VFiles x Machine-A: A Transatlantic Shop-Swap

VFiles—New York’s premiere destination for streetwear, swag, and the cutting edge—has met its match. The platform’s retail director, Zachary Ching, found a kindred spirit in Anna Trevelyan—the rainbow-haired stylist who serves as London boutique Machine-A‘s fashion director—when they sat side by side at the Fall ’13 Thierry Mugler show. The conversation that ensued led to a veritable shop-swap that kicks off during New York fashion week. “I was telling her a lot about my store, and she was telling me about hers, and we thought, ‘Let’s just trade lives for fashion week,’” Ching told Style. While VFiles focuses on all that is urban, and Machine-A prides itself on championing London’s experimental designers and up-and-comers, Trevelyan says that the stores are completely in sync. “Although the product and the brands stocked are different, the ethos is the same. We both want to give as much exposure as possible to the young designers we support, and the chance for a more international outreach for our designers really excited both of us.” The stores also share some common ground in their locations—they’re each based in their respective cities’ Soho districts, making them, as Trevelyan explains in the below clip, “global neighbors.”

Machine-A will take over the back portion of VFiles from September 3 through September 17 (the last day of London fashion week) and visa versa. Trevelyan is bringing brands like Alex Mattsson, Dr. Noki, Ashley Williams, and Kyle Hopkins to the Big Apple, and Ching will fill Machine-A with VFiles’ vintage collection, T-shirts by LPD New York, and wares from Hood by Air, including four limited-edition tops embellished with Swarovski crystals. “We haven’t figured out the price point yet, but they’re going to be super expensive,” laughed Ching when asked about the exclusive merch. On the more affordable front, the stores have created a range of co-branded sportswear—like basketball shorts, long-sleeve tees, duffel bags, and hoodies—which range from $30 to $90. The collaborative collection debuts exclusively here.

This switch-up ties into the stores’ long-term transatlantic plans, too. For instance, VFiles has picked up Alex Mattsson’s Spring ’14 menswear collection, and Machine-A will be stocking the new collection by Hood by Air. “I think it will be nice to take these first footsteps in London, because eventually we’d love to have a real store there,” offers Ching. But he adds, “It’s also about having a really fun party at the end of London fashion week. We’re super excited about that.”

For fall, chic and edge are a combo

Forget that it’s still hot enough for dangling earrings to burn your neck, fall fashion is here. As difficult as it might be to put yourself in an outerwear frame of mind, the trends of the upcoming season could change that.

If you want a succinct summary of 2013 fall fashion, just take a look at anything Balmain and Alexander McQueen showed on the runways.

At least that’s Christie Moeller’s suggestion. The local fashion stylist and blogger says those designer labels very well demonstrated the “perfect mix of chic and edge.”

“A lot of designers did silk dresses with will leggings, heels and a giant baggy sweater over it,” she says. “It’s grandma chic meets grunge.”

The shift, Moeller says, can be attributed to past seasons’ superstructured and ladylike looks. People want something fresh and pairing a cocktail dress with cozy knits certainly accomplishes that.

If you’re looking for one piece that captures the same theme, look out for decadent sweatshirts. Metallic and beading upgrade this piece that’s otherwise known as a couch staple.

Beanies will also be big next season. The knit hats provide an easy way to balance an otherwise dressy look.

Other accessories that lend the same function include biker boots with metal embellishments, bracelets so heavy on the hardware they look like handcuffs and miniature handbags. Miniature, as in the mini-me of your favorite oversized bag. They’re petite enough to fit inside a tote for a day-to-night transition.

For anyone not in the market for a new Balmain or Alexander McQueen dress, Patty Barba has a few suggestions. The founder of the budget-friendly, trendy Patty’s Closet stores sees a fall full of cropped trousers and opulent tops.

Of course, black and white is still popular, as are houndstooth and plaid prints.

