Genuine

Continuing on the subject of authenticity, it doesn't get more genuine than that:

This very interesting appropriation of a reptile some might call a BAG, is still available on ebay. The interesting thing here is this, there is a very implicit line which defines something as fashionable. We blab about authenticity, but what we want is just the right amount of 'real', wrapped in craftsmanship, tradition and the veil of exclusivity. When something is too authentic, anyone of 'good taste' would quickly renounce it as vulgar. How ironic, when alligator is the hype.. :)

Another close call

Balenciaga $4175

Steve Madden $99.99

Almost. But not quite.

Ksubi

Not to be slacking off, but I didn't have any time yesterday and won't have any today to actually sit down and write a post. So I'm making up for it with this - a really fresh tshirt by Ksubi (formerly Tsubi). The australian jeans and streetwear company is somewhat known for their artistic take on rag-tag surf wear. This piece is no exception, and the scarf neck detail almost makes the $147 price tag bearable. Almost.

Androgynous Fashion

For me, it's about powerful daywear. My dress is very feminine when I'm getting ready to go out at night, I try to have fun with all that being a girl entails. But during the day, when I'm out and about, trying to take care of my business, I like for my clothes to project a rather austere image. What I wear during the day is a long scream from the flowing hair and tulip dresses that come out at night. I usually opt for dress shirts, blazers, wide-legged pants, my hair pulled back in a bun. I don't bother with contacts, I wear my glasses. And of course, keeping proportions in mind, a little slack never hurt anyone. To keep from looking as if I'm heading to work at the office I make sure I'm not too matchy-matchy and add a colour accent in the form of a scarf, belt or bag. I'm not too big on jelwery or watches.

But enough about me. Borrowing from the boys is nothing new, of course, but I find what's going on as of late in terms of androgynous fashion inspiring. It's not about the manly power-suits of the 80's. It's about boyishly cute ensembles that are softened down with a feminine accent.

It's not just about handsome girls, it's about pretty boys too. Versace, Missoni, Burberry, Dior Homme-clad boys that love colour, accessories and tight fits.

As with prominent people that sport or/and promote the look - Boy George, David Bowie, Prince, Freddy Mercury, Diane Keaton as Annie Hall, Diane Keaton as Diane Keaton, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Kate Moss, Tilda Swinton, Linda Evangelista, Agyness Deyn, Helmut Lang, Armani, Pierre Cardin are just a couple of names that come to mind.



Diane Keaton in her role as Annie Hall and Kate Moss channeling the look.


Androgynous Fashion is a very interesting social phenomenon in itself. It comes from Andro - male and gyn - female. It's about blurring the line between men- and womenswear. And considering what's going on in the world, it's only appropriate that fashion would follow. Globalization has led to borders dissapearing, cultures blending and markets merging. Women are making as much money as men, building careers and not having babies. Men stay at home. Androgynous fashion reflects just this. It's about individual freedom and self-realization. It combines masculine and feminine attributes to create clothing that reflects the individual wearing it, not the gender.

Christina Ricci for Blackbook

I really like Christina Ricci. She is something of an indie icon, but unlike Chloe Sevingy, Christina's gothic and edgy. This pictorial my Matthew Rolston is very "hard-rock meet couture" which I think is a great way to depict someone who's been in the spotlight for the last 20-some years, and has yet remained rather alternative.

As soon as I saw those images I thought of Couture Salope's post a few days ago. The warrior sandals by Givenchy Christina Ricci's wearing are the actual reason I'm doing the post. It's not easy for someone to pull those off, but she's done it. The unconventional definately suits her.

S***R

And there I go again with another post about men's shoes. The entire men's devision of this blog is dedicated to my brother and he likes it when I write about shoes, or anything male-style related for that matter, so please indulge me :).


S***R or Swear, is a London sneaker brand that has been gaining momentum as of late. It's pointy sneakers have a real following among young indie kids. And understandibly so, the Swear sneaker integrates bold materials and fashion-forward design, all adding up to one really cool shoe. On top of everything their quality is renowned, you would not find any lookalikes at the racks of a mass-retailer and they look a lot more expensive than they actually are. What more could you ask for in a shoe?


