Archive for October 2011

Barneys’ Amanda Brooks Writes Tone Deaf ‘Navajo Nation’ Post: Can the Fashion Industry Stop Describing Trends as ‘Navajo’? (Yes, We’re Guilty Too)

The latest fashion news scandal, aside from the ongoing New York vs. Milan fashion week stand off, concerns the use of the word Navajo. The Navajo Nation has a trademark on its name, and made headlines when it sent Urban Outfitters a cease and desist letter for selling items called “Navajo hipster panties” and a “Navajo flask.” Urban Outfitters has since renamed these items the “Printed Hipster Panty” and the “Printed Fabric Wrapped Flask” but that hasn’t stopped Barneys’ fashion director, the girl-crush worthy Amanda Brooks, from writing a post on Barneys’ “The Window” blog about all things Navajo.

The post is titled “Navajo Nation: Amanda Brooks tries out fall’s hottest print,” and it features items from Barneys and sources inspiration photos of Joni Mitchell, Emmanuelle Alt, Daria Werbowy, and the female equivalent of the Native American from the Village People (see: white bikini and headdress).

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Dior Seems Unaffected by Galliano’s Departure With Revenue Up 21% (Plus an Update on Marc Jacobs at Dior)

Who says a racist tirade is bad for business? Dior just reported its earnings for the first nine months of 2011 and overall revenue (for the Dior brand specifically) increased about 21% at current exchange rates. This is despite the fact that the label’s former creative director, John Galliano, made headlines for weeks for making antisemitic slurs, was fired, and then was put on very public (and live-Tweeted) trial.

So is it really true what they say, that all press is good press?

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Fashion Week

Fashion Week Scheduling Conflict Update: Diane von Furstenberg Says New York Will Likely “Bite the Bullet” And Move Dates

Looks like New York will be the first to cave in the stand off over the international fashion week schedule.

CFDA pres Diane von Furstenberg has acquiesced to stick-in-the mud Mario Boselli, the president of the Camera Nazionale della Moda in Milan, saying New York will “bite the bullet” and move its dates earlier in exchange for a formal agreement going forward, the New York Times is reporting. “We have to protect the industry,” she said. “To give jobs is the No. 1 responsibility for anyone today, and that’s what we have to realize.”

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Beauty

New Nail Polish Alert: Nicki Minaj Gets Her Own OPI Line

This collaboration makes a whole lotta sense. Nicki Minaj loves anything shiny and colorful and OPI loves collabs with shiny and colorful people (see Katy Perry, the Kardashians, the Muppets).

According to word on the nail polish blogs, this collection should hit your nails in January 2012. Don’t expect a collection full of tasteful neutrals, either. There are two full-on glitters, one metallic and one with confetti glitter. There’s also a purple Shatter and a perfect neon green that we actually love. Click through to see the whole collection. Nicki better bring it with the nail art in the next few months.

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Fashion Careers

Want To Work For Fashionista? We’re Looking For Interns Right Now!

Are you a) a fan of our site, b) looking for an internship or c) both a and b? If so, you’re in luck: we’re looking for interns in our New York City office to start immediately (and potentially stay on through the spring semester)!

An intern myself, I can speak volumes about how exciting it is to work here. However, like any rewarding job, this takes dedication and serious fashion industry know-how.

This is a fast-paced work environment. Fashionista needs their interns to have a brain full of information about brands, designers, industry business leaders, models, editors, photographers, and more. You should be fashion news obsessed, an avid reader of the blogosphere and fashion sites with the ability to scour the web for under-the-radar news and interesting story ideas. They’re based in NYC and need two full days from you, so work your schedule accordingly.

There’s no coffee runs or closet organizing here; you’ll be writing a lot, often at a breakneck pace, so a strong writing background is a must. Familiarity with blogging platforms and photoshop skillz are a huge bonus, too.

Think you’ve got what it takes?

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Models

Ali Lohan Looks Like an Actual Model in Fault Magazine

As Lindsay Lohan possibly heads back to jail, little sis Ali Lohan’s career is looking brighter all the time. The 17-year-old newly minted model signed with the Next agency back in August, and she’s just landed her first cover, on quarterly arts and style mag, Fault, E! reports. And she looks like a real, genuine model!

Her last modeling gig, for sis Lindsay’s 6126 line, got her a lot of attention because it was a little bit slutty. While her spread in Fault is not necessarily anything new or groundbreaking, it at least proves she knows modeling 101. Blue Steel? Yep, it’s there! Fuzzy, close-up beauty shot with high-fashion nails? Sure! Rocking a mod look? It’s easy for her!

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Entertainment

10 Questions for America’s Next Top Model: All-Stars

1. Why haven’t they always done this little intro segment immediately after the previous week’s judging? Tensions are so high, it’s a drama gold mine.

2. WOW how apparent is it in this beach football game that all these girls dropped serious weight since the season began? Shannon is a twig.

