I almost never complain about media that's informative and I usually have a huge soft spot for academic types, but after following New York Times's reporter, Bill Cunningham, and his video segment, "On the Street," for the past few years, I regretfully say that The New York Times needs to find someone new who knows something about fashion, trends, and popular culture in New York City.
The latest "On the Street" segment (http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/06/11/fashion/1247468032311/on-the-street-graphic.html) covers stripes (the byproduct of the current nautical rage in fashion and retail). In the clip, Cunningham shows examples of people wearing stripes around New York. Not only does he not attribute the flurry of stripes to the trend, but he's months to over half a year late on pointing it out. He also erroneously throws in a photo of a Foot Locker salesperson in uniform, which has vertical stripes.
Bill Cunningham is a really cute man who seems genuinely enthusiastic about trends and personal style in New York City and is considered one of the first street fashion photographers, but that doesn't change the fact that he's been missing from action and has lost his grip on what's going on in fashion and New York City. "On the Street" currently provides little to NYTimes.com readers; it's time for a new "On the Street" photographer / reporter who can provide timely and accurate fashion and pop culture information that New Yorkers don't already know.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Isabella's 2010 Forecasts
Pantless fashion
2010 is going to be all about pantlessness. It may sound like a simple enough trend to follow but don't strip off your pants just yet. Pantlessness is as much about the lack of pants as it is about the presence of a high-cut leotard peeking out of some upper-body garment. To rock the look (à la Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Ke$ha), pair the leotard with 1) textured tights, 2) high heels or mid-calf combat boots, and 3) a fuzzy sweater or tuxedo blazer. If pantlessness is too risqué for you, fall back on the old but hot leggings trend for a similar look.
Designers that have embraced pantlessness in their Spring 2010 collections include Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Prada.
All things 90s
Music: the return of alternative rock, led by Kings of Leon
Fashion: khaki, denim everything, Doc Martens / utility wear
2010 is going to be all about pantlessness. It may sound like a simple enough trend to follow but don't strip off your pants just yet. Pantlessness is as much about the lack of pants as it is about the presence of a high-cut leotard peeking out of some upper-body garment. To rock the look (à la Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Britney Spears, and Ke$ha), pair the leotard with 1) textured tights, 2) high heels or mid-calf combat boots, and 3) a fuzzy sweater or tuxedo blazer. If pantlessness is too risqué for you, fall back on the old but hot leggings trend for a similar look.
Designers that have embraced pantlessness in their Spring 2010 collections include Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Prada.
All things 90s
Music: the return of alternative rock, led by Kings of Leon
Fashion: khaki, denim everything, Doc Martens / utility wear
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Movie List- October 24, 2009
Recap:
(500) Days of Summer
I didn't fall back in love with love, movies about love, or the world in general. While some movies aim to turn the viewer into a cynical pragmatist, (500) is not one of them. Overall, it is a product showcasing less of its creators and actors' talents and more of their insecurities and posturings. While the soundtrack is one of the best soundtracks in recent years, the script is trite, the acting is overdone, and the cliches are straight out of a textbook. The same way "modern dance" shouldn't be used to justify bad choreography and lack of artistic direction, "indie cinema" doesn't give filmmakers and actors the artistic capital to produce subpar work. For a real movie about the ups and downs of love, choose one of (500)'s earlier contemporaries, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Closer.
Coco avant Chanel (Coco before Chanel)
Although not particularly outstanding in any way, Coco avant Chanel is a worthwhile movie to watch for anyone interested in fashion, feminism, or French culture.
Movies to Watch:
An Education
Joe Morgenstern, the WSJ film critic, gives "An Education" two big thumbs up in his review of the movie (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703746604574461011289453516.html). The review exalts Carey Mulligan's portrayal of the 16-year-old heroine and praises the film for being a coming-of-age work that moves beyond the traditional limits of the genre while still grappling with the familiar issues of class and privilege.
Where the Wild Things Are
The September Issue
(500) Days of Summer
I didn't fall back in love with love, movies about love, or the world in general. While some movies aim to turn the viewer into a cynical pragmatist, (500) is not one of them. Overall, it is a product showcasing less of its creators and actors' talents and more of their insecurities and posturings. While the soundtrack is one of the best soundtracks in recent years, the script is trite, the acting is overdone, and the cliches are straight out of a textbook. The same way "modern dance" shouldn't be used to justify bad choreography and lack of artistic direction, "indie cinema" doesn't give filmmakers and actors the artistic capital to produce subpar work. For a real movie about the ups and downs of love, choose one of (500)'s earlier contemporaries, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Closer.
