Style Files
Style Crush: Billy Reid
Billy Reid, winner of the 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, has an aesthetic at once so warm, authentic, classic, tailored, and rustic that I wish I could bottle it.
His clothes are so well-designed that they don’t seem new– they’re just so right that you assume they must be vintage classics from another era. It’s just as if they always were, they’ve always existed, and you just happened to find them now. It’s like when you can say about a decorator that their houses don’t seem “decorated”– it means they feel lived in, that they tell a story and have a past, and that someone didn’t just come in and buy everything at once– and it’s a feat to accomplish.
That’s they way both his clothes and his interior spaces feel. Nothing strikes the eye as trying too hard, they’re just perfectly executed classics with personality. They’re inspired by a rich history, but not stuck in the past.
And to make you love him even more, he lives and works in Florence, Alabama, where he also opened his flagship store (he’s a native Southerner– born in Amite, LA). Above and in the gallery, images from his Florence store, as well as the Bond St. store, his office/design space in Florence, and his wares.
Photos from Robbie Caponetto, nyt, selectism.
Style Files
For the Library: Kate Spade’s Things We Love
The new Kate Spade book, Things We Love. If you’ve ever checked out their company website by the same name, you know this is probably going to be a book you could browse for a while!
So visually rich! For an interesting interview with Deborah Lloyd, Kate Spade Creative Director, and Ed Miller, the man who headed up the project for Graytor Printing, about the production of the book itself, head over to Felt & Wire.
Style Files
Levi’s Photo Workshop
This is such a fun (and smart) idea by Levi’s. They’ve created a pop-up “shop,” in New York, but instead of being an actual Levi’s store, it’s a photography center– with computers and equipment for digital photo processing, a photobooth, and an area where you can rent out vintage film cameras. And should you need any help, there are sharply dressed Levi’s reps there to assist.
And this pop-up is on the heels of a successful printmaking workshop space in San Francisco a few months ago. Pretty clever move for a denim brand that as of a couple years ago was a rather unexciting, tired brand rapidly losing market share to the the dozens of expensive niche denim purveyors out there.
Here’s what CoolHunting had to say about the thinking behind the project after their conversation with the brand’s head of collaborations, Joshua Katz:
“The payoff of course is “if you make that extra effort, people can believe in it.” Or in other words, their success comes from embracing hard work and community as core values from the top down. “There are fundamental philosophies that don’t change,” says Katz. “The [brands] that stick around are people who recognize that they are part of a community.” In addition to opening its doors to artists, community groups and non-profits, all proceeds from sales of Levi’s goods (including the exclusive Trucker Jacket, pictured) and camera-related items will go to NYC-based charitable organizations Harvey Milk High School, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and Edible Schoolyard New York.”
I personally think that the rationale presented may be a little overwrought, but who cares, because it’s fun and cool and its getting them tons of attention, press, and renewed brand awareness and perception. Well done, Levi’s.
More images and info on coolhunting.
Style Files
Kanye’s Rosewood Movement
According to Luxist, as part of Kanye’s “Rosewood Movement,” which he started in July, all employees of his G.O.O.D. label now have to wear the same suit. I don’t know what I think about making them all literally wear the same suit, that seems a little extreme, but they sure do look sharp, and apparently the movement is not just about clothes, but about the entire image and direction of the rap and hip-hop communities.
“It stems from the Rosewood Civil Rights Movement, but in this case is meant to raise the level of sophistication within the rap and hip hop worlds.
… West has explained in interviews that the Rosewood Movement is much more than just a fashion statement. It also includes good manners, no profanity in public, “calling your grandmother” and “taking care of your kids.”"
Apparently, he no longer wants to be the “jackass” (as he was called by Obama) and wants to bring back an era when men were “un-apologetically gentlemen.” All this as a part of his growing up and changing after his egregious outburst at the VMAs last year…
I know Kanye gets a lot of flak, but I’m still rooting for him…
Luxist article here.
More at Sound on Mars.
Style Files
Wes and Crew
Style Files
Wintry Mix
I am a huge fan of seasons (except spring, it bores me, but at least it has Valentine’s day), and even though the weather doesn’t change that drastically in California from season to season, I like to bring on the spirit as best I can, living up each one. For winter, this means fires in the fireplace, hot chocolate and cider, cozy layers… here, a little seasonal inspiration…
Clockwise from top left: vintage winter; Streets and YOs; L.L. Bean duck boots; classic Hudson Bay blanket (interesting fact: these blankets were traded by the Hudson Bay company with the native Americans for beaver pelts); Stanley thermos; sled pic; Hunting & Fishing; Balsam incense; cabin; buffalo check trapper hat.
Style Files
Style Crush: Olivia Palermo
I have never actually seen the show The City, or The Hills, so I can say nothing for her personality, but Olivia Palermo has been turning it out recently. I think I might prefer to never see her show, because even the idea that she was (/is?) on a reality show is a bummer, and I would prefer to know her only for her style. Which is excellent.
Style Files
Lavin for H&M
30 seconds that will make you think Alber Elbaz is adorable.
Love this video of him as well, done by T Magazine.
I love that he says his mom talked to his teacher when he was young because she was concerned that he was drawing pictures of ladies and not of things like “tanks,” and that the teacher just said to wait and see where it would go… how wise she was to let him do his thing!
Style Files
Olivia Palermo, Bianca Brandolini Outside Valentino Show
Style Files
Monique Lhuillier RTW SS ’11
