sophista-funk

serpentine

2010-01-04T11:29:00.005-05:00

I'm a huge coffee table book fan. I love entering people's homes or offices to find a carefully curated selection of books that allow me to catch a glimpse into what they find most beautiful, interesting or bizarre. That said, you'd definitely see Guido Mocafinco's Serpens, on mine.

The images are outstanding. I know most people are squeamish when it comes to snakes- but you can't help but be amazed by their beauty when you flip through. Mocafinco's photography is so detailed and refined; you can feel the texture and weight of each frame while you are mesmerized by the organic twists and turns within. And the rich, saturated colors and patterns only add to satisfy one's palate; nature is such an amazing and fascinating thing. These photos are strikingly beautiful- I had to share.

Photos courtesy of This Blog Rules

Voodoo Queens

2009-12-21T13:27:00.009-05:00

My lovely friend Nina sent me a link these wonderful photo/drawings by Nina Chakrabarti. They are from a series of "interventionist doodles" entitled Voodoo Queens. I find them radically haunting; the perfect mix of bizarre and beautiful.

They might just be the perfect inspiration for a collection, but for now- i just want to share their magic.

See more here.

I'll take one, please

2009-10-15T19:48:00.002-04:00

ugh, if only i could work for them...!

Photo courtesy of Nitrolicious

i cant get it out of my mind

2009-09-23T22:16:00.003-04:00

i'm officially obsessed with this song

Nothing But A Heartache - The Flirtations

also- i will be posting my thoughts on the shows from the past week- once i can get them all together!

Gushing

2009-08-05T18:44:00.004-04:00

Rodarte F/W 2009 RTW

I can not express how much I love Rodarte and the creative genius of the Mulleavy sisters. These two embody everything I had ever dreamed of being when I would sit and imagine my life as a fashion designer. Their approach is refreshing; having both been trained outside of the fashion world, their work truly reflects the passion and commitment they have to creating beautiful garments. They ooze with a level of sophistication and respect that I find lacking in many other labels. These are not just garments, they are each beautiful works of art, boldly championing the craft of fashion and the power of ones imagination.

Rodarte S/S 2009 RTW

Now that I've finished gushing, you can imagine my initial excitement when the duo announced they will be collaborating with Target to create a Go International line for the mega chain this upcoming December. The idea that the Mulleavy's will attempt to translate their unique pieces into palatable, mass market goods is at once amazing and bittersweet. While I am already salivating at the idea that I could potentially afford to own one of their pieces, I am nervous that a mass market interpretation of their work would get lost in translation. As I mentioned before, Rodarte is all about craft- their pieces are impeccably detailed and thoughtful, an inherent quality due to the fact that they are all hand crafted by the two sisters themselves. Now call me old fashioned- but there is something so genuinely beautiful about that- garments that welcome a hand touch, created by the same people who dreamed them up, as opposed to a factory somewhere far off. Obviously- the Target line, which will retail from $9.99 to $79.99, will probably be produced overseas... so I can only hope that their vision and aesthetic will not be compromised.

Only time will tell.

Photos courtesy of Style.com

Alexander McQueen

2009-07-14T00:31:00.002-04:00

sometimes i wish my mind worked like his. it's just that simple.

in the daze of supermodels...

2009-03-15T16:41:00.003-04:00

while doing some research for my impending market report due tomorrow, i stumbled upon an old favorite of mine- yasmeen ghauri. she was one of the top supermodels back in the day- and I couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic for a time when models looked a little more realistic. Yeah, they were still beautiful and tall, and they still maintained the fantasy that is fashion, but they had curves and ambitions and personality- qualities i find are seriously lacking (minus a select few) in this new age of fashion.

she's also a unique case because she happens to be a women of color- who made it in the industry, despite all the social constraints around her at the time. it just gives me more hope for some of these new, fresh faces we've been seeing.

food for thought

2009-03-10T19:37:00.004-04:00

this op-ed video from today's new york times is definitely worth a watch. although the content isn't super groundbreaking, (I think by now, most of us are aware of the prevalence of airbrushing in our everyday lives) I don't think we realize the extent it has reached within various industries.

Should we (and can we?) put regulations on the use of airbrushing (thus limiting the promulgation of false imagery in society)? I found it interesting that the French are trying to pursue various options to make the use of airbrushing (and fantastical imagery) illegal. I can't help but wonder if any good will come out of it... after being surrounded by so many unrealistic representations of people, places, and things- will it be difficult to return to reality?

Watch the clip here.

scan me

2008-12-30T20:40:00.004-05:00

i think these barcodes by japanese company D-Barcode are so so great.

it's about time someone got creative with barcodes- they're on basically everything we buy- so why not make them fun and interesting?

remember when music videos were cool?

2008-12-30T17:23:00.004-05:00

i've always loved metronomy- specifically i've been OBSESSED with their song trick or treatz for ages now. but miles recently sent me a link to their video for "a thing for me" and i'm really into it. not only are they musically interesting- but their video is fun and creative- something that has been missing for a long time.

hope you enjoy it as much as i do.

A Thing For Me from Metronomy on Vimeo.

currently obsessed: phone book dress

2008-12-26T11:43:00.002-05:00

i came across this dress and i think it's wonderfully ingenious. The entire ruffled and ruched creation is made from one large telephone book! it looks immaculate and I bet it would be so much fun to wear- even if you had to be super careful in it. considering how bored i've been recently, i may consider starting one of my own while i'm at home... if i'm successful, i'll post up some pics.

shake it like a poladroid picture

2008-12-23T19:35:00.002-05:00

Today while perusing multiple websites to avoid working, I stumbled upon this wonderful treasure of a website, aptly named Poladroid. On Poladroid you can download their free program and then use it to instantly change your favorite digital photos into grainy polaroid perfection, white frame and all. The program even lets you "shake" the photo after you drag it into the camera- to help make the process a little more familiar. I'm still trying to figure out if it's possible to tweak the colors or add any fun effects- but even if it's just a simple conversion tool- I'm excited to create some faux-polaroids of my own.

here are some I made today while procrastinating.

enjoy the site and send us some photos!

