My Love For Blogging Sweetens Thanks to IFB Conference

(photo: Driely S.)

Not only is the IFB (Independent Fashion Bloggers) community awesome + incredibly generous, when attending my first IFB Conference (IFB Con) earlier this week, just confirmed that and a whole lot more.

On Day One, I found it funny how fashion bloggers were fashionably late with a line around the corner still at 9:15 am with a hard start at 9:30 am. Now mind you, the chance of rain didn’t phase us fashion bloggers with all the suede, sparkle and high, high heels in sight. Cameras were carried around like oxygen tanks, which just punctuated the sad truth of how much I really need one (but I knew this already!) – so it comes as no surprise how my phone was just not cutting it + how much I sucked for this – Xmas may have to come earlier than expected this year dammit!

Everywhere I turned it was just fabulous to see everyone’s different POV when it came to their own fashion sense which brings to mind a common theme throughout the 2day affair – AUTHENTICITY is key to setting you apart from everyone else because let’s face it, 15mins ain’t cutting it anymore – with most of the world being so plugged-in, things move at an eye blink’s pace, which hinders one’s guarantee to truly stand out. Overall, the many looks I witnessed included animal prints, neon, sparkle, buns, sky-high heels, and more heels, lavender hair, beautifully shaped bald heads, fab shoes, cutouts, lots of peplum tops, leather, prints, pattern, and texture – think that’s most of it but I’m sure I missed a few if you can believe that one. It was also great to see a few blogger gents – there’s not many of them out there but glad they decided to come out and play too.

Day One brought us panelist visionaries including Fashion + Beauty Expert, Mary Alice Stephenson in a killer look, Kate Arends of Wit & Delight wearing a sick hair cut, charming and informative YM Ousley of Signature 9 and the always funny, New York Times best-selling author, fashion writer, editor + blogger, Derek Blasberg, seen here shot by Terry Richardson

who interviewed model + blogger Coco Rocha shot here by Ellen Von Unwerth for Vs Magazine.

As far as sponsors go, the list was quite impressive including the following: Delicious Vita Coco, was on hand to quench our thirst, all day everyday, after rigorous typing, texting and clicking shots – MailChimp, with their arts + crafts corner offered bloggers the chance to ‘pimp their charcoal illustrated chimp’ on super soft grey tees with a bevy of sequins, ribbons and thread on hand – bareMinerals, showcasing their READY SPF 20 Foundation,

which didn’t feel like foundation at all (you know that feeling of having your face shrink-wrapped caused by most wretched foundations), provided mini-makeovers + let me tell you, my face never looked better, but the best of this experience for me was finding out that since their products are comprised of natural ingredients, after a night of one too many cocktails, you can hit your pillow without washing your face and wake up with no worries of gaining the infamous congregation of zits caused by ‘clogged pores’ the morning after – Julep Maven also made an appearance and caused quite an impression with complimentary manis like mine below with a base in Popova, Boho Glam, a kelly green creme with glittery ombre tips in Yumi, American Beauty finished off by a free polish in a color of your choice – but the coolest thing about Julep Maven is what they’re all about

– they’re kind of a club where you basically become a ‘Julep Maven’ by taking a style quiz granting you access to cool colors delivered to you each month based on your answers. Colors are then hand-picked from trendsetting new nail colors to cult faves and cutting-edge beauty products just right for you AND you decide how often you want to receive your Julep Maven box with the option to cancel at any time.

Day Two’s panelists did not disappoint including the hilarious Eddie Newton of Mister Newton, the inspirational and smart Michelle Madhok of SheFinds, MomFinds + BrideFinds, the beautiful Kelly Framel of The Glamourai, Eva Chen of Teen Vogue and Lily Mandelbaum + Elisa Goodkind of Style Like U. But the standout of the day was legendary and gorgeous Iman with Dana Randall from BBT Factory, discussing Iman’s website Destination Iman and interviewed by Peter Davis, editor-in-chief of SCENE magazine – the best part of that interview:

Peter Davis to Iman (paraphrasing here):  So now that you’ve done cosmetics and ‘Destination Iman’, what’s next for you?

Iman, and I quote, I swear:  Like Honey Boo Boo says, ‘I want to be queen of it all!’

Overall, the conference was informative on the many resources and tools essential to becoming a successful fashion blogger including the value of Pinterest, the importance of supporting and protecting each other as bloggers, creating a business plan if you’re planning to tread forward as a brand and business which might or might not lead to making money and reinforcing the notion of how bloggers have legitimately changed fashion and the fashion industry as a whole, a fact that no longer is riddled with dismissive ridicule.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next IFB Con in February!

