The Beginning of THE/END

Born from a desire to fill a hole in the menswear market, THE/END‘s Fall ’13 launch aims to satisfy a sartorial need. “We were looking for something new to wear that bridged that gap between the heavy amount of heritage in the market and the real avant-garde things happening,” design coordinator (and founder of the much-loved but now defunct Ecco Domani Award-winning brand Corpus) Jerrod Cornish offered. The result is a premium men’s collection that offers denim, leather, and knits, but still maintains an intriguing edge. “It really isn’t too to the right or too to the left,” said Cornish, who designs the new line alongside Mathew Mickel.

Bowing to heavy local demand (their design studio and some manufacturing is based in in L.A.), THE/END team—which also includes art director Cody Comrie and his brother Michael, who handles the business side—has paired with American Rag for an exclusive collaboration. Set to debut tonight in L.A., the collection is, in part, a preview of the brand’s forthcoming Fall wares—tees, fleece pieces, and a men’s jewelry range will all be on offer. But the highlights of the union are a nubuck moto jacket and vest, which were made specially for the retailer. There are only three pieces of each style, and with their thick zippers, sharp collars, and sturdy hardware, the leather looks give potential clients a strong sense of THE/END’s vintage-meets-fresh aesthetic.

Vineland students to wear white, black and red under new dress code

The hallways of Vineland Public Schools will be a sea of khakis pants, no hats and shirts of white, black or red with its new dress code policy.

The dress code goes into effect on the first day of class in September for all 18 schools in the district, kindergarten through 12th grade.

“We have had several parents and schools ask we go to a dress code,” said Ruth Ann Polof, assistant superintendent for administration.

Vineland Board of Education unanimously voted on the policy at its Feb. 13 meeting.

The dress code is a result of a committee put together to decide on the students’ attire.

The decision to go to dress code has been discussed for the past year and a half and is finally coming to fruition, according to Board Member Tom Ulrich at the Feb. 13 meeting.

To gauge the reaction of students and parents to the change, the school district sent a survey home.

“It was all positive so, from that point on, we created a policy and regulation for it,” Polof said.

The policy calls for solid-colored slacks, either khaki or black, made of cotton, canvas, corduroy, line, polyester or twill.

No jeans, sweat pants or Capri pants are allowed under the policy.

Girls also have a choice of khaki or black skirts — at least mid-thigh length — and boys have a choice of shorts, also khaki or black.

Collared shirts must be white, black or red and tucked into pants.

Instead of hooded sweatshirts, students are allowed to wear sweaters or cardigans that must also match the three-color dress policy.

The first dress code offense by a student is a verbal warning. If a student has a second offense, a phone call will be made to their parent. Third offenses entail a formal letter to the parent about the infraction and a fourth offense will lead to a school board hearing.

After talking to parents and reading the survey results, Polof believes that the dress code will lessen the pressure off of kids who cannot afford expensive clothing.

Uniforms are also a safety issue, allowing staff to quickly find out who belongs on school property by their attire.

If a parent needs financial assistance to purchase the uniform, they can submit a written request to the school that will be forwarded to the business administrator. Afterward, the administrator will provide vouchers to the school store for the purchase of two tops and two bottoms.

Allure Man: It's Summer, Where's Your Sunscreen?

The neurotic who first strung the phrase “love-hate relationship” together could have been thinking of me—and sunscreen. Like most guys, I spread the stuff across my face with the care and enthusiasm of a road crew pouring asphalt. That said, I do realize that I can't just reach for any old—by which I mean probably long-expired—tube in the drawer where I keep my flip-flops and shorts off-season. For reliable protection, you need a sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 (or higher). As you head out of town for Memorial Day weekend, consider one of these, each suited to different users in the sunny days ahead.

The Urban Warrior. The weekend’s over and you’re headed back to the office, but don’t let your guard down. A calming cream that balances protection from the sun with the right degree of pampering, Organic Male Sun Secure Mineral SPF 30 has a matte finish to take the screaming post-weekend glow down a notch, and a subtle herbal scent that you, and only you, will enjoy. Being back at work? Not so bad after all.

