Countdown to Uniqlo in midtown!
In a short 24 hours, New York Fashion Week (excuse me, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week) will begin and Lincoln Center will be abuzz with fashion editors, designers, models, and other artists. However, I believe the less couture-oriented among us will appreciate this other fashion tidbit: Uniqlo’s coming to midtown!
Uniqlo flagship store to come, 5th Ave at 53rd St.
Opening on Friday, October 14, the Fifth Avenue location (at the southwest corner of 53rd St.) will be the Japanese retailer’s largest global flagship store. Yes, Fifth Avenue has plenty of flagship stores, but Uniqlo will be a great addition to It Books’s little stretch of the avenue, saving us from Hollister/Gap/H&M fatigue. Come the holidays, tourists will no doubt choke up the sidewalks even more, but I for one am happy to have another mid-market shop. And it’s always nice to see an empty store front find a new store to call it “home”!
It Books Acquires Brad Goreski’s Debut Title
Part style guide, part memoir, and full of inspiration!
NEW YORK, NY (August 4, 2011) – It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced today that it has acquired Born to Be Brad: Life and Style Lessons from the Front Lines of Fashion, by TV and fashion personality Brad Goreski. The publication of the book will coincide with Goreski’s premiere season on BRAVO’s “It’s a Brad, Brad World,” produced by Shed Media and Television 360, in 2012.
Lisa Sharkey, Senior Vice President and Director of Creative Development at HarperCollins, acquired North American rights for It Books from Farley Chase of the Waxman Literary Agency. Amy Bendell will edit the book. Collaborating with Goreski is writer Mickey Rapkin, former editor at GQ and author of Pitch Perfect (2008), now in development from Universal Pictures.
Fans know Brad Goreski as a top celebrity stylist, fashion trendsetter, and the fun-loving former assistant to Rachel Zoe, but few know the story of how he got there. The book will recount Goreski’s childhood in Port Perry, Ontario, where he escaped the taunts of bullies by reading fashion magazines, performing in the local children’s theater group and playing stylist to Barbie. Moving to Toronto and landing an internship, and later a job at Vogue, helped him break into the competitive fashion world and eventually capture the hearts of millions as the quirky and endearing assistant on BRAVO’s The Rachel Zoe Project. Along with the moving story of his road to success, he will offer a glimpse into his world now, filled with insider access to behind-the-scenes photo shoots and the countless red carpets and awards shows. And of course, the book will also feature his fashion advice and style tips and tricks, complete with color photos.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be working with the creative team at It Books and to tell my story to my fans. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is be true to yourself. I hope that Born to be Brad will inspire others to pursue their dreams, because to make dreams come true we have to listen to our hearts and not be afraid to fail,” said Brad Goreski.
“There’s no one out there like Brad, and this book will be as unique and creative as the style trendsetter Brad has become. Fans everywhere will be empowered by his moving life story, and entertained by his wit,” said Lisa Sharkey.
About It Books: Launched in September 2009, It Books is dedicated to publishing exceptional books in entertainment, music, fashion, design, art, celebrity, pop culture and sports. It Books has published numerous New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times bestsellers including the # 1 New York Times bestsellers Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern and Red by Sammy Hagar as well as Getting the Pretty Back by MollyRingwald, Booky Wook 2 by Russell Brand, The Red Hot Chili Peppers by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Everyone Loves You When You’re Dead by Neil Strauss, All My Life by Susan Lucci and The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life by Maria Menounos. Upcoming publications include Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon and Beauty, Disrupted by Carré Otis. It Books is an imprint HarperCollins Publishers, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world and a subsidiary of News Corporation (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). It Books can be found online at www.YourItList.com, www.Facebook.com/YourItList, www.Twitter.com/YourItList and www.Twitter.com/ItBooks.
