Archive for September 2010

Fashionista contributor Long Nguyen is the co-founder/style director of Flaunt.

“Everything you just saw was the direction we are taking for spring,” Gordon Richardson, the creative and design director for Topman, told me immediately after the finale of Wednesday’s show, inside the glass dome of the Royal Opera House near Covent Garden. It was dominated by knitwear and ’70s floral shirts, tucked into high-waisted boxing shorts with contrast stitching hiking boots.

Taking inspiration from youths in Brighton–a town on the southern coast of England known for its pop music venues, vintage record stores and clothing shops–the collection mixed techno fabrics. Consider a shiny charcoal single-breasted suit with a cotton floral shirt from the hippie era, or a dark cotton suit with slim trousers and the au courant cotton military print shirt. One of the most appealing looks from the show, from a customer’s point of view, was the shiny light purple trench. It was shown with matching trousers in a deep purple cotton. I also liked the black cotton shirt printed with large red psychedelic flowers and paired with black cotton belted flared shorts.

Although many of the knit pieces, like the red cotton sweater featuring the fox motif, will undoubtedly be bestsellers, I’m not certain about the ivory high-waisted boxer shorts with a tan leather belt and burgundy/mustard
polo. It may be a hard sell beyond the limited range of fashion devotees. I’m sure a more commercial mutation will be found among the racks at the Broadway store.

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Patrik Ervell
Deal: Up to 70% off men’s apparel, accessories and shoes.
When/Where: Friday, September 24th through Saturday, September 25th. Daily 12pm—6pm. 35 Howard St between Broadway and Crosby, #4B (646-912-9083)

Sample Sale Productions

Deal: Up to 60% off retail prices on new and pre-owned apparel, furs, jewelry and shoes from names like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Prada
When/Where: Wednesday, September 22 through Saturday, September 25. Wed—Fri 10am—7pm, Sat 11am—4pm. Flatotel, 135 W. 52nd St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, fifth floor (917-453-6687)

Pretty Pennies
Deal: 15% off the entire site with the code Racked15, designers include Dolce Vita, Han Cholo, WeSC, Obey and BB Dakota
When/Where: Online

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If not one of my favorite looks of the New York Spring 2011 Men’s collections, Yigal Azrouël’s one-piece, short-sleeved “jumpsuits,” with their lower halves cut well above the knees, remained a standout, if for no other reason than it reminded me of a romper. Which, in fact, it is.

The idea of a romper for men should not be so outlandish. They were, after all, created with boys in mind. The style, if we can call it that, goes back to Victorian times, when the garment was designed as playwear (ideal because of the mobility it allowed within the dressing/undressing ease of a one piece) for boys, and boys only—though eventually the practicality was extended to little ladies as well. In the ’50s, the romper became stylish for not-so-little-ladies, and during the last half-decade has experienced a resurgence, found on runways from Vena Cava to BCBG, thanks in no small part to American Apparel, who more than anyone have made the sexy, playful romper ubiquitous.

While the romper for men (I’m officially dubbing it a “stomper”) may not offer the same pin-up appeal, it looks rather appealing. If not exactly dashing, it’s a fun subversion of the workwear theme, which will be hard to escape next spring—and on the right guy it could look almost cool.

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MILAN–”FENDI is the burning summer of passion” the line sheet read for Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2011 show. To that effect, the set looked like paper that had been burned, the soundtrack was essentially a woman panting set to a beat, a burnt pattern ran across the hem of several pieces, and billowy geometric cut lantern sleeves on dresses on tunic tops dominated the runway.

Karl Lagerfeld‘s collection for Fendi was gorgeous and sultry and the women who wear these pieces will bring boys to their knees. Though it wasn’t an in-your-face kind of sexy (which is usually the best kind). Despite the whole “burning summer of passion” note dresses weren’t skin tight, and skirts were not short, but they were suggestive. Tulip skirts were wrapped with a small slit at the front. Long belted dresses with drawstring boat necks and strapless peasant tops emphasized the collar bone. Colors were rich and saturated: There were deep purples, periwinkle blues, orange-y reds and dark khaki set against optical dot prints.

In short, this is how I’ll be aspiring to dress next summer.

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Watch out Lola Leon and Suri Cruise, nine-year-old Willow Smith is gunning for the title of most fashionable celebrity offspring. Sure, she doesn’t have a clothing line like Lourdes (yet), but her new single, “Whip My Hair,” sound pretty awesome, and this mini-Rihanna has got style for miles and works the red carpet like a seasoned pro.

Up next for Will and Jada Smith’s youngest? A stop in Milan to view the spring collections, of course. We hear she’ll be front row at Ferragamo on Sunday with mom Jada.