Bye Bye Blass

2008-12-22T15:01:00.000-05:00

I'm SO sad to see you go.

The news that legendary American design house, Bill Blass Couture will be closing is so utterly depressing. Known for his impeccably tailored garments and richly luxurious textiles, Blass hit the scene as a force to be reckoned with back in the 70s, oozing style and sophistication into the realm of American sportswear. Since then, the design house has produced and endless number of timeless classics- and was one of the major players in bringing worldwide respect to the talents of existing and burgeoning U.S. designers.

In its more recent history, Bill Blass Couture served as a maison that really payed homage to its roots. Under the creative direction of Peter Som, the company flourished, creating beautiful, charming, and wonderfully wearable garments that embraced the rules of modernity and contemporary clothing while still championing the vintage glamor of yore. In short, it was one of those few design houses than never seemed to dissappoint.

Whether or not you are a tried and true "Blass woman," there is just something about his clothing that appeals to your sensibilities. Its hard not to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship, the beautiful tailoring, the clean lines or the feminine, lady-like silhouettes. I had high hopes for the future of the line, especially with Som at its helm, so it's with much sadness that I say goodbye to this truly legendary design house. I can only hope that someone with some insight swoops it up and relaunches it- because it's truly a shame to let it die.

wang-tastic

2008-12-17T00:38:00.005-05:00

this just in from our lovely friend-in-the-know rashida:

Two runway looks that might make their way into your closet, fingers crossed.

vera wang is having a sale, a big, big sale. Following the recent slew of designers/retailers slashing prices left and right, all of wang's fall 08 ready to wear and lavender label merchandise will be seriously discounted , 70% off to be exact, this week only -at their two nyc boutiques. Think delicious clothes with even more delicious price tags- what more could we ask for?

• 991 Madison Ave boutique sale started today (12/16), 70% off RTW Fall 08
• 158 Mercer Street boutique sale starts tomorrow (12/17), 70% off Lavendar Label

I'm not really from BK...

2008-12-12T01:47:00.003-05:00

but I'm loving this (un)official? video....

jay-z feat. santogold - brooklyn go hard

from us to you

2008-12-08T14:21:00.003-05:00

we're letting you in on our little secret:

holiday shopping can be a drag on empty pockets, that's why we want to help you to make the most of your dollar$ and snag great designer duds (think zac posen, botiker, m missoni and more!) at unbelievably discounted prices. just a little guilt-less shopping courtesy of us and gilt group.

Click here to get your special invitation: http://www.gilt.com/invite/sophistafunkblog

happy shopping!

dose of inspiration

2008-12-04T16:30:00.003-05:00

Thierry Mugler's Paper Concertina Dress for Spring/Summer 1991

I'm in love with this image from Vogue UK's spread Unbelievable Fashion
It has just the right amount of imagination, color and flair to help me escape from the drabness of the city's winter air.... a perfect dose of haute inspiration

ready for the jelly

2008-11-25T23:48:00.000-05:00

Clear Converse.
epic.

Girl Talk @ Wesleyan

2008-11-21T03:49:00.002-05:00

I might actually develop a deep hatred for any WES kids that don't go to this show. On the other hand, I might strike up a long term love affair with anyone who gets me a ticket.... I mean... forreal though.

I'll give you a dollar if you can spot the WES kids in this photo of the Girl Talk show at Terminal 5 on Sunday.

Source - Wesleying & NYT.

lips

2008-11-18T15:12:00.003-05:00

Missbehave Magazine & Xbox 360® Present...
The Perfectly Polished Lips Party!

Thursday Nov 20th 2008, 7pm-10pm
Feat. Sarah Morrison & DJ Radio Rose!!!!

OPEN BAR!

Hellz Bellz X Lips X Missbehave Tee Giveaways!

Try Lips for Xbox 360® live!!!

K&M Bar
225 North 8th St. @ Roebling
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

RSVP

long time no blog

2008-11-16T13:21:00.004-05:00

Sorry I've been m.i.a. recently. Life has been a little on the hectic side (I'm still trying to piece things together and refocus...) but I haven't forgotten about you all! I thought I'd take some time to share this little jem that I posted over on the JC Report the other day. It's a wonderful article on Newsweek which tackles the question of how the now global recession will impact our lives. More specifically, it digs deeper into the impact that clothing and fashion hold in our daily lives (something I've been thinking a lot about these days) and suggests that perhaps this recession is a blessing in disguise, a way to make us face the realities of the high consumption, image obsessed society in which we live. Recession as a moment of reflection, as a time to refocus and re-center ourselves... I don't know about you- but I'm into it. Click here to read the article and let me know what you think.

be fair

2008-11-10T22:23:00.001-05:00

This song gets stuck in my head every time that I see a Bond commercial:

Numb - Honey Ryder

Im so PROUD to be an american

2008-11-05T20:36:00.005-05:00

today is a testament to the change that was so necessary and so important to both our future and our history.

I am SO excited for this!!!

two words

2008-10-31T13:14:00.003-04:00

FOUR DAYS!

designer zac posen (one of my favs!) definitely has the right idea

make sure you take the time to rock, preferably barak the vote!

2008-10-31T11:01:00.002-04:00

submitted for the approval of the midnight society

yay or nay: California Style

2008-10-28T16:41:00.003-04:00

Do you love or hate this photo of Anne Hathaway on California Style magazine?

I don't think it's as terrible as people are making it seem...

everyday living

2008-10-28T16:37:00.001-04:00

Lauryn Hill brought her kids to a Martha Stewart book signing.
No witty commentary necessary, the picture says it all.

it's saturday night!

