August Wishlist

From Top Left: Rodarte sweatshirt, $160, Opening Ceremony NYC. Alexander McQueen scarf, $295, Mr.Porter.com. Red beanie, $1.98, Amazon.com. Hermès double-wrap leather bracelet, $520, Hermès Boutiques.

ImageSource: Amazon.com, Hermes.com, Shopstyle, OpeningCeremony.com

August: Letter from the Editor

t's funny to believe that in the midst of a  sweltering nationwide heatwave, that somewhere myself, along with the hundreds of editors around the world are just wrapping up how we wish for the world to look when the temperatures are at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Blame this ability to forecast partly on fashionable insight and creativity and partly on the air-conditioning that allows us to dream of a cold fall day.  

This month is our ode to planning for the fall, our looks, how we feel, and where we want to be in our lives. As we head back to school...and back to work, we need to reevaluate our presence and restate our goals. This is a year of empowerment and we need to keep that momentum as we transform ourselves once again to grace the world with a new look. Last year, I vowed that I was going "all skinny [denim] for the fall" and that the rest of my wardrobe was going to just fall into place. Well this year, amidst all that has been going on in my life, the internships, blog projects, and styling gigs, I've realized that I should look like what I do. I'm a fashion editor, and my fall looks should do nothing to dispel that. From the small details such as bracelets, to the larger scale items such as waxed skinny jeans and black, patent leather sneakers, this is definitely going to be a year of showing off my best abilities when it comes to personal expression. 

Success doesn't always have to mean money or good grades, it can mean happiness and fulfillment from the way we live our lives and how good we feel about the decisions we make. Empowerment starts with identifying our weak areas, and realizing that we have control over all aspects of who we are. Being dope and dashing is about confidence, strength and fearlessness...because, let's face it, that's what success is really made of. So, as we make our late summer's excursions to the seaside, or to the air conditioned treasures of the city like museums, make sure to enjoy every last drop of the summer, because the next phases of life are already in the making.

Spotlight: Kayne West's Pastelle on the Horizon

     One of the not-so-current topics of discussion on the lips of urban fashion connoisseurs from Haper's Bazaar to a lunch table near you is of Kanye West's Pastelle, its direction and when it will debut. [LEFT:] West attending a Proenza Schouler show in September 2008.

Mr. West has indeed proven himself worthy of having a successful clothing line, no matter the direction it will be highly demanded, highly coveted and most of all, highly replicated, just as his style has been since he first stepped on the scene back in 2004 with those vivid Ralph Lauren polos.

One of the more interesting arguments in the debate over what the line will look like. Every rumor that has surfaced regarding the alleged “Pastelle” clothing line since they all started back in 2006 brought to mind a slicker, silkier, more tailored, and certainly more vibrant version of a slew of lines by artists that have already been established. However, taking into consideration the notion of West’s ever-evolving style: from his love of Ralph Lauren, to his self-proclamation at the “Louis Vuitton Don,” to now, and West rocking that Céline shirt at the Coachella Festival last May, there have indeed been some creative developments on his behalf. Undoubtedly, the creative direction, if not the target audience have changed innumerable times since the idea was first conceived, and West’s own personal style aesthetic is to blame. Thus, there is no need to worry about a repeated trend or dull show season after season from West and his team of trusty disciples of editors, designers, and personalities that rule the worlds of fashion and entertainment.

The collection, simply from the aura surrounding its rumors and creator, promises to be glamorous, clean yet dramatic, and surly to capture the life of the jet-setting art critic that has a fetish for gothic prints and gaudy gold jewelry. Picture what men’s Versace of the 1990s would be like if the need to change-up the style never came about.

No word yet on where the collection will be sold, either at Barney’s, online, or at Sneaker boutique near you, however, you can rest easing knowing that upon the eve of the debut there will be lines from West’s native Chicago, to Paris with fans and fashion lovers alike waiting to attain a piece of pop-culture history. Just reference the release of the Air-Yeezy or that collection of shoes West worked on with Vuitton a few years back. 

The only glimpses we have seen of the collection were during the 2008 American Music Award when West sported a two-toned blue, letterman style, with a very animated Pastelle logo across the chest. Or, in West’s feature in the Sartorialist, where he wore a tan hoodie with red, pink and white stripping on the hood.

