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July 24, 2008

As seen on: "Gossip Girl"

Here's a secret from the "Gossip Girl" set: they can't get enough of this rose gold pendant by Garland Collection.
Gossip Girl Blair Waldorf, as played by Leighton Meester, regularly wears one on the show, engraved with the word “Waldorf”. Priced at $1,200, it's available at www.Roseark.com or through www.garlandcollection.com.
She also wears a rose gold Garland Collection ID bracelet, engraved with “Blair”.
Meester wore the necklace regularly last season and has already been seen wearing it while shooting upcoming episodes for the new season.
Behind the scenes, the show’s stylist, Eric Daman, wears a large rose gold Garland Collection ID bracelet engraved "Eric".
Both items are available at Roseark in West Hollywood, on roseark.com, or through www.garlandcollection.com.

July 24, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 23, 2008

Tarina Tarantino Barbie doll launch

It's every little girl's dream to have a Barbie doll that looks just like them. Jewelry designer Tarina Tarantino saw her dream come true last week, with the launch of Mattel's Tarina Tarantino Collector Series Barbie Doll, a princessy dolly in her very own, pink-haired likeness.
Fellow fuschia-haired diva Audrey Kitching (online scene queen with armies of teenage followers and former girlfriend of Panic! At the Disco's Brendon Urie) was at the launch party, held at Tarina's store in West Hollywood. Kitching is pictured above, with her Ken, fellow "scene king", author Clint Catalyst. WWE star Maryce was there, styled by fashion designer Jared Gold, and looking just like a chic blonde 1950s Barbie. (Maryce is pictured with Tarina Tarantino)
The Tarina Tarantino Collector Series Barbie Doll is $82, purchase here.

July 23, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Limited edition David Choe sneakers

Buy the art, see the film, now get the sneaker—artist David Choe, the subject of the documentary “Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe", has teamed up with adidas to create a limited edition sneaker inspired by “serial killers, ninjas, nightmares and Ice-T lyrics”.
There are only 500 pairs of the Choe sneaker available worldwide. Sizes range from men's size 4 to 13.5. To pick up your fresh pair of David Choe Stan Smith sneakers, visit www.upperplayground.com or head to an Upper Playground retail store.
The sneaker will go on sale online at 8am, Pacific Standard Time on Thursday, July 24.

July 23, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Miss KK's bell sleeves

Miss KK is an L.A.-based designer whose elvish, vintage-inspired designs are much adored by artsy pixies across town.
As well as fairy dresses, peacock feather necklaces and wide-shouldered bolero-style jackets,  Miss KK  (otherwise known as Kristine Karnaky) has created a delightful range of bell sleeve shirts that have just hit the stores. (The model in these photos is A. Huizenga, from art-synth band Hard Place.)
When she's not stitching up a storm for her boho buddies or creating costumes for film and television, Miss KK is helping out at Doris Raymond's legendary vintage couture store, "The Way We Wore".
You can buy her designs at Show Pony (1543 Echo Park Ave., CA 90026), Madley (1227 Abbot Kinney Blvd., CA 90291), Scout LA (7920 W. 3rd St., CA 90048) or at www.MissKK.com.

July 23, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Surf-bum film screening in Brooklyn

July 23, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

ENK Menswear shows: Orthodox

Eric Niccoli of Orthodox closed out the ENK Menswear shows, showcasing a series of sleek designs that brought the street to the suit. 
Plaid prints, pointy oxfords and layered henleys in muted tones and patterns populated the runway in a short and sweet Spring/Summer 09 show that mixed classic and trendy, combining pieces that can be worn both now and forever. Jeans were updated with slanted oversized pockets and the classic briefcase was upgraded to a square laptop-size shoulder bag in nylon fabric with metallic blue hue.
Overall, the looks toed the line between catwalk and sidewalk, with a fresh look that was both stylish and effortless.

July 23, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

ENK Menswear shows: Buckler

Some people like it dirty—and fashion designer Andrew Buckler of Buckler is one of them.
His Spring/Summer '09 collection, showcased at the ENK Menswear shows at Pier 92 in Manhattan this week, was a daring knight's tale that merged old world influence with street edge.
The models (including "Make Me a Supermodel" Season 1 alum Dominic Prietto) looked like they'd stepped straight out of a medieval joust, and were covered in dirt, grease and tattoos.
Sporting shield-inspired vests, ridged headpieces and slouchy knits in a grey scale color palette, with a few pops of bright orange and blue, Buckler transformed his band of pretty boy rockers in to ready-for-battle heroes.

July 23, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 22, 2008

Neon watches with supernatural powers

Using nuclear fall-out as the basis for its color palette, Toy Watch launches its NEON PLASTERAMIC wrist watch in technicolor shades of Atomic Orange, Plutonium Pink, Ultra Violet and Kryptonite Green.
Priced at $195, each watch is driven by a precision quartz movement, is water resistant and features tritium-laden hands and markers for night visibility. And, at a close enough distance, it has the power to kill Superman. 
www.toywatchusa.com

July 22, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Smoke&Mirrors sample sale

Smoke & Mirrors, the fashion-forward label run by current "Project Runway" contender Emily Brandle, is holding a sample sale Saturday July 26th from 12 to 5PM. Expect plenty of bold prints, bright colors and luxurious textures (visit the Smoke & Mirrors website to get an idea), all at heavy discounts.
Also on sale will be handbags by CoCo Blanco and belts by Harteau. Not to be missed!
Brandle grew up in Sacramento, California and studied at the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, where she met Michelle Chaplin, with whom she would later co-found Smoke & Mirrors.
No word on whether Tim Gunn will be at the sale...
The sale takes place in Hollywood, call 323 658 8700 or email cristina@emgpr.com for full details.

July 22, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 21, 2008

Vivienne Westwood at Berlin Fashion Week

Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania show closed out Berlin Fashion Week in a streetwear-inspired spectacle that somehow managed to blend 80s-era Harlem with ancient Greece. View photos from the show
Westwood’s buddy Kim Cattrall looked on from front row as models sporting heavy gold chains and headbands bounced down the runway, looking like they might have hung out with Westwood’s ex Malcolm McClaren in the 80s, when he was stalking hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa in Harlem.
Bold prints, primary colors and Dionysian grape patterns injected Jeremy Scott-esque humor in to the irreverent parade, in which models traded their traditional poker faces for wide, camera-ready smirks.
Westwood continues to show her more affordably-priced Anglomania line in Berlin, demonstrating a long-running affection for the city where she taught fashion for twelve years (at the Berlin Academy of Arts). Berlin's growing reputation as a center of style was further cemented when Mr. Karl "leather trousers" Lagerfeld himself, in town to accept an Elle Fashion Star Award, hinted he might show in Berlin in 2009.
Und das is gut, ja?

July 21, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 17, 2008

Just for men: ISHI 1451 Jewelry

25-year-old Ishi Glinsky started designing jewelry two years ago, partly in frustration at the lack of interesting accessory pieces for men. He started with necklaces, suspenders and wallet chains made from found objects, anything from street sweeper bristles, to dilapidated metals, nuts, and bolts. Today, he uses more conventional beading and coral pieces with antique objects such as preserved alligator claws and fossilized walrus tusks carved into detailed objets d'art.
Especially striking are his oversized necklaces, made from older chains, locks and antiques (currently on view as part of an art installation at the BPMW showroom at the Cooper Building in downtown L.A.).
"I approach each piece more as a collage than with a jeweler's mind," says Glinsky, who named his line 1451 because when turned upside down, the numerals it resembles the spelling of his first name. He is inspired by Dadaism and old photos of Native American tribes around the turn of the 20th century. "In older photographs, the beauty of their traditional tribal wear was beginning to be consumed by modernity."
You can buy his wares at Front St. 1124 Glendale Blvd, LA CA 90026. Large pieces are on display and available for purchase at BPMW Showroom, 860 Los Angeles St, CA 90024.
www.onefourfiveone.com

July 17, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Three great sales in L.A.

