The Unorthodox Orthodox Style!

So, I am not a huge fan of cultures where women are pushed to stay completely wrapped up and not allowed to express themselves through what they wear. However, the opposite, too much skin show is also not my cup of tea. I do appreciate a bit of modesty. Clothes are meant to make you look and feel great about yourself. These women know exactly how to do that, they look stylish and yet follow the norms of their religion. I think I might pop over to Brooklyn and get something for myself. I just happen to love the look!

Andy Warhol Inspires Us All!

I have to say, I have been over the moon about the Cara Delevigne’s and Kendell Jenner’s newly found affinity for each other. Both great successful models, role models for young adults aspiring to be part of the fashion industry, they are more exciting than power couples that have ruled the entertainment scene. Step aside Jay Z-Beyonce, Brad Angelina, Kim Kanye, this adorable duo is America’s new sweethearts. Watch Kendell get inspired by Warhol. Well, who isn’t? This one takes it up a notch!

The Fashion Industry’s Dirty Little Secret

On a sleepy afternoon this week, I went to see the exhibition at Fashion Institute of Technology, ‘Retrospective’. It was a fascinating display : creations from Balenciaga, Anna Sui, McQueen. The exhibition demonstrates how throughout history, fashion has been inspired by its past.  The catalog quoted from Vogue’s coverage of Paris collection in 1914,’There is a universal tendency to borrow from the past’. Worth a visit, if you are around NYC. I did put up a few images from Anna Del Russo’s blog for a sneak peak for you.

NORMAN NORELL, 1962

ISABEL TOLEDO

This is possibly true, but it got me thinking about where  we draw the line between inspiration and plagiarism within the industry. Just the other day, super-blogger Tavi Gevinson, ranted on Twitter about the unauthorized use of her logo on an ASOS sweatshirt. The infamous case of the Red sole, Louboutin Vs. YSL took the matter to the court of  law. The court decision allowed YSL to make monochromatic red shoes while Louboutin was allowed trademark protection over the red sole.

Something that happened with Marc Jacobs,once struck a chord with me. It seems that Oscar de la Renta suggested a jacket by Marc Jacobs looked very similar to one of his designs. To which Guy Trebay, a critic for the New York Times said, “Unlike the many brand-name designers who promote the illusion that their output results from a single prodigious creativity, Mr. Jacobs makes no pretense that fashion emerges full blown from the head of one solitary genius”.

Recently, I watched a TED Talk that really wrapped things up for me. The speaker was Johanna Blakely teaching ‘lessons from fashion’s free culture’. She asked some thought provoking questions and brought about some interesting revelations about the fashion industry. She starts with a story about Miuccia Prada in a vintage store, mulling over a Balenciaga jacket, because she wanted to replicate it. While that may sound like copying to many, it was her genius that she could see the potential of the jacket in the now.
What she did was not illegal. Because the courts do not allow something as utilitarian as clothes a copyright or patent protection. The only thing allowed is trademark protection. ( So now you know why Louis Vuitton likes to go monogram overload, I love their monogrammed canvas anyway).

Shocking, isn’t it? The fashion industry actually allows one designer to copy another. Unlike paintings,film and music, which can be copyrighted, a fashion designer can take any element of design from another and incorporate it into his own design. This makes us wonder how the fashion luxury brands survive the copying of their designs by H&M, Zara and Forever 21.  Johanna goes on to tell us about how Tom Ford, ex creative director at Gucci, said it was simple,that the customer is a different person. What was also eye opening was a sales figure chart she showed, of industries with low copyright protection,such as automobiles,food and fashion with very high sales, whereas industries with high copyright protection such as books,music and films with much lower sales figures.  Who’d have thunk? I thought she was phenomenal. Inspiration from other designs may not be such a bad thing,but counterfeits? Now, that’s a whole different story. An ugly one. For another day. Click here to watch the Ted Talk.

Vivienne Westwood told Vogue in 1995,’ Being retro is associated with something conservative but I think all ideas come from the past. Well spoken, Ms Westwood.

Crop Tops! Yay or Nay?

So you know the whole crop top thing that everybody is into in a big way now? I was dead against it. Now, there is no way that showing your midriff can be classy.  The more I see it around me, the more I lean towards it. It may not be a trend I am ready to try just yet, but definitely worth a blog post.  Dolce Gabbana made this look delectable with their SS13 collection and everybody followed suit. Heaven knows what will happen with the two of them in prison for tax evasion. Sheesh!

Back to the crop top, why I find the look particularly flattering is because the part of the midriff that shows,is the narrowest part of the waist,close to the ribs.  And it is just a sliver of skin. Now isn’t that perfect?

Remember the days when Britney Spears and the me-toos wore low slung pants with a thong peeping out? Even with her washboard abs it was repulsive. Well, those days are gone! The new bare midriff look is way cuter and very workable (even if you don’t have the perfect stomach) and dont end up looking like a tramp!

Beach Essentials

 

Before the last days of summer are over, try to pack in as much vitamin D as you can. I intend to be outdoors every weekend before the leaves turn flame colors. My girl gang is already planning a weekend at the Hamptons. I am beyond excited to do this little getaway with them. It is perfect timing, schools have reopened, so no pesky kids and the tourists have gone back. It is no longer unbearably hot in the afternoon sun. We will be sipping frozen pink cocktails with little umbrellas in them, staring into the deep blue ocean, while we catch up on each other lives. Bliss! I have a few pointers for you if you plan on heading to the beach.

