Zana's Birthday

The Birthday Girl! And my husband and I, drunk in the background.

I'm so happy that Zana moved to New York, and when I found out it was her 21st birthday, I pretty much insisted that she come out and celebrate with us at our TriBeCa Grand party. She showed up in spectacular Zana style, wearing a leather headpiece that she had created moments before she left the house--make sure to check out her Etsy where she has plenty of leather harnesses for sale. Since we're totally negligent (i.e. too drunk) about photographing our own parties, she thankfully managed to captured a few pictures of the night on her blog.

Zana's amazing leather headpiece that she put together in thirty minutes before stepping out. Talk about DIY or die.

David and Christina wearing an Anna Sui dress and a vintage leather jacket

Trying on David's Prada hat with my Alexander Wang dress

-Tiffany

Black Denim

I always knew that there was a place for black metal in fashion, and Anti-Sweden digs deep in to their Norwegian occult metal roots. Their list of collaborations include Peter Beste, Sun O))), and Justin Bartlett (all names on my wish list of people to meet).

The collection doesn't show during regular seasons, and instead premieres their line in "Editions" collaborating with different artists in the black metal scene. Their first edition was a collaboration with illustrator Justin Bartlett. (My BF is waiting for a limited edition Terrorizer shirt by him in the mail) They are trying to keep each edition limited to 666 pieces.

I have tickets to see Sun O))) Earth and Pelican on the 22nd!

-C

Luke's Photography is just as fun as he is!

Lucas Wilson shot my first look book for Arms and Armory in exchange for doing makeup for test shots for his portfolio (I didn't have any experience, so I just decided to wing it haha). Lucas is seriously one of the funniest people I have ever met, his sense of humor definitely comes out in his photography and his ability to make a beautiful scene by matching together things like left over Wendys with floral dresses. His cheeky props and vibrant colors definitely stand out in a flock full of dark moody super serious design.

Luke used to keep this weird trunk of props in his room for spur of the moment photo shoots with his roommates. The trunk was filled with Wigs of all lengths and colors, size 10 acrylic heels, monster gloves, sea shells, vintage bustiers, etc. It seems like every day turned in to a really fun game of dress up!

-C

Endless Style

Gorjan on Stockholm StreetStyle

I just came across these pictures of two of our closest friends, Gorjan and Aapo, on Stockholm StreetStyle earlier today, and had to repost them since they just looks so devilishly handsome. Gorjan's wearing a tee from his own line, Odeur, paired with a jacket and trousers from Filippa K, and Aapo is wearing a vest that he made with a tee from Filippa K and vintage shorts (was there a Filippa K sale going on or something boys?). I'm loving the splattering of blank buttons, have to make myself a few. Anyway, we miss you both a ton, come back to New York soon babies, since I don't think I'm heading back to Sweden for a while. In the meantime, weren't you supposed to send me some cross necklaces, Aapo?

Aapo on Stockholm StreetStyle

-Tiffany

Scorpio Rising

Photograph by Hanna Liden for Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters keeps on surprising us. I'm always impressed by their unending lineup of collaborations with the best young designers out there, including cult favorites like LD Tuttle and Slow and Steady Wins The Race (make sure to check out the mini shop-in-shop at the 14th Street location). Now, I'm pretty blown away that they chose downtown art world darling Hanna Liden to photograph the lookbook for their new Scorpio Rising collection. Known for her Gothic aesthetic, which is often transposed onto sweeping scenes of desolate landscapes, the Swedish-born photographer has done previous design collaborations with The Gap, but as far as I know, hasn't done much work in commercial fashion photography. It's pretty interesting to see her work in this context, and the images are still infused with the distinctly dreamy mood that Liden creates, even if they aren't overtly Gothic. Here are some pictures from the Urban Oufitters lookbook, as well as some of Liden's other photographs.

Photograph by Hanna Liden for Urban Outfitters


Death Upon a Black Horse by Hanna Liden. Image from Rivington Arms.

Death Gate by Hanna Liden. Image from Rivington Arms.

Lake With Fire by Hanna Liden. Image from Rivington Arms.

