In case you missed them, here are the top stories from the week in Racked: New York's EMG Vintage Throws First LA Shopping Bash; Bruno's GQ Shoot Irks the LAUSD; First Look: Runway's Leanne Marshall for Bluefly; Storecasting: Perrin Paris 1893 Bags a Slice of Beverly Drive; and Bikinis on Parade: LA-Bred Swim Designers Paddle Into Miami
]]>Local
· Christian Audigier HQ moving to MJ's mansion? We have no words. [TMZ]
· Even the designers aren't that into LA Fashion Week this year[WSJ]
National
· Wrangler's sexy (or was that creepy?) ad campaign wins award [Style List]
· Rompers: Best left to the two-year-old set? [Double X]
ECHO PARK—New-ish Echo Park lifestyle shop Feeding Birds is opening up its rooftop this Saturday for a 4th of July barbeque and screen printing party. Bring your own tee and get one of the shop's exclusive designs printed on it for free, or buy one that's been pre-printed for you. Crafting will commence at noon and last until 4, but you can stop by as early as 10am to welcome owners Daisy-Alexandra and David to the neighborhood— just follow the hot dog smell to 1825 Echo Park Ave. [Racked Wire]
LOS FELIZ—Los Feliz design store/gallery Happy has reached new levels of...creativity...with its latest installation. Artist Leia Jervert has created a topiary from "scraps" and "refuse", which is currently growing in the boutique's closet. Per an e-mail: "Where the hedge becomes unruly, viewers are encouraged to gently prune Jervert's bittersweet reminder of what is lost and how to come to terms with it." A good time to exercise your pruning skills would be Friday, when the shop celebrates a new exhibition of stitched canvases by Jim Gentry. [Racked Wire]
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This month marks the annual lycra-fest that is Miami's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week , dedicated solely to swimwear. Given the longstanding attendance of one Ed Hardy, we expected that the other LA-bred talent at the event would boast a similarly...er...flashy aesthetic. But, to our surprise, the participating SoCal contingent is mostly eschewing gaudy embellishment to create suits that we wouldn't be the least bit ashamed to wear in public. So, for those of you still seeking a new suit for pool party season, we present a few of our favorite Miami-bound locals (and where to find them):
L*SPACE SWIMWEAR— OC-based designer Monica Wise is the guest of honor at Miami Fashion Week this year, joining past "Mercedes-Benz Presents" honorees like Monique Lhuillier and Badgley Mischka. Her catalog for this season is ridiculously vast, but we're particularly digging this fringed one-piece, done up in subtle metallic gold. It can be found at, of all places, Dillards
VITAMIN A—Yes, Vitamin A has been around for nearly a decade, but this marks its first season showing in Miami—and, as an LA label that's known for its perfectly fitting bikinis, we think it's worth an honorable mention. We were immediately drawn to the turquoise bikini with gold accents above, which is available at Everything but Water—see the website for local locations.
· L*Space [Official Site]
· Marysia Swim [Official Site]
· Vitamin A [Official Site]
Label: Fluxus
With the launch of AA's new line of bedding—pillowcases or twin/queen/king sheet sets in either gray or white—comes a whole new reason for scantily-clad models. Except you see, since these items aren't clothing, there's really no need to bother with cladding at all. And so we have the typical American Apparel flash-heavy photos of models in compromising positions, seemingly following the rules of callgirl ads.
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Now we're no prudes, but this second group of sheet poses does not make us want to buy their $40-and-up bedding any more than mud wrestling makes us crave chocolate pudding. Leave the back-page callgirls alone, Dov, unless you'd like to hire them, but oh wait—you've already got problems there.
· American Apparel Bedding [Official Site]
· American Apparel's Workforce: One-Third Illegal [Racked]
· Just Another Day In The Life Of American Apparel [Racked]
Label: Tarina Tarantino
Last week, Blogdowntown took us inside new Downtown vintage shop FLEA— and today, a reader writes in echoing its praises. She says: "There’s a cool new store in downtown called FLEA, located on 6th between Main and Spring. Vintage clothing, great furniture, Barbie art and a store full of a lot of great stuff...and the lady who owns it is cool. Check it out." Well, tipster, perhaps now we will. [Racked Inbox, Blogdowntown]]]>
Label: Jenni Kayne
Now that the velour tracksuit has become something of a fashion punchline, many might think that Juicy Couture—the brand that owes its fame to that single item—would be heading down with it. But not so, according to company president Edgar Huber—in fact, if he has his way, the brand will be worth multi-billions in the not-so-distant future. In an interview with WWD, he reveals that the LA-based label will be opening a massive 25 freestanding stores and 18 outlets worldwide within the next six months, including five in Dubai, two in Greece, one in London, and two in California (Palo Alto and Roseville, to be exact).
