Archive for March, 2006
With so many printed tees out there, it’s hard to distinguish the posers from the originators. Wonder no more because Local Celebrity, a family owned company (sister Andi is designer for Rebel Yell) is the real deal. And if you don’t buy it, check out the "Posers" section on the Local Celebrity website. Omiru had the pleasure of chatting with Jordan, one-third of the sibling trio. Not only did he set the record straight, but he also let us in on their humble roots and described who a Local Celebrity is.
Omiru: How and when did your interest in fashion design start?
Jordan: For me, it was kind of random and not planned at all. My sister Andi [of Rebel Yell] has a fashion degree, my brother has a business degree, and I’m the youngest of the family. I worked at Abercrombie [& Fitch] and retail stores like that, so I always liked clothes, but I never really thought I would end up in the fashion industry. Then we started Local Celebrity and found ourselves in LA 2 years later.
O: When did Local Celebrity come about, and why did you decide to focus on t-shirts?
J: We got a screen printing machine and lived at our grandmother’s house in San Diego and printed t-shirts out of a barn for close to a year. Urban Outfitters was our first account, and they started ordering and needed to really pick up the distribution of the production. We partnered with a production facility, and the rest is history.
O: Who comes up with the concepts for the t-shirts?
J: Primarily it’s me and my brother, but every once in a while, our designer will come up with a good concept or Andi will throw something in there.
O: How many t-shirts do you come up with per season?
J: We haven’t really been working in seasons. We’ve just been making t-shirts. Ones that sell well, we keep around. Ones that don’t, we just discontinue and replace with another one. We try to get at least 10 a month to our showroom.
O: What makes your collection unique?
J: When we started, it was very unique. We feel like we really influenced the market for humor t-shirts. But now everybody and their mother has a humor t-shirt company. So we stepped it up. It’s not so much clip art and words anymore because that’s everywhere, and we’re tired of seeing it, and we don’t want to wear it. Our shirts have more flavor than other companies. Most of our competition in the humor t-shirt market sell shirts with sexual innuendos, and they talk about getting drunk, partying, and really just the whole college lifestyle (therefore mainly targeting college kids). We try to "rise above" that and keep our shirts clean and wearable for everybody. We want them a little more thought provoking, confidence inspiring, and flavorful.
O: From where do you draw your inspiration?
J: Everywhere. A lot of pop culture and hip hop. Mainly, I like to draw inspiration from music. Everyone can have a Local Celebrity shirt because there’s an occasion for every one of our shirts. Music reaches everybody. We also have random personalities in our family, so we draw inspiration from each other.
O: Describe your collection.
J: We have fleece, canvas slip on shoes, and hats that are being produced right now, and within the next few months, we’re working on producing long sleeves, thermals, and tank tops.
O: What stores are you sold in?
J: A good list of stores that we’re in are Kitson, Atrium, The Lounge, Urban Outfitters, Hollywood Stars, and Delias.
O: Who wears your t-shirts and who do you want to see in them?
J: We have DJs rocking our stuff, we’ve got Delias customers, and Hot Topic customers. We just want people to wear our stuff and feel confident. Our customer is anyone who keeps it real, anyone who’s cool, has flavor, personality, charisma.
O: From where did you get the name Local Celebrity?
J: It was pretty random. My sister actually came up with it. When it first started, it was called TheVeryBestTshirts.com. We were trying to brainstorm, and it just came to my sister I think when she was going to bed one night. We love it!
O: If your house was burning down, and you could only keep one thing in your closet, what would you keep?
J: I’d definitely rescue my dog, Champ, before I grabbed anything else. He’s a 4 1/2 pound miniature pinscher, and I could never leave him behind. The fire can have my clothes (I have a clothing company, so there’s plenty to go around, and I’d probably already be wearing my Local Celebrity hoodie).
O: Last words?
J: We really wish that people could get to know us because we are the best representatives for the company. That, and our t-shirts are really cool. They have flavor, personality, and it takes a really cool person to wear our stuff.
Get Local Celebrity goods at www.localcelebrity.net.
March 31st, 2006
Issue XXXIV of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a weekly compilation of the
cutest and coolest stuff Style Intelligence Report saw out there this
week.
This
week, we found a cute green striped women’s sweater and a stylish men’s cable knit sweater.
For women:
March 31st, 2006
I can’t quite pinpoint why, but I have completely fallen in love with this dress. Is it the tortoiseshell chain-link halter strap? The gathered tulip skirt? The rich, burnt-orange jacquard?
I must have this dress. I must have this dress. I must have this dress. Perhaps if I chant my wish enough times, then someone will grant it…
$280 at Neiman Marcus.
March 31st, 2006
For a day of hardcore shopping, you’re going to want an outfit that’s both comfortable and put-together, lest you receive bad service from the salesperson behind the counter. Whether you’re heading out to a sample sale or digging for one-of-a-kind finds at a local boutique, this comfy chic outfit will have you covered.
Don’t feel like going out? You can always stay in and shop at CoutureCandy. Open 24/7.