Loving Mykita’s Limited Edition ‘Beth’ Sunnies

A Collaborative Masterpiece With Beth Ditto Of Gossip

Sunglasses in the cat eye shape has always given the wearer that oomph of sexiness most didn’t think they could pull off.   Yet, the sexiness bestowed on us mere mortals by Mykita‘s ‘Beth’ sunglasses is a hell of a lot more bitchy and obnoxious, just how I like it.  

‘Beth’ comes in two colorways – purple and white – but what makes these babies special are their violet gradient lenses.  But with only 100 frames in each color, you’d better sprint to snatch your own pair.  Available in store at Robert Marc, 400 Madison Avenue, (212) 319-2900.

(via NYT)

Who doesn’t love themselves some Karen O. – I surely don’t and especially here. Listen to her rapturous voice seduce ‘Pinky’s Dream’ (TRENTEMØLLER REMIX) taken from David Lynch’s ‘Crazy Clown Time’.  Although released Aug 6th, it never gets old.  Can’t you hear it now, just playing in one of Lynch’s films or better yet, a bridal fashion show?

(via ASVOF)

Lip Service Can Be Had For Less

Thanks To The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem (And You Thought Only Witches Came Out Of Salem!)

 Not only have lips been a popularly recurrent symbol in fashion, from jewelry to textiles, here you have these golden lips which simultaneously satisfies that notion and the current trend of pins.  ‘Gold Lips Pin by Man Ray’ is not only understated, it is also very chic and super affordable.

Based on the lips of Lee Miller, Man Ray’s student then lover during the 1930’s, after their break-up, Man Ray often used Lee’s eyes and lips inn a lot of his work.  This ‘lip pin’ was inspired by a golden statue he had made of Miller during that time.  Available in both a small + large version, you can’t go wrong for how cheap they are.  In fact, they’re so, so inexpensive that you wouldn’t mind buying a lot of them, in both sizes, creating a 3D pattern on anything.  The large pair of lips actually jumped out at me as they look very similar to the ones on Diane von Furstenberg’s ‘Carolina Lips Clutch‘ seen in the ad below,

(photo: Camilla Akrans)

which is also a stunner.

Famed Fashion Illustrator Antonio Lopez, Made Fashion, Art, Sex And Disco Collide Effortlessly

(photo: Rizzoli)

And Come September, You Too Will Be Able To Experience A Bit Of His World Via Rizzoli, In A Book Of The Same Name entitled ‘Antonio: Fashion, Art, Sex & Disco’

Puerto-Rican born fashion illustrator, Antonio Lopez, was by far a true force to be reckoned with in the world of fashion unlike anyone who was anyone ever encountered.  An illustrator to many high fashion labels and top publications including The New York TImes, Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) and Interview Magazine, during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, this book will be able to show you how he changed people’s perception of fashion illustration 

and fashion as a whole.  Yet, he didn’t do it alone – he had help from many of his friends.

In the 70’s, he moved to Paris with his creative partner, Puerto-Rican art-director Juan Ramos (shown below with Antonio and 60’s supermodel Cathee Dahmen),

where Antonio’s distinct eye for finding sexiness was elevated to a whole other level.  Here he is posing in the Luxemburg garden in 1971, which one could easily was styled by current day geniuses, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony and co-creative directors of fashion house Kenzo – just look at that sweater, jacket with pin and Antonio’s whole demeanor with that cigarette – were!  Sure the hair’s dated, but, who cares really, it’s Antonio Lopez!

Not only was he able to breathe life into 2-dimensional portrayals of sexy women wearing sexy clothes, since he and Ramos couldn’t live without fashion, being surrounded by sexy women was another thing they couldn’t do without, for inspiration.

Said to have discovered and launch the modeling careers of such iconic beauties like models Pat Cleveland (below),

(photo: Peter Lindbergh)

Jerry Hall (his + Ramos’ Parisian roomie), shown here, being filmed by Antonio in their Paris apartment

(photo: Norman Parkinson)

and Grace Jones,  photographed here by Antonio for her album, ‘Portfolio’.

(photo: Antonio Lopez)

And amidst all of these beauties, he also worked with fashion royalty like Karl Lagerfeld, beautifully captured below in his ‘mankini’ by Antonio

and Yves Saint Laurent.  Yet, this crew of talent didn’t just work hard, they played hard too, especially in the Paris’s many underground clubs.

