Jumpin' Jack Flash

The tee market is getting mighty interesting these days, especially with the advent of companies and sites like Threadless and Design By Humans.

These sites allow readers-slash-artists to submit their own designs for selling, ranking and voting. Plus, the tees turn out to be great conversation pieces.

Another tee company on my radar is Public Domain, which isn't really designer-submitted stuff, but the tees still rate as great conversation pieces (and an awesome wardrobe addition for any boyfriend).

Admittedly, I'd rather throw on a slouchy Alex Wang top rather than a tee, but if this Flash! shirt landed in my mailbox, I'd most definitely rock it out. Especially with Polaroids becoming extinct, thanks to its discontinuation by Kodak.

You know who needs this tee??

Serial Polaroid photog Jeremy Kost!








I'm Lovin' it: This romantical black and white photo of designer Erin Fetherston and her homme, Hedi Ferjani, at a recent event in NYC.






I'm Over it: The person who brought their perpetually crying baby into my office away from my home office. That baby is blowing my eardrums out and making me lose my patience very, very quickly. It's the best contraception ever.


Track of the Day: My girl Ovitch and I were in blast-from-the-past mode yesterday, YouTube-ing and Imeem-ing every old school 90s hip hop and R&B song we loved. There was a little TQ, a lot of DJ Quik, some 112 and one or two Dream Warriors. But hands down, I was all over DJ Quik's "Pitch In On A Party". Fo' sho. Oh, and for sh*ts and giggles, I've also added TQ's "If The World Was Mine".











* Photos property of nationaleczema.org, publicdomainclothing.com, fashionweekdaily.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Good Vibes?

Anything that Estee Lauder has to do with lashes is usually pretty fantastic. I, however, am not too sure what I think of their new concoction: TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara.

It's basically a vibrating mascara, as in auto-powered LashSonic brush, auto-pulse bristles and all.

Are people becoming so lazy they'd rather have vibrating mascara than carefully and diligently apply by handstroke themselves??

Oy.







* Photo property of Estee Lauder and is used solely for commentary purposes

Shoes By Mike & Chris

Mike & Chris -- the brand that basically reinvented the leather jacket for the fashion set -- is further expanding into footwear, something that is dangerous (on the personal pocket) to know.

Mike Gonzalez, one-half of the husband and wife team behind Mike & Chris, spoke about how they moved production to the same manufacturer than produces Lanvin shoes and subsequently grew the debut footwear collection because of how good the cobbler pros at the manufacturing plant were at making shoes.

I'll take their camel swing coat and the 70s-inspired, Michael Kors-esque shoes below, which is the only time I'll condone too much matchy-matchy.








I'm Lovin' it: On coming long weekend, about 30 of my good, good friends are heading up into the interior for a little mini vacay at Kenzo's dad's B & B by the water. This means I kind of would like a new swimsuit to go along with the trip. I likey these Modern Muse Suspender bikini bottoms in Birkin Green from Modern Amusement, though somehow they don't seem very practical for doing a lazy river float for three hours. Bad tan lines would be imminent.






I'm Over it: So. Tired. Barely. Any. Sleep.


Hair of the Day: Here's a sexy take on the braid trend that's been happening for awhile. Sexy, bedhead braids. Must try it.







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

So What If They're Knockoffs?!

I saw the Chloe White Poseidon version of these at Holts a month ago and pretty much cried because they were so beautiful. And not affordable.

Then I saw these at Aldo on Monday and cried because they were passably as beautiful. And totally affordable.

So I tried them on, naturally.







* Photo property of Aldo Shoes and is used solely for commentary purposes

Happy Friday!!

So sorry, y'all!

It hasn't been the best week for posting. I almost didn't feel I had time to breathe since last Friday. Yikes!

Anyway, because I've seen so many cool things over the week, but had not a minute to write about them, here's a little Friday compilation of what's on my cool radar instead.


1. Courtney Crawford shoes. This boy can make heels, goddamit. He launched his own collection -- after interning at Eugenia Kim -- in 2006 and has since designed collections or the likes of Missoni. It doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes, either. Crawford walked the runway for Karl two years ago and is a pet favorite of Andre Leon Talley.








2. These photos from skate boarder-turned-photographer Lia Halloran are beautiful. Halloran did a tour skateboarding through some of Los Angeles' skate parks at night, eventually turning herself into white blurs of light following her movements at the development stage of her shots. If you're in New York, you can check out her exhibition at the DCKT Contemporary on the Bowery.






