New Brahmin

Karmaloop Is For The Boys

2010-02-09T16:00:00-05:00

I'm sure I'm one of the few ladies in town to be bummed on this news. Karmaloop's flagship store on Newbury Street is going strictly dickly. Pardon my vulgarity but Karmaloop announced yesterday that they are relaunching their store as mens-only (which had a ladies section tucked in the back). We're psyched for them because this means it won't be impossible to browse through the racks anymore but I will truly miss the instant gratification of buying brands like Insight and Cheap Monday. Plus, we hear they're getting exclusive drops from Supra every month that will only be available in the store.

To celebrate their relaunch, stop by The Takeover this Friday at the Newbury Street store starting at 8pm. There'll be VIP giveaways and deals along with a raffle for the Crooks & Castels X SE Racing Bike, with proceeds going to relief in Haiti.

Karmaloop 301 Newbury Street (at Hereford) Back Bay 618.369.0100

Daily D's

2010-02-09T14:00:00-05:00

The most followed labels on Facebook WWD

How clothes get made On the Runway

More fuel for the Kelly Cutrone sacrificial fire (because we love her) Jezebel

The kids from Jersey Shore are only allowed to do 2 appearances a week, limiting how much front row time they'll be spending at NY Fashion Week NY Post

Gaga is auctioning off one of her skeleton corsets for Haiti Charity Buzz

How to knock off Victor & Rolf's chainsaw gown T Magazine

Calvin Klein will also be live streaming it's show this season WWD (2nd item)

Seems like live streaming is the cool thing to do, but Burberry's taking it up a notch and offering selection audiences a 3-D experience Fab Sugar

Are Keds and Gap teaming up? Racked

Yoox's sales rose 50% in the past year. Could be all those sweet exclusives Reuters

Marc Jacobs is suing Ed Hardy. No, not for bad taste, just for trade dress and trademark infringement IP Trademark Attorney

Just because... video of Kellan Lutz in his underwear, his Calvin Klein underwear The Cut

Beauty And The Beat

2010-02-09T12:00:00-05:00

A new section on New Brahmin featuring my must-not-miss beauty linkage of the week. It's kind of like Daily D's, only instead of fashion, I will be filtering through all the beauty crap that's shaking up the blogoshphere. These links are from the past week and today, and you will see updated clickables every Friday from here on out.

Tie your hair into a GaGa-esque bow, long locks required. Fashionista

OPI Hong Kong: Spring Collection swatches. Guess which 5 I want got. Scrangie

Grammy roundup: Carrie Underwood has one of the best makeup artists in the biz, Fergie's still old, I still don't care who Lea Michele is (but I know I don't like her because she is younger and prettier than me), Beyonce--I will always love you, but no tinsel in your weave. No. Just no. Glamour Beauty

Also, the SICKEST nails from the Grammys. All Lacquered Up

Jennifer Hudson is doin' the damn thing. Beauty Counter

Also from style.com, is Ke$ha to' up or what? Beauty Counter

Is that ish from Whole Foods you're slathering on your skin really "organic?" WWD|Beauty

With the tag line For those who travel, those who are curious, and those who can't commit, 3Floz.com has me wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?!" Beauty Counter

Fresh's new Creme Ancienne Eye Cream (which I love, and not because I get it for free) made it onto style.com, and I doubt the PR girl had anything to do with it. Beatuy Counter

And now for your "who gives a sh!t" link of the week, Kate Gosselin chopped ten inches off her weave. The Cut

Stil/Nirva Trunk Show

2010-02-08T16:00:00-05:00

Working in the Chestnut Hill Mall has its perks. After my shift this Saturday, I had a chance to stop by Stil to check out the trunk show with local designer, Nirva. The store was pretty packed in comparison to the rest of the mall- Nirva's bright spring colors were enough to grab the attention of any mall walker and coerce them in to take a peak.

After looking through many of her pieces, some of which truly made my mouth water, (bright Aztec prints, rich colored silks and embellished tank tops oh my!), I started watching the crowd. Everyone was laughing and having a good time, drinking champagne, and taste-testing chocolates thanks to Hotel Chocolat. All in all, it was a lovely afternoon and seemed to be really successful. I, of course, forgot my camera, but check out pictures after the jump that I was given permission to snag of Stil's Facebook Page...

Local Designers Nirva and Adriana Unarreal

Aruna and Barbara Quiroga

The Stil Crew with Nirva

They can't stop doing yoga! Stil Studio is really catching on!

Elyse, Bonnie, Myself and Denise (Stil Store Manager) Aren't we just a vision in black?

