Russian Circles - Geneva

Such a dark and beautiful record, here is the title track and it is amazing.

Diet Butcher Slim Skin SS2010 Sneakers

Not really sure about how I feel about this newest variant of footwear from Diet Butcher Slim Skin. But anyways there they are, and yea ok.

Saks Continues It's Desperation Moves

"SAKS SALE INTEL —The discounts are coming! Our Saks Fifth Avenue informant tells us that today is the day for the first reductions on fall merchandise—40% off all those early fall deliveries you've had your eyes on. Don't wait too long for further discounts, though—we're told what doesn't sell is getting shipped to outlets. We guess designers didn't love the idea of their $2000 dresses languishing on clearance racks for months and months. And take heed, once the prices fall at one department store, you'll find similar deals at the others. [RackedWire]"

courtesy of Racked.com


Saks Fifth Avenue is the most desperate of all the big box luxury retailers as far as I am concerned. Saks shows no believe in their vendors/designers as well as their associates. If I am running a store I am not going to be the first one every season to break price, it hurts your margins first and foremost but I believe the most damaging aspect of the early break is the perception. Consumers are noticing Saks early trends thus wait for the early break and not buying at retail (hey everyone wants a good deal can't blame them). The other side of the perception angle is it really shows that Saks is not truly behind their seasonal buys, if they felt they brought in the best and strongest selection each season they wouldn't be racing to mark it all down. Anyways at the end of the day this kind of retail behavior hurts everyone in the industry from the designers down to the sales associates. It also hurts the consumer unbeknownst to many, as the more retailers mark down early the less they favorite designer will sell to those stores making your favorite designer less and less accessible.

That is my rant. If you have anything to contribute please feel free.

New Blog

So I've started a new blog, it's a small thing, its basically an image a day or so of images I find inspiring. The blog is part of something larger that I am currently working on but I needed to create some semblance of an outlet for the fledging project and the blog is it currently. Please check it out and watch as it transforms.

ghsts.

BBlessing Collection

LES boutique BBlessing's in house label has been gathering momentum for a couple seasons now and it just gets stronger and stronger. Recently the collection was featured on Viewonfashion.com, check out the nice little write up there and image gallery.

BBlessing on viewonfashion.com

Barney's New York Men's Designer Floor Video

This video was brought to my attention by my friend Peter and it is a great way and unique way of marketing and showcasing Barney's designer floor. I love this video I think its a fantastic way to bring the pieces to life and really creates a good energy for that floor and their consumer.

Gilt Man

Today at 12pm est ultra popular sale website Gilt will be launch Gilt Man. Gilt man will be focusing on the menswear sector of the market and will be offering the same exclusive deals as Gilt has always done. Anyways check it out this afternoon. The site goes live with initial sales include Strida, Bogner, Helly Hansen, Harry’s of London, Alexander McQueen, Porsche Design Adidas, Outdoor Research, Ducati Watches and Gianfranco Ferré, but the selection will widen.

GILT MAN

Is Karl Lagerfeld Pooping?

It looks like it is a very distinct possibility that Chanel's main man Karl Lagerfeld is taking a crap at the end of his barn yard Spring Summer 2010 show. Thoughts?

MA by Julius Update

MA by Julius' website just went live and it is a very well done flash laden site. WIth it's launch comes pictures of the spring summer collection. The collection is shot so much different from the initial A/W collection looks, not too mention an almost more polished look, less grunge more grown up. Everything looks very good but what I love about Julius is the rawness, the grunge, the dirtiness so MA isn't so much for me, but I definitely see its purpose and it looks good.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Brand New - Daisy

Jesse Lacey and company have released their first new album in three years since their last disc which was amazing The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me. The shortly titled Daisy is a departure for the band as every record has been, but their style and tone is still there, just more aggressive. Lacey split song writing duties with Vin Accardi this time around more than the last and you can hear a difference. The two song writers think alike but approach in vastly different ways, Accardi's songs come right for the throat, while Lacey's are the cat playing with the wounded mouse, toying with the kill. Daisy is complex and scattered but overall I am really enjoying it, Bought a Bride and the title track are easily my favorites. The album took a couple listens to really get it and begin to really take it in and dig it, I must say the drumming is amazing on many of the tracks, not over the top but the way he executes little fills on the toms or off time kicks, subtle shit I love. Anyways check it out, if you hate it let me know, if you like it great.

