Tee hee! We're all a-titter over this week's Observer cover, although we can imagine Anna Wintour has an enormous bee buzzing in her bonnet right about now. Oh my!

Here is this April's cover of Vogue, featuring LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen. It was shot by Annie Leibovitz: click for what might have been her "inspiration." As you might imagine, its been causing quite the stir!



Weeee! Here's the Observer's silly little spoof, conveniently timed to their magazine-themed issue. Doesn't Si Newhouse look ever so dainty?

4/2/2008 3:32:32 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Yes, yes, I am obsessed with Amy Larocca's weekly New York magazine fashion popsicle, in which she interviews one or more crazily dressed urbanite and explains why they are loathsome, amazing, weird, terrible, or the coolest just by asking them, like, four questions. Deborah Solomon, take note! Sometimes the answers are all about What You're Wearing. It really is that simple!

This week's feature is a true gem. The ladies are above, the link to the full text of the Q&A is here, but my favorite response, possibly ever, to the query "What do you do?" is below. SO, okay, these women are kind of insane and obviously loaded and the fur coats are heinous. But isn't this a nice, breezy, non-annoying way to respond to such an inquiry if, say, you don't have a job, and people are all up in your grill, like WHY ARE YOU NOT WORKING? I also think it's an amazing technique even if you DO have a job and a stress attacks and deadlines. Living and enjoying. WHAT A CONCEPT.

What do you guys do?
ELISA: Right now I am living life. Because I can. I’m living, and I’m enjoying. I collect art, I collect fashion. I can’t lie to you, I love it. At some point you follow a type of life with a schedule, and I kind of said, “You know what? I’m going to take a hike for a while.”

That's right! Take a hike, lady! Do it in your riding boots and gray skinny jeans. While you're at it, get yourself a TV show or go become Paris's new BFF. She would heart you!

3/17/2008 4:58:35 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Proj Run! Ian beat me to the official rundown, read on if you want to hear more post-finale ramblings.

Christian took it all, which was totally expected even having known in advance that his collection would be the least wearable and even more "costume" (read: couture) than Chris's stuff ever was. I knew he would win as soon as Jezebel deliciously leaked each of the collections (note: ringers Chris AND Sweet P. presented!) as well as the fact that Posh was the guest judge. The networks lurve a boy genius. Soo yeah, Jillian's knits were interesting, though I liked the idea of them more than I actually would like to wear them. That sweater with the cut-outs? Can you say J.C. Penny junior dept. sale rack? Nevertheless, I adore her. And not just cause she's a neurotic, over-careful, quietish girl from my home territory of Lawnguyland. The best part of all is that she seems so much nicer than the Mean Fashion Girls I went to high school with -- their personalities were much more akin to Christian's, actually, which is hardly a surprise. I expect very cool things, and many amazing jackets from Jillian in the future and I hope her boyfriend proposes to her asap because he seems to be very much in love, which warms my heart. Did you see how sweetly he kissed her while she was crying over her loss? It was like the cameras weren't even there! This is what I live for. But anyway, the real success of the Bryant Park show was Rami. Mr. Drapey McDraperson is an expert tailor, who knew! So WHAT if he likes "Brady Bunch colors" (read: jewel-tones, which I love)? Mike Kors, you're such a jackass. Rami really is the most cerebral and I think he'll have just as much post-show success as Christian will. He may even be the Clay Aiken to Christian's Reuben. We shall have to wait and see. Love you, Rams. Love you even more when you trot after Christian when he says, "Come on, girl!"

To squelch my sadness over having no more PJ for months and months, I've been catching up on the Bravo blogs. There's an incredible post-win Q&A with Christian here, and I urge you to read it in its entirety. (It also includes a fucking great mini-photoshoot with Christian and Heidi, as seen above) For posterity's sake, here is the ultimate, most amazing, best quote ever -- and so true. Christian, you're a sassy, foul-mouthed little bitch with high-maintainance hair, but you know your shit:

Did you just know that Victoria Beckham would like your collection?
In the back of my head, I’m not going lie, I was like, “Victoria’s the judge. This is me.” She’s who I design for! She’s English, she’s from Europe, she’s very very into high fashion, and some of her favorite designers are McQueen and Chanel and Lagerfeld, you know? I knew there was no way she was not going to like what I did. It was amazing because she’s someone I would actually want to try to dress. I actually think I said when we first started and Bravo asked us all who we’d want to dress, I’m pretty sure I said Victoria Beckham. Well, and I said Britney, but actually I said I wanted to save Britney! My new goal in life is to come up with my new reality show called Project Britney where I transform her and I save her life and make her the most fabulous person ever! She needs a gay! She has no gays! Have you ever noticed that? She has no gay boys helping her! She only has straight people and, no offense, but straighties don’t know how to fix the divas! It’s so weird! I’ve never seen any gay stylists working her.

