Friday, April 8, 2011
Watch This: Struggling to Stitch
via Bryanboy.com
Watch this moving clip about what’s going on these days in New York’s Garment District. I don’t think I’ll forget this video the next time I buy something with a “Made in New York” label on.
I feel sorry for the unfortunate garment workers who don’t get the compensation they deserve.
Especially now when a lot of things are made in far-flung places while retail price tags remain the same, or, even higher than what was being charged before.
This is nothing new in the fashion industry. Many brands have come under fire for various labor issues (unfair compensations, inhumane working conditions, etc) elsewhere around the world.
Ideally, I want to buy smarter, buy less and of course, love what I already have, which means wearing the things I own many, many times until I get sick of it.
Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done.
The temptation to buy affordable, fast fashion is inescapable. After all, not everyone has deep pockets.
When I did the laundry at my boyfriend’s apartment two weeks ago, I felt disgusted at myself for having amassed all these socks over three months of traveling. Thirty six pairs to be exact. When you hop from one city to another, it’s more cost-efficient to buy new, fresh pairs of socks (I buy H&M or Uniqlo socks… for what, $5 a pair, maybe less?) instead of sending them to the hotel cleaners, paying triple or quadruple the amount you originally paid for just to wash them. It’s impractical to pay $15 (plus tax, plus service charge, plus plus whatever) to clean a $3.99 pair of coloured socks! Same applies to underwear. Try living out of a suitcase and tell me what my best option is.
And when the mood to splurge hits… what do you get? An “investment” piece, usually a very expensive classic, that you can use time and time again or do you splurge on something unique, bold and extraordinary that you can only use a handful of times? After all, you want value for what you are paying for….
Our lifestyles and resources (or lack thereof) dictate the choices that we make.
I’ve always disliked the idea of waste or wastefulness. My parents raised me and my siblings to finish everything that’s served on our plates. Growing up, I’ve heard the old line “there are starving children in Africa” countless of times.
Today, more than ever, I’ll do my best to be more conscious.
Watch this moving clip about what’s going on these days in New York’s Garment District. I don’t think I’ll forget this video the next time I buy something with a “Made in New York” label on.
I feel sorry for the unfortunate garment workers who don’t get the compensation they deserve.
Especially now when a lot of things are made in far-flung places while retail price tags remain the same, or, even higher than what was being charged before.
This is nothing new in the fashion industry. Many brands have come under fire for various labor issues (unfair compensations, inhumane working conditions, etc) elsewhere around the world.
Ideally, I want to buy smarter, buy less and of course, love what I already have, which means wearing the things I own many, many times until I get sick of it.
Unfortunately, it’s easier said than done.
The temptation to buy affordable, fast fashion is inescapable. After all, not everyone has deep pockets.
When I did the laundry at my boyfriend’s apartment two weeks ago, I felt disgusted at myself for having amassed all these socks over three months of traveling. Thirty six pairs to be exact. When you hop from one city to another, it’s more cost-efficient to buy new, fresh pairs of socks (I buy H&M or Uniqlo socks… for what, $5 a pair, maybe less?) instead of sending them to the hotel cleaners, paying triple or quadruple the amount you originally paid for just to wash them. It’s impractical to pay $15 (plus tax, plus service charge, plus plus whatever) to clean a $3.99 pair of coloured socks! Same applies to underwear. Try living out of a suitcase and tell me what my best option is.
And when the mood to splurge hits… what do you get? An “investment” piece, usually a very expensive classic, that you can use time and time again or do you splurge on something unique, bold and extraordinary that you can only use a handful of times? After all, you want value for what you are paying for….
Our lifestyles and resources (or lack thereof) dictate the choices that we make.
I’ve always disliked the idea of waste or wastefulness. My parents raised me and my siblings to finish everything that’s served on our plates. Growing up, I’ve heard the old line “there are starving children in Africa” countless of times.
Today, more than ever, I’ll do my best to be more conscious.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
These kicks give me a funny feeling in my No No Place! Blue Suede Rider’s
This is how we described the RBC suede chukka last fall when they first arrived.
“Looking for a stylish yet comfortable boot for fall than look no further than our new Rider Boot Co. suede chukkas. Made of water repellent Cape Butt suede they’re smart looking and extremely comfortable on natural plantation crepe soles.”
