springing into the new year

We're still a far way from summer, but I can't resist these vintage inspired tunic dresses from Kate Spade. Then again, with some leggings and a cardigan, there may be no need to wait until warm weather arrives!

Christian Joy

It would hardly be fair to praise the fearless fashion choices of Karen O without giving due credit to the mad scientist behind her stage costumes. Karen dresses almost exclusively in the designs of Christian Joy, a longtime friend and collaborator, who twists vintage prom dresses and a slew of unlikely materials into a one of a kind wardrobe for the lady of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Not all of Joy's designs consist of theatrical, overstated treatments though. Many of the items available on her website are geared toward a look of understated monochromatic minimalism, including slinky futuristic hooded one pieces and sack-like 'bean' dresses (which sold out in no time after being featured in NYLON!). Recently I've spied some tartan plaid accessories in the Christian Joy online store. . . Are you brave enough to rock this statement making waist cincher?

Fiercely Fashionable Ladies of 2006

With all the best dressed lists appearing as this year ends, I feel compelled to add my own two cents as to who has mad some fabulously unique fashion statements in 2006.
My top three ladies: Gwen Stefani, Dita von Teese, and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. These three fearless dressers seem incapable of bending to trends or getting lost in a crowd.
Pay attention: these style originals are icons in the making!

Project Alabama

Mentioning the Quilts of Gee's Bend in one of my earlier posts go me thinking about another exceptional American craft collective: Project Alabama. I haven't heard much about this group (headed by Natalie Chanin) since their Spring '06 collection, and was disappointed to find their website is under construction. I'm still admiring what I saw in their Bryant Park debut: traditional quilt making craftsmanship spun into timeless feminine clothing with character and soul. If anyone knows what Project Alabama is up to lately, please drop me a line!

Blue Jean Baby

Upon seeing this Diesel ad in the latest issue Vogue, my coworker declared that I MUST have these jeans. It's true, I have been known to wear the high waisted tapered Jordache jeans of yesteryear. . . But this Diesel pair takes high waistedness to a whole new level (as in you almost need not wear a shirt). They remind me of the ones Scarlett Johansson modeled for Imitation of Christ, or better yet, something a fashionable cowgirl of the 1950's would have worn (paging Dale Evans!). I may just need them after all!

Maximum Atlanta

I must admit I'm having a little too much fun recovering from the Holiday by being a homebody alongside my cats and new Pride and Prejudice DVD. However, if you're feeling ready to go out of the house again, I recommend checking out this show tonight. The Carbonas are one of Atlanta's best rock n'roll bands (known to play some mean Zero Boys covers).
I love the flyer for the show, featuring two Carbonas: Gentleman Jesse and Greg King, taken from one of my favorite covers of Maximum Rock and Roll.

Cover Girl

The day of the 'supers' (as in Cindy, Naomi, Nikki, and Linda) may be over, but there's still some personality to be found on the runways. . . Model Cecilia Mendez, has been one of my favorite faces since I spied her in WWD over the summer. I admire her quirky Audrey Hepburn style, so clearly emphasized by her nymphish pixie hair cut. In a biz where so many cat walkers lack identity, Cecilia's 'Funny Face,' distinguishes her as a gal with character and a model worth watching!

American Women

Leave it to Vogue's Editor at Large, Andre Leon Talley, to make the connection between Diane Von Furstenberg's Spring '07 ready-to-wear collection and the legendary traveling exhibit, Quilts of Gee's Bend.
Both are splashed with eye popping colors and whimsical patterns capable of brightening any day.
I saw the quilts at Atlanta's High Museum last spring, and was taken by the unique color palates and patterns as well as the stories behind the designs and the unexpected use of materials (including previously worn dresses and blue jeans!).
Unsurprisingly, I'm also quite fond of DVF's spring collection of colorful, fun, feminine classics.
Diane Von Furstenberg and the Quilts of Gee's Bend: American craft at its finest!