3. Banksy may have been discovered. And his name just might be Robin Gunningham. Is this for real?






4. TOMS Shoes are coming to a local Whole Foods near you. The collection is vegan, and of course, Mycoskie will make good on his promise that every TOMS sold is one TOMS donated to a Third World child in need of shoes.






5. This music video for Devendra Banhart's song "Carmensita" is my new favorite. It's based on old school Bollywood cinematic style, and his real-life girlfriend Natalie Portman makes an appearance as a princess. The dancing is way cute, too.






6. Oak in New York has some amazing pieces for fall. I need to own this black square hood tee from Complex Geometries.






7. Yesterday I discovered my signature aviator sunnies were broken. Thankfully, it's just one of the clear nose bridges that fell off, so it's easily fixable. Then I discovered Republica sunglasses and forgot all about my aviators.







8. It's a Tokyo Flash watch for me or bust. These things are so effin' cool, I can't stand it. You will definitely need instructions on how to read time with these babies on your wrist, since some styles have the numbers in Japanese characters. If you can't follow technical instructions, at least your wrist will still look rad. If you live in town, stop by El Kartel on Robson to check 'em out.






9. Jenks super spoiled me with a little pressie this week in the form of these badass Creative Recreation Galow Hi sneaks, but replace the red with bright pink. Thank you thank you thank you i love them!






10. Happy happy birthday to my BGF Khaleel!! Here's to a celebrating that and VRBF!!


xo
Haute Hippie



* Photos property of emgfo.files.wordpress, dcktcontemporary.com, Lia Halloran, oaknyc.com, republicatrading.com, tokyoflash.com, nitrolicious.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Picture of the Day

This picture makes me laugh. Hard.

Here is a shot of some of my really good guy friends, hamming it up in Turkey and giving Asian peeps some peace sign love.

From left to right, we have Mikey, Khaleel (aka. K-Dizzle), Oli and Luker.

Ha! White boys doing the Japanese tourist peace sign. Oh, how I wish they were wearing Hello Kitty t-shirts.

They're gonna kill me for posting this.






* Photo property of Grace Chen and is used solely for commentary purposes

Friday is Karl Day

Friday is here, woot woot!

I'd like to dedicate this particular TGIF to Karl Lagerfeld, he who hates children and fat people, but has quite literally been one of the coolest cats in fashion for the past, oh, 40 years or more.

Here are some things you should know about Karl or are related to Karl for today:

1. Ali Stephens stars in his new Chanel mascara commercial. There's something about her -- I'd name Ali S. as one of my favorite up-and-coming models.





2. Someone out there is pretending to be Karl. A blogging Karl. I highly doubt the real Karl a) uses email on a regular basis and b) knows exactly what a blog is.

3. Karl is coming out with a trio of unisex perfumes called Kapsule. Oh, Karl's so klever.

4. Karl did all the campaign photography for Kapsule. Is there anything he can't do??

5. Karl has a Diet Coke butler. As in a butler who gets him a Diet Coke whenever he snaps his fingerless-gloved fingers. What, does that even make sense?

6. Karl's middle name is Otto.

7. Karl was inspired to lose weight because of Hedi Slimane's Dior Homme skinny silhouettes.

8. The Karl quote of the day is: "Some people would like me to be round again."


Ah Karl, I love you, flaws and all.







I'm Lovin' it: Gearing up for Seems' birthday festivities tonight. I have a feeling it's gonna be crazypants.


I'm Over it: This unsettling feeling of fatigue today. What up with that?!


Track of the Day: "Float On" by Dream Warriors. So chilling. Great bass line. It's got that old school Warren G and Nate Dogg, lay-back vibe.







* Photo property of Splash Agency and is solely used for commentary purposes

Snejana Is Anna

How did I miss this fantastic Mario Testino-helmed editorial for French Vogue last year?!

Here is Ukranian model Snejana Onopka -- known for her extreme pin-thin frame -- posing as Anna Wintour under the watchful eye and creative direction of Carine Roitfeld.

Love it.

Snejana is the spitting image of the world's biggest editrix, down to the bob, the arm-cross, the sunglasses and the sitting pose. And those dreadful criss-cross front mules and slingbacks Wintour constantly sports.

Carine kills Anna in the shoe department, for sure.













