If you are man enough to admit your love for clothes and textile innovation, then your testosterone is going to hit a natural high because today marks the first day of MAGIC. Standing for Men’s Apparel Guild in California. The three-day event  happens to be the biggest men’s apparel trade event in the U.S.

FUN HISTORY FROM SEASON’S PAST:

1938: American giant, Levi Strauss & Co., registers its cloth pocket tag – two intersecting arcs and a cloth label – as its trademark look that will affect denim history in the decades to come.

1955: James Dean’s Rebel Without a Cause launches a denim craze with teens nationwide. Jeans have made an indelible mark on fashion and are now a cross-generational wardrobe staple.

1972: Ralph Lauren introduces the iconic Polo shirt. Men, seemingly summoned by the polo-playing emblem, snap up the sporty shirt in an array of colors. The trend becomes a staple by the early 1980s

1975: Pant legs flare as men and women everywhere ‘dig’ a new style: bell-bottoms.

1980s: As long and layered, teased, or Mohawk become the new ‘rad’ hairdos for men, designers such as Anne Klein, Vivian Westwood, Moschino and John Galliano take on men’s fashion with power suits inspired by conservative preppies of this generation.

The exhibition represents every major category in the men’s apparel industry- designer, contemporary, casual, streetwear, active sporting wear, accessories, young men’s, and kids- offering MAGIC buyers an all-encompassing shopping experience. Over the years, MAGIC has evolved into the dominant buying event in the men’s apparel industry. So if you can handle jaw-dropping brand lists, fashion shows galore, celebrity DJ’s and scenester events- then keep up with all the action at the MAGIC site.

This years’ show is seeing a complete makeover of its menswear hall – Menswear at MAGIC. Along with a bevy of hot new brands at S.L.A.T.E. and Street, this is going to be one unforgettable season. Designers coming back for more include: Liberty of London, Nicole Farhi, Sand, Porter, Globe Trotter, DKNY Men’s, Martin Gordon, Nautica, etc. Needless to say, once Spring has sprung in 2010, we will have some extraordinarily well-dressed men surrounding us.

Comments (0) Aug 31 2009

There has always been a certain mystique behind Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine for 20 years and alleged inspiration for The Devil Wears Prada.  Having the power to change fashion at the snap of a finger is rather intimidating to most, so it’s no surprise that she is feared as much as she is revered. But underneath that stoic exterior of round sunglasses and signature coiffure is a strong woman who has worked and fought to be where she is today.  Filmmaker R.J. Cutler’s new film The September Issue is an in-depth look at the life of Anna Wintour and the inner workings of producing an issue of Vogue Magazine. The film is sure to be chock full of grandiose fashion, exotic locations, and some ice cold bitchy one-liners. Whew, I’m getting chills already.

The September Issue hits theaters in New York on August 28 and select cities on September 11. Check out the trailer below.

Comments (0) Aug 27 2009

She weighs three apples. Her favorite word is friendship. She excels at making cookies. UNICEF awarded Ms. Kitty the exclusive title of UNICEF Special Friend of Children. From gracing our school supplies to fun fashion accessories, the style icon turns 35 and she is more fashion forward than ever.. “Born” in Japan on November 1, 1974, Kitty White is celebrating her birthday in high style by teaming up with an impressive roster of brands.

Sneaker brand Asics has created two special versions of its women’s Asics Gel-Lyte III — one in black and gold and the other in red and white. 
Dubbed the “Casino,” the black and gold version was designed exclusively for Sanrio Luxe, Sanrio’s flagship store in New York City’s Time Square. Both editions will retail for $145 a pair with the first shipment available to the public in mid-Sept.

誕生日おめでとう!

Comments (0) Aug 26 2009

Parlez vous français? Sprechen Sie Deutsch? No worries, the international language of fashion is spoken fluently in the newly released Tarantino film. The two leading sirens, Bridget von Hammersmark and Shoshanna Dreyfus dress like femme fatales with a vengeance. Costume designer Anna B. Sheppard gets two thumbs up with the jaw dropping gowns that grace the silver screen. Go be your own critic of the wunderbar outfits… in theaters nationwide.

Comments (0) Aug 24 2009

If you are one of those girls who secretly wish the boy sitting next to her in class would sprout fangs and do sexy vampire things, perhaps you should try spreading some secret venom across those tasty lips.  The cosmetic marketing geniuses at DuWop have created a very limited and very coveted Twilight themed version of their best-selling lip venom product. Lip Venom V is a devilish mixture of lip stain and plumper to get those puckers to their maximum level of vamp-ness.  According to the brand’s website, “This product should be shaken before use to represent the blending of the human and vampire worlds.” Unfortunately for all you lip-plumping fangirls, the product is very difficult to obtain due to an overwhelming demand.  If you are lucky enough to get your hands on this vampire magnet, you can try wetting your whistle with some Tru Blood beverage. Mmm, tasty.