]]> A new line of travel products is in the works, to be sold in duty-free stores and in-flight catalogs, as is a new higher-end label called Bird, which we previewed last week, and a new chain of intimates stores. While this kind of expansion may seem to be at odds with the current spending climate, Huber says “The stores are a huge benefit. We need our stores to be our opportunity to express to the world who we are...I really believe that we can be that splash of color in a gloomy [sic] .” Because cotton-candy pink and rhinestones really do heal all ills.Label: American Apparel
Best Bets Daily: DVF's legging-like Sweetheart pants
Charles & Marie: Sunshine in a jar
DailyCandy: OPI launches six matte polishes, more weekend fun
I Heart Daily: Teen novels The Diamonds and If the Witness Lied
Juli B: Not Updated
Rare Daily LA: Not Updated
Refinery29: Tough, pointy jewelry by British designer Dominic Jones (pictured)
Thrillist: Santa Monica restaurant Hidden reopens as Caché
UrbanDaddy: Even more on Caché
WWWD: How to borrow the understated style of Isabel Marant
Local
· Incredibly detailed account of a waxing at Stark in Silver Lake [LA Metblogs]
· Lots of neon at LA label Naven's recent trunk show...[Live! On Sunset]
· ...And more subdued party looks at Boulee's event [Live! On Sunset]
· Affordable red carpet jewelry by Melinda Maria [All the Rage]
National
· Opening Ceremony teams up with Pendleton on outerwear [Coutorture]
· Thom Browne gets a new CEO [WWD, subscription req'd]
· To earn an R rating, Brüno had to cut the nudity [Page Six]
· Where to find affordable eyeglasses [WSJ]
Christian Audigier has just unleashed his Ed Hardy wines on the people of London, and during the launch, he revealed that he'll be showing his spring 2010 collection in Paris this fall. According to Vogue UK: "...[He] has promised a performance by a 'big celebrity' name. Unfortunately, Audigier was reluctant to divulge the celebrity identity but cryptically hinted: 'You know all the names; you can guess.'" Britney, perhaps? Meanwhile, no word on whether he'll be bringing his show (and this mysterious celebrity) back to LA for our own fashion week. [Vogue.co.uk]Label: Temperley London
Local
· Looks from Whitley Kros' Holiday collection [Blackburn & Sweetzer]
· British designer Zandra Rhodes crashes car into San Diego hardware store [LA.com]
· Eagle Rock's Bughouse Art & Design brilliantly remasters Ikea basics [Apartment Therapy]
National
· Look! It's a wedding dress made of toilet paper! [Slaves to Fashion]
· Is Kanye interning at the Gap? And working late? [Jezebel via Us Weekly]
· Crabtree and Evelyn files for Chapter 11 [Crain's]
International
· The first English trailer for Coco Before Chanel [Elle]
· Michelle Obama gets roped into French debate about keeping stores open on Sundays [Time]
Label: Flight 001
LA-based labels have found a surprisingly rabid new fan base in the boutiques of middle America—and it's not just tabloid staples like Kitson and Intuition (due to launch a Target line next week) that are getting in on the lovefest. WWD reports that brands like Joe's Jeans, Gregory Parkinson, and Elmer Ave. are doing considerably big business in shops from Kansas to South Dakota, where competition is slim and reverence for Hollywood is high. The only problem? Several retailers told the pub that LA-born clothes are "cut too narrow and slim" for the public at large. [WWD, sub. required]]]>
It was only yesterday that Racked NY dropped by the Bluefly.com studio for a little tête-à-tête with Project Runway Season 5 winner Leanne Marshall, and today we have even more information on her capsule collection with the online retailer.
The line will release next Wednesday, July 8, exclusively at Bluefly.com and features pricing between $98 and $990. Of course the $990 item is the deep blue gown of silk and organza, but otherwise the pieces are under $300.
Although the model in these official pictures looks a bit strung out in the shot with the pink dress, the gown makes her appear positively Amazonian, even more so than a model should be. The real dilemma is if this waterfall of a dress will translate well to the bodies of regular women, the ones who'll be clicking for it next week.
