I will say what so few others seem unwilling to: I’m sick of celebrity clothing collections. Utterly, utterly bored of them.
Why? Well, save for the notably successful Olsen sisters and Spice-Girl-cum-Fashion-Icon Victoria Beckham, most licensed ‘collections’ are down-market, lowest-common-denominator attempts to capitalize on the brand equity of a celebrity’s name. Not that I don’t understand the trend: whether we accept or buck the pervasive predilection, the truth is that we live in the golden age of the BRAND. Quality, construction, and even originality are peripheral considerations, when they are considered at all. Consumers want caché, and who better than a favorite celebrity obsession to give it to them?
Celebrity Designer Kelly Wearstler (Above) appears to be a notable new exception. Though she is perhaps best known for her interior design work (images Below)–she designed interiors for Bergdorf Goodman’s BG lounge, the Viceroy collection of boutique hotels, and more private residential projects than I care to list–she has managed to transition into a respectable apparel designer. Her clothes and accessories err on the quieter side of her Hollywood-Regency-meets-color-clashing-circus aesthetic, featuring silhouettes and finishes with a decidedly feminine perspective. Marbled prints, geode cuffs, structural stripes — these are the touchstones of her interior design work, yes, but few before her have managed to translate them so beautifully into clothing.
Though mass-produced and sold at a handful of luxury retailers–Bergdorf Goodman, Holt Renfrew, Nieman Marcus, Net-a-porter, among others–each piece appears handmade, idiosyncratic in its print and finishes. The work owes its arresting nuances to the materials Wearstler is attempting to recreate–marble, malachite, pyrite, jade, rosewood, mica, bleached driftwood–but the effect stands wholly on its own.
She may not yet be a household name, but the work Kelly Wearstler is creating proves she’s not going anywhere.
If we’re lucky, anyway.
Get more, HERE.
The S/S ’12 season was all about high waisted shorts, revealing miles of legs, which will no doubt be your best accessory come spring.
Nicolas Ghesquière showed a collection of shorts for Balenciaga that looked surprisingly dressed up and terribly chic. How’d he do it? He paired them with boxy, geometric tops in brilliant jewel tones that protruded from the body (Above). The key here is balance. Shorts can look a bit uncouth but the trick is to pair them with something unexpected, like couture cuts or bright colors.
Just because they are basically briefs (Nair sales: going up!) doesn’t mean that this itty-bitty apparel item is unwearable. Pair them with a jacket like the studded leather number at Versace [Ed: ZOMGZ WUT] (Below Left) or a longer tweed piece that hits mid-thigh, as shown at Chanel (Below Right).
With updated shapes and unexpected additions, these briefs are no laughing matter! We just recommend you start hitting the gym now…
Images: Style.com
As a guy, if you like fashion but aren’t very flamboyant and don’t LOVE to shop, it can be hard to find a one-stop shop for efficient basics with a twist. You don’t JUST want a plain, loosely cut white t-shirt, but you don’t want eagles and rhinestones either. You don’t JUST want a zip-front boxy jacket, but you don’t want 8 fake varsity teams plastered across the back either.
Enter the Superdry range at Bank, which encompasses your standard button-downs, pants, jackets and tees with unique but subtle details. See the cool double collar on this peacoat (Below Left) and this hooded flannel layering piece (Below Right).
We know it’s all about casual simplicity and not having to think too hard to look well put together, and we think you’ll get hooked on this site fast.
For those of us existing in four-season climates, winter is upon us- and it will only get worse! It’s just about time to start ruefully eyeing your collection of nineties neon outerwear (just kidding…you wish you were that cool) which will become essential in a matter of weeks, as glamorous as you may normally be.
Straight-up sports and outdoor styles with bright colors have been making a huge splash as of late, with pieces from Under Armor, Nike and Helly Hansen making their way into magazine editorials, and Jeremy Scott doing an Adidas collab, We really love these Henri Lloyd offshore sailing jackets for men (Below Left) and women (Below Right).
Not only are these jackets in keeping with the current trend cycle, but the Gore-Tex™ outer shell and specially designed hoods keep the elements at bay. We would wear it with some neon yellow neoprene leggings and bizarro Balenciaga heels from ’08 that were inspired by snowboard boots. Okay, those are open toe… but you can’t be JUST practical!
