coutorture --

"Fall"ing Off Your Shoulders

coutorture — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:25:07 -0700

Certain garments can't help but evoke unfortunate associations. For us the one shouldered style bring up brings up Express tank tops bursting at the seems with sorority girl bosom, beer pong, and this tragic song. But our community just insists on keeping an open mind. Couture in the City has tips on how to wear the one shouldered style (even if her initial examples of the trend make us yawn since umm celebrities) and Fashion Pad has off the shoulder madness.

Now we associate this style with warm weather, possibly because of the bare skin, possibly because it can have a bit of a silly spring break vibe to it. But given the finds from Couture In The City and Fashion Pad, In fact, there seems to be a number of sophisticated fall styles that show off your shoulders. The Versace dress pictured above is clearly one of Fall 2008's best dresses.

Maybe this is simply a brilliant merchandising designer gambit designed to keep shoulders free for Fall's ubiquitous shoulder bags. Why make money off the dress when you can make even more money off the bag? But Vince, Lela Rose, and Marc Jacobs all have fall styles we could really get into. Which makes us think this asymmetry isn't just about showing off boobs to distract your opponent at bear pong anymore.

Wendy Nichol Goes Marc Jacobsy

coutorture — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:35:46 -0700

While checking up on local New York jewelry designer, Wendy Nichol, we discovered Nichol's daughter modeling in her newest look book. The shoot, a very pretty, very sweet, very Marc Jacobs-inspired gallery of images, shows the leather-covered hearts and pyramid shapes that are prominent in this most recent collection as worn by the youngest of the Nichol's clan. We know Nichol from our days in e-commerce and know that she and her family are more or less the perfect version of 'I'm never moving to the suburbs' and so we only saw it is as very sweet and quirky of the Nichols family. How will other people feel, we wonder? It's hard to say. If anything the shoot will bring some extra-jewelry shopping attention to her brand or, at worst, upset people who misconstrue it as inappropriate or damaging to put a young girl in mascara--it does, in a way, make us feel old and haggard even in our mid-twenties. Look book aside, Wendy Nichol is an amazing jewelry designer. Her rock and roll vibe and balance between costumery and fine jewelry has made her a prominant New York designer. In the end, our headline is 'cute daughter in tough-girl jewelry makes for Marc Jacobsy/quirky look book'. It's a winner.

Directional Fashion

coutorture — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:16:25 -0700

Its easy to take potshots at hiptser fashion as being a bit silly. Unwearable clothing is a pastime in our hood and a few of your editors have been known to indulge. But we were never completely convinced that the Williamsburg set was dim. But it would seem a few other designers are not totally sold on just how bright they are as a demographic Stained Couture introduced us to this Marc by Marc Twinsie Cardigan. And then we saw it again on Chic and Untroubled. Sure its a bit cute that it has the two tone action going on. Every diffusion line needs a design gimmick in order to justify its price tag as far as we are concerned. But then we came across this pair of American Apparel leggings that is going the two tone route as well. Is this some sort of subtle kindergarten nudge to help us all remember which arm or leg is our "other left" appendage? In which case wearing both garments at the same time is sure to help drunk or otherwise addled fashion hipsters to remember how to turn left at Houston.

Marc Jacobs Resort 2009

coutorture — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:24:36 -0700

Our network partner, Fashion Indie, reported this morning on the Marc Jacobs Resort 2009 collection. His take on the collection (and the title to his post)? "Jewel-Toned Heart Adorned Kimono Wearing Gladiators from the 90’s Enslave Powersuit Wearing Women from the 80’s with Bows". Well, 'aint that a mouthful. The Marc Jacobs Resort 2009 collection was, indeed, a menagerie of cultural references (as usual, eh?) but one unified sentiment stood out to us.

Yves Saint Laurent, who passed away this weekend, pioneered the iconic look known as Le Smoking. That suit, in the mid-late 1960's, emboldened suiting for women and gave them, perhaps for the first time in a long time, a sleek, powerful silhouette. Now, it's impossible that Marc Jacobs could have anticipated Yves Saint Laurent's death (Jacobs can be perverse, not that much so) but it does strike us as one of those coincidences we might attribute to the collective unconscious.

Le Smoking, as everyone knows, single handedly gave way to the all-encompassing 'power suit'. The Le Smoking look, reinterpreted many times by Saint Laurent himself, encouraged strong shouldered blouses and jackets and androgynous trousers on every working woman from the 1970's clear through the 1990's. The Jacobs Resort collection, whether referencing the 1980's or 1990's has this silhouette in mind. Jacobs, for Resort, called up the power suit (with a definite nod to French style--also relevant) as a source of inspiration and this, to us, is a coincidence that only solidifies how unforgettable and irreplaceable are both Yves Saint Laurent and Marc Jacobs to fashion.

