Let's talk about THIS, baby...

Today I was watching Good Hair, that Chris Rock documentary, and he was interviewing Salt n Pepa. It made me remember how much I used to LOOOOOOVE Salt n Pepa, so I started googling some images.

I stumbled across this photo:

...and I'm like ohmygoodness, Sandra Denton's (aka Pepa) hair looks very familiar. Hmmmmm...

Oh hey Rihanna (aka style biter). I knew I'd seen that somewhere before! Let's take one more look at each:

Do you get my title reference now? HA. That's all.
Oh wait, no it's not. I did it too kinda only not as cool.

3snaps to Pepa.

NYFW 2011 - EDUN Runway Show

Went to the Edun runway show today. Held under a bridge of sorts (an overpass or something?) - graffiti on the brick walls, a gravel runway - it was nothing short of edgy. The collection itself was a breath of fresh air for me - completely congruent with my own personal style - the aesthetic was earthy but a little tough - "Desert Rock" as my folks like to call it. The pieces had ease of movement, balanced drapey and body-conscious silhouettes, and while there were some patterns, it was majority solid earth tones - white, black, beige, charcol...stunning. Oh, and all models were balancing on really tall, REALLY CHUNKY platforms. We all know I adooooore me a chunky platform. I want it all. Here are some pics of my favorite pieces from the front row :)

Pre-show

Gavin Rossdale & son Kingston...blurry I know, I'd make a really bad paparazzo

Took this one with my phone - why does my phone take better pics than my expensive camera?

Photogs/press at the end of the gravel runway

More photos of the collection will probably be available at Style.com...but they're not up yet. Holler at me Style.com, lemme upgrade you.

Happy shopping.

NYFW 2011 - ELLE Fashion NEXT Runway Show

The editors of ELLE selected 22 students from RISD to showcase their designs at NYFW 2011. The judging panel was made up of designers Tommy Hilfiger & Derek Lam, and ELLE editors Joe Zee, Anne Slowey, and Alexis Bryan Morgan. It was SICK!!! Innovative!!! Layers, flow, more like fall steez than spirng...love. Check out my fav looks from the runway:

Before the gaggles arrive

Ladylike

Unveiling the runway

Peep my style guru Kate Lanphear, Style Director of Elle Mag, in the white blazer...

Could a dress flow any better??!!

Many a male model with tattoos on runways this season...LOVE IT.

These are some of the best designs I've seen so far in NYFW. Innovative young folks, untouched by the market and demands for trends and "fashion". It's a beautiful thang.

Happy shopping.

Fall = Boots...Period.

Fall is coming and I'm more than ready for it. I've already put my shorts away (albeit prematurely, at least here in NYC), I impulse purchased a few fall scarves, and my nimble fingers have lead me to some serious online shopping for my favorite fall accessories...boots. I already have about 4-5 solid pairs from last year's rotation - but is that enough? No. Am I continually finding the need for new boot elements that I didn't even know existed? YES. I need a thicker wedge, a tougher combat, more laces, a deeper brown, a rounder toe, a different decade of vintage, a lower heel, a higher heel... the line between need and want has now become very thin. Where do I turn to indulge my addiction?

For the timeless, rugged, androgynous look, I'm all about Frye Boots. Spit on them, drag them through mud, trek through the city in them, get them caught in a tractor - these boots look just as fantastic (if not better) five years later as they do the day you buy them. Take a look at some of the classic and fall looks:

From upper left, clockwise: Harness, Heath Tall Riding, Veronica Combat, Melissa Tall Lace
Photos courtesy of Frye

Sometimes, I must admit, I'm not particularly classic. Sometimes I want my footwear to scream LOOK AT ME NOW! I'm tall! I'm stunning! I'm uninhibited and sexy and I have really good balance! This is when I turn to Jeffrey Campbell. Let me take this opportunity to brag that I've always been a wedge/platform girl - I distinctly remember showing up to my eighth grade dance in 5 inch black platform sandals while my peers wore pastel kitten heels and strappy sandals. I wore those platforms pretty much until college when my bestie made me toss them. Well, not even a decade later - they're back in style, Jeffrey Campbell is working the hell out of fall, and I'm ecstatic.

From upper left, clockwise: Lita, Pixie Fur, Denmark, Two Timer
Photos courtesy of Solestruck

Of course there's a major middle ground between classic and daring. Some of my favorites include All Saints, Aldo (yes, Aldo), Dr. Martens, Cole Haan, Bass and of course, the store we all love to hate and hate to love, the brand selections at Urban Outfitters.

As we approach Labor Day Weekend, I'd like to officially welcome you to fall footwear. Lace them up, zip them closed, shimmy into them - grab your argyle socks and cardigans and blazers and denim - welcome to the best season of them all, relish in the beauty.

Happy Shopping.