fashionologie

Shopping: The Last of Phi Fall 2009 and Resort 2010

coutorture — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:38:28 PST

Clockwise from left, all Phi at Net-a-Porter.com: Printed silk-blend tank dress $1295, Crepe biker pants $595, Suede harem shorts $1495, Wool gabardine sleeveless jacket $995, Shealing cropped leather jacket $2,236 (was $3,195), Stretch leather miniskirt $1,256 (was $1,795), Zipped leather ankle boots $825.

With the news of New York-based Phi shuttering its ready-to-wear business and not delivering spring 2010 to retailers, purchasing the last of fall 2009 (and what is offered of resort 2010) has undoubtedly become increasingly important to die-hard fans like Lauren Santo Domingo, Erin Wasson, and Carine Roitfeld. Net-a-Porter has one of the only online selections of Andreas Melbostad's recent designs for Phi and, as the New York store will close at the end of January, this could be your last chance to purchase the critically acclaimed collection. Also check out overstock and sale items from Phi at The Outnet.

RIP, Phi: Label Shutters

fashionologie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:57:26 PST

>> 2009's victim count is still rising: Phi, the downtown label founded in 2003 with quite the cult following - Erin Wasson, Carine Roitfeld, Natasha Poly, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Vanessa Traina among the fans - is the latest fallen to the recession.

"It's a really challenging climate right now for luxury goods," said Phi CEO Julia Hansen told WWD. "There is not so much confidence in that market going forward."

The Spring 2010 collection will not be delivered; the pre-Spring 2010 delivery, which arrived in stores this month will be its last. Staffers were informed today of the label's closing, and no word on what critically acclaimed creative director Andreas Melbostad plans to do next.

Shopping: Brilliant Sequins

coutorture — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:43:10 PDT

Clockwise from left: Sonia Rykiel sequin blazer $1515 Net-a-Porter, Phi sequin cycling dress $2895 Net-a-Porter, Marc Jacbos zebra-stripe dress $2800 Net-a-Porter, 3.1 Phillip LIm sequin tee shirt $525 Net-at-Porter, sequin scarf $60 Topshop, Fendi fake fur sequin shoulder bag $1639 MyTheresa, Givenchy sequin tunic $995 Kirna Zabete, Valentino open toe shoe $795 Footcandy.

It's time to shine in fall's glamorous sequined separates. Metallic tuxedo jackets, tunics and tee shirts look effortlessly chic when thrown over a favorite pair of jeans or leggings. Brilliant accessories like the Topshop scarf and Fendi chain strap handbag are great alternatives to head-to-toe sparkle.

Runway Report: Phi Spring 2010

coutorture — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:44:22 PDT

Phi is one of the few young luxury labels to be selling through this fall despite the rough financial times, and Andreas Melbostad's spring 2010 collection will no doubt continue to fly off shelves.

Since taking over the design reigns of the Susan Dell-backed brand in the spring of 2005, Melbostad has created a cult label for luxury-loving tough girls. For spring 2010 he presented a collection of black, white, and nude looks focusing on his now signature panel pant and biker jacket combination and adding a few new silhouettes-think calf-lengh body-con skirts, corset tops, and long blazers all worn with matching slouchy, stacked heel combat boots.

Metallic encrusted jeans, see-through knits, and biker jackets in white and nude, to name a few, will surely make the sold out lists this spring.

New York Fashion Week: Phi Spring 2010

coutorture — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:29:28 PDT

New York 09/17/09. Getty Images

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fashionologie — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:55:49 PDT

>> INSIDER WIRE -There were a lot of designers missing from last night's festivities - Karl Lagerfeld, Stefano Gabbana, Domenico Dolce, Christopher Bailey among them - but even more notable was the lack of certain designers on the red carpet: Balenciaga, Prada and Miu Miu weren't represented at all (though Dasha Zhukova wore vintage Prada), and typical heavyweight Giorgio Armani had one sole wearer - Claire Danes. Meanwhile, Phi emerged as a dark horse - watch out Proenza Schouler, Andreas Melbostad is taking over your crowd - Erin Wasson, Natasha Poly, Lauren Santo Domingo, and Vanessa Traina all chose the label last night. [Style File]

In The Showroom: Lialia Spring 2009

coutorture — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:05:57 PDT

These two sisters, Julia and Natalia Alarcon, have experience at Oscar de la Renta and Phi to back them up--though their design experience only began in 2005, when they enrolled at Parson's New School together. We first heard about their line, Lialia, at the Fresh Faces Gen Art fashion show this season. Lialia started the show off on a strong note and we were intrigued by the duo. Today, while going through the lovely brands at Edite Showroom, we met Lialia again. This Spring 09 there were no washed out colors or unabashed silhouettes, the mood was decided and strong--something we are not surprised to see from a two Oscar de la Renta and Phi alums. Click below to see our showroom snapshots of the Spring 09 Lialia collection, and, click here for the Fresh Faces Gen Art Spring 09 video clip.

