Small stature, Big style- New York Look Book

Tiqon “T.J.” Lediard Jr., First-Grader

“I’d like to wear purple-and-silver gym clothes all day.”

(Photo: Spencer Heyfron)

By Emma Rosenblum

Hi, T.J. Thanks for talking to me on the phone. How are you?
Good.

That was a nice uniform you had on today. Do you like wearing it?
No, I like gym clothes. I like purple and silver. I’d like to wear purple-and-silver gym clothes all day.

What games do you play in gym class?
You mean gym sports? I like playing volleyball. I’m good. And I’m a good snowboarder already. I can snowboard all the way down when I’m older.

How much older?
When I’m 13. But I’m not 13, I’m still 6! I’m going to get older soon, I think.

What other sports do you like?
We played relay race, and I won. I’m fast; I can catch them. I’m the fastest in my class. I’m super-fast. I’m super-super-super-fast.

Do you like watching TV?
I don’t like the Cartoon Network. I like to watch Noggin. You can see shows like Blue’s Clues or Franklin—everything!

Why don’t you like the Cartoon Network?
Umm … Bye!
[Dial tone]

The Man Skirt Returns

Marc Jacobs reps the Man Skirt in Paris
from Styleclicker

See the original post here

Net-a-porter does New York

Some lovely stylish ladies from Net-a-Porter, came to town for the shows and the New York fashion crowd took notice:






Holli Rogers and Natalie Massenet from Net-a-Porter
photographed by Scott Schuman for The Sartorialist

The Look from Paris: The Future is Now

From altamiranyc

From styleclicker

Stil in Berlin hunting for great street fashion

StilinBerlin on DW Clipmania from Mary Scherpe on Vimeo.

Wild & Wonderful in London

Pleather, helmets, harem pants and sculptural headresses? Must be fashion week in London. After many left the shows in New York disappointed with more of the same, frowns were turned upside down by the weird, wacky, but all together wonderful that London's fashion elite had to offer, but despite the abundance of the avant-garde, for every plastic dress, there was a beautiful gem, like the lovely Giles Deacon dress below.

Here's a quick wild ride through the good, the bad and the ugly that went down the runways in London:


Giles Deacon




PPQ






Rokskanda Ilincic




Todd Lynn



All photos from nymag.com

New York: Fashion is Dead

Photo: Kurt Wilberding for Wall Street Journal

Those were the words being uttered, both on the streets and in the tents, following what many are saying was a particularly lackluster New York Fashion Week.
"The shows didn't really live up to my expectations," according to Julie Gilhart, senior vice president and fashion director of Barneys New York quoted in Women's Wear Daily. Many fashion-forward retailers expressed their disappointment with the very commercial collections, which did not offer much variety.
"There were some great ones, but for the most part, I think it was hard for designers to put their finger on exactly what we need and what inspires us during this period of change." Jim Wetzerl and Lance Lawson, owners of two Jake boutiques on Chicago were also quoted in Women's Wear Daily as saying, "We did feel collections looked a bit the same across the board and felt some designs seemed more phoned-in than inspired."

Amid a sea of soft pastel dresses, there were a few bright spots to be found:

Alexander Wang (video)

Although still relatively new on the New York fashion scene, Alexander Wang managed to incorporate a pastel pallette into his collection without losing the edge of his signature downtown look.


Photos from nymag.com


Michael Kors (video)

The king of classic chic offered up a collection full of rich colors and fabrics. Kors played with traditional 50's silhouettes, creating sleek modern looks that stood out amongst many of the other veteran collections.



Photos from nymag.com


Yigal Azrouel (video)

Yigal Azrouel continues to evolve and his Spring 2009 collection was a display of both his maturity and innovation as a designer. Yigal's woman is a strong, confident risk-taker and this collection was full of options to outfit a stylish woman for any occasion.


