STYLEBITS

Colette et Gap

Gap's 5th Avenue flagship store is pairing up with Parisian powerhouse and purveyor of high concept wares, Colette, to bring you a pop up store (located right next to the flagship). Open from September 6th to October 5th, stop in!

ValStyle!

Check out this great online boutique! ValStyle was started by a Yale Alumnae whose part time personal shopping hobby garnered a phenomenal following. She's bringing her expertise to the masses! You will find Gucci bags, Tracey Reese shoes, this season's must-have: the LBD and plenty of vintage. Val even offers a "Manhattan Service" --personal shopping by appointment for busy professionals.
While perusing the site, I thought the model featured to above looked familiar. She is. Turn's out it's Shirley... a beautiful Brown woman!

Topshop Comes to US!

British invasion? Our favorite british retailer is coming stateside...a store is rumored to be opened in Soho. I'm thrilled because as much as I love the clothes, the prospect of ordering internationally is a deterrant. Look out for more US stores soon! Check out my photo of TopShop's owner Sir Philip Green--taken on his visit to Barney's launch of Kate Moss for TopShop.

HOT NEW HUE: MUSTARD

According to Michael Kors, mustard is the must-have color for wardrobes this fall. It's not just your grandmother's mustard however. It's 2008, so think wasabi and/or sun-dried tomato infused mustard. "Kors says mustard yellow seamlessly transitions from summer to fall and even winter. It's that right pop of autumnal color to announce the beginning of the new season -- but it's upbeat, doesn't make you miss summer and looks great with a bit of leftover suntan." - AP

Left to right, French's Classic Yellow Mustard, Old Fashioned Mustard by Delouis Fils, S&B Wasabi, Maille Dijon Originale, Lakeshore Wholegrain Mustard with Guinness Extra Stout and Stonewall Kitchen Sun-Dried Tomato Mustard.

StyleChile readers are always on trend...add one or two (or three) mustard-y pieces to your fall wardrobe and voila! See below for my picks and where to buy, or check out previous posts with mustard choices here and here.

French's Classic Yellow Mustard: citrine cuff by Bounkit for Vivre, $1,575.00; Milly textured wool coat with gold buttons; and Bamboo wrap scarf by Echo, $58. Old Fashioned Mustard by Delouis Fils: leather gloves by, Agatha & Me, $175; skirt suit: jacket and matching skirt are $498 and $288, respectively, from Badgley Mischka Platinum Sportswear- available at Saks; and Nine West's "Galen" boots are $250.00. S&B Wasabi: Motorcross leather jacket by Adam plus Eve, $795.00 at Neiman Marcus; Liberty flower print dress, £50.00 at Topshop; and trousers available at Antrhopologie for $228.00. Maille Dijon Originale: Dolce & Gabbana satin skirt, 350 at net-a-porter; leather gloves, $125.00 by La Crasia; and Fendi's patent leather B bag is available at net-a-porter for $1,860. Stonewall Kitchen Sun-Dried Tomato Mustard: Nylon bag, $25.00 at Gap, $25; Wet Seal's, bright Skinny Jean is $24.50; and Chinese Laundry's "Annabnelle" is available at Zappos for $73.00.

It appears that Michael's color forecast is missing a few key colors! Per Pantone, which is the self described "world-renowned authority on colour", fall 2008 is a season of change, change from the traditional dark autumnal shades to purples, rose, blues (and variations of traditional mustard). Pantone lists the following colors: blue iris, royal lilac, shady glade, caribbean sea, aurora red, shitake, withered rose, twillight blue, burnt orange and ochre as the colors of fall 2008. Check out Pantone's list of Fall 2008 colors and commentary provided by the likes of Zac Posen, Peter Som, and Y&Kei here.

Click on the label below for vintage Hot New Hue and Style Trends posts!

STYLESTAR: NADIA NOUR

Check out this amazing student of philosophy cum fashion designer, Nadia Nour.

An ensemble from holiday '08

It's fitting that a designer with degrees in both philosophy and fashion design would produce clothes that are "born of more than just a love of fashion. They are a study in human behavior and the expressions of both individual and collective identity in our society."

Left: a suit from Spring '08. Right: a dress from Fall '08

Each piece is made with organic and vintage materials, produced locally in New York's garment district. Nadia's love of dresses and skirts is apparent in her collection. Each piece is highly stylized, structured, soft, feminine and flirty. Keep reading for my interview with Nadia!

