Abundant Flame » The Gay Herald

Slideshow: Six WTF Moments From StyleAID 2010

Admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 03:30:43 +0000

Most New Yorkers probably haven’t heard of it, but StyleAID is big doin’ in Western Australia. The fashion fund-raiser and runway show, which went down Friday night (Aussie-time) in Perth, is now in its thirteenth year, and helps raise money for the West Australian AIDS Council. It also happens to feature some fun, wacky fashions — like a hat made of flip-flops and a chest-hair necklace. Click ahead to see six snaps from the show’s oddballiest moments.

Limoland’s Flashy Streetwear is Not for the Color-Shy

Admin — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:30:14 +0000

Eye-popping streetwear brand Limoland unveiled its U.S. flagship today, a splashy 750-square-foot space abutting the Highline. Like the neon-hued polos and double-L-printed hoodies lining the shelves, the shop is flashy and bold, with Astroturf-covered floors, color-changing LED lights, and poppy music blasting overhead. The brand was founded in 2007 by Jean Pigozzi, a French photographer and famed African art collector who now spends his time jetting between Switzerland, Panama, France, England, and the U.S. (The blue-faced logo, Mr. Limo, is based after Tanzanian artist George Lilanga.) The busy prints and color-block jackets take confidence to pull off, but true Limoland peacocks will be pleased with the details, like polos knit from Pima cotton and hoodies lined in silk. Though the apparel caters to men, women can check out the brand’s sturdy cotton-canvas and leather travel accessories, a collaboration with Japanese bag brand Yoshida Porter. Click ahead to check out some eye-catchers from the current selection.

Limoland, 829 Washington St., nr. Gansevoort St. (212-366-5466).

Best Bet: Striped Sessun Tunic

Admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:30:14 +0000

Not only does Emma Francois’s Sessun tunic exude Parisian charm, it’s actually made in France. With a plunging V-neck, drapey sleeves, and keyhole back, this striped style offers a fresh take on the nautical trend. Throw it on over a bathing suit at the beach or pair it with strappy sandals and delicate gold jewelry for a more pulled-together look.

Sessun Striped V-neck Tunic, $105 (originally $150) at stevenalan.com.

W Is Filming a Documentary About Its September Issue

Admin — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 08:30:16 +0000

Cameras have been trolling the halls of the W offices filming a documentary of the making of the magazine’s September issue under new editor-in-chief Stefano Tonchi. The magazine’s redesign will debut for September, which is, traditionally, any fashion magazine’s biggest issue of the year. A rep for the magazine tells us the release date for the film will be “around late October,” but wouldn’t provide many more details. So it’s unclear if this will be anywhere near as big as Vogue’s documentary about its September issue, directed by R.J. Cutler. Of course, the bad thing about being the second magazine to do this kind of thing is that the most obvious title — The September Issue — has already been taken.

But this being the second documentary about a magazine’s September issue within a couple of years, one wonders if documentaries about fashion magazines are the new reality-TV shows about fashion magazines. Most titles can’t seem to come up with a good idea for one of those anymore, so maybe the more purist documentary approach is a good idea, though it might not hold as much mass interest for the general public.

Buyer’s Guide: Real-Deal Mad Men Vintage

Admin — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:30:19 +0000

Not that anyone’s counting down or anything, but we’re now less than 72 hours away from the season-four premiere of Mad Men. As the story moves into 1964, and the troubled alpha dogs in razor-sharp suits and secretaries who push against glass ceilings in hip-caressing shifts suck us into their elegant era, local vintage stores are trotting out all manner of fedoras, cuff links, wing-tip shoes, and cocktail dresses. We stopped by six of them (including David Owens Vintage Clothing, Cobblestones, and Beauty Crisis) to see which currently in-stock pieces best capture that early-sixties sartorial period. Like something you see in the slideshow? Stop by and pick it up — they’re all being temporarily held for readers of The Cut.

