Interview: The Glittery World of Richie Rich

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

Though Heatherette is all but ancient history, Richie Rich is still a glam club kid at heart.  Amidst a sea of models – bones and high ponytails from wall to ceiling – I met up with the designer and his design director Angelo Lambrou during a casting call for Richie’s runway show. This will be his second collection for his eponymous label and will be held at the Hammerstein Ballroom on February 10th at 9 pm. Proceeds will go to benefit two causes very close to Richie’s sequined heart: DoSomething.org and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. We discussed Richie’s fabulous inspirations, his fabulous friends and the first time he met Madonna. Which was, you guessed it, fabulous.

QUOTABLE: Anne Slowly Reminds Us That Whitney Port Isn’t a “Real Designer”

Edited by Saynt

Anne Slowly, editrix at Elle Magazine, really didn’t hold back on Whitney Port‘s collection last nights episode of The City. I’m guessing a CFDA award isn’t in the works for the MTV star. Check out the pedestal-knocking quote after the jump…

THE TEN: Best NYC Stores You Might Not Know About

Edited by Hillary Frazier

Sick of waiting in long lines only to find that generic store in SoHo has ran out of your size?  We’ve made a list on stores we love, and that you may have missed.  We’re sure that some of you fashion peeps already know about these wonders, but we want to let everyone else in on the secrets:

Cry Wolf- Located in St. Marks (111), this boutique features goods for men and women from awesome designers such as: 80%20, Chronicles of Never, Creative Recreation, S2Vs, Jeffrey Campbell, Gram, and Nudie.  Find the best shoes, accessories, and clothing from your favorite indie designers worldwide, without having to scour through tons of internet sites.

Inven.tory- Located at Lafayette and Spring, get GREAT deals (outlet pricing) on emerging designers, and catch up on the latest trends! Inven.tory’s inventory changes weekly, so stop in frequently to make sure you get the best stuff! They don’t have a site quite yet, but you can check out their blog for all the latest news about the store, and what you should be wearing.

Gargyle- Located on Orchard near Canal (16A), this store is aiming to revitalize the country club lifestyle, and features designers like Vena Cava, Fred Perry, Karen Walker, and Surface to Air (among others).  They claim to love ‘golf, tennis, concerts, and parties,’ so if you fit into any or all of the above, or just enjoy ‘anything that lets us have fun with our family and friends,’ check out Gargyle.  Shop online if you must, but to get the full country club party experience, you have to stop in!

In God We Trust- They’ve got three stores in town, 265 Lafayette, Ludlow btwn. Stanton and Rivington, and 135 Wythe in Brooklyn.  Stop in for the sickest jewelry, antique and new, as well as fun, adventurous clothing that brings out the vintage nature in everyone.  Check out their site for previews, and stop in to get the real treasures.

Tokyo 7- Located on 7th St. btwn. 2nd and 3rd Ave, this consignment store offers limitless designer goods, everything from Prada, Gucci, D&G, Miu Miu, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Heatherette, and 5Preview.  Save on anything you could possibly want, and enjoy the ever-changing stock. No site available, sorry to all of you non-NYC natives.

Love Brigade- Located at 230 Grand Street, you’ve probably heard us talk about Love Brigade, but we want you to love them as much as we do.  They sell their original line Love Brigade, a diffusion line (ex.oh), as well as an experimental line (As We Are), as well as selected pieces from other great indie designers.  Stop in and say hi to our friends, and get some awesome clothes while you’re at it!

Assembly- Located on Ludlow btwn. Stanton and Houston, this store is just for the boys (with the occasional women’s accessory filtering through).  Get new and vintage clothing and accessories from the greatest collector in town, with tons of foreign labels and indie stuff, too.  There’s even a vinyl section in the back, so you can get your music and fashion all in once place!

Valley- Located on Elizabeth btwn. Prince and Spring, the ultimate experience in one-stop shopping.  Enjoy looking through clothing from avant-guard designers, and favorites like Grey Ant, Lady Leisure, and Caroline K, and also enjoy the skin, nail, and waxing salon, and a cafe.  This store really has it all, check it out as soon as you can!

Kiosk- Located on Spring St. btwn. Broadway and Mercer, this isn’t exactly a clothing or accessories store, but they sell a bunch of random trinkets and other goodies that would be great for a DIY project.  If you’re in one of those moods to look for something, but you aren’t exactly sure what, head over to Kiosk.  Plus, they’re right next to that window that sells the mini cupcakes, which is awesome.