2008-10-25T17:28:00.002-04:00

so take a few pointers from dancing god JAMES BROWN to help you feel so good on the dance floor

get lifted

2008-10-24T01:01:00.003-04:00

sometimes all you need is a reminder that you are human, and not a superhero, to get through the day...

these videos from ill doctrine definitely eased me back into perspective, with a comforting sigh of relief. hopefully they'll have the same effect on you- it's liberating.

sweet dreams.

too funny not to mention

2008-10-23T14:18:00.005-04:00

who ever said fashion and politics don't mix wasn't living in the Palin- era...

little miss sarah is at it again, and the blunders never really seem to get old

read up on palin's designer duds on nymag, here

she's also dragging the kiddies down with her...

what is our world coming to? two weeks can't pass fast enough!

South Asian International Film Festival

2008-10-23T01:01:00.000-04:00

I am an ass for not pointing this out sooner but better late than never, right? Our sophista-friend, Linde is an intern for the South Asian International Film Festival - happening right now- and since everything this lady touches is gold, I suggest you check it out if you're in NYC. More info here!

annual check-up

2008-10-22T17:31:00.004-04:00

Happy birthday Zac Hanson....

zac, 23, 1 child
taylor, 25, 3 children
isaac, 27, 2 children

this just put my life in perspective, kind of

source: perez hilton

flashback: garbage

2008-10-22T16:46:00.004-04:00

garbage - i think i'm paranoid

Dear Shirley Manson,

I loved you dearly and still you went away.
Please come back.
I miss you.
xoxo,

Jillian

Ps: Who cuts your hair?

UPDATE: Thanks to the tipster who let me know that Shirley Manson is on the new show Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

most

2008-10-21T14:01:00.001-04:00

UNFORTUNATE:

Source: Gawker

while we're on the subject...

2008-10-20T11:03:00.003-04:00

i've been meaning to mention this INSANELY awesome new tattoo trend for some time now.

UV tattoos caught my attention from the get-go. As an individual who loves and appreciates beautiful tattoos, but is perhaps a little wary of putting something on my body for life- they seem like the perfect middle ground. The tattoos are achieved through the use of a special UV ink, which is completely invisible to the eye in normal daylight. So your skin won't show any sign of being inked (after scarring of course) unless in the presence of a black light!

If you take the time to search this new phenomenon, you can find some truly exquisite examples of some amazing tattoos. My personal favorite is the skeleton tattoo, which apparently is one of the most common UV tattoos out there.

Pretty nifty, if you ask me.

childhood is calling

2008-10-20T07:35:00.003-04:00

Colleen Venable has the coolest tattoo that I've seen in a long long time. Connect the dots was a favored pastime of mine as a child. It was low budget and solitary but always so satisfying. While I'm not quite sure that I could walk around with this particular tat on my skin for lyyyyfeee, I do think it's a great idea and it would definitely give strangers on the subway somewhere PG to focus their attention. But on the downside, I think I'd snap after the 34123813409 person asked me what was on my leg.

Source: Core 77

in case you missed it

2008-10-19T03:26:00.002-04:00

the only thing that snl has going for them:

chugga chugga

2008-10-19T03:01:00.004-04:00

No one loved Charlie The Unicorn more than me. No one.
I mean, I played that shit out.

Charrrrrrrrliiiiiieeeeeeee

But somehow, I was unaware that a sequel had been made.

Thanks to Michael for passing this along. I chuckled.

leanne won!

2008-10-17T10:55:00.002-04:00

here are some images from her collection. how is everyone feeling about the choice?

vs kenley or korto:

for the ladies

2008-10-16T14:21:00.001-04:00

queen - best friend

I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
You're my best friend

stalk a lot

2008-10-16T13:46:00.003-04:00

Are you a creepy McCreeperson like me?

Do you try to imagine what people's homes look like?
What color their bedspread is?
What their kitchen chairs look like?
What kind of shower curtain they have?

No?? Hmm.
Well, you still might enjoy The Selby. It's MTV Cribs, if the show actually showed people that you care about or alternately, have morbid curiosity about. It gives you a peek into the homes and studios of some of your favorite artists and designers. Trust me, once you start clicking around the site, you'll have a hard time stopping.

Alexander Wang
Mark The Cobra Snake
Mark The Cobra Snake's Grandma Renee
Erin Wasson
Chase Cohl

if only...

2008-10-14T20:49:00.003-04:00

fall is my favorite because it signals the crispness of brisk october air, fire-fueled red, orange and yellow leaves, hot apple cider and of course, boot season.

i've been on the hunt for the perfect pair of boots for a while now, but have yet to come across any that really seemed worth the $$, until now.

behold:

These are vintage 80s knee high boots in black suede with a beautiful studded and sequined design in the front... for a steal! They are perfectly subdued with just the right amount of pizzaz- a hint of subtle, monotone sparkle. I could sit for hours just imagining all the amazing outfits I could create around these beauts: winter floral dresses, light silky blouses with pencil skirts, tights and a cute mini... But alas, it was never meant to be. Damn my size 8 1/2 feet!

If you're in the market for boots and wear a 6/6.5, I highly suggest investing in this wonderful pair. But hurry- you've only got a day left to snag them!

"i'm creating a baby"

2008-10-14T12:47:00.001-04:00

in case you hadn't heard yet- it's true, she's preggers

bespook

2008-10-14T12:12:00.005-04:00

These skeletal delights can be found in the Sisters Of The Moon shop on Etsy.

