A little worse for travel wear, but still pumped with NYC awesome. I interviewed the magnificent John Varvatos, explored Manhattan and Brooklyn (to a lesser extent), met some amazing humans and saw some fantastic runway shows. Details are coming, especially my travel miseries stemming from two particularly heinous airline experiences.
It’s official – PPQ has confirmed that the label will continue and the last collection will be shown. Details as to McQueen’s successor are currently unknown.
When it comes to a hot weather height enhancer, a wedge is the preferable choice to a heel. The Steve Madden PASTERR not only buckled, peep toed and sleek but grey.
Unless you have been living under a color forecast rock these last months, you know grey is the new black, and it is incredibly easy to wear.
The highlight of the 100% leather PASTERR is on sale; it’s $99, down from $150.
Splendid.
Frances C.!!!
Congratulations, you’re the lucky b*tch that has snagged this ultra gift basket filled with the winning products. I’ve already sent Frances a notifier regarding her sweet luck – thanks to everyone for entering this contest and keep around for the next one.
As a side note, apologies to everyone who entered for having a [very] late draw notification. I’m still in New York, Fashion Week is wrapping up, and it’s been b-a-n-a-n-a-s!
Vancouver expat fashion photographer Fiona Garden is up to much these days across the seas on London, most recently on a campaign for Mark Fast’s new Faster range. Fiona shot all of these delectable black and whites; scope them below.
Faster is really doing things in a wicked social media way; they’re on Twitter and Flickr.
With all the ego inflation and serious faces I’ve seen at Fashion Week, Betsey Johnson‘s show was both a relief and a laugh. There is so much fun to be had in a Betsey shop, which is magnified in spades when it comes to any of her presentation efforts.
A bandana clad Kelly Osbourne opened the show, who was followed by models looking as if they were having an awesome time skipping down the runway, some pretending to shoot neon cap guns. It wasn’t only the wild wild West theme that kept interest, but the sassiness of the girls and the fun that they were obviously having. As all Betsey Johnson loyals know, she knows how to bring a riot of eccentricity.
The one theme standing out was the lack of party dresses; while the expected tailored suiting, ruffles and patterns were abound, the party dress was silently lacking. Favorite pieces included the velvet suspender shorts, die bodysuit, dual tone stripe dresses, nu country ruffle tiers, and the glorious black and white evening gown.
The unchallenged highlight of the show was the tribute to the late, lamented Alexander McQueen; the model wore the FW09 Leigh Bowery mouth lipstick while holding a sign entitled Long Live McQueen. The crowd cheered, I misted up… job well done, Betsey.
If you’re a lover of all things Wendy Brandes (case and point – the swear ring set) and in NYC today, this is one sale you can’t allow yourself to miss out on.
Many items are up to 50%, so it’s worth your while to get in on this action.
Her statement could not have been more appropriate.
“We are devastated to learn of the death of Alexander McQueen, one of the greatest talents of his generation. He brought a uniquely British sense of daring and aesthetic fearlessness to the global stage of fashion. In such a short career, Alexander McQueen’s influence was astonishing — from street style, to music culture and the world’s museums. His passing marks an insurmountable loss.”
One can only imagine the tribute London Fashion Week is planning, or the leaderless confusion in McQueen’s design house.
Thoughts go out to everyone affected by this tragic loss.
I know where I’ll be this weekend!
Even if you’re not in NYC, Oak‘s sale is good for it’s online store – just remember to use promo code “ilovethis” during checkout.
I can’t help but chuckle at this one. American Apparel has taken to screening a warning on the inside of their leggings warning you to not wear them as pants.
American Apparel has spent the life of their company telling people to wear neons and spandex; that leads one to wonder how incredibly meaty rumps have been seen to have squeezed into AMAP leggings and tights as of late!
While this warning is as tongue and cheek as the entire brand, one can’t help but wonder if squeezed between the lines of this message is “NO FATTIES”.
UPDATE:
It has been confirmed by AA that these are not official American Apparel leggings, and are therefore not representational of this unknown brand’s leggings-as-pants hate.
If you’re visiting Vancouver for the Olympics (or are one of the few Vancouverites still in town), swing by Dutil in Gastown to fill up on premium denim labels for your bottom half and Oliver Peoples frames for your top.
Dutil has been partially taken over as Peoples’ pop-up shop as of tomorrow (February 12th), the first collaboration with the shop and brand. Oliver Peoples has been an eyewear staple for decades – if you’re looking for a look that is less flash in the pan than enduring, you need to get into Gastown for a peek.
