Shades of the Season

Jill Stuart’s Spring 2010 collection offers up quite a healthy selection of dresses that would please both the romantic vintage shopper and hard edged glamour girl about town. Short dresses, heart-shaped rompers, and updated little black dresses round out the collection to please the younger set of fashionistas. Celebrity fans of the line include style mavens like Rachel Bilson, Nicky Hilton, and Kim Kardashian.

The collection was inspired by style icon, Cher, and the over-the-top glamour of the 80’s. Bright floral prints have been spotted on some unlikely sportswear pieces lately like Made Me’s leather jacket covered in red roses and Doc Marten’s floral print combat boots, both items had the ladies of the streetwear market abuzz with the “I NEED IT!” mentality. Stuart updates the key spring trend by styling it with a statement jacket and pairing with stacked lace up wedges.

Statement jackets come in all shapes and sizes. Make it modern with a bright color that compliments your skin tone or hair; that way you can interchange it with different items in your closet. Exaggerated shoulders are fun to wear, but if it’s too much for you, then try a cropped style that sits right at your waist or above. Stacked wedges are the easiest shoes to walk in, pretty much fool-proof and you never have to worry about busting a heel, not a good look! Deena and Ozzy and 80%20 offer some great selections.

Make a floral print edgy with a statement jacket

Laser cuts, studding, and ruching speak to the more edgy customer and offers a refreshing contrast to the girlish florals, at least to someone like me, whose closet is predominately black mixed with girlish accessories. Stuart offers metallic micro mini’s, studded leather jackets, asymmetrical black dresses, and super cute rompers. Perfect for an unmistakable outfit for going out at night.

The mesh detailed dress and the one shouldered epaulet dress are definitely standouts. The heart shaped tops really make the strapless pieces of the collection stand out. It feels modern and looks more comfortable. I hate pulling up a strapless top all night, even worse, watching other people do it. Especially great for the ladies with a smaller bust-line, the heart shape gives the body a more womanly look.

It's all in the details: studs and cutouts give these sportswear pieces an ultra cool edge

Find Jill Stuart stores near you to view more. For all my cosmetic queens, Jill Stuart’s cosmetics that were once only available in Japan are coming to the States in March! You can find them at her stores, or keep a look out online for details.

The look book was shot by the wonderfully talented photographer, Lizzy Sullivan. Sullivan also contributed to the M.I.S.S Paper Dolls art show.

The 1960’s and 1970’s were groundbreaking decades in the rise of youth culture and rebellion. The Beatniks of the late 50’s cracked the surface with their gatherings and shift in style. The outspoken hippies of the 60’s blazed through civil rights barriers with their social and political activism. Music sparked conversation and conversations inspired the music. The like-minded children of the era began to shape their own styles that challenged norms, the free spirits were allowed to express themselves like never before. The 1970’s were about experimentation and subgenres of music that were developing as a result. Different musicians were fusing their styles to create groundbreaking sounds. A group that pioneered the rock/funk/soul/psychedelic driven sound that blossomed during this era was Bay-Area band, Sly And The Family Stone. The band was the first major rock act to feature a multi-cultural lineup with men and women.

The band was founded by brothers Sly and Freddie Stone, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, drummer Gregg Errico, saxophonist Jerry Martini, and bassist Larry Graham completed the original lineup; Sly and Freddie’s sister, singer/keyboardist Rose Stone, joined within a year. They found much success with Billboard hits and four albums. They played to sell out crowds and were featured on television shows like Soul Train. I’m really into the haphazard gypsy style of this band. In fact, I see a hippie gypsy style resurging with all the floral and paisley prints hitting everything from MadeMe’s latest collection to Doc Martens. Are you embracing the florals and paisleys? I feel as though fashion right now has two sides. The happy, easy going, I wear feathers and headbands (hippie gypsy) thing. Or the dark, avant garde, don’t mess with me because some article of my clothing could cause sufficient harm to your body thing. Hopefully, none of this is taken too literally, because as always, fashion should be fun. Perhaps this quote from Vivienne Westwood sums it up best:

I am attracted to people who make this effort in knowing what suits them – they are individual and stylish.

