They Say Your Outfit Speaks to Who You Are

Well this week I'm an exhausted, disheveled mess and it shows

DON'T: Stupid Spring Forward

Losing an hour of sleep has folks in a mood on the streets on New York and in the office today! 

I've Been BUSY!

I know, I know. I've been neglecting my blogging responsibilities lately but it has been crazy with event coverage, trips and visits and one hell of a party. 


Speaking of events, I covered the Elements Perfume Show yesterday and learned two things: 

1. Perfume is a mulit-billion dollar business that is always look to push technology while balancing the importance of nature. 




2. Don't ever bring your asthmatic friend to a perfume event. Like ever.

While I was in Baltimore....

This happened....



Michelle Obama wore a Thom Browne coat to the inauguration and shut it the F down! 

(Stride of Pride)

Choosing a designer most widely known for his menswear and the reinvention of men's suiting proportion (don't believe me, check out the Fall 2013 men's lines in Milan and Paris. It's all about the Thom Browne-esque cropped pant and fit) is a bold fashion leap. This coat says "authority, risk taker, structure and strength." LOVE LOVE LOVE 

The accessories were perfect pops of feminine contrast and I liked how the slim raspberry leather gloves shout back to Sasha and Malia's coats. Perfection, Shelly. 

However, not everything was sartorial bliss. The Spring 2013 Haute Couture shows started in Paris this weekend and THIS happened: 

Look I know this is gonna be a controversial stance since the rest of the fashion press seems to have drank the Kool-Aid or is too frightened to challenge the favorite son of LVMH's Bernard Arnault, but this is BAD

Why must Raf Simons take my beloved Dior and make it look like 90's polyester nite out looks from the Deb? 

Oh god, tonal stockings, really?????

and sheer netting right at your junk, that's what upper crust couture clients want, right? 

Raf, get it right, please! This 'New Look' is making M. Dior spin. 

He's Got Legs

Hey kids, my first piece for VIRAL Fashion is up and at 'em. A little meditation on meggings:

Enjoy!




http://viralfashion.com/viralfashion/mens-fashion/2013/01/14/hes-got-legs/



(Oh soooo sexy)

I'm Now Livin' on the EDGE

Make sure to check out my first fashion post on LGBT news network, Edge on the Net, 
where I'm now a fashion contributer:

2012 Fashion Trends to End

Click on image above of fashion crime, Kim Kardashian, or the link below. 

Enjoy! More to come. 

Original Link: http://www.edgeonthenet.com/style/fashion//140365/2012_fashion_trends_to_end

My Thoughts on Wang-ciaga

"Alexander Wang on Monday became the first designer of Asian descent to enter the highest ranks of Parisian high fashion when he was named creative director of the storied house of Balenciaga. "
                                                                                            -NY Times

Ok, first off I guess we'll ignore Kenzo,  a Parisian high fashion label founded in 1970 by a Japanese designer, Kenzo Takada, and recently rejuvenated when LVMH (who owns the line now) brought in Opening Ceremony prodigies, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, both of Asian descent to be the new creative directors. Oh Grey Lady. Fact check much?

But more importantly, how did this pairing come to be? Many industry insiders are grumbling that this a thinly veiled attempt to bring in a designer who can craft an 'It Bag' since most houses depend on handbags and shoes to make money. Balenciaga currently has none of those but behind Alexander Wang is the widely popular 'Rocco', 'Diego' bags and 'Anouk' and 'Amber' shoes featured all over street style blogs. Make no mistake PPR, which owns Balenciaga, is betting the house on proven accessory cash cow know how

           =

















Nicolas Ghesquière left Balenciaga on such a high note built on seasons of pushing silhouettes to new limits. Volume shouted with striking, architectural constructions of shape that seemed other-worldly. Funny, the same was said for Cristóbal Balenciaga when he freed women of classical silhouettes, crafting instead volumes for women to utilize like armor

(Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, Fall 2012)

In stark contrast, Wang had popularized the street urchin chic of slouch and burnout stretch jersey. How will this translate to the house the cocoon coat built?

(Alexander Wang, Spring 2012)

Finally, and it needs to be said, especially with Wang entering "the highest ranks of Parisian high fashion", there's a quality issue giant white elephant in the room. Balenciaga under Ghesquière was made in France, Italy or throughout Europe. Wang's line is made in China (or possibly US sweatshops?) Will clients be willing to ante up for inferior products rushed to increase margins?

 (Above Wang Photo Credit: Flare.com)

Let's Talk about Dior, Baby

The damsels of Dior have been out and about showcasing the new looks from Raf Simons. 

But as underwhelming as the Spring Couture and Spring 2013 collections were in my humble opinion, some stylish ladies made it look hot, while some, did not. 



The best

                     (Marion Cotillard)                     (Leelee Sobieski)                              (Marisa Tomei)




Marion Cotillard is the face of Dior and she, more than anyone else, has been rocking the catalog of couture and ready to wear. This strapless and long skirt combo is French fashion's version of casual cute. 


Marisa Tomei worked choppy stripes and ankle monitor pumps, honey.


But the best of the best, HAS to be Leelee Sobieski: ladylike, sleek lines and a devil may care nonchalance. Ohh la la, darlin! 