The perfect ending to a delightful Season Four: The Tim and Christian walk-off!!

3/6/2008 12:33:55 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Celebrity endorsements -- like high-end designer luggage -- must carry a lot of weight. So much that, as showcased on the entertainment-news site The Bosh, bag-maker Louis Vuitton has invested in the cachet of both Rolling Stoner Keith Richards and household-name photog Annie Leibovitz to push what we can only assume is a line of leather grips suitable for transporting anything from Vercase do-rags to designer smack. The atmospheric photo shows the ever-ebullient Mr. Richards scowling in mid-strum beside his favorite case in a hotel room that the Daily Mail reports was darkened by draping skull-and-bones scarves over the lamps.
A possibly interesting aside. Back in the early 1970s, I spent an afternoon photographing Keith Richards and Ron Wood in the Stone's hotel suite in the Boston Sheraton. (We were ostensibly doing an interview, but mostly I remember Keith playing "Freight Train" for us on the acoustic guitar, a visit from a barefoot midget evangelist in an ice-cream suit, and something about a switchblade . . .) Anyway, they had all the lamps draped with bandanas then as well. Apparently even total gloom hurts Keith's eyes. Or perhaps not. Because of the low light, I had to take pictures by bouncing a high-powered Honeywell strobe off the hotel room's ceiling. After about 25 shots (not sure how many Richards had), I apologized for the flashes, to which the chain-smoking guitar legend replied, "Which flashes?"
Leibovitz seems to have worked with available light.

3/6/2008 12:31:17 PM by Clif Garboden | Comments [0] |  

“Christian Soriano, signing out.”

 

It was a fitting way to end this season of Project Runway. Not because it was he who ultimately won it all. But because in my mind, it was sort of the Christian Soriano show from the beginning last night. From his wonderfully absurd description of what it was he was looking for in a model (“fierce tallness and walks for days”) to his kooky modeling of Jillian Lewis’s ridiculous looking hat prior to the runway show (all the while going “bring it back, bring it back”), Christian downright stole the proceedings. It's this fashion idiot's opinion that without he and Chris March — whose carefree, seen it all, low-key approach proved a good foil for Christian’s fast-talking prima donna act — there surely would have been far fewer reasons to watch this season.

 

As for the rest of the show last night?

 

Notes!

 

- Christian, Rami Kashou, and Jillian take a walk down the never-ending Bryant Park runway. Christian remarks how long it is. God, it’s only a 45 minute show, he says.

 

- Tim Gunn gives a heartfelt pep talk to the remaining 3 designers. He’s no Vince Lombardi. But he speaks from the heart. “Trust that you are superb. You are.”

 

- Jillian says something supremely vapid in her introduction to her show. Which surprises me because she’s no dummy.

 

- Her show? One funny hat after another. The rest is a blur. Though, I should say, all of us watching get very excited when we spot the hat Christian was modeling earlier in the show coming down the runway. For us, it’s a highlight.

 

- Reactions from the folks I’m watching with. Lady 1: “Pretty” Lady 2: “Umm.”

 

- Rami’s intro about his collection being about women is the worst. Too scripted, as the oh-so-astute Lady 1 points out. It’s also a veiled swipe at Christian.

 

- His first two dresses look exactly the same to me.

 

- Rami likes pink.

 

- Rami likes redheads.

 

- Rami’s stuff doesn’t sit well with the room. “I really don’t like his clothes,” Lady 1 announces. Ouch.

 

- Christian wins in the intro department.

 

- His stuff, truth be told, gets a little monotonous for me, as the judges — who are clearly wiretapping my brain — will say later.

 

- I see a lot of wicked witches walking down the aisle.

