fashion + beauty + insider interviews + est 2006
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
IS THE VILLAGE VOICE CRAZY!?????? THEY FIRED LYNN YAEGER!
new york - okay, so chances are the name lynn yaeger means precious little to you. but if you are a hard core fashion nerd who lives not so much for the clothing, but for the words written about the clothing (like i am) then you will recognize her as one of the BEST writers in the industry at the moment. after spending about 30+ years as a reporter/writer/columnist for the new york city paper, yaeger has been let go by the voice, along with another legendary writer, jazz critic natt hentoff who is 83 years old. such a tacky, and unimaginative move by the voice. management will regret this soon enough, if they don't already. as fashionista.com intimated though, yaeger, who writes for vogue and other fashion 'zines will bounce back beautifully.
CHANEL TO CUT 200 JOBS
DAVID CHU IS SAYING BYE TO TUMI FOR 2009
worldwide - after spending two years as creative director of tumi, designer david chu is leaving. he was brought on to transform the luxury fashion brand into a "larger more fashionable player" in the upscale accessories market. the jury is still out, as far as i'm concerned, on whether he made a dent in that goal. either way, he won't be hurting professionally. chu, who founded nautica, already has three menswear labels under his belt.
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY BLAYNISTAS!!!
dear you,
photo: i'm def not partying tonite, but thought it would be appropriate to post my fave party pic of the year. that's me falling down and laughing about it at paper magazine's annual nightlife award party!
I KNEW SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT!!! THANKS TO JOHN HARO FOR POINTING OUT
new york, new york - so i gagged last night when while reading my favorite blogs i came accross a schedule for next season's shows! i thought it was a tad early, but still posted the dates and schedule. i was right - it was a little too early for that - and dead wrong at the same time (i should've done more research before posting!) after john haro's comment on the post below, i looked up the dates on the official mercedes benz fashion week site and he's right! the dates are from february 13th through friday february 20th!!!! no schedules have been posted either. see the link here.
I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS ALREADY AVAILABLE...NEW YORK FASHION WEEK FALL 2009 SCHEDULE
Friday, February 1
9.00am Nautica
10.00am Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2008
11.00am Perry Ellis
12.00pm Yigal Azrouel
1.00pm Duckie Brown
2.00pm Brian Reyes
3.00pm Bcbg Max Azria
4.00pm Yeohlee
6.00pm Nicole Miller
9.00pm Venexiana
Saturday, February 2
10.00am Lacoste
11.00am Academy Of Art (University Graduates)
1.00pm Abaeté
2.00pm Atil Kutoglu
3.00pm Alexandre Herchcovitch
4.00pm Z Zegna
6.00pm Ashleigh Verrier
7.00pm Sass & Bide
8.00pm Rock & Republic
9.00pm Akiko Ogawa
Sunday, February 3
10.00am Lela Rose
11.00am Herve Leger by Max Azria
1.00pm DKNY, 711 Greenwich Street
2.00pm Twinkle
3.00pm Tracy Reese
4.00pm Diane Von Furstenberg
5.00pm Y-3
6.00pm Angel Sanchez
7.00pm Tuleh
8.00pm Miss Sixty
9.00pm Terexov
Monday, February 4
9.00am Peter Som
10.00am Carolina Herrera
11.00am R. Scott French
12.00pm Jill Stuart
2.00pm Betsey Johnson
3.00pm Luca Luca
4.00pm Pamella Roland
6.00pm Max Azria
7.00pm Ports 1961
8.00pm Proenza Schouler, Park Avenue Armory
9.00pm Iodice
Tuesday, February 5
9.00am Tibi
10.00am Badgley Mischka
11.00am Monique Lhuillier
1.00pm Cynthia Steffe
2.00pm Dennis Basso
3.00pm Diesel
6.00pm Joanna Mastroianni
7.00pm Vivienne Tam
Wednesday, February 6
9.00am Malan Breton
10.00am Nanette Lepore
11.00am Michael Kors
12.00pm Milly by Michelle Smith