Meghan Sample Sale

Expect show-stopping prints, flowing silk silhouettes and lots of savings at the Meghan Fabulous sample sale this weekend in Los Angeles. A celebrity favorite—Shakira (pictured) wore Meghan’s “Lulu Couture” gown for a Harper’s shoot—the label is offering a $20 rack and up to 50%-80% off retail prices.
The sale runs Friday July 18 through Sunday July 20 and is located at 1406 S. Main St., 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015.  Cash and credit cards only. Click here for times.

Melrose Place savings

Starting today, July 17, Nancy Davis (daughter of Beverly Hills socialite Barbara Davis and tycoon Marvin Davis), and the Melrose Place District are teaming up to present the first-ever Race to Erase MS “Orange Pass” Shopping Benefit. The “Orange Pass” can be purchased for $75 with 100% of the proceeds going directly towards Multiple Sclerosis research. It entitles the bearer to a range of discounts at Melrose Place gems including: Frederic Fekkai, Kate Somerville, Santa Maria Novella, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Diesel, Lambertson Truex, MAX&Co., Mulberry, Sergio Rossi, Mary Norton, Republic, Comme Ca, Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante, and Kumo.
The “Orange Pass” will be valid from July 17-25, 2008. Go to www.erasems.org/orangepass for more info and to purchase a pass.

happy LA sale

happy LA, a Pacific Palisades boutique opened by Ellen de Generes' former personal stylist and a former “Sex And The City” production coordinator, is marking its first anniversary with a sale bound to make you happy. The "happy LA anniversary hour" will feature 20% off new fall looks from Falls, Hudson, Madison Marcus, Original Penguin and Scoop Beach. Plus 25-50% off summer styles from Genetic Denim, Mike & Chris, JET and Raven Tailored. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres from The Oak Room, and personal styling from owners Dawn Baker and Lori Bzura.
The sale starts Thursday, July 24 at 5PM. Call the store for more details, 310 459-5511. 542 1/2 Palisades Drive, Pacific Palisades. www.happy-la.com 

July 17, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meet the British new garde

Sit up straight and have some figgy pudding, old chap, because the British Fashion Council has announced its picks for this year's Fashion Forward award, recognizing emerging design talent from across the pond. Here's a rundown of the new garde, and where to buy them.

(Clockwise, from top)

Prone to wild embellishments and romance, Christopher Kane did not disappoint during his Fall ‘08 presentation: the looks, mostly dresses, were a romantic swirl of transparent chiffons and heavy knits punctuated by light-catching paillets. Having already garnered the attention of the international media, not to mention both Anna Wintour and Donatella Versace's support, Christopher Kane is destined for mega-stardom.
Available at Barneys and online at brownsonline.com

Right out of the box, rabble-rouser Erdem Moralioglu's Spring 08 collection turned well-coiffed, front row heads with his pairing of disparate looks (bridal gown with leather jacket, anyone?). For Fall, Erdem continued the theme, his pitch black silk satins jarringly juxtaposed with acid-bright yellows and purples.
Available at Barneys (New York only) and online at net-a-porter.com

Luxurious and feminine, London-based Roksanda Ilincic's clothes are sure to be red carpet mainstays. Her looks are rooted in a love of vintage Yves Saint Laurent and an effortlessly modern way of dressing. For her fall 08 collection, Ilincic sent out rich pops of orange, pink and green and buttery soft satin draped, tucked and folded around each model. Fur pieces turned up the decadence to eleven (and added what seemed like a nostalgic nod to Ilincic's eastern European roots), while off-beat tailoring gave each look a unexpectedly new twist.
Available online at net-a-porter.com and shopstyle.com

Like many a boy band before them, the new garde also must have among them an obligatory "smart one". Marios Schwab offers ruminatory, conceptual collections, featuring extremely tight, long, columnar knit dresses, roughly shorn to reveal denim, damask or lycra puffs from underneath. A whole new interpretation of body and sexiness, Schwab's designs usher in a new vision of feminine proportion and style.
Available at Opening Ceremony NY and LA.

July 17, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 15, 2008

A pheasant's parting gift...

Ever wondered where the feathers on your feathered jewlery come from?
Moth Love, a Portland-based accessories line, offers full disclosure on the matter, paying tribute to the mighty phez for allowing us to take its plumage before it heads for the dinner plate. "After its nourishing lifeblood is given, body handed to mine," writes designer Gretchen Jones, who has quite a way with words. "Hand plucked feathers sustain my creative hand. This bird has nourished my body, now mind…now yours."
Hair combs are made using vegetable-tanned scraps of leather, and cost $30. Leather and feather 1" wide headbands are available in tan, white, dark brown, cognac and more.
Www.mothlove.com, Buy here.

July 15, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lovinganvil tells it how it is

If you're a Bad Mutha Fucka, chances are you don't carry a purse—rather, you probably keep your Benjamins tightly-clasped in a sterling silver and rose gold money clip, just like this cheeky little
currency carrier by Maine-based jewelry line lovinganvil. The designers say they are inspired by "the unexpected, the tongue-in-cheek, and overstating the obvious", which adds up when you look at their sweet "husband" and "wife" custom wedding rings.
lovinganvil is available at Armando Corral Salon in New York, at Chrissey Bee in San Francisco and online at Unsung. Visit lovinganvil's website here.

July 15, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Giveaway: Delirius

Whether you're a hairdresser, maker of birthday cakes or sartorial provocateur—intelligent layering is always key. This is something the ladies behind fresh new New York label Delirius understand all too well. For their first collection, Delirius experiments with draping, layering and asymmetry to create a line that's edgy, yet still supremely wearable. Their Racer top for example (main picture), is an elegant tank with a softly-draped neckline from the front. But an overlay at the back adds extra dimension. Worn alone it's perfect for showing off your summer tan, thanks to open sides that show a little waist. For the more modest, it's gorgeous with a basic tank underneath and teamed with your favorite pair of jeans.
Delirius was founded by Belarus natives Iyra and Katya, who studied fashion at Parsons and FIT and remain based in Manhattan. This, their first collection, is focused on the fusion of ultra-soft feminine fabrics with unexpected trims and original silhouettes. "It's not about being casual or dressy, or day or night anymore," says the designer. "Rather, it is about beauty, comfort and attitude."
Delirius is gifting one Stylephile reader a layered Racer Top (main picture), available in sizes Small through Large, with a retail value of $150. To win,  leave a comment telling us about the last time you felt delirious. Best story wins! The deadline is Monday July 21 at 5PM, and don't forget to leave your email in the body of the comment.
www.deliriusdesign.com

July 15, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (16)

WireImage has a Polaroid moment

Last week, Wireimage covered an event that was so cool, it could only be shot using Polaroids.
Polaroid cameras make anyone—even posturing rich kids with Ray Ban fixations and "Less Than Zero" personalities—look like the most compelling people in the world, as evidenced by these fetching shots  from the Hugo Boss party at the Kingswood East Hampton Estate.
The photographer, listed as J. Kost, ventured wildly beyond  WireImage convention, shooting candid images of hipster feet, hipster backs, and hipsters in the shadows. Go here to see for yourself.
Anyone familiar with WireImage—the leading provider of entertainment images to the media—understands how revolutionary this is. WireImage photos are almost always borderless, brainless, and handily-sized for tabloid use.
Could Polaroid paparazzi be the future? Did Mark the Cobrasnake have it right all along?
Pictured: Paul Sevigny (in silly yellow glasses), George Garrow and guest (in silly fedoras), and Johnny Cragg and Christian Langdon (silly). Photos by WireImage.

