Archive for October 2010

Reviews

Jay Godfrey Spring 2011: The Designer Dishes on His Love of 1960s Capri…and Gossip Girl

Yesterday evening we trekked downtown through the drizzle to check out Jay Godfrey’s latest offerings. And from the moment we stepped into his presentation space (an intimate Chelsea apartment tricked out with a candy- and cocktail-covered table), it was clear the young Hollywood favorite had sunnier climates on his mind.

“I started by thinking about Capri,” Godfrey explained, citing the Italian island that’s a choice getaway for the fashion crowd. “The interior design of the JK Capri, this amazing hotel there, was my inspiration. The rich blues, whites, and the bright colors of the bougainvillea—a flower that’s indigenous to the Amalfi Coast—are all here.”

Sure enough, most of the playful party frocks on display were cast in the same crisp cobalt and ivory tones as the JK Place’s retro-maritime décor, with a hit of creamy beige here and there—a suggestion of sandy shores, perhaps. Each style was named after a celebrated interior decorator, and many bore geometric color-blocking and sleek patterns of sequins that echoed the collection’s sixties-resort feel.

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  • Elana Fishman
  • Thursday, Oct 28, 2010 / 12:00 PM
  • 1 Comment
Magazines

Meredith Melling Burke’s New Job at Vogue.com Means That the Brand Might Be Smarter About the Internet Than We Thought

Meredith Melling Burke just got a promotion. But not at Vogue. No, she’s still the market director at the world’s most famous glossy. Instead, she’s taking on a new role. At….drum roll…Vogue.com! Gasp! A print person doing work for the web? How shocking!

Actually, it’s smart. Very, very smart. And makes us wonder: Is Vogue savvier about this whole internet thing than we assumed?

Burke is a fantastic market editor in a business where market editors are thought of as second in ranking to stylists (aka fashion editors). Along with her senior market editor role at the magazine, she’s been promoted to fashion market director at Vogue.com. “Her task at the website will be to increase its fashion content,” says WWD.

Why is this so revolutionary? Because there is still a vast river between print and web staffs at most women’s and fashion magazines.

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Beauty

Beauty Startup Birchbox Scores $1.4 Million

Birchbox, the beauty e-commerce site that launched this past September, just released some good news. They raised $1.4 million in seed money from venture capitalists First Round Capital and Accel Partners, as well as several other investors.

Investments like this are crucial for new businesses to stay afloat. After the site went live, the company had rapid growth in paid subscribers. One of the founders, Katia Beauchamp, said in a press release that they were going to expand their team and try to increase their membership base.

Early blog posts on the site show the co-founders and intrepid interns all pitching in to pack the gorgeous little sample boxes that have quickly become their trademark. Obviously this is going to start becoming an onerous task as their membership reaches the thousands, and it takes manpower to grow a company.

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People & Parties

Last Night’s Parties: Elle Turns 25, Longchamp Loves Love, and Models Worship the Whitney

Last night felt like Fashion Month. There were about 14 parties going on. Luckily we managed to make it to a few.

First up, Elle‘s 25th Anniversary bash at MoMA. Loads of designers–from Diane von Furstenberg to Richard Chai to Christian Siriano–and Elle staffers packed the beautiful atrium.

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  • Lauren Sherman and Leah Chernikoff
  • Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010 / 7:12 PM
  • 0 Comments

Target’s Reissuing 34 GO International Dresses, Here Are Nine We Hope They Include

If you didn’t get your hands on one of the lust-worthy pieces from one of Target‘s blink-and-you-missed-it designer collaborations over the years, you might get a second chance. In celebration of Five Years of GO International®, Target is following in the footsteps of Betsey Johnson and Anna Sui by reissuing 34 dresses from the following 17 previously featured designers:

Luella Bartley, Tara Jarmon, Paul & Joe, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Libertine, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jovovich-Hawk, Rogan, Richard Chai, Jonathan Saunders, Thakoon, Tracy Feith, Rodarte, Zac Posen and Tucker.

The collective will be available March 13, 2011 through April 10, 2011 at most Target stores and online at Target.com. We think this is an awesome idea, and great news for people who missed out the first time around. Click through from some of our favorite dresses from the past five years. We hope Target agrees with us!

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Reviews

Military and Maxis at Banana Republic for Spring 2011

Banana Republic previewed their spring collection yesterday and there’s plenty to look forward to come February when the pieces hit stores. As was the trend on the Spring runways last month, the show opened with a series of white airy looks. The opening dress, a white maxi dress with eyelet detail, will be a perfect summer staple.