The Sensitive Type. The things men hate most about SPF: how long it takes to absorb and the annoying way it stings your eyes when you forget to wash it off before a workout. Menscience TiO2 Sunblock SPF 30 lotion is a non-offender on both scores. It’s odorless, ultralight, and offers the same protection as much thicker formulas. A brilliant all-arounder.

The Outdoorsman. A can of Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 30 spray goes in the side pocket of the backpack every time I go for an all-day hike. I don’t know how they do it, but packing hardcore UV protection in a clear liquid that’s water-resistant and pleasantly summer-smelling adds up to, hands down, the most convenient form of sunscreen for applying (and reapplying) over the course of a long, active day.

Lauren Laverne on fashion: shopping with a conscience

Ethical fashion. Enlarge for details and more of Lauren's picks.

"What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing." Oscar Wilde's famous quote keeps coming back to me at the moment. I have thought of it over and over in the wake of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. More than 1,120 bodies were removed from the rubble of the eight-storey complex. For some, the Rana Plaza tragedy is a matter of criminality, and indeed there have been multiple arrests, including engineers who are alleged to have illegally added several shoddily constructed floors to the building, and the factory owner who is said to have ordered employees to work the morning of the collapse, after safety concerns had been raised.

They may be directly culpable, but it is disingenuous to claim we are not connected to this tragedy. Government officials blamed the relentless thrum of industrial machinery for the building's collapse. For whom were the needles whirring if not us? Can you be sure nothing you own was sewn by one of the workers who went into the factory that morning and never came home? Me neither.

This week's column, therefore, is a plea to fashion producers for traceability of their supply chain, and a mention for brands and services which supply those things to consumers. Frustratingly, at the top end of the market that kind of accountability is easier to come by, but there's no reason the high street should be exempt from offering similar guarantees. As Lucy Siegle noted in this newspaper, big brands distancing themselves from the factories in which their goods are produced is part of their business model. It helps safeguard their profit margin. If consumers demand they become accountable in great enough numbers, they will.

The other half of the Wildean price-value aphorism is less frequently quoted, but worth bearing in mind: "and a sentimentalist… is a man who sees an absurd value in everything, and doesn't know the market price of any single thing".

Often the argument against buying fair trade (or introducing any kind of guarantees about the working conditions a garment was made under) is one of price. It may seem pompous to ask anybody to pay more than they might for a T-shirt, especially in times of financial hardship. But as garment workers' wages make up such a tiny fraction of the cost price of an item (around 1-3%), a small increase in price might improve their circumstances greatly.

At the moment, though, if you want to be sure the workers who made your clothes didn't suffer doing it, investing in fair trade is the only option. It may cost more, but the price of a garment isn't just the one on the tag – there is more than one kind of cost. How cheap is anything if someone dies to keep the price down?

Tracey Cunningham on How Stars Go From Brunette to Blonde Overnight

Whenever I talk to colorists about dyeing my naturally dark hair light blonde, they act like I just decided to get a tattoo on my face. And both times I've tried it, the colorist has taken me on a six-month, multiple-salon-trip odyssey, by the end of which I didn't even want to be blonde anymore. Maybe this is just how things are, but if that's true, then how is it that celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Anne Hathaway, and Jennifer Lawrence are able to bypass the weird partially highlighted phase and go from dark to light without destroying their hair?

"It's kind of all an illusion," says Tracey Cunningham, co-owner of Beverly Hills salon Mèche. "It usually takes a long time. Hours and hours and hours, conditioning in between. It’s not an easy process." Going blonde in one day can require as many as five rounds of highlights. “You just keep going and going and going till you get it right,” Cunningham says. She uses Redken Chemistry Shots to condition the hair between each round.

Cunningham, who recently blond-ified Minka Kelly and Drew Barrymore, says the main reason stars go blonde fast, instead of spacing it out over months like us civilians, is that it’s required for a role. And they have the money: Color correction with Cunningham doesn't come cheap, and as the number of processes goes up, so does the price.

