Blogs & News

I’ve been trying to, shall we say, pimp out my blog with sharing widgets and include links to new blogs and interesting stories.  But I’m having difficulties adding new sites to my blogroll.

Here’s what I have so far:

Coutorture is probably my new favorite, followed very closely by The Business of Fashion.  My fried Spencer suggested CoolHunting, but it may turn out to be just a little more hipster than I bargained for.  If I wanted hip, I’d opt for hip and intelligent, as I am now in love with NylonBlogs.  Luxist is certainly interesting, but it’s starting to spark too much jealousy in my life!  And, of course, there’s WWD. Where would we be without it?

Tell me, what are your favorite blogs?

Colorblocked Fashion

There’s a particularly disturbing article in today’s New York Times about Milan’s fashion week avoidance of all models of color. This can be read as particularly damaging considering Europe’s happiness over Barack Obama’s presidence and, really, the great lengths made against racism in the Western world in the past 60 or so years.

Black is the color for fall… as long as your skin is bright white.

Jezebel, my favorite blog, has also weighed in.  They reiterate the article and immediately ask what will happen when the womens’ shows run.  But I don’t want to take away from the argument being made in the original piece.

Certainly, many men would never, ever consider becoming models.  Perhaps it’s because their own value systems don’t put value on it, and many good looking men tend to err on the side of “actor,” a position that is given significantly more gravity than “model.”  

There has been sociological murmurings for many years that the perceived importance of “masculinity” in African-American, Latino, and even Asian communities keeps strict gender roles, and (let’s be honest), keeps such men from participating in activities seen as “gay.”  Modeling would most certainly be one of those activities.  

Do you think that plays a role in the whitewashing of runways showcasing men’s clothing?  This is not to say that male models of color don’t exist– in fact, the NYT piece interviews two men who would gladly drop everything their doing for a gig.  Or is fashion inherently (unknowingly?) racist?

McQueen for Target

I’ve been Twittering back and forth about the new lookbook for the Alexander McQueen season for Target’s Go! International line.  Amongst the consumers that I tweet with, the consensus is that the line is kind of bland and really ought to be pieced out and paired with other lines.  It is, in a thought, McQueen’s concepts of high street basics. 

 

A startling bikini that I actually quite like..

I first started paying attention to the Go! international line when Proenza Schouler took the label for a ride.  It was very reminiscent of their actual runway looks and there’s no wonder the corset dresses and moulded tops flew off the shelves.  By the time I got to the store, the size selections were minimal and there would be no way I could get them to fit, without hundreds of dollars spent on dramatic tailoring– for that cash, I would have just offed to Barneys and bought the real thing.

I have also been impressed by the re-workings done by Behnaz Sarafpour, Alice Temperley, and Jovovich-Hawk.  Up next is Tracy Feith, a designer I am truly unfamiliar with.  I will say that the Rogan and Thakoon lines were a disappointment for me– I feel as though they didn’t particularly stray from the jersey balloon dresses normally offered by the most fashionable of value marts.

 

There is some excitement about the McQ line even from those not usually attuned to fashion.  They can’t seem to put a finger on why.  I definitely have a theory.  

When Karl Lagerfeld started this trend of designers (usually pret-a-porter, but the master KL is by definition a couturier) making collections for high street brands, he kicked off the capsules at the European bastion, H&M.  Definitely considered one of the most fashion-forward chains in the world, this was a different sort of line than, say, Donna Karen’s DKNY or Emportio Armani.  This wasn’t just a place to have glittery logos emblazoned on tee shirts and cheaper cotton woven into jeans by factories in Myanmar.  These clothes were DESIGNED by Karl Himeself.  (And H&M is dedicated to paying all people who work for them, even in factories, a living wage.  And they are green.  Just FYI.)

Though he has famously said he will never stoop to the level of the common people ever again (jerk), it seemed, maybe not appropriate, but at least understandable that the Mighty Karl design for the cutting edge.  He is a consumer of all things pop culture (notoriously owns dozens, if not hundreds, of iPods filled with music), this was a chance for trickle-down fashion to meet trickle-up fashion in the happy, mid-priced center.

