Fashion First
Here is a peek at fall’s forthcoming styles. The Bass Hearts RA fall collection is filled with wintry styles sure to warm your heart. Bass’ leathers are mixed with adorable velvets and sporty plaids to create a cute mix of proper and punk. Popular styles from last season, like the Alice and Wendybird, have been transformed by Antonoff’s swift hand into perfect shoes to brighten a fall day.
Stay tuned for the Bass Heart RA lookbook, which is sure to be a wondrous work of fashiony-fun!
Last night’s Hudson Spring 2011 preview in the denim label’s New York showroom wasn’t supposed to be about Georgia May Jagger. At least not completely.
But of course it was. It’s no shock to hear that Jagger’s designs for the label, released this spring, were inspired by her parent’s rock star wardrobes. (Read: treasure trove of hand-me-downs.) What is surprising is the sheer balls it took the 19-year-old to crank out a pair of hip to toe lace up jeans; a look certainly not for the frilly or faint of heart (although a colleague suggested I swap out their ties for my signature pink ribbons). Creative Director Ben Taverniti explained, “we sell an attitude, representing an edgy girl that’s still very sophisticated, that’s Georgia.”
In addition to Jagger’s spring offerings, Hudson’s latest collection has branched out with neons and new textiles. Taverniti told us that “the line is inspired by exclusive getaways–we used a lot of lighter fabrics.” Highlights included cherry red low-riding skinnies and elegant twill palazzo pants–both well-suited to Hudson’s jet set fan base in Capri and St. Tropez.
In what appears to be a brilliant publicity move, the Kardashian sisters–well, at least Khloe and Kourtney–had a “secret” meeting with OPI yesterday. Khloe tweeted first, “Top secret meeting with my sisters for OPI.” This was followed up shortly afterward by Kourtney’s: “Amazing top secret meeting today with @KhloeKardashian at OPI!!! I am obsessed with their nail polish colors!”
This can only mean one thing, right? Another collaboration for Kardashian Inc. OPI is known for its less-than-traditional collaborations (Justin Bieber, Shrek and Serena Williams, anyone?). And a Kardashian collaboration totally makes sense for the brand, which isn’t one that shies away from kitsch. Kim has gone on the record saying that she loves OPI, and none of sisters leave the house unless they’re perfectly manicured.
I’ve reached out to OPI for comment, and they had this to say: “Unfortunately I can’t confirm either way…[we] should have an answer one way or another in the coming weeks.” So there you go.
If a collaboration is in the works, we have two predictions: It’s going to be glittery and it’s going to sell like mad. Those two Kardashian tweets set Twitter atwitter and made OPI a trending topic. Not bad for less than 280 characters. 😉
Famous for his modern take on jet-set glamour. Loved by celebrities, supermodels, and London’s fashion elite. Today, Matthew Williamson debuts his exclusive new collection for Impulse at Macy’s. And not a minute too soon.
His signature use of bright colors and pretty prints in chic dress silhouettes are just in time for Spring’s warmer weather and fresh fashion perspective. If you’re in the NY metro area, check out his latest creations as they’re unveiled live tonight by Matthew Williamson during his launch party at 6pm in the Impulse Department, 2nd Floor of Macy’s Herald Square.
Can’t make the party? Shop online at
macys.com/impulseBut whatever you do, don’t miss out because a Matthew Williamson purchase of $75 or more gets you an exclusive gift* at select Macy’s stores. Including: Herald Square, Union Square, Dadeland, Southcoast Plaza, and State Street.
*While supplies last. Does not apply to other Impulse Department purchases.
Banana Republic showed their fall collection yesterday on the second floor of the Bowery hotel, set to a live, soulful soundtrack by A Fine Frenzy. For fall, Banana Republic is falling instep with the ’70s trend in a major way–looks were described as “Dunaway-esque” on the line sheet.
Creative director Simon Kneen sent out menswear-inspired pants and drape front pencil skirts in browns and camels paired with knits in mustard, tomato and plum over silk blouses. There were flashes of winter white too, as well as animal prints here and there on lady like gloves and swing coats. The collection felt luxe, cozy, and inviting despite the steamy temps inside the venue. Also The Daily Show‘s Aasif Mandvi and Samantha Bee were inexplicably there. New campaign stars maybe? That would be awesome.
This month, the CFDA and online retailer Yoox are both doing their part to rally the fashion troops in order to raise relief funds for Japan. They’re offering some seriously great items that you’ll want to snag, and not only because it’s for a good cause.
Last week, the CFDA launched Fashion & Friends for Japan, an auction on charitybuzz.com that has already raised over $180,000. Today the second round of items went up for auction and they’re equally amazing as the first lots that included a customized PS1 bag.
Some highlights are a Vogue Japan photo shoot in Milan with Anna Dello Russo, a J.Crew Crewcuts photo shoot for your stylish child, and two coveted tickets to the spring 2012 Rodarte show.
The new lots will be available until May 5, and you still have time to bid on the first round of lots that will be up for auction until April 28.
