The Cut

Let’s Talk About Onesies

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:00:36 -0500

Playsuits from left by Topshop, A.P.C., and Forever 21.

Rompers have been trying to come back for a few years now. As have jumpsuits. (Collectively we'll term them "playsuits.") We've never supported the trend because they don't look good on 99.9999999999999 percent of the population. Only tall model-y girls pull them off truly well. Those who aren't at least 5' 9" and twiggy often look shorter, thicker, and worst of all, infantile, as Double X reminds us today. Because playsuits were created, let's not forget, for toddlers who needed roomy clothes to romp around in. And though they first surfaced in the early twentieth century, onesies are still worn mostly by toddlers, despite the fashion industry's puzzling, unrelenting efforts to dress stylish grown women in them. And yet another problem with playsuits: Peeing becomes a complicated ordeal that requires getting basically naked. Who has time for that? Furthermore, when retailers try to get creative with them, some really, really atrocious things come out, as you see above.

Jessica Grose went on a quest to find a cute romper for her piece on Double X. And she does select a decent one by Alice + Olivia. However the fabric in the crotch area is so discreet the garment looks essentially like a dress. Why not buy the dress? Why didn't Alice + Olivia make it a dress in the first place?

So tell us: How do playsuits make you feel? Are you addicted? Terrified? Has the Forever 21 zebra jumpsuit pictured here prompted you to call the therapist you haven't seen in two years? Are you going to wear the best onesie ever to your Fourth of July party on Saturday? All thoughts welcome in the comments!

Speaking of Saturday, we are off tomorrow for the holiday weekend and will return to our regular posting schedule on Monday. Wear a onesie if you so desire but we urge you to avoid any and all American-flag apparel.

The Romper Craze: Why Grown Women Dress Like Toddlers [Double X]

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Filed Under: alice and olivia, forever 21, trends, we feel opinionated

Believe It or Not, This Dress on Cheryl Cole Is by Alexander McQueen

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:45:15 -0500

Cheryl Cole wore this spring 2009 Alexander McQueen dress to her birthday party in London last night. Chanel Iman wore it on the runway in Paris.

Does Cheryl pull it off?

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Filed Under: alexander mcqueen, cheryl cole, look of the day, spring 2009

Meet the V Man Magazine Model Search Finalists

Sharon Clott — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:35:23 -0500

Ambrose and Jones

The wait for V Man magazine's next model search winner is almost over. As of today, the competition is down to just two finalists, Daiv Ambrose and D'Marco Jones. The two are scheduled to shoot an editorial with photographer Nick Knight in London on Monday, and the results will debut un-retouched at ShowStudio.com the same day. A winner will be announced shortly after, earning a contract with Ford Models and an upcoming cover of V Man. [SHOWstudio]

Brüno Has His Eye on Ahmadinejad

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:20:03 -0500

Brüno on who he'd like to make over: "Ze President of Iran, Ahmadinejad. I love his look — 'taxi driver chic' — but he would look even cuter if he broke it up vit some splashes of colour und simple accessories. Ich have got to admit something. Brüno's got a crush on him. He's SO cute — he's like ze Arab George Clooney! He famously said zat zere are no gay people in Iran, so he must be very sexually frustrated. Ze only nuclear bomb vaiting to go off in Iran is hidden underneath zose grey slacks of his, und Bruno vould like to press ze red button." [StyleList]

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Filed Under: bruno, delicious journeys, mahmoud ahmadinejad

Accutane Pulled From Shelves; Preview Chanel’s New Makeup

Sharon Clott — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:00:04 -0500

A look from Chanel's resort collection.

