July 2009
64 posts
Fast Fashion!
Is your dog too posh for a pooch Snuggie? Well, for the dog with the finest tastes, check out the newly released line of Mulberry for Mutt on Bleecker Street.
Speaking of posh, Victoria Beckham may be gracing the cover of Vogue’s October issue. If this is a product of Vogue’s revamping, I’m totally on board.
André Leon Talley didn’t make the first cut of The...
“Fabu is unlike me in that he has a taste for revenge, madness. I...”
– Karl Lagerfeld on the villian he plays in Totally Spies.
Fast Fashion!
Maybe you too can be a sample size if you follow advice of fashion insiders. The Chic Report breaks down the highlights of Allure’s exposé on the diets of the style elite. Tips include taking sleeping pills so you’re not tempted to eat on overnight flights and having the same thing for breakfast and lunch - every single day.
Sorry, but I’m still not giving up my...
“I wish Fashion Week for the public can be like Christmas, and maybe we’ll put up...”
– Betsey Johnson at the CFDA Town Meeting.
Parting is such sweet sorrow - why is cutting hair...
In high school and my early college days, I changed my hair with reckless abandon. I’d go from long and blonde to short and black in a day, due to boredom. I’ve had long manes halfway down my back, pixie-length crops; I’ve been every conceivable shade of brown, red, black, and even orange (due to an infortunate run-in with a bottle of Sun-In). My mantra? It’s just hair...
WatchDear Bravo TV,
Please stop trying to replicate Project Runway. It’s not going to happen. You’ll never find another Tim Gunn, never recreate the chemistry between Nina, Heidi and Michael. Your new PR rip-off show, Launch My Line, looks to be as disappointing and yawn inducing as The Fashion Show. You can put together as many combinations of pretty, leggy women in mini-dresses...
Tuesday's Tip
Always wear your bulkiest items while flying - donning a blazer on your flights (which are always uncomfortably cold, in my opinion) is always preferable to leaving that last pair of shoes or great top at home. With exceedingly stringent weight and piece limits for luggage, you’ll get the most bang for your buck taking whatever you can on your person.
Bad ideas
Going back to the James Jeans sample. It’s fantastic if you’re a size 23-25 and adore the brand and/or wide-legged styles. Otherwise, it’s pretty meh. I left empty-handed.
Going out without an umbrella.
Deciding to run for it on a long block without awnings to provide for cover. It starting pouring so hard my contacts were coming loose in my eyes.
Fast Fashion!
In today’s completely unsurprising news, actively unattractive American Apparel owner Dov Charney is accused of firing fellow ugly employees. After the company took a financial hit, group staff photos were sent for evaluation by Dov. Managers were “encouraged” to fire the least aesthetically pleasing of staffers.
Hallelujah! The Borletti Group of Italy has made a...
Woodley and Bunny Salon
I’m finally ready to take the plunge and chop off a bit of my too-long locks. I haven’t been to a salon since September, after a less than fantastic experience at the Beehive Salon. Now, I’m thinking about going to Woodley and Bunny in Williamsburg. Anyone have any stylist recommendations or warnings?
Steve Madden in Soho - buy one, get one 90% off
Everything in the store is included. The store was quite packed this afternoon, but it’s well worth a visit if you’ve been eying anything from their summer or fall lines.
James Jeans sample sale: non-existant
So, I trekked all the way down by the West Side Highway for the James Jeans sample sale extension and lo and behold, the building was locked. The buzzer went unanswered and no signs were posted to indicate a change of venue or time. If you decide to head down there, proceed at your own risk. I’ll try again Monday and update.
My motivation to lose any extra "Guinness" pounds
A month in Ireland isn’t exactly the healthiest excursion one can take, but if I needed any impetus for ensuring my jean size doesn’t change, I’ve found it. The James Jeans sample sale is selling sizes 24/25 for $25, a steep discount from the $80 larger sizes will cost you. The sale has been extended through Monday, but you’ll see me there bright and early tomorrow.
Menswear Memo
Need some luxurious basics? Alex Wang now has you covered
Images of pieces from Alexander Wang’s hotly anticipated menswear collection for his T line have finally emerged. Wang sticks with what he does best - seemingly simple items cut perfectly from luxurious soft fabrics. The line, which Wang describes below, will drop in stores this spring.
“It’s a guy who doesn’t think he’s...
Fast Fashion!
Did someone say scapegoat? Apparently the swine flu is responsible for dwindling sales in the fashion sector. Yep, I’m sure it’s the swine flu and not a poor economy or inflated prices or a lack of willingness to spend money on unnecessary purchases.
Bland for bland. Bar Refaeli is replacing Gisele Bundchen as the face of Rampage. Well, the best I can say about this swap-out is...
Misogynistic fashion critiques of powerful women...
After nearly losing my lunch last week listening to incredibly sexist badgering and criticisms of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, I’m once again livid with the double-standard powerful women in government face. North Korea just slammed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, spewing that “(s)ometimes she looks like a primary schoolgirl and sometimes a pensioner going...
“‘In Italy they take cheap cloth and make it look expensive, but I take expensive...”
– Vivienne Westwood to Guardian
Fast Fashion!
