Fashion for everyone

The Holiday season has officially begun, and we have plenty of parties and events planned for the upcoming month. Here are the first two, we'll keep you posted as they come!

To start, we'll be partnering with our friend Jessica from The Shiny Squirrel to throw a Holiday party at Anchor Bar this Thursday from 9-1pm, showcasing the spring collections of Miss Lonely Hearts and Julianna Bass. Pieces from both designers will be available for sale, and if you come and say hello, I promise to pour you a drink. Please RSVP at rsvpsixsixsick@gmail.com.



Next Thursday, December 9th we will be DJing for our friends and Triskaidekaphobia stockists, Life: Curated. They will be celebrating the holidays with cocktails, as well as a 20% discount on everything in the store for the night, so it's the perfect time to do some holiday gift shopping. Check out my friends Anton and Maddy, who modeled the holiday collections for the store, on the flier below (uh since you guys are on the invite, you better be there!).

The newest addition to the Collina Strada collection, an adorable round bag that can also be attached to the front of your bike.

My Collina Strada bag is one of my most prized possessions, so it's really no surprise that over the past year, the line has garnered a somewhat large local following. I know this because I frequently see the vivid printed bags and backpacks popping up on girls all over downtown, and when I tried to get a hold of one of her pouches that doubles as a furry handmuff, I found that it had sold out. Designer Hillary Taymour works with artfully constructed leather, as well as a constantly changing selection of original printed canvases, to constantly create fresh new designs that are far cry from your average handbags. The prints, which are inspired by vintage designs, and modern updates on traditional ethnic patterns, allow for a burst of varied color that is uncommon in most designer handbag. Additionally, the bag styles Taymour creates are always innovative: one of her best-sellers is roomy knapsack that can be converted into a crossbody bag, and this season she introduced an adorable tube-shaped bag that can be worn on your shoulder and then strapped to the front of your bike. It's like the grown-up version of the pouch I had attached to my pink Huffy bike as a child, and I'm desperately hankering for one, even though I probably ought to buy a bike to attach it to first.

Classic designs in new prints for Fall

One of the popular roomy knapsacks

Much nicer than your average grocery tote



The Collina Strada take on the satchel style that's been so popular for the past few seasons

A digital print pant and shirt, featuring a photo of garbage from around the twentyten studio.

In terms of design concepts, I'm always interested in taking something ugly, grotesque, or unusual, and making it into something beautiful. For Fall 2011, the twentyten were inspired by something that most people are disgusted by: garbage. Or more poetically, "fictional sunsets over desert landfills," hence the pops of bright orange that show up amongst the detritus adorned garments. The collection includes an awesome digital print made from a photograph of garbage collected from around the design studio, which is shockingly vivid and colorful, and much prettier looking than what you'd find in my trash bin. There are also garbage bag clutches, and one oversized bangle made of melted plastic animal toys. The trio of designers behind the collection, Jeff Dodd, David J. Krause, and Nina Zilka, obviously have approached the concept with a sense of humor and play, demonstrating one person's trash can be transformed into another man's treasure.

A closeup of the garbage print, which was paired with a plastic garbage bag clutch.

A giant bangle made of tiny plastic animals melted together

The presentation for this year's Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner, Study NY, was one of my favorite shows of NYFW. I tend to prefer presentations to runway shows, as it gives you the opportunity to get a prolonged look at the clothes, rather than having them whirl past you before you can properly register exactly what you're seeing. Designer Tara St. James transformed the Standard Hotel Highline Room into an old fashioned school house, complete with chalkboards, school desks, and bright red apples, although the clothes shown were anything but your average back-to-school getups. In fact, the garments gave me plenty to ponder over, or study, I should say.

The line is entirely green, and has adopted some incredibly innovative techniques for remaining eco-friendly. In addition to using standard eco-materials like organic cotton and hemp, St. James also made several gorgeous patchwork jackets out of scraps as a waste recycling project, and created multiple zero-waste garments (no scraps are left behind). Some of the most gorgeous showstoppers were a selection of wrap coats, ponchos, and capes, which were all made from overstock wool. I also loved the chunky hand-knit alpaca cardigans and skirts made by women's knitting co-op Madres & Artesanas, which specializes in handmade production processes. In my opinion, all the thoughtful processes and techniques involved in producing the clothes adds infinite appeal to the gorgeous and earthy designs, and will hopefully set an example for other designers, demonstrating they myriad ways they can make their collections more eco-friendly.