In Aisce

In Aisce is a new label founded here in New York. In Aisce's designer Jona prides him self on his hand constructed garments who's fabrics are typically sourced here in the U.S. Jona has a background working with several designers in Japan but is untrained in the typical sense. The premier collection from In Aisce is small and focused, I believe it to be a great starting point for the designer. Check out the full sized images above of some of the collection pieces being modeled by everyone's favorite, Antino.

New York Fashion Week Part 3

Well I'm finally having a little down time to look at some shots from some shows (mens & womens) as well as reading some commentary. I have to say its disappointing, NYFW too me is just a social gathering and less about what is actually shown, its a shame, so many people are more concerned about who is front row then what is walking down the runway. The other thing is even when so many designers are sending complete shit down the runway people are still loving it because of the name on the label, shit is shit even when wrapped in gold.

There has been some good this week but its few and far between I have to say unfortunately its been a bit of a let down so far this fashion week. Oh well a couple days to go lets see if any thing gets better.

That is all for now.

Fashion Week Days... I Dunno

So I have lost track of time over the last couple days. Thursday was New York/Conde Nast's Fashion's Night Out, which in my opinion was beyond a failure. In an attempt to help retailers it was actually more of a finical investment for most and lest profitability for many. Think about it extended hours, extra staffers, free booze, oh and don't forget about the shoplifting opportunities. Foot traffic that evening was heavier than normal but sales were stagnant from all I have heard from. Let's hope this was the first and last night out for fashion.

Friday was Robert Geller's spring/summer 2010 show, I was invited to work the show by Robert and his intern Joseph, it was a fantastic day of hard work. We got started at 12 noon building the floral arrangements for the set, dudes building floral arrangements is a funny scene I will tell you that much and Robert got a real kick out of it too. As the models started rolling in in the mid afternoon things were really taking shape and the back room was set up by us for dressings and models were assigned. Through all of this Robbie was cool and calm and just joking around with us like it was just another day (especially when he gave me and Joseph shit for eatting McDonalds). As show time rapidly approached models were sent up and we begin the race of dressings and final touches. Everything went fantastic and the environment was beautiful on the set with the forrest that was created. The collection echoed Robbie's inspiration and the color story intense and eye catching. I can not wait for my pair of baggy Cupra drawstring shorts, and the petroleum leather jacket with shoulder zips.







There were several other shows and presentations over these couple days but to be honest I haven't really looked at them and I'm not too worried about it.

Blogger is acting up so I will update photos from back stage later this evening, so stay tuned, they're uploaded now.

NY Fashion Week Day 1

Well Yesterday was day one of New York's fashion week and we had several stops for our first evening planned out. We started out at 59th and Lexington at Bloomingdales for the Robert Geller/Levi's party, Bloomingdales along with Levi's are the prime sponsors of the CFDA Best New Designer award, which Geller was awarded. The collection for Levi's was spectacular and the party was a great time, mini apple pies and mac & cheese bites how can you beat that. GQ put together a nice launch party for this fantastically done collaboration.

Soon we moved downtown to 10th and 2nd Avenue for the Odyn Vovk show, Austin Sherbanko is a talented young designer out of LA so I was big time looking forward to this show. Let me preface this with, Sherbanko is at his best setting a mood with his show and his look, unfortunately as cool as the mood and collection was it was terribly lacking in creativity. The Odyn Vovk aesthetic borrows too much from the other designers currently around such as Rick Owens, Obscur and others, but he is also a almost too literal in his interpretations of his inspirations. Sherbanko is a metal head and you can see it and feel it which is awesome, and that drew me to his line, but this time the rear leather flap/panels on the back of the pants was too much, too crust punk and just unnecessary. My concern with the talented young designer is where is this collection headed, who is the customer, unfortunately I was left with more questions than answers after the show.

After the Odyn Vovk let down we headed to my favorite place in the city, Atelier, who was playing host to Encens Magazine for their 24th issue's launch party. The party was lo-key as always and full of friendly faces some whom I hadn't seen in months which was fantastic. Karlo and Constintine had champagne and white wine following as per the norm for the evenings at Atelier and it was a perfect ending to our first night of fashion week.

Gearing Up

I'm currently re-working and building things here and there to grow the blog over the next week in time for New York's up coming fashion week. Look for full coverage of the shows and presentations of Robert Geller, Odyn Vovk, Tim Hamilton, and several more to be announced shortly. Anyways yea, so things are gonna be changing a bit for the better this week, and we will be bringing some great shows to you this season.

Also new Purple Fashion magazine is out and it is a good one, some great shoots and good interviews with Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Muiccia Prada, and many more, check it out.