Posts for July 2008

Chloe

Chloe Joan Shoulder Bag

This wonderful bag is color blocked and a hybrid of two popular handbag shapes.

This wonderful bag is color blocked and a hybrid of two popular handbag shapes. For that reason, the tonal Chloe Joan shoulder bag feels like a fresh design to us. In terms of the shape it's a mix between a bucket bag and a tote. It's a bucket bag in its cylindrical shape and cinched opening but tote-like in that the bottom of the bag has no perpendicular panel of leather. So it's bottomless bucket or some such thing. Anyway, we like it. We're also big fans of the color combination on the bag. We usually carry big, solid color bags and it can be inconvenient. Like, for instance, when your blouse is the same color it can give you a monochrome block-person look without warning. Having a bit of color on your handbag will help break up your look a bit. Net-a-Porter says the hardware is equestrian-inspired which didn't occur to us at first glance but they're right. Anything equestrian has long been across the board okay in Coutortureland, making this handbag next to perfect in our minds. Sigh, if only we didn't see the Forever 21 knock-off coming down the conveyor belt.

Victoria's Secret

Behati Prinsloo Plays "Rich Girl" for The Virgins

>> We've seen Behati Prinsloo in goofy videos for Victoria's Secret PINK, but she's temporarily traded in her silly college girl persona to bring out the seductress for The Virgins's "Rich Girls" video, which dropped online last night.  Behati filmed the video in early May at Lit in the East Village, and if there's one thing Victoria's Secret has taught her, it's how to work that lingerie (which is, ironically, Agent Provocateur).

>> We've seen Behati Prinsloo in goofy videos for Victoria's Secret PINK, but she's temporarily traded in her silly college girl persona to bring out the seductress for The Virgins's "Rich Girls" video, which dropped online last night.  Behati filmed the video in early May at Lit in the East Village, and if there's one thing Victoria's Secret has taught her, it's how to work that lingerie (which is, ironically, Agent Provocateur).

DIY

Unabashed Product Placement! DIY Tips!

If you want the goods in our The Sun Doesn't Care photo shoot you can have them at anywhere from zero to eight hundred dollars.

If you want the goods in our The Sun Doesn't Care photo shoot you can have them at anywhere from zero to eight hundred dollars. You can also have them for Resort 09. Yep, we're all over the map this week. Our spread below includes those current season goodies in our shoot courtesy of Shopbop--all will undoubtedly work for fall (heck, some of them are fall). From the pink sequin ombre frock to the elegant purple blouse, it's all up for grabs. As for the clothing in the shoot not shown in the spread below, well that's Pencey and we'll be bringing you the low-down on that line and the Resort collection later today.

Finally, anything randomly ombrized (oops, we just made up an awesome word) well, that's our styling skills with the help of e-commerce aficionado and former Anthropologie display coordinator, Stephanie Draves. From the chain and feather necklace, to the purple rope necklace, and its matching ascot necktie, it came from us--we dip dyed in our bathroom until the wee hours of the morning with the help of Ms. Draves. There's not too much DIY advice to give aside from making sure you don't splash your roommate's white towels with a giant orange ombre bow (soaking wet). We just hope that you take our interpretations as encouragement to embrace the sweltering weather, buddy up, and get wild with some drug store dye.

Beauty

Coutorture Community's Morning Must Reads 7/31

One of the greatest things about having such a large blog network is the wide and varied expertise of the bloggers.
One of the greatest things about having such a large blog network is the wide and varied expertise of the bloggers. Our Network Partners put their knowledge to good use in today's Must Read posts. Jewel History uncovers the real Dutchess behind the eponymous movie. It seems the real historical figure had quite the penchant for jewelry. A delightful Summer day is certainly something to celebrate. Times of Glory gets photo happy while relaxing in a London park. The lines between business, business casual, and casual can sometimes be blurry. Molly Cake offers comparisons between her real life outfits and a brand's idea of business casual. Which do you prefer? We've always appreciated a good hair accessory. Apparently, so has The Budget Fashionista, as they compare high & low headband finds. Can you tell the difference? The Daily Obsession pushes us into fall, with pre-fall selections. If you haven't decided what direction you're going in for Fall, the time to decide is now.
Diane Von Furstenberg

Fashion in 50 Seconds 7/31

Diane Von Furstenberg and Liz Claiborne were inducted into the Fashion Walk of Fame yesterday.

