Peplum Power

All hail the almighty peplum dress.

They've been popping up everywhere latey. You've seen them for sure, but chances are, you had no idea what to call them. I personally danced around with a few terms, sometimes referring to them as tierred or layered. But it wasn't until I realized that my sister's Sweet 16 was dangerously close and I had yet to find a dress that I actually got on the internet and did my research.

According to Webster's, a peplum is a "short section attached to the waistline of a blouse, jacket, or dress". The term came about in the 1800's and has since evolved. The modern peplum became popular in the 1940's when we began to see fabric extending beyond the waist on skirts and dresses. A peplum typically flares out at the hips, some more so than others, creating a variety of silhouettes.

After a brief hiatus, the peplum trend came back in full force in the 80's. And what seems to be the standard now, anything with a cool factor in the 80's is once again cool now. The popularity of the peplum was partially a reaction to the constricting menswear styles that were the norm during that time period. The new peplum was a quasi-feminist statement towards freedom of dress for women and the embrace of a woman's figure.

And they've got it absolutely down pat in the UK. Topshop, ASOS and NewLook have mastered the peplum style. A quick walk through Topshop and you'll see dainty floral peplum skirts and dresses lining the floor. Asos.com offers up their version of the peplum in a variety of colors. And I can indulge my love for fake leather (American Apparel style) with New Looks "Wet Look" peplum dress which comes in black and pink.

I don't know about you but my Forever 21 floral version is in my closet ready to be worn one last time. And as soon as this unsightly rain ceases, you'll find me in my peplum dress on the Great Lawn.

-Alix

Better than Saks during Christmas...

Look Mommy, I'm a pseudo celebrity!!

In today's day and age, it isn't rare to see some our favorite fashion icons rise to fame via the internet. First there was Cory Kennedy courtesy of Mark Hunter, the brilliant photographer behind the Cobrasnake, our go-to source for party photos and uber-cool-hardly-trying fashion inspiration. Scott Schuman a.k.a. the Sartorialist is a household name when it comes to street style. I could spot a Sartorialist photo from a mile away and don't even get me started on the impeccably clad 17 year old Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes.

Holt Renfrew, "Canada's leading fashion specialty department store for men and women." which houses a slew of designers including 3.1 Phillip Lim, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, YSL is acknowledging our favorite bloggers turned fashion idols by fashioning "a series of blogger-inspired window displays for nine stores" {WWD}. Holt Renfrew's creative director John Gerhardt is the mastermind behind the display but he's not the only one paying homage to the blogosphere. According to WWD, a Munich art gallery featured an exhibition of 121 pieces created by 11 different bloggers last. Bryanboy, The Cobrasnake, Facehunter and Les Mads were among the headlined bloggers.

Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist), Bryanboy, Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil and Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes will all find a cozy spot in the Holt Renfrew windows. Today, fashion bloggers are highly esteemed, given front row seats at Bryant Park, landing awesome internships with Nylon Magazine and apparently collaborating with fashion giants like Urban Outfitters. The proverbial next step is to land a spot in Canada's biggest department store's windows.

You know you've hit it big when they start designing mannequins after you. -Alix

Bendel's Strips Down

In this recession, strategy is key.

When the news arrived that Henri Bendel's would no longer be carrying clothing in an effort to focus on accessories, beauty products and gifts, the entire fashion industry let out a big sigh. WWD reports that Bendel's plans to downsize it's preeminent flagship store located on Fifth Avenue in New York by renting out the third floor which previously housed apparel in an effort to concentrate on the more profitable sectors of the business which would include accessories and beauty items.

Perhaps the most notable part of the report though, was that Bendel's plans to extend this concept into shopping malls where little units will offer Bendel's merchandise. Manhattanites and fashionistas everywhere are mourning the loss of the Fifth Avenue institution to corporate America. While shoppers did not necessarily frequent Bendel's for clothing (sources say that apparel sales make up only 25% of Bendel's income), the aura of exclusivity and authenticity surrounding the fashion empire is not something that could be reproduced in a chain of mall stores. I mean really, looking out the brown and white striped facade to see a Claire's staring back at you is just not the same as Berdorf Goodman luring you in with promises of Hermes scarves and Manolo Blahniks.

The third floor of Bendel's was once home to Balmain, Alice & Olivia, Jason Wu and Matthew Williamson among other esteemed designers. Known for bold pieces and taking chances with unknown designers, Bendel's has helped some of today's most talented and revered designers who they are, just by giving them a chance. But with less of a demand for gutsy fashion with the faltering economy, it is a relief to hear that Bendel's will not be giving up with their "Open See" days which they held in order to give up and coming designers an avenue for discovery.
The hope for the new business plan is to take Bendel's global, reaching more people than the devotees who currently flock to New York to laud the brown and white. Bendel's will also focus more on handbags which they previously relied on "third-party" designers for but are now aiming to come up with designs of their own, furthering the idea of Bendel's as a brand rather than a store.

And if you hurry, Gabay's Outlet in the East Village is where Bendel's is putting to rest the remainder of it's clothing. There will be regular shipments of brands like GoldSign, Sass & Bide, Rock & Republic, J Brand, AG, Ya Ya Aflalo, Jil Sander, Ralph Lauren and the eponymous Henri Bendel knits {Racked}. If you get there soon, you just may be able to snag some merchandise for up to 50-80% off the retail price!

-Alix

Right In The Family Jewels

"Right In The Family Jewels" has been around on myspace since the days before facebook (when was that?!) took over the social networking world. The famous ribcage necklace (which can be found on her myspace) is something that has stuck in my mind since the first visit to the site and upon trying to make one of my own, my creativity failed me and I realized that I could never be as good at jewelry making as Amanda Davis.

