Hotdish & Bars

Will Chalker says Happy New Year @ J. Crew

2011-12-31T13:47:00.014-06:00

Everybody remember Will's face popping up during J. Crew's holiday campaign shot in the Italian Alps and released this past November?

It'd been a while since he shot for the label prior to that. So, I must say, it's nice to see his face again, fresh haircut in tow, for the January 2012 catalog. He's truly one of my favorite models. And a real perennial.

Shamelessly shot on my iPhone while gawking in the Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan, this past summer:

P.S.: Loooove Clarins, btw...Will, or no Will...

P.P.S: Interestingly enough, I've yet to see this product -- the Ab Firming Body Toning Gel -- sell on Clarins' U.S. site or its counters at any of the major department stores...it's still obtainable here in the states if you look elsewhere for it, but it makes me wonder about the actual effectiveness of the product itself.

non-iPhone images courtesy of J. Crew

hello again

2011-07-23T13:00:00.002-05:00

it's been just about a year since i last made any activity on this blog.

life changed. time became a much desired luxury.

but i hope to breathe life back into my blog.

starting now. maybe.

Summer in The City

2010-07-03T01:18:00.005-05:00

Ooooh it's been so long since I've posted. Life has become much more hectic, and time all the more precious.

But I did have a chance to escape for a couple of days last month to my all-time favorite intra-country destination: New York City. I'll never tire of being in the midst of such a densely populated and vibrant city.

I didn't take very many pictures. But on a day that took me both up to Barneys in the UWS and down to Opening Ceremony in Soho, I did take the time to take a couple of shots of two beverages that I hold near and dear to my heart.

It's silly really, and it's not like freshly squeezed citrus drinks are a precious and scarce commodity. But the memories they embody -- of the loved ones I was with, what I was up to before sitting down and taking a sip -- from each time I've purchased them in the past, are priceless to me, and I'll never forget them.

Truthfully, this was the first time I took a seat in this Dean & Deluca at the Borders in the Time Warner center. But I can't imagine there ever being a time when I didn't stop into a Dean & Deluca in the city to purchase one of their house brand juices. Sometimes it was to augment my breakfast from Bagel Bob's on University (that D&D has closed! SAD!)...other times, I just felt like people watching out the windows overlooking Rockefellar Center. And still, other times, it just felt right to take breather while in the midst of Soho...

I'll forever be in love with McNally Jackson...it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the busy stretch of Broadway in Soho...although it itself is busy and sees lots of foot traffic, it still feels tucked away to me...the perfect urban oasis to sit and rest a tired pair of legs that have browsed too many stores (and sometimes, beaten a credit card to death). The cafe/seating area has changed in decor since the last time I strayed inside...but the ambience and mood are just how I left it.

p.s. pretty man in the white tee (and he had on white skinnies too!) -- will you go out w/ me?

J. Crew June 2010 Catalog: RJ Goes to Guatemala

2010-05-23T00:55:00.005-05:00

Hooray for another monthly installment of the J. Crew catalog -- picked up my copy at the Mall of America yesterday -- where actual male models are used. Or to be more exact, just one male model: RJ! He covers the whole men's section this coming month while traipsing through some Mayan ruins and appropriately styled in muted military-esque tones. I just love the slightly over-exposed quality of these shots...the bright lights lend a softness and haze to these pictures...summer is here.

image source

Chanel Cruise 2011

2010-05-15T00:41:00.006-05:00

:: image from fashionologie by way of Flashbang (tFS) ::

:: images from Chanel by way of Flashbang ::

:: image from vogue.com.au by way of Flashbang ::

Matt Lauer and His Wife Are Separating

2010-05-13T12:25:00.007-05:00

J. Crew Hand Painted Stanton Short

2010-05-12T13:32:00.008-05:00

Last weekend, my sister came home with a purchase I had called in to J. Crew's Liquor Store in Tribeca. The following post is my happy story/ending regarding a pair of shorts I saw months ago (backstory: HERE).

I really owe a big thanks to Shawn and Lindsay over at J. Crew. Shortly after my last posting on these shorts, Shawn wrote me with the good news that the shorts I was looking for weren't just one-off's for their spring presentation and that they would in fact be available for purchase at both the Liquor Store and at 484 in Soho at the beginning of this month. I can't express enough my appreciation for this tip-off from Shawn...previously, I had been told by other individuals that (1.) there was no further information regarding these shorts, or (2.) the shorts would not be sold to the general public (which, honestly, seems odd, given the current outcome, but I'm not going to pull at that thread). Over the ensuing weeks, we kept in contact. Lindsay from their PR office was kind enough to notify me the day after the shorts had been shipped to both locations, allowing me to call ahead and set aside a pair for myself. And, Eddie, if you ever read this posting, I just wanted to thank you as well for helping me out over the phone when I called.

The same day I heard from Lindsay, a newsblip on Racked NY regarding these shorts went up with the following lines:

TRIBECA AND SOHO—Breaking news from the J.CrewWire: "30 minutes ago 20 pair of limited edition hand-painted shorts were delivered to the J.Crew Liquor Store in Tribeca and the J.Crew Men's Shop in Soho. The shorts were hand-painted by a member of the J.Crew men's design team in our New York office—no two pair are alike." They retail for $148, but you can find similar styles online or in stores for $75.

GQ and The Fashionisto also gave mention to these shorts with similar news. I had no clue that the shorts were created in such a limited run! 20 pairs in total...wow.

But even if 200 had been made, I'd still be as happy as I am now that I have my own pair to wear this season.

With cut-off frayed cuffs galore, the no-two-are-alike quality of these shorts comes across really well in person -- the variable textures, brushstrokes, splattering, and colors -- white, blue, green, yellow, red -- are quite random like a Pollock...

...and another thing I didn't realize until I received my pair is that the back of the shorts also get an ample dose of paint. And obviously I'm sure this wasn't necessarily intended, but for some reason, I really like that my back button is "affected" as well...

Just by reading the comments off of the GQ blog, it seems most readers find the shorts a bit far-fetched given the DIY-able quality they embody. But honestly -- and this might be a stretch, but I find it relevant -- how many of you dudes out there are going to do actual housepainting in a pair shorts that are cut/fit like these...using all the colors you can find on these... So to me, the excuse of "I have a pair of these lying around that I made myself and cost next to nothing," doesn't necessarily jive with me. Secondly, I don't sit in front of a canvas creating art all day long, so once again, that excuse is out for me as well. And thirdly, perhaps I'm getting too theoretical here, but to me, there's an unmistakable deliberate intention behind these shorts to play up current trends in a manner that's befitting for the J. Crew look as well as the J. Crew customer who (like me) has no qualms saying, "I bought these as is, and no, I'm not embarrassed about it...you realize paint-splattering is in, right?"

Thanks again, to all of you at J. Crew for your assistance. Now...onto that Saint James/Mister Freedom top I want, and mostly everything I wanted on my J. Crew Spring 2010 checklist will be complete...except for those unevenly blocked-sun-faded shorts I also saw on the spring presentation...but I won't give anybody anymore grief over how to land those...

Daniel Liu for Vogue Nippon June 2010

2010-05-08T00:12:00.005-05:00

Pool Party, Vogue Nippon June 2010
photography: Francois Nars
styling: Patti Wilson
makeup: Lena Koro

Mr. Liu -- in just a tee and speedos -- shows up opposite Tao Okamoto -- and for once, she doesn't sport a pixie cut, YES! -- in these shots for Vogue Nippon's June 2010 beauty section. Daniel's actual face only shows in two of the photos...but the full spread can be seen on tFS courtesy of MAGstyle and Flashbang.

Think Mutual Bank Man

2010-04-24T23:56:00.004-05:00

Vogue Hommes Japan Back Issues

2010-04-24T13:19:00.004-05:00

This post goes out to Fabulous Florida Mommy (FFM) (who runs this marvelous blog) as she deserves full credit for helping me go about obtaining issues of Vogue Hommes Japan. After posting about the publication's then-upcoming fourth issue back in March, FFM kindly directed me (thank you!) toward the OPR website, which sells the biannual subscription for about $20/issue.

At the time, not only was I interested in obtaining the soon-to-be-released issue, but I was also intent on tracking down the magazine's previous three issues. Unfortunately, OPR didn't have any available to sell to me. But the fact that FFM had found me an online business that sold this specific magazine gave me hope that there'd be others offering what I was looking for.

Enter Magazine Cafe, a Manhattan magazine store that also has an online website for people like me...who live in the boonies...and find the foreign magazine selection at B&N quite upsetting and dismal. Although their asking price for an issue was slightly higher ($25/issue), a nice employee/owner(?) named Bhanu was able to sell me the first three issues. Not only was he great with answering emails, but when my actual order arrived, I found that somebody over there had taken the time to wrap the magazines and then place them in a sturdy box to ship. Now that's service! I've never been a fan of subscribing to US magazines for the very reason that they always come in a flimsy plastic wrap (if that sometimes!) and often times, there's holes and rips and creases in the magazines themselves on arrival. Call me OCD, but I prefer the luxury of going to a magazine stand in person and picking out that copy that sits in the way back that nobody's touched yet.

Anyway, so I have the first three issues of Vogue Hommes Japan, and I'm so thoroughly pleased with the content...I only wish I knew how to read Japanese! As a source of visual distraction, however, VHJ delivers. The editorial layouts are some of the most creative and stimulating I've seen in a men's fashion magazine, and the quality of the magazine in general rivals that of better women's Conde Nast foreign publications. The focus is definitely on progressive trends and the models who pull them off, which is very refreshing to see, given US options for men's reading have all this extra crap -- meant to reassure the average American dude it's okay to read a magazine with fashion features I'm convinced -- that just bogs everything down...full length articles not even related to menswear in addition to cooking recipes, lifestyle musings, sports...please, not for me...

I've yet to obtain the Spring 2010 VHJ issue that sparked my interest in this magazine and subsequently started me on this mini-adventure. FFM, my initial plan was to use OPR and save a couple bucks...but it looks like it's sold out already! So, it looks like I'll be going through Magazine Cafe again at least for the fourth issue...and before September rolls around, I definitely plan on getting a one-year subscription ;) Thanks again for your help, FFM!

The Fruits of My Labors

2010-04-24T12:48:00.003-05:00

Spring is definitely in full swing here in Minnesota...too bad it'll only last for all of two weeks before the mosquitos arrive and the humidity sets in...actually, I don't mind the humidity. But on the upside, my crack at trying to boast a green thumb worked! Above are a set of tulips on their way into full bloom at my parent's place.

I sunk these bulbs into the ground last October on a whim...the bulbs themselves were cheap at Hy-Vee -- $3 for a box -- so I figured, why not...

I couldn't be happier with the results. I'm excited about the really dark purple ones (there's one in the above background)...too bad they're just not black altogether...if anybody comes across the existence of actual black tulips, let me know!

J. Crew May 2010 Catalog

2010-04-22T01:12:00.005-05:00

THE MODELS ARE BACK for next month! After a two month hiatus where the men's sections of J. Crew's catalogs featured unfamiliar (albeit, often times still good looking) faces of the masses, I find it nice that the company has once again decided to advertise via the age-old tried and true method of dressing up individuals who are unbelievably gifted in terms of looks.

For example, the above page features classic mainstay RJ Rogenski on the left. As for the man on the right, can somebody either confirm this, or shoot me down completely, but is that Nathan Bogle? As in the Nathan Bogle formerly of Rag & Bone? And previously connected to Natalie Portman back in '07? He's been in so many issues of the J. Crew catalog at this point, and I've always secretly wondered all this time...

Final thought...any chance the men's spreads could get a bit more editorial flavor worked into them to match the women's pages? I absolutely love the creativity that goes into selling the women's merchandise...and I realize that whimsy doesn't necessarily appeal to the common man...but imagine if it did!

image source

Marc by Marc Jacobs Black Multi Brushed Back Speckled Denim Half Kilt

2010-04-18T00:50:00.006-05:00

:: image source ::

Woe is me. How did I miss this one? Granted, it's my fault for not having perused images of the collection when they first went up online. Btw, does anybody out there besides me feel like the theme behind this MbMJ Resort 09 Mens collection was more cohesive and intact than normal? I'm really loving it -- the somber cool tones with splashes of fluorescence here and there, the leggings/long johns... But there's nothing quite as disheartening as discovering an item for the first time...except you found it on the sale page of Barneys, and it's already sold out :(

I want this kilt. Okay, so perhaps it's because I secretly want to look like Marc Jacobs himself and still need to play catchup to his kilt-wearing phase...but seriously, men don't have very many options when it comes to "skirt-ed" wear these days...and this piece would have been an awesome option.

Crossing my fingers that I can find it elsewhere online (a cursory look yielded zilch)...or perhaps GILT at a later date? Guys...some help here??