MAKEUP
• A preview of Chanel's new makeup collection debuted with eye shadows in deep rose and sienna hues. Makeup creative director Peter Philips originally premiered the look at the resort 2010 show. [Beauty Blogging Junkie]

• Tom Cruise bought lip gloss by Bloom Cosmetics at an Australian department store this week. [Sassybella]

SKIN
• Rihanna reportedly took a tattooing lesson at East Side Ink in the East Village. [Just Jared]

• Manufacturing company Roche Holding AG pulled the prescription acne medication Accutane from the market citing fiscal reasons. There is nothing wrong with the drug itself. [Allure/Daily Beauty Reporter]

HAIR
• Is it time for a Keanu Reeves beard intervention? [E! Online]

L.A. Fashion Week Is Trying to Make a Comeback

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:45:04 -0500

No, this is still not cute.

L.A. Fashion Week dissolved, but did it ever really have a fighting chance? After a month of shows in New York, London, Milan, and Paris, editors and buyers don't feel like going all the way to L.A. for more shows. Especially when the most anticipated ones are staged by the likes of Lauren Conrad and the Pussycat Dolls. And besides, buyers have usually spent everything in their budget by the time the Paris shows end. Smashbox, Mercedes Benz, and IMG have all pulled out as sponsors. Yet there exists in L.A. a group of L.A. Fashion Week alumni who believe passionately in the event and are trying to revive it, even though fewer than a dozen designers have expressed interest in showing at all. It hardly pays for them if no one important is there (and as great as it is to have Tori Spelling or P. Diddy on the front row, they won't place large wholesale orders or put the clothes in Vogue). André Leon Talley went to L.A. Fashion Week, but looked miserable there, which arguably could have just been due to his insistence on wearing crocodile coats in the heat. But we have a feeling the Vogue editor just might agree with Rick Owens, who once said, "Get off your ass and go to Europe... [W]hy do they have to be a fashion capital? They're the movie capital of the world and they've always been that, can't they just be satisfied with that?" But Lauren, don't take that as an invitation. Christian Audigier brings enough West Coast flavor for one season.

If You Gave a Fashion Show and No One Came... [WSJ]

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Filed Under: bad ideas, la fashion week, lauren conrad, pussycat dolls

Jaeyoon Jeong Opens in Nolita

Lauren Murrow — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:25:10 -0500

Jaeyoon Jeong on Spring Street

Korean designer Jaeyoon Jeong opened his first store in Nolita this week, showcasing his collection of contemporary menswear and womenswear in a sleek, all-white space. Jeong studied fashion design at Drexel University and interned with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac in Paris before launching his own eponymous label this year. The spring line is in-store now, full of versatile warm-weather basics. Men will find short- and long-sleeve cotton button-downs in black, white, butter yellow, and pink, as well as lightweight wool trousers and blazers for the office. The women’s selection offers a wider range, from jumpsuits and rompers to white denim skirts and mod tank dresses. Jeong is currently working on the fall line (which will hit racks in late August), focusing on dresses and an upscale array of cashmere and wool outerwear, including fox and rabbit fur-lined styles for women.

Jaeyoon Jeong, 29 Spring St., at Mott St. (212-226-2540); Daily (11—7:30).

We Love ... Gerard Yosca

Harriet Mays Powell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:50:37 -0500

From left: brown cuff, $240; ring, $95; ivory cuff, $270.

Costume jewelry designer Gerard Yosca has been making great baubles for almost 30 years. Known for his painterly use of color and surprising changes in scale, Gerard’s pieces are at once modern and new, and yet timelessly classic. Here are five reasons we love Gerard.

1. His big bold pieces are conversation starters.
2. They're very well made — old world craftsmanship — with custom pearls and hand cut stones.
3. The prices that are more than fair.
4. Who doesn’t want to emulate Coco Chanel or Diana Vreeland by wearing these Vedura–esque cuffs (but modernized and with a sense of humor)?
5. He’s still under the radar.

Price ranges are from $38 for a single strand to $600 for statement necklaces. The largest selection is currently available at Henri Bendel.

Vivienne Westwood’s Son to Launch Menswear

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:25:33 -0500

Meet Ben!