These boots flew out then and now they’re back but not for long because they’re super comfortable, and ideal for spring. Now available at blog.leffot.com
RBCB10 Navy Cape Butt Suede, Plantation Crepe Soles – $550
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Statement iPad 2 Cases
via Esquire
iPads should be encased. There are many reasons for this, the $500 price tag among them, but the most important one might be so that other people don't stare at you and think, Oh, there's a guy with an iPad. Because you don't really want to be that guy. And besides, now there are actually many very nice iPad cases worth looking at, from designers like Brunello Cucinelli and Louis Vuitton. Some are leather, soft, and expensive, some are hardshell and fairly inexpensive. We also wouldn't pass up Apple's own official iPad Smart Cover, because it works, and it does look pretty smart. But if you've just bought an iPad 2 and would like to weigh your options, these are some of our favorites for the new tablet. And if you're still searching, you might want to wait around until April, when you can expect new cases from other brands like Cole Haan, Burberry, Gear 4, InCase, Acme Made, Tumi, Simplism, XGearlive, and Belkin.
Brunello Cucinelli, $695 (see above)
Coach, $168
Louis Vuitton, $390
Hard Graft, $76
Timbuk 2, $40
Speck, $29.95
iThrough, $4.36
Marware, $49.99
Piel Frama, $167
Proporta, $47.95
Vaja, $110
Hard Candy, $49.95
Dodocase, $89.95
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Official Ferrari Opus
$275,000 will get you this book! And it is strictly limited to one customer...per country. For more information log onto www.krakenopus.com
The Sartorialist
Scott Schuman continues to amaze me with his most recent contributions as demonstrated by the photographs below.
Kanye West's fashion career is back on
Rapper and part-time fashionista Kanye West set to launch a scarf collection.
Kanye West's fashion design career looks to be back on, with the revelation that he is launching a collection of scarves inspired by the artwork for his album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy .
The rapper, who recently completed an internship at Karl Lagerfeld-designed fashion house Fendi, previously swore off his plan to become a celebrity fashion designer in light of Lindsay Lohan's efforts as 'artistic advisor' at Emanuel Ungaro, saying 'Did you not see the Lindsay and Ungaro collection? That was 9/11 for celebrities doing fashion. After that I thought: 'Well I can't do a line now'.
Maybe his scarf line will be the first step towards reversing that judgement, although it seems that West might be taking on more of an 'artistic advisor' role himself.
The scarves will incorporate the five striking artworks by George Condo West commissioned for his latest album release, reworked by M/M art direction and graphic design duo Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag who have previously worked alongside Carine Roitfeld at Vogue Paris.
The designers approached Kanye "with the idea to remix the artistic elements into a range of silk scarves, pairing their baroque-style letters with [artist George] Condo's images, such as a severed head wearing a crown and a naked sphinx straddling a likeness of West," according to Nowness.com and have described the collaboration as "a complex exploration of power."
The limited edition range will be sold exclusively at the Colette boutique in Paris, France and online at MMParis.com.
The Style Blogger - Season1/Episode 3: "Setting the Bar"
The Further Adventures of the Style Blogger
Monday, April 4, 2011
Ecko Offers 20 Percent Off For Life For Anyone Who Gets Tattoo Of Its Logo
We keep waiting for this to be a dubbed an April Fool's Day joke, but we're four days in with no signs of letting up.
Ecko Unlimited, purveyors of t-shirts, denim, track jackets, polos, sneakers and more; best-known for its ad campaigns featuring Lindsay Lohan and Vanessa Hudgens, is offering a 20 percent discount off its wares for life to anyone who gets a tattoo of the label's rhino or shears logo.
Hold that tat machine...only 20 percent?
Lesson to be learned here: even if you go so far as to literally brand yourself, you'll spend the rest of your days buying $29.50 hoodies for $23.60 to cover up that bad decision on your arm.
But do let us know if you go through with it.
(Via Racked)
Ecko Unlimited, purveyors of t-shirts, denim, track jackets, polos, sneakers and more; best-known for its ad campaigns featuring Lindsay Lohan and Vanessa Hudgens, is offering a 20 percent discount off its wares for life to anyone who gets a tattoo of the label's rhino or shears logo.