July 15, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 10, 2008

Get preggers, go Pally

Growing bellies love the soft, curve-kissing styles of Rachel Pally's jersey-knit Long Full Skirt, which has been adopted as de rigeur day wear by expectant moms from Ashlee Simpson to Angelina Jolie.
Simpson has been photographed in the skirt several times since announcing she is with child, and has reportedly ordered it in many different colors so she can wear it every day.
The Long Full Skirt retails for $190 and is available at Shopbop.com

July 10, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Giveaway: Eva Longoria's "single" dress

Married she may be, but Eva Longoria remains single in spirit in this beautiful silk maxi-dress by L.A.-based label single.
The line is the brainchild of very-not-single husband and wife team Galina and Michael Sobolev, Russian ex-pats whose tale of creative and romantic partnership is the stuff that births love sonnets.
In her native Russia, Galina learned to make clothes from her grandmother, a well respected dressmaker who had her own atelier in a glitzy neighborhood in Odessa. There, just steps away from the Opera House, learned to sew and crochet and assisted her grandmother in making clothes for the stylish wives of diplomats and government officials. In 1977 her family moved to New York where she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and became a model, walking the New York runways alongside Pat Cleveland and Iman for Michael Vollbracht and Michael Kors. Galina moved to Los Angeles in 1987 where she met her future husband Michael Sobolev, an entrepreneur and MBA, on Christmas Eve, 1992.  They started the line single together, using one-of-a-kind prints based on original artwork from art studios in Italy and France.
single is available at select stores of Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Fred Segal, Planet Blue Harvey Nichols and many other exclusive boutiques worldwide.
Single is gifting one Stylephile reader a maxi dress (retail value $348) as worn by Eva Longoria. To win, leave a comment telling us the best thing about being single, and leave your email address. Deadline is Wednesday July 16 at 5PM.

July 10, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (48)

July 7, 2008

Your Netflix queue: the window to your soul

Forget the eyes...it's a person's Netflix queue that is truly the window to their soul.
My Netflix queue, for instance, currently harbors Disney's "Alice in Wonderland", "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "The Panic in Needle Park".
Verdict: This queue belongs to an infantile escapist fascinated with life's seedy underbelly.
Like rings around an ancient oak, the Netflix Queue documents your cultural growth patterns, providing evidence of your secret obsessions (nothing but Nietzsche documentaries and "The Anarchist's Cookbook" for a month, eh?), your ambitions (25 films on how to break in to film), and the pinings of your inner child ("The Black Cauldron").
Unlike TiVo, which feeds only your most immediate, day-to-day entertainment preferences, Netflix allows you to curate in the long term, and stock your right brain's pantry with fruit picked from deep within the vaults of film history.
Naturally, all theories deserve testing—so I called 'round a few Hollywood folks to find out what's coming up, or has recently come up, in their red letter day.
"Netflix..the red envelopes, right?", said film director Larry Clark (pictured), shortly before checking to see what his latest delivery was: "La Vie En Rose."
Verdict: Time-strapped romantic who is too much of a workaholic to actually get to a movie theatre—but who heard that Marion Cotillard is a babe.
Power publicist Kelly Cutrone has "National Velvet" ("to watch with my daughter Ava"), "The Idol Maker" and "Best in Show".
Verdict: Super high-achiever with a bitchin' sense of humor, who may position her daughter to become a champion show jumper. Or a rock star.
Producer Brian Grazer (pictured), according to Michael Rosenberg (president of Imagine Entertainment), does not have a Netflix account because "he likes to go to see movies in movie theatres, with people, and popcorn."
Verdict: No Netflix, no soul.
Writer/director Sacha Gervasi, ("The Terminal", "Anvil! The Story of Anvil") has ordered "La Balance" (a 1982 French thriller directed by Bob Swaim), "Betty Blue: The Director's Cut" and "Riff Raff" by Ken Loach. With a Netflix queue like this, you don't need tea leaves or palmistry to know what's on Gervasi's mind.
Verdict: Likes French babes, would like to direct French babes.
Actress Daniela Sea of "The L Word" (pictured) said that while she doesn't have Netflix ("I move around too much"), she does regularly rent movies from the local video store, the most recent being the 1962 film adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night", and "Morvern Callar", about a girl who wakes up to find her writer boyfriend with his throat cut beneath the Christmas Tree.
Verdict: Introspective, individual, a seeker of meaning with a dark side. Especially morbid around the holidays.
Music photographer Piper Ferguson is has Netflix'd "Tempest", "Wanderlust" and "The Chocolate War" (Verdict: Pop culture junkie and total escapist with teenage rebellion bubbling in her veins), and Laura Whitcombe of the fashion line Label recently ordered Lars Von Triers' "Europa Europa" (Verdict: A lady of impeccable taste).

What's on your list?

July 7, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mr Big becomes Mr Buzz

We hear that Chris "Mr Big" Noth has sheared the locks from his head, possibly to help him keep cool (it aint easy being hot shit, ya know?), or possibly for a new role, now that he's quit "Law & Order: Criminal Intent".
We were unable to find actual photos of Noth and his fresh new military-style crew cut, so instead The Stylephile offers you this realistic sans cheveaux rendering of Mr Big, as created by our highly able art department.
Noth looks pretty good, we think. Not too much like a rapist, and quite a bit like Bill Paxton's Chet character in "Weird Science".
Noth has just wrapped shooting the comedy "My One and Only" with Renee Zellweger.

July 7, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Agyness and Albert, sitting in a Plumm tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G.

The Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr. played DJ groupie to his new ladyfriend, supermodel Agyness Deyn when she spun at New York nightspot The Plumm last Thursday. The party was in honor of Plumm owner Noel Ashman's birthday (pictured, with the couple) and Hammond was all over Agyness "like flies on shit," according to a source. Noel Ashman was overheard asking the couple whether they were officially dating, upon which Agyness turned to Albert and asked "are we dating?". Hammond replied "Dunno." What a rock star! The couple then locked lips and "groped each other playfully", putting to rest any doubt as to their dating/non-dating status.
Deyn spun vintage glam by David Bowie and Eighties pop by Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson, and hung out at the club for over an hour before heading off to the Hamptons.
No doubt Hammond Jr., who's new solo album "Como Te Llama" comes out today, will have plenty of advice for his babe's musical project—a band called Gene Jacket she started with Danny Mastersons's sister, Alanna.
Deyn was, until recently, dating a member of U.K. band The Paddingtons.