What is to become of this collection in its final product shall remain to be seen, however, for now, as the anticipation builds and imaginations run wild with speculation awaiting the smallest details, Pastelle is sure to be a landmark in the fashion world. It will be the mesh between the flashy, lime-lit high-life perpetuated in hip-hip with a cutting edge fashionably independent twist.

ImageSource: Zimbio

Perspective: Proenza vs. Target

Recently there has been tension between the team at Proenza Schouler and Target designer, Mossimo, for producing a bag that is almost identical to the PS1 by Proenza.

Both Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez appeared before congress recently to further push legislation to cut down own on knock-off merchandise as it affect designers both creatively and monetarily (matter of opinion). It just seems that this movement has been going on for so long and now that their own bag has been ripped off, they jumped on the bandwagon. Probable cause -creatively -could be due to the recent line they just produced for Target and the distrust and embarrassment they must have felt. However, when it comes to sales…I don’t think a $34.99 version from Tar-jay will hardly affect sales generated from the PS1 bag. Because any one that can afford Proenza is not going to go to Target and purchase a Mossimo Messenger bag, their going to go to Proenza downtown or Intermix, etc, and buy a PS1 bag. Though it’s highly distasteful to further perpetuate the dichotomy, it does exist in the most pragmatic and general sense --that if you have the money to buy a high-end item, you’d do that, not a low-end, cheap-quality item.

Would you rather shop with service and tips on how to wear the bag from some commission hungry sales person on the Upper East Side or shop under the radar with the smell of popcorn brewing in the background at Target on 124th Street?

THE BEYONCÉ EXPERIENCE

With the release of 4 last Tuesday and Beyoncé's Good Morning America performance last Friday, last week was jam packed full of energy, pandemonium and extreme fatigue. Though it had a few drawbacks, it was worth the wait on all fronts. First was getting the actual album. 6.28.11: First came getting the album. To Target I went! 

06.30.11: Then came getting to New York to get to the performance. Though it could have been easier and more cost effective to just head to La Guardia, a pit stop in Philadelphia had to be made by way of Airtran and a layover in Atlanta...the lengths one will travel to see Beyoncé!

When we got to Philadelphia, we had a very short time to drop our bags off. Get changed and head to the bus station to take the bus to NY. [ABOVE] My best friend and I taking photobooth pictures on the plane. We flew from Michigan to Atlanta, then from Atlanta to Philly! Too much flying, bad attitudes from the flight attendants and too much pressure on our ears! 

So, while waiting on the bus outside of 30st. Station, we jammed to all the latest hits on the album dancing and singing; being true fans. We also had the pleasure of meeting the creators and hosts of the YouTube phenomenon The Skorpion Show. As we waiting, we got the terrible news that our bus was going to be an hour late (10:30 p.m.) which could possibly throw off our getting a good place in line! 

07.01.11: When we got to the city, it was around midnight and at first we wanted to take the train to 72nd and Central Park East (5th Ave.) but seeing as how all of the east side trains were running local and time was indeed of the essence, we had to push it; we took a taxi! 

Waiting in line was nothing short of chaotic! It was an unorganized mess of crazed fans wanting nothing more than to skip the line and get to the front. Little did they know, the night would soon turn into a free-for-all. Around 3 a.m. the crowd started to riot and as a result all hell broke loose and a stampede formed.  My group of 3 got separated and all we all didn't even get to see the show! Images from the line below: from 6 a.m.

After pushing and easing our way toward the front of the line we finally made it in. The sad fact is that we waited all night and people that got there around 5 or 6 that morning walked up, cut in line and got in! However, the scheduled 6 a.m. soundcheck was a half-hour late but went on pretty well.

Then around 8:20, she came out! And jumped straight into "Run The World (Girls)." Followed by "Best Thing I Never Had" and "1+1."

She, then, sat down for a small interview with Robin Roberts of GMA, meanwhile, in the crowd, I couldn't believe that actually got a chance to see her this close and if nothing else, I realized that she is a real person just like me which made me feel that much more close to her and how she feels about life. Then before she left to go and change, she asked the crowd what song she should sing next, and while we all yelled out "Countdown," she did "Single Ladies." When she came back out, she amazed us by performing "End of Time" and ending the show with a bang! 

