(Shoe) Label Watch: Finsk Wedges Bring You Four Inches Closer to Heaven

London-based Finsk launched in 2004 and has been making girls and certain kinds of boys happy ever since. Julia Lundsten, the Finnish-born designer behind Finsk, takes inspiration for her modern designs from architectural structures. The label was the recipient of the ELLE Accessories Design of the Year in 2010, and each pair of shoes is handcrafted in Brazil.

Yaddah, yaddah, yaddah, all I know is that these shoes have been haunting me since I first laid eyes on them. Every time I look at a pair they scream, "why do you not own me?" Why, why do I not own them? And then I'm reminded that there aren't enough digits in my bank account. This is a cruel, cruel world we live in.

Text Kristina Bravo

Liv Tyler + Proenza Schouler S/S 2011 in Purple Magazine

Corey Mason is all grown up wearing Proenza Schouler's Spring 2011 collection in Purple Fashion Magazine (Empire Records, anyone?). The grainy editorial looks spontaneously dreamy, giving off a disposable camera in a beach vacation kind of vibe. It's refreshing to see this kind of shoot as oppose to the usual jumping-model-in-a-glaringly-bright-studio editorial that's been done one too many times. Don't get me wrong, I'm more of a French Vogue girl than Us Weekly, but seeing Proenza Schouler on some flesh just makes me love Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough even more. Click to see the rest of the editorial!

Source: WhoWhatWear.com

Text Kristina Bravo

More is....More?

It seems to be that we have entered into a new day and age where everything is about the bigger, the better, and the more attention drawing you can make something (OK, rephrase, definitely revisiting a day in age...lets not so hastily forget Marchesa Luisa Casati, amongst many others). I think maybe for our generation it's less Marchesa and more Gaga, but nonetheless you get my point. What I can't but wonder is where a lot of this clientele is coming from.

Yes, toned down versions of the pop up ring are everywhere, but who is buying the originals that cascade inches off the finger? Who bought the Givenchy leather masks? And furthermore, who is keeping these artisans in business to continue creating such over the top accessories?

Exhibit A) A friend recently sent me a link for some jewelry she thought I'd really love, made by Joji Kojima (try saying that five times fast!), and while I can't say that I'd go around wearing it all the time, it definitely has appeal. It's very avant garde and macabre but never in my wildest dreams do I think I'd be clicking the checkout button for the pieces anytime soon. I'm not sure what I my reaction would even be if I saw someone on the street wearing most of these things. I guess here is the real question...I'm all for trying out trends and pushing the limits a little...but can anyone tell me who's walking their bunny rabbit in that S&M mask?

Text Corinna Fabre

Pamela Love Makes Jewelry for the Girl that You Don't Want to Mess With

With a name like Pamela Love, one would be inclined to assume that this jewelry designer makes friendship bracelets and heart-shaped pendant necklaces that they sell at local suburban malls. Fortunately, we don't live in an allegorical tale and instead of cute little trinkets, Love creates edgy jewelry for the tough one who doesn't mind being slightly different than your girl next door. The CFDA nominated designer, known for her talon cuffs and rings, played with pentagrams and moon rocks this season. The results are no less than amazing, as she successfully took her line to a whole new direction while continuing to cater to the same customer that she's always pleased. Love definitely knows how to cast a spell on the toughest of crowds, and as she took us to the heavens this season, one can only dream about what she'll conjure up next. Click for more pictures!

Source: Fashionista.com
Text Kristina Bravo

"Cover"ing the Issues

It is no news that the fashion and pop culture industry is making a move towards the "no bulling" sentiment that has been flooding the nation. With all of the recent attention it's been getting in the media, and the spotlight that's been put on the consequence of bullying it's changed a lot of the ways the industry conducts itself and the feeling of what can and can't be said.

However, here is something I find interesting...how do we translate thing into an industry that basis itself on vanity and outward appearances? Here is just one example....V Spain's Issue Number 8 is featuring a former child porn star on it's cover (the one featured above); her lurid affairs have been splashed about the French press and she has been very open about her past, her interrelations with some very popular soccer players (and just what they paid for a night with her) with abounding detail. Ok, that to me is not the interesting part necessarily (I mean it is, just not the point of this article). I read about this issue on StyleCaster.com where the author writing about it said,

"I feel like this girl probably has some serious issues, so I'm not going to be mean about it."

