Idiosyncratic Style

Idiosyncratic Style favorite, Fashion Designer Breeyn McCarney for her signature label, Breeyn McCarney and it’s budget-friendly sister line Another Word For Pink.

Breeyn wearing her own designs | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

Working on?
My F/W 2010 collection and my first independent fashion show (Thursday March 18, 2010). As soon as that’s finished I start the Another Word For Pink (AWFP) S/S collection, plus commissions for personal pieces including bridal gowns.

Favorite piece from your F/W10 collection?
So hard to say, I’ve put so much time, energy and thought into all of them. I am excited to wear the grey plaid jacket. I make a selection of sample sizes for stylists on editorial shoots and charity fashion shows, but I try to make the sample jackets to fit myself, too. They take so long to make that I’m unlikely to re-make one just for myself. So I wait until the season is over and then it’s mine.

Breeyn McCarney F/W 2010 Collection | Photographed by Mike Lewis

Your Creative Block Remedy?
Wow, here is a reveal. I talk to my ‘imaginary friend’. Ha ha ha…

Your Fashion Icon?
Vince Noir (The Mighty Boosh)

Your Idiosyncratic Style?
Vagabond. I think I might be a bit sloppy, but glam sloppy. Almost everything I wear is vintage or thrifted. I think Marla Singer (Fight Club) had great style (but cleaner).

Breeyn wearing a thrifted coat | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

Your ‘Old Faithful’?
A t-shirt my dad gave my mum 34 yrs ago wiith “Big Steve loves me” on the front and “So watch out” on the back. It’s black with awesome orange fuzzy letters. It’s the most perfect fitting t-shirt. It’s pretty threadbare, but I keep wearing it.

The Best Book?
Catch-22

Your Most Influential Artist?
Alexander McQueen. I was so destroyed the day he died. I’ve already got the concept for my F/W11 show and there will be a nod to McQueen in it. He’s shaped my whole approach to fashion – the detail, the craftsmanship, the tailoring…

Breeyn wearing a Natasha Ferro cape | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

Your Favorite City?
London, England.

In a time machine you’d go back to?
I really like modern amenities like hot water and clean plumbing, but even from a strictly ‘fashion’ stand-point, I reckon we’re the in best one now. Lots of things in the past looked nice, but it wouldn’t be so great to faint going up some stairs because your corset is too tight. Now we have so many options.

Your Guilty Pleasures?
Lady Gaga and watching the same movies over and over.

Your Favorite childhood game?
Dress up.

Breeyn wearing a necklace from her collection | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

Your ‘Superhero’ name and power would be?
Undefined Girl. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal my powers in an interview.

The cause you would give your all to?
The planet. It’s dying, and it makes me sad.

Your Style Advice?
No sweat pants. No Uggs. No jammies in public. Other than that, dress in what you’re most comfortable in.

What’s next?
Big things? I never know, I just work as hard as I can and see where it goes. I’d like to try for Project Runway Canada if they do another season.

Breeyn wearing items from Value Village | Photographed by Christopher Lewis

You can follow Breeyn on Twitter for updates, info and fun ‘tweets’.

The unexpected loss of Alexander McQueen brings tragedy to the fashion world.

Alexander McQueen

Paying my respects to his life and genius, I look back at a decade of Alexander McQueen’s brilliant collections to bring you a list of the thirteen looks that I personally love, dream about owning and would wear forever…

Alexander McQueen Fall 06 | Fall 07 | Fall 06 Collections

Alexander McQueen S01 | F03 | S07 Collections

Alexander McQueen S08 | S08 | S06 Collections

Alexander McQueen F10 | S10 | S09 Collections

Alexander McQueen S04 Collection

What Alexander McQueen garments do you dream about wearing?