July 7, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Handbag from Heaven: JT Italia

N'neka Hite is an intern at Variety. She's also an addict—a handbag addict (her Marc Jacobs purse is worth more than my monthly salary). To her, a bag isn't something you store keys, cell and gum in. It's something you store your identity, self-worth and happiness in. Here, she tells us about her latest obsession: JT Italia Handbags.

"I'm a handbag enthusiast and somewhat of a label whore, so if new bag comes on the scene and catches my eye, it's usually with good reason. When the JT Italia Handbags catalog hit my desk, I pored through the pages, taking stock of the satchels, clutches and totes, analyzing their folds and details. I had to see them in person to confirm my first impressions, which were good...very good.
A beautiful array of handbags lay on display across the white leather couches poolside at the Avalon in Beverly Hills. The vibrant reds, rich browns and natural nudes exuded taste and premiere quality. I had a feeling that among these luxuriously-put-together slabs of leather lay a new handbag from heaven.
The creators Jeff Parker and Tony Ta have a history collaborating as designers for Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani. They worked two years on the JT project, which they affectionately call "A Love Story". Each bag bears the initials of special women in their lives, on bejeweled hardware in the shape of a ring. You can have your own initials engraved on the ring, if you prefer. The straps are individually braided and hand-stitched with the finest skins from buffalo to eel. 
Rihanna has been spied toting the Buffalo HB Satchel. Drew Barrymore grabbed the UL Tote. Sarah Jessica Parker and Katie Holmes have also laid claim to their very own JT three-dimensional masterpiece. 
Fashion show producer and stylist Tod Hallman (who has worked with the cast of "Desperate Housewives" and Britney Spears for the Golden Globes, the Grammys and the Emmys) could not take his hands off of the JT UL Tote.
Choose from a butter-leather eel-skin clutch that holds more than a small carry-all, or a nylon hobo (available in the Fall collection).  Open these babies up and you’ll find a soft, roomy, red Louboutin-like leather interior with magnetic closings. 
What can I say; anyone with a bag fetish will be blown away by JT Handbags exclusive design and unique craftsmanship."
Get your own JT Handbag exclusively at Henri Bendel in New York on online at luxcouture.com.  The bags retail at $1,200-$3,500.
(Postscript: N'neka has recently begun attending Handbags Anonymous meetings and is working through her steps.)

July 7, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 6, 2008

Have your own reality show for $2500

What's more obnoxious than an SLR-brandishing, cargo-pant-wearing tourist family in Beverly Hills? An SLR-brandishing, cargo-pant-wearing tourist family in Beverly Hills with its own camera crew.
Guests at the Peninsula Hotel can grab their 15 minutes of fame for a mere $2,500, which will buy them and their tribe a full day with an Emmy-nominated producer (times must be hard) and his crew. The team will follow guests around as they sightsee, shop, relax by the pool, and generally behave like the stars of their own reality show. The footage will then be edited in to a professional-quality DVD that can then be taken home to torture future generations with.
It's all part of the hotel's "Academy" program, which aims to give Peninsula guests a flavor of the true Beverly Hills lifestyle. I noticed there were no "Be Mean To Your Spanish-Speaking Nanny", "Botch Your Botox", or "Join AA" options, which would have added fuller authenticity to the program. Although you can book a session with Hollywood voice coach Bob Corff, who taught Jake Gyllenhaal (pictured) to sound like a cowboy in “Brokeback Mountain”.
"Enis you son of a whoresunbitch! I wish I knew how to quit you!"
Cool!
Peninsula Academy reservations are subject to availability and advanced booking is recommended.
Contact the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel Concierge for details. 310-551-2888 or
pbh@peninsula.com

July 6, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 3, 2008

Meet the meathead: "The Doorman"

Doormen—like abused pitbulls and parking inspectors, they wield a level of power that is, all too often, entirely unrelated to their level of intelligence.
You can squeeze inside the tiny mind of the door 'tard in "The Doorman", a new Gigantic Pictures mockumentary based on the life and times of fictional doorman Trevor W., the most powerful clipboard holder and biggest ego in New York.
Until he loses his job, that is.
The movie stars the Borat-like Lucas Akoskin, with cameos by Peter Bogdanovitch, nightlife entrepreneur Amy Sacco and "Queer Eye" interior designer Thom Filicia, who sagely reminds the brashly-attired Trevor that "straight guys don't wear turquoise."
The Doorman premieres in New York City on July 18. Here for details.

July 3, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

Another good use for planes: handbags

With the airline industry going down almost as quickly as the dollar, handbag designer Kim White has come up with a novel way to make use of those soon-to-be-grounded jet liners: turn them in to handbags.
White, known for using vintage automotive fabrics, has been trying to get her hands on old-school airline fabrics for years, and  was thrilled when she finally came upon some hot pink and citrus backstock fabric originally intended for use in a United Airlines plane. Where did she find it? Squirreled away on a movie set of course! She wasted no time in turning the threads in to a new line of purses, available here, cost $210 inc. shipping.

July 3, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 1, 2008

The spritely styles of Pixie Geldof

Pixie Geldof, the 17-year-old daughter of British musician/saint Sir Bob Geldof, managed to pull off a series of striking costume changes amid the mud and chaos of this year's Glastonbury music festival in the U.K.
While most of her contemporaries were doing practical things—like wearing element-friendly House of Holland logo tees and water-proof trash bags—Pixie regaled us with dramatic wigs, boho turbans, fedora hats and knee socks pulled up over Wellington boots.
Has England just gotten itself an Olsen twin?

July 1, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Michael Jackson's clothing line--will it be Bad?

How badass would it be if Michael Jackson's hotly-anticipated clothing line turned out to be an entirely literal homage to the King of Pop's 35 year career?
Meaning: cod pieces, white Bedazzled gloves (worn one at a time), shoulder-padded leather jackets, and Moonwalk-friendly jazz shoes. Oh and let's not forget the accessories: oxygen masks, red lipstick, home skin-bleaching kits, Jheri Curl and, of course, a range of blankets.
No word on whether he'll be producing a children's line.
The collection, being produced in collabration with Ed Hardy and Christian Audigier, will be available exclusively at Kitson this Fall.
PS: Did you know there are people whose sole purpose in life is to track all known appearances of MJ's white glove? It's scary.

July 1, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Project Runway's Jay McCarroll and his new doc

Project Runway fans will totally geek out over "Eleven Minutes", an hour-long feature documentary that reveals what happens after the reality TV cameras stop rolling. Focusing on season one winner/fashion bitch Jay McCarroll and the genesis of his post-Runway clothing line, the movie (being screened as part of this month's L.A. Outfest) has already been dubbed "a terrifying intro to the fashion industry", and "Project Runway on crack".
In the spirit of all good reality TV, it shows the gradual unraveling of Mr. McCarroll as he learns important lessons from almighty fashion PR and non-mincer-of-words Kelly Cutrone ("buyers don’t buy a first collection"), and comes to terms with his non-existent sex life. "My gay butt hasn’t seen much action lately,” he tells a reporter. "I've been stuck behind a sewing machine."
We're so in!
Eleven Minutes is being screened at L.A. Outfest on Wed, July 16 @ 8:30pm at the Ford Amphitheatre. Visit Outfest.org to buy tickets.

