New York Fashion Week is officially packin’ up and moving up the island after sixteen years of being held in the iconic Bryant Park tents. Last week I was lucky enough to attend one of the final shows at the beloved location, which was a bittersweet experience for many people. Although we will miss the chaos that swirls around the Bryant Park fountain, there are plenty of reasons to embrace the change and new home in Damrosch Park at the Lincoln Center. Designer Donna Karan, who was the first designer ever to have a runway show in Bryant Park, points out “When you think of Lincoln Center, you think of the arts, the music, the dance and the opera, so I think being there will elevate and celebrate fashion as an art.” Even with the change in scenery, New York Fashion Week will continue to be in-tents (badum tish).
It’s been awhile since a male figure skater has become a household name. Thankfully we have the fabulous Johnny Weir to indulge us with his superior ice skills and sequined glory. The three-time U.S. National Champion and World Bronze Medalist has been popping up on style blogs everywhere as a result of his fur costume controversy with PETA. Furry mess aside, the boy is adored by millions. How could you not love an athlete that shares makeup tips and skates like a maniac to Lady Gaga? If you haven’t seen his Poker Face performance yet, do it now. It will blow your mind FOR REALS.
Oh, and have you seen him in this custom knit unitard by Rodarte? Oh mah gawd.
Weir isn’t the only male figure skating getting some attention in the fashion world. Evan Lysacek has worn costumes custom made by designer Vera Wang, a former figure skate herself. Kinda looks like James bond on ice. Mmm… nice.
Watch these beautiful men (and their sparkly outfits) compete for the gold at the 2010 Winter Olympics tonight and Thursday night on NBC.
UPDATE: Gawker has just posted a video of Johnny Weir’s performance during the mens short program competition tonight. Fierce, of course. Check it out here.
Attention booty shakers: American Apparel, widely known for their provocative advertising, is holding “The Search for the Best Bottom in the World”. (Warning: link contains beaucoup de bare derriere)
The contest asks young ladies to “send in a close-up photo of your backside wearing American Apparel panties, bodysuits, or briefs.” Nice marketing trick, American Apparel. And what do you get? ”Two winners – selected by American Apparel judges – will be eligible to be our next butt model. The top ten contestants, as voted on by the public, will receive a grab bag of American Apparel items valued at $300.”
What’s that? You are being compensated for having your rear end exposed and criticized by thousands of strangers with a “grab bag” of items valued at $300? Let’s hope this includes some kind of garment to cover your proud backside.
Guess what, American Apparel? We found the perfect judge for your contest. He likes big butts and he can not lie!
** Editor’s note: I don’t actually support submitting pictures of your rump on the internet, but I do support being proud of what your Mama gave ‘ya. Keep it classy, folks.
Nothing is more terrifying than a bride on a mission. Every year thousands of bloodthirsty brides-to-be wait outside the doors of Filene’s Basement for the infamous “Running of the Brides”. The result is typically a stampede of bachelorettes and sidekick mothers ready to fight at all costs for the perfect wedding gown. This vicious tradition was started in 1947 at the Filene’s Basement store in downtown Boston and has since become a yearly tradition beloved by the media for its utter pandemonium. In case you’re wondering why any woman would subject herself to such torture, you probably haven’t had to cough up the money for a decent wedding dress. Gowns normally priced from $900-$9000 are discounted to $249-$699, and most dresses disappear off the rack in a matter of minutes. We’ve put together some helpful tips to put you ahead of the race:
1.) Wear comfortable running shoes.
2.) Listen “Eye of the Tiger” on repeat while you wait.
3). Brush up on your kickboxing moves.
4.) Practice trying on dresses until you can do it in 30 seconds or less.
5.) Find someone to marry.
Think you got what it takes? The first event kicks off at the Filene’s Basement location in Union Square this Friday. You can find the schedule for other major cities here. Let the force be with you.
Last week Dame Vivienne Westwood showed her Fall 2010 Menswear Collection in Milan that was styled to look like a scene off the streets, from cardboard on the catwalk to disheveled models with frosted hair (more pics here). To top it off, the designer herself was wheeled out in a paramedic stretcher at the end of the show. Since then the feisty Brit has been getting some serious backlash from critics about the shabby spectacle, as well as its odd resemblance to Zoolander. Writer Hadley Freeman stated bluntly, “It’s not only tasteless, it’s unoriginal.”
In case you forgot or, god forbid, didn’t see this classic Ben Stiller flick, clueless male model Derek Zoolander (Stiller) is duped into walking in malicious fashion designer Mugatu’s (Will Ferrell) homeless-styled fashion show entitled “Derelicte.” Mugatu described his creation this way: “It is a fashion, a way of life inspired by the very homeless, the vagrants, the crack whores that make this wonderful city so unique.”
