Fashion Funhouse Emporium

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center is approaching quickly. Like past seasons, the tents will compete with Milk Studios shows and other off-site locations.  Fashion Funhouse Emporium's credentials as a legit source of coverage have finally been approved. Yay! I suppose this means I can officially talk about who I want to check out with some "street cred!"

Here are the women's designers showing at Spring 2011 fashion week that I am curious to see. Good, bad, and in between, this is what the shows are all about.

YUNA YANG

Photo: Yuna Yang Blog

This New York based fashion designer has two past collections on her site. This season, she'll be showing at Lincoln Center.  When I checked out her collections, I see potential from this Central Saint Martins grad, yet there is some question to who she wants to be as a designer. Her pieces range artsy, structural suits to very basic looking ready to wear. I'd like to see her go full throttle,with Galliano couture, if she's really not focused on selling as her biography states.  We need some more craziness at New York shows.

JENNY PACKHAM

Photo: Jenny Packham

I am familiar with Jenny Packham's lacy and ultra feminine luxury wedding collections from when I worked at In Style Weddings. Of course, I'm ready to see what this British designer (also a Central Saint Martins alumni) will send down the runway for ready to wear again this spring. Her past couple of collections showcased red carpet ready dresses, which isn't too much of a stray from matrimonial gowns. So far, she's a bit of an edgier Carolina Herrera, keeping with the high end evening wear aesthetic.

WILLIAM TEMPEST

Photo: William Tempest

Another Brit on the New York scene, this designer's past collections have been pretty basic geometric influenced body conscious dresses. He's worked with some heavy-hitters, like Jean Charles de Castlebajac and Giles Deacon. He's even designed accessories and clothing for Miss Madge, Madonna to you others. It will be interesting to see this guy evolve, hopefully away from Alexander McQueen/ Balmain style dresses and into his own signature.

PARKCHOOMOO

Photo: Parkchoomoo

So I'm not only giving preference to the British designers this season, enter Seoul, Korea's Parkchoomoo. This designer has been around fashion for a while. Her family owned a children's apparel company in Kimje, in the southern part of the country.  She opened her first retail store in 1988, but since then has had a mostly Asian following. With a less rigid Calvin Klein simplicity, and little less fear of color, she's not about getting better, for shes already established. She's about taking over a new market. I'd like to see what she has in store for the US.

IRINA SHABAYEVA

Photo: Irina Shabayeva

She's trying hard to shed her Project Runway affiliation and become a force in fashion. Last season she crept quietly on to the runway with an off-site show that showed off what she can do with a little financial backing from Tupperwear. I'm assuming this year, she may not be sponsored by the plastics company since she's no longer a newbie. But it is my guess that lack of petroleum based synthetics will not hinder her.  With the imagination showcased last season, as long as she keeps to her own without compromise, she'll be around for more than 15 minutes of reality television fame.

READ MORE PAST FASHION WEEK COVERAGE:

Spring 2011 Men's Designers to Watch

Irina Shabayeva Runway Fall 2010

Fall 2010 Condensed Report A-L

Fall 2010 Condensed Report M-Z

There was a time when Weezer was cool. Or was it a time when I was younger and just thought they were cool?

Anyway, another band, another clothing collection.  Collaborating with the sports brand Hurley, Weezer is putting out a limited edition run of graphic t-shirts. Given the relatively low cost of scribbling some graphics on a cotton tee, any musician who wants to make a bit of extra scratch can scribble some "designs" on a shirt and call it a clothing line.

Sigh. In the early 90's, an angst teen could chant along with "Dear Daddy, I write you, in spite of years of silence....You cleaned up, found Jesus..." In 2010, the kids can buy Weezer's plaid button downs, silk screened tops and hats, enter a contest  at Pac Sun (which incidentally used to have the full word "Pacific" in its store title when us kids used full words) and win a chance for the band to play at their school.

Weezer, now with band members well into their late 30's, early 40's even recorded new songs specifically for the collaboration. We can expect more lame tracks like "Island in the Sun?" Well it is sold at Pac Sun! The line launches on September 10th. Yo Gabba Gabba, you have some competition.