But actors aren't the only ones dyeing like it's their job: Cunningham gets requests for one-day color changes from non-celebrities, too. Why not space it out and keep their hair a little bit healthier? "People don't like to run around with half-assed hair," she says.

Will "Amelie" star Audrey Tautou start a French short hairstyle trend at Cannes?

Pixie cuts and short do's are becoming more popular on the red carpet since Anne Hathaway chopped her locks for her role in "Les Mis." "Amelie" starlet Audrey Tautou is a recent convert and with Audrey hosting the opening and closing ceremonies at Cannes International Film Festival this year we think there might well be a craze of cropped 'dos.

Short and sweet

Aside from the Oscars, Cannes is probably the biggest film event of the year and stars pull out all the stops to make sure they look spectacular. Last year, Berenice Bejo hosted events and her long glossy tresses and romantic chignons were a stark contrast to Audrey's boyish 'do.

This is, of course, not the first time Audrey's been to Cannes. She was at the festival in 2006 after starring in "The Da Vinci Code," which was the opening film at the 59th Cannes International Film Festival. Interestingly, she rocked a short style last time, too. Audrey, eternally ahead of the game.

So, maybe it's her signature look or maybe she just wants to be different. "The Great Gatsby" will be the opening flick at the festival and cropped cuts were a favourite with Flappers , so she is certainly on target if she is trying to honour the film. Let's hope she pairs it with some retro threads.

Cropped craze

Judging from the fact that Anne's short haircut is one of the most copied styles of all time, we doubt that Audrey will be the only star rocking a short style. We're still speculating about which celebs will be at the festival. Tilda Swinton showed off a short cut in 2012, so she might keep it up if she comes back this year.

We do know that Gatsby girl Carey Mulligan will attend the 2013 edition. Carey plays Daisy in the film and, while her golden locks have started to grow back since she made the film, they are still short enough for her to don a Flapper look if she desires.

We hope to see a lot of people sporting the look! Short styles are a great way to show off glamorous make-up and accentuate features. They also don't overshadow stunning frocks. It will be interesting to see how many other stars take a leaf out of Audrey's book!

Crisis Over Alleged Cocaine Scandal

Everyone’s favourite young Brit model, Cara Delevingne is dealing with the fall-out after photographs of her dropping a ziplock packet of white powder were published by a tabloid newspaper over the weekend. Cara was photographed by paparazzi on the doorstep to her house when the offending packet slipped out of her bag and on to the floor and she attempted to cover the packet with her bag and feet.

While Cara has yet to release any statement to address the photographs, there has been reports that the brands which use her to front their campaigns may be concerned about the message that the model is sending to their clientele. From H&M to Topshop, Cara has proven extremely popular with the teen market. With legions of young fans, there is talk that Ms Delevingne’s career might be jeopardized by the scandal.

Indeed a spokesperson for H&M responded to our enquiries about their continued involvement with Cara with the following: 'We have seen the images and we are not in a position to comment on them. H&M takes a strong stand against drugs as outlined in our Advertising policy.' The retailer famously has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy when it comes to drugs and notably dropped Kate Moss after her own cocaine scandal.


When Grazia Daily contacted Topshop they said they have no comment on the matter and Cara sparkled on the Met Ball red carpet wearing Burberry and sitting on the brand’s table. Grazia Daily has also reached out to DKNY, Pepe Jeans and Burberry and will keep you posted on the latest updates.

What Kind of Jeans Should Guys Wear With Flip Flops?

Jeans come in a variety of stains, fits and styles and go with just about anything in a guy's closet. Everything -- from T-shirts and henley shirts to polos and Oxfords, cardigans and sweaters to blazers and jackets -- is fair game when it comes to pairing your favorite jeans. For the ultimate casual look, however, complement your outfit with a colorful, comfortable pair of flip flops. By doing so, you'll change any look -- whether dressy or beachy -- to casual chic.

