TrendSpark
Good Nymphs Gone Bad
Check out this article from New York Mag;
Only last week, woolly, dense sweaters and jackets still seemed appealingly cozy. Now they are unbearably itchy and depressing. Pale colors and tender fabrics that echo Spring’s poetic undertakings (unfurling green leaves, fragile buds, that kind of thing)—these are what should be in the closet, even if it is, really, still too cold to wear them. The pieces here have none of the English-nursery sweetness of past seasons; instead, they’re a little rumpled, a little wrinkled, and look more like they spent a night in the woods than an afternoon drinking tea.
FI: The time for sleek and sophisticated is over. Clothing is turning “rumpled” and wrinkled. Does anyone really want to look like they spent a night in the woods? Personally, I would like to look like I’ve spent an afternoon drinking tea.
Tell us what you think…
Popularity: 1% [?]
Fashion in a Post 9/11 World
The worst day of my life was 9/11. I think most New Yorkers feel the same. These are Designer Gas Masks that where made for display only. They stand for more then fashion terrorism, they are a comment on the constant state of fear in general as stated on the company sites manifesto…
“We are in a state of perpetual war – with ourselves and with the eco-system that sustains us. Perpetual war breeds perpetual fear. In the present context, this fear stems from our extreme desire for authenticity and manifests itself in our collectively insatiable culture of consumption.
Deep down, we are afraid we may never be satisfied. An expanding archive of branded myths and icons feeds this fear. Designer Gas Masks is an attempt to visualize this state of mind. Because it is only by first acknowledging and then challenging fear that we will all be able to breathe a little easier.”
As I was web surfing all these images came to me, I wasn’t searching for them specifically. It got me thinking about how art imitates life and what kind of world we are living in. I’m not criticizing any of these pieces. I’m writing about them out of fascination. They’ve really challenged my state of mind. I’m known for designing for a rock n roll Lolita world with bows and hearts. I’ll continue to do so. Designer Jame Piatt will probably not.
Now that I’ve said my piece on this issue for a more lighter happy fluffy take on fashion come visit me at my own blog ANGEL LUST PR!!! I’m all about tea parties and party dresses!!!
Hearts-Kristen May Anastasia
Popularity: 1% [?]
Bamboo Beautiful
Bamboo is like the whiz kid of the botany world. It builds houses, feeds pandas, filters toxins out of the soiland grows up to four feet per day in any climate—and it also makes a pretty great cashmere substitute. Pamplemosses is a new label out of LA that has realized the potential of this overachieving plant and used it to create a line of kitten-soft garments for men, women and babies, proving that luxury doesn’t have to harm the earth.
The brainchild of artist Gene Eu, Pamplemosses was born in November 2006 with a simple goal in mind: “to bring people harmonious products that are comfortable, beautiful, and nurturing to the environment.” To achieve this, each Pamplemosses T-shirt, dress and pair of underwear is crafted from 100% natural bamboo fiber, and is silk screened with Eu’s nature-inspired illustrations in water-based ink. The resulting fabrics are not just super soft, but also hypoallergenic, antibacterial and UV protective—apparently, the only thing they can’t do is make the morning coffee.
The past year’s journey has been a major learning curve for Eu and his team, many of whom come from high-fashion backgrounds. “Working with bamboo is a pretty new approach, and there weren’t any rules for us to follow when we started out,” he explains. But with a growing following among the fashion set and exciting new innovations in fabric color and texture in the works for next year, it looks like their cram session has more than paid off.
Content courtesy of JC Report.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Designer Discovery; Milleners
The art of millinery was thought to be dead until Philip Treacy teamed up with Isabella Blow (and later Alexander McQueen) to create some of the craziest hats this industry has ever seen. Well, move over Treacy, there are a few indies climbing the ranks behind you. Introducing…
Jeanette Sendler Edinburgh
Kokin
Marilena Romeo
Gina Foster
Noel Stewart
Popularity: 1% [?]
Time to Fear, Sheer Is Here
Hermes S/S 2008
Spring is officially here, which means a crap load of new short sleeves and brightly colored apparel will be hitting the shelves of your favorite retailers. Of course not all the new looks you can expect to see this season will work on every body type (or sexual preference). Case in point, sheer for men.
Yes, indies apparently the designing gods got bored this season and figured that the look that swept the gay scene in the late nineties was primed and ready for a coming out party. I thought we got over that whole “metro” phase and were getting ripped and ready for the resurgence of the MAN. I’m guessing that Hermes didn’t get the message.
Of course, they aren’t the only ones touting the joys of showing off your Hersey Kisses. Gucci, Prada and DriesVan Noten all produced some revealing looks for men that left most on the sidelines wanting less!!! I’m sorry but pencil thin men in sheer tops seem more up to speed for the twink loving set, which is why this look is only acceptable if you’re gay.
How to wear sheer if you’re not? You can’t. It’s not possible. Unless your name is Raphael and you’re from Ibiza and you have some wicked accent and a million dollars in your back pocket, this look should never, ever be attempted by a straight man looking to score. It would be the equivalent of sexual suicide, cause no woman would ever think your actually into her, especially when she notices you have a chest like a 12 year old through your sheer Hermes top.
Popularity: 1% [?]
How To Wear Leggings (without looking like an American Apparel reject)
I’ll be honest. I really used to hate leggings. I thought they looked ridiculous on most girls who used the glorified stockings as an alternative to pants. Of course, with time, the testament of the eighties grew on me and I came to appreciate the thinner, American Apparel addicted silhouettes that were making down the streets of New York.
But how does the fashionably forward wear leggings today, now that most of the city has adopted a pants-free attitude?