 

- Christian has got one look where he apparently wanted to simulate for the model what it would be like as a blind person. Seriously, the girl can’t see a damn thing with all that shit in her face.

 

- Predictions? Lady 1: Jillian  Lady 2: Jillian  Me: Christian

 

- It’s true: my love for Christian knows no end

 

- Apparently neither does Victoria Beckham’s. The two are already exchanging sweet nothings before the competition is over.

 

- Jillian is eliminated. A collective gasp from the room. Lady 2 passes out. The news proves too astonishing.

 

- Christian wins! I rub it in the faces of those around me. 

 

- Rami goes out in style: “You will be seeing a lot from me and you will be wearing my clothes.”

 

- So too does Christian: “Hello! Did you have a doubt? Come on! What up?”

 

- Fade to black

3/6/2008 11:37:37 AM by Ian Sands | Comments [0] |  

A. Avril Lavigne, our favorite little married pop-punk foul-mouthed songstress, who just scored an exclusive design deal with Kohl's? Will it be Hot Topic meets Chanel? Or will it just be pink and black and Kelly Osbourne?



B. Karl Lagerfeld, who delivered the following zingers (among many more) in a nine-page Q&A cover story for Prestige Hong Kong:
    1. "When people talk about the good old days, I say to people, 'It's not the days that are old, it's you that's old.' I hate the good old days. What is important is that today is good."
    2. "I’m a very fascist person. If someone tells me something has to be like this, I’m not interested. I could never be an art director selecting other people’s work. I’m only interested in my own work. I’m a very superficial person, but that is good for what I’m doing."
    3. "I hate all children."
    4. "May I tell you something? I like today better than before. The late ’80s were an awful time. I like today, or maybe I like my life today. I’m much happier today than I was then."

(Bonus Points for identifying the most Karl-esque quote -- or, at least, what I think is!)



C. Christian Siriano, Project Runway's boy-genius, who I predict will win it all tonight (sorry, Jillian, I still heart you!) Keep in mind he told the Washington Post that yes, he really is like that: both on and off camera.

3/5/2008 4:08:45 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

I'm delighted that the Telegraph decided to feature Crystal Renn, an extraordinarily successful plus-size model, in a feature today. But here's what I don't get. This is how writer Judy Rumbold opens her piece:

To be honest, I expected Crystal Renn to be bigger. All right then, fatter. In the mind's eye, the term 'plus-size model' is liberally coated in doughnut batter, and I had her down as a gloriously buxom woman-mountain. Along with a name that sounds as if it's jumped off the embossed-foil cover of a Danielle Steel bodice-ripper, I'm anticipating a formidably blowsy, lipsticky package.

That's the lede that she chose to draw the reader in? Which can only mean, of course, that she assumes that we assume that any story about a plus-size model must be discussing an overweight cow who is just talented enough to be the Big Girl poster child for the commercial side of the industry. Shut The Fuck Up, please -- who are you, Rumbold, the fashion scribe version of the Pick-Up Artist? We don't need to be negged into understanding what you're talking about, lady. What a stupid, dim-witted way of getting to the point. After being told to lose 10 inches off her hips or lose out on a modeling contract, Renn became anorexic. Then:

She soon became withdrawn and neurotic, lying to her grandmother and friends about the extent to which she was starving herself. While everyone close to her thought she looked like death, the agency was thrilled. 'They were, like, "You look fabulous!"' But not quite fabulous enough. With a swimwear shoot looming, she forced herself to work out for nine hours, two days in a row - 'My body literally felt like it was crumbling' - before seeing her bookers again. 'They looked me up and down and said, "Your legs. You need to bring your legs down."'

Renn switched her contract to Ford. Since gaining back her normal weight -- she is a hot, curvy 20-something who gives ScarJo a run for her money -- she's appeared in Vogue, and, has shot ads for Saks, Nine West, and other assorted editorial campaigns. But how nice that no matter how far she's come, the Telegraph can't simply call her a size 16. They have to call her a "healthy" size 16, with the subtext of "healthy" meaning large. You know, fat. But pretty all the same!

This is gross, gross, gross, and terrible, particularly after Ali Michael was shunned over her "fat" legs in Paris last week. Thanks, Telegraph, for feeding the clusterfuck. You know things are right with the world when teenagers are giving themselves body dysmorphic disorders over five pounds.

