Cristiano Ronaldo

Football/Soccer...who cares. The photo speaks for itself.

Are you In or Out

I saw, "The September Issue" Sunday night. It gave a great glimpse into the creation of the huge Vogue issue. September and February are the issues you want from your favorite fashion magazines. I've never been a big Vogue person (too commercial). I had a subscription to Harper's Bazaar and it was so much fun to see the trends and the colors for the seasons. At one point I would watch all the Bryant Park shows on NY1. That's another story.

Back to the movie, Anna Wintour, isn't much of a conversationalist, but what she is good at is making a decision based on her vision of what Vogue is saying for the season. Audiences saw her influence with breaking in new designers and her dedication. I couldn't imagine what her schedule is like. She doesn't have time to ponder about a decision. She's got to act on instinct. With Anna being so heavy and stoic on film, there needed to be a bright spot and that would be Andre Leon Talley. He's so out there and fashion fabulous that you can't help but smile or in my case laugh at his loud use of fashion. At one point he arriveed at the tennis court with a Louis Vuitton tennis racket case and lunch pail that held his water bottles. It was funny, but deep down I'd love own both.

While you watch you can't help but think back to, "The Devil wears Prada". I wanted to see the assistant(s) and wanted to see where she put her coats. We got a glimpse of one assistant, maybe two, and the rest was her interacting with her creative staff about clothing choices and inspiration. I'm sure that was a choice.

At 10pm on a Sunday night I found a magazine shop open on 14th Street and picked up the September issue.

:-)

G Star is Born

Recently I went on an spontaneous search for jeans. It's a challenge to find jeans that fit someone who's not flat on the backside. I've tried Diesel and True Religion, but no matter how high I go in the waist they don't fit. H & M and Banana Republic don't even work that well. I had given up on finding some flattering jeans with a little style.

That was until I went to the G Star Raw Denim store On Lafayette Street. I had heard they have cuts for all body types, but that normally that doesn't mean me. The sales staff were so knowledgeable, pretty and relaxed that I felt comfortable with purchasing a $129 (sale price) pair of jeans that I would probably wear over and over again. Also, when a sales staff is knowledgeable and friendly, that makes it easier for me to spend my money.

I thought I would give it a week to check my closet, pull all my jeans and make sure my new Core Regular or Raw Low Loose would be a welcomed addition.

Wave of the Future

This is a great idea, but I still want to see the cloths in person!

Banned from Armani

This is ridiculous. Because of Cathy Horyn's unfavorable opinions of his shows she's banned from attending them?

I attended my first fashion show in Bryant Park this year and I had a ball, but isn't the purpose of a show to showcase your clothes. If someone doesn't like it, oh well, that's their opinion. To tell a journalist especially from the New York Times that you don't want them to attend is to deny a voice. It says that your clothes only warrant positive comments. We know that in fashion and most other art forms there are intensely opinionated people who love to throw their "two cents" in.

Dear Mr. Armini ,

I have enjoyed your clothes for years; your clothes looks effortless and your fabrics are soft and modern. The only problem is your style/voice hasn't changed in over a decade. That is a problem. I think you need to listen occasionally. I'm sure your bottom line won't be affected by it. Anyway, if you had such a problem with Ms. Horyn, give her a standing room only ticket.

What are you doing to do to me Mr. Arman?. I think I'd cry if I couldn't go to a Dsquared show or Dolce & Gabanna. Those are shows I want to see in person! Yours, I'm fine to see the pics online.

A Dream Come True

I was just writing about how one day I wanted to go inside the Bryant Park Tents and finally it happened.

My friend A has a cousin who is a fashion designer Chris Han, who I honestly wasn't sure I had heard of before. During the day he kept talking about going to the tents and he even left early to pick up his wife, who is a buyer for a huge department store and head to Bryant Park.

Around 5pm I get a call.

"What are you doing tonight? Are you working?
"Yes"
"Oh shit"
"What, I don't work until 8pm"
"Do you want to go to my cousin's fashion show?
"Are you serious, in Bryant Park"
"Yes"

At first I thought, this isn't going to happen. It's really hard to get into the tents and I always hear about people trying and being turned away. A gave me two "names" one for a co-worker and one for me to use in order to get in (there is always a list). The only problem was that I had to be there by 5:45pm and I don't get off work until 5:30pm. I don't work far from the tents. I could have walked but I would have arrived hot and sweaty so a taxi was in order.

It was surreal to have the cab approach the tents. I saw A, who gave us our entry pass, which when I flashed got right in. I was almost shaking.

The fabulousness wasn't as intense as I thought it would be. I saw lots of colorful people inside. One woman had on a vest with flashing red green and white lights. Others were trying real hard to be the next Andre Leon Talley, who I wish I saw.

We weren't done with the velvet rope yet. We still had to get into the Salon for the 6pm show. We walk up to the "check in" station and the little "clackers" with the list said they didn't have our "fake" names, so we had to wait in "stand by". It wasn't so bad waiting because we were all excited and talked about fashion, one woman in our three person group has actually been to the Milan shows and talked about her experiences. I was trying to hold in my excitement. I don't think I did a very good job.

Picture this we're standing in the "standing room" line and it kind of felt crazy seeing others being rushed up the velvet lined stairs to the Salon for the show. At that point, I said to myself, "no one's going to stop me from getting in". I text A and let him know that the "clackers"had the nerve to put us in "standing room" and could he help us out. His Uncle is backing the collection for goodness sake!

He comes out of the Salon with his Uncle ,who tells security to let us in.

It's those moments you live for in New York City. Being waived to the front of the line and people looking and wondering who you are! It was fun. We actually had to stand because our seats were gone, which was no problem for me because I'm tall. We stood house right facing the runway, yes runway. I real runway!!! The press was packed of course facing the runway head on! It was exciting.