-Tiffany

Summertime!

Okay, I know I can't stop talking about our friends The Drums, but Jon texted me this morning to let me know they have a full page article in this week's New York Magazine as part of their Fall Preview Guide of all the things you should be psyched about. Plus, there's an extra cute picture of Jon and Jacob shot by another awesome friend of ours, Dom (who will be shooting our lookbook shots this week). Anyway, we've been super-psyched about them for a long time now, and it's great to see that everyone else in New York (and soon the rest of the world) are catching on to them. In case you missed the high-energy performance they put on at our TriBeCa Grand party this past weekend, do check out their new music video, and their EP Summertime, which is now available on iTunes.

-Tiffany

Not Another Love Story

Because my husband's choice of the evening, Inglorious Basterds, was sold out at the movie theater tonight, I lucked out and got a chance to force him into seeing 500 Days of Summer with me (which he's been resisting as if it would be an affront to his manhood). In spite of its borderline exploitational use of The Smiths, and all the ensuing indie masquerading while being overtly commercial, it was so thoroughly enjoyable that I can't help but post this music video of Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Did I mention the soundtrack is as excellent as you would imagine it to be?

One of my favorite aspects of the film was the anti-Sex In the City approach to costuming. While I love Pat Field (and the designer-label wet dream sequences that she luxuriates upon us), the costume designer of 500 Days of Summer, Hope Hanafin, decided to take the opposite approach. She dresses Zooey's character Summer in clothes that she could truly afford, from vintage and thrift stores and mass market retail chains, creating a more realistic sense of character, while maintaining a distinct sense of personal style. Basically, she looks like any cute girl you'd find hanging out on the blogosphere. Anyway, I suggest you go see it if you haven't already, and if you must, drag your respective other there under the pretense of seeing a Quentin Tarantino Nazi film.

-Tiffany

Separating the wheat from the chaff...

Vibe Harsløf earrings for Wackerhaus

Last week, when Christina and I were running errands in the district, we noticed the preponderance of amateur jewelry designers picking out wares at one of our go-to spots. We always joke that sending would-be designers to this place is like leading them up the wrong path, even though we love it. If you're a professional jewelry designer you almost exclusively go there to buy equipment, tools, and, if you must, findings. If you are an amateur, you are likely to get sucked into the dross of antique brass odd-lot bits and charms that every trinket-maker in New York is currently hawking off doorsteps in Soho.

That's why I always appreciate jewelry designers who make work that's not only completely different from my own, but unlike any other designer currently on the market. While dozens of contemporary jewelers are experimenting with plastics and acrylics, it's rare to see those materials rendered in exuberantly three-dimensional forms, like the oversize starburst earrings that Danish designer Vibe Harsløf created for Wackerhaus. Vibe's designs, which are influenced by graffiti art and graphic design, as well as classic Scandinavian formalism, are at once completely of the moment, while resisting being trendy. Now that's something more young designers should aim for.

-Tiffany

Forty Years Ago Today...

Michael Angel's psychedelic prints are as close to "hippie chic" as I get. Staerk dress, Michael Angel unitard, Chloe heels, Topshop hair headband, Gerard Yosca cuff

Just got back from a long weekend in Woodstock with Jimmy. As some of you might know, this weekend was the fortieth anniversary of the music festival, but we just coincidentally happened to arrive the same weekend. The actual concert didn't take place in the town of Woodstock proper, but in Bethel. Nonetheless we spent the whole weekend listening to my Dad's old Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young and Santana records to get into the spirit. Now it's back to work, stress, the internet, and regular blog posting.



Jefferson Airplane (my Dad's favorite band) performing "White Rabbit" at Woodstock

-Tiffany

Bella Donna

Since I moved into my new apartment I cant stop listening to Fleetwood Mac ( "Go Your Own Way"and "Second Hand News" on repeat) , so this is my new fall inspiration, rock and roll gypsy witch. Fall is going to look crazy! haha



Amazing!