The J. Crew Vintage Splattered Sweatshirt, Part 2

2010-04-15T14:42:00.005-05:00

I received the most wonderful package in the mail yesterday. And I wasn't sure if it was even going to come in the first place, so the surprise was most welcome. I've been coveting this piece since I first laid eyes on it at the beginning of the new year (backstory: HERE). Upon spotting this sweatshirt online at J. Crew, I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical if I actually wanted it given the online rendition seemed a bit pared down with less details than the featured sample at the spring preview (backstory: HERE).

However, I figured I'd ultimately decide for myself and check out the piece in person given there was no indication that it was a catalog/jcrew.com only item. Unfortunately, when I went scouting around for it last week, I learned that most likely none of the Minnesota stores received the product! And by that time, the size I wanted had been sold out online for ages. But a very nice saleslady at the Rosedale Mall location not only called around the area stores for me, but also had me fill out a form to search for the piece nation-wide. What's the service called? I believe I read on JCA that it's called "We Will Find It." Shipping was free, and the lady even let me use my student status for a discount to sweeten the deal. Per her instructions, she noted that the search would be done, if nothing came up, then I'd get a phone call in a couple of days.

A couple of days passed, nobody called. I became hopeful.

So it appears the Natick Mall out near Boston had what I was looking for.

Upon opening the package, I can't say this enough (in fact, I've been blabbing about it to anybody who'll listen), but I was VERY very impressed with what I received. There's paint, there's bleach, there's holes and frayed edges, and there ARE actually elbow patches! -- one on each elbow done up in different proportions and shades. In total, the one I received seemed more detail-oriented than the one used for the online pictures. It's sold out online now, and that makes me even more satisfied to have secured one for myself (in the nick of time too! it made its way onto the spring sale page -- with only XL's left -- for the better part of a day before disappearing into oblivion...but I don't think searches are done on sale items, so, WHEW!)

I can't wait to wear this piece out this season on cooler days and casual nights.

Truly a novelty item.

Daniel Liu for J. Crew Fall Winter 2010 Presentation

2010-04-04T09:49:00.003-05:00

Check out what Flashbang from tFS found from Habitually Chic! I think it's cool Mr. Liu has become a J. Crew regular.

Daniel Liu for GQ Taiwan March 2010

2010-03-21T10:34:00.006-05:00

Mad Man, GQ Taiwan March 2010

photography: Chiun-Kai Shih

styling: Bernando Siaotong

source: Ford, by way of AMB and Flashbang (tFS)

UPDATE 05.06.2010 >> A few more images were added to tFS archives about a little less than a month ago...and I just got around to updating my own "blog archives" here...these come off of newmadison.fr via Flashbang...

Mad Men X Barbie

2010-03-15T01:55:00.005-05:00

image source

The J. Crew Vintage Splattered Sweatshirt

2010-03-15T00:49:00.006-05:00

I've been waiting for this sweatshirt to surface since January! It's finally for sale online.

A couple initial thoughts based on what I can see from the images:

1. The processed and painted touches are nice, but they don't seem as texturized or crustified as the original, which Matthew Goode wears in the January edition of GQ.

2. Missing elbow patches! This isn't necessarily a dealbreaker for me, but if workwear is the theme, elbow patches are certainly a nice and relevant touch...wouldn't you say? Below, the first image comes from the company's spring preview. The second image is a closeup of the actual selling piece.

I really want to like this piece...so I refuse to pass final judgement at this time. There's no mention that it's "catalog/jcrew.com only"...yet...so I'm hoping I can check out the piece in person at one of the area stores. That'll be my mission this week.

image source

Liberty of London for Target Bedding Launches Early in MN

2010-03-12T13:52:00.004-06:00

While browsing the aisles at my Roseville T1 Target last night, I was surprised to find a shelf of the Liberty of London bedding already put out onto the floor (official release isn't until this coming Sunday). Per Racked NY, this was one of the first major movers at the New York pop-up shop, which closed early due to overwhelming response (the shop was supposed to stay open until tomorrow!). I wonder how long it will last here. I love the prints, but the bedding isn't for me...sorry, just a bit too femmy even for my tastes...

A quick scan of the rest of the store didn't yield any other products from this collection. And a call this morning to the Nicollet location (next door to corporate HQs, and often the place to find early releases of their designer collabs) confirmed they won't be puting out stuff until Sunday. Sad. Still waiting for my shirts, ties, and boxers I guess...

Lady Gaga and Beyoncé in Telephone

2010-03-12T11:50:00.008-06:00

With much anticipation and baited breath have I been waiting for the release of this music video. The song itself is so hot, and now I can conclude that the video only adds to that factor.

The following, a list of my favorite aspects and moments of the music video:

1. Commenting on hermaphroditic rumors.

Prison Guard #1: I told you she didn't have a dick.
Prison Guard #2: Too bad.

This while Gaga, pantyless and in fishnets, climbs her jailbars and flashes the viewer her (blurred) crotch. What a way to keep the speculation going!

2. Smokin' hot eyewear.

Literally. I wonder how many takes and how many cigarettes went into this sequence. And the smoke couldn't have been fun to tolerate, dontcha think?

3. The fat black woman sighs upon taking a glance at Gaga on the recess grounds. Her sound and expression. Hillarious.

4. Diet Coke cans for curlers.

Alexander McQueen used pop cans in his FW 2009 show. In a way, I saw this shot above and thought, how befitting in light of everything. Of course, I'm sure the intent was more white trash (more on that below!) than high taste, but to me, the sentiment is there.

5. The "OK" sign.

6. Product placement.

As Lady Gaga is the creative director for Polaroid, how appropriate she'd be flashing pictures with an old-school camera and film.

7. Beyoncé.

OMG Beyoncé deserves a category of her own. I remember reading how Lady Gaga made it clear how she didn't want to bring her Gaga persona into Beyoncé's Videophone video, she wanted to do it up "Gee-yoncé" style. Well, it's like the reverse has happened here, and this time, Beyoncé has been done up so befittingly in the Gaga aesthetic. There's that bee-eyed headdress she dons initially. I LOVE how she gets to don the same flip-shades from Gaga's Paparazzi video. And I especially love how she freaks out at the phone and throws it on the floor in one of the sequences.

8. Americana white trash.

I love how the Gaga creative team has placed a very hot and attractive spin on trailer park living. The diner sequences are such a visually fantastic production. It's rotten, it's rocker, and it shows that consistency and the right sense of styling is all you need to work a look. Star-spangled banners mixed in with studded biker leather, midriffs, greasy looking eye makeup, and the denim. OH the denim. Distressed, shredded and gaping to the point that one could really turn heads, I really wish I could walk around with any pair like the ones on these dancers...especially the pair on Mr. Center-Stage Dude. The long tassel-y shoulder embellishments on his coat are pretty eccentric (but appropriate) too. LOVE it.

9. Jai Rodriguez.

Ooh-la-la! Yum. 'Nuff said.

Karolina Kurkova for Louis Vuitton FW 2010

2010-03-11T01:58:00.005-06:00

:: image from vogue.co.uk by way of Chanelcouture09 @ tFS ::

Chanel Fall Winter 2010

2010-03-09T19:00:00.008-06:00

:: image from reuters via nothingless @ tFS ::

:: remainder of images from vogue.co.uk by way of Chanelcouture09 @ tFS ::

Less than a day ago, Karl Lagerfeld staged his Chanel FW 2010 show in Paris (au Grand Palais, bien sûr), and already, images and discussion are flying everywhere regarding the show itself (an actual iceberg imported from Sweden) and the collection -- faux fur everything. Yes, faux. All of it.

It's been quite amusing to read people's reactions to what has come to pass...but I personally would like to quote Anna Wintour: "There's always a way to wear fur. Personally I have it on my back!"

Ok, so the second half of that quote I can't personally backup/emulate...yet... But I'm quite fascinated by the men's pieces he sent down the runway. I've read words like "Yeti" or "Chubaca" used to describe these pieces (might I also add the term: "Opening Ceremony X Where the Wild Things Are"??)...but personally, I find the looks humerous, lighthearted, fanciful, but eye-catchingly stunning at the same time. If only I could pull off a floor-length coat of black fuzzy.

Who is this model, btw? I'm familiar with Karl's current favorite -- Baptiste Giabiconi (below right) -- and former favorite -- Brad Kroenig (left)...both of whom comprise the remainder of the men's looks...but this other dude I'm going to have to dig around a bit further to figure out...

This jacket that Brad sports strikes me as being the most wearable. To me, the fur paneling speaks of warmth, but in such an extravagant and over the top kind of way. Expendable warmth.

Do I need a fake fur purse with two C's on it? I wonder if I just might... I'm also curious about that tufted scarf...

This last coat is like the perfect ending for any black-tie event ensemble...imagine walking into an occasion donning this! I don't think I'd want to even stop by the coat-check...thanks but no thanks, I'm keeping this baby on...

And enough with the whimsical dreaming for now...

Actual coverage of the show can be found on The Cut and the NYTimes.

Must Obtain: Vogue Hommes Japan #4

2010-03-09T01:14:00.004-06:00

model: Julius Gerhardt for Success

photography: Josh Olin

fashion director: Nicola Formichetti

source: nicolaformichetti.blogspot.com

As quoted in the Daily Feed of models.com:

In the tradition of breaking new faces, Vogue Hommes Japan is out with issue #4 starring Success’ Julius Gerhardt. Josh Olins and Nicola Formichetti each continue with their juggernaut of exciting new work popping up in editorials/campaigns/and the red carpet (Nicola works with a certain young woman named Lady Gaga, in case you haven’t heard). In 3 short issues, VHJ has established itself as one of the most invigorating men’s magazines in the world with avant-garde imagery and ideas. This one should be no different. (On sale March 10th)

~~I must absolutely track down this issue of Vogue Hommes Japan.~~ I must start subscribing to VHJ. Anybody know how to go about doing this in the States? I had no clue the publication as a whole was such a recent endeavor...

Jean Paul Gaultier for Target

2010-03-07T23:25:00.006-06:00

JPG for everyone. Officially released today, these frocks have been hanging out on the salesfloor at the Roseville T1 Supertarget since around the middle of last week.

As always with these hi-lo masstige collabs, the pieces are less convincing of a deal in person...although I'm on the lookout for these tattoo print mesh leggings -- already sold out online -- for a girl near and dear to my heart.

No luck at the Roseville location, a very nice girl on the floor told me she didn't recall them ever coming in, no luck at the Minneapolis location either. Maybe I'll call around and see if the other spots here in MN even stocked them...

Tyson Ballou for H&M "The Blues" Ad Campaign

2010-03-07T23:15:00.004-06:00

While at the Mall of America, I couldn't resist from taking a couple shots of Mr. Ballou, looking as fine as ever, as he helps out H&M do the color blue in a big way. After seeing it in person, that denim shirt is definitely a good buy, especially with the darker shaded cuffs as such, I'm still wondering why I didn't pick it up...oh well...

Goodluck Tonight, Mr. Firth

2010-03-07T09:11:00.005-06:00

Here's to hoping the incredibly attractive Colin Firth -- who totally scored with the role of George in Tom Ford's A Single Man, and was nominated for an Oscar in the Actor in a Leading Role category -- wins big at tonight's 82nd Annual Academy Awards.

image source

Census 2010: Write-in Taiwanese

2010-03-06T20:15:00.003-06:00

Completely felt obligated to spread the word...in my own small way...does anybody of my same heritage ever even cross paths here on this blog? I'm guessing not...but on the off-chance there is...!

This vid is completely clever and I totally support and applaud the organized effort to raise awareness of our presence within America...I'm proud to be Taiwanese...and I'll definitely be noting this on my census survey.

Daniel Liu for V Magazine #64

2010-03-06T08:43:00.008-06:00

image source: V by way of testinofan and Flashbang at tFS

photography: Richard Burbridge

styling: Robbie Spencer

Daniel shows up in V! Specifically, he is featured in one of the images (of five total) from the editorial spread, "All the World's a Stage", part of the current issue of V Magazine featuring Kirsten Dunst on the cover.

I love V Magazine, I first happened upon it while rummaging through Colette back in 2003...B&N hadn't begun stocking it yet...or perhaps it had and I just never took notice...so yes, it took a trip to Paris to discover an American publication...over the years, my motivation to pick up a copy off the newstand has gone up and down...but I'm seriously tempted to pick up the current issue...

Adventures in Deception: The J. Crew Painted Sun-Faded Stanton Short

2010-03-05T12:58:00.013-06:00

I first got excited over these shorts (and posted about them) at the end of January when J. Crew previewed them in their "Behind the Design" segment for their then-upcoming spring collection. Paint-splattered in several tones over a dark blue grey background, I thought to myself, finally, something out of the ordinary that looks like some thought and creativity were involved. But even then, I also wondered, would J. Crew actually sell something like this? The shorts were definitely on-trend in their own right, but would they appeal to the tastes of their customer base?

My suspicions were somewhat allayed (or so I thought) when I saw the GQ March 2010 spread on the best new designers in America, of which one of the pages was devoted to Frank Muytjens and his bevy of male models -- one of them, sporting the same pair of shorts I had seen previously (third from the right).

