lala new york city

Tom Ford: A Creative + Intuitive Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:13:00 +0000

Early this morning, I found myself surfing the interwebs - only to find the full episode of Tom Ford on Visionaries on the OWN Network. Entranced by every second of the forty something minute episodic exploration into the brilliance that is Tom Ford, all of my senses became excited and sensitized. When you think of Tom Ford, of course you think of all the superlative titles you can imagine for the king of cultural fashion, but instead my mind always wanders to the people and friends that are completely fanatical about the man. And very rightfully so. Yet, after watching this and many other videos that I could gather up on this snowy Saturday morning, what I realized was so special about the man whose pieces are an homage to the form of a woman, was his intuitive nature. Trusting that his vision is guided and failure shouldn't even be a concern. For every creative being, once you reach that level of faith in your craft, there isn't anything you create that won't be a masterpiece. Even if you think that you're the only one that believes in it, I could just bet that others will start to believe, too. Confidence just works like that.

Resources:
Visionaries: Inside the Creative Mind - Tom Ford
Spring 2012 Tom Ford Ad Campaign

The Retrophile

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

I bought these cute new notebooks from Thomas Paul on Swirl, just days before they became Daily Candy Deals - which by the way I was totally bummed about. I left the set of notebooks in my closet for a while because I wasn't sure if I wanted to use them or not. I always think that the quest for a good notebook is grounds for good writing to go into said notebook. So before even thinking about writing a word in any given notebook, I have to feel it out, even down to the examining the spine, stock of paper and type of lining - just to feel comfortable committing my thoughts to this new collection of pages. I don't know, it's silly. It's almost like some sort of writer's superstition I have, but without fail my notebook judgment is always accurate. Anyhow, the first thing I wrote in my new handy dandy notebook was about the word 'Retrophile'. I wrote it after looking at a post on Who What Wear. I never heard it before but I thought it was such a great word to describe me and probably so many other girls. I thought about the countless amount of women who have certain habits that surround around fashion, items, and developed habits from decades that they have never experienced but are dying to know about. I've always been one of those people that have had their head in the clouds wondering what life would have been like in some other time and some other place. So, this is for all the lady retrophiles out there that fantasize in black and white and could definitely appreciate some Sarah Vaughan.

Sure, she appreciates a good film by Goddard but she really takes a liking to the Italians like Fellini. Wanderlust flutters about her when she peruses dreamy objects at antique shops. Her favorite filter on Instagram is Earlybird, but her love of a good fashion aesthetic makes her play with Brannan, once and again. She loves the look of a good cat-eye eyeglass. And the fuller her skirt, the happier she is. When she finds a good Ferragamo from the 60s larger than a size 7, she grabs it even if it means to squeeze because it will look wonderful in her collection. She secretly believes she will have her romantic Disney storybook ending one day. She can spend the entire weekend on a quest for the perfect clip-on button earring as long as the price is right. Coffee table books are not only home decor for her, they've become very good friends. But if you would ask her other friends to describe her, they'd say she's an old soul, with passion deep and an imagination high. There's a grace to her that simply cannot be learnt. But she attributes it to the hours spent watching post-Depression, black and white musicals, and the years reading the works of famous female novelists. Her favorite food is cupcakes, the sweeter the better. She believes that long gloves are a suitable accessory for any occasion. She daydreams in colors of cotton candy pinks and blues, and often in shades of sepia. She appreciates a good trunk or briefcase in leather and studded in brass. She doesn't mind the smell of moth balls when it comes to digging for sartorial treasures from yesteryear. When she walks down the street, she has the strut and poise of a silver screen goddess. She's super sweet and knows how to carry herself like a true lady. She is the pleasure to love, incredible to know and absolutely impossible to forget.

Resources:
Thomas Paul
Youthquaker, Vogue Magazine 1965-1975
Who What Wear, The Retrophile Gift Guide

Current Fixations

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:30:00 +0000

There's a few sure fire things that the lingering holiday season can do to you (even when the hangovers are gone), like: make you gain weight, read the books you've hadn't the chance to, look at old pictures of yourself during your awkward "over-tweezing" phase, and last but not least, identifying the objects and items that you plan to obsess over for the next month or so. There's a few things that I can't seem to quit recently and it wouldn't be fair not to share my new vices with you. Even if they just might be gone tomorrow.

1. Anthropologie
Visits to endless suburban malls during the holidays from Maryland to Long Island had me wandering a little further from the Auntie Anne's pretzel stand and closer to the quaint and embellished decor in Anthropologie. I've always gone into the store, gaped at the brilliant decor but always become too distracted and forget that I was there to shop. But, once I put my ADD at bay, I found myself getting my hands on the most precious lingerie and lounge sets, candles, squirrel jewelry holders, fragrances from Le Labo, and the magazine for the ultimate wanderlusters: Anthology. Keith Johnson, now I'm getting the full picture of why I loved you so much in Man Shops Globe.