First Among Equals- Located at 177 Orchard, this store sells 0044, Bess, Dunlin, Michel Berandi, and more (just for guys).  First Among Equals has recently opened a dark downstairs that you enter through a narrow spiral staircase, and enjoy a private shopping feel with handpicked clothes from designers, offering a rare flair that you won’t find anywhere else. Check out their site for up-to-date sales, but don’t miss out on this unique shopping experience.

What’s your favorite store in New York City?

QUOTABLE: Richie Rich Blames ‘Backers’ for Break-Up

Edited by Rebecca Alexander

“Well, I created Heatherette. It’s not like working at McDonald’s. I decided I didn’t want to do it anymore, because the backers we had were basically assholes. I love what I do, I’m an artist. It’s like being in a band. If the lead singer gets fucked over, you move on. I’m not mad at Traver, it’s just that the people who backed us who really weren’t nice people. They took advantage of us, in every respect.”

I Like Big Butts And I Cannot Lie

Edited by Kirby Marzec

Finally! A plus-size model story with success, confidence, recognition and a happy ending! If you think back a few years to the runways of Vena Cava, Heatherette and most notably, Jean Paul Gaultier, you’ll probably remember seeing a model that looked a little out of place…a plus size model. Although model Crystal Renn started off as a thin model in the industry, after being told to lose 1/3 of her body fat she threw in the towel. That decision, my friends, has made all the difference. Renn gained 70lbs, putting her back at a normal and healthier body weight, and was re-marked by agents as a plus-size model. Happy, healthy and on scoring editorials in Vogue and Harpers Bazaar. Honestly, what could be better!? I don’t care if Crystal Renn is a size 2 or a size 12, she is the woman that this starving, corrupt modeling industry needs.
 

Thanks Bobble Bee!

FASHION PORN: Omahyra Mota

Edited by Princess Glover

If you’re a true fashion savant, then you’ll probably remember her from the infamously salacious Ellen Von Unwerth spread with former boy toy Boyd Holbrook. As for me, Omahyra Mota’s presence has haunted me since watching her crash a posh runway show in Jay-Z’s “Change Clothes” video. The Dominican Republic-born model possesses a striking combination of androgyny and femininity as well as a bad-ass devil may care attitude that sets her miles apart from the wannabe hipster models of today. Please God, no more naked pictures of Agyness Deyn. Ugghhh.

I am so captivated by Omahrya’s brash, around the way demeanor, killer bod, and unconventional sharp beauty, which isn’t the least bit tarnished by a collection of audacious tats and piercings. She’s modeled for both men and women’s clothing, which I find terribly admirable, she has also graced the covers of numerous rags, been featured in many a print ads including Rocawear, has walked for Bill Blass, Alexander McQueen, Heatherette, Fendi, and Jean Paul Gaultier, and made the list of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful in 2001. I haven’t been this in love with a model since Helena Christensen. I can only hope that people would stop salivating over vacuous, airbrushed celebs and get back to appreciating the ones who make looking insanely gorgeous an art.

Why Does Mommy Drink Daddy? And Other Questions Heatherette’s Are Asking Right Now.

Edited by Saynt

We know where this is heading.

It starts with Daddy staying a little too late at work with his new secretary. Then mommy’s crying in the bathroom with a bottle of gin. And pretty soon you have two Christmas’ and a slew of step brothers who like playing “Hide the Inhaler” when you come over.

The break up is so eminent. Richie Rich has signed with shit maker Hot Topic to create a line of clothing without Heatherette.

“He didn’t want to do it,” sighs Richie. “They asked Heatherette to do it initially, but Traver said no, so I was like, well I’ll do it! I love Hot Topic!”

The line will hit the retailer in the near future and should fit well with equally crappy goods from Perez Hilton and Avril Levine.

Dammit Richie, we wanted to like you but this is unforgivable. Hot Topic is where emos go to die!!!

Richie Rich To Go Solo For Shoe Line

Edited by Rebecca Alexander

Richie Rich is reportedly going solo for his very first shoe line. Launching tonight in the LES, rumor has it that fave girl Lydia Hearst is hosting the party and wearing his first pair of shoes.

Very interested to see the collection, loved Heatherette.