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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

New Year's Eve Sparkle Style

I am READY to celebrate the end of 2014 with the most sparkly New Year's Eve I can muster. I collected all of my crystal-studded, "bling" worthy, glittery fashion accessories for an outfit that suits the sparklers of Times Square. 

My look was inspired by a recent gift of a dazzling Swarovski studded case for my Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I know that sounds lame, but for a blogger/social media obsessed gal like myself, it's like a diamond necklace for your best friend. I next added an elaborate jeweled flower headband from BCBG Max Azria. I am not quite the tiara type, but the smoky jewels was a pretty compromise. My oversized rhinestone bracelet and ring are from a cute wholesale boutique on 28th street. They are not ready for the spotlight, so if you love them, you can get them through me.

 My nails are from Sally Hansen's glitter saturated Purple Gala shade. I have their entire range of long lasting, quick dry and nail art shades. The real MVP for my manicure though is their Double Duty Base and Top Coat. With all of the abuse, my nails go through from slamming the keys on my laptop or sewing and embroidery, this product keeps my manicure intact much longer that I would have expected.

My sequined top is a version of the Alice & Olivia version available now.  I had fun playing with the sparkly Moondust eye shadows from Urban Decay with some MAC Cosmetics paint to hold the colors in place on my lids. With pre-cocktail patience, I finished  with some winged eyeliner from Rimmel London that I received in my Influenster VoxBox.

I am now ready to indulge in some sparkling cocktails made with Smirnoff's Whipped Cream edition Vodka and Moet & Chandon. Here's a mixologist's recipe:

The SMIRNOFF Limelight
Serves 1

·         1.5 oz.  SMIRNOFF® Whipped Cream Flavored Vodka
·         4 oz. Ginger Ale 
·         .75 oz. Simple Syrup
·         Squeeze of Lime

Preparation: Combine all ingredients, except for ginger ale, in a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into glass and top with ginger ale and garnish with a lime wedge.

Now enjoy your New Year's Eve in style!
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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

#NYFW Georgine Ratelband Spring 2015

georgine spring 2015
georgine ratelbrand fashion
It's getting cold  here in New York. I am dreaming of a luxurious resort to spend the frigid months and Georgine Ratelband just returned from one. Her Spring 2015 collection for New York Fashion week was inspired by her trip to Thailand’s posh island of Koh Samui.

Retro jetsetters like Loulou de la Falaise and Bianca Jagger also served as muses for the 1970s global glam. The collection is definitely not for the office. There are a lot of luxe lounge wear with shimmering fabrics that take socialites from beach to the ultra-exclusive nightspot. Think elegant flowing pants and caftans, cropped tops and metallic swimwear.

 Big floppy wide brimmed hats and silk turbans evoked the glamorous movie stars of decades past. My favorite accessory was the surfboard shaped handbags attached with a chic bracelet cuff like a cheeky nod to surfer’s ankle straps. These looks may have been meant for the beach, but don’t look for flip flops on this runway. Every model wore slim, strappy heels.

Georgine is a very young brand. The designer only graduated from Milan’s Istituto Europeo di Design in 2011. Her label was launched when a luxury retailer in Antwerp purchased her thesis collection. The collection quickly gained a following promoting a luxury aesthetic that we would all love to partake…
photos by Mariana Leung
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Sunday, December 28, 2014

Blogger Love: Indie Fashion Blogger's Holiday Style Posts

lalam1225

Merry Belated Christmas (to those who celebrate). How many of you are still in your PJs tinkering with your holiday loot? Or maybe flipping through magazines, blog feeds whatever while sipping that last bit of egg nog? Well, today is the big day. What's next New Year? Now is the time to reflect on giving, gratitude and also what worked for us this year, and what didn't work so much. Take it easy today... luckily there is a fantastic roundup this week to feed your inner muse!

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Saturday, December 27, 2014

Aritizia Spring 2015

trenchcoat model
The day after Christmas in Canada is for Boxing Day Sales. I was at a mall today before the start of a movie and watched one of Canada’s best clothing chain exports being pillaged for its discounts. Thankfully, my position as a blogger of fashion allowed me to preview the upcoming Artizia spring 2015 collection in a civilized manner in their Soho New York location.

