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Azealia Banks Takes Us Back to 1991

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

So, if you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed my undying affection for Azealia Banks. Yesterday, she came out with her first EP, 1991, under Interscope - and it couldn't have come at a better time. Her sound is precise and infectious. And for the first time in a long while, it makes me wanna get up, dance the night away and shake out all the problems of the day. As much as I've had respect for other female MCs, I've never been able to connect with them. Azealia is that breath of fresh air whose music connects people from all walks of life: the London club kids, the indie obsessed, the gays, the hip hop heads, the fashion kids. And she's taken us all along with her on her journey to stardom - live tweeting studio sessions, photo shoots, her performances commissioned by Karl Lagerfeld and the Met Ball where Alex Wang was her date.

Azealia understands the power of tribes and fostering a community around her music and her rise to the top. She has a knack for creating a language that only her fans could understand, she includes them in the decision making process for new weaves, songs and outfits. She calls on her tribe for opinions and isn't afraid to be herself and stir things up from time to time. She isn't for the faint of heart but I will tell you one thing: Azealia Banks is quickly becoming the artist of our generation. Generation Y, the generation of kids who grew up online and appreciate the power of choice.

As for 1991, well, that's exactly what it sounds like - the year of 1991 when up-beat dance tunes ruled dance floors, radios and club kids alike. It's fun and carefree. Raw and gritty, much like Azealia. And most of all, it's liberating. To hear a 21-year girl from Harlem making her dreams come true on her own terms and making people happy while doing it, now that's what Gen-Y is all about.

Bionda Castana: Shoes for the Long Run

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Tue, 29 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

It's been a while since I've gotten excited about shoes. It used to be a special experience for me, finding the perfect pair of shoes that'll last me at least past one season. But now a days there's so much over-saturation of trends and ostentatious labels that its hard to look past what's the shoe du jour versus what are the shoes that I will love forever. That's until I stumbled upon Bionda Castana. I love the lady design duo of Natalia Barbieri and Jennifer Portman, behind BC's updated take on modern classics. It's important that the items in my wardrobe have longevity, not an expiration date. There's always that added incentive when shoes become more special over the years. I really love the Christa Lattice shoe boot after seeing them on the BC blog - there's just such an understated sexiness to them. I wish they were mine, so I can wisk them off to my vacation to Puerto Rico coming up this week. The tropics would have loved me for it.

Resources:
Bionda Castana
Spring 2012 Fashion Film
BC at Browns Fashion
In the Grace of Your Love

Still Image Credits:
Photography by Aaron Tilley
Still Life Styling by Michelle Hillier

The Spring Obsession: Nars + Thakoon

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:04:00 +0000

The collaboration between Nars and Thakoon is the partnership that keeps on giving. As if it weren't enough that I couldn't stop ogling all of the great, bold shades of polish and pinning them away. But now Nars is running a contest called Our Lips Are Sealed on Instagram to win your favorite shades and a scarf by Thakoon with a print from his Spring 2012 collection, exclusively for Nars.

Anything on Instagram is naturally a blast, and so are the contest rules. All you have to do is take a photo on Instagram showing off your favorite Nars lipstick and nail polish and use the #NARSThakoon hashtag. The photos are streaming to Nars' Facebook page, so you can see all the entries of Nars lovers showing off their goods. The team at Nars picks out the top five entries and the community gets to decide the winner. If you enter by May 28th at noon, you can be in the running, too. I love a smart contest from fantastic brands using digital in fun ways where the community can interact with one another. And really, who doesn't want a gorgeous go-to scarf for the summertime?

I can already hear the beach calling me. This is my entry, hope to see yours too. Good luck, babes!

Resources:
Nars Facebook
Thakoon Facebook
Instagram
Immaculate Complexion

Rookie Mag Gives Me High School Nostalgia

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

I think about what it would have been like if I had grown up reading and writing blogs in high school and the type of person it would have made me. And to think - I was just a few years off. Every now and again, I come across some bad-ass video of Tavi Gevinson singing, strumming her guitar or schooling professionals that've been in the biz for decades, in her honest lectures. There's no doubt about it, she's a brilliant creative. Her brainchild, Rookie Mag makes me wish that I had quality blogs to turn to instead of the pirating of Napster during my high school years. Sometimes when there wasn't enough room at the cafeteria table, you just wished that you had something you could connect with.