Redken Man

coutorture — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:06:50 PDT

Hair is a touchy subject for a lot of women, the accepted wisdom is that the naturally curly wish for straight hair and the naturally straight wish for curls. Blessedly the hair you are born with can now be manipulated into just about any style you might wish. IDidTheHair stylist and Redken man Gregory Alan showed us just how possible it is to play with your locks in our Top Five Fall Trends photo editorial.

As a straight haired woman, this editor was duly impressed with Gregory's variety of luscious curled styles. From brunette and short to blond and long, Gregory did it all. And thanks to Gregory's Redken knowledge we learned that Redken Fresh Curls line is a great option to help prep and maintain curls no matter what your natural hair type. Our favorite is Redken's Fresh Curls Boost; shooting during the summer meant we were fighting frizz but the battle was easily won with this handy anti-frizz spray.

But we didn't just stick to the curls. We had some seriously stick stick straight action happening on set on both models. Gregory used the PHI KWOF Hair straightener to achieve these almost improbably straight styles. Unlike traditional flat irons, the heating plate has an angle of 30 making it ergonomic and versatile. The angling also makes it just as effective for creating curls. In fact, every single style on set was created with the help of this super iron. It costs $200 but given its efficacy and flexibility if you are serious about styling its worth it.

And of course with shooting so many looks we had a lot of hair changes that needed to happen fast. Solution? Redken Quick Dry Finishing Spray.

Redken Fresh Curls - Sold Out	Redken Fresh Curls Spin Control Leave-in Treatment - Sold Out
Redken Fresh Curls Conditioner - Sold Out	Redken Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Spray 11 oz. - Sold Out
Redken Straight, Hair Straightening Balm - Sold Out	Redken Glass Smoothing Serum - Sold Out
Redken Quick Dry Finishing Spray - Sold Out	Redken Blonde Glam Conditioner - 8.5 oz. - Sold Out

Two Cool Ways to Wear Cropped Flare Trousers

Chi Diem Chau — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:03:00 PDT

After spotting Vanessa Traina sporting a pair of cropped flared trousers during Fashion Week, we had to try it out for ourselves. At first glance, the silhouette might come off as unflattering, but we have a remedy for that - high heels! Shop two divergent ways to wear this cool pair -we love the leg-lengthening pinstripes - from Diane von Furstenberg ($295), now.

Cozy Equestrian (Left to right): Diane von Furstenberg Cavaro Pinstripe Pant ($295), Erro Shearling and Leather Vest ($795), Richard Chai Funnel Neck Sweater ($298), Phi Skinny Belt ($51, originally $205), Reed Krakoff Boxer Suede Tote ($1,090), Brooks Brothers Burgundy Socks ($18), Alaïa Lace-up Leather Boots ($1,790)

Mixed Prints (Left to right): Diane von Furstenberg Cavaro Pinstripe Pant ($295), APC Leopard Cotton Sweater ($150), Alexander McQueen Purple Skull Ring ($280), Guess Cross Necklace ($28), Rebecca Minkoff Boyfriend Messenger Bag ($295), Isabel Marant Poppy Suede Pumps ($620)

See What Lauren Santo Domingo Is Supposedly Obsessed With at Christian Cota Spring 2010

fashionologie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:32:13 PDT

>> Lauren Santo Domingo has been turning it out front row this week - from Phi leather pants to Balmain sandals - aside from that front-row smoke break at Alexander Wang which caused a stir according to The Daily, but she was also back to style Christian Cota's presentation for Spring 2010. While waiting in line to view the presentation, we overheard one of Cota's publicists talking about how Santo Domingo was "obsessed" with the jewelry she paired with Cota's cocktail dresses; Style.com also just published a piece about how Cota's "show stylist" - Santo Domingo wasn't named - "happened upon" LITTER, a line of headpieces and body jewelry that is primarily made from secondhand jewelry, "on a trip to San Fran a few months back, so she did the natural thing and coaxed the designers back to New York."

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