:: thanks to Gary over at tFS for scanning this in! ::

However, last week, when I checked the J. Crew website for new updates, my hopes were dashed of ever owning a pair like the ones above when I saw they had put the Painted Sun-Faded Stanton short up for sale. Offered in both a light grey and quartz -- neither of which were the original color I had seen -- the painted effect was minimal, and only done mainly in white pigment (it seems you might get a few grey streaks if you're lucky).

A part of me wanted to think, wait and see, perhaps the better version will pop online later. But reading the online description of the shorts quickly dispelled any remaining hope of that:

Brand new and one of our absolute favorite shorts for the season. We wash each pair for over 300 minutes for that perfect broken-in feel (it's as if you've had them forever), then have them garment-dyed and dusted with pigment to achieve a rich, saturated color and vintage look. Finally, each one is individually splatter painted, so no two pairs are exactly alike.

As you can see, the company is really making an effort to build up the aura and appeal behind these lesser shorts. Why in the world would they ever offer anything better?

A one last attempt at trying to track down the original pair led to my emailing jack@jcrew.com -- this was the reply I received:

What a totally dissatisfying response, wouldn't you say? How does somebody, who so prominently is featured in the J. Crew lexicon, have no information on a pair of shorts that have gone out for public promotion? Perhaps he had no clue which pair of shorts I was referring to given I hadn't provided any visual aids. Unlikely. When fashion is your career, you know your product. At least Anna Wintour does, right?

On the off-chance that I truly did have to spell it out for these folks, I tried once again, this time, emailing their general customer service account, contactus@jcrew.com, and attaching specific images of the product. The answer I received confirmed my fears from the beginning.

The cool version of these shorts were only some ploy to garner interest and attention. How do I feel about the market rendition? How bland, how dumbed down from the original. How safe. I'm not excited over these ones, and I'm certainly not impressed that once again, J. Crew has capitalized on a far superior looking sample piece for marketing purposes only to offer a diminished watered-down interpretation in reality. I refuse to be played for a fool and to be happy with what is actually being offered.

I wonder if the sample piece will ever show up at their upcoming sample sale, as Alexis over at JCA brought to my attention (on a similar note, she too has expressed her discontent over the company's deceptive practices). Oh what I wouldn't give to at least be in New York to try and rummage around and see for myself, I don't even care if they've got "sample" stamped all over the piece.

All in all, a very unproductive foray that began with optimistic hopes and ends in disappointment. I guess I'll have to DIY a pair for myself this season...thank heavens for Refinery29...

images via jcrew.com unless otherwise mentioned

Burberry, Mall of America, Spring 2010 (and Fall 2009)

2010-03-01T00:25:00.007-06:00

Although the majority of the Mall of America is rather devoid of taste, it doesn't take much to build a tourist trap when it comes to the good ol' Midwest. Hell, as a local, even I'm guilty of using it as one of my routine haunts when it comes to shopping -- both actual and window. "Everything" is just there under one roof. And there are pockets of better branding dispersed -- far and wide -- throughout...Burberry is a good example, although they do not (unfortunately, but understandably) stock Prorsum at their sole MN location. As such, perhaps what I appreciate most about the store is its storefront, which features two store-high panels that are always up-to-date with the current ad campaign... Currently, Emma Watson, her brother Alex, and George Craig all stand tall and proud, from the same set of images as the ones HERE.

And for completeness' sake, the same panels back when last fall's campaign first went up -- I took these images and then just left them lying around w/o ever having uploaded them here...so voila! -- also with Emma, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to do some snooping to ID the guys...tFS here I come, or better yet, help me out!

GAP 1969 Premium Jeans Ad Campaign, Spring 2010

2010-02-28T16:46:00.006-06:00

The ad series for Gap's 1969 Premium Jeans picks up from where it left off last fall. The company has brought back Noah Mills and Will Chalker, both of whom I adore. Seriously, does life get any better looking than the both of them? Instead of taking on brooding serious expressions, the shots this time are more candid, but equally as attractive. I found the above shot online, and also couldn't help but snap a couple shots of the Mall of America storefront.

Looks like Chanel Iman gets double exposure standing alongside both studs...lucky...

With the latest online website update, Sean O'Pry joins the cast as well...what a gorgeous man himself...bravo.

image source

Burberry Prorsum Women's (and Men's) FW 2010

2010-02-26T12:33:00.013-06:00

Anybody watch the livestream of the Burberry Prorsum Women's FW 2010 show? The stream this time around was a much more produced effort, complete with on-set announcer both pre- and post-show. What I loved about the collection was its continuation of the themes and styles Christopher Bailey presented at his men's show earlier this year. Wide exaggerated collars on jackets constructed of plush shearling, fashioned with belted leather cuff and collar straps, utility zippers...

Case in point:

I've had these screen captures from the stream just sitting on my laptop for the past few days...

HI FREJA!

Perhaps the two pieces of outerwear that appealed to me the most to me were this grey cropped shearling jacket...

...and this white patchwork shearling trench...

Both pieces have been up for pre-order on the Burberry site since after the show on Tuesday. Both these looks seem so decadent to me, and so appropriate for the Prorsum image. Perhaps a slightly pared down piece that might be more appropriate for routine winter-wear, that I just as equally warmed up to, is this doeskin coat with the shearling panels. I really love how the black shearling lends a very feminine silhouette and feel to the otherwise standard military-themed upper half.

But, enough about the ladies. My original intentions behind watching the show online were to see which men's pieces would show up for an encore presentation. I love how Bailey always casts a few male models to showcase looks from the men's show.

I have been lusting after this coat ever since I saw it for the first time during the men's show. The final look of the show, the blue-grey tone of the shearling is such a beautiful color, and contrasts quite nicely from the other hues that comprise the collection. I still can't seem to get this coat out of my mind, I seriously am tempted to begin making calls in hopes of tracking it down. I really hope it makes it into production and that it wasn't just a sample piece.

I also found this black shearling coat to be rather appearling, and if I can't track down the above rendition, I'd seriously look into whether or not this second piece was a possibility...

:: hi-res men's images per menstyle.it by way of Festat on tFS ::

Must. Start. Feeding. Piggybank. Starting. NOW!

all images from burberry.com unless otherwise noted

Daniel Liu for J. Crew SS 2010

2010-02-25T11:20:00.006-06:00

This is pretty cool...we all first saw him modeling for J. Crew at the GQ/CFDA event earlier this month...and I thought, how strange, the two other models posed front row alongside him are J. Crew veterans...having been used time and time again both online and in the print catalogs.

Unless...

So he's shown up in the latest batch of online updates modeling several of the label's pieces...is this a harbinger of print catalog work to come?!! I certainly hope so...the March catalog featuring the staff of Monocle magazine is great, but perhaps in April we can go back to models and highly editorialized shots??

image source

Daniel Liu for Liberty of London X Target

2010-02-22T01:45:00.002-06:00

:: video still taken from the Liberty of London X Target site ::

Liberty of London for Target, A Different Sort of Preview

2010-02-22T00:47:00.007-06:00

Last week, while shopping at my local Target for actual needs, and not just theoretical wants (e.g. browsing Rodarte for Target pieces...as a guy...), I couldn't help but notice the fresh banners they have hanging all over the store. More-so intended to herald the upcoming Easter holiday, a double take of the actual patterns had me wondering, "Liberty prints?"

Target's preview site for its Liberty of London collaboration features a video bursting with florals (and the signature Target-esque quirkyness that flavors the majority of its commercials) along with a guide to the names of the patterns they've derived from Liberty.

Sure enough, even though the actual collaboration doesn't launch until the middle of March (14th to be exact), Target seems to have found a convenient use for its prints, named "Sixty" and "Garla", in the meantime...

Marc by Marc Jacobs FW 2010

2010-02-17T00:05:00.007-06:00

Cat-eyed sunglasses!

Marc by Marc Jacobs will always hold a special place in my heart. I remember making the trek down to the Bleeker Street mecca way back when the Y2K scare was still a recent memory of the past...yes ages ago...the specialties items shop was still the home for collection bags and shoes, and men's and women's were still housed together at the original store site...my how things have changed since then.

What hasn't changed, though, is the MbMJ look. Jacob's collection for Fall 2010 features the same themes we've come to know and love, with a few tweaks here and there of course. Military runs strong throughout the collection in the drab olive tones and khakis -- of course, there's the occasional splash of color to round it out -- all the way to the paratrooper-style pants complete with zippers. Sweaters are once again baggy, and cardigans slightly zany -- I'm particularly loving the translucent/sheer quality of some of the cardi's he sent down the runway.

But I can't get over the cat-eyed sunglasses...I'll have to keep an eye out for those later this year...I do hope they do make it into production. Ever since I saw the Alexander Wang rendition, they've been on my mind as a must-have accessory. What I like about the version shown here at Marc is the softened edges (butterfly-eyed?) but that the retro and quirky qualities of the look are still intact.

image source

J. Crew to Open Fourth Men's Store

2010-02-16T13:59:00.001-06:00

:: image source: J. Crew by way of ACL ::

This morning, by way of WWD and Alexis over at JCA -- the blog that consistently caters to all things pertinent/relevant to J. Crew (I love it) -- I learned that J. Crew will be opening a fourth men's-only outpost.

How exciting! Sort of.

The new store will be located on 79th & Madison.

Wait. Why does that sound familiar? Oh yea, doesn't J. Crew already have a women's-only sister store sitting on Madison Ave. at that very same cross-street?

The men's store will be located across the street from the pre-existing women's store.

From a business perspective, it's no surprise that women can be a big drive in sales of men's clothing. So...with the Liquor Store already in place, and a second Manhattan men's store on Broadway in Soho, my two questions are this:

1. Does the retail landscape of Manhattan need another J. Crew men's shop?

2. Is Manhattan the only location that can support these forward-thinking gender-specific stores?

I think the Liquor Store is a great hit. In essence, here is the company's lab in which it gets to experiment and establish the direction and taste that, in an ideal world would set the standard for how it runs its men's business nation-wide. Ideally, the company would regard the Liquor Store as the poster-child of its men's business. I use these italicized modifiers because men's style and discernment appear to drop off exponentially as you inch farther and farther away from NYC. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to see the discrepancy between its normal stores and that of its concept stores.

Now before you chew my head off for making such a blanket statement, let's take the example of the company's men's-only store in Paramus, NJ, at the Garden State Plaza. Opened in Fall of 2008, who's heard anything of it since? On the other hand, the Liquor Store and the Broadway store continue to bring in press. In fact, if you take a look at the online store directory, there's no mention of a men's-only store status for the Paramus location. Perhaps it's because this one is set within a mall, so no free-standing walls, and there's a women's only location to complement the men's. But on the other hand, wouldn't you want to market the special status of this store? Could this be a business move gone wrong that, in essence, is the bastard sibling nobody talks of?

Thom Browne FW 2010

2010-02-16T01:21:00.008-06:00

I'm enamoured with the feminine touches Thom Browne has worked into his FW 2010 collection (shown yesterday afternoon). I say this because in an era where women's fashion is constantly blabbing on about deriving influence from male pieces (don't you feel like there's a "the boyfriend insert article of clothing here " everything these days?), it's so refreshing to see the tables turned. And it works! -- these guys in Browne's show exude a masculinity that's all the more refined through this counter-pursuit.

First there were the silk scarves, carefully wrapped and reminiscent of a bygone Jackie-O era...

...with pillbox hats that I could just as easily imagine the former First Lady touting...

And fur muffs...so romantic!

I love the Thom Browne label, and I personally find Thom Browne's work very innovative. I think it's great he's constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to defining the cut, form, drape, and silhouette of male fashion. His is the stuff that makes you go "hmm..." And later on, after conscious reflection, "Ahah!"

My personal favorites from his show include a bolt of grosgrain-trimmed wool wrapped around the hips in a mini-skirt like fashion...

...this amazing toggle coat complete with fur, signature Thom Browne grosgrain, and some snowflakes for added humor...DECADENT!...

...and these fur earmuffs, which, I'll be willing to bet will still be pushing my upper limit on what I'm comfortable charging in one sitting...

image source

Valentine by Justice

2010-02-14T20:35:00.002-06:00

An old favorite I felt just might be appropriate on a day like today.

新年快乐!

2010-02-14T12:52:00.005-06:00

With the continued opening of the Chinese market, it's been great to see the further acceptance of Asian faces within the fashion industry.

With the successful launch of sister publications from mainstay industry staples -- like Vogue and GQ -- to the Chinese viewership has come the celebration of Asian faces in modeling and the opportunity for ethno-centric editorials.

We here at HDNB wish you a Happy Chinese New Year. We're sure Du Juan wishes the same as well.

image per Vogue China (60 Memorable Fashion Moments) by way of Kazaf @ tFS

Alexander Wang FW 2010

2010-02-13T17:19:00.006-06:00

Trendwatch: Thick framed sunglasses over matted and flattened hair.