Isn't a comment like that a dig in the first place? And in the fashion industry...and especially on the cover of an internationally read magazine...don't you open yourself up to criticism? Yes, I agree derogatory names, bullying...all that, is no good. However, a little criticism, a little vanity, a little shallowness can be productive and dare I say...inspiring. These can be things that push us, and how often did these things that land up inspiring the things and the artists we love so much?

Just one girl's ramblings, thoughts?

Text Corinna Fabre

Puddle Jumping with Bensimon

Spring is flirting with Winter and you'd be hard pressed to find a gal more eager to stow her puffy coat! With some post-fashion week dreaminess floating around the web all I can think about are Spring looks. I know where I'm headed with attire: floaty, creamy blouses with a Mango colored, structured jacket. Rosy, honeysuckle dresses with denim. But shoes! The sea of Spring shoes is treacherous; do I go with a chunky, leather strapped heel, a conservative clog, the last of my lingering Winter boots?

I suggest that you keep all of the above as options, my lovelies, for you never know what turns mama natura will take this time of year. But your best, most versatile, bet? A lovely, simple, lace-up from French powerhouse Bensimon. Like the more chic foil to the ye ole standard Converse, Bensimon shoes have long been coveted by celebrities and European fashionistas a-like. They're insanely comfortable and come in an array of tart, off-beat, shades. I opted for the Tennis Lacet in Vermillion, a sour, chinese-red, that is certain to give every outfit that je ne sais quoi!

Text Hannah Morris

Levi's Chambray x Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony teamed up with Levi's for the third time, producing a capsule collection for the coolest guys and gals in town. With a brand like Levi's, the classic chambray pieces will surely stand the test of your closet's time. What doesn't go with denim anyway? The lookbook was shot by none other than Terry Richardson (who has taken iconic photographs of public figures like President Obama to a myriad of naked models) and the campaign video (which can be seen here) was directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert.

Text Kristina Bravo

DKNY 2011

DKNY's ad from the Spring collection is absolutely lovely. When I look at this photo, I am taken to Paris. What makes this look so Parisian Perfect is combination of the pink on top of red as well as the fun additions like little black bow for the belt and the beige-colored skirt. It is refreshingly sweet and sassy. This outfit is perfect for Spring and causes me to be curious and excited about the rest of the collection. Pink blazers are rare to find and I would love to have this one! And even though I'm more of a black blazer type of girl, I absolutely love pink. I never thought to combine the two. This is absolutely perfect.

P.S. The rest of the collection is just as lovely.

http://dkny.donnakaran.com/women/on-the-runway/spring-2011/runway-video

Text Alexandra Faye

Fall 2011 Collections That You'd Want To Wear: Part II

In our second installment of crave-worthy collections that would make you want to sell a major body organ (or if possible, two) come fall, are three designers that take casual dressing to the next level. Their collections are multi-dimensional while remaining unfussy, perfect for the effortlessly stylish girl.

Band of Outsiders (pictured above) – This season, Scott Sternberg transported his models to seventies California, “land of stoner princesses and hippie communes.” He managed to create clothes that are loose and carefree, while infusing his signature preppy aesthetic. Picture that girl who played hacky-sack in the quad every lunch in high school now gone off to an Ivy League; she may have a stack of books in her arms, but that doesn’t mean she’s forgotten how to take it easy. Click to see more!

Source: Style.com
Text Kristina Bravo

St. John Fall 2011 Collection

Though it’s just past noon in the fabulous city of Manhattan, fashion week has already begun and six designers have presented their collections thus far. After looking at Rachel Zoe’s overrated tailored suits, Z Spoke’s slew of black dresses, and Gary Graham’s over-the-top mismatched ensembles, I began to view browsing through the Fall 2011 collections as more of a chore than anything. That is, until I saw the 25 looks that creative director George Sharp put together to create the first-ever St. John runway presentation.