I'm Lovin' it: This gigantic Maison Martin Margiela ring from the brand's collaboration with jewelry house Damiani.






I'm Over it: Ooof. Watched Hellboy II with K-Dizzle in the theatres and, like always when it comes to getting to the movies, he was late. We got to sit up close and personal with the silver screen in the first row. Neck hurts.


Music of the Day: From Swedish label TTA -- who brought us music lovers Tough Alliance and The Embassy -- is Air France from Gothenburg, Sweden. Those Swedes! So awesome! It's electronica-pop goodness. Check out the track "No Excuses". Unfortunately, these guys don't have a full album out yet, just two EPs: No Way Down and On Trade Winds. Air France an auditory confection. Listening to it makes me feel the same way I felt when I heard "Since I Left You" from The Avalances for the first time last summer: happy and ready to party on a beach.







* Photos property of Air France, French Vogue, Fabsugar.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

Take Your Piko

One of my favorite things to do to decompress after an afternoon of writing is visit Tru Value Vintage on the way home from my corner window "office" at Blenz.

It's the only shop in town where I've found Los Angeles-based label Piko 1988, except for an obscure shopping website called High Fashion Boutique, which doesn't even carry some of the better pieces. Unfortunately for me, there is no real official website for the brand, only a very barebones front page with contact information but no uploads of collections or a company bio. Bummer!

Piko 1988 has the loose, funky, quirky aesthetic preferred by the inhabitants of Billysburg in Brooklyn, Santa Monica/Venice in SoCal and SoMa in Vancouver, which is probably precisely why I'm drawn to the brand.

I suppose for more deets on this mysterious label, I can just ask the friendly staff at Tru Value.

In fact, that's what I'm going to do the next time I go in. Which will probably be today.

PS. BTW, if you're liking the colorful graphic blouse, Tru Value has it!

PPS. Tru Value has an unbeatable selection of uber-cute necklaces for between $10 - $18. Hint hint...







I'm Lovin' it: My buddy Sol is now sending out newsletters updating everyone about his going-ons. It's great to see him get up and out there. Check out his blog, sign up for a newsletter and please, please support a truly amazing artist!!







I'm Over it: Diane Kruger looking hot and stylish ALWAYS. Okay, I'm not over it at all. She completely inspires me right now.







Art of the Day: New Fafi! Love the brights of paint against the grey of wall.







* Photos property of High Fashion Boutique, Soltron Creative, Wooster Collective, Style.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

HAHA...

I NEED these ice cube trays.

Okay, they're completely un-PC, but still very, very hilarious.

Introducing the Gin & Titonic, courtesy of Fred & Friends.

The ice cube molds are shaped like ocean liners and icebergs. Just add a little gin and tonic, as the name pretty much indicates.

You can do Red Bull and vodka, too, whichever floats your boat. Or doesn't float your mini Titanic boat in this case.

Need I say more??







* Photo property of worldwidefred.com and is used solely for commentary purposes

I'm In Love With Mary Jane

Ah, the Mary Jane.

I don't mean code name for reefer, but those girlish round-toe shoes with a single strap running across the top of the foot.

It's the preferred shoe of The Tinz (as in Tinsley Mortimer) and a footwear silhouette that never seems to get old, no matter how old you get (my four-year-old self had patent black ones).

Normall Mary Janes usually go the black route in terms of color, which is why I really ended up liking this different Norma platform pair found on the Forever 21 website. It's a new take on an oldie, still keeping with the round toe, but doubling up on the straps and criss-crossing them.

Super sexy and puuuuuuurfect with drop-crotch cropped pants (Vanessa Bruno) and boyfriend jeans (Lanvin/Acne collabo) rolled up.







I'm Lovin' it: Everything from Nasty Gal Vintage. The models look tres hip, too.







I'm Over it: How everything from Nasty Girl Vintage is always sold out.


Music of the Day: I got GD hooked on The Twelves pretty recently, and in the process, re-hooked myself onto them in a big way. Last time I posted about these guys, it was with a download to their 30-minute mix. Here's a link to their page on MySpace, which has full versions of some of their other tracks, plus a slightly different version of their remix of MIA's "Boys". SO GOOD.









* Photos property of Forever 21, Nasty Girl Vintage, The Twelves and are used solely for commentary purposes

Didja know...

That L.A.-based designer Juan Carlos Obando taught himself how to make patterns by carefully un-doing jackets from Azzedine Alaia??

