coutorture --

How It's Hard To Tell The Difference

coutorture — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:57:52 -0700

Even the most educated fashionista can accidentally wear a rip-off. If you're the type of fashion enthusiast who wears everything from Louboutin, to Acne, to Forever 21, then you'll understand this particular predicament. First, the story. A few weeks ago we were shopping up by Herald Square. After hitting up some of the garment district shops for applique goodies (we like a DIY challenge once in a while) we felt our ability to sift through the mass retailer offerings especially acute. So, we dove into H&M and Forever 21 and it took a few hours but we were pleased with the results. A color block dress, a pair of high waisted parachute pants, a denim jumper, a straw hat, and one thirty dollar bucket bag. The bag came last but was added to the pile because the one we were carrying during this endeavor was losing its (many times repaired) strap. About a week later, after many compliments, we discovered the bag on our unassuming shoulder was a Marni rip-off. Now, we look at all of the shows, we read all of the major fashion publications, we're more or less obsessed with all things fashion, since ummmm its our job (though it must be said that this post is is not written by the "we" who is downright obsessed with all things Marni and consumes a great deal of it- Editor's Note: that Marni devotee would Julie our EIC ), but somehow, this particular design fell through the cracks and made us the unfortunate victim of a copyright crime. Because we avoid these blatant rip-offs like the plague, it was especially upsetting. Fashionista runs a nice little feature called Adventures in Copyrights, which keep us clued in to the worst of these examples. No matter how much coverage these items receive, nor how aware you are of what's happening in fashion, if you shop at the chain stores it's likely that you'll make a slip. We're not sure how to solve this problem, all we know is that Topshop is states-bound (which will surely make the process more complicated) and that, as soon as we discovered that our bucket bag was, well, someone else's, we hopped online and bought our old bag in a new color. Below, in honor of the violation, a spread of our favorite bags that, we're sure, are not rip offs. Sure they're more expensive than what you'll find at H&M, but they'll more than likely save you in the long run. Trust us.

Wedged Between A Vacation and Marni

coutorture — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:38:13 -0700

Coutorture's Editor in Chief may have a slight substance abuse problem when it comes to Marni. Thus as she browsed through the Google Reader today to check out network posts, she became more than a little giddy with Fashionation's post on fashion bloggers rocking a certain pair of Marni Wedges. Those glorious wedges are very much on sale, in a variety of colors and sizes no less. Fashionation managed to find a look-a-like pair but we feel it is our duty as avid consumers of the label to only suggest the Real McCoy. Because with so many options to choose from at such a discount it just might be worth a summer splurge. Think you can't afford them? We suggest forgoing your summer vacation and using the funds to snag a pair. Wear them in your backyard and create your own fashion vacation. Get a kiddy pool, a Slip N Slide and some Popsicles and admire your feet long into the summer twilight. Just think of all the gas money you would be saving. Which you ummm just spent on the shoes but never mind that little detail!

Skip The Gym, Wear Marni

coutorture — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:03:00 -0700

Gee, why does Marni have to be so gosh, darn livable all the time? While window shopping on ecommerce this afternoon we realized how amazingly comfortable we'd be if we only wore Marni all the time. Just look at those dresses. This sentiment, in part, is inspired a certain Network Partner who rolled up to our cocktail gathering in something of cotton feedsack with acid green hoop earrings and lace up platform sandals. The girl knew how to keep it comfortable and look smashing. Inspired we were. This season, Marni turned out something that they describe as an 'amphora' shaped dress (yes, like the freakin' vase) which is, as far as we can tell, Marni's patronizing way of saying 'loose at the hips'. Patronizing she may be, a Marni girl conjures happy and relaxed better than most and she doesn't have to spend half of her life at the gym. We're kind of wondering if that might be our summer resolution past July 4th weekend. We'll call it 'Marni and a Makeover'.

Fashion in 50 Seconds 5/30

coutorture — Fri, 30 May 2008 06:15:28 -0700

In choosing an economic system, Deng Xiaoping sady it doesn't matter if the cat is black or white so long as it catches mice. Apparently Chinese capitalism is catching a lot of mice as Coach is betting it will grow to a $250 million dollar retail presence as it grows from 15 points of sale to over 50 in five years time.

Times may be tough but we always go back to our favorite shoe brand.

Dolce and Gabbana plan to open 24 more stores next year.

Yet another shock, rich people get frustrated when they can't buy expensive things online easily.

We like to think it is all of the discount Marni we purchase that is helping Yoox get to its 2009 IPO.

