I love fashion, and staying up-to-date with the fashion world. This is where I express my style.
7/13/2010
The Revel in Miss Jones
With many of the actresses in attendance clad in Louis Vuitton, Brittany Snow joked that she felt a bit left out. 'Apparently, I didn't get the memo,' she said, pointing to her Phi top. January Jones, who did receive the memo and looked fetching in a pair of natty Louis Vuitton trousers and a matching navy top, held court in a corner of the terrace, relaxing and chitchatting with friends. It was a surprising sight for those more accustomed to seeing the actress as the tightly wound 1960's housewife Betty Draper on Mad Men. In fact, the only time Jones clammed up was when asked (read: begged) for spoilers about the show's hotly anticipated fourth season, which premieres on July 25. 'All I can say is it's going to be good,' she demurred. 'I mean, I don't want to lose my job!'
—Evelyn Crowley
Christophe Lemaire
Lemaire took the Orient as his inspiration. He was particularly struck by the men and women in the street, all dressed in the same way, in the documentary Michelangelo Antonioni made in 1972 during the Cultural Revolution in China. But where that event was a denial of individuality, Lemaire used a battery of subtle fashion effects to make his uniforms stand out. Hot colors—cinnamon, curry, cyclamen—contrasted with cool whites, taupes, and grays in superlight silks and cottons and delicate prints. In both his women's and menswear, the designer made the most of the elegant volumes of Nehru jackets, caftans, kimonos, and kurtas. He mixed East and West to great effect: a subtle samurai shoulder on a seersucker jacket, say, or shorts in pale gray Ultrasuede paired with a modified kimono top, or a deconstructed trench that shared a feather-light flyaway quality with a windbreaker in paper cotton. The alluring plainness of the clothes brought to mind Martin Margiela's work for Hermès, and even if that impression was shaped by the announcement of Lemaire's new post, it surely bodes well for the future.
—Tim Blanks"
Stylish, Spotted Stars Kick Off ESPYs Week
Clean House star Niecy Nash was ravishing in a spotted halter...
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Exclusive Discount: Save 30 Percent on Glamorous Swimwear!
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Kim Kardashian Party Hops With Her New Beau
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Kim Kardashian Party Hops With Her New Beau
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Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom Get Scholastic Chic!
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mystyle Q&A: Rutina Wesley
WHAT...
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Ask Style: Should I Consider Using a Facial Mask?
—Helene, via the Ask Style inbox
Masks sure do look superfluous when you're looking at...
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The La Senza Bucket List
Inspiration from the West Coast’s Hottest Kitchens
LA chefs Josiah Citrin, Joachim Splichal, Mark Peel, Wolfgang Puck, Susan Feniger and Karen Hatfield shared their cooking secrets during a recent roundtable.
We took a break from eating foods prepared by LA’s top chefs to listen to some of the culinary masters talk shop during a recent gathering at the downtown arts center Redcat. During the roundtable, sponsored by dineLA, Josiah Citrin, Joachim Splichal, Mark Peel, Wolfgang Puck, Susan Feniger and Karen Hatfield answered questions about their “secret weapons” (“morels and asparagus,” according to Citrin), mentors ( “I learned as much from the bad ones who teach you what not to do,” says Puck) and their favorite at-home kitchen appliances (Peel’s is the pressure cooker).
The question that really inspired us was “What do you like to cook at home?” Our favorite response was Feniger’s. Yes, she agreed with all of the other chefs about the pleasures of cooking vegetables freshly picked from one’s backyard; her own garden-to-table pleasures include a vodka and soda with a squeeze of a just-picked Meyer lemon, steamed artichokes and a salad of homegrown tomatoes and avocados with a splash of good olive oil. But since we have neither a backyard nor a backyard garden as urban dwellers, we were also cheered by Feniger’s proclamation that spending time in India had taught her that you can also make “an absolutely delicious meal with very little product: just great basmati rice and some kind of dal.” The secret to getting this simple dish right? “Salt, acid and tasting,” Feniger says.
