The Princess Russke

Russia, especially Moscow, is teeming with money and has an equal appetite for luxury as it does for vodka.

Spawn of the Russian privileged have the dubious distinction of being called "spoilt bratskis", a concentrated group of filthy, stinking rich kids who live in shameless extravagance. I mean, if my daddy built an indoor ski slope in our home, I'd qualify as a bratski, too.

Enter Kira Plastinina, a 15-year-old Russian designers with fat, fat, fat backing from his billionaire papa Sergei Plastinin, who owns Russia's largest juice and dairy producer. He forked over $2 million to have Paris Hilton sit in Kira's front row and goodness knows how much to fund the 40 stores across Russian, two in the Ukraine and -- soon-to-be -- two stateside in NYC (at Houston & Broadway) and LA.

Did we mention she also has shoes, perfume, candles, jewelry and lollipops??

I suppose we'd all love to hate on the girl for branding herself so well at such a tender young age, but with an already successful K.P. empire behind her on the Eastern Bloc, an apparently nice disposition and cute enough clothes to appeal to the tween/early teen market, Plastinina seems to actually be more than just a "довольно маленькая богатая девочка" (English translation: pretty little rich girl).

Sure, I may not wear the clothing, but someone's little sister sure will.









I'm Lovin' it: Girls Love Shoes in New York. This shoe mecca in the Lower East Side has thousands of vintage shoes for the renting or buying. So cool. I'm awfully enamored with white Rush Hour ones that -- very unfortunately -- got sold.


I'm Over it: Schizo weather. It SNOWED yesterday morning. Hello, spring. Not.


Track of the Day: The Junior Boys remix of Jackie Junior by Sally Shapiro.







* Photos property of obscuresound.com, stylosophy.it, instyle.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Wedged In

Jenks and the 'Wich are gonna be so mad.

A wee little visit to my girlfriend Cora -- who does PR at Mavi Jeans -- yielded me a new pair of trouser jeans called, funny enough, the "Cora".





My office mates, who love fashion and all surrounding it just as much as I do, constantly gripe that it's yours truly that usually comes away with the fun stuff. I can't help it, boys. Sometimes it's just easier for girls.

Anyhoo, I'm picturing the Bianca Wedge from Elie Tahari with my nouveau denim.





Going through the Fall '08 collection at the showroom was like torture -- I wanted EVERYTHING, especially the fun little orange and brown plaid dress.

But guess you can't have it all. Well, maybe I can, just this once...


I'm Lovin' it: Lupe Fiasco's performance of "Superstar" on The Ellen Show today!






I'm Over it: The lady in the Benz who cut me off this morning and then proceeded to drive in front of me at a snail's pace. Literally like a frickin' snail.






Album of the Day: If you don't have 30 Minutes Of Twelve from The Twelves, get it. In fact, download it here. Like now. The Brazilian electronica duo from Rio de Janeiro are brazilliant. I'm especially smitten with their remixed tracks of:

1. The Black Kid's "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You"

2. M.I.A.'s "Boyz"

3. Asobi Seksu's "Thursday" (which is, unfortunately, not on this album but is in the video below)









* Photos property of zappos.com, nymag.com, musicness.files.wordpress.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Mata Hari

I don't where, when and how, but I'm gonna get me some balloon pants.

Okay, so I lie.

I'll probably get them at Jonathan + Olivia or in Europe (coming up in a few months!), before the summer is up and with the funds in my bank account (duh, of course).

Brit stylist Lainey Sheridan-Young concocted these extremely comfortable, three-quarter length pants for every girl's wearing pleasure. They're daytime or nighttime attire (just change from flats to heels and you're good to go), plus the forgiving and elasticized waist prevents the aesthetically-displeasing condition us ladies know as the "muffin top".

As usual, North American fashion is up to two years behind Europe, so by the time this silhouette catches fire around this hemisphere, the Euros will definitely be onto something bigger, better and more fabulous.

It doesn't matter though. These hammer pants are way too legit to quit.







