martes, 17 de agosto de 2010

Quote of the Day: Daphne Guinness Doesn’t Need Heels” y 11 mas

Quote of the Day: Daphne Guinness Doesn’t Need Heels” y 11 mas


Quote of the Day: Daphne Guinness Doesn’t Need Heels

Posted: 17 Aug 2010 07:00 AM PDT

"I found it inconvenient to have heels at one point….These just made more sense." –The brewery heiress opens up about her completely heel-less shoes in the latest issue of New York.



Three’s A Trend: Boys Are Contributing To Their Girlfriends’ Personal Style Blogs

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 04:10 PM PDT

Jessica Schroeder photographed by her fiance for her blog What I Wore

Personal style blogging is just that–personal. The UK’s Observer commented on the phenomenon of personal style blogs yesterday, noting that there is “something oddly compelling about the album of images–you’d be surprised how quickly you can start to care about a complete stranger’s wardrobe.” The article references Rumi Neely’s Fashion Toast, Katie Mackay’s What Katie Wore, and Susie Lau’s Style Bubble as examples. Of course there’s also Jessica Schroeder’s What I Wore, Camille’s Childhood Flames, and, duh, Tavi. The list could go on.

It’s true: Personal style blogs can be black holes. The voyeurism sucks you in and all of a sudden you’ve lost 40 minutes of your life looking at what someone you don’t know wore five weeks ago. But what struck me about a few of the blogs that the Observer mentioned (and one they didn’t), is that despite the deeply personal and individual nature of these blogs–the self-portraiture, the divulging of personal details–boyfriends are helping their blogger girlfriends out. Rumi Neely’s boyfriend takes her photos. Jessica Schroeder’s fiancé takes most of her photos. Katie Mackay’s boyfriend writes the copy for her blog, and she only started taking photos of her outfits and posting them on the internet after he challenged her to wear a different outfit everyday of the year.

Knowing that Fashion Toast, What I Wore, and What Katie Wore, are couple endeavors, I can’t help but feel like I’m peeking in on their relationships as well. It feels a bit unsettling, so I asked What I Wore’s Jessica Schroeder how the relationship works.

“I started doing the daily outfit photo thing in 2007 long before Adam and I became a couple. When we first started dating I still relied on my tripod and timer but eventually it became more of a combined routine (photos on the way to and from meetings or dinners or just running to the subway station),” says Schroeder. “He’s the only guy in my life who I’ve really let in on What I Wore and he helps me run a lot of the business behind it as well.”

They are invisible (they let their girls shine), but present none the less.

“Adam [Schroeder's fiancé] is a very private person, but by taking the photos he’s a huge part of my professional (and public) life, in a quiet way,” says Schroeder. “Readers will tell me that whenever he’s the one taking my picture I look ridiculously happy (which is totally true).”

Aww. OK, that is pretty adorable. But do the blogs then lose their confessional “diary” aspect?

What’s your take?



Racked Dealfeed: Zang Toi, Nili Lotan and More

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 03:00 PM PDT

Zang Toi, Wendy Brandes
Deal: Markdowns on clothing and jewelry
When/Where: Tuesday, August 17, 11am—8pm. 30 W. 57th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves, NYC (212-757-1200)

TG-170
Deal: Up to 50% off labels like Mara Hoffman, Corey Lynn Calter, and Lauren Moffatt
When/Where: Through Monday, August 30. Daily noon—8pm. 170 Ludlow St between Houston and Stanton Sts, NYC (212-995-8660)

Diane T
Deal: 40 to 65% off upscale womenswear labels like Milly, Rebecca Taylor, and DVF
When and where, this way>>
When/Where: Wednesday, July 28 through Saturday, August 28. Tues—Fri 11am—7:30pm, Sat 11am—6:30pm, Sun 1pm—5:30pm, Mon closed. 174 Court St between Congress and Amity, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (718-923-5777)

Nili Lotan
Deal: Find a silk blazer going for around $250 and a dress for about $160 at this summer sale.
When/Where: Ongoing. Daily noon—7pm. 188 Duane St at Greenwich St, NYC (212-219-8794)



Mad Men Style Recap: Episode 4

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 02:00 PM PDT

“Did you get pears?” asked Don’s elderly neighbor at this episode’s end. He must’ve known that Mad Men’s pairs are falling apart.