Don’t Dream It, Be It
When I was an aspiring punk kid in the 80s, regular pilgrimages to St. Mark’s Place were a must. This was the punk girl’s (and boy’s) Ladies’ Mile, where all the important stores were. I was never prouder than the day I acquired my pleather bustier from Trash and Vaudeville. And of course no proto punk was complete until you’d bleached your hair to a crisp and then MANIC PANICed the hell out of it. (My color of choice: Lagoon Blue.) The shop and its namesake hair-dye line were started by sisters Tish and Snooky (no, not that Snooki), members of Blondie’s earliest incarnation, and denizens of the East Village scene. The original St. Mark’s boutique is long gone—a victim of the upward mobility of the East Village in particular, and Manhattan in general, along with other alt.culture mainstays like, CBs, Unique, and Zoot—but now for a limited time only you can capture that retro 80s look in all its Liquid Sky glory with a new line of MANIC PANIC cosmetics: Creature of the Night. What better to wear to that Missing Persons reunion show?
Obsessed: Matchbook Magazine
Matchbook is my latest not-so-guilty pleasure. This online mag launched earlier this year, and their obsession with so many of the things that I love—colorful patterns, literature, shopping, handwritten notes, classics with a twist, and following your passions, wherever they lead—had me instantly hooked.
“From lipstick to letterpress, gelato to grosgrain, and Paris to Peru, consider us your field guide to a charmed life.”
—Matchbook Magazine
Their monthly issues offer everything from history to style to interviews—for instance, their most recent issue mixes a Dorothy Parker bio, Anna Sui’s secrets to a charmed life, and an Amelia Earhart-inspired style spread. But best of all—at least in my mind—they love books. You can’t go five pages without bumping into a review, or an interview about what people are reading, or a beautiful pile of books stacked in the corner of a style spread. As they say on their site intro, “The Matchbook Girl…received an iPad for her birthday, but will never give up her library card.” Now that’s a lifestyle I can get behind!
Check them out at www.matchbookmag.com.
MOLLY RINGWALD’S TOP 10 THINGS YOU NEED IN YOUR CLOSET
To celebrate the paperback publication of Molly Ringwald’s Getting the Pretty Back, here are her top 10 staples every closet should have:
1) JEANS: “The best thing to do is determine your body type and match the jeans accordingly.”
2) BLACK CASHMERE TURTLENECK: “A black turtleneck looks chic under a trench (a favorite combination of mine – very Yves Saint Laurent) and can also dress down beautifully under a casual jean jacket.”
3) HERMES SCARF: “There is nothing better for style or function than a silk Hermes scarf.”
4) WRAPAROUND DRESS: “It’s nice to have one dress that you can wear no matter what and still feel beautiful and sexy.”
5) TRENCH COAT: “The trench is a wonderful piece to take you from season to season, and of course it never goes out of style.”
6) HANDBAG: “Choose wisely. After all, this is something that you will be carrying every day.”
7) T-SHIRTS: “They are necessary for layering and can also just be worn on their own.”
8) A NUDE HEEL: “A nude heel really does extend the leg, much more than a darker shade.”
9) BLACK BLAZER: “Something that always makes your outfit look sharper is a well-fitting black blazer. I particularly love the tuxedo. A black blazer can make you look more finished.”
10) LINGERIE: “Beautiful underwear is the ultimate morale booster; it’s like walking around with a wonderful secret.”
Love Marchesa
Marchesa has become my favorite designer for romantic red carpet looks. The dresses have all the glamorous, high drama that I crave, with just enough soft details to keep it feminine. The Fall 2011 collection, shown yesterday at New York Fashion Week, delivered all the feminine and often opulent glory that I have come to expect from designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig. Below is a look back at some of my favorite Marchesa gowns, and a look forward at the dresses that will surely be gracing red carpets soon!
I realized my love for Marchesa this week when the fashion-forward Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl wore a stunning metalic dress to a Valentine’s Party.
Giovanni Rufino/The CW
My Favorite Red Carpet Marchesa Looks:
Olivia Wilde at the 2011 Golden Globes
Getty Images
Sandra Oh at the 2009 Emmy Awards
Jason Merritt/Getty
Reese Witherspoon at the 2008 Country Music Awards
Getty Images
Lucy Liu at the 2010 Tony Awards
Marchesa
Sandra Bullock at the 2010 Academy Awards
Getty Images
Vera Farmiga at the 2010 Academy Awards
Getty Images
And here’s a peak at my favorites from the Fall 2011 collection:
Photos: Amanda De Simone / GoRunway.com
What are you favorite Marchesa looks?