The reasonably priced, chic sportswear chain offered up classic trench coat variations in their outerwear. A classic tan, cream and navy color palette dominated their office-friendly fashion looks. While I love popping into this store to grab some basics with a twist, the most exciting thing about this presentation was the handbag collections.
emoji purse

There were the sophisticated leather pieces in over-sized clutch shapes or huge carryall leather totes. The more contemporary collection had brighter colors with styling details that reminded me of emojis.

Like many big clothing brands, Aritzia has launched a fashion forward lounge/athletic wear collection to accompany their main line. This group also mixed in some denim in easy, sporty silhouettes that set them apart from the other brands. The looks also had more of a 1950s vibe to them with short, flirty skirts and pastel colors mixed in with the traditional palette.
aritizia sportswear
Like Club Monaco and Joe Fresh before it, I have watched many Canadian chains cross the border and make a big splash. Aritzia so far has dipped their toes into the water and now waiting for other fashion fans to make the plunge.
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Thursday, December 25, 2014

Happy Holidays from Ms. Fabulous!

Merry Christmas, Chanukah Sameach, Happy Kwanzaa and a fabulous Festivus to everyone spending time with loved ones this season. I feel gratitude for all the blessings that this year has brought. I appreciate even more that they outnumber the challenges, both personal and professional.

In addition to the great brands we have worked with this year, our team got to branch out and expand their work in a number of ways. Mdivani Monroe revived his acting career. In addition to appearing in almost every television program that is filmed in New York, he is set to begin shooting a major role in a romantic comedy film this spring. David T.W. Leung has recovered from some health issues and is set to travel the world again in 2015. Elaine Fioravanti, in addition to blogging, hosted events for brands and styled some beautiful photo shoots in 2014.

My editorial and photography work included new contributions to Narrative.ly, Marie Claire magazine and Audrey Magazine. I continued to be a regular reporter on the embroidery of New York Fashion Week for Stitches Magazine. I also had the opportunity to appear on the Dr. Oz television show a few times in 2014. In between blog related work in front of the runway, I loved the designers I have worked with on collections behind the runway.

I am honored to have been able to spend time with and work with many of my favorite people not only in the industry, but in the world. Fashion has a reputation for being shallow and catty at times. I have personally found in my experience, that the people I have been blessed to be around are the most passionate, hard working, supportive (and witty) people I know.

While I would like to leave on a profound note of wisdom, I cannot express a sentiment more appropriate than this one from "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure":
"Be excellent to each other....and....PARTY ON, DUDES!" 

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Ms. Fab's Boozy Holiday Tea Party

fashion bloggers

I couldn't leave town without gathering my favorite fashion industry peeps for a holiday celebration. It was a stylish occasion with more bubbly than tea. The festive cocktail of the night was a local apple cider and infused bourbon with pomegranate.

The guest list included colleagues from Macy’s, Helmut Lang, Nautica and blogger Cassandra Past from the International Press Corps and Valis Vicenty of Mode Media. We traded ‘war’ stories of our fashion industry careers, anecdotes from fashion week behind and in front of the runway.

I served up nibbles inspired by holiday parties on Pinterest. There was the strawberry Santas filled with orange scented cream cheese (my girlfriend who assembled them said they looked drunk and dubbed them #SantaCon on a plate). She also helped me put together a bocconcini, tomato and basil wreath.

We played around with the mini photo booth as you can see. We had a range of Santa hats to choose from. There was the tiny cat-sized hat that my cat refused to wear.  There was a human sized chapeau and an extra-long hat for the abundantly endowed St. Nick. I don’t know how the sombrero got in the mix.

In the spirit of relaxing for the holidays, guest went home with a relaxing “spa box”. Yardley London provided soothing limited edition soaps while Lypsyl kept everyone’s lips kissable soft. Time off also allows for some cute home manicures using nail colors from Sally Hansen and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.

Happy holidays to my favorite people, and I look forward to another boozy tea party in 2015!

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Sunday, December 21, 2014

Blogger Love: Holiday Home Stretch

lalam1218

We're wrapping up things up for this year, some of us quite literally! But others, well, we're still frantically trying to figure out to get that you-know-who who's hard to shop for. Anyway, this week, we're a bit focused on the holidays, as that's all many of us can think of. But not to worry, it's only for about a week or so!
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Friday, December 19, 2014

Holiday Guide: Gifts That Give Back


The holidays are for giving. As much as I like receiving gifts, I get more pleasure seeing the look on the faces of those who open my presents. You can double that pleasure with gifts with a charitable element.

