July 2007

Jul 31, 2007 @ 4:36pm

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Jul 31, 2007 @ 4:06pm

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Intermix Gets Even More Expensive

Jul 31, 2007 @ 3:49pm

intermix.jpgCan Intermix rival Net-a-Porter?

An American finance company is betting on it.

Today the store franchise announced new investors, Goode Partners LLC. They're taking a minority stake in the company, so they'll inject more money into the company and attempt to make it more profitable.

What does this mean for you?

That Intermix will try to become an American retail supergirl - think more online shopping, more internet editorials, and probably a few new stores.

Of course, none of this matters if you can barely afford their $80 t-shirts, but they do have some good sales, especially with See by Chloe.

Mischa Barton Grows Up for Iceberg

Jul 31, 2007 @ 3:21pm

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Is Mischa Barton going up-market?

On the back cover of this month's Dazed & Confused, Mischa looks fancy in a campaign for Iceberg, the obscure Italian brand.

It's quite a shift from the campus casual look of her Keds ads, or that of Bebe's synthetic mall-chic.

But what's Iceberg?

The Euro brand focuses on 'fashionable sportswear,' and shows every season in Milan. They have recently sought creative input from designer Giambattista Valli, in hopes of raising their profile.

Their association with Mischa (who has the distinction of being the 10th most invited person to British parties, according to Tatler) must stem from the same aspiration.

But is Mischa ready for a more luxe image? Her next movies are ages away, and until people can see them, they'll still remember her as the wooden Marissa Cooper from The O.C. - or as the girlfriend of this guy.

--ALLIE MERRIAM

Continue Reading...

Streetwalker: Blue Orchid

Jul 31, 2007 @ 3:01pm

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Lina , intern for Nylon and MTV

Got Her : Sitting on a bench near Spring Street

Stalked Her : Because we see cute flats all over the city- but never paired with socks!

Shot Her : Because layering is difficult when it's 88 degrees, but Lina had it figured out.

She Says : "My socks are Michael Kors, and this dress is from Forever 21. But shh- it's actually a skirt!"

We Say : Frock-a-doodle doo!

--NATALIE MATTHEWS

Continue Reading...

Spring '08: Proenza Tells All

Jul 31, 2007 @ 2:37pm

We don't know what New York Magazine gave Jack and Lazaro before they filmed this segment, but whether it was pot or vodka or Strawberry Quick, we're awfully glad.

As the boys talk with fashion director Harriet Mays-Powell, they pull several pieces from their upcoming September show. All of them look incredible; all of them forecast some major moods for next Spring.

Keep a close eye on the sharp grays and the lean, cinched body shapes - even the tank top they show at the end is lanky and meant to hang loose.

And to the secret designer who forwarded us this video, along with the panicked message "They already have their samples?!", a quick reminder:

Fashion Week starts in five weeks.

Get psyched.

Oh - and when did Jack McCollough start looking so much like Derek Blasberg?

Will You Wear a Mushroom Hat (Again)?

Jul 31, 2007 @ 1:46pm

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True, it's July, at least until tomorrow. But as the summer winds down, it's hard to avoid thinking about winter wardrobe options - like coats and hats.

Fortunately, Fall/Winter look books are here to give inspiration to our winter outfit planning.

We just caught a glimpse of H&M's book on the Fashion Spot, and found some chic winter accessories among their chunky, Giles-esque sweaters.

H&M's knit hat, at left, reminds us of the massive caps Marc Jacobs sent down the runway in Fall 2006.

Though Marc's version is considerably wider (and harder to pull off), both hats evoke a similar feeling of being bundled up in a snow storm - and looking adorable.

H&M's knit hat also has the slight advantage of being much, much cheaper.

But is it already over?

--ALLIE MERRIAM

"And There's a 30% Chance It's Already Raining!"

Jul 31, 2007 @ 1:22pm

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Scientists pat themselves on the back today for their latest toy:

An umbrella that predicts when it's going to rain.

But sadly for the Inspector Gadgets out there lusting after this gizmo, they've forgotten an important point:

The reason you need to know if it's going to rain is so you can pack your umbrella, or not. If you're already lugging your umbrella everywhere, because it tells you when it needs to be opened... well, then you've got the classic Mean Girls situation that's referenced above.

A better suggestion:

Make us a pair of shoes that tell us when it's going to rain. And when it does, have the shoes grow a protective coating for the leather.

