There are only a few people in this world who are so iconic, all you need to say is their first name, and everyone knows who you’re talking about. Whitney. Madonna. Jesus. Iman. Last night, the legendary supermodel fêted the launch of her new fashion and lifestyle website, Destination IMAN (yes, that’s IMAN in all caps) along with a host of fashion notables.
Anyone who works in the industry has had ‘em: A fashion week related nightmare. We asked designers, editors and stylists to share theirs with us, and then we asked our friend (and super talented artist) Mara Sprafkin illustrate them. Don’t be scared… To kick off the series, Erin Fetherston told us about her nightmare involving Read more →
What do you have to do to keep a nearly 90-year-old British heritage brand relevant? If you’re Belstaff’s Chief Creative Officer Martin Cooper, the key to success lies in the past. Hired to the company a little over a year ago, Cooper’s vision for Belstaff was a heritage brand reinvented to meet 21st century needs–a Read more →
Now that Barneys New York is out of the red thanks to a debt-for-equity deal with new owner Perry Capital, the retailer is ready to flaunt some recent improvements. Today, Barneys unveiled its newly redone fifth floor featuring shoes for both men and women. It’s the first time the department store has done a co-ed floor, which makes it a unique shopping experience–only Harrods in London offers something similar.
The new floor is truly elegant–chic and restrained, airy and luxurious, all the better to display the shoes, which are presented almost like artwork. Simon Doonan put it best when he said it looked like “a beautiful dreamy ’60s apartment.”
Barneys New York held their annual Beauty Breakfast last week in partnership with Harper’s Bazaar to celebrate some of the cosmetic industry’s rising talents. Bazaar‘s EIC Glenda Bailey, Simon Doonan and a slew of beauty industry stars set their alarms early to head to the Barneys flagship to hash out beauty routines, skin care regimens and give advice to the beauty editors eagerly gathered.
Despite the presence of the effervescent and always entertaining Simon Doonan, the beauty gurus who sat on the panel discussion with Bazaar’s beauty director, Alexandra Parnass, were the real stars.
If there is one fashion person we’d like to hit the gym with, it is, without a doubt, Simon Doonan. So you can imagine our delight at the first installment of The Cut‘s new fitness series, ‘Working Out With…’, which follows the Barneys creative advisor at large through his daily exercise routine. As you can Read more →
Queen Elizabeth II is all set to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee–that’s 60 years on the throne as the Queen of England–and 60 years of elaborate hats. Her Royal Highness is adored by her subjects, including Simon Doonan, who recently proclaimed Her Majesty QE2 (aka ‘Brenda,’ as she is known by her staffers) as ‘the most Read more →
Here’s another reason we wish Simon Doonan worked in our office: Apparently, when things start getting particularly tense or stressful at Barneys, the Creative Ambassador at Large lightens the mood with some good old fashion dance moves. “If things aren’t going well, I get up in the room and I do like 80s aerobics moves, Read more →
The Beckhams Made it on to the Sunday Times ‘Rich List’: David and Victoria Beckham are… rich? You don’t say! America’s favorite British transplants ranked #10 in the Times‘ music (huh?) category, having amassed over $32 million this past year. {Vogue UK}
Isabel Marant Knows What Time it is: The designer is selling a limited edition gold watch, which you can only get at her SoHo boutique. {The Cut}
Want to Try a DIY Caviar Mani?: The folks over at SHEFinds attempt to recreate the now sold-out Ciaté caviar manicure with a host of materials like sugar sprinkles, seed beads, and actual caviar. {SHEFinds}
What’s Up With All the ‘Curators’ in Fashion?: These days, it seems every well-known blogger or media gadfly is curating something, but what does that really mean? Is ‘curator’ just a modern, fancy word for ‘editor?’ Vanessa Friedman explores this sudden phenomena. {Material World}
Last night fancy fashion folks feted (like that alliteration? hmmm?) the launch of Aurelie Bidermann‘s first collection exclusively for Barney’s over dinner at Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria. Simon Doonan, Barneys Ambassador at Large, was there to welcome editors and socialites like host Garance Dore, Rachel Chandler, Bonnie Morrison, Lauren Remington Platt and Amanda Ross to name a few.
“Welcome to Arby’s! This is Arby’s,” Doonan announced at the start of our feast, which included enough cured and roasted meats to feed a small army (we weren’t complaining). I laughed but not many others did. Later that night Doonan bemoaned his joke falling flat. “Maybe fashion people don’t know about how delicious fast food roast beef is?” I posited.
Being read aloud to by Simon Doonan is a rare treat–one that I was privy to yesterday when Barneys’ creative ambassador-at-large held story time at the department store to promote his latest book, Gay Men Don’t Get Fat ($24.95, Blue Rider Press). The book is Doonan’s fourth, and it’s a hilarious piss take at French Women Don’t Get Fat, dedicated to “the straight women of the world, whose lives seem insanely more complicated than my own and whose shoes must surely hurt like hell.” Being read to from it was like getting a slightly dirty totally hilarious bed time story from the gay uncle you wish you had, only at 9 a.m. over yogurt and berries at Barneys–so, even gayer.
Speaking of yogurt and berries, Doonan would tell you that they are totally gay foods. Foods, according to Doonan, can be categorized by their sexuality. He discussed this theory, and much more yesterday, including: why fashion people should stop being so masochistic, why he’d be a horrible addition to Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, the abysmal state of the red carpet, and why you shouldn’t get offended by his book.
Having your name or initials emblazoned on something never gets old. It goes back to that pride you felt back in third grade, when writing your name into your favorite books sent a statement to the world: “This is mine.” (And if you’re like me, you also drew a unicorn and stars for good measure) As far as gifts go, something personalized or custom-designed shows that you put a bit of effort into it, when you could totally just buy an iTunes gift card.
With that in mind, we gathered a bunch of customizable gift ideas at various price points. Whether your recipient is into fashion or not, here are ten ideas for cool custom gifts. Click through to check them out.