Here are some of the best beauty and fashion ideas for men and women. Some are personal favorites; others were suggested by fellow influencers on Twitter:

Kiehl’s Greatest Hits Collection $45: Every year, I buy my sister a Kiehl’s product to discourage her from hanging onto old products from the year before. For the holidays, the brand’s Greatest Hits Collection has, obviously, everyone’s favorite products in one box. It’s a great value for diehard fans. Also, 100% of Kiehl’s net profits up to $100,000 from the American sales of the Limited Edition set will support Feeding America.

Bird & Stone Cleopatra Bracelet $26: This global chic bracelet has diamond cut brass beads and turquoise stone. You can actually choose the right size to suit your arm for stacking or wearing alone. A percentage of the net profits from their sales benefit the SISI Fund. They help widowed women in Kenya through microloans and financial training to become entrepreneurs.

Caudalie’s Premier Cru Anti-Aging set $99: Who doesn’t love champagne during the holidays? This gift set contains the two most popular products from the brand in travel friendly size. This company is against toxic ingredients and contains plant based anti-oxidants like Polyphenols and grape based resveratrol.
Each product purchased from Caudalie contributes to the “1% for the planet” movement to help the environment. This initiative supports projects like reforestation in the Amazon and building a sustainable, organic, and fair-trade Shea Butter industry cultivated by communities of women in Burkina Faso.

M.A.C. Viva Glam Rihanna Lipstick $16: If you look at my makeup drawer, you will see that MAC lipstick by far is the dominating item. I have loved this brand’s lip color since high school. I request it every year for my stocking (and my family lovingly obliges). Instead of just a percentage of profits, every cent from the sale of their Viva Glam products goes towards helping people affected by HIV/AIDS via the MAC Aids Fund.

Warby Parker Windswept Shades $145: This company was an instant darling for their hipster eyewear at affordable prices. Let’s face it, in fashion; no product has a higher markup than eyewear. Warby Parker brought that percentage down AND manages to donate a pair of eyeglasses to a person in need with partnerships with organizations like Vision Spring. The Windswept shades above are part of their higher end Concentric collection. You can give a gift card so your recipient can choose their favorite style, fit and even prescription
.
Tom’s Men’s Paseos $59: These canvas shoes are one of Tom’s bestselling styles. Guys will love the comfort and color range. Similar to Warby Parker, the company has a One for One policy of donating a pair of shoes for every pair purchased.  In addition to shoes, they also have the same efforts for eyewear. Their coffee roasting company contributes to providing clean water to communities that lack it.

Anthony Perfect Shave Kit $65: Pamper your guy with a posh shave kit that includes the brand’s Glycolic Facial Cleanser, Shave Cream, Pre-Shave Oil, and After Shave Balm. A portion of every sale is also donated to support prostate cancer research.

Giving gifts that give back guarantee a smile on more than one face in the world. Isn’t that what the season is all about?
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Thursday, December 18, 2014

9 DIY Homemade Beauty Treatments


I don't know about you, but my skin has taken a beating this winter. Between the windy and cold outside, dry heat inside and excessive partying, my face is paying the price. The good folks over at Z Living have shared 9 easy recipes for DIY beauty treatments. Most of the ingredients you probably already have from throwing cocktail and tea parties...