After the show, we were all tired beyond belief so we at the iHop in Harlem, made it back to the bus and then went back to Philly, where we slept and slept and slept! 07.02.11: First we went shopping in downtown Philadelphia and explored South Street. Then, we enjoyed a 4th of July barbecue with friends and ended up having a Beyoncé performance of our own! Sunday 07.03.11: We were supposed to be going to the beach with our friends from the night before but they decided to do otherwise and play us. So, we made plans of our own and discovered a Philly that we never knew and found a new appreciation for being away from home. 

Parting shot: Dash and Lee Day from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

ImageSource: My BlackBerry

BEYONCÉ

The much anticipated Fourth album from Beyoncé officially made its debut last week. Selling 313,000 copies in its first week, its secured her another number one album. Much hype has created a phenomenon. From the songs that leaked, to the countdown on her website, from W cover, to the Piers Morgan interview, to Glastonbury, it is Bey-Season yet again and even though the album was just released a week ago, things are just starting to warm up.

The album opens with the echoing strings of a guitar that brings to mind the visuals of the ending scene of an old love story. 1+1 is an ode to love and how the solidity of two individuals is all we need when the world is fighting and at war. It’ll make you week at knees and feel a sheer desperation for love that is clear in the song. 1+1 is a beautiful ballad that shows where she is an artist, wife and individual. The album then takes a turn from love and happiness to sorrow, regret and realization. I Care, I Miss You (co-written by Frank Ocean), and Best Thing I Never Had are all reminiscent of past relationships and though they all have different situations and outcomes, they all come from a very genuine, honest place to say “here I am” and despite my pride “this is how I feel.” To quote her in I Miss You, “it hurts my pride to tell you how I feel but I still need to…why is that?”

    The album then takes a slight turn down a very 90’s yet groovy road with Party featuring Andre 3000. The song opens with the all too familiar voice of Kanye West luring you setting the mood. A very grown and mature Beyoncé, in the song, sings of how she’ll “give it all away” but “just don’t tell nobody tomorrow.” Party is all about finding the right guy on the right night.

Rather Die Young encompasses how right we may feel about the wrong person but ultimately life is too short to ride in the slow lane. With lyrics like “you drive to fast/you smoke too much/ but that don’t mean a thing, cause I’m addicted to the rush,” it says that eventhough you may be dangerous, sometimes its okay to live on the edge. Start Over says that eventhough we may be at the end of the road; there may still be a chance if you’re willing.

    Love On Top talks about what happens when your partner stops putting you secondary to everything else and the joys of knowing that your love is someone’s number one priority. Countdown, the upbeat, hip and highly addictive anthem shows that even after ten years going strong, the perfect couple still can have all the excitement, hype and allure as a brand new relationship! Co-written with songstress Ester Dean, Countdown will have you bopping and bouncing from start to finish Even though the next song, End of Time, leaked shortly after the release of Run The World (Girls), it still remains one of the best songs on the album. From the very beginning she yells “I’ll be your baby, promise not to let you go/love you like crazy, say you’ll never let me go!” End of Time seems to be one of her favorite songs to perform and rumor has it that it’s the next single.

    In, what seems to be the song of her life, I Was Here is one of Beyoncé’s most prolific and ground-breaking songs in that she belts out at the top her lungs how she wants to leave her “footprint in the sands of time.” She wants the world to know that she was here, that she lived and that she loved. Her goal was let them know that “I gave my all, did my best” and “brought someone some happiness.” It’s a reminder to us all that our lives were not just meant for us but for those that we influence.

Finally, she ends this amazing juxtaposition of an album with her new anthem celebrating women and their strength, bossiness and ruling power. Run The World (Girls), inspired by Pon de Floor by Major Lazer has a reggaeton, African discotheque vibe will still relaying that message that women are “strong enough to bare the children, then get back to business.” This song will make you dance scream for girl power no matter if you’re a strong young woman or guy who can’t help himself!

For those of you that got the Deluxe Edition, Lay Up Under Me was a beautiful way of letting us in to her wonderful and modern relationship with her husband. Schoolin' Life is a tribute to life at any age; she takes us away from the typical and average sounds of music by making timeless songs that anyone can enjoy! In, Dance For You, she shows off her sexual energy, just incase we forgot (reference to Speechless on Dangerously in Love).

Here is the documentary accompaniment to the album entitled: Year of 4:

    With 4, Beyoncé, in a sense, brought music back, she stepped away from making radio hits and songs that would be catchy just to a certain generation and focused on quality and delivering a message. She’s definitely grown and matured so much since her early days and this album represents that to the utmost degree!