Holy Crap: Stick-On Fart Neutralizers Are Things That Exist

There’s no graceful way to introduce this product, so we’ll just cut to the chase: “Subtle Butt” is a disposable patch of fabric with an “activated carbon layer…to which stench adheres and gets neutralized.” Except there’s nothing subtle about farting. In short, Subtle Butt is a small square of fabric you stick to your underwear just in case you lay a real stinky egg. If it’s loud, you’re on your own. Subtle Butt does nothing to muffle sound. Gross. (Almost as gross as period undies).

Yes, this is a real product you can buy. Five Subtle Butt patches cost just $11.95.



Thank you, Stylist, for bringing the Subtle Butt to our attention. The blog spoke with creator Kim Olenicoff who says, “I use them on airplanes, after a chili meal, and even on my dog…It’s kind of embarrassing, but it’s better to have it in and not be embarrassed.”

Olenicoff is the brains behind Solutions That Stick , a company that boasts a line of adhesive products to solve a range of everyday problems from slouchy boots to camel toe. You heard right, the “Knicker Sticker” is a little heart-shaped patch you stick to the crotch of your pants to eliminate camel toe, VPL, and, well, who knows what else.

Would you try the Subtle Butt? They’ve even put out this equal parts hilarious and disgusting instructional video.

DvF, Norma Kamali, and Prabal Prove Authenticy is a Major Key to Success

To get the opportunity to listen to the wise words of Norma Kamali and Diane von Furstenberg in one sitting is pretty spectacular. Throw the young, talented, and eager Prabal Gurung into the mix, and you’ve got one entertaining evening.

Last night I stopped by the NY Times for a very fashionable edition of its TimesTalks series, moderated by style reporter Eric Wilson. Kamali, von Furstenberg, Gurung and Fern Mallis sat on the panel. The main topic of the evening was the Fashion Center Sidewalk Catwalk, that 30-odd row of incredibly inventive mannequins in the Garment Center. Those mannequins will subsequently be auctioned off, with the proceeds going towards art supplies for city kids who might not have them otherwise.

Each designer discussed the inspiration behind his or her mannequin–DvF’s wanted hers to represent a feline female, Prabal paid homage to Alexander McQueen, Kamali considered technology and communications–but the conversation soon moved on to each designer’s thoughts on Twitter, branding, and yes, success.

On Twitter:

Kamali, who’s very into her iPhone, says she’s not the hugest fan of Twitter, but she likes to use blogging as a platform. Prabal talked about how Demi Moore’s tweet about one of his dresses changed his life. DvF said that anytime you write the word “love” on Twitter it garners quite a bit of attention. (Although we’re sure everything DvF says garners attention.)

On Having a Signature Piece:

DvF: “You don’t choose what your signature is going to be. Just like you only know something’s an It Bag when it’s It!” Kamali, whose signature is undoubtedly her sleeping bag coat, agrees. The reason DvF’s wrap and Kamali’s sleeping bag both work so well? They were developed out of necessity.

On Different Kinds of Success:

DvF and Kamali run two very different empires; Prabal is just now building his. The key to everything? Authenticity. Instead of trying to be something or someone else, each of these designers have been recognized for being distinctly original.

Were you at the talk? I’d love to hear what your favorite moments were in the comments below.

Dolce & Gabbana on CNN: “The Designer With Two Heads”

There are many things I love about fashion, but my favorite part of the industry and best part of this job is the chance to meet designers. I have such admiration for these people who create gorgeous things, and when I get to meet them I often turn into a 12-year-old meeting Justin Bieber. I’ve giggled. Very professional.

Often times the designers’ stories are better than any prepackaged reality shows out there. CNN’s Revealed aired today and featured Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Theirs is an amazing love story and success story set in the incomparable backdrops of Milan and Portofino, Italy.

CNN followed Dolce & Gabbana to their men’s AW 2010 and SS 2011 shows where among other things, you can drool at the gorgeous David Gandy and Noah Mills.

What is so clear is the amount of love and respect Domenico and Stefano have for each other. While not romantically linked since 2005, they share a weekend house in Portofino and both state they could not work without the other. The way they speak about each other is really touching and this closeness must be the key to their continued success.

There were some other notable things in the show. If you’re into real estate porn, the Portofino house is unbelievable. Hilary Alexander makes a cameo appearance, as do some ’80s supermodels. And finallly, attention Zoolander 2 producers: you MUST use the acting coach that D&G hired to help their models be more dramatic on the runway. I couldn’t believe that she actually exists in real life.

You can watch the Dolce & Gabbana Revealed now online. CNN has split the show into three short segments. Check it out. It made me happy.