I'm Lovin' it: These Claw Money Red Gazelle sunglasses. For all y'all who aren't sure who Claw Money is, she's the Queens-born, retired graffiti artist who now collabos with blue chip companies like Nike and Ecko, as well as moonlights as the fashion director for Swindle magazine. Plus any girl that rattles off poached eggs and grits, roast beef hero with Russian dressing and a burger with cottage fries as what she ate during the day is my idol. Who wants to subsist on salad, coffee and cigarettes, a la Vogue-bots??







I'm Over it: People who post ridiculously disgusting pictures on Facebook of themselves and assume people want to see them. No, we don't.


Track of the Day: "Whatever You Want" by Club 8. If you listen carefully, the beginning samples Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and fades into the background throughout the rest of the song. Karolina Komstedt's vocals in the track has a Karen Carpenter-ish feel -- actually, all in all, the track has a distinct 70s, happy-go-lucky charm to it. Johan Angergard makes up the rest of Club 8 and yes, they're from Sweden.







* Photos property of brownsfashion.com, clawmoney.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Awesome Commercial From Nigo

Who wouldn't love watching an animated Nigo from BAPE, Kanye, Pharrell and the Teriyaki Boyz dance, dance??

Guaranteed to make you crack a grin.

Onitsuka Tiger!

Super cool sneaks from Onitsuka Tiger.








* Photos property of highsnobette.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Happy Long Weekend!

And Happy Spring!

I was just informed by Fashionista.com -- via Photoshopped image -- that the season for blooms is officially here, which is so apropos considering how much flora and fauna was on the SS08 runways.

It's that weird weather time when you can leave your house for work chilled to the bone and then come afternoon, feel rather warm in the mid-day sunshine streaming in office windows. But not to fret, stylistas, we're very near real gladiator sandal season -- there's just more excuse to keep on wearing your ethnic scarves and leather boots.

This long weekend should be a good one. I always fully expect to catch up on my zzz's from Friday to Sunday, but quite honestly, I probably get more shut-eye during the week. Could VRBF be the reason why?? Um, yes.

On the agenda is my girl Berry's birthday festivities tomorrow with the crew (minus our buddy Scoots, who is apparently living the life of bottle service on an east coast business trip), a chill Saturday (meaning the daytime), Easter dinner at my girl Sangria's mom's house (mmmm, homemade cheese bread) on Sunday and possibly Pete Tong on Sunday night (if my buddy Fruit Cup has a potential free ticket for yours truly).

Anyway, cheers to the new season, cherry blossoms, longer days, rejuvenating walks along the water, a string of awesome shows rolling into town (Simian Mobile Disco, Chromeo, Cat Power), an excuse to overhaul your closet and, of course, as many Balenciaga and Prada knock-offs I can find to fit in with Spring/Summer 2008 .







I'm Lovin' it: These zippered tights from SoCal-based LnA! So colorful, so Sandy Olsson's tight pants at the end of Grease (only ROYGBIV-ed) and so M.I.A right now.








I'm Over it: When a bottle of water at Starbucks costs almost as much as their scrumptious egg and sausage english muffin sandwiches.


Track of the Day: "Brass Ass" by Velella Velella from Seattle, Washington. Scientifically-speaking, a Velella Velella is a polyp that floats on surface of the Pacific Ocean in warmer waters, only to eventually be washed up on shores where they shrivel up and die. Musically-speaking, Velella Velella is a damn cool electro-funk band from the upper west coast of the States with hella catchy songs.







* Photos property of fashionista.com, singer22.com, myspace.com/velellavelella and are used solely for commentary purposes

Uni Class of the Year

Seriously, screw Psych 101 and get yourself to Pennsylvania ASAP.

Carnegie Mellon University in Penn state added Sneakerology 101 to its curriculum, using Where'd You Get Those? New York City's Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987 as a textbook with sneak sites like Sneaker Freaker, Hypebeast, High Snobiety as other references. Basically, the class covers the history of the sneaker and its impact on hip-hop, music, the 'net and sports cultures.

