Is Creatures Of The Wind The American Version Of Avant-Garde?
When we compare American fashion designers with the rest of the world, the notable differences are usually the same: It's more wearable, it's more colorful, and — unfortunately — it's never avant-garde. Not so with Creatures of the Wind, the nascent Chicago-based label whose previous collections really raised the bar for unforgettable silhouettes, pattern play, and unconventional layering. For fall '12, their collection is reminiscent of Comme des Garçons, Henry Holland, and Henrik Vibskov, but dialed down on the crazy, meaning you'd actually end up wearing the looks rather than just tacking a print-out of it up on your inspiration board. Metallic PVC prairie skirts and layered, striped blazers definitely aren't for those who like to play it safe, but they've got real women in mind (thank you!).
Photo: MCV Photo
Photo: MCV Photo
Photo of the Day: What Made The Male Models Turn Into The Paps?
Hey boys, what's the hold up? Why the fuss? Five coiffed and captivated fellas backstage at Richard Chai couldn't be pulled away from, uh, whatever it was on the other side of that camera. If it were us, we would say maybe David Beckham or some kind of an adorable pet...but we're not sure if any of those apply. Help us out: what the heck turned these models into paparazzi? Enlighten us in the comments section.
Photographed by Tracy Wang
Street Style Of The Day: Peony Lim's Decadent Pantsuit
Maybe it's because we're rounding the corner to Valentine's Day, or because we've been eating too many granola bars these past few days, but Peony Lim's perfect-fit pantsuit is a chocolate-y dream. Growling stomachs aside, we're huge fans of Peony's ability to rock this menswear-inspired look and still soften up the edge via velvet, fringe, and a few cascading curls.
Photographed by Mark Iantosca
Rad Or Bad: Mary J. Blige Toe-tally Rocked It At This Pre-Grammy Event
While there are many things we adore about Mary J. Blige — she’s still going strong and we continue to marvel at her music — we feel o-blige-d (ha) to address her outfit choices.
Our jaws nearly dropped last night at the Belvedere RED pre-Grammy soirée when we saw/heard the R&B artist soulfully sing (and cover Bono!) in this catwoman-inspired ensemble, with a camel toe to boot. We honestly didn’t know what was going on — or where to look. Crotch cleavage is never necessary, and we're surprised her stylist let her hit the stage with a full-frontal wedge. Sorry, Mary! But hey…that’s just us. What do you think about MJB's getup? Is it totally tight or too, too tight?
Photo: Via Charley Gallay/Getty Images
Gretchen Jones Packs A Southwest Sunset Into Her Stunning Fall '12 Collection
Everything in the Gretchen Jones collection feels representative of the designer's background. As a one-time Project Runway contender (and winner!), Jones must find real relief in the fact that she no longer has to worry about pleasing a panel judges. She's truly let her personal aesthetic shine.
Her Southwestern inspiration is immediately apparent in plenty of prints to pine after — ikat, chevron, and even camo make an appearance for fall '12 — and in a big, big way. Not only do these statement pieces stand out on their own, the designer also mixed them in unexpected ways, making for looks that, undoubtedly, have had a lot goin' on, but were not overwhelming on the eyes.
Keeping with the theme, Jones also utilized dusty and sandy colors in a palette of pink, taupe, rust, and mossy green. The collection pulls together tightly, down to the smallest details, a.k.a. a crackled robin's-egg blue mani that's begging for our own DIY recreation. The icing on the cake? Lots and lots of chunky turquoise jewelry. Want. Now.
Check out the rest of the snaps and collection in the slides.
Keeping with the theme, Jones also utilized dusty and sandy colors in a palette of pink, taupe, rust, and mossy green. The collection pulls together tightly, down to the smallest details, a.k.a. a crackled robin's-egg blue mani that's begging for our own DIY recreation. The icing on the cake? Lots and lots of chunky turquoise jewelry. Want. Now.
Check out the rest of the snaps and collection in the slides.
Get Red Carpet Glamour, Courtesy Of Plus-Size Designer, Monif C.
If you're like us and hankering for weather that'll let you ditch all that heavy layering and finally show off the curves you’ve been hiding all winter, we've got a color-drenched, hip-hugging solution that'll help you make that spring debut you deserve. Enter, our new favorite plus-sized designer. Named best plus-size designer at Full Figured Fashion Week, Monif C.'s is a bone fide pro when it comes to outfitting curves. Her spring '12 collection offers a variety of dresses that are sexy without being too obvious (we're all about killing 'em softly, you know?), and we love it. Can't wait for sunshine? Click here to shop for the collection now, and practice your sashay for when the snow finally melts.
How To Dress For The Most Unique (& Secret) Meal In Town
Eons ago, when we told you about hidden gems like Shareen or Cinespia, you knew there was only a short window of time before word got out, and the masses staged a zombie-style takeover (we used to blindfold friends when we drove them to Shareen's first space!). Well, for your eyes and stomachs only, we've now got the exclusive dish on a brand new mum's-the-word menu at Rivera that will leave you feeling like you're the first to feast on the most unique dining experience of your life! No really, we're not exaggerating here.
Each course on famed chef John Rivera Sedlar's magical menu coincides with a work from the Pacific Standard Time: Art In L.A. 1945-1980 exhibit (and comes out on a plate with the art emblazoned on it). From Ed Ruscha's Los Angeles County Museum Of Art On Fire's Fire-Grilled Breast of Chicken with Goat Cheese and Incendiary Salsa, to Carlos Almaraz's Beach Trash Burning sorbet dessert with an Almond Tuille crunch (colored to depict sand) — our mouths and hearts applauded the ambition behind this stroke of genius, down to the very last bite. If you want in, hurry, because these underground bites will only be available through March 31, when the exhibit ends (it's all word-of-mouth except for this article, so be sure to mention us when you book). And for $44 bucks, this divinely designed menu feels like a Thomas Crown Affair-style heist!