3/3/2008 5:59:32 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [1] |  

Christina Binkley's style piece in today's Wall Street Journal arrived just in time to close National Eating Disorders Awareness Week -- and also to remind me of the fact that as much as I love fashion, shit is fucked up.

Ali Michael is 17-years-old. You may have recalled seeing her pose half-naked in this T: Style spread that offended a great many people. Or perhaps you just saw pictures of her stomping down the runways at countless major shows last year. Suffice to say she was hailed as a great new talent, or, as the Journal puts it, "last season's model du jour." Indeed, the spotlight never shines for long on one pretty girl.


What is wrong with our culture?

While I tend agree with writer Aimee Liu (Solitaire, Gaining: The Truth About Life After Eating Disorders) -- who I interviewed over here yesterday -- that the fashion industry shouldn't be held solely responsible for the pervasiveness of eating disorders among young women, I'm horrified by how hard it toils to shatter this notion. For one every one, tiny step forward, we're rebuked with an entire roadtrip's worth of steps back. It's shameful. It's embarrassing. And it's unforgivable. Bravo has done a lovely job of orchestrating a continued search for the next great American designer. What about the way current American designers look at the things they're creating and the stereotypes they're falling victim to?

But it isn't fair to just blame a few designers. In the U.S., France and Italy, casting directors, fashion designers, show overseers and fashion magazines move en masse, and no one is using models who look like models did 20 years ago. In her day, the aptly named Twiggy seemed wildly thin -- but she would look oversized on today's runways.

It's hard to imagine Miss Michael, a willowy, 5-foot-9-inch teenager, being told her legs are too fat. Last season, Miss Michael made herself sick keeping her weight down, said her mother. Miss Michael's reward was to be heralded as the next supermodel.

I make a point of never apologizing for the fact that I believe fashion is an art form. But when read things like that, or awful, depressing things like this, I ask myself how I plan on justifying my adoration for something so beautiful that seems to take such delight in perpetuating its own sickening image.

Lame.

2/28/2008 3:03:39 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Oh, Oscars! Movies, pretty dresses, a masturbatory ceremony, long commercial breaks, annoying jokes, weird panning shots into the audience of men wearing bronzer and ladies squeezed into Zac Posen gowns. Hurrah!

One thing about the Oscars, though: the swag. Even if you're a pitiful loser, everyone in attendance still walks away with a shit ton of free nonsense. Sneak peak alert, because I've just been given advance notice about one of the gifts that will be included -- see above -- Kirstie Kelly for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings jewels! Gasp. From the press release:

Every princess begins her journey with a dream. As a tribute to aspiring princesses who dare to dream, Disney and renowned designer Kirstie Kelly has been selected to participate in the official Distinctive Assets “EVERYONE WINS AT THE OSCARS!” gift bag for the 80th Annual  OSCARS® Awards to be held on Feb.24, 2008 at The Kodak Theater in Los Angeles and is scheduled to be broadcast live on the ABC Television network!

Nominated stars will walk away with a dazzling platinum finished chandelier filigree earring that is dripping with Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls!  In addition they will receive the coveted Sticks n’ Stones bracelet, a platinum finish woodsy inspired cuff that is perfectly stoned with the most sparkling Swarovski crystals!  Retail value of approximately $595.00.

But you know what's even better than Kristie Kelly Disney jewelery? This weaponized, diamond engagement ring by subversive artist Toby Wong.

How GREAT would it be to be proposed to with one of these babies. Any boy who does this! Is! A Keeper! That diamond edge can CUT YOU down to the bone! Sadly, this will not be included in the Oscar grab-bag spectacular. It's a shame, really. That's totally a Tiffany design!

2/22/2008 12:09:31 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

On Project Runway, Michael Kors is an asshole. He is the Jewish, Long Island-y version of what Christian will be in about 40 years. However, he is a Top American Designer (thx, Heidi!) and therefore an expert on fashionologie. And, we must admit, usually, for the most part, he's got decent taste, and he gives witty soundbites for us to mock.

But anyone who knows us well knows that we're suckers for people who delight in parading their guilty pleasures around for everyone to see. It's the verbal equivalent of bending over in your new super low-low jeans only to show off the butt-floss you decided to rock that day, or smiling really big at the person you're trying to impress with food in your teeth, or acting like you're best friends with someone when you have the distinct inclination they might actually hate you. And not caring.

