Beware of Acid Washed Jeans

This weekend, we went to Nordstroms to return my friend's AG Legend Jeans. She returned it not because she'd changed her mind or anything (she's had it for a few months now), but because it RIPPED! Yes, you read correctly, her $130+ jeans RIPPED when she was sitting down, and trust me, it's NOT because she didn't fit into it.

And the most amazing thing was, she was not the only one to have her $100+ pair of gorgeous jeans rip. The lady in front of us at the counter had the same problem with her newly bought and hadn't even washed Rock and Republic Jeans!

Clearly the ripping of the expensive jeans is not an uncommon phenomena. You'd think a pair of $100+ would not to rip at any time-imagine the potential embarassing moments! As it turns out, the lady at the counter explained to us that it ripped because of the huge amount of acid they'd used to create the acid washed effects on the jeans, which had weakened the material. My faith in $100+ jeans just dropped. Incidently, Nordstrom has excellent service, as they returned the money of my friend's jeans even though she'd already lost the receipt and the tags.

Hairstyle Trends Spring/Summer 2005 II: Braids

Another major hairstyle trend this season is the braid. If you read fashion magazines often enough, then you will probably thinking, aren't braids claimed to be 'in' all the time? Well, like many other trends, braids can be styled differently and look very different with different complimentary fashion.

This season, the braids come in two main styles: one that is Swiss influenced and another that is for the hobo Amazon look. Main fashion houses campaigning this look are Moschino and Galliano.

Moschino. All the models were wearing this hairstyle in the Moschino catwalk, (sometimes topped with a cute hat.)

Moschino. One of the key to this look is DON'T be too neat!
Tips from hair genius David Cruz:
"Draw a messy center part and make a braid behind each ear. Cross both plaits over your head and secure them with bobby pins. Set with hairspray."

Ashley Olsen attending the recent Zac Posen fashion show in NY. You will notice that her hair, while messy enough to be chic, still remains her normal elegant style.

Galliano. The Galliano take on braids is the boho Amazon look. Make a few random thin braids and tie them in a seemingly messy direction.

Galliano. The Galliano look is more wild, fun and youthful -just the typical crazy Galliano fashion you can always count on.

Betsy Johnson Samsung e315

Flicking through Teen Vogue the other night I came across this. . .


. . the newest designer mobile: the Betsy Johnson e315 by Samsung. Covered with Betsy's signature rose pattern with screensavers drawn by Betsy, this new design practically emanates the coming of the spring/summer. The bright floral design is definitely very cute and this season.
But unfortunately for Betsy, the Anna Sui design is hard to beat. Despite the darker more wintery colors, this Anna Sui mobile is ultimately more sophisticated, ladylike, girly, chic and timeless. And the matching phone chain is very cute indeed. For a staggering $249US I would prefer something I can use for more then one season. . . .

Short Trends Spring/Summer 2005

By shorts, I mean pants that run above the knee-just to be clear you know. Terms nowadays are SO confusing. Back on the topic of shorts, the era of super tight short shorts are over(thank god), being replaced by well tailored, ladylike, loose bermuda shorts! And just in case you were wondering, the official definition of bermuda shorts according to dictionary.com is: Short pants that end slightly above the knee. Also known as Jamaica shorts.
As you can see, well tailored and loosely fitted bermuda shorts are very prominent on the catwalk this season, featuring in the Zac Posen and Carolina Herrera show. Note how both are matched in a very ladylike manner with a tucked in blouse. And yes, white is very hot this season. So hot that simply looking at certain catwalk photos are blinding (check out Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 05).

For those of yor who want to go short, go short the Dries Van Noten/Prada way. Never super short and stylishly cut to loosely fit. And add a ladylike touch to them with stylishly cut blazers!

And take shorts to the next season with these dark and unique creations from Diane von Furstenberg and Chloe. I love these from DvF, I love the color, the cutting and the way they matched it- with a distinctly safari flair. And no wonder really, Bermuda is a group of islands off in the Atlantic! And these Chloe ones, with rolled up hem and the row of three button lends it a sophistication that makes it perfect for the fashionable office look. And their dark colors makes them much more resistant to the change of season, unlike the very light colored and distinctly summery shorts shown above.