Since we truly care about you, we've lined up a gorgeous ensemble for the chic spot—plus even more yummy outfit ideas, based on our favorite pieces of art/cuisine. Click through our exotically palatable slideshow so you're not a sartorial no-show.
Each course on famed chef John Rivera Sedlar's magical menu coincides with a work from the Pacific Standard Time: Art In L.A. 1945-1980 exhibit (and comes out on a plate with the art emblazoned on it). From Ed Ruscha's Los Angeles County Museum Of Art On Fire's Fire-Grilled Breast of Chicken with Goat Cheese and Incendiary Salsa, to Carlos Almaraz's Beach Trash Burning sorbet dessert with an Almond Tuille crunch (colored to depict sand) — our mouths and hearts applauded the ambition behind this stroke of genius, down to the very last bite. If you want in, hurry, because these underground bites will only be available through March 31, when the exhibit ends (it's all word-of-mouth except for this article, so be sure to mention us when you book). And for $44 bucks, this divinely designed menu feels like a Thomas Crown Affair-style heist!
Since we truly care about you, we've lined up a gorgeous ensemble for the chic spot—plus even more yummy outfit ideas, based on our favorite pieces of art/cuisine. Click through our exotically palatable slideshow so you're not a sartorial no-show.
Not Just In Your Dreams: The Most Gorgeous Bedtime Gear, Ever
Don’t get us wrong, we really dig dishing out goodies and gifts to other peeps — but like most, we get selfish sometimes, and relish in a little retail R&R. So, when we heard that Corinne Grassini of Society for Rational Dress was partnering up with the much-loved authors, Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt of No More Dirty Looks — we got our wallets ready.
The No More Dirty Looks girls are just as psyched. "We love pampering ourselves, and we're always trying to get our readers to do the same — take a load off, treat yourself well, feel good and sexy in your own skin. Corinne was the perfect person to team up with for that!” says Siobhan.
Boasting aromatic eye pillows and hemp nighties, the dreamy threads have spa day and beyond written all over it. Siobahn chimes in again with a helpful hint: "I love the nightie — I'll probably end up pairing it with jeans once it gets warmer.” Photo: Via Society for Rational Dress
Why Should We Have All The Fun? Catch NYFW Streaming Live
We can't exactly phone it in this Fashion Week. There are early morning, late nights, quick makeup fixes, and a few sore feet from clacking around in heels. Want to join in without worrying about what to wear? Here's how! All you need is a little WiFi to watch the Fashion Week action and amazing designer debuts as they happen. Count on us to fill you in on the details — who sat front row, where the after party was, and which nail art design you'll want to DIY next — and recline while you tune in. Check the sched below for the best of NYFW streaming live to your bandwidth.
Style Syllabus: Forget Everyone Else...Treat Yourself This V-Day
So you’re stocked up on Ryan Gosling’s entire filmography via Netflix, and enough popcorn and wine to feed your entire dorm during a drought.... Wait, is it Valentine’s Day or the apocalypse? Frankly, we can’t be too sure. But before you abandon mascara so you can properly enjoy The Notebook, you deserve to treat yo'self this V-day, beyond Ryan and wine — use the excuse to indulge in something completely unnecessary and absolutely fabulous.
We’ve scoured the web for the most enticing yet affordable ways to appreciate yourself, be it glamorous soap or a fantastic display for hand-picked flowers. These are the pretty little things that are guaranteed to make you smile. Oh, and we're throwing in a fun giveaway for two of our readers!
We’ve scoured the web for the most enticing yet affordable ways to appreciate yourself, be it glamorous soap or a fantastic display for hand-picked flowers. These are the pretty little things that are guaranteed to make you smile. Oh, and we're throwing in a fun giveaway for two of our readers!
Ben Sherman's Boys Are Lookin' Good In Miami
British label Ben Sherman released their spring/summer '12 campaign in Dazed and Confused this month. The bells and whistles: an interview plus a must-see video on Dazed Digital. We love their idea of scouring the globe for inspiring, modern men. And we're not just saying that because the campaign was photographed in Miami and features two of our favorite local boys as part of their "six inspired gentlemen."
We think Miami's Anthony Spinello of Spinello Gallery and artist, Bhakti Baxter are looking quite dapper in Ben Sherman. Don't you agree?
Holy Smokin' Sexpot, Julianne Moore! Umm Yeah, She's Over 50
This is what we want to look like when we hit our fifth decade on God's green earth. Right here, ya'all. Julianne Moore kicked of fall Fashion Week with a bang last night in a Bottega Veneta navy Nero Satin Knot dress, proving there's nothing quite like a lot of navy on a little, ravishing redhead!
This really prompts one question, though. With no plastic surgery to speak of, who exactly is the fifty-one-year-old's derm? Anyone?
Photo: Owen Hoffman
Tailor-Made Deals. Get Them Now!
-
From Paris, With Love: The 6 Exclusive Scarf Designs We’re Living In Until Summer
-
6 Flirty Polishes + 1 Nail Art Brush = The Ultimate Girl Crush
-
Come Hither Comfies: The Lust-Worthy Loungewear You, Your Wallet, And Your Valentine Will Love
-
Half Off The Ultimate Sexy Shapewear That’ll Trim And Tone Your Bod In Seconds
-
From Bracelet Stackers To Leather Earrings: Half-Off The Indie-Chic Jewelry Every California Girl Is Wearing
More Style At Your Fingertips
