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Archive for April, 2008
29AprWintour Is Over!!
While the weather outside beckons our lighter wardrobe pieces to come out and play, the Army of M.E. has been on an espionage mission to find the internal temperature of the fashion community towards Ms. Anna. All thermometers are reading subzero. The masses were introduced to the ‘character’ of Anna through Meryl Streep’s performance in The Devil Wears Prada -even here Anna Miranda was referred to as a ‘dated and expensive’ executive whose only staying power was her ability to wield her control over those she ‘made’ in the industry. More recently came that mortifying moment when Giorgio Armani said he was ‘indifferent’ to her while she stood right next to him on stage during a press conference! (Sidebar: I had something like this happen to me during playground antics circa 1st grade and let me exclaim how ego-diminishing it is, at any age!) Then it hit the press that Anna wrote letters to Italian designers asking that they show during a shorter period of time so editors could spend less time in Milan due to America’s weak dollar. WTF?! Whose fault is THAT Anna?! Certainly not Italy’s. Why didn’t you wield some of that power of the press when George Bush was elected the first and second time?! Oh, I know how absolutely ridiculous that sounds, “ew, politics -now hand me my fur throw.” We agree with NY Mag about a war on Anna beginning on European territories. Her weapons of mass self-rightousness are right out there for all united nations of fashion to justify a war. At the Blog:Mode discussion at the Met an audience member asked the panel the all-wondering question of why everyone in the fashion industry is so afraid (basically, of people like Anna) when forming “opinions”. Of course, the question was artfully dodged by the three panelists. It is an interesting phenom. though, while glossies will bend to the point of contortion to extract the positive and bloggers are cranky and seem to hate everything, one consistency among all is fear of the wrath of the likes of Ms. Wintour. Although I totally agree with Karl Marx’s statement regarding religion, I would ad that fear is the of oppressor of the masses and that Anna is the new Bush.
Wow -how democratic this is. Bravo Coldplay! Hey Madonna -take note! Keep checking here for info on how to get tickets and a free download of Violet Hill -the first single from Viva La Vida.
It’s a trend that has (tragically) maintained its staying power for about a year now. While we graciously decline subscribing to this one, there are ways to implement the glaring 80/90’s palette while remaining tasteful. Designers have matured some of the colors and added it in minimal ways -because when its NOT done right it doesn’t say victim, it SCREAMS it. A label we credit with opening our minds on this subject is Berlin-based C-Neeon, a neo-bauhaus design team we have much respect for. Elle.com also covered neon for this season -this is a great resource for everything NOT to consider. In all fairness, if you keep clicking to the ‘Peekaboo’ page highlighting the transparent trend, their clothing and shoe picks are flawless. Spending thousands on high-design fluorescent anything deserves a super-stupid award. For half the price, you can source Seven NY for all your neon needs…but most items are already sold out. Here are some that are not:
This silk camisole dress to the left by C-Neeon combines two current trends of semi-sheer and subtle neon. XS is already sold out so hurry!
The above-right Bernhard Willhelm top makes a great statement combining fun colors with a super-sexy cut -this is a great top for a summer night out on the town.
This citron cap-sleeved blouse is 100% silk, designed by Christian Wijnant (black skirt is separate)
Yes, boys can implement neon too -the rules of subtlety apply but you know them all (if you don’t please proceed with caution and someone to advise you). This v-neck by Army of M.E. friend, Kenzo Minami, is perfect (it’s an homage to the Back To The Future De Lorean)
28AprHyeres
Please see our muse Diane at ASVOF for the most comprehensive coverage and fabulous photos of the four-day fashion & photography festival in Hyeres, France. The 1.2.3 award and public prize went to Jean Paul Lespagnard (above left) and the jury prize (backed for the first time by L’Oreal) went to Matthew Cunnington (above right). These photos are entirely the work of ASVOF crew and meant to be teasers to get you over there for compelling behind the scenes coverage with the designers, exhibitors and judges.
If you’re at Australia’s Fashion Week, you must stop by the Ksubi shop in Melbourne. As you know this is the boys’ and the brand’s native country and they just won the 2008 Interior Design Award for best Australian retail interior. My understanding is that The Bombed Mache, as it is called, is a shantytown/art installation/gallery made from reused materials. Congrats boys! We’ve loved you forever -before the rats and before that Kennedy chic was even born.
Someone used this term in regards to their relationship with fashion during a recent covert conversation and it stayed with us. We are always trying to articulate our take on fashion as we adhere strongly to our ideals that style has more to do with confidence, intelligence, opinions and how well-accessorized one’s brain is as opposed to one’s body. We have strong ties in the fashion industry and witness first hand how money-driven, the big churning wheel can be and how programmed the cogs are. Justification lies in the fact that it is a business, and how many are run in all industries, but we concern ourselves with the loss in translation when filtered to the masses via the pages of glossies. We hate the idea of being preachers but these ideals fueled the creation of this site. It’s within in the negative space that our tastes exist and the power of the edit, our preferences. In other words, it’s what you don’t see covered here. Each day is a constant bombardment of new labels, lines, gadgets & ideas -so few of which pique our interest. Our own creations stifled by our disgust for the ‘gimmicky’ which is how we see most of our inventions after 48 hours. The art of ‘sleeping on it’ seems lost while many shuffle to push their mediocrity on celebrity stylists -but, we respect their struggle. To endure, evolve, and stay afloat is an art in itself and to have the self-confidence (or financial sponsorship), a feat. We just found this image on one of the sites we frequent -we think the black button on this jean jacket best sums up where we are currently at.
25AprCute Suit
This adorable suit from Steven Alan Annex designed by Lauren Moffat just landed in our inbox and we wanted to share. We also figured we’d scan the internet to find some suits for all bodies. General swimwear rules based on body-type: bigger bust demands more material, while a smaller bust can appear bigger with less material (the tinier that little triangle the better!). The same rule usually applies to the bottoms…
This black suit is available here and would be great for the curvaceous body both in the bust and thigh areas.
This Carmen Marc Valvo suit (available here) is perfect for the less curvy woman. The cut of this will give a shapely feminine appearance -and it is super sexy. This is also a great one if everything is toned up except the lower belly or a post-pregnancy body.
This Betsey Johnson print beckons the younger girls. It’s great if you are smaller in the bust and is ’suit’able for shapely or slim thighs. Available here.
Likely to become an Army of M.E. staple reviewed in our bunker report, Elizabeth is named after street location rather than the denizen’s female qualities. Opening today in the old Rialto space (RIP) in NoLIta, this modernly masculine bar/restaurant offers three equally enchanting areas to sip and snack. Yes, they kept the outdoor-ish area, sans the ‘ish’ because they’ve implemented a seamlessly retractable roof on the 50-seat, candle-lit patio. Inside is a wonderful card room outfitted with ottomans to relax in front of the fireplace and in the salon area you can sit at the marble bar or slide into black leather banquettes while perusing the menu by the light of blinging skull lamps. As for the masterminds behind all this -Sam Martinez (owner of Rialto) and architect/designer Jeff Mancini + two former Country chefs & a mixologist from Los Dados = we’re there, often. The food consists of seasonal tasting plates currently consisting of: fish & chips with lemon 
mayo, poached hen egg, mushroom risotto, crispy cheeseburgers and spring lamb with hummus and tzatziki (& more). The drink menu will take you from organic wines and exotic microbrews to cocktail concoctions like the Double Down (tequila, chili & cucumber).
25AprBape Invades L A
Like seemingly every other cool store on the planet, BAPE is launching a (long-rumored) LA outpost. Past openings have outfitted guests with commemorative tees so, if in the area, stop by today.
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