miércoles, 7 de julio de 2010

Get Inspired: Dior Couture Goes to the Florist, So Can You” y 11 mas

Get Inspired: Dior Couture Goes to the Florist, So Can You” y 11 mas

Get Inspired: Dior Couture Goes to the Florist, So Can You

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 03:16 PM PDT

John Galliano for Christian Dior started off couture week with serious flower power. Galliano’s collection gave mother nature a run for her money, and he sent a vibrant bouquet (plastic wrapping included) of models down the runway. As we drooled over the looks, we started to crave some flowers. And since we can afford flowers and not Dior Couture, we figured a bouquet was in order. But what to buy?

We know fashion not flowers. So we stopped by New York’s flower market district to check in with Superior Florists (828 Sixth Ave.). They’ve been in the same location since 1930, making it one of the oldest flower shops in the city. Superior Florists is a family biz, and the third generation, Stan Rosenberg, 72, runs the place today. These guys know their stuff.

We checked in with designer Jesus Rivera, who has worked at the shop for 19 years, to get his take on the collection.
“I think it’s pretty ingenious,” says Rivera. “Those dresses look close enough to the real thing.”

Look by look, Rivera identified the floral inspiration behind each piece.

So if you’re looking for a little Dior couture to take home – try some of these flowers.



DIY Hair Maintenance: It Sort of Worked

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 03:00 PM PDT

For some reason this month is really busy for me and I have very little free time. I've also decided to try to save money. (Boots will be hitting the stores soon, after all.) As a time-saving and cost-cutting measure I decided to try a little DIY hair maintenance in an attempt to prolong my next visit to Misty, my beloved hairstylist. I have a bob and highlights that require touch-ups every six to seven weeks.

This was a rather spontaneous decision after ducking into a Sephora to escape the brutal heat in NYC. It's impossible for me to leave that store without a new potion. I justified my new purchases by noting that if I could extend my salon visits from every six weeks to every 8 weeks, it would save me two trips per year. Or about the price of a new pair of boots!

I picked up an Oscar Blandi Root Touch-up & Highlighting Pen ($23) in light golden blonde. It comes in a mascara shaped tube and the color is dispensed onto a tiny brush which you paint onto your roots.

Then I saw something called HerCut, which is a line of products developed to work with your cut, rather than your hair type. It comes in a bob, shag, long layer, pixie, and blunt cut version. A problem, perhaps, if you have an Alice Dellal penchant for multiple cuts at once.

Skeptical and intrigued at the same time, I bought The Bob Catalyst ($28), which purportedly enhances "forward flowing angular movement and clean lines. Keeps the geometric shape that hits all the right angles." It contains something called "Tumbling Polymers." A note of warning to organic types: there is not a single ingredient in this product that is less than 10 letters or is recognizable as something that appears in nature.

I opened the Oscar Blandi pen and the product was really goopy. The color looked khaki greenish, rather than golden blonde. Lovely as a shearling jacket on the A/W 2010 runways, not so great on my hair. However, I painted it on and hoped for the best.

It looked like some preschoolers got hold of my head and started finger painting. I let it dry, then decided to see if rinsing would do anything. It washed some of the green away, but actually deposited a bit of blonde color on my roots that blended pretty nicely. The problem is that I get a lot of highlights in a few different shades. There's no way I could cover my whole head with this product.

I had better luck with the HerCut. It comes in a bottle made of two distinct chambers which contain a gel and a cream. You're told to prime the bottle and squirt until both are dispensed equally (there are two holes in the bottle). I had to squirt about a quarter of the gel out before the cream came. Annoying, but I finally got the correct proportion, applied it to my towel-dried hair, then blow dried with a round brush like I always do.

The first thing I noticed is that it took a lot less time to dry my hair. The next thing I noticed is that I didn't have any flyaways at all, which is the bane of any bob-wearing woman. The third thing is that I didn't need to use my flat iron on the ends. There were no annoying flippy pieces.

So my DIY experiment was mildly successful. But Misty is still on my speed dial.



Street Style: Hamptons Edition

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 02:00 PM PDT

This past weekend, we decided to escape the city and venture out to the Hamptons to celebrate the 4th with Kanon Organic Vodka and NYC hangout The Smile. We figured the combination of unbearable heat, a swimming pool, a color-themed holiday and fashion people would bring about some noteworthy style and we were right. After a couple of Kanon’s “Red, White and Blueberry,” cocktails (yes, they actually were really good) we decided to start documenting.

The event had a decidedly laid-back vibe; many partygoers like Harley Viera-Newton left the red and blue at home and opted for chic white ensembles. Maybe they were going to some kind of P. Diddy White Party after? Does that still happen? Click through for this party’s best dressed.

