Martin Margiela Key Tie Clip
Commonplace item, yet completely unexpected on a tie.
Secondary function: a great conversation starter.
$78 at Aloha Rag.
February 23rd, 2006
Archive for February, 2006
Trendscape: Trapeze Jackets
We can’t believe these jackets have just now landed in the fashion forefront because there are so many great reasons to wear them. There’s something effortlessly chic about the swingy midsection and girly three-quarter sleeves. They’re also a simple way to experiment with volume, if you’re averse to, say, poufy tulip skirts. Our favorite way to wear this jacket? With a long, fitted top (to balance out the crop and the width), a long chain and your favorite going-out jeans.
DVF One-Button Cropped Jacket| $425 at Intermix
Ruffled Bleached Denim Jacket | $88 at Arden B.
DVF Long Luce Jacket | $625 at ShopBop
Rebecca Taylor Jacket | $252 (sale) at Sway & Cake
February 23rd, 2006
A Lust-worthy Designer Profile | Materialust
This week, Omiru caught up with Alfredo Malatesta of Materialust, an upscale travel-inspired T-shirt line launching on March 15. Read about Alfredo’s inspiration, his travels, and his distaste for horizontal stripe sweaters…and check out Materialust goods next month at Fred Segal, Lisa Kline, American Rag, Intuition, and Scoop!
O: Tell me a little bit about what Materialust is about.
M:
Materialust is right now a contemporary upscale t-shirt line. The core
concept behind it is an emphasis on international travel. People
obviously have an emotional connection to traveling and different
cities around the world they’ve gone to in the past. The mantra is
“Choose your destination.†For each season, we’re going to introduce
new cities and a lot of special artwork that we have dug up and
licensed. Some of the stuff goes back to the 70s and even the 30s. The
artwork comes from everything from vintage cocktail napkins to travel
brochures and pamphlets, a particular event that took place in that
city, and mementos from different cities around the world. We try to
really create an experience through a t-shirt by introducing beautiful
artwork on a great fitting t-shirt.
Omiru: How did you get started in fashion design?
Materialust: I came from the music business and a company called Trunk Ltd. With Trunk Ltd, the whole concept behind it, with the rock artwork, it’s almost parallel to the music business. The fashion business, to me, is just an extension of the music business. At the end of the day, I don’t really consider myself too much of a fashion designer. I’m kind of more like a brand developer or in marketing.
O: What does Materialust mean? How did you come up with the name?
M: It’s really similar to the word “materialist.†A friend of mine said “materialust†one day, and I thought “Wow, that’s such a great name for a line†because it doesn’t necessarily mean materialist; it’s more of a lust for material things or the appreciation of great material things.
O: What’s your philosophy behind Materialust?
M: The philosophy would be developing something that consumers are going to have an emotional connection to. For example, one of the cities we’re going to is Tijuana. The second they see that name or see artwork from there, that might strike some kind of a chord with them. What we’re creating in terms of the product itself – because I’m so West Coast minded and I’m originally from the Southern Hemisphere, it’s all about comfort, great fit. That’s what I’m always aiming for.
O: Have you done a lot of traveling and have you been inspired by the places that you’ve gone?
M: Absolutely! I love traveling and that’s what gave me the inspiration to start the line. When I was in the music business I got a chance to do a lot of traveling. And being from South America myself, I’ve been exposed to so many different cultures. The US is truly a melting pot with lots of different cultures. People for the most part have an appreciation for other cultures, and Materialust is a way for us to introduce some really cool things from faraway places that people may have never seen before.
O: If your house was burning down and you could only save one item from your closet what would it be?
M:
There’s this t-shirt I got on the last trip I took to Peru. I
hiked the Inca trail and at the end of the journey bought a t-shirt
that said “I survived an Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.†I
would keep that shirt not only for the really cool artwork, but also because of its emotional value. I
actually got engaged on top of Machu Picchu so it has a special
meaning. (Altogether ladies: Awww!)
O: What clothes have you worn in the past that you’re ashamed of?
M:
Too many to pick out. Probably any and every sweater that was given to
me by a family member. Any horizontally striped sweater I ever owned is
a bad one.
O: What’s your favorite t-shirt from the collection?
M: The ones that are really fun to work with right now are the ones with artwork from Tijuana. There’s a lot of beautiful stuff from the 40s and 50s. It’s really colorful and it’s stuff that would be really difficult for any graphic artist to replicate. We have some artwork from a matchbook of a whorehouse in Tijuana. The way the artwork was laid out and printed on that matchbook is so cool because it’s messed up unintentionally…it’s really rad.
O: Which stores will carry your t-shirts?
M: For our first release we’re very lucky to have gotten into such amazing stores such as Fred Segal, Lisa Kline, American Rag, Intuition, Scoop. We’ve got a bunch of A-list accounts.
O: When does it launch?
M: March 15.
O: Oh, and price point?
M: T-shirts retail between $50 and $60.
O: Are you thinking about expanding and doing things other than t-shirts?