3. One more time for me Nigel? “Rather nice bling.”

4. André WHAT are you wearing? Is that one of those controversial American Apparel “Conical Asian Hats”?

5. So is this Tyra Cam is to remind everyone that, even if she’s not physically present, Tyra is still all around us?

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Shopping

The Ex-Mr. Tory Burch Opens Lifestyle Shop C.Wonder, Wants to Get Rid of Women’s ‘Hassles’

Ever since this summer, venture capitalist and co-founder of Tory Burch, the company–and ex-husband of Tory Burch, the person–Chris Burch has been teasing us around town with his very mysterious and somewhat contradictorily self-described affordable-luxury lifestyle brand C. Wonder. The mystery is about to end since the inaugural C. Wonder flagship is finally throwing open its chartreuse colored, C-logo-ed doors to the public this weekend; we dropped by for a a sneak peek led by Mr. Burch and his team on Tuesday morning.

“It’s pretty critical for us that we give luxury and [an] extraordinary environment at a price point that a lot of Americans can afford,” Burch said clad in a pinstriped suit and velvet monogrammed slip-ons (sans socks, naturally).

The brightly-lit, whimsically designed store sells pretty much everything and anything you can think of. There are cable knits, trench coats, striped button downs, rainboots, handbags, costume jewelry, bikes (with bright pink helmets to match), Vespa-like scooters, pillows, picture frames, dishware, clocks, even a freakin’ mini-cupcake maker ($39, if you’re wondering). The price points are, as promised, affordable. While it seemed like everything we picked up was $78–a soft crew-neck sweater, color-block zipped tote, python-embossed ballet flats, and dark-washed boot-cut jeans–the prices ran the gamut from $24 for stackable bangles to $245 (for the bike) and up.

But it’s not just the pretty affordable and ridiculously vast (possibly too vast) inventory that is interesting about the store.

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  • Fawnia Soo Hoo
  • Thursday, Oct 20, 2011 / 6:00 PM
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Fashion Is Fun

These Exist: Leopard Sneakers for Dogs Courtesy of Jeremy Scott for Adidas

By Hayley Phelan Thursday, Oct 20, 2011 / 5:15 PM

Photo: Via Vice Style


Thank you Jeremy Scott for Adidas for giving the world precisely what it lacked: Leopard sneakers for pups, complete with little stuffed leopard faces on ‘em! Whoa, meta!

Granted, we’re not entirely sure if these are actually going into production or if they’re just the most awesome styling gimmick ever but, regardless, we love them. And we want them.

And, from the looks of it, the rest of the Spring 2012 collection from the collaboration (called ObyO) is just as hilarious irreverent, featuring stuffed gorillas and a leopard sneak with a tail that are totally, totally wearable. Though we still think they’d look better on dogs.
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Would You Rather?

Would You Rather…? The Barbie vs. Rodarte Starry Night Edition

By Steff Yotka Thursday, Oct 20, 2011 / 4:30 PM

Rodarte for Barbie?! Think again. This Vincent van Gogh inspired Barbie and the SS12 Rodarte collection aren’t related, but they look nearly identical.
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Beauty

Prep Your Skin for Winter With These DIY Facial and Body Scrub Recipes from Caudalie’s Founder, Mathilde Thomas

While we’ve been in denial about summer being over, it is. It really is. Now’s the time to get your skin ready for–big sigh–winter. While pros generally recommend that you tweak your skin care when the seasons change, a facial is also a great way to combat damage from summer and to prep for the upcoming onslaught of winter.

We asked Mathilde Thomas, the founder of one of our fave skin care lines and owner of the uber-luxurious Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at the Plaza here in New York City, to give us some DIY options for home. Because we can’t all run over to the Plaza for a fancy facial or body treatment, can we? So read on for two of Mathilde’s recipes–one to fix the mean things you did to your skin over the summer and one to moisturize your whole body once it gets drier and chillier out there:

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Accessories

Iris Apfel’s Personal Jewelry Collection Goes on Sale Next Week: Take a Look at What She’s Selling

90-year-old style icon Iris Apfel (is there anyone else more deserving of the title?) is known for the more-is-more way in which she wears her famed accessories–giant necklaces layered over each other, bangles stacked up her arms, and then why not add a sparkly rhinestone broach? And don’t forget those signature oversize glasses.

So it made sense when Apfel made a foray into designing her own accessories–first with HSN last year, then a collaboration with Alexis Bittar, and most recently she’s collaborated with YOOX.com on a series of collections that will be available on October 24. There’s the main ready-to-wear collection which is comprised of chunky resin necklaces and bangles and priced reasonably from $45 to $525; the limited edition collection of high-end pieces that make liberal use of rhinestones at prices ranging from $1195 to $2800; and finally, there’s the personal collection which is comprised of actual pieces that Apfel herself has worn and loved over the years, which will retail for between $695 and $3500. When asked about selling her own jewelry, Apfel told W, “There comes a point when you need space, plus, I could use a few ­shekels.”

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