Friday, July 30, 2010

Summer Christmas



In the fashion industry, story boards, styles, and products are always created way ahead of the seasons. In the fall, we are thinking about spring. In the spring, we are thinking about fall. And, in the summer, we are thinking about the Holidays (aka Christmas, for the believers in Christ). Therefore, as a nod to the upcoming day of gift giving and jolly celebration, I wanted to share one of the many beautiful things on my (faux) wish list.

Swarovski, known for their dazzling crystals, which have become decorative embellishments for anything from Victoria's Secret bras to dangling curtains, will be offering two necklaces that are sure to enchant the eye this holiday season. The necklaces, respectively the Gisele and the Meringue, are quite elegant pieces and very much a la Victorian period. Not overly pretentious and maintaining a sense of sophistication, these necklaces and others, alike, are sure to be a perfect stocking stuffer. Yes, a stocking stuffer. I'm tired of candy canes, give me glamourous candy I can wear! "I'm a material girl, living in a material world."


















(Photos: Courtesy of Swarovski)

Ben Minkoff Bags, Ooh la la!



Talk about a Jack to his Kate, Ben Minkoff (to his Rebecca) will be debuting in Spring 2011 and the line will be offering one of the new "it" acccessories for men next year. Therefore, it's so long Jack Spade and hello to Ben Minkoff. 

A "spin-off" of the Rebecca Minkoff line for women, designer Rebecca Minkoff has created an accessory line for men that is sophisticated, creative, and edgy. Inspired by her grandfather's career in World War II as a combat fighter pilot, Rebecca wanted to capture the essence of bags used during that time period. From leather to canvas, the designer will be offering stylish options to keep men fashionably set and functionally ready. Here are a few bags to tease your shopping cravings. Personally, I am obssessed with the Gregger Tote:

(Photos: Courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Whisper Report: William Rast



William Rast is collaborating with Target, more after the jump!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

True Blood Temp Rises



In the most recent episode of True Blood that aired on Sunday, July 11th, you cannot help but notice the new addition to the cast, Joe Manganiello. Playing a werewolf, hired to be Sookie Stackhouse's bodyguard, Manganiello, better known as Alcide Herveaux on the HBO series, has definitely caught the attention of the show's fans.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Manganiello (love that surname) began doing gigs more than a decade ago. With roles on shows like One Tree Hill, CSI, and How I Met Your Mother, it was hopeful that the current 34 year-old actor was going somewhere. True Blood finally gave Manganiello the opportunity to be apart of a project that "took risks" and played into his like for horror films. Even when he was a child, Manganiello thought about being a werewolf. In an interview from USA Weekend, the actor explains, "I would wake myself up at 5:30 in the morning and walk up in the dark to 6 a.m. mass, and I would pray every morning for weeks on end that God would turn me into a werewolf. [Laughs] I was a little, little kid with Coke-bottle glasses, and I would pray for weeks. And nothing happened." How adorable and typical of an adventurous young boy.

True Blood, itself, is an amazing show, that presents vampires in a light that is more mature and sophisticated than most vampire shows on other networks or movies. Of course, backed by HBO, the show has struck a nerve in anyone from the vampiric obsessed to the those who fantasize and wonder about the lives of vampires within our human society. If you haven't already become a fan, then jump on this bandwagon because it's sure to take you on a trip. However, stay clear of the "V." It may take you on a real drug trip, just ask the citizens of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Ha.

The best line of the most recent episode is when Manganiello's character explains why he is so warm: "It's a were[wolf] thing, we run hot." Here's a clip from Youtube of Manganiello from Sunday's episode, don't get too (werewolf) hot!




(Photo: IMDB.com)

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Goo Goo for Gaga

My never ending love for Lady Gaga's talent, charisma, and style was once again reaffirmed with her performance Friday morning on the Today show in New York City.  Playing for an audience of about 20,000 fans, Gaga performed her heart out, despite the rain. Her song, "You and I" displayed the artist's incredible music talent on the piano and her pure ability to just sing. The song will be on her next album, which is currently in the works. And yes, I wrote, her next album. How exciting?! Enjoy this video from the Today show of her performance for "You and I."



Friday, July 9, 2010

Haute Couture...Du Jour!

Yesterday, marked the end of this year's Fall Haute Couture shows, but the pieces shown on the runway definitely signified a continuation of incroyable design and vision from the best, current couturiers of the world. With each thread pulled and tightened by hand and every detail given the most critical attention, couture has long been a true art of dressmaking and, in every sense of the word, defines the idea of bespoke--custom-made--clothing. 


Alexis Mabille I'm definitely a newly found fan of his work. For his collection this year, I fell in love with his voluminous, lace top-layer skirt accented with tulle trim. He seemed to focus on the idea of pieces and using a sense of mixing and matching them to create looks that took you from a casual french brunch to an evening at a fashion gala. 



Armani Privé He can do no wrong. This year, Armani presented the fashion elite with a show Tim Blanks quotes as a, "A Play on Amber." The feel of the show seemed like a throwback to 1920s fashion with suiting for women. Greta Garbo could have easily worn it in one of her films like The Divine Woman, or maybe if her movies were made now, it would seem even more fitting. I particularly jaw-dropped at this number that felt as though the 1920s Hollywood glam and the 1970s disco sizzle got together and had a baby. One word for this gown: Haute!


Chanel If there is one couturier who is immaculate in my eyes it is Coco's house. Under the visionary direction of Monsieur Lagerfeld, the pieces always maintain a luxurious and sophisticated design. However, it seems as though, Karl has deviated, just a bit, creating pieces that almost speak to the Haus of Gaga. The show also included floral, lace, and Indian inspired motifs that served to offer visual and colorful play for the season. My fave piece was this lace dress that exuded a sense of Parisian chic!