Later we caught up with Feniger to ask her about her favorite recipe for dal, the deceptively simply legume dish. (You might know Feniger best as one half, with Mary Sue Miliken, of Too Hot Tamales, the duo behind the Food Network series and popular cookbook.) “I like a red lentil or split dal,” she says, “made with lots of onion and garlic and finished with clarified butter, black mustard seeds and curry, or sweet neem leaves, which you can find in a well-stocked Indian market.” She suggested we consult her favorite Indian cookbook Neelam Batra’s 1,000 Indian Recipes (Wiley, 2002). In the meantime, we’ll be experimenting with these five dal recipes from one of our favorite cookbook authors, the New York Times “Minimalist” chef Mark Bittman.
Do you have a favorite Indian recipe? Share it with us!
Christian Lacroix, The Man, Designs Coins
So it’s hardly a surprising that Christian Lacroix was just named artistic advisor of La Monnaie de Paris: the state-funded organization in charge of designing and making French Euro coins, as well as national medals of all sorts. Despite Lacroix’s recent, saddening financial troubles, he remains an illustrious ambassador for his field and his country–so who better to ask about matters of classical Frenchness?
This weekend, the local press revealed that the designer will be in charge of designing limited editions of coins, as well as the PACS medal (French gay marriage), and the Marriage medal (the trinket given when getting married under French civil law).
This might seem like an odd switch from fashion, but this is not the first time La Monnaie de Paris has turned to sartorial experts for advice. In 2008 Karl Lagerfeld, along with the then-Minister of Culture Christine Albanel, designed special euro coins to celebrate Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s 125th birthday.
And in 2009, La Monnaie de Paris, which is also a museum, held a giant retrospective of David La Chapelle, an icon in fashion photography.
There’s more: Lacroix also revealed his upcoming project of redesigning a Tram line in Montpellier, France. As he explained, it will look like a “friendly underwater monster,” decorated with small fish, star fish made of embroideries, sequins and sparkles. Parts of the interior will look like coral.
If Karl can design Coca Cola bottles, and Colette offers baking classes, why shouldn’t coins and public transport deserve as much respect?
Bijules Challenges You To a Duel of Jewels
“This is a way of enhancing something you don’t have,” says Jules Kim, designer of Bijules, whose latest collection draws inspiration from Brahe’s gothic, fearless universe; in a deeply theatrical manner, she suggests an alternative choice of body parts to ornate.
At her presentation last Friday in Paris’ Palais Royal, she screened a film inspired by surrealism and film noir, in which she starred and demonstrated the uses of her pieces in a parallel, chic universe. The snippet drew admirative yelps from the likes of Diane Pernet.
Mixing tongue-in-cheek references to rapper’s gold teeth and to Brahe’s surrogate nose, she revealed gold contact lenses and studded nipple pasties (in that case, to enhance something you do have…hopefully).
Other examples include a ring that coats the entire finger, and a bejeweled chess set, on which she accessorized each pawn.
The universe of duels is oft referred to throughout the collection–for example, in Kim’s special gloves. These are not to be classically worn– as they are filled with small gold beads–but rather sat on the shoulder. This is a direct reference to duels, where a glove thrown at one’s feet would signify a call for a battle, she explained.
Rihanna is a fan, and so are Beyoncé and Fergie. And lots of Parisian females will soon be too, judging from the looks of shock and awe from the various fashion editors that attended the presentation.
Weapon of choice? Gold.