Fashion News Roundup: Jennifer Aniston Launches Her Fragrance, Uggs Gone Mad & More

Aniston On Aniston: Jennifer Aniston appeared at Harrod’s last night to promote her new fragrance line, which will aptly be named “Jennifer Aniston.” {InStyle}

Uggs On The Ave: Always cringe-worthy brand Uggs has just announced its plans to open a shop on Madison Avenue, though chances are that this new development only affects you if you’re looking for a job at Uggs. {Refinery 29}

Houe Of Vuitton: Some anonymous and bizarre person in Mexico recently gave their house a faux-Louis Vuitton makeover. This seems like one of those things we’d drunkenly threaten to do but never actually go through with. {Hazme El Chingado Favor}

Clinton Chic: Chelsea Clinton recently announced that she will be wedding in Oscar de la Renta, and not Vera Wang as formerly thought. {Refinery 29}

Helen Mirren is Dub T? White Trash Beautiful designer Nikki Lund says that everyone’s got a little white trash in them. Even Dame Mirren. {The High Low}

Why Are K. Jacques Sandals So Damn Expensive?

It’s the height of summer now and wearing as little as possible feels right. This goes for shoes, too. Who wants to clomp around in heavy footwear in this godawful heat?

Enter K. Jacques, purveyors of strappy leather sandals. The label was started in the 1930s in St. Tropez, France by an Armenian refugee. They were made-to-measure for each customer and the shop often made sandals for wealthy, famous people on holiday in St. Tropez. Many of the styles haven’t changed since then, though they do offer trendier options every year.

They cost between $200 and $400. This is a bit of sticker shock for what at first glance appears to be a nondescript flat sandal made from a strip or two of leather. I dug a bit to try to figure out how they can–and do–command that price.

1) Impeccable French heritage with a compelling story: Refugee makes good, attracts rich tourists.

2) The company has been family-owned since its inception and the shoes are handmade in a small factory in St. Tropez by “skilled artisans.” Handmade is obviously more time consuming and therefore, more expensive. I like to think of a bunch of women with lace caps lovingly sewing leather while humming Edith Piaf tunes.

3) The leather is sourced from France and Italy. Italian leather is often considered the best quality in the world, so there you go. Ka-ching.

4) Because of reasons 1, 2, and 3, K. Jacques has collaborated with some of the most prestigious designers and brands in the world. The company has worked with Isabel Marant, Karl Lagerfeld, Balenciaga, Givenchy, and Missoni, among many others. This has helped to establish a decent reputation as a luxury brand.

5) The styles are simple, just trendy enough, and look expensive without being overly flashy. Logos are still considered crass in this uncertain economic climate. And the shoes are cute! The styles they just did in collaboration with Opening Ceremony are really quirky (picture at left).

The bottom line: K. Jacques has a clean reputation, makes a quality product, and has that magical quality all brands lust after–caché. And if you cruise the Net-a-Porter sandal page, they look downright reasonably priced next to the $935 embellished Lanvins.

BurdaStyle is Hiring an Online Marketing Intern

BurdaStyle, an online DIY fashion community, is seeking fantastic online marketing and eCommerce students in the New York City area to help with our online advertising and notions store including content, banners, newsletters, contests and sponsored editorials as well as offline events like fairs and shows.

Responsibilities include:

-Online shop management

-Data upload

-Content display optimization

-Establishing and maintaining content and community connections

-Creating shop and sales strategies

-Implementing marketing and sales initiatives

-Production curation for weekly themes and holidays to be announced in e-newsletter

- Assisting in developing revenue generating strategies

- Building strong, lasting relationships with clients and agencies, solidifying BurdaStyle’s role in the sewing community

- Working with the team to develop social media sales campaigns. Provide insight into social media engagement metrics and help develop and test new monetization concepts

- Help in monitoring new market developments and create effective strategies that will enhance our brand’s growth and market presence

We are looking for someone who has:

- A desire to be part of a high growth, fast paced business and the largest online sewing community + leader in the DIY movement

- Excellent presentation skills with solid communication skills both verbal and written

- Ability to work in a close team environment

This is an unpaid internship, but school credit can be given. Applicants must be able to commute to our offices in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

Resumes and cover letters should be sent to office@burdastyle.com.

BurdaStyle is Looking for Fashion Design Interns!

BurdaStyle, an online DIY fashion community, is seeking fantastic Fashion Design students in the New York City area to help our creative department with projects, production, photo shoots and general office tasks.

Responsibilities Include:

* Assisting in styling preparations for photo shoots and photo shoot production

* Organizational duties for office and for photo shoots

* General office assistance

* Answering phones

* Testing patterns and sew samples

* Preparing kits for partners and publicity



You will:

* Learn the functions of a small business

* Gain experience in a growing company

* Assist in production of our upcoming book.