Things You Can Only Get Away With Wearing When It’s This Effing Hot

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 01:00 PM PDT

It is really effing hot out right now. And it looks like it’s going to stay that way for a while. Temps soared to 99 degrees in New York yesterday and we’re supposed to hit triple digits (and maybe even break the record high of 101) today. Even Mary Sunshine would be hard pressed to put a positive spin on this oppressive heat wave, but we thought of one thing: It’s sort of the only acceptable time to walk around half-naked (not that anyone would look twice if you did walk around naked in New York).

So. We put together an assortment of breezy frocks, cropped tops and the tiniest hot pants that look (only slightly) less ridiculous in this heat. It’s not all American Apparel, promise.



Survey Says: Insecure Brides Tend to Pick Fat Bridesmaids

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 12:00 PM PDT

This morning, London newspaper the Telegraph reported on a survey that says one out of three brides tend to pick fat, ugly bridesmaids so that they feel better about themselves on their special day.

Really? The survey was conducted by SlimFast, which means we have to take it with several grains of salt. But really?

Three out of four of my bridesmaids are over 5′8″ and under a size 6. My other bridesmaid is petite and curvy. What does this say about me? (No, I’m not a former model.) Did I choose them because they’re hot? No. But I am happy that they all look good in the pale green mini I picked out for them.

Choosing bridesmaids is not an easy thing. There are lots of politics involved and some brides end up with an 8-person party because they just can’t choose one friend over another. I decided to say “screw it” to convention and chose my best friend from high school, my fiance’s sister, and two women that I’m good friends with NOW. No obligations, just people I like.

Whether or not most women are so self-hating as to only stand next to fatties on their big day I can’t tell you. But I can tell you that, in general, it’s not the bridesmaids people are looking at. It’s the bride. Because who’s hot enough to upstage marriage?



Isabel Toledo’s Swimwear Collection for Target Has Surfaced

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 11:00 AM PDT

Target’s opening up shop in Harlem, and Isabel and Ruben Toledo have created an affordable swimwear line to celebrate.

The big box retailer–which is also in the midst of launching a Stephen Burrows apparel collection and a Marcus Samuelsson home collection–has released images from each collaboration, all available in the East Harlem store beginning July 25. (Other select stores and Target.com will get them August 1.)

And while the the prices are gentle–$3.99 to $34.99–it’s also nice to know that 5% of the purchase cost will be donated to a Harlem non-profit. Isabel and Ruben Toledo chose el Museo del Barrio, Stephen Burrows chose The Fund for Public Schools (in support of the library at The Young Women's Leadership School of East Harlem), and Marcus Samuelsson chose The Fund for Public Schools (in support of the library at Harlem PS 180: Hugo Newman).

We’re partial to the Toledo team’s swimsuits, but there are sundresses, t-shirts and more from the couple and veteran designer Burrows, who brings plenty of color to his collection.

Click through to see some looks from each.

Attention, NY, Conn, NJ: Oak’s Sample Sale Will Be Worth The Trek

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 10:30 AM PDT

We normally leave the sample sale news to our good friends at Racked, but Oak’s sample/overstock sale–which runs July 9-July 12 at the lower level of chainlet’s 28 Bond Street location–is too good not to mention.

Seriously: If you live in the Tri-State area, it’s probably worth traveling into Manhattan. Especially if you’re into any of the following designers:

Hyden Yoo
Pleasure Principle
Gar-de
Osborne shoes
Kontorsion
Mary Meyer
Chrishabana
The Furies
Funktional
Rxmance
Life After Denim
Tim Hamilton Redux

There will be plenty for both guys and girls–most of Oak’s designers are pretty unisex as well–and the majority of items will be marked down 60-80% from the original prices. The team is also bringing in a load of slightly damaged pieces (read: stuff that can easily be mended) from their warehouse, which should mean even deeper discounts.

Again, the sale runs Friday, July 9 through Monday, July 12, from 11 am-8pm at 28 Bond Street in New York. Email us if you find anything particularly amazing!



Want to Host Your Own Internet Style Show?

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 10:18 AM PDT

A major Internet platform is casting a host for a teen style show. They’re looking for a young, energetic, stylish person with a working knowledge of fashion. The ideal candidate is a natural on camera and quick on his/her feet. Must be 18-25 years of age.

All potential candidates should send a brief video or video link to styleshowla@gmail.com, along with current resume and contact information.

If selected, time and location information for casting sessions will follow in the next 10 days.