Want a degree in kicks? Check it out here.

Looks like being a sneakerhead is finally considered a bonafide profession.







I'm Lovin' it: Net-A-Porter actually has a section for jumpsuits. So dope! The Stella McCartney and See by Chloe ones are my top two.








I'm Over it: My dirty car. Time for a scrub.


Music Vid of the Day: "Beeper" from The Count & Sinden featuring Kid Sister. No one uses a beeper anymore, but the video is pretty sweet anyway.





* Photos property of hypebeast.com, net-a-porter.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Happy Friday!

Whew!

Just got back from Rodney's Oyster Bar in Yaletown to meet up with my old roomie Mandyland and her cronies after work -- missed that girl! Anyhoo, if you dig seafood and are in Vancity, you may want to eat yourself silly here (the pan-fried oysters are delish).

They have happy hour from 4 - 6 pm, when the raw oysters are cheaper and you can barely find a seat in the bar area -- yours truly stood for ten minutes before one of the bartenders kindly found me a stool.

Off to meet another one of my girfriend Adri for a little dessert and a catch up in fifteen.

This is what I call a chill Friday night.

xo
Haute Hippie






I'm Lovin' it: Gangsta Rap Fridays -- aka. OE Fridays -- at cut & SHOW with Jenks and the 'Wich, officially scheduled on our iCals from 2 pm to 5 pm. Bling, red or blue bandanas, grills and Apple Bottom jeans are all acceptable forms of attire, while Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg (on the playlist today), Westside Connection and Too Short blasts on the stereo. I also voted for Cholo Fridays every second week, meaning white socks pulled up to the calf, the baggiest of baggy shorts, white wife beaters, house slippers, drawn on eyebrows for the girls (ie. me) and lots of Reggaetone.







I'm Over it: None today.


Track of the Day: In honor of our new Gangsta Rap Fridays tradition, here's Me & My Homies by Nate Dogg.

Too Funny!

Here's a classic quote from my friend Nick P. during dinner on Tuesday night, in regard to Kanye West's upcoming Glow In The Dark Tour:

"Kanye West is like the Mike's Hard Lemonade of rap."

HAHAHAHAHA!

Mad Maxine

If Alexander Wang moved to the west coast, he'd become Maxine Dillon.

This L.A.-based brand hits the sartorial mark on the casual, hip, cool, breezy yet chic clothing that every fashionable Angeleno searches for on the sun-strewn streets of Melrose, Robertson, La Brea and West Third Street.

Dillon -- formerly of Figment -- is obsessed with shades of beige, brown, blue and ivory for both SS08 and AW08, combining the color triad with high-waists, interesting shapes, prints and loose tops.

It all makes me kind of homesick for my old apartment in Santa Monica, beach cruiser rides along Venice Beach, Jamba Juice and sporadic visits to American Rag or Planet Blue.














I'm Lovin' it: If you're kicking it in L.A. from March 15th to April 26th, hit up High Energy Constructs gallery in Chinatown to take in Eddie Ruscha's newest exhibition "This Is It!", displaying his most recent art on canvas, paper and through sound installation. Oh, by the way, it's Eddie Ruscha, Jr. -- not his famous artist poppa of same name (only the senior version).







I'm Over it: Too many awesome shows coming to Vancity from April to August -- hello, Simian Mobile Disco (going to this one!), Jack Johnson, Kanye West's Glow In The Dark tour, Pemberton Music Fest (think of it as the Coachella of the north), The Raveonettes, Duran Duran and The Cure -- but so little time! As in too much money to hit up all of them.


Track of the Day: Long Time Coming by the Delays. This indie band from Southampton, England is made up of Greg Gilbert, Aaron Gilbert, Colin Fox and Rowly on the drums. Word of warning: Greg Gilbert has a ridiculously high level falsetto.







