ode to a punk princess

It's always an honor to be asked to participate in the annual CWC International Blythe Doll Charity Fashion Exhibitions in Japan. This will be my third time, and I have always loved being part of this show, not to mention how amazing it is to have a design in the company of Blythe Dolls designed by many of my favorite designers--Prada, Gucci, John Galliano, Dolce & Gabbana, Issey Miyake, Sonia Rykiel, Vivienne Tam, Paul Smith, Anna Sui, and more.



The theme for 2010 is "Manga Girls Inspiration", and the manga character who inspired my Blythe is Nana Osaki. Something about the tragic punk star who grew up influenced by The Sex Pistols with an affinity for Vivienne Westwood struck a chord with me, right down to the lotus tatoo on her arm. I love the fact that despite her celeb status, Nana's life is so particular to Japanese pop culture, and yet her taste, like many young girls all over the world, is influenced by western fashion.



I planned all along to make a leather bustier as a nod to Vivienne Westwood, adding trashed eye makeup from all night clubbing, late 80s white sparkle lips, and Nana Osaki's signature hair cut. But at this point I started to have difficulties. My leather jacket for the character got held up and I decided to abandon the idea, which would allow me to put a lotus tatoo on her. The red plaid mini skirt I originally planned for her to wear with white cotton thigh-highs--a pristine version and a deconstructed one--after several incarnations got discarded as well. I felt that despite her punk roots, she would have a more elegant feel and finally decided that this manga-inspired girl would also resonate with Japanese haute couture. The final skirt, albeit a mini, was an homage to the dusty blacks championed by Rei Kawakubo and the sculptural aesthetic of designers like Yohji Yamamoto and Junya Watanabe.



It's this mixture of East and West sensibilities that makes this manga girl come alive for me, giving her a sense of glamour and mystery, and mirrors my own taste as a designer. Her pop aesthetic crosses definable boundaries, which is what manga ultimately has done.




More details on the show coming soon!

what betty knew

Ah yes, Betty. She was doing it long before it was cool. But now Prada, Miu Miu, McQueen, Dior, and Vivienne Westwood have caught up with her. Get ready to see thick gnarly socks with heels very soon...











Will you be wearing socks with your heels this coming fall?

me and lee

Gold paillette covered shrug by Alexander McQueen

Not a day goes by that I don't think about Lee Alexander McQueen. Blown away that he's gone, I marvel at his work, his career. When I saw these pre-Fall '10 looks, I caught my breath a few times, they were so beautifully constructed.







His new textiles turn reptilian motifs into the closest thing I've seen to stunning fabric art in a long while. Seriously, it almost hurts to look at the forthcoming collection.







I would never say that being an over-the-top showman detracted from his collections because it's part of what made him so unique.



At the same time, it's a shame so many younger people will only know him for his Lady Gaga cloven shoes, when he was actually a tailoring genius and master of construction. So much was made over her shoes in the "Bad Romance" video, but McQueen also designed Lady Gaga's fabulous dresses like this gold oragami fold mini.



How great is this sequin reptilian dress with bell skirt?



Even this lbd was by McQueen...



In the U.K. he was the go-to guy for a red carpet dress. Everyone from Posh and Gwenneth to serious actress Cate Blanchett, decked themselves out in his frocks.







I have moments where I think I want to spend the rest of my life collecting every piece of his that I can get my hands on. But then I think, Why? To what ends does this pursuit matter? Isn't enough to just to admire and respect him?



And then I see this coat, and my heart stops. It's so perfectly brilliant. I've been shocked that are people and even major designers who seemed so nonplussed by his death, dismissing it with a shrug like it's no big surprise. All I know is, I'm not letting Lee go so easily. I'm not finished with you Lee, not by a long shot.

star style

Good morning! I brought you your own vintage thermos because today we're on the go--Chai Tea Latte in one, strong black coffee in the other--please have a cup with me on this chilly Monday morning, we have style rounds to make! First, thank you so much for all the lovely birthday wishes. I had a great few days of doing nothing but indulging in food, wine, and merry-making!