Thank god for Showstudio to add some purpose to a weekend day.

Natalia! I've missed you!

Hoping my sister will be watching this on the American Eagle LED billboard in Times Square shortly...

J. Crew Fall 2010

2010-02-13T12:45:00.008-06:00

Through GQ, and in keeping with NYFW for Fall 2010, we get a look at what J. Crew is offering this coming fall. ALREADY! Spring merchandise has only flooded the stores for a short while, but of course, it's already time to look ahead into the future.

For fall, based on the selected looks GQ used to showcase Frank Muytjens' directorship over at J. Crew men's -- these images come from GQ/CFDA's Best New Designers in America event held a couple night's ago -- we clearly get a continuation of the themes and aesthetics that Muytjens' has brought to the company. There's clearly an Americana workwear element once again as shown through the boots and sturdy dark denim pieces, infused with military-inspired looks through utility jackets and muted colors (navy, olive, khaki, grey). This is all complemented with tailored slimmed down suiting complete with cropped pant hems. I'm personally enamoured with that Fair Isle sweater, that definitely ends up on the top of my list of things to look out for later this year. I didn't include the shot of Daniel Liu in this series, as I already posted on him (here), but I'm also going to keep my eyes open for that olive cardi he's sporting when the time comes.

Close fitting suits of this specific silhouette and cut are nothing new, especially when one conjures up previous Thom Browne and Band of Outsiders collections, and in general, American-inspired fashion is still in the midst of enjoying a hey-day of sorts. So in a way, J. Crew really isn't doing anything more than what it does best -- translating key trends and concepts in fashion and making them acceptable to the mainstream perspective. And although I do appreciate that J. Crew does this with a much softer pricepoint, and what that in turn can do for my need-to-look-presentable portion of my wardrobe, doesn't this all usually mean it's time to move on and see what's next? So my next question is, does this really make Muytjens worthy of being nominated for the title of Best New American Designer? The award actually went to Billy Reid, and personally, I would have voted for Vincent Flumiani of Caulfield Preparatory, who doesn't just adopt a look/trend (the ever-present collegiate and erudite preppy casual), but...subversifies it and turns it into a darker less-explored look...umm perhaps a visualization/interpretation of a certain J.D. Salinger character, anyone?

But I digress. So back to J. Crew, what happens when the bubble for this trend bursts, as pondered by the team over at Fashionista? I agree with the notion that there will always be a devoted following to the looks that just happen to also dictate the current style of the times, but is that enough to support a big company like J. Crew?

image source

Daniel Liu for J. Crew at GQ's Best New Designers in America Event, 02.11.10

2010-02-13T09:23:00.010-06:00

I've always thought J. Crew could use an Asian male model in its catalogs. Asian women have broken down that barrier for quite some time now (Hye Park, Du Juan, Liu Wen), but I wonder if that will ever translate to the male gender. Well until that day actually comes, whenever that will be, we in the meantime have Daniel Liu head-to-toe in J. Crew at the Best New Designers in America event put on by GQ. Editing and styling were done per GQ, so who knows how much say each label -- J. Crew included -- had in the casting of the models. However, there are a few other J. Crew favorites that pop up in the series. So who knows.

ALSO, J. Crew Fall 2010 ALREADY! It's great to catch a glimpse of what will be coming out. Apparently, Red Wings are still good for another season. Wait. Maybe I should devote Fall 2010 @ J. Crew to a post of its own...

Keep on popping up, Daniel!

~~I wish there was a better version of this photo floating around somewhere.~~ Big THANKS to Flashbang over at tFS for finding a better quality version of this photo!

all images per GQ.com

Frank Muytjens of J. Crew in GQ March 2010

2010-02-12T17:13:00.007-06:00

GQ.com has put up its March 2010 photospread featuring men's designers it deemed as worthy contenders for its 4th annual award for best new American designer. The list of nominees has been circulating forever, and so it been no secret Frank Muytjens of J. Crew was one of the prestigious few to have been chosen. As it played out, Billy Reid won the coveted title last night. Which is just as well, Reid's eponymous label really sets a romantic tone for the southern dandy.

But back to Muytjens...his shot features him alongside a bevy of beautiful models (a good several are J. Crew favorites, having appeared online and in the catalogs, yea you know you recognize them...hey R.J.!) in front of the company's Liquor Store in Tribeca. It's a beautiful photo, the background serves as the perfect setting for the clothes. You really get the sense the clothes serve a purpose within a modern urban dwelling, no fuss, but on the money in terms of taste. Those shorts I want (3rd from the right) are in the picture too! I'm hoping a scan from the physical magazine will pop up soon, if you have one, send it my way! I'd love to have a bigger version of this picture.

Oh, and the short interview w/ Mr. Muytjens is a fun little read too.

Daniel Liu for John Bartlett FW 2010

2010-02-12T14:08:00.005-06:00

Glad to see my favorite Asian male model pop up at NYFW. Here he is at John Bartlett. Cue resurgent/ongoing crush.

image source: GQ by way of Flashbang over at tFS

RIP Alexander McQueen

2010-02-11T09:20:00.004-06:00

According to the WSJ and the UK Daily Mail, Alexander McQueen committed suicide early this morning.

Oh this is kinda wierd, sad, and unfortunate all at once. Obviously, I never knew the guy, and the "closest" I ever got to him was browsing through his store in the Meatpacking district. But it's still wierd to think about, after having seen pictures of him and his work countless times.

Perhaps this is why his site is down?

My condolences.

Jenna Lyons of J. Crew Talks Trends to AmEx

2010-02-10T01:40:00.009-06:00

I love catching glimpses of design studios. The collaged presentation boards and pockets of hodge-podge strewn around the space are so visually stimulating to me. As part of American Express' behind-the-scenes segments during the current and ongoing New York Fashion Week, Jenna Lyons, creative director at J. Crew, goes in front of the camera to talk upcoming trends. Nothing earth-shattering, she recommends the Ludlow suit to guys. She mentions the positive response this cut has received; I say it was a smart design move to offer slimmer-fitting tailored suits to the masses. In conversing with the camera, Jenna also offers a look into the J. Crew design space.

But most importantly, who is the handsome drink of water standing to Jenna's left?! I'm going to just take a stab in the dark here, but given he's cutting out a swatch of fabric, perhaps he's a part of the in-house design team? His plaid flannel is so covetable, as is his neatly coifed hair. Dear J. Crew: tell us more about him.

Catch the whole clip on Facebook, HERE.

A|X Valentine's Day Campaign

2010-02-09T22:37:00.010-06:00

::image from Armani Exchange ::

If you go onto the Armani Exchange website, you'll find the above image pop up first thing, followed by the phrase, "SHARE THE LOVE" and a prompt to shop V-day gift ideas for both guys and girls. I never shop A|X, but I found out about this V-day campaign through The Cut, which today brought up the right-wing conservative group One Million Moms and its decided anti-A|X-stance due to this set of images.

Yes the sex is heavy and blatant, but I think the message itself -- that love (or lust) is not some cookie-cutter institution -- is beautiful especially in light of our upcoming holiday. And I appreciate their driving home the point even further by using the same set of guy and girl as we transition from left to right. I'm not familiar with the repeat dude (Clint Maurio), but I do appreciate that Marlon Teixeira -- Mr. Dior Homme S/S 2009 -- is a part of these images (far left).

In its plea for other like-minded hermits to take action, One Million Moms cites the hetero-bendable nature of the posed models as despicable, and the exposure of these images to mall-frequenting teen population as concerning. I think my favorite line from their rant is the following:

"Not every local mall has an Armani Exchange, but we need to take a stand since A|X is one of the fashion leaders and this is becoming a popular trend."

Fashion leader? Armani Exchange? I found this quite laughable. These mothers don't have a clue. And frankly, it's probably their own kids who must be the ones shopping A|X because for some reason, the brand is still in existence, and who else but the offspring of idiots would have the audacity to wear stuff from this line with any sense of pride?? And to add to the irony, I'm willing to bet these mothers are the same ones with kids who think Abercrombie (huh? what shirtless employees?) is couture.

These ladies really think they're making a difference. But when it comes to the world of advertising and marketing, I say these ladies are being treated with indifference. For example, they write:

"Moms, you may think this is a long shot, but remember, just last summer complaints to Calvin Klein concerning a foursome billboard was removed from New York City Soho District."

Silly women. Have they taken a peek at what's currently on the Houston Street CK billboard?

Perhaps these mothers are bitter. I couldn't have put it any better than one of the commenters (btw, I highly encourage you to take a stroll through the comments section of The Cut piece, it's highly entertaining), who believes these broads "are a group of menopausal women whose children despise them". For funny!

But more than anything, I'm willing to bet they're bored. Being bored can lead to a lot of damage. I wonder if there are any bored mothers here in MN. I'm guessing yes. Ew.

Pendleton Meets Opening Ceremony SS 2010

2010-02-08T01:58:00.004-06:00

Over the past week, pieces from the Pendleton Meets Opening Ceremony Spring/Summer 2010 collection have begun to surface on the Opening Ceremony site. The second installment of this wonderful collaboration has been one that's been long in anticipation -- I remember seeing the lookbook images on racked.com at the end of this last year, and if you click through the O.C. blog, you'll find preview images from as early as this past summer (!).

In contrast to the Fall/Winter collection, which featured bright and bold tones in the Native American prints and shades of plaid I'd characterize as cabin-up-north-for-the-holidays appropriate, these spring pieces are a mix of beautiful primary and pastel madras plaids, and muted Navajo-inspired prints.

Of the available array to chose from currently, my picks are as follows:

These shorts are interesting in that the upturned cuffs are an element of flair I can't really say I've seen in my neck of the woods. Not for guys at least. On flannel-lined chino's, yes. But on a pair of warm-weather shorts, no. On top of that, the velcro belt adds a thoughtful element of utilitarian styling.

What I appreciated the most from the winter collection was O.C.'s use of the Native American prints, which to me is such a part of Pendleton's heritage. But the silhouettes and drape Opening Ceremony added into the outerwear pieces this past winter made for a very updated and progressive aesthetic. I like that O.C. has continued with the signature graphic prints and incorporated them into on-trend pieces, like this varsity jacket:

Lastly, this reversible sailing jacket carries elements of clean cut prep with urban undertones. And because of that, it strikes me as being a very versatile piece to have this coming season.

Alas, I'm too poor. But dream is what I do best.

image source

GQ China, October 2009

2010-02-07T19:14:00.006-06:00

The great thing about a post-college existence is that your friends eventually disperse to the far corners of the earth. Case in point: my dear friend, Jenny who transplanted herself to China. This past fall, I was vaguely aware that GQ had decided to set up shop in China, but it took a while for my interest in the subject to grow. Upon seeing Daniel Liu's editorial in the November issue of GQ China, I asked Jenny to source a copy of the publication for me. Fearing that the circulation schedule for magazines was similar to how it's done here in the States, I was doubtful there might even be a November issue left on the stands, but I asked nonetheless, hopeful for everything, pragmatically expecting nothing. My girl did even better: over the weekend, as I tore open her package to me, I learned she had sourced a copy of the premier issue (October 2009)! Now I can say I own a copy from when it all began :)

In keeping with my experience of thumbing through foreign magazines when abroad, this publication isn't some two-bit slipshod assembly on thin paper meant to be tossed out when the next one arrives. The cover is remarkably thick and durable, and the individual pages have a heft to them. A great addition to my library.

As I've often seen with foreign offshoots of established American magazines, there's a whole backlog of previous editorial work that is fair game to print for a whole new audience -- a previous Details piece on red leather shoes, bags, and accessories makes it into the fold with this issue. And as suggested by the cover, the editorial work is more focussed on profiling specific individuals who have made a mark in the Oriental cultural landscape, and so the issue isn't very Asian model involved. But it makes for a great platform from which to create a voice that conveys a standard for class and style.

Check out scans from this issue on tFS.

Nicholas Hoult and Carolyn Murphy for Tom Ford SS 2010

2010-02-04T23:23:00.004-06:00

I'm VERY late to the game here, I realize that. These images started flooding the internet about 2 weeks ago...guess that's what happens when you bury your head in the sand...

But I must say, I'm loving these ads. It's no surprise that Tom Ford's current golden boy would also be the subject of his latest ad campaign, and why not? Nicholas Hoult is a very attractive young man. Oh those piercing blue eyes. And in traditional Tom Ford style, he's all primped, fine-tuned, and glossed up for these pictures, quite a stark contrast to his youthful look (still impeccable!) in A Single Man. There's something slightly immature, but all-knowing in his expressions here. Love it.

In this second image, he's sporting a pair of frames I just gotta have. I wonder how similar they are to Colin Firth's pair (that I've previously gushed over) in A Single Man.

