Fashion Genie

A Chic Ape?

2006-07-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

When someone utters the words "urban wear" I usually think of trendy, young, hip-hop based looking clothing, so designers such as rocawear or babyphat come to mind. These brands being fashionable in their own way still do not hold their own against labels such as true religion or Miss Sixty. Well thanks to one Japanese designer, Nigo, urban wear is taking on a new popularity. Nigo, is the designer of BAPE (A Bathing Ape), this company sells a variety of items such as their most famous printed hoodies. Although this clothing brand is much more popular in its native country of Japan, celebrities such as Pharell, Lil Wayne, and President of Def Jam Jay-Z, are quickly bringing the edgy clothes to the United States. A Bathing Ape, comes from the popular phrase "bathing in lukewarm water" which is used to explain how quickly the Japanese youth are willing to follow trends. It's no wonder that the brand is so highly sucessful. The downfall to this is, how exclusive the makers are keeping the products, knock-offs seem to be plentiful, stores are rare and go un-advertised to mantain exclusivity and usually if you are fortunate enough to find a store you may purchase only one item. The one item policy prevents their products from appearing on the black market. But if you do manage to obtain one of their products their ever popular brightly colored camo with "BAPE" studded with Swavorski Crystals on the front are hard to miss. Or one of their brightly colored sneakers that mix hip hop flavor with a skater shoe. You'll surely be the talk of...well wherever you may be.

(Side Note: BAPE has also expanded its company into Baby Milo and Bape Cuts, Bape Gallery, Ape sounds (recording label), and Sneakers Bape Sta Trainers, the company is branching out to whatever industries that attract the youth, talk about entrepreneurship!)

The Divine Secrets of the Shoe Sisterhood

2005-06-26T12:21:00.000-07:00

In recent months my entourage and I have had long discussions involving not men or politics but simply shoes. We talk for hours over the phone or over some Chick-fil-A about the stilettos, the flats, and the wedges. We as a whole have no problem with knowing what's divine and what's a out of line, but rather where to find the treasures with out stumbling upon fool's gold. So I thought to myself surely we couldn't be the only women in America with this dilemma. Now if you were married to Tom Cruise or any other rich fellow you would not have this crisis for your choices of footwear would never be limited by the price tag. But the average Lucy isn't quite as lucky. So because I truly want every shoe to find a loving and caring home. I will reveal a secret shopping spot for you all to enjoy. Foot candy shoes
this online store's regularly priced shoes are of a laughing matter as they carry designers such as Pucci therefore the prices soars well into 300 or 400 dollars. Fear not ladies their sale sections are to die for with prices going as low as $25 granite from time to time you may feel that their selection for a lack of a better word sucks but keep your eyes peeled because you never know what might pop up.
(The picture in the upper left hand corner is by Edmundo Castillo and can be found in the store's $100 bargain basement)

Sshhh...

2005-05-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know a secret? Well I think I'm ready to reveal this amazing shoe power in this post. These stores have proved to be magnificant in my area carrying every brand from GUESS to BCBGirls and even Coach. My fashion associate in Tennessee questioning my sanity, seems unable to find the shoes that I am so in love with. These stores are Marshalls and TJMaxx. Before, I would have turned my nose up at the two stores. For they made me feel as if I was at a yard sale. But, on one faithful day I travelled to their shoe section and nearly fainted. After trying on five pairs of shoes I dashed to the cash register, while almost forgetting my Dooney and Bourke purse, and found that the prices were amazingly low. A consumer of the store could easily snag a pair of Steve Madden shoes for around 20 bucks. Although not all areas may prove to be as lucky, but I thought the people need to know! On a downside their websites do not serve the stores justice which basically eliminates e-shopping.

Von Who?