Here are my personal picks from the Swear selection available on zappos.com (ranging from $169 - $249):

It gets even better, here are two fun pairs available on sale on Swear's official website for £25.00 which is about $50. And yes, they do offer international shipping! :)

And my favorite one of the bunch, at a $105, the optic dot print tennis shoe with a black trim and rubber sole:

Heidiwood

So in other, unrelated news, Heidi Montag's clothing line Heidiwood drops today. The reality "star" designed her collection for Anchor Blue. All the 13 pieces available are supposed to reflect Heidi's style. How much hot pants or tank tops have to do with actual design or style seems to be an entirelly different question.

































Of course, Anchor Blue is just one of the many retailers trying to raise their profile by contracting a "celebrity" to promote it. Why not just pay Heidi to look pretty in the ads, though? Because by claiming she was actually involved in the designing process, a tank top is not just a tank top, it's a piece of Heidi's creativity, her lifestyle, her image. And who could resist the taste of that..


Now I don't want to bash on her too much. She is in a situation which is likely not going to last much longer so she's milking it for all it's worth. This is a great opportunity for her to keep her profile relevant for a while longer. After all, she's only a segment of what's becoming a celebrity-fashion-designer-epidemic that in turn is just a part of our celebrity-obsessed culture. And retailers are exploiting it by taking the best possible marketing approach. When else would anyone EVER discuss what's on the racks at Anchor Blue?






How about that promotional ad? Buy "Heidiwood" and you too could be a successful LA arriviste, riding in Ferraris, wearing zebra, having cute bunnies snuggle in your feet and all of that good stuff.

Going Green

Green everything has been the craze these days, from food to furniture and now clothing, everyone is looking for the eco-friendly label. Considering the levels consumerism our society has reached, where piling up more and more stuff every day is the norm, making that stuff sustainable, reusable and producing it in a way that won't harm the environment is the sensible thing to do. Of course, for an initiative like this to truly have an impact, it would need to be on a mass level. As of late, it seems, there are bold steps being taken in that direction.

Late last year it was announced that denim enthusiast Rogan Gregory would be designing a collection for Target under its GO International banner. Gregory made the frontline as an advocate of eco-ethical fashion when he began co-designing the line Edun with Bono and his wife Ali Hewson in 2005. His Target line, already a fact, consists mainly of beachwear. And although rather limited, because of the fact it's carried by Target, this collection is a rather big step in extending the green message to the masses.

Here is a preview of two of Rogan Gregory's looks that will soon be available in your local Target:

And here are two looks of what's currently available in Target under the GO International label, both for under $40.

Banana Republic is also jumping on the organic wagon with their green collection, a 50-piece line incorporating cotton, bamboo, linen and soy-silk blends.

And just when you're about to say that organic fashion could only work with t-shirts and generally casual wear, there is Linda Loudermil. The designer is one of the pioneers in the eco-movement, having experimented with organic cotton, bamboo, seaweed and even recycled plastic bottles in the development of her environmental fashions. Here are two looks from her FW08/09 Collection:

So what does eco-fashion actually entail? Simply put, it's about using environmentally sensitive fabrics that are organic, reused and reusable. Also its about responsible production techniques that take into consideration the environment, working conditions of the people involved in the manufacturing process and ultimately - the health and well-being of the consumer.

And while all of this is great, the main push in the production of eco-friendly fashion comes from the fact that anything organic is much in vogue at the moment. The fashion industry as we know is propelled by demand and takes only one thing into consideration - profit. Only a very massive switch in consumer preferences could lead to organic fashion becoming the norm. And I don't see this happenning anytime soon. Because when choosing their clothes, most people are driven by utility, by the search for better water, heat and stain resistant textiles, not current trends. Organic and versatile could hardly go in the same sentence. Besides, textile innovation is one of the last frontiers left for fashion to continually reinvent itself. And looking at last season's runway, what were those flowy Lanvin creations that made such a splash made of? Nothing other than good old Polyester. I think my point's been made.

