch Perfect McPhee

2012 Met Gala Favorites Series

Elie Saab told us to keep an eye out for her,

and boy, did they know what they were doing.

Katherine McPhee takes her "Smash" location

to heart and honored the city's top red carpet

by gracing it in a pitch-perfect statement.

It fits her perfectly in every way,

from her demure spirit to her upstanding poise.

That's who she is.

Yes, I love drama, especially at the Met,

but I put more value on a dress fitting a person's being,

rather than being dramatic for drama's sake.

For NYC, for its lights and for this particular night,

Katherine McPhee chose right.

xoxo,

Katherine

Zoe Kurkova's the Met

2012 Met Gala Favorites Series
My #1 Look

As you know, the Met Gala is my favorite fashion night of the year. 

It was a bit toned down this year, but I think I'm okay with that.

Because, perhaps as a result, there were quite a few more notches

in the "win" column than usual for me.

At the top of my list is Karolina Kurkova in, 

can you believe it, Rachel Zoe.

I don't normally applaud models,

and I'm not a fan of Zoe as a person,

but this stunning achievement shines a beautiful starlit 

golden shimmer upon both ladies,

not to mention the actual event itself.

It is the PERFECT gown for the Met Gala.

Had it been worn anywhere else at all,

it just wouldn't have been such a success. 

The entire ensemble just radiates "Met Gala"

and the tomb and the high ceilings where the event took place.

What an amazing win. Hollywood glamour

that only New York could understand.

Congrats Karolina & Zoe. It was a huge night for you both.

(And, I suspect, a red carpet highlight for years to come!)

xoxo,

Katherine