PAPERMAG: WORD UP!

Isabel Toledo Goes to D.C.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:59:05 -0500

The first Isabel Toledo show in many years took place in Washington, D.C. at the Swiss Embassy last week, and it was gorgeous to see what (IMO) one of America's greatest designers created for the occasion. She went all out. The clothes were amazing. Pictures speak louder than words in this case so take a look.

Three Books, Three Parties

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:44:06 -0500

Tonight is book launch night: Three parties for three books by/about people I love.

So here's my schedule.

1) Stop in to toast my amazing friend/chef Marcus Samuelsson's newest beautiful tome called The New American Table. Marcus (born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, but now a proud citizen of the USA!) has traveled across America to pay tribute to our country's various immigrant-influenced American cuisines.

2) Then it's to Bergdorf's to toast my friend Jean Marc Houmard, whose new book INDOCHINE celebrates his amazing restaurant that has created culture for the past 25 years. The book is fabulous and documents the history of downtown New York that seemed to always take refuge in this wonderful restaurant. You may say, "how can a book about a restaurant be interesting?" But this one is, I promise! It's a keeper. If PAPER were a restaurant we'd be Indochine. If Indochine were a magazine it would be PAPER. It's about community folks!

3) Finally, I'll end up at a dinner at Café Select for the new Martin Margiela book. Of course, what can I say. Margiela has inspired me forever. I wear Margiela. I live for Margiela. I can't wait to get the book!

Don't Miss Tell Them Anything You Want!

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:00:33 -0500

Our friends Hunter Hill, Perry Moore and Allison Sarofim produced an amazing and wonderful documentary that's airing at 7 p.m. tonight on HBO about Maurice Sendak, and it's directed by Spike Jonze. Don't miss this! It's a must-see before seeing Where the Wild Things Are. Sendak is hilarious, brilliant, emotional, and insightful. This made me fall in love with the guy.

Sarkozy Checks Out Jeremy Scott!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:59:35 -0500

I kid you not! Believe it or not, Nicolas Sarkozy decided to unexpectedly stop by for a meet and greet with a (shocked) Jeremy Scott in Paris last week. And it doesnt seem to be because he was in love with the Flintstones either. Jeremy just emailed me this photo and told me that the whole thing came out of the blue sky. It seems Sarkozy just happened to be in the neighborhood, Jeremy's PR people deftly invited him over and Sarkozy actually had the time and came by. I love that no, it wasnt Karl, it wasn't Jean Paul, it wasn't Galliano... but Jeremy! What a yin yang of hairdos. Go team!

Ingo Maurer's New Chandelier-To-Go

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:14:48 -0500

My old friend, light designer/guru Ingo Maurer is in town, and I hung with him last night, attending a screening of the AMAZING film Precious. We both were dumbfounded at the end and sat staring like zombies. WHAT a film. Mo'Nique has the Oscar in the bag. She is SO incredible. Meanwhile, Ingo's in town to unveil his most wonderful newest creation called the Cash and Carry Chandelier-To-Go!!! He told me he's had the idea for 40 years and just got around to making it. It's simply fisherman's netting with lovely crystals dangling from it. They come in three sizes. But the fun part is that the light itself is not in the mesh; it's mounted somewhere else completely and aimed to shine at the netting and crystals to illuminate them. BRILLIANT!!! check it out! Plus, Ingo also has packaged it in a "to go" fun kind of container and calls it his cash and carry chandelier! I LOVE THIS MAN.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:24:53 -0500

How is it possible that the fashion world continues to enable (if not encourage by its silence) its star designers to exclude people of color on the runways and in their ad campaigns? These shows are looked at by zillions of people, and along the way set the example for companies and fashion magazines all over the world. IT IS SHOCKING AND REALLY MAKES ME CRAZY. What's wrong with everybody? Look around. Do you only see white women in the stores shopping? Do you only see white women on the streets looking good? I could show you tons of other examples, but above you can see the entire casting for the last Jil Sander show as an example of what I'm talking about. Here are photos of EVERY MODEL that walked the runway in the show last week in Milan. Need I say more? Can the talented designer Raf Simmons really not see how hurtful this kind of casting is? Why isn't anyone but Bethann Hardison talking about this????

Jil Sander for Uniqlo Hits Stores Oct. 1!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:01:46 -0500

One of my favorite designers, Jil Sander, has designed a line called +J for Uniqlo, and the stuff is going to be amazing. Check out this fierce men's coat as an example. +J, featuring 100 pieces for women and 40 for men, hits stores Oct. 1.

Jeremy Scott's Yabadabadooooooooo-Inspired Show

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:05:33 -0500

It's the Flintstones! Meet the Flintstones! Here are some fun snaps of Jeremy Scott's fun show in London that The Cobrasnake sent me this morning. I love this show!!! Jeremy always makes me smile. SO FUN! Catch more pics here.

PAPER TV: Threeasfour's Collab Show With Yoko Ono

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:43:33 -0500

Threeasfour's collab show with Yoko Ono at Milk last night was such a perfect ending to Fashion Week. In addition to providing the soundtrack to the show, sitting in the front row, and inspiring the dramatic presentation, Ono's rarely-seen dot drawings were transformed onto fabric prints. A smart performance, lovely clothes and Yoko. Need we say more? CLICK HERE FOR PAPERMAG'S COMPLETE DOWN-LOW FASHION WEEK SPRING 2010 COVERAGE. >>

Some of My Favorite Things... Alexander Wang

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:24:41 -0500

Looking over the past week, I must say that one of my favorite shows so far has been Alexander Wang whose collection was really modern, really fresh and really strong -- especially for someone so young. Yup folks, he's talented. Here are some of my favorite looks... (you can see the rest at style.com) CLICK HERE FOR PAPERMAG'S COMPLETE DOWN-LOW FASHION WEEK SPRING 2010 COVERAGE. >>

Threeasfour + Yoko Ono = ?

