How’s that for alliteration? I grew up in a very small town (cows) - and the only way to suppress my desire to leave was by expressing myself through dress (men’s ties as headbands, thick glasses) . I remember being asked junior year what I wanted to go to college for, and so said fashion - nothing but crickets. Then when I did go, my AP (thank you) English teacher actually asked why on earth I did such a thing. Thus the reason why I shun public schools. So much for supportive educators, but thank god for New York! I’m sure you can feel the teenage angst in my tone - the clothes just bring it back! I don’t think I’ll ever let go of the punky aesthetic, I’m a cynical New Yorker at heart and I can’t resist a dangerous looking pyramid stud for the life of me.
Punk chic connoisseur Burberry has really reinvented itself over the past several years - and in doing so has become a modern represenatation of the British punk movement, as well as a huge motivator for mass to translate it in a forward & feminine way. Christopher Bailey (of Burberry) has paved the way in reinterpreting how the tartan, motorcycle jacket, and stud read. Vivienne Westwood as well, the original curator of underground punk dress (she dressed the Sex Pistols) - brought safety pins and shredded garments to the likes of Bergdorf’s & Henri Bendel.
Forget the fishnets, mohawks, and Hot Topic - updated punk is Blondie chic. Think black jeweled heavy bib necklaces, backless dresses, skinny leather, and metal hardware. Heavily embellished accessories paired with a streamlined silhouette, or tartan/animal print/striped pieces with a metallic shoe or bag are easy ways to interpret punk without losing your femininity. And when I say femininity - I do mean looking completely bad ass.
Forever 21 studded tote $34.80
Newport News studded boot $39.00
Asos tulip skirt $35
Alex & Chloe Le Crane necklace $48
American Apparel latex legging $42
Kate - colorful cutie on a cig break from American Apparel on Portobello Road
Courtesy of photographer (slash street style maverick) Wayne Tippetts
www.WayneTippetts.com
Contact: Wayne@waynetippetts.com
So I’m not a mogul by any means, but shhh that’s why I need some votes! The Austin Statesman is looking for nominations for the very first Texas Social Media Awards - and if you love this blog, I’d looove for you to vote!
Help a girl out and click HERE to nominate (Jennifer Sennott)
From the Statesman.com:
The Statesman, far from rookies when it comes to their own various online efforts, today unveiled the first-ever Statesman Texas Social Media Awards. Seeking to honor those among you with unrivaled ‘cred’ when it comes to Twitter, blogging, and the like, they’re now soliciting nominations online:
Who are the rock stars of social media in Texas? Do you know someone who has a must-read blog, is all over Twitter or digs Digg? Nominate them today!
From left to right…
Images taken from Style.com & People.com
The duster earring is all that’s in my head after watching Factory Girl. Yes - I take years to watch fantastic movies that I should really run to the theatres for - it’s called procrastination, and I do it well. Although these may tear your ear off, beauty is pain - and if I had the chance to wear 5 carats worth of diamonds, I may sacrifice an ear as well.
View the rest of the Isaac Mizrahi Spring 09 collection on Style.com
Beauty trends are very closely in line with those in fashion - and as we’ve been seeing so many more vibrant colors, prints, and glamorous ready to wear, makeup has been following along in its own way. I have never gotten too crazy into makeup - I’m awful with liquid eyeliner, but as I get older I seem to become better at pulling off the smokey eye, the red lip - but that’s about it. I remember in high school I would wear pink eyeshadow because of Avril Lavigne, as she was my teenage muse - and then also went through a phase of purple to make my eyes (green) pop - but it was never really about the fun aspect.
So - last year when Kate Moss stepped out in star face paint for her birthday, I became completely obsessed and have been dreaming about pulling this off on my own. While I don’t go to too many places where face paint is socially acceptable, I have still been experimenting with dark teal shadows, crimson lips, and undereye glitter (not simultaneously). Maybe it’s because I’m in a serious 70’s disco channeling mode right now - but I can’t get enough of that glam rock, Debbie Harry vibe.