]]> "Carine" jersey tunic - $98· First Look: Runway's Leanne Marshall For Bluefly [Racked]
· Christian Siriano's Collection Arrives At Bluefly [Racked]
In other Beverly Hills news, we've learned that the Judith Leiber store at 220 N. Rodeo Drive is officially open for business. We took a quick spin around the shop just before closing last night, taking in not only a blinding array of bejewelled clutches, but a lavish interior involving lots of purple, marble, and an entire room crafted in the faceted crystal style of one of Leiber's famed minaudieres. Photos and a more thorough report to come. [RackedWire]]]>
Label: All' Aboard
A trusted source reports that BCBG's Final Cut outlet received a shipment of Herve Leger bandage dresses last night. She writes: "The girls didn't know what season they were from but one was navy, another mostly white with some neutral accents, and the third mostly grey tones. Prices were about $431, originally about $1200." We followed up with the store and, as of 2pm today, there were about 15-20 dresses left, in sizes from XXS to M. However, the associate we spoke with said they were going quickly, so it's worth heading down to 8026 Melrose Ave (323-852-1481) if you're interested. [RackedWire]]]>
Perrin Paris 1893 bags have claimed shelf space in LA for some time now—at Fred Segal, West 3rd Street's Malgosia, and Santa Monica's Savannah, to name a few places—but, this fall, it looks like they'll be getting a home of their very own. We spotted this signage yesterday at 346 N. Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills, right next door to the Christophe salon. A quick glance through the brand's website revealed several earthy, yet sophisticated styles—surprisingly youthful, considering the rather old-school tone of the logo and window covering (and the fact that they recently designed a multi-pocketed clutch for Martha Stewart). Judging by the online stockist list, it looks like this is going to be the brand's first standalone boutique in the US (we're awaiting confirmation).
UPDATED: We've learned that the store, which is indeed set to be the brand's flagship, will open in September 2009. Along with the bags and gloves, a line of "chunky statement-making leather cuffs, bracelets and necklaces" and two charity versions of the "Martha" clutch will debut in time for the boutique's launch.
· Perrin Paris 1893 [Official Site]
Label: Lost and Found
One third of employees at American Apparel's LA factory are immigrants who aren't legally permitted to work in the US, according to a federal probe. On the one hand, this is obviously a surprising statistic, since it's such an enormous percentage. On the other hand, in some ways the news isn't a surprise at all. From a 2008 article about Dov Charney in now-defunct business journal Portfolio:
Last December, Charney was served with a notice of inspection by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, the largest investigative branch of the Department of Homeland Security, informing him that he needed to prepare documentation on all of his workers for review.]]> Charney and his growing team of lawyers and consultants have taken this as a warning. The company has given the feds records for thousands of workers; Charney says he hasn't heard a word in response. Since then, he's spent his days bracing for a raid at any time on American Apparel's factories. The company received the results last week, according to WWD. It hasn't been raided as such—it wasn't charged with any wrongdoing, since the ICE believes that it didn't knowingly hire illegal aliens—but if the 1,800 cited employees can't prove that they're here legally, they're all going to lose their jobs.
· Probe fingers 1,800 American Apparel workers [Yahoo]
· Barely Legal [Portfolio]
· ICE Issues Citation to American Apparel [WWD, subscription req'd]
Yesterday, neighborhood blog Franklin Avenue commented on the high density of childrens' shops in Eagle Rock—but it turns out that the Eastside's kid-friendly retail contingent extends far beyond that. Case in point: a group of ten boutiques from Silver Lake, Los Feliz and Atwater Village have banded together to launch the Eastside Kids Club, which offers members 10% off children's purchases, plus periodic raffle prizes. Participating shops include design store Yolk, craft shop Reform School, and clothing boutiques Juvie and La La Ling (a full list can be found on the group's blog). Summer baby shower shopping just got a whole lot easier. [Racked Inbox, Previously] ]]>
@xobetseyjohnson: "In response: http://bit.ly/fjXlN Bette Davis: 'I will not retire while I've still got my legs and my make-up box.'"
@WhitneyEVE: "I ran in the rain for ten minutes today... I felt like I was being chased by a leopard in the rain forest!"
@rumineely: "tide pens actually work??"
@NylonMag: "Dina Lohan is also present [at the Nylon + Nike launch party], wearing a banana clip and leather jacket. This concludes our Lohan tweets."
@ItsOnAlexa: "everyone make sure that @RealHughJackman is okay, we're worried. it's been since may 25 that he last tweeted."
@ELUXURY: "Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl video is a classic http://bit.ly/4kjma"
@cmbenz: "High chic = dropping off a stool sample @ the vet en route to the office. Ew!"