Color
Darker jeans tend to be more formal than their lighter counterparts. Pairing dark pants with flip flops can give men a dressy-casual look when worn with an Oxford with rolled up sleeves or a polo shirt and a belt. The flip flops, however, should also be a notch above simple rubber shoes. Those with a thicker sole have a bit more substance and appear more masculine. The result is a dressed-up look but with an understated vibe. Lighter-stained jeans look best with a simple rubber flip flop and a casual V-neck T-shirt. Colors run the gamut from navy, black and chocolate to hunter, tangerine and slate.

Straight Fit
Jeans that feature a tailored look and straight leg come in many washes, colors and brands. This style accommodates the slender- to medium-large built man, and pairs well with all kinds of flip flop styles in a variety of fun patterns and colors. Go for sturdy flip flops that feature a thicker footbed and wider strap, or thin-soled flip flops to appear less dressy and evoke a surfer-chic style.

Skinny Leg
The key to successfully wearing the skinny-legged jean is having the body type to pull it off. This leg looks best on a slender man who likes to either cuff his jeans at the bottom or wear them past the ankles a bit for a slouchy look. Skinny jeans come in a variety of colors -- white being one of the most popular for guys because of its versatility. The tapered leg makes it the perfect width for flip-flop wearing; there's a seamless transition from pant to shoe. Slim-fitting flip flops make a good pairing for this jean because of the width.

Slouchy Jeans

The ultimate in casual jeans is the loose-fitting, slouchy pair, which goes best with a T-shirt or short-sleeved button-down shirt. All body types can wear this jean -- the key is to make sure the jeans are loose but not falling off the back or dragging on the ground. You can choose to have the jeans hemmed, keep them straight or roll them at the bottom. Regardless, flip flops complement this laid-back jean option. The best styles to consider leave guys looking proportionate -- more jean means more flip flop. Those with substance, such as thick leather straps and sturdy rubber soles, complement the roomier jean.

Which Spring 2013 Trend Should You Try?

    Spring has officially sprung! And you know what that means for us at College Fashion? That’s right, Spring 2013 trends are in full bloom and in our closet rotation starting now. You’ve already figured out which Spring 2013 color trend to wear. But do you know which of the fashion trends is best for your style? We’ve created this newest personality quiz to help you sift through the crazy and pinpoint exactly what trend works for you.

    Just take this quiz below to find out which Spring 2013 trend you should try! If you take the quiz here on the site, the widget will automatically total up your answers for you. If you print the quiz, total up the letters you got and find which one you selected the most. Once you get your answer, find your letter and corresponding result below for a sample outfit based on your personality type

Mostly A’s: Black & White Stripes
    This look is edgy and bold, but the classic colors keep it from being too crazy. For this look, start with a horizontal-striped tank dress. Next, add accessories like a jeweled collar and striped sunnies. Finish the look with simple black sandals, a drop bucket bag, and a shark tooth ring.

Mostly B’s: Monochromatic Look
    Bright hues are all the rage this season. You can choose a bright red, yellow, green, pink, or any of your other favorites. For this look, I decided on a bright cobalt blue with some shorts (that look like a skirt from the front) and a matching jacket. Layer a simple white tee underneath the jacket, then accessorize with a geometric necklace, white sandals, and black circle-shaped sunnies.

Mostly C’s: Peek-a-boo Cutouts
    Cutouts were wildly popular on the runway for spring. They can be found in the most unexpected places and in unexpected shapes, and since this trend is so popular, it’s easy to find a piece with flattering cutouts that work for you. This floral print dress with triangular chest cutout is a good option since it’s conservative, but still a little bit flirty. Complete the ensemble with flat sandals, a leather band watch, a bright yellow purse, and cat stud earrings.

Mostly D’s: Sports Luxe

    This look is all about combining the tomboy and casual look of sportswear with updated feminine details. For this look, pair a plain white tee with some racer-striped jogging pants. Next, add on a floral baseball cap and some strappy wedge shoes. Finish the look with a coral lip for an added pop of color and feminine detail.