coutorture --

Unabashed Product Placement! DIY Tips!

coutorture — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:52:12 -0700

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

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

Adam Resort 2009

coutorture — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:43:43 -0700

Yesterday, after the Charles Nolan Resort showing, we popped in to see the Adam Resort collection at Milk Studios. TJ, a Paul Wilmot representative, showed us the collection and a few other recent Adam offerings that we'll be reporting on later in the week. The Resort collection, that is, deserves its own post.

The thing everyone knows about Resort is that it's growing in popularity. Today, many fashion fans, both inside and outside of the industry, view Resort with the same kind of unblinking curiosity that they do Fall and Spring. Perhaps this is to do with our ever-growing global awareness (which means more traveling), perhaps, because of the internet, people are just simply more aware of the cycles of fashion. Whatever the reason, mid-season traditions are in a state of flux and, until it all settles down, we'll be seeing a combination of grand Resort showings (like that of Oscar de la Renta), small presentations (like that of Charles Nolan), and one-on-one showroom viewings (like that of Adam) depending on the designer and his so-called resort-personality.

Designer Adam Lippes is, to us, in a good place. That is, his design personality has always somewhat pivoted on the notion of travel (and the ease at which you may do so) allowing his Resort to be just as strong as his Fall and Spring. In other words, Resort, for Adam Lippies, is the song he's always loved listening to and now it's a #1 single. Now that it's so popular, it's not like he'll listen to it more or even turn up the volume. He'll just love it and maybe a few people will remember that he loved it, back when it was just a song.

The Adam Resort 2009 collection was vibrant and stunning, the kind of classic but colorful pieces you know the designer for. The maxi frocks, with stone detailing or flowing chiffon layers would be ideal for an evening stroll. Traditional cardigans in colors like lemon would be the perfect thing to slip into while riding in a convertible on a cool evening. Even the knits, easy and casual, you can imagine with crisp trousers and sun-kissed skin. In other words, the collection felt like a good night's sleep and a glass of rose. It was easy and relaxed and, well, happy.

If that doesn't sound like the best 'vacation' put on the table thus far, we're not sure this whole thing should be called resort anyway. If it's not going to be easy, if it's not going to sell itself to you in the middle of the winter when all you want to do is hop a flight to your second home and curl up with a good book, well, we shouldn't call it resort, we should just call it, more clothes.

Adam Striped Square Neck Kimono Dress

coutorture — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:09:34 -0700

Adam Lippes, hottest designer on the block (and most popular) gives us a summer frock we vote 'Best All Around'. It gets this superlative for the simple reason that it's a summer dress that doesn't make us gag (the saturation point has been reached to say the least) and because the kimono style sleeves and bodice would most likely suit a variety of body types. For his Spring 08 collection, Lippes did what he does best, that is, classy Hamptons gear (or otherwise luxurious vacation spot) for smart women who have money (and have had it for a while). It's curious that Lippes makes us feel this way because his price point is more or less contemporary (the Stripe Square Neck Kimono Dress at $285) but we suspect the psychology is similar to that of which we associate with Ralph Lauren. That is, the clothes are distinctly American and, as far as we know, the only Americans who really dress like Americans and do it well are those that temporarily reside in places like The Hamptons or Aspen. So we associate his clothes with high price points even though, funnily enough, they are mildly affordable. For more of the Spring 08 Adam collection, check out our gallery below.

Adam Lippes Loves Dogs

coutorture — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:35:02 -0700

He is such a catch. Designer Adam Lippes will host a dog adoption party in the Meatpacking District this weekend. The event, this Friday, will be co-hosted by the ASPCA and the festivities will continue through the weekend. If you're in New York, check out the windows of the Adam shop on Hudson street for the wittle doggies Adam loves, up for adoption. It's a nice reminder that fashion isn't just champagne toasting, panic attacks, and a constant dialogue about the recession. The all-American designer, with experience at Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta, is just the guy to remind us of that fact.

What: Adam Loves Dogs
When: April 4-6th 2008
Where: 678 Hudson Street, NY, NY

Be sure to check out our exclusive coverage of the Fall 08 Adam Lippes fashion show including a backstage interview with the designer.

Coterie Trade Show

coutorture — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:11:53 -0800

Today we popped into the Coterie Trade Show where the godforsaken clothes are actually bought and sold! If you fancy a quick glance at Fall 08, off the runway, here are some photos we snapped in attendance. Coterie, one of the most prominent trade shows in America, takes place in the Javits Center and is vast and sprawling. The maze of designers is only navigable by the atmosphere of their respective booths. Indeed, as any good New Yorker knows, even in the space of a kitchen tile one can make themselves known. Tory Birch had a guard with clipboard as the booth was 'by appointment only', Rag & Bone was prohibiting press pictures (thanks lady, we've got the runway shots anyway), and Earnest Sewn built a huge wooden wall to act as a shield against the lesser-merchandised vendors. Adam by Adam Lippies, Diabless, Manoush, and Iodice, on the other hand, hosted mini-Coterie parties in their respective booths where all were welcome. Some representatives hired models to pass out look books, while others simply mowed-down on sandwiches, staring into space. It was day three of the event, after all, and everyone let their true colors shine through. Some of our favorite designers at the show, coming soon.

Interview With Adam Lippes and A/W 08 Runway Show

coutorture — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:48:50 -0800

This A/W 08 season, Adam Lippes of Adam drew inspiration from the geography of the Berkshires. Lippes, one very charismatic and handsome gentlemen, conjured quite a crowd for his A/W 08 show. Among a very becoming set of thirty to forty year-olds were Margherita Missoni and Anna Wintour. The collection was chic and conservative; wool trousers, silk dresses that came to knee, high waisted belted skirts. The attendees erupted with applause when the show commenced as if it was the collection to end all collections. We suspect though, however handsome the collection was, the enthusiasm was partly due to the atmosphere of the show and the personality of its designer. With so many well-dressed attendees (this is not your Miss Sixty crowd) and Lippes running around, twinkling his bright blue eyes, combing his disheveled blonde hair with his fingers, and talking about his house in the Berkshires, we suspect it was the whole package that had every one aflame.