Grammy Awards 2011: Best & Worst Dressed Recap
The Grammy Award’s red carpet looks are much more eclectic than the other award shows. Rockers and pop princess, rappers and jazz singers, all share the red carpet, creating a very different fashion palette Here’s our take a look at the best & worst (& other) dressed of the 2011 Grammy Awards.
BEST
Jennifer Lopez — Because who doesn’t love a hot Latina mama dressed as a disco ball? Seriously, she is too hot not to include. Damn, girl! (Wearing Emilio Pucci)
Selena Gomez — Nice to see the Disney crew all grown up. She looks impeccable without being overdone. (Wearing J. Mendel)
Lea Michelle — As much as her bubbly personality, immense talents, and unimaginable successes rub me the wrong way, Lea Michelle looks fab. (Wearing Romona Keveza)
Julianna Hough — Great pattern and a very flattering cut for her. She looks young and fun! (Wearing Malandrino)
WORST
Ciara – Just no. It looks like she’s auditioning for the role of Wonder Woman. (Wearing Pucci)
Hayley Williams — I love Paramore and this alterna girl’s look. But last night? Something went wrong, very wrong… (Wearing Jeremy Scott)
Natasha Bedingfield — There’s a lot going on with this dress: floral pattern, beading, and sheer. Too much, in fact. And her pinned up ’20s hairstyle doesn’t help. (Wearing Abed Mahfouz)
Jordin Sparks — She’s young and beautiful So why does she look stiff and dowdy in all that satin? Plus, its wrinkled! (Wearing Zang To)
OTHER
Rihanna — She’s beautiful, and often on the cutting edge of style. And yet, here we are looking at what appears to be a toothpase Halloween costume. (Wearing Jean Paul Gaultier)
COVET: What I Want Right Now
Sometimes you just walk into a store and think: “I’m home”. That’s what happened to me yesterday when I visited the playful and creatively designed NYC outpost of SHOE WOO. Every detail- from the plush chairs and couches doting the marble floor, to the glimmering chandeliers hanging overhead, to the unique shoe paintings lining the walls- tells you that this store treats shoes like royalty. Not to mention the giant high heel sculpture hanging from the wall, the velvet swing chair, the rotating display of high heels, and the stunning cascade of white shoes snaking down the center column of the store. This is a sight you need to see to believe! Some photos, below:
Rotating shoe display
GIANT shoe wall sculpture
Cascading shoe sculpture
Located on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue, the store carries a variety of brands within the Jones Apparel Group, including: Nine West, Rachel Roy, Anne Klein, Joan & David, Chelsea Crew, and more. They also stock beautiful bags, purses, and scarves. The selection is well-edited and the staff is extremely friendly. I sincerely recommend checking out this or any of their eight U.S. locations.
And if you’re wondering if I found shoes to take home with me yesterday, I did! I found the perfect black boots in my size AND on sale. Game, set, match.
All About Animals
Animals are also trotting their way onto bathing suits, as evidenced by the “We Are Handsome” one-pieces worn by Diane Kruger and Rihanna recently. Both ladies rocked the Amazon panther-print, but you can also chose from the Arabia horse-print and Yosemite eagle-print styles. All available at Net-A-Porter for about $375. I would personally love to hit the beach with these festive suits.
- arabia horse print
What do you think – will you say “yay” or “neigh” to this animal trend???