I love the unexpected nature of these accessories, especially the sailor bow clip. They are fun, UV reactive and perfectly creepy- a great way to spruce up your costume or outfit

Death of a sailor Skeleton hand barrette, $12
Skeleton hands with metallic pink painted nails clips, $6 for a set of 2

operation fabulous

2008-10-13T21:47:00.006-04:00

new york magazine has reported that the cw network will soon be home to an ANTM spin-off featuring, my favorites, Jay Manuel and Miss J. Although I'm pretty over ANTM, I can't WAIT for this magical make-over show to begin. Just think of all terribly wonderful possibilities the show will offer... Miss J schooling fashion "victims" on their terrible shoes, teaching them how to walk and exude confidence while wearing some fabulously over-the-top head piece, or Jay helping these lost individuals rework their wardrobes, their makeup, thus instantaneously changing them new people... The plethora of beautiful moments between these two divas are endless- their bubbly personalities are bound to shine ever so brightly without tyra and the gang. And of course, there's the sass. I can't WAIT for the sass.

strike a pose

2008-10-13T19:22:00.002-04:00

it's one of my goals to be this fabulous

loves it!

want something to do this weekend?

2008-10-10T17:19:00.005-04:00

for all you new york heads reading the blog, I highly suggest trekking to the Met and checking out two current exhibits that are sure to be fun and interesting.

1. The Essential Art of African Textiles: Design Without End

I'm SO excited about this. As Jillian has mentioned before, we are both big fans of African textiles, and I'm happy to hear that this largely important cultural custom is being brought into the mainstream consciousness.

The exhibit honors the beautiful tradition of textiles, which exists throughout Africa with a series of sculptures, paintings, photographs, installation pieces, videos and other media.

2. Babar

The Met has dedicated two of its rooms for a retrospective on one of my all time favorite children's stories. I don't know about you, but I grew up loving Babar and my early childhood consisted of everything from the books to the stuffed animals to a cozy bedspread. I am super excited to check out this exhibit and pretend I'm three years old again. Those were the days.

Enjoy the weekend!

OH SNAP!

2008-10-10T17:07:00.002-04:00

Betty White gets feisty while talking about the election!

remember jumanji?

2008-10-10T15:43:00.002-04:00

Kirsten Dunst is going to become a celebrity designer.

Why?

Extremely unclear.

Photo courtesy of fresnobeehive

It's been a long time since she has graced the best dressed lists. Or even looked like she was trying to be presentable. I have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to wear her clothes or why any label would want to do business with her. Apparently Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos, of Lutz and Patmos, like to gamble; Dunst will be a guest designer for their Fall '09 collection.

Trendology is moving!

2008-10-09T02:22:00.004-04:00

Trendology is all grown up and needing its own domain. You can now find my blog at:

http://www.trendology.org

I'm slowly but surely learning CSS and so this isn't the final project but Trendology.org is up and running and better than ever so be a friend and check it out! And to those of you who have been reading Trendology from the start - thanks so much for the support, it means a whole lot.

Smooooches.

PS- Don't forget to update your bookmarks and links!!!!

blingin it, techie style

2008-10-08T20:58:00.005-04:00

special thanks to reader MILES for clueing us into this new and interesting trend: USB Bling.
more specifically, designers are taking some time out to trick out these handy devices and the result? the flashiest of flash drives.

although i think the concept is hilariously ingenious, i'm not sure i'm ready/willing/able to dole out the ca$h necessary to get my paws on one of these suckers. In this economy, I wonder who we'll actually see in the office or at school with one... I guess my boring and plain USB will just have to do.

Photos courtesy of Geek Alerts

yum

2008-10-08T19:35:00.003-04:00

the fashionation newsletter in my inbox just got me salivating.

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

John Galiano

Mark Jacobs for Louis Vuitton

Stella McCartney

be sure to go over to their site to check out all the goodies- they are deeeefffffffinitely worth it.

getting through it all

2008-10-08T19:23:00.003-04:00

if your week has been anything like mine so far, you're tired and fed up.
perhaps you'll cheer up with this song- it's had the miraculous power of putting me in a good mood all this week, even when i've hit the lowest of the lows (a combo of exhaustion, frustration, malnourishment and other fun things like that!).... is it terrible that i wish it was friday already?

Of Pressure - Mirah

silver screen

2008-10-07T18:29:00.005-04:00

NYMAG is reporting that Kate Winslet is set to play Vivienne Westwood in an upcoming film about the legendary designer's life. I think this was a wonderful casting choice and can't wait to see this film. Westwood has led such an interesting life and is largely responsible for taking punk fashion mainstream so you know the end result won't be dull. I also expect there to be a fabulous soundtrack featuring the Sex Pistols!

holler.

EDIT: according to NY Mag's blog The Cut, Kate has not yet been confirmed to play Westwood- apparently, the film is far from being written, let alone cast. We can still hope though!

photo courtesy of stylefrizz

mom jeans, siiigh

2008-10-06T03:24:00.003-04:00

In honor of my Mom's birthday, I hereby present an impassioned plea for hipster gurrlz to stop the insanity:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!

hairy-kate and trashley trollsen

2008-10-05T22:17:00.003-04:00

PETA's latest (and probably most clever) campaign against the fur-loving twins... LOLZ

source: NY Magazine

EDIT: you can also dress up the Trollsens on PETA's site, here

into the future

2008-10-05T22:08:00.003-04:00

if i had a bunch of little munchkins running around (and an extra deep pocket) i would probably be dressing them in these spiffy outfits.

i can't decide if the clothes or the children modeling them are cuter- but the overall adorable factor is a little bit too much to handle..

on to a more realistic note, what's good with j.crew?

aside from their fantastically fun crewcuts line, it seems this traditionally preppy brand has had a serious make-over recently, transforming it from a run-of-the-mill khakis and polos paradise into a place that is actually vying for my limited dollar$$. i've been shocked by how many cute things i've seen in the constant flow of catalogues that arrive in the mail at my house (how can they afford to send so many, btw?). the company's new philosophy is one of "necessary luxury," bringing stylish, "european" inspired looks to a broader american audience. the result is definitely one you can drool over; the rich, dreamy textures (generally italian cashmeres, tweeds and fine knits) and the bold, vibrant colors (with names such as electric mustard and persimmon) bring a fresher, edgier look to the previously humdrum line. These upgrades come at a price, however. With their new step towards bolder, trendier clothing (which, as a result, moves them out of the Gap league of chain retail stores), J.Crew has embarked on a new era of pricing- one that is not always easy on the eyes. For those of you concerned/smart shoppers out there, I recommend saving up to buy key pieces from the new line- they have great coats and blazers which are definitely worth the extra cash- you'll be getting high quality clothes that are sure to last. Another area where you can easily condone a little extra spending is for their new accessories line, which boasts great jewelry and shoes. The pieces are fun, youthful and unique and will easily dress up any outfit without being too stuffy.

oh snap!