July 1, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 28, 2008

The death of Worldbeat

A photographer who shall remain nameless, told me she was perplexed by her new beau's sense of style.
"He's cute," she said, "but his whole Worldbeat thing is freaking me out."
These days, clearly, the term "Worldbeat" comes with some serious baggage.
Worldbeat, in the context of this article, refers to Western music that incorporates non-Western folk elements. (Think Paul Simon in South Africa, Damon Albarn in Mali etc.)
Often, it also means things like blond dreads. Unkempt facial hair. Drum circles on the beach at sunset. Hydroponics. Bong hits, GreenPeace, and B.O.
Being in college in the 90s, basically.
Back then it was sexy, a public statement of personal freedom, a flag of probable marijuana/shroom possession, a sign of fun times ahead. Yet, unlike so many things from the 90s that went on to earn vintage status—Marc Jacobs' Grunge collection for Perry Ellis, neon raver clothes, New Kids On The Block—Worldbeat didn't age very well. Today, in fact, the Worldbeat look remains virtually untouchable, the final frontier of fashion irony—a frontier no-one outside of Burning Man seems brave enough to cross.
Case in point: a stylist friend sent out a mass email, encouraging her friends to attend today's Los Angeles Social Forum event in Downtown L.A. She received virtually no response, and didn't understand why. Eventually, someone on the email list wrote back. "Sorry," it read, "but you lost me at 'drum circle'."
And then there's the issue of those Worldbeat dreads—beautiful on Rastafarians, less so on Trustafarians. Last night, a friend who once had long dreads and a set of bongos back when they were fashionable, described her horror upon finally getting her hair cut. "There were things in them, creatures," she whispered. "Never again."
"Hold on," the defenders of Worldbeat may exclaim. "Isn't this summer's style supposed to be all global and stuff?" They're right. Flip through the pages of Vogue and Harper's and whatever, and you'll read all about the "ethnic print explosion", or more accurately, the "heathen print explosion” (the dictionary definition of "ethnic" is: 'relating to a people not Christian or Jewish; heathen'. Charming.).
Dries Van Noten's Spring/Summer 08 show (pictured), Oscar de la Renta's mudcloth print dresses, YSL's safari chic—all showed sub-Saharan tendencies. June's Vogue reported how Liya Kebede, a Tuareg pop festival in Timbuktu, was having a fashion moment. Add to that Ryan Gosling contributing to a book about the Darfur crisis, baby Shiloh, and Madonna's adoptee, and it's clear that Africa, whose music inspired the World Beat movement, is absolutely the most fashionable place on the planet in 2008, although you won't be seeing Madonna, Ryan Gosling or baby Shiloh wearing dreads and chewing twigs at a World Beat drum circle any time soon.
Why?
Because pretending to be from Africa isn't sexy any more. Africa, on the other hand, is.
(Disclaimer: The views contained in this article are not menat to target anyone living in the Venice Beach or Santa Cruz areas, both of which hold World Beat National Park status and whose dreadlocked residents, being historical artifacts, remain exempt from criticism.)

June 28, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 26, 2008

Ready for take-off

Kitties looking for their own private flying saucer to hole up in, look no further—Hepper's sophisticated line of mod-pods are here.
Designed by industrial designer Jed Crystal, Hepper was born after years of frustration with really ugly cat toys and furniture. "A search for truly innovative, functional, cool beds was fruitless," he recalls. In addition to the Pods, Hepper makes other home furnishings for dogs, cats and birds, including the Podium, Nest, Wave, Pad and Roost.
The company is named for Crystal's cat Hepper (short for Hepburn), who is offical tester for all Hepper products.
$155, buy here. Sale on candy pink pods now on.

June 26, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

Probiotic pups

Frozen yogurt has infiltrated all corners of urban American life—even the canine corner. Not only can you pick up a scoop of green tea with chocolate sprinkles of every street corner, you can also purchase special doggie frozen yoghurt online thanks to Dutch company Yöghund. Their cooling probiotic doggie desserts are made only with organic yogurt, fruit and spring water, with prices starting at $6 for a pack of four, plus shipping.
My dog loves the potassium-rich organic banana and peanut butter recipe. (Yes, I've tried it, and will be sticking to Pinkberry.)
Buy here.

June 26, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Scratchers for vicious claws

My kitten Kazpurr likes to the claw the sh*t out of my poor Spineless Yucca, and the plant's chances of survival look slim unless I find my feline friend an alternative scratching post. Gawd bless the folks at Everyday Studio who have created a cat scratcher that will blend with any sophisticated apartment's aesthetic, and should be able to absorb the violent attacks of even the most murderous of indoor cats.
The Pounce and Claw Scratchers come in four bright colors. Cardboard refills also available from Everyday Studio.
Buy here.

June 26, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Domesticated bliss

Nurture your dog's inner wolf by serving his kibble dinner in this rock-like doggie bowl by Turkish design firm Gaia & Gino. Inspired by Mother Nature herself, the 'Wild' water bowl "reflects the paradox of the domesticated," according to the designer Brandon Warren, who came up with his sleek design after Gaia & Gino sponsored a six-month project in his studio class at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. The bowls are made of porcelain and come in black, white and silver (titanium plated).
Call Space Lighting on 305-373-4422 for info on stockists.

June 26, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

Vertiginous cats need not apply

Is your indoor cat a closet tree-climber? While the door-mounted Climber Cat Tree won't quite substitute for a majestic oak or towering redwood, it will  afford your kitty a bird's eye view of your apartment, and allow it to regally survey its territory from eight feet in the air.
Made by Cat Livin, the space-saving sisal structure is designed to fit in even the coziest of apartments...now let's just hope you have tall ceilings.

Purchase at Cat Livin.com, $200.

June 26, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 24, 2008

Your laptop wants a tattoo

Problem: You lust after Kat Von D, and dream of getting a Chinese Dragon half sleeve—but you're a Catholic Bishop. How can you possibly indulge your secret tattoo fantasy without being excommunicated?
Solution: Easy—visit Scott Campbell's Brooklyn tattoo shop Saved, which is laser etching full back pieces on to Mac laptops. The process costs $200, and you can use one of Campbell's designs or choose one by Mike Giant, Irak and others.
You don't have to live in New York to give your Mac a tattoo face lift either. Choose one of the designs from their website and they can ship you a beautifully-etched Mac screen which you can then have (professionally) attached to your keyboard. (They do work with PC's too, but you have to physically bring those in to the store.)
And when the Pope asks why your computer looks so divine...tell him it was a miracle.
Call the shop for details (718 486 0850) or visit www.mamatried.com.

June 24, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

"Forgive Me" kids' tees by Mark Mahoney

If you're parent to a troublesome toddler, you should  should consider investing in one of these adorable Baby Eggi tees, designed by L.A. tattoo superstar Mark Mahoney.
Bearing the words "Forgive me, for I know not what I do" this tee is so damn cute, it acts as an instant Get Out Of Jail Free card for even the feistiest of  infants —even if he has just projectile-vomited over all your friends in a fancy cafe (true story) or stabbed the FedEx guy in the eye with an action figure (true story).
The line was co-founded by Jennifer Ahn, who oversees Martin Scorsese’s film preservation society. She commissioned L.A. tattoo guru Mark Mahoney (who has inked Johnny Depp and Drew Barrymore) to create baby-friendly designs for the tees. 20% of all net proceeds go to non-profit organizations benefiting children (customers have the option to select from different charities at check out).
And they're only $18. Visit www.babyeggi.com for more information.

