Their ‘poverty sucks’ t-shirt was one thing, and the company supports anti-equality Republicans, but whom would have thought they would be so brazenly offensive!

As you can see, Urban Outfitters has classified their BDG Burnout Henley tee as being “Obama/black”. Not only is this terribly offensive, but this fugging shirt is grey! When double checking to see what political figure they associated with the white shirt, it’s labeled as ‘white/charcoal’; a wee bit more appropriate for a top.

SO! Today we’ve learned today that Urban Outfitters are pretty much massive dicks.

Thoughts?

UPDATE:

UO has taken down the item, with no explanation as to why it was allowed to get past editors in the first place.  At least the star rating was true; 1 out of 4.

IT’S OFFICIAL!

The clothing sale is happening at W2 this Sunday February 7th.  This is clothing that was mine, has been used in shoots and is generally awesome.

The sale is from 11 – 5PM, has ample parking at the Gastown parkade and is super easy to reach by foot, bike or hovercraft.

I have clothing and shoes for men and women in varying sizes and styles.. this is a sale for those with no budget, those who need a breath of fresh style and those who love the thrill of the find.  Trust me, all this stuff is mega rad (I picked it out myself).

I want to see you there.

RSVP on Crackbook!

Valentine’s Day usually means two things – things that are pink and [typically] hideous, and meaningless trinkets are purchased, gifted and promptly forgotten about after being received.

While I’m sour on this very commercial holiday, not everyone is – hence this list of things you won’t feel like you’re trading self respect in order to get a piece of action on February 14th.

***

If you’re brave enough to buy your woman beauty products, check out Marc Jacobs’ newest scent Lola ($65) and grab Deborah Lippmann’s name twin Lola nail lacquer ($16).  To score extra points, acquire some Man Glaze matte nail topcoat ($13); it will ensure your lady’s nails are the trendiest part of her body.

Jewelry is always a safe bet, but accessories do not always have to be soft.  Alexander McQueen’s ruby skull ring ($340) is a guaranteed win, though if you’re skimming the bottom of the barrel, Be & D’s pink studded leather cuff ($40) is a much more fiscally responsible, yet luxurious gift.  Whiting & Davis’ heart chain mail clutch ($135) is also a prime accessory, but the mother lode is the Wendy Brandes Juanita Peek-a-Boo necklace.  You’ll have to be pretty ballin’ to have this in your giving hands, but it’s on hell of a memorable piece!

For all the other ‘what to get!’ in-between receivers, consider a vintage Butler & Wilson cherub pendant ($305), Wendy Brandes silver Diana heart ring ($450), nearly any Betsey Johnson jewelry (she’s ape for hearts), or perhaps even a big heart t-shirt ($60) for those less than sentimental types.

Then again, there’s the whole Swarovski V-Day collection; the pieces range from price and design.  For the practical receivee, the Heart Ware USB key ($105) is a perfect idea, and it’s on sale!  The Lucien bear ($130) and mesh heart charm ($150) are also excellent additions for a collector.

Jewelry (also known as “old faithful”) worth a peek includes the Eros ring ($120), Lala earrings ($63), or the Luck Heart necklace ($160). For the large budget buyers, the heart Lala necklace ($390) is a demure, feminine and mature gift.  If you’re courting a girly female, I’m pretty sure giving the Lala necklace would be the jewelry equivalent of Fruit Rollup underpants.

When buckles and studs are ruling the accessory market, zipper wrist straps are a welcome outfit accent.

Rebecca Minkoff’s PVC wrist wraps are simple, easy to accessorize with and actually affordable at $58 each.  They come in candy floss pink and black, and are just spunky enough to work amongst plain dresses and give the outfit the kick is needs.

If you dig these wrist wraps, check out the electric pink zipper wallet ($98) – it matches the black and pink perfectly, and it veggie friendly as well.

This, friends, is why Rebecca Minkoff is awesome.

Now this is a boot worth chasing after! Pour la Victoire’s KESHA boot is officially in stock at Solestruck, which is first and [currently] only shop to sell them online.

The KESHA boots are a sleek rendition of a hiking boot, similar to Tory Burch’s FW09 boot release.  PLV has a history of exceptional footwear, and while $335 isn’t a rock bottom price, the product will reflect quality.

If you’re ready for this mega hot heel, get on down to Solestruck without delay, before sizes 6 – 10 (including half sizes) are sold out.

It’s official - humanity has reduced themselves to such a slovenly mess that groceries have taken to instituting a dress code.

Tesco, a UK shop chain, has placed a ban on ‘nightwear’ (ie. pajamas and such), and requires store patrons to be wearing shoes at all times while they’re in the store.