Anyway, Michael Kors is a fan of our beloved Spice Girls. Take a gander at the manner in which he confessed this secret love of the Girl Power to our sartorial Bible, WWD:

On Wednesday, Michael Kors and CFDA executive director Steven Kolb took in the Spice spectacular at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J., where they had a chance to meet the group backstage. "Of course I am a Spice Girls fan," Kors said. "I love everything that teenage girls love. I am the oldest teenage girl."

That's so fucking beautiful in a dead-bird way--one of our favorite ways! Thank you, Michael "Tranny Spice" Kors. You win. For now.

2/15/2008 12:53:08 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Yeehaw!

David S. Bernstein talks to FNX about the campaign for President, the Clintons, and Obama in cowboy gear. Read his article "Can Obama lasso the bay state? Once considered sure Clinton country, the Massachusetts primary is now a shootout."

MP3: David S. Bernstein's interview with FNX on candidates and cowboys.

1/25/2008 2:34:26 PM by Ellee Dean | Comments [0] |  

Half of Street Style had heaps of fun at Thunderdome IX with DJ Assault ("The Street Narrator") last Friday at the Greek American Political Club. Although we can't claim to be as handy with our Cannon point-and-shoot as the sartorial X-tine Atturio, we did our best to document our evening out and about in Central Square. Sorry, nobody stopped for an interview--they were all too busy shaking it really hard to "Ass and Titties" the remix--but rest assured. Here's what we didn't capture: tights, not leggings, worn without skirts. Red skinny jeans. Wool hats and headgear, despite the sticky sweat and heat. And, of course, a great deal of plaid. What follows is what we did manage to document, in particular, many, many cool haircuts that magically withstood the venue's escalating humidity. While we look into improving our photography non-skills, please tell us how you like to get dressed for holiday parties. We really want to know.

All photos © Sharon S.

Santa mixed our drinks. Please note the Harry Potter glasses and mustache.

From L to R: We really enjoyed this belt, which kind of looks like it could be made of golden bullets. The metallic purple tights and pink boots and gray dress combo made us want to be this girl's friend.

Center: So! There were a lot of ladies with cute dresses at Thunderdome, but you can never go wrong with black and gray and more black. Also, we just really like how her hair is flying around. This was when the evening was still sort of in high school dance mode.

Required hipster dance footwear, duh! From L to R: Pumas, Chucks, and checkered Vans. Don't they look clean?

Um, not for long. Our boots will never be the same again!

If we were handier with the camera, you would be able to tell that the girl toward the right, in the black shirt, had a haircut exactly like British Fashion Awards' Model of the Year, Agyness Dean! And she had amazing red lipstick on.

An awesome yellow purse. Quirky. We like.

Smile! We just really like this picture.

12/17/2007 11:13:55 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

© Christine Atturio

JON
STORY: 22 years-old, lives in Brookline, works at Urban Outfitters.
SNAPPED: Smoking on his break.
STALKED: We like fedoras, fingerless gloves, plaid, blue jeans that are actually blue, and boys that patiently answer our indulgent fashion questions without laughing at us (about four Street Styles ago, we neglected to run that one…)
HE SAYS: “My favorite thing that I have on today is either my fedora or my sick vintage Nikes, which came from the INTERNET. Please capitalize if printed.”
WE SAY: Done and done.

---



Street Style just received word that Bodega is having a North Face streetwear gear trunk show. The new NSE Collection was shipped in directly from Japan for an exclusive, limited U.S. release, so catch it in Boston this Saturday, Dec. 8th. Designs were inspired by the white birch forests of the Kitakami Mountains -- we heart the lining, cause it's cool (yet sporty) without being overtly statement-making-look-at-me, like these metalic gold and silver down jackets, also by North Face. Metallics, yes. Metallic down jackets? We'll have to think about that one. A lot.

12/6/2007 4:12:46 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

© Christine Atturio

CHIAKI
STORY: 20-years-old, B.U. study abroad student from Tokyo
SNAPPED: Kenmore Square
STALKED: She knows how to work with proportion and volume. And we’re seriously impressed by her tights-under-shorts combo, which the Fug Girls say can never, ever work.
SHE SAYS: “I really like key necklaces! Collecting keys is my hobby!”
WE SAY: She’s got the key to our style-starved hearts.

