LOVE MAGAZINE

I'm excited about the LOVE mag launch from the UK. Here's to print, may it survive!

VIA Refinery 29

NEW VINTAGE

fab examples of Betsey's personal style

Betsey Johnson has been an influential fashion designer and personality alike since the '70s, when she was the head of Alleycat and married to ubercool rock icon John Cale. Though of course she's a modern gal, she's going old-school again! Teaming up with Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony, Johnson is reviving the designs she created in her early days. Entitling the resurrected line "Betsey Johnson Archive", it's like vintage—but without the sketchy lineage of owners in between. Let the cartwheeling begin!

VIA Refinery 29

OLSENS

A friend and I started an Olsen twin PRO/CON list. I love lists:

Props to Marcie for being hilarious.

OBAMA ON STYLE

old school, super stylish Barack

"Here is my attitude: I think people passing a law against people wearing sagging pants is a waste of time. We should be focused on creating jobs, improving our schools, health care, dealing with the war in Iraq , and anybody, any public official, that is worrying about sagging pants probably needs to spend some time focusing on real problems out there.

Having said that, brothers should pull up their pants. You are walking by your mother, your grandmother, your underwear is showing. What's wrong with that? Come on. There are some issues that we face, that you don't have to pass a law, but that doesn't mean folks can't have some sense and some respect for other people and, you know, some people might not want to see your underwear -- I'm one of them."

VIA Black Voices

CHIC BIKES

from Velovotee

I am a chick in heels most days of the week. If you dress on the fashionable side, fast/intense bicycle riding is not an easy option in heels or a suit. Still, everyday cycling for transportation has been around since the invention of the bicycle. Stylish cycling is seeing a revival on the streets— and online.

With a bike, you can still be all about style. Don’t feel like your only option is that beat up old mountain bike you inherited from your last roommate. A lovely coaster/city bike can save a fashionista!

The best way to buy a bike is always a test ride, but you can find your bike online by knowing the type of bike that will suit you. When buying a bike, you’ll need to assess the kind of ride you’ll take most. Does your city have hills? Do you dare to ride them? Do you prefer a men’s or a women’s frame? You don’t have to stick to a particular style of bike; many women prefer to ride “men’s” bikes. Still, a step-through frame might help you if you plan on riding with a skirt. Also, know the size of frame you will need for a comfortable ride. Either way, the key to avid cycling is to love your bike!

City and coaster bikes come in fixed, single and multiple speeds, so choose what fits your riding style best. Do you want a fast ride or more of a coast? If you need speed, go with the sportier road and track styles. If you like a mellow ride, coaster bikes offer a laid back, comfortable seating position and ride. Coasters are best for flat areas as their heavier and upright style makes steep inclines more difficult, but not completely impossible. Most new coasters come with a Shimano set up with either manual or auto shifting. Check out Shimano’s coasting.com for more auto shift information.

Now that we have the practical issues out of the way, cycles that are either European or have European styling are definitely the chic-est. Customize your bike with a sweet bell and basket (for your purse, naturally). A new coaster can come with the smooth ride of a brand new bike, but with the styling of a vintage model. Here are a few chic options.

SPORTY SIDE

Specialized Langster Seattle, $740
This Velodrome/ fixed- gear road bike is a speed demon. The fenders will keep you dry on a rainy day and the sporty flat handlebars scream racing style.


Sweet Pea, custom, about $3500
Sweet Pea, a Portland-based company, builds custom bikes for women. This is a great option of you feel like bikes never quite fit you. Dress up your bike for the commute with vintage inspired parts like wood fenders and a classic Brooks saddle.

COASTY SIDE


Bobbin Bicycles, various styles, from $1500 to $2500
For an authentic European bike, check out Bobbin. There are too many frames to choose from… which is a good thing. Bobbin is a UK-based company, but has limited distribution in the US. These cycles are highly detailed with fine pin-striping, fenders, racks, and more. Available in the US at dutchbikeseattle.com.




