R.I.P.

Joyeux anniversaire !

“I hate birthdays, ... It's more like a new starting point in New York. For me, it's an evolution. I don't celebrate the past. I like the present and tomorrow.”
- Karl Lagerfeld

::ALTHOUGH you may hate to hear me say it... HAPPY BIRTHDAY Uncle Karl!!

Style Mascot

::I just moved into a loft in Downtown LA's fashion district, and had the pleasure of moving next to one of the coolest dogs ever- Toogle. Toogle is my neighbor's Beagle with an obsession for fashion magazines. Don't believe me?! Here's proof...

Although my neighbor lives in a pretty spacious loft, Toogle loves to lounge by the fashion magazines and spends his days just hanging out by all the Vogues. Oh, and did I mention that he answers to commands in English and Korean?! Word.

My neighbor is a magazine addict and buys fashion magazines from around the world, every single month... a habit I find a bit too expensive- I'll stick to reading blogs from around the world.

Imagine my excitement when I saw that she had Vogue Korea, China, and Italia in stacks, and dinosaur back issues in pristine condition! She has so many magazines, she even made the coolest coffee table out of magazines just piled in four rows with a clear glass placed on top.

Furniture made from old magazines? Not only is this eco friendly, it's genius.

These pics aren't bad quality considering they were snapped on my brand new Sprint Instinct phone. Cool phone, and has a lot more features than the I-Phone. I wasn't able to get a picture of the coffee table since my battery was super low, but I'll manage to snap one and post it as soon as I can.

I can't wait to flip through all of the magazines with the neighbor and my favorite fashion mascot, Toogle. I loooove animals (especially dogs), and these pictures absolutely make me smile. Hope it did the same for you!

In the words of Miranda Priestly... Thats all.

xoxo
MC.

Rookie Of The Year

::OMG. SERIOUSLY darlings- What were You like at 12? Were you even thinking about fashion? Not just following the masses and wearing what everyone else in your grade is, fashion... I'm talking about starting a fashion revolution at that age, wearing whatever your heart truly desired, even if all the other middle schoolers thought you were weird?!

At 12 I had really bad self esteem, stood at 4'8 and weighed about 72 pounds- baby waif. I was beyond insecure, and wore anything and everything to cover up. Long shirts, baggy jeans, no skirts or dresses or anything that was remotely different than what all the other middle schoolers were wearing. My hair was pin straight, lifeless and long (didn't get my first "real haircut" until 18) a walking disaster.

I think I just discovered the person I wish I was at 12! I'm sure you've probably heard of her by now... An old soul by the name of Tavi. A 12 year old fashion blogger over at Style Rookie, and NO that wasn't a typo. The darling is TWELVE... As in thirteen minus one, 1-2, but let me tell you, this girl's blog is (as Rachel Zoe would say) Ahhhhmahhhziiing!

She's just as competent and informed as many other fashion bloggers out there twice her age, and her posts are engaging, witty and oh so chic- not bad for a style rookie.

Her obsession with "thrifting" rivals mine, and her posts are fun, insightful, well written and addictive.Here's a hysterical excerpt from one of her posts on thrifting...

In shopping news, I went to Goodwill yesterday with my mom. I found the perfect
studded belt, but decided not to get it because it just didn't seem like "me".
Then, after getting some fabric for a skirt I'm making, a decent swimsuit at
Target (not really worth posting), and stopping at Home Depot, I decided I
wanted the belt. I NEED the belt. We went back, thinking it closed at 8 rather
than 9, and was relieved to see it was still open. So here I am, happily sitting
with my belt :) My mom doesn't really like it, she said it was too "aggressive".
Excellent!

Tavi styles mini pictorials, and fills us in on her amazing finds... here are some of my favorites:

Tween Queen

I honestly don't even remember how I came her blog, as I have the tendency to just blog surf and click on random blogs, but a quick google search showed that she's been prfofiled by the New York Times and many other news sites (some not so enthusiastic) with headlines such as "Protect Kids Who Blog From Danger" (valid point indeed!).


I'm thrilled to have stumbled upon this one, because Tavi's blog a gem! I haven't been this excited since Marc Jacob's named the "BB" bag last season after my Love and fellow fashion blogger Bryan Boy.

Oh Bryan I adooooore you! Quiero tener quatro de tus ninos y vestirlo todo los dias en Prada! Dime que tambien me amas?!