And also:

Make a cuter umbrella.

The Christening of Gemma Ward

Jul 31, 2007 @ 12:41pm

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Companies have always used models’ images to sell products. Now, they use their names, too.

But it’s not just high fashion that gives an insider's wink to its models and muses (think Marc and the Stam).

Now mass brands are calling their favorite items "The Gemma", proving the concept of a stylish namesake has trickled down to bigger labels.

While Jill Stuart and Ralph Lauren bring us a Gemma bag and a Gemma shoe, so do LK Bennett and Stride Rite.

If you love fashion enough to spend several hundred dollars on a bag or shoe, chances are you know why it's called "The Gemma" - or "The Raquel" or "The Freja."

But in the case of Banana Republic, Juicy, and Rocket Dog - all with "Gemma" items - we have to wonder:

Does their target customer even know Gemma’s last name?

--NATALIE MATTHEWS

Jul 31, 2007 @ 12:38pm

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Jul 31, 2007 @ 12:36pm

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Jul 31, 2007 @ 11:31am

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Continue Reading...

Would You Rather: Apartment or Prada?

Jul 31, 2007 @ 10:41am

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The more we think about it, the more this article in the NY Times breaks our heart.

It’s all about how young city professionals bought apartments in New York, all without trust funds or Wall Street jobs.

How did they do it?

“They gave up smoking to cut costs, they stopped meeting friends after work for beers, they didn’t buy new clothes, and they stashed away tax refunds and as much of their earnings as possible.�

OK – quit smoking – that makes sense. But quit shopping?

“They said that it was hardest not to spend in the beginning: In one case, they missed shopping so much that [they] splurged on a pair of $300 Prada shoes. After wearing them a few times, he realized they didn’t really fit, so he sent them to his brother in Spain. Those shoes became a symbol of the perils of impulse shopping. Over the next two years, they each saved $15,000.�

Wait - how many pairs of Prada shoes were these people buying if they saved $15,000 in two years?

We won't think what percentage of our income is “invested� (right?) in clothes, shoes, and accessories, but what’s the point of having your own apartment in New York without some beautiful dresses to hang in your closet and a small army of shoes to defend the place while you’re gone?

"Yes, I look like a schlub, but I do own an apartment!"

We'll never give up our style for that. But what would it take to make you quit shopping - a peek at the apartments of other Manhattanites?

--ALISON COOL

MySpace and the Thin Cult

Jul 31, 2007 @ 9:29am

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Things we've discovered on MySpace with glee:

A casting call for Gareth Pugh's fall show, a video of Hilary Duff and her stylist, the real homepage of Daisy Lowe.

Things we wish we never found:

The "Thin Cult," a network of twisted pages that say things like "my name doesn't matter until I'm 97 lbs" and "This Means War - on my body."

There are photos of skin and bones, along with heroin heroines - scary, skeletal girls staring into the camera as if it were an empty bowl. Some MK-in-rehab photos, too.

No doubt this will be blamed on magazines, on Lily and Sasha and Gemma, on us because we think they're beautiful, but that's okay, we can handle it - as long as it opens up a bigger discussion, starting with this:

Why does MySpace disable the pages of emo kids and thirteen-year-olds, but it lets the Thin Cult stay?

Reality Check

Jul 31, 2007 @ 9:19am

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It's difficult to pick a favorite designer from Berlin’s incredible fashion scene, but we might have to go with Svenja Specht and her Reality Studio label.

We love the moody elegance of the layered looks in her A/W 07 collection, which play with volume, texture, and pattern in somber shades of black, navy, and grey – but give you a flash of hot pink once in a while to lighten things up.

Right now, her designs are available only in Germany, Scandinavia, and Japan.

What kind of protest march do we have to stage for Kirna Zabete or Eva New York to pick them up?

--ALISON COOL

Helena Christensen Goes Eco, You'll Probably Follow

Jul 31, 2007 @ 9:00am

Helena_christensen_music_video.jpgHelena Christensen is one of our favorite faces, so we were thrilled when Monsoon announced her as the new face of their eco fashion range - even though Monsoon is only sold in Great Britain.

Meanwhile, UK chain store New Look unveils its upcoming organic collection, which will be modeled by Fearne Cotton, a London TV presenter.

What does this mean for American girls?

Nothing - yet.

But pop culture trends often trickle from the UK to the US - American Idol, text messaging, and fast fashion are good examples.

