Fashion Forecasts: Tory Burch

Already known in the industry as one of New York's most up and coming designers, Tory Burch brings about a subtle yet unique and suprisingly bold accent to classic American style. Her designs incorporate several different themes that fuse into one another melodically. Accents of vintage compliment a modern touch of upper east side chic with an equestrian prep look. Confused? Think Lauren Hutton back in the late 70's meets Kate Hudson. This should come as no suprise to anyone, considering her background within the industry involved working for Ralph Lauren, Loewe as well as Vera Wang. Her years in working for these designers certainly paid off, as Burch became inspired by a multitude of different concepts and had them form a never-before-seen combination of casual, sexy, groovy and well-groomed.

In a Bohemian-style tunic with gold embroidery and knee-high equestrian style boots, Tory Burch plays around with more down-to-earth looks with a hint of young and hip. Among some of her looks, Burch uses gold hardware, bold-colored prints, fur trim, she plays with vests and reinvents silk blouses with outfits that do not define an overtly feminine ensemble. So what's the big deal? How is Tory Burch any different from any other designer in the same genre. Labels such as Blumarine, Marc jacobs and Carolina Herrera have toyed with similar concepts of down tempo, retro-vintage, and altered classics. What makes Tory Burch so unique? It is only so often that the US is able to shine through with their own definition of style without blatant European influences. American style offers a sense of familiarity into a largely unproportionate scale of US designers vs. European Designers. Tory Burch can be viewed as a signature to new age American style that switches up her image to allow for a diversified audience that are sure to enjoy her artistic capabilities. Sticking to one theme will most probably hurt the overall image of any designer. Timeless classics can become cliché. The latest trends in high gear get old quick. Tory Burch enables fashion to be turned over ever so often and allows for it to be real: what represents you and what allows for her clientele to feel full fashion without looking planned and gaudy. Tory Burch enables people to break from the mold and find great pleasures in simple things and looks that are wearable and unique to label-obsessed minds. It's fashion actually to be worn, not just be seen. Vintage never seemed so chic.

The Skinny on Waist Belts

After feverishly attempting to draw attention to the hips for so long, the fashion gurus, creative directors as well as many Hollywood Celebs have reintroduced the waist belt. Known for its magical ability to create form to even the most boxy of individuals, the waist belt is a sureshot way to maximize any feminine look. Why is it that with many magazine covers and ads later, the waist belt is still trickling (at sloth speed) down the fashion waterfall into major department stores and boutiques worldwide? Not only are retailers to blame; the growing trend still seems to confuse style watchers and fashionistas who are subconcsiously still in a feuding debate over which belt to rock out for the evening: The hip-draped weave belts or perhaps a slim double-wrap belt with a small buckle.

Waist belts have always made an impression on designers. From the early Victorian Era, where women often wore corsets to accentuate a preposterously slim waist line to pencil skirts, dating back to the glorious Golden Age of French Fashion, where Designers such as Christian Dior or Coco Chanel endorsed a slimmer upper body to give legs a lengthier appearance. An hourglass figure was the way to be. The industry standards for an ideal body shape for women were given in three inflection points. These points were the chest, the waist and the hips. These three points were to measure 36 inches, 24 inches and once again, 36 inches, respectively. Since these days have long passed us, many newer generations have stressed different inflection points that would soon void this criteria from any female's goal figure. Not to say that this ideal image has been eradicated from women's minds, however, the modern day woman has slowly found ways to accentuate other areas such as the bust and/or the behind to naturally allow a visible curve to the viewer's eye. This is where the waist belt comes in handy. Many women who attempt to create even the slightest difference in their curvaceousness should avoid the complexities of silicon cups, padding or enhancement techniques and focus on a subtle and simple method on how to give waist to a squarish or an undefined body type. Any waist belt can give your hips a rest and restore a much more traditional (yet sensible, stylish and updated) focal point on the female figure.

A Conversation With Tee's

From bumper stickers to a memorable line in a movie, words and phrases have appeared on T-shirts ever since T-shirts have been invented. They keep people entertained or informed when worn in public and can serve as a way of expressing one's personality or stance on an issue. Yet, how much do most of these Conversational T-shirts impact others? When we wear a T-shirt with something written on it, are people supposed to take us seriously, or are we merely attempting to be facetious? While your mouth speaks in conversation, others form their own opinion of you. The same with your clothes. What you wear can and sometimes will attract certain people. A conversation ON your T-shirt is both and can also be viewed as your life book being open to the public. In other words, your thoughts are published on your front cover, loud and clear.