Rookie does that for millions of teenage girls. It has become a safe and real place that gives girls the permission to let their hair down and let your weird out, because it's better to be you, than pretend to love something you aren't. I remember my angsty days of wearing band tees and thinking I was so hardcore. Actually I remember them so well that I made a playlist on Spotify about it, with all my favorite songs and bands from Freshman year, you know, the awkward days.

I remember those days so vividly, playing Dookie in its entirety three times over. Head nodding to New Found Glory before MTV2 was playing their videos and thinking that Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional was a total dream boat because he used big words. Now, those were the days.

Resources:
My Teenage Angst Playlist on Spotify
Rookie Mag
Ask a Grown Man: Jon Hamm
How To a Two Minute Beehive

Stylmee Connects a Virtual World to Tangible Fashion Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:20:00 +0000

There's nothing better than good news on a Monday. Especially when it involves winning the title 'Stylista of the Week' with an $100 prize towards designer goodies like these 3.1 Phillip Lim Sandals I have my eye on or these Tom Binns Earrings pictured above. And its all thanks to my affection for the Stylmee app for iPad and their newly added web version. To fit the theme of the week, which was "The Colors of Spring", I picked pieces that were vibrant in color and were sure to stand out if you saw them on the street.

As gamification is growing the social space, Stylmee serves as a great connector of technology, fashion and commerce. You have the opportunity to not only design your own virtual boutique in a 3D city, but you get to shop the pieces that you can merchandise in your boutique, as well. Stylmee has partnered with some incredible e-tailers to offer gamers the best, new fashion pieces and designers to choose from.

As I was picking out my styles to be merchandised in my boutique and perusing the selection of Lanvin - it hit me. If I were ever to open my own shop IRL or even if it were simply on Stylmee - it would have to cater to the woman I want to speak to. The styles and experience would be exclusively for intelligent and strong women that know exactly what they want in life, love, and shoes. And even if its just within my virtual boutique, I can do that.

Stylmee blurs the lines between imagination and reality - transporting you into a world of tangible fantasy that all fashion lovers can appreciate. I mean we all love fashion for just that reason - playing between the worlds of fantasy and a wearable reality, right?

Resources:
Stylmee
Stylista of the Week
3.1 Phillip Lim Domina Sandals
Tom Binns Medium Crystal Earrings

Do You Have Social Media Burnout?

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:58:00 +0000

If you really think about it, social media is like the key in the lock for fashion people. We are innately visual, often boastful, and surely competitive. We enjoy sharing things that we buy, love and find with our friends, colleagues and associates. But when engaging and producing content for social media platforms and networks, I find myself always connected in some way. If it’s not a tweet than it’s a status update or even if it’s just keeping my eye on my timeline – social listening, if you will.

The more that we get involved with the endless amount of fashion festivities, the more we find ourselves constantly being plugged in. At a great party hosted by your favorite fashion label? Foursquare check-in. Finally caved in and bought those Carven pumps at Barneys? Instagram it. The Met Ball is being livestreamed on Amazon Fashion? Live Tweet it. Watching Girls on HBO? Get Glue check-in. Find a gorgeous pair of 3.1 Phillip Lim sandals? Pin it. And so on and so forth, you get the picture.

But is there ever a time that we get to disconnect and unplug from tablets, desktops or mobile devices and take some time for ourselves? If you're a high volume tweeter, I know you've asked yourself at least once before. And if we do decide to disconnect, do we become irrelevant for not consistently contributing our digital fashion communities? If we take a break from our social diets, will be able to keep abreast with an industry that moves faster than last season's micro-trend?

The truth of the matter is that IRL we need that time to kick our feet up and catch up on that book we can't seem to finish, in order to keep offline lives grounded so we don't reach an virtual insanity and a burgeoning social media burnout. There's no need to feel like you're running in a rat race, set your own pace and disseminate as you see fit. Just like your own personal style, it's not about following others that did it before or fitting a mold. It's actually quite the contrary, breaking the rules and doing what makes you feel good is will set you apart and will always be received as authentic.