So next season, if Selma Blair models a new brand of eco-friendly jeans from Gap... just don't say we didn't warn you.

Jul 30, 2007 @ 4:31pm

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Sloane: Not Just From Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Jul 30, 2007 @ 4:06pm

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Many trends from the 1980's have returned to us - leggings, bangs, day-glo sunglasses - and, according to the Telegraph, so has the Sloane Ranger.

The style of a Sloane Ranger - so named because of their proximity to London's Sloane Square, the epicenter of preppy privilege - was immortalized in the book The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook. Their icon was Princess Diana in the early '80s: feathered hair, pearl earrings, high waisted jeans and Wellies.

Of course, a true Sloane Ranger had to have impeccable breeding, manners, education and... bank account.

The stateside version of the Sloane Ranger was documented in The Official Preppy Handbook. Like the Brits, American preppies attended only the right boarding schools and colleges, all while wearing Topsiders and madras shorts.

The authors of the British book are releasing a sequel, Cooler, Faster, More Expensive: The Return of the Sloane Ranger to honor a new generation of Preps. These Sloanies update the look and lifestyle of their predecessors by adding a little more flash and a lot more money.

But this time, there are different tribes: The Thumping Sloane (a group with traditional values and a taste for parties, like Prince Harry); the Chav Sloane (publicity seeking trust fund kids, like the LA-transplant Lady Victoria Hervey); and the Turbo Sloane (one who likes money and isn't ashamed to make more of it, like Quintessentially's Ben Elliot).

Is there a stateside resurgence of preppy style, too? Maybe we should get to work on Are You Wearing Two Polo Shirts With their Collars Up? The Return of the Preppy Handbook.

--ALLIE MERRIAM

Jul 30, 2007 @ 3:40pm

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Punk Keeps Going

Jul 30, 2007 @ 2:25pm

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We just arrived in Berlin, where we bump into NYC-based artists on every other street corner. While trying to convince ourselves that Berlin isn’t just another neighborhood in Brooklyn, we stumbled across the charmingly low-tech local label Wasted German Youth.

Their high-contrast shirts and hoodies appear regularly in Berlin fashion glossies. We also see kids sporting them on the street – and if they’re wasting their youth, at least they’re doing it with style and panache.

Wasted German Youth sells at Apartment, one of the coolest boutiques in Berlin, but you can also order their t-shirts the old-fashioned way – by mail. It’s part of their tribute to the early punk rock and hardcore scenes, when kids headed out to the post office to send their xeroxed black and white Zines all over the world.

With Alice Roi looking to the Misfits for inspiration, Marc Jacobs whipping out the Manic Panic, and Giles taking punk rock 10,000 years into the future for fall, we say:

Trip down memory lane!

But what’s so wasted about the modern German youth?

--ALISON COOL

Jul 30, 2007 @ 2:08pm

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Jul 30, 2007 @ 1:47pm

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Streetwalker: Rainy Day Woman

Jul 30, 2007 @ 1:04pm

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Sue, 30, jewelry designer

Got Her: In Tompkins Square Park

Stalked Her: Because she dressed for the weather and still looked great.

Shot Her: So we could show two of our favorite rain tricks:

Pairing boots with shorts looks sexy and helps relieve the hot-and-sticky feeling you get from summer rainstorms.

Meanwhile, a billowy blouse is great for thunderstorms when it's too warm to wear a jacket - just wear it over a tank and peel off when you get to your destination.

She Says: "When it rains, you plan everything around the Wellies. I've tried wearing other shoes, but these are the only ones that work!"

We Say: You can stand under our umbrella.

Continue Reading...

We Are Scientists

Jul 30, 2007 @ 12:39pm

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Sunglasses can be an expression of your personal style, but what exactly do these Dolce & Gabbana shades say about their wearer?

"I like Chemistry!"

"I wear protective face gear while playing field hockey!"

"I'm avant-garde!"

But really, if you're going to wear "Science Goggles," the ones at right might be a better choice. The Dolce glasses are $275, and these are only $20.

Meanwhile, don't you think they'd look great on a really cool guy - or maybe Agyness?

--ALLIE MERRIAM, who wanted to call this post "Orange You Crazy About Dolce?"

Jul 30, 2007 @ 12:21pm

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Wet Hot American Raincoat

Jul 30, 2007 @ 11:27am

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If you're hooked on Kate Moss' Burberry ads, you should get yourself a trench coat (on sale now at Net-a-Porter).