2005-05-22T09:14:00.000-07:00

Oh the brands, the designers, they engulf our pop culture. But, here lately one brand has bothered me the most, Von Dutch. In late 2004 if you had offered me a Von Dutch bag I would have been ecstatic, or if I spotted a hat of the brand on a random girl I would think, "Now she has style". But here lately I question how legibly popular the brand actually is. I once again I consulted a few friends, some still had feelings for Von Dutch, others never really cared for the brand in the first place. Mostly people suggested to me Louis Vuitton rather than the once beloved brand. As you would guess these answers puzzled me to a certain extent. Of course I knew Louis Vuitton had grown in popularity immensely since the beginning of 2005. But how could society jump from $100 to $500 bags? The answer I knew but it broke my heart. Knock offs, they are made constantly to replicate the extremely popular LV bags. Knock offs or replicas to some extent can be good for designers they show that the brand is important enough to have imitators and followers. But LV has gotten out of hand since they have not changed their print in a few years the knock offs are much more plentiful than the actual product. So even if you do have the luxury to afford such an item people assume it's an imitation :(. All in all I pray Von Dutch will come back or there will be an even more fabulous new comer other than LV but until then, I am left here pondering at what I missed.

Cutsie Cosmetics

2005-05-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Up to this point you all have been listening to my takes on the trends of clothing and of course shoes. Well as if SHOES and clothes were not fabulous enough, I hope to let this article take my blog to a whole new level. Cosmetics, they can make a girl look stunningly beautiful or stunningly in drag. The question all gilrs ponder however is how do I know what colors or what products are right for me? Even the highest paid experts can not dispute with the fact that most women are intemidated by cosmetics and by the large variety. Even when I was much younger I confess to having hooker make-up. Not because I wanted to or liked hookers, I just simply didn't know. So stop! Don't be frazzled because I, being kind-hearted, have brought you all a solution. Sephora; This store may be familiar or you may be oblivious to the fact that it is a fabulous make-up store. Either way this store can be largely used to your benefit. First, I suggest just looking around the site and taking in all the high quality cosmetics at once. Then If your are still at a lost or just don't know which colors of your favorite brand to choose just holler at them. That's right ladies you now have the luxury of make-up experts at your finger tips. They reply at about 2 or 3 weeks and the responses tend not to disappoint.To carry out your FREE consultation click here

(Pictures: Too Faced Electric Lash in Jolt $18.50 it gives an instant sparkle to the eye, Too Faced Carribean in a Compact $25.00 perfect bronzer for light and or pink complected girls since it has a pink base)

Beach flab to beach fab

2005-05-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

No one is perfect, as we all should know. Yet, it is hard to accept that fact when we are being compared to numerous other women when we step onto the beach. Each year it seems we find ourselves in a bathing suit that is holding us over until we find the ONE. Well I am here to put an end to summer sneaking up on women. This year if you follow these tips you will be the envy of every season-shocked woman. If you find yourself still carrying that ham from Christmas in your belly try a fun tankini. It covers the problem area with a not so obvious fun twist. For our girls with hourglass figures cut out bathing suits are this season's must have and will look absolutely flawless on you. Now to travel to the other end of the figure chart if you feel like you want to accentuate your small chest buy a bikini with wide-cut cups these will shift your *mmhmms* to the middle for cleavage. But maybe you need to balance out your lower and upper in that case go for a triangle bikini. To hide hips boy cut shorts do the trick in a snap. With these tips hopefully you will be the beach babe you want to be. But remember this, regardless of what bathing suit your wearing or what your body type is, you are beautiful whether its all natural or you bought them in LA.

(Pictures: Cut out bathing suit in upper left hand corner found at Bebe's, tankini in upper right hand corner found at Nordstrom's, Boy short in lower left hand corner found at target, and wide-cut cup bikini found at www.mermaidsboutique.com.)