Schwinn Sid and Nancy, $499
Named for the notorious punk rock couple, the Sid and Nancy are the ultimate in retro, but new, cycles. Design geeks rejoice in the vintage typography and classic styling.

my pretty lil Pake

Pake Urban, $350
Check out this Pake coaster step-through. It’s a super stylish but functional town/urban bike with a low price point. With 6-speeds, fenders, a chain guard, and a bell, it has all you need for chic cycling.


Electra Amsterdam, $549
The Amsterdam is a sweet ride with a nod to Dutch bike design. Available in an ever-expanding array of colors.

Bianchi Milano Café Racer, from $499 to $699
With four different sizes, the Bianchi Milano is a functional and comfortable ride. The sporty Milano is available in 3 and 8 speeds.


Raleigh Coasting, $500
Boasting automatic Shimano shifters, this bike recognizes slight grades and will shift gears accordingly. The front luggage rack does not accommodate as much booty as a rear rack, but it is still a great way to fit in more cargo under a basket.

Retrovelo, various styles, from $2000 to $2500
A German cycle-maker known for their “balloon racers,” Retrovelo bikes really stand out from the crowd. The slender frame, yet fatter tires, offer a rugged city ride. Retrovelo’s bikes come in great color combinations like this pink and cream number. Available in the US at clevercycles.com.


If you are more of a DIY type, search for a vintage bike online and really make it your own with fresh paint, components and accessories.


DIY diva Callie Watts over at Bust magazine did a fantastic story on how to pimp your ride! (Grab the PDF instructions from me by emailing sara@designporvida.com)


Chanel, $12,000 available in boutiques only.
For the loaded fashionista, Chanel released a bike complete with quilting and double c logo detailing. Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2008 bike celebrates the heritage of the house, which is steeped in Coco Chanel's love of sport.


Best of all cycling is social! Get into the Cycle Chic culture! Here’s a list of my favorite places online:
http://cyclechic.co.uk
http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/search/label/Bicycles
http://ridingpretty.blogspot.com/
http://www.copenhagengirlsonbikes.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/velocouture/pool/
http://www.copenhagenize.com/
http://chiccyclist.blogspot.com/
http://velovogue.blogspot.com/


Since I am a contributing writer to Coolhunting, I re-purposed a version of this story here.

Thanks to my girl Caroline for the shot!

Bikes are so chic and fun to ride. I even ride out to bars with my friends! Spandex not required.

CHANEL VW

Such a sweet ride! Cartype showcases typography used on vintage buses. Tons of inspiration!

I wish I knew more of the story of this van. I googled "chanel van vw" but to no avail. I want to know when this van was in use... Where did it drive? Was it used for promotions? It looks like the van was used in Germany from the word "kosmetik." If anyone knows more about this little gem on wheels, I'd love to hear about it!

VIA Cartype

REGALIA

I’ve been traversing the scary world of taking up a new hobby. While knitting is useful, I’m not so good at it. How can I concentrate on a computer screen for 3 hours straight without getting up– while sitting down to knit I get cagey and frustrated after 20 minutes? Who knows. Still, the crafty, detaily hum of needlepoint has been more appealing. Right now I’m making an art deco monogram. I googled fashion patch, or something like that, and found this awesome crown. I am going to scour the craft books for new patterns. This new thing– for me– also reminds me of the piece I designed at Craft. We profiled Jenny Hart, her work is amaze. Check it out at Sublime Stitching.

ANTI ANOREX

The Phillipine news site Inquirer reports:
The French fashion industry on Wednesday signed a charter to promote healthy body images among ultra-skinny models in magazine ads and on the catwalks of Paris, the world's fashion capital.

After more than a year of talks, officials from fashion houses, advertising firms and media outlets joined Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot to ink the voluntary charter, joining a worldwide drive to combat anorexia.