One of the few true artists of the craft has been lost today. Alexander McQueen has been found in his flat and pronounced dead at the scene, leaving shock and questions abound.
He had announced via his [apparently deleted] Twitter that his mum had recently passed, he being very distraught over her loss. McQueen was surrounded by tragic death in recent years; mentor and discoverer Isabella Blow committed suicide not three years ago on May 2007, and now with his mother just over a week ago on the 2nd of February.
While we can only imagine how any why his life is gone, we can celebrate his creations, his spirit, his work. There is much of McQueen alive in every bit of us, his influence is everywhere even if his label is not.
Take a moment today to remember fashion’s eternal l’enfant terrible, his art and his vision. Celebrate the life that is yours, and appreciate its fragility.
UPDATE:
It is official – McQueen took his own life by hanging. So tragic.
As H&M prepares to assault us with another high street diffusion line, the time has come for us to sit silently and judge their creations.
The Sonia Rykiel x H&M collection reminds me of last summer’s Matthew Williamson range; loads of rich color to distract you from the lack of clothing architecture. There were few items I would classify as ‘go get now’, but it’s not worth braving the early morning line mania.
demiCouture picks: rhinestone brooches ($5.95), rhinestone leggings ($39.95), hot pink shorts ($34.95), striped socks ($5.95) and the jumpsuit ($69.95).
The boots by Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony were towering suede pieces of awesome, but for those who cannot manage the stiff fee or don’t wish totter on high wedges, Topshop has released a lower version.
Topshop’s NATE sandals ($90) feature very similar Western buckles, are open toed style and are made out of suede. The only difference (discounting heel height) is a heel cutout – make sure your feets are in top-top showing shape!
It’s the thing House of Holland freaks and geeks have been waiting many a season for – HOH is finally launching a new website.
As you can tell, the countdown to the launch is on.. mark February 18th as the day of reckoning.
The Outnet has been graced with new stock, which includes a de-lightful Rick Owens nappa leather jacket ($1105; 65% off).
These pieces may be from previous seasons, but they were chosen for their ability to blend in perfectly with the current season. After all, SS10 is all about nudes, animal, grey and shine.
Stella McCartney’s silk-satin ($598; 70% off) and Rachel Gilbert’s sequin dress ($210; 65% off) are perfect personifications of day to night dresses, both of which are at an incredible discount. Keeping with the gray trend, Vanessa Bruno’s wool blend t shirt dress ($70.50; 70% off) is keeping with the lines of where you want to be when dressing casually.
For trend traditionalists, Phi’s silk mesh camisole ($370; 70% off) and Cavalli’s leopard box clutch ($358; 70% off) cater directly to your style needs. Last of all come the accessories; Chloé ‘s Heloise sunnies ($131; 65% off) and Matthew Williamson’s summer blue silk scarf ($122; 65% off) are basics that can be re-used within any season with ease.
In this litigation, it’s a case of douche versus designer – go Team Marc!!
One can see why Marc Jacobs filed for trademark infringement; the bags share nearly identical knotted straps, side pockets, size, stitched name logos and nameplates. MJ is going full stop on this one – he’s not only suing for copyright infringement, but is claiming unfair competition.
Let’s hope he takes dirty Audigier to the cleaners.
I will be at the Ports 1961 presentation during Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week, and this little illustration arrived in my email this morning.
FW10 is looking gloriously grey, and very inspired by – dare I say it? – communist uniform. This is a very wearable set of pieces, styled without fuss and pomp.
I’m liking this little preview from Ports, and am looking forward to the presentation.
That’s right, Jeffrey Campbell is doing a sale of their shoes in limited quantities with members only purveyor Beyond the Rack. The best part of this news (aside from the sale part) is that Beyond the Rack is Canadian, so they ship to Canada.
The Jeffrey Campbell x Beyond the Rack sale will take place on [Thursday] February 18th, so mark your iCals and get your payment methods at the ready.
Remember, Beyond the Rack is members only…
get your invite via demiCouture NOW!
Forget flowers, if you’re going to observe V-day then there is only one obvious gift idea: his and hers Doc Martens.
Come on, how awesome would that be! You can stomp on scenesters, keep your walking sticks dry and look generally awersome.. like there’s even a choice to be made. If you’re going to fall for this Hallmark holiday, you may as well get something that’s actually awesome and capable of long term use.
demiCouture picks (sale prices reflected): patent red tartan ($92), pepto pink ($92), patent red croc ($92), vintage rub-off leather ($100) and the super fun red pascal ($88).