2008-10-05T10:42:00.002-04:00

BEHOLD!
Jeremy Scott for Adidas:

source: NYLON

let's get political

2008-10-05T04:25:00.005-04:00

I don't often read Wesleying (Wesleyan University's student run/generated blog) anymore, mostly because I'm in a very fragile state. Some of you new alums might know what I'm talking about. It's almost been 6months since graduation and I can't tell if that's a long time or not. Alls I know is - it's awkward to read about acapella groups having tryouts or how the new campus center still sucks. But, I sucked it up and browsed around and found this gem. I thought I'd pass it along to the rest of the sophista-world. And you can all breathe easy, it's not about MGMT or Santogold.

Rachel Brown (Wesleyan '08) told Wesleying:

My mom and I made this shirt (she did the text and I drew the picture of Sarah Palin), emphasizing that arguably anyone who has had a passport for more than a year has had more foreign policy experience than Sarah Palin. We're having it made at a local T-shirt shop in my hometown.

The shirts are printed with black ink on either an orange, mint, or tan shirt. Sizes run S – XL; shirts are $15 each.

For information on how to order a shirt email Rachel Brown - rdbrown(at)wesleyan.edu

watch this

2008-10-04T19:08:00.002-04:00

saw this over at Parallel Adele, and thought i should share the wisdom

don't lose touch with reality- fight for your rights

wtf, is she forreal?

2008-10-04T11:34:00.004-04:00

how the hell does someone like this get famous? i'd really like to know

fly back home

2008-10-03T20:49:00.003-04:00

I'm absolutely obsessed with this song. I won't even begin to tell ya'll all the reasons why. It's not the most riveting video (it's just him playing) but this song could play on repeat for hours and I'd be so content. So content.

Ramez - All The Other Angels

Be sure to visit Ramez's myspace and listen to some of his other jams. His lyrics are absolutely beautiful and his sound is incredibly comforting.

Have a good weekend, kids!

weekly dosage

2008-10-03T17:47:00.002-04:00

The ladies of HoneyCrate are on a roll this week.
Check it out.

the bird and the bee

2008-10-02T21:31:00.000-04:00

The Bird and The Bee - Again & Again

for tala, with love

2008-10-02T08:22:00.002-04:00

May you always have a handy disguise:

Mustaches by Digby & Iona available at Magic Pony.

shop for the cure

2008-10-02T08:20:00.000-04:00

Definition: Breast cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
FACT: Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2008:

New Cases: 182, 460 (female); 1,990 (male)
Deaths: 40, 480 (female); 450 (male)

Source: The National Cancer Institute

One of my favorite jewelery designers, Rachel Bravman of Rachel Leigh, is donating 50% of the proceeds from the "Audrey" bracelet to Susan G. Koemen for the Cure in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Audrey bracelets are $66 and come in several colors. Available here at Chick Downtown.

name to know: Junya Watanabe

2008-10-02T08:02:00.002-04:00

Three cheers for Junya Watanabe! Once again, the Japanese designer delivers a killer collection inspired by African draping techniques. Some of you might recall that of his previous spring collection, Watanabe said “it all went back to Africa”. Vague? Yes. But did he take this inspiration and infuse it into something representative of his own unique design aesthetic? Absolutely.

With experience as a Comme des Garçons’ knitwear designer under his belt, one can expect nothing but the highest quality of work and innovation from Watanabe. This year his focus on West African textiles showed that he not only understands how to tailor and drape a variety of fabrics (the denim!) but that he also proved that he has an eye for color and pattern mixing.

I’m not going to lie, I have an affinity for West African prints (Tala can certainly attest to this) and so had the drapery been subpar, which it wasn’t, I might still have been won over but this collection was perfection from start to finish. The deliberate styling, particularly the intricate and no doubt time consuming head pieces, helped to bring the collection to life. It spoke of both restraint and excess. The natural and the synthetic. The old and the new- the tried and the true.

I found it comforting. The only thing that would have made this collection more enjoyable would have been to see it worn by more models of color. I believe that out of the 47 looks only 3 were worn by women of color. Otherwise, a brilliant effort.

(Click image to enlarge)

Photos courtesy of Style.com

the annals of model-dom

2008-10-01T23:52:00.009-04:00

models get a lot of crap. it's easy to look at what they do and feel like there's nothing to it, i mean, how hard can strutting down a runway be, right? and with shows like ANTM (or the superabundance of reality model megalomania) i often find i have little empathy for the woes of these walking clothes racks. buuuut, after the fall seen around the world at prada's show this year, i started investigating, and have compiled some pretty ridiculous things these pretty pennies have had to walk the runway in. i'll tell you- i'm not sure i'd want to put myself in their shoes- literally!

mortifying!

i really didn't think her career would survive that one

my next point, how are they expected to keep it together when they can't even see?!

images all from Maison Martin Margiela's spring 2009 collection, courtesy of nymag.com

the respect level just keeps getting higher and higher...

and when the truth goes bang, the shouts splatter out (revolutionize your lives and find a way out)

2008-10-01T21:42:00.004-04:00

in light of some of the comments said about iran during the presidential debates last friday and in expectation of some more offhand comments at tomorrow night's vice presidential debate, i thought i would post an interesting video i recently came across, made by a new organization called Voices for Peace, that is trying to shed light on this touchy subject and break the silence caused by the plethora of stereotypes and misinformation present in the media about iran. i hope you'll take the time to watch and that you'll also be open to learn and inform yourselves.

remember, education is key- we are all people, we are all connected.

peace & love

Breast Cancer Awareness

2008-10-01T21:14:00.003-04:00

October is
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Expect more information on what you should know about Breast Cancer and how you can help others to fight the good fight!

i love janelle monae

2008-10-01T14:49:00.002-04:00

and so should you. I know I've mentioned her multiple times before- but I can't help but gush about her. The girls got talent- not that factory made stuff but real, raw, soulful talent. It's refreshing and inspiring.

check out her new video for many moons!

check me out!