And I think it's great Carolyn Murphy is cast as the metaphorical cougar in these images. How befitting as in real life, she's older with a family of her own, and a seasoned tried and true model within the industry. Wearing only her tan lines in these pictures, she definitely comes across as that mature woman who's still fully conscious and in control of her own sex appeal. What a stark contrast to her white collar stepford-esque campaign images for Estee Lauder...sophistication on two totally different spectrums. I applaud her versatility.

What's more, there's a nipple-visible version of the second image that'll be circulating in higher-taste magazines...like VMan...you can view that image online here.

image source: tFS

Marc St. James -- Ugly Betty, Season 4, Episode 13, 02/03/10

2010-02-04T11:19:00.005-06:00

::image source::

Who watched Ugly Betty last night? I absolutely must find out where Marc's military coat is from. Is it repurposed? I just love the silk rep detailing...in the epaulettes, sleeve cuff, chest pockets, and one (but not both!) of the pocket flaps. Any ideas? Patricia Field is the best. And I think Marc (Michael Urie) is so attractive. Smartly cast indeed.

...and who's the smartly put together extra w/ the thick frames?...

J. Crew Mens Spring 2010

2010-02-03T21:14:00.009-06:00

I first got excited about Spring 2010 at J. Crew when I saw Matthew Goode sporting this sweatshirt way back when the January issue of GQ first came out.

::image source: tFS::

Thread-bare knicked cuffs! Crusted splotches of acrylic! Of course, processed and paint-splattered is nothing new (hello Ralph Lauren circa Spring 2005).

Enter the promotional video J. Crew has carefully placed on the front men's page of their website. I must say, getting a look at their spring presentation and hearing their creative director, Frank Muytjens speak of the inspiration behind the spring looks gives much cred and substance to what has begun popping into stores. There's mention of military, nautical, workwear, and suiting -- all mixed in together in an attempt to create a unique look within itself. Umm, not necessarily the most original in ideas, but okay, we'll go with it...just because the individual pieces themselves do look good.

::all video stills from jcrew.com::

There's specific reference to Japan and deriving influence from the nation's steadfast dedication to workwear (which, ironically, as most people know by now, is also a reflection of the country's obsession with quality Americana of yore).

And of course, Matthew's sweatshirt gets front row purview.

A couple other pics of my picks based on the vid:

I guess these shorts come as no surprise as another item on my list given the caked on layers of color. Despite the DIY-rich context paint-splattered articles of clothing embody, who has the time and the effort? Certainly not me these days. On top of that, I do like the cutoff quality of these shorts (okay, I admit, once again DIY-able).

Mr. Muytjens mentions sunbleached tones as being a theme in the collection, and nothing speaks nautical to me more than different gradations of faded blue on chino fabric.

And in keeping with J. Crew's growing presence in the world of collabs, this top (underneath the blazer) is of interest to me. A "collaboration on top of a collaboration" as Muytjens refers to it, the boatneck (wait, haven't I mentioned my interest in trying out boatnecks lately? ;) tops are done by Saint James and then sent over to be worked on some more by Mr. Freedom.

I read a little bit about the Mister Freedom partnership in this past fall/winter's premier edition of Inventory, a Canadian publication. Formerly h(y)r collective, which I remember as a simple and well-organized online magazine with the best features (anybody remember their profiling the Band of Outsiders Fall 2008 collection?), I was thrilled to learn they'd grown to a point where a print magazine was possible. This first issue is a great collection of interviews and stories with names and labels that cater to individuals with taste and discernment that go far and beyond what J. Crew can offer. I highly recommend, and I'm glad to have it in my collection of readables. Of the selected few, Mr. Freedom is one of the labels to be featured.

I purchased my copy direct from Inventory Magazine, but I do recall seeing that J. Crew had begun offering this first edition on its site as well... If you don't have a copy, here's an excerpt from the interview with Christophe Loiron, the man behind Mr. Freedom.

<< Lately you've been wholesaling to J. Crew. How did that come up? Has it been helpful in terms of raising awareness for Mr. Freedom?

When I first started selling vintage stuff back in late '90's I used to sell vintage pieces to Todd Snyder and Frank Muytjens, the heads of men's design there. Then they saw what I was making and started ordering custom-made stuff from me: t-shirts, bags and things. Then one day Mickey Drexler, the mastermind behind today's J. Crew, was in town and honored me with a visit. He made it all happen.

It was the first time a well-established American company would buy MF and put it as-is in their store with no re-design or re-labeling. It was a great honor for me to be allowed to play in the major leagues. J. Crew understands that MF is standing solely on its integrity. I don't have money to fool people with fake advertising campaigns or endorsements from big stars. I just design and make stuff, then let it do its thing on the market. My niche is definitely not a big money making venture but J. Crew gave us some recognition as well as energy, motivation and the fuel to go on. The folks at J. Crew have been a blessing and are allowing us to not have to change or sell out but keep roaming freely.>>

- Mr. Freedom: the Diligent Raconteur, by Owen Parrott for Inventory, Vol. 01 No. o1, Fall-Winter 2009.

Pretty interesting.

Missing Tattoos and Other Musings, J.Crew Edition

2010-01-30T22:18:00.015-06:00

Last night, I made the decision to brave the elements and venture out to J. Crew to check out the new spring merchandise in person.

:: image via googlemaps, obviously not indicative of the current climate ::

J. Crew on Grand Ave. (St. Paul) isn't usually my first choice when it comes to shopping a comprehensive (or as comprehensive as J. Crew will allow in Minnesota) men's collection. I'll usually refer to the Mall of America or Southdale for the widest selection of current pieces alongside a well-stocked sale section. But Grand Avenue is cute because it's a freestanding store that blends in quite well within this small but "high-end" shopping district -- there's a Pottery Barn nearby, Aveda hair salon, Restoration Hardware, a yoga studio, a few coffee shops and nice sit-down restaurants, there used to be Smith & Hawken too before that company went under (and I learned, now fully absorbed by Target, heh)...ok, you get the picture. So perhaps I was more in the mood to be in the midst of a certain type of shopping experience as opposed to actually do some serious shopping.

Needless to say, the men's section was poorly stocked, pretty empty -- it was beyond obvious that with multiple tables featuring the men's catalog spread across the front edge, this was one store still waiting from some type of post-holiday thaw pick-me-up. I walked out with just a copy of the current catalog in my hand. Which is just as well. More than half of my appreciation for J. Crew stems from the editing and styling they channel through their catalog and also from the casting of their models...oh, hey there Liu Wen! I see you've replaced Du Juan these days as the token Asian J. Crew honey...you must've really impressed them with your previous stint over at Madewell...I love the fact they put frames on you...

:: source for this and all other remaining images ::

Lo and behold, this morning, I received one of their routine (seriously, you'll know doomsday is approaching if you haven't heard from their listserv in more than a couple days) emails, this time, advertising one of their newest additions, the Jaspé Tee. I'm usually game on clicking as long as there isn't that white lie splashed across the headline advertising "FREE SHIPPING"...I've made my heart quicken one too many times thinking yes, the days of rampant any-total-is-game codes have returned...but I've wisened up now and will be nobody's fool no longer...no sir-ee...

I felt the Jaspé jersey material last night (it was in long-sleeve form at the store)...it actually feels quite nice and substantial... But what really caught my attention this morning, was that this beautiful model's body artwork had gone rogue!

:: inkless, email version of image ::

I remember paging through the catalog last night and admiring the fact that his tattoos were intact and untouched by photoshop...I remember thinking the tats gave the man a much more worldly dimension and added complexity...that perhaps beneath that clean cut charmingly mainstream (and safe) exterior was a guy who wasn't afraid to shop at OAK on the weekends while wearing his Complex Geometries shrouded tees and Corpus drop-crotches, perhaps with The XX on his playlist and some smudged eyeliner from a previous night of crazy...not that anybody would notice, because he'd have a pair of Alexander Wang's new shades on...preferably the cat-eyed pointed ones. A dandy with a not so straightforward stride.

:: "ink"-tact, as it appears in the catalog ::

This is the dichotomy I strive to achieve in life. Apparently it's one J. Crew would rather leave out when it comes to certain modes of advertising.

Black Book "EAT ME" Tee

2010-01-30T10:40:00.005-06:00

As much as I'd like to proclaim absolute self-prowess when it comes to sourcing new up and coming labels, I definitely rely on the hype-machines that currently exist in our world to keep me informed. Case in point: had it not been for H&M's wide reaching visibility, I'd have never picked up on this interesting and growing brand, Black Book.

:: image source ::

Black Book's is the story of (young -- and handsome -- Swedish lad...good lord, still a teen for godsakes) André Lorenz Stock's foray into creating a line of cleverly worded, tongue-in-cheek tees through a combination of iron-on transfers, photos from fashion editorials, and some smart photoshopping. His first tees were done on H&M plain shirts, and so it's no surprise that H&M eventually plucked him from regional success to launch him into the global arena through a collaboration in which H&M-loyal-individuals could submit photos to be selected for an upcoming batch of tees.

Earlier this month, I used the H&M link to his website to find he has garnered enough success to warrant sourcing in China for his latest batch of shirts. Prompted by the site's announcement of free global shipping, I just had to get his "EAT ME" tee. The colors of the tattoo-work on the male model are so vibrant, and the girl's caption-explained gesture definitely is an attention-getter. Does anybody know where the original image for this tee came from? Is the tattoo art part of the original image? Who are the models? I really want to say one of the Rayder sisters, and as for the guy...Garrett Neff? But I'm totally taking a stab in the dark here...and I'd willingly take full blame for false advertising...guys, some help here?

The Black Book business seems to still very much be a personal designer-run show, as a couple email exchanges revealed André himself as the voice of customer service when I asked to confirm my shipping address. A very courteous and motivated individual I must say. The shirt itself is much cuter in person, the colors more vibrant than in the website images, and the transfer itself feels thick and durable. I can't wait to wear it out.

And it's always fun to receive packages from a faraway land...Sweden's prepaid postage stamp is quite a cute little design.

** On another side-note, the Black Book pages on H&M are now gone as "Phase 1" of the collaboration -- picture submissions -- has now concluded. There was a tee-shirt on there similar to the "Memories" renditions on the Black Book site. But instead of Julia Stegner and man, it was of two guys...where can I find that one?!! Anybody know which shirt I'm talking about? Anybody know?

Marc by Marc Jacobs Lake Blue Multi Argyle Sweater

2010-01-27T10:58:00.013-06:00

Way back in the fall, when I first received the Barneys Co-op Fall Winter 2009 mailer, I instantly fell in love with this argyle cardigan from Marc by Marc Jacobs, modeled by the handsome-and hot-but-in-a-slightly-strange-and-badass-way Tyler Riggs.

:: image source ::

Once a believer that one can never have too much argyle, I now feel that argyle has become so mainstream that even straight guys think they're fashionistas each time they don their "smart" looking sweaters...gifted to them by their wannabe style-maven midwestern girlfriends...who think they're SO clever shopping for their man at Banana Republic. And I could go on and on... Needless to say, one needs to maintain a degree of selectivity these days when shopping argyle, after all, you wouldn't want to be mistaken for something or someone else, would you? I definitely identified with the characteristic "MbMJ-spin" on this piece...ho-hum conventional turns into quirky.

:: image source ::

Alas, the mailer was released before Barneys' placed the cardigan for sale online, and so despite making the best mental note possible to follow up with a return visit to barneys.com, life got busy, I strayed from my priorities, and I forgot about it...

...UNTIL I noticed the piece was online, MARKED DOWN, earlier this month...but in only an XL left! DAMN! How did I let myself completely miss this?! It's no secret Barneys has had inventory issues, and so unlike previous years when I've held out hope that perhaps a returned piece might get restocked online, I was pretty convinced that once the XL sold (and it did), this item's tenure at Barneys was DUNZO.

Lo and behold, essentially resigned to giving up the good fight, I stumbled upon this piece while paging through a UK-based website unfamiliar to me at the time: www.my-wardrobe.com. And there, in the 75% off section, was my sweater, IN MY SIZE, just taunting me to drop it in my shopping cart. HAPPY ENDING!

:: image source ::

I don't even know what wayward surfing expedition led me to this site. But I'm quite pleased that fate has led me to this conclusion. About My-Wardrobe, the site has a well-curated selection of pieces from an excellent roster of labels -- McQ, APC, Opening Ceremony, Burberry (unfortunately, but understandably, only Brit and London it appears), and of course, Marc by Marc Jacobs. The cardigan I bought is no longer available, but there's quite a few other great pieces in the sale section still from a variety of labels. Customer service is quite pleasant, given I was a first time shopper, they got in touch with me to confirm my shipping address. I must admit, they're not well-structured for international e-commerce (yet, hopefully), as shipping was kind of a bitch and there was only one option for US orders, but I'm really not complaining, I've got my cardigan :) And in a very expedient time-frame too.

I cannot wait to pair this piece with a pair of chunky black plastic frames, perhaps a simple white v-neck tee underneath...black jeans...biker boots...

