June 2009
68 posts
Tuesday's Tip
Always overpack for travel. Bring items you’re pretty you won’t need. Case in point - I’m in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and would totally be laying out sunbathing if I had a bikini. My packed wardrobe of boots and long sleeved tops aren’t much help in this sunny, hot climate.
Fast Fashion!
Have you ever gone through your lingerie and wished you could find something sloppy, juvenile, overpriced and tacky? Well, Juicy Couture now has you covered! They’ve just opened their first intimates shop in the capital of class, Las Vegas.
Get ready for a far less glamorous Met Costume Institute Gala in 2010. Think far more old, very wealthy dudes in dull suits and far fewer of the...
“Fashion and music are equivalent, they match very well: both are expressions of...”
– Karl Lagerfeld
Topshop Belfast > Topshop Soho
Even with the heinous exchange rate, a skirt that retails in the US for $44 (without tax) was $36 (no tax!) here. Pictures and a full review to come later. Belfast beating out New York in the shopping department, who knew?
Sartorial conclusion on the Northern Irish
Regarding the women - in the current heatwave, clothing is shockingly skimpy and revealing, yet the overall looks are nearly redeemed by a predilection for statement heels. I repeat, nearly. Neon mini dresses cannot be salvaged by even the most stunning accessories.
Observation re: Northern Ireland style
Belfast is not a fashion center. This evening I stumbled upon what could best be described as combination of an American TGI Fridays, a karaoke bar, a pub and a disco. The skirts were minuscule, the tops were cropped, the colors were straight out of the 90s and the bods were not gym ready. It was a sight to behold.
Fast Fashion
The New York Times presents a shocking expose of the lack of sustenance consumed by male models. One admitted to eating “maybe two meals” a day and dropping 30 pounds. The picture of health, really.
Calvin Klein’s “threesome” billboard has been removed from Soho and replaced with a comparatively Disney-esque bikini shot. Francisco Costa, the label’s...
“Don’t tell anyone, because I’m not allowed to do this, but we...”
– Christian Lacroix on marching on. Viva la couture!
I was trapped in a ferris wheel for almost 4 hours... →
So, this is what happened to me today. Making statements regarding false imprisonment charges tomorrow to the Belfast police.
Fast Fashion
Feel like getting sloshed stylishly this summer? The fashion set has you covered with a line of cocktail at Local 138. Drinks include Marc Jacob’s Marc Mint Martini, Ralph Lauren’s Ralph Raspberry Rum Punch, and Tory Burch’s Tory Tikki Tini.
Though some houses have managed to thrive in the recession, Escada has seen sales fall over 30%.
Sex and the City costume designer Pat Field...
Finally in Belfast.
Promise to determine whether Catholics or Protestants are more fashionable. Is that somehow sacrilegious or just generally offensive?
“Whatever the reason, the fashion world is clearly in some kind of guilt-riddled...”
– Simon Doonan on the charity craze sweeping the fashion industry.
Fast Fashion!
Phrase I never thought I’d hear spoken about Karl Lagerfeld - “very open to criticism.” Apparently the Kaiser is quited dedicated to his role as a dastardly ex-model in the French animated film Totally Spies. “He spent at least eight hours on the dubbing and redid takes until it was exactly right.”
Jimmy Choos for as little as $60? Yep, Choo is teaming with...
Fast Fashion!
Actress/”designer”/repeat rehab supporter Lindsay Lohan may have lifted over $400,000 in jewelry from a recent Elle shoot. Supposedly, the police are already involved.
If you happen to find yourself near a Gap today, make sure to check out Design Editions Khaki Collection, featuring Alexander Wang and Vena Cava. If there are crowds, snag a few Wang jackets for eBay.
Dolce &...
“I don’t want my designs to be shaped by journalists any more. Do you know why I...”
– The infinitely intriguing Tom Ford.
Fast Fashion!
The fashion Oscars, the CFDA Awards, take place tonight in New York City. Marc Jacobs, Rodarte and Narciso Rodriguez are up for the big prize of the night - Womenswear Designer of the Year. Though not enough people care about fashion for something like this to be televised, check back tomorrow morning for a fall recap.
That’s Sir Christopher to you! Burberry designer Christopher...
Menswear Memo
Skinny goth dudes, you’re out of luck this season
Avant garde designer Gareth Pugh will not be a showing a men’s collection this June for Paris Fashion Week. Pugh fans shouldn’t despair though - men’s pieces will be included in his spring 2010, which will show in October. His spokeswoman explained that Pugh’s last (and debut) menswear show was simply to drum up...
