With news that fashion brand, Mayle, is closing down after Resort/Holiday 09, we think a spread is due. Perhaps you've only loved the Mayle aesthetic from afar, perhaps you've indulged in every smart frock and pair of trousers from previous seasons, or perhaps the brand hasn't meant much to you until now. Either way, we have a feeling these last deliveries will mean much more to many of us. To think, just last week we wrote up an immaterial about a shearling caplet that is part of the Fall 08 collection. Little did we know it would be one of Mayle's last quirky offers. If anything, this should stand as an example of how difficult is is to run a fashion business in general, and how the contemporary companies in particular, often get thrown the wolves if they don't peddle their clothing properly and act as total slaves to the buyers (who have peddle on their own accord). It's not easy, especially in our current economic climate, to endure the season-less demands of the contemporary shopper. Jane Mayle, in her conversation with WWD, referenced perfumery and home goods as being her next endeavor so we're sure we haven't seen the last of that magpie/indie girl aesthetic. That said, it's still the end of a clothing line beloved by many young burgeoning chicsters. Below, our spread of Mayle from Spring 08 (all on sale) and Fall 08 (just delivered). If you shop only for the sake of archiving, we won't blame you.
Spring 08
An Ode To Mayle: Shop It
August 18, 2008 · 0 Comments
With news that fashion brand, Mayle, is closing down after Resort/Holiday 09, we think a spread is due. Perhaps you've only loved the Mayle aesthetic from afar, perhaps you've indulged in every smart frock and pair of trousers from previous seasons, or perhaps the brand hasn't meant much to you until now. Either way, we have a feeling these last deliveries will mean much more to many of us. To think, just last week we wrote up an immaterial about a shearling caplet that is part of the Fall 08 collection. Little did we know it would be one of Mayle's last quirky offers. If anything, this should stand as an example of how difficult is is to run a fashion business in general, and how the contemporary companies in particular, often get thrown the wolves if they don't peddle their clothing properly and act as total slaves to the buyers (who have peddle on their own accord). It's not easy, especially in our current economic climate, to endure the season-less demands of the contemporary shopper. Jane Mayle, in her conversation with WWD, referenced perfumery and home goods as being her next endeavor so we're sure we haven't seen the last of that magpie/indie girl aesthetic. That said, it's still the end of a clothing line beloved by many young burgeoning chicsters. Below, our spread of Mayle from Spring 08 (all on sale) and Fall 08 (just delivered). If you shop only for the sake of archiving, we won't blame you.
Barney's Warehouse Sale: Skip The Madness
August 14, 2008 · 0 Comments
Sometimes the chaos just isn't worth the effort, and sometimes you've not choice anyway. Our New York colleagues over at Racked are providing live coverage of the Barney's warehouse sale and as much as we love to drop the New York-centric post now and again, we realize not everyone has access to the madness. That said, when we scoped out what Barneys had to offer online, the 60% off or more options were plentiful. Below, check out our spread of the best from that category. Between the Maison Martin Margiela Cork Knee Boots, marked down to $355 from $895, to the Lanvin Large Peplum Bag, marked down to $789 from almost two thousand, it's clear there are still some non-warehouse goodies to be had. Just be warned that a link is only a link for a day or two. Much of what we'd put into a wishlist for ourselves has gone out-of-stock either because it was moved to the sale or because it sold out overnight. Such is the nature of sample sales, both online and in warehouses. Pick up something for yourself today and call it an ode to the Fall season and a looming fashion week, where cork boots and Lanvin purses will come in handy.
Transparency Trends For Spring 09
July 31, 2008 · 1 Comment
We've been trying to imagine the Spring 09 trends the way a seven year old shakes their presents under the christmas tree. Transparency is one we've been thinking about. Transparency, the break-out trend for Spring 08, has pushed on strongly enough. We predict the numbers will be high come Spring 09. The trend-forecasting seminars always tell you that the trends for next season are the same as they were two seasons previous. No miraculous discoveries--just summaries of what, because of various websites, we've seen plenty of already. So our thoughts on transparency aren't unsupported. Just in case a little evidence is needed, however, here's some of what we've seen since Spring 08.
Fall is a season that calls for heavier layers and so transparency is necessarily peripheral because of its impracticality. We did, however, see plenty of it crop up on evening frocks and on blouses that could be easily layered. Ashleigh Verrier used it on feminine frocks that were made season-appropriate by way of fur stoles and thick hosiery. On the darker side of things Alexander Wang used it on shell tanks and leggings in many of his Fall looks and Preen (shown left) used transparency despite every other aspect of the collection being wintery perfection.
Then came Resort and with warmer weather; more freer usage of the textile. Christian Dior used generous portions of transparency for his cruise ship-worthy evening gowns. Chanel, on the other hand, stuck to mini-frocks that were prefect for the Miami-staged runway show. Calvin Klein (shown right), our favorite by far, showed a few examples of transparency in the colorless, structured collection.
Finally menswear came along and gave us the duds that will sit on the other side of the boutique and closet and dresser drawer to ours, come Spring 09. Transparency--check. We saw it unabashed and blazing from Givenchy, we saw it in lace from Yohji Yamamoto, and from Costume National (shown left) masquerading as a normal work shirt--complete with blazer and tie.