Nadia

StyleChile: When did you become interested in designing?
Nadia Nour: From the age of 8 I was customizing my clothes with beads, paint, bedazzlers, scissors, tie-dye, and more. Even back then I knew clothes were important vehicles for individual expression.

StyleChile: Who were your fashion influences?
Nadia Nour: I’m dating myself but my greatest early fashion influence was definitely Madonna. From Madonna I got ideas about mixing different styles, layering, personalizing your look, and owning it.

StyleChile: what are some of your favorite trends this season?

Nadia Nour: My favorite thing about this season is that almost nothing is wrong. High-waisted jeans, low-waisted jeans, skinny leg, full leg, its all in. I love that women can choose whatever styles flatter their body types most and are not tied to specific trends. For fall, mixing more traditional pieces like tweeds and plaids with modern prints and colors is a great look.

StyleChile: If you could only keep one item in your closet right now what would it be? why?
Nadia Nour: My colorful vintage sweater with leather appliqués. I love the combination of colors and textures in this piece.
StyleChile: Who do you think has great style?

Nadia Nour: Stacy London has been my muse for the past couple of years, I love that she focuses on fit, quality, and originality. Like me, she wears a lot of dresses and skirts and is not afraid of bold color and graphic prints.

StyleChile: How do you stay inspired?

Nadia Nour: I always try to break new ground with my collections and introduce a unique point of view. I try to do this by taking a wide range of factors into consideration like what’s going on culturally, politically, and socially. I find that these issues influence the way people want to present themselves to the world.

StyleChile: Do you have any tips or words of advice for today's fun, fashionable, females?

Nadia Nour: Today’s fashion is all about personal style. There’s no one look that is “in” so go ahead and mix different styles, layer colors, mix prints, and accessorize.

StyleChile: Tell us how to best obtain Nadia Nour.

Nadia Nour: Visit nadianour.com and click on "where to buy".

StyleChile: Of what (fashion oriented) achievement are you most proud?
Nadia Nour: Creating my first organic collection was a great achievement for me. Being able to take an eco-friendly approach to fashion without sacrificing the sophistication of my designs was really satisfying.

OBJET D'ART: CESARE PACIOTTI BROCADE BOOT

Cesare Paciotti's Brocade Boot. $850, at Cesare Paciotti Boutique, NYC

Rich in texture, color (and price), this boot recalls an opulence and beauty from times past. The brocade and textured leather, in intensely regal purple and gold, evinces the ornamental flourish that only master artisans can produce. This boot will work well with the varying shades of violet, eggplant and aubergine that will be a hit this Fall!

NAOMI CAMPBELL GOES BALLISTIC FOR BLACK MODELS

Naomi channels her rage in this poignant ad which addresses the discussion of diversity, or the lack thereof, in the modeling industy. The ad was produced by fashion photographer Nick Knight. The silence is deafening...

Click on the link to see Naomi Goes Ballistic for Black Models!

...But, due in large part to the efforts of Bethann Hardison--agent, former model, mother of actor Kadeem Hardison and the person who discovered Tyson Beckford--that silence is being broken. It's encouraging to see so many industry titans protest the dearth of black models. The all-Black Vogue Italia issues and discussions lead by Iman and many others is heartening, but it will be even more interesting to see what happens on the runways this fall! I can't wait!

P.S. - Naomi's wearing Rodarte (both dresses)!

THAKOON + RICHARD CHAI + BOTKIER FOR TARGET

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Target proves that just isn't the case. With Richard Chai and Botkier already in stores and Thakoon, allegedly, on the way, the retailer proves, time and again, that thrift and high fashion are not mutually exclusive.

Pieces from Richard Chai for Target Go International Collection

Korean American Richard Chai, known for his minimalist approach to fashion, and for his experience at Donna Karan, Lanvin, TSE and Marc Jacobs is a confirmed Go International Designer. His pieces have been in stores since August 3rd. The line reflects Chai's trademark simple, clean and romantic designs. His line fuses a few of this fall's trends. Look out for separates that can be mixed and matched and layered, as well as feminine skirts, with masculine accents. Check out the entire line and press release here and here.

"The Botkier bag brings together luxury and functionality that's a perfect fit for the busy, modern woman."- Monica Botkier

Botkier is also designing for Target! Starting from $20.00 -$50.00, these pieces are available until September 15th. With pieces ranging from wristlets to clutches to hobos, these bag showcases Monica Botkier's love of using hardware as decoration.