The charter outlines a series of guidelines but falls short of imposing restrictions, as is the case in Spain which has set a minimum body mass index of 18 for catwalk models.

This translates to a minimum weight of 56 kilos (123 pounds) for a height of 1.75 meters (5.74 feet).

French fashion supremos committed to a series of "positive actions" to promote healthy body images, mostly through awareness-raising and information sharing.

Signatories pledged to refrain from using "images of people, in particular youth, that could contribute to promoting a model of extreme thinness."

more...

NYT article here...

A WORD ON WINEHOUSE

So, I've been listening to Nina Simone and Billie Holiday for five years or so. They really spoke to my quarter-life crisis. Nowadays, I'm less tortured.

Still, soul and old-school style singers are all the rage lately with Amy Winehouse. She is not the first woman to wear thick black eyeliner, but since she has gone mainstream, her press coverage would have you believe she invented the beehive. And yes, I do love most of her music. At least with Mark Ronson. Musically, it is classic and classy. In the real world, not so much. I wouldn't call Winehouse a lady. Neither would she. This piece via PSFK delves into her popularity with the kids. It all just makes sense.

I HEART MARC

Marc has done it again. This splashy sweet print dress makes me feel like spring might just be around the corner. Love the hint of 70's super graphics. See it at shopbop.

OH PUCCI

Pucci is Palm Beach retiree and kitten heels poolside. Nothing wrong with that. But this scarf is a sweet update to their iconic 60's aesthetic. Love.

BARNEY'S

God, I love Barney’s.

If I had a billion dollars, I would buy all gifts, clothing, cosmetics and housewares here. It is so well edited for a department store, it feels like shopping in a boutique that your best friend owns.

And these plates are to sin for...

JUNIOR BAZAAR

I just love the playfulness of Junior Bazaar (1945-1948). A spinoff of the more grown up Bazaar, it targeted a younger audience while still emphasizing style and sophistication. Art directed by Alexey Brodovitch, the magazine shines with playful layouts, bold color, innovative fashion photography and styling.

image via: reference library

CHAMPERS

If a bottle of wine or champagne has a cool label, I will buy it. Viktor & Rolf impress me once again with their newest collaboration. Upside down packaging, even.
viktor&rolf+piper

REFINERY 29

I'm loving Refinery 29's "Street Seen" section. It's like a Vice Do's and Don'ts (with mostly Do's.) Some of the styles are teetering on the edge of trying-too-hard hipsterdom, but most of it is pretty fresh. The shopping counterpart is awesome too.

BUILT BY WENDY

I love this sweet throwback graphic from Built by Wendy. It brings me back to the days when Mom always had to have doilies on every table, their intricate crochet details protecting the poished wood and marble. The graphic fits nicely with the brand's handmade roots and aesthetic. The designer in me also loves that they retained legibility with their logo and information. And of course Wendy's clothes are super sweet.

LULA

When Jane magazine was abruptly squashed by what only can be seen as a media corporation not giving a damn about actual taste in music and culture for the masses, I was slightly blue. (The fold of Sassy magazine really ruined my life for a while, but that is another post.)


Now, from the UK, we have Lula, a gorgeously conceptual magazine. I subscribed as soon as I purchased their second issue. Is it even better than Jane? A modern Sassy? I would like to tell you more about this visual girly romp, but I feel like I can't form a REAL opinion until I see/read another issue. I art-directed a few issues of start up magazines, and I know from experience that things can change universally over the first four or so issues of a launch. Lula, please get your American subscribers in the loop. We hope to love you!

DAVID LYNCH FOR GUCCI BY GUCCI BY THE GUCCI GROUP LLC

This new "film" (what they call commercials in some parts of Europe) by David Lynch just makes me laugh. Loving the use of "Heart of Glass." He obviously sees the irony in directing a perfume commercial for Gucci. I wonder if their target audience will? Or, if sales are actually good, then who cares? Certainly not Gucci's creative team.