12/3/2007 5:04:02 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

I'm late to the Project Runway Season 4 rehash game, but rest assured. I've already watched the debut twice (yes, twice) and I can say with a great deal of self-assurance that this is totally my favorite season so far. Not even A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila can top the happiness of Proj Run. Although it's fun to alternate Tila and PR marathons. In fact, I highly recommend it.

So. Simone, the only pretty girl, got voted off. Sad! Heidi Klum doesn't like to be upstaged by quirky-cutes. It's going to be okay, though. I'm not worried. Neither are any of the straight men I know who watch this show without any hand-holding or convincing from yours truly. Although Tim Gunn really does seem... deflated. What's wrong, Tim? I still like Guide to Style, even if the critics say it's a poor-woman's What Not to Wear. I enjoy Tim and Veronica Webb together, I like the presents hes gives away, and I would love to give him a double kiss on the cheeks. Just saying. Elisa, I think, is fantastic. She's so art-school. It's amazing to watch her work. The thing she did with rubbing the chiffon in the grass was magic. I want more. Forever. I already have a soft spot for Rami because he's Israeli and I appreciate his quiet confidence. Plus, his winsome, chic gray dress! And yes, I have a television crush on him. But. I feel like he's a bit too purposeful. We shall see. Oh, one last thing. It really bothered me that the puffed sleeves on Christian's jacket weren't even. I echoed Tim's concerns about that, though Nina Garcia didn't seem to care?! Christian's shtick is extremely loud and proud. Obviously I adore the 'tude. Although if I knew him I would probably be like -- move, bitch. He really is kind of a bitch, right? Except his word for that is Flawless. Or was it Fabulous? Hmmm.

11/20/2007 12:56:23 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

© Christine Atturio

A note from your street style correspondents: We vow to leave the Boston University safety net, find more well-dressed boys to shoot/stalk, and discover, for your and our personal edification, if anyone is actually wearing winter jackets yet. What's a "safe" date to bust out the puffer coat and not look like a jerk? P.S. HUGE sale on outerwear at Old Navy this week. We like.

DANIELLE 
STORY: Age: 18. Major: Undeclared at B.U.
SNAPPED: Just outside of N.E.S.O.P.
STALKED: We were so busy gaping at Danielle’s rosy punk-princess cheeks, we almost forgot to take stock in her plaid Zara coat, which she says she purchased in NYC. We. Covet. More. Plaid. Things.
SHE SAYS: “I look at Vice for style inspiration sometimes, but mainly as a joke. My style is anything, really — whatever I find.”
WE SAY: Oh Zara, where are you?

11/12/2007 3:34:19 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

© Christine Atturio

AYAKO
STORY: 21-year-old Bunker Hill student.
SNAPPED: Rushing through Kenmore Square to meet a friend.
STALKED: Fitted black Diesels, chocolate stiletto boots, an oversized cardigan-sweater, and a chain-link belt: we wish we looked this good when we were in a hurry!
SHE SAYS: “Today I decided to wear glasses. I wanted to look more mature!”
WE SAY: Bring on the sleek and chic.

11/9/2007 3:45:26 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

© Christine Atturio

NICKI
STORY: Age: 21. Major: Advertising at B.U. Style icon: Kristen Dunst.
SNAPPED: On her way back from picking up art supplies for her advertising class.
STALKED: The Sartorialist would never forgive himself if he let an adorable city girl on a bike get away, and neither would we. Even if it meant scaring the crap out of her.
SHE SAYS: “My blazer is from a thrift store called Wasteland in San Francisco, where I’m from originally. I kind of just wear whatever’s keeping me warm right now!”
WE SAY: Scott Schuman, eat your heart out.

11/8/2007 10:56:28 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

© Christine Atturio

LAUREN
STORY: Age: 18. Major: Painting at B.U. Style icon: French actress Juliet Binoche.
SNAPPED: Just outside of N.E.S.O.P.
STALKED: This is our favorite brand of imported-on-purpose-messy-careless-cool that would look just right at a café in Monmarte.
SHE SAYS: “I’m from Northhampton, which is very bohemian, very hippie, very focused on individual style. I think that sort of comes out for me. My favorite items are the scarves — I wear them in the summer, the winter, all the time. These are H&M.”
WE SAY: Voila! Le style français dans Boston!