***

Tavi= 2 Cool 4 School

PRODIGY!

What's there not to love about a 12 year old who basically encapsulates everything that fashion is supposed to be? lighthearted, fun and never taken too seriously...But don't take my word for it... Ch-ch-check Style Rookie for yourself!


xoxo Much Love!
Model Citizen

The Girl's Got Style

::CHANEL IMAN proves that she's a model citizen as she makes her way to the tents in New York City's Bryant Park.

Love the Tartan. Love the smile. Love model candids.

Pic via Ybf

Blue Chip Catwalk

::FASHION week has officially kicked off in New York City, and the drama has already begun. Vivica Fox was DENIED entry at BCBG, and Beyonce was an unfortunate victim of a hair catastrophe at Fashion Rocks.

Rag & Bone's catwalk looked like a who's who in the modelling industry right now, and here are a few of my favorites from the show...

Fellow Dominicana and one to watch, Arlenis Pena and Jessica Stam in all of their androgynous glory... I love these masculine inspired looks, blended with just the right touch of femininity. A juxtaposition that plays well on the strong yet gentle balance of women- just a tip to remember when wearing these looks- do not skip the heels. These are a MUST.

Veteran lovelies Lily Donaldson and Sasha Pivovarova also made appearances. Overall, the looks were consistent, strong and a great play on soft color, and rugged materials. Casting blue chip fire starters like Stam and Lily was a great move- but I have to say... all eyes are going to be on new comer ARLENIS this week!!!

Score one for Rag & Bone RTW SS09. We like...

Check out the rest of the Rag & Bone SS09 RTW collection here.

Guess Who

::WHICH famed photographer known for shooting some of the world's most iconic individuals and fashion editorials said the following?

"Recently I was in Rio on the beach and I was struck by how beautiful young, very fat women are. I mean really obese. So I did a lot of pictures of young, fat girls, with loads of love handles and big bottoms." His hands are drawing extravagantly curved shapes through the air now, his eyes gleaming beneath their brittle brows. "Real Botero-style women. It really does look good."

Perhaps, I (interviewer) suggest, years of fashion photography have culminated in this flesh binge. "Maybe," he nods, leaning forward and confiding: "what's really, really ugly is skinny women naked. I've photographed a lot of thin women."

!!!

Here's a hint: He was Princess Diana's favorite photographer, and shot the editorial below for Vogue China 09/05 ...

click here to find out!!

Tactless Marketing for LG

::IT'S labor day weekend so I've been lucky enough to be home relax, walk the dogs and catch up on some much needed television. All was going well until I spotted a disturbing commercial for LG's Dare phone.

The model in the commercial is shown balancing herself on a dangerously high ledge (in high heels nonetheless) overlooking city traffic. As she attempts to grab her LG phone, she looses her balance and almost falls over.



I find this commercial to be completely insensitive and tactless, considering that model Ruslana Korshunova's high profile death was only 2 short months ago. The timing is beyond awful, and the model in the video eerily bears a resemblance to Ruslana, thus adding to the poor taste of this creative direction taken in this advert.

The marketing executives and all parties involved, should have been a bit more tactful in marketing their phone, especially since the fashion community is still mourning the death of a rising star gone too soon...




I’m sure this scenario could have taken in many different places, but to do it this way, in this location, at this short time after the tragedy is beyond insensitive and a complete lack of respect. Given that this death was so high profile, lack of knowledge could not be given as an excuse. Shame on you LG!

Check out the video for yourself, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are.

Speak on it...

Shock Factor

::I'M NOT a fashion elitist. Although I love high end, I'm just as easily (possibly even a bit more) enamored by vintage finds, and cheap chic. I'm the kind of fashion fiend whose hangers are garnished by H&M, Cavalli, Givenchy, 2 Dollar t-shirts, and clothes lingering from my high school days without prejudice.

One of the stores that I rarely ever go into however has always been J. Crew. I don’t know why I’ve given J. Crew the cold cold shoulder, but prep button downs with pink whales have never quite been my cup of green tea.

Imagine my surprise when I came across the Berry-trim Astrid jacket as I walked by the J. Crew at the Grove in L.A, I took a glance inside, and it was love at first sight.

The detailing, the cut, the everything! This jacket was so couture looking- and feeling! I immediately tried it on, and fell in love. I’m officially excited for fall!