June 24, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Lady fingers

Only syphilitic sailors, convicted rapists and nu metal drummers still think menacing "Love/Hate" knuckle tattoos are cool. Tattooed ladies with an of-the-moment sensibility are opting for softer, sweeter messages, as documented at Knuckle Tattoos.com, a website devoted entirely to the evolution of this storied body art. On the site, tatted ladies send in photos of themselves and their pretty fists, describing the inspiration behind the designs.
One girl got the words "Free Hugs" tattooed on her knuckles after buying a "Free Hugs" hat and t-shirt at a theme park. "Tons of people kept running up to me asking for hugs and it was so exciting," she says. "So I decided to get 'free hugs' tattooed on my knuckles as a kind of permanent symbol, since I can’t always wear my hat or shirt."
Another got "Knit Purl" inked on her joints because "my hands were made to make crafts...this is my tribute to the craft."
Another opted for “kindness” because it is a "really good reminder to me of what I want my hands and my actions to accomplish."
See more here.

June 24, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Giveaway: Better Bacon

 
Sometimes homeless people have the best style.
Sometimes two-year-olds make more sense than adults.
And sometimes special needs kids make cooler t-shirts than anyone else.
Case in point: Better Bacon tees. Designed entirely by kids and young adults with developmental disabilities, the line features hand-drawn graphics that are both poignant and fashion-forward, thanks to their DIY, Daniel Johnston-esque aesthetic (Kurt Cobain pictured wearing Daniel Johnston's amoeba tee).
Each item of clothing has a “Hang-Tag” featuring a Polaroid of the artist, a personal statement describing themselves and their creative outlets, and what they hope the consumer gets from the entire experience.
For instance, the "Out of Shape Banana" tee was created by Peewee who says: “I was taking the Velvet Underground CD cover out, and I decided to draw it. in reality I don’t know why I drew it, but I drew it. I don’t really care so much about the Velvet Underground cover; it’s more their songs I like. They got good music, and hopefully it would be nice if they put out more music like that.”
Better Bacon has no salaried employees, and the only individuals who profit from the line are the artists. The company pays each artist per design, per garment sold, regardless of profits.
Better Bacon is gifting one Stylephile reader a tee-shirt of their choice from the collection. To win, leave a comment describing one thing that inspires you to be creative. Deadline is Monday June 30 at 5PM.

June 24, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (9)

June 23, 2008

Angelina gets her tats out

Angelina maxes out on body art in her summer flick "Wanted", giving her most famous tats an airing ("Quod Me Nutrit, Me Destruit" never fails to remind me of the dangers of pizza), as well as throwing in a few temporary extras for good measure.
In addition to Jolie's existing Cambodian prayer, tiger and tribal tattoos, her character Fox sports two massive  "Toil" and "Tears" tattoos on the undersides of her arms, and various words on her forearms—all of which make for one sexy assassin/UN Goodwill Ambassador.
P.S. After you see this film, do resist the urge to visit your nearest ink shop and get a copy-cat job. Angelina can pull off ginormous "toil" and "tears" gang tats on her spindly limbs—you can't.
"Wanted" is in theatres June 27th.

June 23, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 19, 2008

Giveaway, and cute couple alert: Bishop of Seventh

When Chachi Prasad and his wife Karam Kim launched their premium denim line, they named it Bishop of Seventh, in honor of the place their cut their teeth in the fashion industry—namely New York’s Seventh Avenue. Then they packed their bags for L.A.
“We wanted to be around all the big boys in Los Angeles,” says Prasad, referring to major denim brands—J Brand, Seven for all Mankind, Rock and Republic, Paige Premium and others—which are mainly based in L.A., America’s denim capital.
Prasad and his wife had spent their careers on Seventh Avenue, working as designers for high-fashion brands like Calvin Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan and Michael Kors. Overnight, they found themselves in the wash houses and denim mills of Downtown L.A., coming up with their own, innovative denim treatments in an already competitive jeans market. “We weren’t really denim people before we started out, so it helped that there was a bunch of chemical engineers in my family,” says Prasad. “That gave me some cool ideas.”
They experimented, putting golf balls and pennies in dryers, and coming up with ways to soften their fabrics with minimal use of chemicals. This was around 2005, at the peak of the premium denim game. Prasad went against the grain, favoring raw, tailored denims and clean rinses rather than the embellished, super-distressed looks that were en vogue at the time. “I felt like we were ahead of our time,’ said Prasad, and he’s right—look around today and it’s all about raw denim, tailoring and minimalism.
Sensing that the premium denim explosion was about to plateau, Bishop decided to expand its focus and throw trousers into the mix (Seven For All Mankind, Joe’s Jeans and Paige Premium Denim have since all launched trouser lines). BofS trousers are engineered, with a twisted seam to elongate the leg and a rayon yarn that “wraps around a woman’s body really well,” says Prasad (He sent me a pair and yes, they do add an inch or two to my tiny frame). “Our trousers have a great price point too," points out Prasad, "especially compared with an Armani trouser for example."
Bishop of Seventh donates a portion of all profits to the charity Earth Rights International, which watches over human rights and environmental abuse by major corporations. (Earth Rights is currently pursuing Chevron for apparently hiring paramilitaries in Burma to oust people from their villages to make way for a pipeline). And for extra feel-good factor, their 35th Street Jean was actually blessed by a monk at a Tibetan Temple in Long Beach (where Prasad and his wife were married). “He performed a ceremony that was 30 minutes long, blessing the jeans for health, happiness and prosperity. Then he told us that we have a good, long journey ahead of us with this company. And so we keep going forward.”
Bishop of Seventh is gifting one Stylephile reader a pair of its 7th Ave jeans in Carbon Grey, plus a Christopher trouser in Black Gabardine (with a combined retail value of around $420).
To win, tell us what your favorite charity is, and why. Most compelling response wins! Leave your answers in the comments section of the post, being sure to include your email address so we can reach you. Deadline is Wednesday June 25, at 5PM.

June 19, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (17)

June 18, 2008

The Great Los Angeles Brainwash

There was a rumor going around the Mr Brainwash private preview in Hollywood last night that the whole thing was, in fact, a hoax.
"Someone told me this is all a big joke," said my informant in hushed tones. "We're all being filmed, and then in a week they'll reveal that Mr Brainwash isn't who he says he is, and everyone will know just how stupid L.A. is for falling for it."
This was whispered to me as I hovered around a graffiti'd urinal, à la Duchamp, just one of many jarringly literal interpretations on display in the former CBS studio on Sunset Blvd.
Whatever the truth, Mr Brainwash is definitely real, at least: he's Thierry Guetta, a French filmmaker who became so obsessed with the street artists he was filming, he decided to become one himself, wheat-pasting stretches of L.A.'s La Brea corridor with black and white Banksy-style stencils.
And if Guetta is indeed out to insult test L.A.'s intelligence, then he's doing an audacious job of it—in this super-sized solo show, his first ever, Mr Brainwash manages to rip off pretty much every important artist of the last 500 years. The DuChamp urinal, the Van Gogh self portrait and a whole series of Warhol Marilyns, all tweaked, ad-busted and given the Brainwash treatment. (The only thing he hasn't re-worked, as far as I could tell, was the Mona Lisa.)
But that's not to say there weren't any original ideas inside this cavern of re-purposed greatness.
His larger installations were, for example, very striking--former editing bays filled with books and taped off, graffiti'd with the words "not finish"; a dog sculpture made from old telephones; a 15 feet high take-out bag, complete with receipt taped to the side; and a 30 foot high robot built entirely from (working) vintage TVs. "Look, that's totally L.A.," said a friend, pointing to a cage filled with film reels and car tires. She was right.
I asked Roger Gastman, publisher of street art magazine "Swindle", whether he thought the Mr Brainwash thing was an elaborate J.T. Leroy-esque hoax. "Um, no, I don't think so," he shrugged. "I mean, he exists. He's outside right now, riding a tricycle with a cast on his leg."
The next morning I asked Shepard Fairey, arguably the best-known graffiti artist in America, his thoughts on the conspiracy theory. "He's not a hoaxer," said Fairey. "He is, however, crazy."
Go see for yourselves.
Mr Brainwash, "Life Is Beautiful" continues through Sunday, June 22. At 6121 W Sunset Blvd @ El Centro, Hollywood, CA, 90028. Click here for opening hours.