Some critics are shocked that years later a big designer like Westwood would use such a cheap gimmick, but we wouldn’t write her off quite yet. The designer has noted that the show was inspired by a friend who works for a homeless charity, and one press release stated, “…Westwood found inspiration in the roving vagrant whose daily get-up is a battle gear for the harsh weather conditions . . .” Hm, sounds kind of familiar.
So what do you think…thought provoking? disgusting? humorous? The show can be all at the same time, which is probably the way the Dame herself would want it to be. Fashion isn’t supposed to be too serious. But do you know what is serious? Kids who can’t read. That’s why we need The Derek Zoolander Center For Kids WhoCan’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too.
Although fashion can be a merciless industry, many designers and companies are showing their more compassionate sides by making an effort to aid earthquake survivors in Haiti. Here are some ways you can help those who have lost nearly everything:
You can help donate money by purchasing goods from CafePress’ Haiti Relief Effort Shop. Items by the community of artists include shirts (like the one shown above by Shepard Fairey’s Studio Number One), water bottles, aprons, and reusable tote bags. Proceeds from the shop benefit the U.S. Fund for Unicef.
Michael Kors is just one of many designers who are donating clothing to Fashion Delivers, and you can get involved, too! This charitable foundation distributes excess clothing to those in need, and now they are working harder than ever to bring apparel from generous designers to the people of Haiti. Even if you don’t have a warehouse of clothes to donate, you can make a monetary donation by sending a check to:
Fashion Delivers
112 West 34th St., #1133
New York, NY 10120
Make your check out to “Fashion Delivers Charitable Foundation, Inc.” or donate to the organization online at JustGive.org.
For more ways to help, please visit RedCross.org. Merci beaucoup!!!
Gentlemen, start your engines. The so-called sexiest evening of television will take place this Tuesday night (December 1st) with the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show. We all know the drill: supermodels wearing skimpy costumes, over-the-top sets, pop mega bands performing on the catwalk. This year seems to be no exception. Expect ingeniously crafted “angel” wings, performances from The Black Eyed Peas, and an appearance by the $3 million Harlequin Fantasy Bra created by Italian jeweler Damiani. So where did all this steamy-hot publicity madness begin?
San Francisco, 1977. Two male Stanford Graduate School of Business grads start the Victoria’s Secret brand after embarrassment from buying lingerie for their ladies from department stores (um, awkward). Fast-forward to the 90’s. The once male-focused naughty shopping outlet had become the largest American lingerie retailer. In 1995, Victoria’s Secret premiered their first fashion show, which has been making teen boys happy and the FCC very unhappy ever since. Tune into CBS this Tuesday at 10 p.m. to see what new fashion (or lack thereof) they will be presenting this year.
Jean Paul Gaultier has announced that he will be the next A-list designer to grace the aisles of Target (pronounced Tar-Jay of course). And who might be the inspiration for Gaultier’s collection? None other than her Madgesty Madonna. Pointy-bra tops, leotards, overalls, mesh crop tops, corsets — all the things that material girls want but can’t pay more than Target prices for.
“Jean Paul Gaultier for Target pays tribute to the American woman, celebrating the forces of style both past and present in American pop culture,” the retailer said.
Sounds good, ’cause only boys who save our pennies make our rainy day. Mark your calenders: available March 7-April 11.
* Picture above from the Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2010 runway show
The modern day Cinderella and her BFF Fairy Godmother have reached a whole new level in 2009. Introducing Le Rituel, a deliciously indulgent collaboration brought to you by the shoe guru Christian Louboutin and the French champagne house Piper Heidsieck. You can purchase a red-soled Louboutin glass stiletto along with your bottle of bubbly in honor of the 19th century French tradition of drinking champagne from a woman’s shoe (mmm, tasty). It will be sure to make all wicked step-sisters jealous, although we can’t guarantee it will get you out of housework.Availablefor a limited time from Colette starting October 26th.
Just make sure to finish your glass before the carriage turns back into a pumpkin, k?
Rio de Janeiro is officially the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games after an International Olympic Committee vote in Copenhagen. Residents of South America’s largest country often claim that God is Brazilian and, if you believe the propaganda, the 2016 Rio Olympics will be nothing short of heavenly.
In honor of the occasion, let’s take a look at some victorious looks from the past. The Beijing 2008 games were showcase to a new era of designer-made uniforms including this preppy Ralph Lauren ensemble made for the US teams:
These Polish athletes were looking chic at the opening ceremonies in flowing red dresses with matching peep-toe shoes and bags:
Perhaps China deserves a gold medal for managing to find a red blazer big enough to fit the towering basketball star Yao Ming:
But no one could look cooler and more patriotic than Mary Lou Retton in her American flag leotard during the 1984 Olympic games where she put the US gymnastic team on the map:
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Feb 21 2010