Sly and The Family Stone set their own standards, broke traditional boundaries, and hopefully will inspire you to do the same, all while gettin down to some funky fresh beats!

Friday. Dec 18th, 8pm-12 am

Join us as we bring together a collection
of NYC brands and dj’s for a night of designers,
deals, drinks and dancing.

Brought to you by: 
Nasty Ones /Nina Sky / MadeMe/ Guinness & Co

Hosted by:
Aroundthewaygirls.net, TheFreshFiends.com
Luxladies.com and Supreme Queens

FEATURED BRANDS:
MADEME- www.mademeclothing.com
HELLZ BELLZ- www.hellz-bellz.com
CLAW MONEY- wwww.clawmoney.com
CUBANNIE LINKS- www.cubannielinks.com
FUNKY FANNYS- www.funkyfannys.com
A-MORIR by KERIN ROSE-www.a-morir.com
VALLEY- www.valleynyc.com

FEATURED DJ:
NI**SKY

@ The Hotel on Rivington
107 Rivington Street
8pm-12pm

8- 9pm OPEN BAR Sponsored by : GUINNESS

$5 Raffle/1PRIZE =GIFT BAG w/ 1 ITEM FROM EACH BRAND

RSVP: EVENTS@NASTYONESNYC.COM

The "Tough Love" Fall 09 Drop from MadeMe

When I think of what is iconically sexy, sure, images such as a poised and perfect Jackie O, or a prim and proper Audrey Hepburn, are in the back of my mind. But, more in the forefront is the image of an icon who, as cliche as may be, was really one of the first to challenge the society’s concept of a “lady”– Madonna. From her virginal debut on the 80s scene complete with lacy leggings and Suddenly Susan motorcycle jacket, to her bondage-tinged 90s  Erotica phase, and her current roller-derby inspired look, Madonna has always pushed the envelope, and garnered a lot of respect along the way.

No one knows this better than designer Erin Magee-Albino, the creative brainchild behind NYC label Made Me. A longtime fan of the singer (Erin even has Madonna’s likeness tattood on her!), Made Me’s new Fall 09 collection, appropirately dubbed “Tough Love”, embodies the same spirit of challenging the convention of what sexy really is.

The Leather Rose-Print jacket is already a favorite with stylists like Radio Rose Garcia and performers like Nina Sky!

Inspired by androgyny and NYC street sensibility, the collection features traditionally masculine silhouettes in feminine fits, such as the stand-out piece, a butta soft leather motorcycle jacket covered with a beautiful rose print. A studded denim vest is just as tough girl in feel, perfect for layering over the brand’s statement tees and cozy-looking flannels. Erin’s personal favorite piece of the collection–which conveniently enough happens to be mine as well– is a rich grey T, embellished with a ton of intricate cut outs, giving it a hole-effect that is nothing short of simply bad ass! It’s rare that a line so perfectly matches attitude with aesthetic, but this fall Made Me’s delived a sublime collection I am LOVIN’ already!

Channel your inner Madge this fall, get sexy and get tough! Made Me’s Tough Love drops today, so go out and cop these pieces on their website before they sell out!

Pride San Francisco 2009

Rainbows, love, some debauchery…and more rainbows! Yep, it’s PRIDE month all right! In light of the recent Prop 8 ruling, this promises to be an especially amazing and emotionally charged PRIDE. Though the actual PRIDE parade is this Sunday, June 28th at 10:30 AM there’s plenty of fabulous PRIDE related activities to keep you busy this weekend.  Click here for the PRIDE official website.

For the movie-goers out there, check out the Frameline Film Festival. Filmmakers locally and from around the world converge on the Castro, Victoria and Roxie theaters to bring you some of the best LGBT independent film. Films run through Sunday, June 28th, so persuse the program guide and get your movie on.

Frameline: The Power of Film - Pride 2009

The SF Trans March kicks off today, June 26 at 7 pm in Dolores Park. Revelry begins at 3 PM with all sorts of performances and music until the march. Where my girls at? On Saturday, June 27th get your lady crew out for the SF Dyke March: the rally and performances begin at 3 PM in Dolores Park, and the march begins at 7 PM.