Coco avant Chanel (Coco before Chanel)
Although not particularly outstanding in any way, Coco avant Chanel is a worthwhile movie to watch for anyone interested in fashion, feminism, or French culture.
Movies to Watch:
An Education
Joe Morgenstern, the WSJ film critic, gives "An Education" two big thumbs up in his review of the movie (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703746604574461011289453516.html). The review exalts Carey Mulligan's portrayal of the 16-year-old heroine and praises the film for being a coming-of-age work that moves beyond the traditional limits of the genre while still grappling with the familiar issues of class and privilege.
Where the Wild Things Are
The September Issue
Heirloom-Worthy Accessories
Rush over to your nearest Banana Republic and snatch up all the accessories you can. Currently available at BR is the most amazing accessories collection I have seen to date from any store or retailer. These pieces are uniquely designed, well constructed, and, best of all, totally affordable. While most of the collection has a Gastbian aesthetic, there is still something for everyone and every mood. BR's fall accessories line includes crystal, chandelier earrings, statement rings with a feminine edge, beautiful Greco-Roman inspired bracelets, and multi-chain necklaces in all shapes and sizes. Banana Republic rarely offers pushing-the-envelope designs and is usually relegated to the realm of boring work attire, but their fall accessories collection proves to anyone with a progressive attitude that truly inspired works of art can come from anywhere. If you have any money to spare on accessories this season, forget J Crew, Club Monaco, and even Henri Bendel; you'll be hard pressed to find accessories of similar beauty and quality at a price point anywhere near BR's. This is one long-term investment you should not pass up.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Film: (500) Days of Summer
I can't remember the last time I was this excited to see a movie. Actually...it was totally Harry Potter and I am really excited about the new Harry Potter but (500) Days of Summer looks like perfection.
Not only does it star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, my childhood crush, but it's also the ideal summer movie...a romantic comedy 'about love' that even incorporates the word summer into its title. If it manages to deliver the same sentiment as in the trailer, I think I may fall in love with films about love, love, and the world all over again and will have to call (500) Days of Summer one of my favorite movies of all time.
Not only does it star Joseph Gordon-Levitt, my childhood crush, but it's also the ideal summer movie...a romantic comedy 'about love' that even incorporates the word summer into its title. If it manages to deliver the same sentiment as in the trailer, I think I may fall in love with films about love, love, and the world all over again and will have to call (500) Days of Summer one of my favorite movies of all time.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Favorite Media: Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is master of media, king of pop culture. Although I recognize he is great and will soon show you my favorite Justin media, there are a few things that keep me from becoming a full-fledged JT fan:
1. His style. His look for Justified was urban and on-- tees, hoodies, bomber jackets, jeans, sneakers, and beanies. But since he shaved his head, Justin has given himself free rein. Baggy suits, high-top sneakers, and longer facial hair than head hair don't go together and are not becoming. Running around town in baggy, ill-fitting jeans is sloppy and not ok...even if it is his style.
2. His music. What's up with it? Sexyback was unbearably painful to listen to for the first month it was on the radio. And his lyrics are embarrassing. Summer Love wouldn't rhyme at all if it wasn't for 'girl' at the end of every other line.
3. The fact that his break-up with Britney Spears was the best thing that ever happened to him. He uses it as material for everything. If he's going to act like he's totally over it in real life, then professionally he should find something else to leverage...like some boring fact about Jessica Biel that no one cares about. It's bad form to air dirty laundry and worse to act all self-righteous about it afterwards. I personally think he's totally still in love with Britney and that it's a front.
4. That he is ubiquitous. In addition to being a singer, he also produces music for other artists (Ciara...Love Sex Magic sounds like every other song on FutureSex/LoveSounds album and even the title is just a reshuffling of the same words), owns a record label, just launched a tequila brand, co-founded and co-designs a clothing line, and owns and operates several restaurants. Celebrities should understand, the way other business people do, that just because they can, doesn't mean they should.
All that said, I really do like Justin, especially as a performer. And I totally recognize and appreciate his influence on pop culture. Below are my favorite Justin media.