Photos from nymag.com


Of course the uncertainty of both the financial and political futures of the US are being cited as reasons for the reservedness exhibited by designers, but buyers continue to clamor for unique pieces to keep shoppers interested. Hopefully, in six months when a new president has taken office, that security will yield a better showing in the tents for Fall 2009, or is it as Hiroto Sugawara says: are people in New York afraid of experimenting with fashion?


See also: Fashion Weak: Is This the Most Boring Fashion Week Since 9/11? (Gawker)
New York Fashion Week: Playing It Safe (The Business of Fashion)

New York Magazine: Lookbook

Going tribal: bold colors, graphic prints

Courtesy of Styleclicker


Courtesy of Hel Looks

Courtesy of Hel Looks

And she wore Thakoon...

Courtesy of Getty Images

"An Obama Fashion Bump" by Susan Saulny

Appeared in the New York Times August 13, 2008

Photo by Sally Ryan for The New York Times

Of course there are people dreaming about the presidential inaugural ball in January, two couples in particular. But one dreamer is not a usual suspect.
“I definitely see a light color and something kind of fitted in the torso and fuller in the skirt,” said Maria Pinto, a longtime designer and Chicago native, her thoughts turning to the dress Michelle Obama, a longtime friend and client, might wear if her husband is victorious in November. “I bet every American designer has fantasies of what she’d look like.”
Some more than others. Though she is not Mrs. Obama’s exclusive dressmaker, Ms. Pinto, a designer known for luxuriant evening wear, is a favorite of Mrs. Obama, who wore buzzed-about Pinto creations when her husband announced his candidacy and on the night of the notorious fist-bump before his speech claiming the Democratic nomination, among other occasions.
As Mrs. Obama’s fashion presence has risen, so has that of Ms. Pinto, a former Geoffrey Beene assistant. After 16 years in the business, she opened her first boutique Tuesday night in the arty West Loop, near downtown Chicago. Was the timing fortuitous?
Ms. Pinto said the shop was in the works for at least a year. “We’re not Balenciaga, we’re not Gucci,” she said, “so it’s great that there are women that are free thinkers that come to us and help us establish the brand.”
Ms. Pinto, 51, fluttered about in a white strapless cocktail dress from her label adorned with sequins and ostrich feathers. Her guests — art patrons, models and business executives — numbered in the hundreds. (A high-collared alpaca coat for $2,300 garnered much attention.)
But the woman responsible for the recent fanfare was absent, as Mrs. Obama was with her family in Hawaii. “She loves what I do, and I’m lucky for that,” said Ms. Pinto, whose pieces up to now have been sold nationally in department stores like Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue.
She met Mrs. Obama a few years ago through a friend. “Michelle came in just like everyone else and said: ‘I need a few dresses. I need a suit for work,’ ” Ms. Pinto said.
While she does point out things Mrs. Obama might like, Ms. Pinto said she has never dressed her for events. Of the purple dress worn the night Mr. Obama claimed the nomination, Ms. Pinto said it was not planned. “Michelle is not scheming like her wardrobe should make certain points.”

A Truly Stylish Cat- Andre Benjamin in Florence

Photo from The Sartorialist

Style & the City

Just more proof that great style is in the water in Paris, or perhaps, just an integral part of French DNA, the blog Style and the City is an insider's look at street fashion in Paris. The best thing about this blog are the photos that capture not only the stylishness of its subjects, but their personalities as well, in a very beautiful and honest way. You won't any find any austere glances or frou-frou pouts here- absolutement pas! Just some wonderful reminders that fashion is just as much about having fun, as it is about looking chic.

All photos courtesy of Style and the City

The Man Skirt is Here

Originally posted on Nymag.com

Man skirts for Spring 2009, from left, John Galliano, Comme des Garçons, and Etro

Photo: imaxtree Originally posted on Nymag.com

How do you know men's lib is in full swing? When men start wearing skirts. On the street. In everyday life. The Sartorialist, Scott Schuman, snapped two men wearing skirts on the streets of Europe, and it caught us off guard — it's not like these guys were heading to a Scottish wedding in ritual dress. No, they evidently woke up that morning and decided that instead of putting their pants on one leg at a time, they'd slip a skirt over both legs. We thought we weren't ready for mirdles, but this is a whole new level.