 1. Get Fresh, Clean Skin With: Mint Skin Toner You can use this natural skin toner on your face every day after cleaning your skin. It helps remove any trace of dirt, soap and your cleanser.
  • Take 20-30 fresh mint leaves. Pour about 1.5 liters of hot water and allow them to steep for about 10 minutes. Strain and let the liquid cool.
2. Avoid Dry Skin With: Cucumber & Yogurt Skin Toner This is great for oily skin as it will remove excess oil and leave your skin feeling smooth and soft.
  • Grate a cucumber and squeeze out the excess water.
  • Add 1/2 cup of natural yogurt and blend it well to get a creamy consistency.
  • Apply the cucumber and yogurt mix on your face for about 10 minutes.cucumber face mask
3. Rid Scaly Skin With: Peaches & Olive Oil Skin Toner The peaches will nourish your skin, while the olive oil will moisturize it.
  • Peel and mash two peaches using some olive oil.
  • Add 1tsp of fresh single cream to the mixture.
  • Apply it on your face and let it stay for 10 minutes. Wash your face with lukewarm water.
4. Get Rid Of Acne With: White Vinegar & Rose Water Skin Toner The white vinegar is anti-bacterial and will get rid of pimple and acne-causing bacteria. The rose water makes your skin feel smooth and soft.
  • Mix equal quantities of white vinegar and rose water.
  • Dip a cotton ball in this natural skin toner to clean and tone your face.
5. Get Ageless Beauty With: Green Tea Skin Toner Green tea is filled with antioxidants that get rid of free radicals. After applying this toner, you will notice your skin has a natural glow and stays soft the entire day.
  • Soak green tea in hot water for about 10 minutes.
  • Strain and let cool.
  • Apply this toner on your face first thing in the morning.
6. Get Smooth Skin With: Chamomile Tea Skin TonerThis toner will leave your skin feeling smooth and clean.
  • Boil a teabag in 100ml water for approximately  five minutes. Let it cool.
  • Use a cotton ball to dab your face with tea.
  • Let your face air dry. Don’t rinse afterwards.
7. Stay Fresh All Day With: Apple & Honey Skin Toner This natural skin toner makes your skin radiant and keeps it fresh all day long. Try and use natural honey for its anti-bacterial properties.
  • Purée one ripe apple in a blender.
  • Add honey to the purée and apply the mixture on your face.
  • Let the mixture stay for 15 minutes before washing off with some lukewarm water.
8. Remove Excessive Tan With: Lemon Juice Toner The humble lemon juice has so many uses and one of them is helping get rid of excess oil and grease from the face. This will remove all traces of oil and help clear your complexion.
  • Apply lemon juice and allow it to remain for 10 minutes before washing off with plain water.
9. Get Radiant Skin With: Vegetable Oil, Lemon Juice & Honey Skin Toner While vegetable oil contains phytochemicals and nutrients to moisturize and strengthen skin, lemon juice has astringent properties and honey is a natural cleanser.
  • Mix 1/4tbsp of any vegetable oil with 1/4tsp lemon juice and 1tsp honey.
  • Blend the ingredients well and apply this mixture on your face.
  • Wash your face after 10 minutes with lukewarm water.
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Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Supima Design Competition: A 2014 Winner!

anastasia iafrate
Fashion designer Anastasia Iafrate was named the winner of the Supima Cotton Design Competition at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with the award presented by supermodel Coco Rocha. The intensive contest pitted the best fashion talent from the Academy of Art University, FIDM, FIT, Kent State University, SCAD and the Rhode Island School of Design.

Iafrate named her winning collection “White Nights of St. Petersburg" after her native home in Russia. Using what she considered a casual cotton fabric, she created regal evening wear with beautiful flourishes.
yuxi bi fashion

Beijing born Ou Ma graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology as a knit designer. Her dreamy, cloud-like collection was actually an exploration in mental illness and emotional recovery

Yuxi Bi from the Savannah College of Design is also from China. She created her romantic evening wear collection inspired by the texture of fine Supima fabrics.
sharon moon
Jenny Hoang represented the Academy of Art University. Her collection had a somber color palette. Her design work specializes in denim and cotton. Her theme for this group was "transformation".

Sharon Moon earned her BFA from RISD. Her gorgeous collection was inspired by the look of decaying flowers. She used a modern approach to create that aesthetic using an intricate laser cutting technique on strong cotton fibers.

David Lee is a West Coast-based designer representing the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. His collection had bold color blocked seams that flattered the curves of a woman's body.

The winner of the Supima Design Competition receives a $10000 prize. The more valuable opportunity though, is the chance for finalists to show their collection at New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. What I enjoy is the fresh talent that shows me new possibilities that a common fiber like cotton can bring. Great work designers!
photos by Mariana Leung
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Monday, December 15, 2014

True Religion Finds the Sexiest Jeans For Your Body

skinny jeans women

The goal of your favorite pair of jeans should always be comfort. However, let us be realistic, your top priority before considering comfort is how great they make your ass look isn't it? To find the sexiest jeans for your body, you need to understand denim and  get to know yourself.

Are you curvy? Booty blessed? Are you straight and narrow? Do you have a strong presence all over? Do you have a long rise? Short rise? Do you have no idea what that means? Take a look at your body shape. Do your hips curve out noticeably from your waist? How about towards the back? What is the distance between your waist and crotch? Understanding your own body goes a long way in finding the perfect women's jeans to flatter it.