It’s easy to be terrified of accidentally reliving the 80’s - but what’s old is new again - and colorful eye shades can be done really well when done in moderation and solidarity - that means JUST glitter, or JUST hot pink, or JUST aqua. Who’s to say you can’t pop into a bar with nail art and some graphic eye interest? I am a firm believer in dressing how you feel - and if you feel like a shining star you may as well draw one on your face.
View a slideshow on metallic beauty on Style.com
Just got home from the Austin Blue Genie Art Bazaar - and was able to get the bulk of the Christmas gift giving taken care of, thank god! Me plus the beau equals sometimes the most procrastinating pair. The Blue Genie is known to many Austinites as a rival to the Armadillo Bazaar - but to me it was a cutsey, warm and ultra original offering of Austin designers, painters and just good old artisans. As I’ve mentioned before, drinking & shopping is one of my favorite sports - so how convenient that a bar is at the main entrance. While there - I was able to view some blog friend’s booths - Amy Barber of Sweettooth, Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club and Natalie Tischler of Ornamental Things. I actually ended up buying a gorgeous flower cocktail ring from Ornamental Things - but had to stop myself there because Christmas is the time for GIVING, not receiving - which is often hard for me to grasp in a venue full of such authentic style.
Regardless of my uninhibited spending habits - it was amazing how there was a gift for every genre, be it wooden spoons with pearl embellishments, Obama print lace napkins, or psychedlic pug art (for my mom). One of the great things about gift giving this year, and the next - is being able to chalk it up to being in a novel city bursting with eccentricity, and having it be so easy. Whatever city I live in next, I can’t use the excuse “oh we’re only in Austin two years” anymore to rationalize the spending. With any luck, I’ll be able to rationalize future shopping sprees while chilling in an apartment in Amsterdam, London - or even back in New York.
When: Thru December 24th -10am to 10pm Sun-Thurs, til 12pm Fri & Sat, and til 6pm Sun.
Where: The Monarch Events Center - 6406 North IH-35, Austin, TX
Visit www.BlueGenieArt.com
I would have died for these. This would definitely be the thing I’d want most in life for a year - and would never have gotten because my parents were crazy frugal and I think they walked like 5 miles to school in the snow or something. One year, I threw a temper tantrum at Christmas because I didn’t get a window box green house I wanted (hippie and un-fashion related), but the point is that teeny boppers are tyrants. Looking back, if it were an option - boarding school would have been my calling. These cutsey charms are definitely worth kicking and screaming for.
Shop Coach.com
Now is the time to forget about silly rules and pull out all of your white from your summer stash under the bed. Sure, a white sundress is totally inappropriate in the middle of winter, but white jeans, white sweaters, white handbags – are so polished and refined. I have a pair of white wide leg, 8 wale corduroy pants (on sale from $300 RL Blue Label, for $50) that I love to wear into fall and winter by giving it a spectator feel with black tops – the black and white combination let white appear less seasonal, more transitional.
Off shades of white are also good rules to live by in the winter – eggshell or creams – and classic silhouettes that don’t scream picnic or beach (turtlenecks, shift dresses). Some fabrication rules to live by: stay away from any cotton lawn, poplin, or gauze. Go for textured whites – corduroy, cables, & twills - the more substantial the fabric, the better. A white shoe is a lot harder to pull off than a white handbag, but can be done right by sticking to a matte finish & again seasonal shapes (booties, no open toes or wedges). If the shoe in question is not a bootie – a black opaque tight with a white Mary Jane screams tres mod chic.
Forever 21 crochet cardigan $27.80
Top Shop bracelet $40
Banana Republic Wilshire hobo $150
Newport News snake embossed shoe $39.00
Victoria’s Secret military coat $149.99
Can’t say enough about Zac Posen pre fall. I haven’t been this impressed with a showing in a looooong time. He clearly watched something with Katharine Hepburn in it - the 40’s feel is undeniable, but impecably updated and youthful. I fully anticipate this being a catalyst for ready to wear until at least Spring ‘10 - he really set himself apart and started something fresh and uncontrived. It makes perfect sense really, to channel an era that is so similar to what we’re all aspiring to right now. Forget the 30’s, the beauty of youth - and fashion - is idealism.
It was incredibly hard to pick just a few to feature, so go to Style.com to check out the full Pre Fall 09 slideshow.
