bikini korea girl

Trench coats are big this spring in womens wear and it's nice to see a few boys picking up the trend as well. Seen last night at the Darker Side of Green cocktail/after party, it was refreshing to see boys not in "all black" ensembles. Bravo to all! And see you at my party ;)

I originally met Brian through our mutual friend Niko Liakaris. We were all doing the "end of fashion week party" at the Soho Grand and Niko was telling me what an amazing store Brian has and about his designs - so of course I had to see for myself!
Brian's store is called Sloane and it sits unobtrusively on a corner on the edge of Chinatown. Walking into it you get the feeling that you're not in NYC 2010. It feels more like Berlin now or maybe NYC circa 1990: it's cavernous and racks are on wheels or hung from the ceilings with chains.



The mannequins are old and from various time periods and the desk is a sculpture that looks like haphazard stacks of wood. In short there is no polish or self consciousness to the space -which is refreshing!



And then there are the clothes. Brian's creations always begin from another garment -something that has been found at an estate sale, on the street or brought in by a friend. He works with what is there and transforms it into something else by adding and subtracting elements from the original piece, until it's a custom creation with wit and a touch of theatricality.


His clothes are like the best dress up box ever but with the fit and craftsmanship that take them beyond merely play. -Although playing is an important part of Sloane as well! It's not just a store it's a magnet for creativity. There is frequently a party or event taking place there and the vibe is friendly and welcoming to all comers. (the first time I went to his store Brian apologized for the disarray stating that the night before there had been a boxing match in a ring right where I was currently standing!)


I'm thrilled to know about Sloane and to share it with you and hope you get a chance to check it out for yourself. Also, we will be putting on an event there on April 17th which will be a party/shoot for their Lookbook. I'll be shooting it and the entire event will also be covered by Taff! an entertainment show out of Germany. So if you're interested in being a part of this let me or Brian know.



Following is my original Q + A with Brian.

What is Sloane? A store? Your atelier?
Sloane is all that and more! It is my store, and design studio, but also one of the coolest places in NY to party as well!

Are you the only designer?
Yeah.

Why remake old clothes instead of start from the beginning?
Because I really never enjoy making the same thing twice. It loses its value. And in addition to that, each garment that I have in front of me has a past, a story... a soul even (I know that sounds a little corny!)

How do you see fashion evolving in 2010?
I see more people starting to realize that it is ok to experiment.


Where are your favorite places to go out to have fun in NYC?
Under Sloane... Aaron Genuth, one of my parnters in Sloane, runs the party space that we have in addition to the store, which pretty much always houses some of the chicest people in NYC.


What do you find the most inspiring or challenging about NYC?
The fact that the city is a living entity.

Best advice ever given or received?
In fashion, if your not hanging on by a thread, then what's the point?

Latex makes me think of rubber gloves and questionable fluids. This girl looks almost demure in a latex dress. It's great on her slender frame and the cut out design looks smart not slutty. I might go for a shorter necklace however...but that's me. Dress designed by the incomparable Jacqueline Marie Couture.

Nothing like a neutral tone to complement the theatrics...of the outfit and the evening.

When was the last time you saw such a full-on print? (Not counting that insipid Liberty floral at your local Target) It's like a Project Runway challenge to use the fabric for something other than a "Hawaiian Shirt." ...I do love that they're having fun and her draped skirt and pink booties are quite of the moment.

This outfit is definitely considered:from the cape to the clutch to the shoes, each detail was taken into consideration. Love it or hate it, it makes a statement.

I like to tease Williamsburg hipsters of all looking alike. (you know: big glasses, shaggy hair, skinny jeans) But Manhattan has its own brand of hipster that is similar but not the same. A little edgier and sleeker all at once. Kind of like this girl...

You might recognize her from my photo of hair trends, but her outfit deserves attention of sorts as well. It's a bit bizarre but it is eye catching and she made it herself...so props for individuality?

I don't have alot to say about these two. I just thought they had good style. Not in a "I'm trying hard to look like I'm not trying hard" kind of way but the kind of style that comes from genuine self assurance that you don't see alot of in NYC but never in LA. And I love the suspenders...

During fashion week while I was traipsing all over the city I couldn't help but notice these posters featuring Joan Collins aka Alexis from Dynasty. Growing up I would sometimes watch Dynasty with my grandmother. Or idly flip through fashion magazines while it was on as I found it a rather dull show except when she was on. She being Alexis - the first wife of Blake Carrington. When she came onscreen I was utterly mesmerized. She was brazen, a royal bitch, and (to my mind shockingly) a brunette!
Having grown up in Little Scandinavia (aka Minnesota) I was taught that the best way to be was nice, understated and (naturally) blonde.

But Dynasty taught me other things. Who wanted to be a treacly frosted blonde with a stripper name and stupid loyalties to your husband when you could be an independent, over the top brunette who tossed about lines like Nobody takes me to bed and to the cleaners in one night.  Okay I never colored my hair dark -I'm blonde to the bone- but I tried to embody all the other attributes of Joan's Alexis. Her independence, ability to accessorize and tough glamour.  As time passed I found new characters to emulate and forgot about Alexis until these posters appeared. Which brings us to the other Alexis in this story- Alexis Bittar - who in a genius move decided to use Joan Collins in his current ad campaign. (Read about their collaboration on his blog.)