Dame Vivienne's oldest son Ben Westwood is launching a line of menswear. A press release announcing the line reminds, "Ben is best known as an erotic photographer of girls." The collection will include jackets, pants, and shirts and will compete with Andreas Kronthaler's men's line for Vivienne Westwood. Ben's brother Joe Corre, who founded Agent Provocateur, will sell the line in his new store A Child of the Jago in London. Images haven't been released but knowing this family, we expect lots of leather straps.

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Filed Under: a child of the jago, andreas kronthaler, ben westwood, daily male, joe corre, vivienne westwood

This Weekend’s Events and Sales: Sidewalk Sale at Kill Devil Hill; 60 Percent Off Temperley London

Lauren Murrow — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:50:17 -0500

EVENTS
SATURDAY
• Kitschy housewares and vintage shop Kill Devil Hill is having a sidewalk clearance sale, featuring vintage band tees, skirts, jackets and more for less than $10 apiece. 170 Franklin St., nr. Java St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn (347-534-3088); noon–9.

SALES
STARTING TOMORROW
• Apparel from Tylho, Wren, Lorick, Geren Ford, and more is up to 60 percent off at Thistle & Clover's summer sale. Through 7/20. 221 DeKalb Ave., nr. Clermont Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn (718-855-5577); M–F (noon–8), S–Su (11–7).

• Merchandise is up to 60 percent off at Alice Temperley's Soho boutique and Hamptons pop-up. The Mustard jacket is $730 (now $1,825), the Aimee dress is $474 (originally $1,185), and the Stud waistcoat is $314 (originally $785). Through 7/20. Soho: 453 Broome St., at Mercer St., second fl. (212-219-2929); M–S (11–7), Su (noon–6); Hamptons: 53 The Circle, East Hampton, New York (631-329-6505); M–S (10–6), Su (11–5).

ENDING SATURDAY
• Kale leather handbags, designed by sisters Leslie and Jennifer Kale, are on sale at Savvy and Co. The washed lambskin Tate tote is $249 (originally $695), the Chelsea clutch is $139 (originally $395), and the Palmer shopper is $189 (originally $545). Sale starts at noon. Online only.

• Save 15 percent on hand-painted dresses and scarves at S.LOVE. Online only. Call 646-454-9570 for more information.

ENDING SUNDAY
• Swimwear and spring and summer white apparel for men and women are 30 percent off at DKNY stores and DKNY.com. Various hours and locations.

• Lutz & Patmos is having a spring sale and offering 50 percent off the entire website. Basic items in basic colors are excluded. Online only. Type the code FINALSALE50 during checkout.

• Spring merchandise is 50 percent off and summer merchandise is 20 percent off at Daryl K. 21 Bond St., nr. Lafayette St. (212-529-8790); M–S (11–7), Su (noon–6).

• Dress shirts are $90 and suits are less than $1,000 at the Paul Stuart sample sale. 10 E. 45th St., at Madison Ave.; M–W (8–6:30), Th (8–7), F (8–6:30), S (9–6), Su (noon–5).

• Save up to 75 percent on beauty products from Bliss and other brands like Laboratoire Remède at the blowout beauty sale. W New York, 541 Lexington Ave., at 49th St. (212-219-8970); (10–8).

STARTING MONDAY
• Designer dresses are $150 (originally $600 to $1,500), shawls are $25, and handbags are 50 percent off at Ilus. Through 7/13. 248 Elizabeth St., nr. Prince St. (646-454-1678); M–F (noon–7), S (noon–6), Su (noon–5).

ENDING MONDAY
• Enjoy 40 percent off at Banana Republic Factory Outlet stores and up to 70 percent off at Gap Outlet stores. Various hours and locations.

• Merchandise from Balenciaga, Burberry, Fendi, and more is 25 to 65 percent off at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. 498 Red Apple Court, nr. Rte. 32, Central Valley, New York (845-928-4000); Th–M (9–9).

