FashionIndie » ruben toledo

Fashion Group International’s Starry Night

Lester Brathwaite — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:29:48 +0000

Fashion Group International will honor Saks Fifth Ave CEO Stephen I. Sadove with the Superstar Award on October 27th at its annual Night of Stars gala. Also included in the honoring are professional turner of “It,” Daphne Guinness and perennial Oscar snubee, Julianne Moore.

Sadove joins a long and prestigious list of Superstar honorees including Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan and Valentino Garavani.

FGI will also honor some Stars who aren’t quite as Super such as Raf Simons, recent haute couture hero Giambattista Valli and Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte in the fashion category and Jules Moore will get her dues in the entertainment category. Guinness, meanwhile, will receive the Fashion Provocateur award.

Loveable mo Simon Doonan will host the event at Cipriani on Wall Street and Ruben Toledo will handle the award artwork. [WWD]

Refugee Chic with the Toledos

Lester Brathwaite — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:56:36 +0000

New Yorkers have their own way of braving what seems to be this never-ending Snowpocalypse that’s holding our fair city hostage. Harper’s Bazaar Editrix-in-Chief Glenda Bailey has a “beautiful and practical” Burberry coat. Isabel and Ruben Toledo trump her for practicality, however; they’ll be wrapping their shoes in plastic bags.

When FashionIndie ‘s lovely EIC, Samantha Lim asked Ruben Toledo what he’ll wear to trudge through the 39 feet of snow presently covering the streets and sidewalks, he responded:

“I’ll wear plastic bags over my regular boots. I love the refugee look. I’m a political refugee from Cuba, so any moment to dress out of the ordinary I take with gusto! I’ll be all over plastic bags and rubber bands to keep everything on me. I’m big on that and Isabel is too. She’ll probably be wearing like three layers of tube socks and probably like four coats with a belt over it, she loves that kind of look.”

And since Ruben only wears Isabel Toledo, you can expect that those plastic bags will be branded. Mark my words, look for Michelle Obama wearing Isabel Toledo shoe-bags in the coming months.

BOOK REVIEW: Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What To Wear For Every Occasion

The Fashion Web — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:47:51 +0000

Nina Garcia, Marie Claire Magazine fashion director, Project Runway judge and bestselling author answers the age old dilemma “What should I wear?” in her new book Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What To Wear For Every Occasion, available August 10th.
I got my hands on an advance copy and can tell you right now that I am going to bring this book with me wherever I go. Not only is it a great reference book, acclaimed painter, sculptor, fashion illustrator (and husband of fashion designer Isabel), Ruben Toledo’s delightful illustrations make it a collector’s item as well.

Garcia tackles all the dressing dilemmas a woman might encounter from what to wear on an interview to what to wear on a first date, a Broadway show, a cocktail party and what to wear to a wedding. She even helps readers decide what to wear while getting their hair done, appearing for jury duty or asking for a raise. There’s an entire section on what to wear while volunteering which gets so specific as to list various volunteer organizations and appropriate attire for each of them. With that section alone, Garcia highlights the fact that fashion and style are not the stuff of superficiality.

Garcia doesn’t dictate hard and fast fashion rules to readers. In fact, for many of the occasions listed in the book, Garcia includes a section called Rules are Made to be Broken in which she does just that – takes long-standing fashion rules and dispels them. (She encourages readers to break a few of their own too.) One of my favorites: Never wear black with brown or navy. Garcia topples this rule by saying, “Rubbish. Black with brown, navy or gray is a thoroughly modern twist on classic dressing.” She also includes sections called Rule Breakers We Love and her reasons for loving them. Garcia stresses the importance of personal style over being a fashion slave and inspires readers to know thyself and dress for who you are. Her voice is strong yet personal and, periodically readers are treated to inside glimpses of this fashion uber-icon’s inner thoughts. (Who would have guessed that Garcia not only fields the question “What should I wear?” but calls her friends and asks them for their advice too. Love her!)

Hair and makeup tips, quotes from well-known people, and accessory suggestions round out Garcia’s pages. Never heavy handed or dictatorial, Garcia’s Look Book is a fun and fashionable tome and one that you’ll refer to time and time again. Even if you have nowhere to go.

Nina Garcia’s Look Book, What To Wear For Every Occasion with illustrations by Ruben Toledo is available for $23.99 on August 10th. http://www.EverBeautiful.com

LINK LOVE:BOOK REVIEW: Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What To Wear For Every Occasion

Raindrops On Roses And Ruben and Isabel Toledo

Abe Gurko, IMeanWhat.com — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:36:53 +0000

Toledo Towels.

Bright Stephen Burrows and warm woolen mittens…

Though white paper packages tied up with strings are not on my list, these are a few of my favorite people. Unless you are dead, you know that Target is opening its first store in New York City…East Harlem to be exact. Although it is still a bit of a schlepp for me, seeing that I am a devout downtown-ite, the great news is that the Target folks had the where-with-all to engage designers that would resonate in their new neighborhood. Most notably, Stephen Burrows and the illustrious Isabel and Ruben Toledo. When Target launches those limited edition designer bits with the likes of Zac Posen or Alexander McQueen, that stuff doesn’t really float my boat. At least now, I get to crow about Ruben and Isabel Toledo’s swimwear collection and Stephen Burrows’ signature hand print T-shirts. Why? Because I lerve them. I have known Stephen since the early days of Studio 54…I was a Burrow-ette. And as for the Toledos, well, name me one other couple in the fashion industry that is as admired, respected and talented as those two, besides maybe Inez van Lamsveerde and Vinoodh Matadin. Go ahead….name another couple on that level…you see…ungats? Sorry, but Katy Perry and Russell Brand do not cut it.

Stephen Burrows…work.

Most importantly, these groovy designers are donating a percentage of sales to their favorite charities. Isabel and Ruben Toledo have selected El Museo del Barrio, while Stephen Burrows is supporting The Young Women’s Leadership School of East Harlem. So, check out some of the pieces that my peeps are doing…and buy, buy baby.

OK, I love the swimsuits…but can you make something for me, please?

LINK LOVE:Raindrops On Roses And Ruben and Isabel Toledo

FIRST LOOK: Target’s Harlem Line

Rebecca Alexander — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:00:29 +0000

Check out the first images of Target‘s new Harlem line, a collaboration with Ruben and Isabel Toledo and Stephen Burrows on some exclusive summer outfits. The clothes hit Harlem’s Target store first (on July 25), followed by Target’s website and select stores (on August 1). More…

Nina Garcia To Release Recession Ready Fashion Book

Kirby Marzec — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:57:36 +0000

Conscious of the fashion toll that the current economic crisis has taken on women, Nina Garcia is here to rescue! Titled “The Style Strategy: A Less Is More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart,” Garcia plans to offer her wisdom on maintaining style all while balancing your checkbook! Due in late August with illustrations, once again, by Ruben Toledo, Garcia’s insight just might save the fashion savvy from recession defeat! The fashion gurus will prevail!

Thanks Fabsugar!

Touring Isabel Toledo’s Midtown Maison

Kirby Marzec — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:03:20 +0000

It may seem like Fashion Indie is turning into Real Estate Indie, but with photos of swanky designer apartments floating all over the web, I can’t help sharing these eclectic pads with you indies! Isabel Toledo and artist husband Ruben gutted and converted a poorly maintained midtown loft into an inspiring and intimate city escape. Decorated with personal artwork, exotic plants, mannequins, streetlights and other unique items, the rooftop space (complete with full skylight) is a retreat away from the craze of the fashion industry.

For more, check out NY Mag!