Fashion News Roundup: Don Draper Covers W , Jeremy Scott Does Daytime TV, e.p.t. Launches Pee-Stick Keepsake Cases
“And That’s the Stick Mommy Peed On”: Pregnancy test e.p.t has started selling keepsake cases after a recent survey showed that pee sticks were among the top three pregnancy keepsake items. Ew. {MomFinds}
Jeremy Scott, Soap Star: Out-there designer Jeremy Scott is making a foray into the world of daytime drama. He’s guest starring on The Young and the Restless tomorrow, and will be playing, what else, a designer. We’re crossing our fingers he’ll be wearing his own designs. {Elle.com}
Topshop Gets Moody: Josh Olins shot Topshop’s A/W 10-11 campaign. The evocative shots of angsty punk’ed out models (lots of spikes and leather) in chilly fields has us longing for colder temps. {Style Bubble}
Olivia Palermo Hits Berlin Fashion Week: Our favorite City villain flew in to Berlin for Markus Lupfer’s presentation. We hope we get to find out why on an upcoming episode. {Vogue UK}
George Clooney is NOT a Celebrity Designer: George Clooney is set to testify in court on July 16th against GC Exclusive, the Italian firm that is accused of forging Clooney’s signature and claimed to be launching the actor’s fashion line two years ago. {WWD, subscription required}
A Baby Bell Bottom to Get Behind
So when news of J.Brand’s Gigi landed in our inbox on Friday, we spent the weekend pondering whether or not we’d actually go for a pair of cropped kick-flares.
I saw Meredith Melling Burke wearing a similar pair at an event a month or two ago paired with Alexander Wang’s leopard-print wedges. She looked good, but it’s not a look I’d want to attempt. (Despite the fact that I love her Index pages in American Vogue, I don’t typically take style queues from the enviable Ms. Burke.)
Britt–the originator of our bell bottom discussions–trusts Burke, so I assumed she’d try this look on for size. However, she tells me, “I see them on MMB and want to buy a pair, but then i think about it, and it’s probably not the best idea.”
Right now–at this moment in time–Leah says she would not wear a pair.
Personally, I see myself wearing these with a pair of flats and one of my old Mayle blouses. There’s something very 2002 about baby bells. And I mean that in the most positive way.
Want a pair of your own? The Gigi retails between $158 and $196 at JBrandJeans.com.
Street Style: Nicole Likes Easy Separates
Age: 35
Describe your style: Well, I haven’t defined my summer look yet, but I like easy separates with a combination of vintage and modern.
What’s your summer song? “Free Falling” by Tom Petty. Last year my summer band was Stevie Nicks, this year it’s Tom Petty.
What is your #1 beauty product? Kiehl’s SPF 25, Nars Blush and cherry Chapstick.
How do you like your eggs? Over easy.
Who is your top by? It’s by Seneca Rising.
How about your jeans? They are vintage Levi’s from Circa Now.
And your boots? They’re also from Circa Now.
**All photos by Ashley Jahncke.
Christian Lacroix’s New Creative Director is Up for the Challenge, Hopes to Revive Couture in the Future
Walckhoff’s been working at Lacrroix in some capacity or another since 1992. He started as a knitwear designer, moving onto diffusion line Bazar, then to jeans, and eventually menswear. In 2000, he left the company full time to consult for brands like Kenzo, but returned in 2003 when Lacroix began spending more energy working on his collections for Pucci.
The Swiss-French designer has been at Lacroix’s side ever since, through the last two years of financial trouble right, culminating with the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2009.
It wasn’t until after Lacroix–the man–announced he was breaking all ties with the company, that CEO Nicolas Topiol and Miami, Fla.-based investors the Falic Group asked Walckhoff to come on as Creative Director.
Walckhoff’s first ready-to-wear collection? Menswear, which is funded by a licensee. Women’s pret-a-porter and couture are part of the future, but not the present.
“We must first pay the debts,” Walckhoff told me over breakfast today at New York’s Gramercy Park Hotel. After a warmer-than-expected reception in Paris, the designer is in town to sell his menswear collection for the first time ever to US buyers. Along with the menswear and bridal licenses, the company is now dabbling in home textiles, sunglasses and stationery as well.
Walckhoff had one of the notebooks, which retails for about $25, with him. He has filled with inspirational collages. The book’s cover is a black and white image of Lacroix’s birthplace of Arles, adorned by lofted felt. The inside of the cover is a black and white stripes, plastered here and there by pink and red carnations. It does look, in the most strangely natural way, very Lacroix.
A notebook may not scream ‘le pouf,’ but Walckhoff believes it’s part of a brand’s evolution. As a devoted member of the house, it was difficult for him to see it all being wasted away because of misdirected pride. “The last two years have been very painful,” he says, and you can see the sadness in his eyes. “There was no money, and there was no harmony.” Much like the rest of us, it was difficult for Walckhoff to watch Lacroix’s lack of concern for his financial problems. For years, he struggled to see beyond the couture; to offer the same magic in more affordable items.