COVET: What I Want Right Now
The thing about jewelry is that it is generally only used to embellish one small part of our bodies – ears, neck, wrist, etc. But why think so small? Why not consider jewelry a layering tool? I’ve already gushed over Babette Epaulette’s beautiful shoulder jewelry, but now I’m dying to try the body chains made by 22 year-old Luv Aj designer Amanda Thomas. Handmade from vintage pieces, these delicate chains have been spotted on celebrities like Ashlee Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, and Ashley Tisdale. Drape one on to add a unique sparkle to any tshirt or dress:
The Cross Armor Body Chain, $198
Ashley Tisdale
The Chainmaille Body Chain, $225
The Chandelier Body Chain, $175
The White Body Chain, $150
Amanda Thomas also designs necklaces, rings, and bracelets, but her body chains are truly stunning. What do you think – would you rock this style??
COVET: What I Want Right Now
Lately I’ve been kind of obsessed with the idea of convertible clothing. Why limit your clothes or accessories to just one purpose when they could have more? Saves time and money!
Take, for instance, this fantastic new scarf / bag combo created exclusively for OfaKind by husband-and-wife team Symmetry Goods. Made of contrasting herringbone and ikat fabrics, this limited edition scarf features two detachable straps that help transform it from neck warmer to grocery holder. Perfect for impulse purchases. Get it at the OfaKind site for $225.
COVET: What I Want Right Now
The holiday season is upon us and that means stuffing our faces with food while trying to impress family members we haven’t seen for a while. Remember, nothing says put together like fancy nails! Shock the turkey right off their forks with these jazzy nail polish looks for the holidays:
Deborah Lippman’s “TODAY WAS A FAIRYTALE” - a glitter polish that contains diamond powder ($20):
Deborah Lippman’s ”BOOM BOOM POW“ – a glitter polish that contains 24K Gold Dust ($20):
Sephora by OPI “CHIC PRINTS FOR NAILS“ - sets of 16 instant nail patches from Minx, the nail art beloved by celebrities like Rihanna, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry, that cost $15 and come in a wide variety of flashy prints:
OPI Burlesque Nail Polish Collection - Even if you find Cher and Christina Aguilera over the top, you’ll surely enjoy the razzle dazzle of this holiday nail polish collection inspired by the Burlesque movie.
Let Me EntertainYou and Show It & Glow It! are two of my fave colors: 
What about you – will you be dressing up your nails for the holidays???
The Call of the Wild
Celebrities like Khloe Kardashian, Annalynne McCord, Snoop Dogg, and Audrina Patridge have been caught channeling their inner wild animal with the hot new fashion accessory: SpiritHoods. Made entirely of faux fur, these hat / scarf hybrids come in a wide variety of lion, wolf, leopard, and bear styles. According to the website:
“SpiritHoods are more than just a wild accessory, they represent this bond and the connection we have with our wild natures. Whether you love fashion, adventure, animals, music, festivals, nightlife, the outdoors, or are simply wild at heart – SpiritHoods are a NECESSITY for your life style. It’s simply about letting loose, being wild and having a good time.
Wow. How can you argue with a NECESSITY?
Available for both men and women, and priced from $59 – $129, each hood style comes with its own personality description. For instance:
THE RED WOLF ($129):
Loyal » Social » Teacher
Those with a wolf spirit are fiercely loyal creatures. They are team players and work well in groups. The wolf is a social animal and a great communicator, often teaching those around it.
THE FOX (Worn by Khloe Kardashian, $129):
Adaptability » Diplomacy » Wisdom
People with the Fox Spirit are intelligent animals. They are cunning, attentive and masters of disguise. The Fox is adaptable, able to blend into many different circumstances with ease. People with the Fox Spirit are able to observe a situation, acquire a desired outcome and move with swiftness and thought of action in order to obtain this outcome. (more…)
COVET: What I Want Right Now
As the temperatures drop ever lower here in NYC, I’ve been thinking about an affordable way to make my cold weather wardrobe even chicer: patterned tights. There are some really fun styles on the market this season, especially at Urban Outfitters. Here are a few of my favorites:
Urban Outfitters tights with heart bands around the thigh ($14):
Urban Outfitters tights that look like suspenders ($28):
Urban Outfitters tights with a peacock pattern ($14):
At Nordstrom, I like this jazzier version of plain nude tights ($8):
And my standby favorite tights brand, Hue, has these Lacy Herringbone Tights ($18):
What do you think? Will you be busting out the patterned tights this winter?