Classy Cinderella

2005-05-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

Cinderella to children its a magical fairy tale, but to me it is one of the most fabulous make-overs to ever hit the scene. Although here lately Cinderella is hit with some of the most fierce competition to hold her title as the make-over queen. Who is daring to take on Cinderella? Hollywood's own Lindsay Lohan and suprisingly Nicole Richie. Lindsay's make-over took place a few years ago as she went from homely to party animal. Nicole's though more recently took the exact opposite direction she went from paris hilton's side-kick to chic glamour girl. Though it sounds like a hard transition after research I have found that it came quiet naturally to them. Lindsay started hanging out more with people such as Tara Reid and now Paris Hilton, she grew somethings** over night, tanned, created fabulous hair, deepened her make-up, and was out on the town everynight of the week. Nicole on the other hand ditched Paris, up-graded here bling bling, wore classic gowns instead of ripped up shirts, lost the extensions, recieved a couture haircut to die for and started acting a little more proper. though on two different ends of the table I think we can all agree they both look more fabulous than ever.

Kokomo

2005-04-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

Kokomo, the Beach Boys knew a thing or two about paradise and evidently so does Michael Kors and other trendy designers. As they hit the shops and runways with their newly created clothing that looks like it came straight from paradise. A few examples of this upcoming summer trend are Michael Kors' cropped pants with a white bamboo print this flattering and trendy pant for our "soccer mom's" can be found at Nordstrom's and in some cases Macys for around $80. But for the younger crowd *or if you feel like being hip* Vibrant hues of mango, apricot, and flower pink are springing up from Guess, Macy's all the way to H&M. From the shoe point of view kitten heels, lace up flats, and natural wedges also carry the tropical vibe.

Cream of the Crop

2005-04-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

In a previous post I related the culture of the west to fashion. Well this season I guess the public can't get enough of the farm life because crops are IN.Finally, to cover up those tunics or dresses that are a little too showy we have cropped jackets. They come in all different styles and colors. A new trend that seemingly began at BCBG are crochet half tops with embedded sequins, look alikes can be found at Nordstroms and Rampage. Our beloved designers didn't stop the hacking there. Next they moved to our jeans, no not capris *though capris will add a fun vibe to any wardrobe* I am talking about Bermuda shorts, fitting or loose whatever your style is you can sport these new jeans/shorts. I find them particularly useful to show off a favorite shoe or just to be revealing yet leaving something for the imagination these can be found at Guess, Old Navy, Strawbridges, and in some cases Macy's.

Wild West

2005-03-11T19:16:00.000-08:00

The wild west, it resembles adventure, open range, beautiful horses, and who could forget their clothes. Cowboys are imagined as looking unique and vintage as we would say now a days. But never before have designers really made cowboy cotoure... Unitl now, this season more feminine clothes though may not have a direct connection with our western heroes to me it still gives off that southern bell vibe. But what definetly has a direct connection is cowboy boots, though my fellow northern friends think it's a southern or western thing truly it has become a must have shoe. One of my favorite shoe designers Steve Madden has created several spin off's of our ol' buckaroo's shoe, I myself own 3 different pairs. So next time you are in the mall and feel like going unique or a little more vintage, try some cowgirl boots on for size!

Vegas never looked so good

2005-03-08T15:08:00.000-08:00

When I think of Vegas I think of slot machines, martinis, and the sequins. There are sequins everywhere, from the waiters and waitresses to the magicians on stage everyone is sporting this formally cheesy attire. But now everyone is giving this once trashy addition to clothes a fabulous make-over. And by everyone I mean from BCBG all the way down to Rampage. Hot sequins can be found for anyone's budget. The best part is sequins were usually thought of as either dressy or cheesy,now they are casual. Which proves my earlier statement that this season every thing is mixed up!

Not yet forgotten

2005-03-03T13:19:00.000-08:00

Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Chanel, Dolce and Gabanna, and Armani we all know them. But, here lately I have been lingering for a new perspective. Another perspective on what fashion is or should be. In other words I was on the hunt for an amazing unappreciated designer. Well, after a few conversations with some of my fashionably gifted friends my thirst for a new designer was quenched. Zac Posen, his fashions are clean and chic but with what I feel is a refreshing twist. If he keeps up this feeling of slick Gucci and wild feeling of Dolce and Gabanna he will surely be at status quo with Chanel! Too see these fabulous looks go here.

