MY OPENING CEREMONY LET-DOWN

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

Exterior of Opening Ceremony NYC/Howard Street

While in New York the number one store on my must-visit agenda was Opening Ceremony.  I've long been an admirer of the stores philosophy to promote emerging American talent, the collaborations it does with American brands such as Pendletons as well as Robert Clergerie for shoes and even Hakaan for one dress. I especially like the way it offers a creative retail platform to designer/retailers from key global fashion cities. Chloe Sevigny's collection is gorgeous too.  Humberto Leon the owner/co-founder plays an active part in the NYC fashion scene and is someone I have a lot of time and respect for. 

Here's the BUT, though. (You knew that was coming, didn't you?) For all my enjoyment of its website - window shopping, reading the blog, the great Fashion's Night Out video interview with Anna Wintour - when I actually got to the shop itself, the experience was a huge disappointment.

Without meaning to sound like a princess, I expected a lot more from the stock and store environment. It just does not match the reputation. There was also a certain arrogance to the prices. The first price tag I saw upon walking in was a pair of cream silk crochet ankle socks that were more thin air than sock. Imagine large scale fishnet tights to get the picture. They were by Rodarte - American!! so no duty extras - and costs over $400.

ARE THEY JOKING??? I've interviewed the Rodarte girls and know why their work is special  (though who would pay $400 + bucks for socks from them?). But most people - like those I was with in New York - took one look at the socks draped over a bar, saw the price tag, laughed and promptly left the shop to sit outside, leaving me agitated.

When you make grand claims about your fashion philosophy online, and have a stellar media reputation it really matters that your bricks and mortar shop rewards those who have made the effort to get there.

Hakaan collaboration with Opening Ceremony

 MY GRIPES

1. The connoisseur knowledge the business claims to have is not evident in the shop in the way it is online. The space is not curated, the rails are as packed as a thrift store that does not know how to merchandise. How am I supposed to know where things are, and why they are special if they are crammed on a rail?

2. If you are going to charge those premium prices, give me the background to the pieces. Give me the story. Give me the staff who are not just standing there posing.

3. Think Dover Street Market, not flea market.

I still love you though. And these.

Pendleton's meets Opening Ceremony.

http://www.openingceremony.us/

Bestseller press days

Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of being invited to the Bestseller press days in their wonderful showroom in Amstelveen. Here are some pictures of the Spring/ Summer 2011 collections from the different brands of Bestseller such as ONLY, Vero Moda, Object, Vila and Pieces.
I loved all of the collections but my favorite was definitely the collection from Object. I loved the typical Danish design and I especially loved the nautical inspirated coats and the military zipper jackets. Please, let it be Spring soon!

VALENTINO VAMPIRE PART II

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

Keira 4 Valentino

Keira Knightley always looks alright. I often feel her fashion choices are a bit odd, though, and that some of the designers she wears don't suit her as much as they could. But that's just splitting hairs.
ANYWAY.

The initial impulse for this post is that Keira looks outrageously stunning in this Valentino dress from the Spring 2011 collection. The best she has ever looked. Regular readers of this blog will know I have a penchant for the way Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli the creative directors of Valentino are refreshing the codes of the house.

You ought to know, too, that the Valentino showing for Spring/Summer 2011 was the highlight of the season for just about every woman in the fashion media and more besides. So expect profiles of the designers, and lots of Valentino love and red carpet action next season.

Luckily for me, I got to spend time with the designers during Couture week in July, and wrote up my interview for POP's current issue. MC and PP as they are known are funny and fabulous, and doing such a great job. Here's ten reasons why I'm still a Valentino Vampire.

Read more about my Valentino obsession here.

One-Day-Only

Sneak peeks:


design by : Philipponk

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The Special Seven

Q : Where can I find cute and affordable shoes?
A : Centro Lifestyle Department Store is definitely my go-to for them! So whether you want to splurge or just buy one pair that you currently need, this is the best site for you.

Well, take a look at my best finds here:

• camel flats from Wimo
  

• strappy wooden heels from Rotelli

I just can't hardly wait to wear them!


wearing sleeveless denim shirts, leopard printed top, maxi skirt, tote bag-all from Pasar Senen, wooden wedges-Retail Therapy

And a very great news for you, Centro is currently having their 7th Anniversary, with lots of special discounts that I bet you don't want to miss out! Interesting, huh? So, what to wait?

P.S For more updates, go to Centro on Facebook and follow @centroholic on Twitter.

Will Soon Be Back

Shoebites "reborn"

ANNA DELLO RUSSO APPRECIATION SOCIETY

Posted by Fashion Editor at Large

She was obscure in her career for so long. Not any more. Anna Dello Russo's moment has arrived. And long may she enjoy the fame, fortune - (she is currently inking a perfume deal) - and admiration of both her peers and the world at large.

There is an excellent interview with Anna in this weeks Grazia written by Paula Reed, with a line in it that made me wish for a moment I could give up all other work and just focus solely on my blog.

"I reinvented myself through my blog. Its been slow progress. Through my blog I find I can express myself better than I was ever able to on a magazine. The Internet has freed me."

I like that. Though magazine work is as essential to me as it is to Anna, having a personal blog is, as Anna says below to models.com (via The Cut) about "my own expression."

She goes onto say, "Of course I love Japanese Vogue, but in any case, I was thinking to express myself. I thought, I should really jump in this world and have a voice to really express myself. With magazines, you don’t really express yourself; you express a corporate vision, you express the vision of Condé Nast. It’s not really your point of view. You can’t say in the magazine what you really like, it’s all a very political vision. So I thought, maybe I should spend some time and energy to finally have my little voice, and now it’s happening."

Viva ADR! Buy the new edition of TEN Magazine, with Anna on the cover. It came out yesterday. They're having a party tonight, and ADR is to be the guest of honour.

Monday Martini

This week I received this wonderful asymmetric shirt dress from Monday Martini in my mailbox. I absolutely love it! Check out their shop here, they have some great stuff! I combined the dress with a H&M jacket, H&M bag, Jeffrey Campbell Lita's, rings from H&M and Claire's, Ebay snake bracelet and ASOS watch. The Nailpolish is Essie's Sew Psyched.

I officially have my fall holidays now but I am busier then ever! How is that possible? I have lots of homework, interviews for the blog and I am working some days extra.. Yesterday was nice though, I visited the Bestseller press days together with my lovely friend Lisa. I will post the pictures I made there later on. Have a great day you wonderful readers!

Party of 5

So here are a few photos from last Friday's Blogger Yard Sale in Mazee FX. I could not be more excited to see the crowd, they are truly huge but also exciting. Even, my boyfriend/photographer, Carl, only had a chance to take some photos after helping me bustling around with the hectic shoppers. That's why I'd like to give him my biggest thanks. You're just the best!

And most of all, I would like to thank Diana Rikasari, Michelle Koesnadi, Sonia Eryka, Bethanny Putri, and also everyone who stopped by and shopped! Hope to see all of you again anytime soon!