The first complete monograph of his work, scheduled to be released Sept. 8, ‘Antonio: Fashion, Art, Sex & Disco’, written by Roger Padilha and Mauricio Padilha, with a contribution by the amazing Bill Cunningham, an epilogue by Anna Sui, and an introduction by the incredible, Andre Leon Talley, will definitely give you a broad look at Antonio’s work and be another great coffee table book to add to your growing fashion book collection.  Featuring his iconic works, the book will also showcase never-before-seen Instamatic photos, similar to this one, of a young Jerry Hall,

behind-the-scenes Polaroids, letters, and ephemera, granting you a glimpse of how his career influenced so much of fashion today.  Unfortunately Antonio Lopez will never know the extent of his influence having lost his life to AIDS in 1987.  Following in 1995, Juan Ramos also dies of AIDS.

And if you feel like your appetite for Antonio is still not satisfied with the book above and you have room for one more book on your coffee table, then pick up a hardcover copy of ‘Instamatics‘ by Antonio Lopez.  The book features a lot of notable figures spanning the 70’s including Jerry Hall (above), Karl Lagerfeld, Pat Cleveland, Divine and

Paloma Picasso pictured below.  As the daughter of Pablo Picasso, it’s ironic Antonio shot her as he was known as ‘the Picasso of fashion illustration’.

Antonio once said, ‘The flaws in your vision will give you style,’ and that certainly seems to be the daily credo of today’s many fashionistas.

How Would You Feel About Having Cherry Blossoms All Year Round?

Well thanks to the masterminds over at Korean company Appree, this impossibility is beautifully made possible.  Called Cherry Blossom Memo Stickers, the simplicity in detail would make anyone smile.  

One could even take a bunch and cover the floor (as seen below) to try to replicate artist Ai Wei Wei’s ‘Sunflowers Seeds‘ installation comprised of 100 million life-sized porcelain sunflower seeds, with each one painstakingly painted by hand.  Granted, 100 million memos might be a bit excessive, in this case but who wouldn’t want to walk on Cherry Blossoms or set their eyes on a room filled with them? 

(via fubiz)

Come Fall, Guys Won’t Bomb Wearing This Jacket

By The Talented Christopher Shannon

We’ve all seen that paisley pattern on bandanas but did you ever imagine it ever looking this good?  Not only is the bomber jacket a true classic, it’s also on trend right now – designer Christopher Shannon knew exactly what he was doing when he designed this ‘Paisley Print Bomber Jacket’.

Sure you’ve seen several different types and styles of bomber jackets, but this one, 

with it’s variations of grey, black and white designs, particularly paisley, stolen from cheapo bandanas, makes this jacket a real standout hit.  Love the large scale of the prints too – any smaller and the jacket could’ve easily looked like a jacket quilted by granny.

Available now at oki-ni.

(via SELECTISM)

Can’t stop listening to Mykki Blanco’s latest track ‘Wavvy’, serving as the perfect backdrop for it’s amazing video above directed by Italian filmmaker, Francesco Carrozzini.  (Mykki Blanco, for those who don’t know, is the drag alter-ego of multimedia artist, poet and musician Michael David Quattlebaum Jr. that’s been received with critical acclaim, accompanied by relentless accolades.)  With a track produced by Brenmar, we are taken for a ride in search of a drug called ‘Wavvy’ by  Quattlebaum Jr, who shares his screen time with Mykki Blanco.  Once spotted by a cop who chases Quattlebaum down NYC streets, he appropriately makes his way into Chinatown, leading us into a sinfully decadent party of enviable proportions reminiscent of Joel-Peter Witkin in color, live and in-person with a dash of a Berlin cabaret from the Twenties.   A ‘must’ listen, with phrasing that is so flawless and beats that are so infectious.  

I must admit though, I heart Mykki’s fingernails in the beginning of the video, when he’s negotiating with his drug dealer for the ‘Wavvy’ pills in the crumbled paper towel – there are remnants of electric teal nail polish, as if it’s been on her nails for months.   There’s no mistaking this Blancos got talent but the lengths to which he takes us, is unnervingly provocative and always fun.  

If you’re interested in the Mykkit’s writing, check out his book of poetry entitled, ‘From The Silence Of Duchamp To The Noise Of Boys’ published by OHWOW where you’ll also find ‘Mykki Blanco And The Mutant Angels’ 7” vinyl, featuring ‘Head Is A Stone’ and ‘Avenue D’.  But better even, check out ‘Mykki At Home‘ courtesy of FADER TV, when they caught up with the artist back in May.

(via PAPER)