So on to the Oscars! The red carpet was nothing if not whimsical this year, which is something I have often been accused of in my own designs, so I was happy to see a happier lighter vibe at the awards.



Sandra Bullock, beautiful in a champagne column gown by Marchesa. More champagne below: Miley Cyrus in a Jenny Packham gown.



Somber colors at the Oscars are getting tired, but the exception was Kristen Stewart in this Monique Lhuillier gown. She looked great!



This Elie Saab blush gown with Anna Kendrick's creamy skin was so beautiful!



Finally, Cameron Diaz sparkled in Oscar de la Renta.




Now that the glitz is out of the way for another year, there's Fashion Week in London, Milan, and Paris to consider. If you've been keeping tabs on the shows then you know that coats were the stars on the Fall '10 runways. I'll have more on this later this week, but for now, we'll wrap things up with these fabulous new fitted silhouettes.







Photos: Tumblr; Oscar photos courtesy Getty; Fashion photos via Style.com: Sophia Kokosalaki, Celine, Lanvin.

making wishes

It's my birthday today and I'm slipping away to Los Angeles to see friends and for a little spa pampering. I'll be back in time for the Art Walk and a martini tonight. See you back here tomorrow!

xo Mary Jo

knot again!

First I need to thank Senora Cartera for including my Knot Clutch in her Top 10 Spring 2010 Picks right up there with Alexander McQueen, Chloe, Derek Lam, and Tod's! I'm so honored to be in such good company. If you read Senora Cartera, then you know that Dania is a discerning handbag aficionado, so this means a lot to me.

People are always surprised that the Knot Clutch is so roomy in person. It's based on the size of one of my favorite vintage clutches from the 40s, and I've been carrying it around myself the past couple of weeks--not having a moment to change bags since I went to a party at MOCA. I always forget that everything I usually stash in my bowling bag easily fits in this big clutch (which btw is completely eco-friendly and light as a feather). There's something about carrying a clutch that makes me feel a bit more feminine too.


Mary Jo Matsumoto Silk Velvet Halter, Pencil Skirt, Knot Clutch

MaryJoMatsumoto.com is being revamped at the moment, but if you're interested in this bag or any of my bags--please feel free to email me at trustyourstyle@gmail.com.

p.s. Loving the fact that velvet is coming in so big for Fall '10 and there are several pieces in my new line, like the charmeuse lined velvet halter above
that will be perfect Fall/Winter pieces!

Also, lots of new delicate candy colored semi-precious stone necklaces just arrived in my shop in multi-colored hues of blue, gray, chocolate, pink, yellow, champagne, and olive. I love that they're simple enough to wear to work yet have a relaxed feel and look great layered with chain and other pieces.



Finally, before I sign off I'm announcing the winners from the Trust Your Style Natural Perfume Great-ful Give-away! I used the random number generator--the winners are: #5 and #7: 5th comment is from Couture Carrie who feels she is wonderful because she is creative and 7th comment from Julia who loves that her baby belly is rosy and glowing. Check out my shop for more on the perfume and their descriptions. Anyone who entered the Great-ful Giveaway and would like to order Trust Your Style's new Natural Perfume will receive 10% off their next order through the month of March. I will credit back 10% when you place your order. Just convo me when you order so I can make sure to give you 10% off!

Congrats ladies, please email me to let me know your choice of roll on perfume {you may chose a mini-roll on of either Magical Mind, You Make Me Happy or Cocoa Flora} and please email your address too so I can get it out to you asap!

Hope you're having a wonderful Tuesday!

xo Mary Jo

clouds in my coffee

Good morning! Please come in for a cup of coffee! As you can see from the title of today's post, it was a slightly nostalgic weekend--haha, I even provided the mood music on the left. The rain started on Friday night and kept up through Saturday, making it the perfect time to watch movies and go through some old photos. I saw Nine, which only added to the memory fest. My Fellini class was my most favorite class at Berkeley, and his movies shaped so many ideas I have about film, fashion, and great style.