A little while ago, I got a chance to take a look at Gabriela Goldbaum's collection of silk evening gowns and cocktail dresses. Each piece is decidedly feminine, with an obvious lingerie influence, and has the feel of an opulent pair of silk pajamas made for wearing out. The elegant and somewhat simple exterior hides a network of interior boning and corset work that creates the streamlined silhouette, and the true beauty of the work lies in the craftsmanship. Here are a few of my favorite pieces, along with some shots I took of the little details that make everything work so well.

The perfect classic camel coat at Porter Grey

Classic is one of the last words I would use to describe my personal style. Nonetheless the constant stream of unending fashion images has dulled my senses quite a bit, and the flurry of new information has made me crave something more digestible. I'm not going to lie and pretend that I am immune to trends, but there's a point where you just want to tune out all the noise and chatter about what you will be wearing next season, and think about pieces you want to wear every season. I personally have a closet stuffed with party dresses with very little in the way of practical things to wear, and generally eschew "basics." At the shows I came across plenty of updated classics with a twist, pieces that go with everything, but are hardly your basic "basics." Here are some of my favorites from Porter Grey, Jonathan Simkhai, and Kimberly Taylor.

Moto jacket and LBD at Porter Grey

One of my favorite pieces from Jonathan Simkhai: a patchworking of houndstooth and plaids makes for one of the coolest varsity jackets I've ever seen.

I can never get enough of big cozy knits and sweaters, I especially love this one from Jonathan Simkhai

A plain black tee, but in leather, at Jonathan Simkhai

Leather trim updates the white button down shirt at Jonathan Simkhai

Boy meets girl at Kimberly Taylor

6x6 Bow Wedges $78

We obviously have a thing for the number 6 at Six Six Sick. We also have a thing for No. 6, and their gorgeous shearling and leather clogs, which have attracted a cult following amongst fashion insiders. While the prices are a bit steep for us, our friends at Urban Outfitters have come to the rescue, collaborating with the brand on a lower priced line called 6 x 6, which includes three pairs of shoes at extraordinarily reasonable prices. Not only did they make a version of the thick-soled clog boot, but they also have an adorable pair of suede bow wedges and some very smart and practical looking patent-leather lace-up boots. Nothing is over $100, which is about a quarter of the price you'd pay for the regular line. For some extra collab-happiness, No. 6 also recently collaborated with Baggu, the reusable tote bag company, on some leopard print totes.


6x6 platform boots $98

6x6 patent lace-up boots, $98

No. 6 x Baggu bags, $12 each

Last season, Cynthia Rowley got a ton of attention for her collaboration with Roxy, which unfortunately appears to be a one-time project. I missed out, but luckily, she's taken those body-con shapes and streamlined silhouettes, and translated them into a new bodywear line called Get SLIM. The small selection of pieces appear to have all the practical slimming effects of bodyshapers and control top underwear, without looking anything like the embarrassing grandma-style-girdles that are currently on the market. I imagine these will be perfect for the upcoming holiday season and all of the feasting involved. If you're as lazy as I am (I'm the human equivalent of Garfield the cat), these might be a decent alternative to going to the gym...

Caged pearl rings

Last week, Jules Kim presented her latest addition to the Bijules collection, "The Seize Kind," a group of incredibly sensual, pearl-based baubles that are meant to celebrate the sea's precious harvest, as well as the feminine organism that shapes it. Jules always knows how to put on a good show, and the delicate gems were passed around the rooftop of The Gramercy Park Hotel by Big Gunz, an underground boxing club that's members happen to be male models. One of the hunky presenters described the club as "a cross between Zoolander and Fight Club," and if that doesn't pique your interest enough, I suggest you read this article from the latest issue of New York Magazine. Working their way through the throngs wearing a single 18k gold and pearl teardrop adhered to their faces, the boxers stirred up quite a frenzy, and it was difficult to edge out other members of the gawking audience for a peek at the beautiful jewels. Luckily I work with Jules doing her wholesale sales, so I will get plenty of closer looks on my own, but here are a few shots I took at the show, and today at Capsule. If you are in New York, and would like to see the new collection yourself, you should stop by Boutique. Eat. Shop. (559 w. 22nd St) from 7-10 tomorrow, where Bijules will be having a sale, and where pieces from The Seize Kind will be available for pre-order!

One of the cute models-by-day-boxers-by-night from Big Gunz

Stackable pearl ring

Precious metal teardrops with caged pearls, meant to be worn on the face

The classic Bijules bar ring with the glacons bar ring and the new pearl bar ring

Caged pearl whip bracelet

The very elegant caged pearl bar ring