O-M-G. Last year I posted about the Louis VuittonDamier Azur gym set that featured a gym towel, wristbands and headband. I love when luxury brands produce atypical products and I thought the set would be the answer to get me to the gym. It wasn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to spend over $300 for a towel and wrist/head bands - just to sweat on them. Today, I was looking at more sneak peeks of the Stephen Sprouse collection and I stumbled upon this set. What would be better for dabbing your forehead after bustin’ a move? Haha. Yes, it’s still over priced but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream right?
Dolce & Gabbana have released a book of photographs that highlight the art of embroidery called Diamonds and Pearls. The collection of ornamental needle work is breath-taking, especially when the items embroidered onto the selected items are diamonds and pearls. All of the clothing and accessories in the book were personally hand-picked by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Though there are lots of gems, there are also plenty of other shiny pretty things including gemstones, sequins of all sizes, gold leaves and Swarovski crystals. The Italian duo stated, “Glamour and luxury. The essence and the evolution of our fashion are reflected in the pictures in this book.” One of the really interesting facets of the book is that the pieces are modeled by “real dolls,” rather than human models to create a “timeless” beauty. It really helps to highlight the items - sometimes the model can be distracting and become the focus - but I do admit that the lack of hair is a bit distracting. The photographs were taken by Guenter Parth and features shots in nature, as well as the studio. Diamonds and Pearls retails for $270 and benefits the Butterfly Foundation’s Écoles sans Frontières, a non-profit organization committed to building primary schools for children in disadvantaged countries. In the U.S., the book is only available at four locations: Rizzoli Bookstore (NY), Ursus Books (NY), William Stout (SF) and Peter Miller (SEA).
Most of the images are from the website. All others are from NYMag.
Read the full story to see the rest of the photos.
Last month I gave you “My Two Cents” about the Madonna for Louis Vuitton campaign. Guess what? I have more “cents.” Did you honestly think I would see the picture above and NOT have something to say? In my first post, I was over Madonna in leotards. Now, not only am I over Madonna in leotards, I am over crotch shots. It’s so vulgar. Why does one of the most iconic luxury brands need a money shot to sell its product? I didn’t get her as a choice for a model, and I do not get this photo. Madonna please stop. I want to remember you in all of your Everybody, Borderline and Holiday glory. You’ve gotten older. Please age gracefully. Madonna, please put your choo-cha away . . . I’m just sayin’.
After reading through every entry to her “Miss Universe” ContestRuby Veridiano-Ching has selected a winner! Hailing from Florida State University, Marisa Munnings won a copy of Ruby’s book, “Miss Universe” and a pair of the exclusive earrings designed by Ruby herself, and created by the ladies of Made Jewelry. Here’s what Ruby had to say about selecting Marisa as the winner:
It was such a difficult choice to make because we had so many beautiful and poignant contest entries, but this one hit me the most. I felt like it was represented really well for the teenage female psyche, and definitely aligned with the sentiments and ideas I expressed in Miss Universe- Miss Universe is a testament for the female heart, thought, emotion, and strength, and I think this piece embodied that.
Thank-you to all that entered the contest! Read Marisa Munnings winning poem, entitled “Baby Girl” after the jump! (more…)
Speaking of practicality, how about this LV x Stephen Sprouse Skatedeck? Talk about “kick-pushing” in style! As part of the much anticipated LV x Sprouse collection, this beauty could be yours for a drop-in-the-bucket price of $8, 250. This piece along with the collection in its entirety will be available at the SoHo boutique on Thursday. The complete worldwide launch will follow on Feb. 2, though the Rose pieces will be available at Louis Vuitton stores worldwide starting Friday. This limited edition piece along with a limited edition Rose t-shirt will only be available at the SoHo location for the launch. Here’s what LV has to say:
The company hopes to sell three graffiti skateboards with trunks for $8,250 each, and 70 T-shirts for $250 each. “I don’t expect them to last very long,” Lalonde said. “By Friday, there probably won’t be any more left.”
If you are lucky enough to be in NYC make-sure to stop by the SoHo store to peep it’s transformation into a Stephen Sprouse wonderland! Complete with an interior and exterior bombed in neon spray paint, this is surely to be eye-candy not to miss. Proceeds from the sales of the Sprouse Collection will go to a worthy cause:
Sales will benefit Free Arts NYC, which provides under served children throughout New York City with special arts programs. Vuitton is also making an undisclosed donation to the Sprouse Estate, as well as the Stephen Sprouse Memorial Scholarship Fund at the National Academy for Design here (New York).
