Jovovich-Hawk for Target: Coming March 2

Here are some of the best looks from their sweet western-bohemian themed collection. Is it the best Go! International collaboration yet? You tell me. J-H's stuff is ALL pretty cute and wearable, and it appears the most expensive piece is still under $40. (Peek at all 21 looks w/prices here.)
I can't wait to see how they actually fit.
(Click image for larger version)

Goth Suits Fetherston's Girls

Erin Fetherston's designs are always a little bit Miss Muffet, and her fall collection definitely didn't lack that (kind of tired) silhouette. However, this time she threw in a little Mary-Kate and a dash of Miss Havisham to mix it up, bringing a darker edge to her girly-girl charm.
Like most of the fall collections thus far, it was chock full of black fabric, but the dashes of color illuminating her surreal floral print dresses were stunning. She also did a lot of gothy maxi-length dresses, which haven't been seen for fall in ages. It was as refreshing as her final ghostly creations were eerie. Can Target give her a do-over?
I don't know what this says about me, but I'd be happy to call either of these two a wedding dress, if for nothing else but to wander the attic in them scaring children:

Erin Fetherston's finishing touches.
(Photos: Marcio Madeira, Style.com)

Washed In Black

The early 90's are coming back into vogue this year, and not only in the way of spring's neon, paint splats and awkward silhouettes.
Grunge reared it's head on the fall '08 runway at Alexander Wang, who updated it by taking a lot (but of course not all) the slob out of the look: he paired looser-fitting tops with slim pants, short shorts and minis, and kept the layering within reason. Maybe not for the office (unless your office is really cool), but fierce for after hours.
Key assets: Black and more black, loose tops, fitted bottoms, exposed center zippers, a stocking cap.

Alexander Wang's grunge vixens, as styled by model Erin Wasson.
(Photos: Marcio Madeira, Style.com)

It's The Bomb

I had this big idea before the holidays to go out and get trashed with some girl friends, then have each girl test out a Lush bath bomb that claimed to soothe hangovers the next day. Well, the nice people at Lush sent over a few of their seasonal Jingle Spells bombs, and of course, I never got down to the project in time.
Last night I felt a little nauseous for undisclosed reasons (okay, maybe PMS) and I decided to break out the bomb before subjecting myself to Pepto Bismol. Maybe it was the placebo effect, but the damn thing really helped.

Scent: Light, fresh, natural
Color: Fun, and I think in some weird way, theraputic
Mess: Not bad- little star confetti on the bottom of the tub wiped off easily. And it was relaxing to watch tiny little stars swirling in the bath.
Effect: The bomb is full of moisturizing natural oils, so it didn't irritate my sensitive skin.

Jingle Spells are pretty much gone until next winter, but if you're looking for a Valentine's Gift, check out Lush's latest variety of bombs. V-day gifts should be indulgent, and spending $5 or $6 on a single bath's worth of pleasure is just that. Oh, and I made a little video if you want to see the bomb in action:

Update

Semi Precious Weapons show at the R Bar Saturday - CANCELLED. Just FYI.

From Subway Trash to Fashion Accessory

This is probably the cheapest item with a Gucci label (north of Canal Street) that you'll ever see in Manhattan: your coffee cup.
In honor of their new flagship store on 5th Ave the company is distributing paper cups printed with the "Gucci Hearts NY" logo to 150 coffee carts between Third and Sixth Avenues from 42nd to 59th Street on Monday.
I'm dying to see what a used Gucci coffee cup goes for on eBay in the days following. A smart vendor will totally stash them and sell them clean to really, really dumb label whores.

Blogger Bias?

Today's New York Times contained an article called "Beauty Bloggers Come of Age: Swag, Please!" which has caused a minor uproar with pr folks and bloggers alike.
Just wanted to add a little comment from my perspective, as this blog from time to time contains reviews of products:
Yes! I totally get free samples from companies. It's fun to get to try things without commitment and figure out what rocks and sucks without opening my wallet, and in turn help you spend your money wisely.
I tend to post on the extremes-- the products I adore, and in the odd case, one that is completely heinous. Mediocre reviews only get posted when the product is so hyped I feel the need to weigh in. But in most cases, the merely "okay" items go unmentioned, tossed in the trash or given away after I test them. And to be honest, more go in that direction than not. My time is valuable, so why waste it (and my readers') featuring something not worth hearing about?
Companies take a risk when they send me something, because I can say whatever I want, or nothing at all. They know that, and it's their choice.
I started doing my own reviews because of the obvious bias of ad-reliant magazines - I wanted people to have a source they could actually trust. At the time, I felt I didn't have one despite my stack of subscriptions.
Because my site doesn't benefit or bomb from how pleased a company is, but from how useful or useless I am to you readers, I have the freedom to tell you the unedited, insensitive truth. I plan to keep it that way.

