fashion

Last night my friend and old studio mate, Rebecca Turbow, had her Fall 09 presentation. It was her biggest collection to date and the event was a total success, building on the momentum from last season’s Bowery Electric showing.

Usually I’m in the thick of all the preparations, the fittings, the drama; but now that I’ve moved out of our hectic studio, I got to experience everything like the rest of the audience. It was so nice to see her collection as a total surprise.

She’s showed a lot of party dresses in rich fabrics, grey and black (yessss!) blouses, wool coats and swingy capes, well-tailored slacks, menswear, and some interesting jewelry and distinctive hair accessories. Super wearable, very cute, I will own a few most definitely.

It all took place at the Moeller Snow gallery, on Bond street. Totally packed full of friends and really cute kids. Unfortunately my camera’s battery died, so I only have documentation by other people.

I like how the fan necklace looks against this grey silk blouse.

That is some epic chain headgear ala Yokoo. Although, I’m certain Rebecca has no clue who she is.

The boys got sorta lost in the corner over there.

Oh, look who it is. That’s also Andrew. He is thinking, “HALP don’t do this to me”

Dude. It was Packed the entire time! I am so proud.

More photos here. The first two are by Rachel

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I own a lot of sixties teen and fashion magazines, but until tonight I never knew any model names beyond the obvious: Twiggy, Peggy Moffitt, Jean Shrimpton, Penelope Tree. I just stumbled upon Mini Mad Mod 60’s: an online archive filled with images of some of my favorite mystery muses. Several girls, like Lucy Angle or Jean White, I had clipped out and framed over the years.

Jean White, with her big eyes, Shirley Temple ringlets, and a Betty Boop styled expression is often styled in Great Gatsby themed outfits; perfect for the sixties-twenties moment that happened around ‘68 or ‘70.

Then there’s Lucy Angle who rocks one of the cutest bowl cuts I’ve seen. I used to bring her photo to hairdressers back when I attempted one. She appeared on some of my favorite Seventeen covers. For some reason she reminds me of Mia Farrow. No surprise, loooovvvveeeee her.

oh, and by the way, there are some epic sixties fashion images on this live journal entry: ana-lee

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Here are two of my t-shirt designs for the next Blood is the New Black collection. All are black and white, and except this “lil sneak” graphic tee, they’re graphic in… other ways. Lots of x-rated loving going on courtesy of seventies porno stills reworked and redrawn.

Of course, if we don’t get orders, they’ll never be produced. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be taking photos of them on actual tees.

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My most worn items in my wardrobe are, unsurprisingly, black. If it’s an “I really shouldn’t…” moment, and it’s black, there’s my excuse. Last year my favorite purchase was Gryson’s “Hannah” bag in black leather with brass hardware. I found it for half off and with free shipping. Oh yeah, I’m sneaky.

Suffice to say, I don’t need another bag. But browsing through some online shops I was struck by several really tempting numbers (on sale I might add) by Martine Sitbon, Mayle, Sissi Rossi, Linea Pelle, and Jerome Dreyfuss (in that order). Someone else buy them and save me from myself!

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This is a drawing of Gala Gonzalez.
I love her whole attitude. And particularly her leather jacket and Mulberry bag.
The original photograph can be found on her blog Inside Am-Lul’s Closet.

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Maria, from Copenhagen Street Style.

I love how she rolled her long knit sweater’s cuffs over her trench’s sleeves. In the photograph, her monochrome outfit has great texture and the folds of the fabric fall beautifully. It’s been several years but I am still a huge fan of pixie, lace-up, and granny boots. Unfortunately, accurately rendering hers would have killed all the detail in the laces.

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In recent weeks I’ve been way into attempting arts and crafts projects that were the staple of nine years of Girl Scout camp or bored suburban afternoons circa high school. Except tweaked for someone now much older.

Covering a cashmere scarf, a black leather purse, and a coat entirely in pyramid studs. Dying lace blouses to look antique with herbal tea. Buying embroidery floss for six friends to make friendship bracelets while watching two back to back episodes of The City. It’s like a meeting of the BSC over here. Next up, lanyards? Maybe I’ll make a zine? Hand tooled leather belts stamped with initals and weird teepee symbols? Perhaps take up… scrapbooking!?? Who knows, but I’m having so much fun.

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I’ve done a bit of Ebay sleuthing and came up with some rings to watch. I’m feeling black cameos, poison rings (in particular this odd King Tut number), high school and signet rings from the 20s, and anything in rose gold.

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I think I’ve decided I’m not really into Alexander Wang.

Today I braved the rain and made my way to Tribecca for his sample sale. The elevator doors opened onto the 3rd floor and there was Wang, casually talking to some cute brunette and avoiding the fray three floors above. His epic showroom, with fancy Chesterfield couch, looked just as the Selby showcased.

Despite the sale opening to the public at 3, I showed up at noon. Racked mentioned that the press preview started at 10 and they weren’t checking ids. So, I get there and it’s pleasantly pretty mellow. It’s picked over a bit from all the hungry fashion editors two hours earlier, but I found a lot of things in my size (4) and that I had seen online and always wanted to try on. Girls were going bananas for the distressed shorts but I realized, that’s not really me, sorry. Actually, nothing really did it for me.

The cuts were anti-boob, the tent dresses made me look like a secret fatty, the silk tanks had cheap looking hems. Maybe it was the prices, which while 50-75% off, were still too much. The vest dress was 325, a drop-waist wool skirt was 180, a black cocktail dress 220, tanks 80. The skirt I really liked actually, but the credit card minimum was 200. I’m not going to unload 325 on a dress I’m lukewarm about, so I left empty handed and assume the annoying orange Long Island girls next to me snatched my finds.