Hold that tat machine...only 20 percent?
Lesson to be learned here: even if you go so far as to literally brand yourself, you'll spend the rest of your days buying $29.50 hoodies for $23.60 to cover up that bad decision on your arm.
But do let us know if you go through with it.
(Via Racked)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Galliano Replacement Could Be Named Come Fall, Says Dior Chairman
Don't expect a replacement for John Galliano at Christian Dior anytime soon.
Dior Chairman and Chief Executive Sidney Toledano told Reuters that a replacement might not be named until the fall, confirming earlier reports by Fashionista.
Toledano said, "(The announcement) could come at any time, after (the autumn) or before. It requires a period of study of various projects. As our internal teams are working perfectly well, we have time."
He added that Dior will still turn out a cruise collection and hold a haute couture show in July, but was vague about the future of Galliano's eponymous line.
Since Galliano's dismissal in early March, there has been fervent speculation by the fashion community about who will replace him. Some even claimed that Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci had already been picked for the job.
Interestingly, Reuters includes Peter Copping of Nina Ricci and Phoebe Philo of Celine as possible candidates -- two names we don't think we've heard being tossed around. Take a look at our short list for who will succeed Galliano and predict the news.
Dior Chairman and Chief Executive Sidney Toledano told Reuters that a replacement might not be named until the fall, confirming earlier reports by Fashionista.
Toledano said, "(The announcement) could come at any time, after (the autumn) or before. It requires a period of study of various projects. As our internal teams are working perfectly well, we have time."
He added that Dior will still turn out a cruise collection and hold a haute couture show in July, but was vague about the future of Galliano's eponymous line.
Since Galliano's dismissal in early March, there has been fervent speculation by the fashion community about who will replace him. Some even claimed that Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci had already been picked for the job.
Interestingly, Reuters includes Peter Copping of Nina Ricci and Phoebe Philo of Celine as possible candidates -- two names we don't think we've heard being tossed around. Take a look at our short list for who will succeed Galliano and predict the news.
Robert Duffy Sued, Accused Of Keeping Employee Sex Book, Forcing Worker To Pole-Dance
Times are tough for Marc Jacobs President Robert Duffy.
Over the weekend, one of the brand's interns had a meltdown on Twitter, calling Duffy a "tyrant," and now he -- along with parent group LVMH -- is being sued by former chief financial officer and chief operating officer of Marc Jacobs International Patrice Lataillade, Women's Wear Daily reports. Lataillade claims he was "subjected to a discriminatory environment offensive to him" and was "fired in retaliation for objecting to that environment."
What type of environment? The fashion newspaper explains:
Over the weekend, one of the brand's interns had a meltdown on Twitter, calling Duffy a "tyrant," and now he -- along with parent group LVMH -- is being sued by former chief financial officer and chief operating officer of Marc Jacobs International Patrice Lataillade, Women's Wear Daily reports. Lataillade claims he was "subjected to a discriminatory environment offensive to him" and was "fired in retaliation for objecting to that environment."
What type of environment? The fashion newspaper explains:
According to the lawsuit, examples of the hostile work environment included Duffy's "production and dissemination of a book that included photos of MJI staff in sexual positions or nude" and "Duffy's use of a nude photograph for a billboard advertisement," among other charges. The suit also alleges that Duffy "uses company funds for personal expenses and does not censor what he does or says."The New York Post adds that Duffy once forced a Marc Jacobs store employee to "perform a pole dance for him," according to the complaint. From the time Lataillade started working at Marc Jacobs in 2002, there were several sexual harassment cases brought or floated against Duffy. The Post writes:
His conduct was so well-known, the filing says, that when the company's human resources department drew up a sexual harassment policy last year, they didn't actually disseminate it "because of a concern that it would anger Duffy," who co-founded the company with Jacobs. Lataillade said he "complained about Duffy's behavior and requested, on numerous occasions, that Duffy's creation of a sexually charged workplace be stopped," but "nothing was done," the suit says.
Duffy's alleged victims also didn't have much success with their complaints, with the company lawyer telling a young female employee she needed a "thicker skin" and a male employee to "go home early and have a drink," the suit says.
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