TREND

CAPED CRUSADERS 

Photo: Irving Penn

I am loving on capes right now. They are so bohemian and snobby at the same time, very futuristic yet retro, fun yet serious, and above all, PRACTICAL. They conceal quite a bit, keep you warm when you need, flip to the back when you are over it, fold up so nicely, and just add the best touches of mystery and elegance. 

While a lightweight item, they come with a ton of connotative baggage. Because of this, you really have to think before you put one on. The worst is if it looks like a [king, pauper, Jack the Ripper, Grim Reaper, elf, wizard, superhero, gay baron, Little Red Ridinghood]  costume.  Having said that, you DO want to have fun with it. Make it your own.

There are a few styles to work from, some are more cardigan-like, some are more formal (Victorian vs. Navajo styles), and some are better for day than night. Be brave. There has to be a reason they have been around for so long. Find the right one for you, and become that reason. 

*Note* If someone asks you to LARP with them, you are in the wrong cape... 

My new cape worn a few ways.

Fall 09/10 shows by McQueen, April 77, Etro

Cameron @ Night, Bj @ Day

SHOPPING - ANZEVINO and FLORENCE

Last night was the opening party for Anzevino and Florence's new store on 3rd street. A + F + Posso the DJ + Aaron Castle + Taco Truck + Open Bar = Good Time. Well, Open Bar always tips the scales, but the new place looks great - AND SO DO THE CLOTHES! I can't wait to spend $$$$ there! What a way to spend a cold LA night, seeing old friends and toasting new ones. Congrats, guys!

William Anzevino taking a breather from the party.

Hey, Mr. D.J.

8040 w. 3rd St. * LA, CA 

LOOKIE-LIEU

WE COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER

I don't know why Australia has been on my mind lately, possibly all the sexy Virgin Air "Fly Fabulous" ads around the airport...and the fact that I have been driving to the airport A LOT, maybe the heat, maybe I just love ONJ too much, but it has been on the brain. 

There are some pretty exciting brands that pop up from the other side of the world. Chronicles of Never is a constant favorite. Here are some more of my favorite things from the land of lifeguards...

   

These fresh white shirts are from St. Augustine Academy's "Corpus Christi Carol" collection. Skinny rock n' roll done right out of Sydney. I hear ya' And, love the nails... 

Maybe my new favorite all over collection of the summer: Love Thy Neighbour is so F* good. The collection is called "Wonder Years." Um. Please. Yes. Now. EXTRA GOOD - the "Kevin Bacon Denim" lace up. Messing myself.

These shorts are wonderful. Denim shorts are as comfortable to wear as they are hard to pull off. These look so good people will want to pull the off you. The brand is Thousand Reasons Denim. They come in lots of washes. 

These silk sweaters are FABU! I love UNISEX clothes! Look at how good they make everyone look! The label is Pete Versus Toby. The collection is "Recession Depression Expression." We're all in this together! They have amazing tanks and t's too in a collection called "Fly Without Wings." 

Finally, the underwear from down under. AussieBum is borderline fetish-wear, and I'm okay with that. The boys, The bodies, the beach. Check, Check, Check. The latest (and greatest) from them is the "Catch of the Day" brief. Get it? Like a net...

I DEF NEED TO VISIT

CURRENT OBSESSION

SUCCULENTS 

I love things that look like they are from another planet or time. As Spring has sprung and Summer is well underway, I am outdoors a lot more, and have been noticing the most amazing space plants! Placed in glass bowls or drawers, simple pots, or let loose in the yard. The textures and colors are really inspiring. My FAVE look has to be grouped in a hanging basket. So juicy. The best part? They are almost impossible to kill!  Hooray! If only I could wear them...

STYLEPHILE - MUNDI

I was out at a bar the other night, and I couldn't take my eyes off of the most amazing sweater. After a few drinks and no good opportunity to chat with it's owner, I finally had to just flag him over to inquire. He was a nice fellow from Iceland who was all to eager to tell me about MUNDI. 

You know how things come up multiple times, out of the blue and you just know it is a sign? Well, just earlier that evening I was watching the Scripps Spelling Bee and "Reykjavik" was one of the words needing to be spelled. SIGN!

  

This avant g line is so F* fresh! S/S 09 is called Fish and Lionman...So on my radar I can almost hear what is next...

PS: Girls stuff is amazing too!

WEEKEND PROJECT

YARD SALE ---->

It is nice to clear out some space in your life. After all, fashion is ephemeral. It is especially nice when you can make a little cash doing it. Even better, is when you can tidy out your closet, make a little coin, and hang out with your friends while doing it. Group yard sales are perfect for that.

Other bonuses include: seeing your friends' old crap, observing the weirdos that come to yard sales up close, a day outside you can chalk up as productive, furniture outside, and haggling practice. 

TIPS

Use a tree as display.

Display things that spark questions. Interaction = sales.

People love old education books.  seriously.

It can't all be work.

When you are low on customers, go through all your stuff and see what movies you can re-enact. Here we have Aladdin. The one in the middle is the monkey or the genie...I think.

CURRENT OBSESSION

F* ME SHOES

I have been back in LA for about a week. All I notice on people are these amazing shoes. They aren't gladiators and they aren't flip flops. They are Acne Denims summer sandals and I need them in my life. ASAP  Word is they are murder on the feet, but how could looking this good not hurt? Dig?

LOOKIE-LIEU

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

Photo: Liz O. Baylen/Los Angeles Times

This week was hard for Cali, but not all is lost. On Sat. night, Sergio Garcia beat out all the female competition and was voted prom queen at Los Angeles' very own Fairfax High School. As he said in his election contention speech:

"At one time, prom may have been a big popularity contest where the best-looking guy or girl were crowned king and queen. Things have changed and it's no longer just about who has the most friends or who wears the coolest clothes, sure, I'm not your typical prom queen candidate. There's more to me than meets the eye." 

In honor of Sergio, let's take a look at some gender-bending and ground-breaking silhouettes found in Pairs during this past Fall's fashion week. Kilts, Skirts, Koolots , Gauchos...whatever you call them, they're here. Get used to it.

Yves Saint Laurent

Comme des Garcons

Yohji Yamamoto

Jean Paul Gaultier

 

Rick Owens

Alexander McQueen

Comme des Garcons

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton

STYLEPHILE - WARDROBLY

FEELING IS BELIEVING

I do love a good L.A. based clothing line start-up story. It is the most relevant and modern Horatio Alger story to me. I think it takes guts, drive, and talent; each of which seems too rare yet saturated in Lost Angles. To rise to the top takes some skillz, both social and technical. 

Enter Wardrobly into the Arena. Modeled below by creative director Daniel Green, these are some of the best, softest, most luxurious pieces I have tried on in awhile. You'd never know that the team behind the label came from a denim house, as these fabrics are anything but Wrangler! I love the simple de-and-re-construction of it all.

I hope this label has the chops to stick it out.