2008-10-01T13:22:00.004-04:00

me and my momz

Quest 400 Party, photos on NY Social Diary

pining delusion

2008-10-01T11:28:00.008-04:00

i WANT it so bad that i'm starting to convince myself i need it...

it's delectable

Balenciaga

Arena Giant Pom Pon Tote - Black

Thien Thu Thien Nhan

2008-09-30T06:46:00.002-04:00

I had to share these videos, of Thien Thu Thien Nhan, with ya'll because they are so overwhelmingly beautiful. The dancers are from the Chinese Disabled Performing Arts Troupe and they are all hearing impaired. I've been trying to find out more about the organization and the dances but have come up with very little. While that is most unfortunate, I think you can still appreciate the beauty of what they have created without knowing anything else.

i've been meaning to mention

2008-09-30T00:54:00.003-04:00

have y'all seen the craziness that fendi unveiled not too long ago?

yes, you guessed right. thats a 24karat gold persian lamb fur coat you're looking at. apparently the technology behind it has been in the works in fendi's furrier atelier for about 20 years or some crazy amount of time like that. too bad they released it in one of the worst global economies of our time. i wonder who we'll spot doling out the precious cash necessary to get their fashion-addict paws on this little darling... oh, the irony.

fringe benefits

2008-09-30T00:32:00.003-04:00

after drooling over the beautiful fringe delicacies that walked down the runway at Jil Sander's spring 2009 RTW collection, I couldn't help but feel inspired. Obviously, my first instinct was to polyvore it up- I looked for key pieces (mostly fall items) that incorporated this breezy embellishment without looking too costume-y (I would hate to look like I walked out of a bad cowboy movie...). Fall (like any other season) is all about accessories; bold bags, jammin' jewels and everyone's favorite: boots! These key pieces can dress up any outfit, adding that extra oomph factor that looks and feels great. Unleash that inner sophista-funk and style, style, style! We all know you've got it in you.

Here are some of my picks:

Paul Newman

2008-09-27T17:35:00.004-04:00

RIP
PAUL NEWMAN

screen test - james dean and paul newman

photo courtesy of Monroe Gallery

name to know: Michelle Jank

2008-09-27T15:03:00.002-04:00

Portrait of Jank, courtesy of news.com.au

If you haven't heard of her yet, Aussie darling, Michelle Jank is a name you're sure to be hearing a lot of in the near future. This former clothing designer started her career in Australia back in 2000 with a highly anticipated collection of lace dresses. However, after mediocre success in the fashion world, Jank traded in her dress forms and patterns in exchange for a career in jewelry design. She moved halfway around the world and set up atelier in Paris, the marais, no less, and began working on her unique collection.

Another fabric necklace, photo courtesy of Who Stole the High Street

Jank's jewelry is not your average glitz and glitter; textiles reign supreme throughout her collection of whimsical collars/bib necklaces. And that, precisely, is what makes Jank's jewelry collections so interesting and sought after- her background in fashion is entirely evidenced in textured folds and flaps. Her garment perspective provides an interesting angle from which to design and wear jewelry: these pieces are the product of a perfect fusion of these two stylistic spheres. Using fabrics enables Jank to really play with volume and silhouettes with a freedom that conventional jewelry mediums do not allow. The neck pieces can be large, statement pieces that are interesting to the eye without fear of weighing the wearer down.

Photos courtesy of The Fashion Spot

More recently, Jank has ventured into more structured jewelry pieces, experimenting with rigidity in mediums such as acrylic and Perspex. However, although these pieces are equally interesting aesthetically, I find her softer, more fluid jewelry a more stunning and creative example of her work. You can find Michelle Jank jewelry in a number of places- including Colette (Paris), Dover Street Market (London), Harrods, and Kima Zabete (New York), to name a few. Or check out her IQONS profile, here.

contest!

2008-09-27T13:35:00.003-04:00

Handbag Planet is celebrating the launch of their website by giving away 24 handbags in 24 hours starting at noon on October 15th.

To sign up for the contest- visit www.handbagplanet.com

fashion takes a stand

2008-09-26T20:26:00.003-04:00

Levi Strauss & Co. is getting involved in politics and I love it:

"Levi Strauss & Co. is putting its famous pockets behind defeating a ballot initiative that would outlaw same-sex marriage in California.The San Francisco-based jeans maker said it will co-chair with Pacific Gas & Electric a group trying to drum up opposition to Proposition 8 in the business community. Chief Executive Officer John Anderson said the move is consistent with Levi’s long history of supporting civil rights causes."
Source: The Associated Press

More information on Proposition 8.

punk'd on the runway

2008-09-26T18:19:00.000-04:00

Sacha Baron Cohen

Storms the Runway in Milan

"Sacha Baron Cohen has crashed Milan Fashion Week. Parading around as Bruno the gay Austrian fashion-TV presenter, he managed to get backstage with his camera crew at Iceberg" Source: nymag

Cohen at Agatha Ruiz De La Prada's show

deeelish

2008-09-25T23:52:00.005-04:00

"Fowl Play" - Zink Magazine

Fashion-ation currently has an amazing collection of editorials on their site. I've picked out some of my favorites but be sure to hop over to their website to check out the rest- you will not be disappointed.

"White" - Clear Magazine

"Because I'm Blond" - Zink Magazine.