New Pop-ups in the Hamptons

Lauren Murrow — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:25:20 -0500

TOMS seersucker shoe, Paige Gamble sapphire alligator and aura quartz clutch.

Two new stores are popping-up on the Hamptons scene just in time for the holiday weekend. Madison Avenue handbag designer Paige Gamble opened a boutique in Southampton yesterday, sharing a courtyard with Tracy Feith. The statement-making bags are made with colorful exotic skins — magenta ostrich, gold anaconda, white lizard, sapphire python — and topped with embellishments like peacock feathers, jade, smoky topaz, and agate. Meanwhile, in Montauk, philanthropic footwear company TOMS Shoes is unveiling its second pop-up store on July 4 at the Solé East Resort. The shop will stock the brand's signature canvas slip-ons in beachy summer styles, like seersucker or nautical prints. Both outposts will remain open until September.

Paige Gamble, 40A Jobs Lane, Southampton (212-518-7400)
TOMS Shoes, Solé East Resort, 90 Second House Rd., Montauk (631-668-2105)

Christian Audigier to Show in Paris for Spring 2010

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:06 -0500

The designer and one of his creations. Is it just us?

For spring 2010, the man best known for lamé tattoo prints, Von Dutch trucker hats, and wearing silk patterned blazers will show at Paris Fashion Week. So somewhere amongst John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Dries Van Noten, and Lanvin, the name "Christian Audigier" will appear on the schedule. Audigier usually shows in places like L.A. or Miami for Swim Fashion Week, so Paris is certainly something new for him. Also among his strongest geographical ties is Las Vegas, home to Christian Audigier: The Nightclub, where bottles start at the recession-friendly price of $100 (Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt also hosted the New Year's party there). Despite all that, Audigier's show could be one of the buzziest of the season. He tells British Vogue his show will include a performance by a "big celebrity." Pressed for details, he replied, "You know all the names; you can guess." We're at once afraid and hopeful that it's Madonna. She's supposedly designing a line for him.

Christian Audigier [British Vogue]

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Filed Under: christian audigier, ed hardy, heidi montag, one of these things is not like the others, paris fashion week, spencer pratt, spring 2010, von dutch

Aquascutum Cancels Spring 2010 Show

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:25:03 -0500

Aquascutum, fall 2009.

Aquascutum will not show a spring 2010 collection at London Fashion Week. Parent company Renown put the label up for sale late last year and basically doesn't want to pour any more money into it. Its Chinese licensee YGM Trading Ltd. has signed a letter of intent to buy, so all the complicated things that go along with that are ongoing. [WWD]

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Filed Under: aquascutum, london fashion week, renown, spring 2010, ygm

Video: Coco Avant Chanel in Words You Can Understand

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:50:06 -0500

And extended version of the Coco Avant Chanel trailer is out, this time in English. Though we previously shared the French trailer with you, we're posting it again in our language because we are that freaking excited about this movie. The English trailer confirms the film focuses on Coco's love affairs with two men. But also that she prefers dresses without corsets and hats without feathers. And of course there are those breathless moments of grabbing and kissing in big green meadows surrounded by pretty horses in front of mansions, which never get old. Subtitles were never more worth it.

Coco Before Chanel [Elle]

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Filed Under: audrey tautou, coco avant chanel, coco puffs, movies, video

Victoria and David Beckham Writhe in Armani Underwear Together

Amy Odell — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:15:45 -0500

If you were her, wouldn't you cop a feel?

New photos of Posh and her husband David Beckham from the fall 2009 Armani underwear campaign are out! Previously, we've seen Posh by herself and David by himself, but these are the first images of them wearing the underwear together. The rope David swung on in his individual shots appears again but this time as a very uncomfortable looking bed, which possibly explains why his expression suggests he smells something putrid.

Photo: Courtesy of Armani

Stunning again. The people over at Armani are so smart.

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Filed Under: david beckham, scantily clad hotties, victoria beckham