Pajama Party

While I wait back to hear from the HUGE pitch, check out my latest menswear piece for VIRAL Fashion on the menswear pajamas as luxurious day wear trend. 

Features quotes from Hugh Hefner! 




Linky LINK: http://viralfashion.com/viralfashion/mens-fashion/2013/05/15/pajama-party/

Finally!

Kerry Washington lands a huge fashion mag cover 

(Kerry Washington causing a Scandal in Marc Jacobs on the cover, June 2013 ELLE) 

A HUGE hit show, a role in an Oscar winning movie and the latest Tyler Perry cash machine, a great sense of style and charisma for weeks... there's no reason Kerry Washington shouldn't be all over the place right now. 


Oh except that whole whitewash of fashion thing. Right. 

Housing Works Takes Fashion for Action

After last night's historical vote, it's time to think FORWARD. Housing Works annual fashion charity extravaganza begins tonight and it's a great opportunity to give to the community while adding a little something something to your closet

(Ohh like a smoking hot 'Carine' shoulder bag from Tom Ford?)

Hosted by co-chairs designer Thom Browne (for the third year in a row), actress Patricia Clarkson, model Dree Hemingway and TV personality Cat Greenleaf, the Fashion for Action 2012 opening party tonite from 6-9pm at the Altman Building is worth braving the snow since it's always a star studded fashion romp (all remaining pieces will be available to the public Thursday-Sunday at the 17th street Housing Works store)

(A bounty of Thom Browne designed Black Fleece menswear and womenswear)

Fabulous finds from Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Dior, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch and many more designer pieces will be up for major discounts off retail with 80% of the selling price going to people living with AIDS and a special 20% goes towards Hurricane Sandy relief

Let 


Tory


Tempt


You













Plus this year, Housing Works if following the retail trend of 'shops in shops' with 
mini-boutiques of tightly edited pieces from Diane Von Furstenberg, BCBG and more 

So what are you doing tonight?

It's a Lady Miss Kier World at Louis Vuitton

TRY ME ON








I"M VERY 






YOUUUUUU

The Righteous Life of that Ridic Louis Vuitton Hat

                                                   

Constance Jablonski covers the September 2012 Harper's Bazaar Australia in Louis Vuitton 

The same one Marc Jacobs showed back in March for Louis Vuitton. 

"Surely, this hat won't catch on?!" he joked 

Afterall, think of all the carrion of those who've tried and failed:

Jamiroquai's iconic flop and fluff 

George Costanza's Ushanka brings all the girls to the yard 

Me in Ungaro: Fop or Flop? 

Why Was There So Much Bad Fashion at the CFDA Awards?

For years the CFDA's were held behind closed doors and reserved only for the fashion elite. Now that they are finally being broadcast the whole world can see what those in the know wear to honor their own.

And it ain't good.


Seth Meyers and Alexi Ashe

She's in Band of Outsiders. He's in my dreams as a cutie with a sharp wit. Serving as host, he looked better when he donned a take on Marc Jacobs' MET Ball sheer number

Grrr....




Anna Wintour

Speaking of Mr. Jacobs, this fashion dictatoress could choose any ensemble lain at her fingertips and this simple Marc Jacobs shift is what she goes with? It's perfectly fine, but not at all inspiring. The same could be said for American VOGUE though....




Tory Burch

Presumably in Tory Burch. Painfully all one color.





Donna Karen

Presumably in Donna Karen. Obviously did not visit the tailor. But then that's what happens when you're running late from tap class. Ugh.




Jessica Stam 

Ooh girl, now is not the time to retread that old Elvira costume.





Zac Posen and Crystal Renn

A bit dramatic, yes, but finally some folks are gettin' in the spirit (or spirits for that matter. Go ahead!) Although, Crystal, girl you have wittled away your once robust frame and over tanned.... I thought you were Paz de la Huerta at first. Yikes!



Alisson Mosshart and Eddie Borgo 

She's such a peach and I may have sold that shirt to her once upon a time. They're a bit too cool for school, but this is a fashion event and at least they look stylish, be it in a rocker, St Mark's way, but style nonetheless.