2. Pinky Rings
I always loved that saying in mobster movies "kiss my ring", which is usually pertaining to the pinky ring of a mob boss. When I ordered this grenade ring on ASOS from AMO by Tom Binns, a size smaller than I am, I just slipped it on my pinky finger and kept it moving. I didn't want to send anything back, but this ensued all types of pinky acessorizing brainstorming. Ironically enough, I ran into a sale at Club Monaco where I found a stack of delicate rings with a Moroccan motif. I painted my nails in Terracotta by Essie and stacked some more statement rings on my ring and middle fingers. So now everytime I look down, it feels like I've been transported to a Moroccan marketplace.

3. Portlandia
I got a year long Netflix subscription as a gift and I couldn't be more ecstatic about watching every last movie and docu in my instant Q. One early suggestion that came up for me was Portlandia, the satirical sketch comedy on IFC from Fred Armisen (SNL) and Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney). After watching season one in its entirety, I've been hooked on the sarcastic humor of the feminist bookshop keepers and Nanc who gets pulled into a polygamist cult after searching for the owners of an organic free range chicken she ordered at a Portland restaurant. And in all my shrewd glory, Portlandia came back for season two on IFC this past Friday with Andy Samberg as guest star.

4. Mindy Kaling
Finally, I got to read "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me + Other Concerns" and so glad I did. I finished the book in 48 hours cover to cover. I couldn't put the book down, worrying I would be missing a funny little quirk of Mindy's or screenshot of the everyday thoughts that run through her scintillating mind. I marveled at the bravery of honesty in her writing. Mindy is proud to be herself when no one or everyone is looking. Her radiating confidence gives her the keen ability to make people laugh and feel good about themselves. Not everyone can do that. She's really a shining example of a creative woman of modernity and wit.

5. Smashbox Blush Rush
I'm not into loud makeup of the dark and bright persuasion, but I do love beauty products that help achieve a natural and understated look. There's always a new product that I love to get my hands on to try. I had been a Benefit girl in high school and slowly turned to Nars for everything in college. Now more recently, I've been using Laura Mercier because her tinted moisturizer is beyond. I was getting tired of the redness of my everyday Nars blush in Lovejoy. So after a bit of beauty browsing, I picked up Smashbox's Blush Rush in Bare. And although skeptical at first, I became a believer after applying it the next day. It's soft and sweet in color, a natural flush for olive skin and right up my alley. And if you're ever looking for great brushes for application, Bare Escentuals has the softest around.

Celebrating Women's Empowerment Week: an Ode to Strong Women

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:45:00 +0000

The Celebration of Women's Empowerment Week is in full swing and ends on January 11th. The ladies handling the @HelloGiggles Twitter account asked followers to share "who your lady role models are." Immediately, the question made me excited to share mine. I always grew up celebrating women in power, politics, and in my family. The fundamental idea that women could do anything that men could was engrained into my psyche as a young girl. And that very notion has stayed with me and has grown up with me, taking on new meanings and value.

In November, I read an article on Forbes by Hannah Woit, titled "Can I Still Be A Feminist If I...?" And from that point forward, I realized that my personal fight for gender equality as an self-empowered young women was evolving before my eyes into something that had nothing to do with man-hating or fighting a fight that hasn't yet been provoked. It was about the beauty of how far women have come, that we now have the luxury of choosing what we want to be as women in the twenty first century. A moment in time when women holding political office, women exhibiting at the Whitney Biennial, women changing the face of media are the people that we can't stop paying attention to.

Whether on our televisions, in the pages of our favorite books, in your circle of friends or on your tablet screens, there are some kick-ass women that lead with strength and by example. If I had to name some of my influences they would be Cathie Black, Gloria Steinem, Arianna Huffington, Hillary Clinton, Cindy Gallop, Bianca Jagger, my mother and my good friend Haleh. They all make me want to be a better me. But you know, empowerment is contagious and it all starts with you.

In the resources section below, I've included some women's empowerment websites, books and key articles that have been extremely influential to me and hope they will do the same for you, too. Happy Women's Empowerment Week!

Resources:
Can I Still Be a Feminist If I?, Forbes
Women's Work, NYT
Feministing
Women Working
On Becoming Fearless, Arianna Huffington
Ms. Magazine
If We Ran the World

Diana Vreeland Wouldn't Survive a Day in the Information Age

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Quotes from luminaries are always something that I'm jotting down in inspiration notebooks and the backs of used paper (in an effort to do my part in keeping things green, of course). Going through a recent notebook that I've kept by my side for the past few months, I found a quote by Diana Vreeland - who up to that point was one of my fashion idols. I went on to read some words from the publishing and social fixture of yesteryear and it read: "What do I think about the way most people dress? Most people are not something one thinks about." I wondered to myself why I would have even kept this in a notebook that was to be a safe haven for creativity and inspiration. It was a grotesque statement to me - one free of compassion or concern for others. It's amazing how so much has changed since the days of Diana hosting dinner parties and styling the pages of Bazaar. Maybe my displeasure wasn't even about what the quote suggested but more of what it stood for: a clear, concise change of the times. One of the most profound differences of Diana's day and today is: people actually give a damn about one another today. There aren't these hands-off, I have better things to deal with attitudes towards one another any longer - not in digital, not in fashion, not in the general consciousness. Or at least, not in the people that I want to break bread with and build with.