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Superintern: Some interns spend their entire internships getting coffee and making copies. Others, like this Alex Wang intern, have their doodles featured in their boss’ Spring ’11 collection. {Nylon}

Betty White’s Golden Years: Check out a slide show that chronicles Betty White’s “style evolution.” We all know the actress is not lacking in personality and she’s certainly never been afraid to take fashion risks. {Style List}

Dazed and Some Shoes: Dazed & Confused/Another Magazine publisher Jefferson Hack has worn many hats throughout his career and now might try is hand at designing shoes. The collection, intended for Spring ’11 delivery, will reportedly be revealed in Miami. {Elle UK}

Givenchy at Disney? Givenchy will reportedly open their first U.S. perfume boutique…in Disney World. You can find it in the faux France section of Epcot. I’ve never been to Disney World, but this sounds pretty out of place, no? {Fashion Indie}

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Prada Spring 2011 the cheat sheet:
- blindingly bright neons (orange, highlighter green, hot pink)
- Latin flair
- stripes
- orthopedic/futuristic platform and wedge sneakers
- tight chignons with ’20s-style finger waves
- striped fur tails (stoles?) dipped in neon, held like clutches

Prada Spring 2011, the unabridged version:
Leave it to Muiccia Prada to say fuck it to this season’s trend of all-white show openers. The first look out was blindingly bright orange, setting the tone for a neon color palette of hot pink, lime green and fluorescent yellow. While many designers have looked to the ’70s for spring 2011, Prada’s DayGlo color palette was the only thing remotely ’70s-inspired about her show. Instead, she went south to Mexico and Cuba and Brazil and maybe Puerto Rico, too. Form-fitting dresses with drop-waist ruffled hems looked like a modern, tripped-out interpretation of something Anita might wear in West Side Story. Oversized striped sombreros hung down models’ backs. Monkeys, bananas, and the Chiquita banana lady (OK, it wasn’t really her) were printed and embroidered on dresses and tops. And there were hints of the ’20s, too, in the models’ hair, styled in finger waves, and the decadent fur stoles each model carried (though when the stoles are neon and striped like the tail of an acid-tripping Cheshire cat it makes the ’20s reference less linear). It’s hard to pin this collection to any distinct decade because it was so modern and bright and forward-thinking.

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MILAN–The runway at D&G, Dolce and Gabbana’s younger and more affordable line, was lined with actual flowers–daffodils and roses to name a few–because Dolce and Gabbana’s girls are going to a garden party for Spring/Summer 2011.

But they’re not just going to sip cocktails and look pretty in the garden, they’re going to get down and dirty and do some gardening, too. Models were styled with kerchiefs and wore floral print bloomers with cropped smock tops, rompers (they’re still around), and dresses with apron pockets, paired with wedged wellies. Then they’ll break for a picnic, and disappear right into that red-checked blanket, wearing red gingham dresses, jumpers and separates.

But don’t worry, the D&G girls clean up well, of course, and for the actual, cocktail-sipping garden party, they’ll don flowy floral floor-length dresses with ruffled skirts. In fact, D&G’s liner notes state that the show “ends with a party al fresco where it is imperative to show up in long floral chiffon gowns.” So there.

Take a look.

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I can’t seem to remember a shoe that Jeffrey Campbell hasn’t copied from another designer. So, it should come as no surprise that Mr. Campbell is today’s culprit in our Adventures In Copyright series. The designer’s Lief Clog boot has a striking resemblance to Swedish Hasbeens’ High Heeled Jodhpur boot. Both boots are made of leather, both have a buckle, and both have their seams in exactly the same places. The only noticeable difference? Jeffrey Campbell’s is $178 and Swedish Hasbeens’ is about $400. Oh, and the fact that Swedish Hasbeens has been making clogs, and only clogs, since 2006. They may know just a little bit more about the Clog Boot than Jeffrey Campbell.

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1) The Mood dog’s name is Swatch? How come I didn’t know this earlier?

2) How on earth does Mondo afford all those wacky accessories and superhero boots on $12,000 per year? He must be an amazing thrifter.

3) Speaking of money, wasn’t it quite poignant listening to the designers describe their financial struggles? A shout-out to the CFDA and other organizations for lending a hand to struggling designers trying to live the dream.

4) Are there any professions other than modeling where you can legitimately ask, “Do you want me to take my bra off?”

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MILAN–Sportmax, the kickier, more gently priced label from MaxMara, was inspired by the 1967 French musical Les Demoiselles de Rochefort for Spring. True to their inspiration, Sportmax showed plenty of schoolgirl-ish A-line dresses with deep-v pleats in the front, just like the ones Catherine Deneuve wore in the film (or Madeleine wore to school). In keeping with that playful, youthful ’60s vibe, models were styled with peppy swinging ponytails. To emphasize the light and cutesy mood of the show, a butterfly motif ran throughout–in prints on dresses, and appliqued on boxy sheer organza button downs.

While the show opened, like many others this month, with all-white looks, the palette soon moved into bright poppy, hot pinks, and yellow. Finale party dresses were sequined and color blocked with low open backs to give that wholesome school girl who opened the show some sex appeal. In between the slinkier sequined looks and the crisp white, khaki and navy trapeze dresses that opened the show, outerwear stood out. Dusters were embellished with zippers and drawstrings, and trenches and raincoats were cropped and glimmered in patent leather. Fitting since the Sportmax girl seems like just the type to relish in some puddle jumping during a rain shower. The label will just have to equip her with the perfect wellies.

Click through for more photos from Sportmax SS2011.

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Best Dressed

Best Dressed: London Fashion Week

Thursday, Sep 23, 2010 / 5:00 PM

We love Alexa Chung’ preppy-chic loafers and fitted blazer. We’re also absolutely smitten over Charlotte Dellal’s Charlotte Olympia banana clutch. Julia Johansen went wild in her colorful zebra print while at a Mulberry dinner. And both Cat Deeley and Caroline Sieber look stunning while arriving to the Burberry show.