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.
Posted by Melody on March 30th, 2006 in News, Women's |
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.
Posted by Melody on March 29th, 2006 in News |
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
Posted by Dino on March 28th, 2006 in Men, Trend, Trendscape, Trendscape |
Billion Dollar Babes: Kate Nobelius and Shelli-Anne Couch
Photo Credits: Billion Dollar Babes
Even if you’ve never had the pleasure of attending a Billion Dollar Babes sample sale, you’ve probably heard amazing things
about it from friends who have. A two-day, invitation-only event held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and
London, Billion Dollar Babes attracts roughly 4,000 fashion lovers, who
compete with other shoppers for styles by more than 40 designer labels like Alex Gaines, Blue Cult, Chaiken, Catherine Malandrino, Costume National, Christian Dior, and more.
Not to burst any
shopping bubbles, but did you think the tons of fabulous outfits get
there by themselves? A lot of hard work goes into organizing an event of such scale. Shelli-Anne Couch
of parent company Couch Nobelius is
a major reason for BDB’s success thus far. She and partner Kate
Nobelius handle every aspect of the process, including event
strategy, sponsorship, sourcing, guest list compilation,
pre-event publicity and celebrity outreach (it’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it!).
Omiru had the opportunity to ask Shelli-Anne–an award winning journalist herself–a few questions about organizing such a massive event.
How did you start your business?
In a one-bedroom apartment in Hollywood with the grand total of one laptop, two phones, one fat contact book and a lot of chutzpah!
What did you have to do to get started?
Operationally,
we just bought items (ie: a printer, another computer as we could
afford them). Strategically, we solidified our film premiere event
production stable while nurturing a fashion idea (that was to become
the global brand of Billion Dollar Babes).
What are some challenges you face as a fashion event organizer?
That
common sense is underated. Seriously. People put square pegs in round
holes all the time! Also, people are never on time.
What’s a day in the life of a fashion event organizer like?
Liaising
between the fashion client and the media, setting up interviews pre- and
post- runway show, and setting up shoots of the collections.
What do you do to satisfy your clients?
It’s
all about setting and maintaining expectations. When a fashion client
signs on and part of the wishlist is two celebs wearing their clothes
per month and one fashion cover, then by golly, you have to achieve that.
Would you say fashion event organizers wear multiple hats? If so, what are they?
Oh golly, yes. You’re the creative director, publicist, nursemaid, best friend, disciplinarian, and accountant.
How much can one expect to earn as a fashion event organizer?
The sky’s the limit. Some events cost upwards of $500,000 to produce and you’re earning 20 percent of that.
Do some fashion event organizers get paid more?
Absolutely. Why? They’re better! Their client liaison skills meet their creativity
and execution skills, all within the fiscal parameters. They bring an
event in on budget, on time and it looks wondrous.
The Billion Dollar Babes San Francisco sale will run 8am-6pm on Saturday, April 8 at Dogpatch Studios. Everyone is welcome to attend but guests must RSVP online at www.billiondollarbabes.com.
Posted by Melody on March 27th, 2006 in Designer Profiles, Features, News |
Issue XXXIII 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’re all about Neutrals (remember the Spring 06 collections?) and shoes.
For women:
Wedge sandals are In for Spring!
Versatile sporty chic!
Posted by Trisha on March 24th, 2006 in Friday Fashion Hotlist, Men, Trend, Women |
Whether you’re going out to sea or just going out to see a friend, we’ve got a nautical inspired outfit handpicked just for you!
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."
Posted by Advertising on March 23rd, 2006 in Advertising |
Pop psychology tells us that shoes define the man, so don’t be afraid to spend a pretty penny on a pair of dress shoes. And when purchasing the perfect pair, think “slim.â€
Yes, gentlemen, long gone are the days of those platform-like clunky shoes you wear with a suit. To go along with the European-style chic of Western fashion, men should avoid the severe square toe. Instead, opt for the more slender and subtle square tipped footwear. But no matter what you choose, be sure that it defines you.
Kenneth Cole New York Pay Day Oxfords | $141 at Bluefly.com
Prada Patent Leather Oxfords | $396 at Bluefly.com
Salvatore Ferragamo Lerwick Square-Toe Lace-up | $445 at Neiman Marcus
Gucci Lace-up | $495 at Bergdorf Goodman
Posted by Dino on March 23rd, 2006 in Men, Shopping Guide, Trend |
One might think that a designer whose line is sold in
the celebrity-magnet boutique Kitson might be a bit of a diva, but Andi
Ballard of Rebel Yell is as down-to-earth as they come. Even despite
her living in the crazy city of Los Angeles, the Virginia-born Ballard
admits to being a bit of a homebody and doesn’t get star struck by her
celebrity clientele. Omiru got a chance to chat with Andi while she was
sitting through LA traffic.
How and when did your interest in fashion design start?
This
is going to sound so corny, but I knew what I wanted to do my whole
life. I would make clothes for myself, and they looked so ghetto
because I’d make them out of towel and whatever I could find around the
house. It was quite a spectacle. I graduated from high school at 16 so
I could start my fashion thing quicker, and I went to FIT in NY. I
graduated from college at 18, and I worked various design jobs in NY
for about 4 years.
What makes your collection unique?