Jack Pot

2005-02-13T14:42:00.000-08:00

Attributively to recent discussions with my entourage I have found that the perfect shoe is different for each person in this world, because as you draw closer to the perfect shoe details are of great importance. So I thought to myself how could I still enlighten people on the beauty of shoes? The answer was quiet simple once I found it. Tell them were they can find a variety of magnificent shoes at of course even more magnificent prices. Though there are many stores, vintage shops, and outlets, my favorite has come to be DSW. This store also selling purses has a wide selection of shoes along with an equally large selection of sale items. These stores are sadly few and far between. But if you do have access to one of these fabulous stores please do take advantage of the cultural diffusion of all the shoes.

The Red Headed Step Child

2005-02-13T14:31:00.000-08:00

Frustration has overwhelmed me due to the fact that thus far no boot or sandal has been able to match up to my previous post. I am still full of faith however, because I believe there are so many undiscovered designers in this world let alone this country.
So due to my recent dilemma I have decided to bring to you an unexpected type of shoe, a sneaker. That's right a sneaker. Sneakers are usually thought of as the disgusting shoe we HAD to wear in gym class. Because lets face it jogging a mile could never happen in 2 inch heels. But I'm here to change the sneakers bad reputation. These sneakers are brought to us from Miss Sixty. Who is a talented designer with a modern edge to all of her clothing and in this case shoe. What I find unique about these shoes it the "60" printed on the side. Yes anyone can tack on a number on the side of a shoe but here it almost defines the shoe. You may not wear these to the club or to the office. These may be just jogging shoes for you. But, every type of shoe deserves its time in the lime light. (These shoes can be found at www.zappos.com)

The flawless shoe

2005-02-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

Shoes are the love of my life. I envy the old lady who lived in a shoe, as long as it was a beautiful pump or a strappy sandal though it would not prevail against the weather. So due to my infatuation with shoes these next few articles will be solely dedicated to finding the perfect shoe. A shoe that will make your heart stop due to it's beauty, a shoe that would inject you with the green eyed monster but break your heart with no remorse.
The first shoe is the Louis Vuitton Balmoral pump. This shoe costing around $900 is well above most people's budget. But, do not fear look alikes can be found for around $35 to $65. This shoe has beautifully pleated satin and is trimmed with extravagant and classic velvet which at the round toe of the shoe it lays into a bow. The main colors it can be found in is black, red, and bone (white). But on occasion one may stumble upon pink, gold, or even green. It's heel height is usually 3 3/4". This height is quiet tasteful on someone tall, yet is still large enough to give someone with a shorter stature a boost.

International Fashion

2005-02-12T10:28:00.000-08:00

From the detailed clothing of Mexico to the down to earth style of greece fashion is taking world wide inspirations this spring. Though each of these countries are uniquely established in the fashion world they both contain a certain feminine flare. Though you don't need to throw all of your mini skirts away most designers have chosen keep them to a minimum. this season is all about the unexpected yet on a somewhat girly level.
With all these "trends" how can you still keep the south of the border look edgy? By throwing in a few new unexpected items that have seemed to capture the consumer's hearts this season. For instance wedges have been somewhat of a fashion no no in the past but have suprisingly turned into one of the biggest must haves for shoes. Or the peasent skirt can be given a make over with a Mexican inspired embroidered top.
But if you are more fond of the European aspect perhaps you might want to go with the greek trend. This style is all about the gold. Gold accessories of course and beautiful flowy cotton blends. Gold chandelier earrings with a cotton halter and bermuda shorts (new style that is exploding on the runways) and to add the final touch strappy sandals, will surely make you look like a greek goddess.