1.00pm Carlos Miele
3.00pm Anna Sui
4.00pm Richard Chai
5.00pm 3.1 Phillip Lim
7.00pm Temperley London
Thursday, February 7
9.00am Rebecca Taylor
10.00am Vera Wang
11.00am Naeem Khan
1.00pm Naoki Takizawa
2.00pm Bill Blass
3.00pm Reem Acra
4.00pm Calvin Klein, 205 W 39th St
6.00pm Chris Han
6.00pm Tommy Hilfiger
7.00pm Custo Barcelona
8.00pm Zac Posen
9.00pm Jayson Brundson
Friday, February 8
9.00am Project Runway
10.00am Ralph Lauren
11.00am Ralph Lauren
12.00pm Tadashi Shoji
1.00pm Carmen Marc Valvo
2.00pm Willow
3.00pm Donna Karan Collection, 711 Greenwich
5.00pm Zang Toi
6.00pm Sean John
8.00pm Marc Jacobs, Lexington St. Armory
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF YOU ALREADY KNEW THIS: ROLAND MOURET IS DOING MENSWEAR AND SO IS GARETH PUGH
CHRISTINA AGUILERA TO SIGN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR DESIGNING DEAL WITH TOP SHOP
london - gu-uurrllll, i know i had the same reaction when i processed the headline above. so word on the street is my favorite bottle blond christina aguilera may be designing a line for top shop. this according to zoe griffin of the u.k's mirror newspaper, there are whispers that sir phillip green, who owns top shop, is quietly courting christina as his new style star.
apparently he loves her style and wants her to create a custom range to be sold along side kate moss's line at top shop. and what's he offering? allegedly four million pounds, which exchanges to something like six million u.s dollars. if this range where to launch - and i'd be very surprised if it did - do you think it would be successful!?
photos: top, christina aguilera, bottom, $ir phillip green, owner of top shop. source: mirror.co.uk
Monday, December 29, 2008
UMMMM WHAT RETAIL RECESSION? MONCLER OPENS (YET) ANOTHER STORE
QUICK BEFORE YOU MISS IT: THE LAST DAYS OF FLASH ARE UPON US IN LONDON
"Blink and you'll miss it.
Flash is a pop-up extravaganza from the brains behind Bistrotheque.
They don't come any cooler."
SUNDAY TIMES STYLE
www.bookflashnow.com
TEMPERLEY LONDON ABANDONS THE CATWALK NEXT SEASON FOR VIRTUAL REALITY!
FASHION EAST ANNOUNCES ITS DESIGNER LINE UP, AND MY PICK, NATASCHA STOLLE IS ONE OF THEM
london - so you know fashion east don't you? if you are one of my uber-fab london readers, you totally get it. and for my other uber-fab blaynistas who may not - here's the tea: fashion east is an organization which, like many in london, aims to support up and coming designers. they pick a line up of promising new talent each year and give the chance to show during fashion week along with the established heavy weights. it is sponsored - and has been for the past 11 seasons - by top shop. this year, my fellow central saint martins classmate, natascha stolle (who i wrote about as one of the top ten talents to watch from london for paper magazine) will be returning. there are two new names on the roster: Maria Francesca Pepe, a Central Saint Martins MA graduate and Scottish designer Holly Fulton, who graduated from the Royal College of Art MA in 2007. log on to http://www.fashioneast.co.uk/ for the full tea.
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: NAOMI CAMPBELL & MARCUS ELIAS
maldives - you know, i'm just wondering if these two would adopt me. in all seriousness. but i digress....herewith are super model naomi campbell and her super mogul (read: billionaire) brazillian boyfriend, marcus elias on holiday in the maldives (my dream vacation destination). they've been on and off since february of this year, but really, more on than off. and really, it must be incredibly nice. i am currently happily involved with my longtime boyfriend who i love very much. but perchance, should any billionaires of the ilk of marcus elias be reading this, please know that i can become available. (i'm joking, but...)