And off the catwalk these tailored, loosely fitted and very detailed shorts go on Ashley Olsen. Love how she mixes it with such casual hoodie and flip flops (well. . maybe not those flip flops. . not that color anyway).


For the classical bermuda shorts, I am loving this ones from Armani Exchange.
For more of a twist, try these blue striped ones from American Eagle. Blue stripes are all the thing this season after all.

I used to have this idea that shorts looked really trashy and all (back in the short shorts days) so I only wore them for gym class. But I love the short trends this season, its just soo ladylike and stylish! Match them up with sandals, heels, flats and flip flops and your ready to go! And maybe sneakers if you are going for the shorter ones and have real long legs. Must go shopping!

Time 2005 list of the Most Influential People of the 20th Century: Miuccia Prada

Every year (starting from 1999), Time magazine produces a speical edition called "The Most Influential People of the 20th Century." Within this list of 100 people, 20 of them are categorised as "Artists & Entertainers." I was very excited to read that in the 2005 issue, one of my favourite designers, Miuccia Prada, has made it on the list!!

The magazine says Miuccia:

• "...provoked and influenced colleagues for years with her eccentric and highly personal sensibility."
• "Three seasons ago she launched the frumpy Fifties housewife look, which would rule other designers' runways for several seasons..."
• "In February she stunned the colour-happy fashion industry with an all black collection. Which means that, for now at least, black is the new black."

I'm so glad that Miuccia is finally getting the global regonistion she deserves. Many times, esp to people who are not familiar to the fashion world, people love to throw around big names such as "Oooh, you know, like Gucci and Prada." Admit it, that phrase must have occured in a conversation at some point of your life. Even the authors of this blog admit we have shamelessly said it, (before actually learning about the fashion world that is.) What people generally don't realise is that, a brand such as Prada is important not just because it is expensive, but also because the designers behind the brand like Miuccia & team, have the ability to continuously bring the fashion world foward. To put out new artistic standards for thousands of other fashion companies to follow.

Creative Director of Prada and founder of Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada had a very unfashion-related youth. She rebelled from family tradition to study Political Sciences, and was a member of the Communist Party, and campaigned for women's rights in the Seventies Milan. In 1985, she designed the classical black nylon Prada bags, which we all now know Prada by. Together with her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, who is responsible for the business aspect, have lead Prada to become an international conglomerate.

Read more about Miuccia's life here.

More iPod Cases

We weren't going to talk about iPod cases for awhile, but I saw this very unique collection and wasn't sure how long they will be available for sale, so I thought I must bring it up. This collection is like no other iPod cases I have seen before. It is highly artistic and definately worth having a look.

The original i-Pod case by GAS x YOSHIDA, with graphical prints are designed by 10 selected artists. Price : US = 110USD + delivery fee; EUR = 100EUR + delivery fee.

Some of the best:

By Adorn.

By Genevieve Gauckler.

By The Boo's.

By MoOog Yamamoto.

You can order them at the official website.

C Label Shoes

This friday after class my girlfriends and I went on a 10 hour trip downtown to shop, eat and shop some more. I had an aim, and was completely going to buy these very cool pair of Diesel wedges at Bloomies- but when I was waiting for them to get me my size, I randomly tried on these pair of gold ballet flats for fun and BAM- lightning strikes and I was in love.

And who wouldn't fall in love with these GORGEOUS C Label gold sequinned ballet flats called Lady Licorice?? I swear it was meant to be! The display one was my size and fitted perfectly. It looks very cool with the gold sequinces peeking out of my jeans AND it looks gorgeous and elegant on its own with a skirt! So in the end, I gave up all- the diesel wedges- for my true love.

C Label is a california based label launched by designer Chai Vasquez, with the aim being of romance and elegance (no wonder I am so in love with it). It is a very small and relatively new brand (i.e. not a lot of information was found on it) but can be found at various department stores like Bloomies, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus and online too at shopbop. Here are some of C label's other designs.

Peppermint DollTernuraModelo 3

As you can see, their shoes are very unique without looking weird, ladylike and elegant with a distinctly LA flair. Definitely a brand to watch out for!