Fashion in 50 Seconds 5/21

coutorture — Wed, 21 May 2008 06:00:58 -0700

Stella McCartney will show a collection at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts on June 1. The show is part of a program that will celebrate Liverpool as the European capital of culture in 2008.

Proenza Schouler continues resort season with a collection inspired by loungewear and layering. WWD calls it a collection full of contrast: "masculine, slouchy suit in delicate silk paired with a structured linen coat, and a flimsy checkered beaded dress layered over pajama pants."

Yigal Azrouël is opening a destination store in Water Mill New York. We have no clue where Water Mill is located.

Marc Jacobs thinks Tom Ford was a preppy back in the day. We say Tom Ford can be however he wants to be.

Apparel trends are still dismal. And we mean finances not the actual clothing.

In Soviet Russia Gap clothing wears you! No really, the Gap is opening in Russia thanks to a franchising agreement with Fiba Holding AS.

Fashion in 50 Seconds 5/19

coutorture — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:16:13 -0700

Aesthetes, Bohemians & Craftsmen opens at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles.

Chicago may have had a few embarrassing moments with a ersatz fashion week that never was, but that isn't stopping the city's ambitions. The School of The Art Institute of Chicago is beefing up its fashion program. It has announced a new master's degree in fashion design and simultaneously unveiled newly renovated studio space housing facilities for fabric development and manipulation as well as a shoe, millinery and accessories laboratory.

V is for profit. Both Versace and Valentino Group reported sales growth in the first quarter.

Pain at the pump isn't that funny of a joke when it means higher shoe prices. Guess its getting just as expensive to hoof it as to drive.

Vera Wang isn't afraid of a little economic downturn. She wants to open more stores.

Despite Marc Jacob's best efforts somehow the world has not gotten past Warhol yet. Interview Magazine isn't so big on reinventing itself it would seem.

Poking Fun

coutorture — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:55:42 -0700

We have always admired women that effortlessly combine prints. We can barely even stomach wearing one print let along pull off the styling miracle that strong print combinations require. But we were impressed by how easy SheFind's Guide to Wearing Multiple Prints was to follow. She has a few fantastic combinations we feel like we could pull off. We particularly liked her advice to choose similar prints in different sizes.

We combined a Dolce and Gabana Polka Dot Mini Skirt, C&C Dotted Jersey Tank, and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Studded Cardigan. We threw in a Kate Spade 'Marceau - Malva' Soft Hobo that just happens to have a polka dot lining for fun and topped (bottomed?) it off with Marc Jacobs Collection Brushed Patent d'Orsay Pumps. Overall we think it looks pretty darn good. We guess combining prints isn't so hard after all!

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The Runway Scoop Shoutout: Marc Jacobs Ads and the New York Times

coutorture — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:23:55 -0700

Our network partner, The Runway Scoop, reported on Cathy Horyn's musings on modern fashion ads. The Runway Scoop brings up a good point, that creative persons presumably would spawn creative advertisements, although Horyn postulates that confidence is really the key. Marc Jacobs' work with Juergen Teller, has revolutionized our conception of fashion advertising and many, therefore, wonder just which of the two is responsible. Horyn, in a separate article on the duo, asks Teller about Jacobs' influence in his work, to which he replied, “He was the person who really said, ‘Just do what your heart feels.’...He gave me the license to be myself and that is extremely rare that he supported me.". Teller has shot all of the advertisements for Marc Jacobs since 2005 and the last two season's advertisements for Yves Saint Laurent.

Immaterial: Jonathan Saunders Somerby Dress

coutorture — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:29:04 -0700

Jonathon Saunders Somerby DressThe truth is, the Topshop collection just doesn't compare. Jonathan Saunders, known for his color blocking and silhouette skimming frocks, is close to driving American women off their Marc Jacobs diet. The London designer showed this Somerby dress as part of his Spring collection and it should be a top seller, now that it's hit the stores. The fact is, his clothing is easy to understand and balances the desire to look sexy (body skimming) without being too serious (color blocking). We think this dress is the perfect example. A silk bandage dress can be an intimidating prospect, but, create body-conscious panels of cool pastel color, give it a high mesh neckline, and throw in some flattering front-facing pockets, and you've conquered the issue completely. See our spread below for more of the Spring collection.

Click for more Immaterial

The Future of Fashion In The Past Is The Present

coutorture — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:07:10 -0700

Certain designers have a thing for delving in the past, particularly when it comes to forecasting the future. Our love of comedy show Mystery Science Theater 3000 helped us appreciate old-timey gem Clothing of The Future. The video highlights fashion of the future, err well in the year 2000, with some of America's greatest designers. And let's just say we let out our inner Crow T. Robot with our critiques of the video.

We don't wonder if those greatest designers are an awful lot like our current greats. We saw Marc Jacobs's Misplaced Heel, one of Marc's famed 1920's inspired slim dress suits, a See by Chloe Jumpsuit (or Normal Kamali jumpsuit for that matter), a Badgley Mischka gown, and a hair accessories that evokes a certain Rimmel light up lipgloss. It would seem that Clothing of The Future in 2000 is more like Clothing of the Present Spring 2008 than we would have ever guessed.