But for rainy day adventures and jumping in puddles, this “rain cape� from the Belgian label Pelican Avenue might be more fun. It’s water-repellent, lightweight, and digitally printed to look like futuristic tie-dye.

The designer, Carolin Lerch, worked for Bernhard Wilhelm before starting the Pelican Avenue label. Each season, she collaborates with artists from different disciplines to create unique pieces based on a concept - this season, it's “hide and seek.�

We fully endorse wearing this rain gear - but please leave your patterned galoshes at home!

--ALISON COOL

Gwen, the Magazine

Jul 30, 2007 @ 10:58am

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When Jane folded, Ms. Pratt told The New York Times that she was planning a new magazine launch for teens and '20somethings.

What she didn't mention?

That the launch may be with Gwen Stefani, pop star, L.A.M.B lover, and aspiring media empress - at least according to the Sassy girls.

If the coupling is true, it means Jane has her first cover girl, Gwen has another outlet for her entrepreneurial cravings, and whomever gets hired will have the two blondest bosses in the world.

We bet the soundtrack for the office will be killer, but wonder which company would front the glossy - Hearst has the Oprah magazine, but maybe Time Warner is a better fit for Gwen, since it already owns a record label?

Also: Will a magazine that lumps 10th graders together with 22-year-olds be a success?

Well... both groups of girls own Harajuku Girls tees (and so do I, at 25...)

Jul 30, 2007 @ 10:49am

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Laundry, Not by Shelli Segal

Jul 30, 2007 @ 10:08am

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Something we discovered this weekend:

If you're out of laundry detergent, you can do an entire load with a cup of Dr. Bronner's.

We love this idea, especially since it means your clothes get clean with biodegradable soap.

But before you try it, some guidelines:

*If your clothes sport major stains, nail them with a Tide Detergent pen before they hit the Kenmore. It's not the most eco solution to the problem, but Dr. Bronner's can't get grass stains out of jeans without some help.

*Use a few healthy squirts for your whole load, or else face the problem of suds.

*You still need fabric softener - try the kind in sheets that you add in the dryer.

Besides helping the environment, using the soap can save you some dry cleaning bills:

It works really well when you're handwashing corsets, tights, and cashmere.

Adventures in Copyrights: The Silver Surfer

Jul 30, 2007 @ 9:47am

chelsea dagger by the fratellis.jpg We've had our eye on the online clothing store ASOS since it was crowned Britain's fastest growing fashion business. After all, if Net-A-Porter and TopShop can realize they should be selling to America, it's only a matter of time before we get our own ASOS shop.

So last week, we learned that ASOS stands for "As Seen On Stars."

And this week, we learned the website takes designer clothes - "as seen on stars" - and copies them completely!

The latest:

Miu Miu's metallic patchwork bag (left), which gets renamed the Keira bag and sold for about $40.

The ironies:

*$40 is still more than Keira paid for her free Miu Miu tote.

*Miu Miu's bag only works because it looks tacky but costs hundreds - in the weird world of fashion, that tension makes it cool. A cheap-looking bag that's actually sold cheap, like the one on Asos?

Probably not.

Kate Spade... Without Kate?

Jul 30, 2007 @ 9:27am

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Kate Spade announced Friday that she'd exit her own brand, which is now owned by Liz Claiborne. The question is, will it survive without her?

It's true that Liz Claiborne is a millionaire franchise, with Juicy Couture and C&C California under its umbrella. But those brands aren't built on a person's lifestyle, and Kate Spade is more like Martha Stewart than Monica Botkier - her bags aren't just cute, they're a nylon embodiment of a cool way to live.

We know when magazines are named for women, they tend to fold when their founder leaves - witness Mirabella and Jane.

But what about clothing labels?

Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Cristobal Balenciaga are gone from their brands, yet their legacy keeps going. But those houses were founded before websites, product placement, and publicists. Kate Spade's label was decidedly modern, and it wasn't really built on beautiful handbags - it was built, instead, on living beautifully.

Sending whip-smart thank you notes. Smiling through your sunglasses. Looking incredible just off a plane. That's Kate Spade.

It took Halston years to revive after the man himself faded; Perry Ellis is gone; Anne Klein and Bill Blass are just now getting back.

Does Kate Spade need Kate to keep going, or did you forget forever ago that she was even real?

