Happy New Year!

This year marked the birth of Is Mental and it's been a year of ups and downs but I'm very optimistic for 2009. I hope all of you have a fun night wherever you are and stay out of trouble!

(The pic is from Copenhagen Cycle Chic and was taken last year there on NYE. If you like pictures of ladies on bikes, they have an awesome 2009 calender for sale.)

Here's looking at you, kid

I was looking for something when I came across this archive of vintage i-D covers. I didn't realize the magazine was as old as I am! It's cool to see all the winking faces together and some of the cover stars of the 80s and 90s. I think the only issue they really broke the convention was intentionally for the anarchy issue from July 1990 (pictured first). How adorable is the Bjork one below though? She along with Kate Moss has graced many an i-D cover.

Take me to another place

It's new year's eve in NYC and snowflakes are softly falling from the sky. Although it is a pretty sight, I can't help but dream of warmer weather already. A black jumpsuit is on my wish list for spring so I planned an outfit around that for a night out come June. Hopefully I will manage to get away somewhere cool like Berlin or at least Cali. Aren't those lace-up sandal/boot things AMAZING? They're only 600 euro, no biggie..

Anne Valerie Hash Jumpsuit at Luisaviaroma; Slow and Steady Wins the Race Sunglasses at Stand Up Comedy; Pyramid Stud Earrings at Etsy; Marsell Open Toe Lace-Up Boots at Luisaviaroma

Open arms

Regardless of financial situation, I can never keep from browsing ebay on an almost daily basis. I come across a lot of things in these searches that I realize would be a good investment piece such as my latest obsession: black vests. They are great for layering and instantly sway the attitude of an outfit one way or the other depending on the style. I was attracted to these two of complete opposite variety. The leather biker vest is a 3.1 Phillip Lim sample and what else can I say but it's perfect. If I had several benjamins to drop, I'd also consider this mongolian fur gilet (wish it was faux). I like how it's styled here with a tight bodycon dress and chains...it really does a lot to the whole silhouette of the outfit.

Fishing for knits

I've been craving some more fishnet knit tops in my life like this vintage racerback tunic at Vagabondnyc. It looks great layered since the deep arm holes leave more of the top underneath exposed.

Cosmic

I've written about New Zealand designer Jimmy D before and his aesthetic has caught my eye again, this time with his spring 09 collection of tops available at General Cucumber. They all have this sort of soft mystery about them, with subtle "outer space" undertones which I always love. My fave is this oversized organza and sequins pleat tee below that I imagine feels like a dream. The compelling graphics on the tees and tanks are also pretty epic—the eerie blocked out abstractions remind me a bit of the stuff PAM does.

Dark & Disheveled

I love how Mary-Kate always manages to look effortlessly put-together. Her style has evolved far from the hobo look so many people still associate her with, and now she pretty much always looks great rockin layers of black.


source

Party mode

Sequins are no longer just holiday or prom attire like they were in decades past (not that that needs to be pointed out for most of you)...I actually own silver sequins vans-esque slip ons that always get me plenty of MJ/moonwalking comments but they are pretty rad in my opinion. I spotted this Nicholas Morley iridescent sequin skirt at one of my fave shops, Pixie Market, and although it would be perfect for say a NYE bash, it would look equally amazing in the summer with a white tee. I am a sucker for skirts and dresses with pockets so that is major bonus points.

Lust=Margiela Triangle Bag

The triangle is an awesome shape. It inspired our logo and I wish I saw more of it in clothing. I hadn't seen this Margiela bag before but now I desperately want to hunt it down!


image via Street Peeper

Regularly scheduled programming

As you've probably noticed, we are on holiday leave but will be back real soon with more of what we do. Happy holidays to you and yours!

Opening Ceremony Sale Recap

As much as I'm in no position to be shopping, I couldn't resist stopping by the Opening Ceremony sample sale yesterday to see if there were any good deals. Overall, stuff wasn't that cheap (mostly $100 and up), because even at huge discounts, a lot of the brands they carry are just such high price points to begin with that 80% off still isn't enough for tight budgets like my own. However, if you have the patience and the cash, there are some cool pieces to be found (it ends at 7pm today). The biggest bargain by far were the boxes and boxes of Opening Ceremony jeans that were 5 for $25 so I grabbed those in 5 different washes. I had to give two away to my tiny-waisted friend because they ended up not fitting the same as the other three. I figured I could use at least one for a DIY experiment or make into cutoffs since they were so cheap. I also got this Burfitt bag with awesome colored rope detailing that was marked down to $30 from like two hundred something...not bad.

Winter Warrior

from an editorial in Italian magazine Io Donna; via Set Your Style

Tinsel Toes

It's about that time of year when we shed our usual uniforms (layers of black) to reveal something a bit more festive for the season. Whether it's for your company holiday party, your friend's cocktail party, or a NYE bash—here are a few of our favorite (dancefloor-friendly!) dresses. Hitting every price point, there is something here for every lady's budget. So what are you guys going to be wearing?