Sunday’s featured players, Pete, Peggy, Don and Allison, showed us how to break up and move on, and the very different paths that will lead you. Let’s start with Peggy and Pete, whose longstanding relationship is ending up with something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

The old: Pete’s future. The end of the episode shows Pete inside SCDP offices with a crowd of older men while Peggy dashes off with The New, a group of young professionals going for some lunchtime fun. The borrowed may be their consistent composure and maturity, but The Blue is Pete’s wardrobe and life.

Pete’s opening suit is a whole new shade of blue–electric. He’s looking a little Bowie for 1965, but better Bowie than boring, I always say. He then retreats to his blue office, feeling blue all over for having to dump Clearasil. In his office he finds Harry wearing his first pair of black pants ever. They talk about bras and babes, mentioning Jean Seberg’s signature striped shirt.

Pete gets over his blue phase after finding out Trudy is pregnant, which helps him turn losing Clearasil into more money from his father-in-law’s company. Pete wears a black suit for the episode’s remainder, and pregnant Trudy is still chic in a New Look cut dress with a brown pattern that was like a non-digital McQueen and later an emerald green dress with statement buttons. She consistently has the world’s most perfect and elaborate twist in her hair. We hope the Campbell baby is a girl, only to see how Trudy dresses her little one.

Peggy starts out blue too, in a ruffled blouse, but later changes back into her yellow tie neck blouse and navy vest from a previous episode. She holds her own with the men and awkwardly tries on Faye’s wedding ring, maybe she wants to get hitched with her awkward boyfriend? Or maybe not. Peggy takes up Life Magazine’s Joyce on an offer to a downtown party featuring nude photos and experimental film. Peggy wears horizontal yellow and green stripes, with a knee length skirt and knee socks, while Joyce rocks a center part, which I hope catches on, and a white coat and slacks. Her lesbian vibe is apparent from the start, but Peggy turns her down to make out with Abe in the closet. (Oh the irony.)

At the episode’s end Peggy is seen darting off with her colorful group of friends, one of whom is a doppelgänger for Velma from Scooby Doo, into a bright, young 1965. Peggy may be the SCDP partner to “youthenize” the firm’s vibe and create a new kind of advertising, since, like jacket-without-shirt spokesman, David Kellogg said, “Art in advertising… who would do that after Warhol?” Overall our money’s on Peggy to be the breakout star of this season, and bring the rebellious movements of the ’60s into Mad Men’s world.

Now on to troubled couple number two: Don and Allison.

Allison is not coping with sleeping with Don as well as she seemed to, which we should’ve immediately guessed from her horrendous brown sweater at the episode’s start. Depressed girls always wear brown.

Anyway, market researcher Faye comes to SCDP to run some experiments for Pond’s cold cream, using the secretaries as her guinea pigs. Faye’s wardrobe is classic flight attendant meets businesswoman, but she changes into a teal blue short sleeved sweater and pencil skirt to seem nonthreatening to the secretaries. Trying to find out some new information, all Faye learns is that women want to get married.

Dotty, the sad spokeswoman of the bunch, is the most distraught. She seems hopeless at keeping a man, probably because her multiple patterns of plaid dress is one of the more hideous costumes ever seen on Mad Men. The other secretaries have got it a little better off, one in a emerald green dress with bow accent and matching barrette, and Megan, Peggy’s secretary, in a red dress and winning smile.

Allison, in a brown plaid jumper and frilly white shirt, can’t keep her cool during the meeting and dashes back to Don’s office to cry, confront Don, and quit. Her tantrum might just be the moment of self realization Don needed, not only to get off the boring suits kick, but also to get his life back on track. He begins typing Allison an apology letter, but resigns to their coital couch for a nap instead.

Other than troubled Don, Allison, Pete, and Peggy, this episode’s looks were textbook Mad Men. Joan stayed sophisticated in a blue form-fitting dress, Lane continued to clash prints, and Roger was dapper in three piece suits.