Karen Walker Sunglasses

Originally from the Antipodes, New Zealand, Karen Walker has been a successful clothing designer for the last twelve years and a regular at Bryant Park since 2006. She is also responsible for some of the best original sunglasswear on the market today.

Karen Walker

Her sunglasses, just like her clothers, are best described as "cool without trying too hard". They are chearful, wearable and unpretentious, a charming mix between boy meets girl, high fashion meets street.





The picture bellow is of the current SS08 sunglass line. As you could see on her website, the list of stores and online retailers that carry her brand is somewhat limited. There is always ebay, of course, but buying sunglasses online is probably as good of an idea as buyng jeans online - I, personally, would never do it. Lucky for me, I'm heading to New York in a couple of weeks so I can actually see how some of those would work on my face :).

Bandage Cling

I know that a post about Hervé Léger is about a year overdue to be relevant, but the dress remains as the top-choice for celebrities, keeps on popping up in editorials and with its runway relaunch in February, I don't think it's going away anytime soon.

The house of Hervé Léger was founded in 1985 by him. There were others, as Alaia, experimenting with Egyptian techniques, but in the "time of cling" Léger earned the crown as the "king of cling". The look, however died in the early 90s. Max Azria, BCBG's founder, acquired the brand in 1998, took over the design in 2007 and had the official relaunch on the FW08/09 runway.





Max Azria had, supposedly, figured out 51 ways to tie a bandage before his collection's presentation. There are, of course, no bandages involved. The secret of the smooth and shapy silhouette lays with the pliable strips of Lycra and Elastane. Each dress, at the cost of about $1500, is a little feast of engineering in its own right. It takes three days for the entire process of manufacturing one. And the finished product is nothing short of a masterpiece in terms of construction and craftsmanship.

If you like the dress, have the body for it, but not the $1500 to spare, I suggest you do some browsing on ebay. Even though it won't be long, I'm sure, until Zara and Mango counterfeit the look and fill their showrooms with it.

Hayon Camper Shoes

Leather body and rubber soles create the perfect casual shoe with an elegant touch. Those shoes would work pretty much anywhere short of a formal affair. There is something classic, something retro and something sporty about them, a very bold combination. They were designed by Jamie Hayon for the spanish brand "Camper". Personally I find Hayon's touch here decisive, his shoes being the most attractive out of Camper's entire line of product.




Right now the Hayon Camper Shoes retail for $280 on Camper's website . Black, white and blue are the available choice of colours. If I were a guy, I'd get them fast, and I'd get the blue :).

Couture Auction

If you watched the vidoes I posted yesterday, here is something that would bring one of the characters closer to life. Daphne Guinness is putting more than 250 lots of her personal couture collection to be sold on auction starting April 29th at 2 p.m. No, it would not be an ebay auction as the venue is set at the Pall Mall in London. If I was in London, I would definately make a pit stop at the said place, date and time. Besides, all proceeds go to the Womankind Worldwide charity.

If you are a size 37 1/2 or 38, you might be interested in the vast shoe collection that is part of the auction. There are literally hundreds of pairs that she's getting rid of. Click here for the full auction listing.

When it comes to the clothes, most of the stuff looks a bit tired to me, but there are some interesting I've picked out and listed below.

Alaia

Colette Dinnigan

Lanvin

Rick Owens

Christian Dior

Now Daphne herself is definately a character. She's lived a pretty charmed and privileged life for the most part, but from interviews and newsarticles, I get the sense there's something more to her than your typical hairess. Here is a quote from a recent interview for the British magazine "Style" where she describes her life while married to Greek shipping heir Spyros Niarchos:

“One long round of boats and bodyguards and Greek islands and glitzy resorts. Not me at all. I remember, for example, going to that ghastly place in St Tropez, Cinquante Cinq, with all these people at the table eating in their bikinis and getting sprayed by those horrible hoses they’ve got in the canopy above, and there I was in full riding gear. Well, I didn’t want to be half naked in front of all these ghastly, repulsive pink people in their horrid little floaty dresses getting sprayed with water, did I?”