First, consider the fit. If you have a bit of a muffin top, a mid-rise jean would be more forgiving than a low rise jean. If you have a flat stomach and curvy hips, a low rise can show off that hourglass shape nicely. The shape of the leg should enhance the shape of your own. Bootcut jeans are great for showing off curves and accommodating hot boots. Skinny jeans for women are wonderful to exhibit a long pair of stems. If you are a casual gal, True Religion’s Brianna Boyfriend jean is a relaxed fit that is roomy through the leg if you want extra comfort or to show off a fit upper body.

Second, the fabric matters! If you have curves, a little bit of Spandex or elastine in the mix can really mold the jeans to where it counts. For more structure, look for high quality cotton in a comfortable denim weight.

Finally, what really makes your jeans your own is the finish. Dark washes like True Religion’s Hand Picked dark dye can be slimming. Layered dying processes can give subtle highlight to areas you want to flaunt like this Julie Low Rise Skinny Jean.

Now that you have the formula, it is time to find your sexiest jeans ever. Remember, fit, fabric and finish and you’ll never have a sloppy denim day again!


This post is presented by True Religion Jeans

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Sunday, December 14, 2014

Blogger Love: Holiday Happy

lalam1211

Ok, usually there's a lot of complaining about the holidays. Stress. Shopping. Crazy Family. But for some reason, and by all means this is awesome, people are really happy about the holidays this year. Well, at least in this roundup. Getting festive, not worrying too much and having a fun time, that's what these final days of 2014 should all be about!

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Friday, December 12, 2014

DIY Christmas Pin Cushion Tree

diy christmas candy tree
Happy holidays. I felt like I couldn't let the season go by without at least one DIY Christmas craft tutorial. I spent the week making these gifts on behalf of designer Byron Lars for his favorite stylists, editor and designer colleagues.

I used fabric from is recent collections to make a functional tall pin cushion tree. I covered it with indulgent Godiva chocolate truffles for a treat.  You can make  your own version of this with the tutorial below:

You will need: 
Decorative Fabric
Colored Quilting Pins
Styrofoam Cones 6"X3"
Godiva Chocolatier Assorted Truffles
Glue Gun with Glue Sticks
Decorative Hat Pins

make a pattern for cone

Start with making a pattern to cover the Styrofoam cone. Draw a line down one side next to the cone on paper. Add 1/4" allowance at the top and bottom of the cone and mark it on the pattern. Start rolling the cone and continue marking the top and bottom. Once you have rotated the cone all the way around once, mark the side of that edge with an additional 1/4" allowance. Trace the bottom and top of the cone and add 3/16" allowances around the outside of the circles.Cut out the pieces of the pattern from the fabric. Notch the circles.


Cover the bottom of the foam cones with the fabric circles using the glue gun (make sure to add the glue to the fabric side, the heat of the glue might melt the Styrofoam if applied to cone directly). Wrap the main piece of fabric around the cone and seal with glue gun.

Top the fabric covered tree with a decorative hat pin as the "star". Using the pearl topped pins, attach the chocolate truffles all over the tree in a pretty pattern.

That's all it is! This is a great DIY Christmas gift for the crafters, designers, stylists, chocolate lovers in your life. Tis the season!
photos by Mariana Leung
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Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Coco Rocha's Master Class in the Study of Pose

One of my holiday wish list items I just couldn't wait for was the recently published Study of Pose: 1,000 Poses by Coco Rocha. The Canadian model brought that to life for over 100 students at my alma mater, Parsons The New School for Design last week for an epic live drawing event.

My favorite class by far at Parsons was model drawing. Famous live drawing models at Parsons included Madonna during her early years in New York. Almost every mega-brand fashion designer who Parsons (Alexander Wang, Donna Karan...) also took these classes as a requirement. 

While every student always had favorite models who posed well in our classes, I can't say we really analyzed the art of posing itself. Current Dean Simon Collins hosted a Q & A with Coco Rocha and her collaborator on the book Steven Sebring while artists of many different mediums sketched the model. The best artwork from the event will be shown in an exhibit at the Milk Studio's Ground Floor Gallery launching today.

The book itself holds 1000 beautifully shot poses executed by Coco Rocha herself. I can't even imagine what it would take to be inspired to create that many shapes with your own body. While I don't have as much time as I used to join drawing sessions, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this tome for drawing fashion croquis at home.