HUBO BOSS GETS A NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
IS IT JUST ME...OR IS MONCLER HAVING A VERY GOOD YEAR?
worldwide - be it on the streets of harlem, in the stors of soho-nyc, at oxford circus in london, or even during my mini-break in bath, the one brand i spotted consistently on people from all walks of life was: moncler. i don't know if i've grown more brand aware in my old age, but i've never known moncler to be so popular. of course, i could be on to something...despite the tough economic times for most brands and retailers, moncler seems to be flourishing. they just opened their first free standing store in hong kong right before christmas. their new 1500 square foot store inhabits the second floor of the swanky ifc mall in hong kong's central district.
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: TRACEY ROSS BOUTIQUE SHUTTING DOWN
los angeles - my l.a blaynistas will be in mourning today over this little bit of news: the iconic, fashion forward, boutique tracey ross is shutting it's doors after sixteen years. the boutique named after owner, tracey ross, was based in a beautiful 1600 foot store front on robertson blvd and beloved by civilians and stars alike including kate hudson and (slightly less impressive) courtney love. when asked why she was shutting her doors, here is what ross had to say: "Of course it's the economy," Ross said in explaining her decision. "I'm very proud of what I've done here, but I'm just over it right (now)... "
BILL BLASS CLOTHING LINE SOLD FOR 10 MILLION DOLLARS - CA$H
new york - i guess he had it coming....after a very dramatic year: hiring of peter som, quitting of peter som, return of peter som, sale of bill blass couture - nexcen, which owns the label, just sold it. according to media reports, the company got a cool ten million dollars in cash from peacock international holdings, which bought the business. the purchase price was reportedly far below what nexcen was asking, but it is certainly enough to help nexcen with their new strategy which is to pay down all the debt associated with the business. i wonder what this means for the next phase in what has been more or less a downward spiral for the bill blass label. that said though, what do they say in they say in church? a set back is nothing but a set up for a comeback? it would be brilliant to see the company rise from the ashes - with the help of a star designer - in '09.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry christmas blaynistas!
New jersey - don't you love me? Ten minutes before the day ends (eastern standard time) I check in with you! Here's to a very fabulous holiday. I hope it was all you wanted and more! By the way above is my christmas present this year: pyjamas. I'd wanted a chanel 2.5 quilted but...any gift given with love is just as good (sort of.)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
FASHIONABLE OR FUGLY? THE BABY GAP EDITION
New york - fashionable or fugly? My boyfriend says its ugly, but I absolutely heart this kids gap green patent quilted coat. Would you buy it for your little loved one?
Monday, December 22, 2008
JUST HAD TO SHARE: DESIGNER, NANA BOATENG
Saturday, December 20, 2008
JUST HAD TO SHARE: NK POSTING UP IN NEW YORK CITY
new york - the photo above is that of my very dear friend nicholas konert putting up a guerilla-style installation in new york city. nk, is launching a new line of art-inspired buttons which have already blown me away ( he did a range based on my masters thesis for central saint martins) and are sure to become must-haves once they launch. stay tuned for more details on where to purchase these once they debut. in the meantime see more of nk's work online here.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Just had to share: my new donna karan snow boots
New york - so this is partly in ecstasy over my latest purchase, but mostly in enthusiasm for my latest discovery: blogging via gmail. Its simply phenomenal! I am sitting at newark airport waiting on a line of 300+ for luggage and decided to be productive by communicating with my blaynistas! So herewith a photo of my new winter must have: patent footed snow boots by donna karan. Purchased them a few weeks ago and found them to be a phenomenal combination of chic and functional! Okau back to waiting and marvelling at how mucg this google phone is changing my life!