The Secret World of Haute Couture

It's a very engaging series of videos that allows us a peak in the world of the over-privileged and fashion-obsessed. It would be so wonderful to be able to endulge in couture creations once in a while. Even if I personally had the means to dress in couture every day I would not do it, there CAN be "too much of a good thing". I also think it's rather sad when a material aspect of your life takes over your entire life and becomes one of the foremost reasons for your being. Or when you struggle so much to be a part of something that you forget to enjoy it. Fashion is supposed to bring you delight, and with too many of the women on this video it seems to me that most of what it brings them is anxiety. Still, as I said, the videos are more than worth watching. If you haven't already, please do, and tell me what you think!

P.S. Due to some HTML play on my part, the youtube vidoes do not load up. So if you're interested in watching them, type "secret world of haute couture" in youtube and enjoy. I'll try and get this fixed as soon as I can.

Exactitudes

"Exactitudes" is defined by its creators, Rotterdam-based photographer Ari Versluis and stylist Ellie Uyttenbroek, as "a contraction of exact and attitude." The project, which has been going on for more than 10 years, has taken its founders around the world in the pursuit of people who are "expressing their individuality.. by dressing alike". Their work has allowed them to form an incredibly large portfolio of what they call "fashion tribes" which serve to show us that no matter who you are or where you are in the world, you probably follow some sort of pre-conceived guidelines when it comes to fashion which makes YOU easy to categorize. Another conclusion one might take away from this experiment is that the most apparent thing about you from the way you dress is not your nationality but your social group.

It is funny, because style is something that is supposed to differentiate us, mark us as particular and distinctive. "Exactitudes" however, exposes a different truth - that when it comes to style, there are distinct groups, but not distinct individuals. That "style" can not exist on its own, and would not survive to be called such, if only promoted by a single individual. You need for a "way of dress" let's call it, to be grinded down to a form that would be approved by the masses, and when its traits are distinguished and familiar - then you can call it a certain style, then you can recognize it as such. I hope I haven't lost you as an audience, I'm simply not sure how to put it better. Either way, it's a very curious contradiction between individuality and uniformity.

I know what you're thinking and yes! there are, of course, people who are extremely unique in their dress. And with those people you can't even call their way with fashion a "style", because you can't box it up or compare it to anything else. You could say they're "eccentric", I guess that could be the vague term to describe any style that doesn't fit within any already designated fashion category. And one of those people is Anna Piaggi, the celebrated Creative Consultant to Vogue Italia.

Ms. Piaggi is a very big discussion in herself, but what I'm using her image to portray here is the fact that being truly stylish, meaning, having a truly unique perspective on fashion and expressing it, takes a lot more passion, conviction and courage than most people could summon.

Window Shopping

I am really not the type the wanders for hours gazing at window displays. I don't have much time to shop when I'm in Vienna, and even if I did, I would still do most of my shopping in the States. Everything is too overpriced here. The nice, quality stuff is always about the double of what's available across the ocean, and the cheap crap is well.. not cheap enough for being so cheap looking and that cheaply made.


That said, whenever I venture into the heart of Vienna, which is about every other day, I usually make it a point to pass through Kohlmarkt, which is Vienna's boutique street. There's Akris, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Loro Piana.. most of the shops look pretty tired and in a desperate need of an update, but of course, Vienna's a pretty traditional city and I don't think any changes are happenning anytime soon. The boutiques are always pretty much empty or with one or two Japanese tourists browsing through them. This, of course, is very much related to the snobbish salespeople and their measuring glance. So most of us "underserving" folk, don't presume the audacity of walking into any of the stores.