Sally’s Styling Seminary: The Lineage of Styling

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 01:00 PM PDT

A couple of years ago, I began going to business school to learn the basics of how to run my styling business. After all, we stylists have to deal with cash flow statements and managing our money and assistants, even if we are just "creatives" who play with clothing. As I entered into the alien world of business 101, I was surrounded by corporate business people that didn't have the slightest idea what a "fashion stylist" was or what could be expected of one. In most cases, I would anticipate the need to go into my 2 minute speech which explains my role, how it works, and with whom I work, whenever I met someone new. Even when I got my speech down to what I thought was a decent explanation, I still got blank stares back.

The uninitiated couldn't seem to understand the gist of what a stylist did. In a nut shell, here was my speech: “stylists work with creative teams including photographers, design teams, or art directors to create a vision for an image or brand. At the same time, we also face the challenge of making the clothes look awesome (regardless of their quality).”

Due to the general lack of understanding regarding my role, I started to think more about what I really do as a stylist. I guess the reason that it is not easy to explain is because a stylists' responsibilities change quite a bit depending on the kind of job or project we are working on that day. When I am shooting an editorial, I have the privilege of collaborating with some of the world's best editor-in-chiefs (EIC's for short) on creating stories for their magazines. With an editorial and the approval of the EIC, I get to choose the concept, photographer, hair and makeup teams, models, and of course the clothes.

However, on an advertising shoot for a brand, I become a backseat passenger. My focus shifts to making the clothes look chic and expensive, while the art director commands the concept, chooses the photographer, hair and makeup teams, and casting. On advertisement jobs, stylists are there to support the photographers and art directors, helping with ideas when needed but also staying out of the way when there are too many cooks in the kitchen.

For runway shows or creative consultation, stylists are "shot callers." We work directly with the designer and his or her team to research inspiration, edit fabrics and silhouettes, design or edit accessories, choose hair/makeup and casting directors, or work on music for the show. In cases such as this, stylists have an influence on almost every creative element.

Working with celebrities is a completely different skill set. Pulling for red carpet events means knowing how to make the client look skinny and classic, while at the same time, keeping them off the "worst dressed list." Some clothes that look amazing in a photograph or on the runway can look just plain crazy on the red carpet. Plenty of stylists and their clients have learned that lesson the hard way. Styling with celebrities is always about staying true to the personality of the client while elevating it with chic edge and striving for an image of them on the red carpet that will be considered timeless for years to come.

One day at business school, a fellow student (and lead engineer at a major IT firm) asked me how the role of stylist had come about. He wanted to know what lead people to need a stylist, whether it be a company, magazine or celebrity. As I begin to think about styling's history and what has influenced me as a stylist, I started to realize the role is very much a mash-up of several different roles originating from the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is the combination of a Fashion Editor, Costume Designer, and Salon Directrice.



A Desperate Plea For a Moratorium on “Va-jay-jay”

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 12:01 PM PDT

When I saw the cover of Cosmo’s September issue I knew it had gone too far. Whether it was intentional or not (but I can’t imagine how it could not have been intentional), the big bold headline “Untamed Va-jay-jays” is slapped right across covergirl Jessica Alba’s, um, well, va-jay-jay. Which makes me wonder if flawlessly beautiful Jessica Alba has some crazy ’70s-style untamed bush under her flirty designer dress. And I’m pretty sure that’s not what Cosmo was going for.

I’ve never liked the word va-jay-jay. It makes me cringe even to type it. When I hear people say it out loud I am a little embarrassed. Only Oprah can make it sound sort of OK, but the problem is when Oprah says something, it becomes a part of our cultural lexicon. She started saying it so much E!’s The Soup created a segment called “Oprah’s Va-jay-jay.”

According to the NYT, who looked into the etymology of this now established neologism back in 2007, “va-jay-jay” rose to fame after Oprah heard it on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy and started saying it on the air. Turns out Grey’s only used it to assuage the show’s standards and practices executives who didn’t want to hear “vagina” said too many times. What’s wrong with saying “vagina”? I much prefer it to “va-jay-jay.”

Now, here it is, three years later, and “va-jay-jay” is on the cover of a glossy September issue, with the descriptor “untamed” in front of it, on top of Jessica Alba’s crotch. I think it’s safe to say “va-jay-jay” has jumped the shark. So let’s stop saying it. Please?

Bonus points to anyone who can figure out what Oprah is saying about her va-jay-jay here.