M: Oh, absolutely. First of all, we have the entire world to play with in terms of artwork. We will forever be able to continue releasing artwork from different cities. But at the same time, I’d like to have the brand cover everything from outerwear to accessories. Things that are complementary to the international travel lifestyle but also have a contemporary edge to it. I don’t want it to look too much like stuff out of a traveling store at the mall. We’re going to recreate the vision of what travel inspired pieces are supposed to look like. I’d also love to do a kids line.
O: Anything we missed?
M: Our website (www.materialust.com) should be up within the next week or so and it’s going to be a fun little experience to check out. Keep an eye out for the line because it’s going to be continuously changing, and there’s always new surprises coming out with the artwork. We don’t really try to repeat too much, so the shirts are kind of a limited edition.
3 comments February 23rd, 2006
Curious George Rabbit Tank Top
Curious George, it’s not nice to chase the bunnies.
$78 at Kitson.
February 22nd, 2006
Best of: Bright, Hardware-adorned Shoes
Spotted: a rich crimson red Burberry buckle shoe!
Sadly, the shoes were bought quite some time ago, according to the shoe’s owner. But if you’re looking to get your hardware-adorned shoe fix, you’re in the right place…
Prada Natural Linen Snakeskin Buckle Slingbacks | $372 at Bluefly
Prada Sport Orange Leather Buckle Mules | $228 at Bluefly
Yves Saint Laurent ‘Veruschka’ Slingback | $369.99 at Bluefly
(Also available in Tan and Black.)
February 22nd, 2006
Channeling Kate: Best of Skinny Jeans
Only a couple months ago, finding a decent pair of skinny jeans was next to impossible. Lucky for Kate Moss protégés all over, clothing companies are finally making the Brit rockstar look accessible to us regular folks. If you have svelte legs à la Sienna Miller, the skinny jean will further accentuate your thin frame. If your legs are short, however, you may want to stay away from the following pairs as they tend to stick to the skin.
Liv Super Slim | $143 at Diesel
Good with flats but not heels.
Joe’s Jeans Cigarette Leg Stretch Jeans | $158 at Nordstrom
Good with flats and heels.
7 For All Mankind Roxy Stretch Jeans | $143 at Nordstrom
Good with flats.
Lux Stretch Slim Jean Vintage Wash | $64 at Urban Outfitters
Good with heels.
Sass & Bide Frayed Misfits Stove Pipe Jeans | $220 at Shopbop
Good with heels.
10 comments February 22nd, 2006
Olive Martini Bracelet
Our latest find? Jewelry from Julie Garland that is both affordable And chic! With her down-to-earth prices and her focus on timeless styles that complement any look, what’s not to love? We have an eye on her Olive Martini Bracelet, shown at left.
$37 at Julie Garland.
February 21st, 2006
The Surreal Life: Rebel Yell Launch Party
During my whirlwind LA fashion tour, I stopped by the Rebel Yell launch party at Kitson on Sunday. Here’s the scoop:
Who Showed Up: The celeb-studded event featured, among others, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Danny Masterson (That 70s Show), Chris Kattan, and David Spade.
Fashion Trends: The scene was casually cool and unmistakably LA…
- Rebel Yell gear, of course.
- Sunglasses Worn Indoors: So very Hollywood…and I suppose it worked well on Ashton.
- Oversized Sunglasses: The glam oversized look hasn’t yet given way to the latest trend: Small and Square Sunglasses.
- Wide Ties: Danny Masterson is bucking the Narrow Tie trend. Way to be different.
- Wispy Scarves: Great for decoration, bad for keeping warm! Seen on both men and women.
- Paint splattered items: For an I-just-painted-a-house-today look.
- Velvet Blazers: I guess this trend is still going strong.
- The Denim Miniskirt: What can I say…it’s LA.
- Studded Belts: Yawn.
Really, fashion-wise, it was Everything Goes. I
can’t tell you how many people I saw in a hoodie, t-shirt, and jeans
(designer denim, of course!).
The Food: All American Classics: Mini Sprinkles cupcakes, tiny hot dogs in buns, curly fries, ice cream sandwiches, and of course, an open bar.
The Swag: A Rebel Yell duffel bag, limited edition T-shirt and socks, and a scented candle.
1 comment February 21st, 2006
Trendscape: Tiny & Square Sunglasses
To the dismay of Mary-Kate Olsen, Nicole Ritchie, and hordes of bug-eyed wannabees, the Jackie-O-style sunglasses are being downsized to a much smaller dimension this Spring and Summer. Tiny & Square is the new look so start tucking away the oversized shades before you look expired. Speaking of ancient, don’t be surprised if this new look conjures up fond memories of the plastic rectangular 3-D lenses you once sported at Universal Studios in your childhood. Note: If you have a big face, Tiny & Square shades might make you look silly, so try before you buy.
Retro Strips | $19.99 at Any Sunglasses
Fendi Grey Tint Slim Rectangular Sunglasses | $120 at Bluefly
Swell Rectangular Black Frames with Brown Lens Sunglasses | $12.59 at Target
Miu Miu Butterfly Sunglasses | $140 at Neiman Marcus
Times Square Neon | $12.99 at Any Sunglasses
1 comment February 21st, 2006
Bird in Hand Tote
Like we said, Birds are everywhere…and even on this adorable tote bag!
$34 at Urban Outfitters.
February 20th, 2006