Oh well, I suppose this is very much like my generation's infatuation with Ramones tees.  Though "Chinese Rock" and "Beat on the Brat" had a bit more edge.

READ MORE LIKE THIS:

Maroon 5's Adam Levine

Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood and Rob Halford

Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Rowley

Cynthia Rowley is not afraid of getting boo-boos. Her recent Fall 2010 runway show showed she was itching to put an edge on her usually vibrant and whimsy womenswear. Some editors yearned for her  bubbly signature styles.

Through out her career she has always been willing to take a risk including a past collaboration with Target. Recently she's ventured into designer Pampers, to Simplicity Group girl tools and even bridesmaids dresses. Her latest fun collaboration with Band Aid proves she's not letting go of that whimsy side.

The designer patterned sequins, rhinestones, and chains on the bandages for women who would rather use a cut for attention than cover it up with a clear or skin toned alternative. The gem stone patches are especially cool and realistic looking.  Great for fashion girls like myself, who are always bloodying fingers when unpacking boxes or running over toes when dragging trunks.

Photo courtesy of Cynthia Rowely.

Remember when your parents would kiss your scraped knee and make it better? Maybe these are the adult way to entice significant others to do the same.

More good can come of your purchase as well. One dollar from every sale goes to Design Ignites Change, an organization which teaches students to create solutions to social problems through creative design.

Dress Up Band Aid Brand are available now at Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, Cynthia Rowley stores and online at Cynthia Rowley.

Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Rowley

Want to read more about Cynthia Rowey:

Cynthia Rowley Airline Uniforms

Julia Roberts/Elle's September issue. Photo: Alexei Hay

When I heard about the nocturnal blood sucking pests at Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister and Victoria Secret in NYC, it didn't seem that surprising. After all, one would expect all sorts of nasty things to spread throughout college campuses, and those are the types who buy from those stores.

*Itch, Itch*

Then, I read this via Twitter:

"Omg I think a bedbug fell out of a bag from Elle the other day and I killed it. I'm freaking out." #cant #fashionhypochondriacs

Friday at 3:15pm via Twitter

I'm freaking out too! *scratch, itch** I learned this news on the sentence long social networking site because I haven't been keeping up on my reading. Ive been working. On jobs. Where I touch clothes. Touch clothes that very well may have been at Elle just hours before they reached us.

I immediately did a Google Search. To my dismay, its true says The Cut blog.

It's recently been reported that the Empire State building has gotten a dose of blood eating beetles as well. Can we finally blame those damn dirty tourists? *is this a bite mark?*

Really? At Elle Magazine? Do these bed bugs know they are not "Chanel approved celebrities?"

My crusty punk friend who lives in the lower east side has a theory: "They don't bother with us anymore. They've moved on to more expensive tastes.  Why gnaw on some dirty dudes when they can ransack a clean Park Avenue apartment?"

Could this be true? Have bed bugs developed a taste for designer 1000 thread count sheets? Do they want to meet Julia Roberts or do they too want to join the cult of  Eat, Pray, Love...on your blood! Do they prefer the fine wool of a Louis Vuitton suit?  The vermin should know, if you've been reading my posts, that big Louie doesn't like bugs and they very well may have a lawsuit on thier tiny, lanky hairy limbs.

My question is, though, why are all the fashion blogs saying "Ew, this store or publication has cooties!" instead of giving some viable information on how NOT to spread cooties? If there is one true stereotype about me, I am a snobby city girl who hates bugs. Except lady bugs. But I wont touch them.

So fashion people, your homework assignment is to read this document: Bed Bug Fact Sheet, Preventing and Getting rid of bed bugs. Because I don't want to be handling couture with miniature creatures, unless they specifically were designed as such. Ew.

 

BED BUG PREVENTION TIPS FROM NYC.GOV

• Don't bring things in from the trash. Duh. Don't pick it, even if it's Prada.
• Check hotel rooms and places you are staying for signs. A little nerosis goes a long way. Before you get it on, just say "dude, need to check your mattress."
• If you don't check before doing the deed suspect you've been exposed, wash all clothing in HOT water and stuff them in a sealed plasitc bag them for a few days.
• Even if you don't have bed bugs, seal cracks and crevices in your apartment with caulk to prevent insects from making thier way into your Dolce.