Cry Me a River...Justin's best song to date and one of the best music videos of our generation:
What Goes Around, the best song off his FutureSex/LoveSounds album and a great video/short after you disregard the awkward acting and unnecessarily dramatic ending:
SNL and Justin at their best--Immigrant Tale:
1. His style. His look for Justified was urban and on-- tees, hoodies, bomber jackets, jeans, sneakers, and beanies. But since he shaved his head, Justin has given himself free rein. Baggy suits, high-top sneakers, and longer facial hair than head hair don't go together and are not becoming. Running around town in baggy, ill-fitting jeans is sloppy and not ok...even if it is his style.
2. His music. What's up with it? Sexyback was unbearably painful to listen to for the first month it was on the radio. And his lyrics are embarrassing. Summer Love wouldn't rhyme at all if it wasn't for 'girl' at the end of every other line.
3. The fact that his break-up with Britney Spears was the best thing that ever happened to him. He uses it as material for everything. If he's going to act like he's totally over it in real life, then professionally he should find something else to leverage...like some boring fact about Jessica Biel that no one cares about. It's bad form to air dirty laundry and worse to act all self-righteous about it afterwards. I personally think he's totally still in love with Britney and that it's a front.
4. That he is ubiquitous. In addition to being a singer, he also produces music for other artists (Ciara...Love Sex Magic sounds like every other song on FutureSex/LoveSounds album and even the title is just a reshuffling of the same words), owns a record label, just launched a tequila brand, co-founded and co-designs a clothing line, and owns and operates several restaurants. Celebrities should understand, the way other business people do, that just because they can, doesn't mean they should.
All that said, I really do like Justin, especially as a performer. And I totally recognize and appreciate his influence on pop culture. Below are my favorite Justin media.
Cry Me a River...Justin's best song to date and one of the best music videos of our generation:
What Goes Around, the best song off his FutureSex/LoveSounds album and a great video/short after you disregard the awkward acting and unnecessarily dramatic ending:
SNL and Justin at their best--Immigrant Tale:
Thursday, June 18, 2009
All-American preppy makes a comeback
A favorite, iconic American style is the preppy Wasp. It is unmistakably American, combining the color and energy of casual sportswear with the clean, crisp lines of New England attire. The result is a look that's effortlessly easy and comfortable but always dressed up and pulled together. You don't have to be rich or white or even wearing the signature items to pull off the style. Ralph Lauren explains, “People ask how can a Jewish kid from the Bronx do preppy clothes? Does it have to do with class and money? It has to do with dreams.” And what could be more American than dreaming?
Enough hipster style already. It's time to welcome back all-American prep! Below is an article from the Times about how prep is back. The article partially attributes the revival to Japanese fashion but I think this moment is an all-American one...just as 80s punk can make a comeback, so too can 80s prep, à la Risky Business and The Graduate.
------------------------------------------------------------
Dress Codes : The All-American Back From Japan 
Enough hipster style already. It's time to welcome back all-American prep! Below is an article from the Times about how prep is back. The article partially attributes the revival to Japanese fashion but I think this moment is an all-American one...just as 80s punk can make a comeback, so too can 80s prep, à la Risky Business and The Graduate.
------------------------------------------------------------
AS you have surely noticed, all- American preppy style has come back for another goround. There is madras everything, button-downs everywhere. Nantucket reds — washed-out pink pants — are the new khakis; Sperry Top-Siders are more common on roof decks than top decks; and the Polo pony and the Lacoste crocodile are now but two of the critters in a zoo of polo shirt insignia.
Dean Isidro for The New York Times; Photographed at Sarah Lawrence College
EASTERN STUDIES A once-neglected Americana is now in full bloom.
EASTERN STUDIES A once-neglected Americana is now in full bloom.
Lately the trend has taken on a new dimension, via the Internet, with a resurgence of interest in once obscure American brands. Alongside the familiar L. L. Bean duck boots, Brooks Brothers shirts and Ray-Ban Wayfarers, there are Filson duffel bags, Gokey boots, Alden dress shoes, Gitman oxford shirts, Quoddy Trail moccasins, Wm. J. Mills canvas totes — to name but a few. Moribund brands like Southwick and Woolrich are being revived with new designs. And the old-school look has been furthered by popular American fashion labels — small houses like Thom Browne, Band of Outsiders and Benjamin Bixby along with megabrands like J. Crew and Ralph Lauren.
For the complete article, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/17/fashion/18codes.html?em.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