We are looking for candidates who:

* Are proficient in Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

* Are Fashion Design BFA students, sophomore or junior

* Have Patterning and sewing knowledge, including pattern alteration and grading

* Are organized and reliable,

* Are members of, or familiar with, BurdaStyle

This is an unpaid internship, but school credit can be given. Applicants must be able to commute to our offices in Midtown Manhattan, New York. Resumes and cover letters should be sent to office@burdastyle.com.

Street Style: Ricardo’s Day Off

Name: Ricardo

Age: 23

Occupation: Graphic Designer

How would you describe your style? It’s usually very tailored and preppy, generic and plain. It’s very Swedish actually, but on my days off, like today, it’s ’90s grungy.



What is your current favorite song? I’ve been listening to Salt n Pepa lately.

What is your favorite area in NYC? West Village, I’m always hanging out here.

What is your favorite kind of candy? I love dark chocolate.

How do you take your coffee? Black. I like it strong.

Where are your glasses from? Spitfire

Where are your boots from? They’re vintage. Everything but my Cheap Monday shorts are vintage.

All photos by Ashley Jahncke.

Erin Fetherston Gets Juicy, Invites a Bunch of Bloggers to Join Her

Erin Fetherston’s collection for Juicy Couture doesn’t hit stores until autumn, but that didn’t stop the designer and her team at Juicy from throwing a fete in honor of the new partnership.

After the TimesTalks event, I headed down to Crosby Street for girly cocktails and dinner hosted by Erin at Meet at the Apartment.

There were about 15 of us in attendance, including Britt, Tracey from Glamour, Felicity from newly-launched The High Low and a few of the city’s best personal style bloggers. Of course, they all looked amazing, particularly Kelly from The Glamouri, who revealed that her Coach collaboration bag sold out in days–well done!

All-around, it was a delightful evening. Some highlights:

• We were each gifted a Bloggie video cam, which helped to document the festivities.
  
• The high point was definitely Erin’s tips on getting perfect bangs. She says: Don’t use a round brush. Blow them out straight using a sharp nozzle. Cut them at least once a week. And use professional scissors!
  
• After dinner, we hopped into a fleet of Town Cars, which escorted us to the Juicy shop in the West Village. Each writer was allowed to pick out two pieces, and Erin helped us along the way. My choices? A stripey cropped top and a navy tuxedo blazer with a shawl collar.

Catherine Malandrino Rocks Out For Resort 2010/11

Yesterday I stopped by Catherine Malandrino’s showroom in the Garment District to check out her Holiday/Resort 2010/11 collections for “Catherine Malandrino,” which is at a contemporary price point, as well as “Malandrino,” her designer price point line.

It was fitting that Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” was blasting in the showroom, as the designer and the R&B star have become besties. Malandrino showed her latest “Malandrino” Resort collection on the runway at MoMA this past June to benefit Mary J’s FFAWN charity–that stands for Foundation for the Achievement of Women Now–and the duo teamed up to design a capsule collection of t-shirts together this past winter to raise funds for FFAWN.



Considering Malandrino’s close friendship with the R&B star, it’s no surprise that the designer’s latest collection was heavily influenced by the intersection of fashion and music. Looks were inspired by Tina Turner, Chaka Kahn, Donna Summer and Grace Jones. Heavy, intricately patterned cropped leather jackets were embellished with studs and zippers and felt very rock and roll. And the accessories literally rocked–big fat raw uncut stones were stuck onto thick cuffs and bib necklaces. Sure, they were weighty, but this is the price you pay for real statement jewelry. To counter the heavy leather rock edge there were breezy kaftans in a tie dye-tribal print, and slinky shiny black dresses fit for a ’70s disco queen. (Or, if you’re Grace Jones, a shimmering black hooded jumper.)

“Catherine Malandrino” was less rock star but more accessible. There was still plenty of leather in the way of pleated leather mini skirts, leather dresses, and cropped leather jackets with cut-out patterns, but there were also simple yet adorable knit dresses and flowy psychadellic-patterned tops and dresses. Also there were overalls. And the lookbook models are still sporting those perfectly beat up lace-less oxfords I’ve been coveting since Malandrino’s Spring 2010 presentation.

Click through for highlights from “Malandrino” and “Catherine Malandrino” Holiday/Resort 2010/2011.

Inside the Harlem Target with the Toledos: Isabel Wants to Design More for Mass, Ruben Tags My Toledo for Target Tee

Manhattan’s first Target opens this Sunday in Spanish Harlem (517 E.117th St.) but we got a sneak peak at the Harlem Designer Collections last night when the store opened it’s doors for a block party in the aisles.

Though there was a significant celebrity turnout for the event–the Seinfelds, Russell Simmons, 30 Rock’s Katrina Bowden and Bethenny Frankel (in amazing post-baby shape) were all there–the party was really meant for the Target employees and the community, hence the block party vibe. Neighborhood restaurants served up soul food and Doug E. Fresh thrilled the crowd with a stellar performance.