"She Could Be a Farmer in Those Clothes"

Jul 30, 2007 @ 9:13am

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We know leopard print is big for fall – from the shiny belted dresses at Michael Kors to the fluttering caftans at D&G – but what about cow print?

Apparently, the folks at Reebok are more into dairy products than African safaris. Their new Freestyle “Cow Print� is a limited edition run that will only be available in August.

But is it limited edition because it’s so super cool, or because not that many people would wear shoes that look like they might moo?

Could you make the transition from leopard print to cow print?

--ALISON COOL

Jul 27, 2007 @ 3:51pm

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I Enjoy Being a Swirl

Jul 27, 2007 @ 3:17pm

puccini.jpg A fact:

Pucci patterns are kind of ugly.

Another fact: We can’t help but love the iconic 1960s swirls.

While we dream about a vintage silk Pucci mini-dress, like the one Jessica Stam wore to her birthday party last year, we might just settle for this new limited edition Pucci for Guerlain eyeshadow set.

It’s about $75 at Sephora (France first, US a little later), and we know that's a lot of money.

But the colors are cute, and a little Pucci eyeshadow on your lids is far more flattering than gigantic psychedelic whirls on other parts of your body - so those afraid of bold colors or prints in your wardrobe can still enjoy the Pucci experience.

Plus, with a make-up bag this garish, you definitely can’t lose it in your purse!

--ALISON COOL

Jul 27, 2007 @ 2:42pm

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Continue Reading...

Jul 27, 2007 @ 2:42pm

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Jul 27, 2007 @ 2:17pm

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Continue Reading...

Streetwalker: Two Peas in a Prada

Jul 27, 2007 @ 1:12pm

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Mamen, 25, FIT student, and her sister Marieta, 26

Got them: Deep in conversation at the corner of Prince and Lafayette

Stalked them: Because we have a soft spot for stylish sister duos.

Shot them: Because, while their outfits were complementary, they both showcased their own individual style and avoided looking too matchy.

Mamen says: "I recently got this top from a flea market and I love it. I think you should always dress with feeling!"

Marieta says: "I got this dress at Mango. In general, I like clothes that are retro-inspired."

We say: Watch out, Olsens.

--SARAH MUEHLBAUER

Continue Reading...

Jul 27, 2007 @ 12:40pm

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I'm Ready for my Closeup, Mister Hunter

Jul 27, 2007 @ 12:17pm

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You've got the awkward stance, the artfully messy hair, the House of Holland tee.

But so does everyone else in Nylon.

So if you're looking for a way to stand out on your next photo blog appearance, check out Kameraflage.

The technology works like invisible ink - designs are printed in colors invisible to the naked eye, but clearly shown when photographed using a digital camera.

There are so many exciting possible uses -

We envision Britney traipsing around in a tee that screams "Screw you X17!" whenever a paparazzi snaps her...

--ANNA FIELDING GRIGGS

Jul 27, 2007 @ 11:56am

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H&M 'Shapes Up

Jul 27, 2007 @ 11:34am

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Forever 21 may have our summer wardrobe covered, but this fall, our hearts belong to H&M.

Why?

Because their new face is Leigh Lezark, the DJ and Manhattan obsession who just got back from Florence, where she shot their campaign.

Despite speculation last year of a self-designed clothing range, she's just wearing the normal clothes - no H&M for MisShapes line - but the move will counterbalance the giant herd of blondes (Lydia Hearst, Erin Wasson, Theo Richards, Jessica Stam) who will wear Cavalli's newest diffusion line in H&M ads.

The new photos should be gorgeous, but... um... very filled with eyeliner.

Also: Don't expect her to smile.

Jul 27, 2007 @ 11:28am

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Would You Wear a Romper?

Jul 27, 2007 @ 10:25am

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Hear the word "romper," and here's what we see:

Strollers, sandboxes, Juicy Juice, PBS daytime shows- anything geared towards the under-six set.

But, as we've seen this season, the romper is no longer exclusively for those with babysitters and mid-morning naps. The classic playground staple has made its way into high fashion territory, and it's a force to be reckoned with.

Kate Moss featured the Guatemalan Playsuit in her TopShop collection, and American Apparel has recently introduced several one-piece versions of their signature knits. We've also spotted short jumpsuits at H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Forever 21 (not to mention on every block in Soho, too.)

Sift in the rompers of fashionoids like Nicole Richie, and the trend is that much harder to ignore.

