Livin large

I will always love a good tee-shirt. Whether it has graphics on it or not, if it feels like I'm wearing a cloud, I'm never gonna want to take it off. So after hearing that American Apparel had these oversized lightweight shirts I stopped by to pick one up for a test drive. I already want to go back for more. I know what you're thinking: you can just go the hanes route and save money, but these are different because they are made with a silky viscose material so they hang on your body oh so nice!


second pic via chictopia

Medic Esthetic

Gwendolyn Huskens is a designer studying at the Design Academy in Eindhoven in the Netherlands. For her graduation show, she presented a set of six shoes called 'medic esthetic' which aimed to reveal the taboos associated with physical deformities. The collection of cream and skin-toned footwear for women is made from medical materials and supplies such as plaster bandages, steel, and band-aids. The result is a line of functional and oddly stylish shoes.




via designboom

Day of the dead

So what's everyone doing tonight for Halloween? Hopefully you have that figured out at this point but if you don't and you're looking for somewhere to wear your costume to, here's a few good parties going on in Williamsburg at two of my favorite watering holes. I'm planning on hitting up a house party or two but it's good to have a backup plan.

Go on, take everything, take everything I want you to

I love Halloween but being the procrastinator that I am, I never really get my costume together until the day before, if not day of. So this year I decided I'm going as Courtney Love—circa mid 90s—complete with mary janes and smeared maroon lipstick. I just picked up the perfect pink baby doll dress from my friend (thanks Ellen!) so I think I have all the elements. I have similar hair length and color so it's all a matter of getting it to look unwashed and nearly dreaded like she used to wear it. I plan on exaggerating her [then] personality, aka visibly not sober, so I hope that helps give away who I am. I'll post pics of the outcome.

The long and short of it

After discovering Kabiri, a UK-based online jewelry store, I've realized how much I appreciate a good necklace or ring. They carry hundreds of pieces from independent designers around the world using techniques and materials you don't see often (and they ship internationally). One of the many things I found was this snake gunmetal chain necklace by Tuleste. Ironically, they happen to be from NYC, which is easy to see in their unique, modern designs that are meant to be worn multiple ways. When it comes to necklaces I love them in all lengths, so this one is perfect since it can be worn multiple ways.

It's not that bad

This outfit from a Harpers Bazaar UK editorial sort of sums out how I feel like dressing this winter. I've been living in my black knit hat since the temps started dropping. I need a badass dyed black sweater like right now.


via Hand It Over

Jeremy still loves ksubi

We now know what the next Jeremy Loves Ksubi collection will look like and no surprise here—it features more bold prints paired with Ksubi's popular silhouettes. I look forward to this collaboration every year because with Jeremy's imagination paired with Ksubi's amazing denim, you can't go wrong. In addition, there will be a collection of sunnies in matching heart and floral motifs. You can't get your hands on this stuff until March but there's always some cool pieces from past seasons collections on ebay if you missed out last time.

In no particular order

Here are a few items that caught my eye today while browsing the internet...


Sequin Top forever 21


Marc Jacobs tulip skirt


WESC chili pepper jeans


Jeffrey Cambell "bank" boots

House of Harlow

Nicole Ritchie's jewelry line House Of Harlow is finally for sale. Unlike so many other celebrity jewelry/fashion/fragrance lines, this collection is actually pretty good. Inspired by vintage pieces from the 60's, she combines leather and metal for unique pieces that are classic and timeless. It just hit Kitson and with prices ranging from $12-$150 they are very easy on the wallet.





Pics via Fashion Indie

Blog Influence

Sometimes reading all these other fashion blogs is a bad influence—on my wallet that is. This morning I was scrolling through my reader and I came upon KOS's post on these Margiela-esque wedge ankle boots. The architectural form and height of the boot was spot on for what I have been looking for, and the fact that they are at Aldo, I couldn't resist picking them up too. 

At least now I can check chunky-ankle-boots off my wish list for this season. Here's Queen Michelle's pic of her wearing them—my camera broke and I shamelessly have put clothes before buying a new one.

PS: They also come in purple and gray.

Marios

Marios, a design duo based in Italy, focus their work on creating experimental forms that are not made specifically for any age or gender. I was particularly drawn to these two coats, and how they each combine traditional outerwear with new ideas.




thanks mafia-hunt!

Plastic Chandeliers

I'm stoked on this translucent tiered chain link necklace I found at H&M the other day. My love of big tacky jewelry will never die.

What you see is what you get

I enjoy hearing fashion designers speak about their work and what sort of process they have in designing their collections. Rad Hourani creates clothing that reflects what he sees in the world around him.