June 18, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (2)

Eurotrash invades L.A.

Growing up in London, I learned all my values from a TV show called Eurotrash.
Hosted by Jean Paul Gaultier and the deadpan Antoine de Caunes, it dragged its viewers through the silliest, most bizarro European subcultures imagineable—against a high fashion backdrop, bien sur.
The first season, which aired in 1993, featured appearances by fashion industry icons Ellen Von Unwerth, Helena Christensen, Pierre et Gilles, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Giorgio Armani, punctuated by segments about pubic hairdressing, Alpine Hells Angels, S&M restaurants and nude golf.
I ran into Eurotrash's host, Antoine de Caunes (pictured), last week at a party at the Houdini Mansion in L.A., where around 200 guests were celebrating the birthday of flame-haired L.A. scenester and professional fag hag Lenora Claire. (pictured)
De Caunes was being followed around by a production crew from French network Canal Plus, which is filming a five-part series about American contemporary culture, scheduled to air around election time. The bodacious Lenora Claire and her friends were deemed just the right kind of sexy for the French, and she was selected to be L.A.'s representative for the night. The suited De Caunes was completely re-styled for the camera by Lenora's friend, fashionista and writer Clint Catalyst, so he could fit in with the exotic birds around him. De Caunes ended up looking like a cross between Boy George and a Thomspon Twin, with an assymetrical curly wig, airbrushed makeup and embroidered Jared Gold suit jacket.
"I miss Lolo," lamented de Caunes, when I ran in to him in the bathroom, getting his lipgloss touched up. He was referring to the late French porn star Lolo Ferrari, who had the largest breasts in the world (71 inches), and was a Eurotrash regular. "She was very, very sweet."
Also hanging around were James St. James (former Michael "Party Monster" Alig co-hort), Heatherette designer Richie Rich and impresario Kim Fowley (pictured, in yellow, who formed The Runaways with Joan Jett and Sandy West). Fowley, who looked like a cross between John Waters and Frankenstein's monster, wasted no time in getting to know me—upon being introduced to me, his first question was "tell me about the inside of your c**t. Do you f*** girls or boys? Are you a top or a bottom?" Goodness!
I told him all he neded to know, naturally...

June 18, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 17, 2008

Giveaway--blue charmeuse dress by Lisa Michelle Collection

You've been cruising the waves on your long board all day in your eco-friendly Patagonia wetsuit, but that doesn't mean you don't know how to dress it up after sunset. Surf sirens—and their landlubbing counterparts—would do well to invest in a playful number from the newly-launched Lisa Michelle Collection.

The brainchild of L.A.-based up-and-comer Lisa Felsenthal (who has designed for Rozae Nichols and Monique Lhuillier, and who interned for Michelle Mason and Jeremy Scott while training) the flirty, feminine line features light, beautiful European fabrics and trims, perfect for the urban sophisticate who doesn't take herself too seriously.

We have a blue silk charmeause Lisa Michelle Collection evening dress (retail value $650) to give away to one Stylephile reader (we can accomodate most regular sizes). To win, simply tell us this: what's going to be your style essential this summer? Leave your answers in the comments section of this post. Deadline is 5PM, Monday June 23rd.

June 17, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (32)

Nat Russell tees at Mollusk

What Citylights Books was to the Beatniks, Mollusk—the Bay Area surf store/art gallery—is to boho surfers. Mollusk, which has locations in Venice Beach and Brooklyn, is a great place to pick up tees, hoodies and tote bags bearing original, eclectic graphics that reflect the local Mission School art scene (many of its artists like Barry McGee, have exhibited at the gallery space.)  Collaborations with artists and musicians like Kyle Field and Oakland-based Nat Russell (Russell's designs are pictured) have resulted in tee-shirts with way more street cred than anything by Volcom.
Mollusk is located at 4500 Irving St, San Francisco, CA. Also at 1600 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291 and 210 Kent Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11211. Buy here.

June 17, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Patagonia designs eco wet suit with The Malloy Bros

Dan Malloy, one of surfing's legendary Malloy Brothers, told me about the revolutionary eco-friendly wet-suits that he and his siblings have helped develop with outerwear brand Patagonia. The brothers have been working with Patagonia, whose founders are part of the same Ventura, CA, surfer scene they grew up in, for the last three years, helping the company test and develop the suits. They have been designed using the same principles used to create insulated ski outerwear, resulting in a warmer, more environmentally-friendly sea-skin.
They're made from high-quality Japanese neoprene rubber and lined with chlorine-free merino wool and recycled polyester. Wear one, and you'll still feel warm even in 55 degree water. Brrrr.
The suits can be purchased from Patagonia stores. Click here for more information.

June 17, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Catch the Alaia addiction

No, we're not talking Azzedine Alaïa—we're talking about the old-school wooden surf boards that the new breed of surfer bohemians are adopting as their board of choice.
Board shaper Tom Wegener's Alaias are among the most popular. Unlike mass-produced fiberglass boards, they contain no chemicals, are biodegradable and long-lasting and promise wave-riders a unique experience—although be warned, this is not a board for beginners. Based on designs created by ancient Hawaiian watermen, Wegener crafts his boards  from sustainable plantation-grown Paulownia wood, hand-shaping them and coating them with linseed oil.
Expect a lifetime's worth of surf magic.
Tom Wegener's Alaias cost between $410 and $900. Buy here.

June 17, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Couch surfer

You know there's more to surf films than Spicoli in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and Point Break's Johnny Utah, right?
Take a bite out of the contemporary surf film movement and lose yourself in the dreamy, romantic seascapes of surf filmmaker Thomas Campbell. A member of the Moonshine Conspiracy, a surf-artist crew that counts Jack Johnson and The Malloy Brothers among its members, Campbell's documentaries "Sprout" and "The Seedling" (shot on 16mm film) capture the laid-back, graceful vibe of the surfing subculture, with a nod to the old-school 70s California vibe. "Sprout" (2004) changed the way people looked at surfing, and features some of the sport's greatest, like Rob Machado, Belinda Baggs, Joel Tudor, Dan Malloy, Tom “Weggy” Wegener, and C.J. Nelson. "The Seedling" focuses on a small band of California logriders.
To see a trailer for Campbell's latest film "The Present" (out this Fall), click here.
For something to make you smile, click here.
Thomas Campbell’s work was featured in the Beautiful Losers exhibition, curated by Aaron Rose and Christian Strike. Buy his movies here.