Daily D's

2010-02-08T14:00:00-05:00

Donatella Versace discusses her fashion manifesto (which will be in the new issue of LOVE) Independent UK

Madonna's LV fall 2009 shoot, pre-Photoshop Sassybella

Why would you shop on an ecommerce site that doesn't list the prices until you put an item in your cart to begin with? NY Times

People are fucking idiots and those who fall for this type of shit should not be allowed to work in fashion (or anything where you play gatekeeper) Fashionista

Fashion magazines are having sluggish sales, particularly at the news stand WWD

Debunking "sustainable" fashion (brilliant piece) Financial Times

Tavi responds to the editors v. bloggers drama, as always, in a very articulate manner Style Rookie

Terry Richardson shoots Lohan (who is not wearing Ungaro but McQueen) for Purple The Cut

Is Grace Coddington's next film with The September Issue's RJ Cutler an animated piece inspired by her cat book? Grazia

I can't remember if I posted about Donna Karan's talk at Parsons last week or not so sorry if this is a repeat (I find it a valid point so deal) - but she's speaking out about how fashion shows are "killing our own industry" My Fashion Life

Tuleh is struggling WWD

ALT, 30 years ago A Shaded View on Fashion

Also, ALT has signed a 3-season contract to judge ANTM. Anna approves WWD

Armani Exchange's VDay ads, featuring a "gay" couple, a "lesbian" couple and a "hetero" couple (emphasis mine) has pissed off some stiff mommies Mediaite

Trick Of The Trade (OR How To Have A Happy Ending When You Think You've Ruined Your Bag)

2010-02-08T12:00:00-05:00

For some, it's shoes, and for others, it's jewelry, but bags are undoubtedly my greatest fashion weakness. Be it clutch, tote, or weekender, I have a serious obsession. Once, I dreamt that my room was being devoured by a sea of fiery flames, and the first thing I saved was my ivory leather Marc Jacobs bag (which, for the record, I bought for myself in high school). It's not a case of insensitivity, but simply, of passion.

Whenever I venture into a store, I usually make a beeline for the bag section. The first time I entered Bobby from Boston (19 Thayer Street, South End) was no different. Tucked in the small women's section is a large wooden shelving unit stocked with leather bags. There, I found one of my absolute favorites: a butter leather saddle bag, which ended up costing me a steep ten dollars.

Unfortunately, my beloved bag almost met its tragic fate last year when a waitress spilled salad dressing all over it. She muttered an apology, and I repeatedly exclaimed, "But it's leather!" as I watched the large oil stain set in. Desperate for a quick fix, I searched the Internet for a plausible remedy, and luckily, found just the trick. The magic potion to removing oil marks? Foot powder!

Because foot powder was formulated to absorb all the oils that your feet produce (gross, I know), it can also absorb oil from leather. Just sprinkle a thin layer on the stain and let it sit for about an hour. When time is up, wipe the area clean with a dry cloth. I have since seen the trick work wonders on a variety of leather bags and boots. Now you can rest easy the next time a careless mistake (or waitress) makes a (temporary) mark on your leather goods.

Have You Taken Our Reader Survey Yet?

2010-02-05T16:00:00-05:00

If you did, high five! If you haven't, go here and fill it out. What else do you have to do on a Friday afternoon? It takes less then 5 minutes and you're clearly looking to kill some time.

Don't worry, New Brahmin will not share or sell your information. Promise.

[image source]

Daily D's

2010-02-05T14:00:00-05:00

The Launch My Line winner, Native Rose, is being sold on Rue La La but doesn't look a thing like the real deal Racked

Sandra Bullock sells clothes WSJ

Spanx for Men. It's happening StyleList

The whole Rodarte/Ryan McGinley/Olympian fashion spread is live T Magazine

People who want the Jersey Shore look - who would have thought there'd be such posers Huffington Post

Net-a-Porter goes bridal February 16th WWD

A male model offers sexual favors to a cop to forget some drunk & disorderly conduct Smoking Gun

Nathalie Rykiel decided to do a collection with H&M since they were already copying her "all the time" Nylon

Couple Cut And Color

2010-02-05T12:00:00-05:00

Want to start V-Day a little early? No, I'm not telling you to get down and dirty, put those clothes back on! I'm talking about Sassoon's Valentine's Day promo. Make an appointment for you and your lover between Febuary 8th and the 14th and both of you will receive $20 off your cuts or colors and some complimentary treatments. Pay for each others treatments as an early gift then go home and do whatever you want with your new do's. Just try not to make your hairdresser feel like the third wheel.

Sassoon Salon 14 Newbury Street, Back Bay 617-536-5496

Chocolates + Champagne + Fashion

2010-02-04T16:00:00-05:00

This Saturday, join the Stil team at The Mall at Chestnut Hill to celebrate local designer (and one of the sweetest people ever) Nirva's spring collection with a trunk show, some champers and delicious chocolates, courtesy of Hotel Chocolat. Also enjoy 10% off the whole store! Looks like I might have to cop the dress in the pic, since it fancies my obsession with ethnic prints. See you there!