The Yuk

              (Emma Watson)                                (Jessica Biel)                      (Jennifer Lawrence)



Emma Watson has the excuse of being too young to remember that awful 90's pants under a dress trend. However, I assume she has a mirror? 



Side well pockets? Yes, because women want girth added to their hips. And the length of this mess is making Jessica Biel look short and stumpy. 



Wow. Jennifer Lawrence. Wow. 

Jeanne from the Block

Lanvin's logo feel a little too J-Lo to me

I know it for Jeanne Lanvin, but the type and that yellow gold just say "Love Don't Cost a Thang" tinted wireless sunglasses. Ugh.

* Credit to my co-worker for the title. Wish I could claim it. Dang. 

DON'T!

Take a storied French fashion house and send out raver bumblebee costumes.....

-sigh-

DON'T: Your First Handbag Should Not Look Like a Shelter Blanket

Sorry Rag & Bone 'Pilot' bag. Try again. 

DON'T: Let Poor Styling Ruin Your First All Menswear Collection

Remember how excited I was that Jonathan Saunders was finally crafting a whole menswear collection? 

Well, the looks are good, albeit I could really do without the douchey model styling. The hair and those awful sunglasses and poses almost take away from a strong first foray into menswear


























Ugh and those silver shoes. So a mixed bag indeed, but one with potential if Mr Saunders can get a far better stylist on board. Here's looking forward to round two.

Can You Do a Little Betta?

This not much of sale. 

Abercrombie Shirtless 'Models' Vote for Their Song of the Summer 2013

          

Everyone's gettin' on board Carly Rae Jespen's "Call Me Maybe" as the song of the Summer, but must the lip synch poorly viral video trend continue( with the exception of Hilary Rhoda, who killed it!)

Man, the Reviews for Snow White and the Huntsman...

Really are stealing the life out of it

How could this not be delicious?!




Oh yeah, that's right

As The Globe and Mail put it

"Yes, there are many splendid reasons to see Snow White and the Huntsman – enough, maybe, not to care that neither Snow White nor the Huntsman rank high among them."

Kristen Stewart Not Making Any Fans in Midtown

I'm not too thrilled about Kristen Stewart being the Snow White foil to scene stealer Wicked Queen Charlize Theron either

But I'm not going around taking my rage out on innocent bus stop ads for "Snow White & The Huntsman"

DON'T: Bal-ucci

Spotted this knock off bag with a glaring mistake

'tis an okay 'City Bag' knock off but it's best if you know your Balenciaga from your Gucci, counterfeiters.

Harper's Bazaar Wants to Party Like it's 1999

Cuz their much touted "re-design" resulted in not so fresh looking images like this subscriber only cover featuring 90's golden girl, Gwyneth (How fresh! how NOW!)

Doin' her best Toni Braxton at The Grammy's 

(Ok, it was 2001. So sue me.)

Ugh, Harper's ANOTHER missed opportunity! When will Hearst put real change into a once storied fashion publication. Diana, Polly, Carmel, Alexey, Liz, Kate.. they all made valuable contributions to make the magazine VOGUE's rightful rival.

This is no way to compete. Ugh.

Project Runway All Stars Austin vs Mondo: Miss Piggy is the Client!

Work it out!

Most of the designers were floored by the opportunity to dress such a fashionable figure in pop culture. How they composed themselves at all is beyond my fathoming....

                         (Austin)                                                                                        (Mondo)                                

Oh, that's right, they didn't! 

Blech, guys. What happened here? Both dresses are far too referential. Austin's is straight up Proenza Schouler for Target 

While Mondo's look is cribbed from Bryce Howard Dallas in "The Help" 

Damn! Down to that unfortunate helmet hair! 

Either way, both were literal and literally AWFUL! 

If I have to chose, Austin, you sneak by with this week based entirely on styling. Your model's hair and youthful energy are far more Piggy than that Betty Ford look of Mondo's

(Stealing Angela Lindvall's thunder!)

So the score is:

Austin  2

Mondo 1

Don't be too excited, Senor, that was a default point. You better step it up!

How Do You Tell Someone They Have Bad Taste?

(Ugh...)

At last nite's office holiday party, my fellow copywriters and I kiki off in a corner joined by one of our favorite customer service guys. All was well in the world until a friend of a friend mentioned being a part time music aficionado. The resident hipster in our group perked up her ears with an inquisitive "Oh"?

"Yes, my favorite musician is Jason Mraz. I've been a fan of his for so long I saw him play for $10 before anybody knew who he was"

Before we could let out the required laugh this obvious joke suggested (or I could quip he over payed) we realized he was being serious.

And we sat in awe


            


Hipster Office Co-Worker took the Pepsi challenge and threw out some other bands, hoping to move him away from his token guilty pleasure. I mean, we all get one (Hello, Selena Gomez)



When prompted, though, he threw out his other fave as, you guessed it, Dave Matthews Band.


It was over. I had to groan loudly. Ugh.


A heated band for band throwdown ensued and feeling threatened, he condescended " judging by your age..."

Well at least the 28 year old thinks my 32 year old ass looks younger. I'll take that as the wisest thing he said all eve.


We chose to end the conversation and in doing so, the nite. But I ask, how do you tell someone you don't know and is friends with someone you do know and like very much, "Dude, your taste sucks".


As we move out into the cold streets of Manhattan, Hipster Office Co-Worker goes "Damn! I hate it when boys I think are cute start talking"