Anyway, I guess they don't rotate the people responsible for the display windows much, because it's always the same story: Gucci's rather trashy, Armani's calling on the 50+ audience, Chanel's sloppy.. and then there's the one boutique I actually stop to gaze at for a while - Valentino. It's become a tradition of mine. Often I don't even look at the other stores and just march ahead with sweet anticipation of what's to come. They change the display about once a week and it's always wonderful. I suppose what I love about it is that makes me feel that much closer to those beautiful runway creations, separated only by a not-so-thin glass. I think that's the charming thing about window shopping, it lets us see ourselves in a life closer to the one we'd like, a bit different from the one we're living.


I passed through Valentino yesterday and snapped a couple of pictures. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do:

Narcissus

The story of narcissus is one most of us are familiar with. It's of a beautiful boy whose vanity brings upon his demise. The part where he gazes at his reflection in the river is constant but the cause of his death varies in different variations of the myth. In some stories he dies of thirst, unwilling to drink from the river not to destroy his reflections. In others he drowns. And yet in others, he kills himself for being unable to unite with a reflection.

I find this story elemental to fashion. Too often it appears to me it's the industry's prerogative to endorse and encourage self-indulgence and grandiour engaging us with words as "luxurious" and hedonistic images of all sorts. The cheapest form of ego and mood boosters. We're left to conclude that being fashionable means being around 25, utterly bored, beautiful, privileged, and surrounded by an excusive party of people answering to that same criteria. Decadence and overt sexuality in fashion ads have propelled fascination with people like Paris Hilton, turning them into a constant presence on nearly any type of media. And now we ALL have to pay the price for that - being bombarded by her image 24/7. I'd much rather be addressed by a message that leaves something more to the imagination.

(Sisley has come out claiming those two images are fake. I take them for what they are - a parody of fashion advertisement that hits mark precisely.)

Now don't get me wrong, I think everyone is entitled to their vanity. Vanity for the most part is a good thing because it keeps us aware of how we appear to the world. Excessive vanity, however, seems to lead to some people forgetting just that.

Why did she wear a dolce & gabanna dress on her last day of community service? Because she's a goddess to whom the rules do not apply, and us mere mortals need to be reminded of it. And there you have it!

The essence of a tea party

Reading Alis' blog earlier today got me thinking of what transforms the simple act of drinking tea into a ritual. The appeal of having a tea party is obvious, it is the best sort of social gathering - leisurly, intimate and predisposing of a quiet conversation. It is the best excuse to play hostess for two reasons. First, a tea party usually only lasts for about two hours, not enough time for the conversation or the guests to grow tedious. Second, it is a rather inexpensive way to entertain - all that is required are some light snacks and a full teapot.





What do you think of when imagining a tea party? Victorian decor and Alice in Wonderland? With me, what first comes to mind is the perfect background, the garden of a manor home somewhere in the countryside of Italy, France or of course, England:

Then I think of the rich table setting:




And of course, of the tea itself..

And it is curiously enough not until this point that I start considering what I would wear in the perfect situation just envisioned. Lucky for us there were so many fun flowery creations on the runway this spring season, there is plenty to choose from. I know many of you are thinking Balenciaga, but as adorable as it would look, those structured dresses are rather stiff and I would imagine - uncomfortable. So here are a couple more suitable choices (Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney and Carolina Herrera):

And of course, after your friends have departed, you can make yourself another teapot to enjoy on your own, substitute their company with a good book and lean back in your chair to take it all in :).

picture credits: Corbis, Style.com

Collier de Chien

The perfect accessory seals an outfit, bringing all of its elements together. It helps incorporate the image you are trying to project through your choice of apparel. It is the catchy little thing that brings proportion and character to your look, not the disturbing centerpiece that takes everything off balance.


And here are some things I've been wishing after for a while, which for me, fit the bill perfectly. The Hermes Collier de Chien line. The leather studded accessories were created by Jean Paul Gaultier for SS2007, in a an attempt to bring an edge to Hermes' appeal. The audience they're addressing might be younger, but it remains every bit as affluent as Hermes' usual clientele - the collier de chien bracelets retail from $2600 - $3000+ depending on the leather used. The belts go at a similar fare. You might be lucky enough to get one for under $1000 on ebay, but you must beware of counterfeits.