Phillip Lim with Theo Hutchcraft from HURTS 

Oh I love HURTS and how cute a couple would they be. Although, Phillip, that suit. Jesus.



Shala Monroque

Artist and editor, Monroque is rockin this cute little dress from... well I'm not sure yet. Gee I hope it's vintage or some unknown designer. Something under the rader and low key and personal. In my head that's how it plays out and therefore she be doin' it!



The Olsens and Lauren Motha-F-in' Hutton 

Bow down for the queen in cream.

AVON Needs Someone to Sack Them

Every day I nab my Women's Wear Daily to keep up with the soap opera that is AVON's herculean struggles to re-invent itself. Coty's takeover bid was initially brushed aside with annoyance. Now it's a plausible lifeline with AVON even being so nice as to open its books to the perfume giant for perusal. But now Coty has pulled that offer off the table, fatigued by feet dragging

"Your total lack of engagement with us leads to believe that you remain reluctant to explore a friendly, negotiated combination on a reasonable timetable," the letter of retraction from Coty states. 

The problem with this bid loss is that AVON may not find another golden hand to pull i to safety. Hurt hardest by lack of social media outlets and online resources for their sales associates, the brand seems out of touch and dusty and undesirable to buyers. 

Plus, beauty brands established and upstart, have re-focused their ad budgets. The focus is on fresh and flirty, the way a lady wants to feel about her rouge. Case in point: today on the subway I saw a Bare Escentuals bag with "I got Matte in the Sack", a cheeky little come-hither play on words especially smart considering it's a reusable tote for the client. That's gonna be a lot of "Oh I got this free with purchase from Bare Escentuals".

In the end, it may be too late for the former skin so soft titan. AVON may be purchased or fade into the bottom drawer. Coty, which has an all star fresh and fun roster of Marc Jacobs and Chloe perfumes, Rimmel London, and a sea of celeb brands, obviously has the know how and ducats to make AVON over for the year 2012 (or catch it up at least to 2006) but you gotta strike while the curling iron's hot, honey! 

To be continued, I'm sure....

I Wanna Live Here

Man, this makes me sad we didn't have a Winter.

The Dior Continues to Swing...

Women's Wear Daily reports that talks with just moments ago front runner Marc Jacobs "have come to a halt" and LVMH has "stepped up the pace and depth of negotiations with other designers"

That's good news as Jacobs' vision is clearly suited for Louis Vuitton with the proof in continued sales growth under his guide.

But the disheartening news here is this buried bit that "it is understood Alexander Wang, Raf Simons and Jason Wu are among some of the candidates recently approached."

(Marc could be out, but which of these other names could really be "in"?)

Yikes! While Raf would be the best of that lineup given his penchant for imaginative and modern plays on color and print, Phoebe Philo's minimalist work at Celine already kind checks that box

(Celine looks)

New talent Jason Wu still needs to find his way and that Alexander Wang is no Dior heir! I'm sorry I know gals love his loose and shapeless, but damn if I can at all see him designing for the 21st century lady of Dior.

What Does the Louis Vuitton Woman Smell Like?

                              
According to Women's Wear Daily, Louis Vuitton is meeting with a third generation scent master (yeah imagine the pressure of that lofty title the next time you groan about your workload) to craft a signature perfume.


But that got me to thinking of duality. Louis Vuitton is one of the many labels over the years that in order to stay relevant has courted a younger market including street artists, rappers and reality tv stars. Will this scent represent the lady who wears dominatrix to the MET Ball or the ubiquitous LV logo over a pair of high top sneakers?

One could also word this as will it be more Marc Jacobs or Phoebe Philo (allegedly) ??




(*Photo from Ebay of vintage Louis Vuitton flask)

Sarah Jessica Parker Leaving is the Least of Halston's Issues

Sarah Jessica Parker, Chief Creative officer of Halston Heritage, let it slip in the August cover article of American Vogue that her role "recently came to an end"

But with so many American labels battling for the NOW (first lady endorsed Jason Wu, CFDA winners Proenza Schouler, perennial favorite Marc Jacobs, buzz brand Prabal Gurung and more) and many European lines embracing American sportswear and 70's disco dressing, Halston's role has long been questionable

(Marc Jacobs)

Will the real Halston please stand up?   