We've seen internet trends move faster than the speed of light, whipping us around, and leading us to fall straight on our asses, if we can't keep up. Ironically enough in the niche of fashion, one of those Internet trends has been the popularization of personal style that happens from the way that everyday people are dressing themselves. Hey Diana, I bet you never saw that one coming. Anyone with ability to connect their devices to the Internet, has the advantage to become empowered by this bounty of information. We can choose to be the women and men we've always dreamed of being. It's an exciting time to be alive. And Mrs. Vreeland, as much as I respect all the ground work you provided to our industry, and as much as you've served as an inspiration to a girl that wanted to nothing more than to live her life in glossy pages of fashion magazines, you would never survive a day in the Information Age. This is the time is for the individuals, for the dreamers, for the innovators. And slowly but surely, all the dinosaurs will become extinct.

Resources:
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel
The End of Business as Usual by Brian Solis
Vreeland's Style & Jansen House of Interior Decorating

Video Feature on Swagger: New York - Lala Lopez Talks Writing and Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 01:44:00 +0000

Its not always that I get the chance to talk about the influences of my writing or my own personal style. Quite honestly, doing anything where the attention is completely on me, is something that I've kind of shied away from. It's always my worrying about a hair being in the wrong place, wondering if I sound silly or maybe it's just been genuinely letting people in - that has stopped me from doing things that I actually really love doing (like, ie. being on camera) and really putting myself out there. So, when the team at Swagger: New York approached me about doing a video feature on my work and my style, I thought it was a great occasion to let my guard down and show you a little bit more of who I am.

Many thanks to the entire team at Swagger: New York who worked tirelessly to make this video come to life. I hope you all like it!

Swagger Features:
Writing in Style - Lala Lopez
Lala Lopez's Playlist
Lala's Favorite Swagger Looks

A Very Happy Thanksgiving to You.

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Every passing year, finds its way to create new experiences, friends, loves and memories for us all. There is so much to be thankful for this year. I can sit here and tell you that I'm thankful for my magazine collection, my iPhone or perfectly worn in suede Rick Owen boots - but I'm most thankful for my family, friends and all of your support this year. Wishing you a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving - with lots of good wine!

Terese Pagh: Girl of Your Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:08:00 +0000

To say that I love Lula Magazine would be quite the understatement. Every six months I flock to my favorite newsstand on Broadway and 63rd to pick up the little book of fashion heaven. I was over the moon when I opened issue 13 to find Terese Pagh at Marilyn pictured in the "Old Flame" editorial, photographed by Regan Cameron. Terese is the quintessiental Lula girl: lush blonde hair, wide eyed, youthful and could easily have been the offspring of Bridgitte Bardot.

This summer I got the chance to work with Terese on a video + editorial by Nicole Ann Robbins, exclusive to Ben Trovato with some great faces at Ford. The set and mood was a lot darker for the Danish beauty, but made for an ultra creepy-cool vibe. We had two days of filming: day one with Terese shooting the short film and day two for shooting the photos for the editorial. For the short, Nicole played with the idea of playing the role of the voyeur or the exhibitionist. For "The Virgins" editorial, the wardrobe (on my end) was completely stripped-down, bare and eerie. The pieces I used for the guys and girls were from labels like Henrik Vibskov, Graeme Armour, Billy Reid, Floresheim by Duckie Brown, Burkman Bros., Accessory Artists, Timo Weiland, Wood Wood, Sally LaPointe, Britt by Britt, Mjolk, JBNY, and Eleven Objects.

To see the full editorial and interview with the photographer for "The Virgins", click here.

Resources:
Regan Cameron
Lula Magazine
"The Virgins" for Ben Trovato
Accessory Artists

Playlist: Baby, It's Getting Cold Outside

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:13:00 +0000

The weather is a bit fickle in New York, dropping and rising without a moment's notice. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, before you know it we'll all be sipping on some egg nog. So, I put together some of the songs I've been playing on repeat lately, to keep your body moving during the cold winter months. Tracks from Joe Goddard, The Rapture and Azealia Banks will be the perfect soundtrack while you're getting dressed for those swanky holiday parties - that this year, I'm actually looking forward to. And if you get me as your secret Santa this holiday season, I am love with these. Happy Listening!

Resources:
Image Credit via Fashion Gone Rogue
Charlotte Olympia
Stereo Gum

Assembled Fashion: The Tech World Disrupts the Fashion Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:02:00 +0000

On my personal quest to help intimately bridge fashion and digital together, I've found that not only are there organizations and people that are passionate about the subject matter but are working endlessly and effectively on changing the space. Assembled Fashion, organized by General Assembly is using technology as the platform to disrupt the fashion industry. The all day conference is happening tomorrow with an incredible line up of speakers and innovators as well as a showcase of new technology-based start ups. I was very excited when I was asked to speak on behalf of Fashion's Collective for the "Rise of the Social Brand" panel with Kathryn Finney of The Budget Fashionista, Daniel Saynt from Rebecca Minkoff, Gemma Craven from Ogilivy and Sarah Conley from ideeli. I hope you can make it, it would be great to see you! I have a discount link for anyone who wants to join in on tech disrupting fashion, here. For more information on Assembled Fashion, log onto www.assembledfashion.com.