For all of you fashion bloggers and #OOTD fans, the challenge has been presented. You now have a textbook to study from. Abandon your cliche teapot stance, no more crossed ankles with your cell phone in a mirror please. I want to see outfit posts on Instagram that push your pose to the limit. 
photos from Stephanie Soto
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DSW Gift Guide: Boots, Baubles & Bags Under $50

boots under $50
Gift shopping on a budget? Do you prefer your friends to receive something fun, fashionable or both? DSW is a great gift destination beyond being your source for wallet friendly heels. They have a huge selection of winter accessories, jewelry, boots, mittens; you name it at whatever price level you need.
Are you doing a Secret Santa exchange at the office? There are plenty of gifts under $25 like the quirky animal slippers or hipster chic striped infinity scarf. If you or your girlfriend needs a statement piece for the holiday party, the gemstone bib necklace glams up any outfit. The ornate drop earrings add an elegant touch with your updo for only $15.

Does your BFF love handbags as much as I do? There are lots of stylish choices under $50. My favorite for the season is the Emperia Rikki carry-all in a nice shade of burgundy marsala, the hottest color for 2015 (according to Pantone). If you need an edgier clutch for a girl’s night out, the multi-zippered Moda Luxe clutch is less than $15!

I spent the week getting my feet soaked in the early December rainstorms of New York City. I finally broke down and treated myself to some fun rain boots in a pretty print. DSW has a ton of stylish boots for keeping your toes from getting soggy for under $50 by everyone from Realtree to Madden Girl.

If you need more gifting and styling ideas, you should check out DSW’s Facebook page. They have great outfit inspiration and lots of posts for their legendary free shoes events. (These guys give away footwear like a beloved talk show host).

Whoever you are planning to surprise this holiday, DSW’s gift will have your covered. Your funny, quirky, fashionable, stylish friends will thank you!
This Post is Presented by DSW
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Monday, December 8, 2014

Dapper Q's Masculine Fashion Show: (Un)HEELED

saint harridan unheeled
That’s a handsome suit. The Brooklyn Museum hosted a fantastic fashion show of masculine fashion for those who love the fit, aesthetic, women who identify as “butch” or those who identify as transgender. The (Un)HEELED showcase was presented by digital magazine Dapper Q and featured a diverse range of models that do not follow the typical hyper-feminine aesthetic of your mainstream runways.

Bespoke tailoring was offered by Bindle & Keep. Their impeccably detailed ensembles also take into consideration clients with complex gender identities. You will be able to see several of them going through the process of having their suits made in an upcoming documentary “Three Suits”.

I talked to Sharpe Suiting CEO Leon Wu who researched tailoring from Savile Row to manufacturing in Hong Kong. Leon created the collection to serve all body types and the LGBT community, realizing that the market lacked men’s tailored suits that were actually build to fit a woman’s body.
butch lesbian fashion

Angie Chuang drew inspiration for her collection from the arts and blurring gender lines to serve the androgynous aesthetic.

Jag & Co designer Jaguar Beckford mixes vintage dandyism, hip hop and formal masculine clothing for this label.

Sir New York on the other hand, blends punk, athletic wear, Goth and street wear into the collection. Designer Auston Bjorkman is trans-identified and the label is coveted at the trendiest boutiques around the city.  
butch fashion

Saint Harridan, founded by Mary Going is a label producing formal and business suits for women of all shapes who prefer a masculine look.  Saint Harridan’s models all held up signs for #BlackLivesMatter in response to the recent injustices in Ferguson and New York. At the finale of the show, Dapper Q’s editor Anita Dolce Vita came down the runway with hands raised, a symbol of “Don’t Shoot”.

The Museum at F.I.T. recently paid tribute to Queer style and gay fashion. The LGBT community has always held a major influence in art, culture and style throughout history. With the exception of a few style icons like Marlene Dietrich in a tuxedo, I am surprised that this particular aesthetic or fit has not had more mainstream focus. I am really glad that this show presented such a great mix of designers to show masculine fashion is more than just a girl in a boy’s clothes. They showed formal to dandy to sports to avant-garde styles.


sir new york fashion
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Sunday, December 7, 2014

Blogger Love: Keep It Clever

lalam1204

Do you know the difference between a cocktail dress and a gown? Do you know how a man's suit should fit? How about what you should buy on vacation (as there are SO many things!)... Well, for all the little bits and pieces you need to know this season, we've got you covered in this week's links!