COVET: What I Want Right Now
At brunch yesterday I spotted my friend Jackie wearing the most adorable classic black flats. But they had a twist: a plastic PVC upper and three buckle straps snaking up the ankle. She told me they were part of the Vivienne Westwood + Melissa collaboration and that there were more styles online. Of course, I had to find out more!
The inspiration
Turns out these cool plastic shoes come in multiple styles and colors. There is an attractive heeled version of the flats:
And a fun buttoned ankle boot:
Not to mention tons of kitschy peep-toe heels for summer:
The best part is that these shoes are very well-priced, ranging from $85 to $200, especially if you find them on Zappos.com.
What do you think, will you pick up a pair of these “rain chic” shoes?
An It Halloween
For some publishers, it might not be all that fun to play author dress-up on Halloween. I guess one could arrive as Salman Rushdie (with newest ingenue in-tow), or go for the conceptual “Jonathan Franzen’s $100k eye glasses” costume. For us, however, our eclectic and fabulous authors offer many opportunities for clever Halloween attire.
A few suggestions from the It Books team:
Our fearless leader Carrie says she’d go as Isabella Blow. “For the fashion. The fashion.”
Dearest Joseph would like to dress as Russell Brand, and provides a helpful hair-styling lesson from Mr. Brand’s Booky Wook 2.
Editor extraordinaire Kate takes a cue from one of her own projects. She’d choose Alison Arngrim, “because it would be fun to wear Nellie Oleson’s infamous blonde ringlet wig, though (if you read Alison’s book you’ll know that) it was extremely painful for Alison to put on every day and often made her scalp bleed!”
In these recessionary times, I’ll opt for a budget-friendly Judah Friedlander costume. A t-shirt and trucker cap are easy enough to procure at a reasonable price.
The real World Champion vanquishes all imposters.
Which author would you channel for this year’s trick-or-treat ensemble?
Nice to Meat You
Desperate for a humane and hygenic way to replicate the controversial meat dress worn by Lady Gaga at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards? Look no further than the “Meat-Lace” from OnchMovement!
Made of completely animal-free materials, the Meat-Lace stays fresh, juicy, and tender for years, without the pesky spoiling problem that comes with live meat accessories. Featuring an attractive 18 inch black and gold chain, and priced at an affordable $55, this Meat-Lace is sure to add flavor to any outfit. Also perfect for Halloween!
What do you think – will you buy the Meat-Lace?
Uniqlo Fifth Avenue: September 9, 2010 Edition
As promised, we’re keeping you apprised of every development in the Uniqlo Fifth Avenue saga. As you can see from the photos below, the official logo is now in place, assuring that this really will be the gigantic Uniqlo store we were promised. Until now, all we could do was hope that this wasn’t just another ruse perpetrated by the mainstream media. Time for a deep sigh of relief.
Uniqlo Fifth Avenue: September 3, 2010 Edition
Ever since the news broke that Uniqlo was taking over the huge former Brooks Brothers flagship store at 666 Fifth Avenue, the Your It List office has been eagerly anticipating any and all progress. Since we’re less than a quarter block away from the new location, we’re all trying to find ways to finagle a big raise before it opens. Running out for a soup at lunch will now turn in to a soup and a pair of selvedge jeans (and probably a pair of HeatTech long johns, too).
There doesn’t seem to be an official opening date set, but at a reported $20 million a year lease, I’m guessing the Uniqlo folks will want to start moving product out the door before too long.
Until then, we promise to bring you all the latest construction developments as soon as we see them (and we’ll be watching closely). For now, enjoy these glamor shots from the corner of Fifth Ave and 55th Street.
Oval There!