Eleven Objects Pre-NYFW Dinner & Karaoke

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:41:00 +0000

On the eve of the first unofficial day of New York fashion week, friends Chrissy Rhee and Linh Thi Do of Eleven Objects hosted a dinner and SS12 collection preview at Congee Village that set the tone for the rest of the NYFW festivities to follow. The newly famed accessory label invited their favorite editors and bloggers to feast on delicious Chinese dishes and indulge in new collars added to the collection's range. Everyone was gifted with a collar of their choice, along with a set of bungee bracelets that was apart of a collaboration with accessory designer T L Pek. Deanne and I picked out the dashing patent leather number, while the lovely girls from Styled On chose the gold glitter collar. After many rounds of lychee martinis, I gave my best rendition of Toni Braxton on the karaoke mic.

Resources:
Eleven Objects
Natalie Joos in Eleven Objects
Eleven Objects Facebook Page

Newcomer Kate King Rules the Spring 2012 Runway

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:21:00 +0000

Paris Fashion Week hasn't yet ended but Ford's Kate King has perfected her catwalk stride this season, with a running tally of a 52 shows walked for elite fashion houses like Lanvin, Prada, Proenza Schouler, Oscar de la Renta, Burberry Prorsum and Bottega Veneta. Its safe to say that this Canada native will be the go to campaign darling for the Spring 2012 adverts. She has the transformable beauty and body with those persuasive eyes that rival Ruby Aldridge.

I had the chance to work with Kate on an editorial for Ozon’s International Issue. The perfect model to work with – easy, professional and conveys any mood that needs to be captured. She and Marie Lunde (Elite) were a great pairing. After the shooting, Anouk told me that she was going to be big. And from the looks of it, this season Kate King has arrived.

Resources:
The “Really” Editorial published in Ozon’s S/S 12 issue featured looks from Wood Wood, Carin Wester, Shipley & Halmos, Timo Weiland, JNBY and Zana Bayne.
Kate King Runway Photos
Kate King Model Profile
Ozon Magazine
Anouk Morgan

Why Kanye Should Leave Design to Phoebe

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Image via Style.com iPad Application

Kanye West debuted his much anticipated womenwear collection for the Spring Summer 2012 season yesterday in Paris to a bevy of celebrity guests, such as the Olsen twins, Terry Richardson, and Jaret Leto. Not to mention, the millions without an invite that kept a close eye out for any tweets with an yfrog or lockerz photo attachment. There was a great deal of anticipation riding on the heels of this show. Turbulent updates spread like wild fire across blogs since London Fashion Week and a constant stream of bludgeoning questions surrounding the mystery of his show.

The Kanye as designer play-by-play came into actualization when the models hit the runway in his premiere performance in the fashion arena – one that may be much more harsh than 20,000 screaming fans in Madison Square Garden. Nonetheless, a great casting of big models like Anja Rubik, Abbey Lee, Arizona Muse, Izabel Goulart, Chanel Iman and Karlie Kloss graced the runway in a pieces for the dw collection that fell quite a bit short. With poor execution in construction and a focus that seemed to be well, quite unfocused and fragmented – it was as if Mr. West’s debut collection was more of a duplicated greatest hits of his own favorite womenswear pieces from seasons past.

There were remnants of Christopher Kane in animal graphic hoodies, sprinkles of Celine in silk, color-blocked numbers and even a bit of cut-out bandage dresses from yesteryear. With the stakes so high, this showing could have been the unique opportunity for the musician to show the fashion community just how savvy he was about the subject matter he raps about in his Billboard-topping hits. Its one matter to be affectionate towards fashion and successful at picking out pieces for a personal wardrobe, but quite another dimension to enter the space as an artist in the fashion design medium.

There is no doubt that West was an easy target to criticize as by default, he is forced in to the confinement of the celebrity turned designer box. Yet, by the looks of the finishing and fit of his collection, perhaps St. Martin’s would have been a good avenue for him prior to releasing a full range line. Could this showing be an example to all the other troupes of starlets thinking of starting a ‘clothing line.’ High level of influence, money and power do not always give you a fool-proof product that will fly off the racks and into the closets of die-heard fans and girlfriends.

Kanye West is an incredibly entertaining celebrity but as for fashion design, he should leave that to his pal Phoebe Philo.

Resources:
Kanye West SS12 RTW
dw by Kanye West Fashion Week Invite

The Brains Behind the Thank You Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 06:59:00 +0000

I had heard about Gary Vaynerchuk through a comment posting on an article I wrote in March. Curiosity led me to Googling his name quite a few times, following him on Twitter and watching a few episodes of his Wine Library show, but hadn't heard any of his lectures.

In the midst of a major creative rut for me this week, something rather celestial shipped me over to the vanguard’s personal website. I clicked on a video of his SXSW 2011 talk and expanded my screen into full view. For the next hour, I was sucked into to the HQ video display on my iPad.