In the light of many classic Conversation T-shirts (Sh*t Happens, Have a Nice Day), a new breed of Coversation Tee's has arrived in full force. Among some of these are 'Tell your mom I said Hi', 'Your Town Called, Their Village Idiot is Missing", and the ever-so-creative 'Who farted'. It is beyond me as to who would be purchasing or making these T-shirts, let alone trying to figure out who would wear such a stupid creation. This reminds me of a clearance rack of T-shirts at a Gas station in the middle of Nowhere, America. I have recently seen many T-shirts made to cater to the youth and societies Dumb and dumberer. Walking into many famous retailers, you are sure to see a shirt that reads some useless phrase that rarely holds any sort of significance to any potential customer. I have to admit, some of them have made me laugh and laugh hard at that, too. Yet, I enjoy being part of the crowd that will laugh at the T-shirt. Rarely will I ever enjoy being the guy whose wearing the shirt. It is sad to see that so many creative teams within a clothing company can be so predictable. It becomes redundant and loses its novelty after being tossed around repeatedly. Furthermore, I believe this fad to be a travesty on the part of wearable smart humor and conversation Tee's that serve a deeper meaning and/or purpose.

In the event that you are that guy or girl who wears these T-shirts and thinks that I am being too critical, I offer you an ultimatum. When choosing a conversational T-shirt, look for a T-shirt that might hold some form of significance. By this I mean choose a T-shirt that represents you and will be easily understood to the people around you. For example, The 'Everybody likes an Asian Boy' Tee (although cliché) is a very appropriate choice for a Korean guy. Try to find a T-shirt that says not only something humorous, but something intelligent. Not only will your friends read your shirt, but anyone else in your sight can potentially read it. A crude joke on a T-shirt can make your friends smile but could also upset your boyfriend/ girlfriend or perhaps a Boss or a Teacher. Holding a conversation should maintain their interest, not steer them away from you. By using this guideline, you are able to get the best out of every situation: Make your friends laugh, challenge a thought, impress your significant other and make your parents proud.

How "Haute" is Couture?

A sneak peak into Fall's Couture designs have never seemed so bold! It is always an exciting collection to view, as combinations of fantasy and reality blend to create the highest form of art that the body can display. A vast array of colors and exaggerated figures make up a large portion of each Designer's Fall 2006 Couture lines. This fall, Christian Dior introduces a fantasy land collection incorporating gothic-themed dresses and a fairytale-esque display of ball gowns that are too extravagant to be worn for almost any occassion, except Halloween. When labels create Couture lines and feature them in their fashion shows, are they meant to be seen... or worn?

So many clothing lines have introduced the word 'couture' in it that we rarely ever realize the original meaning of the term. The term 'couture' means fashionable clothing that is made to fit the wearer in terms of exact measurements and requirements. The origin of the word dates back as late as the beginning of the 20th Century in France, where Haute Couture meant "High Dressmaking". On the other hand, the term 'pret-a-porter' means ready to wear, and are not made to fit the wearer down to the exact measurements or requirements. Simple T-shirts and jeans bought at the local Gap are ready to wear in that they aren't specifically made for the customer. Although 'couture' justs sounds that much better, it gives the impression that mass-produced clothing can become just as desireable as high-end fashion. What lines get crossed and/or blurred are suddenly those of the marker of high end, superior quality and well-fitted clothing and those of everyday apparel and items made within a minute or two at a clothing factory. In the future, it is important to distinguish those differences and separate high end fashion with fast fashion.

The Price of Shock Value

As little kids, most of us loved to tell or hear stories that incorporated an element of surprise. Those people enjoyed topping anyone else's stories with something more exciting, something unbelievable and something more unheard of. Secretly, the one who told the best story or a story had the invisible crown of social coolness. Suddenly when your friends tell a story to others, they will mention your name, even to people you don't know. Before you know it, voila, you become a legend. Any element of shock value works similarly in that those of us who engage in creating shock value suddenly become a milestone in everyone's history as someone who did this or someone who was able to do that. In the 1960's, Leslie Hornby (otherwise known as 'Twiggy') shocked millions with her thinness and her boyish haricut. Decades have flown by and she is still known for being a pioneer to the current model figure. Of course, this may not be the best reputation to have, however, the point is that she made a look so famous, that it is, to this day, Twiggy that is known as one of the world's most famous models.