June 17, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 12, 2008

Jewelry for joyriders

Charm necklaces with swallows, unicorns and cherries are so yesteryear (Hearts, however, will never go out of fashion).
Now we're looking for more utilitarian items to dangle from our necks, like this hand-made bike pendant by Vento Na Praia, a jewlery line created by Portuguese artisan Patricia Almeida. The movable metal pendant hangs from a 56cm silver chain, which you should tuck inside your jacket while you're practicising your 180 bar spin.
$12, buy here.

June 12, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

Basket case

No you're not in Paris, Amsterdam or San Francisco, the biking hubs of the universe—but that doesn't mean you can't tool around on your boyfriend's rusty old BMX and still look stylish. You might, however, want to accesorize a little with an über-feminine, decorative bike basket by Marie-Louise Gustafsson for Design House Stockholm, which is guaranteed to pretty-up even the dowdiest of two-wheelers. Pile your basket high with
fresh organic produce from the Farmers Market and cycle home in the sunshine, making sure to avoid  those potholes (unless you're happy to end up like  Nico in Ibiza).
Available in black, white or green for $55 from Scandinavian Grace.

June 12, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bikes. Owls. Visors.

Bikes, owls, visors—three worlds collide in the hands of Portland designer Paula Deer, whose adorable headwear looks equally good in or out of the bike lane. I love the "Palm-Springs-Meets-The Pacific-North-West" aesthetic of her purple owl visor, perfect for warmer climes, and useful for avoiding the unfortunate "helmet hair" suffered by bikers. For cool night-riding, try one of her traditional, heavier biking hats, which can comfortably be worn beneath a helmet. All her hats are reversible, and handmade with recycled fabrics (some of which come from Paula's mother's fabric stash in North Dakota.)
$40, buy here.

June 12, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

$5 Gas Solutions: The Day 6 Comfort Bike

"Sore Ass Syndrome" is one of the many side-effects of riding a bicycle, especially for newbies like myself. Thankfully, there is a company out there that understands that not all of us were designed to sit on a razor blade as we whizz wobble around town on two wheels.
The ergonomically-designed Day 6 Comfort Bike comes with a comfy little padded seat, perfect for older folks or those with chronic back pain. I am neither old nor in pain, but hell—I'll take one, because my tender little toosh can't deal with anything other than extreme comfort. The Day 6 features a wide, centrally-mounted padded seat, combined with extra back support (useful for girls who like wearing heels). The riding position also promotes proper alignment, and its patented lumbar support provides extra power for climbing hills. Enjoy the retro-ish design, and try to forget you're riding a two-wheeler for the aged and infirm.
Starts at $679, buy here.

June 12, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 10, 2008

If your daddy likes old-fashioned music...

If your stuck-in-a-time-warp daddy has nothing but Brahms, Beethoven and Beatles on his iPod, he should consider getting speakers that match his Stone Age sensibility. This cast ceramic gramophone by Tristan Zimmerman for Science+Sons could literally work in a cave—it functions without external power or batteries.
This Father's Day, show Pops how to plug in the earbuds from his iPod or MP3player and enjoy the au naturel horn acoustics, warm, rich and resonant.
$495 from A Plus R.com. Buy here.

June 10, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

If your daddy was a club kid...

Remember the Nineties, when you used to come home from a night out only to find your saucer-eyed daddy and his friends still breakdancing by the pool? Relive those heady days by gifting him a charm bracelet by Toy Me!, which replaces the usual silver mementos with reproductions of infamous ecstasy pills, including the Smiley Face, Mitsubishi, Don't Take, Love, Heart and Question Mark. Created by Milan designer Georgo Phillip Pecenikov (a.k.a. Gogo), each piece is hand cast in silver and plated with rhodium (the most reflective of the precious metals). Gogo, who hails from a family of traditional high-end jewelry artisans, knows that in the 21st century, jewels are the drug of choice.
$240 from A Plus R. Buy here.

June 10, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (2)

If your daddy's a weekend playa...

Boys will be boys, so if daddy must go on yet another weekend "fishing trip" with Uncle Bob, then at least make sure he goes in style.
Have him pack his worms and tackle in a gold Icarus Unisex Weekender by Leonello Borghi, an oversexed—I mean—oversized unisex Italian calfskin satchel.
If he protests, remind him that not only is Leonello Borghi the highest performing men's bag at Barney's, it also counts fashion icons like Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen as fans.
That'll get Uncle Bob excited.
$879 at Barney’s New York.

June 10, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (2)

If your daddy's too cool for plastic...

Send your newly earth-conscious papa to Whole Foods toting one of these: an H’Oat Couture eco-friendly carry-all made from used coffee, feed, money, and flour sacks, colorful fabrics and authentic sail ties.
Made by WeBe Bags, these colorful totes launched at this year's Sundance, where rapper 50 Cent requested fifty for him and his friends. (If you were in Cannes, you may remember WeBe bags—they were the official bag of the festival.)
The bags retail for $32-$100 and are available at Fred Segal in Santa Monica.
www.webebags.com.

June 10, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 5, 2008

What to gift your gay boyfriend for Pride '08

Whether you're proud, closeted or hag, we urge you to celebrate this weekend's Gay Pride with a beautifully-packaged condom from ONE condoms' Pride Mix. The only condom company with themed, gay-friendly packaging, ONE has been in the rubber biz for 21 years, and their Pride Mix is a consistent best-seller. One features a photo of Alexander The Great, with the wording "He was ONE". Others feature packaging  photos of buff-bodied boys, while a few are more lovey-dovey, showing committed guys wearing wedding tuxes or kissing on the cheek. Something for everyone.
ONE hopes to achieve distribution in major drug stores by next year, and is also coming out with a line of dams for the ladies in '09...no word on whether they'll be using photos of Samantha Ronson and La Lohan for those.
Buy here.

June 5, 2008 in FASHION | Permalink | Comments (0)

Touch the testosterone: Ed Norton's "Fight club" gear, Javier Bardem's "No Country" shirt

If you're creepy like me, you may occasionally fantasize about burying your nose in the armpit of Ed Norton's "Fight Club" shirt, huffing the emasculated sweat like bad glue, getting high on the fumes of his frustration.
Mmmm.
Or perhaps, you lust after Carmen Electra’s gold floral print with white lace trim dress with silver buttons, the one she wore in “Scary Movie 4”.
Whatever your film or TV costume fetish, you're bound to find something to satisfy it at the upcoming Hollywood Roadshow, a huge auction taking place Saturday June 21st and Sunday June 22nd in El Segundo, just south of L.A.
Several hundred items from acclaimed films including “No Country for Old Men”, “Star Wars”, “21 Grams”, and “Lords of Dogtown” (as well as Edward Norton’s personal collection of costumes and key props from “Fight Club”) will be up for bid, with proceeds to benefit the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Additionally, hundreds of movie-themed pinball machines and arcade games including PacMan, Ms. PacMan, Galaga, The Simpson's, Jurassic Park, and many more will be auctioned. 
Personally, I'd be psyched to get my hands on Oscar-winner Javier Bardem’s denim jacket, long-sleeve button-up shirt and black "Wrangler" pants (with bloody holes) from “No Country for Old Men”. Or Stacy Peralta’s Graffiti Short Surfboard, used on screen as set decoration in “Lords of Dogtown”.
The live auction will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 21st and June 22nd at Premiere Props’ warehouse in El Segundo, California (128 Sierra Street, El Segundo, CA 90245).  There will be a preview