Now Wearing...

It took a lot of discipline, effort and thought, but I've finally trimmed down my shoe collection. These are my shoes for summer, excluding a few flats which are currently being resoled. It feels great to have only shoes I love in my closet.
Yellow jelly wedges - Alexandre Herchcovitch x Melissa
Nude leather wood heels - Luxury Rebel sample
Tan buckle wedges - Tashkent by Cheyenne
Nude/sand mary janes - Miss Sixty
Sand woven suede heels - Be & D
Black zipper sandals - Botkier sample
Black & white flats - Jeffrey Campbell
Multi-color print wedges - Cynthia Vincent x Target
Gold leather wood heels - vintage

When I started organizing my shoes, I had every intention for them to be my "spring/summer" shoes, but spring in New York is so short lived. Somehow, it's already June? When did this happen? And how did it get so hot so fast?
This past weekend I did a day trip to Kismet Beach, Fire Island. In California I could bike to the beach. On Sunday I took three Long Island Railroad trains, a shuttle and a ferry to get to the beach! But it was totally worth it. It was a lovely beach, super clean, and it was a much needed break from the intense concrete jungle that is NYC.

Two photos above via Doug Hanshaw
I got this awesomely patriotic scarf from my mom. I was always slightly obsessed with it, borrowing it quite often in high school. Then last year I finally asked her if I could have it. I put it to good use this weekend, and I will definitely be rocking it again next month for the 4th of July.

McGinn Fall 2011 Lookbook

South Korean label McGinn always seems to hit the right notes between feminiity, modernity and everyday wearability. While in previous seasons it was the great prints and outerwear that impressed me, this time around while outerwear was still strong, prints became more subdued including the softest of blush tone florals, classic leopard and instead strong graphic knit jacquards took dominance. But still was the knitwear that impressed me most. Apparently the designer won a knitwear award for the pieces that look simple enough from first glance - but many of the pieces have the ability to be worn in multiple ways I'm informed. I wish that I had a chance to play with some of the pieces that incorporated color blocking, and different textures and weights of knit to create visual interest.

While the color palatte is more subdued this season, it feels comfortable and right. I'm always a sucker for a great silky blouse and this collection has plenty. I'm also partial to the combination of tailored well cut outerwear paired with floaty chiffon dresses, the perfect paperbag waist shorts.

My fave outfit however has to be the number with the puff sleeve tobacco sweater and flowing maxi skirt and floppy hat. Even though summer has just begun all the great fall looks I'm seeing has me thinking of what I'm going to be wearing next.

Sample Sales This Week: May 30-June 5, 2011

Who: Prairie New York Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off. Dresses range from $60-$75 and tops from $40-$55. CASH ONLY.
When: May 31 - June 3, 2011. 11am-7pm
Where: 306 W 38th St - 2nd floor (b/n 8th & 9th Ave). 212-967-8166

Who: Thread Social Summer Sale
What: New Spring and summer dresses are up to 50% off.
When: June 1, 2011. 9am-8pm
Where: 26 W 17th Street (near 5th Ave) - Suite 301

Who: nOir Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off on cocktail rings, statement necklaces and more. Giant cocktail rings $15-$65. Pyramid & animal rings $50-$95. Necklaces $15-$75. Bracelets and bangles $5-$50. Earrings $10-$40.
When: June 1-3, 2011. Wed-Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 350 West 38th St(b/n 8th & 9th Ave) 5th Floor. (212) 244-4846.

Who: Vena Cava and Loeffler Randall Sample Sale
What: Deep discounts on womenswear.
When: June 2-3, 2011. 10am-7pm
Where: 457 Broome St - 2nd floor (b/n Greene & Mercer St)

Who: Multi-label Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% off shoes (Coclico, Chie Mahara and Argila), RTW (Iro, Paul and Joe Sister and Rachel Comey) and handbags (Collina Strada and Great by Sandie)
When: June 2-3, 2011. 10am-7pm
Where: 670 Broadway (near Bond St) - Suite 502. 212-965-5460

Who: Robinson Les Bains
What: Deep discounts on the luxury menswear swimwear brand (swimwear and a mix of sportswear available). CASH ONLY
When: June 2-3, 2011. Thurs (10am-7pm), Fri (11am-6pm)
Where: 393 Broadway - 2nd floor (b/n Walker and White St)

Who: Saks Fifth Avenue Bridal Sample Sale
What: UP to 70% off on gowns from Amsale, Anna Maier, Monique Lhuillier, Reem Acra, and more.
When: June 2-4, 2011. Thurs-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-7pm
Where: 611 5th Ave, 9th Floor (at 50th St)

Who: Luca Luca Sample Sale
What: 75-90% off on womenswear
When: June 2-4, 2011. Thurs-Fri 9am-6:30pm, Sat 11am-5pm
Where: 19 West 36th St, 4th Floor (nr 5th Ave). 212-755-2444

Who: Kimberly Ovitz Sample & Warehouse Sale
What; Up to 75% off on Fall and Spring dresses, jackets and knits.
When: June 2-4, 2011. Thurs 2pm-7pm, Fri noon-7pm, Sat 10am-5pm
Where: 401 Broadway, Suite 503(nr Walker St)

Who: Y-3, SLVR & adidas Originals Sample Sale
What: Up to 90% off on past season merch
When: June 2-4, 2011. Thurs-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-3pm
Where: 610 Broadway, (nr Houston St) 3rd floor. 212-271-7555

