Style Crush: Rooney Mara

Burgeoning acting career acclamation aside, thanks to her role in the much-hyped English big screen adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Rooney Mara's seemingly effortless style is swiftly conquering the hearts of many, including my own. A reincarnated Snow White, her sleek ebony crop (a product of her role as pierced, tattooed, computer hacking introvert Lisbeth Salander) contrasts strikingly against her alabaster complexion.

Mara's minimalist choice of attire works so well with her unique, more innocent Dita von Teese looks. She disregards accessories. She knows what colours work for her (a winter palette of bold blues, blacks, whites and jewel tones) and an oh so subtle, blink-and-you'll-miss-it nod to the silent screen era infiltrates into her much coveted wardrobe. At every event, she ticks all the right boxes, although some would argue this is merely down to her playing it too near the "safe" margin. Ostensibly, it would appear Givenchy is Mara's go-to designer when it comes to red carpet events.

Givenchy coat, Brian Atwood shoes.

Givenchy dress.

Calvin Klein dress and sandals.

Miu Miu dress.

Miu Miu bralette and skirt.

Givenchy dress.

Louis Vuitton.

Michael Kors dress.

Louis Vuitton dress.

Louis Vuitton dress.

Carven Alpaca coat.

Nina Ricci dress.

J.Mendel dress, Prada shoes.

Valentino dress.

Prabal Gurung dress.

Lanvin dress.

Tavi Gevinson @ New York Fashion Week 2012

Fashion week has arrived once again. New York kicked off the first series of Fall Winter 2012 shows on the 9th of this month, summoning the fashion elite and the creme de la creme of the A-list world. Fashion blogging prodigy and Rookie magazine editor, Tavi Gevinson, was among the many who made the pilgrimage to one of the most imperative dates on the fashion calendar.

It's almost impossible to contain the bitter pangs of jealousy upon discovering that, at just 15 years old, this is Tavi's seventh Fashion Week. New York magazine documents Tavi's packing process before she jetted off for the event in her home in Chicago. The camera offers insights to the enigmatic workings of her wardrobe, before switching back to the young girl kneeling over a slowly-filling suitcase reminiscing of her first experience at Fashion Week in 2009.

"I was really sad to go home and to middle school" she says, folding a lemon-coloured garment before rolling her eyes and adding, with typical teenage apathy, "Which sucked".

Let's fast forward onward a tad to the day of the show in question, shall we? From her more recent blogposts (although I find it silly to include the link as I'm sure anyone who reads this is following her blog) it's clear that Tavi has been sourcing inspiration from the 50's straight through to the 70's. Images and videos from these mid-century decades adorn her posts, including original promos for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Mad Men and flight attendants from the 70's. Further back and you'll find her attempts at recreating a beehive, seen above. 

Her sweater is Meadham Kirchhoff, paired with a, very on-trend with the pastels of spring/summer, pleated mint skirt by Miu Miu, black tights with a youthful solitary tear (possibly intentional to tone down the primness of her hair and skirt) and Chloe Sevigny boots. An addition of a novelty button of a child her father gave her from a funeral (what a charming token) warrants her quirky style.

Already, I've jotted down my favourites from the week's shows (Derek Lam, Victoria Beckham and Preen) and shall make sure to convert them into a multi-post by the week's end. Check out (I'm cringing at how American that expression sounds) the video I mentioned earlier to gain a short, adorable insight into Tavi's Fashion Week preparations.