Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Commuun-al

Commuun was created in 2005 by Kaito Hori and Iku Furudate. The brand was established in the spirit of sustainable, environmentally-freindly clothing, however a quick glance at the site doesn't reveal any of the Birkenstocks-and-dreadlocks stereotypes evoked by that sentiment. Instead, the fall collection offers a slew of uncluttered Jil Sander-esque looks and precisely cut garments. The designer pair has won two well-deserved awards from ANDAM this year- The LVMH award and the Longchamp Award. Pick up their pieces in Toronto at Noir boutique, in Paris at Marie Louisa, or in London at Dover Street Market and go green without looking like you're on a desperate hunt for some trees to hug.



commuun

Friday, June 15, 2007

Hit The Books


As set as I am for a summer of bikinis, pool parties and relaxation, 12 years of uniform-wearing and backpack-toting have lent a sort of comforting sense to academic style. Perhaps this is only a product of my nostalgia less than 7 hours after my own high school graduation, but I don't think I'm the only one who can't resist a little collegiate charm. With oxford shoes and knee-socks popping up everywhere from MisShapes to Paris fashion week and even the notoriously sloppy Mary-Kate trading in her baggy layers for a more refined sensibility, it seems fashion is yearning to take up its place within ivy-covered walls.


Oh, and in case you're wondering...the background is indeed my own school and the bottom picture is myself and my friends in the outfit I've worn every day since I was 5. Think I could pull off wearing it to lectures next year at NYU?

Photo of the Day

Monday, June 11, 2007

Model Mondays: Eva Arlauskaite

Eva was a favorite of mine at the start of the shows back in March, and her runway work for Prada, Miu Miu, and Givenchy did not disappoint. Somehow, though, I got a little sidetracked with the explosive careers of my other two front-runners, namely Irina K. and Anabela, while Eva's career progressed more gradually. Her recent performance in a Qvest Germany editorial, however, has peaked my interest yet again and got my fingers crossed in hopes of some more major work. The girl knows how to work a camera without any extra glitz- which is saying a lot for someone who only started getting in front of it a few short months ago. This Lithuanian stunner is represented by D-Max back home, IMG in Paris and New York, and Women in Milan. With a line up like that, Eva's career is set to erupt with just as much force as her contemporaries.

The Ad Report:Fall/Winter 2007-2008

Well...I'm finally back in action after an exhausting exam week. And what do you know? A whole slew of ad campaigns have now been released and are ripe for critiquing. Here are some highlights, lowlights, and other notables so far:

Kate Moss for Roberto Cavalli
I don't think this would even merit a second glance if I saw it in a magazine. It's been done a million times before and I can barely distinguish it from Ms. Moss's previous Cavalli campaigns.

Pete Doherty for Roberto Cavalli
I'm not gonna lie...I was kind of looking forward to seeing Pete done up in some gaudy silk-and-furs combo as a nice contrast to his previous stint as muse to Hedi-skinny ties ,skinny jeans, skinny boys-Slimane. I do have a bit of a soft spot for anything this Lindbergh-y, though, so it's a pleasant surprise.
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Catherine McNeil for Donna Karan
Very Bond. Very Bianca (Balti, that is). Very blah. Not particularly excited by this as you can probably tell...
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Kate Moss for Longchamp
Yes, Kate is once again saturating every fashion magazine around in this season's campaign lineup, though perhaps not to the ridiculous degree we've experienced as of late. Longchamp's images have improved tenfold from last season, and once you get past the fact that they practically are that recent W editorial with Sheila and Lara, I think they make for a gorgeous set.



Now we just have to sit back and wait for the rest to pour in this summer...

Friday, June 8, 2007

Excuses, Excuses

Please excuse the lack of posting on my part...I'm knee-deep in exams and unfortunately forced to do lifesaving training 11 hours a day. Fall ad season is upon us, though, so I'll be back with plenty to say in no time.

Photo Of The Day


Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Laing Heads Back North

What comes to mind when you think of Canadian fashion? An endless list of models? The atrocity that is D2Squared? Well, contrary to popular belief, there is in fact a little more to us northerners than that (not much, but a little). Toronto-born Jeremy Laing has never been one for this city's L'Oreal Fashion Week, choosing instead to jump straight to the big leagues and stage his first runway show last September in New York. His fan base has been growing rapidly ever since, and he is often praised as one of the scene's most promising newcomers. Word on the street is that Holt Renfrew has been persuading Jeremy to host a one-off show down at a certain gallery downtown. I'm not sure when it's due to happen, but all I can say is that I better still be around town when it does...
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jeremylaing.com

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Tuesday, June 5, 2007

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words...

If only I could always sign my name in Inez & Vinoodh photographs...
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For this and more check out graphic artists MM Paris.

Monday, June 4, 2007

Photo of the Day

Model Mondays: Eva Helene Skarvig


This week's pick has been in the game a little over a year now, and is slowly but surely establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her Danish roots provoked early Freja comparisons, but Eva's soft features spared her any clone accusations. Now with IMG, she got her start as a competitor in the Ford Supermodel of the Year. Eva didn't win the contest, but somehow I think her spot in Prada's fall show was a nice enough consolation prize. Recently Ms. Skarvig has been keeping busy with spring campaigns for Vera Wang and TopShop and editorials in Cover and V. If her frequent appearances in the cruise shows are any indication, Eva's star is showing no sign of dimming just yet.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

A Game with Gatsby

I can't remember the last time I picked up a copy of Glamour, but these shots by photographer Stefania Paparelli might just provoke me to go out and purchase the June 2007 Italian version. Something about the combination of vintage movie-esque lighting, frothy white gowns, and sports equipment just gets me. Before you head out to your next tennis game swathed in Chanel, though, mosey on over to the photographer's site here and indulge in a few more delectable offerings.
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fotodecadent

Elizabeth and James by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Before the buzz surrounding the Olsens' first foray into high-end fashion, The Row, has even dies out, they announce the upcoming launch of their contemporary line, Elizabeth and James. It is akin to Vince and Marc by Marc, price-wise, which seems to be more reasonable given the average age of the twins' followers than the $500 t-shirts saturating The Row. Named after their less-famous siblings, the collection does indeed seem to reflect what the girls have been wearing as of late. My only issue is that the sequined minidress, modelled after one of Mary-Kate's own vintage finds, conjures a few too many images of Miss Moss's recent Topshop debacle.


Expect a full dressing-room report this fall once Elizabeth and James hits the racks at Bergdorf's and Intermix in NYC.

wwd & double-olsens