A river of thoughts and emotions pass through your mind when you see the past in sharp focus--photos that make you laugh and also feel a little sad to see all those people and friends from the past, everyone looking so young and innocent. You start thinking back on all the bright personalities. I also noticed for the first time that every hair was always in place back in high school, I even pressed my tennis dresses back then. These days I tend to buy my clothes chic-rumpled or at least wear them that way so I don't have to bother.



The good thing about looking at the past for a moment is that it lets you see how fast time goes by and think about what's happening right now. I found myself pondering how can I better enjoy it all as it comes? And the past makes you take a look at where everything's going. What's important? How to make the important things priorities? Old pictures raise lots of good questions.

So tell me please, how was your weekend?

p.s. I'm going to extend the Trust Your Style perfume give-away until tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow. There's still time to enter here (make sure to read the directions about commenting) if you'd like to win a bottle of my new perfume!

photo 1: designsbygollum
photos 2 & 3: Zink Magazine by Yann Ostiguy

eye on style: unusually fine

Todays Eye on Style guests are the behind-the-camera duo Max and Margaret of Unusually Fine. They caught my eye over at The City Sage, and I thought you'd enjoy meeting this couple whose style is unusually fine!



Unusually Fine is Margaret Singer and Max Freeman

location: NYC, New York

occupation: photographers

wearing: Margaret's in Ferragamo loafers, Uniqlo jeans, a bracelet she picked up in Uganda, and an Alberto Biani jacket from a thrift store. Max is wearing Ben Simons, Ben Sherman slacks, an A.P.C. short-sleeve, and a Casio.

favorite designers: Margaret's favorite is Theory for work. She loves Viktor & Rolf and Costume National is great for her too. Max is a big fan of A.P.C. He loves their quality fabrics and minimalist design and says their clothes are perfectly tailored for skinny guys. Max and Margaret both like classic looks -- but with a wink.

What style means to max and margaret: Style is first a question of becoming an interesting person and then of finding ways to express those interests to other people. We love individuals and their eccentricities. As photographers, we zoom in on the details, the accents, and the gestures that make our subjects true originals.

Thanks so much Max and Margaret for stopping by!

p.s. Unusually Fine is going to shoot one couple's New York wedding for free. They're new to the city and it's their way of saying, "Hey, New York. Can I buy you a drink?" Details here.

tis the sea-son

I've managed to get a couple of these new vintage goodies in the shop, but the rest will be available soon. This week I have a couple of little vintage brass charms from the 50s--the anchor and the horse & shoe on brass chains wire wrapped with pearls and turquoise. They are so sweet and delicate and will hopefully be in the shop by the end of the day. I also just came across the big vintage locket (on the right) of a medieval drinking scene, which made me laugh and I had to have it. Large lockets on long chains were big on the Fall '10 runways btw.

p.s. If you are a horse person and would like to be on my email list to get first dibs notification when I get a vintage horse locket or other vintage horse pieces in, please email me. I know a few of you wanted those vintage horse lockets that I had in the shop a few weeks back--they went quick!

Hope you're having a great day and definitely check back tomorrow, I'm very excited about Friday's Eye on Style!

a bit of mystery

I'm a big fan of Antonio Berardi's Fall 10 collection. His cuts are impeccable and timeless, but there's a bit of surprise to them, like this lace insert, which gives his designs a chic and sexy feel. I love sophisticated clothes with just a hint of mystery.

On the flip side, a part of me is a sucker for this man bag which leaves little to the imagination! Okay, it's not really a man bag, it's a man holding a bag I'd like to have! Check out my post today at Senora Cartera to see Marc Jacobs in the buff!

And speaking of mystery, I used the Random Number Generator to draw the winner, for last week's giveaway, which gave me the number 10. Lovely Christina from Down and Out Chic was the 10th reader to comment on the Tarte Smooth Operator Giveaway! Congrats Christina!

Before I sign off, I want to remind you to enter Trust Your Style's Natural Perfume Giveaway--there will be two winners and I'm extending the deadline to enter until the end of the month! Click here to enter and please make sure to read the details.

photo courtesy Style.com