“Layering is always a favorite in the fall for our customers, especially because our weather is so unpredictable,” she says. “It’s always great to have a short-sleeved embellished top or even a fancy tank layered on top of a turtleneck paired with an amazing pair of trousers.”

Trendsetters her shoppers look to for inspiration continue to be the Kardashian sisters and Beyonce, but Selena Gomez and her transition to womanhood seems to get their attention, too.

Over at Saks Fifth Avenue, shoppers find fashion ideas through their favorite TV shows, such as “Mad Men,” “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Good Wife.” That explains why these shoppers are veering more toward vintage-inspired silhouettes and suit and separates for the workplace.

A big trend here also includes combining textures and fabrics. Not too drastically, though. There needs to be “harmony.” Hot colors at Saks include gray toes and black and navy, a clear departure from the hot neons of seasons past.

That said, the overwhelming favorite look is hands-down leather.

“Leather separates are great staple pieces for our Las Vegas mild winters,” says Debbi Miles, marketing director at Saks Fifth Avenue Las Vegas. “This year the motorcycle jacket is a key piece in building your wardrobe. … It’s a versatile piece that can be sexy or sensible worn over jeans, slim pants, slim skirts and dresses.”

princess prom dresses | red carpet dresses

Sandra Choi on the new Jimmy Choo

Creative director Sandra Choi on the revamped shoe brand and working with Nicole Kidman

What inspired you to choose Nicole Kidman as the new face of Jimmy Choo for the campaign?

Nicole is an actress who I’ve always admired, she is one of the finest actresses in the world and I knew she had the ability to convey the empowered confidence and glamour of the brand with conviction. In the campaign she strikes a perfect balance portraying a strong, seductive woman but underpinned with a refined elegance and sophistication.

How does Nicole embody the Jimmy Choo woman?

The Jimmy Choo woman hasn’t changed but she is a woman with many qualities, on the one hand she is powerful, confident and strong, on the other she is sexy and glamorous and on the other she is refined and elegant with a sense of fun. She is multi-faceted and we wanted to reflect these qualities in our campaign. Nicole Kidman embodied these qualities for us - she has many layers, on the one hand she is an internationally renowned Award winning actress, on the other she is a mother and a wife. The Jimmy Choo woman plays out many roles in her life – from being successful professionally, to being in love and embracing a sexier more glamorous role to being a mother and a best friend. The Jimmy Choo woman is strong and confident, she is an infinite juggler, moving seamlessly and stylishly from one part of her life to another.

What is it about Nicole and her style that you admire?

She is a true style chameleon and has the ability to surprise. A lot of people are either very good at dressing up for the red carpet and not at dressing down when they are off duty but Nicole is able to seamlessly go from working a couture gown on the red carpet to an ultra-sophisticated day dress to off duty jeans and biker boots whilst looking effortless. She knows her own style and remains confident at all times so her personality comes through. Cannes was a great example of her style diversity!

What is the concept behind the campaign? Why the ‘cinematic’ feel?

The campaign brings to life the mood of our autumn/winter '13/'14 which took inspiration from Helmut Newton’s photography. His lens was often found lingering over his subjects’ legs and ankles. He had an almost fetishist obsession with the female form, but the subject was never portrayed as vulnerable; she was always strong and in control. There is a feeling of a quite eroticism in the collection and this concept was brought to life by Nicole’s magnetic presence in front of the camera.

Where was this campaign shot?

The campaign was shot in Nashville, Nicole’s hometown.

What is your favorite Nicole Kidman “Jimmy Choo” moment on the red carpet?

I think it would have to be Cannes – there are two moments that stand out for me. One where she was wearing a simple black leather midi dress with our Balma shoes from the autumn/winter '13/'14 collection – she managed to look incredibly sexy whilst remaining refined and sophisticated. The classic LBD she wore for the first day of Cannes paired with our purple AWARD pointy toe courts and playful side plait looked fresh, elegant with a fashion edge.

Do you have a favorite role that Nicole has played in film?