Slideshow: 23 Kickin‘ Summer Boots

Admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:30:26 +0000

Summer is only halfway over, and already our feet are protesting our collection of flimsy, sweaty, blister-inducing sandals. “There’s gotta be a better way!” they scream every night, as we peel off our fill-in-the-blank-cheapo-brand whatevers. The better way is this: Wear boots. Oodles of edgy labels (Rachel Comey, Farylrobin, Opening Ceremony, etc.) have churned out lightweight, breathable, ankle-baring boots — perfect for pairing with cutoffs or cute rompers now, or with woolly socks and printed tights later. Click ahead to see a slideshow of our 23 favorite spins on the summer-boot trend.

130 Ways to Spruce Up Your Apartment

Admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:30:16 +0000

Clockwise from left: Switchback rug, Feather Kuma pillow by Ross Menuez, Petunias Field pendant lamp by Paper Cloud, Kivik sofa, and Panier table.

Given this never-ending heat wave, the allure of an air-conditioned apartment is irresistible. Should cabin fever take hold and you find yourself spontaneously deciding now is the perfect time to redesign your pad, browse our latest furniture-centric Shop-A-Matic. We’ve got pillows, mirrors, lamps, rugs, sofas, coffee tables, dining-room tables, and more; click ahead to get inspired by a few of our favorites.

Switchback rug
Price: $299
Why We Like It: This 100-percent-wool statement rug will adds a splash of color to any living room or bedroom.

Feather Kuma pillow by Ross Menuez
Price: $48
Why We Like It: Menuez is better known for his strikingly lifelike animal pillows, but these silk pillows are equally graphic.

Petunias Field pendant lamp by Paper Cloud
Price: $178
Why We Like It: Hand-printed with water-based inks on ecofriendly fabrics, this whimsical pendant lamp is a cheery and environmentally sound addition to any space.

Kivik sofa
Price: $529
Why We Like It: Should you find yourself with an unexpected house guest, the sofa features a side compartment perfect for stashing extra blankets and pillows.

Panier table
Price: $129
Why We Like It: Made from a lightweight yet durable plastic, this modern coffee table is surprisingly versatile. Remove the lid and you have a basket, or flip it over for a handy magazine rack.

Mad Men’s Stars Broke Out the Party Dresses for the Big Premiere

Admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:30:43 +0000

Janie Bryant, Christina Hendricks, and Elisabeth Moss.

Mad Men’s season-four premiere was last night, and the show’s cast and crew naturally glammed up for the event. Costume designer Janie Bryant chose a sparkly gold minidress and strappy sandals, while Christina Hendricks wore a black-lace-turtleneck frock, and Elisabeth Moss donned a satiny green one-shoulder number with nude pumps.

Which look do you like the best? Did the costume designer upstage the stars?

First Look: Rag & Bone’s Fall Shoes

Admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:30:32 +0000

The soft-opened Nolita Rag & Bone shop is hosting a press party tonight to show off its jeans, button-down shirts, and knits. And though the label’s impeccably tailored basics are worthy of your rent money, the real draw here is the brand’s first-ever shoe shop, which will feature the full fall women’s collection in the former Café Colonial kitchen space. The shoes won’t be in stock until later this week, but we got an early preview of the styles. Click ahead for a look at the stacked-heels, oxfords, wedges, and combat boots in store for fall.

Hits and Misses at Miami Swim Fashion Week

Admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:30:32 +0000

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swimwear 2011 wrapped up in Miami today. Naturally, the five-day parade of one-pieces, bikinis, tankinis, monokinis, and unikinis (but sadly, no mankinis) features more bronzer and boobage than every other fashion week combined. That’s not to say, of course, that every offering looked like something out of a hot tub porno party — Trina Turk killed it with her psychedelic-paisley cover-ups; brands like Luli Fama and White Sands Australia breathed new life into the LBS (little black swimsuit); and even Ed Hardy delivered something wearable. Click ahead to see a slideshow of the week’s biggest hits and ghastliest misses.