Every
designer is going to interpret something differently. So I would say
that the uniqueness is mainly the way I see things and the way I decide
to interpret them. I love bold colors, I love really really simple
clean graphics, really simple easy clothes.
What are you inspired by?
I
am primarily inspired by anything and everything vintage. But I am also
inspired by what I want to wear. I love vintage clothes, but I steer
away from them because I just feel like a haggard when I wear them.
However, my love of vintage shows in the details I add into Rebel
Yell. I try to make Rebel Yell clothes more updated. It just makes a
woman feel better about wearing vintage.
Do you follow trends?
I follow fashion because
I’m a girl and I shop like crazy. In that sense I know what’s going on
trendwise, and I also know when I want something and it doesn’t exist.
It’s very helpful when you’re a designer because you can then design
it. But do I follow trends? No. My previous experience as a designer
when I was in New York was all about using the trend books to do all
the forecasting. A few of my bosses actually told me ‘You cannot do
your original design. You have to knock off blah blah blah.’ And so now
that I have my own company, I definitely made a conscious decision to
not follow trends.
Can you describe what pieces are in your collection and who wears your collection?
The
pieces in my collection are causal, mainly made out of cotton:
T-shirts, different types of cute sexy tops for women, and hoodies. We
have really cute coordinating hoodies with sweatpants that are coming
out. It’s mainly a casualwear collection. But it’s definitely for
someone with style. I don’t really want to see it on people that just
wear what’s on the mannequin. I want someone with their own personal
judgment.
If you were to design a new product line to add to your current business, what would it be?
I
am dying to get into sweaters and into underwear. I’m itching to do
that, and that’s the next step. I just want really cute … the problem
is that companies put out really fun and cute stuff, but it feels
cheap. On the other hand, a company can put out really good quality
stuff but it’s so boring and typical. I want to do a hybrid.
How has your style evolved over time?
It
doesn’t really. It kind of stayed the same. I’m super t-shirt and
jeans. Six-and-a-half days a week, I’m wearing a t-shirt and jeans.
Do you care about what you wear?
Well,
I don’t have time to think about what I wear, and that’s part of what
Rebel Yell is too. It should be something that doesn’t take too much
thought. You throw it on and feel good about how you look.
What’s
your definition of style?
I
think everybody can have style if they want to, but I think there’s a
lot of people that don’t right now. I would define style as when
someone puts an outfit together and it looks good even if it’s not
something that you would necessarily put together. Style is when you
look at the outfit on them and it matches their personality.
If your house was burning down, and you could only keep one thing in your closet, what would you keep?
Ok, am I naked when my house is burning down or am I fully clothed?
That’s a very good question. I think you’re naked.
A
bath robe (laughs). I don’t know if I’m naked. I would say because I’m
such a simple girl, and I’m always in a t-shirt and jeans, I would grab
my Mr. T gold chain. It jazzes up any outfit I’m wearing.
What does Rebel Yell mean?
It just popped into my head. My favorite rollercoaster as a kid was called Rebel Yell [in Virginia]. It fit.
I noticed you did your Spring launch party at Kitson in LA. How did you go about making that happen?
We’ve
just gotten great support from very successful and talented people and
[Kitson owner] Fraser [Ross] is one of them. He’s one of our biggest
supporters. We were having lunch with him one day, and he suggested the
idea of a party. It’s something we had been thinking about too, so it
just made sense.
What stores is Rebel Yell in?
Kitson, Lounge, Intermix. We’re in all the boutiques I’ve ever wanted to be in.
Do you have a website?
We don’t. We’re
debating about whether or not to do one. I think we will eventually, but
I don’t know. Something about having a website weirds me out. I feel
like all of a sudden there’s no mystery left if people know too much
about Rebel Yell.
Like what you see? Shop for Rebel Yell gear at Kitson!
Posted by Melody on March 22nd, 2006 in Designer Profiles, Features, Men, Women |
Question of the moment–are Hobo Bags In or Out? Weigh in on our oh-so-amusing poll!
And in case you haven’t gotten enough of them, here’s our picks for the best Structured Hobo Bags, sorted with love just for You by price point! Yeah, we’re really feeling the Bag thing this week.
Our Blow-the-Bank Pick:
Prada Brown Lock Hobo | $1,180 at Bluefly
Our Splurge Pick:
Lolli Mud Flap Bag byReincarnation | $495 at Shopbop
Our Cheap Chic Pick:
Merona Hobo Bag | $19.99 at Target
Posted by Trisha on March 21st, 2006 in Shopping Guide, Women |
For better or for worse, fur seems to be everywhere these days–from the runways of the Fall 06 shows to the closets of celebrities. Be careful how you wear it– Go Fug Yourself called actor Erik Balfour out for sporting a feminine fur-trim coat. Rest assured, we wouldn’t want you to compromise your manliness, and to that end, we’ve got a few picks that will take you from the urban jungle to the rugged outdoors.
Fur was spotted at Kenneth Cole’s Fall 2006 show. Photo Credit: NY Metro
Victorinox “Novgorod†Down Parka | $550 at Nordstrom
Tommy Hilfiger “Hopkins†Down Jacket | $131.99 (sale) at Macy’s
Theory Pine Convertible "Kerovac" Mid-length Parka | $393.99 (sale) at Bluefly
Posted by Melody on March 21st, 2006 in Men, Trendscape |
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