Who: Eva New York Sale
What: Warehouse items are up to 75% off while Spring 2011 merch is 15-30% off. The Mandy Coon red jumper is $395 (was $564), the Henrik Vibskov yellow leopard dress is $292 (was $417) and the Moon Spoon Saloon half sweatshirt is $222 (was $317). Past season Sally Lapointe merch is going for $50-$300, Them Ateltier jeans are $40 and Silent by Damir Doma Ts are $50.
When: June 3-6, 2011. 12pm-8pm
Where: 355 Bowery (near E 4th St)

Upcoming Sales:
Who: James Jeans and James Icon Sample Sale
What: 50%-80% off bootlegs, skinnies, jeggings and flared denim.
When: June 7-10, 2011. Tues (9am-7:30pm), Wed (10am-6pm), Thurs (10am-7:30pm), Fri (10am-2pm).
Where: 500 Greenwich St (b/n Spring and Canal St) - Suite 202. 212-221-4603

Who: DVF Sample Sale
What: Deep discounts on Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 collections.
When: June 7-10, 2011. Tues (9am-6:30pm), Wed (10am-8pm), Thurs (10am-7pm), Fri (9am-3pm).
Where: 260 5th Ave (near 28th St)

Weekend Patio Party!

Last weekend finally felt more like Spring - and what better way to celebrate that having a BBQ patio party! It was sort of a housewarming thing - even though I've been living at my place now for 8 months...better late than never! And thanks to DJ Lani Love I got to test drive a mini turntable!

I've decided that I love my patio. Not more than my shoes - but it's a close call. It helps me escape from the concrete jungle and forget that I'm here in NY. As much as I love this city - there are times where I just need to get away from all of it. It's funny how a little bit of space and air can transport you somewhere else - even if it's just for a few hours.

While the daytime was warm - it definitely cooled down at night - and we all ended up layering up while chilling out on the roof.

On Jeff:

Stitched striped T - Richard Chai
Black V-neck undershirt - Uniqlo silk dry (it's like the equivalent of heat tech but for the summer!)
Drawstring cotton shorts with zip pockets - Richard Chai
Hoodie - Alternative Apparel
Hex nut bracelet - DIY in the style of Giles & Brother
Flip Flops - Havaianas

On Erin:

Printed Jersey Dress - Vena Cava for Uniqlo

Denim Jacket - Alexander McQueen

Buckle Boots - Palladium, courtesy of SoleStruck.com

Safety Pin/Pearl Necklace - DIY in the style of Tom Binns

Have a great Memorial day weekend!

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Go: Alexander McQueen–Savage Beauty

This weekend I trekked from Brooklyn to the Upper East Side in spite of shuttle buses and re-routed train schedules to feast with my eyes on Alexander McQueen’s work in all it’s visual glory at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit organized by The Costume Institute launched earlier this month to record number of visitors will continue on until July 31, 2011.

The exhibition features 100 ensembles and 70 accessories created over the course of McQueen’s 19-year lifespan from Central St Martin’s to Givenchy to his final collection. It’s actually quite an extensive exhibit and room after room I found myself filled with awe and at times even disturbed. McQueen has always been my design hero in so many ways and to see his life’s work compiled together with words from the designer’s own lips was a glimpse into the designer’s psyche, vision and world. It’s a world full of contrasts, full of darkness and light, a romantic world that almost breaks my heart and yet fills it with delight in the same instant. I am filled with sorrow that the world cannot exist in real life and sad that the storyteller is no longer with us.

After a quick stop at the ladies room, I joined the queue for the exhibit and after 35 minutes of being briskly herded through a line, I found myself inside the exhibit. While crowds whirred around me, I took my time. Inch by inch my eyes drank in all there was to see and I marveled at the craftsmanship of every piece. I was also delighted to hear fellow enthusiasts around me talking about how certain pieces were made. One piece in particular from the final collection stood out because the print was seamless, and yet somehow so effortlessly a printed linen became an airy chiffon.

Not only is McQueen’s own work on display but the exhibition features several installations that showcase how garments might have originally been displayed. There is a 2-way mirror that goes from a dark box, to displaying the clothes, to showing the box shattering to reveal a different kind of untraditional beauty. There is the famous hologram of Kate Moss from 2006. There is the Shipwreck dress filmed under water that captivated me as the fabric swirled on a screen over my head.

The clothing is frighteningly soft as a whisper at times and at others a modern kind of armor that protects you from the harshness of everyday life.

“When you see a woman wearing McQueen, there’s a certain hardness to the clothes that makes her look powerful. It kind of fends people off…It’s almost like putting armor on a woman. It’s a very psychological way of dressing.”

The exhibition also offers a closer look at some of the amazing accessories created in collaboration with Phillip Treacy, Shaun Leane and others. I loved seeing the amazing skeleton corset and whimsical butterflies turned into a hat.

It was amazing to see the collection in person and honestly photos do not do the level of detail or the colors justice. All the hallmarks that make McQueen, McQueen including perfect tailoring, deconstruction, unexpected materials, beauty in the unbeautiful and unwavering romanticism did not disappoint. When I was finished the exhibit, I was sad to leave it behind and I consoled myself by already planning for subsequent visits.

Since photos were strictly forbidden all of the above photos are courtesy of The Photograph Studio, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The photo’s in the album are a few I thought I’d share from the exhibition catalogue that I just had to get. The cover features a holographic image that changes when moved between McQueen’s face to a skull. While it’s not the same seeing it in person, it gave me joy to take a little piece of McQueen home with me. Hope that you have a chance to see it for yourself...even my non-fashion inclined boyfriend recognized that he was in the presence of the work of a genius.

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