Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
Dan Flavin
Perhaps it’s because he was just recently featured in both the MOMA’s Color Chart exhibition and had his own solo show at Zwirner + Wirth, but artist Dan Flavin is having a moment–and the fashion world is contributing to his resurgence by paying homage to his oeuvre. The influence of the minimalist artist’s masterpieces–i.e. his distinctive fluorescent light works–can be seen across the current sartorial landscape, in realms both high….
…and low:
Of course, that fluorescent lights are becoming a popular fashion prop makes sense considering the rising “It”-factor of neon hues. (Only problem is, these colored lights aren’t exactly green, but that’s for another post—and blog.) But the irony is, that since Flavin’s novel approach (the artist broke onto the scene in the ‘60s, and passed away in 1996) was that he used commercially-available items as his medium…and now similar installations are being used to make commercial visuals seem more artistic.
Flavin’s work at LACMA
Whether Flavin-esque bright lights will be a permanent fixture in the fashion world remains to be seen of course, but the artists works can be found at The DIA’s Dan Flavin Art Institute.
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Monday, May 19th, 2008
Modo’s Valentina Shades
As the mercury inches upwards, remember it’s not just swimsuit season that’s approaching–sunglass season is about to arrive too. And with UV rays intensifying by the day (muchos gracias global warming), it’s vital to protect your peepers from damage. Look for shades with polarized lenses, like the ones from luxury sunglass-label Modo, the genius behind the sleek new shades from Derek Lam and 3.1 Phillip Lim. The house just started selling its high-style, low-profile designs online (www.modo.com)–including Tretorn’s artful specs and Modo’s own cheeky Valentinas style–so you can peruse the goods from your safe, sun-free abode home instead of risking a shopping trip sans spectacles. –Jennifer Jackson
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Monday, May 12th, 2008
Banana Republic Fall 2008
It’s a dreary day today, here in New York City. The inclement weather poses not one, not two, but three major problems for me:
1) What to wear?
2) Where to find a cab?
3) Why does Fall ’08 seem o’ so far away?
That spring showers prompt the last concern—the yearning for darker, damper temperatures—may of be some surprise to you. But if you’ve been paying close attention to the recent runway shows, chances are you’re itching for fall fashion to hit stores too. The somber, sexy palette! The restrained elegance! The over-size jewels!
I had almost forgotten all about autumn’s sartorial goodies until I saw the Banana Republic fall runway show a few weeks back. Filled with svelte skirts, lean knits, sculptural exterior layers, and a few French trenches the next collection is a cosmopolitan dream. And each, I’m sure, would make a rainy day so much more romantic. See what I mean?
Banana Republic Fall 2008
Snaps courtesy BR
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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
Martin + Osa Cashmere Cardigan
O’ little cardi, how I love thee:
Thee keeps me warm on a cold winter’s day,
And when the a/c threatens to blow me away.
Your company is welcome all year long,
And the best part is, I can have you for a song.
Cotton, cashmere, or silk it matters not,
when I go shopping I want the entire lot.
Every shade is sweet from lemon to lime,
I want you, cardi, in my wardrobe for all time.
Snaps = Martin + Osa
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Monday, April 21st, 2008
Prada’s E-auction
Rei Kawakubo, are you listening? Auctions seem to be the new pop-up stores in arty fashion circles.
First, Prada recently offered one-of-a-kind prototypes from Spring/Summer 2008–translation: cutting
room floor rejects–via auction on Prada.com. (The auction, whose proceeds go to benefit the San
Raffaele Foundation, an Italian medical research non-profit, ends tomorrow.)
Electric Feathers Dress
Then, the folks at Phillips de Pury, the tony auction house, places pieces from Electric Feathers–a line of woodsy, ethereal one-off pieces by New York-based Leana Zuniga–along side Rauschenberg, Warhol, and Ruscha stunners in the upcoming Saturday @Phillips auction. (Check Zuniga’s pieces out here.) Aimed to attract the novice, young, and/or hip collectors, the Saturday auctions at the auction house’s Manhattan outpost often include fine jewelry, furniture, and even vintage clothing (think Birkin bags and YSL’s Le Smoking), but never before designs from emerging ready-to-wear labels. Could this be the future of shopping? Certainly the thrill of scoring a unique piece combined with adrenaline-inducing auction process, makes entering an actual store–with those poorly-lit fitting rooms and register hoopla–seems a tad boring in comparison. Stay tuned for more tales from the auction block…
Electric Feathers Frock (Yep, that’s Irina!)