Celeb sightings...
Jack (Project Runway)
Nigel Barker (America's Next Top Model)
Dale (Top Chef) who was sitting next to Jack

I couldn't see the people in the front row on my side so I missed them. Oh well. Did I tell you there was champagne and red wine floating all over the tents?! It was bliss.

The moment of truth. The lights go down, come up and the dance music began. I liked her skirt length and her knits were fabulous. Her colors were muted and very wispy. Lots of black, grey, plum, blues. Very Fall very versatile. My favorite look was a black and white coat with skirt that hit above the knee. The model hair was windswept and effortless. I'd it was a "light" show as opposed to a heavy fall showing. Thumbs up! I did have a problem with the mini dresses she shows. The looks a little too light. I don't know how strong that fabric is, but I don't think it could stand up against fingernail and not get scratched.

Overall running time: 15 min.

I found there is an art to watching a fashion show.

• 1st Model walks out you watch her all the way down.
• 2nd Model walks out and you watch her part of the way because...
• 3rd model is starting out.

It's sensory overload, but the best kind. They played Janet's Feedback, so I was in heaven. It couldn't have been better unless I was in the front row with Andre Leon Talley and Anna Wintour.

After the show, more champagne and wine and then I had to head down to work! I was on cloud nine. This is the cover of the program! I got other goodies, but this was a great souvenir to the experience.

Fashion Rocks

It's that time again, Fashion Week in NYC and I still don't have a ticket to the tents! LOL Maybe if I put forth a little effort I can get myself a ticket!

I like Catherine Malandrino. Her clothes are delightful and use color very well. This time around it seems like she got a little subdued and mutable with her color choice. I wish I could have seen the outfit to the right in person. The top looks like a knit while her skirt has all that detail that I love.

The model is a little pale though. She needs a little more color.



photo by: Marcio Madeira

T-I-R-E-D

Oh boi, Strawberry is killing me! Goodness, I know I have a strong will /determination, but goodness! Getting in at 1:30am, going to sleep about 2am and getting up at 7:30 is ok when you do it occasionally, but when you do it three days in a row it's draining. I'm enjoying the work and the money, but it's not a perfect fit yet.

Speaking of fit, this weekend I've decided to buy two pairs of shoes, one athletic (nike) and one black. I was walking around so much yesterday that when I got home my feet were killing me. I had been going so much that I didn't realize that my shoes were on their last leg. They looked fine on the outside, but were soft and plush anymore on the inside and I need lots of cushion to take on New York City. We walk everywhere here.

D Squared

I miss fashion shows like this. Wow! The clothes are barely there, but the production is incredible!

Hair Video

This is why You Tube is so useful and important. Short bursts of creative video. Enjoy

Happy Friday

Beautiful! this could be my new cologne.

Le Male

I know my recent posts have been very "male centric" but that's what's on my mind. This clip below is hot. See, they don't have to be undressed.

JB's Chapter 2

I know where I'll be going this weekend. I'm so glad he's had this turnaround. Back in the day he was the experimental menswear designer pushing fashion forward, but when he had money problems he was forced to close his business. He began chapter 2. I found this Q & A from an interview with NY Magazine:

Two years after closing his business, onetime Perry Ellis Award winner John Bartlett is back with a men’s show at the Harvard Club (his alma mater) and a vow to keep his “ego in check” and to listen more to stores about what sells. — Jacob Bernstein

What did you do after quitting?
I went to Cambodia, shaved my head, and immersed myself in Buddhism. The Buddhist monks were so beautiful.

Did you contemplate never returning to fashion?
Yes. I was supposed to start the New School’s master’s program in media studies—which is basically documentary filmmaking—next week. But I decided not to go.

Your clothes once called to mind Tom of Finland. Now you’re showing seersucker suits. Is this a real shift or just another kind of fetish?
Another kind of fetish. When I first moved to New York, I lived at the Harvard Club and I felt like Eloise at the Plaza. I was surrounded by these amazing men in Brooks Brothers suits. It was as erotic as a leather bar. But my September 2001 presentation was a prison scenario based on Jean Genet, so I do think this is a lighter take. No one’s blindfolded this time.

Was Harvard actually fashionable?
Not at all. I was walking around in Burberry trench coats or dressing up like Adam Ant. They were all in sweat suits.

You once complained that your shows cost upwards of $150,000. How much is this one?
About $8,000, the price of my first show ten years ago. After that, I spun out of control.

Betsey Johnson

She's great. Light, fun and actually is able to reference American archetypes. She's done the cheerleeder, school girl and now she's moving to wedding cake...lol

Go Betsey!

She does it every time

These are just some highlights from her collection for Spring 2008. She always reminds me of clothes that you would find an exceptional thrift store. That's a complement because her clothes have a modern style, without the heavy and unexceptional fabrics from back in the day. She's not afraid of color and prints either and every season her clothes float down the runway like a breath of fresh air.

Go Anna!

Hot Designer at American Fashion Week

Thakoon Panichgu's getting lots of buzz. Infact, he tons of celebrities in the audience. Supposedly, he been influenced by some of the new greats i.e. Narciso Rodriguez. I think he's got some design elements that deserve a second look, but I don't see what all the hype is about.

I'd like to see what he does for Fall 2008.

This is my favorite dress of his collection and a pic the designer himself.

Fashion Week

(S)eptember for Spring
(F)ebruary for Fall

The last collection will be shown Wednesday at 2pm.

That's basically all you need to know. I haven't been to the tents yet, but will take some pictures this weekend. Below I have included one of my favorite dresses by two amazing designers Badgeley Mischka. Enjoy

Check out the drape, I wonder what fabric they used, and the subtle pink, absolutely delicious.