What the Google? Saul Bass

Oh boy Google has a real treat for us today with the Google logo re-interpreted through multiple famous Saul Bass movie openings in honor of Mr Bass' 93rd birthday 



             



Well known for mid-century movie openings that with their graphic visuals and jazzy tunage quite often competed or eclipsed that actual feature presentation, Saul Bass was a visionary and still inspires graphic designers and style hounds today.  



I've written about one of my favorite Bass' montages before with the black cat slinking through an alley for the Capucine / Jane Fonda / Barbara Stanwyck whorehouse vehicle, "Walk on the Wild Side" 



 


Obviously Bass did many, many other brilliant openers and definitely give the Google logo a play today. It'll make you smile how many you can guess! 

Fashion Inspiration Strikes Anywhere

Today's Look:  Keeping Warm in my Shell

Inspiration: My turtle 

Proof that fashion inspiration can strike anytime, any place! 

“See now it’s almost impossible to have any style at all without the right dogs, I think”

-ISAAC MIZRAHI,
(Watchin “Unzipped” for the Umpteenth time, preparing for Polly Mellen speaking with Fern Mallis at 92Y tonite)

Paul Mitchell Pulls Out of China

Paul Mitchell is the next in huge beauty names that rather than amend their anti-animal testing policies for mandatory Chinese testing, have forgone that market altogether

PETA recently awarded animal lover Paul Mitchell with Courage in Commerce Award for pulling out of China to prevent cruel animal tests that are currently mandatory by law. 

Meanwhile PETA "funded a group of scientists to travel to China and offer their advice on replacing animal experiments with superior non-animal methods, the country is poised to approve its first non-animal cosmetics test"

Kudos to Paul Mitchell for making the money talk and to PETA for keeping the focus on archaic policies and the forward and modern solutions. 

Veruca Salt Predicted Cat Viral Video Supremacy

Long before there was Buzzfeed and Youtube to while away the long work hours, there was Buzz Bin band Veruca Salt


                            



And that opening with those two feisty kitties

 

Thanks for the AD: Zombie Squirrels on the F Train

Smart move City Parks Foundation. Thanks to whoever thought up this clever campaign, I am now thinking of strolling hand in hand with a squirrel in my neighboring park.

I just hope he not zombie!

Urban Decay Refuses to Dig China

(PHEW!)

Urban Decay cause some uproar recently when it announced it was heading into the uber-lucrative Chinese markets.

Now no one wants to deny any country the opportunity to glitter they lids, but with China's mandatory animal testing policy, Urban Decay was turning its back on one of its key foundations

Yes that's right, it is LAW in China that cosmetics MUST be tested on animals. Disgusting. 


Of course, animal testing has been proven 100% unnecessary and a cruel excuse to label a product "safe" despite the discrepancy between animal and human chemical reactions and the vast alternatives. 


China meanwhile makes it mandatory and if you want in on the cash cow you gotta test. Companies with long standing anti-cruelty policies quickly turn 180 under the profit lust. Shame. 


But Urban Decay has held its guns releasing this official statement 

After careful consideration of many issues, we have decided not to start selling Urban Decay products in China. While several factors were important in reaching this decision, ultimately we did not feel we could comply with current regulations in China and remain true to our core principles. We know there are many progressive consumers in China who would embrace an opportunity to purchase non-animal tested products—our hope remains that we have the chance to offer Urban Decay products to these consumers someday in the future.

The vegans, compassionate and the scores of animals spared thank you, Urban Decay. Hopefully many more companies will see the beauty in humanity and will pressure China to rethink their callous law.

Urban Decay's full declaration here: http://www.urbandecay.com/Animal-Testing-Policy/animal-testing-policy,default,pg.html

Lord & Taylor Wants You to Pick Up More than Slingbacks This Weekend

Lord & Taylors nationwide are hosting a 'Perfect Pair' event this Saturday. Slip into some mules and let a little four legged number slip into your heart.


Not only will there be dogs up for adoption from no kill animal sheltersduring the event, but L+T is promoting the cause with a fund raiser for Best Friends Animal Society on their blog, HERE

Best Friends Animal Society is a nationwide non-profit organization focused on building no-kill programs and partnerships. 


***My only thought, however, is remember animals are not accessories and this is a true commitment unlike last season's sandals. ***

Banana Republic and Trina Turk Have Gone to the Dogs

And since all the dogs in this promo video for Trina Turk's colab with Banana Republic are from the ASPCA, what's not to love. These cuties are just some of the great four leggeds available to adopt at your local ASPCA or shelter now.

Perhaps colorful silk garments might not make the best bedding though. Just saying.

Non-Animal Testing Still Signature at LUSH

British cosmetics brand LUSH, which bases its brand on homemade, vegetarian products, is putting the pressure on world governments and other makeup and skincare companies that still rely on archaic animal testing. Signatures collected online and in stores will go towards The Humane Society International's 'Global Pledge to be Cruelty Free'.