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Thursday, December 4, 2014

#TBT Channeling 1980 Nerd Style

Forgive this Throwback Thursday silliness. My parents recently sent a cringe-worthy photo of my childhood when I asked for a few images to post to Facebook to get my friends to laugh. Since fashion trends all come around again if you wait long enough, I attempted to make a style board of one of my most hideous looks.

This is me, about five years old with a parent executed Asian stereotype bowl haircut. The fashion fan in me is going to say I was channeling early Rei Kawakubo. You can get a much better bobbed wig online. The banana-colored sweatshirt was likely a hand-me-down from my male cousins. I particularly love how I match the desk lamp and coordinate with the tissue box next to me. I found a Moschino version that pays tribute to Dandy Candy. The noisy corduroy pants I wore, Ralph Lauren makes an infinitely more flattering stretch skinny corduroy pant for adults. The nerd in me loved this microscope I received as a gift while other girls my age played with Barbie. I found a sterling silver microscope charm necklace in remembrance of that awesome present. You can't see them, but I loved Tretorn sneakers as a kid too.

Throwback Thursday is one of the most popular social media tropes on the internet today. Typical etiquette generally dictates that posts should be at least 10 years old, but seeing the most active social media users are under 25, that time frame has been reset to 5 years. The original intent was to show our geeky past selves (with the vain motive of showing how much better we have become). However, many people use #TBT as an excuse to rehash their hottest physical or personally successful moments as many times as they can (how many times do we have to see your cute blowout at your brother's wedding?). 

 Please don’t leave me here in my humiliation alone. Show me your best awkward Throwback Thursday photos. 
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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Custo Barcelona Spring 2015

custo barcelona spring 2015
It may be cold outside but for Custo Barcelona’s Spring 2015 collection, the runway was hot hot hot. Designer Custo Dalmau’s goal for the NY Fashion Week runway show was to show off the body.  He succeeded beautifully.

This was not just a sleazy skin fest. It was about the creative use of cut-outs, embroideries, textile combinations, sheer textured fabrics, silhouettes with great cuts. Custo Barcelona as a brand is best known for its bold mixes of patterns and dimensional materials to build a sculptured, if not always “tasteful” in the classical sense.

custo barcelona handbag

Metallic prints were combined with laminated laces. Sexy swimwear was mixed with coordinating cover ups. Purses, messenger bags and shoes were designed to match motifs and textures of the clothing collection.

custo dalmau spring 2015

Menswear had a more subdued look, but the women’s catwalk outfits definitely did not have the wallflower in mind. That doesn’t mean anyone should be intimidated by the Custo Barcelona collection. Each piece individually is gorgeous, the intricate work of the combined patterns and fabrications is a great statement garment that can be paired with a more basic staple.

On a gray dreary day, can’t everyone use a bit of color and shine?
photos by Mariana Leung
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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Gift Guide Pick: Elizabeth Arden UNTOLD Perfume and Lipstick


The hottest trends to come out of the fall/winter runways were unmistakably red and gold. They also happen to be the colors of the holiday season and the brand that embodies that is undoubtedly Elizabeth Arden.

 That shiny gold case and bright red lip symbolized the classic look of glamour to me since I first opened up a fashion magazine as a child. Now, the ruby lip is as hot as ever. I admit I was a little shy to try the bold shade of Red Door Red for daytime. Elizabeth Arden’s global artist Rebecca Restrepo created a collection of lipstihues to flatter all skin tones and fashion colors. I learned that the key to a strong, pigment intensive shade is to make sure your lips are well moisturized. This particular collection is filled with shea butter and vitamins A, C and E to pamper your lips.
lipstick colors

I don’t know what it is about pulling open a new lipstick box and turning the tube that got me excited when I first explored makeup, but that joy never left. I already gave my Mom some early stocking stuffers with a few shades that she loved; my girlfriends might too.

My best BFFs will get to try a new fragrance. A great perfume in a glass sculpture is another no-brainer gift for your favorite beauty fans. Elizabeth Arden’s UNTOLD was launched this year. The fragrance is presented in a frosted faceted bottle, like a jewel. It is framed in silver then topped with a crystal clear stopper. The scent itself has what the industry calls “gourmand” notes of pear, black currant and pink pepper along with floral gardenia. I tested it out; it was kind of sexy, romantic, but not overpowering.

Are you ready for a party to give a bright red kiss?  Do you want to unwrap a seductive new scent? Find your goodies at the Elizabeth Arden makeup counter this holiday.

elizabeth arden untold
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Elizabeth Arden. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Elizabeth Arden.
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