I didn't either, until today.

Thanks, Style.com!

xo
Haute Hippie

PS. Peep Azzedine below!







* Photo property of fashiontelevision.com and is used solely for commentary purposes

Models Design Sneakers, Too

Marisa Miller -- the blonde, busty model who's been a Victoria's Secret Angel for forever and a day -- just finished collaborating with Vans on sneakers, slip-ons and sandals.

The high-top sneaks Miller designed are girly cute, though personally I'm way more stoked on the new Puma Rudolf Dassler Hesselberg Army shoes I saw at Gravity Pope the other day.

Whoever said models can't design? Look at Milla Jovovich and Kate Moss, par example.

Anyway, Urban Outfitters and Vans stores will carry this new collection by August, and it's really not that pricey -- the line ranges from $30 - $65.

I suppose they'd be good for a kid sister, but not Dj A-Trak's Kid Sister.

PS. Happy Friday!!






I'm Lovin' it: Finding a new way to wear my Sass & Bide top: Tucked into my jeans shorts and pulled out a little baggy, though still tucked in indie-styles. And I've been wearing it tunic-like all this time!


I'm Over it: Why, why, why are there people wearing sporty and dress-up versions of these fugly sandals out today? They're everywhere! On guys and gals!! I once dated a firefighter who wore these, and guess what?? We're not going out anymore. Girls, please buy a pair of gladiators. Guys, please wear a pair of Havianas or something.







Photo of the Day: This non-eye contact shot of Hedi Slimae is rad. Plus, I really, really, really just want to know if the rumors that he's returning to Dior Homme are true.








* Photos property of fashionweekdaily.com, msn.com and are used solely for commentary purposes

It's In The Jeans

Thank you, thank you, thank you to WWWD for sparking my memory with their coverage of uber-cool new denim brand Current/Elliot today.

One recent lazy Sunday, I paid a little visit to a magazine stand in my hood to flip through the new pages of Vogue and came across a short feature on the brand, which came with a picture of the most perfect, rolled-up boyfriend jeans I ever did see (they're pretty up there with the Lanvin/Acne ones I posted last week).

Current/Elliot -- founded by stylists Emily Current and Merrit Elliot -- has a steez all its own: all-American and worn-in, but much more forward than your average pair of Levi's. They also do cute denim vests, dresses and short shorts that are worthy of summertime strolls downtown or by the ocean.

Check out The Boyfriend below.

It'll be the one boyfriend I'd never tire of.







I'm Lovin' it: The sparkly ghetto blaster necklace I scored yesterday for $8. They'd go great with my Alife sneaks.


I'm Over it: My awkward twin (a term coined by Aims) that came out in a, well, awkward run-in with someone yesterday night that really shouldn't have been awkward at all. AT ALL.



* Photo property of currentelliot.com and is used solely for commentary purposes

Craving Couture

So the couture shows went down in Paris last week and I didn't have time to post any of my favorites from the collections because of a last minute surf trip with ROXY to Tofino.

Without further adieu, here is a scroll-down of the Fall '08 Parisian couture I craved most, from Christian Dior to Christian Lacroix to Maison Martin Margiela.

You get one guess which outfit is from Margiela.

Getting it wrong is like not knowing Marc Jacobs designs for Louis Vuitton, so here's hoping you get it right the first time, you fashionista you.















I'm Lovin' it: OMG. Surfing is rad. I want to surf every single day for the rest of my life. Thanks to Seems, Shawna O. from ROXY, Christina Darling, Catherine Bruhwiler, Harbour Air and Barefoot Wine for the super gnarly (and utter spoil-fest) weekend in Tofino. And seriously, I couldn't have gone with a better set of gals, either. Long live The Gumboot Killer!


I'm Over it: A message from my BGF K-Dawg, telling me how solid my crew's trip in Turkey is right now. Don't get me wrong, I'm hap-happy for the crew but extremely bummed to be missing out on the beautiful beaches over there.

I'm Over it, Part II: What is up with this fake Coach bag machine in the Jersey Shore?? Ooooooh, Reed Krakoff is gonna be pissed...







Music of the Day: This wicked website called The Hood Internet, which basically does mash-ups between hip hop and indie tracks. Check out the Estelle "American Boy" and Ting Tings "Shut Up And Let Me Go" hybrid.








* Photos property of nymag.com, thehoodinternet.com and are used solely for commentary purposes