1. Tsumori Chisato Cat Dress ($235); 2. Marjan Pejoski Drape Dress ($190); 3. Forever 21 Strapless Satin Dress ($24.80); 4. Asos Harlequin Dress ($66.08); 5. WPQ Blue Sequined Tank Dress ($119); 6. Bo Van Melskens Party On Dress ($209); 7. Anzevino & Florence Memory Fabric Dress ($290); 8. RVCA Haze Tank Dress ($40); 9. Topshop Prom Dress ($100); 10. Marc by Marc Jacobs Karly Special Dress ($528).

UO Loft Sale

Hey NYC kids: Urban Outfitters is having a "loft sale" upstairs in their Soho outpost beginning saturday until Jan 4. I checked this out last year and stuff was pretty cheap. Danae got a pair of Swears for $20 and there were a lot of things in general around $10 if I remember correctly, so worth checking out for last-minute gifts or yourself.

Helmut Lang: Never Ever After

Helmut Lang has had a huge influence over the fashion world the past few decades, especially in the late nineties which marked his shining moment. Once a driving force of minimalism, he has turned his attention now to two and three dimensional art since his departure from fashion nearly four years ago. This past August he shared his first institutional solo art exhibit in Hanover, Germany's Kestnergesellschaft gallery entitled Alles Gleich Schwer in collaboration with ABSOLUT. Accompanying the exhibit is an online presentation of the work, where you can also download this high-res personalized poster up until December 31. In a matter of seconds you will have a file ready to be printed up to 24"x36" that you can take to any print lab that fulfills digital C prints. Then you can point to it on your wall and tell all your friends it's a Helmut Lang.

TV AW09

Aussie label TV released their AW09 preview, and these two (outback-inspired) looks stood out to me the most. The dress probably came about as an interpretation of reptiles in their own backyard, and I'm strangely attracted to it (if it were green, I may not feel the same). The other outfit makes me smile because I recently bought a vintage sweater very similar to this one, and I am actually waiting to get these lace-up boots that I plan on styling this way.



more looks at bored and beautiful

Merry Christmas Amanda

So, they say "It's the thought that counts," right? Well, even though I can't afford to buy Amanda christmas gifts this year, it doesn't mean that I haven't thought about what I would get her if I did have money. (I had to narrow it to the top 3 because this list could go on and on and on...)

Colorized Wayfarers (not out till next year, so maybe i'll save this gift for President's day- ha)

What is a holiday without a pair of Irregular Choice shoes?


And because she has been such a good girl...a Canon Rebel.



(Don't worry Valissa and Theresa, I didn't forget about you!)

Head Start 2009

Cameleon Agyness channeling her inner Marilyn on the cover of Vogue Korea (January 2009).

Let the games begin

I went to the Opening Ceremony sale last year and it was craaaaazy. All I can remember is a sweaty hip crowd running around in a daze, looking for people's leftovers or correct shoe size. I imagine the scene will be the same, if not worse, this weekend so don't go last minute if you want to find the good stuff! Expect to see 70-90% off goods from Proenza Schouler, Jeremy Scott, Alexander Wang, Topshop, Emma Cook, Fred Perry, Acne, Bless and tons more amazing designers.

Fly me to the moon

Ugghhh I love this McQueen moon print dress that went up on Gilt Groupe today. The moon has always intrigued me, but I guess I won't be seeing it in my closet anytime soon (it's marked way down but still out of my price range).

Betsey Johnson Sample Sale!

What better place to look for a new party dress? Betsey has you covered. Her sample sale starts tomorrow in midtown and goes through Friday. The prices look pretty fantastic: sportswear will be $35, day dresses are $50, and evening dresses are $75.

December 17-19, 10am to 8pm; Millenium Broadway Hotel, 145 W 44th St, 6th Fl (between 6th Ave & Broadway); Cash, Visa/MC/Amex accepted

It's raining ink

Between Refinery29's recent feature on fashionable head gear and Susie Bubble's many successful executions of the look, I've been on a casual hunt for a piece I can throw on my blonde head that fits my style (mainly meaning quirky and not too girly). Then I came across this shiny acrylic ink splat headpiece by Tatty Devine and thought "that's it!" Oversized accessories are my weakness, and the elastic band reassures me this thing probably won't move much if I wore it out dancing.

what would you wear...

This is what my talented friend Kenneth is wearing for his interview with Mr. Dries Van Noten himself....Good Luck handsome!

Perfect Poison

This denim jacket from Japanese shop Candy is pretty awesome. It's got a generous cut and perfect zipper detailing but the monster graphic on the back is what really caught my eye. It kind of makes me want to take some pens and see what I can come up with—just like highschool days when drawing on your clothes/backbacks made the day go by a little faster.

Luella x Linda Farrow glasses

Luella's SS08 collection had a lot of quirky elements like the batman prints and these geek-chic square frame glasses seen on a few models. They were a collaboration between Luella and Linda Farrow for the collection and now they are available online! A little bit of Thora Birch from Ghost World meets 90s festival-goer would make a great reference for the look.



thanks to Bunny for the tip

Complex Geometries

Montreal-Based label Complex Geometries is one of my new faves. Co-founder Adam explains the inspiration behind the line: "The spring collection is inspired by the culture of mobility, exploring the pragmatics and aesthetics of travel. Functionally, items are designed to be versatile, light and easy to move. Crumpled silk packs small. Coated fabrics stay clean and dry. Light construction means items can be layered, even in warm climates."