We're all in favor of easy summer ensembles, but we have to question just how easy a romper would be to actually pull off.

So, we're posing the question:

Are rompers cute and wearable, or a really bad idea?

--SARAH MUEHLBAUER, as inspired by SABRINA BACON and her MANDATE OF HEAVEN obsession.

Age of Aquarius

Jul 27, 2007 @ 10:17am

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Astral Projection for Beginners is dotting subway readers, tie dye is everywhere, and Todd Rundgren hits are blaring from trendy bars.

And with the resurgence of New Age comes our new favorite Japanese brand:

Cosmic Wonder Light Source 1.

Besides having a really amazing name, the label captures the astro-hippie aesthetic perfectly.

Yukinori Maeda – the mastermind behind the brand – keeps himself busy with lots of different installation, performance, and design-related projects.

If you’re not feeling the pale purple tent dresses, we still recommend checking out his new magazine Cosmic Wonder Free Press 1 – this is the wave of the future!

--ALISON COOL

Jazz Shoes for Guys?

Jul 27, 2007 @ 9:31am

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Paris is the land of Repetto, so girls have raided dance stores for white jazzy Oxfords for some time.

But now, guys are getting into them, too!

We really love these black and white ones from French sneaker shop Schmoove , which also makes a white patent leather male jazz shoe.

The website has a good selection of amazing shoes for guys – another indication that men in Europe are much more shoe-conscious than Americans, which is a mixed blessing (pointy alligator dress shoes for guys are like, normal here).

But perhaps the look will get lost in translation and never make it overseas.

Will you let your boyfriend get jazzy?


--ALISON COOL

The Big Bang(s)

Jul 27, 2007 @ 9:25am

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The story in Styles about bangs is seriously blowing our mind.

First of all, bangs have been “in� for about ten years now, as far as we can tell. But now the NY Times has noticed, so they get their own psychological analysis.

And apparently, women over the age of thirty have a pathological fear of fringe devotees:

“To me, they scream: ‘I’m cooler than you, I have a lot of sex, and if you leave your husband with me I’ll devour him,’ said Meredith Hays, a literary agent in Manhattan with an unbanged brow."

Bangs are a key element of many cool haircuts, and it's much easier to look intimidating when staring behind an artfully arranged layer of hair.

But who knew that a haircut could inspire this kind of explosion of insecurity?

Here’s our rundown of bang styles:

  • Full-on straight across, long enough to obscure your vision – think Irina.

  • Super short and bluntly cut

  • The “swoopâ€?

  • The half-hearted few strands of shorter hair near your forehead (for those not brave enough to get actual bangs).

  • Asymmetrical, a la Misshapes (for the young, daring, and super-straight-haired set).

    Now, wait, which of these screams, "I'm gonna steal your boyfriend"?

    --ALISON COOL

  • Jul 26, 2007 @ 5:01pm

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    Blondes Have More Fame?

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 3:41pm

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    A leftover discussion from last night's party:

    As a female celebrity gets more popular, does she also get blonder?

    Consider Britney's heyday morph from brunette teen into blonde temptress, complete with a yellow snake.

    Or Claire Danes' red hair transforming, slowly, into white-yellow tresses to match her supposed A-list status. The same "omigosh" observation goes to Emma Watson, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Kidman, and Beyonce.

    Models do it too - Agyness Deyn had honey hair when she first exploded, and now she's a tow head. Mariacarla went blonde too, after her Givenchy campaign, and Kate Moss had a blonde phase that's still growing out.

    Even Kate Winslet, our favorite actress ever, had a strawberry hue in Heavenly Creatures that turned into a soft shade of butter by The Holiday.

    But Marilyn Monroe is long gone, and sex comes in all colors - so why are starlets still hitting the bleach?

    Continue Reading...

    Into the Woods

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 3:11pm

    marcel is not a monkey.jpg We appreciate nature as much as the next person, but really, we are "Indoor Girls" and unlike Divine in a John Waters movie, we don't camp.

    Luckily, cult-favorite Dutch designer Marcel Wanders has teamed up with Puma to create the “I Hate Camping� collection, for those of us who aren't so convinced that the wonders of nature are just as good as Barneys.

    Our favorite item is this “villa� (don’t say tent!), with an adorable black and white graphic print and best of all, a tiny little flag on top.

    It costs about $600, which is absolutely more than you'll spend at EMS.

