Category: Style

Style blog posts.

“Alternative Apparel” for the Social & Environmentally Conscious

Alternative Apparel at Macy's
Alternative Apparel at Macy's

 

Alternative Apparel recently featured its easy worn-in clothing line sold at Macy’s Herald Square. The line has a vintage feel that borrows elements from hipster brand American Apparel. Both the material and shapes have a very cozy and traditionally American feeling. The twist, or alternative, is that the line offers an extensive eco-friendly and socially conscious policy.

For starters, their social responsibility policy vows not to utilize forced labor, child labor while respecting equitable compensation, and environmental protection. Alternative Apparel explains, “This translates into the use of recycled and organic materials, the use of low-impact dyes, energy conservation in manufacturing facilities, and various other specific actions.” They create their pieces from organic pesticide-free cotton and include “Eco-Heather, Eco-Fleece, Eco-French Terry and Eco-Vertigrain.” They even provide an Eco FAQ for easy answers.

Alternative Apparel Models at Macy's
Alternative Apparel Models at Macy's

An interesting concept they utilize in respecting human rights and such, they retain their manufacturing site in China. In short they state “China is a country with a history of human rights infringements and more recently, damaging environmental policy violations. However, our manufacturing in China is in full compliance with our fundamental Social Responsibility policies.”

POSHGLAM’s “BOO-bie” Benefit

There were far scarier things to think about than carved vegetables and annoying children during the month of Halloween, and last week fashion blog POSHGLAM addressed one of them: breast cancer. They held a  fundraiser to benefit St. Luke Roosevelt Comprehensive Breast Cancer Services Program in Manhattan, gathering guests to Eli Klein’s cozy, yet modern Art Gallery in SoHo.

Elin Necklace from the Grandoise Lux Collection by Mali Beads
Elin Necklace from the Grandoise Lux Collection by Mali Beads

The event was hosted by POSHGLAM founder Kimberly Stone and featured tables with fashion jewelry by Mali Beads and Monique Leshman. They pledged to donate 20% of sales from that night to St. Luke’s in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Delectables by Fig & Olive
Delectables by Fig & Olive

Some say that diet affects breast cancer, so health-conscious New York City restaurant chain Fig & Olive provided plenty of vegetable-packed dishes as well as fresh meats including carpaccio and shrimp. The treats were coupled with unique cocktails made with Alizé and Bouvet champagne, as well as Stella Artois, and non-alcoholic beverages from Neuro.

Read more at POSHGLAM

Stiletto: The Sophisticated Scent that Manifests Our Shoe Obsession

Stiletto by Nicole Amy
Photo Credit: Michael G. Mincey of Devon's Imaging

Behind Nicole Amy, one of her many guests posed in front of the step and repeat while touting a sultry studded Stiletto-shaped perfume bottle. Then seemingly out of nowhere, a musky aroma wafted around the room as the designer’s premiere fragrance fell from the palm of the guest’s hand, and heavy pieces of glass shattered onto the floor. Amy glanced at the spill, and coolly referred to the promotional table next to us; “One down!” She smirked. “We still have 3 more bottles left.”

Stiletto by Nicole Amy Fragrances is a deep feminine musk with notes of sandalwood and vanilla bean. The enduring scent is sexy and sweet without the overpowering reputation musks have. Amy herself is infused with confidence and entrepreneurial gusto. I assumed this was derived from the toughness associated with Amy having lived in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. Anyway her persistence has paid off as she managed to have her launch sponsored Fuze, Fujifilm and Gansevoort; the last of which held the event at their Park Avenue location.

Stiletto Fragrance Creator Nicole Amy
Stiletto Fragrance Creator Nicole Amy. Photo Credit: Michael G. Mincey, Devon's Imaging

In addition to the stiletto-pump design and luxurious velvet lined “shoebox” packaging, Nicole Amy’s Stiletto boasts a unique and very entrepreneurial creation story. While taking a class in entrepreneurship at Monmouth University, Amy heard of a fragrance created by a group of students and picked up where they left off. Amy cites her internship developing “Artisan” at John Varvatos as a major help, but also mentions her perfectionist nature and determination.

Stiletto's Launch Party at Hotel Gansevoort
Stiletto's Launch Party at Hotel Gansevoort

Celebrating the successful launch of Stiletto were a variety of attendees including: the brand’s PR front woman Erica Taylor of Susan Blond Agency, Famed New York Colorist and Owner of James Corbett Studio and Spa; James Corbett, Account Executive of the scent’s manufacturer Justin Spiro, as well as Actress/Photographer/Blogger of Hot New Entertainment Trends Anna Kuchma. The guests danced the night away to DJ Louie XIV.