At CoutureCandy, you can shop
all the hottest designers in one place. You can read the latest industry
news, get the inside scoop on the designers, and even keep up on (and purchase)
what
celebrities are wearing. You can share ideas and connect with other members
of the CoutureCandy community via the exclusive "Couture Talk" Forum
or get inspiring wardrobe advice from their "Personal
Stylists."
March 30th, 2006
Omiru had the pleasure of discovering Jane Watson’s beautifully handpainted pillows at a fashion event earlier this month. The front and back of each dupioni silk pillow are handpainted for a truly one-of-a-kind creation. Jane’s collections span the botanical, geometric, and whimsical–there’s a pillow for (almost) everybody!
Of her inspiration, Jane says, "The inspiration for my designs comes from my vast collection of vintage and contemporary fabrics, papers, books, post cards and photos. I also love to look through textile books featuring designs from the early 1900s to see how I might be able to put a contemporary twist on a particular motif."
$65-80 (size dependent) at Jane Watson. To order, email Jane at info at janewatsondesigns dot com or call 415.794.9855.
March 30th, 2006
Many guys will agree; it doesn’t get much better than seeing a beautiful girl…and another beautiful girl. Get your mind out of the gutter! I’m not referring to anything PG rated, but instead to LA artist Win Lin’s limited-edition anime graphic tees at Urban Outfitters. There’s a racerback cotton style for every type of gal: “Insecure,†“Liar,†“Vain,†“Annihilator,†and “Lachrymose Baby.†If you like none of these, just choose the fine art portrait you think looks most like you! Omiru got a chance to talk with Wil.
Omiru: How did the collaboration with Urban Outfitters start?
Wil: A buyer from UO serendipitously visited a Los Angeles boutique where I was having an art show in 2003. She bought some of my artwork and contacted me nearly a year later to see if I’d be interested in doing a collaboration with them.
O: What was the process of making the tees?
W: UO determined the material, cut and finish of the garment, we talked over the color options, I pitched for their approval a set of words and images I thought were thematically consistent, and I recommended where to place the images and the words. All of it happened very quickly–they accepted everything right away.
O: From where do you draw your inspiration?
W: I usually draw to vent some perceived injustice or injuries on my ego– usually triggered by those who I desire or desire to be. I believe this insufferable side of me can be made more palatable when it is delivered in the form of an attractive human face or figure. Technically or stylistically speaking, I used to consume copious quantities of fashion magazines throughout the 90s and I practiced drawing Linda Evangelista almost daily throughout the height of her popularity, so my style definitely reflects that aspect of my life history.
O: How long will the tees be available?
W: I am not clear on how long UO will be stocking the three designs I currently have in their stores, but I know that four new designs will appear in UO stores either this month or next month. I am still working with them, and I think they are shooting for a mid-summer release of some new items–whatever it is that I come up with.
Like what you see? Visit Urban Outfitters to get yours for only $28.
March 30th, 2006
Caution: Not for use as an anniversary/birthday gift.
$110 at Stars and Infinite Darkness.
March 29th, 2006
St. Vincent de Paul Society, which helps more than 1,000 people a day affected by poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence, will be holding a "Discarded to Divine" fashion show and auction on Thursday, April 6 from 5:30-7:30pm.
Fashion and art students from FIDM and SF State University designed one-of-a-kind haute couture outfits from donated clothing from the Society’s Vincentian Help Desk, a free service that provides clothing and a dignified environment for the poor and homeless. If the pieces look archaic, it’s because they were inspired by the Arts and Crafts Movement of the late 1800s. Jackets, gowns, wedding dresses, accessories, and non-wearable works of art will be on sale at the special reception on Thursday, in case you’re craving original and unique additions for your closet.
If you can’t attend the fashion show and auction, a special preview exhibit will be available at the De Young Museum on Friday, March 31, from 6-8:45 p.m.
Stay tuned for a post-show recap!
"Discarded to Divine" Preview Exhibit
Friday, March 31, from 6-8:45 p.m
Koret Auditorium at the De Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., San Francisco
Free admission.
"Discarded to Divine" Fashion Show and Auction
Thursday, April 6 from 5:30-7:30pm
Gensler, 2 Harrison St., San Francisco
Suggested donation is $20. RSVP at 415-977-1270 x3021.
March 29th, 2006
Welcome Spring in this adorable (and nautical inspired) skirt!
$118 at Active Endeavors.
March 28th, 2006
Not necessarily thermal underwear, and not really a pajama top, form-fitting Henley shirts bring an All-American charm to street fashion. The three-button sensation (sometimes more) is perfect for those not-so-cold and not-so-warm days. Match them with your favorite pair of jeans, a stylish chain necklace and leave one or two of the buttons open (to give a smidge of confident masculinity) and you got yourself a comfortable, street savvy outfit.
Baby Thermal Long Sleeve Henley | $24 at American Apparel
Ralph Lauren Poli Long Sleeve Waffle Knit Henley | $48 at Bluefly
French Connection Fast Cars Henley | $68 at Macy’s
Theory Slate Blue Cashmere ‘Monroe’ Henley Sweater | $132.99 (sale) at Bluefly
Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Cape Stripe’ Jersey-Knit Henley | $53 at Bluefly
March 28th, 2006
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