So who is Alexis Bittar? A brilliant jewelry designer from Brooklyn who not only has Joan Collins as a true fan of his work but is a nominee for a 2010 CFDA Fashion Award in the category of Accessory Designer of the Year. His work is colorful and bold and he makes good use of materials such as lucite and semiprecious stones to create eye-catching pieces - many of which are surprisingly affordable. (such as this cocktail ring shown left that I covet)

I was just thinking that maybe instead of buying a whole new wardrobe this summer, jewelry would be a smarter choice: it's longer lasting and can express your individuality more....so picking up a few pieces from Alexis Bittar's collection  might be a good start!

ps and if you love Joan Collins too, be sure to enter the contest to win a free poster from the ad campaign here.

I ran into Justin Tranter with a friend outside of Good Units -the only club worth going to about 14th Street now that Bon Bon has been nixed at Juliet. The frontman of this glam band that opens for La GaGa was decked out in white shades and $$$print leggings but what we loved best were the glittery gold boots. Viva la glam!

Coco Chanel was always a fan of a little black dress with long pearls mixed in with costume jewelry. This girl is a modern day version of this.

Yes, he's been posted on the blog before and not that long ago either, but can Patrick McDonald help that he's everywhere you want to be? But my reason for posting this photo is not to show you how swell he looks (which of course he does) but to point out the amazing shoes on the gazelle-like creature on the right. Amazing!

I was going to be writing up the Park Choon Moo show tonight but don't have the time yet. (if you're like me you might be wondering what I'm talking about as I never heard of the label before this past fashion week, but trust me: you want to know it.) And if you don't trust my word, maybe you blithely believe in the imprimatur of celebrity so here's Cory Enemy and Leigh Lezark at the show. Or you can be like me and like this photo because they happen to look great. I'm only sorry that I accidentally cut off Cory's Adidas in the shot. If anyone knows what style they are feel free to write in and I'll add a photo.

Can I say that?? They look like they're from a small town with only Walmart open 24 hours and on Sundays...yep...kind of like where I spent 4 years in my own special...purgatory. Or honestly, like a Hollywood version of someone who would live there because if you really went to one of these towns you wouldn't see anyone who really had this kind of style. Which makes me think of the other place they remind me of: which is London. I know, completely different than white trash USA, but some of the girls going out there look as if they, too, are styling themselves after Juliette Lewis in Natural Born Killers or the girls in Drugstore Cowboy or some variation. Call it tacky cool. You think I'm insulting them...not really. But one helpful hint:always say NO to permed hair. (and I learned the hard way!)

The yarn dress on a partygoer at The Tribeca Grand

Last month I went to the presentation of designers Jeff Dodd, David J. Krause and Nina Zilka (collectively known as The Twentyten) third collection. Their presentation was at the Gene Frankel Theater against a backdrop of a beautiful video by Elle Rex.















Like their second collection that I saw in the fall, their work continues to walk the fine line between highly conceptual and utterly wearable. It is also wildly, wonderfully tactile: Yarn is employed in both a short dress and a long skirt. If I saw the dress on a hanger I might have had misgivings about how anyone could look anything but ridiculous in it. But on the body there is amazing volume that somehow manages not to overwhelm the wearer. Their material (in this case yarn) was clearly considered and carefully worked with to achieve this effect.

Another look I loved was a simple draped black shift dress paired with an off white jacket with shoulders constructed as though they opted to put the shoulder pads on the outside. I am admittedly fond of these new stronger shoulder lines that go more out from the body than upwards ala the Eighties. This jacket is one of those pieces that can easily be seen as a "must have".

Black was dominant, with occasional splashes of purple and there were clothes for boys as well as girls. Their press release states their designs are for the woman and man who always likes to look sophisticated, but never looks like she or he tried too hard to get there. If this is the case I think that overall they have succeeded with this collection.

See more images below or visit their site.

A party goer wearing, naturally, Patricia Field clothing from the Patricia Field salutes Sprouse collection with the lovely Mr. Michel Viau. I was slightly horrified when Adomako told me that he loved Patricia Field because of her work with Sex and the City. Not to say that her work for the show was anything less than inspired -and inspired many Carrie wannabes that Jessica Parker could not have created alone, but I've always thought of the House of Field as the place for club kids to complete their looks. And so associated her with the subversiveness and rebellion of an underground scene while SATC is frosted cupcakes and kowtowing to the ruling class. But whatever your associations, Ms. Field and her house is brilliant.

Okay, maybe they all actually live elsewhere, but I do find a certain aesthetic in Manhattan that is distinctly different than Brooklyn. It is personified by more shine, higher heels and signature bags. And black. Lots of it (although the BK does black too).

when I posted last night with the title "last fur"...I'm kind of obsessed at the moment. But don't worry, it won't last...anyways, this photo was taken during fashion week by Adomako Amankwah who helped me capture all the different looks in the tents. I'm not convinced by the Doc Martens with the coat but you can tell by the look in her eyes that she believes in it -and thus owns the look. Which to me goes a long way towards having great personal style.

