Web Sites »Advanced Style

Proof from the wise and silver-haired set that personal style advances with age

We live in a society that makes getting old seem like a fairly horrible thing. A recent Independent Living catalog we were somehow sent only solidified my own fears that I didn’t even know I had. But blogger Ari Seth Cohen knows much better – that life and style can get better with age and his lovely street style blog, Advanced Style is a fashionable argument for that fact. As he says: “Respect your elders and let these ladies and gents teach you a thing or two about living life to the fullest.” I could never imagine loosing my love for unique clothes and accessories as I get older (it might be genetic – my great Grandma King left this world in her feathered heeled slippers) and as the creative and intriguing men and women photographed here show, you can even get more fiercely independently awesome as time goes by. I personally see lilac hair and lots of huge necklaces – which I am already collecting.

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Posted on October 5, 2010

TV Shows »Signe Chanel

Aired on Sundance

The fashion world is often viewed as a most glamorous one and there is certainly no shortage of glamour in the behind the scenes documentary, Signe Chanel: the Chanel head quarters in Paris house bright, incredible work spaces, the clothes themselves are almost inexplicably gorgeous (a wedding dress that will in particular make you gasp), and the mastermind himself Karl Lagerfeld is bejewelled and sunglassed at the height of impeccable style. However, it’s the true labor, care and dedicated hard work that goes into this collection (a memorably exquisite Fall 2004 collection) that film maker Loic Prigent, who also made the Day Before series I previously recommended, is most intrigued by. The seamstresses are every bit as important as Karl at the house of Chanel and to watch them interpret his free form, beautiful sketches into three dimensional pieces of couturier art is absolutely fascinating.

One of the most interesting characters revealed in the show is Madame Pouzieux , an elderly farmer who also creates the signature Chanel braids on her remote farm on a loom she invented herself over forty years ago. A local shoe maker with his made to order cobble shop and a beading house where women tirelessly bead one garment for days and nights with little rest are also given rare center stage in an industry obsessed with the rich, famous and showy. The humble awe he treats these tailors, seamstresses, shoe makers, beaders and braiders makes for a most intimate and slightly heart stopping look at fashion. It’s certainly one of the most interesting things I have seen on TV recently and a must for fashion fanatics – though just as recommended to those that turn their nose at fashion as art (isn’t it curious that those people often have no problem appreciating other art forms?).

Shot simply and beautifully on video, this feels intimate and you become involved in the arduous process of making a collection. It aired on Sundance during NY fashion week but is unfortunately not listed to be airing again soon but you can watch via youtube or on DVD from Amazon UK if you have a region 2 player. It’d worth seeking out this joyous ode to haute couture.

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Posted on October 5, 2010

Style Icons: Male »Jonathan Saunders

Scottish Designer

Jonathan Saunders has never quite cracked my top collections of any season until this recent spring line that was pitch perfect with its unique and beautiful color combinations combined with adorably wearable silhouettes. It makes one long for next Spring already. In fact, the first outfit posted directly guided the color direction for this new Brix Picks design, so cheers to that. As a textile designer, Saunders excels at color and print as was obvious from his previous Target Go line that started a mini trend of marbled prints.

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Posted on October 4, 2010

Books »The Sartorialist

by Scott Schuman (2009)

Scott Schuman is the dapper creator of fashion’s finest street style blog, The Sartorialist. Last August a book version of the photography site was released. It’s a thick collection of his best images and a great addition to any fashion photography fan. I am still awaiting the day he photographs me but I am very, very patient.

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Posted on September 12, 2010

Web Sites »Style.Com

First in Fashion for Ten Years

Even though it will reportedly get some competition from the much needed reboot of Vogue.com, Style.com is the grand mommy of fashion websites and still, after ten years the go to spot for runway fashion show coverage. I am also a big fan of their Beauty Icon archives. I’ve posted a few of my favorite looks so far on their site from New York fashion week (admittedly the least personally exciting – can’t wait for London and Paris!).