Separates–boxy linen tops, military-style jackets and vests and cargo-esque shorts with tie-waists in neutrals, stayed closer to the brand’s heritage. The shoes, Belmont wood sandals, were all paired with socks (it’s still a thing) and looked mercifully easy to walk in.

The finale dresses were the stand outs. The bright water-color floral print maxi dresses in silk added some much needed color to the spring collection. Especially that last pink floral number on Hanne Gaby Odiele with delicate silver sequins around the neckline.

Take a look.
**All images from Banana Republic and WWD

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Streetwalker

Street Style: Meghan Listens to Karen Elson

Name: Meghan

Age: 21

Occupation: Sales Associate

How would you describe your style? Feminine, not girly. I don’t like any ruffles. I love to look like a woman.

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Gucci Makes $225 Glasses For Viewing 3-D Movies

We at least have to give Gucci props for doing something original. Introducing what we’re pretty sure is the first ever pair of luxury 3-D glasses. 3-D movies are increasing in popularity and people have speculated that, at some point in the future, all movies will be shown in 3-D. And even though movie theaters give you a free pair when you buy your ticket, maybe owning your own 3-D glasses will become a thing. It’s more green, like taking tote bags when you go grocery shopping.

But, Gucci might be taking this a little too far.

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People & Parties

Jane and Judy Aldridge Sell Their Own Collection Of Vintage For WGACA

I’ve never been one to consistently follow another person’s life. I don’t have a TV, so I can’t indulge in reality shows like The City, and most personal style blogs interest me for a minute until I get bored and move on.

However, I have one exception, and that is Sea of Shoes. Whether it’s because of Jane‘s enviable shoe collection, or her quirky obsession with bugs, I find myself intrigued by her life. So, I think it’s safe to say, I’m a fan. A big one.

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Fashion Is Fun

The Bum Belt: It Exists.

The most striking part of Grey Ant’s Spring 2011 collection was undoubtedly designer Grant Krajecki‘s hand made floral bum belts–thick floral belts that were actually molded to the model’s asses.

We figured this was just a fun runway gimmick (like the cardboard shoes the models walked in), but lo! the bum belt has made a red carpet appearance. Last night, supermodel Roshumba wore Grey Ant’s bum belt at the NYC premiere of For Colored Girls.

If anyone’s got the ass to pull something like this off it’s Roshumba. But Krajecki says he designed the molded belt to give some shape to girls lacking in the booty department. “One can just strap it on over any outfit without having to stuff your drawers,” Krajecki told us.

Officially called the “Grey Ant Bum Belt,” these out-there cinchers (if you can even call them that) are strictly made to order. Krajecki didn’t let on as to whether he crafted them off of actual tushies, but he did say that they were developed “using technical skills acquired while working with Las Vegas showgirls.” Krajecki created matching skull pieces (as seen on Roshumba) and arm bands to match.

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Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: A New Chanel Shade, Hells Angels Sue McQueen, and Kelly Breaks Her Silence About Andrew Mukamal

The New Jade? A new Chanel color called Riva, which debuted in Karl’s St. Tropez resort show, will be released December 1. The gorgeous super pale blue is limited edition. Expect a frenzy at Chanel counters. {Daily Front Row}

Hell Freezing Over: We never thought Alexander McQueen would be a defendant in a copyright law suit, especially against the Hells Angels. Yes, the motorcycle gang is suing Mcqueen’s brand along with Saks Fifth Avenue and Zappos.com, for selling Hells Angels-inspired McQueen items. The items in question: the “Hells Four-Finger Ring” and the “Hells Angels Jacquard Box Dress.” {Racked NY}

Kate’s Loves: Everyone loves Kate Moss but what does Kate Moss love? Starting today, she wants to tell you all the things she loves. Kate’s first Love was the novel Geek Love by Katherine Dunn. Check in daily for the rest. {AnOther Magazine}

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The Business

Derek Lam Designs for eBay

In an effort to introduce his clothes to a wider audience, designer Derek Lam has inked a deal with eBay to produce an exclusive collection.

Norma Kamali was the first major designer to collaborate with the online marketplace. And Narciso Rodriguez created a Spring 2010 diffusion line exclusively for eBay.

However, Lam’s collection will be “crowdsourced,” as eBay is calling it: “The designer will unveil a ready-to-wear collection of original designs at a presentation during New York Fashion Week in February 2011 and invite shoppers to vote for their favorites on eBay.com. The final collection will be available for purchase in Spring/Summer 2011 at accessible, fixed price points—delivering shoppers immediate, in season access to Lam’s signature designs at excellent value, exclusively on eBay.”

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