Tight gear from DSquared, Marni, Calvin Klein, and Disney's "Meet the Robinsons"
Tights were a major staple in the 80's and still stands strong today. Women are the primary patrons of tights since a number of them (and counting) already traded their jeans for the body-hugging alternative. However, there are a slew of men who are entranced and, ultimately, enlightened with the tights trend.
Designers gave tights an opportunity to enter their menswear collection. Marni, for example, gave its latest Fall-Winter collection a snug pair of cashmere "meggings" (man-leggings). And a few seasons past Calvin Klein, a label known for minimalist sportswear, outfitted its Spring collection with brightly colored tights. And if a dose of neon spanx wasn't enough, Maison Martin Margiela generously gave a metallic sequined offering.
Martin Margiela's glittering looks
Sure enough, there are men who wear tights because of necessity. A couple of sports, for instance, deem tight-fitting clothes necessary for competition. Specifically, sports that prize streamlined silhouettes such as track and field, cycling and swimming. Also, American football players wear their color coordinated spanx for increased range of motion.
Although there is raised awareness of men donning the stretchy pants a try, there are still no tights marketed especially for men. Furthermore, a majority of men balk at the prospect of giving the skintight pseudo-trousers a chance outside the athletic field. As anyone who has seen ballerinos and male medieval characters, tights do not really provide the proper covering for men. Even Bryanboy, a renowned fashionista, once professed "My tights are, well, tights....I for one always have to wear long tops just to cover my bits up."
I just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I know, I know, this holiday is the most American as one could get (besides 4th of July, which is the time when Americans get all crazy with patriotism), but I want everyone to have a great Thursday. A huge bonus is the fact that Black Friday is coming up next! For those not familiar with Black Friday (no, it's not the holy week Black Friday, for you Catholics), it's the Friday after Thanksgiving where retailers and department stores slash prices to all of their merchandise (50-80% marked off). Its purpose is to spur consumerism before Christmas arrives. Plus, it's a time to check all that Christmas wishlist off your back.
Indeed, there will be turkey, pumpkin pie, green bean casserole, and other food tomorrow! Unfortunately, my family won't be reenacting the whole Pilgrims dining with Native Americans thing. I'm just imagining me in a Pilgrim costume. I wonder what that would be like?
Thanks to Trish for taking the initiative of photoshopping me
I was perusing the famed Proenza Schouler PS1 bag through Barneys' website and saw something so perplexing I just had to ask why.
Upon clicking on the PS1 in python skin, there was a note at the bottom of the product description that said something along the line of "This product can't be shipped to California." I wasn't sure if the New Yorkers at Barneys (hence the name Barneys New York) are vigilantly depriving Californians of some drool-worthy goods, so I gathered my investigative wits to find out why. And, boy, was I mad at the wrong folks.
In 1970, California instituted a ban to selling items made from python as a response to preserving the endangered animal. Consequently, anyone caught trading python-skinned-anything in the Golden State will be slapped a jaw-dropping $5000 fine (which is probably the amount you shelled for a python bag in the first place) or prison. Generally, this law equates python handbags to illegal drugs--as contraband!
The law, however, doesn't state anything about Californians buying their python-made goods out of state, then bringing it back home. Law abiding celebrities, for instance, fly to Las Vegas or New York City just to score their snakeskin fix. Others succumb to anaconda skin as an alternative. The anaconda, known for constricting its prey before feeding, is not on the ban list. Kind of ironic, huh? (NY Times; WSJ)
Currently, California is the only state in the United States that vigorously prohibits the sale of python skin. Next up on the ban list: alligator and crocodile leathers. (About)
Python bag by Proenza Schouler, $4250 at www.barneys.com
One crack-tastic collection you get on a fashion high
For designers to be successful, they have to tap into their creative juices and produce something mass consumers would actually want to wear. And by "something the masses would actually want to wear," I meant stripped-down, run-off-the-mill clothes that lack the ingenuity and craft of a designer.
Luckily, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada--a spunky denizen of good ole España--sticks to her guns and creates fashion that is neither lackluster nor boring. Fall-Winter takes on a whole new meaning with de la Prada's Crayola-colored collection. Neutrals, generally, are nonexistent and in its place is a barrage of brights and neons. Add the mix of superfluous details like cello F-holes and cages fitted for Tweety Bird, and the clothes go va-va-voom!
The silhouettes are playful and easy to the eye. In fact, de la Prada includes whimsical structure in her collection with the likes of one cactus-looking top and a triangular dress. Furthermore, she showered her collection with love as exemplified by a generous sprinkle of hearts. Unlike the Emanuel Ungaro catastrophe, hers was adorable.
And did I mention the recurring presence of glorified food motifs? Eggs and sausages are now a welcome addition to the famined fashion family!
Korean supermodel was found dead in her Paris apartment. Police concluded that Kim (pictured left), a successful model who began modeling for Vogue Korea, committed suicide. Clues lead to her blog entries that suggest unhappiness, and depression. For more information regarding Daul Kim's established career in modeling, visit New York Magazine.
Martin Margiela's glittering looks