Further LUSH is encouraging customers and the compassionate alike to communicate with companies that still rely on the unfounded and outdated testing on animals.


Here's a great chance to not only look (and smell!) good on the outside, but stand up for the animals trapped inside laboratories for unnecessary testing

To sign the petition directly:

 https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5499


Lush's site: http://www.lushusa.com/

Roberto Cavalli Really Loves Animals

And not just leopard print!


Just take in this Twitter of a sweet peck between Cavalli and a monkey on the set of....

Umm, seriously, what kinda shoot got monkeys and Franciscan statutes?

Lucifer Misses Me

And now spends his days glancing forlorn out the window while contemplating a use for The Village Voice. 

L'Oreal Committing $1.2 Million to Non-Animal Testing Research

Because it's worth it! 

"Using state-of-the art methods, we hope to show that products can be proven safe for the consumer without the use of animals." 

Worldwide cosmetic giant, L'Oreal, in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has backed new chemical, non-animal based research tests that would scan all the components of a product before hand to rate their toxicology

(Image courtesy of L'Oreal France)

ToxCast is an animal testing alternative that might be the answer to remove unnecessary and ineffective research on bunnies, monkeys and such.

EPA official, David Dix, claims "ToxCast is able to rapidly screen thousands of chemicals in hundreds of tests and provide results that are relevant to various types of toxicity."


Beyond frontin' the cash, L'Oreal also is contributing data and samples of chemicals already used in their products. 


This would be a huge break for animals and consumers alike since with the "high costs and length of time it takes for animal testing, not all the chemicals in use have been thoroughly evaluated for potential toxicity." 

Let's Go for a Walk

This past week Mr G and I watched Miss GL's glorious pup, Gia. She was a real treat and easy to care for, yet, every morning when I took her out for a walk the dilemma arose of what does one wear to escort the dog out for a squat?


Kenzo's Fall 2012 Paris runway came a'answering

This Coat

Those loose waffle knit details, that floppy collar (presumably zip up, if particularly nippy out). I want this coat in my life.  

                             

<---- Grape Print Pants 






Fine vines. Printed pants continue to trot out and into my dream wardrobe.

Lion sweater --->






Ferocious! This sweater makes it clear: "No, you may not
pet my dog" 

Next weekend I'm watching Gia again. That gives me ten days to find some thrift Kenzo. 

Give Your Four Legged Friend Some Love

No matter what your relationship status, there's probably a real cool cat that has your heart this Valentine's Day. Why not return the love with these homemade catnip treats (or "Cat Nipchers" as they're coyly named!)

Made from "all good things: flour, dry milk, catnip, milk, raw honey and an egg", these little feline favors are "then shaped into a ball and rolled out thin and cut" into a heart

When not showering your whiskered wuv-muffin, store these charming little guys in the fridge, or dole out with abandon to all your friends and their furry friends.


Best part? For $6 you get two baker's dozen homemade "Cat Nipchers" in a sweet gift bag. Deal-icious!

(Homemade 'Cat Nipchers, $6 for 26 at Nanny Goat Crafts, http://www.etsy.com/listing/92476917/cat-nipchers)

And if you've got a real dog in your life, don't worry, you can throw him a bone!

(Homemade bone shaped peanut butter and oatmeal treats, $9 for 26 at Nanny Goat Crafts, http://www.etsy.com/listing/87243082/dog-treats)

Don't I Look Cute Today: A Braid and a Boxer

And now for a little self love.

I don't do these "Don't I look Cute Today" posts much anymore as narcissism has replaced journalism in the world of fashion blogging, but I did notice a rather cute thing happening at my shoulders

A little cute vintage Esprit braided shoulder and mother's boxer broach thing to be precise

I don't know if you can make it out here, but his eye is a red stone that catches the light. For that built-in whimsical Cujo effect. 

Up On the Housetop

"Goats on roofs, families of roaming monkey, and watercolor paintings by Henry Miller..."

-Libertine designer, Johnson Hartig's Fall 2012 fashion inspirations, via Women's Wear Daily

Penelope Cruz has Animal Passion

And I'm not just talking about lingering glances stolen through side swept bangs

Cruz joins the likes of Christy Turlington, Mark Ronson, Taraji P. Henson and more animal loving celebs who've fronted PETA's anti-fur campaign.


This closeup black and white style is particularly striking and combined with the hair and makeup give a radiant, Avedon-esque feel. And me gusta mucho!

Thanks for the Ad: Black Cats Come Alive for Jason Wu for Target

There's something so whimsically French storybook about the Jason Wu for Target commercial starring a black cat with a penchant for well designed mischief and Francoise Hardy

Is it April in Paris yet? 

             

                    

Russian VOGUE Made my Apartment a Fashion Spread!

Yeah, living with redheads and black cats is not as glamorous as it seems, let me tell you!