Amanda Davis is the creative genius behind "Right In The Family Jewels", a Chicago based jewelry company that operates through myspace with a website currently in the works. In the past, Amanda has collaborated with companies such as Rockett Clothing, Johnny Cupcakes and Clandestine Industries.

Her creative parents were among her early influences for making jewelry along with the other creative individuals she surrounds herself with. It wasn't until she started cutting out different shapes by hand for therapeutic reasons, that she learned that she could take her ideas to the next level. Her hobby quickly snowballed into a full-blown online business. Through word of mouth and links posted on other myspaces, Amanda quickly garnered a community of fans that have stuck by her since the beginning. Although she does not plan to open her own boutique, she would love if stores would showcase her line as part of their inventory {Odd Notes}. When the website launches, she plans to keep the myspace up and running so fans could continue to post their pictures and comments in support of her art.

Amanda has taken jewelry making to another level. Each piece is completely hand-made and hand-shipped which requires alot of effort and time on her part. She takes orders through her myspace and offers free shipping to customers in the United States! At times, she even gives customers the chance to place custom orders. But by far, the most popular designs are the iconic rib-cage and skeleton hand necklaces, both of which Amanda thought up with while sitting in bed one night {Odd Notes} Replications of these designs have been found all over.

Upon a road trip to Chicago at age 17, Amanda immediately fell in love with the city. The notoriety that the windy city has received as of late for their emerging music and fashion industry is something that Amanda saw during her first visit, prompting her move from Georgia.
Amanda is no stranger to internet celebrities. Her necklaces which run the gamut from hearts, kitties, sunglasses, skulls, shark teeth, crosses, diamonds, lightning bolts, to name a few...have been spotted on the likes of Audrey Kitching, Jac Vanek and Hanna Beth Merjos {Odd Notes}. The attention that her jewelry received as a result of the promoting work of these "scenesters" catapulted her art even further into the public eye.

So don't wear your heart on your sleeve...wear it around your neck.

-Alix

She Loves Me Not

I LOVE designer collaborations, I LOVE reasonably priced lines and I LOVE Forever 21. But...I DON'T LOVE Forever 21's new line, "Love 21".

After the upset that was Matthew Williamson's line for H&M and McQueen's line for Target, I was a little skeptical at the news of the launch of Faith 21, Forever's plus sized line and the ensuing announcement of Love 21 "Contemporary" which landed in select stores on May 19th. With their classic line, the heritage line and the twelve by twelve line, Forever 21 is trying to run the gamut when it comes to individual style. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that Forever 21 is reaching out to people of different sizes and age groups but I'm just not convinced that they hit on this one.

When Forever released Twelve by Twelve, I sprinted out of Screaming Mimi's faster than you can say "overpriced vintage". I can't even tell you how many pay checks have gone into ritual trips to the Forever 21 in Union Square (which by the way is now even bigger and more awesome).

With the goal of Love 21 being to cater to consumers aged from 25-45, I feel like a few hem lines were dropped and a name was slapped on. While the prices still stay reasonable ($17.80-$29.80), the designs are just so BORING. At 25, I'd like to think that my fashion sense will not magically fly out the window. Come on Forever, we know you could do better than that!

Sorry, Love 21, I'm Just Not That Into YOU.

Fashion Faux Pas

Okay so I'm back. Sorry about the extremely long hiatus but I've been in internship limbo and caffeine overload as of late.

Anway...When it comes to trends, my mantra is generally "to each his own". I love to see people work really crazy trends and pull them off. After all, that's what fashion is. But to me, if there's one article of clothing that should stay buried very, very deep in the back of your closet, only to be unearthed when Vanilla Ice comes back (ie: never), it's a denim jacket.

After browsing my ritual editorial rags (a.k.a Star Magazine, US Weekly, etc), I was horrified at the "Trend Watch: Denim Jackets" section. Um no, I REFUSE to watch this trend. While it doesn't look HORRIBLE on fashion icon Chloe Sevigny (nothing could look bad on this girl), her outfit would've been much better had she worn a leather jacket rather than that god forsaken 90's horror trend.

One reader on thefashionspot voiced the same concerns that I have:

"NO MORE, PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU! I cannot see anymore denim and denim combos - its terrible! Unless we are totally reworking the garment in a whole new way (unlikely) - I just dont want to know!"

And I don't want to know either, because Abercrombie's signature jacket has not changed since 1892 (yes, the year it was established), and I'm sure it won't change any time soon

If you feel that you MUST wear one, please oh please I beg of you, no denim on denim. Wardrobe 911 tells it as it is: "Wearing a jean jacket with jeans is only okay if you are Will Farrell doing a Gap ad".

So keep your skinny jeans, denim shorts, faux denim leggings, denim skirts, just
please don't let me see you wearing mom's boxy jean jacket from 1982. Because we
all know you can do better than that.

Back!

Sorry about my brief hiatus, I've been super busy with finals/moving out and writing for ASOP!! I'm always posting there so check it out if you get a chance! I'm going to a press conference at Borough Hall in Brooklyn tomorrow to chat about the upcoming Wunderbloc shop night which will be July 8th and 9th. It'll be sort of like a girls night out with shopping, refreshments and great deals so I'll update you on that after tomorrow! I'm also starting my internship with Stylecaster on Thursday and I CAN'T WAIT for that. I went to their first ever styling competition earlier this year and had an incredible time..Here are the videos, the first is before the competition and the second is the outfit we came up with. If I've learned anything, I have to work on my television skills...I'm a nervous wreck.

Anyway, a more legitimate post to come later this week!