But after the sadness, comes hope. “The Falic brothers proposed that we go on, and I believe that the brand can succeed. It’s a personal conviction,” says Walckhoff. “When you mention ‘Christian Lacroix,’ people open their eyes wide with excitement,” he says. “But no one believes that they can actually own Lacroix. I want to change that.”
For instance: Recently the designer was sitting in the lovely Georges Restaurant in Paris, when a gentleman came up to him and admired his black velvet blazer. “It’s Lacroix,” said Walckhoff. The gentleman said, “Oh well, then I can’t afford it.” Walckhoff said, “If you can eat in this restaurant, you can afford this blazer.”
Indeed, price points are not wild for the Lacroix menswear collection–they’re comparable to other ready-to-wear labels, not couture. Pants range from $260 to $310; jackets are $1,100 to $1,400; suits are $1,600 to $2,300.
But it’s less about the cost for Walckhoff and more about offering access to a brand that’s almost as much a part of him as it is Mr. Lacroix. “When Lacroix hired me, I didn’t know anyone. I wasn’t the ’son of a friend, of a friend.’ That’s how our company is–everybody is different; accepted for who they are. And I want everyone to be able to enjoy the brand.”
(View 50 plus images from the Christian Lacroix menswear Spring 2011 look book after the jump.)
Racked Dealfeed: Alexis Bittar, Eva New York, Torrid, and More
Deal: 25% off the jewelry designer’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection, including Lucite, Elements and Miss Havisham.
When/Where: Ongoing until they run out. At Alexis Bittar’s three shops: 353 Bleecker St., 1100 Madison Ave., 465 Broome St., New York, and also online at AlexisBittar.com.
Eva New York
Deal: 30% to 70% off clothing from designers like Henrik Vibskov, Mandy Coon, Eairth, Ann Yee, and Logan Neitzel.
When/Where: Sunday, July 11 through Saturday, July 31. Sun—Thurs noon—8pm, Fri—Sat noon—9pm. 355A Bowery between Third and Fourth Sts (212-925-3890)
Native on Franklin
Deal: 25% off all accessories and jewelry.
When/Where: Monday – Friday, noon to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 10pm. 5915 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles. (323-962-7710)
Torrid
Deal: Enter code BTDM610 at checkout to get $10 off any order over $10
When/Where: Until July 15, 2010/Online!
Why I Don’t Care That Some T-Shirts Cost $200
Of course it’s nice to receive a gift, but more than that, I was intrigued by the feel of the shirts. They felt, well, expensive.
Which leads me to my point. Thank you, The Row. Thank you, James Perse. But above all, thank you, Michael Stars–the original “I can’t believe these t-shirts are that expensive” brand–for raising the quality bar in the t-shirt category.
Now, don’t misunderstand my gratitude. I would never, ever spend more than $50 on a tee. (Yes, I know that’s still kind of expensive, but if it’s a silk blend I can excuse it.) But I am glad that these brands exist. Why? Because it pushes less pricey labels to create better product at a lower price. Do you remember what t-shirts used to feel like? They were thick, took years to soften, and often became a funny shape after a wash or two.
Why the change? Consider a brand like James Perse.
I’m not going to go crazy at James Perse every time I walk in, but I have spent money when there’s been a good sale. My reasoning: Why would I spend a few dollars less at a specialty retailer if I can get higher quality on sale? Suddenly, the Gaps and J.Crews and even Old Navys of the world are not only competing with each other, they’re competing with LNA, Kain, and Splendid as well.
So we must thank those ridiculous brands for offering up $500 t-shirts. We might not be buying them, but they’ve improved the quality of t-shirts we do buy. Here are a few of Fashionista’s favorite tees for midsummer.
Happy 100th Birthday, WWD!
Tomorrow, the fashion trade will celebrate 100 years in the business. Here’s what the first issue–well, the issue after an introductory supplement in now-defunct DNR–looked like. Subscriptions were $3 a year, single copies were 1 cent. Go to WWD to check out images of the paper from the last 10 decades.
