style cravings

wallpaper peek

Two stunning images from the September issue of Wallpaper, one of my favorite magazines.

via Wallpaper  September 2007 

You Wear It Well / Got a Minute? Winner

If you're not on Iqons yet and you plan to be or are involved in fashion, then I'd suggest signing up. It's a social networking site dedicated to the creative arts industry where members can showcase their portfolio.

One of my favorite Iqons' feature is its monthly You Wear It Well / Got a Minute? competition. The winner, as explained by Diane Pernet, will be featured in the second edition of You Wear It Well, "a festival of short films and videos from around the world exploring themes of fashion, beauty and style."

I'm really excited about the creative use of video in fashion. Video is going to be the next Big thing everywhere on the web and it will become an essential aspect of the branding process. Fashion-forward designers should leap into conceptual video "fashion shows" now because streaming video technology is catching up. The cry that "print is dead" is true in some ways, but that's a plus not a negative. Style addicts will continue to crave fashion glossies, but will demand more, which will result in an unleashing of creativity in the fashion industry. Instead of static print shoots, there'll be intriguing short films (e.g. FLY) or cool multimedia editorials (e.g. Hint). If the work is good, it'll remain etched into one's mind far longer than a stunning print editorial of which we've already seen zillions. I still remember Zac Posen's video from last year and although it wasn't my favorite, I can still vividly recall it because it was a novelty at the time. Personally I've always been a fan of more conceptual narrative runway shows, which explains my devotion to Alexander McQueen and Victor&Rolf. Models merely walking down the runway bores me. I'm excited to see what will come out of video.

via Iqons

oh dear, let's hope it's not true...

According to The Sunday Times, Topshop, owned by Sir Philip Green, has been using "slave labor" to produce Kate Moss' label. Fashion Wire Daily writes that immigrant factory workers in Mauritius have been grossly exploited by being paid $8 for a 12-hour day. In addition, "workers from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India were reportedly recruited for fees of around $725 by agents, flown to Mauritius and then locked in compounds where they were forced to work 70-hour weeks, for far less than the wages they were originally promised."

Mr. Green's response was:  “I sent inspectors to factories to look at the working conditions, to see that they are not working in sweatshops, that the working conditions are good. I can’t stand there and count how many people are working,”

via FWD

i luv karl!

I've always loved opinionated people and Karl is not one to disappoint as pointed out by Guardian Unilimited:

Lagerfeld's wise words

Here are our top 10 classic quotes from Lagerfeld Confidential, a documentary about the life and times of the fashion designer.

On fashion and fantasy: "I'm not interested in the reality of people."

On prostitution: "I'm rather pro-prostitution. I admire people who do it. It can't be much fun. Thank goodness for it. People need relief or they become murderers."

On fashion and snobbery: "If you want social justice, be a social worker."

On his career: "When I took on Chanel she was a sleeping beauty. Not even a beautiful one. She snored."

Word used to describe the lesser-known, younger models in a Chanel show: Brats.

via fashionologie via GU

boombox london

Considering that Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year, it's easy to see why I would love to have Boombox in NYC. If you want a mini tour with Agyness Deyn and Henry Holland, head to Style.com for their video clip.

pics via dirtydirtydancing

nu rave robotica

via hannulelaurai

I found these images on hannulelaurai's Myspace page, which induced fantasies of a futuristic themed party. Of course, London must be Nu Raved out with all of the neon splash going on at Boombox, but New York could use an injection of uber-colorful futuristic partying. Dancing to my grandparents' tunes at Beatrice Inn the other night just didn't groove me...my immune system has been fighting the retro bug for some time now.

But please don't overdose on robo love!

via IvyGate

andy warhol on rollers and more...

I'd never thought of Andy Warhol on roller skates and was therefore delighted to see this image over at Disneyrollergirl.

...and this cool bike has me itchin' to roll! Don't you just love those emerald ankle booties?!

via Disneyrollergirl

my dream studio

If only I could have a live-in studio such as this one spotted by The Coolhunter in the "trendy backstreets of Jingumae in Tokyo."

An excerpt:

"This small live in studio and salon has been decked in black paint with a beautifully elegant mural, depicted from the salon’s own brand to engulf its two exposed walls.  The hand-painted pattern is reminiscent of an inverted Rorschach inkblot drawing. Yet the symmetrical display blends perfectly with the centre piece - a woman overwhelmed by the surrounding plumage. And while the windows are large and severe, they don’t distort the image. Instead, they perforate the design with different levels of intensity, revealing larger and smaller details of what lies beneath."

via The Coolhunter

reverie

Reverie (designed by Alison Woodward)

I'm ecstatic over my recent discovery of Reverie, a jewelry line designed by Alison Woodward. Her exquisite pieces, each so unique and charming, are "inspired by discarded and unappreciated antique items."  Check out her gallery to see all of her designs and be prepared to be heartbroken to discover your newfound love has been sold. Details for purchasing a piece is given on her contact link.

In addition, Design*Sponge offers a sneak peak into Alison's lovely home.

Update:  New Reverie designs can be regularly found on Smashing Darling.

via Reverie

trailer blues

Photographed by Steven Klein.
Styled by Alex White.
W, Septemeber 2007 issue

Generally, I abhor the ubiquitous celebrity fashion shoot, but Steven Klein succeeded here by deglamorizing Gwynth Paltrow's yuppie girl-next-door looks. The incongruity of luxurious clothes in a dilapidated domestic setting invites interesting narrative questions.

via Style.com