Here are some new ways to wear the fashion staple…
ADD SHINE - This season leggings are going Lycra creating sleek, shark-skin shines that will add an extra bit of boom to your look. The leggings pictured above by The Row (The Olsens line) is the perfect look for the urbanite looking for a bit more attention and set you in a leggings crowd all your own. (On the model - The Row’s lambskin on cotton and Lycra leggings and viscose T-shirt worn with Don the Verb’s wool coat. Rise Up’s organic cotton shirt and scarf; Tashkent by Cheyenne’s boots.)
THAT 70’s SHOW - The seventies meets the eighties as tie dye influences add flair to the bland legging. WARNING: Engage this look with caution. We will call you a reject if it looks like members of The Doors splugged all over your legs. (On the model - Blue Blood’s leather jacket, Mark and Estel’s cotton T-shirt and Gary Graham’s cotton leggings. Low Luv by Erin Wasson necklace; Herve Lger by Max Azria boots.)
ZIP IT UP - Now your leggings can make you look like you’ve just come off the set of a S&M film. I’m really in love with this look so if any of you indies are rocking this, please send picts to saynt@fashionindie so that we can share it on the site. (On the model - Brains on Fire’s cotton T-shirt and Superfine’s cotton and elastane jeans. Ksubi sunglasses; Don the Verb scarf; CC Skye clutch.)
LEATHER LOVERS - I can’t get over how awesome this looks. I’ve never been a fan of leather chaps on women, but in leggings form the cowhide creates a look that is purely lux. (On the model - Miss Sixty’s cotton blazer, Mark and Estel’s cotton T-shirt and Blue Notch’s cotton and polyester leggings. Body chain from Low Luv by Erin Wasson; clutch from The Jack Rabbit Collection; Silpada ring.)
Images courtesy of WWD
Popularity: 7% [?]
Ahoy There Matey! Nautical Numbers
One trend that seems to be taking sail down my high street is the nautical trend. You name it, anchor prints, hues in navy blues, sailor dresses and canvas shoes; nautical chic is here to stay!Normally I wouldn’t have batted my fashion obsessed eyes at this so-called fad, since it’s all rather predictable. Come spring and summer - you just know it will be back on the pages of all the glossies, being declared as the hottest trend of the season.
However I recently caught up on a bunch of movies I’d missed at the cinema; Sweeney Todd being one of them. (Yes, I do gleam style tips from just about everywhere, that includes movies about psychopathic barbers hell-bent on revenge)
So where was I? Yes in Sweeney Todd, there’s a lovely and incredibly beautiful scene where the two protagonists take a trip to the beach (as demonstrated in the picture below)
I’ll admit Johnny does looks like he might not be embracing all things beachside, take a look at what Helena is wearing! It sums up just about everything I love about this nautical trend. It’s fun, a little theatrical and colourful in a tasteful way.
It might look a like way too much for us mere mortals, but don’t worry about that. You can take a few simple key pieces to brighten up any dull outfit. Here are a few choice pieces that might take your fancy.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Loading …Ryunosuke Aoyagi’s Sweet Inspirations
Kanye’s Shade Fetish
I have nothing against sunglasses when worn in the sun or at least during daytime hours.
But I find it a tad pretentious when people wear them indoors for more than 15 minutes, (just in case they forget to remove them). Even more so when you are having a conversation with a person and they fail to remove their unnecessary eye-wear out of respect. What ever happened to eye contact!?
Well, here is a text book case of a pretentious, cocky, eye-wear whore…
Mr. Kanye West.
I wonder if he has a room just for his shades…
This could just be a phase, possibly a disease… an ego disease, that is. Whatever it may be let’s hope he doesn’t try to take credit for the popularity of sunglasses or even worse, create a label!
Popularity: 4% [?]
The Latest in Shoe Trends
Just thought you indies would be interested to see what is the latest in shoe trends, and I’m not talking about Paris Hilton’s latest shoe en devour.
Maison Martin Margiela
Bruno Frisoni
Antonio Berardi
Popularity: 2% [?]
Style Watch at People.com
Time for some merciless comentary on People.com’s, Celeb Fashion Hit or Miss.
Cate Blanchett: She’s pregnant? Hm, considering her physical condition this look will do. Though I wouldn’t necessarilly call it a hit. If there is any time to play it safe and keep it as simple as possible, it’s with child.
Heidi Klum: This woman can do no wrong! Here she is wearing designer tin foil that looks as though the mini dress was sewn on to her yet she is gracefully at ease. Expect an ode to the Goddess in the near future.
Ashlee Simpson: Along with the hair color, I’m not so fond of black thigh-high boots with anything. It’s a tough look to pull, few have been successful… therefore, I’m on the fence.
Marion Cotillard: No contest. If I have to stare at a dress long enough for it to loom some appeal then it should never be worn in public. The shoes are cute though.
Kerry Washington: The look is lovely, but not quite the ensemble for the Spririt Awards. I’m not sure if there is a glamour preference according to an award show’s caliber, whatever it is I don’t think this is it.
Kate Beckinsale: Definitely a hit. What more could I say?
Julianne Moore: Hit, and not because I love red-heads. Black with green floral compliments her fair skin and rich hair color.
Jada Pinkett Smith: I haven’t seen Jada in a photo, film or show for quite some time but from the looks of things this lady takes care. Here she is attending the same award show as Ms. Washington above in what seems more award-worthy attire.
Sharon Stone: Animal prints can make or break you. The choice of brown zebra is refreshing and easy on the eyes (when tamed), though it would be just fine without the chemise-like, matching jacket-thing. My vote teeters between hit and miss… Which makes it an automatic MISS. I shouldn’t have to “teeter.”
So unfortunate to end with a miss…
But that’s that folks.
Popularity: 2% [?]