All in all, mine is a tale of silly obsession and skewed priorites in life, wouldn't you say? But I love it all.

~~XOXO, Gossip Girl.~~

SNSD Loves the Iowa Hawkeyes in Oh!

2010-01-27T03:17:00.009-06:00

SO...if I were to ever admit to a having a secret vice, it would definitely be my constant intrigue with the Korean girl group SNSD, aka, Girls' Generation. Who's already seen their most recent music video for their song, Oh!, just released yesterday?

The football/cheerleader/danceline theme definitely shows how American trends leave no stone uncovered. But what's even funnier, the girls are tossing around a helmet that belongs to the Iowa Hawkeyes! So are the male hotties, whose -- unfortunately -- own helmets are never off during the whole of the video. AAaaawwww. Of all the fifty states, these girls halfway across the world (read: their costume designer) picks the one smack dab in the middle of the Heartland to source for props. How touching. Score one for the midwest...whoooo. I mean, WHOOOO! Just kidding. But seriously, aren't university insignias usually required to be licensed out for use by the general public? Is the University of Iowa receiving a fat royalty check in the mail in return for the use of its bird?

In general, the video is pretty fab. As with previous vids, the girls aren't necessarily trend-makers, but the themes are pretty on-trend...if on-trend is defined to be what one might currently find at Forever 21. Over the knee boots...not quite thigh-high, but essentially the Asian girl's equivalent in most cases...high-waisted shorts...chunky statement rings that take pride in NOT coming across as expensive...PLAID...of course of course, nothing earth-shattering, but well accepted in land of the juniors section by now.

But you know what makes the video? THE HAIR. The fabulous big-hair extensions, in all the artificial shades Asian girls love, curled, teased, frizzed, vamped, and vavoomed to such extremes in order to further drive home the point that nobody's natural hair is good enough. NOBODY'S.

What I find THE most titillating, however, is the cliffhanger at the end of the video, where we get a glimpse of the girls done up BADASS. Like...dirty, filthy, sexy, rotten. I do hope a video of them dressed like this actually does come to fruition eventually. TABs (trendy Asian bitches) in black. There's nothing more pleasing to the eye. Now I want to hang out with THOSE SNSDs.

...if only that was actually the bird Yuri's giving...if only...

Burberry Prorsum Mens AW 2010

2010-01-17T02:41:00.004-06:00

This morning, I had the luxury of waking up and looking forward to the Burberry Prorsum Mens AW 2010 show streamed live from Milan. What a pleasure to watch. I can only imagine how much more enjoyable a Burberry show might be in person, I wonder if I'll ever have the means to attend one in the far off future. Here's to hoping. Regardless, even with my online view, this show has me excited for winterwear (or should I say the continuation thereof as I'm currently in the midst of a routine freeze-out here in Minnesota). The themes I took from the show included the following: plush, aviator, sheerling, and exaggerated collars. Love it, love it, love it.

I'm absolutely in love with the last look to close out the show. The shade of blue-grey on this piece is absolutely beautiful, and the arm-strap-embellishments very sharp looking indeed. I'm very curious what the material of this coat is comprised of. Any guesses?

image source

Emma Watson and Alex Watson for Burberry Spring/Summer 2010

2010-01-06T14:04:00.004-06:00

Just caught the latest images for the Burberry -- Prorsum, London, and Brit -- 2010 campaigns. They all feature Emma Watson, looking as appropriate for the brand as ever, and a few of the images also showcase her brother, Alex Watson. He's just as pretty as his sister! Who can tell me more about him?

image source

Chronicles of Never Body of Myths Coat

2010-01-04T12:04:00.004-06:00

Was overjoyed to find this piece on Revolve Clothing in an S...marked down...with a promotion code to go along. I've been looking for a cardigan with some front drape.

While engaging in family holiday traditions, I came across this piece, but it was only available in an M or L. I was tempted to go with the M, but I ultimately decided to sleep on it...for a week...and when I came back, it was sold out! Waiting pays off, apparently. I thank whomever must have made a return, leading to the item's restockage.

Use the code: "tulip", to get an extra 15% off. There was a code lurking around for 30% off prior to the new year, but unfortunately, that one expired before this cardi went on. Would have been nice to gain an extra 30% off, but beggars can't be choosers, right?

image source

A Single Man, Landmark Lagoon Cinema, Minneapolis

2010-01-02T23:22:00.008-06:00

As predicted, my fears were premature and A Single Man finally made its way to a theater nearby. Earlier this week, I was so excited to learn it was playing at the Lagoon Cinema in Uptown.

Set in the '60s, this movie draws upon the classic aesthetics and style that era, which doesn't hurt, especially in our current Mad Men-enamoured times. The wardrobe, props, and setting all work seamlessly to give the storyline credibility and substance. It also doesn't hurt that the cast of this movie is comprised of very attractive individuals -- Colin Firth, Matthew Goode, Nicholas Hoult, Jon Kortajarena (the face of the Tom Ford ads!), and Julianne Moore. Tom Ford's eponymous line is what dresses Colin Firth's character. And with such style and confidence! Perhaps a commentary can be made that the Tom Ford line transcends time. Perhaps I'm sounding cheesy. In short, this movie is such a work of beauty. Sad beauty. I highly recommend.

I'm not sure how much longer this film will be showing, so get thee to the Lagoon!

A few thoughts:

I must have those frames Colin Firth wears. Yes, yes, I realize there is no shortage of thick black frames on the market right now, but to find one that doesn't feel cheap takes some time (and money!). I'm wondering if the frames themselves are also an extension of the Tom Ford eyewear line -- they're missing the characteristic "T" on the sides, which makes me wonder. What I love about these ones is the fullness/roundness of the eyes -- sometimes that wayfarer look gets too narrow and cat-eyed, don't you think. I personally prefer a bit more "geek" than "cool cat"...

As for the incredibly good-looking Matthew Goode, he is definitely enjoying the spotlight right now. Anybody catch his editorial spread in the current issue of GQ?

I could stare into Nicholas Hoult's blue eyes forever. What's more, his sweater he dons for most of the movie is gorgeous -- mohair blend is my guess? The boatneck works so well, truth be told, I never considered it an option for men's sweaters.

After realizing the role of Carlos was played by Jon Kortajarena, I concluded I definitely prefer how he looks in the film, all James Dean-esque, as opposed to his Tom Ford ads. The ads are sexy and great, don't get me wrong, but there's something attractive about the less glossy, buffed, and polished look he's given in the movie.

I want this Mercedes someday! I definitely have a growing obsession with vintage Mercedes. But I'm no car aficionado, not in the least. That means I don't even know what model this one is. Anybody care to enlighten me?

**SPOILER ALERT**

My last thought has to do with the ending. Throughout the course of the movie, the audience learns Colin Firth has heart disease. Near the beginning of the movie, he's shown gripping his chest in an episode of angina, my guess is unstable angina give he's just walking within the confines of his one-level house. He grips with his right hand over his left chest. Pretty straightforward. Later on, Julianne Moore's character asks him about a incident that sounds more like a prolonged episode of Prinzmetal's angina, perhaps verging on an NSTEMI. Still, nothing surprising. However, did anybody notice that when he meets his demise at the end of the film with his fatal heart attack, it's his right upper extremity that is affected, and he's using his left hand over his right chest? I'm curious what other people's thoughts are on this. Maybe it's just a filming fluke that couldn't be rectified during post-production editing? Or does it symbolize something more?

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T13:52:00.003-06:00

My sister and I have decided that online shopping on Christmas day is a family tradition for us.

Santa and the pretty model on the ASOS website also wish you a happy holidays.

Sonia Rykiel pour H&M, 51st & 5th, New York City

2009-12-08T20:57:00.006-06:00

Wasn't in the store when the collection actually launched, but the place had already decked the windows and spruced up the interior with collection propaganda (in place of the previous Jimmy Choo for H&M megaposters). Love Lara Stone and Caroline Trentini. Perfection.

New York City, Impromptu Visit, #2

2009-12-08T20:31:00.009-06:00

Was able to make my way back into the city again last week...my visit was limited to Midtown, but honestly, I'll take Times Square and Rockefeller Center any day of the week over what's normally available to me...

I sat myself down at one end of Times Square and decided to just stare...

Target's perennial billboards, always with Times Square specific ads (as far as I can tell, and have seen)...

...oh hey there, Jamie Dornan, you're looking mighty fine tonight/always...

..."these lights will inspire you"...

Rockefeller tree finally unveiled...it'd still been a work in process during my last visit...just looking around at the crowds that flocked up to the tree for a picture...some nations/faiths look towards Mecca...WE have the Rockefeller tree...

And lastly...it was snowing over at Saks...

Nicholas Hoult in A Single Man

2009-12-08T00:30:00.004-06:00

Anybody as excited for the release of our generation's film adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's A Single Man, written (screenplay) and directed by Tom Ford? The Tom Ford name alone is reason enough to watch. But, I think I might be especially waiting with baited breath because of this buddy above, Nicholas Hoult. Remember him? Painfully tragic-looking boy from About A Boy? He's turned beautiful now. Such big blue eyes. God works in mysterious ways.

The film premiers in New York this coming Friday (December 11), and it looks like that's the only city that shows up on ticket searches, so sadly, I'm either going to have to wait for it to arrive elsewhere closer to home, or just wait for the DVD release altogether.

Lily Cole for Sonia Rykiel pour H&M au Grand Palais

2009-12-01T20:41:00.008-06:00

Anybody watch the Sonia Rykiel for H&M fashion show? It's completely over the top from setting (le Grand Palais!) to the decorations (themed around a mini-replica of Paris complete with la Tour Eiffel). And different from a traditional runway show, the models were featured on floats that drove down the "Champs-Elysees." I recognized Lily Cole immediately...fierce and fearless reinsman. Hot.

Anybody recognize any other faces?

If you haven't watched the vid, then I highly recommend -- it makes the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show look like utter crap.

Banana Republic Holiday Ad Campaign

2009-12-01T01:31:00.003-06:00

I don't shop at BR. Somebody please shoot me when I do. Nothing to me spells faux-taste in a can more than this chain. I repeat, one does not all of a gain the privilege of having personal style just by shopping these racks.

Ok, rant aside, I must concede, given BR is run by a parent company with good taste in casting models, I couldn't help but snap this shot from their current holiday windows.

Who is this man?!! He's been around for ages, I think I first laid eyes upon him while flipping through an old A&F Quarterly (remember those?), back when it was still fresh and new, and then he's done some modeling for Ralph Lauren, I'm pretty sure. I'm still digging for a name, but let me know if you can ID him before I do! What a beautiful blonde.

HAPPY DECEMBER!

Maison Martin Margiela Wig Jacket

2009-11-30T21:15:00.003-06:00

My sister: "It looks like Cousin It."

I say this is what the word "fabulous" would look like if it were a noun.

Currently for sale in a size 2 on YOOX... Can I fit into a women's size 2?

Leonello Borghi on GILT

2009-11-30T14:02:00.004-06:00

Over the seasons, I've found it to be true that the Leonello Borghi line of men's bags are a Barneys staple/favorite. I'm embarrassed to say that I've never really given them much thought as I've browsed through (a big part of that being that they are so priceeeeeey). However, when I saw the line up for sale on GILT.com today, I couldn't help but take a second look at the fur tote above. Fur accessories for men are too lacking (especially on my budget...maybe that can change once I upgrade?).

Behold the Narcissus Silver Fox Fur Tote. That's quite a price slash -- $798 down from $2165, but still way too out of my price range. I'm so sad that I'm so poor :(

GILT also offers this Mercurio Rooster Feather Tote. $528 down from $1480. Feather accessories for men are too lacking.

I love the watersnake detailing on both bags. Snakeskin accessories for men are too lacking.

Everyone and their mother should have one by now, I feel kinda silly for puting this up, but in the event you're looking for a GILT invite, click HERE.

image source

Cyber Monday at Patricia Field and Billy Reid

2009-11-30T01:32:00.008-06:00

I think it was last year on Racked that I first heard of this notion of a Cyber Monday. Am I late to the game? Go ahead, mock me... From what I remember, the idea was to replicate the after-Thanksgiving Black Friday phenomenon but this time around, strictly in the world of e-commerce. I also believe I read that promos tended to stay limited to electronics and the like. However, tonite, while emptying my inbox, I found emails advertising Cyber Monday deals at Patricia Field and Billy Reid.

For those of you online "window shoppers" like yours truly, you may have known Pat Field had a 20% everything promo going on over the weekend. If you've paged through my blog in the past, you'll also have known I've had my eye on her macho man thermal leggings since I first saw them up online.

