Ready for Vogue's Fashion Night Out?

http://www.fashionsnightout.com/ 

We are starting preparations for the Style & Fashion Mayhem...

"Vogue's Magazine's Annual Fashion Night Out"

September 10, 2010

In the Best City in the universe: New York

 

Rufus Wainwright, The Genius of Fashion in Music Videos

Across The Universe, the Beatles Hit Song presently broadcasted in space by NASA, covered by Rufus Wainwright has a video accompanying the whimsical lyrics through a beautifully, colorful, and mentally stimulating story of images. Within it, Art becomes reality and reality becomes art expressed through the emotional landscape of music.

Wainwright wears a daring pair of Prada jeans featuring a corduroy stitch that binds together different pieces of cloth. I had the same pair of pants and you have to absolutely be comfortable with wearing something extraordinary, as the interesting (and quite comfortable) jeans are visually perplexing, and people usually do a double take when you walk by them.

The video also showcases few items important to developing class as a gentleman, and fostering a sense of personal style and individuality in children (in particular little girls).

1. When it rains outside, food goodness sake, wear a raincoat. You don't want to arrive at your destination wet and then unpleasantly drying into a putrid smell of humidity.

On a rainy day, the perfect gentleman wears:
a. Hat
b. Watch
c. Handkerchief
d. Closed toe shoes (with socks!)
e. Rain coat

Elaborating on this commentary, has anyone noticed today how mothers are so preoccupied with their own lifestyle, personal style and enjoyment, there are a few that have forgotten that just because they look good-their kid may not.

Dakota Fanning looks stellar in this video, looking exactly as she should...a little girl. It amuses me to see a mother dressed in designer blouses, wearing the latest bag featured on Bazaar, a diamond ring larger than Kilimanjaro yet...their child is incredibly unkempt, messy hair, runny nose, dirty clothes and shoes.

Parents, don't you know just like your household, your children become a direct reflection of you? Although you are clean, if your kid is dirty, you are not a clean human, and in my book, you will be defined as neglectful.

Dakota has graduated into the world of "big girls", yet this video is a good reminder for those mothers out there dressing like "hussies" who also style their little girls inappropriately: class above all, fashion slavery never, especially for a child.

So take care of yourself gentleman, keep your lady in class check, and please, develop true self esteem in your child by ensuring your little girl wears age appropriate clothing.

What Does Leo Tolstoy Say About a Gentleman's Style?

Just for the sake of presenting class to all seekers of personal style and fashion appropriate for your lifestyle, we were sent a photo of 

AEROVOX lead singer, Puerto Rican gentle-hunk William Rivera featured in a candid life shot reading Tolstoy's: The Kreutzer Sonata.

The ladies at our blog central have voted and he has received a *10* across the board for personal style, not to mention we are suckers for watches--we love the simplicity of the he's wearing--this highly educated music-man gets an extra ten for the sleek clean look of his shirts cut and grooming.

Finally, an additional three stars for indulging in such emotionally stimulating literature. Not to mention, that we really love the natural setting of this photograph (a man on a bed reading literature...hmm, Tolstoy will probably condemn us but we wonder, while he patiently reads, where's the sexy lady in lingerie hiding?). William, keep up the gentle-style--you will not be short of dates in our blog central fan club.

Submit your friends or your best candid photo shots featuring the greatest fashion statements or send us street signs of personal style. You can be featured in our blog and be famous...in our world! couturejive@gmail.com

Crimes of Fashion: Purchasing Counterfeit Items Also Supports Terrorism Worldwide

$600 Billion Estimated annual sales in counterfeit products worldwide

$512 Billion Global sales lost to counterfeit goods

$250 Billion Annual loss to American companies from intellectual property theft

$20 Billion Estimated loss to American companies from counterfeit products

$1 Billion Estimated annual loss in New York City tax revenues due to counterfeiting

750,000 Number of jobs lost due to intellectual property theft in the United States

10% Estimated percentage of fakes among all goods produced worldwide every year

Source: Harpers Bazaar

A Woman's Obsession with being Fake: Honey Quit Trying So Hard

I'd like to tell you about the newly created group on Facebook:

“Darling I Can Tell by the Rest of Your Outfit Your Louis Vuitton is Fake”

We joined, have you?

On my Facebook newsfeed today I had a few friends showcase their recent vacation trips.  Beautiful photographs of nature, beaches, picturesque landscapes and others filled with exciting photos of colorful nightlife filled with the smiling faces of beautiful people.  Wonderful I thought...although, my eye couldn't help but notice that more than a few photos showcased large designer bags.

These opulent bags looked a bit out of place in outdoor or beach settings...as I clicked through some of these photos, and I felt my fashion eye itch with discomfort, I realized a few of these ladies had committed one of the greatest sins in fashion: Wearing Knock Offs.

To which then, I went on a philosophical tangent again and began critically thinking:

1. Why women choose to be Ambassadors of Fakeness instead of Ambassadors of Goodness?

2. Why do women choose to serve as gaudy walking human billboards for no monetary compensation?

Why has it become so difficult to just be natural? Darling why can't you accept that you can't afford the image you are trying to portray!

Ask yourselves this question:

1. Must you really wear counterfeit items made by "Parda", or a "LeVitton" or that "Chann-el" just to impress your friends or boy toys in order to keep an appearance of pomposity and grandeur? Is this what makes you feel better about yourself? If so...WHY?

