Brilliantly Bright Shades

It's time to throw out those dull brown and black sunglasses and grab yourself a pair of vibrantly colored shades that will surely give your outfit the extra umph it needs to make a bold statement for this year's fast approaching spring season! From sultry red, to bright blue, to fluorescent pink, these strikingly colorful frames are currently the talk of the fashion industry, offering a fun and quirky twist to your classic style of eyewear. Even celebrity trendsetters by the likes of Alexa Chung, Jessica Alba, and Gwen Stefani have all been spotted sporting this lovely trend.

Available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and color palettes, you will certainly find a flattering pair to suit your personal style. Stella McCartney has a fabulous pair of Round Frame Sunglasses that costs $225 and offers a playful pop of color to any outfit. Matthew Williamson also has a pair of splurge-worthy Curved-Square Sunglasses that costs $369 and gives your outfit that cool, effortless look that we all wish we could pull off naturally.

But, for all of you money-conscious fashionistas out there, don't worry; there are plenty of inexpensive alternatives to choose from. Try Urban Outfitters' Extreme Cat Eye Sunglasses that cost only $16. American Apparel also offers an irresistibly affordable pair of Jody Sunglasses for $35. So, brighten up your look with a pair of colorful frames, and bring high fashion to your wardrobe for spring 2012.

Text Jasmine Song
Source and Image Who What Wear

Load Up On Pretty Prints At American Apparel

We walked into American Apparel yesterday not expecting much because our previous trips resulted in nothing but spandex, some more spandex and a little bit of lace. But, upon my entering one of the many AAs in downtown NYC, we saw so many cute skirts and patterns. Definitely walked away with new skirts in a pretty sea green, lots of chiffon tanks, and dresses that don't stick to you like feathers to honey--an AA staple. Despite all the financial troubles and board member resignations, the company is doing well for itself with new patterns, prints and spring material.

Neon Nails To Match Your Neon Leotard: American Apparel Nail Polish

Hitting stores just yesterday, American Apparel has released a limited edition collection of neon-hued nail polish. Using their long lasting and thick coated formula the new hues are the perfect accent for any summer get'up. The collection features red, green, orange, yellow, and purple- all in neon shades of course. And, just as quirky as their apparel, each color is simply titled as it looks; "Neon Green," "Neon Yellow," etc. However, if you want to get your fingers on one of these new colors you better do it fast. It is rumoured that there will only be 2000 bottles of each shade available in-store only and they may have already sold out.

Text Lauryn Stone

Source(s): Refinery29.com

American Apparel: Beating a Dead Horse?

Earlier this week it was released that American Apparel's Dov Charney was able to secure $15 million dollars to keep the debt-beast at bay just a smidgen longer and keep the company afloat. It is said that the money was raised by a board of Canadian investors with an option for further investment in the next since months. Fashionista.com reports that many of these investors are taking the stance that Charney is merely misunderstood and eccentric (uh...?), and who has also taken a hit in diluting his stocks in order to make this deal happen. One of the investors is quoted as saying that they look for companies who are being "discounted...for reasons that are temporary." While it may seem like a stretch to put these sentiments next to a company which has faced such controversy and seems to have been floundering for awhile now, this is the same investment company that was able to successfully bail out Jamba Juice in the last few years, so maybe they can be the white knight for American Apparel as well; thoughts?

Text: Corinna Fabre

Information: Fashionista.com

Picture: American Apparel

American Apparel Launches Denim, And No They're Not The Crotchless Kind

Once a place where all metallic leggings go to die, American Apparel has definitely come a long way. Through out the years the L.A.-based company has added accessories (bringing back scrunchies and athletic headbands), jazz shoes and California Select vintage clothes. But of course what it's mostly known for these days are the controversies that surround its provocative ads, which include a model sporting sheer underwear that exposes her au natural lady part, and CEO Dov Charney, who is not one to shy away from sexual harassment cases.

The company recently reported a loss of $86.3 million dollars last year, and according to WWD, it is potentially very close to filing bankruptcy. However, despite of the controversies and its bad financial state, American Apparel is coming out with denim. In a press release, Charney says, "Jeans are iconic, essential part of the modern wardrobe, just like the t-shirt... No one does basics like American Apparel. We've mastered the basic t-shirt, now we're getting excited about jeans."