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:44:51 -0500

Threeasfour created their new collection in collab with one of their fave artists, Yoko Ono, and were inspired by Ono's dot drawings (which I can't wait to see tomorrow night at MILK). They've also collaborated on a limited edition of these cool posters which will be on display at their show and sold at Aaron Bonderoffs and Al Moran's O.H.W.O.W. in Miami. CLICK HERE FOR PAPERMAG'S COMPLETE DOWN-LOW FASHION WEEK SPRING 2010 COVERAGE. >>

Tim Walker's "The Lady Who Fell to Earth"

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:08:01 -0500

Tim Walker's peerless whimsy, epic theatrics and lavish locales are gloriously at hand in Vogue U.K.'s October 2009 "The Lady Who Fell to Earth" -- his otherworldly exploration of an intergalactic-trotter sightseeing throughout his beloved British countryside. This latterly-published editorial stars a freshly chopped and bleached Kinga Rajzak (who has since returned to a darker hue for the New York Summer 2010 shows) and fits the bill as an exquisite exemplification of Walker's fairy tale technique: staggering sets and momentous venues collocating with everyday absurdities and fabulous preposterousness. Astutely styled by Kate Phelan, the fanciful yarn is replete with 3-D glasses, flying saucers surging over equestrian jumps, and exploratory horseplay (smack of the Rod Serling sort) in prim prints and ladylike tweeds cleverly capped off by Louis Vuitton bunny ears, Alexander McQueen umbrella hats, and Karl Lagerfeld for Les Ateliers Ruby collaboration helmets. A welcome escape to help get over the mid-fashion week hurdle!

Gerlan Jeans Was "An Expectedly Wacky Affair"

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:59:16 -0500

Following a stellar Fall 2009 debut hosted by Patricia Field in her personal home on the Bowery, Gerlan Jeans' sophomore presentation at the Audi Forum was a booming culmination of designer Gerlan Marcel's unconventional flair: an expectedly wacky affair chockablock with her idiosyncratic prints (past ventures of the Central Saint Martin's '00 graduate include designing kooky, colorful prints for Jeremy Scott, Calvin Klein, Barbie, and Libertine) and off-the-wall insanity. For Spring 2010, Gerlan steered toward a definite '90s SoCal vibe (think Amber's PVC/plastic dresses from Clueless), accentuated by daytime cotton streetwear recalling a distinct Clinton-era optimism and, perhaps, naiveté. Pot-leaf prints galore (played up by wicked hologram laboratory glasses seemingly ideal for Ernst Stavro Blofeld or even Dr. Julius No) and clear sky-high 'private dancer' heels may have been the most memorable motifs that I've witnessed thus far this Fashion Week. But the truly sellable high points include youthful Liberty-esque cotton floral prints perfectly fit for a romp in the sandbox, a dynamically spirited Doc Marten's collaboration, and a "yes we can" fist pump pattern befitting our current healthcare state-of-affairs. Photos from Getty Images

Costello Tagliapietra Get Dressy

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 10:44:12 -0500

Fashion's favorite flanneled design duo Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra returned to their roots this Spring 2010, presenting a collection entirely composed of their celebrated and sought-after dresses. In pure and paradigmatic Costello form, the heart of the line hinged on regal drapes, structural folds, and exuberant hues. They kept the spirit fresh (with slickly understated Swarovski details), green (by utilizing an Earth-conscious method of printing fabrics without wasting water in collaboration with AirDye), and attainable (the two shoe styles June and Lula created in partnership with Loeffler Randall are available for pre-order). The boys intently focused on the entirety of each frock -– rendering it just as compelling to study the models' garments as they approached as from behind -– and marking a delicate balance both in silhouette and frills, played up by prints forged by manipulating Jeffrey's digital lake and sunset photographs snapped around Brooklyn. Highlights of the well-edited 22 looks unveiled at Milk Studios included a freshly-flaxen Ali Stephens' tricolor moss/acid AirDye taffeta draped one-shoulder dress with satin organza embroidery and Pernille Moeller's periwinkle AirDye lake print taffeta dress crowned by delicate origami jabot. A donation of the proceeds on all Loeffler Randall/Costello Tagliapietra collaboration shoes pre-ordered before 10/01/09 for late-October delivery will go to Living India, a non-profit organization aimed at educating the people of India about HIV/AIDS via multi-faith and government coalitions: www.loefflerrandall.com. CLICK HERE FOR PAPERMAG'S COMPLETE DOWN-LOW FASHION WEEK SPRING 2010 COVERAGE. >>

Rachel Comey's Breezy, Coastal Maine-Inspired Collection

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:14:33 -0500

Rachel Comey's signature offbeat mélange of zany prints, decidedly brainy specs (this season, in collaboration with Sol Moscot), and undemanding footwear fit for the most urbane hippies took center stage as St. Vincent crooned cover songs at the breezy Chelsea rooftop runway presentation (Nika's hat even went a'flying!). Comey's comely quirk was brought to the fore this season by remarkably Johnny Appleseed styling: a foray of flat-front pants, floppy hats, kooky rover pockets, trademark quotidian cardigans, and thoroughly Camden cargoes. Inspired by seaside Maine, Comey seemed to take cues from the entire coast with winsome (albeit rather utilitarian) skorts befitting a romp around the Sebago Lakes, delightful refined dresses recalling the more genteel Kennebunkport coterie, and functional trenches, windbreakers and field coats wholly fit for Freeport. images via Julia Frakes and Coutorture CLICK HERE FOR PAPERMAG'S COMPLETE DOWN-LOW FASHION WEEK SPRING 2010 COVERAGE. >>