Archive for August, 2012
PLATT: Top That
Aug 31st
Looking at hats for 2012 Fall and Winter has been like watching an episode of Downtown Abbey.
Platt
Cloche hats (best known for being fashionable in the 1920s) appear in a series of dark, muted colors in Calvin Klein’s runway.
I love the hat Armani showed, a velvet fedora with an asymmetrical, exaggerated brim.
Donna Karan drew inspiration from British fascinators with her olive piece shown above.
Now who’s up for a spot of tea?
Sara Platt
PLATT: Accentuate the Positive
Aug 30th
For Fall, I’m seeing an interesting method to minimize the waistline — maximize the hips!
Platt
Some designers added panniers to their pieces, like the one on the top of this plum skirt set from Lanvin. Bottega Veneta added a bustled peplum to their printed evening dress; whereas Berardi and L’Wren Scott accented their gowns with folded fabric along the side of the hips.
You can create this look at home with the help of a waist belt. There are only three rules to this look:
1. Belt at the smallest point of your waist
2. The bottom of the top should hit at the widest point of your hips
3. Wear something fitted on the bottom.
And the best part? This is a look for every body type!
Sara Platt
McDERMOTT: Reasons I Love Tina Fey
Aug 28th
I finished “Bossypants” in what seemed like a few hours. Not only is it a fast read, but a fantastic one. Why do I love Tina Fey? Let me count the ways.
McDermott
Tina is Tina. And by that, I mean that she never pretends to be anyone but herself. Weird, slightly awkward and awesome. So many times, I think celebrities have a “persona” in the public eye. They pretend to be nicer or smarter or dumber than they actually are. Tina is pretty much a dork all the time.
She’s a pioneer. “Saturday Night Live” writer? “30 Rock” creator? “Mean Girls” genius? Tina writes about her experiences navigating the comedy world, which is mostly ruled by men. She navigates those waters pretty successfully. I’m impressed that she’s never allowed anyone or been pressured to conform to a stereotypical “woman” role: dumb bimbo, uptight crank, etc. She is funny, and she is proof that women are just as funny, if not funnier, than men.
She makes me want to be like no one but myself. I don’t want to be Tina Fey after reading “Bossypants.” Let’s be honest, I’d never be able to be like Fey. But she makes awkward and unfeminine girls all over the world feel like, hey, maybe it is okay to not be Kim Kardashian. Maybe, just maybe, it is totally cool to be a nerd.
I highly recommend “Bossypants” to anyone who likes a laugh, wants to learn about how to be your own person or anyone who has a secret crush on Alec Baldwin.
Brenna McDermott
PLATT: Frye: Best Boot for the Money
Aug 24th
Platt
In 1863, John A. Frye opened the doors of a small shop in Massachusetts. The purpose of the shop was not to make a coveted, stylish shoe, but to make a boot that eased the daily working lives of the the town’s factory workers. Later in 1938, John Frye’s grandson took a trip to Washington, D.C., and met a U.S. Navy Admiral who noted his difficulty in finding the Wellington (boot) styles he liked so much. As a favor, Frye agreed to make him a pair. Frye continued to fill the requests for boots through World War II. By mail order, the company supplied thousands of brave soldiers and pilots with Frye Wellingtons, known as Jet boots.
The company has evolved to create boots, shoes and sandals for women and children, for all occasions. These boots have been featured several movies, namely, the Taylor Pull On worn by Julianne Hough in “Footloose,” and the Melissa Boot worn by Jennifer Lawrence wore in “The Hunger Games.” Many of today’s celebrities probably don’t know they are wearing the same boot General Patton once wore in battle, a fact that only makes the brand more alluring.
Sara Platt
PLATT: Mario Testino: Private View
Aug 23rd
Friends of the fashion world are eager to get their hands on Mario Testino’s latest book “Private View.”
Platt
Testino is a Peruvian-born photographer, one of the best fashion lensmen in the world, and definitely the most high profile. The A-List insider, Testino, consistently shoots for magazines Vanity Fair and Vogue, on top of other clients, including Burberry, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana.
Readers can look forward to 300 pages handpicked by Testino as his best studio work. The book includes profiles outside of the fashion world, as he photographs everything from candid celebrities to Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement portraits.
Whether you’re a photography or fashion lover — or both for that matter — the book can be yours for $70.
Sara Platt
PLATT: Armani Prive Fall 2012
Aug 20th
Platt
Armani’s Fall collection has an overwhelming futurism vibe, reminiscent of the Hunger Games clothing choices. The fabric cut into sharp corners, variety of dark hues and embroidered veiles seemed straight out of the year 3000. Armani said it was mystery he was after with those veils, and mystery was well accomplished.