    But: think how much you’ll save on hotels!

    --ALISON COOL

    The Roitfeld Touch in V Magazine

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 2:50pm

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    Julia Restoin-Roitfeld isn't just a stunning beauty (and the owner of some amazing Alaia...). She's also a prolific Parson's graduate.

    The daughter of Paris Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld put her education to work in this month's V.

    Julia designed a page for the magazine, and has her byline right in the middle of the layout - and it looks like she's the only designer who's got that privilege. We don't remember seeing any other Julia magazine designs, but we do recall a super-cute invite to the Luella party last fashion week. She also designed Zac Posen's Christmas cards.

    Maybe next she'll re-design her comp. card for IMG models?

    -- NATALIE MATTHEWS

    Continue Reading...

    Raindrops keep falling on my Rick (Owens)

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 1:54pm

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    I've had terrible things happen to my favorite clothes.

    I've splashed gingerbread batter on a Calvin Klein cashmere sweater. I've sent a YSL ankle boot's heel straight through a subway grate. Once, I got pen on the patent leather toe of a Lanvin pump.

    In all those instances, though, I knew that I was at fault. I've learned to not wear cashmere when in the kitchen, avoid subway grates even if I think I can sprint across them, and always keep shoes in their shoebags.

    But when I stain my Rick Owens, I really don't think I'm to blame.

    Because Rick Owens gets stained by WATER.

    Or, more accurately, the dye fades when his signature jersey fabric comes in contact with water (Famous dry cleaner Madame Paulette told me so, after I turned on a faucet in the general vicinity of a Rick Owens skirt - tragedy).

    I take basic precautions, like drying my hands very carefully and checking the weather forecast before heading outside in my Rick, but the damage is inevitable. Water is lurking everywhere, waiting to stain me.

    Fortunately the stains are pretty hard to notice unless you're looking for them - at least that's what my friends tell me.

    But beware, all you Gareth Pugh fans -

    As his clothes are now manufactured in Rick Owens' Italian factory, they, too, may be threatened by air conditioner condensation.

    Stay vigilant!

    --ANNA FIELDING GRIGGS

    Fendilicious

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 1:21pm

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    The guest of honor at a Gramercy hotel luncheon yesterday wasn't a celebrity or socialite, but Fendi's newest must-have bag.

    But does the hyped "To You" tote really deserve a party chicer than one we'd throw ourselves?

    It does convert from handbag to clutch: yes, cool.

    But the bag's pattern also resembles a beach ball or parachute: not so cool.

    While its aesthetics are certainly debatable, it's "It" factor is doubtless - besides the Fendi seal of approval, the bag has something to make it even more popular:

    A five thousand dollar price tag.

    But if you can't get onto the wait list, try not to panic:

    You can just order this similar, slightly less beachy clutch from Target... it's $9.49.

    --NATALIE MATTHEWS

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 12:32pm

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    Mysterious Thefts at Barneys

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 12:15pm

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    Yesterday, we learned from a salesman at Barneys about a problem with shoplifiting in the shoe department.

    Except, the thieves aren't taking the whole shoe. They're just taking the ankle straps.

    Why?

    To wear them as bracelets.

    Of course, we deplore the actions of those sneaking off with the straps, and leaving Barneys with a beautiful pair of Lanvins that they can't sell...and that we can't buy.

    But we have to give them credit for having a pretty good idea.

    This morning we attached two of the ankle straps from our pair of silver Gucci sandals together, and wound them around our wrist. The result looks a lot like the double-tour bracelet that Martin Margiela designed for Hermes.

    Just promise us one thing:

    That you'll use your own shoe straps to DIY this trend.

    Because, you know, we really wanted those Lanvins...

    --ANNA FIELDING GRIGGS

    Streetwalker: Chic Magnet

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 11:36am

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    Bruce, 24 J. Crew Corporate

    Got Him: In Soho, on Crosby Street.

    Stalked Him: Because we like it when sneakers look professional.

    Shot Him: Because the white Chuck Taylors, the jeans, and the tucked-in shirt were so clean and All-American - and as it turns out, he's from Iowa!

    He says: "This isn't from J. Crew, actually. My shirt is from a thrift store and my pants are from Italy. I found them at a vintage shop in Florence, called Vintage 55."

    We say: Call me!

    --ALLIE MERRIAM

    Continue Reading...

    Jul 26, 2007 @ 11:34am

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