While this may seem like a no brainer, the St Mellons location in Cardiff has had to erect signs because so many have come in wearing PJs.  The woman to the right, Elaine Carmody, is an actual shopper that was asked to leave the St Mellons location because of her sloppy attire.

This is an exceptional rule – humanity has sunk too low in appearance, and we’re accepting brutal laziness when higher expectations of people should be had.

Fingers crossed this policy makes its migration across the pond… North America could use some reining in on the clothing front.

Rene Gurskov’s Dutch menswear sensibilities have mashed with the demands of politic dressing, and it’s never looked better. 

The FW10 collection carries the uniform essence without appearing kitschy; not an easy feat for a fledgeling label needing to turn as many heads as possible.  Gurskov has designed the marching uniform for the modern gentleman and remains fresh by fusing 3 looks together; sport , uniform, greaser and ultimate dandy.

The loose trouser marks the beginning of trend death for pin thin leg cuts, and all male genitalia breaths a sigh of relief.  Choice pieces include the perforated dual tone trouser (shown below on two models), and bottoms which fit as a casual jodhpur.

Rene Gurskov’s online store launches in April 2010, so save the date in your iCals and join me in waiting for the glorious men’s digs to finally be available worldwide.

Whether you’re goo goo for Gaga or are patiently waiting ’till she chokes to death on a knot of rogue spaghetti, you’ve got to admit the Lady has panache.

Recent couture shows were no exception to this rule – runway after runway displayed curiously Gaga-esque eccentricities.  Inspiration appeared to be drawn from throughout her looks as recent as the Oprah pinhead hair hat; Gaultier must have been watching.

Skeptics, compare the two images below.  Even if this inspiration is a coincidence, it’s certainly damn uncanny.

Enough of the flowery Docs, make way for mega shine during this coming [hopefully] loud season.

Greys allow metallics to transition seamlessly into summer, and you can style greys in the same method as you have blacks.  Easy peasy, right? If you’re struggling with ideas to make your warmer weather looks pop, these boots make everything explode. 

The Corset boot ($150) is a quilted mid calf boot, perfectly paired to dresses, shorts or whatever you’re angling for this coming season.  If you can find a metallic pair of Raf Simons x Dr. Marten from FW09, you’re going to want to grab and not let go – these are incredibly difficult to locate right now, and are going to be a solid stunner for years to come.  Last of all are the new Koram Flash boots.  The 8 eye silver is the pick of the group, and tags at a reasonable $120.   

Gareth Pugh has kindly provided us mortals with a few items we can actually afford. 

Now they may only be t-shirt dresses, but we won’t look the gift horse in the mouth, especially when it provides us creepy-awesome silhouette silkscreens representing Pugh’s past shows.  These t-shirt dresses are being sold at Colette for approx. $275 CA, and are from the official SS10 collection.

Solestruck is currently pre-selling the Jeffrey Campbell Clinic shoe. 

Yes, the same Clinic that is sold out everywhere and shoe lovers everywhere have been beating people up for.  They are still $179.95, which is less than every other shop had them sold for.

I have these luscious wedges, and can personally vouch for both the awesomeness that is Solestruck’s customer service and the wedges themselves.  Sizes 6 – 10 (no half sizes) are now available.  Be warned – these are not for the faint of style.

Now if only the Madness boot would get back in stock…

Kate Moss is an odd thing indeed – first she recoils in utter horror when her Skeletor face appeared after being photographed on a vacation boat, then she appears at a handbag launch with senior-friendly grey streaks amongst her blond hair.

According to a technical director at London’s Richard Ward salon, grey drains your complexion since it absorbs light rather than reflecting it.

It’s painfully obvious Moss tripped up here; whether this was simply a cheap rag mag stunt or a genuine style introduction gone awry, [it’s not meant for her head at this age.

If ballet flats are giving you the yawns, what is there to wear? Jazz flats are the ideal alternative; often coming in a multitude of colors and styles, and having a low heel.

Jeffrey Campbell’s Uniform lace up ($110) is just what the menswear inspired dresser wants; patent leather (colored, no less), a smart price point and the itty bitty heel adds a bit of feminine air without sacraficing comfort.

If teal and mustard aren’t quite your thing, try the grey patent.  After all, grey is the new black for SS10.

If you’ve been wondering what Australian trendsters have been coming up with these days, wonder no longer and behold The Cassette Society.

These are bold nearly-basics that blend well with any wardrobe (as greys and blacks tend to do), with simple cuts that rely on prints and embellishments.  These pieces are prime for layering, partying and whichever you happen to require – they’re going to cover you.

While the entire range is worth views, the picks of the litter are definitely the moonshatter zip skirt ($127), ruched acid jersey tee ($120), moonshatter body suit ($111) and the space swirl mini dress ($161).

I think I can hear the world’s laments from here!