Here are some things I tried on and passed. Surprisingly, none of the skirts I can find online. Maybe they were for next season.

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I discovered the fashion label Bensoni this summer in Seattle during my Sneaker Tour. At some cute boutique I ended up purchasing an antique white henley, remixed in silk, with small gold-trimmed black buttons running down the front. The blouse has since become one of my favorite purchases. It goes with everything, the cut is great, and I love wearing it because it feels like diamonds.

When I returned to New York, I couldn’t find anything else by the two ex-Parsons fashion students except on La Garçonne. Until now. There is some bananas online sample sale on The Savvy going on until tonight. The site is some sort of site like Gilt Group and a lot of the clothing is roughly 80% off. Sweetttttt.

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After a trek to Red Hook’s Fairway for Thanksgiving Day supplies, James drove me to Bird in Park Slope. A pair of Loeffler Randall lace-up boots were niceee. And very expensive. So expensive the sales girl said she hadn’t risked trying them on. I tried them on anyway. I never know when something will appear on Ebay and if the fit is ok. Then I stumbled upon these dead ringers for the “Matilde” made by BCBG Girls. Adventures in Copyright? Sure. I don’t buy 700 dollar boots.

Loeffler Randall Matilde

BCBG at Zappos

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Tomorrow, bright and early, I am hitting up some sample sales. I really shouldn’t. I don’t want anything (ok ok aside from rainboots, a gray wool coat, a tiny floral skirt, and a Woolrich Woolen Mills coat for the boyfriend).

Past sales have resulted in many crazy pieces and the majority of non-vintage items in my wardrobe. An Alexander Herchovitch black and white seedbeaded jacket that is so heavy it’s the punchline of key practical jokes, several Vena Cava and Lyell silk blouses and jackets, pairs of Sigerson Morrison heels, Alice Roi bouses, and most everything I have by Built By Wendy.

So, I will, like an idiot, brave the cold and hit up the Steven Alan Sample sale bright and early. And then maybe these:

SALES
Jill Stuart : 60% off the Entire Fall 08 Collection Thursday and Friday. 100 Greene St 11-8
Steven Alan: 30-75% off. Thursday through Sunday. 87 Franklin Street. 8:30-8 Read the rest of this entry »

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Rainboot and umbrella shopping has officially begun.

I’ve amassed several cheapie bodega umbrellas, but I want something durable and (most importantly!) cute. I’ve been trying to find a duck-handle umbrella in New York for years.

I may pony up the insane shipping and order one from Lederer de Paris.
Otherwise, one of these babies might do the trick.

Read the rest of this entry »

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I am on the hunt for a pair of rubber boots for the upcoming gross season. I’m torn between trying to find a pair of simple black boots from Target or J Crew to replace my stolen Hunter boots, or getting a pair of clunky classic Duck Boots from LLBean

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I bring you newly minted model Rachel Ballinger. First brought to my attention last year when I stumbled into her Bushwick house party and she was rocking the most insanely bright pink lipstick that nobody else could pull off.

She’s the girl in the new Opening Ceremony and Rebecca Turbow look books. And she looks so good. There are tons of party pix featuring her on Kathy Lo’s website (think the Cobrasnake but all NY kids). Here are some I like best.

From the house party in question. Via Kathy Lo

I would like this jacket please. And not the pleather version at Urbn.

from Rebecca Turbow’s look book for spring. i die.

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I want a pair of brown vintage loafers or oxfords for fall. Penny loafers. Shoes with tassels. Fringe. Something that maybe Maggie Smith would have worn in The Prime of Jean Brodie. Even saddle shoes have been looking rather appealing after seeing all these photos of Tennessee Thomas traipsing about with Mark Ronson.

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All last year I was decked out in one of Rebecca’s samples. A black wool swing coat that garnered compliments whenever I wore it. I think it’s time to be retired and move on to this gray number. It originally was to have a patterned lining that is visible if you roll the cuffs and button them. But due to retarded factory mishaps, it’ll now be a nice white cotton. Lucky for me, I like white better. It makes it seem crisp and cleeeeeean.

via Safe Clothes

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Here’s a sneak peak of some of Rebecca Tubow’s Spring 09 collection. No more turquoise, this collection is all pale yellow and shades of gray. Sasha and Jennifer were shot by Tom Hines at Alex Keith’s mom’s apartment on the Upper East Side. Fancy times.

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I’m pulling reference for my new apartment from “The Boy Friend” and “The Great Gatsby.” Twiggy and Mia Farrow star in each, but the films are more noteworthy for their deco costume and set design. They occupy that point in the late sixties and early seventies where fashion (drop waisted dresses, Biba, et al) was channeling the jazz age decadence.

I think Lyell’s last collection may be responsible for my current obsession which now includes intricate lace, white wainscoting, chesterfield couches, pale pink silks, and mirrored furniture.

photos of the boyfriend originally from borisday on flickr

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Watched William Klein’s “Who Are You, Polly Magoo” last night. There are plenty of scenes with interesting shots, memorable fashion moments inspired by Paco Rabane, and lots of cute girls in mini dresses. But all and all the film is a bit of a bore.


Some scenes, in particular the one involving “chimney sweeps,” plenty of ripped newspaper, and a mussed up Diana Vreeland inspired character, reminded me of the finale of Chytilova’s “Daisies.” And the whole premise and I suppose point of the film (a satricial and negative view of the “empty” fashion industry) reminded me of Chytilova’s first film about the modeling world entitled “Ceiling.”

Polly, our Brooklyn-born French expat channeling Twiggy, is cute, yes. But it’s hard to sit still for anything this long with all the bad dialog and boring subplots even with Peggy Moffit cameos and epic eyeliner. BUT! I’m posting some stills nonetheless.

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