Nicole Amy Fragrances - Stiletto
Nicole Amy Fragrances - Stiletto

Stilleto is sold online and select New York City Boutiques

To receive 20% off to celebrate this special fragrance launch, go to http://www.nicoleamyfragrances.com and enter the promo code, STILETTO2010. This exciting, special launch offer is valid now through December 15, 2010.

Do High-Low Fashion Collaborations Decrease Quality & Creativity?

Today Refinery 29 showcased the “leaked” looks resulting from Lanvin’s collaboration with H&M. The pieces are dark with subtle intricacies that may remain unique and unidentifiable by brand to the unexposed eye. With this passing slightly as an exception, I’ve been asking myself: Are high-low designer collaborations pointless because they’re so popularized that everyone knows what you’re wearing, where you bought it, and can buy exactly the same thing?

Lanvin for H&M Fall 2010 Campaign
Lanvin for H&M Fall 2010 Campaign

For argument’s sake, imagine arriving at your favorite MPD (Meat Packing District) club flaunting the one-shouldered pouf frock all the way to the left. You’re excited that you finally have the chance to own a piece of haute couture by French fashion house, Lanvin, without having to make a drastic move to your parent’s rent-controlled apartment. Beyond the velvet rope, the usually 100+ line starts forming. Then your heart rushes as, at the very least, one girl from each gaggle of blondes sports a similar dress with coincidentally similar sky-high heels. The footwear also bears a striking resemblance to last year’s Jimmy Choo for H&M collection, A.K.A. the exact same shoes you waited 3 hours in line to get. Only she probably bought them on Ebay.

You then realize, that yes, the dress is indeed the exact same one you were so proud to own. Also, more than 1/3 of the girls on the line are wearing the exact same outfit, as well as the attitude of the full-price label. Then your posture seems to loosen, and you have the sudden urge to rip off the adjacent side to create a strapless original.

We know this fashion faux-pas doesn’t carry the same image-damaging magnitude of donning a verbatim dress on the red carpet. But it does feel akin to a “Bitch Stole My Look” moment via Joan Rivers + Fashion Police. It also raises one of many questions considering mass-production, originality and brand reputation in fashion.

How do you feel when you see someone that wears the same outfit which resulted from a “discount” collaboration line?

Via Spiga Loves Bloggers!

 

Via Spiga Creative Director Paola Venturi with Via Spiga Shoes
Via Spiga Creative Director Paola Venturi with Via Spiga Shoes

 

“You are so important; you have the job to balance style and all kinds of elements. Europe loves bloggers, too!” said Paola Venturi as she expressed her absolute adoration for bloggers. Visiting Bloomingdale’s across the country, Via Spiga’s Creative Director established warmth through her wide smile and calm grab of the arm while promoting Via Spiga’s Fall 2010 collection.

Venturi recalls living in Murray Hill in the 80’s and seeing the fantastic mix of fashion New York is famed for. When asked about one thing she could change in regards to American style, she held back quirky laughter and laid a gentle motherly hand on this blogger’s shoulder. Could it be the lack of coordination that shocks her? Or maybe it’s the mass–consumption mantra that reinforces a lack of individuality? Whatever her thoughts were, Venturi was too kind to say anything negative. She did, however, allude to the fashion sense of New York nemesis, Los Angeles. But that was it.

 

Via Spiga Monty Mary Jane Hybrid
Via Spiga Monty Mary Jane Hybrid

 

A fanatic interrupted the conversation to rave about the two pairs of “Ethos” Via Spiga Booties she just bought. The woman’s thick German accent interacted well with Venturi’s rolling Italian “r”. They both raved about the variety of Via Spiga Booties, including the “Ethos” Via Spiga Booties just purchased – one in strong black leather and the other in Grey suede. The sleek minimalist shape of this particular shoe reflects Venturi’s past design work at Calvin Klein.

Via Spiga Fall 2010 found its inspiration at the Parisian show, Le Crazy Horse Saloon or Le Crazy Horse de Paris. A risqué performance put on by nude dancers, Venturi stresses the “crazy” imagination behind the overall show, and emphasizes the “dazzling, amazing” shoes. During her fervent description, she noticed a purple wigged attendee and pointed out her resemblance to Anna Piaggi, the Italian writer and fashion icon.

Continuing her Crazy Horse reference, she referred to the Via Spiga “Virgil” shoe; a quilted leather ballet flat. Inspired by the curtains of Crazy Horse show, she designed a pair of boots constructed of the same material. But they were never manufactured because of the impractical cost. By this we see the duality of Venturi’s character; playing both the true designer and business woman. She encourages the imaginative, yet restricts the unrealistic.

 

Fun Bloomingdale's Employees at Via Spiga
Fun Bloomingdale's Employees at Via Spiga

 

 

Via Spiga Boots
Via Spiga Boots