There was a passion in his voice that you just don’t hear everyday. The ideas that Gary shared with the swarming audience before him had accents of revolution and the means to cause a strong and meaningful cultural shakedown. It gave me this sort of hope that more would catch on to the realization that “We are living in the beginning of the humanization of business” – an idea that is far-fetched for a cut-throat society. But this notion will require us to transform our thinking as we daily handle ourselves as people, as well as extensions of our own personal brands and companies. Thus, giving us the urgency to be authentic and compassionate in our interactions IRL, along with in our daily digital dealings – whether personal or professional.

Vaynerchuk is as spearheading and successful as he is because of an unabashed sensibility of “giving first and worrying about it later.” After watching this talk, it gave me the confirmation that through all the forms of communication and information accessible to us during this Digital Age, we have more opportunity than ever to be champions of social good. To care and think of our neighbors, audience, customers, and friends, before acting for our own personal gains.

If you’re into branding, business, digital or innovation and have an hour to spend watching this video this weekend, do it. You won’t regret it. And if you have seen this talk or one of the many other lectures from Vaynerchuk, I’m really curious to know what are your thoughts on his concepts of the ‘Thank You Economy’?

Resources:
Gary Vaynerchuk
Vayner Media
Thank You Economy
The Humanity of Social Media

That Saturday Morning Cartoon Feeling

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:09:00 +0000


All Images Courtesy of ADEEN

Lower East Side native, Rembrandt Duran, is a staple in Downtown, off-the-cuff, youth culture - giving style inspiration to peers and tastemakers alike. This week he debuted his Saturday collection from his emerging accessory label Adeen. Starting off his first collection of pins and hats in plush and acrylic, he has segued into a full range acrylic collection of accessories for those that dare to wear their sense of humor on their wrists, or their fingers, for that matter. For this season, Duran teamed up with young, up and coming photographer David Urbanke and inimitable model Shaun Ross for Saturday lookbook, which takes a spin on the designer's favorite Saturday morning cartoons. Geometric and kitschy, the pieces are a perfect find for stand-out updates to everyday wardrobes.

It's as if every season released under the Adeen label, the more mature and focused the product gets. Much like the personality of the designer, Adeen is spirited, animated and puts the fun back in accessible accessory design. With past collaborations with CHRISHABANA, press placements in Vice Magazine and stockists in New York and Tokyo, the Saturday collection from Adeen is sure to give you "that Saturday morning cartoon feeling."

Resources:
Adeen's Saturday Collection
Rembrandt Duran in NYT

This Week on Fashion's Collective: Do You Live in the Glass House of Transparency?

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 02:30:00 +0000

Transparency is the key to a strong brand voice when communicating on social networks. After reading Tactical Transparency released by the International Association of Business Communicators, it got me thinking. Are you living comfortably in the glass house of transparency? This week on Fashion's Collective, I weighed in on why authenticity always wins and why servicing your audience is essential. Click here to read the full article.

The Art of Fine Jewelry Business in a Digital World

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:35:00 +0000

Joomi Lim Double Spike Bracelet, Courtesy of Accessory Artists
Every morning when we get dressed, there is that one layer that we should never forget to clothe ourselves in. The accessory. It pulls an outfit together and adds brilliance to a simple look. Marcy Roth knows a few things about accessories. As the owner of e-commerce fine jewelry destination, Accessory Artists, Marcy hand picks the newest designers, whose pieces are so intricately designed they should be considered wearable art.

Coming from a corporate marketing, research and product development background with a family of entrepreneurs, selling online seemed to be the perfect fit for her new business. "E-commerce is retailing for the future," Marcy says. "There will always be brick and mortar but there is more flexibility and opportunity for customized and dynamic experiences you can create with a customer online." E-commerce is most definitely making up the bulk of profit for luxury retailers as of late. But it takes a certain level of specialty to give a consumer an extraordinarily different experience.

Oblik Atelier Medusa Earrings, Image Courtesy of Accessory Artists

Before a product is to be sold on Accessory Artists, Marcy goes through a meet and greet process, if you will. She meets all the prospective designers in person, tests each product before the it is ever seen by the customer, along with an extensive research process on the unique quality of each piece of fine jewelry that is to be sold. This is the type of dedication that makes customers come back to shop special pieces that are sure to be apart of jewelry collections for decades.

Vanessa Mooney Buddha Amulet, Images Courtesy of Accessory Artists

The ethos behind Accessory Artists is personable and thoughtful. And Marcy believes that shouldn't be spared in the digital space, either. "We are always looking for more ways to connect with customers virtually to create and keep an emotional connection with them through a screen, no matter the size." Marcy runs a wonderful series of Twitter chats with great fashion notables, the most recent chat was with Bevy Smith. It's the thoughtfulness that sets Accessory Artists apart. Not to mention the incredible selection from favorites like Joomi Lim, Vanessa Mooney, Subversive, and Oblik Atelier.

Marcy understands the business of luxury and what e-commerce needs to reach a digitally social level of emotional connect. The personalization and uniqueness of each piece available on Accessory Artists is what a true digital luxury experience is all about.