Because it's like spring outside so who wants fur right now anyways? That being said, I think it's safe to say that this is faux fur as it seems to get matted in a muppety kind of way. This could look disasterous but she works the proportion by keeping narrow on the bottom and adding height with those amazing shoes. (he looks good too but we're talking about fur today)

I thought this was another fur but on closer inspection it seems it might be made of feathers?...either way he proves that with an eye-catching coat and some shades even boys can get away with spandex leggings...or mostly. Oh and someone (comment below) informed me that this is the blogger Bryan Boy. Thanks for the info!

Today was a wonderfully spring like day outside but while I was pouring over photos deciding what to post I realized that like neon and asymmetrical hair, fur is also back in a really big way. And I don't know what I think of it. Do I get on the Anna Wintour bus and say it's fabulous? Or do I join Stella McCartney and say it's never acceptable? I've gone back and forth on the subject over the years. I'd like to say that if you buy it used (like I almost did - a massive white rabbit coat for 80 bucks at the Brooklyn Flea - until my friend pointed out that the coat looked like it had fleas!) or if it's fake it's okay. But if I'm really against it (which I am whenever I think of someone killing my dog for his fur) than is "pretend" or "used" fur really okay? Well, whatever I think about the morality of fur I do believe that in the midst of the recession I'm seeing more fur than ever. Any thoughts?

This shot is from a series I took at Bon Bon. A club night in NYC that is rumored to be going under because there aren't enough bottles sold. (and for those who don't know: somewhere in the last 10 years NYC clubs started charging outrageous amounts of money to buy a bottle of alcohol and be "allowed" to sit at a table. It's a ridiculous practice and made a more "those who can pay can play" vibe with rich bankers hanging out instead of more authentically creative people.) Anyways, the girl on the left is burlesque performer DeeDee Luxe and I think both of them have it going on NYC-style.

Pentru viitoarele mirese, care au nevoie de putina inspiratie, sau, pur si simplu pentru cele pasionate de subiect, m-am gandit la o noua categorie pe blog - celebrity wedding, care va trata nuntile celebritatilor.
Prima vedeta pe care am ales-o este Khloe , sora mult mai celebrei Kim Kardashian, devenite cunoscute in urma reality show-ului "Keeping up with the Kardashians".
Khloe (25) s-a casatorit cu jucatorul de baschet Lamar Odom (30) anul trecut pe 27 septembrie, la numai o luna dupa ce l-a cunoscut.
Ceremonia, la care au fost prezenti peste 250 de invitati, a avut loc in aer liber, intr-o vila privata din Los Angeles si a fost urmata de o petrecere in cort.
Verighetele din platina, pavate cu diamante au fost comandate la Vartan's fine jewelry.
Mireasa a purtat o rochie alba, fara bretele, cu talia subliniata cu o funda mov presarata cu pietre si trena din tul, semnata de Vera Wang. Tot ea a creat si rochiile in culoarea lavandei ale domnisoarelor de onoare.
Dupa ceremonie Khloe s-a schimbat intr-o rochie mov, tot de la Vera Wang, si, in momentul aruncarii buchetului, ea si domnisoarele nemaritate au purtat treninguri Juicy Couture, inscriptionate cu "Mrs. Lamar Odom" (mireasa) si "Mr. & Mrs. Lamar Odom" (domnisoarele)
Khloe a optat pentru o coafura simpla, cu bucle lejere si cateva extensii pentru volum, pentru care a platit 4500$, plus bacsisul de 500$.
Buchetul nosegay a fost compus din trandafiri albi, margaritare si iasomie de Madagascar.
Primul dans al cuplului proaspat casatorit a avut ca fundal sonor melodia "Angel" a Anitei Baker, preferata mamei lui Lamar, care a muri de cancer.
Participantii la eveniment au primit invitatii mov, scrise cu argintiu si favoruri dulci, briose de la Famous cupcakes, in culorile echipei Los Angeles Lakers, la care joaca Lamar, mov si galben.
Tortul urias, mai inalt decat Lamar, care are 2,08 cm, cu 5 etaje, a avut un design conceput de Khloe impreuna cu Hansen's cake si s-a bucurat de o mare popularitate, in prezent "Khloe wedding cake" fiind foarte cerut de clienti.






Khloe si domnisoarele de onoare, Kim si Kourtney

credit foto: OK magazine

The adorable Jorge Adrian. A modern aesthete with a slightly monastic sensibility.

There was a little press recently about Kate Moss streaking her hair grey and little minions following suit. I am not a fan of grey but I think this cool lavender color is a nice alternative. And of course his (natural?) red is pretty great too.

Okay, so you might recognize the girl on the right from my trend piece about a week ago. But I think these 2 together are really cute as well.

I saw the lovely Houman with his equally lovely sister at a soiree at the Tribeca Grand. I adore his utter fearlessness in wearing the unexpected, and he always manages to be more chic than outrageous. A rarity in NYC where men seem to be in either denim or sequins.