Designer: The Lake And Stars

Edited by Princess Glover

Designers Nikki Dekker and Maayan Zilberman have ingeniously created a quirky, yet sophisticated line of intimate apparel that, if tempted enough, even the less brazen would walk that fine line of “should you be wearing that outdoors?” Named after a Victorian-era epithet for women who were ladies in the streets and hoes in the sheets, The Lake and Stars embraces both classic and contemporary trends creating pieces that are sensual, feminine, and assertive in detail. These characteristics remain evident in the Spring/Summer 09 collection, which reveals fashion-forward bras and undies, reconstructed garter belts, and filmy camis and teddies.

Lest You Get Caught With Your Leggings Down

Edited by Princess Glover

After taking an inadvertent inventory, I’ve concluded that my collection of unmentionables is lackluster, to say the least, which does not a respectable young lady make. With the exception of a few (very few) “might get some” thongs and booty boy shorts, my elastic-worn, stretched out, looks like I took a dump-on-myself, sorry excuses for everyday undies has compelled me to start anew. In congruence with the New Year, I figure this is my chance to refresh, revive and replenish, and finally get some big girl drawers. Whatever the case may be–modest, playful, classy or slutty–there’s more than enough to choose from, including some noteworthy labels I’ve come across thus far:

Luva Huva Knickers- British designer Joanna Ketterer’s collection of frilly, floral and chaste.

Kitty and Dick by Michael Knight- Talk about subtlety. Has project runway have yet to do a lingerie challenge?

La Perla- So unapologetically elitist. How I wish I could afford thee.

Trendspark: The Old Becomes New (Again)

Edited by Princess Glover

What started out as a hallmark of the cultured gentleman has now become the “it” boy/girl staple for our fashion-forward times. The oxford style loafer has positioned itself as the ultimate unisex accessory. They can take a look from a gallery showing of your artist friend’s overpriced renderings, to a Steve Aoki-induced dance coma at some off the grid hot spot. They’ve become so versatile in this respect since the unconventional variations of today, which include flagrant gold and reflective metallic, leave you susceptible to the adoration of wishful onlookers. But when you need an ego boost–a look that says, “I’m better than you”–you’ll never go wrong when you unite a classic, jet black pointy-toe leather with your favorite Banana Republic pea coat and bulky linen scarf.

Don’t You Wanna Bite My Style?

Edited by Princess Glover

As if the fashion industry isn’t already dripping with pretension, I am nonetheless boiling with envy as I look at all these people whose wardrobe game is more fierce than Andre J’s legs in a pair of Louboutins. Lookbook.nu is a fabulous website full of mostly creative guys and gals from all over the world sporting some very cool wardrobe under the guise of manipulated photos and artful poses. The aesthetic can be easily described as funky, hipster clotheshorse, but looks can often range from downright grunge to delicate and posh. The site lends itself to a basic construct in which anyone can post pics, even entire albums, of themselves accompanied by brief descriptions and coquettish subtitles (Since you’ve gone I lost a chip on my shoulder). Lookbook also allows you to rate which looks you like the most, culminating in an all out stat war. Whenever you’re wondering what all the cool kids in Paris, Montreal, London, Stockholm and so on is wearing, or you just need a little inspiration, this one’s highly recommended.

Spread Um: Ciara For Elle

Edited by Princess Glover

As part of her attempt to remain relevant, Ciara gets all avante in a spread for the January issue of Elle. I may have been a little more impressed had it not been for the literal composition: the pseudo subtle poses, the offbeat hair and makeup, the captivating, yet impractical wardrobe. It’s somewhat trite, but also refreshing, since I’m enjoying the fact that more hip hop and R&B artists are embracing high-fashion couture, whether its self- imposed or at the heedfulness of their publicist. I’ll give Ciara some credit though…it was probably her idea.

Life After Top Model: Eva Marcille

Edited by Princess Glover

So we’re all aware that Eva the Diva from cycle two has experienced immense success since her win. She wasn’t that hard to miss for a while (especially in bad BET movies), and has managed to become a prominent fixture in the media. But after a brief haitus, it seems that Eva has resurfaced, doing what she was trained to do. As we all know it’s imperative that Top Model contestants learn to execute commercials and take cursory acting classes taught by overzealous coaches, happy to finally get their fifteen. Where does this kind of training become useful? In cheesy soap operas, of course.

In The Young and the Restless, Marcille’s character, Tyra (coincidence?) is a young mother, and potential homewrecker trying to seek refuge in Genoa City in an attempt to leave behind her hard knock life. The role was intended to be temporary, but according to recent reports, writers will be making changes to keep her in soap land, due to a successful response to her alter ego. So I guess having to hawk Campbell’s soup in Japanese wasn’t all for naught.

Check out the video here, sorry we couldn’t grab it, the code was disabled

Oooh…It’s Time To Jam….Nasty Girls, Dance, Dance, Dance!

Edited by Princess Glover

According to Nasty Gal Vintage founder Sophia Amoruso, her home base of San Francisco is a goldmine to some of the most amazing vintage in the world (which you have the hippies to thank for, of course). What started out as a humble Ebay store is now a venerable clothing candy shop, filled with delicious, handpicked vintage goodies from the sixties, seventies, and eighties. Treasures run the gamut of dresses, skirts, rompers, shoes, glasses and other leftovers from fashion yesteryear. What I love most about this site is that the pieces have a pristine quality, making them look as if they were made today, instead of 20 or 30 years ago. It’s nice to see vintage that doesn’t look so worn, even if it does defeat the fashion purpose.

In addition to vintage pieces, Nasty Gal also features new items from labels such as Rojas and Costume Dept. If you got some bread to blow, I suggest doing it here.

Designer Discovery; Keller NY

Edited by Princess Glover

To make basics look this good is not an easy feat, yet Keller has overcome just that with her current line of solid wardrobe staples and shoes. With styles that permit long-term wear, her aesthetic could also be easily described as somewhat retro-androgynous. Curse Agyness Deyn and her trendsetting ways. It’s utilitarian, but feminine with the addition of prints, as well as more structured shilouettes that fit closer to the body and offer a vintage feel. A much bolder step from last season for the new designer, whose very femme spring/summer collection is a stark contrast to the dark, offbeat neutrals of late. The chimney sweep booties are equally fierce, as they have taken on a much more brazen personality given the variations in crocodile and tennis shoe.