I loved Moulin Rouge, visually it was stunning and her character’s strength contrasted with vulnerability and she has a great voice! Another talent to add to the list.

Why do you think the Jimmy Choo customer will relate to Nicole Kidman?

She represents so many qualities and her huge range of talent makes her a role model for many women. She has an inner confidence and wisdom that makes her beauty and style mesmerizing to both men and women.

Best Makeup Tips for Wrinkles

Aging gracefully means knowing when and how to adapt your makeup routine to get the best out of your skin, even when wrinkles become a big issue. Learn a few makeup tips for wrinkles that will make signs of aging easier to hide.

Start with a Good Base

Even if you're using the best makeup products for older skin, the end result depends on the way you prepare your skin. Apply a good moisturizer each morning on damp skin, paying extra attention to the area around the eyes as this zone is more prone to early wrinkle development. If every foundation you try keeps highlighting your wrinkles, it's time to switch to a hydrating tinted moisturizer. Go for a creamy consistency and forget about powder foundation if you're looking for the right makeup for wrinkles.

Concealer, even though it's creamy or liquid, can also highlight wrinkles if you use too much of it in an attempt to get the right makeup for under eye wrinkles.

Use Powder Wisely

Mineral makeup and wrinkles don't really go together. You might be one of the lucky ones, but for most women, the powdery makeup only highlights wrinkles and fine lines. Try to stay away from all powder makeup or use as little as possible. To set your makeup use a very small amount of loose powder.

Choose Lip Colors Wisely

Darker lip colors can roughen your features and generally highlight wrinkles. Remember that the best makeup for older skin always includes a nude lip liner which helps the color stay put and not spread into the fine lines around your lips. Finish your look with lighter shades of lipstick for an age-appropriate look.

Change Your Blush and Bronzer Application Techniques

Softening or accentuating your features can still be achieved with bronzer and blush, but you need to be open to change if you want the right makeup for wrinkles. Use less blush and apply it directly on the apples of your cheeks for a better look. Bronzer can still be used for sculpting, but if you want a more natural look, try using different shades of foundation for the same purpose and you'll have better effects with less chance of ending-up with a heavy look.

Switch Your Eyeliner

Makeup can't really hide fine lines completely, but you can help diminish their appearance by setting in your liquid or cream concealer with a loose, translucent powder. Eyeliner becomes another big problem. Even if you've had good experiences with liquid eyeliners, the best makeup tips for wrinkles advise you to switch to a pencil and create a solid line by going back and forth with it.

Fort Makers Paints the Way

“We’re not your typical company,” explained Nana Spears, the creative director of four-person Brooklyn-based art collective Fort Makers. Since 2008, the group—which includes Spears’ jewelry designer cousin Elizabeth Whitcomb, as well as painter Naomi Clark and her husband, woodworker Noah Spencer—has been bridging the gap between art and design. This year alone, the crew launched a capsule collection of hand-painted dresses for Anthropologie, showcased a series of outdoor public artworks in Richmond, Virginia, and—in two weeks—will showcase their third project for MoMA PS 1′s Warm Up series. Perhaps most exciting, however, is Free Space, their art-installation-cum-pop-up shop that opens tomorrow in New York at Pier 19. Set inside a former—and soon-to-be demolished—Victoria’s Secret store, the space has been transformed into a vivid abstract painting, courtesy of Clark. “We try to work in spaces that we find challenging and inspiring,” Spears told. On offer inside will be expressive painted silk scarves and dresses ($320) that correspond with the interior, as well as painted leather Baggu totes and pouches (from $50) and maple-wood cutting boards crafted by Spencer (from $45). “Our products are pieces of art that we think you can use—that way, you can enjoy the art a step further,” said Spears.