]]>Label: Vince
Best Bets Daily: Sur La Table's chillable carafe
Charles & Marie: The odor-absorbing Chikuno cube
DailyCandy: Woolly Pocket go-anywhere gardens
I Heart Daily: BellaSugar blogger reveals her favorite beauty products
Juli B: 4th of July-themed finery
Rare Daily LA: Even more on Hollywood's Essex Public House
Refinery29: iPod boombox, perforated trilby, other beach essentials
Thrillist: Sweat-proof jeans and more for the weekend
UrbanDaddy: Circus-themed nightclub 'Playhouse' opens in Hollywood
WWWD:A fashion shoot featuring tough summer looks(pictured)
Local
· LA County sales tax jumps up to 9.75% today [LA Daily News]
· Juicy Couture now designing electronics [FWD]
National
· Beyonce launching Sasha Fierce line for juniors [WWD. sub. required]
· Gladiators and oxfords just don't mix [Fashion Binge]
· Claudia Schiffer speaking at International Herald Tribune luxury conference? [Fashionista]
That was fast; several days ago, the world only knew that Kanye's shoes for Louis Vuitton were delayed, and now the news is that they're releasing today. Accompanying the news are the shoe pricepoints—forget "$700+," these babies start at $840 and top out at $1140—and style names. Choose from the "Mr. Hudson," "Jasper," and "The Don." So will there be lines outside of LV stores this morning? Maybe small ones, but if it's buzz they wanted, they should have aired the release date a while ago. [If It's Hip It's Here; previously]]]>
Even if you missed yesterday's DecadesTwo Chanel sale, you could still be in with a chance at a chain belt—Resurrection, too, is holding a sale on Chanel accessories, with an emphasis on pieces from the '80s. WWD says that the stash, which came from a private collector, features things like "logo-laden pendant necklaces", "grunge-friendly chokers" and "patent accessories". Prices start at a mere $500, and it's all 20% off through Friday at the 8006 Melrose Ave location. [WWD, sub. required, Previously]]]>
Local
· Audrina Patridge's stylist made the bikini she wore in her Carl's Jr commercial [The Chic Leak]
National
· Betsey Johnson says she's ready to retire [The Cut]
· Male models in ridiculous clothing: Always amusing! [The Pipeline]
· Lifetime's new Project Runway ads are "just unfortunate" [Gawker]
· A look at Michael Jackson's last costumes [People StyleWatch]
As any fan of Project Runway knows, one of the prizes for the winner is to have a collection produced and sold on Bluefly.com, and Season 5's triumphant designer Leanne Marshall is in the midst of doing just that.
Today Racked New York headed up to Bluefly HQ to preview the collection of eco-friendly pieces and chat with Leanne during the official photoshoot, snapping the first photos of the actual garments.
]]> The collection consists of one formal gown, two everyday dresses, one skirt, two tanks, two knit tops, and a short jacket, all in shades of coral, cream or blue. Although price points haven't yet been released, the pieces themselves are well-made and reflective of Leanne's signature feminine swoopy style—there are petals aplenty.Talking with Leanne, she revealed that she's been living in New York City since January and now has a (very adorable) assistant who does all her running to Mood Fabrics. She also still posts handmade pieces to her Etsy because she "enjoys the personal interaction." Guess this means this might be the last time we see her working to mass produce her work?
· Project Runway's Leanne Marshall Unhappy With Bluefly? [Racked]
Andre Leon Talley may be predicting the death of the mega-heel, but in SoCal, at least, it's alive and well. Christian Louboutin's South Coast Plaza shop tells us that there's already a 20-strong waiting list for the late-July launch of the new "Feticha" style, which boasts a 120mm stiletto heel rendered in a new, curvaceous shape. Proof that car culture does have its perks, after all. [RackedWire, Vogue]]]>
The bohemian rock-chick look so beloved by Kate Moss wannabes worldwide owes a lot to Ossie Clark—a British label that rose to fame in the late '60s thanks to its gutsily patterned chiffon dresses and devotees like Marianne Faithfull and Anita Pallenberg. The brand went away for awhile, then staged a European comeback last year under a new designer, and this fall its new incarnation will be appearing exclusively at Madison in the US.
The West 3rd Street, Malibu and online shops will carry a smattering of pieces from the fall collection, which brings back '70s staples such as flower-power prints, high waistlines, and billowing sleeves. Schoolgirl-ish white tights optional, but we're actually very much digging those too.