I experimented with this look a couple of months ago. No, no, I am not talking about eating air and water and sliming down to a 10 inch waist. I tried to revive a trend that wasn't yet a huge success but contained an immense amount of potential. In January of 2006, I jokingly mentioned to a couple friends how I would be the first guy to wear a designer label fanny pack in the hopes that I would turn heads, first in disgust, then with a pensive look on their face (hopefully a positive indication of my bold choice). I didn't really care what it was that I would wear but it was important that the object I chose was in good condition, in extremely fashionable taste and was beginning to become accepted by early adopters as a major fashion movement. I opted for the fanny pack because it was a clean item, it would go with almost any of my looks and clothes and would wreak of originality. Many readers may not agree, but in Boulder, Colorado, your fashion choices really have slimmed down to North Face, Crocs and American Eagle Outfitters. This was my chance to wear something that would have people say, "Wha...? Whoa, did you see that?"

I drove to my local Neiman Marcus, where a nice lady had ordered my "Waist Pouch" (as the Italians call it), purchased the item and drove back to Boulder, planning my day of attack. I went to school later that week, walked into class, and immediately heard sighs and people yelling my name in class. "Ken! Where did you buy that?", "Ken! I always wanted one of those and now I really want one BAD!" and "Wait? Are you kidding me?" were among the responses I received after 5 minutes of class. I laughed silently, told them my parents bought it for me and then went on with class, not bringing up the fanny pack again. It was utterly successful. I had encouraged people to make a bold fashion choice and most importantly, be able to back it up 100%. My confidence level had to be high. I was wearing a fanny pack! I didn't have the slightest clue what to really expect. Yet, now I am certain that what I did helped me make some bold choices of my own.

The key idea here is that we must all make choices. Whether we like it or not, people will judge us for our decisions and that is ok. Life isn't about gaining the acceptance of others to build your own credibility, it is about being able to express yourself naturally and uniquely as possible to be comfortable with yourself. Shock value can be viewed as the lime in your soda for an added zesty flavor. The soda is what people know you as, but when adding a hint of something different you recreate an entirely different taste that will please the masses (or displease, depending on the people and your choices). I have never gotten more compliments from strangers in my life before the fanny pack experiment and to this day people still talk about it; the infamous fanny pack and how only I could pull it off. ;) I say take the plunge, face the challenge and immerse yourself in a daring fashion choice that is hardly look at as a social norm.

Style Notes: The Road Less Travelled

When it comes to shoes, many of us become extremely picky. The right fit has to acompany the right style. The right color has to go with the right fabric. The level of comfort must also go with the style you are trying to achieve. Whether or not we can afford designer shoes, many of us familiarize ourselves with names like Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Tod's. These names are the trademark to remarkable style and exquisite presence. But in the midst of picking out the best shoes, do we forget about labels we rarely ever hear? When buying shoes, most of us want a name we are familiar with, not a brand that is forgotten, even if it sits on the shelves labeled 'New Arrivals' in the Neiman Marcus shoe department. Here are a list of some very prominant designers in the field of fashion footwear that you may or may not have heard of. This list is intended to open your taste beyond the logo-obsessed culture that we live in.

Giuseppe Zanotti Design is by far my favorite shoe designer. His creations include exotic patterns, brazen gold accents, dangerously steep lengths, bead and metal work, fine leather and gems as a finishing touch to his masterful art pieces. Giuseppe Zanotti began his shoe designs in 1994 and has since then been selling luxurious women's shoes worldwide. Many celebrities have been spotted wearing his creations from charity functions to the red carpet. Although not considered moderately priced, if taken care of, these shoes can last a lifetime and can serve as a piece of history within your closet and remain an original design years after their production date.

Only a few years ago, Brian Atwood transformed from an FIT graduate into a master of shoe design. Using only the finest materials, Brian Atwood creates his shoes to improve the look and forcefully create the appearance of longer legs. His designs, much like Choo and Blahnik, incorporates a steady and classic base structure for high heels while using unique and sexy shapes with a variety of different materials. His innovative techniques form a never-before-seen combination of style, function, sex appeal and luxury.

Known for it's overt feminine image, Moschino is often forgotten when in search for heels. With a hint of early 20th Century women's shoe design, Franco Moschino formulated an old-meets-new design approach to women's fashion. His designs toy with velvets and dark-colored as well as brightly-colored leather along with other materials to give the perfect accent to any feminine look. His creations, although sleek and sexy, are more fun and silly. After Moschino's death in 1994, his legacy continues to serve millions of women worldwide, offering his slightly-odd combinations of ideas and materials in a well-packaged piece that says, "Fashion design is being mocked and fresh ideas should be silly and should resemble an important part of pop culture history".

Holly Dunlap, creator of Hollywould shoes, is the epitomy of "Hollywood". Dunlap uses light feminine touches to her designs, giving each creation their own star in the Shoe Fashion Walk of Fame. From espadrilles to light metallic straps, Hollywould shoes are an excellent addition to a classic American image. Her dream was to create shoes that would emanate Hollywould Galmour and glitz, all while staying within the borders of comfort and stylishly flirty designs.