2. Why the insecurity in your natural femininity?

3. What is forcing you to succumb to the painful pressures of being a Fake Woman and not your Real self?

It's not only women that know you are trying too hard, now a days, a man's palette for female sophistication has become as discerning as the healthy food they consume and rich wine they choose to enjoy.

So Ladies...my dahrlings please stop criticizing other women of being fake, when you are the first one who can't walk the talk in "keeping it real".  As consciousness generates in your heart, and you reflect on identifying your personal style, please remember: loose the fake bag, and leave those tacky fake Channel earrings at home, the green metal stain on your ear is becoming quite unattractive for those standing next to you.

http://fakesareneverinfashion.com/

The Functionalities of Clothing, by Narcisso Rodriguez

"Clothing should inspire, transform and touch the hearts of women who wear it."

Ryan Adams - Amy

Beautifully arranged song, inspiring good writing...I think I will wear a beautiful dress tomorrow, reflective of the garden in my heart.

Good Fashion Inspires & Makes Hearts Fly

A Declaration of Outrage: Standing Up To Predatory Sales Stylists Who Still Make The Customer Look Bad

For the love of a quick buck...

This post was started because I can no longer take looking at women ridicule themselves through the perils of faulty fashion slavery.  Don't get me wrong, I am an admirer of women who wake up an extra hour earlier to primp their hair, and look flawlessly put together, and I am an admirer of whimsical textiles that end up from a rack, to decorating the frame of a woman's beautiful body leaving others wondering in awe: "where did she get that beautiful piece of clothing?".

However, this blog was born after seeing the vulgar price tag on a suckered shopper's blouse at a local high-end boutique.  I witnessed the flawlessly dressed sales shark, excuse me--stylist!--take brutal advantage of this plainly dressed woman.  The Sharkist--I mean stylist!--was marketing a t-shirt to this older lady, priced at vulgar tag of $385. The blouse was absolutely inappropriate for this woman’s age, skin color, and body frame. The cut of this t-shirt was triangle shaped and it widened the frame of this seeker of ethereal beauty, not just a bit, but a ton.

My inner dialogue began like this: “Was the shirt sustainable to our environment?” No. “Was it made in China probably at some mass production site?” Yes. “Isn’t the sales shark—stylist!—here to truly assist all customers improve their look (especially an older woman)?” ...Yes, but who said you need a little heart when selling Fashion to women with low self-esteem?

…Well…Me! I believe in having a heart when selling fashion to women, especially if she's an older single lady who probably just wants to give her wardrobe a modern make over.

I thought to myself: "This lady is an uneducated consumer and a victim to a predatory fashion consultant.  The woman is looking to fill fashionista shoes that are quite big,  look absolutely ridiculous on her.  Worst of all, after this lady walks out this door, she will have no clue how to put together what she purchased into a functional, workable piece of art that reflects true class"...and so I was outraged.

Like her, millions of women across the world are completely illiterate to the truth of style, wise shopping, and the definition of what personal class as a modern day lady truly is.

I purchased a fabulous jacket at the same boutique the other day, eyed it for months and got it for a quarter of the original vulgar price tag.

Was it a steal? Absolutely.

The sharkist stylist even noticed and during my re-visit today, the store raised the sale price of the remaining two jackets on the rack for an additional $100.  The sales shark--"stylist!"--tried pulling a fast one on me asking me to bring in my receipt in so she can give me a "price adjustment" (meaning, you smart educated bitch, you got this on super sale, I am charging you more).

Yes, this same stylist tried conning me earlier this week to purchase an ugly $800 pointy shoulder ugly Chanel inspired jacket instead of my modestly priced jacket when I was at the register.  I was dumbfounded when she tried pulling a bait and switch, only this time I was buying clothes, not a car. 


"Sharkist stylist" with a ruthless heart thought she could add me to her book of: "Dummies I Can Con Ruthlessly in Fashion”...too bad for her, I am her smartest customer.  Not a single visit goes by that I don't teach her something about the pieces she's selling me.

I would like ladies who love clothes, to become aware of these two words that are seriously affecting women today: Fashion & Style illiteracy.

Let's engage in conversations and thoughts of Personal Beauty, the definition of Class, experienced through Fashion and Self-Esteem, because in all honesty, there's nothing like a natural woman, sexy and strong within herself.

I am an educated lover of design, fashion & personal style...though I am quite simple and believe in comfort with my ballerina flats, gray leggings, funky tank tops overlayed by a thin long t-shirt on top, modestly accessorized by my love for long sleeve button down boy shirts.  To spruce up my simplicity, if I need to go somewhere, I will just throw a suit jacket over, with a dame like scent,  transforming my style into a chic city flair, add a silk scarf to that and voila! Transformation.

As an observer of all people, especially those girl who are slaves to fashion for the sake of landing a guy who wants a trophy next to him, I make sure that my style and fashion education is constantly evolving, not through watching TV, but through actual thought-provoking literature of style and fashion (I am a loyal reader of major Fashion Mags who carry thought provoking articles).

Undoubtedly, my way of dressing reflects more my passion as a scholar, bohemian writer, outspoken activist for the joys of self-esteem, and my passion for entrepreneurship that falls in love with life a little more every day...

I'd like to educate and empower you on the beauty of falling in love with yourself, and just loving being you, I believe once you have that conquered your personal style everything else just falls into place.

Ask yourself next time you shop:

What does your style of dressing reflect?

Why do you choose to spend money on this particular item?

Why do you choose to wear something that shows off a name brand? (Have you seen those ridiculous billboard Chloe bags?)

What image are you trying to emit with your style?


Photograph Jacket by: Gryphon