If you are due for some new jewelry in your collection or its time to show your girlfriend the finest piece of jewelry she has yet to own, log onto http://www.accessoryartists.com/.

Justin Chung.

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 02:16:00 +0000

I'm still swooning over Mark McNairy's Spring Summer 2012 look book images. The leopard is quite a daring undertone for a men's collection, but it works flawlessly. The man behind the camera, Justin Chung, is quite flawless as well. Hailing from San Francisco, Justin came to New York with one thing in mind: to make it happen. And that he has, with his work spanning from McNairy, Capsule coverage, Nylon Magazine, and Shades of Grey, to mention a few. He has a gift at capturing those subtle and natural moments to transform them into a point in time that the viewer would like to experience as well. His Tumblr is a source of inspiration for the fashion community, while Justin is quickly making his mark as the young New York fashion photographer to watch.

A little while back, James Jean was kind enough to ask me to be apart of his photo and interview series called His & Hers with Justin photographing the subject, which just happened to be me this time around. This project was so fun and easy with these two. James asked me a bunch of fun questions, which you can read here on his blog The Mod Rockers.

Justin snapped these of me in Williamsburg one afternoon after a little pow wow at Verb wearing the leopard Eleven Objects collar from Chrissy & Linh Thi. I love the gorgeous color and lighting in these photos. I had been meaning to share them for what seems like forever now, but better late than never. I swear I'm going to get better at blogging more regularly.

To delve into the world of Justin Chung, log onto http://www.justinchungphotography.com/.

La Dolce Vita Last Night

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:24:00 +0000

The Jemma, Fall 2011. Courtesy of Dolce Vita.

Last night, Dolce Vita celebrated the opening of their newly opened New York showroom in Soho's Puck Building. The entrance to the showroom felt like a scene from a Midsummer Night's Dream, complete with beautiful overhanging trees, stone steps and precious little parakeets. Viewing the Fall 2011 collection of shoes and Pre-Spring 2012 ready-to-wear over champagne and filet mignon served for quite the chic evening.

The Juliet, Fall 2011. Courtesy of Dolce Vita.

The warm neutrals and tribal prints in short and long-sweeping dresses for Spring, will be even more popular than the Pali that has been stomping all over New York sidewalks this summer. I can't wait to get my hands on the Jemma boot in black, especially after shooting them for Solestruck's recently released To The Source lookbook. If you're in New York, get your Dolce Vita fix at their Lower East Side store on 149 Ludlow Street or log onto http://www.dolcevita.com/.

Amy, I Heard Love is Blind

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:56:00 +0000

Photo via Swagger: New York

I kept away from my desktop and from checking my phone for any updates this weekend - a recharge, if you will. So, when I heard of the passing of Amy Winehouse from a friend late last night, I was immediately overcome with shock. The chills on my arm were an indication that there was a monumental chunk of my twenties that had died, as well.

It's a rarity to find an artist with the unwavering vulnerablity to put all personal emotion and experience on the table, all the while introducing a new genre of music to the world. Millions upon millions of people were able to connect with every lyric, every melody, that comprised the songs that Amy crooned. She had an undeniable quality of honesty in her music that carried me through bad breakups, milestones and the tunes of life and love that I was yet to experience. And I am certain that the same held true for so many others that spend every day trying to figure it all out.

Amy was a vehicle of wit and passion that changed the way the world regarded pumps and Moschino bras. Her music gave women the okay to feel confident about loving like men had in the past and gave her listeners something to take away with every rift on her tracks that were tainted with modern antiquity.

It was incredibly heartbreaking to watch the demons of addiction eat away at this musical mastermind on such a public level. It's so easy for anyone to point fingers and make judgments, but it takes compassion to extend empathy and understand that we're all human. We've watched the birth of a star before our eyes. And although she won't be here with us tomorrow, that beautiful light will continue to shine on.

We all have a spirit that can move something in someone. Something that can speak louder that octaves can carry. The flaws in us can create something so beautiful that will never have the ability to supress our appetites for passion, something that was definitive of Amy. After all, whether it's romantic, amiable, or relative - I heard love is blind.

Amy, you will be greatly missed....

A Vintage Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:08:00 +0000

Photograph by Louise Dahl Wolfe

One of the greatest things about New York is that discovery of a hidden gem when you least expect it. With a myriad of restaurants and shops in this city, there will always be some stones that are left unturned, and thankfully so. This afternoon, I was headed down 23rd Street to magazine shop at Universal News. On the way, I stumbled upon this great vintage store called The Family Jewels. There was an endless selection of vintages pieces from the 1920s all the way to the 80s. The offerings of quirky hats was incredible. And there were so many clip-on earrings, that I nearly fainted. Frolicking with all the gorgeous clothing made me think about why I've built such an obsession with vintage clothing and antiques for so long.