Many looks for the show included velvet pieces, pants, jackets, jumpers. One style that stood out to me was the velvet jumper with folded organza shoulders.
As in so many previous shows, Armani paired models on the catwalk for extra affect, but I can’t help but feel a light is going to shine down on these models to beam them up!
Sara Platt
PLATT: Rising Star – OGJM Jewelry
Aug 17th
One of my girlfriends, Lo, is based in Chicago and keeps her ear to the ground for breaking fashion. When she takes note of a rising star, it’s not long before they are plastered in style magazines and blogs.
Platt
Lo told me about New York visual artist Orly Genger, who is known for abstract installations made from rope that she hand crochets. Jewelry was not on Genger’s radar, but prior to the opening of one of her gallery exhibitions, her friend Jaclyn Mayer picked up some spare rope off the floor and, Mayer being a jewelry designer, crafted a necklace. Genger wore this necklace to her opening with rave reviews and OGJM was born.
The two ladies started with an experimental line of knitted rope and chain necklaces and cuffs in the gallery’s gift shop and, what seemed like overnight, started appearing in some of the most coveted closets. Recently, clothier J Crew convinced the ladies to create a special collection for their retail site.
I’m very excited to see how the brand evolves and shapes how other designers source materials.
Sara Platt
McDERMOTT: Beach Reads 2012 — The final cut
Aug 16th
With one day of work to go before I hit the beach, I’ve collected my beach reads and can’t wait to get started. Actually, I’ll be starting on my 6:30 a.m. flight because I’m too excited about these books.
“Bossypants” by Tina Fey. I’m woefully behind in this book, which I should have bought the moment it came out. Tina Fey is hilarious, down to earth and a pretty awkward and sarcastic female. Someone I can look up to. I’ve heard nothing but amazing reviews of “Bossypants,” and I’ve heard it is a blazing fast read. This will be my airplane book.
McDermott
“World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War” by Max Brooks. Give me any post-apocalyptic story you like. I’ll take it all. “World War Z” is full of personal accounts of the Zombie apocalypse. Perhaps it will give me some tips on how to survive when the zombies rise. Bonus: Brad Pitt is attached to the movie project.
“The Visible Man” by Chuck Klosterman. One of my requirements was to find a new author to get hooked on, but Klosterman has been a favorite of mine for many years. This book tells the story of a man who uses invisibility to spy on people and the therapist who treats him. Klosterman is always chock-full of pop culture references and humor.
“Swamplandia” by Karen Russell. This book tells the story of a family of alligator wrestlers. This book was on everyone’s 2011 must-read lists and won all sorts of awards Bonus: HBO will produce a half-hour television series based on the book. And I’m pretty much and HBO junkie, between “True Blood” and “Game of Thrones.”
I’ll be shocked if I finish everything, but I’m guessing I’ll at least finish two. I promise reviews when I get back!
Brenna McDermott
McDEMOTT: Black is the new Black
Aug 14th
I’m not what you would call a fashionista. Unless there is a fashionista of sweatpants. That would definitely be me. I’ve only recently started to embrace looking like I’ve showered everyday. Just kidding. Sort of.
McDermott
And on my way to basic fashion sense, I’ve hard-headedly relied on one fashion staple to see me through: black.
Black, you might say, is boring. Especially when 70 percent of your wardrobe is black. But I love it.
Black is simple. I own about five necklaces. I don’t wear earrings. Black describes who I am down to a tee. A black shirt and jeans can be simple, but it also never looks tacky.
Black is sleek. Nothing slims a girl like a black dress and a black belt to hug her waist. And black clothes are easy to not iron. Which is good, considering I don’t own an iron or an ironing board, or even that spray stuff that gets the wrinkles out.
Black is sophisticated. No one will ever underestimate a girl wearing black. She’s like a ninja, or possibly a burglar. The point is, you take her seriously. More seriously than you would if she was wearing a pink polka dot getup.
Black is easy. Throw it on with a pair of jeans, light or dark, tan or black, it goes with everything.
Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy other colors of the rainbow, I just rely heavily on black. I can rock the polka dots from time to time, though.
Brenna McDermott
PLATT: Print Preview
Aug 8th
Platt
For Summer, designers made a statement by pairing tops and skirts of the same pattern together. I’m pleased to see this hasn’t stopped for Fall.
Apparently matching prints is the only way to way a smart suit this season. I especially love the fur coats Paul & Joe and Etro used to accessorize. Absolutely glam. Other designers such as Prabal Gurung and Erdem had stunning prints to display, but the Miu Miu red is my hands down favorite.
Sara Platt