Fashion and Rock in NYC This Weekend

Kate Moss last week in London with Justin Tranter of Semi-Precious Weapons (Photo: UK Vogue)

In case anyone cares, here's the schedule for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which starts tomorrow and ends Feb. 8th in New York City. I'll be updating you with highlights from the cool ones as they happen.
I'll also be in town this weekend at the R Bar at 218 Bowery Saturday night for a different kind of fashionable event. Kate Moss' new favorite band, the Semi-Precious Weapons, happen to be playing with The Information (the frontman of which is the Pete to my Kate.)
Rumor has it someone famous is announcing the bands... like an old-school New York rocker. Debbie? David? Who knows.
If you get kicked out of the tents Saturday night for blowing a rail off Rachel Zoe's collar bone, come by.

Sevigny Writes for Elle U.K.

Actress Chloe Sevigny- who once modeled for Miu Miu, worked with Imitation of Christ and most recently designed a line for downtown New York/L.A. shop Opening Ceremony- is going to have a column in Elle U.K. Which I definitely won't read more than once merely to mock.
Every time I read an interview with this girl I want to break glass. The media hails her as a daring fashion rebel and an indie queen and I'm sorry, but all I see is a yuppie in contrived hipster's clothing who likes to slum it for the appearance of having real creative weirdo cred.
And she gets to dole out fashion advice now?
"Only crazy people wear animal print," I recall her once saying.
Can't wait to hear what else wouldn't fly in Connecticut.

(Photo: WireImage)

Bebe Girl

Two pieces from Tara Subkoff for Bebe.

Tara Subkoff, 90s indie actress and co-founder of the off-kilter vintage-fabulous label Imitation of Christ (still one of the hippest label names I've ever heard, with my long ago classmates' label Vena Cava a close second) has put together a 12-piece collection for Bebe. It's 40's-meets-80's, wisely wearable and rocks a heart theme palatable to the all-out girly, mall-crawling Bebe customer. Everything will cost less than $150 (dresses and pants the most) and things like tops will go for under $100. It hits stores in early February, in time for V-day.
Subkoff has done the whole capsule collection thing before, with her line for Easy Spirit.

Man Style '08

In the trench at Costume National (Photo: Don Ashby)

According to Style.com, the sweetest things for guys to rock in '08 are:

- trenches in anything but camel/tan
- colored shoes
- sweater vests
- broken-in jeans
- rolled-up pants
- dressing like a skinhead (Docs, suspenders)
- large watches
- collared polo shirts
- jackets with brass buttons
- linen houndstooth
- pomaded parted 60's dad hair
- a classic briefcase

In short: We're talking a cross between the asshole guy you're s'posed to hate in any 80's movie, half the cast of "Prison Break", and your grandfather both "back in the day" and retired in Boca. Talk about a shit medley!
My take-aways: Go with the splash of color on your feet (check out the shoes on Topman.com), the classic trench, the polo (collars DOWN) and and the ever-cute sweater vest. And maybe even the briefcase, as long as you really have a job and it's not just full of empty pot bags you're afraid to throw away.

My Teddy's Name is Uncle Karl

German stuffed animal company Steiff is said to be producing a teddy bear version of iconic fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld (he of the gloves and the fans and the dark glasses that never come off.) This is a sketch of the bear, which does not look to have one of the key Lagerfeld attributes - a long white ponytail. Seriously, if you're going to turn gay men into children's toys, why skimp on the fun stuff?
No word on how much a Lagerfeld bear will go for, but it's safe to assume it'll be a rather costly gag gift.

Lash Power: Teeny Little Super Brush

I was skeptical when I first opened Clinique's NEW Lash Power mascara. The brush is so little! But what its size proved to offer was a precision beyond that of any mascara I've tried.
To put it in perspective: I NEVER do my bottom lashes, as it never fails to result in clumps and wand marks under my eye that need to be corrected. Lash power singled out each of these tiny lashes and coated them evenly, root to tip, without a flub, despite my unsteady hand.
Staying power: It claims 24-hour wear, and it's actually true. It managed to stay put flawlessly through too many margaritas, forgetful eye rubbing, a good night's sleep, eyes watering in 28 degree wind, and my overactive oil glands (thanks, Dad.) Originally created for the steamy climates of Asia, it held up remarkably against the perils of a northeastern U.S. winter.
Easy-off: Comes off with one cotton ball soaked in very warm water. (Handy when you forget your eye makeup remover at home.)
Soft texture: My eyelashes felt bare, but looked bold and really long. It wouldn't even crumble off into "mascara soot" when rubbed.
Notion seconded: A bff and fellow product junkie Erin gave it a shot and loved it so much I handed mine over to her. Her lashes looked amazing, like long, delicate fans.

Lash Power will be on the U.S. market in February (though it is on the Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom websites now), part of Clinique's Nude Blush Spring 2008 line (which FYI contains a lot of understated rose, peach and gold-ish shades. NARS collection is doing similar shades, so it looks like nude is going to be the look of spring! Pretty.)

At $14 it's a bargain for the level of quality. I'll be picking up another one myself.