Urban myth has it that the collier de chien collection got started when a customer requested that her dog's collar be extended to fit as a belt. The studded hardware didn't remain restricted to the belt and bracelet, however, as it soon started appearing on necklaces, bags and gloves. I love it all except the necklaces, they're too literal of an interpretation of the line's name. The cinch belt and bracelet, however, have been on my wish list for a while now.



Personally I would wear them with a simple black dress, and would maybe add a long scarf and an oversized cardigan for dimension, bounding everything together with a Collier de Chien cinch belt. The great thing about those accessories I find in their their versitility. You could add a bold note to almost any outfit, from casual to cocktailwear.

Dior Homme Jeans

I've been meaning to write about Dior Homme for some time now. So many aspects of this brand are a subject of obsession that there is simply too much to be tackled in just one post. Today I'd like to discuss the jeans.


The Dior Homme line, as most of you know, was created in 2000 by Heidi Slimane. The Paris-born designer, revered as a "fashion genious" was responsible for a powerful fashion movement which started at the catwalk and quickly swept the streets. Not only did Slimane become the subject of a large following of male fashion fanatics, he succeeded at introducing new proportions to tailoring. I am talking about the narrow fitted pants, skinny jeans and short jackets that became the fixation of many.


I don't know what so many are certain of, that Slimane "revolutionized male fashion". I do know, however, that he introduced a slim look that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.
So a little more about the jeans. They are made of Japanese denim in Italy and Japan and retail for about 300 Euros. Because of their quality and extra stretch, the jeans' slim fit, I've been told, is not tight or uncomfortable. They are worn in a way that the extra denim stacks on the knees and ankles.

















Or instead of stacking it, the extra length could be rolled at the cuffs a la James Dean:

















Here is the look straight from the catwalk:

















If you're considering trying the look, please be advised that when wearing that slim of a cut you, as a man, might become aware of body issues you never knew you had :).


I can't speak for all girls, but personally, I prefer my guys in something a little more roomy. A slimm-ER fit is nice, but there aren't many men out there able to pull of something that tightly fittet. And Dior Homme's new designer seems to aggree. From what we've seen on the runway since Slimane bid LVMH adieu in 2007, the new lead designer - Kris Van Assche prefers a more masculine, elegant and classy silhouette. Which is a delight, because so do I.

Politics of Fashion

When it comes to holding a public position, dressing appropriately trumps over being stylish. Considering most prominent female figures in politics of this and the last century, the two don't usually go hand in hand. Carla Bruni, however, in her newlyfound role as France's first Lady, flourishes at remaining proper while being hailed as a fashion icon. As Jackquelyn Kennedy did before her. Of course the new Ms. Sarcozy has the body, privileged background and connections at her aid, another thing in common with Jackie O.


During their recent trip to the UK, Carla Bruni's demure elegance took a front row to her husband's political agenda. All media were incessantly discussing the first lady's apparel choices and subsequently their cost. She wore Dior almost exclussively. The company would not discuss whether the clothes were a gift, but one thing remains undisputed - the publicity the fashion house gathered by France's first lady becoming their walking billboard was priceless. Another curious thing was Sarcozy's close relationship to Bernard Arnault, which I hardly find coincidental.

Whatever external incentives there were, Carla Bruni's choice of apparel was diplomatic in more than one way. She wore a foundamentally french brand led by a very british designer as well as opted for flat shoes in consideration of her husband's 5'5" stature. Carla's sensible choice of footwear, of course, bore the brand's logo.

Considering the fact that politics are usually reserved for rather unattractive people, Carla Bruni sure is a refreshing change. And if nothing else, change is one thing politics and fashion have in common.

On a different note, it seems Mr. Sarcozy definately has a type when it comes to women and he's sticking to it. Personally I find the resemblance between his ex and his new wife almost disturbing.

First picture - Cecilia the ex; Second picture - Carla


Oh and by the way, Carla's 41..

And the inevitable follows..