ON THE ROAD AGAIN......LEAVING LONDON, BACK TO NEW YORK CITY
london/new york - hey my lovelies! i'm currently in row 49/ seat J of a very, very packed Air India flight heading back to new york. i've been in london for the past two weeks and i've gotta say, it's been one of my best trips here. i visited bath for a mini-break, caught up with my mates from central saint martins, got not one - but two - hugs from louise wilson of saint martins (those of you who know her are gagging), and got great feedback on my course work (i'll share about that later.) from roger tredre, my favorite prof. ooh! and i also discovere my new favorite place for fish and chips, it's called the blue anchor in bermondsey (thanks for suggesting it alannah!)i'm gonna miss london, but looking forward to coming back here around fashion week. i'll blog again when i touch down. hugs & besos. z.blay
Thursday, December 18, 2008
JUST ASKING: WHO LIKES THE ROW?
online - i was browsing though the latest issue of vogue china (kate moss on the cover = fierce!) and came across a gown by the row. as you may already know, the row is a label launched by millionaire (or billionaire?) twins, mary kate and ashley olsen. seeing the line credited in vogue china just prompted me to look up whats new with the collection. i found a good number of pieces from this label online at barneys.com. they all look painfully basic (exact replicas of the black skinny pants and peter shirt can be bought for a fraction of a fraction of the price at uniqlo) but somehow the pieces seem unique. the clothes have an air of being simply designed and exceedingly well-made. i've actually never seen the garments in person, yet i get the sense that they are the kinds of clothes one keeps for ages. in anycase, just pulled some photos of my favorite pieces from their spring collection.
KIRA PLASTININA IS CLOSING US STORES: ARE YOU SURPRISED? MORE TO THE POINT, DO YOU CARE?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME....HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ZANDILE....
A CHANEL BAG SO GOOD YOU CAN EAT IT
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE (BOY) FRIEND: THE GOOGLE G1 PHONE
blaynistas, i have fallen in love precious few times in my life. well, we’re going to have to add another lucky candidate to the short list. that’s because today is the day I cracked open the new G1 phone, a birthday treat to myself. this phone lives up to the hype! but instead of going on and on gushing about it let me give you some concrete reasons why:
1. Looks
it definitely wasn’t love at first sight. i thought the phone looked chunky and clunky. but the more i used it the more i grew to appreciate the combo of a quirky keyboard and touch screen. i also love using the phone in either portrait or horizon view. better still, it fits easily into my roomy chanel tote or my mini lockheart clutch.
2. Functionality
oh. my. god. that’s really all i have to say but i will elaborate for your sake. it’s been pure heaven having my Google calendar, Google contacts and Google email regularly available on this phone. all i had to do was sign into my Google log in on this phone and that was that. there was no additional data entry as all my Google information immediately uploaded. if you are a Google fan you’ll be a G1 phone stan!
3. Durability
i am notorious for dropping expensive electronics, and unfortunately this phone is no different. Luckily, it’s as tough as they come. And has withstood scratches, scrapes, and drops.
4. Highlights
i have two words: Shop Savvy. this is just one of a myriad of programs available on the phone that help with every aspect of your life. the phone is not just a phone - but a little personal assistant!
My final analysis?
this phone is not worth the hype - it’s better than the hype.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
IN CASE YOU CARE ABOUT TORY BURCH...HERE'S THE SAMPLE SALE INFO
new york - i had to add 'incase you care' because lord knows i don't. this label has zero appeal to me. i think ms. burch and the whole crew got over on a cute logo that all the new york girls went crazy over. i saw her flats emblazoned with the bold t/b logo all summer and spring, and wondered each time why someone would pay $185 for them. in all fairness, my uber fabulous aunt owns about three pairs of burch's flats and makes them look good every time. but she's the rare exception. and i know even she agrees that its much better to put your coins towards chanel flats as i did....but i digress...the sale is in new york city, no specific location listed, so email the contact. so sorry if you are not based in the big apple....also, i see its not open to the public. but since as a blaynista you are by default an uber-fashion-insider, you don't count as public do you? just cut and paste the message below into word and print out. but don't say i told you!