-C

From all the s**t the one I got to buy is music

Karl Lagerfeld Fall 09 headphones. Photos from Style.com

Last month I finally invested in a decent pair of Eskuche Headphones for when we DJ. That was before I laid my eyes on Karl Lagerfeld's stud and piercing adorned headsets from his Fall 09 collection. I normally hate wrap-around-the-back-of-the-head type headphones, but given the Midas Lagerfeld touch, they've been transformed into jewelry, and look like an alpha version of the common earring. I don't even know if they're for sale, and imagine them to be insanely expensive if they are, so you won't hear me asking "where can I buy these?" anytime soon. Still, they look incredibly DIY-able, and I'm sure they were assembled backstage by a stylist with some crazy glue beforehand. I will put this on my to-do list, right along with the Limi Feu hair headphone sets that I've been thinking of doing for ages.

-Tiffany

Flow it, Show It, Long as God Can Grow It

In the midst of all the craziness going on right now while we wrap up designing our jewelry line, Christina reminded me that we have to start thinking about outfits for Fashion Week, which is right around the corner. We're getting our party lineup into order, and of course will need appropriate clothes to match. Thus unfolds nights of trolling through Style.com for inspiration pictures, which will eventually be transmogrified into our own Six Six Sick-ed DIY numbers, with varying degrees of similarity to the original source of inspiration. Last Fashion Week, we made an elastic cage dress with hair attached at the shoulders for Susie Bubble, and this season I'm still obsessed with the use of hair, even if those of you who found it completely creepy the first time will probably still find it off-putting.

I found this editorial, shot by Sune Czajkowski and styled by Simon Rasmussen for Tush Magazine particularly inspiring. I love the hairy monster-fur coat, which looks like the unkempt cousin of Margiela's Spring 09 wig jacket. The horse-mane styled headpiece would add instant drama to any outfit. Even the black tulle begins to look like an oversized demented fabric updo. I'm hoping that we can translate these looks into something of our own, maybe even calling in our hairstylist friends in for reinforcement...

-Tiffany

Dreamweaver

I love this knit hood from Fall 09, which looks like a patchwork of chainmail and fabric

If you thought my thing for Rodarte knitting was over, you're mistaken. I might have the attention span of a gnat, but almost a year after seeing their first round of knits, I remain fixated on their collections, which recently arrived at Opening Ceremony for me to poke and prod in person. It really is no surprise then that I've become pretty infatuated with CorrellCorell, a line of similarly complex knit pieces and geometric tees designed by a pair of German twin sisters named Daphne and Vera. Their Fall 09 lookbook pictures feature plenty of cobwebby knits, in the form of lacy gloves, leggings, and even some slightly medieval looking hoods. Perfect for fall, and definitely inspiration for a second round of DIY-ing, especially now that I've found another big bag of my old yarns from my days as a knitwear designer.

More knit leggings

Spiderwebby gloves

A geometric tee from 2007. Some of them are available at Ooga Booga.

-Tiffany

Obsessed with Ostwald Helgason

Ostwald Helgason leggings, Topshop tunic, H&M band jacket, Proenza Schouler studded heels, Arms and Armory necklace, mismatched vintage earrings

I've been obsessed with Ostwald Helgason's Spring 09 collection since it hit the floor of Opening Ceremony, and when I heard that it was on sale (you must visit if you haven't already---70% off!), I immediately ran downtown to the store hoping to score one of their insane pieces. Designed by Susanne Ostwald and Ingvar Helgason, the line focuses on narrative prints and a vivid color palette, which form the foundation of their well tailored garments. The spring collection was inspired by the Ballet Russe and Russian wedding poems, and the print that I fell in love with featured plenty of Russian nesting dolls peeping out of a crazy geometric patchwork of contrasting textile patterns. I picked out the leggings, even though I would have loved to own every single other piece if I could afford it. Anyway, I can't wait to see their Fall collection in person, which they describe as "a walk through a dystopian city of the future at night, with flashes of colour offset by washed out blacks, beige and misty blues." Sounds dreamy, and I'm already salivating over the lookbook pictures.

A close up of the Russian doll print

Fall 09

Fall 09

Fall 09

-Tiffany