coutorture --

Fops and Dandies X DVF

coutorture — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:34:13 -0700

Fashion really is all about the styling. Yet ironically fashion's iconic personalities and larger than life labels can often feel like the hardest to style. Indeed, Fops and Dandies original concern for our DVF x Bloggers shoot was that they would be unable to to let their complex layered style shine through because of the DVF popular prints. But Melissa and Lauren were able to easily collaborate on two outfits that were not only uniquely their own but incorporated DVF's signature prints and bright colors.

The clothes were, of course, very very beautiful. I was worried because Diane von Furstenberg is all about prints, which are hard to mix and match, but I think we were able to pull off two really great outfits (using only one print). They were both collaborative efforts, but the one on the left is mine, and the one in the right is Melissa's. That lilac wrap dress, which is the first thing I picked out, is even gauzier in person, and the rope trim almost visually "anchors" it so the fabric doesn't flutter away. I brought some accessories to make real outfits with, so you may recognize the metal headband from Mexico, my blue tights, and so on. They definitely helped personalize the ensembles to make the items feel less like other people's clothing and more like real wear. Like, if I had these items in my closet, this is how I'd wear it.

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Fops and Dandies Shoutout: The Small World of Sample Sales

coutorture — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:21:08 -0700

Yesterday, Coutorture and Fops and Dandies found themselves in the same stuffy showrooms for the first of this season's sample sales. The Dolce Vita sample sale, which we gave a shoutout in this week's Coutorture Cocktail, was where we bumped into the Coutorture Network Partner, amid her purchase of a fabulous canvas dress. We had just come from the Archetype sample sale (a showroom in Soho that reps, among others, Fremont, Corpus, Samantha Pleet, and Lorick) and she was just heading there, or so we discovered by reading her post today. To find out more about her sample sale score, check out her post on the adventure and, if you can't make the Dolce Vita sample sale (or just can't bear the chaos), our spread below has some of what Dolce's cookin up for Spring 08.

Fops and Dandies Shoutout: Crazy for Crinoline

coutorture — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:13:16 -0700

A petticoat perchance to dream! Feminine dresses come with spring but we get bored quickly with off the rack options. We admit we have a thing for full skirts and we can't think of any designers (well more like retailers) that do them at a reasonable price. Thus we were smitten with Fops and Dandies' crinoline petticoat tutorial. And if you succeed in making your own you will need a few vintage finds that scream out for a nice full skirt. We suggest community partners Shrimpton Couture, Zuburbia and Debutante Clothing.

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Fops And Dandies Shoutout: Razzle Dazzle

coutorture — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:29:59 -0700

When our network partner, Fops And Dandies, put together an outfit in homage of Elton John, we thought to expand on the idea with a little razzle dazzle of our own. Luckily, we're long past the days where young women wear sparkly tank tops and 'wet curls' in honor of a night on the town. That doesn't mean, however, a little sparkle is impossible to conjure. Indeed, New York City can bring out the drag queen in all of us and as a general rule, no matter how wacked you think you look when you step out the door, we guarantee someone else will have taken it a step further. Below, our spread of some summertime gems that would look great layered with different textures and colors, for a wild and crazy, dare we say it, 'boho luxe' look. Opulence, afterall, is a trend bound for Fall 08, so consider it a wise investment, if nothing else.

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