In other cute fashion-for-a-cause news, Yoox.com teamed with eight international brands including Marni, Margiela, Y-3, and Moschino to create unique t-shirts centered around the theme “We Love Japan.” The designs sold out quickly earlier this month, but Yoox is re-releasing them tomorrow on yoox.com.
Both groups are donating 100% of the proceeds to aid recovery in Japan.
Target’s newest design collaboration with Calypso St. Barth is perfect for the coming summer. Everything you love about Calypso–the breezy printed tunics, airy white linen dresses, maxi dresses and tiny bikinis–is there, but at a fraction of the cost. The line–which also includes kids, accessories, and home (don’t miss the adorable ceramic elephants)–retails for between $1.99 to $79.99 and will available in store from May 1 through June 11 and on Target.com through August 15.
1. Anya Hindmarch Lacing Cross Body Bag ($550, 310.271.9707) in Pink
There’s something so sweet and slightly bohemian about this perfectly pink bag from Anya Hindmarch. The tasseled bow is a subtle nod to one of the season’s microtrends and the across-body strap and small shape make it the ideal choice for a music festival, vacation (the hands-free element is ideal for sightseeing), or weekend errands. Plus, that long strap is detachable, so you can wear this versatile bag in a number of ways! No wonder we think it’s wonderful…
2. Zara Colorful Shopper ($109, 310.458.0892) in Orange
If you haven’t checked out Zara’s rainbow selection of bags lately, we suggest doing so immediately. There’s a gorgeous assortment in a slew of vivid colors in stock now, including this bold, boxy shopper. Available in the terrific tangerine hue shown above, as well as a stunning jade green, the leather tote is simple, chic, and reminds us a bit of the Celine Cabas shoppers, albeit at a fraction of the price!
3. Burberry Prorsum Patent Leather Crossbody Bag ($1195) in Lime
We went nuts over the neon-bright accessories at the Burberry Prorsum S/S 11 show the moment they came down the runway, and we’re still mad about them months later. There are a number of notable styles that will incite drooling, including this small shoulder strap bag in a lovely lime green patent leather. We love its clean lines and rounded flap silhouette, and plan on using it to accent our neutral essentials—like military-influenced khaki jackets and slim black leather pants—per the runway show. If you don’t feel like investing in this exact bag, we found two alternatives for you, both by Hobo International. Try the Rina Bag ($108) in Spring Green patent leather or the mini Aster Bag ($128) in either Spring Green or Apricot patent leather for a likeminded look.
4. DKNY Croc Leather Shoulder Bag with Strap ($195) in Yellow
While we’re not focusing on handbag silhouettes in this Go Buy Now, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that the boxy, petite, long-strap flap bag is definitely having a moment right now. As such, we’re delighted to share the news that DKNY is currently offering a fabulous interpretation of this style in a slew of bright colors. Topping our list is the Croc Leather Shoulder Bag in a zippy lemon-yellow hue, as it will punch up your go-to neutrals perfectly. If you love the shape, but aren’t sure about the color, be sure to check out the brand’s Crocodile-Effect Leather Bag ($195) in Cherry and the French Grain Leather Shoulder Bag with Strap ($195) in Cherry, both of whch are also beyond darling.
5. Reed Krakoff Mini Shoulder Bag ($525) in Bright Blue
The amazing bag styles that Reed Krakoff produces never fail to delight us, and right now we’re swooning over the Mini Shoulder Bag. It’s the perfect hue of blue and we adore its diminutive size and extra-long shoulder strap. Whether you take a tip from the designer’s runway and carry it as a clutch with an all-black outfit or wear it with a contrasting print per the Marc by Marc Jacobs runway, this bag is definitely an excellent purchase!
6. Proenza Schouler PS1 Leather Pouchette ($895) in Green
We couldn’t possibly do a Go Buy Now story about Bright Bags and not show the coolest clutch on the market, hence our inclusion of the Proenza Schouler PS1 Pouchette. Its now iconic double-strap style might not be brand new, but the incredible leaf green leather is definitely fresh and decidedly fabulous. You could wear this bag with just about anything—it looks equally amazing with everything from denim to a darling print frock to a sophisticated, minimalist ensemble—which is why we think it’s worth the investment. If you don’t want to spend quite so much money, you could always go for one of Proenza Schouler’s smaller leather accessories—like the PS 1 Wallet ($165) or the brand-new PS 1 Continental Wallet ($585)—or you might like Zara’s XL Fashion Clutch ($109), which is also quite cute.
Fendi runway photo, courtesy of Fendi
Every summer H&M launches a collection with the international charity WaterAid to help raise money for the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and improving hygiene. 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the collection are donated to WaterAid, “so far H&M’s support have helped more than 110,000 poor people.” I spotted a few pieces from the collection which includes a women’s jumpsuit, water bottles, beach chair, blanket and men’s espadrille flats- all of which are decked out in blue prints. Here’s just a quick sneak peek at what to expect. The collection hits stores the first week in May.