Maybe there is a God. Christian Lacroix’s label may be saved by investment firm Bernard Krief Consulting because of, wait for it - cultural reasons! “Haute couture is part of the cultural heritage and we think that Christian Lacroix is the greatest contemporary designer.” The firm is expected to place a bid for the company on Monday.
Fierce fraps? Project Runway alum...
“It appears that when it comes to promoting documentaries, Anna Wintour has gone...”
– Who wants to take me as their plus-one??? (via meredithnyc) The countdown is on you guys, only 51 days!
Reason #24 I'm ready to leave Ireland
I frequently run through three outfits here a day. I have no qualms with lots of costume changes, but as laundry runs around $6 a load, it gets pricey.
“Sightings: Prince on a first-class flight from Minneapolis to La Guardia,...”
– Looks like the Purple One has still got it. The New York Post
Fast Fashion!
Remember that woman Whitney and Olivia of The City worked for? Well, apparently the New York Times thinks this Diane von Furstenberg lady is kind of a big deal. They analyze her ability to thrive during tough economic times.
International symbol for kindness and humility in the fashion industry, Naomi Campbell, is continuing to spread goodwill and cheer. She donated one whole Birkin bag to...
Perfect Packing
I’m currently still in the Emerald Isle, but (hopefully) many of you are still have summer vacations ahead. As I’m an admitted terrible packer (I almost cried when I thought I’d only be able to bring two pairs of shoes to Ireland), I’m turning to fashion consultant and former model Alegra Torel for tips on ensuring you’re good to go for any jet-setting adventures.
...
Sometimes the stars simply align
This year my birthday just so happens to fall on the premiere of the third season of my favorite drama, Mad Men. Naturally, I’ll be having a Mad Men party. As you all are such creative and stylish people, I’d like your opinions. Thus far, I’ve decided appropriate dress is mandatory (I’m thinking of wearing this, once it’s repaired), Tom Collins and scotch on the...
Fast Fashion!
Eyebrows are soo last season, so says the New York Times. Apparently a few of the young and fabulous set have taken to shaving or bleaching their ‘brows to achieve a “unifying” look. Hmm, if a reader would like to share any before and after pictures, please email me.
The obsession with Dutch supermodel Lara Stone’s weight continues after she revealed she wears up to a...
Thank god Georgetown prepared me for this
Trinity College in Dublin is covered in cobblestones of varying shapes and sizes. Not the ideal surface for scampering across in heels. Normally, my cobblestone strategy is to perch up upon the balls of my feet, protecting my heels from scuffs. Unfortunately, 5-inch heels do not allow for much stretch of the foot. Needless to say, I am becoming quite skilled at quickly skipping on stones.
“I cannot work with b*****s, I can’t, I can’t. Maybe I am too...”
– Alber Elbaz of Lanvin to Grazia
Fast Fashion!
Not satisfied with laughably overpriced jackets, shoes, and jeans? The uber-rich and Balmain shareholders will be happy to know the brand is considering getting in on the laughable overpriced handbag market.
My personal avante garde fashion icon, Tilda Swinton, is finally getting her due. Pringle of Scotland has signed the Oscar winning actress to star in their spring 2010 campaign.
...
September 2009 - great month for fashion or...
September seems to be bringing us an unending parade of thrilling fashion events. Start marking your calendars.
September 10: Alexander Wang is giving personal walking lessons at Barneys New York as part of Fashion Night Out, a citywide shopping and fashion extravaganza.
September 10-17: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week settles into its new home at Lincoln Center.
September 11: Vogue documentary The...
Like those poor Gosselin kids haven't been through...
Classiest dad of year, Jon Gosselin, of Jon and Kate Plus 8, just traveled to San Tropez with his criminal offender girlfriend to meet with Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier. The two are supposedly planning a children’s line.
I can handle cheating, vicious parents, but if Jon makes those kids model Ed Hardy clothes, I’ll personally volunteer to file a motion for sole custody on...
“I never look at fashion magazines, I don’t look at TV, and when I’m...”
– Vivienne Westwood on appraising the style of others.
Fast Fashion!
Too much money and too much time on your hands? Why not jet off to London to take a private tour of the Louboutin library? The collection of retired shoes and new items is available to pursue and, in some cases, to purchase. If you’re not satisfied, they’ll help you create your own bespoke pair! Who says money can’t buy happiness?
Unfortunately, it’s looking as...
“We all know that France is a culture of appearances and that the French...”
– Lucy Wadham arguing (in part) that Britain’s Protestant heritage keeps them down and frumpy, especially when compared with the Catholic French. I’d like to point out that a higher percentage of Americans identify themselves as Protestant than do the British. And yet we are near, if not...
Menswear Memo
Will Wang’s menswear be worth the wait?
Later this month, New York’s latest fashion “it boy” Alexander Wang will unveil a men’s collection for his lower-priced T Alexander Wang label. Assuming the men’s line is analogous to the women’s, expect stylishly cut basics for around $100 a pop.
Book it to pick up Flumiani’s Catcher in the Rye...
Where's Andre?
Last night, I saw Tim Gunn’s mysterious Irish twin at a bar in Dublin.