Photo courtesy of The Sartorialist

We admit, we find the looks Schumann shot stylish. But we can't get past the fact that they're men wearing skirts, and something about that trend catching on just doesn't look or feel right. Don't get us wrong — we're all for equality of the sexes, and if Yves Saint Laurent can put women in pantsuits, there's no reason other designers can't put men in skirts. We expect to see them on the men's runways from time to time. And we find it delightful when we do, but in a non-serious way. But now that it may be getting serious, we're a bit unsettled. We don't know if America is ready for her men to be traipsing around the streets in skirts. And if they're just barely catching on in Europe now, how long before they're popular here? Five to ten years?

Commenters on the Sartorialist are smitten by these men in their skirts. One writes, "I'd do it myself (in ten years maybe)." Another writes, "There was a great Met Costume Institute show of men in skirts a few years ago — it took about 5 seconds inside to realize that the West has missed an opportunity for beautiful tailoring and sexy knees." And yet another writes, "I love both looks — I was struck by the usage of the belt on the guy with the tie — these looks are hot." Hot? As in, Damn, that outfit compels me to get that guy's number? Hm. Dunno. But that's not to say that in several years we won't find a hot man in a hot skirt to be the sexiest thing since Brangelina. For now, though, so long as they're off the runway, we can't help but prefer to see guys with that extra bit of fabric between their thighs. But maybe we're just behind. So we'll ask you: How do you feel about men in skirts? Is the world ready for it? Or do you think it will take another decade or so for the planet to prepare?

Sarong or So wrong?

Photo courtesy of The Sartorialist

Will genderless dressing be the next trend after seasonless dressing? I think this guy actually does a good job of pulling off this look while keeping his masculinity intact.

In case you missed it....

There has been much ado about the latest issue of Vogue Italia which features top black models from around the world on the cover and throughout each editorial in the magazine. It has been specualted that the driving force behind the "Black Book" issue is part of the "Obama Effect" and that the use of black models in editorials and runway shows is as much of a passing trend as gladiator sandals and maxi dresses. Could the sudden interest in black models have any relation to the recent gala thrown by major fashion players like Zac Posen and Iman for Michelle Obama in New York? Whatever the impetus behind it, Vogue Italia has made a bold statement by being the first major fashion publication to focus solely on black models and acknowledge the "blackout" of models of color from major fashion publications and fashion week runways.

In New York City, it is next to impossible to find one of the much sought after magazines, especially since it has been reported that less than forty were delivered to a handful of stores in Manhattan. If you weren't one of the lucky few that were able to grab a copy at your favorite newsstand, read the New York Times article Conspicuous by Their Presence, which discusses this historic issue and the future of minority models in the world of fashion. The article also features some of the brilliant photos by Stephen Meisel and other notable photographers from the magazine. The pictures, which showcase the beauty of Naomi, Liya, Tyra, and others, serve as reminder that a beauty is not defined by color. Brava Vogue Italia!

Fashion Celebrates Michelle Obama from WWD June 19, 2008

For her first official meet-and-greet with New York's fashion industry, Michelle Obama adhered to the cardinal rule of style — she wore all black.
At a fund-raiser in her honor Tuesday night, Obama chose to wear a black ensemble by Isabel Toledo, accented with a striking costume necklace by Tom Binns. The potential first lady arrived promptly to the reception at the Sikkema Jenkins & Co. gallery in Chelsea, minutes after hosts André
Leon Talley, Anna Wintour and Shelby Bryan. (The other co-host, Calvin Klein, who opened his Perry Street home for a private dinner afterward, arrived later on the arm of his daughter, Marci.) Once inside Talley introduced her to the crowd, which included Catherine Malandrino, Erin Fetherston, Cynthia Rowley, Lisa Airan, Thakoon Panichgul, Ralph Rucci, Julie Gilhart, Amanda Brooks, Iman, Chris Benz and Yigal Azrouël, who had paid either $1,000 or $2,300 to attend. And, according to one source, the crowd was "pumped" by Obama's presence, in spite of the soaring temperatures inside the venue.

