Three Reasons I'm Crushing on the Handsome Ass Dollar Shave Club Guy

                 


Ok, I'll admit "Mike" is a bit white-bread d-bag for my usual tastes, but there's something about how cocky and sardonic he is in his youtube sensation viral marketing. 



PLUS he's got these three other things going for him:




1. He's sporty - "I'm good at tennis," he says with a missed volley. But that's fine because...

2. He's history nerd lite - "Your handsome ass grandfather only had one blade. And polio." 
Ooh, archaic disease references will forever earn a place in my heart. Just ask Oregon Trail.

3. He's frugal - D'uh

Surely, I'm not alone in my shave and save lust???

Katy Perry's Met Ball 2013 Look is a Bit Busy-tine

Not sure if that pun worked, but Katy Perry sure worked that Queen Theodora drag! 

You rock that "I'll unite the Western and Eastern Roman Empire once more!" look, Katy! xo

Toronto was a Garden of Inspiration

(Holt Renfrew's glorious hanging garden. And I’m not just Babylon!)

But with bags still unpacked and a full work load, I'll have to get back to you on that. #TorontoStyle 

This Céline Drama Reminds People about Geoffrey Beene

(Photo: Fashionista)

"That said, it’s not the first time a distinctly American designer has had their ideas reworked by the house. For example; the leather trimmed canvas that was a major leitmotif of Philo’s debut at Céline was actually a signature of designer Bonnie Cashin. My question is that if Phoebe Philo clearly has an interest and respect for American design history how come no one else does?"


-Jeremy Lewis, the editor of Garmento who first spotted the similarity between a Céline coat and a 2004 Geoffre Beene coat design 


Man and Bonnie Cashin! People, American fashion wasn't always cargo shorts and stretch jersey slutwear. This, while not so sensational as every designer is influenced by archives of their own or others, is a good reminder of the brilliance of former fashion favorites. Know your history! 

*Parts of this post directly source from Fashionista. 

Original post: http://fashionista.com/2013/03/did-phoebe-philo-rip-off-geoffery-beene/

Check Out My Bomber Piece on Viral Fashion

I've been a busy bee this Winter writing for a bunch of sites on the side. Hey, I never claimed to be faithful. 


Anywho, when I wrote this bit for VIRAL Fashion about bomber jackets being the perfect transitional outerwear for right now it wasn't some blue face -2 outside. Bastard Old Man Winter all sneak attack and all. 


Well despite all that, bundle up with your boo and give my piece your full attention and then some love: 

http://viralfashion.com/viralfashion/mens-fashion/2013/01/21/the-bomber-party/

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

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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)

Hedi Does Saint Laurent Drag

First off ignore the hats. Everyone found them distracting....

But the 'monumnetal' premiere collection Hedi Slimane designed for Saint Laurent seems, well, more like a thesis on well worn YSL motifs

All the tried and true tropes (Verushcka safari jackets: Check; Betty Catroux: Check; Le Smoking: Check) were there minus some ornate Ballet Russe details and models of color (Seriously: 

M. Saint Laurent loved a model of color and with this topic still hotly debated this was a huge miss for Slimane) 

I'm not saying the collection isn't salable and that Slimane's signature aspiration slim fit wasn't present, I'm just sayin' it ain't re-inventing the wheel. 

And that was a lot of hype for an homage.  

Let the Spring 2013 Editorials Begin!

With this Dolce & Gabbana Roman centurion print silk full skirt with sheer dot blouse 

This just screams ELLE 'First Look' section come Spring 

(Yes, I've finally got back on board the Spring shows.... boy am I behind!)

Elie Saab Wants to Dress the Modern Theodoras of the World

Elie Saab's Fall 2012 couture collection was titled "In Constantinople's Wake", and with gilded styles showcasing both Greek and Eastern influences, the Byzantine feel was heavily pronounced 

Man, the history nerd in me is loving this collision of the past and fashion's future

Aquascutum Will Still Hum

Venerated but troubled British luxury line, Aquascutum may have found the answer to its money woes in Chinese investment firm YGM, which already owns a vast majority.

Now with the acquisition of the British ready to wear division, the brand will be completely in pocket

Still big in Europe, 'Aqua' will be the newest addition to YGM's growing fashion roster (they already own another fabled label, Guy Laroche) and the latest in new Asian markets investing in storied Western fashion houses.

This is a trend that has only just begun and an exciting announcement for other houses that are on the verge of irrelevance (see: since 2001 Taiwanese media mogul Shaw-Lan Wang has revitalized Lanvin with 100% support of Alber Elbaz's creative vision) or need dusting off (just this week WWD reported another French fashion fave of yesterday, Mainbocher, being spruced up for potential buyers)

Having built their fortunes (like many British labels) on water resistant men's outerwear and suiting, Aquascutum pulled a GAP and tried to make itself hip only to alienate its core clientele. Now, after three years of losses, this plan failed and Aquascutum was on the brink of bankruptcy and desperately needed this last minute rescue.




To be continued...

Gracias Por el Anuncio???

Rumor has it Cinco de Mayo is really just a clever ad man's creation to push Coronas. Could be but people also claim Hallmark invented Valentine's Day. That said what the hell does Kellogg's Crunchy Nut cereal have to do with Mexico's defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla? 

Is that how the massively outnumbered and poorly equipped Mexican militia knocked down the French army? With a touch of brown sugar? 

Or is this just blatant marketing with no knowledge? I mean, shit at least Corona is an import of Mexico!