"I started imagining clothes the same way I started creating images: with a sense of curiosity and innocence driven by my no-background background. No school. No teachers. No telly. No boundaries. No formatting. I like the idea of a world that we could live and shape by ourselves, only by observing. Each our own. My clothes have erupted from this world of mine. They are asexual, aseasonal, they come from no place, no time, no tradition, yet they could be home anywhere, anytime. They exude a sense of discreet chic, the essence of timeless style, drawn on a monochromatic and graphical canvas. Palette of blacks, touches of pure whites and intense reds. Sophisticated modern classics for anti-conformist individuals."

It's one of those days

Terry Richardson for Christian Lacroix, S/S Campaign 08

Topshop window shopping

Wow, people literally didn't sleep for the Kate Moss Christmas collection that dropped today. It sold out in less than 15 minutes at the Oxford Street store in London—not that that's a surprise or anything. I'm just bummed that the only thing I had my eye on really, the tiger dress, is gone and with it visions of wearing it for the holidays! I took a look around though, and there are plenty of other things I found to get my fix until the Topshop store opens here in NY, if it ever will (spring 09 now they're saying?). I'm focusing my browsing/buying now mainly on tops/dresses because I feel like I have enough bottoms for the season already.

These two tops cater to my love of quirky/creepy things. This drop armhole eye-print tank is meant for me—I get more compliments on my eyes than anything else. I also saw this spider chain dress by D.I.P. which is AHmazing. It is grey silk with metal chain detailing on the shoulder in the shape of spider webs.



I was excited to see Ashish has done some pieces for Topshop. Each one is made of sequins. My favorite is this long jumper with various colored panels. It's very Ringling Bros. meets the Grammies. The deep V back makes it ten times better, and more dressy—if you didn't think sequins did that already. Of course this much sparkle comes with a pricetag.



These two tops deal with my love of contrast on garments—mixing fabric and textures tends to lead to interesting designs. Sheer/meshy fabrics have been catching my eye lately. This chiffon tee is pretty awesome because of the cotton jersey panel at the bottom that adds a lot more interest. The "chainmail" tee on the right has a similar aesthetic with the contrast materials on a basic tee shape. This one is a little longer though—I wonder if it would feel heavy?

Ebay Find: Chloe Patent Boots

I love these little patent boots. They are from the Chloe Fall 2007 show—the shoes really shined that season. Remember the red laceups? The soles actually look like they'd support you too and you could wear these with a lot of looks. They are size 37/US 7 and ending in 2 days if you see yourself wearing these babies.

Jenny Yuen

Jenny Yuen is a handbag designer based here in NYC that I've had the pleasure of meeting through my friend Susan, who art directs and designs her lookbook each season. Jenny's bags are stunning—especially in person, and reflect her love of both the arts and fashion. Her inspiration includes the glamorous vintage train-cases and suitcases of the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. While exuding sophistication, her creations also have a whimsical element seen on some of the bags' playful motifs of silk-screened hand-drawn illustrations. For the fall, Susan and Jenny came up with a beautiful lookbook that fuses part Fiona Apple's "Criminal" with the narrative style of David Lynch shot in a sun-drenched classic hotel room. They also did a video to accompany the lookbook which includes beautiful timelapse views of the NYC skyline to help set the mood.

Lost Senses, Zoo Magazine No. 20

I find this fashion story very inspiring, especially all the holes and webbing. I bought black leather gloves today from H&M. I'm considering studding them or at least wearing them with shorter sleeves like the chic below—it sort of creates a whole new look. View the full story here.

photography by Dancian

REBEL8 X VANS Holiday 08

REBEL8, the SF-based skate/graffiti/tattoo brand and brainchild of artist Mike Giant and partner Joshy D., have teamed up with Vans to create a shoe/tee pack for Holiday 2008. Each item has hand drawn graphics by Giant. Hitting stores this November, the collaboration features some of Vans best-selling skate shoes including the No Skool 2 Mid, J-Lay, Chukka Low, Sk8-Hi Pro and Slip-On Pro, as well as four t-shirts. You can get them anywhere they sell Vans this holiday season.

Fall Sale at Plum & Pear

My pal Tina just informed me that Plum & Pear is having a sale right now to celebrate their anniversary—20% off everything! They are two stores side by side that carry a lot of cool shoes and clothes from brands like Nicholas K, Rachel Comey, and Eairth. They are located in the LES at 124 Ludlow Street so if you're in the neighborhood, stop by!

You look good when you where it well

I'm sort of tired of seeing the celebrities that have gotten their elite hands on the Comme des Garcons for H&M collection early (Katie Holmes, Nicky Hilton, blah blah), mostly because they have somewhat uninspiring style so they aren't the best reps for the way this stuff can be worn. Then I saw this Erin Wasson shoot in the November 2008 issue of Nippon Vogue, and thought to myself "that's how it's done." She styled herself for the shoot, which is no surprise because this is one chic that needs no guidance in that department. Take a look at a close-up of her makeup—sort of looks like a black eye but it looks damn hot.








via the Fashion Spot