Thakoon Panichgul with models at a Macy's event.

Rumor has it that CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund winner, Thakoon Panichgul, is slated to be the next Target GO International Designer. Let's hope this little rumor sees the light of day, much like the Comme des Garcons for H&M buzz.

Click on the labels below for vintage Style Collaboration, Target and Dress for Less Posts!

PRADA'S POP PRINCESSES!

"Heaven forswear!" "Get thee to a nunn'ry." I think those were both by Shakespeare, but the images below are by Sebastian Faena for Pop magazine.* Check out Agyness Deyn, Amber Valletta, Jourdan Dunn, Natalia Vodianova, Naomi Campbell and Oluchi Onweagba on the cover of Pop's Fall 2008 covers.

Agyness Deyn is racy in lace; Jourdan Dunn channels Frida.

Each of the six models (3 black and 3 white) gets some face time on the cover; tip of the hat to the discussion of diversity in the modeling business?

Naomi looks penitent and Amber just treacherous...

The photographs are entitled: "Hot Nuns", with each nun donning outfits from Prada's Fall 2008 line. The issue is all about eighties excess!

Natalia's look is severe, must be that hair. Nigerian beauty, Oluchi.

*Pop is a British magazine founded by Katie Grand and began publishing in 2000. Click on the label below for vintage Faces of Fashion and CoverStyle posts!

VOGUE ITALIA: BEAUTIFUL IS BEAUTIFUL

I believe in giving credit where credit is due and will sing the praises of Italian Vogue, particularly photographer, Steven Meisel, and editor-in-chief, Franca Sozzani, for showcasing the wealth of talent and beauty that's abundant in the black community.

Vogue has been much maligned, on this blog and elsewhere, for their seemingly singular focus on perpetuating the view that lighter skin, and fine European, features are the epitome of beauty. Consider the inaugural Vogue India and Vogue China covers. I mean, we all know that beauty comes in many shades and forms, but the continual bombardment of everything but women of color is pretty annoying, isn't it? Or maybe it isn't, but if it isn't, it may be because we are so used to seeing the same images that we become desensitized (or start to accept the familiar as truth).

It's little wonder that July's Italian Vogue, touted as the all-black issue, was so widely anticipated. The blogosphere and traditional media were abuzz with talk of this groundbreaking issue--featuring Naomi Campbell, Liya Kebede, Sessilee Lopez and Jourdan Dunn as covergirls. But, I kept thinking: "What's so groundbreaking about a magazine featuring women all of the same race...I mean, we see that all the time, no?" Obviously, this issue is special because for the first time, women of color, specifically black women, grace most of the pages.

Check out the slide show below for images from Italian Vogue All-Black issue.

And, while there may be "innocuous" reasons for the dearth of women of color in fashion magazines (and on the runways) --the lack of black models may be because of a misguided focus on the color green instead of on any particular skin color--I do think that the underlying reasons all stem from the same horrible place and, as such, is not quite so harmless. It's only fashion, but women and girls are affected, on many levels, by the images that they see in magazines. So, if some women starve and continuously diet in attempts to achieve the waifish ideal that was so rampant on the runways and in magazines, imagine the damage that's inflicted on women and girls of color who (cosmetic surgery-bleaching creams-contact lenses and hair extensions-notwithstanding) will never become white.

While this issue stands as a flagrant slap in the face of traditional notions of beauty--and squashed the idea that black faces don't sell magazines--I was disappointed to note that almost every advertisement (with the exception of a couple) featured white models. Also, maybe it's just me, forgive me, I don't read Italian (or any of the European) Vogues often, but was anyone else taken aback by the blatant (hyper) sexuality? Let's just say this issue was provocative in more ways than one...

Pros: (i) black models are gorgeous; (ii) Photography is magnificent; (iii) issue was well rounded--spotlighted models from back in the day as well young talent, even featured Essence and Ebony magazines.

Cons: (i) most of the ads feature non-black women; (ii) the issue is written in Italian (duh, can't have it all; who needs to read when we can look at the beautiful photos-- see first and second romanettes in pros section above); (iii) issue is faddish, are these women mere caricatures, is it now ok to return to the status quo?

The winners of the two issues featured in the post below are: Q. Meyers from Albuquerque, New Mexico and Monique W. from Belleview, Florida--they, and many others, knew that Sessilee Lopez is originaly from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Congratulations!