Stained Couture Shoutout: Jelly Fishing

coutorture — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:05:31 -0700

Someday we feel like the driving force in fashion is nostalgia. Something or someone is always "coming back" and apparently today's thing is Jellies. Yes we mean plastic shoes you used to rock as a small child. And while you can still get them for cheap, Stained Couture turned us on to designer jellies from Marc Jacobs, Marni, and Givenchy (yes the same Givenchy we pointed out in our Gladiator Shoutout today). And while they come in every hue we happen to be partial to ones in pink because it would go so perfectly with our Malibu Barbie pool set. Don't worry, we threw in a pair from Target too just in case you would prefer to go the proper childhood nostalgia route.

Clockwise From 9pm:
Marc Jacobs Jelly Mouse Shoes $160, Givenchy Jelly Gladiator $160,Marni Pink Jellies $159 and Target Georgia Pink Jellies $8.99

Check Out Other Community Shoutouts Here

Monogramouflage And The Brooklyn Ball

coutorture — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:59:03 -0700

The rumors surrounding the Brooklyn Ball on April 3rd are reaching a fever pitch. The Ball will be held at the Brooklyn Museum to celebrate a pop-up shop with the Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage collection. And while we steer away from celebrities there are a few fashion names attending i.e Kayne and Jay-Z. Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and Takashi Murakami to be exact. Pop culture at its finest even if it makes us feel slimy. The breakdown: Vuitton is handling the monograms, Jacobs (for Vuitton) and Murakami, the canvas paintings (those will be squashed together), Kanye West will hold down the flare, and hipsters will be standing in the bathroom line. The event is also being thrown to kick off the Murakami retrospective, open to the public some days later.

Photo courtesy of citynoise.org

Collab Mad: Joy Gryson Handbags For Target

coutorture — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:32:15 -0800

In April of this year, Target will be releasing a line of faux-leather handbags designed by Joy Gryson. Gryson, who has designed for Coach and Marc Jacobs, had enough it-bag experience to catapult her own line, Gryson, into mass popularity. And everyone knows, once you become an 'it' designer, Target will come knocking on your door. The Gryson line for Target introduces the Bottega Veneta-like woven leather that Gryson uses in her own collections, in a sophisticated palate of hunter green, black, slate blue, and white.

Photo from Gryson Fall 07/08, a likely resemblance to those appearing in the Target collection (tempting, isn't it?).

We also have impressive designer video interviews and original editorial spreads. May we cordially suggest perusing our selection? Enjoy New York Fashion Week Designer Video Interviews from Oscar De La Renta, Donna Karan for DKNY,Michael Kors, Isaac Mizrahi, Nicole Miller, Erin Fetherston, Ashleigh Verrier , Adam Lippes, James Coviello, John Varvatos , Monique Lhuillier, Joanna Mastroianni, Tory Burch, Neeam Khan

Etsy Is Easy On Your Wallet

coutorture — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:03:14 -0800

Don't have the spare cash to invest in the Fall 08 hat/head piece craze? Don't worry, we're aware there's a recession coming on (or else you could definitiely drop thousands on a feather mohawk). If you haven't the energy to hit up the markets or vintage store's, Etsy's a gold mine. Remember: if it lends itself at all to 'crafty' you can find it on Etsy. Here's one hat that references the Fall 08 collections by Marc Jacobs (feathers), Monique Lhuillier (flappers) and James Coviello (hats) in one fell swoop. This classy piece of millinery is very inexpensive and we're pretty sure, if you tell people it's couture they won't blink an eye. Oh, fashion, you walk such a thin line!

Marc Jacobs Was Only 15 Minutes Late

coutorture — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:51:56 -0800

What shock and awe we experienced this evening when Marc Jacobs showed nearly on time! Our companion called her driver at 6:45 promising that this season it would be different. Her projection was that Marc would perversely start promptly on time. And while the show didn't go off exactly at 7, a mere quarter of an hour later Sonic Youth were playing and models were walking. Plus there was champagne at the tables. I guess Marc really is giving us a mea culpa! To which we say Ego te absolvo, in nomine Prada, Fendi et Salvatore Ferragamo, amen.Sure he isn't an Italian brand but hey it has a nice ring to it huh?

Sunny Day

coutorture — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:12:28 -0800

Designers are banking that women's appetites for dresses remains strong for Fall 2008. Even if the economic climate isn't so sunny designers seem to believe bright day dresses will open their pocketbooks. And while we think it makes more sense to buy mix and match clothing for maximum versatility in a downturn sometimes we all need something to help get us through a sunny day. Nicole Miller, Lacoste, Erin Fetherston, Yigal Azrouel, Diesel and Marc by Marc all have their own version of the warmly colored day dress this season.