11/6/2007 11:55:42 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [2] |  

© Christine Atturio

RYAN
STORY: Age: 19. Major: Communications. Minor: Beach-Meets-Boston-Chic.
SNAPPED: Killing time on the steps of the Tsai Center.
STALKED: Who wouldn’t stop for a Daryl Hannah-circa-Splash ringer in skinny jeans?
SHE SAYS: “I’m actually from south Florida, so basically I’m just trying to keep myself warm right now. Most of the pieces I have on I just find randomly. I got my boots at Thom Brown on sale, so that was really awesome. We went to The Closet and I got this jacket. The shells in my hair are an ode to Florida. We used to tie the shells we got on the beach in our hair. I mostly put buttons and beads in it now to Northern it up a bit.”
WE SAY: Madison is still our favorite name.

11/2/2007 10:37:33 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

© Christine Atturio

LARA
STORY: Age: 19. Major: Political Science and Power-Walking.
SNAPPED: Hauling it down Comm. Ave, headphones on, late for class (we made her even later).
STALKED: You can never go wrong with black and white and grey all over.
SHE SAYS: “My style is whatever I feel like when I wake up. I got the hat at H&M, the shirts at Jasmine Sola and a thrift store, and the shoes from Deb.”
WE SAY: So tell us why they’re closing down Jasmine Sola again?

10/31/2007 10:38:15 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Last week, your street style correspondents stalked the Tsai Center, loitered at the GSU, and chased cute girls down Comm. Ave.--we even made one of them late for class. We were looking for flat boots, belted cardigans, and wide-legged pants, and we found most of it at Boston University, although wide-leg denim is still a mystery to us. If you have any recommendations on how to do it right, we want to know about it. Leave your missives in the comments section.

© Christine Atturio

JULIA AND KATIE
STORY: Age: 19. Majors: Sociology, English, and the fine art of thrift shopping.
SNAPPED: People watching on the steps of the Tsai Center.
STALKED: Nicole Richie would freak over their vintage sunglasses if she wasn’t pregnant and in Australia with her tattooed boyf. Except she is. So we’ll freak out over them instead.
THEY SAY: Julia: “I’d describe my style as ‘Bethesda second-hand.’"
WE SAY: What time does Urban Renewals close tonight?

10/29/2007 9:53:13 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [1] |  

© Christine Atturio

LAURIE GIBBONS
STORY: Assistant for a sales company, visiting Boston for the day from Connecticut, hitting the Irish pubs at night.
SNAPPED: Waiting to be seated for lunch.
STALKED: Catholic school-girl plaid skirt? Check. Dark legwarmers? Check. The perfect old-school Britney Spears meets Punky Brewster combo? Check.
SHE SAYS:  “I’m a little bit of everything, I guess…a little modern, a little preppy. It’s a mixture.”

10/26/2007 11:29:34 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [2] |  

© Christine Atturio

MARCO
STORY: Digital archiver at the Boston Public Library, aspiring DJ, recently moved to Boston from New York City, likes hand-me-downs.
SNAPPED: On his way to work.
STALKED: His Oxford wing-tips stood out among the limited-edition Nikes traversing Newbury St.
HE SAYS: “I got these shoes from my old job, a clothing store in New York City called Eleven. They sell Americana-based vintage clothing. They need new soles.”

10/24/2007 10:27:46 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

© Christine Atturio

LISA ZOGALIS
STORY: Hair stylist for G20 Salon, obsessed with Urban Outfitters.
SNAPPED: Right outside the salon, on her break.
STALKED: That hair! That belt! That smile!
SHE SAYS: "My dress and this belt are both from Urban. The shoes are BCBG and the watch is Betsy Johnson. I try to be a little bit edgy and funky. I like to keep it modern!"

10/22/2007 10:17:47 AM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

From the inbox:

"I'd like to invite you to another House of ILL open house this Sat Oct 13 from 3-9pm. The idea is you bring down some clothes you would like printed on, pick out one of the many designs, and then I print it up for you for $5 a print. You win, I win, we all win. Bring down whatever you like, and I'll customize your threads. I also have a bunch of select items for sale that are already printed ripe for the picking. Its always a great time so don't miss out. I'm located at 159 North Beacon suite A22 in Allston, tell your friends and I'll see you there."

