Fashion for everyone

Stine Goya blanket coat and sweater, Blumarine skirt, French and English Confectioner's patent leather backpack, Dieppa Restrepo brogues, scarf courtesy of Wood Wood, sunglasses courtesy of Urban Outfitters, vintage turban, H&M tights, necklace courtesy of Ben Amun, Triskaidekaphobia ring.

I know I've already written plenty about the Around the World collections, and the event we DJ'd last week at Urban Outfitters, but I genuinely cannot get enough of it. I have been a longtime fan and supporter of many of the Scandinavian designers involved, and am so happy to have them at arms reach rather than an ocean away that I've started making compulsive visits to the store to see if new stuff has come in (yes, I am a freak and I need to get a life). As I mentioned earlier, I was lucky enough to score the Stine Goya blanket coat that I had been eying all winter at a serious discount during the party, and it's been perfect for the recent round of mild weather we've been having in New York. Now that the spring collections are making their way into the stores, I have my eye on a whole new lot of goods. The U.O. team really outdid themselves putting together the lookbooks, hiring emerging photographers from all across the globe to shoot each of the different designers involved, as well as commissioning infamous director and artist Harmony Korine to shoot the Spring Preview. In some shots, the clothes are a little difficult to make out, but you can get a general idea. I know that our friend Carin Rodebjer's confetti printed pants are on the top of my wishlist!


The Local Firm photographed by Tania Shcheglova and Roman Noven

YMC dress photographed by Zhang Jungang & Li Jie

Rodebjer cape photographed by Charlie Engman

Rodebjer top photographed by Harmony Korine

Rodebjer pants photographed by Harmony Korine

Minimarket dress photographed by Harmony Korine.

Stylewise, I've always waffled between forward-thinking fashion, while at heart being a hopeless romantic girly-girl. Rarely do those two styles meet, but somehow British label Neurotica managed to combine them both in their Spring collection, "For the Love of Ivy." This season, the designers were inspired by the innocent beauty of The Virgin Suicide, as well as the photography of Tim Walker. While they've extracted bits and pieces of romance from these sources in the forms of loose crochet, washed out faded pastel colors, and a couple of frills, they're combined with oversized draping and pleating details that make the silhouettes anything but saccharine. Many of the pieces are touched with digital prints of flowers, fairies, and forest creatures, all executed with the a slightly sinister Neurotica twist. Cute, but still cool and concept-driven.

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.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the presentation for the new collaboration between Maison Martin Margiela MM6 and Opening Ceremony. The meeting of two of my all-time-favorite brands was bound to be exciting, and the collection, which was based on the melding of playful and functional element, offers up many garments that are transformable and can be worn up to three different ways. You can view the photos I took of the presentation on Filep Motwary's excellent blog, Un Nouveau Ideal, but here are some additional images from the lookbook, demonstrating the versatility of several of their garments. As you can see, they alternatively have detachable sleeves, linings, and boot attachments, giving the original twenty styles the ability to become an infinite number of silhouettes.

Last night I met up with an old friend who's in from out of town to catch up. We ended up having a heart to heart about the ups and downs of love, and the alternating agonies and ecstasies that one cycles through in an average relationship. Even the best and the healthiest relationships have their rainy days, and I'm old enough to understand that no human is infallible. I think one the greatest, and truest records of all time is the Magnetic Field's album, 69 Love Songs, which outlines the sad, the saccharine, and the just plain silly moments in any love story. My much adored husband led me to one of the best internet finds I've come across in months, 69 Love Songs, Illustrated, a collection of drawings and comics by different artists that all refer back to the classic album. As teens, we both listened to this album from different parts of the world, and still listen to it quite frequently today.

I am a closet romantic at heart, and want to believe that all my friends will have long, lasting relationships, and that the heartbreaks will be few and far between. I can play tough, but I do have a soft spot for all the trappings of modern romance, and Stacey Bendet's latest Alice and Olivia collection is full of pretty things out of your sweetest candy-colored dreams. These are the perfect outfits for a cheerleader of love, through the thick and thin spots. I know that I left the conversation with my friend only half-jokingly offering to be her dating coach (dating in New York is a particularly harrowing experience). These outfits might be just the thing to wear on the sidelines. Here are some of my favorite looks from the lookbook, and some of my favorite comics from the 69 Loves Songs, Illustrated website.



"I Think I Need a New Heart" illustrated by Mark Gamble



"Sweet Lovin' Man" illustrated by Kristyna Baczynski


"Yeah! Oh Yeah!" illustrated by Scott Jason Smith



EDIT: How could I have forgotten to include my favorite song off of 69 Love Songs? Listen to Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side, with even more video fan art!

As I've mentioned before, one of the big trends I've noticed recently is Americana, and more specifically, a renewed fascination with the American Southwest. When I've mentioned this to my industry friends several of them have looked at me askance and questioned when I decided that I was qualified to be a trend forecaster. I never said I was qualified, but I do have a pair of beady little eyes, and I see it everywhere I look, whether it's the current obsession with heritage brands like Pendleton, or the recent incorporation of the kitchy dream catcher motifs into jewelry. Even the Mulleavy sisters took a road trip across Texas and were influenced by border towns for the current Rodarte collection.

Anyway, I could continue on with the examples, but I think it will suffice to show you the latest one, from the lovely ladies at Shape Shiftr. For Spring 2011, the designers Meghan and J'aime were inspired by a trip across the country, Navajo Indians, rock art, wigwams, bones, skulls, and of course, dream catchers. They've thrown in a bit of Stevie Nicks witchyness, and their signature shape-shifting silhouettes, and the added edgy touch prevents the collection from falling into all the potential tourist-shop cliches that come with such well-traveled terrain. Anyway, here are a few amazing shots from their lookbook, as well as some good road trip music from the Crystal Stilts for good measure.








Crystal Stilts- Shake the Shackles

If your teenage experience had more in common with Donnie Darko than with High School Musical, you might be able to relate to Blood is The New Black's new collaboration with artist Justin Blyth. Blyth, who is behind the mesmerizing blog Them Thangs, selected six of his friends to create graphic tees for a capsule collection entitled "Teenage Death Cult," surrounding themes of youth, vanity, mortality, and religion. Collaborators include Cast of Vices jewelry designer Christopher Glancy, and Thvm Rag Art Director Hassan Rahim. The entire collection reminds me of one of my favorite photography books, which was also made into an awesome movie, Wisconsin Death Trip, and one of the best tees is Blyth's Smokebath, which features a pagan ritual shot that looks like a still from the film. Anyway, all of the graphics embody the semi-morbid, beautifully grotesque stuff that I secretly love, and anyone with similar inclinations ought to check out the rest of the collection here, and take a stop at Blyth's blog while they're at it.