Ni** Sky x Oh Em Gee: Short N Sweet Mix

And last but certainly not least…Made Me’s Erin Magee has a musical treat she cooked up just for PRIDE; click here to get down to her PRIDE mix! Wanna show PRIDE love on your iPhone? (I mean, really who doesn’t love rainbows?)  START Mobile’s director and artist Samala has created a gallery that includes 16 PRIDE-themed wallpaper images – all for 99 cents! And the best part? 100% of all proceeds from the sale of the app will go to the Courage Campaign, a non-profit that supports progressive, grassroots politics here in California.

START Mobile Wallpaper for iPhone - Pride Edition

So, celebrate the people you love in your life this weekend – gay, lesbian, straight, trans, bi – however you identify, PRIDE is about community and supporting everyone’s right to thrive, love and be happy!

M.I.S.S. & The Goods! Present “Something For The Ladies” @ Valley NYC

Get your wallets ready ladies!!! This Saturday and Sunday, March 21st & 22nd at Valley in NYC, M.I.S.S. is teaming up with The Goods! to bring you a weekend of shopping, and beauty treatments! Shop vintage clothing and accessories from The Goods! and Funky Fanny’s and pick up something new from Cubannie Links, Princess of the Posse, Office Tramp, Too Fly, Covet, Dirty Librarian Chains and Agapantha. Book your appointments NOW for one of the following beauty services offered by Valley: Manicure, Pedicure, Waxing or Facials. Receive 10% off all service if you spend $50 or more during the event (discount must be used the same weekend). We’re doing it from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. both days. Come shop with us!

For appointments call: 212-274-8985. The shopping event is CASH only, although some vendors will be accepting credit cards via Pay Pal! Valley accepts all major forms of payment.

On my most recent trip to NYC I managed to get out and about and hit up the FILA launch party for their “Melrose” sneaker. This MissBehave sponsored event had the people lined up down the block…in the rain. Big thanks to Christine from MissBehave, good looking out lady! Radio Rose held things down and provided a most excellent soundtrack for the night. All the ladies where in the house this night…ATWG, Female Sneakerfiend, Highsnobette, Bubblegum Pony and Erin from MadeMe. And of course Nina Sky. These ladies do the damn thing! More beautiful in person they held the crowd at attention as they preformed…they even got the people to “put your hands up in the air”. Um, I was busy videoing, so I opted to not “put my hands up” but enjoyed the evening nonetheless.

The Melrose in action!

See more picts, nails did and videos of the ladies of Nina Sky doing the damn thing…including their version of the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams”, sooooo hot!

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The 5th respondent with the correct answers is MAR from Spain!  Congratulations!  You’ll be getting your MadeMe leather jacket soon, lucky girl!

Thursday night we got all fancied up and went to the MOB x Missbehave Magazine fashion week party, “The Bad & The Beautiful.” The soiree was at the Red Bull Center and we got the chance to see lots of people that we don’t get to see on the daily. Afterward, we went over to the WAD party at Hiro. Here’s all the good folks we saw: Missbehave Magazine ladies, MOB posse, Uffie, Annie from Cubannie Links, Wendy from Nitrolicious, YM from Freshness, Mika from Cream, Michelle Ten, Mel D. Cole, Brian Lichtenberg, Dee & Ricky, Erin from Made Me, Radio Rose, Alice, j.e.w.e.l.s, Kari and Ron. You can see pics from the party here and here. And we have a few pics after the jump . . .

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Missbehave is curating a Pop-Up shop on Karmaloop.com and it will feature tons of exclusive product including collaborations with Hellz Bellz and Steven Shein. The shop will include the following brands: Tripp NYC, Burton, MOB, 10 feet, Cubannie Links, Rojas, Hellz Bellz, Harajuko, Creative Recreation, Dr Marten, WeSC, Insight, Peggy Noland, Made Me, Dime Piece, Brain Lichtenberg, Nails Did, Neighborhood and Steven Shein. No word yet on the exact date the shop is opening but it’s coming soon! We’ll keep you posted.