So here I go starting out with the personal style posts. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while, something most fashion bloggers venture into at one point or another. I love dressing up for an occasion, and if I don't have an occasion, I try to make one, at least once a week. Throughout the years I've been able to establish a good base for my wardrobe, that I constantly improve upon. I'm not at the financial point of my life (yet!) where I can go out and raid Valentino, but I do get the chance to spoil myself with a nice little piece once in a while. Enough about that. So I've been thinking about taking pictures of my outfits before I go out. I get positive feedback from strangers often enough, so I thought why not start posting them on the blog. Easier said then done, I never did that, but soon I will.

So here I begin with some pictures of my roomate and her outfit. Nothing unprecedented, but I'm sure she will be the best looking person at whatever bizarre electro-techno spot she turns out tonight. She's wearing a Banana Republic tank, a Gap shirt, a Banana Republic cardigan and a Chanel scarf.





And here she is, almost out of the door with her super cute Ralph Lauren jacket, completing the nautical look!

I know for some of you it might be nothing special, but I'm into chic wearable stuff. I appreciate Susie Bubble's sense of adventure when it comes to styling, but I suppose I'm a bit more conventional. I'd love it if people sent me pictures of themselves whenever they get inspired by what they themselves are wearing, but I guess I'll start soliciting more assertively when I've built up this "styling" section of my blog more. About going out and snapping pictures of stylish strangers.. well Vienna is not short on talent, but maybe I am on courage. So at least for a lack of better camera I'll stick to pictures of myself and my friends. For now.

Geek Chic

You see the term being thrown left and right. But what exactly does "geek chic" entail? Embracing an overtly studious, bpookish appearance? That's some of it. Skinny neckties, bow ties, slightly tapered jeans, fittet suits, converse sneakers, cardigans all attributing to an overly clean-cut look that is sleek yet very wearable. What it has come down to, however, are the glasses. They are the foundation of geek-chicness. Bold, assymetrical glasses, with thick, colourful frames. The most important ingredients, however, are this: there needs to be something smart, and there needs to be something quirky.


To illustrate, there are a couple of celebrities who personify the look to perfection. For girls, it is Chloe Sevigny and Tina Fey.
















For guys - Jimmy Fallon:















When it comes to designers: Marc Jacobs, Victor & Rolf, and with his short pants and retro design sensibility - the very manifestation of "geek chic" - Mr. Thom Browne:






























Geek chic on this season's runway:















Michael Kors FW08/09
















Paul Smith and D&G F/W 08/09



To summarize, the makeup of the "geek chic" lays in offbeat intelligence. There needs to be something smart and there needs to be something quirky. It's about an academic look that's a bit messy. And it all began, I daresay, with this man:

Malcolm X

The Wild West or what's left of it

Forgive my absence, and yes, allow me to be bashful enough and assume the breach in my week-long uninterrupted posting was noticed. I travel a lot but do intend on slowing down in the next three months. Anyhow, my last voyage took me back to my sometimes home of American Falls, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah. I thought about using the trip as an opportunity to illustrate the predominate fashions in the core of what was once considered as the 'wild west'. Lots of cowboy hats, checkered shirts, wrangler jeans and sweatsuits are what predominate in the Wal-Mart dominion that is Eastern Idaho. But hey, comfort above all, right? I'm not patronizing, relaxed attire is more than appropriate for a State and more accurately, a part of a State, where most people are farmers and the rest are farm or process plants' employees. All that said, I have grown to love Idaho, it calms me down.

Salt Lake City is more sophisticated. It's a wealthy city and the predominant AND prominent mormon community allow for an abundance of high-er (compared to Idaho) end stores. There are no high-end boutiques, but you could run into the occasional Armani suit at Nordstrom's. There are also great outlet stores in Salt Lake. It requires some digging, but through diligence you might just run into a true jem.

Although its fashion offerings might be on the narrow side, Idaho and Utah embody the essence of "the great Outdoors". If national parks, hunting, skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking etc. are your thing, it's part of the USA you would definately want to visit. This is starting to sound like a brochure. I better illustrate this post with a couple of picture to keep it from becoming too stale :).

picture credit: Corbis