Being able to sift through all the decades of clothing is parallel to visiting a museum - but in this case you can actually touch and play with the paintings and sculptures, which allows us to imagine so much more vividly. I get so lost in the silhouettes of each decade, like the new look of the 50s. Every piece is special and has its own personality, something that can only come with the age of many years passing. Each piece has a story embedded into the fabric from the first person who owned it. It could be the blouse she wore when she was first kissed. Or the shift dress she was wearing when he proposed to her. Or the handkerchief she used to wipe the tears away when she watched him go off to war. The milestones in someone else's life are passed on and reincarnate themselves into new, beautiful experiences for the next person that wears the piece. There's a bit of magic to the idea of vintage clothing.

And that magic has influenced so many parts of my life. It is certain that I wouldn't have my own personal taste or aesthetic in my work, hadn't I spent hours upon hours stroking endless lace trims, embroidered collars and patchwork denim. Vintage clothing is this form of escapism, where I have the freedom to submerge myself into the days of yesteryear - when time was as slow as molasses and quality was held to the highest regard. What can I say? I'm an old soul.

Photograph by Louise Dahl Wolfe

My Favorite Vintage Shops in New York

Allan & Suzi - 237 Centre St - (212) 724-7445 - www.allanandsuzi.net
Unique Thrift - 218 W 234th Street, Bronx - (718) 548-1190 - www.imunique.com
Fabulous Fanny's - 335 E 9th Street - (212) 533-0637 - www.store.fabulousfannys.com/catalog
Salvation Army - 536 W 46th St - (212) 757-2311
Once Upon a Time - 36 East 11th Street - (212) 473-6424
Ashione Gallery - 120 West 25th Street, Rear Gallery - (212) 229-0899 - www.ashionegallery.com
Physical Graffiti - 96 St. Marks Place - (212) 477-7334
Barbara Feinman Millinery - 66 East 7th Street - (212) 358-7092 - www.feinmanhats.com
Cobblestones - 314 East 9th Street - (212) 673-5372
Orchard Corset - 157 Orchard Street - (212) 674-0786 - www.orchardcorset.com
Exquisite Costume - 377 Broome Street - (212) 966-4142 - www.exquisitecostume.com

An Interview with Agata Olek for Ozon Magazine Spring Summer 2011 International Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:33:00 +0000

Images Courtesy of Ozon Magazine. Photography by Jonathan Waiter. Text by Lala Lopez.

Agata Olek has become quite the popular New York artist. The more she pushes the boundaries, the more the masses respond to her world of witty work. From her crocheted bicycles on the Lower East Side to her crocheted living spaces, she has become a mainstay in contemporary New York street art. I got the chance to sit down with Olek for Ozon Magazine's Spring Summer 2011 International Issue to talk about her processes and influences after we returned from Art Basel Miami at the Christopher Henry Gallery. Friend and photographer, Jonathan Waiter, was there to snap some candids of Olek, as well. At the time of interview, she had mentioned that she had a special gift that she was waiting to unveil to all of New York City. A few days later, the world wide web was booming with images and articles on Olek's Christmas masterpiece of the colorfully knitted Charging Bull on Wall Street. Within hours of the images being released they went viral and so did Olek.

Image by Lala Lopez. Taken with iPhone on Instagram.

Last week, cruising down Metropolitan Avenue to slip into my favorite taco joint, Yola's Cafe- I spotted a shopping cart with the Olek stamp of knit beauty, chained to a parking meter. Even though Olek hails from Poland, she really knows how to find and create the beauty in the gritty, New York jungle.

Here Comes the Sun Playlist

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:07:00 +0000

Fallen Magazine, Australia via Fashion Gone Rogue

I can't believe it's already July. The sun and I are just getting reacquainted again. There is no question. The summer is my favorite time of the year. There's just something in the air that makes you do things you wouldn't do normally. It's this feeling of thrill and defiance. Before that sun sensation leaves us, I put together some songs on 8tracks that symbolizes that very feeling. Here Comes the Sun...

Come With Me - ceo
Embody (DJ Premier 95 Break Remix) - SebAstian
Hit Me Like a Rock - CSS
Big Bad Wolf - Duck Sauce
New Beat - Toro y Moi
New York is Killing Me - Gil Scott-Heron
Beat and the Pulse - Austra
Happy - Best Coast
Summertime - Janis Joplin
Goodnight Good Morning - Beth Ditto
Closer (Pictureplane's No Body Remix) - Becoming Real
Real Life - Tanlines
Show My Ass - Dominique Young Unique
Light Years - Theophilus London
Marvin's Room - Drake
Energy - Spank Rock
Corinne - Metronomy
Freak Love - Toro y Moi
Lost Ones - Lauryn Hill
Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution - Cut Copy
Sunshine Eyes - Polarsets
Island Walking - Tame Impala
Banana Ripple - Junior Boys
I Can't Stay - Jesse Boykins III
New Days Dawn - Datarock
Soft - Washed Out
Indigo - Moloko
Good Day Today - David Lynch

Manfrotto Imagine More & An Interview with Simon Doonan

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:37:00 +0000

Image Courtesy of Manfrotto

The luminous Italian professional photography product company, Manfrotto, launched their global manifesto "Imagine More" in New York City with a panel and huge party in downtown Manhattan, challenging creatives everywhere to redefine creativity. On the panel sat a slew of impressive thought leaders like Barney's Simon Doonan, DJ Mia Moretti, chef and food activist Marcus Samuelsson, actress Violante Placido, with the panel led by photographer Chase Jarvis.