• Make sun protection your religion. Floppy hats, UV ray resistant sunglasses, broad spectrum sunscreen should be a part of your survival kit (Note: Get a pair of chic mirror sunglasses in some crazy color)
•  A Beach towel. Unless you want to bring half the beach back to the hotel
• Giant tote with everything you might want
• Flipflops or waterproof sandals
• Your maillot or bikini and a cover up
• No jewelry, no makeup please! ( That is for Beyonce and her music videos only, thankfully! )

 

Beach Essentials by empirestateofchic featuring ray ban sunglasses

The Plunge into Grunge

Well, well,well what a perfect time for grunge to return: the start of fall. It still is warm enough to wear shorts but cool enough to throw on a red flannel shirt over a white tank.  Don’t you just love it when something as forgiving as a plaid oversized shirt is stylish? Grunge is pretty much the lazy girl’s route to being stylish. It does seem kind of perfect for a back to school look since, everything seems like an effort after long summer nights spent in the Hamptons.  This blog post is dedicated to Marc Jacobs who lost his job at Perry Ellis after presenting his grunge collection in 1993. I believe all great artists had to struggle against the world to bring forth something revolutionary, think Howard Roark in the ‘Fountainhead’.

Here is how to get the look:

• Paint those nails really dark, if the yellowing worries you,then remember lemon juice returns the pink to your nails
• Cut up your old blue denim to shorts
• Pull out your old white tank that you wear around the house
• Tie your flannel shirt around your waist.
• Freshly washed hair will not help you achieve this look. You need a day old hair in tousled loose waves. Use a little bit of mousse to give it some body and twist sections and blow dry.
• Put on a pair of Doc Martens
• Plug in those earphones for some Kurt Cobain and Pearl Jam

Smells like teen spirit, doesn’t it?

 

 

90’s Grunge. Keeping it Fresh. by empirestateofchic featuring a nail polish

To stripe or not to stripe?

I just have to say, I have gotten quite sick of seeing stripes all summer. I mean wherever you turn, you see it, the store mannequins, the older women, the young ones, the sales racks. Everybody OD’ ed  on it all summer.

Now, I know Nina Garcia, listed ‘the striped shirt’ as the top 100 items a woman should own, so I’m not suggesting trashing yours. Though it has been done to death, New Yorkers cannot seem to get enough of it.

Before you write me off as the crazy lady who tried to malign a fashion staple, Here is my take on the striped shirt. Don’t be boring and wear it with your old jeans. Go overboard, go the starving French artiste route (Not really starving, with Chanel and Lanvin huh!). You need a cropped pant, ballet flats and a beret to top it off ! Oh go on, put on that French accent you practice in private , I know you want to!  😉

Au revoir mon amour!

The Striped Shirt by empirestateofchic featuring a printed canvas tote

Of Shorter Days and Longer Skirts

Ever had one of those days in summer when you suddenly realize the days are getting shorter? The sweltering heat is at it end, and you are no longer taking ice cold baths and tying your hair up high.  Before you decide to rack up some crazy summer memories by hitting the beaches around NYC, you have a moment of gloom? I am talking about that moment.

Sweet Sorrow,Summer by empirestateofchic featuring a zara purse

• So, get your hair all messy and wild
• Smudge that eye makeup,don’t worry, it is not humid enough for it to run
• A crop top and maxi skirt keeps you cool
• Biker boots and the leather bag adds the edge to the look
•  Shield your eyes with a huge floppy hat, you don’t have to save the world today

Caitlin Moran says, ” When a woman says ‘ I have nothing to wear’, what she really means is that there is nothing here for who I am supposed to be today.” I love that.

Please Excuse my Appearance!

Appearances are everything! So I am a little embarrassed here. This blog is a work in progress at the moment. So if you stumbled upon it, or are already following me,excuse me please, while I fix myself up. I am in the process of learning. I feel that soon there will be courses in schools for blogging, or rather the science of blogging (eye roll).  I am going to get back to the old drawing board now. Hope you are having a fabulous day!

Backpacks take me back.

Backpacks take me back. by empirestateofchic featuring a top handle bag

In 1994, my best friend and I bought matching plaid backpacks which we sported so proudly together.Later, we squirmed at how ridiculous we looked. Maybe not that ridiculous, I think now. 90's grunge is back! Thank you Marc Jacobs, thank you Kurt Cobain for giving us grunge! I must say I have sudden affinity towards backpacks. Well, if think about it,they are not cumbersome, your hands are free. Backpacks can be your ticket to behave goofy. Now I am not talking about your grubby little backpack that you carried for your camping trips. The new backpack comes in neon colors, Aztec prints and dark leathers. Pair them up with your Vans or biker boots to take a walk down memory lane!

I did recommend a cross body bag in an older post as the perfect shopping gear, but now I am rethinking it all. A backpack is perfect. You won't feel weighed down by the loads of bags in your hands, so you can still go through the racks, carry a whole lot of stuff (guilty!) all the while, looking adorable carrying it.

Like what you see? Click on the image to shop on Polyvore.