Text Ali Antonucci

Label Watch: Lonely Hearts Will Make Sure that You’ll Never be Lonely Again

Let’s take a little break from fashion month and focus on an indie label that if you don’t already know by now, you should: Lonely Hearts. Despite its name (and the model’s facial expression in its latest lookbook), Lonely Hearts can romance the saddest girl into smiling with its sweet but edgy collections, and its latest “Little Bandit” is no exception.

The New Zealand based brand was founded by a couple with a combined background in fashion and graphic design. Working together, they create clothes that your girlfriends would swoon over and would make guys potential lovers. Let’s face it, your feather headpiece and oversized mohair sweater may repel some people. There’s nothing wrong with that of course, but when you do get lonely because of your eclectic quirkiness, looking stylishly cute may just be the solution.

Source: http://lonelyheartslabel.portableshops.com/

Text Kristina Bravo

Lanvin by Alber Elbaz Spring 2011

Alright, I'm sorry, but what is going on here? I would really love to know what this leather belt-attached-choker is that Alber Elbas has invented. This thing may be innovative and futuristic, but in my eyes, it is completely hideous. From the first time I saw the thing on Blake Lively, I thought, what is that? A friend of mine was with me and said the same comment out loud.

I decided to interview a few friends of mine. One man said he thinks the accessory looks flattering on the model, and he thinks a thin woman would look stylish and beautiful wearing it. However, if a woman was a little heavier and actually had a chest, she could not pull the look off. According to a female college student (a.k.a. my roommate), she said she thinks it would be very hard for an every day woman to be able to pull that off. She said if she were walking around in that, any person she knew would say, "What the fuck?" I asked another young man in his early to mid-twenties, and he said he would think, "I didn't know we were in the movie 'Gladiator'. Do I need to wear a shield and start fighting?"

Now, see, this is not okay. I would very much hope that I never see a person wearing this in my lifetime.

Text Alexandra Faye

Fall 2011 Collections That You’d Want To Wear: Part I

There are those collections that you admire on other people (i.e. models in editorials) and there are those that you actually want on your back. The following collections give you the latter, with clothes that are wearable yet new and forward enough to satisfy a fashionista at heart.

NAHM (pictured above) – Ally Hilfiger (yes, that Hilfiger) and Nary Manivong collaborated to present their first collection that reinvents the shirt dress. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven,” the collection definitely has a certain dark and macabre feeling about it, destabilizing the concept of the simple staple and distorting it through asymmetrical hemlines and the use of unexpected black and clay-hued textured fabrics. With the duo’s successful inventiveness, the shirt dress will surely be “nevermore” boring again. Click to see more after the jump!

Source: Style.com
Text Kristina Bravo

NYFW's Final Show: L.A.M.B.

New York Fashion Week has now come and gone, and closing out the shows this week was Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. Usually I am a HUGE fan of this line; I love Stefani's combinations of punk and play and her personal wardrobe seems to be so flawless itself, it's hard not to trust her as a designer. However, this season I'm a little on the fence; the line was shown in 6 segments, each with its own theme, models, and music. I think in theory it has possibilities, but it execution it causes a little bit of a disconnect. It's hard to follow a story line when right as you're getting into it, you're afronted with a stark change and while in my mind Stefani is a Queen Chameleon herself, smoother transitions might have created a less abrupt show. And who could miss half the model's shoe go flying during the "Buffalo Girls" segment, never a good sign.

That being said, I think a lot of the clothing was well styled and reflected a lot of the aspects of the line's aesthetic; it explored trends for both the current season, and one's featured in the past seasons. As always her color pallete was impeccable and there was no limit of clothes I wanted to rip off the models for my own closet. So maybe the conclusion for this has to be....one so-so big show, but 6 great mini-shows.

Text Corinna Fabre

Chloé for Children

It's official, Chloé now has a line for the most stylish of nuggets. The French fashion house debuted their first children's line in 2010. They sell their wares through the design house itself and at Bergdorf Goodman's uber chic bebe department (also housing the likes of Armani and Little Marc Jacobs). You can expect nothing short of the same well-constructed, couture simplicity that the fashion house's artistic director Hannah MacGibbon whips up on the regular. It's really comforting to know that four year olds in Upper-East side Montessori schools will be wearing designs from Chloé before I can even afford to buy one glove.