But why is McQ so apalling?  Here is a man who creates some of the most fantastical, couture gowns in the world.  Definition: couture: “The highest level of sewing and dressmaking techniques. Traditionally, custom-made clothing, largely made by hand.”  We’re talking dresses so expensive, only Middle Eastern royalty can afford them.  Dresses that can, and usually do, cost over $35,000.  Massive chunks of change.

Head over to the Style.com archive and search for couture shows.  There are only ten brands listed– that’s an exclusive club.  Do you see how many of those designers are American?

None.  Nada.  Zippo.  Nein.  Cero. Aucun.

But the British McQueen designed couture collections for Givenchy for years.  

And now he’s designing for an American value-mart.  Carine Roitfeld is probably going to plotz herself, while Anna Wintour (the woman who championed designer denim and basically created the niche market) should deservedly pat herself on the back.  I can’t wait to see Cameron Diaz or Rhianna photo’d in one of McQueen’s Target frocks.  It will change fashion across the world.

recession vs. opulence

i don’t think we can hide the fact that the current recession (yes, i said it) is making americans want and desire things from the days of yore. i mean, look at how fashion from the 1920s and 1930s is making a comeback!  but what i love more than anything is how it’s coming back in home decor.

my new favorite site is brocadehome.com.  i can’t get over the gorgeous, swooping lines, and the moods inspired by the anachronistic pattern.  not to mention, because the pattern is associated with heavy, luxe fabrics, it gives a definite feeling of opulence to any room.

unfortunately, i can’t afford anything on the site!  who wants to donate some money to my worthy cause.  i need a design pick-me-up!

i do need a good side table:

 i love the white lacquer finish, with the amazing silver handles.  they look so intricate, it would go perfectly in the rest of my apartment, that has nothing but (ikea) modern lines and dark colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and every girl needs a beautiful mirror:

and, considering my art-deco era apartment has a built-in vanity, i know right where i’d put this gorgeous beauty.  i’d just need a nice little tuffet on which to sit while doing my makeup!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

look!  a tuffet:

anyone who would like me to design their apartment, give me a call!

a client with “peter pan” syndrome

my most recent client has been quite the challenge!  for the next few weeks, she will be in quite the public spotlight, and requested to update her look.  she’s in her late 40s, early 50s, but looks about 28.  she’s on the petit side, with a head of thick blonde hair.  when asked to describe her own style, she used some of my absolute LEAST favorite words: funky, youthful, and (worst of all) “skater.”

i suppose if you are from southern california, that concept can fly.  but to this WASPy girl, “skater” chic should be reserved for 13 year old boys.  so, how do we get this woman to dress her age, while still maintaining her creative spirit?

 I dunno about you, but i think a knit black moto jacket is a good place to start.  and it’s from a so-cal, go-to brand: splendid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shane silver skinny jeans @ barneys

i would not usually suggest a skinny jean for a woman over 40, but let her keep the spirit alive.  beside, these are a fab color, and keeping it monochromatic will keep it conservative.

as for shoes?  let’s give her a little bit of femme sparkle:

Fashion Morals

We all know rules are made to be broken, but fashion morals are a whole different story.  No white after Labor Day?  Forget it, of course.  But here are a few things I am quite opposed to, on the basis of what is right:

-The entire line of Juicy Couture.

My main reason can be traced back to the late 1990s when the decided that that it was a-ok for women of any age to wear brightly colored velour sweat-suits whenever and wherever they damn

just an awful, awful NO.

 well pleased.  Worse yet, the propagated the trend of having seductive words written on the rumps of 13 year old girls.  The icing on the cake is that these women wear the clothing they designed, despite the fact that they are in their 50s.

Fashion Essentials

We all have our own basic fashion essentials, things you reach to at least every other day.  A pair of jeans, your favorite sweater, an indestructible hair tie that solves all coif problems.  But if you really want to build a wardrobe, what are the pieces you need?

My friend’s mom just recently gave us each a copy of Nina Garcia’s book The 100.  It really is a fantastic tome, and surprisingly realistic.  No, we all can’t own a Birkin bag, but Garcia does condone buying Hanes 3packs of white tee shirts and any jeans that flatter, regardless of make or model.  Smart lady.  But I’m going to start a series of things I think she left off.