From cartoon couture to DIY projects, check out my favorite links from this week…

If any of these stylized creations came towards me in a dark alley, I’d run for my life. There is something about each image that evokes a sense of fear, but since terror can mimic falling in love (pulse races, chills pursue, quickened breath, a locked stare, paralyzing fear and if your lucky, a false sense of bravery), it is no wonder that I am completely mad for these 10 creepy collections.

Alexander McQueen - Fall 2009

Alexander McQueen sent an amazing collection down the runway for Fall ‘09 and any of them, especially miss umbrella-head, would have been right at home among the residents of Halloween Town in The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Gareth Pugh - Spring 2007

The stunning geometry of this Gareth Pugh Spring ‘07 paralyzes me by conjuring up terrifying imagery of Lewis Carroll’s The Jabberwocky. 

Maison Martin Margiela - Spring 2009

The faceless creature that graced Maison Martin Margiela Spring ‘09 runway could have been that freaky little dead girl coming out from the well in The Ring.

Christian Dior - Spring 2006

Rather than garbs fit for royalty, the Spring ‘06 Christian Dior show featured garments worthy of a religious madman spreading Christianity, post Dark Ages.

Alexander McQueen - Spring 2001

If a runway show taking place in an insane asylum wasn’t creepy enough, for Spring ‘01 Alexander McQueen hit the nail square on its head by sending out this beautiful dress and tapping into our latent Hitchcock induced ornithophobia.

Gareth Pugh - Fall 2008

The looks from Gareth Pugh’s Fall ‘08 runway show induces childhood fears by reminding me of the Wicked Witch of the West’s castle guards in the Wizard of Oz.

Comme Des Garcons - Fall 2005

Comme Des Garcons’ Fall ‘05 show felt like a delicate after-death moment  similar to the scary, solemn sweetness that was created in the séance from Beetlejuice.

Alexander McQueen - Fall 2007

This artistically crafted piece from Alexander McQueen’s Fall ‘07 show swept across a red sand pentagram in lieu of a traditional runway and evoked the same kind of spine-tingling chills as the presence of a medieval torture device.

Gareth Pugh - Fall 2007

With alien-esque skin and transparent futuristic textiles, Fall ’07’s Gareth Pugh collection had a very eerie Marilyn Manson moment circa The Dope Show.

Comme Des Garcons - Spring 2008

Stephen King’s It forever changed the reputation of clowns from friendly smile-makers to nightmare factories. Comme Des Garcons’ Spring ‘08 show delighted in the unassuming terror of clowns like the legendary Pennywise.

What creepy collections do you love and which ones just scare you?

Photos from Style.com

Weren’t planning on doing Halloween this year, but plans have changed  and you don’t want to be just another Lady in the sea of Gagas? No worries, using pieces mostly from your own closet, here are 5 fashion-friendly costume ideas.

Beyonce - Single Ladies
Wardrobe: Black body suit (chop the right arm off) and black heels
Key Peices: Two brave friends to be the back up dancers
Bonus Point: Sell it with some actual choreography

Alexander McQueen Fall 2009 Model
Wardrobe: Layered pieces of houndstooth, opaque tights and a head scarf
Key Peices: White face make-up and huge red lips
Bonus Point: Perfect that runway walk and be sure to pose a lot

Karl Lagerfeld
Wardrobe: Tight black suit, high-collared white shirt and major accessories
Key Peices: White hair wig tied into a low ponytail and stiff posture
Bonus Point: Practice the accent and bitchy comments to really sell it

Holly Golightly - Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Wardrobe: Black evening dress, evening gloves and lot’s of jewelry
Key Pieces: Styling your hair just right and the old-fashioned cigarette holder
Alternative: Skip the cigarette and opt for large sunglasses and to go breakfast

The Devil wears Prada
Wardrobe: Your most fashionably chic ensemble
Key Pieces: Devil horns and a tail
Bonus Point: Actually wearing Prada

Need more ideas, check out Threadbanger for a ton of creative DIY Halloween costumes. Will you be wearing a stylish halloween costume this October? Share your pictures with us in the Idstyle Facebook Group.