The Bauhaus-minded collective, whose clothes and home wares are also available at Steven Alan, Totokaelo in Seattle, and Tomorrowland in Tokyo, hopes that shoppers will experience the same freedom inside the space as they did while making it. “I hope people are inspired. And I hope it makes them want to create something,” said Spears. “I think that’s the biggest compliment of all.”

vintage prom dresses | backless prom dresses

Michael Angel is Fit to Print

After taking a break from the backbreaking seasonal cycle for the past year and a half, Michael Angel is reentering the fashion conversation with a new capsule collection for Moda Operandi, which launches Monday. Known best for his innovative digital prints (that’s right, even before the likes of Mary Katrantzou and Peter Pilotto made photo-realistic patterns a must-have), Angel “felt stuck before taking the break. There was so much digital print around me, and I thought, Am I going to go nuts or am I going to evolve the medium?” he told Style. “I’ve been able to reexamine why I started designing in the first place, and that reason was to showcase my art, or print. Now I can focus on the prints—which can go on anything, not just clothes, really—and be more adventurous with them. I’m finally doing it for myself, the way I want to do it.”

Angel worked closely with Moda Operandi’s director of ready-to-wear, Indre Rockefeller (she also consulted with several other labels that will be rolling out trunk shows on the site later in the week, including Stella Jean, Del Toro, and La Petite Caravane), to get a sense of the M.O. customer. The new prints were inspired by the human-rights movements of the sixties and seventies, so Angel introduced a vibrant tartan check to capture the rebellious spirit, and mashed it up with kaleidoscopic florals, stained-glass windows, and a ruffle motif that had three-dimensional appeal. The patterns are showcased on straightforward silhouettes such as cap-sleeve shift dresses, curve-hugging pencil skirts, and on-trend strapless crop tops. The unexpected standout was a stark white column gown that was actually lined with one of the prints so it had a subtle opacity to it—just a hint of pattern. While the ready-to-wear will sell at a designer price point ($595 to $2,200), Angel is also debuting a line of printed T-shirts and scarves that will go for less than $250.

But what Angel is perhaps most excited about is an animated film he created in collaboration with Emrah Gonulkirmaz (above), who the designer stumbled upon while surfing Vimeo. “I wanted to reintroduce myself and take my medium to the next level. I’ve always wanted to see the prints move, and felt like Emrah really understood my message,” he said. Angel wants to keep exploring different opportunities with his prints, and hinted that he’d love to work with fashion houses on their patterns, and even transition into the fine-art world. “I am really into giant installation pieces. How cool would it be to wrap them in my prints?” With this new chapter in Angel’s career, anything is possible.

http://www.kissyprom.co.uk/backless-prom-dresses

He Wears Short Shorts. . . Introducing the Mofty Boys

Now I have a treat for you. I can’t claim I actually crashed earlier in the year when I stuck my neck out and wrote to you about British men and beards—but let’s put it this way: Surprise, surprise, bearded boys proved to be rather popular with girls. So here’s a sequel. Ever in pursuit of pleasing news from this side of the pond, I bring you an in-depth report on the latest runaway British male trend of summer 2013. Allow me to introduce the Mofty: pretty young London boys who are taking to the streets, clubs and festivals wearing a startling array of pretty shorts (which are getting shorter by the week) with pretty shirts, in all sorts of colorful prints.

Mofty? I don’t know what it means, either (any ideas, please let us know). I have to thank my daughter Maisie for alerting me to the terminology. I’d just come home from a long tube journey one sunny evening and noticed—eyes on stalks —that crowds of boys kept getting on and off wearing slim, knee-length shorts in many colors and patterns: pink, baby blue, yellow, red, striped, polka-dotted. All of them were wearing them nonchalantly rolled up at the hem—a uniform turn-up of about three-quarters of an inch. When a teenager lolloped on wearing a blue denim pair covered in pink chintzy roses and proceeded to canoodle with his girlfriend, well, I had to call my 20-year-old spy in the field the minute I got home.