Berlin Fashion Week: Now Is The Time On Sprockets When We Dance!
But we thought it would be funny to let Dieter, host of “Sprockets,” comment on some of the more severe looks from Berlin’s RTW Spring 2011 Fashion Week.
Go ahead, touch my monkey!
Paunchy Guidos Rejoice: "The Situation" To Release Workout Video
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Unsurprisingly the DVD will include a bonus abs section, and we are sure the overall workout will consist of plenty of fist-pumps to tone those biceps too. The Situation shot the video in New Jersey (of course!) the other day with GT media.
There is already a 'Jersey Core Workout' class, inspired by our favorite guidos, that gym-goers can take at NY Sports Clubs (as well as their Boston, Washington DC and Philadelphia branches).
We are not sure when the DVD is set to be released but would hazard-a-guess it will be during this season, in order to capitalize off the Miami season. While the Jersey Shore alumni continue to exploit their cash cow, we actually think this piece of merchandise is probably the smartest move Sorrentino has made!
Jersey Shore 2 premieres on July 29. You can see the trailer here.
[Photo courtesy of MTV]
A Night Owl's Oasis: Night Kids At The Eldridge
Go HERE for more photos by Gabriel Liberty and tag yourself and your friends!
Night owls gathered Friday night at The Eldridge to jam to music by Night Kids- four insomniac DJs and producers. With cupcakes for fuel and drinks in hand, this crowd had no problem dancing into the night…Night Kids style.-
Night Kids started as four strangers (Willie Russell, Thomas Jay, Jillian Kristen and Jacky Chui) living in Brooklyn who shared something in common- hate for the daytime and love for "out of body" music. All being DJs and producers, they decided to play their music for other insomniacs like themselves, so they could rock out late into the night together.
Five Things You Can Still Look Forward To This Summer
The Fourth Season Of Mad Men-July 25th
It's been a long, hard, Mad Men-less winter, and we are SO excited to get back to 1964. On July 25th, we'll finally get the answer to a lot of questions we've been asking ourselves since last November: Will Betty Draper be back for Season 4? Will Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce succeed? Will Pete and Trudy have a baby? Will Peggy Olsen stop sleeping with Duck? (That was unnecessarily gross, in our opinion.) But most importantly: Don Draper is a free agent now! Who will he hook up with first?!
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The US Open 2010-August 30th
It was cool to watch the World Cup games on tvs at bars, but we missed out on part of the excitement by not being there. Luckily, the US Open happens on our home turf, and there are plenty of seats still available. Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and Roger Federer are all set to compete for the title, as well as a (newly coiffed and subdued) Serena Williams.
And who knows? There might be an exciting repeat of the record breaking Isner-Mahut match from Wimbledon (though probably not…). Either way, the summer of sport isn't over yet!
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The Jelly Pool Parties-July 11th
Hopefully you're ready for this Jelly! (Sorry, sorry…won't make that joke again.)
The famed Jelly Pool Parties had a rough time of it this year, but they're in full swing now, having kicked off the summer with yesterday's Xiu Xiu concert.
Don't recognize any of the bands? Expand your musical tastes this summer, or at least enjoy the al fresco music and the NYC skyline backdrop.
Full line-up HERE.
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Labor Day-September 6th
It's not over til it's over, and Labor Day is Summer's official last hurrah. Disappointed by your mellow Fourth Of July? Is your lack of a beer belly worrying you? Labor day is your last chance to live it up this summer with BBQ, drinking, vuvuzelaing, tanning, and swimming. And please don't worry about any adverse health effects: you have all winter to detox and hide yourself in sweaters.
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The End Of The World-Iminent
Everyone seems to be talking about how the BP Oil Spill may have set off a chain of events that will lead to a mass extinction of life on earth. Thanks BP!
We're trying not to get too worked up about it (seems a little Y2K-ish), but it's definitely something to keep in mind. If you consider that the end of the world may be coming soon, the end of the World Cup doesn't seem that bad after all!
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[Top photo via BlackBook]