Christian Dior John Galliano has created a floral explosion! With models' heads wrapped with celophane and draped with gowns resembling the buds of flowers, Galliano created a fantasy world of colour and vibrance for the Fall season. Colours of tulips, birds of paradise, and peonies flooded the runway, engaging the audience in a visual treat that was sure to pleasure the right brain. The look that pleased my cones was this hot pink and black dress that felt very wearable, but very stylish and just right for the season. Pink and black, it's like so Fall! Ha.

Givenchy Riccardo Tisci is truly a couturier extraordinaire! In a bittersweet sense, Tisci takes me back to pieces from McQueen's Fall 2010 collection, but obviously in a manner and skill that is all his own. His attention to the smallest of details has allowed the collection to become an epoch fantasy of refined taste and style. I swoon at this fully embellished dress adorned with amazing beadwork, gold paillettes, and stones.


For the rest of the Haute Couture shows for Fall/Winter 2010-20011 visit Style.com
(Photos: Style.com)

Art Serendipitous

Living in New York City never seems to bore me. There is always something interesting that you come across that catches your eye, especially in the summer. Whether it is a bum ranting about how his rear itches or a sexy model walking across the street in their, next to nothing, clothing and their immaculately glistening skin, the city manages to keep you entertained.

During the weekend of NYC's Gay Pride Festival, I was hanging out with a friend, walking around the Meatpacking District (how appropriate for pride weekend, ha). We stumbled upon the Bohen Foundation where various, rotating art and cultural exhibitions are on display from time to time. The theme of this exhibition was ICONS, presented by Mr. Brainwash, where individuals like Charlie Chaplin, The Rolling Stones, and, of course, Madonna were silkscreen printed or illustrated with old vinyl records and cds onto large canvases.

The exhibit was immediately a visual stimulation.  Although, it would have been nice to run into a picturesque male model to observe as art. Joking. Okay, only half joking.

Here are several photos I took at the exhibit located at 415 West 13th street. I, especially, love the Madge piece since it was the cover for her Celebration album as well as the wall of portraits of forward thinkers. For more information, email Eric Allouche at allouche@operagallery.com.

     
 
See more from Mr. Brainwash...

Thursday, July 8, 2010

I Like Miike

Lately, I've been fascinated with the indie, electro-pop tunes of Miike Snow. Although their music has been around for several years now, it was only in the last year that they began grabbing the attention of the public. The group, itself, is made up of three men by the names of Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, and Andrew Wyatt coming out of Stockholm, Sweden.

I fell in love with the group when I randomly heard the song "Cult Logic" off their 2007 debut album Miike Snow on Pandora.com. Immediately, I was drawn to their smooth, bass induced beats. Below is a video of another fave song "Black and Blue." Enjoy!

Read more about Miike Snow...

Whisper Report: Rebecca Minkoff for Men

Rebecca Minkoff is launching a men's accessory line named Ben Minkoff, more after the jump.

Read more...

Mueller Bros: Y

Eccentric in their own right, the Mueller brothers, or as they would like to brand themselves, The Brothers Mueller, display a sense of sophisticated quirkiness with an aesthetic that juxtaposes the essence of middle-class, 19th century men and the aristocratic life.

The brothers were brought to my attention during a casual conversation with a colleague about the drive and determination Generation Y possesses when it comes to their careers, ambitions, and creativity and the envy he has for the baby boomer offspring. Of the same generation, I found myself agreeing with him about his observations, realizing that my generation doesn't take no for an answer and expects results.

Like the Mueller brothers, much of this generation feeds on exploration and creativity, never limiting ourselves to one thing. The Mueller brothers, working for a major publication, have created this other endeavor, The Brothers Mueller, that nourishes their cultural intrigue. I found their work to be playful yet sophisticated and, overall, well executed. I especially loved their Infrathin: Installation, see image above from their site.

One thing is for sure, Gen Y keeps things interesting. 

See and read more...

Dang (Alexander) Wang!

Dubbed one of the fashion world's darlings for more than several years now, Alexander Wang has definitely made a name for himself among the "istas" and "istos" (my everyday vernacular for fashionistas and fashionistos) of style and taste.

We all know of Wang's humble beginnings designing lush cashmere knits, but we all love him, even more, for his amazing gift to provide us with edgy, deconstructed high fashion, season after season. Wang definitely struck a nerve within all of us to release our inner stylish bad ass!

For his more affordable line, T by Alexander Wang, the designer maintains his creative aesthetic, while catering to a larger audience. Personally, I love the T line! For Fall 2010, Wang created this amazing hybrid black coat/cape, zip-up design for T. It's like little red riding hood went ultra chic:


See more Alexander Wang...

(Photos: Courtesy of Alexander Wang)

Ronaldo for Armani

As the World Cup 2010 comes to a close, with the Netherlands and Spain going for the championship title this Saturday, July 10th, I can't help but to pay tribute to the World Cup in my own special way: showing these incredibly sexy pictures of one of Portugal's forward players, Cristiano Ronaldo.

I'm sure most of you have already come across pictures of Cristiano modeling Armani underwear. However, I still chose to write about it because it's just TOO hot for words! See the ads jump off in Fall/Winter 2010-2011. In the meantime, enjoy these:


Read more on the World Cup...

(Photos: Courtesy of Armani)

Friday, July 2, 2010

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Enjoy this weekend everyone! Stay out and about! Here's an adorable video I came across on babelgum.com:

           
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