“Oh yes, Mummy!” she sighed patiently. “We call them Mofties. They’ve all got those haircuts short at the side and long on top? And shirts and T-shirts with, like, little flowers or birds on them? And old-school Air Max Nike trainers in all these bright colors. Some have leopard-spot bits on them too.” And then she texted me a picture of the shorts the boy she shares her flat with had just bought. There he was, resplendent in beige chino-shorts trimmed with pink-and-blue Liberty print turn-ups. “Gosh,” I replied. “And what does Mofty stand for?” “Dunno,” came the response. “It’s just what everyone started calling them after Hideout in Croatia [a festival earlier this summer]. And now they’re starting to wear them shorter and shorter.”

The closest to an explanation I’ve received comes from Jeremy Langmead, editor at Mr Porter, Net-a-Porter’s brother site. “Could it be Man of the Year?” he hazarded. “But I don’t know, either.” These teenagers! A study of Mr Porter’s inventory shows, sure enough, however, that there are quite a few Mofty-looking shorts going on there. Micro-polka dotted ones. A pair prettily decorated with minute embroidered flowers.

Checking around, I hit on the men’s department of the British high street store River Island. Peruse that website and you will see the very definition of Mofty style as it’s been worn by young, skinny boys everywhere here.

I called Andy Grant, River Island’s head of menswear buying. He hadn’t heard the Mofty-word either, but he was sounding like a very happy man, because, sure enough, sales in boy-fashion are soaring over here. “I can’t remember a time when British menswear has been as exciting as this. They love color and prints.” But who started it, Andy, who’s leading it? “I can’t really say it’s coming from any one thing. I think it’s partly Harry Styles and that whole boy-band thing.”

“It started out smart and preppy,” he continued. “But then we noticed boys at festivals this summer starting to wear printed swim-shorts as shorts with all kinds of tight colorful tops. And it’s gone really fast from there.” I clicked over to J.Crew menswear for a Stateside comparison. Sure enough, the home of American young-preppy style is moving along the same vector. Brightly hued, color-blocked, slim-fit shorts are there aplenty, and I notice another key refinement going on: hemline choice—from a knee-grazing eleven inches all the way up to a minishort five.

Well, I’ve learned a lot this week. One thing I should point out is that Mofties in no way intersect with Men with Beards. Mofty boys don’t grow beards because . . . they’re too young and far too pretty. But that doesn’t stop English girls going absolutely wild over them. Can’t you see why?

http://www.kissyprom.co.uk/white-prom-dresses-online

The New Paris Label Everyone's Talking About

“It’s really about the young French girl,” says Julien Dossena, who with Lion Blau and Florent Buonomano designs the new Paris-based label Atto. Then in the next breath, “We try to have a little of the Japanese wrapping technique, enveloping the body. It’s about this balance between clean and sharp and really sensual.” So it’s a bit of everything really, which, in this era of increasingly blurred borders, makes sense.

To wit, a structured, roomy mackintosh bisected by a black band and a bright yellow turtleneck with stark white panels recall the spirit of Courrèges. Meanwhile, a straight khaki skirt that crisscrosses around the waist and a crisp sleeveless white shirt with deep armholes fastened by strips of fabric hint at an Eastern influence. It’s the kind of wardrobe one could easily imagine appealing to women the world over.

“Atto is reminiscent of a sixties minimalism,” says Paola Russo, the cofounder of L.A.’s Just One Eye, who is known for spotting and nurturing young talent. “And they’ve found a modern way to interpret refined sexiness.”

In spite of their high-fashion backgrounds—the three designers met while working in the Balenciaga studio under Nicolas Ghesquière, and Dossena will show his first collection as creative director of Paco Rabanne this fall—they insist that this particular project will be less about runway-style statements on fashion and more about real-life wearability. “When you go into a department store, everything on the designer floor is super- or over-designed. We want to be accessible, but still have that creativity,” says Dossena, adding that accessories may be somewhere down the line.

So far, they seem to have struck the right note. Kirna Zabête’s Beth Buccini and Sarah Easley, who will carry the collection later this fall, say, “It’s rare that we pick up a new designer the first time we see the line.”