· Madison [Official Site]
· Ossie Clark [Official Site]
Label: Welcome Hunters
In other baby news, Franklin Avenue bringsword of a new children's clothing outlet in Eagle Rock, dedicated to overstock from local label Kumquat Baby. "That short stretch of Eagle Rock is possibly the most toddler-friendly location in town," says the blog, referring to the intersection of Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards. "After all, there's Swork Coffee (with its kids play area) at the corner, as well as kids stores Twerps and Rockin' Kids (which also has a small play area) close by. Indoor kids playground Peekaboo Playland is also down the street." [Franklin Avenue]]]>
Label: TenOverSix
The ever-pregnant Nicole Richie has been talking about designing a maternity line for over a year now, but it her plans are apparently starting to come to fruition. She revealed today via her blog that she is producing a collection with A Pea in the Pod, a nationwide chain specializing in (relatively) fashion-forward pregnancy garb.
Quoth the starlet: "A Pea in the Pod and I joined to create a capsule collection of maternity wear that will be available in stores this summer...I'm really excited for you all to see the new collection." We aren't sure if the dresses she's wearing backstage at the campaign shoot above are actually part of the new line or not, but rest assured that they will be similarly floaty and dizzyingly patterned.
· My Exclusive Collection for Pea in the Pod [Nicole Richie Official Site]
· Sellebrity Designer News [Racked]
· A Pea in the Pod [Official Site]
Label: Intuition
Lycra isn't really a part of the Steven Alan vocabulary, so in order to cash in on the cycling market, they had to be creative with their cotton check. The result: a plaid riding shirt created in collaboration with New York-based bike shop Chari & Co. The button-down top features such innovation as an extra long tail in the back, a tear-away breast pocket that's strategically placed so as not to interfere with a messenger bag strap, and an additional pouch in the back. The only downside? It's made from flannel, which makes it totally useless for all but the chilliest of LA days. The shirt launches in October at Steven Alan stores and online. [Men.Style.com]]]>
Remember that photoshoot in this month's GQ, wherein Bruno prances about with a beefy football team wearing little more than metallic hot pants and shoulder pads? Well, turns out the shoot took place at LA's Birmingham High School with real-life students—and, naturally, school officials haven't exactly framed the shots for their trophy cases.
Local superintendent Jean Brown told LA Now that she found "the 'nature of the poses' to be inappropriate," going on to say "Local District 1, on behalf of Birmingham, is very embarrassed by what has happened, and very disappointed in the judgment that allowed the students to participate in this activity.” What do you think—a justified uproar, or an overreaction to harmless comedy?
· Cortines Steamed Over Bruno Photo Shoot [LA Now]
· Slideshow: A Man Among Men [Men.Style.com]
Best Bets Daily: Target's East Coast/West Coast tote bag (pictured)
Charles & Marie: Reusable bags with celeb faces on them
DailyCandy: Wine and cheese tastings at Glendale's Palate
Delight Daily: Lego-inspired iPod speakers
I Heart Daily: Eco-friendly sea glass jewelry on Etsy
Juli B: Not Updated
Rare Daily LA: Not Updated
Refinery29: Street style inspired by Old Hollywood stars
Thrillist: Crayon-colored kicks from Radii
UrbanDaddy: More on Essex Public House in Hollywood
WWWD: Model Jourdan Dunn's personal style
Label: Live! On Sunset
Local
· Adele wears local designer Barbara Tfank to perform at Hollywood Bowl [Fashion Rules!]
· Giant steel shopping bag to commemorate Los Cerritos Center expansion [Press-Telegram via Curbed]
National
· More Madonna + Louis Vuitton campaign shots surface [Catwalk Queen]
· Marc Jacobs' wedding pushed back to August [WWD]
DecadesTwo's Chanel sale is now on at Hautelook.com, but just hours after it began, pickings are already slim. If you're looking for a boucle jacket, skirt suit, or puff-sleeved cocktail dress (pictured) you could still be in luck, but most of these still hover around the $1,000 mark. All handbags have either been sold or are on hold, as have nearly all of the lower-priced blouses, skirts and dresses. [HauteLook]]]>
Label: A.P.C.
Local
· Atwater Village's Amelia Fitzwater gift shop to close [Atwater Village Newbie]
· First look at The Generic Man's fall '09 collection [Selectism]
National
· Anna Sui recycled her runway looks for Target. No complaints here. [Nylon]
· Vogue explains how to cure back pain: Hire Madonna's Pilates instructor [Jezebel]
International
· The Kaiser didn't design his "Karl Who?" tote bag, but he loves it [Vogue UK]