Fashion News Roundup: Daria for YSL, Kate for Isabel Marant and Plastic Balenciaga

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 09:30 AM PDT

Which came first Daria or the necklace?: YSL’s Fall 2010 campaign was just released. Stefano Pilati seems to have styled Daria after the necklace she’s wearing at the Hôtel de Clermont-Tonnerre. {YSL}

I am a plastic bag: The celebrity-beloved Balenciaga Motorcycle bag has been knocked off for ages (we may have had one in high school). But now, this Japanese company is producing a plastic version in neon colors with weird bobbles, covered in drawings of Karl Lagerfeld, birds and Vogue logos. Will this be 2010’s version of those jelly Hermes knock-offs from 10 years ago? {Nylon}

Kate Moss for Isabel Marant: A first look at Isabel Marant’s Fall 2010 campaign featuring the one and only…{Fashion Gone Rogue}

McQueen’s Rose Tribute: “Alexander’s Issie,” a gorgeous coral rose chosen by the late fashion designer to honor Isabella Blow, was unveiled yesterday afternoon. {Telegraph}

Uptown Boys: The UES gets its own J. Crew Men’s Store. Reportedly, the vibe of the new store will be decidedly more uptown than its SoHo counterpart. We just really like the little line drawing on the window. {Racked}

Want to intern for The Cobrasnake?: The L.A. hipster photoblogger, who is somewhat inexplicably at most major shows during fashion week, is looking for interns and he’s serious about it. {Gawker}

Lions, and Tigers, and Chanel, Oh My: A first look at the Chanel couture set. {Elle.com}



Miu Miu’s New Fall 2010 Video, Starring Lindsey Wixson, Siri, Ginta, and Daphne

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 08:30 AM PDT

We love Miu Miu’s fall ad campaign almost as much as we love the collection itself. Particularly because it stars fresh faces Lindsey Wixson, Siri Tollerød, Ginta Lapina, and Daphne Groeneveld. Now the girls have brought the clothes to life in this exclusive video. Enjoy!

Giambattista Valli Will Open Its First Store This Fall

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 08:00 AM PDT

The first ever store dedicated entirely to Giambattista Valli ready-to-wear, leather, furs and accessories–including shoes, bags and jewelry–will open this autumn on rue Boissy d’Anglas in Paris.

Valli, who opened his fashion house in 2005, has garnered a fast following amongst the lady-like set by creating modernized fit-and-flare dresses for everyone from Plum Sykes and Diane Kruger.

It makes sense for Valli to expand beyond wholesale at this moment. Already stocked at over 220 stores in 40 countries across the globe, the designer’s Fall 2010 collection saw a 30% increase in sales from Fall 2009, while Resort 2011 sales have jumped by 24% from last year.

It’s not easy to create a luxury fashion house from scratch these days, but Valli has done it. We look forward to visiting the new space in Paris this fall.

Colette and KK Outlet Shop Swap

Posted: 06 Jul 2010 07:00 AM PDT

PARIS–From train tickets to couture goods, the French are all about swap sales these days. But how about an entire boutique exchange?

Yesterday, Colette tried its first shop swap with London art boutique and communication intelligentsia Kessels Kramer, aka KK Outlet.

The concept goes as such: Sarah Lerfel of Colette and Danielle Pender of KK Outlet each hop to the other side of the channel, bringing along a crème de la crème selection for their new audience. (The terms “pop-up” and “swap” seem equally viral these days, so why not combine the two?)

Yesterday, on the chic rue Saint-Honoré, KK Outlet revealed hipster art books, limited editions, art works by Erik Kessels, but also collaborative products such as “divided loyalty” scarves, and more.

In parallel, Colette was hanging out on the Hoxton Square location in East London, introducing too-cool Eastenders to pieces by graffiti artist André, illustrator Darcel, and paintings by Irina Dakeva.

For those who can make it to either end of the Eurostar, the London part lasts til late August, and the Paris side til late July.

"It's a way of living the Colette experience without actually leaving London," said Sarah, with a smile, "the idea is to bring over items that Londoners can't get and vice-versa."

Although Colette is first and foremost a fashion boutique, and KK a communication agency, both brands have similar models, Danielle believes. "They’re both multi-functional spaces housing retail and a gallery. Colette stocks KesselsKramer books and we have worked with the same people in the past such as Anthony Burrill," said Mrs. KK.

Are swaps' increasing popularity a sign of a change in attitude towards buying? Danielle seems to think so: "People are a lot more interested in finding unique one-off items, whether that means searching through second stores and markets or online." Unique is definitely something that both Colette and KK offer: "It’s all hand-picked stock which is difficult to find; many pieces and titles are limited edition so the hard work has already been done for you."

But it might also indicate an increasing care around brand ethics, she believes: "Attitudes towards mass-produced products have changed and people aren’t prepared to buy something everyone else has. We’re a lot more aware of the back story behind the products we buy today; low price tags at the cost of sweat shop workers aren’t attractive anymore."

Let's hope she's right.
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