Looks by Larissa: Jean Jacket

 

Today, I decided to show off my Levi’s vintage jean jacket. Levi’s vintage pieces are always timeless, and they can enhance an outfit without fail. This jacket is designed for men, and I love it because it’s large enough to wear layers underneath if it is cold, and I feel as if I’m wearing my boyfriend's jacket. There is just something so romantic about that concept.

My shirt is an old L.L. Bean button up, straight from my grandmother’s closet. The red and white stripes with the dark blue acid wash of the jacket creates an amazing juxtaposition. The jeans are jeggings, because I had yet to try out this pair. They look like jeans, but they have the comfort of leggings, which I love! The shoes are lace-ups from Urban Outfitters. These shoes have such a clean design, and my favorite part is the slight point at the end. Overall, I think this look is super chic.

Detail shot of the shoes after the jump...

Looks by Larissa: Black and Tan

The chilly afternoon sunlight filtered through the clouds as a friend and I took a walk outside by the wooded area around the house. This day reminded me of crips autumn days, so I opted for a soft brown suede vintage blazer, which is the perfect blend of classy and laid back. I’ve found that suede blazers are relatively easy to come by when you're vintage shopping, so keep an eye out for them!

My leather wedges are from Aldo and I adore them; they are so simple and basic. The heel gives me extra height, but they are not ridiculously tall, which makes them great for day wear because you can rock them with anything from pants to a little black dress. The basic gray and black-striped top is from H&M, which is my go-to for almost all of my basics. Lately, I've been into high-waisted, wide-leg jeans, so I found some old vintage Levi's and rolled them up. Ta-da, comfy, fabulous jeans!

Catch a detail shot behind the jump...

Grunge Style Icon: Amy Blue

"Sometimes I feel like the city is sucking away at my soul," laments mouthy misfit Amy Blue in Gregg Araki's cult film The Doom Generation, a bizarre look at nineties L.A. youth culture. Her mix of fifties pin-up with current grunge styles saw her as a teenage Bettie Page come Courtney love and the ultimate teen style icon. Pretty but perverted, Amy looked effortlessly cool — whether she wore black lingerie or a bomber jacket and boots — something that's altogether impossible to achieve during the awkward hell that is high school. But her classic sensibility and punk aesthetic make her a style muse for all ages.

The Hair— Pin straight and flawlessly coiffed, Amy's jetty bob was both timeless but edgy. Use a round brush to blow your hair straight and curl the ends under slightly to create a bob effect. For shorter hair, use a dollop of styling gel or mousse to hold hair in place for a clean look.

The Face— Amy's retro-inspired makeup is both simple and sexy. Her creamy complexion can be achieved by applying a light foundation and setting with mineral powder. Use a liquid or gel eyeliner and brush to line your upper eyelid with a medium to thick line, flicking out the ends to create a cat-eye effect. Finish with a red lip color suited to your skin tone (blue tones for lighter complexions, orange-pink tones for darker).

The Dress— With a wardrobe of diamante-studded, cat-eye sunglasses, a see-through plastic rain coat, and an array of black mini dresses, Amy is the envy of any fashion fiend. Score vintage and charity shops for a pair of basic black Levi's, Doc Marten boots, and floral mini dresses to recreate her aesthetic of punky pin-up.

Meghan Mardon
Image Bright Lights Film

'Tis the Season for Cardigans, But are Prices Rising?

On a recent shopping excursion, a thought crossed my mind: Why are cardigans so darn expensive? Then I asked myself: Well, what can a cardigan do? A cardigan is one of — if not only — the most functional garment in your closet for fall. It’s great to throw over a button-down shirt when the weather is cool but not cold. It’s also an essential piece for layering when the real winter weather starts to beat you up.

Functionality meets versatility, because cardigans can be worn over a shirt and tie at the office or they can be worn casually out on the town with friends. Cardigans are made in different fabrics and weights but, no matter your decision — be it a chunky merino cardigan or a slim-fit cashmere one — your purchase is ultimately worth most selling prices. We've chosen a few great cardigans for your consideration.

More after the jump...

Levis And Filson Introduces Their Second Collaboration, Fall Workwear

Levi’s Fall Workwear by Filson is about to hit the online stores of Levis and Filson. The give piece capsule collection is the second collaboration for Levis and Filson. The collection was introduced in New York City at The Smile, a small and rustic bar. While the first collaboration was centered around bags a Filson’s expertise and of course Levi’s denim pieces, this collaboration took a different approach. Items like Levi’s classic 505 pants were updated in Filsons’s iconic Tin Cloth. The tin cloth was symbolic of rough and toughness about a hundred years ago. The pants are equivalent to summer chinos that are prepared for the fall weather. The pants are waterproof, windproof and pretty thick. Signature 505 Jeans by Levi’s Workwear by Filson are priced at $150 dollars. The items will be available online at levis.com and filson.com beginning Monday August 8.

Text Stephanie Buscema
Source(s): Esquire

BlanQ's Persona: Recyclable Art

Denim has transcended the ages, with each fashion decade bringing it a new life. We’ve seen the iconic material used in essentially every single form possible – from head to toe and even as inspiration for makeup (MAC’s denim inspired limited collection Jeanius, Spring ’11 ). Given the extensive utilization of this famous fabric, one might expect approaching denim in an original way to eventually wear thin. However it might just be the durability as well as its solid history in fashion that keeps it eternally inspiring.

Case in point is the latest from Taiwanese collective BlanQ, a series of sculptures created by Jeffrey Wang in collaboration with Levi’s and the Fubon Art Foundation. By using just safety pins and forgoing any cutting or sewing, each piece maintains the integrity of each original pair of denim. As Wang explains, “Even if we took it apart, all the jeans still hold [their] original shape and can still be worn” which is what makes this project completely recyclable in the truest sense of the word. This piece is exemplary of the underlying concept behind all BlanQ projects, which focus on moving beyond aesthetics and integrating meaning and concept into each work of art. If you love the look of the final sculptures, you can view the video of the making of Persona video.

Text Tienlyn Jacobson
Source(s): BlanqWorld, Jeffrey Wang

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

Fashion Show or Peep Show?

When it comes to fashion weeks they usually get about as wild-and-crazy as Betsey Johnson doing a cartwheel, a model's accidental boob or no-no place flash, or an overwaxed floor that transforms a runway into a slip-and-slide.

But not in India. While they may be known for their more conservative designs, some of their shows have apparently attracted the attention of the Indian authorities. In particular, the Levi's show in Mumbia, where Bollywood actor/model Askay Kumar was strutting down the catwalk when, as he reached his wife sitting in the audience, he leaned in and she unbuttoned his pants. Not finding the antic amusing, Kumar now faces two years imprisonment and a 2,000 ruppee fine (which is about $39, the cost of a pair of Levi's).

While I can't say that this was the most tasteful way to promote Levi's new "Unbuttoned" campaign, I certainly don't think it warrants jail time. I mean, come on India, if you can't handle a little frontal flashing, how do you ever expect to make it into the fashion mainstream? I mean, remember when Dirk Bikkembergs got 100 soccer players to change their underwear in public during an Italian fashion show a couple years ago? I'm sure they'd all be facing the death penalty if the Indian police had something to do with it.

So India, lighten up--free Kumar!