Street Style: Hanging Out With Heather from Au Revoir Simone

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 11:30 AM PDT

Name: Heather

Age: 30

Occupation: Musician

What kind of music do you play? Indie Pop

What is your band called?
Au Revoir Simone

What is your current favorite song? "Jolly Jolly Jolly Ego” by The Dirty Projectors

What are the most prominent colors in your wardrobe?
Cream and Navy

What is your favorite dessert? Profiteroles

What is your favorite spot in New York City?
The Columbia University telescope.

If you were to get a tattoo today, what would it be? It would be white, and something graphic.

Where are your pants from? Zara

Where are your shoes from?
Rachel Comey

How about your bag and your ring? My bag is from a market in Malaysia and my ring was my great aunt’s.



**All photos by Ashley Jahncke.



Maguire Steele Needs Interns!

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 11:00 AM PDT

If you’re living in New York City this fall and on the hunt for an internship in fashion pr, Maguire Steele is pretty much the perfect place to apply.

The boutique public relations firm, based in SoHo, is currently hiring interns for the fall semester. They’ve got a lot going on right now–planning events for Fashion’s Night Out, as well as NYFW runway shows and parties–which means you’ll learn a lot about the business.

You’ll also get a chance to work on the accounts of some amazing designers, including Shipley & Halmos, Billy Reid, Florsheim by Duckie Brown, Timo Weiland, and Kai-aakmann.

Interested? Email your resume and cover letter to whitney@maguiresteele.com. Bonne chance!



Long Nguyen Likens Nike’s Sneakers to Lanvin’s Dresses, and Means It

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 10:30 AM PDT

Fashionista contributor Long Nguyen is the co-founder/style director of Flaunt.

It was just another mid-August weekend, when most New Yorkers seek refuge in the Hamptons, Fire Island or upstate along the Hudson, where the sea, sun and cool breeze surely beat the persistent humidity. Yet for the city's basketball fans, Manhattan was the place to be these past few days.

That's because the Global Community Cup visited New York. A bit like the World Cup of basketball, GCC held games at Madison Square Garden–the USA team played France and China played Puerto Rico at Madison Square Garden.

Next the GCC will head to Madrid, where the USA will take on Spain.

But what's this got to do with fashion?

No other sport today is so interconnected to fashion as basketball. From the street level, where new styles are born, to fashion's adoption of the hi-top as a replacement for dress shoes, it's undeniable.

In conjunction with these games, Nike, Brand Jordan, and Converse organized a series of events. Aptly titled the World Basketball Festival, it all started on Thursday with a USA exhibition game and a performance by Jay Z at Radio City Music Hall.

The festival included scrimmages, youth tournaments among local leagues, and workshops. Kobe Bryant coached kids at Harlem's Ruckus Park, and Nike launched some new shoes: Nike Zoom Hyperfuse, the Hyperdunk 2010, and the Air Force 1 Foamposite.

To highlight its accomplishments in bringing basketball to a global audience, Nike built a small space called the Ball Room–at Frederick Douglass Blvd and 134th Street–outlining the history of basketball since the early 20th century.

On display is the first Converse all-star shoe–created in 1917–and the Nike Blazer, launched in 1974. Those are followed by other sneakers that have edged themselves into popular–and fashionable–culture: The Air Force 1 in 1983, the Air Jordan 1 in 1985, the Air Jordan XI in 1995, and the Foamposite in 1997. (The Ball Room remains open to the public until mid September.)

Nike also devotes an entire section to the evolution of shoe technology. Take, for example, the new Hyperfuse. Made specifically for players in China who practice in the rugged outdoors, the Hyperfuse combines a breathable outer layer of mesh nylon with a durable skin to create an extremely lightweight shoe–a size 9 weighs just 12.5 ounces.

This constant drive for technical innovation is akin to the some of the most forward fashion designers working today. Consider Alber Elbaz. One can say that each Lanvin dress or jacket is a process of accumulation–pattern cutting, exterior and interior constructions, fabric selection, and fittings. After examining the different components that make up the Hyperfuse–mesh exterior layer, exterior upper body, outer and inner soles–I realized that a similar level of design and craftsmanship is involved.