We think it's time to stop shaking the present now. We're pretty sure we know what we're getting when it's time to open the gifts. You never know though, like when you're a kid, there's always one that surprises you...Friday Video Indulgence: Sonia Rykiel Spring 08
April 25, 2008 · 0 Comments
Everything about the Spring 08 collection by Sonia Rykiel gives us chills. The show began with 70's inspired brights, a yellow head wrap that is the 'hats are back' poster product if there ever were one and then, then there was the grand finale. With 'Paint It Black' playing in the background, feathers floating in the air, barefoot models slinking down the running, twirling, all smiles, Rykiel really gave the industry a run for their money. Nothing was more cool than these chiffon maxi dresses, nothing more nude, more transparent, more sexy (i.e. nothing more representative of what would be the major trends of the season) than this. And even if there was an air of rock n' roll, a wink at acid tripping hippies, the angelic sweetness of these garments made it all seem very fun if slightly innocent. For our Friday Video Indulgence, check out the Spring 08 Rykiel runway show and, what we thought of when we first saw this collection, the trailer to the Virgin Suicides. If this season ends up anything like Rykiel's collection, it's going to be one hot summer.
Spring Trends: Colored Denim
April 21, 2008 · 0 Comments
It's a very simple formula, an old time favorite covered up with the trend du jour. Denim never goes out of style and so, with all of the bright colors that cropped up in the Spring 08 shows (see Lanvin, Jil Sander, and Marc Jacobs) the necessary (accessible) trend that's pitched to the masses is bright colored denim. It's the affordable staple with a Lanvin spin, if you will. It makes for a nice collage if you're a glossy and brightens up your look book if you're a denim brand. Everybody's happy. For the consumer, admittedly, it's also a fun trend to play around with. 'You say there's a recession coming on? I'm sorry, I can't hear what your saying, MY YELLOW JEANS ARE JUST TOO LOUD!' We're not going to rag on a little bit of color, even if this trend is so easy to pinpoint. We're down with it, and below, a spread of our favorites. For more on denim, check out our recent Garmento article where we went straight to the source.
Immaterial: Missoni Chain-Strap Patio Dress
April 15, 2008 · 1 Comment
We are giving this Missoni Chain-Strap Patio Dress props for being a decidedly non-twenty something frock. It's not often that you browse through designer offerings and think, 'Wow, I'm definitely going to wear that when I get older'. That is, most fashion makes you feel just the opposite. Leave it to Missoni, the domestic embodiment of beauty at every age, to create this dress that inspires us to daydream about our glamorous 65 year old selves. The scoop neck dress is fully lined with side pockets, it even comes with a sash. It could, of course, be worn well at any age, we just happen to like the fact that it's mature, flattering, and vibrant enough for a women with slightly more experience.
Click for more Immaterial
The Color Of Summer: Acid Green
April 11, 2008 · 1 Comment
We talked to a few buyers and showroom reps about our noticing that acid green has cropped up in more than one place for Spring 08. A color like this, admittedly, doesn't lend itself to an all-out craze. The fact is, acid green is appearing as much as it ever will, on everything from accessories to frocks. It's a good time for the fad, if you look at the rest of what's appearing on the palate for Spring 08. Nudes especially are an appropriate compliment to acid green, and there are few colors you can say that about. A really nice representation of this color trend, which may convince you that it's not so bad after all, is Jenny Yuen's handbag range for Spring 08. It's something we need to take in doses, and that's perfectly fine for fashion.
Friday Video Indulgence
April 11, 2008 · 0 Comments
We know what Friday's are like for most people, that is, at the end of the day you just need a little video indulgence. We live in an age where most of us are too busy to watch TV (not necessarily a bad thing, eh?) so the You Tube video reigns as the ultimate 15 minute chill out session. Now, every Friday, we're going to bring you our mix of fashion and veg-out videos. This week, still reeling from yesterday's 82 degree day, we've decided to turn on The Beach Boys. With one-piece swimsuits making a comeback this summer, we thought it only appropriate. Below that, the runway show from Lacoste for Spring 08, because if there ever were a low-key, beach-ready collection, this would be it. Finish off your midday break with a clip of swimwear from 1952, you'll see plenty of the references from modern designs, and, be gently reminded that 'the perfect silhouette' is a relative concept.
Immaterial: Stella McCartney Pleated Nylon Bag In Orange
April 11, 2008 · 1 Comment
This orange bag is also green, thank heavens. Part of the Spring 08 Stella McCartney collection, this Pleated Nylon Bag in Orange is meant to tote all your Summertime accoutrements. Measuring over 1 1/2 feet wide, we'd be surprised if it didn't double as a 'get out of the city for a day'-bag. One of the biggest challenges when it comes to Summer handbags, in the first place, is the fact that polished leather bags can sometimes feel a bit mismatched with casual frocks or shorts. Nylon, in a bold color like this and with asymmetrical ruching, mean that you won't look like your carrying around a grocery bag, nor will you feel unbalanced. McCartney's Spring collection of nude and either orange or navy anchored floral garments, lent itself to this bold, matte colored accessory.
Click for more Immaterial
I Am Fashion Shoutout: A Lanvin Summer
April 11, 2008 · 0 Comments
Our network partner, I Am Fashion, has a keen eye for making our favorite trends more affordable. She also, like us, has dug the Spring 08 collections out of the woodwork in spirit of the change in seasons. Lanvin's Spring 08 collection; with so many feminine, vibrant, marketable frocks, merits a 'look for less' post if there ever was one. To be specific, the collection encompassed every key attribute of chic Summer attire. Colors like midnight, Kelly green, dandelion, and tangerine, you imagine bringing life back to the pale palate of a beach or city street. Three bright frocks were floor sweeping, flowing, a vision of sophistication and appropriateness in the heat of the Summer. These dresses are, simply put, one of the only ways one might do 85 degrees gracefully. Check out I Am Fashion's look-for-less alternatives and more of our network Shoutouts here. 
Piquadro
Mantaray
Ben Sherman
Latest Comments