Vogue photoshopping models to add pounds
Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue, is slamming designers for cutting increasingly tinier samples for magazines to shoot. The trimmed down clothes are forcing editors to hire the thinnest of girls. The required measurements? A 5’10 frame with a 23 inch waist.
She says many of the garments sent out to magazines before photo-shoots are so small they do not even fit the star...
Fast Fashion!
Diane von Furstenberg settled out of court with the Canadian designers who accused her team of ripping off their floral, bow jacket. This frees DVF to concentrate on important things like filling the massive void left by exiting The City “employees” Olivia Palermo and Whitney Port.
Have you been lusting for a Karl Lagerfeld teddy bear, but just couldn’t stomach the $1500...
Underwhelmed by affordable undergarment options
Though it’s probably not the sexiest of revelations, I’m just going to say it. I loath shopping for lingerie. The near monopoly of the affordable underthings market by Victoria’s Secret frustrates me to no end. Despite having a current roster of over a dozen bras, I can’t say one manages to fit perfectly while holding up against the regular wear and tear. Until my...
Fast Fashion!
John Lennon and Harry Potter can’t be wrong - round glasses are back. The New York Times declares them to be the “it” sunglasses of the summer.
Being poor may be in style too! Super star fashion critic Cathy Horyn is touting $16 Wal-Mart jeans as a beloved part of her summer wardrobe.
David Beckham’s new Armani underwear campaign debuted today. Ladies and gay...
“I never go out in something that I am uncomfortable in, well, except shoes, and...”
– Amanda Brooks, from her book I Love Your Style.
Trickle down style-nomics
Though I’d like to classify myself as bona fide city gal, I was born and raised in the South. I grew up in Knoxville, TN and stayed until I left for college in DC. Once I arrived, I was amazed that styles I saw in magazines and on TV were actually readily available at most price points. Back home, the most stylish girls tended to be those with a sewing machine and an eye for vintage.
...
Fast Fashion!
Vera Wang has conquered ready to wear, bridal and home decor, and now she’s set to take on reality TV. Yes, Vera is reportedly joining next season’s cast of Dancing with the Stars. While not exactly the kind of program one would associate with high fashion (Have you seen those outfits? Positively heart attack inducing.), perhaps Vera is looking to continue to promote her...
“Everyone in fashion loves Tippi Hedren wearing that green suit in The Birds, but...”
– Kate Mulleavy of Rodarte.
Summertime Blues
It’s well established that weather can have a significant effect on one’s moods. Winter blues are to be expected, but summertime blues? Welcome to New York. We’ve had day after dreary day this “summer” (though it’s not technically summer yet, I still use the “when kids get out of school” marker to signify the start of the season) and I am fed up. ...
Tuesday's Tip!
“Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”
— The Princess Bride via ew.com (Via meredithnyc)
Fast Fashion!
Just can’t seem to get that aging, hot mess look with labels currently on the market? Lucky for you, Courtney Love is rumored to be planning her own line. Ideas for the collection include stitching a ruby into every piece. Oh Courtney! Sane as ever.
Viva La Croix! Christian Lacroix is vowing to fight on. The couturier has been approached about selling his ailing brand, but refuses...
I find this mildly disturbing
Hermès is opening up it’s own crocodile farms in Australia to meet the high demand for exotic bags. Their CEO explained the move into breeding is due to the limited number of crocodiles available. One bag takes three to four crocodiles to produce. I’m a content carnivore, but something about the slaughter of four animals to produce one lavish bag just turns my stomach.
“But at the end of the day I used to wonder: what’s the difference between...”
– Former model and filmmaker Sara Ziff.
Fast Fashion!
Remember the Anna Wintour-backed Fashion Night Out planned for September 10 in New York? Well, now it’s going world-wide. 13 international Vogue editions will host similar events across the globe, promising “Vogue writers, models and designers offering lessons in style.” Did you get that last part? Anna and Andre kowtowing to anon shoppers? I’ll believe that when I...
Menswear Memo
Menswear designer can’t afford his own clothes
Designer Michael Bastain discussed the state of men’s fashion with the New York Times, including the outrageous prices of high-end labels, including his own. “It’s crazy, I can’t even afford my clothes.” Bastain also slammed the feminization of men’s clothes.
“It’s getting kind of ridiculous,” Michael Bastian said,...