Far more classic than any other design team in the world, Louis Vuitton focuses on the details of stitching, stacked heels and shoe shape. When Marc Jacobs became the Creative Director of the French brand, he focused on the traditions of the Vuitton legacy, maintaining an eye on detailing and superb quality with his own twist of a mod look of the sixties and a wide array of colors to heighten the senses. Although Louis Vuitton is often a brand that is well known for having top-of-the-line luggage, handbags and accessories, they have an immensely sharp and classy collection of footwear that will no doubt feature a look that will remind the public that "classic style never fades".

Rene Caovilla is the essence of high end shoe design that is synonymous with evening couture and delicate and elegant design. His designs feature a colorful presence, using gems and hardwear with light fabrics, usually suede and silks. With the fine background of shoemaking from his father, Edoardo Caovilla, Rene took over the family company in the fifties, bringing Parisian wearable artforms onto the catwalk aside Valentino and Christian Dior. His creations are intended to embellish the foot with rich materials, bringing anyone's attention to the accessories of any evening ensemble.

It ain't always about the label...

Just the other day, I was working a long shift. I was into a project that kept me distracted from everything else around me. That all changed when, through the door, walked a 5'7" blonde girl shopping with a friend. She was wearing a Coach logo hat, Prada sunglasses, Tiffany's accessories including a Return-to-Tiffany necklace and bracelet, a Juicy Tee, 7 for all mankind jeans, Louis Vuitton Monogram logo belt, a matching Papillon handbag and finally Burberry wooden heels. Special, huh. My first impression was anything but "wow, what a fashion-conscious girl!". I find that all too often, people mistake designer for good design. It's true, this shopper had a mere understanding of what designer labels have to offer. Her jeans were very well fitted; coming to think about it, everything looked great. The only thing she did wrong was she wore them all together. Guys and girls who wear obvious labels without any true, unique design show that they are in the game. They may be able to distinguish the difference between a daytime look and a night time look but besides that, a good design or a great designer is an alien concept to them.

How well do we know labels and when does fashion become more for status than for style? And who in this God-forsaken world teaches these people to dress like this? Known to many fashion gurus as the classic emblem of fashion footwear, Manolo Blahnik has made its entry into the fashion industry in 1972 (way before 'Sex and the City' aired its pilot episode). However, it wasn't until Sarah Jessica Parker introduced an award-winning television series on HBO that Manolo Blahnik became a label that even 15 year-old girls are raving about. Given the label, some would jump on a pair of shoes just to own Manolo Blahnik's instead of for the designer's reputation of outstanding quality and uniquely-designed shoes. That's most certainly a very expensive mistake.

I have always concluded that there are three kinds of label-wearers in this world. These types can exist (one, both or all three) within any given person. In no specific order, the first is the artistic perspective. This type is reserved for those who take on a true interest in design. From classic cuts to modern designs, these designer enthusiasts thrive on embellishing their body in fine, unique fabrics and innovative designs to improve their look.
The second type is the Stylistic perspective. Prada? Fendi? Labels don't concern the eye of the style-conscious. An occasional label may spruce up a look, yet these individuals are more concerned about their overall image. Do their clothing choices match? Do their clothes compliment their body? What certain colors work with their skin type? What is most important to these people is to use fashion to maximize their potential of looking good. In much contrast, the last category embodies the concept behind the term "label whore".
Finally, the Status perspective is wearing a label solely for the sake of looking knowledgable in the field of fashion or showing that one might have more class and/or financial privileges than others. A shirt is a shirt, but when the label 'Marc Jacobs' is thrown on it, the shirt suddenly transforms into a luxurious clothing item. A label whore is more prone to pick up a Gucci cocktail dress of mediocre design than a Roland Mouret evening gown. Because how many people know about Roland Mouret, honestly? They are more concerned about pleasing the masses instead of the fashion-conscious.

Keeping this in mind, try to moderate your usage of designers to a bare minimum. Never clash logo designs from different design houses. If everything you wear happens to be designer then make sure it is not extremely noticeable that you are wearing 5 different designer items at once. Mix up labels but never look desperate to show any items off. We are all guilty of glancing at more expensive items, whether we are at the grocery store or a department store. Buying the more expensive item is not always a bad thing, but it doesn't make anyone better because they spent more money. Almost everything is better in moderation. Why not mix your choices up? Spread out your taste and dive into everything- something inexpensive, something artistic and a bludgeoning label that wreaks of high status. That way you are not typecasted as a specific label-wearer, but a pioneer to a variety of different looks and genres of fashion. Label or not.