Model Watch Monday: Rory Torrens gets close and personal with CHAOS

British Male Model Rory Torrens hangs with CHAOS Magazine, literally. Rory shot with photographer Gavin Thomas for the summer Model Watch, out this July. We thought we'd give you a little sneak peek into our model watch for the next issue. We feel Rory definitely needs to be on your radar.

Rory arrived to the CHAOS shoot with energy and really delivered with a ton of personality and a very fun vibe, something we definitely like! Quite the jokester and not afraid to get silly, crazy, and wild in front of the camera; we could have shot him for days!

Rory is signed with Major Model Management in NYC, M and P Models in London, and Success Models in Paris. We definitely think this one has a bright future. After all, he's already had his face plastered all over Topman.

Check out Rory's profile and get to know him a little better this summer when we release the summer issue, July 2010.

Until then, cheers mate! ;)


Image shot by Gavin Thomas, in Brooklyn 

Who says 3 is better than 1? We do!!

If you're the type of girl that loves your heels and can't leave home without them then these are the shoes for you!

Life is all about trying something new so why not start with these fabulous heels. They're not your average heels though. They are even better because you have three heels per shoe. Yes, you read this right, THREE heels. The two smaller heels can be detached, but who would do that when your shoes can look this great?

You can choose from the three different styles. On the left you have 'Sapphire', 100% leather strappy sandals. 'Gemini' is on the right with the peep toe style, also 100% leather. In the middle we have 'Asteria', a classic pump style. All have the unique difference that is the three, thin, industrial style rusty heels.

So now you're probably thinking, "Where can I get a pair?" ACNE Studios: you can find these shoes in their stores in New York, London, and several places in Europe. Check out the website Acne Studios and get shopping. They are based in Stockholm but deliver internationally. Last question to be answered: Yes, these shoes do come at a bit of a price, but they are worth it, available for about $825.

Flower Power!

Okay...so it may seem floral patterns manage to pop up everywhere once the sun starts to shine. Yes, it's spring, almost summer, and, yet again, those floral patterns are appearing. Although this year it’s bigger than ever!

Our wardrobes are always dominated by what’s big on the catwalk, and this year Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabbana have floral patterns written all over them. If you haven’t yet topped off that tan enough to wear your favorite new dress, just add a floral print bag or hat for now, at least until your legs are ready to hit the streets.

It is about time to visit the shops and grab some flirty feminine floral print clothes! You may be thinking if it’s everywhere why would I want the same, just to blend into the crowd. If that’s the case, choose bold and bright; you’ll be sure to stand out.

French Connection has a great range of all things floral, and the prices aren't too bad either. With skirts starting from $79.99 and dresses ranging from $98.99 to $248, it's time to grab a floral bargain!

Olivier Theyskens X Theory

It is official ladies and gents. The idea of high fashion being packaged for the masses is here to stay. With the news Olivier Theyskens has designed a capsule collection for the moderately-priced brand, Theory, the fashion gods have heard their followers' cries for high-end fashion at reasonable prices.

Granted Target and Kohls along with other major retailers said "deh" before; however, this is most relevant because Olivier Theyskens is known for high fashion, giving us Nina Ricci Fall 2009 (does anyone remember the towering shoe?).

I'm sure many of us are looking forward to what he has in store for the Theory capsule. My only question is, will the price points still be obtainable or will they be curtailed due to his inclusion? Only time will tell. What Olivier has to say about the collection? Apparently, he's been waiting for the chance: "For a long time, I've been looking for a way of working with affordable fashion....Also, I've always been hoping that my friends can buy what I design." Nevertheless, this definitely a step in the right direction.

The Mens Khaki Suit

Let's fast forward to spring 2011. Believe it or not, suit vendors are surprisingly celebrating American heritage by showcasing the khaki suit as the # 1 ensemble for the season. This might seem a little odd since we normally look to Europe for the "key" suits, but not this time. Look for cotton suits in various multitudes of khaki shades; it is okay to mix here. Think of a softly constructed blazer with some white trousers (see middle photo above, model wears Calvin Klein blazer and trousers). So the nude or khaki color isn't just for the ladies, boys should keep it light next spring too. Oh and don't forget the cropped pants, not to be confused with capris, no socks needed! Cropped = Yes. Capris = NO!

Bold Lips!

The Sex and The City 2 premiere was this past Monday, which means Summer has finally arrived in New York City. Aside from finding the perfect dress and accessory (bag, jewelry, shoe, summer love), fashionistas are looking to find the perfect lip color for the season. A girl can never go wrong with the right lip stain, lip stick or lip gloss in a bold, pop color.