But enough of the party. Onto the important stuff: the clothes.



Stephen Burrows’ line was all happy-making bright colors with frilly leopard accents, but Isabel and Ruben Toledo’s collection was the hot ticket. Shoppers were cooing over the illustrated towels (“They’ll make the best gifts ever!” we heard one shopper exclaim), and the bathing suits were flying off the racks. I was particularly taken with the red ruched one-piece with the asymmetrical black strap. It’s a flattering fit and the design is striking. And it looks like it costs way more than $34.95.

Isabel and Ruben Toledo were on hand too, hanging out around their first collection for the mass market.

“The experience that I’ve had with the translation of my design for the mass market has been really wonderful,” Isabel told me. “They’ve captured all the nuances of what i was look for.”

“This has been a great experience,” she said of the Target collab, “and I’m looking forward to doing more.”

“For Target?” I asked, fingers crossed.

“Maybe,” she answered, cryptically.

And as if the hope of a full Toledo for Target line weren’t enough, I spotted Ruben with a sharpie and asked him to tag my Toledo tee.

He happily obliged.

Conclusions of the evening: I’ll never wash my Toledo for Target t-shrit and Ruben and Isabel Toledo are the coolest most stylish couple ever.

Rag & Bone Bids Farewell to Café Colonial and Hello to Nolita

It’s no secret that we at Fashionista heart Rag & Bone and while we were more than a little disappointed by Café Colonial’s closing, we don’t blame Rag & Bone (we blame Keith McNally). And we can’t really be mad about one of our favorite brands opening up shop two blocks away from our office.

The store opens to the public this Friday, but we got a sneak peak yesterday afternoon. It feels a lot like the other Rag & Bone stores, but a little more bare bones – the clothing was sparse on the racks. We were told, however, that the store was not completely finished and would have a few more racks, a denim wall, and seating by opening day. We sensed a bit of scrambling.



The CFDA Menswear Designers of the Year must be doing pretty well, as this will be the fourth Rag & Bone store to open downtown in the past two years. What makes this store different from other locations is that merchandise will only include Rag & Bone’s three “companion collections:” rag & bone/JEAN, rag & bone/SHIRT and rag & bone/KNIT, as well as some accessories from the main collection and the shoe shop, which caught our interest the most. Located in what would have been Café Colonial’s Kitchen, the shoe shop features shoes from the main collection (Fall ’10 was on display) and is separated from the rest of the store by a wall, though customers can walk freely between the two parts of the store. We are told it will operate like a typical shoe store with places to sit and try on. It even has its own window and “rag & bone shoe shop” sign outside.

Back in May, WWD reported that the brand had plans to open a stand-alone shoe store because their shoes were doing so well in department stores, boutiques and Rag & Bone’s own retail stores. We thought this was an interesting idea, but a risky one, especially after hearing rumors that the brand’s stand-alone stores were not doing all that well compared to their wholesale business.

That being said, we think what the brand has done with its latest retail venture is a smart approach. This way, the store has two draws, one being the companion collections, which boast Rag & Bone’s lowest price points–perfect to highlight in this economy. Only time will tell how this store ends up doing with this retail concept, but we get the feeling it’s going to work. See below for pictures of the space.

Tinsley Mortimer Knows Her Customer

Last night, we traveled to Upper East Side boutique Samantha Thavasa, a Japanese handbag brand and store, for a sneak peak at Tinsley Mortimer’s Fall 2010 handbag line. We admit we only found out Mortimer’s line for Thavasa existed by watching recently-canceled guilty pleasure reality show High Society. It turns out the Tins has been designing capsule collections for Samantha Thavasa for a few seasons. This one was inspired by 1980s rock bands.

The reason for the ’80s inspiration? Tinsley says she’s a product of the ‘80s and loves ‘80s music. The bags were also a little inspired by lingerie and corsets, she explained, which was a lot more evident than the ‘80s rock band thing, aside from the names of the handbags, which were “Poison,” “Guns N Roses,” “White Snake,” “Metallica,” and “Def Leopard.” We weren’t huge fans of the collection, except for a couple of cute, simple quilted purses with long chain link straps that were, well, Chanel knock-offs in quirky colors.



We were also wondering why, of all brands, Tinsley would be designing for this Japanese handbag line that only has one store in the U.S.? Also, who is Tinsley’s customer? Who is buying these bags? Then, we realized: Japanese people. Apparently, Samantha Thavasa is huge in Japan and American celebrities like Beyonce, Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham have all starred in ad campaigns for the cutesy upscale handbags. And we all know the Japanese go crazy over pretty, blonde, American socialites, especially those with small faces. We’re actually sort of impressed that Tinsley was able to identify this market for herself.

Beyond that, we’ll let you guys be the judge of Tinsley’s designs. Rock on.