   

Photo: Maroon5.com

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 has always been one of those guys that Ive looked at and thought "Im not sure, he's kind of alright." But today, here, I declare my decision. Dork.

Another celebrity is claiming to have a pashion for fashion as reported on bloginity.com.

But wait, is it so dorky to be working with his father Fred....awwwwe. Hes a family man. Who doesn't like a family man?

It turns out that his Dad has been in the business of clothing for 30 years, running  boutique chain of shops called M. Fredric in Southern California.  Not only does the place sell clothes, but the website states that they are not all about the bottom line: "M.Federic supports the American Cancer Society and Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times and is known as a 'retailer with heart.'"

Dammit! Do gooders and their sort of hot son! I guess much like that song "This Love" which I find myself silently singing along against my will every time I hear it on the loud speaker at some store I don't want to be in, I will be secretly rooting for Adam Levine and his range of jeans, tees and easy leather jackets.

Adam adds in WWD: "I collaborate on and approve every single piece of clothing in the line. It’s not just hawking out something because I’m in a famous band."

Okay. Okay. I don't dislike you, Adam Levine.

Want to read more about celebrity clothing lines:

Jewelry for a Good Cause from Courtney Cox

Kardashians Virgins Saints and Angels Collaboration

Charlie Sheen's Martini Bar Inspired Shirts

Clint's Kick Ass Clothes?

CAMI SECRET

Since the Dickie has fallen out of fashion, its time for a new modern version. Enter Cami Secrets! I saw this commercial last night and was not at all tempted to buy, for I was too busy staring at this woman's jiggling jugs.

See, the boob o'meter warning scale as this commercial points out, is high, medium, and low. Creepy boss and cheap date, you get none, thanks to the "secret" stuffed in this lady's top like a napkin at a dinner party.

I'm not sure when a kelly green synthetic fabric top is ever in fashion, but "its just not right" at the office. The Cami Secret clips to your bra, which is apparently easier than tugging at your shirt all day.

Or you could just wear proper office attire.

THE ARCTIC TIE

Yes, the August heat can be so brutal, especially here in New York City. What to do? Channel your inner cow girl!

How this product works: soak the Arctic Tie in cold water for 20 minutes. Then "magic" crystals hold the cooling coolness for like-- well it doesn't say. But it absorbs up to 10x the amount of water than any old towel you'd wrap around your neck and you can do it with style!

Its like an Arctic chill built into Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." bandanna. Wow.

THE PERFECT FIT BUTTON

Can't crack down on the KFC double downs? Are you not worried about the camel toe that will show is you still try to stuff yourself into too tight jeans like an over-packed suitcase? Would you rather not spend money on buying your kid new pants, though he looks like he woke up as Tom Hanks in "Big"? Then this product is for you.

Since sewing a button is seeewwww hard (heh) just add one of these fake buttons on to your pants and commence the squeezing!

But wait, there's more! You get some sort of shoe box too if you order now.

YUDU

"Settling for run-of-the-mill t-shirts that don’t express the real you?" Celebrities are not the only ones that can have their own brands these days. Not with the Yudu (get it you-do?)  Its your own personal silk screen machine that you can use in your kitchen. Great for teens that can't get enough of Facebook bullying.  If you think "Sasha is slutty slut bag" then put it on a t-shirt for you and all of your friends.

Do you love sharing every aspect of your life, but are finding that posting Twitter and status updates are not getting a far enough reach?  Well, wear it on your sleeve, literally! "Billy Doesn't Want to Live in a Nanny State." Ah, no he doesn't!

Perfect for every political, religious and moral view point you want to share. I mean, who shouldn't have their own screen printer, right?

My official Mercedes Benz Fashion Week accreditation is still pending, as it seems the Lincoln Center move is also an excuse to be more selective. Regardless, with all the off-site and independent shows going on, I'm still planning on bringing some coverage whether I'm cool enough for another season with an "official" lanyard. So, with out further commentary here is what I want to see for Spring 2011--though fall 2010 is just hitting stores now.