This dramatic little jacket has a crisply tailored silhouette and a lot of flair. The fabric is a very refined, midweight wool double-cloth from a 112-year-old Japanese mill. The distinctive appliqué trim features silk ruffles and meticulously crafted, stuffed cotton "berries." Classic fit. Bracelet sleeves. Covered hook-and-eye closure. Interior contrast piping. Fully lined. Hits at high hip. Import. Dry clean.

This jacket may look couture, but is very reasonably off the rack priced at $248.00, great for these upcoming in between weather months. Dressed up, or down, this jacket works (overtime) on many levels- and it comes in Plum (as shown) Bright Blue, or Heather Charcoal.

They unfortunately didn’t have my size in-store in the Heather Charcoal, but luckily for me, it’s also available online… so as much as I adore you darlings, I’m going to keep this post short-I’ve got a jacket to order! Get one for yourself as well at J. Crew.com!

The World Is Your Runway

::I stayed in night, and instead of being out with the ladies and having drinks, I decided to watch the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. I must be the only person in the entire world who has never watched the ceremonies. I've seen bits and pieces. but today was the first time that I

actually sat down and watched it from beginning to end...

I was completely blown away by the production, and the sheer magnitude of this event. Talk about a great PR move?! millions of people all around the world watchedthe USA athletes strut in their Ralph Lauren attire, making it the best product placement and advertising spot in the world.

Every country in the world was represented, and each showed their unique take on fashion in the worlds largest fashion show. Click here for fashion coverage from the source of all things fashion- The Wall Street Journal.

The athletes from the United States wore very classic suits designed by Ralph Lauren Classic blue blazer, with the pony logo, white pants, and a newsboy cap. So Americana....

Kobe Bryant put some dope swagger in his Ralph Lauren apparel.

If this continues, think about the possibilities for the next Olympics- the Spaniards will be wearing Balenciaga, the French will wear YSL, and the Japanese will wear Issey Miyake.

Ah, the possibilities!

Heart Beats In It's Cage...

::IT seems like every ones favorite model hipster, Agyness Deyn might be walking down the aisle soon. Us Magazine is reporting that Agy and Albert Hammond, lead guitarist for The Strokes are engaged!

One kick ass model + one kick ass rocker = a union made in style heaven.

Of course this brings to mind, the most important question of all: What will Agy wear?
Don't fret my friends, I've picked out some looks from the Fall 2008 Haute Couture collections and here are my picks for Agy:

Always glam in Chanel or Jean Paul Gaultier

Or perhaps, she'd like to keep it non traditional with Christian Dior or Amani Prive...

Either way, I'm sure she'll look stunning. Which look would you rather see Agy walk down the aisle in?

Congrats lovers!

Quote Of The Day

“IN the future there won’t be one all-powerful fashion editor — there will be many,” Mr. Arora said. “We are looking for the 20 new Anna Wintours.”

::NEW York Times Article "Where The Fashionitas Go for a Quick Fix" on the declining influence of magazines and the rising popularity of Webzines and Blogs.

Not Zoe Bad...

::I HAVE a confession to make.

Last night, I watched a sneak preview of The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo... and I liked it. Something inside of me really wanted to dislike it, yet I thought it was fun and a great behind the scenes look of a revolutionary fashion stylist. As much as she's hated, she's equally loved, and Zoe's determined to bring high fashion glamour into homes all across America.

Love her or hate her, the woman responsible for making a fashion icon out of Nicole Richie, is one of the undisputed top fashion stylists in the fashion game.

The show follows Rachel Zoe as she navigates through the perils of styling celebrities, vintage shopping, fashion emergencies and yes- New York fashion week.

The cast of characters include Rodger, her adorable and loving husband, Taylor, the self described "stuffed sequined sausage" slash catty hipster assistant with a chip on her shoulder, and Brad, her new flamboyantly fabulous assistant with sensitivity overload.

Cameos are made by designers extraordinaire, Peter Som, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, and Marc Jacobs. If you look closely, you'll even see Anna Wintour sitting front row at the shows- oooh so thrilling!

I don't want to give too much of it away, so you'll just have to tune in when it premieres on September 9th, it might just be "bananas".

Happy Birthday!!

::HAPPY birthday Barack!!!

Nude 101: Eva Mendes

::IN The Nude: A Study In Ideal Form, scholar Kenneth Clark poses the question of nude versus naked in the arts.

