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FASHIONABLE
FLEECE
So I have a daunting task ahead of
me: convincing you that fleece is 'in' for fall. While
most are skeptical, myself included, that the cuddly
material should be allowed to get up off the couch, the
designers for Prairie Underground are making a rather
convincing argument. Launched out of Seattle last year,
the enterprising female pair sought to take the prairie
skirt notion a little farther by introducing fleece
pants and other comfortable, yet still street-suitable
garb. The Bloomer, for instance, is a "contemporary
interpretation" of, well, bloomers. "Think Boy George
pre Color By Numbers era, with a much lower rise." The
Moccasin pant fits in the hips like designer denim, sans
seams, but with all the detail and volume below the
knee: pin tucks, an asymmetrical seam and it's all
organic cotton. This Fall, with L.A. stores doubling
their orders, Prairie Underground—and us–-are especially
excited about the Prairie Hoodie, an elegantly
disheveled, extra long alternative to your favorite one.
It looks great on the street and, of course, back on the
couch. Hey, it worked for Uggs! Go to prairieunderground.com for store
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FANCY
FEET
Futuristic cars aren't the only things
cruising the pavement ahead of their time. Nicholas
Kirkwood's ultramodern bespoke shoes are breaking
stride, and Jane Jetson, size 8 by the way, would be
proud. Finding traditional stilettos "a bit dated," the
London-based shoe maker and designer's debut
Spring/Summer 2005 collection featured custom-made kicks
that were so avant-garde, we wondered if they shouldn't
instead be displayed in an art gallery than on the
street. Fiery colored stilettos were ablaze with wooden
heels and bizarre wrap-around leather designs that
looked a bit like wings, couture ones of course. And in
case it'll ever come in handy, each shoe was equipped
with a spike extending from the back of its already
dangerously high heel? You know, to ward off any
galactic nuisances that may come your way. Kirkwood's
Autumn/Winter 2005-2006 line outfits another era, taking
it down a level or, um, dimension. Most of the shoes are
classically round-toed and unexpectedly elegant, though
his signature unco nventional silhouettes are still
present, tailored with facets from this world like
buckles and fur-lined rims. He went for the sex appeal
of the vertiginous without the tart. In a Maud Frizon
feel, black, white and royal purple leather and suede
Mary Janes fuse retro unpredictability with the
mid-century inspired, period-precision of the season. Oh
yes, and higher heels. So whether you're strolling the
catwalk or the cosmos, Kirkwood has provided
transportation with personality. Visit nicholaskirkwood.com. | |
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INDUSTRIAL
CHIC
Apparently a small budget and a big
idea can still get you somewhere these days. That's the
concept behind London's Dover Street Market. The mind
behind the concept? Rei Kawakubu, the legendary creator
and designer of Comme des Garçons was inspired by
memories of the legendary Kensington Market (which
closed early last year), a shabby, rambling indoor
fashion bazaar that showcased young designers and
launched the careers of stars like Alexander McQueen. In
a venture to create "an ongoing atmosphere of beautiful
chaos," Kawakubu chose over a dozen artists and
designers with unique visions, brining them together and
leaving them to develop their spaces as they saw fit.
Essentially, she "turned the notion of luxury fashion on
its head." The stalls include a vintage shop by Cameron
Silver of Decades in LA, the Lanvin collection by Alber
Elbaz, East London hipsters Boudicca, photographer Bruce
Weber and jewelry designer Judy Blame. Raf Simons'
archives collection is on sale, there are shoes b y
Terry de Havilland and a boudoir boutique by Bouddica.
Even the basement is made useful, housing Undercover, a
collection of Comme des Garçons trousers with 'Dover
Street' inscribed across the backside. And John Galliano
has recently been added to the third floor. But the DSM
is far from your typical street market or shopping mall.
The 13,000-square-foot, six-floor space is wildly
decorated with freestanding pieces that reflect a
"vintage-meets-salvage aesthetic." Bare walls,
galvanized steel beams and floors offset chandeliers and
velvet-lined fiberboard display cubes. The cash
registers are hidden in huts made from metal and scrap
wood, but more eccentric are the skulls and taxidermy
specimens exhibited and also for sale. Though a few
Londoners have disregarded the DSM as a "pretentious
homage to design" and "an overpriced high-street shop,"
most appreciate its original, avant-garde approach to
fashion. "It's almost like a museum or a dress-up box!"
If you're not exactly local, visit doverstreetmarket.com for a preview.
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VELLE
Why
browse a myriad of magazines and websites for the scoop
on your favorite media vices when you can get it all and
more at the press of a button? Or a computer key in this
case. Velle, a new online publication, is quickly
becoming our favorite source for the most up-to-date
endeavors in international fashion, design, art,
literature and music. Balancing insightful journalism
with a compelling layout, Velle presents both
established and emerging talent in contemporary culture
with a unique perspective. The co-founder and
editor-in-chief, Leonard Greco, is a promising
photographer and artist himself. Though August would
technically be their third issue, the design-driven
individuals behind this creative venture decided to
upgrade and evolve already. Their new edition, entitled
Velle Now, is unveiled this month. They promise you'll
either love or hate their new look, and we'll bet on the
former. They've introduced the Velle Index, an extensive
compilation of past material and catalog of artists in
all cul tural genres. In addition, features include a
portfolio from ironic/iconic photographer Felix Larher,
an interview with Antony of the art-cabaret musical
ensemble, Antony and The Johnsons, and a wicked cool
fashion spread showcasing the collection of Claudia Rosa
Lukas. Velle's game plan is to publish their archived
material in a book, become filthy rich and launch their
career as pop stars. Ok, they're kidding; check out vellemagazine.com and
subscribe! | |
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LUXE FOR
LIFE
Poetic isn't quite the word I would
typically use to describe getting a wax, especially when
I'm attempting it at home. But Bliss' new Poetic
Cosmetic Waxing Kit is the first ever safe and
effective, low-temperature, aromatherapy-based hair
removal system, and makes the experience surprisingly
bearable. Infused with soothing essential oils, the kit
is simple and suitable to use on your face, arms, legs
and that summer no-no bikini line. A pre-waxing lotion
prevents the wax from sticking to your skin and
shrink-wraps hair to pull it right out from the root.
It's even colorful so you see it grasping the stiff or
stubborn hair that other waxes miss. So save time and
money and whisk away those whiskers yourself. For $40,
the kit includes an enamel mug of Poetic Cosmetic Wax, a
gentle skin cleanser, a gentle waxing lotion, large and
small spatulas, and instructions as painless as the wax
itself. Visit blissworld.com. | |
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