  

I travel a lot for work and Complex Geometries designs are simple enough to mix and match, and they look good wrinkled, after sitting on a plane for hours or after being crammed in my suitcase (I hate ironing!). Oh, and they have stuff for boys too! The line is currently being sold at Oak in NY and Browns focus in London. You can check out their Spring 09 collection here.

Rachel Roy Pre-Fall 2009

These are my fave looks from Roy's pre-fall collection. I LOVE that first outfit—sex appeal + edge=awesome. Roy took a realistic approach to the designs and created a seasonless collection with mix-and-match pieces, as well as jumpsuits that make getting dressed super easy.

Darkness staring you in the face

An item I'd like to add to my closet is a black leather knapsack or sling bag like these two by Banal Chic Bizarre. They both are so killer! I love my other purses so much but when I have to hop on my bike and carry a 6 pack to a party, I could really use a bag like these. Available here.


thanks Melissa at Mafia-Hunt

Weekend sale at I HEART!

One of my favorite shops in NY, I Heart, is having a huge sale this weekend. If you have extra dough to throw around, stop by for up to 85% off their past seasons and up to half off Fall 08 collections. They carry brands like Sonia Rykiel, Sophomore, Sunshine & Shadow, Ksubi, PAM, Karen Walker, and more. There will be a $30 rack too!

I Heart, 262 Mott St, NYC, NY 10012

Goodbye Bettie Page

She was and always will be a legend for pioneering our modern views about sex. Bettie's saucy photos shot between 1949-1957 helped pave the way for the sexual revolution of the 60s. Later in life, Page refused to be photographed, saying she wanted people to remember her as the way she looked during her "golden times." Her signature style inspired women everywhere to copy her iconic image, with modern-day Betties inspiring a subculture of their own. She died yesterday at the age of 85 in an LA hospital, and will never be forgotten. 

Protect Ya Neck

I just couldn't resist the opportunity for a Wu reference. This chunky knit muffler by Ute Ploier is pretty amazing and would certainly lessen the teeth chattering for those of us in colder climates. It is available at Daily Projects in Seoul along with some other unique head-warming accessories.

We Are Experienced

Tonight, two of New York’s foremost female artists, photographer Danielle Levitt and fashion designer Claw Money, will be presenting a selection of Levitt’s work from her new release, We Are Experienced at The powerHouse Arena in Dumbo.

RSVP: rsvp@powerhousearena.com

Hellz Bellz: Born Bad Collection

Hellz got the inspiration for their holiday 08 collection, entitled Born Bad, by the infamous Vaudeville actress Mae West. With her tough-girl attitude and untouchable confidence, Mae was and is an icon for generations to come. The fact that her influence has come so far as the present day, manifesting itself in an NYC streetwear brand, kinda makes me smile. I have been watching Hellz evolve over the past couple of seasons, and I finally got some pieces at their sample sale over the summer. I am loving their outerwear this season, and look forward to seeing their growing exploration into more unique cuts and silhouettes.

Calvin Klein Pre-Fall 2009

I was impressed by the sheer simplicity and tailoring of Francisco Costa's designs for Calvin's pre-fall collection. As cliché as it sounds, it seems to speak to the desire to keep things practical in the current gloomy economic state, with the emerald lurex dress shining among the black sea to remind us that the grass is greener wherever that other side may be. Most importantly, this is a collection that can walk right off the runway and onto the street, with little more effort required than sliding on a pair of shoes (those zippered boots in the middle if I had it my way.)

With my feet in the air and my head on the ground

Ebay is good for a lot of things, especially if you are among the other-worldly-shoe-loving types. I've been taking more and more of a liking to sequins (in moderation of course) with it's comeback of late, so naturally I fell in love with these handmade glam sneakers. Yup, they're handmade, and there's only one pair...and it's not in my size....sigh.


thanks tfvtidc

are you worthy?

Check out the goods here.

Hood Thong

Just when you think you've seen every form of fashion invention, along comes the Hood Thong. Created by Jeannine Han & Umlaut Brikauski, it is available for preorder now and described as "one of the most progressive, functional, temperature-controlled pieces of fashion around." Progressive, yes, and certainly functional— I guess in the way that shampoo/conditioners-in-one are. But I have a feeling that people buying this sort of thing would be doing it more for the layering potential, and less because they could really use a head covering that is attached to an undergarment. So close your eyes, and imagine it over a Uniqlo heat tech long-sleeve top and some skinnies—now is that better?

D.I.P. for Topshop

London brand D.I.P. has launched their line exclusively at Topshop. Mixing the always compatible rock with goth, they combined a soft feel(satins and jersey) with an edgy look, like this spider chain dress I wrote about in October. All pieces are handworked so no two items are identical. And considering some of the other brands pulling off this downtown look(ahem, Mr.Wang), these pieces are much more affordable.