 Text Hannah Morris

NYFW Street Style Snaps!

Every fashion week, there is more to look forward to than just the shows inside the tents. Fashion industry insiders put on an amazing show as they hit the streets as well, and this past week New York City did not disappoint. So if some of the catwalk trends have left you a little bewildered and confused with their crazy factor (you will love them in six months!), you can look just outside the tents to see fashion in real life action. Here are some of the best street style shots from around the web! More photos behind the jump, click link below.

The Dark Side of the Modeling Industry

It was one of those afternoons when there was nothing else to do but desperately scour Netflix for a streaming movie that wasn’t made in 1993 or released straight to DVD. It was then that I stumbled upon Picture Me, a documentary about model Sara Ziff living in “the glamour and the darker side of the high fashion industry,” or so the description said. A movie about the “darker side” of a successful and beautiful model’s life? I swear I heard my brain scoff a little bit. Sure, models suffer from getting their hair pulled by stylists or having to eat a salad instead of a burrito, but could it be that bad? I love fashion. I love models (despite my obvious envy of them). I can only watch so much old Dexter episodes and I refuse to watch Anaconda 2; so I watched it.

The documentary, directed by her then-boyfriend Ole Schell, spans five years of Ziff’s career. About five minutes in, she excitingly opens a check for $80,000 from one of her modeling jobs, at 19 years-old. Walking the streets of Manhattan, Ziff sees herself on a giant billboard next to, wait for it, an even bigger billboard with herself in it. I was about to turn the TV off when the movie took a turn. One after another issues come up from various interviews of people in the industry: sexual harassment at 15, debilitating exhaustion, drugs, and being deemed “too old” at 25. This isn’t a documentary about a model whining, it’s a movie about serious issues that real people (most of whom underage when they start and who just happen to be good-looking) have to face. With cameos of Karl Lagerfeld and Natalia Vodianova, this movie is a must-see for anyone whoever thought that modeling was just about putting one foot in front of the other.

Text Kristina Bravo

The Coveteur Goes into the Closet You Wish You Had

Ever wonder how your closet would look if you were an industry style darling or a big-time fashion editor? The Coveteur gives us a peek into the fashion elite’s personal collections that make them influential players in the field. The site contains great photography and commentaries in the words of the tastemakers themselves, ranging from their shopping habits to an item’s sentimental value.

If the Selby and the Sartorialist had a lovechild, the Coveteur would definitely be it, kind of like the Georgia May Jagger of fashion websites. So far, they’ve nabbed Flare Magazine’s Fiona Green and Dior Beauty Ambassador and House DJ Harley Viera Newton. And it doesn’t stop there-- in the next few weeks keep your eyes peeled for designers Yigal Azrouel and Thakoon's closets, which should make any fashion die-hard’s heart skip a beat.

Text Kristina Bravo

Stepping Out With Our Toes Out!

Every time I look at this Calvil Klein ad, I become very excited and... anxious! I cannot wait until I will be able to wear heels such as these! All those on the West Coast may be able to wear sandals any time they want, but this is definitely not the case in the MidWest! Last week, we had unbearably freezing days, and today, the temperature was up to 51 degrees! Soon, we will be able to wear footwear we can expose toe cleavage with! So exciting!

Text Alexandra Faye

Jason Wu

I don't know if you caught it, but yesterday Bloomingdales did a live feed of the Jason Wu show. I think I sat staring at my screen for a solid 30 minutes while I was just waiting for the feed to start....loading, loading, loading....finally, EUREKA! Sadly, as most fashion shows go, I spent another 30 minutes watching people mingling, slowly finding their way to their seats, and being photographed. Finally, at around 1:30, the show started (scheduled 1 o'clock, but who's counting), and let me just say....AMAAAAAAAAAAAAZING! The looks were tailored but with a great "throw on" appeal, and the whole collection just had an air of the perfect chic sophistication that you expect from Jason Wu. Look after look went down the runway, and the storyline just tied together so well that there was never a transition that made you stutter step at all. Definitely one of my favorite shows of the season so far.