   

                                   (Vionnet)

(Lanvin)






Unfortunately, the year 2011 doesn't allow for much laurel resting and Halston Heritage even told you upfront that it was the sum of its former glories

Yes there was in-battling between the creative and business sides, but, hello? Welcome to fashion (or really any creative artistic business). More likely is Halston's undefined role in American fashion and the world stage of dressing. 




Sarah Jessica did her best to promote the line, but I personally am not surprised at this news. Re-incarnating storied 70's American sportswear labels (Anne Klein, Bill Blass, etc.) has proven an uphill battle. This is just another example, I'm afraid. 

DON'T: Computer Animated Beloved Cartoons are not Models (or Street Walkers)

Maybe I'm a bitter old man crushed to see a cartoon of my youth soiled by CGI or a once golden fashion magazine resort to stunt casting but this leaked image of Smurfette in Lanvin, Marc Jacobs and other Fall 2011 accessories makes me sad

It looks about as real, I guess, as any other fashion magazine model post-Photoshop, but, as Michael Kors would say, I question the taste level. These looks are more Julia Roberts' outfits before Richard Gere takes her off the streets and I'm sorry Smurfette was not three apples tall for any blowjob advantage!

Another step into the unemployment line, Glenda (although I enjoy the subtle wink to your Hogatha nickname)

Today I'ma Wear a Sweatshirt with Puffy Paint Tombstones....

Cuz our girl, Jeanne Bice be dead!

Full of vigor and kookiness, Jeanne was known, of course, for her QVC line, Quacker Factory and her signature headband look that even Marc Jacobs ripped off

(Marc Jacobs Fall 2008)

Jeanne got quite rich off of her puffy paint sweatshirt empire and never missed a chance to emblazon a cardigan with the seasonal stitching of ghosts, leprechauns and Santa. My mom, needless to say, was a huge fan (she personally LOVED the mix and match button covers)

(I truly believe my mom has this sweater!)

While Quacker Factory wasn't to my taste, her joie de vivre and lack of pretense was welcome in an industry not known for its sense of humor

Rest in peace, Ms. Bice. And may heaven be filled with cats chasing string and rainy day outfitted ducks

Watch me on NBC's The Feast

Yeah, I got my own NBC show!

Well, ok more like the kids over at NBC's fashion and pop culture blog, "The Feast" came in and asked me to talk about Summer trends while dressing a mannequin at work.



I plugged Roundabout while chattin' up the "disco of the Orient" look all over the runways

And hot damn, child, I was having a good hair day!




Original link:  http://www.thefeast.com/newyork/shopping/FEAST-SHOP-NY-Go-Out-with-Bianca-Jagger-in-Roundabout-Resales-Disco-Glam-Get-Up-123037553.html

First Master of Minimalism, Now Master of the Universe?

Helmut Lang, Simon Doonan, Marc Jacobs, Joey Arias and many others have made the case for all those hours after school glued to the antics of Evil-Lyn, Trap Jaw, Man-E-Faces and Orko. It can all be written off as artistic now.


Skeletor Saves is an art auction with proceeds going to the Ali Forney Center a national charity providing homeless LGBT kids with housing. Last nite's auction featured big names of fashion, photography and art donating pieces inspired by He-Man. If you missed the event itself (blame Shadow Weaver!) check out the charity's Tumblr page for the art: http://skeletorsaves.tumblr.com/

Fashion Trend Death Knell: Leave these Flat Platforms in the 90's Please!

(They're coming to get you, Barbara...)

If we're to believe the Spring 2011 runways, women want to look like flatfooted visions of non-sex in these hideous cement shoes. 

Again. 

Weren't these bad enough the first go 'round in the 90's? 

They didn't Spice Up my Life then and their flavor makes me extra queasy now. Ladies, do me and your Facebook photo album a favor and avoid this trend like the Hot Topic plague it is! 

(Run like Hell from Chanel)

(Disregard Marc)

(Parade away from Prada)

Please, please, please be careful. A coronation of ugly Frankenstein shoe editorials and ads is coming our way! But we must fight back against the days of vinyl pants, ska influences and monster shoes. I got my pitchfork, grab your torch!