"True Faith" - Pop Magazine

her smiling like this

2008-09-25T23:33:00.003-04:00

Whether you loved or hated BSB and the boyband craze, I guarantee you will get a jolly good laugh out of these clips:

LOLZ

My Little Pony!

2008-09-25T20:25:00.008-04:00

YES!

My Little Pony is celebrating 25 years of making lil kids happy!

Claw Money

I'm not sure about ya'll but I had myself a rack of these little guys when I was younger. Okay, more like I had three and I was always begging my parents for more but the fact of the matter is these little ponies marked the start of my love affair with horses. There was something kind of amazing about their soft plastic goodness. I can remember when scented plastic was all the rage and I somehow managed to get a hold on a fruity pony. Right now I'd love to get my hands on one of the 25th anniversary ponies.

Hasbro had twenty-five artists, celebrities, and musicians create their own ponies. The pony featured above was created by Claw Money and is by far my favorite of the herd. Could she be any more fly? Never thought I'd see the day when I was jealous of a pony.

The twenty-five designs were revealed at the Chelsea Art Museum and are up for autction through October 2. You can bid at Charity Folks and all proceeds are going to Give Kids the World Village.

LeAnn Rimes

Junko Mizuno

The Pony Project will be on exhibit at New York City's Milk Gallery, starting October 21st.

Check them out at TheMyLittlePonyProject

something to try

2008-09-23T18:07:00.002-04:00

i'm and arts and crafts fanatic and that's why i'm excited to try out this cool necklace idea i saw on smaggle style. Its a great way to recycle old tights and make something new and interesting with them. you can definitely embellish them more than is shown here, maybe a few more charms, a thicker chain and accents of a different color tights or even ribbon... the possibilities are endless!

Here's the complete set of directions, courtesy of Lady Smaggle, herself.

I just cut the legs off the body of the tights and cut the toes off.

Then I cut each leg open and cut them into strips, roughly 1cm wide.

Then I tied each end to an earring finding making sure that each layer was longer than the last. This sometimes meant tying two lengths together and trying it on to check that it was falling correctly.

Then I tied shorter pieces of stocking at irregular intervals along my strands. I also bought a DIY stud kit and put studs all along the strands and ties. I sewed a few silver charms on it too.

Then I added a clasp and chain so I could wear it at different lengths. If you’re going to make this yourself I suggest that you wear it often through out the process of making it so you can gauge the shape and length of it. The total cost of the piece was $1.50. The tights, earring findings and chain were all junk that was lying around my house and the stud kit cost $1.50 from a discount store. Even if I had to buy the findings and chain it wouldn’t have cost more than a couple of dollars.

nothing can take us out

2008-09-23T15:32:00.002-04:00

are you up on afrobots?

The Afrobots -

check his myspace and listen to dulce riot, right now. it's too good.

de la sade

2008-09-23T15:21:00.005-04:00

thanks to lovely reader AMANDA for cluing us into this little los angeles gem.

Here's the company's philosophy/about me:
Welcome to DE LA SADE. We are a lifestyle brand of the hippest of leggings and the coolest of gems! made especially, for the fashion forward aficionado! De La Sade embraces a new attitude of transcending a simple staple, which is a necessity in any progressive wardrobe. Stay on top of your game, leave you inhibitions behind and enter the revolutionary world of De La Sade.

They currently have their own official website in the works- but you can check out some of the styles available on De La Sade's myspace, here.

p.s.

2008-09-22T08:38:00.004-04:00

"The Elizabeth" hand-knit wedding dress by Jemma Sykes for Butcher Couture

To get a feel for the new (and exciting!) direction knitwear has taken, take a look at this great blog, Knit Kicks, dedicated to all things knit/fashion. It's sure to keep you in the know and introduce you to some great designers and/or work that is being done!

photo courtesy of Knit Kicks

happy fall

2008-09-22T08:35:00.001-04:00

The impending cold weather has definitely got me lusting for some warm and cozy winter treats, that's why I'm head over heels for the fantastic knit creations of Brit, Simone Shailes. Shailes is this year's L'Oréal Professional Fashion Design Award winner, and the girl definitely knows how to do it right. With a masters in Knitwear from Central Saint Martins, Shailes creates bold looks, making beautiful loops and folds with her handwoven textile. The contrast between the soft, yet structured knits and the metal fasteners is wonderfully balanced and absolutely delicious. As I mentioned a little while ago, knits are definitely making their way back into our hearts (and closets!), but the days of the plain jane sweaters of yesteryear are long gone. This season is all about standout pieces with interesting silhouettes and impeccable details. I definitely recommend investing in an unusual, statement knit piece. Not only is it a work of art, but it can be worn often and stylized in a million different ways, and in this economy- versatility is key.

Shailes with two of her models.

gimme gimme. forrealz

For more information, visit Shailes' website here.
Photos Courtesy of vogue.co.uk

flashback

2008-09-21T17:13:00.002-04:00

Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free

standout

2008-09-18T19:38:00.005-04:00

Gimme Gimme, RIGHT NOW!$95

Gates of Morocco
8 Prince St.
New York, NY 10012

(212) 925-2650.

Make It Work! Puhlease!

2008-09-18T18:01:00.004-04:00

There is no justice!

Okay, I'm being dramatic but this is incredibly disappointing news. The opening of Topshop's NYC store has been pushed back to March of 2009. WHAT?!? Its original opening date was October. Then, last week we heard it was being pushed back to November and we accepted that news. But March? Come now, this is getting a little ridiculous.

Realizing this delay makes the giant Topshop billboard over the (purported) store a dreadful tease, Sir Philip wants to deliver something to American fans. So Opening Ceremony might carry some Topshop products and Topshop might hold a contest on its Website to win shopping trips to the London store.
Green says, "America is a new territory for us and we have to get it exactly right. This store can’t be a nine out of 10 when it opens; it has to be a 10 out of 10." That's great, but being New Yorkers, we're impatient by nature, so we think we'll go down to the permit office and start whip cracking.
SIGH.
Until then. Topshop.com

Source: NY MAG

til victory crowns everyone

2008-09-18T07:57:00.005-04:00

I haven't had a big up Wesleyan moment in a while.
So here it goes.