I’m hoping that LV teamed up with a reputable skateborad manufacture to produce these decks…although I doubt that those wheels will ever hit the pavement, for authenticity’s sake it would be nice to know. Nobody likes a poser. So, if you have pockets deep like Kanye or Pherrell (which I could see two of the three decks going to the likes of these gentlemen), then by all means, do it!! This deck would look so good next to my Chanel basketball *sigh*
“Partner let me upgrade you,” yeah Beyonce said it best. 2009 ladies, it’s all about the UPGRADE! Whatever it may be: your job, your bank account, your kit, your man . . . you’re worth the best, so think big, go hard and trade-up! To inspire you on your journey for success we are starting the year on top . . . and what brand wouldn’t be more goal worthy than Chanel? Yeah, we thought you might agree. Presenting M.I.S.S. January 2009, lovingly nicknamed, “Chanails,” we bring you a mani inspired by all things Chanel: interlocking CC’s, the cap-toe, tweed, chain-link, quilting . . . luxluxlux!!!
Your mantra for the new year: “Two Thousand and MINE!” We here at M.I.S.S. wish you a year of love, health, wealth and the real deal . . . no Canal Street specials here ya’ll! This is the Fo’ Real not the Faux Real and yes those boxes are full.
One word: under-boob…or is that two? Regardless, leave it to Brian Lichtenberg to work under-boob into his SS09 collection. Debuting at this past L.A. Fashion Week, BL offered a collection which included his signature patched together wonders, including a full body stocking that my body is craving to be encased in, a bandage/bondage dress that my own personal under-boob is desperate to peep out of, neck pieces as part of a collaborative effort with Alex & Chloe and headpieces that would have made Isabella Blow proud by L.A.’s Franc Fernandez.
Litchenberg has been on the rise and seems to be continuing in that direction. Dressing the likes of M.I.A., Katy Perry, Santogold, Yelle, Lady GaGa and even Mz. Beyonce is found rocking BL in her latest video “Diva”. Yeah, I’d say he’s doing alright.
See his entire SS09 Collection, including under-boob after the jump!
This video is all about the wardrobe for me. The song is second in my opinion. I actually have never listened to the song all the way through until I watched the video. For some reason I could never get through the opening of the song, there’s something about it that irritates me instantly…oh well thankfully Beyonce’s wardrobe makes-up for that. Those metal fringe shades…I swear to gawd a version just landed on Canal St. as I’m typing this. The wardrobe roster includes Brian Lichtenberg, Franc Fernandez for Brian Lichtenberg, and Gareth Pugh to name a few.
See more of Beyonce’s year 3000 wardrobe and behind the scenes video after the jump!
Ayana Evans is both a painter and accessories designer behind the YANA handbag collection. YANA handbags are leather collectibles that add beauty and whimsy to any outfit. Each bag features luxury details such as 18k plated hardware, tie dye suede lining, butter soft leathers, and hand sewn bows on every label. The bags are feature simple designs with great fabrications and details that make them the kind of bags that would work with lots of different looks. I love the versatility of the styles and the fact that the belt bags can be worn several ways. And, it’s probably no surprise that my favorite detail of them all is the “bamboo” doorknocker hardware.
YANA handbags are made with a conscious effort to minimize their carbon footprint: They often use re-purposed leathers to limit their waste contribution and vegetable dyed skins. In addition, YANA strives to create socially conscious handbags that cater to various charities including The American Cancer Society and The Brotherhood/Sister Sol. Yana handbags are affordable luxuries that not only look good, but are made with a conscience and give back to society. These days it’s not enough to create good product, companies that are socially responsible are definitely ahead of the pack. Read the full story to see more styles. (more…)
We mentioned a few months back that Insa had a project going with Chicago-based House of Bias, creators of rubber clothing. We finally got a sneak peak of what’s to come in the most recent issue of Acclaim Magazine from down unda. The clothing features Insa’s signature pattern worked into a buffalo plaid-esque pattern in vibrant fuchsia and teal. Pieces include tops, shorts and leggings - these are one pair of leggings that won’t bunch up! Insa states:
In this first ‘Cholala’ collection you can see an exploration into real cultural fetishism. Taking classic streetwear styles and applying it to high end rubber clothing couture.
These pieces won’t be very forgiving so start working off those extra holiday pounds and hit the gym if you want to look sexy in these pieces. Check out the sneak peak of the new heels to come out after the jump!