To be naked is to be deprived of our clothes, and the word implies some of the embarrassment most of us feel in that condition. The word ‘nude’ on the other hand, carries, in educated usage, no uncomfortable overtone. ... In fact, the word was forced into our vocabulary by critics of the early 18th century to persuade the artless islanders that, in countries where painting and sculpture were practiced and valued ... the naked human body was the central subject of art...nude is an art form invented by the Greeks in the fifth century BC, just as opera is an art form invented in seventeenth-century Italy. The nude is not the subject of art but a form of art.

And here we are again, almost 50 years later, attempting to decipher the boundaries of sexuality in art. Eva Mendes appears entirely nude in her new advert for Calvin Klein's Secret Obsession, causing it be banned in the United States. A G rated version is set to roll out just in time for the holidays, leaving us with question to ponder? Was this really that big of a deal? Is this borderline pornography? did you find it vulgar or tasteful?

I found it to be timeless, and everything it is supposed to be, provocative, sensual, timeless and reminiscent of all things Calvin Klein; artistic expression of the human body in it's purest form...

View the NSFW ad in it's entirety below...

So what's your take on this? Was Eva nude or naked?

Style Feed

::GORDON Ramsey, Anthony Bourdain (oh how I love him), Padma Lakshmi and others have taken our culinary experience to a higher level. So it's no surprise that the tools we use to indulge in feeding our pallets, have parlayed their way into our wonderful world of fashion!

Demitasse
White Gold Dessert Spoon
White gold necklace and pendant with tiny diamonds on handle.
$ 1,575.00 both available at one of my favorite
online destinations, Shop Zoe online

Demitasse
Signature Spoon Necklace
In Rose Gold
14 karat gold signature table spoon with rose gold chain and single small handle diamond.
$ 495.00

Note to self, I MUST order the Rose gold spoon, how could I not?

If Vintage is your style, perhaps you'd like to go for a sterling silver Spoon Ring for under $20.00 at Silver Dreams. Whatever your flavor, these pieces are sure to give you the fashion dose you crave.

Fashionista Litterati

::HOT on the trail of The Devil Wears Prada, Sex and the City, and Weinstein Co’s Project Runway, The suits of Hollywood have decided to take another stab at the fashion world.

Donald Petrie has signed on to direct and produce romantic comedy "Fashionistas" for CP Prods.' Christine Peters and Michael Cerenzie along with Kellagio Entertainment.

Project was previously set up at Paramount and will now be produced independently. Production is expected to start later this year.

Based on Lynn Messina's debut novel, "Fashionistas" follows a young woman working at a design house who plots to take down her ruthless boss by inventing a fictitious designer.

I have not yet read Fashionistas, but something tells me, this won’t be the last of the fashion themed films. Fashion + drama = Hollywood blockbuster? Would you go see this film?

Tell me Model Citizens, what’s your favorite fashion themed flick?

Side note...I really need to publish my own novel!

Via Variety

Only 6 Days Left!

::ATTENTION aspiring designers:

Think you have what it takes to design the next "it" bag?

The fashionista's at Coach have teamed up with Brickfish to launch “Design a Coach Tote” campaign, where you can enter your original design here. Your lust worthy bag may be selected as a special limited edition item that will be sold in select Coach stores-and a $2,500 shopping spree and unlimited bragging rights, among lots of other great prizes!

Put your eye for beauty and brains to good use... and women all around the globe might be sporting YOUR luscious design!

Behind Every Strong Man...

::IS a well dressed woman.

FUTURE First lady, MICHELLE Obama has joined the rank's of the fashion elite, and made Vanity Fair's 69th Annual International Best-Dressed List.

Sophistication with a touch of personal style... Michelle always gets it right.

Style we can believe in.

Imagry And Color

::HAVE you ever had a moment that you wanted to capture on camera, but didn't have your camera on hand? I always have those moments, and after one too many times, I decided to bring my camera with me everywhere I go.

Well I'm glad I did, because I couldn't resist photographing this Citizen Model as she strutted down Wilshire Boulevard today. Ironically, we passed each other in front of St. Basil's Church in all of it's Gothic splendor.

I love this young lady's poise, and how she somehow manages to make several bold pieces seem demure. It just goes to show you, that style is innate, and often times, it is not what we wear, but how.

Aside from experiencing my very first earthquake today, I couldn't have been any luckier...