Courtesy of Hima's blog, Gordon Gartrelle:

10/31 Music Hall of Williamsburg

MGMT

Amazing Baby

Violens

Boy Crisis

Francis & the Lights

Out of control. Wesleyan Part 2. Can you handle it?

Are ya'll up on Francis & The Lights???

And while I'm shouting people out, I'm gonna take it back to the years '97-04,when I went to school with Emily, and tell you that you should go to this:

"New New York"
Photography exhibit

Curated by Rene Abdo

As New York was built by immigrants and it is taken everyday by new transplants the question was posed to these photographers. " Why New York? " The images submitted are true to form exposing why people, artist, dreamers and believers come to New York, Love it and become the quintessential New Yorkers thus making it their "NEW NEW YORK".

Featuring :

Emily Russell

The Agytators (theagytators.com)

Zolt Sarvary – Bene (sarvary.com)

and Larry Ossei-Mensah (myglobalhustle.com)

Soho D & H Gallery

155 Spring St BTW Wooster and W. Broadway
September 19^th, 7:30 – 9:30 pm

yes, yes ya'll

2008-09-18T07:49:00.003-04:00

NEW TV ON THE RADIO!
YES!

tvor - golden age

No, it is not Return To Cookie Mountain.
Stop expecting it to be.
That doesn't mean it's not great.
And come on, you don't love TVOR for the music videos.

you got served!

2008-09-17T01:39:00.001-04:00

I originally posted this on HoneyCrate:

"Last week a group of 30 Pixadores stormed the Choque Cultural Gallery in protest against the "marketing, institutionalization and domestication of Street Art" by the galleries and media. Paintings by Gerald Laing, Speto, Titi Freak and others were tagged by the Pixadores."

Source: Marc @ Wooster Collective

If anyone has any more info on this- let me know! Isa?? All I've seen so far is your standard response from US art blogs saying "they had it coming", "Brazil is so poor, what can you expect?" and "destruction of art is never okay". All pretty simplistic one liners with the occasional, "a war is coming" thrown in for good measure. Not a lot of substance. I wanna know who is snapping these pics? And let's talk about how these dudes are not even remotely trying to obscure their identity. So many questions...let me know if you have any answers.

if you feel like procrastinating

2008-09-17T00:08:00.000-04:00

you might have fun with a silly site a little birdy told me about a few days ago. Yearbook Yourself lets you upload photos of yourself and do the time warp by giving you the opportunity to play around with classic american yearbook templates. Catch a glimpse of yourself as a 50s greaser or a freedom loving hippie. Embrace the big hair days of the eighties or achieve mall rat status with 90s templates. Its sure to keep you amused and giggling for at least an hour... and don't forget to send in your photos! i'd love to see them!

guilty pleasure

2008-09-16T23:53:00.002-04:00

i'm kinda really into this song. i don't know what the general verdict is on it- but it's been hitting the spot lately. let me know what you think!

Addicted (ft. Cassie) - Ryan Leslie

Nagi Noda, RIP

2008-09-16T17:35:00.005-04:00

I am so sad right now. I just learned that artist, Nagi Noda has passed away. She died on the 7th after complications during surgery related to a car accident that she was in last year. She was 34. To learn more about her life and her work, visit Creativity-Online.

A truly creative mind.
With an amazing sense of humor.

badgley mischka

2008-09-16T14:03:00.002-04:00

Here are pictures I took at the Badgley Mischka show this past Friday. The show was much larger than Naeem Khan's, which meant there were more random celebrities (like Nastia, Heather Graham, even Jason Biggs...) , but it also meant that my seat was further in the back- and that I had to scavenge the entire tent for something closer to claim just before the lights dimmed. Luckily, I was successful.

There's André!

The Badgley Mischka show definitely fell nicely into the prim and proper trend we saw at many of the spring New York shows. The clothes were all very feminine and flirty: airy pastels, ruffles and frills. Some of the structured looks that are so popular for fall did find their way onto the spring runways in the form of beautiful tailored jackets, coats and pants, however, the overall aesthetic was much more free and unrestricted.

For their evening looks, glitz and glimmer ruled the runway. Sequins, rhinestones and intricate bead work have popped up everywhere, giving night a glamorous and vintage feel. At Bagdley Mischka, they chose more subdued bead work, in the sense that the clothes were never dripping with sequins or beads. This achieved a more sophisticated and less flashy look, perfect for an older, more mature crowd. Their choice of textiles supported this choice also, as they played with sheer chiffons, tulles, and gauzy organzas. These fabrics tend to be breathtaking on their own, so bead work was used mostly as accent, not focus.

Black Satin and Tulle Dress, played with sheer fabric to create a sexy, there-but-not look.

Frilly, feminite detail work popped up all over the runways for Spring. This White/Fuschia Print Organza Blouse is a perfect example of this trend.

Another nice surprise were the random bursts of saturated color that appeared sporadically on the runway. The fuscias and turquoise blues were very refreshing and definitely helped to keep my attention. And as always, I really appreciated the use of texturing and volume, which was rare, but definitely beautiful.

Refreshing and unexpected pops of color definitely grabbed attention. Check out these great Turquoise gazar pants, worn with a white crepe de chine top.

By simply playing with texture and volume, designers can create dramatic and glamorous looks as seen with this Pink/Marigold print chiffon gown.

I must say, however, the highlight of the entire show was definitely the fact that I walked out of the tent, side by side with none other than Mr. André Leon Talley, himself. Let me tell you, the man is HUGE. I felt dwarfed next his gianormous stature! He was dressed pretty conservatively, which bummed me out, except for a pair of fantastic, open toe mens shoe/sandals. They were pretty spectacular.