Jason Wu

Suno

Peter Som

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Posted on September 12, 2010

TV Shows »The Day Before

airing on Sundance

When I am away Jim eats bad Chinese take out, when Jim’s not around, I watch documentaries about fashion. Lucky for me, Sundance has been airing (and has available on demand) their behind the scenes series, The Day Before all this week in honor of New York Fashion Week. It’s an interesting if cursory look at the hectic day leading up to major designer’s runway shows. It reveals what anyone who has worked in the industry or knows people who do knows: that it takes a team of many to make a collection, that that team is like a family (truly the most glamorous part of a high stress fashion job – not the celebrities in my opinion), that it’s a lot of hard work and there are always upheavals at the last minute and not enough time to do everything with your sanity in tact. Perfectionist Narciso Rodriguez highlights this hair pulling reality the most. Other designers featured are Diane Von Furstenberg, Donatella Versace, Alexander Wang, Peter Copping for Nina Ricci, and Jeremy Scott.

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Posted on September 12, 2010

Web Sites »My Mom, Style Icon

Their Style Was Born Before We Were

My Mom, The Style Icon is a simple concept from the mind of blogger Piper Weiss but it’s a brilliant one and the site is an awesome way to loose yourself in style inspiration. Be sure to submit your own fashionable photos of your mom from the past. The blog will become a book this year published by Chronicle Books.

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Posted on September 5, 2010

Books »The Art of Vogue Covers 1909-1940

by William Packer (1988)

Vogue Magazine was not always the relatively artless showcase of the Jennifer Anistons and Sienna Millers of the world as this lovely hardbound book, The Art of Vogue Covers 1909-1940 proves. It’s an amazing trip through the legendary magazine’s past with hand painted covers that are beautiful, inventive, and in some ways as modern as ever. I’ve photographed a few favorites, but the all color book is full of inspirational fashion eye candy. Worth seeking out used for fashion and fashion illustration lovers.

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Posted on July 25, 2010

Spend a Couple Hours »Brooklyn Museum: American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection

200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn

I don’t know why the trek to the Brooklyn Museum seemed so insurmountable that I kept putting off my trip to see the American High Style exhibit. In truth it only takes about and hour and is more than worth it. If the sister exhibit at the Met is the dolled up, flashy younger sister boasting pop music, glitzy styled head pieces and films, this one is the calm, dignified older sister. It’s far larger and more spaced out than the other exhibit and features some incredible fanning Charles James, well preserved and embellished Worths, a huge amount of shoes, and more stunning prints, draping, and colors than any fashion lover could want for.

I’d heard great things about the exhibit, so was not surprised to be delighted. I was surprised, however at what a great museum it is over all. I spent most of the day on the 4th floor where they have huge recreations of old homesteads and interior design through the decades (recreated interiors are a favorite of mine in any museum). Also currently on exhibit is an inspiring Kiki Smith retrospective, the famous Judy Chicago “The Dinner Party”, a show of the jewelry of Art Smith that had my head swimming with want (many of the awesome pieces reminded me of what Grace Jones would wear), and he vibrant exhibition called Extended Family that includes work from sculptor Nick Cave, Nina Chanel Abnay, and Vadis Turner.

So, lovers of decorative arts take the 2/3 train and prepare to spend a day on the 4th floor in pure happiness. Plus! They allow non flash photography!

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Posted on June 27, 2010

Web Sites »The Selvedge Yard

Inspiring Images

The Selvedge Yard has a definitive stylistic point of view and among other things, is a great online stop for images and musings on rugged, American male style. Author JP describes his site as “about all the things that interest me– a menswear product, presentation & branding guy with a passion for people, places things & ideas of enduring heritage, quality, authenticity & character.” The site never fails to inspire, and the archives are great to browse. I’ve included a few photos below/after the jump, but there’s so much more to be found and read at the site itself.

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Posted on June 27, 2010