Surf's Up!
Pierre Hardy must have been reading my July 2007 mind as for some reason I was particularly intrigued by neoprene dresses. I stalked places like O'Neills to try and find a suitable bit of surfing gear to customise and fulfill my neoprene fantasy but alas the emblazoned logo across the chest was too much to bear.
When I stepped into Pierre Hardy's showroom, which is in the most amazing building in the world...unassuming from the outside but totally grandiose inside, I did want to squeal a little at the neoprene shoes that were laid before me. The colours were spot on, the shapes, expectedly beautiful and most importantly that plastic-y neoprene smell was there.
Instead of turning back to the hopeless cause that is REAL surfgear, I'll be exploring the land that is Cyber Dog - a website so rubbish and naff that it will have you wondering why I've even bothered linking to it. However, look closer and the structured neon dresses, with some tinkering done to them can go beyond looking like some sort of manga/anime cosplay effort and into something like what Pierre Hardy has done to elevate neoprene with his SS09 shoes (again, I've written fangirl letters to Monsieur Hardy to no avail...). Oh well, at least I've infiltrated his showroom now... his shoes become tantalising close now!
Those dresses are so Judy Jetson.
Posted by: WendyB | 13 October 2008 at 18:41
Lol at the Cyber Dog website, but this skirt isn't bad either: http://www.cyberdog.net/cybershop/pages/item.php?color=BLACK/MULTICOLOR&count=3&start=0&cat=accessories&subcat=119_couch%20uv%20rubber&subcat2=126_girls%20skirts%20%20tops&item=8891
Posted by: Annie Spandex | 13 October 2008 at 19:03
I can definitely see you pulling off the Cyber Dog dresses, in a v. good and non Cyber Dog way.
Posted by: miss woo | 13 October 2008 at 19:04
My friend Alex has been doing some interesting things with Neoprene in her collection...
She is a real surfer-girl from California..
makes it look easy
http://www.alexandracassaniti.com/ALEXANDRACASSANITI_SUMMER2.pdf
Hope you like!
-R
Posted by: Robin Cameron | 13 October 2008 at 19:20
i love that bright neon pink color! those dresses look like they are straight out of The Jetsons! i love them! :)
Posted by: diane | 13 October 2008 at 19:42
i love the colour of those shoes!
they also seem quite comfortable to walk in
Posted by: yumiko | 13 October 2008 at 19:45
wow, i love all the neon colours, i love cyberdog, go to there shop and its something else :D
i own a few cyberdog items, there clothing is so imaginative.
nad xx
Posted by: | 13 October 2008 at 19:52
love your blog <3 hope it´s ok if I put you on my blogs list ^^
(check out mine blog sometime;P )
xoxo
Posted by: Linnéa | 13 October 2008 at 20:03
I had this amazing Mandarina Duck neoprene coat years and years ago but on a whim I gave it to a charity shop and have regretted it ever since!
Posted by: DJM | 13 October 2008 at 20:46
I love neoprene, and always have, even when I was little. Coupled with my love of neon, I'm adoring Mr. Hardy's shoes!
Posted by: KD | 13 October 2008 at 20:49
The colours look fab and I'm afraid I'm not sharing the love but I'm getting it! Your photos are excited too and shame on Mon. Hardy!
Posted by: Make Do & Mend | 13 October 2008 at 21:19
Ah I love the shoes shown!
Posted by: New York Chique | 13 October 2008 at 21:53
I like those two bags very much!
http://ivoreece.blogspot.com/
Posted by: ivoreece | 13 October 2008 at 21:55
given that cyberdog are all about structured dresses, texture, unusual shaping, and bodycon, haven't some of your fave designers been referencing them fairly heavily lately? I often think Lim and Schwab are just Cyberdog with a-levels.
Posted by: Helen | 13 October 2008 at 23:58
Hiya
Just flicking through Etsy and saw an interesting collar piece and thought of you. It may be a bit too earthy ethnic rough perhaps, anyways its different, kinda like armour. the shop's called hierapparel
Posted by: ana | 14 October 2008 at 00:07
You're one step closer than me...neoprene, so Prada circa 1998!
Posted by: Imelda Matt | 14 October 2008 at 00:48
that cyber dog site is really a trip, though i can see how one could make their garments quite wearable and stylish with some daring and creativity. if anyone is cut out for the job, it's you. the pierre hardy shoes are divine!
Posted by: roxanne | 14 October 2008 at 01:04
pierre hardy is amazing! love the shoes.
Posted by: Becca | 14 October 2008 at 01:29
apart from diving suits, i always though neoprene should only belong to laptop sleeves and maybe food warmers. but the pink tiered skirt is oddly exciting!
Posted by: jo | 14 October 2008 at 01:44
definitely curious.
and of course you deserve to be on the collage, you're a consistent inspiration for me. silly.
Posted by: arabelle | 14 October 2008 at 01:55
ugh i adore neoprene too
scuba anything just makes me weak at the knees and pierres bags have a really big scuba feel
Posted by: Mike | 14 October 2008 at 02:05
pierre hardy makes me go weak at the knees and want to squeal like a girl. and i'm trying so hard to contain myself as i type this lol! it's amazing how i haven't already written some fan girl type emails :p
Posted by: evie | 14 October 2008 at 04:11
that website is so awful... "-.- but taking those dresses out of their natural environment- tis a good thing. the pink one is my fave.
Posted by: a dreamer | 14 October 2008 at 06:21
Very interesting material - Burberry used 'wetsuit' a few seasons ago for the men's collection - they did trench coats in it, and some shoes and bags. It looks very striking in bright colours and it feels quite nice but I'm not sure how practical it is for wearing day-to-day.
Posted by: Hapsical London Fashion Blog | 14 October 2008 at 22:42
you lucky girl you...
Posted by: Prêt à Porter P | 15 October 2008 at 10:24