Over the weekend, I'd been on the edge of truly hitting the purchase button -- the thermals were there in my shopping cart the whole time, but shipping (always a sobering presence, wouldn't you say?) kept me from going through with it each time I tried...I finally decided I would come back to it at the last minute possible (Sunday, midnight, EST)...or so I thought at the time... As with all things that I set aside for later, I ended up forgetting to go back and complete the transaction...I was feeling kind of sad for missing out, and stupid for feeling so cheap over S&H... So imagine my surprise and elation when I saw this Cyber Monday 30% off deal had made it worth the wait and procrastination! Even with shipping, the total comes to less than the original price point. It's the little things in life that get me through each day I tell ya... I love you Patricia Field.

Over onto Billy Reid...

I find Billy Reid truly charming...I haven't devoted a posting to this line yet...I really should because there's a few personal thoughts on how this brand has been built that I'd like to discuss, but in the meantime...seriously, modern day dandy? I think so.

Now that I have secured Pat Field's thermal leggings, it's onto searching out my next obsession re: long johns and leggings for all-purpose outfit assemblage. This union suit does the job quite nicely.

The patches are quaint...

...and the butt flap so authentic!

Perhaps this time around, a non-flannel (otherwise, it'd be too cliche, no?) button down with my black boots might do the trick?

image source / image source

H&M Spring 2010 Men's

2009-11-28T01:33:00.013-06:00

Swedish site ModeMan posted these images of the H&M Spring 2010 lookbook for men's. As with previous image previews announcing the upcoming season, there's a bit of inspiration culled from here and there... It pains me to think that the majority of this is probably trend...as in none for Minneapolis...except perhaps the sand colored trench above, which seems to satisfy H&M's need to offer the same rendition of a mid-length raincoat (okay, with a few tweaks in color and details) season after season... A few more thoughts as we scroll down the images:

1. The skirt above is SO Marc Jacobs in the flesh, and I badly want to pull it off just as he does...as does Tyler Riggs, Barneys-favorite, and the chosen face for these images...

2. Also, I'm loving the reds, purples, and pinks in those sheer ethnic & ombre scarves... The multicolored (abstract-zebra can we call it?) tie-dyed ones are also now on my wishlist.

3. The drop-crotch has finally trickled down to fast fashion. LOVE drop-crotch. Although, the one featured above is a bit too drop and a bit too draped for my height I feel...but on a guy with long legs...

Jamie Strachan for J. Crew Holiday 2009

2009-11-27T23:50:00.007-06:00

While browsing around one of the J. Crew's in my area, I looked up at their current display images and realized that the beautiful Jamie Strachan, UK male model extraordinaire, has been tapped for their holiday ad campaign/catalog. Mr. Strachan has always stood out to me as one to admire -- even back when I was in high school and would hop on over to the local Barnes & Noble during open period to page through fashion mags -- I've always been impressed with his long and lean build...Boyd Holbrook and Jacquetta Wheeler strike me as two other Brits that come from the same "school" of aesthetics. Whatever is in the water over there, I see people like these three and I regret not having grown up in England ;) Look at how great and elongating those jeans are on him...or vice versa...

ON REPLAY: You've Got the Love by Florence + the Machine

2009-11-26T02:19:00.002-06:00

H&M, 51st & 5th, New York City

2009-11-26T01:26:00.008-06:00

When lurking around the Rockefeller center, no visit is complete without a stop into the H&M flagship on 51st & 5th...if only all H&M's could be of this caliber, no?

Tyson Ballou and Sasha Pivovarova, this season's reigning royalty of fast fashion...although, Tyson can be my king any season he wants...

Inside, I found the remaining vestiges of the Jimmy Choo for H&M collaboration...the behemoth-size banners were still up...

...women's still had a selection of shoes, accessories, and clothing...

...as did men's...although, I was happy seeing that the biker boots were all sold out, there was not a single pair to be found, and now my trip to Chicago feels that much more worth it to me...

Always The Sun by Richard Durand (Roger Shah Remix)

2009-11-25T13:58:00.002-06:00

New York City, Impromptu Visit

2009-11-24T12:24:00.010-06:00

This past weekend, circumstances were as such that I had the opportunity to drive into Manhattan and visit my dear sister, whom I don't get to see enough of. I drove in Saturday afternoon, and was out the next day by noon. As little time as I had, the one thing that always makes my day when I'm in New York is having the opportunity to just walk. I'll never tire of looking up and seeing tall buildings, I'll never tire of seeing beautiful people walking the streets, I'll never tire of browsing the retail options.

I wish I had been more mindful of taking my camera around...the shots here are nothing to write home about, and I've walked these routes too many times in the past, but they serve as visual reminders of a happier bygone era in my life, perhaps of an existence that was never fully realized, or (hopefully) one that is yet to happen...

The view from where I was staying...Midtown West w/ a glimpse of the Hudson River...

The Rockefeller Tree -- still scaffolded up, the final touch to the holiday transformation that has already manifested elsewhere in Rockefeller Center...

Midtown...

Times Square...

It's been too long since I was last in the city.

RIP Daul

2009-11-20T00:28:00.001-06:00

This is kinda shocking.

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/11/20-year-old_model_daul_kim_is.html#comments

Jimmy Choo for H&M, Michigan Avenue, Chicago

2009-11-17T22:26:00.010-06:00

So the last time I was living in a city that was fortunate enough to stock an H&M collaboration was back in 2004: Karl Lagerfeld for H&M. I don't recall that there was a line, but then again, I wasn't really paying attention, nor did I show up the day of the launch...I showed up the day after and found the men's selection to be plentiful and complete. I still love the black wool coat I purchased from that collection, and I wear it religiously each winter. But regarding the attention afforded these special designer collections these days, haven't times change drastically?

I'm not quite completely convinced I made a wise choice, but out of the desire to own something that was out of the ordinary -- a pair of men's shoes from what's normally a women's label -- I told myself I had to be at a store that stocked the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection. Chicago was the closest location. With my sister (partner in crime) in tow, we made an overnight drive from Minneapolis to Chicago in order to show up at the Michigan Avenue store 3 hours before opening (7:00 AM). Driving the redeye (can I say that?) is not mentally sound, having done it, I say "NEVER AGAIN!"

At the same time, I also get to say, "I was therrrrrrrrrrrrrre......."

I had one item in mind, the men's biker boots, which, to me, seemed the least generic looking (please, Chelsea boots are everywhere, non?) and possibly the item from the men's collection that looked like it had been given the most thought from the design team (although does that really say much?). And when the clock struck 10:00 and the crowd began filing in to wreak havoc and carnage over the women's items, I made a bee-line to the escalators and up to the third floor. I came, I saw, I purchased. I must say, I'm rather impressed with the make of these boots -- the leather is very soft and pliable, and they're altogether very comfortable to wear. I can't wait to bust these out with a pair of thermal leggings/long-johns and an eclectic-looking cardigan ;)

As has been documented in previous accounts of H&M releases, men's typically always seems more low-key and less vicious, which, in my book, is awesome. I found that to be the case, even though the shot I took of the men's area appears to have somebody taking ripping off the arm of one of the mannequins.

With my item I had come for now safely in my arms, I directed my attention to the levels below. On the second level were the masses -- both wristband and bare -- waiting for access to the women's accessories and shoes.

On a side note, I was slightly embarrassed over my H&M-junkie status given I recognized two "familiar" faces from my time standing in line for the Edina store opening at Southdale. Both corporate employees, one is this cute blond lady (pixie-style haircut), and the other is this very suave, very handsome, very tall, very skinny, very my hair looks so sexy when I haven't washed it in a couple of days -- in short, very Euro, although I could've sworn he spoke plain American English (I could be wrong) -- man. I call them the power duo; they were very much present and around at the Southdale H&M, surveying the last month opening event. I realized I caught a shot of their backs in one of my photos. She's got her arms spanned to prevent traffic from clogging up the escalators, and he (helloooo...) is on her left, appearing to be running his hand through his sexy locks. I secretly wish I could meet them both and become their traveling companion as they go to H&M store events...kinda envious of their jobs here... Oh, and shock-blue-teeshirt cutie...he was a rather nice man...as I walked into the store, I only had to utter the word, "Mens" and he immediately replied, "Third floor." Now that's compatibility right there. Okay, enough with being creepy.

I must say, after standing in the midst of strangers for the better part of the morning, I didn't have much motivation to want to stick around after I had made my purchase. Given we weren't part of the gifted lot to receive the coveted wristbands, my sister, thinking the same anti-social thoughts as were going through my head, said, "Fuck it, let's go to Barneys." And go to Barneys we did.

Daniel Liu for GQ China, November 2009

2009-11-16T01:13:00.017-06:00

image source: ???? @ tFS, photography: Blair Getz Metzibov, styling: Grant Pearce

Okay, so I'm late to the game, but it looks like hot male model Daniel Liu was successful in landing his spread for GQ China, as he had tentatively alluded to in his interview on NPR. Flashbang over at theFashionSpot posted these beautiful pictures from that successfully printed editorial 5 days ago. In my defense, I was distracted with work? And over the weekend, I was preoccupied with landing a certain pair of boots from a certain high end shoe label's collaboration collection with H&M (more on that tomorrow)... Regardless, I wanted a set of these pics for my blog, so here they are. The clothes are GQ editorial appropriate, safe luxury as I like to put it...but that just goes to show that after a certain point, it becomes the man that makes the man, and not the clothes, right? As for the female model, Hana Mayeda...she's eh to me...I could care less about her looks...although I do envy she got this gig...what I wouldn't give to be in her spot... Daniel is definitely my favorite male model of the moment...okay, it doesn't hurt that he's the same ethnicity as I am and embodies everything I had hoped to achieve in an alternate more fabulous life...I hope his star continues to rise and the he continues to put out good work.

P.S. Does anybody know how a guy like me, who lives in the middle of nowhere, can land a physical copy of this magazine? GQ China is apparently very new, launched just last month (October of this year)...what a great outlet for asian models to get some international attention...maybe in the future they can get both Daniel as well as Philip Huang to do a spread together...crossing my fingers here...

New Men's Items at Patricia Field

2009-11-12T21:09:00.009-06:00

From time to time, I like to browse the men's selection over at Patricia Field's online store. She recently updated her site with new items. What I love about her offerings for men is that the items in general are tongue-in-cheek to verging on fetish. And although she's established herself as a premier stylist to the stars on TV and movie sets, her store speaks loads to her personal style and taste, and remains committed to that slightly eccentric slightly dirty element of downtown New York.

I'm loving the above macho man leggings, I guess it doesn't hurt that the model used is totally pulling them off too. At $28, I'm tempted to get myself a pair. I feel that this season, more than previous winters, is big on thermal leggings and long-johns as legitimate bottoms for men. Especially when the look is paired with heavy duty boots and perhaps an oversized cardigan that either looks plush, or slightly offbeat...either/or. You feeling it?

My other picks from Pat Field's updated selection include the coats below. Unfortunately, the military jacket is one-size fits most -- I'd prefer if it were more specific --, and the cashmere fur (I'm going to go out on a limb and say faux here) collar coat is not stocked in an S...sad.

image source

Lady Gaga Bad Romance Music Video

2009-11-11T12:59:00.013-06:00

Lady Gaga's new music video for her latest single, Bad Romance, is one visually overloaded masterpiece...and, I daresay, a tribute to Alexander McQueen? How nice that they seem to have struck a reciprocating deal where, one got to play a fresh hot single to closeout his Spring Summer 2010 show, and the other got the privilege of using the extravagant shoes and even a full-on outfit from that show in her music video...

...head to toe in McQueen!...

...oh to literally be the center of attention, while wearing these shoes...

...and here they are again in white...paired very nicely with that must-have train ;)

A couple other thoughts that lead me to stake my claim that McQueen is very much alive in the styling of this vid: beyond the obvious cues to his Spring Summer 2010 show, there's also the spinal vertebral enhancements she sports...

...from time to time, McQueen is all about highlighting skeletal anatomy...

...and then there's that fabulous naked bat Lady Gaga sports along with said vertebrae...

...substitute that out with a feathered bird, outstretched wings and all, and you've got McQueen's Widows of Culloden collection from Fall 2006...

Oh and lastly, on a completely different note...props for casting the hot men in this video...all inked up and looking bad ass...especially the sexy looking lead character with the face ornament. So avant-garde, so appropriate for a Gaga video, so...Jean Paul Gaultier (especially when u take into the other headresses/masks used on the other men?)? Anybody know who he is? He looks familiar...like male model familiar...I should keep on digging and find out for myself...

...ready whenever you are...

Terron Wood for Ralph Lauren Winter 2009

2009-11-10T01:09:00.004-06:00

While roaming the Ralph Lauren section at Macy's the other night (quite possibly the only reason to be caught dead in this department store...unless you're shopping the downtown Minneapolis location, of course), I couldn't resist snapping a shot of the beautiful Terron Wood. He is perfection. Enough said.