All Saints Autumn Winter 2012 Collection Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:18:00 +0000

We've all come to know and love All Saints since it's made its massive emergence into the American market. It has been the go to brand for that effortless, casual cool that no matter what your style. The All Saints aesthetic has become a necessity for everyone's wardrobe with their signature dark grunge. But the collection for the Autumn Winter 2012 season has gotten a fresh and streamlined update from Global Design Director, Wil Beedle, who now oversees both mens and womenswear collections.

Sharp tailoring on easy to wear jackets are the focal point of this season. British heritage and international cool has been strewn through double-breasted suits for guys and laser cut camel coats for ladies. There's no denying that the strength of the collection lies in lush Italian leathers and sumptious shearlings. But the mens footwear is impeccable. The cranberry leather monk strap creepers offer a quirky update to one of the sexiest men's shoes ever made. The fine pony hair on soft as butter leather clutches are spacious enough to fit a iPad and chic enough for a night out.

The greatest aspect of the collection, spearheaded seamlessly by Beedle is not only its accessible price point but the menswear and womenswear go affectionately hand in hand. There were so many pieces that I wanted for myself but even more that I wanted for my boyfriend. And can't wait until the collection becomes available in August to get by hands on that hip-length sexy leather jacket.

Pieces of The Weekend: Owen + Washed Out

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:18:00 +0000

After a long, arduous week, I love to get together with friends + family to explore parts of New York that I haven't rummaged yet. It had been such a long time that I hadn't seen my best friend's son, Owen - the best dressed six year old I know. We made our way to Pequeno in Fort Greene, because God knows I can't ever pass up an opportunity to try a Mexican restaurant I haven't delved into. I was dying to play around with my new Nikon and Owen & his skateboard were the perfect subject. But word to the wise, don't wear pumps if you plan on chasing around a kindergartener with a camera - no matter how much you convince yourself how comfortable they are.

I spent the majority of Sunday, doing some spring cleaning and taking inventory of all the vintage clothing I've been collecting and thinking of the best way to get rid of it. But it wasn't all work and no play, later that night I made my way to Highline Ballroom with my good girlfriend Haleh for the Washed Out show. I've been really into them for a while now and was dying to see what a show from them would be like. Frontman Ernest Greene was flawless, shying away from the commercial success of 'Feel It All Around' and giving zealous fans a kick ass show. This weekend, I'll be spending all day in movie theaters to see some new selects from the Tribeca Film Festival. Can't wait to share all that indie film goodness.

Resources:

Washed Out

Tribeca Film On Demand

Sub Pop Records Twitter

Maiyet: Where Luxury & Social Responsibility Converge

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:46:00 +0000

Bright and early Wednesday morning, I made my way to Barneys, only to be greeted by a handsome waiter asking me how I like my iced coffee – the proper way to start my day. As I got settled in, Amanda Brooks began leading a conversation with the founder Paul van Zyl and president Kristy Caylor of Maiyet, an impressive company that has embedded social responsibility into the DNA of their luxury brand. With offerings of finely crafted ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags and jewelry in their first collection, Maiyet has made a successful and assertive entrance into the luxury market.

But don't mistake Maiyet's emergence as just another luxury brand with the desire for rapid growth. The brand ethos is rooted in empowering women, ridding the world of poverty and glorifying the finest artisans around the globe. Paul van Zyl came equipped with a background in human rights law and enlisted Kristy Caylor who previously managed Gap's Product (RED) project. They built Maiyet on the foundation of social responsibility without sacrificing a strong, fashion-forward aesthetic. Maiyet has created an extraordinary design team that partners with artisans in Colombia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya and South Africa. And it doesn't stop there either, they have dedicated a percentage of profits to go back into the training and development of artisan technique in partnership with non-profit organization, Nest.

That attention and thought put into skill and detail has lended the opportunity to create incredible luxury products. The collection is full of strong silhouettes and powerful colors that are well suited for the worldy woman that is certain of who she is. With the collection's production touching each corner of the world, Maiyet's product has a globalized sense of sophistication in each piece.

For the Spring Summer 2012 collection, Maiyet enlisted a superstar team of fashion creatives to produce their brand book. In their behind the scenes video, Daria Werbowy poses for photographer Cass Bird, with Maiyet collection pieces styled by Lori Goldstein and music by Feist, a friend of the brand. It is without doubt that the thoughtful efforts of Maiyet will lead the way for more socially conscious fashion brands to emerge.