First on my list?  The pashmina.  I hate the word, because I think it sounds like something you’d

a cashmere goat. cute little guy.

 see advertised on a sign in JCPenny during Christmas season, but there’s no better word for extra-large scarves made of a cashmere-silk blend.  I wear one pretty much every day.  Mine is slate grey (in keeping with my monochromatic theme) and I bought it at this very cheap online outlet.  The scarf is soft, doesn’t smell weird (I’ve had that problem before.  Cashmere comes from goat hair, and sometimes, if you buy an off-priced wrap, when it gets wet, you smell like a barnyard) and they have sales all the time.  I recommend a black, white and grey scarf, and then one in a bright shade of a color you find yourself wearing often.  

 

I’d put up a photo of scarves, but they’re really not as interesting as that surprisingly adorable goat.  And, the good news is, that cashmere threads just come from giving the goats a haircut.  No animal cruelty involved!

Color Palette

I’m slowly transitioning my wardrobe to a very restrained color palette.  I will soon (should my budget allow) be exclusively in grey, white, black and navy blue.  everything will go together, and, let’s face it:  it’s pretty chic.

I’ve got on my little splendid cover up in cream, a basic black tee from Target, and my new Martin & Osa skinny jeans in a dark charcoal grey.  So what if they technically have a boot cut?  It’s a very subtle flair, and the denim, although stretch, doesn’t lose its shape as quickly as every other brand I’ve tried.  Does it count as cheating that I’m wearing gold metallic ballet flats?

Now, what I really need is to begin indulging in heels.  It’s difficult for me to rationalize, being 5’10″ and all, but I suppose I will have to learn to deal with the snide comments.  All you detractors, you’re just jealous!

A perfect look from Valentino Pre-Fall 2008 is to the right.  If I was still living in the Northeast, that is!  Keep a lookout for more LA-inspired winter outfits in the future.

Peaks and Valleys– The GAP

We ventured into the GAP today.  A friend needed a new outfit for a golf event tomorrow, and we knew that this mid-priced retailer would be a perfect spot for some lovely basics.  

It was about 70 degrees today in LA, and sunny.  We visited the GAP flagship in The Grove.  We arrived around 1 pm to find the store almost completely empty.

When I relayed that info to others, they didn’t seem surprised.  Apparently, even store visits to GAP stores are apparently down 25% to last year. 

Can anyone be surprised?  I was eyeing a cute, cotton cardigan in a bright, summery watermelon shade.  It was a great summer cover-up, perfect for an office or movie-theatre date.  The price was pushing towards $50.

At a time like this, can I afford a fifty dollar cotton cardigan?  Certainly not.  But if the GAP is feeling the burn of the downturn, which stores do you think will be hardest hit?

Martin & Osa

I have a new obsession.  Simply because I refuse to give up my WASP-y, preppy aesthetic, I have grown to be infatuated with the style of J.Crew and Banana Republic (my closet will resemble Brooks Brothers when I’m fifty, I promise).  However, during this time of economic hardship, I need someone to provide me my desired coverings for slightly less than those shops.

Enter, Martin & Osa.

Although it is owned by the American Eagle brand, the look is significantly more estate-in-Connecticut than state-college-coed.  With crisp, clean lines and slim silhouettes for women, this shop may be my new stomping ground.

The shop is completely modern and lovely, and the staff is gracious.  I wasn’t pestered, and when the sales associate began my room, he also placed two bottles of water next to my jeans– one for me, one for my patient boyfriend.  The signature scent of the store is light and crisp, which actually brightened up the store’s wood-paneled interior.  

I’m quite tall, and their extended length bootcut jeans fit to a skinny T.  Although the sizes run a tad small, it wasn’t as dejecting as it would be if, say, you had to go up a size or two in the GAP.  The brand is clearly still getting its footing (selection is limited to basics), but for the price of garments, they are just different enough to warrant shopping here instead of Ann Taylor Loft or, especially, Madewell.