"I'm excited for Obama becoming president," said Zac Posen, who was wearing a "Yes, we can" T-shirt emblazoned with Barack Obama's face under his suit. "I think it's always great for someone who represents our country to look good, but most important is for the values of our country to be in place."



Peter Som echoed those sentiments. "I think she's amazing," he said. "Michelle and Barack are hopefully the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. And she's fabulously styled. She seems that she has an amazing sense of self. She has impeccable taste, so she is not going to need any help from anybody else."

Tory Burch, in preparing for the event, had been reading up on her. "I have a lot of questions, but I'm just excited to meet her," Burch said, adding of her style: "She has a great figure and is so easy to dress."

At the reception, Obama spoke for an estimated 20 minutes about meeting and falling for her husband while working at a law firm in Chicago. They were the only two African-Americans at the firm, and he was a summer associate and she was the lawyer to whom he was assigned. According to sources, Obama spoke of how she was initially less than impressed with her husband's background, odd name and ears, even as he kept asking her for a date. Eventually they went out for a sandwich and then to a church she always visited, where he sat with people in the basement and explained how they needed to change things. She praised her husband's ability to connect with people at all levels. She talked about how there is a choice in this country between "the way things are" and "the way things should be," said one observer.

There's no better accessory than a smile

courtesy of Copenhagen Street Style

This picture is a perfect example of how much better someone looks when they are comfortable in their clothes. Too often women are concerned with being trendy and forget that fashion is actually supposed to make you look better! This girl is wearing a simple outfit, but that smile makes her look amazing.

Also, be sure to check out Copenhagen Street Style For the next three months it will be featuring street fashion shots from around New York City. It will be interesting to see an outside perspective of the best-dressed New Yorkers.

YSL, vous nous manquerez

Lovely Lady from Stockholm

courtesy of facehunter

J Crew takes on...the World

With the state of current economic affairs, most Americans are tightening the purse strings, so the idea of jetting to exotic locales may seem out of reach, but now it is possible to live out those travel fantasies through the J. Crew catalog. As strange as it may sound, J. Crew has taken a novel and interesting approach to the marketing of its decidedly Amercian-style clothing by having destination photo shoots around the world for its catalogs and website. So far, some of the picturesque locations have included Paris, Rome and most recently, Morocco. In addition to a new approach to its shoot locations, the quality of the photographs are also more fashion editorial. Both the new style of photography and the amazing locales have the J Crew catalog looking more like a high fashion glossy. Where will J Crew take us next? Sources say that the company's creative team has just returned from Prague. Stayed tuned- there are surely more gorgeous photos to follow.

All photos courtesy of jcrew.com

A pop of color for spring

photo courtesy of Styleclicker.net

Spring is all about bright colors and this pic is a great example of dressing with color in a fun sophisticated manner. This gentleman definitely has his own style and the mix of sporty and classic pieces looks great on him. Where do you find a yellow fedora anyway?

The Sartorialist in India

photos from The Sartorialist blog

If you have not yet had the chance, have a look at one of my favorite fashion blogs, The Sartorialist. This week photographer Scott Schuman has posted photos of his trip to New Dehli and they are absolutely beautiful and visual intriguing. Yes, The Sartorialist is a constant source of wondrously garbed fashionistas from all the fashion capitals, but these street fashion photos speak to something greater; that stylemakers and fashion innovators exist everywhere.

A French accent, the ultimate ahcessoree

Fashion from the streets- Sydney

photos courtesy of anewmuse.net

Another great new fashion blog has emerged! A New Muse offers a fresh take on street fashion, styling and design from Australia. This is a great blog to explore as it includes street fashion photos, interviews, fashion editorials and emerging fashion designers. Kudos New Muse!

For more info & pics see http://www.anewmuse.net/