* Photos property of maxinedillon.com, highenergyconstructs.com, southscene.net and are used solely for commentary purposes

Pedal To The Metal

Rings are my thang.

Big, chunky cocktail rings that are pretty much in-your-face, flaunting just how huge they are.

I thought my massive gold and clear lucite (okay, plastic) ring took the cake, but as of today, these ones from Its No Name have usurped the title.

If you like silver, gold, platinum and science, check out the Period Table of Elements flavor these babies have. The price tags are $205, $2200 and $6500 respectively (can't put a price on science, of course), depending on the price of commodities upon your order. They take 2 - 4 weeks to be hand-crafted.

I'm an AU and PT girl myself -- as in gold and platinum.

Always did kind of dig chemistry class.







I'm Lovin' it: Got time to waste this Friday afternoon at 2pm in Vancity? Then sign up for the Useless Toy Boat Race #2, sponsored Livestock, Addict, The Hundreds and other cool cats. It's going down at Emery Barnes Park at Richards and Davie, which is right around the corner from my apartment. Hmmmm....






I'm Over it: Goddamit! I overcooked my steak.


Shot of the Day: Love this one! Garret Louie (aka.GMAN), a cut & SHOW-er, poses at his Timebomb headquarteres with ?uestlove from The Roots, who was in town at Shine a few weeks ago.






Laugh of the Day: Louis Vuitton garbage bag. Classic!







* Photos property of timebombtrading.com, Garret Louie, itsnoname.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Mad Hatter

Some girls start their outfits by choosing the clothes, then the accessories. Others prefer to start with the shoes and end with the clothes.

This SS08 -- Spring/Summer '08 to you -- I'll be starting with my hat and finishing off with everything else.

Today, me and The Boyz (Jenks and 'Wich) placed our orders for Brixton hats, a label founded in 2004 by three SoCal buddies who use music, culture and people to create hats, wallets and belts for all of us to enjoy.

My personal order?

The Harp in grey and the Castor in natural straw.

Hats off!









I'm Lovin' it: Alexander Wang got nominated for Womenswear Designer of the Year at this year's CFDA awards! This Erin-Wasson-Goes-Skateboarding shot from photog Dan Martensen is dope!







I'm Over it: When I wear my new Gravis slip-ons, they make me look about 10 years younger than I really am. Oh, what?! Uh, hold on...that may not be so bad in five years...


Music of the Day: Jazztronica. From Head and Neck Sessions out of the UK. So cool. Jazz, electronica and trip-hop all in one. I particularly like their "Far" track.







* Photos property of brixtonltd.com, danmartensen.com, myspace.com/headandneck and are used solely for commentary purposes

Happy Friday!

Before I jet off to the office, just though I'd share three things:

1. One of my readers passed along a little information in the form of DSquared being in town for Vancouver Fashion Week. Cray-zay! Guess the Torontonian designer twins decided to skip over from Milan to say hello to Canada. More details as it comes -- thanks to for the heads up, "Fan"!!





2. This picture of Kanye West and Daft Punk is way cool.





3. These zebra-print shoes are KILLER. Sergio Rossi, y'all.





Tonight, hockey game with K-Dizzle and tomorrow, a birthday extravaganza for my buddies The Scientist and TC. Sunday morning is going to be brutal, I tell ya.

xo
Haute Hippie


* Photos property of style.com, kanyewest.com and used solely for commentary purposes

Meet Vladimir Krajina

Before I hit my 1,500 count Egyptian cotton sheets -- just kidding, my sheets are from Winners -- I'd like to introduce you to my awesomely awesome graphic designer buddy Vladimir Krajina.

We know him as Josh Krajina, but that's another story for another day, I suppose.

He's currently working on some business cards of super fabulosity for me -- his designs, photography and art are wicked, wicked, wicked.

If you're in need of a graphic designer, give Josh...er, Vladimir...a ring.

You won't be sorry.

PS. Oh, and ladies, he's pretty cute, too.








* Photos and design property of Vladimir Krajina and are used solely for commentary purposes