Calm Uptown, Party Downtown

coutorture — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:02:40 -0700

We are major Marni fans here at Coutorture so it stands to reason we love their signature print skirts. Long, short, bubble, a-line, circle or mini; all are equally appealing to us. But the trouble with wearing a busy skirt is keeping the rest of your styling reasonable. One of the classic tricks is to wear the most basic shirt possible and allow your skirt to take center stage. The more downtown version is obviously to go straight with a tee-shirt and to find a nice cheap colorful skirt. The idea had been percolating in our head after seeing a model on a go-see with a basic white tee-shirt and a very bright floral skirt she rescued from Urban Outfitters. And then community partner High Fashion Girl decided that this combination aesthetic was her summer uniform. Apparently this has been on many a hip young fashionistas mind. We have a few low cost busy skirts and inexpensive t-shirts to help set the mood for you.

Paint By Numbers

coutorture — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:20:38 -0700

Dabbling in water colors or organizing your oils seems to be on the fashionista mind this spring. Elaine Purlov has some eye candy in the form of a textured triptych of peeling paint that will remind any fashionista of the colors and textiles for spring. She's a Betty is getting DIY with the painted dress trend. While we are a little scared to take a bleach pen or metallic paints to even the cheapest of dresses the idea of playing around with color and texture is extremely appealing. Though we might prefer to let the designers do it for us. After all, a Marni Watercolor Dress in fancy technofabrics satisfies our urges for extreme textures and watercolors. But then we might be a simple creature.

For Other Community Posts Check Our Shoutouts

a wee bit skint Shoutout: Blue For Brooches

coutorture — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:15:44 -0700

We aren't the only one with brooches on the brain. Community member A wee bit skint offers a perfect example of the scatter pin method espoused by Lori Ettlinger-Gross in our interview today with her admiration for a set of blue Marni brooches. They certainly make us want to take a swim. But the $200 price tag makes her think she should be diving for pennies in the fountain instead.

More Shoutouts

Fashion in 50 Seconds 4/15/08

coutorture — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:02:16 -0700

Marni now has 68 stores thanks to the opening of with its first freestanding store in Istanbul. The chic Turkish shopping district Akaretler will house 1,620-square-foot space. There are two rooms entirely dedicated to accessories and characterized by large stainless steel displays or backlit fiberglass showcases. The clothes are showcased on polished stainless steel racks that curl around the walls while suspended mannequins float in the air moved by fans. Other elements used for the decor include aged teak floors and walls painted with an unfinished hand. Marni is clearly banking on its international appeal as 20 more stores are in the pipeline for this year including retail outlets in Saudi Arabia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, among other countries.

The husband and wife design team Hanii Yoon and Gene Kei are eliminating their Y & Kei designer line. Its replacement is the duo's contemporary label Hanii Y. The Seoul based global marketing company SK Networks is backing the new initiatives. Fashionistas curious about the new Hanii Y collection will have a chance to see it shown in New York at the next fashion week.

The endless parade of international fashion weeks continue this week with Vancouver. Vancouver Fashion Week is hot on the tail of BC Fashion Week thus adding to the tally of alternatives for Canadian fashion designers to the traditional Toronto Fashion Week. Designers to watch include Katherine Koniecki, David Leach, Kaylyn MacKenzie and Coquette Couture 1827.

Fashion collaborations continue unabated as the second Gap/CFDA White collection hosted its launch party last Tuesday. We remain nonplussed.

Want old news? Check out older Fashion in 50 Seconds.

Immaterial: Sippy Cups and Bucket Bags

coutorture — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:26:12 -0700

Marni Bucket Shoulder Bag in Rouge Red Eco-Leather
We love it when form and function collide. The sturdy bucket bag is a design meant for practical women with much to lug from sippy cups to sleek portfolio cases. Canvas lining and nylon straps will often feature prominently. But make it bubble gum pink and the connotations start to seem a little less clear. And we grant if it were just some frustrating pink canvas bag meant to make pragmatic women feel as if there is some whimsy in their lives we might not give it a second glance. But make it a Marni Bucket Shoulder Bag in Rouge Red Eco Leather and we are liable to throw around the word genius and inspired. Call us a slave to labels but only Consuelo Castiglioni could help bring together these disparate worlds and not make us feel as if its a bag meant for a frustrated Park Slope mom, an insufferable graphic design geek girl, or a McKinsey consultant.

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

Marni Hoodie: Matron Or Martyr?

coutorture — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 10:38:16 -0800

Is Marni for the older sophisticated matron or the rebellions fashion martyr? This Bordeaux Marni Hoodie walks the line. Marni Hoodie

Marni Hoodie: Matron Or Martyr?

Matron

Martyr

The Marni Matron

coutorture — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 09:43:14 -0800

Marshal McLuhan said in the The Medium Is The Message that clothing is an extension of the body. These so called extensions of man say a lot about how not only we present ourselves but how we think of ourselves. Cult Italian label Marni makes us questions many of the typical extensions that we call clothing. This Bordeaux Marni Hoodie has us trapped in between two worlds.Marni HoodieOn the one hand Marni is a label ideal for that confident older woman. The matriarch or the matron. We idealize that cultured sophisticated woman. And yet nothing embodies rebellion, youth and disinterest in the wider workings of the world than a hoodie. The contrast has our mind boggled.