I do have one bone to pick though, and not with Mr. Wu, but with Bloomingdales. For those of you that did get a chance to watch live, I'm sure you noticed the lack of music. I found myself humming a beat along with everything, because really the music is there for a reason. It adds a sense of frivolity, yes, but it also adds another layer to the flow of the show and really brings things back together. UNMUTE, BLOOMINGDALES!

But hey, if that was the only down fall, I'd have to say it was a pretty damn good show.

Text Corinna Fabre

Pixie Cut, Pixie Cute

Not just anyone can pull off a pixie cut, one needs to have the perfect face for the "do". However, this model in the latest Neiman Marcus ad has natural beauty and pulls it off. As far as how she looks while she's bent down, I can't even imagine how long and lanky she looks while standing. This is the type of girl that stands out in a crowd. You would most likely do a double take as she walked by and maybe stare a little because she has such a unique look.

Text Alexandra Faye

Guess' Spring Ad Campaign: So Cute!

Remember how I said there weren't any ads that were appropriate for the Valentine's Day season? I think Guess heard me. Even though these ads are for March, the colors are pink, white and red. The model is perfect with her blonde hair, blue eyes, think black eye liner, hot pink lipstick and red nail polish. Her body is slender, but not stick thin, which is a trend Guess has been leaning toward. I have more respect for Guess these days. Sometimes I think they go a little too far with the sexiness, but in this case, the pin up look is completely adorable and enjoyable.

Text Alexandra Faye

Elle Fanning for Rodarte

If you haven't had a chance to watch the preview for the new short Elle Fanning starred in for Rodarte, stop reading and go watch it now, seriously you'll thank me. Sure the preview is only 30 seconds long (the full short is being debuted Tuesday), but already I find it completely fascinating. If you read my article a few weeks ago about the Mulleavy sisters work for Black Swan you already know I'm a fan, but this is something totally new for them in my opinion. A line so well defined in its structured looks and often dark story line finds a star in it's 12 year old, blond haired and petite new face. The radiant sun and mysticism that we already see in the preview is a stark contrast from the norm, but done is a way that is a completely seamless transition.

The trend of film shorts for designers has been exploding this year, and in my opinion is a trend that has been hit or miss (leaning towards miss most of the time) so it's nice to see a concept that isn't as trite as a lot of the things that have come out. Not much more can be said about it until the full video comes out but suffice it to say I am thoroughly excited for the possibility of how great this could be. If it's as enchanting as it seems, it will be just one more thing the sisters can add to their stellar year.

Text Corinna Fabre

What to wear, what to wear...

Walking through the East Village in New York the other day with a few friends-making our way to what turned out to be an AMAZING dinner-something happened...a woman with a camera the size of her petite torso walked up and stopped one of my friends, asking to take a picture of her for her fashion blog. Cool, yes; however, given the fact that of the three of us i'm the only one slaving to make my way into the fashion industry, I would be remiss to deny my gnawing jealousy as she cooly and nonchalantly posed for the snap snap.

So what does it take to be photographed for a fashion blog? I mean street wear blogs are everywhere right? Sitting at home, not at all still thinking about it days later I have decided to pile a quick list of things that seem to tie most of the photographs together....again, not that I care....psssshhh (you believe me right? yea...bad liar.)

1) Dont fool yourself...everyone knows when you've got lazy face on. Whether it be the poof of a powder that pulls you together or 50 minutes infront of the mirror, really you wear make up from the inside out no matter how much or how little. And if you put on lazy face that morning...everyone knows, the guilt is brighter than any lipstick you own.

2) There always seems to be a pop of color, whether it comes from the aforementioned lipstick, a jacket, some glasses...whatever, but there is always something that draws the eye to that "wow" factor.

3) Your schtick. For my friend, I've never seen anyone pull off the over-sized glasses look better. On me, I'd feel like I was trying to hard, but on her it just looks right.

I know, these things really just apply to life in general, not getting photographed. What I think really pulls it all together, whether you find yourself in a foray with the camera, or just walking down to the corner store for that Ben and Jerry's you will deny buying later, is the cheesy answer you've probably already guessed...confidence. I felt like no one should look at me, so no one did, my friend looked like she'd been up partying with rockstars, so people assume she had. What will you rock on your next outing?

Text Corinna Fabre