A few sample prints:

10/12/2007 12:07:21 PM by Caitlin | Comments [0] |  

Mr. T's Fashion Week Style Tips:

9/5/2007 4:08:33 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Prince, what took you so long?

Brittany Spears, Sarah Jessica Parker, Hilary Duff, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Alan Cumming, Elizabeth Taylor and legions of other celebs, both of-the-moment and not-so-much-anymore, all have their own perfumes. Why not? Easy money, friends! We know how you like it.

But now Prince is unrolling the purple publicity carpet for his debut scent, 3121, which "launches" on 07-07-07.

Here's what it's supposed to smell like, aside from "the essence of [Prince's] eclectic style and music genius."
 
3121 is a white floral scent that opens with a refreshing sparkle of crisp bergamot, opulent jasmine and gardenia. Orange flower and muguet sensually intertwine with tuberose and ylang ylang, creating a subtle, mysterious blend; evolving into notes of patchouli and creamy sandalwood. Precious cedarwood and luxurious musks complement this sexy scent with an almost surreal draw that tugs at all senses for total captivation.

Mmmm! Jasmine! Gardenia! Musks! Sexy time!



Nope, we're not buying it.

This, though -- if we could afford it -- we'd definitely buy.

5/22/2007 12:02:51 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

1. You flip your hair with knowing looks at the paps.
2. You quit your part-time job as an accessories buyer.
3. You take a job with designer Tom Ford.
4. You move to the States, where there's no shortage of wanna-be princesses.
5. You start dating a Prince of Malibu instead? Brody Jenner, I found you a new lady!


Kate Middleton: "Sod off, you bluebloods! God bless America!"

4/30/2007 5:06:56 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Click for the full Look Book. Isn't Irina perfect to rep this stuff?

Here is a delicious-like-candy profile on Kate from the Times Sunday Style Magazine. The piece says Irina also used to date Pete Doherty, back when she was in Babyshambles. Kinda weird that she and Kate are now such buds. It's like, you boffed my crazy cokehead boyfriend, and you may be hotter than me, but sure, let's be best girlfriends forever? Fascinating.

Misses:
What's with the monochromactic tan biker pant/blazer?
Who can really wear that disco ball mini-dress?
Capri jeans? OH REALLY, Kate? Where are the skinnies?

Hits:
Brown floaty floral mini-dress
Croped white blazer
Stripey waistcoat
Achingly hot black ball-gown

The capsule collection is going to be released in NY, Paris, and other places...it may be available in Barney's. We'll keep you posted. Drool.

4/4/2007 1:29:11 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

Bitten revealed! Sarah Jessica Parker seems to know exactly what she's doing with her first clothing line. Everything under $20?! Available in sizes small to XXL? The possibility for it to be purchased by real people, without a waiting list? This has the potential to be phenomenal. Or just horribly, horribly wrong in every way.



Kate Moss is on the cover of British Vogue. And she's modeling a dress from her new Kate Moss for Top Shop collection. Obligatory breathless swoon and whining about why Top Shop hasn't opened stateside yet. Etc.

3/15/2007 2:58:28 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

He was sober for the last seven years, but this past Fashion Week must have proved more trying than others. At least Marc kept his panties on and refrained from throwing cell phones at his assistant's head, etc. And he's even respectful about the way he chose to reveal his need for help:

Page Six got scooped by Women's Wear Daily on this one. We like.

3/13/2007 12:47:57 PM by Sharon Steel | Comments [0] |  

It's old news by now, but I still can't get over Scott Schuman's brilliant spring fashion week photographs. He informally snaps all the stylish fashion show-goers--the editors and socialites and hangers-on--at New York, Milan, and now Paris. The results? Well:


I will pray tonight that this outfit will be under
my pillow when I wake up. Completely obsessed.


Are those Nike high-tops? And is that a Birkin?


Regretting every mean thing I've ever said about
boys with long hair...
And he almost pulls off the man purse.


Far more feminine than the Hogwarts regulation
capes.

Nice shoes...

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