How to Get a Counterfeit Bag in NYC

There were no entries for a few days, I know. I was in New York City for a little vaca with a girl friend, and shopped so hard I'm practically limping today.
Part of the shopping excursion took us through SoHo and down Broadway, where I learned the new art of finding a knock-off designer bag now that the fuzz has cracked down on the little Canal Street cubby holes that used to hawk them. I'll give it to you step by step:
1.) Walk down Broadway starting at about Broome or Grand Street and heading towards Canal, or just walk Canal Street through Chinatown.
2.) There will be several tiny Chinese ladies, many with a computer print out sheet showing pictures of the bags they are selling. All will be saying something to you like a ticket scalper "ChanelGucciPrada!" or something to that effect. Look at one and say "Okay."
3.) They will say "come with me," and lead you to the back of a van, or up or down stairs in a nearby building where you can get one of these bags.

Words of advice.
- Never go alone.
- In the van situation they will shut you into the van with them to shop. Try to have two people with you, one to get into the van with you and another to stand guard outside-- I feel like this is the perfect way to get kidnapped and sold into slavery somewhere. I saw two girls with their father do this. The father stood outside, and the Chinese lady yelled at him to stand away from the van so as not to look like he was waiting. I don't condone letting your children get into the backs of vans, but if you're gonna do it, at least stand outside with the licence plate number and the Amber Alert phone number on hand in case someone jumps in the front and hits the gas.
As for me, I'm happy with my knockoff Muse bag without the fake tag attached.

Rude Jewelry: update

Sweet! Remember when I posted that awesome "flying f*ck" necklace and said I was dying for a knockoff? Here it is. $39.99, baby. (Thanks to Liz. F. for the find!)

Galliano: A Reminder to Rock It

For the most part fashion week tends to be pretty "eh" -- so often just a blur of regurgitated cuts and inoffensive neutrals-- the large exception always being John Galliano for Dior.
Galliano is the one designer who will always, always remove you from reality to experience fashion as he does-- in grandiose terms. He only seems to prune back his wild ideas here and there, as gently and thoughtfully as if they were bonsai trees.
The designer himself is a work of art to boot, a shape-shifting Bowie of a man who could easily pass for a circus ringmaster, a pirate or Goldilocks on any given day.
Um, shyah, I know you and I will never wear any of these pieces in real life. (Can you imagine your friends trying to help you stuff your voluminous drunk ass into a cab at 3 a.m. in one of these things?) But take a look anyway. It's a nice reminder that fashion should always be more than function. It should be an extension of your mind, your imagination. You have the power to be whatever you want. And there are no rules.

One-Piece Wonder

Chanel's $5,000 jumpsuit

I absolutely love that the mainstream has been conditioned to loathe the trends of Spring 2008 (neon, high waists, etc.) Why? If you're getting on them early, you can hit Goodwill and eBay for the goods. Case in point: the jumpsuit.
Now, there aren't many body types that can't rock a jumpsuit, just maybe the very round. (But then again, what trends can you ever rock when you're shaped like a cherry tomato? Not many.)
The new, hot jumpsuit is indeed a 70's look, but not the denim onesie you wore to the hip hop club back in the early 90's, and not your Elvis halloween costume or collared halter. It's either strapless or short sleeved, and the legs are long and wide-- palazzo if you will.
Of course, none of your average catalogs and mall stores are carrying a jumpsuit right now. Victoria's Secret catalog does offer one acceptable style (NOT the terrycloth) but it definitely isn't dead-on. If you're ready and willing to brave the comments of male morons who don't "get it" your best bet for the time being is to find your local vintage or second hand store and start digging!

Kate Moss in the Chanel jumpsuit with sheer robe.

How to: Wear the jumpsuit with strappy heels, a belt, a free-floating coat or cape and volumized disco hair.

ANTM Cycle 10 Models REVEALED!

The season premiere is Wednesday, Feb. 20! And a sneak peek is up on the official site now. On looks alone, I love Lauren (who looks a little like model Kristen McMenamy) and Amis. I'm pretty sure former ANTM winner Dani came back and is calling herself Stacey-Ann? Maybe she didn't get her prize either.
Remember-- no Twiggy this season! We're stuck with this way less exciting model. Still, she's got to be better than Nikki Taylor.

Makeup, Panties, Chocolate and Booze...

These are a few of my favorite things!
In honor of their latest blush Thrrrob, Benefit Cosmetics is putting on a little party at Bloomingdale's from January 31 to February 2 (11 a.m. - 7 p.m. each day.)
If you're in Manhattan, L.A., Chicago or San Francisco on any of these days, head in for a free Thrrrob beauty makeover, Godiva chocolates and specialty cocktails by X-Rated Fusion Liqueur.
Thrrrob will be available for purchase at the event, as will the latest line from Hanky Panky lingerie.
Seriously-- a makeover, free cocktails and candy? You better have a really good excuse to pass this up. See you in SoHo.
(Click image to enlarge invitation.)

Like ANTM, Only With A Real Prize

Seung-hyun Kang (PHOTO: FWD)

New York-based Ford Models, which was the first giant agency in the biz but famously lost just about everyone cool to Elite back in the 80's, held a Supermodel of the World Contest. Yesterday they announced the winner, that average looking Korean chick up there, who nabbed a contract with the agency for $250K.
Seriously? Ford totally disses ANTM but how is Seung-hyun any better than Saleisha?!
No. Way.