When the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami struck Japan that day, the enormity of the tragedy seemed almost beyond comprehension. Many people throughout Japan were shell-shocked by the scale of what had happened, as well as by their inability to do anything about it.
Those living in Tokyo were very lucky. While scary, the damage to Tokyo from the actual earthquake was minor. The people hardest hit were those in the north-eastern Tohoku region, as they faced the double brunt of the earthquake and the deadly tsunami. Everyone who I have spoken with in Tokyo is absolutely heartbroken over the plight of those who lost their lives, were injured, or made homeless by the tsunami. We are all doing our best to send our support to those affected by donating what we can afford. If you haven’t looked into the options for helping out, I highly recommend that you check out the Google and Yahoo earthquake relief websites for more information.
While the situation in Tokyo was much better than in other parts of Japan, the impact of the earthquake was strongly felt even in Harajuku . Harajuku was nearly deserted immediately after the earthquake as a result of various train lines shutting down, rolling blackouts, and shops closing to conserve energy. But as with every other disaster in history, it didn’t take long for people to start working toward getting their lives back to normal – even if it’s a “new normal”.
Enter the “MIGHTY HARAJUKU Project”.
Japanese fashion brand and boutique 6%DOKIDOKI. The brand’s founder, Sebastian Masuda, has been in Harajuku for over fifteen years. In that time, he has seen a lot of changes. One thing he had never seen before, though, is what we all experienced on March 11th. In the days after the earthquake hit, Sebastian began thinking of ways for Harajuku to come together and regain its strength and sense of purpose.
When you first think of 6%DOKIDOKI, you probably think of brightly colored accessories, cute fashion, a cute shop & website, cute everything. Your first impression wouldn’t be wrong – there’s good reason that 6%DOKIDOKI calls their store a “Sensational Lovely Shop” and uses phrases like “Kawaii Anarchy” to describe their aesthetic. But while Sebastian is known globally for his unique and extremely cute designs, there is far more to his philosophy than just making cute things. He has been a strong supporter of maintaining the “spirit” of Harajuku during the various trials that the neighborhood has gone through over the years – including the closing of the Hokoten (Pedestrian Paradise) by the government in the late 1990s, the economic crisis, and the recent onslaught of fast fashion brands into the neighborhood.
Through it all, Sebastian has been a constant champion of Harajuku as a place where young Japanese girls and boys can express themselves and have fun, mostly free of the pressures that permeate much of the rest of their lives. He believes that the “health” of Harajuku as a creative center and a place for young people is directly related to the “health” of Tokyo and the entire country of Japan. Having traveled extensively – and after talking to people around the globe both in person and online they all strongly believe that Harajuku is very important to Japan’s image in the world.
With all of that in mind, Sebastian came up with the idea for the “MIGHTY HARAJUKU Project” in the days after the earthquake. The basic idea was simple: to bring together the people of Harajuku (those who live there, those who work there, and those who visit ) to help the people in other parts of Japan who are most in need – and to give each other strength and support in a time of turmoil and uncertainty.
The first and most urgent order of business was to gather donations for the victims of the tsunami. 6%DOKIDOKI’s staff, customers, and many others brought goods and money to the brand’s shop in Harajuku, where they were boxed up and made available to those in the worst-hit areas of Japan. But Sebastian had a lot more in mind than just donations when he envisioned MIGHTY HARAJUKU.
The MIGHTY HARAJUKU Project also seeks to ensure that Tokyo’s young people still have a place where they feel safe and relatively worry-free – even when many potentially scary and stressful things outside of their control are happening in the country. Furthermore, Sebastian decided that it would be important to share news and images from Harajuku with other areas of Tokyo, Japan, and the rest of the world – to let people all over the planet see that even in troubling times, Harajuku is still hanging tough and moving forward.
Sebastian put the MIGHTY HARAJUKU Project into motion immediately – reporting on the situation on the streets of Harajuku in the days following the earthquake via his own mobile phone photos and short news items posted to his blog, Twitter, and Facebook in both English and Japanese. As more shops began to re-open, other people and businesses joined together to support the project and help contribute as well. Less than a week later, Sebastian had designed a “MIGHTY HARAJUKU” button/pin that is given away free at various locations around the neighborhood.
The shops, brands, and organizations who have been supportive of the MIGHTY HARAJUKU Project so far include FRUiTS Magazine, ADD, Dr. Martens, Faline Tokyo, Nadia, G2?, Spinns, Panama Boy, Hypercore & many more. New Harajuku-ites are joining the project every day.
The story of the MIGHTY HARAJUKU Project is the story of how each neighborhood in Japan has been touched by this disaster. It is about how communities are coming together to support those who most need help, while also supporting each other and giving each other strength during a crisis most of us never imagined we would experience. Do what you can to help Japan here in the states. Just because we are so many miles away, doesn’t mean that we didn’t feel it too. Contribute what you can to the cause.
BubblesPop 