MIK CIRE BY ERIC KIM

Photo via  Twitter - MikCireNews

Mik Cire by Eric Kim blew me away with the fall collection. There was something so smooth and effortlessly cool about his men's collection. Kim, who's also the  former CEO of Monarchy, launched last fall with leather spats, knit hats and button down shirts with East Village cowboy vibe.

I can't wait to see what this innovative menswear designer will send down the runway for next Spring. Just a note for Eric Kim, more leather spats!

Photo via  Twitter - MikCireNews

SIMON SPURR

Photo via Simon Spurr Facebook

With some pretty powerful names on his resume, including Yves St. Laurent and CK Calvin Klein, Simon Spurr launched in 2006. This past fall he showcased some very sleek menswear and made it okay for men to wear red and purple. Trench coats with a dropped waist, classic three piece suits and a hint of color, here's to hoping to see more gentlemen on the runway this spring.

Photo: Simon Spurr Facebook

BILLY REID

Photo: GQ.com

Launched in 1998, Billy Reid was welcomed with praise. In 2001, Billy won the prestigious CFDA Perry Ellis award. Though due to economic difficulties he was forced to shutter his business. Though, in 2004 he came back with a very personal aesthetic in which he refers to as " American, classic, sturdy, heirloom, Southern."

Though, piece by piece, his collection is full of basics that fit any guy's style.  These tough, ultra cool tall boots are among my favorite pieces from the fall 2010 collection. And I'm not alone in the appreciation of Reid's collection. He made into the top ten designers to be part of the CFDA Fashion Fund.

Photo: GQ.com

READ MORE PAST FASHION WEEK COVERAGE:

Spring 2011 Men's Designers to Watch

Irina Shabayeva Runway Fall 2010

Fall 2010 Condensed Report A-L

Fall 2010 Condensed Report M-Z

Paramount Pictures via Associated Press

Patricia Neal, award winning actress passed away on August 8, 2010 at age 84.

She starred in such films as Hud, Fountainhead, In Harms Way and most notably for all of us fashion lovers, Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Ms. Neal, who's eyes rivaled Betty Davis' and who's style in Breakfast at Tiffany's gave Holly Golightly a run for the money, triumphed over more personal tragedy than one can imagine.  Her infant son's carriage was hit by a tax cab in New York, resulting in the child suffering brain damage. She lost a second child to the measles. Soon after she suffered three cerebral aneurysms, in which through what she called "stubbornness" she fully recovered and returned to the screen.

Her role as the married provider, Mrs. Failenson, for kept boy-toy, Paul Varjac, in Breakfast at Tiffany's showcased her talent as a strong, sultry siren. She smirked and handed out checks in designer outfits that Holly, herself couldn't rival. Many of her outfits were made by it-designer of the times, Pauline Trigere under the costume supervision of the infamous Edith Head.

Her turban look could be responsible for Prada's reprise on the runway of 2007. Though the story of her life is a lesson in determination for us all.

Paramount Pictures via Associated Press

Photo Courtesy of V Magazine,  Styling:  Beat Bolliger, Photographer: Alasdair McLellan

V Magazine's September issue features the story called "St. Mark's Place" with super model Agyness Deyn. Dressed in mesh, complete with a shaved head, she is smoking and eating Cheetos.  I might have to subscribe to V now, just because of these photos.

St. Marks Place in the East Village, New York is by no means what it used to be when I first moved to New York eight years ago.  But then again, does any place ever stay the same? Enter a Chase Bank, Starbucks, etc.  Though, for photo shoots, I still like to stop by and pick up grungy pieces at the dirt-tastic stores Trash and Vaudeville, Search and Destroy and The Sock Man.

If you look hard enough, there are still pockets of punk rockers hidden in buildings which they've been squatting in since the early 80's. You can also still rent rooms by the hour at St. Marks Hotel. Not that I ever have. Im just saying...you can if you wanted.

It seems as of late, the only magazines that have peaked my interested are ones like "V" that are more independent or printed overseas. I love it when "edgy" and interesting fashion doesn't have to mean a naked model.

The V magazine issue is out September 2nd.

Photo Courtesy of V Magazine. Styling:  Beat Bolliger, Photographer: Alasdair McLellan