All over me like L-A-M-B

It came today! My new L.A.M.B. coat found it's way to my place after being bought for a steal on ebay (half price!). Thankfully it was actually cold enough to wear it. . . Atlanta's weather has been a bit unpredictable lately. How am I supposed to plan my Christmas Eve outfit with the temperatures ranging from freezing to the mid 60's?!

mall madness (and I'm not talking about the board game)

Yesterday, something possessed me to go to the mall. Foolish, I know, Christmas is days away. . . But I thought Andrew just might have to have a Ben Sherman from Urban Outfitters to round out his collection of presents.
I was wrong, so wrong! The entire scene at the mall was so nauseatingly overwhelming that I swore to myself that my mall days were over! I found nothing at Anthropologie or Urban Oufitters for myself or anyone else on my list. It was one of those days where everything seemed overpriced and poorly made. (Yes, vintage clothing has spoiled me greatly).
So for now, I'm on a mission to buy only from independently owned boutiques that carry UNIQUE, quality products. . . So I was elated today, when Seamsters' blogger Amy recommended a store named Creatures of Comfort. She mentioned that they carry (my latest obsession) Eley Kishimoto, but they also stock tons of other amazing designers(Chie Mihara, Imitation of Christ, and United Bamboo, to name a few) and at prices that are not insane!
So here's the game plan for 2007: Shop Creatures of Comfort and stock my closet with amazing finds!

Kitty Christmas

I must admit I have been neglecting my blog lately, in favor of the upcoming holiday and all of the shopping, wrapping, decorating, etc that goes with it! Luckily, I've had lots of help from Chloe and Ronnie, who enthusiastically inspect my every purchase.
This package? Approved!

Girls Just Wanna shop vintage

Cindy Lauper came into my work today, acting as loud and brash as you might expect, and wearing platinum blond hair and gobs of eye makeup. She became completely recognizable once she started screaming to her companion about how she's too much of an old hag to still be singing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
She bought several vintage aprons, fabric, and a fab 1960's purple velvet hooded coat.
Best of all, she complemented my outfit, and asked if it was vintage (no) and what it was made of (denim). High praise from a 1980's style icon!

L.A.M.B: feeling yummy head to toe

Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. luxury leather bags have arrived at Nordstrom! I'm torn between all of the great colors and styles. . . They all have a bit of a 1970's Gucci feel which I love, and the white bags especially catch my eye (though I'd surely have one discolored in a matter of days. . .).

Modern Heaven: Eley Kishimoto

I know I just mentioned Eley Kishimoto's shoes the other day, but there is so much more to the label that I couldn't resist another post. . . I'm in love with their entire Spring/Summer '07 collection! It's a mad mix of sixties silhouettes and seventies patterns that the Brady girls would love! It was nearly impossible to choose just a few images to post here. . . I imagine it'll be even harder to decide which to buy!

taking the devil home

OH yes, the Devil Wears Prada is out on DVD today! Though I've already seen it twice, now Andrew gets to watch it with me. Lucky lucky him.
Patricia Field did some fab work with the clothes in this film. . . Spotting the labels is almost as much fun as the plot itself!

shoewawa recommends. . .

While reading Shoewawa.com the other day (the cheesiest of my guilty pleasure blog reading)I came across these shoes made by Eley Kishimoto for spring/ summer '07. They're such fun, I wonder why I've never heard of this husband/wife design team earlier! And furthermore, where can I buy these shoes?!

fabric art with POP

I was feeling a little nostalgic today for the framed Marimekko geometric fabric panels my parents hung in the rec room when I was a kid. They were dizzying swirls of yellow and orange. . . I only wish I had them today! Unfortunately they went to the Salvation Army before I was old enough to appreciate them.
I did discover a great new source for mid century textiles on ebay, though! A couple out of Atlanta are selling a load of vintage fabrics ranging from 1940's bark cloth to mod 1960's and psychedelic 70's Eames patterns. Their auctions are listed under the name outsidearts , and at great prices! The ones above are a few of my favorites.

Handmade for the Holidays

Being that holiday time of the year, I've found myself doing some shopping at Ten Thousand Villages, picking up handmade gifts for friends and relatives. I absolutely love their nativity scenes from all over the world, particularly these two from Peru and Sri Lanka.
Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade operation, describing themselves in their mission statement as: "Working with unemployed or underemployed artisans, we help them bring their crafts and cultures to North America, and to support themselves and their families."
Check out Ten Thousand Villages in your town or online for gifts that are unique, reasonably priced, and support international craftsmanship traditions. That's holiday shopping that makes everyone happy!

remixing vintage style

Once upon a time I actually found a pair of 1940's red leather platform sandals to fit my feet. They were stunning: eliciting complements everywhere we went and bumping my height up to a statuesque 6'3. Sadly, yet inevitably, I wore them to death.
Since a piece like that isn't bound to come around but once in a lifetime, imagine my delight when I discovered a company that specializes in reproducing classic vintage shoe styles! Remix Vintage Shoes, out of California, carries hand made leather reproductions in styles ranging from the 1920's to the 1950's (and in every color you can dream of!).
As a happy owner of several pairs, I can vouch that they're incredibly comfortable, look like the real thing, and are available at a price you can live with.