I would venture to say that these four days seemed more like a mini "fashion show weekend" than a sporting event. Surely it's hard not to appreciate the diverse street style on display by attendees at Ruckus Park–even the young teenagers' sense of fashion and style were on point.



Fashion News Roundup: Shop Mulberry For Target Early, DVF Makes Hospital Gowns, and The Last Dress McQueen Touched

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 09:30 AM PDT

Angel Love: Alessandra Ambrosio looks very un-angel-like on the cover of LOVE’s fourth issue and this is a very good thing. {Alessandra Ambrosio Facebook}

Gilt Perks: As if you needed another reason to shop on Gilt Groupe, the flash sale sight will offer shoppers the chance to get their hands on three upcoming Target designer collabs, including the highly anticipated Mulberry for Target line, this Friday, August 20th. Gilt members will be able to shop select pieces for Mulberry for Target as well as John Derian for Target and Tucker by Gaby Basora for Target for 36 hours. {Mama’s A Rolling Stone}

Because Hospital Gowns Wrap Too: DVF has designed colorful print hospital gowns for the Cleveland Clinic. The clinic is hoping DVF’s designs will make patients feel more comfortable. “We are very proud of our hospital gowns for the Cleveland Clinic,” DVF tweeted. “We worked hard at it and we hope it will make patients happier!” {Newsweek}

Momofuku Vogue: David Chang makes an appearance in an editorial in September Vogue. He looks bored. Or angry. Maybe both. Can’t tell. {Fashin}

Is This The Last Gown McQueen Touched?: When editors previewed McQueen’s final collection in Paris, one gown, specially made for Annabelle Neilson, was left out. T thinks this may have been the last creation the designer touched. {The Moment}



Austin Fashion Week is Back!

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 09:00 AM PDT

AUSTIN–On Saturday evening, a rather large, well-dressed crowd gathered at Austin advertising firm GSD&M Idea City to kick off the city’s second annual fashion week. Show goers were treated to delicious cocktails and choice snacks while braving the intense 104 degree heat. Various donations provided by local businesses, artists and sponsors furnished a silent auction benefiting the charities Austin Involved and Dress For Success.

But it wasn’t until sundown that things really got moving. The show opened with a performance by ’80s darling Tiffany, followed by a short runway presentation featuring classic, free flowing silhouettes from Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent and beautiful patterned pieces from Robert Stock for Robert Graham. The night ended with a mash up catwalk showcasing the collaborative efforts of 25 teams, each consisting of a local apparel designer, a jewelry designer, a makeup artist, a hair stylist, a photographer, and a model.

A city known for doing things their own way, Austins’ fashion week follows suit. The kickoff event, reminiscent of Austin’s music festivals, seemed to pay homage to the city’s effortless style while creatively blending all corners of the fashion industry. The unpretentious, friendly atmosphere was welcoming, much like the Austin itself. The runway was quaint–a white, lengthy catwalk–providing a beautiful foundation for the unique garments it showcased. And the teams portrayed a total spectrum of color palette and silhouette, from muted Grecian inspired gowns to slim fit structured suiting with hair and makeup to match…a truly beautiful display of creative commerce.

Austin Fashion week was founded by Matt Swinney of Launch 787 as a way to cultivate all aspects of the city’s fashion economy. This week, true to Austin’s festival style, over 100 different events and shows will take place throughout various hot spots in the city. The festivities will conclude with an award show, gifting coveted “best of” titles among other prestigious honors. It’ll be exciting to see what’s in store sartorially for the state capital.

Laurel St. Romain is a milliner and writer living in Brooklyn, NY. You can see her hats on Ilovefactorybk.com and read about her life on Alltomorrowscostumes.com.



We Rank the September Covers

Posted: 16 Aug 2010 08:00 AM PDT

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that September fashion magazine covers are the most important of the year. With fall just around the bend, September issues are packed to the brim with the newest trends. (They’re also packed with advertisements, essential to a magazine’s survival.)

And if there’s one thing you can say about this year’s September covers, it’s that the good covers are great and the bad ones are truly horrible. Notably absent from the bunch are Vogue Paris and Vogue Italia, whose cover images have not surfaced yet, but are sure not to disappoint.

Click through to see the best and worst of September’s covers!



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