The J. Crew June catalog featured girls in beautiful bold colors, tangerine, and hues of pinks and plums. Apart from the clothes being well-shot, the lipstick options gave an aura of freshness and vitality,that will make you want to shop, even during a recession. With that being said, a bright, pop color will be just what you need to turn your summer around.

On fair skin try a bright plum, blackberry, red or peach color like Sephora's Rouge Cream Lipstick #10 . On medium to dark toned skin, try almost every color from the rainbow! Plum, peaches, shades of red or even tangerine. Yves Saint Lauren's Rouge Pur has a great shade of orange #150. If you want to add shine to a matte lip, layer a light lip gloss to complete the look.

-Tamera Blair Darden

The Nude Dress Trend

While the lingerie trend waned during the Fall 2010 runways, you cannot forget that it was a major trend for Summer 2010. Not to mention wearing outfits that question whether you're wearing an ensemble or not. However, you can pull off wearing a nude dress, while still looking sexy and demure. While Posh Spice may veer on the side of "is she naked?", Eva Longoria was a smash in a nude dress with black lace detail.

You too can pull off the look with a few love notes. Pick a dress shade lighter/darker (dependent on your skin tone/undertones) than your skin tone. Choose something that is body conscious and not for the sake of participating in the trend. Pair your look with clandestine/opaque jewelry and a contrasting shoe color. To start, Asos.com has a few nude dress choices.

-Tamera Blair Darden

Model Monday: American Beauty

Meet Mary Pierce, a stunner from our own backyard. Mary hails from Chicago, Illinois and comes from German/Irish decent. Mary has a stare that almost reaches your soul, her beauty is calm yet tantalizing. Mary is a student of Russian ballet, and is active and involved in volleyball, but that's not all. Mary is also a member of her school's math team. Talk about beauty and brains!

Stats:

height: 5'10

hair: brown

eyes: blue

bust: 31

waist: 24

hips: 34

Mother Agency: Factor Women

Designer: Shenan

For those of you who had feared the 80's harem pants and cut-off tees,  you might have to get over it, they are a trend for this Summer. While many commit some serious crimes (harem pants, that look like diaper dumps and tees that can fit your little sister and/or cousin), Shenan successfully serves up offerings that have you on trend and not a nostalgia piece.

With a fashion pedigree from Parsons (she also worked at DKNY and Calvin Klein) and clients including Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Shenan Fraguadas has definitely created a niche for herself. With silk cut-off tees and harem pants in silk and knit jersey with ditsy floral prints, everyone can channel their inner Woodstock. More importantly, her offerings are at moderate price points ($80-$300) so anyone can jump in on this trend. Based in New York, the collection is sold at Thistle & Clover (221 Dekalb Avenue) and online at shenan.bigcartel.com .

-Tamera Blair Darden

Biker style for spring? Yup.

GAP has started to surprise me, they seem to be taking a bit of a detour from their basic t-shirts and jeans and adding a bit of edge up in the mix. If you thought you'd be saying "sayonara" to your leather biker jacket for the spring/summer, I have a nice replacement for you. I really haven't been a fan of shopping at Gap, since; well I think high school when I use to stop in for their body collection. Anyway, I might have to make a little pit stop there soon to pick up this jacket. Not only is this jacket cute and fashionable, but it's crazy cheap too. Get this, you can swoop this one up for only $29, it's on sale at the moment. Seriously, I kid you not, go get it!

Runway: Christian Dior Resort 2011

On May 15th, the Christian Dior Resort 2011 Collection walked in Shanghai, China. Aside from being the first time the fashion house presented a collection in Shanghai, the fashion house also celebrated the re-opening of the Dior store and the launch of their new fragrance, Escale a Shanghai. While one may assume John Galliano was influenced by the Far East, the designer took a different route, bringing the sixties bee-hives to China.

Ruffles were all the rage, whether tiered or strategically placed. In contrast to last season's bare all and lingerie philosophy, there was more coverage and believe it or not, 3/4 sleeved jackets and coverups. Another contrast? The emergence of pretty pastelle colors in hues of white, pink and lilac from neons of the eighties revival. This collection is definitely for the pretty pin-up girl at heart.