It appears that earlier buzz in the week regarding a possible Balmain diffusion line was all nonsense.  I have to say, I’m quite relieved; it’s best to leave Balmain as ridiculous and incredible as possible – a diffusion line would strip that away.

Now I can’t be absolutely certain, but it appears that Lady Gaga may have been wearing a Kymaro body shaper as a unitard, but it appears this is a possibility.

Shown below is The Gaga during a recent Bad Romance performance, looking something between an Alien face hugger and a very cool adult diaper.

The coincidence is uncanny, but I’ll leave the comparison consideration up to you.

It’s official.. Modern Amusement is no longer.

While citing some serious management issues as the official reason for closure, the VP of Sales stated they ‘hope to reintroduce the Crow to consumers in the future’.

While MA had a few knockouts, this was not a memorable brand.  Since the streetwear market is crowded as is, I can’t see the brand making a glorious comeback unless they overhaul the brand.

For now, the crow has officially bitten the dust.

One of Jeffrey Campbell’s FW09 highlight boots have been converted to a very SS10 friendly design.. the Photo boot has new life, and is not open toe.

These are an incredible leather combination for the transition season, not to mention that grey has succeeded black at the helm of the dressing world.  When you add a dark neutral buckle to the mix, the design blows up!

Wedges are the heel type of the summer, so there is nothing about this boot that isn’t of the moment.  With a 1″ platform and 5″ wedge, you will be towering over everyone with your superior shoes.

These JC boots are exclusive to Free People, and run at $241 CA.

Watches are becoming an overlooked commodity, but we shouldn’t overlook them.  Watches of the new decade should be treated as bracelets, not as timepieces.  We should be stacking them like bangles, not having them singular on one arm, all alone and such.

The thing about spring is it’s an excellent excuse to whip out incredibly colorful accessories, watches being no exception.  Toywatch is a modern timepiece favorite of mine; particularly the blinding pink submariner ($186). For other red hot alternatives, the jelly-like Nixon Tribella watch ($59) passes for a bracelet before a timepiece.  If you’re a traditionalist, DKNY’s coral canvas strap ($168) hits the SS10 color g-spot.

Cooler shades are for cool kids, right? If you’d don’t prefer your colors scorching, Timex’s super retro 80 Watch ($79), Fossil’s Stella glitz resin piece ($85) or the Looce oversized numeric ($35) are options worth exploring.  At times when one requires elegance, call on BCBG’s purple satin bow strap watch ($162) to get ‘er done.  This very minimalistic watch face creates the illusion of a satin bow, not as a timepiece. 

Remember, watches aren’t like VHS tapes – they need love too, and are still relevant dressing tools.

Swarovski and Alice in Wonderland were only a match made in my imagination, until now.  The photos from the themed project with Disney have been released, and it’s time to get your first look.

The pieces from the official collaboration with Disney create an elegant vision of accessory.  The collection is quite true to the bones of the Alice story, though not always what one may have expected.

The prize is the Cheshire cat head necklace ($165), which remains closest to the googly eyed taunter.  The dusty pink and light blue crystals are a perfect offset for the ever so slightly menacing grin, with the metal sculpture around the cat’s eyes and mouth being the detailing one expects from Swarovski.

The Flower Garden group was a pleasant surprise; where I expected a passive collection, there was a vibrant, very wearable group.  The faces on the flowers were not comically designed and remained elegant, especially on the bib necklace ($440).  This piece stood out for its colors, ability to be worn apart from an overtly themed outfit and use of the Swarovski crystals.

The Mad Hatter necklace ($160) is actually quite lovely; this piece struck me as the ideal gift for a creative individual as it features spindle beads and scissor pendant.  The bracelet ($150) seemed almost like an inverted charm design; it was whimsical, yet elegantly perfected by the threads of the spindle appearing to thread the piece together.

The Tea Party ($160) and Hall Key necklace ($130) from The White Rabbit collection were predictable, yet the pieces are friendly to every day wear.  While the Tea Party group was not as bent as expected,considering they are pulled from one of the most memorable scenes in the story.  Where a Dormouse or a more pronounced tea cup pendant versus the cupcake ($160) and donut ($130) pendant pastries provided and the didn’t feel tied to Wonderland in any way.

Highest hopes were reserved for the Red Queen collection ($120 – 155), which was the height of disappointment.  While the Cheshire cat was a quintessential representation of its character, the Red Queen was did not recieve the same design justice.  Instead, she was dealt pieces with kitschy logos which did not represent the essence of her character.  The Red Queen is a childish terror, which required jewelry inspired by that blind aggression.

After the journey through Swarovski’s Wonderland, the eccentric in us is fed, and this collection keeps us firmly planted to reality and out of Alice’s psychadelic cookie jar.  

The collection will be available nationally March 1st, 2010