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Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
Lately, only designer/celebrity/artist/DJ fashion collaborations have been able to turn style-savvy heads. (Comme des Garcons for H&M! Michel Gaubert for Longchamp! Murakami for Vuitton (again)!) But here at GlamChic, we don’t discriminate: Cheap, everyday items are just as likely to earn our stamp of approval as their high-concept counterparts. For instance, today we stumbled upon this little Grecian number at Target. While not labeled as one of the mega-store’s many darling guest designer collections, the piece references the runways’ goddess trend but, fortunately for us wallet-watchers, it comes with a super-friendly price-tag. Listed at $39.99, mighty Aphrodite herself wouldn’t be able to resist such an affordable piece.
Alberta Ferretti’s take on the Greek goddess trend, Spring 2008
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Monday, March 31st, 2008
A glimpse at J.Crew’s fall collection
While I’ve long been a high-heels-wearing girly-girl, lately there’s been moments when I’ve secretly envied the male sex. Between the possibility of being Clooney-cool and the likelihood of earning 30% more per paycheck, sometimes modern-day manhood—especially the dapper clothes that come with—can look pretty appealing.
Come September chances are that you’ll be singing the same tune, as J.Crew unveils its fall menswear line most of which, I just found out, can be categorized as Portland-ified version of boarding school classics. Hefty knit ties! Slim Cary Grant-suits! Morrissey-inspired casuals! (Oh to wear those sharp styles and not be viewed as an Annie Hall copy-cat!) Best of all though, these affordable high-end finds will be available online and at J.C.’s soon-to-be opened Tribeca outpost—which will no doubt attract dozens of Wall Streeters who want bespoke-looking pieces at recession-friendly prices.
Of course, if the tomboy look doesn’t appeal to your ladylike sensibility, there’ll be plenty of sexy secretary pieces in the womens collection to choose from too. Just the sight of the floral-accented cardies and sleek pencil skirts cured my wardrobe-envy and reminded me how much (in the words of Rodgers & Hammerstein) I enjoy being a girl.
Highlights from J.Crew’s Fall ‘08 Womens line
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Thursday, March 27th, 2008
I like clothes. And I like dogs. I do not however, like dog clothes. The fact that the latter will be in no way involved in this event’s festivities makes it O.K. for me to mention here:
On Saturday, in a tiny, canine-friendly hamlet of NYC, there will be an opportunity to shop and adopt. Adam Lippes–a self-professed dog lover–will hold an all-day adoption party at his new ADAM Meatpacking store. Co-hosted by the ASPCA, the pet-fête will offer plenty of opportunities to play with and take home puppies of all sizes, breeds, and shades. (Expect to hear lots of “How much is that doggie in the window?” jokes.) Plus, with plenty of free booze and milkbones on hand, tongues and tails are sure to wag. Details below:
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Thursday, March 27th, 2008
Though it may seem otherwise, this is not an ad. This is a public service announcement, aimed at directing you (shoe-crazy shoppers) to good deals (like this one). ($150 in play money after snapping up 2 pairs of heels? Why, it almost justifies the splurge. Nice.)
Also, it’s as good a time as any to my testimonial of appreciation to Saks, specifically the now-famous zip code shoe floor in their Fifth Avenue flagship. Shopping in NYC department stores isn’t usually my bag (the crowds, the top 40 soundtrack, the cheerful barrage of things I can’t afford) but Saks’ shoe selection, sales, and staff really can’t be beat. If you’re in town, swing by the store and ask for the charming Dennis (who has an editor’s eye for shoes, knows what’s going on sale next, and won’t lie when you ask him if your feet look fat) and he’ll help you out. In the meantime, put your heels up and hop online for some affordable retail therapy.
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Monday, March 17th, 2008
A preview of the 2008 CFDA designer Gap editions
Does the fashion crowd not have their calendars all up to date? With all the cheery, lovey-dovey announcements that flew through cyber-space today, one would think it was Valentine’s Day not the aforementioned Irish holiday. First, the head honchos at Gap announced that a few of the CFDA’s design darlings–including Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders, Michael Bastian, Philip Crangi and threeASFOUR–will all unveil their limited edition designs for the classic sportswear house on April 15th. (Remember the mad rush for last year’s Rodarte, Thakoon, & Doo.Ri numbers? Might want to consider canceling your personal trainer for the A.M. of 4/15/08. Just a thought.)
Jewelry designer Philip Crangi and friend
Michael Bastian
Phillip Lim
THEN, not to be outdone, Target tipped off a few fashion VIPs that Monica Botkier will be their next guest designer, with her cheap ‘n’ chic satchels hitting stores in late July-August. (Imagine: Botkier beach bags and back-to-school totes! What could be better?) What a lovely day! To top off these new designer-mega-brand orgies, the news serves as a reminder that Target and Gap have always known the style-savvy shopper’s guilty secret: The know the way to our heart is through our wallet.
Botkier bag (Hold your horses kids, it’s not a Botkier for Target version)
Snaps: Style.com, MenStyle.com, File & Botkier.com
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