-Tamera Blair Darden

Platform on a Pedestal

Granted the height of the heel shortened for Fall 2010 compared to considerable and nonexistent heights in Fall 2009; however, the platform heel isn't going anywhere. With origins in Greek history, actors wore platforms for theatrics. In bold colors [see image of amazing Dior platform] and prints, the platform shoe can make the most casual outfit semi-dressy and sexy. How to pull off a sexy pair of platform heels without looking like you just came off the set of Pretty Woman ... ? Leave something to the imagination for starters. If you wear a pair of platforms, you can pair it with a pair of denim skinny jeans and an adorable feminine floral top. Another idea? Pair with a cute cut out feminine ruffled dress and try the feminine socks trend. Transition into the fall by wearing tights or leggings.

-Tamera Blair Darden

Model Monday: Adel Captivates

One look and you can't help but stare. Adel, born in Dubai has edge that is noticeable straight away. Adel's light brown hair, stunning green eyes, standing 6'0 and 22 years old, he's ready to take on the fashion industry. Already living in Paris, he's good to go! Now don't take this one for a "dummy" he is currently studying Bio Engineering in Paris. Who said models were all looks and no brains? Adel has the beauty and the brains, now who wouldn't want to snatch that up? He does seem to be quite the globe trotter seeing is he was discovered in [none other than our own backyard] NYC at "The Box" and was instantly signed by Premier Model Management. That just goes to show you, you never know who is watching. That creep in the corner staring, could actually be your big break!

Shearling on the runway?

Spotted on the runway, shearling. If you were taking a bit of a liking to this tread you can rest assure you're not the only one. The fuzz is popping up everywhere, shoes, skirts, handbags, and of course coats. This is just a heads up too by the way! If we skip forward to fall/winter; expect to see a lot of shearling on the streets of New York City when the temp starts to drop. However, if you can't wait till the snow starts falling then you can jump on this tread in the accessory department. Pick up Prada's detachable collar that can be slipped into your wardrobe quickly. Otherwise, tough it out and save up till fall for some key winter must haves.

To the right shows a little peep of shearling, which I prefer. Keep it calm; this one could possibly go overboard. Who really wants to wear a full on sheep? Yikes.

Model wears Pollini's shearling skirts.

Motel

Motel is a label that started out as a boutique in London but grew fast thanks to word of mouth, and it's easy to see why. It recently expanded to the US and if you haven't discovered it yet, you should see for yourself what all the hype is about. Spotted on celebrities including Lily Allen, Peaches Geldof, Marina Diamandis and Little Boots, it bridges the gap between high street and high fashion and has a great range of unique dresses and knitwear, including this cute slashed neck dress. The perfect accessory? Attitude! Expect to see exciting things from Motel in the near future.

-Kay Weston

Shoes: Irregular Choice

For a label that packs a punch, Irregular Choice is a must. They have a fabulous range of bright and beautiful designs, and their shoes are legendary. Whether it's sky-high rainbow wedges or embellished courts, each item has an individual quirk. Irregular Choice also does clothing and accessories, which are as individual as you would expect from a brand that counts Agyness Deyn amongst its fans. The label has rapidly gained a cult status and the good news is it's cheap too, so you have no excuse for not picking up some pieces from the fab spring/summer collection.

-Kay Weston

Weather Alert: What to Wear?

After being teased with season appropriate weather, New York is experiencing out of the ordinary cool temperatures in May (the high has only reached 60 degrees for the past few days). People have begun to wonder whether this is truly spring or fall season. More importantly, people have now fallen in limbo when it comes to deciding what to wear during the day.

To prevent reverting back to the heavy wool coat, just take a few steps away from a mini skirt and tank top to adding a cozy and cute pair of boots with your look. Asos.com has a great selection of cozies and check out Urban Outfitters for a great pair of boots.

Image credit: Polyvore

The Wonderland Issue is here, spring 10!

Check out The Wonderland Issue, the latest issue of CHAOS Magazine which just dropped today. You can view the entire issue directly on our website!

Cover, featuring Erica Rosen @ Elite, shot by Gavin Thomas @ Laura Little, art directed and styled by yours truly ;) our amazing makeup artist was Nicole V. C Blackman and hair Sheri Pinto. First cover I've styled and art directed of my own dang magazine, I'm pretty stoked I must say!  I hope you enjoy The Wonderland Issue!

xx- Reese Herrick

Agyness Deyn X Uniqlo

Agyness Deyn and her just-as-cool sister Emily have launched a T-Shirt range for Japanese brand Uniqlo. The girls have designed five tees featuring Polaroid snapshots in black and white and colour, taken during their time in New York. They come complete with handwritten slogans and are the ultimate in quirky cool. The limited-edition shirts can be brought via the store's website and in selected stores globally. It's not the first time Agy has worked for Uniqlo either- she starred in the brand's sportswear campaign with Luke Worrall last year.