But can denim save American Apparel? Despite the seemingly lack of ethics in its practices, the company does employ many Americans with their local, vertically integrated manufacturing. Not to mention that it carries some pretty great basics that other clothing companies just can't seem to rival. What do you say, will American Apparel be able to dig itself out of the hole?

Text Kristina Bravo
Image courtesy of American Apparel
Source: Fashionista.com

American Apparel + Tony Kelly= Perfection

Thank the lord American Apparel enlisted the services of photographer Tony Kelly because, not gonna lie, the charm of raunchy naughtiness was definitely beginning to wear off for me.

Their latest print campaign for is seriously wicked. Featuring blinding neon leotards, funky oxfords, and some very cute but unique accessories; a hard hat, old fashioned headphones, and reading glasses sans the lens. Oh, and let's not forgot the the adorable and extremely limber model. All in all, the campaign is not only fun and kitschy but it still oozes that provocative, sexed-up attitude A.A. is famous for. Except this time it's done much more tastefully!

Check out more images from campaign below!

Trending: Max Out for Spring

Seventies hippie and nineties grunge collide this spring as a flurry of maxi skirts and dresses will surely pop up on the sunshine-paved streets. You no longer have to pick between sundresses, shorts and mini-skirts to celebrate the season. If you're like me, who doesn't plan on emptying my local drugstore's supply of shaving cream, lightweight ankle-length skirts and dresses are just what you need to add comfortably breezy options to your wardrobe that will last through summer.

Wear maxi dresses with tough accessories, cropped tops and open-toed booties with long skirts. Shorties (because not all of us are supermodels) can opt for sheer alternatives to show glimmers of skin. With these babies added to the game, getting dressed in the morning just got a little more interesting. Oh and don't worry, these picks won't make you look like a pilgrim lost in time.

Sophomore T-Shirt Maxi Dress (pictured above), Bona Drag; Sca Ulven Criss Cross Dress, Pixie Market; Motel Bleach Black Long Skirt, Pixie Market; Cheap Monday Kendra Wrap Dress, Nasty Gal; Cheap Monday Adriana Skirt, Urban Outfitters; RVCA Vanilla Queen Maxi Skirt, Need Supply; Arrows Pocahontas Dress, Wildfox Couture; Chiffon Double-Layered Full Length Skirt, American Apparel. Pictures after the jump!

Text Kristina Bravo

A Ph.D. in Hipster Studies?

The rise of the contemporary hipster - think of the typical American Apparel-bedecked, large eyeglasses-wearing, unknown electro band-listening man or woman who either lives in Williamsburg or pretends to - has officially entered the realm of the academic.

After a successful symposium held in collaboration with The New School in NYC, n+1 magazine is releasing an essay collection in which intellectuals write hipster cultural criticism; there's a transcript of the actual symposium itself, plus a great article about a recent clash between hipsters and Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn. Mark Greif, founder of n+1 magazine, also has a great essay in a recent New York magazine. Worth checking out if you're of the mind that hipsterdom goes deeper than ironic sweaters and Animal Collective albums.

Text Molly O'Brien

Feelin' A Breeze Up the Bum? AA Strikes Again!

One of the things I love best about American Apparel is its 'basement porn shop' advertising. You know, with all the gritty black and white photos of less-than-sober and seemingly less-than-legal models posed on the floor and upside down on couches. (Well, due to it's most recent popularity, the black and white basement pics have been replaced with vivid color & white backdrops.) Anyways, it just got better!

So Sasha Grey, porn star extraordinaire and multiple AVN award winner is best known for not only the extremities that she's willing to accomplish in a scene but also for the serious intellect she invests while doing them. Well, she can most recently be spotted seriously modeling Apparel's newest collection, specifically their nylon tights. Even more specifically, their assless nylon tights. That's right, ass-LESS. 

The illicit leggings (better known as the 'sheer luxe cut-out pantyhose') aren't yet available for purchase, as they are still in production, but you can view the nouveau red-lightesque nylons on the company's website.

Who knows how the new hosiery will fare come August but one question remains: Are you really surprised?! Pick 'em up and add store them next to your striped thigh-high socks, sweatbands, metallic bandeau tops and other costume staples. You can be a porn star for Halloween...or play that naughty secretary role REALLY well!