Resources:
Maiyet
Shop Maiyet at Barneys
Nest in Partnership with Maiyet
Barneys and Christina Ricci Fete Maiyet, WWD

A London Star on the Rise: Lianne La Havas

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:52:00 +0000

There isn't any denying the Brits and their immense contributions to music - from rock and roll to jazz and soul. I’m always keeping my ear out for the next, fresh artist that has enough harmonious power to translate personal emotion into performance. After all, how can we possibly do any good, creative work without a great soundtrack playing in the background? From YouTube to music blogs to fashion playlists, I’ve been hearing the name Lianne La Hava buzzing around.

She's a charming girl with family roots in Greece and Jamaica, but hails from Londontown. Her look is sweet and imaginative. Her signature chignon that sits aside her head just has to be where she holds all of her creativity that flows through the fingers that plays soulful strums on her guitar. Her sound is fresh, romantic and introduces a neo-blues tone of power that we haven’t seen yet in her 3-name counterparts like Corinne Bailey Rae and Lana Del Rey. It’ll be exciting to watch Lianne blossom and become the one to watch in the states with her first album being released this year, in addition to tour dates with Bon Iver.

I’m really into your subleties of power and feminity, Lianne. I’m really into it.

Resources:
"No Room For Doubt"
Lianne La Havas
Livestream Show on 3/13 at 9:30P - London Time

Luca Guadagnino’s On-Going Film Affair with Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 07:25:00 +0000

If you’ve ever caught me in conversation about the 2009 film “I Am Love” – it’s never really a quick discourse. I always feel compelled to go on and on about the artfully presented sensory overload by Luca Guadagnino. You simply cannot talk about “I Am Love” without about talking about the performance of the beautifully clothed Tilda Swinton. And it comes at no surprise, the entire film had been costumed by Raf Simons for Jil Sander - which now upon his exit will live forever in vaults of fashion history. Guadagnino’s strong suite is leaving a vision behind for his viewer to understand the intricacies of emotion in image, aesthetics and fashion.

I’ve always been fascinated about the idea of what makes watching strong fashion in film so appealing to me. It’s been this obsession of mine that I can’t seem to quit for quite some time now. Silvia Venturini Fendi, the producer and stylist of “I Am Love” said in an interview once that “There is a sort of osmosis between fashion and cinema, there’s give and take. So we designers are often inspired by films and we also collaborate with films. Both our jobs [are] to create strong emotion. The difference is that a movie remains impressed on film and the fashion work is destined to pass very quickly.” But even still there’s a synchronicity between fashion and film that cannot be denied.

Putting down the last puzzle piece of the interlocking relation between fashion and film, Guadagnino puts his best foot forward with a newly released short film for Sergio Rossi’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection. Evoking that sense of discovery into one’s self, he explores the body of a woman and the sexuality that steams from the eroticism of her shoes. She dresses and undresses in Sergio Rossi, which conveys a sentiment: wearing Sergio Rossi will give you the sexual power to desire and be desired. Although through advertising, Guadagnino permits us to look deeper - to interpret the things we wear, into how we perceive ourselves.

Resources:
Sergio Rossi F/W 2012 by Luca Guadagnino
Io Sono L'Amore
The Future of Fashion Film
Great Costuming or Great Television?

Pinning with Love & Lots of Lace

noreply@blogger.com (Lala Lopez) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Source: hautekills.tumblr.com via Lala on Pinterest

Pinterest has easily become the addiction that I can't seem to quit lately. Finding new images and sources, exploring what's out there in the WWW, and creating perspective through images I can share with others - is a sure fire way to get me hooked to a platform. It's been the one thing that I run home to do, other than making sure that I've got this week's It's a Brad, Brad World recording on DVR. The mobile bookmarklet is easy to use on the go for my iPhone and iPad. And finding more and more images that fit into my tightly edited boards is like an education in imagery. And when it comes to fashion images and photography, what more could you ask for? If you're on Pinterest too, let's pin together, it'll be fun, I promise.

Resources:
Lala Lopez, Pinterest
Valentino Haute Couture Gloves, WWD
The Imperfect Love of Peter and Vandy

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