Comments (0) Aug 22 2009

There’s a lot to love about luxury Italian brand Blumarine’s fall 2009/winter 2010 ad campaign.  Photographer Patrick Demarchelier shoots Lithuanian beauty Edita Vilkeviciute with a striking resemblance to Richard Avedon’s jumping shots of supermodel Veruschka from the 1960’s.  Vilkeviciute nails the sixties vibe with big hair, chunky jewelry, a bright mini dress, and crystal-studded stilettos. What’s not to love?

Comments (0) Aug 21 2009

If you find yourself filthy rich with more money than you know what to do with… get nostalgic and buy a grown up version of one of your favorite childhood past times.  How many people do you know have a customized fashion paper doll? (In a time of economic turmoil, hopefully the answer is not many) Available exclusively for Neiman Marcus InCircle members, customers are interviewed and asked to answer a brief style questionnaire. The feedback provides inspiration for artisan Larry Leathers, who creates whimsical colored-paper sculpture portraits. Playing with dolls just got mature.

Comments (0) Aug 21 2009

August 20, 1989: 1st episode of Saved by the Bell aired on NBC. Time to grab a burger at The Max to celebrate:

How disappointed everyone must have been when high school finally arrived and the students weren’t covered in head to toe in acid-washed jeans, hair sprayed mullets, and neon leotards. Apparently most people did not have a personal relationship with their principal and hung out at The Max religiously after school. Despite being out of touch of reality, the show was a winner with absent minded adolescents and teens. Recently NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon launched a campaign to get the cast to have a Saved by the Bell reunion. Fans can sign the online petition and pledge their support for the cast to reunite on the show. So pick a nickname (bubba, creep, preppy, macho pig) and  get in the Tiger spirit, because the popular TV show is back for your nostalgic viewing pleasure. Go Bayside!

Comments (0) Aug 20 2009

The shakes and night sweats you’ve been experiencing for the past ten months are perfectly normal. The feelings of withdrawal from the Project Runway hiatus has finally come to an end. Season 6 premiers August 20, which means Heidi, Tim, Michael and Nina will be back in our living rooms to make fashion prime time again.

The successful reality show has given fame and fortune to undiscovered artists. In fact, so talented, the alumni have gone on to bigger and better things. So, what in the world are seasons’ past winners doing with their gift of design? Here is a quick rundown on where our past (and present) obsessions have been when they aren’t gracing our televisions:

Season 1 winner, Jay McCarroll: Jay launched his own blog and designer fashion boutique, The Colony by Jay McCarroll. He also teaches at Philadelphia University and has a fashion line on QVC. Check out his quirky fabric designs and men’s wear featured on his website:

Season 2 winner, Chloe Dao: In March 2008, she launched her Dao Chloe Dao wholesale line with showrooms in New York and Dallas.  Her collection is available nationwide and online through www.lot8online.com.

Season 3 winner, Jeffrey Sebelia: Pre-PW, Sebelia worked for the innovative and pricey Cosa Nostra line. He continues his work there, but also added a more affordable branch: Good Vig, with its softer edges, lower price points and more wearable aesthetic:

Season 4 winner, Christian Siriano: The youngest winner, had his entire Fall 2009 collection picked up by Saks Fifth Avenue. Along with the collection pictured below, he started a maternity line called “Fierce Mamas.”

Season 5 winner, Leanne Marshall: The Leanne Marshall line can be purchased from Bluefly.com. Her current line is inspired by the repetitive skyline,  of her new home base NYC, and the fantasy of glamour that one has when moving to a big metropolis:

This season is seeing a few subtle changes: it is based in Los Angeles, not NYC, and will now be on Lifetime. Expect appearances from guest judges such as Nicole Kidman, Christina Aguilera, Eva Longoria Parker, and Lindsay Lohan. Whatever happens happens… just make it work.

Tune in to an all-star challenge followed by the premiere of season 6, beginning at 8pm ET on Lifetime.

Comments (0) Aug 17 2009

Little girls are predisposed to wait for a knight in shining armor to sweep them off their feet.  Although you can’t find many gentleman soldiers in shiny chainmail these days, there are a few look-a-likes on the runways.  The tailoring experts at OntFront have made some shiny looks for their “Tonight is the Knight” runway show for Spring/Summer 2010.  The male models sported masculine pieces with angular details mixed with metallic face paint and gloved armour. You may not be able to find a true knight in shining armour, but at least you can find a man in a well-tailored blazer (note: chivalry not included).

Let’s take a look at this collection next to some other famous knights.

A Knight’s Tale

The Knights of Round Table

Knight Rider?

Comments (0) Aug 16 2009