Happy Birthday to Reese!

It looks like someone is due for birthday cupcakes (with Louboutin's on the side). Your favorite Editor-in-Chief and Fashion Stylist's Reese Herrick's birthday is today! What better way to celebrate than with a little carbs and magazine to boot?! At one year's old, CHAOS Magazine is gaining momentum in parts of California and New York, and that feat is something for a proud Mama to boast about. So remember, when you see Reese today, wish her a Happy Birthday and more importantly, make sure to mention how her "baby" is growing up to be a flourishing magazine (kicking in a pair of shoes would help too).

-Tamera Blair Darden

Trend Watch: Short Shorts

Of course the warmer it gets, the shorter your shorts get; however, some report shorts are becoming even shorter this season. Hot Shorts are beginning to gain some steam after being seen on several Spring/Summer collections' runways including Chanel and Missoni. The Chanel striped hot short retails at $910. For those of us mere-mortals, there are other options at more mere-mortal prices.

When finding the right hot short, there are different styles including front-pleats, double-breasted or high-waist. Choose the silhouette right for your body type. In addition, try a funky floral print or art-deco print to spice it up. When wearing short shorts, you may want to leave something to the imagination; therefore, pair with a basic short sleeve tee and some strappy platforms heels to elongate your legs. Add some tortoise glassess and you're ready to conquer this trend. ASOS.com has a great offering of shorts at great price points.

-Tamera Blair Darden

Ziad Ghanem

Dubbed the 'cult couturier', Ziad Ghanem has garnered quite a reputation for his out-there designs. Renowned a s a creative visionary, he has established himself as a ready-to-wear designer for both men and women, producing commissioned and catwalk pieces. His latest collection, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, featured burlesque dancer Immodesty Blaize and his shows often err on the side of the extravagant. He showed his junior line, Maiden Britain, in collaboration with Brit label Firetrap during London Fashion Week last year and has also appeared at the Vauxhall Talent Scout event, showcasing his designs. Keep an eye out for this guy, he will be big!

Kay Weston

Lookbook.nu

If there's one website any fashionista should check out, it's lookbook.nu. Anyone anywhere can upload pictures of their outfits and showcase their personal style. They can also link back to their own blogs and you can rate outfits. Whether you love being nosey and seeing what people are wearing, or just need some style inspiration, this site is seriously addictive- especially as it's updated constantly.

Picture by Imani, make up Erin Dennsion

Katy Perry's LED Dress

In the cold light of day, Katy Perry's chiffon dress looks somewhat cute and reserved for a woman renowned for wearing bold, impractical outfits in the past (including what appeared to be a Christmas tree and a carousel). But as soon as the lights went down at the Costume Institute Gala Benefit, Katy's dress lit up- thanks to LED lights concealed within the dress. London company CuteCircuit was behind the innovative dress. The label designs 'wearable technology'. Literally. That's one way of making sure all eyes are on you at a big event. And we thought we'd seen it all after Gaga's bubble dress. Apparently not. Now we're just wondering what Katy's wedding dress will be like...?

Kay Weston

Susanna Lau

You guys have Tavi, we have Susie. Fashion blogs have become huge in recent years, and one of the biggest is StyleBubble which commands 10,000 hits a day, run by the very cool Susanna Lau (aka Susie Bubble). She's such hot news that Jefferson Hack gave her a job as Commissioning Editor at Dazed and Confused magazine off the back of her blog's success, and frequents magazines in the UK talking about fashion and her own unique sense of style. Much of Susie's charm is that she doesn't claim to be an 'insider' (she graduated with a degree in history and has never studied fashion), she's just someone who loves fashion. If you haven't discovered Susie and her blog yet, you should- if only to voyeur at the way she puts an outfit together and marvel at her bargain fashion finds.

Image: The Independent

Kay Weston

Dora Mojzes

Hungarian designer Dora Mojzes has been making waves in the fashion industry with her dark, gothic designs. Despite focussing on feminity in her designs, she mostly uses a color palette of black, grey and white and describes her aim as 'creating the image of a 21st century woman' through her garments, which reflect the mood and personality of the wearer.

After graduating from the Maholy-Nagy University of Art and Design in Hungary in 2008, she won first prize for her thesis on organic forms from The National Association of Hungarian Artists. She also won an Erasmus scholarship to study at the London College of Fashion. Her newest collection is influenced by the 80s and sci-fi, with gold accompanying her use of black.

Kay Weston