Everyone had such interesting things to share about their views on creativity and what our imaginations can allow us to achieve. As the panel ended, guests flooded the next room of cameras flashing everywhere, while Joy Bryant, Ally Hilfiger and Georgia May Jagger posed for photos. In the meanwhile, I got the distinct opportunity to sit down and chat with the cheekiest of the Imagine More panelists, Simon Doonan, to chat creativity, Beyonce, Irving Penn and those striking window displays.

Images Courtesy of Manfrotto

Lala Lopez: It’s such a great manifesto that Manfrotto has: “Imagine More”. I love the idea that Chase was talking about earlier about the democratization of creativity. You hear about the democratization of fashion, of social media, but the democratization of creativity – that’s so interesting. How do you feel that your beliefs fall in line with Manfrotto’s manifesto of Imagine More?

Simon Doonan: I think it’s very exciting that everyone in the world can now be a photographer or a creative person. That’s great. But I would hate us to lose a sense of that some people are better than others. Some people have to emerge as the geniuses that inspire everybody else. Everybody isn’t as creative, some people are lot more creative than a lot of other people, some are a lot more visionary. I just hope that it doesn’t flatten everything out. Everything is not equal. Like Azzedine Alaia is the better dress designer than most other people that are having runway shows, because he is just brilliant. Irving Penn is a more extraordinary photographer than a lot of people. I hope that people are able to emerge above.

LL: And also, to filter out the noise, because there is a lot of noise.

SD: Yeah, because everybody really wants to have their socks blown off. That’s why American Idol is so successful because [there is] somebody who has a supreme God given talent. That’s why I’m always looking for something that I couldn’t do in a million years. Like you know, Beyonce, she’s an extraordinary girl. She came in front of the president, belted out that song, she’s relaxed, and we know it’s perfect. That is some impressive next level shit. So, I don’t want to lose that thing where there is no hierarchy. There is a hierarchy.

LL: I have to agree with you on some levels. It can be great that everyone is creative and we’re all doing these wonderful things but what does that mean for the next true visionaries, true thought leaders, true geniuses. How has your role at Barney’s allowed you to push yourself creatively and at the same time allowed you to maintain your vision?

SD: I’ve been very lucky to have my job at Barney’s for so long. The thing is that the window display, in particular, is very free. Like if I did a crappy window, it’s gone. If I do an amazing window, hey, then that’s pretty groovy. It’s very much like: you win some, you lose some. There’s a certain freeness to it, that you don’t necessarily get with other mediums. I’ve been very lucky to be involved in something so ephemeral, something so disposable.

Image Courtesy of Manfrotto

LL: I know you spoke a little bit about your Manfrotto tripod on the panel, but how has photography played a part in your work and also in the things that you’ve been able to do creatively?

SD: I think by discovering photography, for every creative person is a very important thing. We see that Irving Penn fashion picture and think ‘What? This woman has got this small waist and this deranged pose.’ It blows your mind. And when you first see those Diane Arbus pictures of twins and ugly people who seem beautiful and the daring aspect of that. And you walk your way through the Avedon’s and the Irving Penn’s and Steven Meisel. I’m always excited to see a Steven Meisel shot, I can’t wait to see it, because he’s so genius.

Discovering photography and looking at the grand masters of it, that’s a great little personal journey for any creative person. And I love the obscure ones, like one really good one that you would really love is Madame Yevonde. You won’t believe what she did. She would take society women and dress them up like goddesses and put twigs in their hair. When you actually discover these obscure photographers, that’s really powerful.

LL: It allows your mind to wander in new places, and can bring these new things that you never even thought were possible.

SD: Susan Sontag she said that photography was about death. Because every picture you look at, you’re [either] looking at people who are dead or who are going to die. It’s like this horrible reminder of mortality.

*If you want to Imagine More too, check out Manfrotto's Facebook page of inspiring photos and creatives, here. And keep up with the world of Simon Doonan, here.

Henrik Vibskov Opens in Soho

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 06:39:00 +0000

Image Courtesy of Henrik Vibskov

I love a good New York store opening. And right before the weather was as smoldering as it is now, Danish designer Henrik Vibskov opened the doors his first US retail store on 456 Broome Street, as guests poured out in the streets.

I'd always been a fan of Vibskov's out of the box designs and have used some of his pieces in some of my favorite editorials that I've styled. I just admire his brave and bold approach - which is seamlessly shown throughout the design of the store.

Image Courtesy of Henrik Vibskov

Although, the store holds the designers name, other great international design talent are stocked as well - like Stine Goya and Peter Jensen. Drinks were flowing throughout the store, as the designer took to a quaint stage by the front of the entrance and put on a performance with his band Trentemoller.

Image Courtesy of Henrik Vibskov

I couldn't help myself but to find something that I had to bring home with me. I snagged this great mustard short from the Spring 2011 collection. A little memento from a good night in New York, and perfect to wear this summer.