Diane Von Furstenberg and Liz Claiborne were inducted into the Fashion Walk of Fame yesterday. DVF used the opportunity to raise concerns about zoning changes in the Garment District. “As president of the it is the hope that the city, the designers, the landlords, the unions and the factories can come together soon and help this district not to disappear — to secure a plan to keep some manufacturing in the Garment District as it is the foundation on which American fashion was built. Let’s always be together and try to find solutions together,” von Furstenberg said.

Speaking of Liz Claiborne, the apparel giant is said to be reviewing its foreign sourcing, a sure sign of tough economic times. Many global apparel brands are beginning to pull back their direct sourcing operations from India. What does that mean in shorthand? Good times for third party management firms Li & Fung and even tougher times for firms that wish to continue sourcing on their own. Or you can source online!

Red and blue state collide and thus fashion gives us purple

In collaboration land, DKNY is teaming up with Chandon to create a 20th Anniversary bubbly for the brand. Look for it at Fashion Week in September. Mmmm!

Coutorture ecommerce favorite eLuxury has a new CEO. David Asher, who also will serve as chief executive officer, starting Aug. 11. He replaces president Ann Hepler, who is leaving to pursue other interests. In other ecommerce news, Rugby is finally going online just in time for back to school.

Mary-Kate Olsen

Agyness Deyn: Now So Big, She Needs Some Help

»Agyness Deyn has hired a personal assistant [Fashionista] »Vogue Nippon editor Anna Dello Russo, times three!

»Agyness Deyn has hired a personal assistant [Fashionista]

»Vogue Nippon editor Anna Dello Russo, times three! [The Sartorialist]

»Mary-Kate Olsen smells like teen spirit [Jezebel]

»Eniko Mihalik, Fall 2008 Gucci girl, upcoming Vogue Paris girl [Of the Minute, The Cut]

»First look: Daria Werbowy for David Yurman Fall 2008 [TFS]

Vogue Italia

August 2008 Vogue Italia: Still A Fan of Black Clothes, But What About Black Models?

>> The August 2008 issue of Vogue Paris is dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent, and likewise, the editors at Vogue Italia had their own August 2008 YSL tribute in mind.  The follow up to the hugely successful July "Black Issue" features Karen Elson, Linda Evangelista, Guinevere van Seenus, and Iris Strubegger in a funereal Steven Meisel cover story, "Silent." In one picture, a huge headstone features the name "Black," strangely implying that "black is dead."  I wonder if the message was purposeful?  A strange choice to follow up the celebratory nature of July's issue, especially considering that there are no black models in this editorial .

>> The August 2008 issue of Vogue Paris is dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent, and likewise, the editors at Vogue Italia had their own August 2008 YSL tribute in mind.  The follow up to the hugely successful July "Black Issue" features Karen Elson, Linda Evangelista, Guinevere van Seenus, and Iris Strubegger in a funereal Steven Meisel cover story, "Silent." In one picture, a huge headstone features the name "Black," strangely implying that "black is dead."  I wonder if the message was purposeful?  A strange choice to follow up the celebratory nature of July's issue, especially considering that there are no black models in this editorial . . .
*image: source

Karl Lagerfeld

I much prefer glasses: they're my portable eye shadow.
I much prefer glasses: they're my portable eye shadow. I hate it when people can look me in the eye.
Beauty

Coutorture Community's Must Reads 7/30

In fashion, and in life, we can ask the tough questions but we don't often receive answers.
In fashion, and in life, we can ask the tough questions but we don't often receive answers. Today's Must Read posts deliver both questions and answers. It must be our lucky day! Denimology has a q&a with the designer of Goldspun denim. They ask the tough questions, and he delivers flawlessly. 1960's boudoir is often referenced, but what exactly is it? Frou Frou Fashionista offers finds true photographic evidence. The Beauty Bunny clearly has a passion for aloe vera, as they list off 15 uses for the natural product. Funny, we only knew about one of them. Hip Candy covers Diane Von Furstenberg's introduction into the Fashion Hall of Fame. It is truly an honor well deserved. There are some truly "unique" shoes on the market, but this one takes the cake. Shoewawa uncovers a flip flop with a sole of green grass.
Carine Roitfeld

Carine Roitfeld's Home Sweet Home

>> We know what occupies Carine Roitfeld's closet — a wardrobe that has earned her legions of adoring fans — but what about the rest of her Parisian living space?

>> We know what occupies Carine Roitfeld's closet — a wardrobe that has earned her legions of adoring fans — but what about the rest of her Parisian living space? A book Taschen published earlier this year, New Paris Interiors, features a seven-page look at the apartment she shares with her partner Christian Restoin and has used a backdrop for a few of her editorials, like in the image below.  The space is clean and surprisingly light-colored for a woman who so prefers to wear black.
*image: source, source