The Oval Office has a new look! Revamped while the first family was on vacation, updates to the office include new furniture, paint, and wallpaper, all in more neutral, brown and taupe colors. Did you know that most presidents redecorate the Oval Office? Let’s see how the styles of the last three presidents stack up:
CLINTON:
With red-striped couches, gold curtains, and a dark blue rug, Clinton was clearly not afraid of color:
BUSH:
Here we see a lot of yellows and cremes. The furniture is American-classic:
OBAMA:
Our current president has chosen a sleeker, more modern look, with lots of neutral colors and comfy couches:
I think Obama’s office looks the most homey and inviting…which style do you like the best???
Get Your Gleek On
Though Glee snagged only 2 of the 19 Emmys it was nominated for last night, a new clothing line based on the hit show will surely distract disappointed “Gleeksters”. Available exclusively at Macy’s, the line will feature tees and hoodies priced from $20-$35. Find it just in time for back to school shopping in the juniors section or online at Macys.com!
And if memorizing Glee songs and dances and donning clothes based on the show isn’t enough to satisfy your cravings, ShopGlee.com tracks down the exact make and model of the clothes worn on the show and features them alongside video clips of the characters wearing the items. For example, zip into the same track jackets worn by Sue Sylvester here, and pick up Will Schuester’s v-neck sweaters and collared shirts right here.
All this Glee talk makes me very excited for the Britney Spears episode airing in September! Which songs do you want them to sing???
Dangerous Curves Ahead
Do you want to get rid of something in your wardrobe? Do you like free jeans? Are you one of 54% of women who try on an average of 10 pairs of jeans before finding one that fits? Do you like free jeans? If you said yes to any of the above, you should definitely find yourself in NYC’s Bryant Park at 10 am this Friday, August 27th for the Levi’s Wear What Fits event!
Just bring an unwanted garment to the event, and in exchange Levi’s will donate the item to Goodwill and hand you a FREE pair of their new Curve ID jeans. The Wear What Fits event will also feature a live performance by singer Janelle Monáe and a meet and greet with style guide Bobbie Thomas.
Touting Curve ID as a line of custom fit jeans that focus on shape instead of size, Levi’s says the three fits are based on their analysis of over 60,000 3D body scans and 1-on-1 conversations with real women. This entertaining video on their website explains the options:
If your jeans are too tight at the waist – you need the slight curve
If the waist fits but doesn’t flatter - you need the demi curve
If the waist fits but gaps at the back – you need the bold curve
All of these descriptions seem like a thinly-veiled way to ask: how big is your butt??? but we’ll let it go. Free jeans for everyone!
‘Cause We Are Living in a Material World…
Thanking my lucky stars I had avoided this crazy mob from the Aug. 3rd Material Girl opening day ceremony, I dropped by Macy’s in Herald Square this weekend to check out the new clothing line from Madonna and her daughter Lourdes. The spokesmodel for the collection is, of course, Taylor Momsen, and posters of the Gossip Girl sporting looks from the line appeared throughout the 7 floors of the store.
I was surprised to see how much floor-space was dedicated to the line – two whole sections – and how many individual pieces were available – everything from tops to skirts to dresses, vests, shoes, bags, jeans, and leggings. Everything you would need, presumably, to transform yourself into a true Material Girl.
The collection, which is priced from $12.99 to $40, was clearly inspired by Madonna’s wardrobe in the 1980s, though there were some current trend pieces sprinkled in, like chambray button-ups and skinny jeans. Just so I could take my YourItList readers along for the journey, I snapped some photos with my trusty camera phone:
Some cute (albeit short) skirts grabbed my eye, like this black and white-striped mini with exposed zipper, and this white studded one, which also came in black.
A surprising number and variety of vests were on display, yet all of them fell flat, including the washer-studded cowboy vest and the fur look below:
Floral was ubiquitous – turning up on mini skirts, dresses, and tops. But as much as I love floral…these leggings? Too much.
Overall, Material Girl offers lots of cute and fun pieces and the $40 price cap makes the line accessible for their target teenage girl demographic. But it seems to me that the best way to wear these clothes would be to pick up a few items and wear them separately. Like, on different days. Because otherwise, you will definitely end up looking like you just emerged from Madonna’s Hot Tub Time Machine.
