coutorture --

Halter Without The Hideous

coutorture — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:30:51 -0700

The halter top is saddled with all kinds of unfortunate cultural associations. Your editor had a veritable closet full during her sorority days thanks to the good folks of Express Fashions (ask her about her miniskirt collection someday). Thus, when community partner Fashion Pad reminded us that baring your shoulders during the hot summer months is a good look for many women and not to mention quite cool, we did a double take on the halter top. We didn't want some boob hugging up in your face "why don't you buy me a drink, spare the roofie please, check out my sequins" contraption obviously. We wanted something that was in line with the fashion we already consume. A quick shopping trip has shown us that we are being rewarded by the gods of merchandising this summer. The hippest of the hip from across the cool spectrum including Martin Margiela, Mayle and Humanoid all have options we can sincerely endorse.

Fashion In 50 Seconds 7/11

coutorture — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:28:02 -0700

The CFDA is worried about New York City's Garment District. Forty percent of the Manhattan Garment District's production base could vanish in the next three years, according to a new survey done by the Garment Industry Development Corp, and designers are being urged to press City Hall to preserve a stable and enforceable production core.

Women's Wear Daily has a blog so we can all quit now. What a relief huh?

Speaking of WWD they have a fragrance insert today (hope that advertisers liked it) including pieces on the troubled Prestige Market's desired comeback, the vast number of fragrance launches in the coming months (15 in July alone), and innovations in mass fragrance.

Maison Martin Margiela's debut fine jewelry collection, in partnership with Italy's Damiani Group, is deliciously oversized. The creative on this signet ring upsized to bracelet proportions makes us very much desire the piece which makes us feel strange since its a powder white hand. The collection of 14 items is to arrive in November in 14 Margiela boutiques with prices ranging from $1,100 to $61,800

Battle of The Shorts

coutorture — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:06:13 -0700

The humidity is making us wilt in Williamsburg making it hard to focus on any style that isn't explicitly designed for ventilation. Thus we have had shorts on the brain. Network partner Ma Petite Chou is pondering how to style Bermuda shorts while The Budget Fashionista is having a high low moment with board shorts.

Their posts got us thinking about the relative merits of Bermuda shorts versus board shorts. One of your editors is terrified of virtually any variety of short while the other rocks high waisted short shorts with the best of the hipster chicks, so obviously shorts are a hot topic around the office. And indeed, Bermudas and board shorts collectively run the gamut of stylistic options when it comes to baring one's legs. One offers coverage, relative modesty and even the occasional workplace garment while the other has a wealth of casual associations. Sure these styles seem categorically opposed, Bermudas work in the office while board shorts are for the beach right? Wrong!

We happen to think other option can function in an urban environment, helping an overheated girl beat the summertime sweats as she runs from coffee shop to bar to home in the pursuit of the creative class dream. Who says you can't rock either style, dressing them up and down, swapping from long to short depending on your level of bloat (because face it even the slimmest of us have days when we want to cover up without impeding sweat evaporation). Our choices range from Nike to Martin Margiela, but in the end we think its the same family of style choices. Dress down a Bermuda with a Cassio G-Shock and flip flops, dress up a board short with Marni wedges, and keep yourself cool in the process.

Fashion in 50 Seconds 5/2

coutorture — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:00:16 -0700

Is there anything sexier than a slim man in high fashion? Apparently the answer is no if you are pretty boy jockey Walter Blum who favors Prada loafers and and Versace shirts. We love a man that makes his living in chaps though. But with the Kentucky Derby this weekend Blum will be wearing silk. Racing silks!

Is Heidi Slimane for Diesel a real possibility? Rumour has it that Diesel may be preparing to launch a Red Collection to be designed by Slimane. The man who gave us the skinny jean really should end up at the home of all high priced denim yet accessible denim.

What on earth was Domenico Dolce doing buying Shelly Steffee clutches? And why the heck couldn't he get it wholesale?

Is Martin Margiela selling out? Well we haven't noticed a collaboration with H&M, Uniqlo or the Gap yet so we are going to say no. But being owned by Renzo Rosso means better investment which means people are bound to get catty once the accessories start selling better than the clothing.

Yazbukey And Their Pop Pins

coutorture — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:08:17 -0700

When Fashion Week starts officially winding down, fashion publications often turn their gaze toward accessories. Six weeks of talking about clothing will do that to a person. Cue Yazbukey, the Paris borne accessories line by two sisters, Yaz and Emel, whose creations are singlehandedly bringing the brooch back. The two sisters have extensive experience in the industry, Emel with Christian Lacroix, Yaz with Martin Margiela and Givenchy. They are beautiful and wealthy (both, ahem, Ottoman Princesses) but their kooky aesthetic and Parisian attitude, keep them somewhat removed from the gossip rags in America. This Spring 08 Yazbukey's inspiration comes from quote "Either the rebel, the intellectual, or the playboy. Which one is going to cover her with diamonds and gifts?". Well, ladies, wouldn't we like to know. Brooches one might call 'pop pins' dominate the collection. Indeed, there's a certain type of fashionista, who owns a closet full of well made basics and trunks full of wild styling accessories, that would swoon for these pins.

Maison Martin Margiela

coutorture — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:32:32 -0800

This S/S 08 Maison Martin Margiela totally wonked us with their sick sunglasses and not-ironic rock n' roll power-ballad prints. Network partner, Stylebytes, riffs on the collection and finds some ebay alternatives for the short changed.

Photo: via Stylebytes