T.I's Whatever You Like Covered By Anya Marina

2009-11-10T00:36:00.008-06:00

While watching Gossip Girl tonight -- Season 3, Episode 9 -- "They Shoot Humphreys, Don't They?" -- I came across this charming cover of T.I.'s Whatever You Like done by Anya Marina...while (*spoiler alert!*) Dan, Vanessa, and Olivia proceeded to engage in their threesome. A bit more digging reveals the music video is directed by Nylon Magazine...the video is very Nylon-esque...and even better, there's cameos by Justin Kirk (Andy Botwin of Weeds! <-- only the smartest and most hillarious TV series out there) and the adorable Daniel Vosovic from Project Runway Season 2. Michael Stahl-David also is in there...looking much more grown up since when he starred in Cloverfield...but still beautiful...

The original version of this song was on the airwaves all summer long...it made for good music to have while I was driving in the car, but this cover...I might just need purchase it off of i-tunes...I very much approve...

ON REPLAY: Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

2009-10-27T04:11:00.009-05:00

Tonight on our Top 40 Radio Station, KDWB, Lady Gaga's newest single, Bad Romance, aired on their nightly segment called The New-ish at Nine-ish, or something to that effect. The premise of the feature is to pit two new songs against each other, one is the previous night's champion, and the other the contender. Listeners call in to vote...yada yada yada...

Let's see, the first time I heard this song was at the finale for Alexander McQueen's Spring 2010 show...I remember waking up and going directly to his website to watch the streaming recording...10.07.2009. Both the song and show were fabulous. Fabulous to the max -- walking down the runway in these shoes with this song? Fabulous. FEROCIOUS.

image via fashionologie

images via style.com

So, 20 days, that's the lag-time for a hot single to finally percolate into middle America? And Lady Gaga lost tonight too! To some single by Uncle Kracker! Which took 68% of the votes! Minnesota, YOU LOSE.

Tuxedo Suit by Viktor & Rolf for H&M

2009-10-25T22:39:00.008-05:00

Personally, I feel the Viktor & Rolf X H&M collection has been one of the best to come out of the H&M designer collaboration series thus far. It's now coming up on three years since the collection launched, and I remember feeling very frustrated at having landed myself in the predicament of living in Minnesota, when, two years prior, I was in a city out East that was special enough to carry Karl Lagerfeld for H&M. While the rest of the world went on a crazy rampage for Viktor & Rolf, I felt left out and saddened that if I truly wanted to join the party, I'd have to shell out for the skyrocketing Ebay prices...I never got my hands on a single piece of the men's collection that November of 2006...

Somehow, I temporarily got over the fact that it just wasn't meant to be that I would own a piece of the action, and I moved on...

...that is, until I resurfaced on some old postings on the SuFu Marketplace Forums this past summer, and my interest in tracking down a key piece or two was reignited. Periodically, I've been crawling onto Ebay and searching out what's currently up for auction. The majority of the time, my search comes up with only women's pieces. But every so often, a men's item will pop up. I'm now under the impression that for whatever initial reason -- perhaps the men's line was not produced in such mass quantity, or the initial collectors remain to hang onto their finds -- pieces from the men's portion of the collection are much harder to find these days than their female counterparts.

Recently, the smoking/tuxedo suit -- both jacket and pants...and in my size! -- was put up, and I'm very pleased with myself for winning the auction. I must say, the resalel value for the items in this collection -- both men and women -- remains very favorable to the seller. I'm happy I did not pay over the initial selling price, given this is a used item, but I was relatively surprised at the winning bid.

I cannot wait for this suit to arrive! Once it does, I'll have to take better pictures than the ones used in the auction. Perhaps I'll get a chance to whip it out this holiday season.

Claudia Hapeman Venetian Masks on GILT.com

2009-10-25T14:46:00.008-05:00

Much to my dismay, I slept in yesterday morning and woke up to find that the majority of the masks on the "Masked Crusader" sale on GILTman.com were already sold out just ONE HOUR into the sale. Boo-hoo-hoooo...

All week long, I had been anticipating what exactly would be offered on this sale. Yesterday, I learned the Venetian-style masks are designed by Claudia Hapeman. Her pieces are exquisitely detailed works of art, and some much more ostentatious than others. It would have been nice to settle on one of the styles I've posted here...they're the more pared down styles that were offered on the sale, but they're elaborate enough and flashy enough for me. Check out the detail on the up-close shots...that's definitely something worth appreciating. I hope Gilt Groupe brings back this offering...Gilt, if you're reading this, please sell these again!

In the meantime, similarly-styled masks by Ms. Hapeman can be found and bought exclusively on SoCal Design Company. Even if I missed out on the sale, the one good thing is -- and I love that Gilt is always introducing me to new names and labels -- I now know where to go for quality festive masks.

H&M Southdale Store Opening

2009-10-22T15:42:00.011-05:00

H&M opened at Southdale Shopping Center at noon today. Curious as to what type of crowd might show up as well as what the new store would have to offer -- both in the store as well as in their free gift bag to the first 100 customers, I duly made my way to Edina this morning. Showing up with a half hour to spare, I was met with an already formed line of excited customers, which snaked past one side of the storefront and past three others. Impressive for my neck of the woods, yea?? The crowd was a mix of mothers with their babies in tow (expected in a midday mall crowd wouldn't you say?) as well as young adults who were probably skipping class (shame!..but i'm guilty too). I couldn't even see the store from where I was standing in line...

At about 15 'til, employees started handing out small nylon knapsacks along with a scratch-off card that revealed a monetary amount. Sadly, Sasha didn't want to give me more than $10 to spend...

Afterwards, a gaggle of employees ran past the queue clapping and cheering...a lot of them looked awkwardly uncomfortable...

And not too much longer after that, I was in.

The men's section is fair...a decent serving of the Divided and H&M Man lines but nothing that stood out to me...let's just say I'll be sticking to the selection at the Mall of America, which definitely has a much more involved offering... If you're interested in checking it out yourself, the men's section is located on the second floor at the entrance past the seductively brooding Andres Velencoso Segura (for the time being).

I did manage to pick up this scarf with fringe detailing...I've been on the search for one...with my coupon, it was worth the purchase...otherwise, I think I would have left it alone...

The gift bag has a few odds and ends...the latest issue of their in-store magazine (oh hey there, Angela!), a couple coin wallets, small notebook, a keychain, and a tee-shirt that was a women's M. Nothing to write home about, but hey, a gift is a gift and always appreciated! Thanks H&M for an interesting morning. Now I wonder if there were men's tees floating around...

T. Rains by Traver Rains

2009-10-21T21:01:00.006-05:00

T. Rains is Traver Rains' new line of tees, screened with processed pictures that appear to be from his own photo collection. The tall drink of handsome cowboy of the Heatherette duo, Rains draws upon a similar glam, glitz, and color but adds the right dose of rotten, testost, and Americana that altogether, borders on a trailer park chic and lets the line stand on its own.

Based on what I read from Nylon Mag, this line hasn't been out for long...in fact, Rains' myspace account that's linked to his online store seems to have only been up and running since earlier this month. I'm kinda loving the "Top" tee...complete with the cool little pistol pin...as well as the "Outhouse" tee...but the one I'm truly intrigued with has two naked cowboys on the front...I'll leave it up to you the reader to check it out on your own (you can also click through his online photogs to find the original ;) There's FREE SHIPPING for the time being added into the deal if that helps!

HDNB <3's Daniel Liu

2009-10-18T19:12:00.003-05:00

UPDATE 11/16/2009 >> Daniel's editorial for GQ China has materialized! Click HERE to see the photos.

Last week, while sorting through my inbox, I noticed GILT.com had decided on an Asian face to showcase their PRPS sale. To be honest, I'd never seen him before, but I was pleased to see yet another Asian model doing his part to diversify the look of the industry...I saved a few pics, and figured it'd make for something good to discuss in the future.

Between now and then, I've learned his name is Daniel Liu, he's TAIWANESE (which is HUGE and AWESOME in my mind...anybody want to take a stab at my ethnicity? hehe...), and he's signed with Ford Models. Jealous, to say the least. He seems to be relatively new...as in...end of the summer new.

comp card image via Asian Models Blog

NPR has a nice interview with him conducted by Linda Wertheimer that aired early in September and is available for replay online...he's got a beautiful deep and gentle voice to match his looks. The interview is also trascribed. A couple excerpts...

On what made him a hit with Ford:

"You know, I don't know if it's, like, any one thing. I've been told I've got very strong cheekbones. I've definitely got the height. So…"

On looking toward what's next:

"And well, I'm also on hold for a couple of projects. I don't know if they're going to go through yet, but I am on hold for GQ China."

In Uniqlo's winter ad campaign for their HeatTech line, he's already sitting there next to Sean O'Pry, Boyd Holbrook, and Blaine Cook. Impressive.

images via Uniqlo

Here's to hoping he keeps on climbing up the popularity index so we can see more of him...definitely keeping my eyes and ears peeled on GQ China...but just in case, let me know if you hear of anything first!

In the meantime, in terms of additional images, there is a set from a largely Western-themed shoot that can be found on John Tan Casting. There's also an interview posted on Mr. Tan's blog. The image below is my favorite of the set...not too overtly sexed up, but the fact that the sweater is Tom Ford keeps it sexy enough. Personally, I feel if you add a pair of thermal long-johns, especially w/ those socks as shown, and then a pair of black boots, you're ready to go traipsing around in public...

image courtesy of John Tan Casting, Photographer: Karl Simone, Fashion Editor/Casting: John Tan, Grooming: Yinna Wang for Badass Hair

LOCAL FLAVOR: Window Shopping @ Arbor Lakes

2009-10-18T16:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day indeed, the sun was out and still strong enough to convey warmth, and yet, the air was crisp and cool...appropriate for a mid-October day. After a very hearty brunch, we decided it wouldn't do to just head indoors, and so we opted to take on some light window shopping...outdoor village style. The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes is a quaintly designed outdoor shopping mall...cute in theory, it's unfortunate there's nothing actually there...for women's, the Anthropologie seems like a pretty impressive coup for whatever management company owns this establishment...but for the guys...nothing... There is a J. Crew, but it's a women's only shop (oooh, SO CLOSE!). So very light, and very window it was...

LOCAL FLAVOR: Saturday Brunch @ Uptown Diner, 10.17.2009

2009-10-18T15:48:00.000-05:00

Favorite place to grab brunch in Minneapolis: Uptown Diner.

Favorite item to order off the menu: Crabcake Benedict.

On Replay: Heartbreak "Make Me A Dancer" (Club Mix) by Freemasons feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor

2009-10-18T14:24:00.000-05:00

Any guesses on where I picked up this single over the weekend? I'm not proud of it...but music I like is music I like.

"DJ give me the answer..."

not Ken, Christian Louboutin "Rollerball" Studded Flats...and Barbie

2009-10-17T02:29:00.000-05:00

A while back ago, I mentioned Barbie's visit to the Mall of America, both in the form of pop-up shop and retrospective exhibition. On a more glamorous level, WWD reports today on Christian Louboutin for Barbie, the latest collaboration celebrating Barbie's 50th birthday. I don't feel the need to rehash when and where the dolls and doll-sized shoes that come out of this collection will be sold. But I did find the photo diary that is also part of this collection rather interesting. Per WWD:

The diary, which comes with the jewel thief Barbie and is also sold separately for $40, is titled “My Year in Paris With Christian Louboutin.” Launching in December, it features photos of the doll shopping with Louboutin in his boutique, on a journey down the Nile, performing at the Moulin Rouge and in a cafe with a male doll that is decidedly not Ken.

“I will have to go with no comment,” Cota said of the non-Ken. “He is a boy who is a friend and not necessarily a boyfriend. As a rule, we don’t comment on Barbie and Ken’s personal life, but I can tell you they are definitely talking and they’re friendly.”

Ken or not Ken, he looks gorgeous. And if he's not Barbie's boyfriend, maybe he should move on and meet Ken. Regardless, he isn't the only stand-in for Ken in the images from this photo diary -- Christian Louboutin seems to be the only actual human posing in each picture (of which previews can be seen on WWD), all the other attractive male characters are plastic. It's fantastic.

And speaking of Monsieur Louboutin himself, it appears he's donned his own footwear label when it comes to posing in front of the lense. Check him out in his Rollerball studded flats. Wonderful.

image from Jak & Jil

Unlocking the Wonders of Blogger

2009-10-15T20:43:00.000-05:00

Up until now, I've been playing around on my Wordpress blog, hotdishandbars.wordpress.com. Very soon after I started blogging, I realized the limitations set by Wordpress on their system for novices like me -- namely, very little flexibility with appearances outside of their set themes -- would ultimately become a hindrance. Now that I've become comfortable with the basics of blogging, I've moved on to Blogger with the goal of taking more control over how my content comes across to the reader.

Bear with me as I begin transferring some of my old posts onto this new site. I realize there are ways to completely import en masse what I've already written, but going through my old postings gives me a chance to select and tweak them as I see fit and as I continue to try to define the direction I want to take with my blog.

Get U Home by Shwayze

2009-10-14T02:00:00.001-05:00

Catchy single off of Shwayze’s new album, Let It Beat, out November 3rd…