VOGUE
If the names Willi Ninja, Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, and Venus Xtravaganza sound the slightest bit familiar, then you've likely seen the 1991 documentary Paris Is Burning. Paris Is Burning explores the early underground ballroom community and its importance in the development of the LGBT community. The film's producer, Jennie Livingston, sheds light on the many competitive categories in the underground scene.
Fast forward to the year 2013. Every Tuesday night on West 39th street in Manhattan, you can still get an intimate view of the ballroom scene at club Escuelita. With the beats of DJ Mike Q spinning in the background under the vocals of Legendary Kassandra Ebony and others, Vogue Knights kicks into full effect just shy of midnight. Founder, Jack Mizarhi (given house name) started the event over a year ago. Dashaun Wesley (also known as the Legendary Dashaun Evisu Wesley) has been active in the scene since 1998. "I was interested in finding the Village Area," says the humbled 5'11 athletic built beau. "I saw people doing this dance on Christopher Street called voguing and I just watched and followed." Since then, Wesley has gained international recognition for his involvement in the ballroom community. He is currently one of the emcees and judges for the event.
The buzz has it that the haircut of the moment has arrived. In fact, this new do is already being deemed as the haircut of the year. Fashion bible, Vogue, stated in their January 2013 issue that this season's "sexy and refreshingly easy to wear" look is "The Chop," as beautifully exemplified by model, Karlie Kloss. The look, made possible by hairstylist, Garren Defazio, who Karlie adoringly refers to as "the Godfather of hair," rests just above the shoulders, with slight, feathery layers in the front and is brought together by long, airy bangs.
Judging by the media, the rest of the country may have all but forgotten about Hurricane Sandy , but the devastation left behind by the super storm is still fresh in the memory of most of the tri-state area as those affected begin to pick up the pieces. Just Friday night we learned Obama has formally asked Congress for $60.4 billion dollars in an effort to alleviate the suffering of so many who lost so much. Although helpful and necessary this relief package will barely put a dent in the total bill Sandy wracked up, and more installments are expected as damage continues to be assessed.
Despite being the inspiration behind Meryl Streep’s role of Miranda Priestly in “The Devil Wears Prada,” Anna Wintour was reportedly regarded as a “good sport” about the rather negative portrayal of the bobbed and sun-glassed fashion mogul. Undoubtedly the English-born Editor-in-Chief, a position she has held since 1988, has perfected an ability to persevere through high-pressure situations. Which may be one of many reasons Barack Obama is purportedly considering Wintour for the position of US ambassador to either the UK or France.
The September issue, the most important edition for Vogue, has covergirl Lady Gaga donning a gorgeous Marc Jacobs fishtail gown along with hair that is as wild as ever.
Channeling Ru Paul, Gaga looks her fashionable self, tweeting to fans: “Who else sees me channeling @RuPaul on the COVER of VOGUE. If only I was as fierce as you b*tch. I did try to come for you with that weave,” People Magazine reported.
The issue hits news stands August 21st!
Fashion’s Night Out, the much-anticipated annual event in which shoppers, bloggers, designers, retailers, photographers, and editors alike take to the streets to shop, party, and celebrate fashion all night long is getting even bigger. Courtesy of our fearless fashion leader Anna Wintour, (she created the big night in 2009 to boost retail in a slumping economy) FNO events have been popping up across the nation from Charleston, SC to Kansas City, MO. Not only is FNO the biggest party to kickoff fall/winter New York Fashion Week, it’s a fashion ‘holiday’ that connects the industry no matter where you are celebrating. It’s kind of like the New Year’s of fashion—the party gets bigger the more people you know are joining in!
According to the CFDA, the "Americans in Paris” initiative was created as a global showcase for emerging American designers. As Paris Fashion Week attracts a wide array of international retailers, the showroom will provide invaluable global exposure for the designers as well as the sales, marketing, and media support necessary to expand their respective businesses." This spring Tommy Hilfiger and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund collaborate with ten lucky American designers to design their own versions of the Tommy Classic Trench Coat. “My own experience at the beginning of my career inspired my commitment to mentor young designers,” Hilfiger comments in a release. “I know firsthand how difficult it can be to enter the fashion industry and I believe designers benefit from supporting and inspiring one another.” Not only are these trenches gorgeous and unique, three of each are for sale worldwide--talk about exclusive--and we foresee our favorite styles trickling down into our wardrobes in the near future!
This past week, I got a chance to view the Lacoste Fall 2012 Collection from the American Express Skybox at Lincoln Center. This chic winter-infused experience designed by Felipe Oliviera Baptista, and influenced by the upcoming London Olympics definitely transported attendees to an incredible snowy wonderland. The runway set was complete with large plexi-glass boxes that blew snow made of feathers within them in order to create a magical winter scene that the models boldly strutted around as top editors took note.
The Lacoste collection began with sleek, athletic-inspired dresses adorned with zippers, bold-stripes and cold-weather ready hoods. I also loved the mixture of athletic looks and silhouettes made from leather, handsome men's coats in wool worn on gorgeous models and fun tweed-pieces featured towards the end of the show. Overall, the styles were both fashion forward and wearable at the same time.
2011 has been an incredible year, sartorially speaking. From Anne Hathaway's eight costume changes at the Academy Awards to Diane Kruger...well, whenever the woman puts on clothes, a few of the ladies that didn't make the cut were this close. Ultimately, we decided that the criteria to make Joonbug's "Top Looks of 2011" list lay within three very simple (and very visible) requirements: originality, memorability and game-change factor. Once we began to whittle down our large list, we found that very few looks - no matter how much we loved them - fit these requirements.
Vogue is getting ready to celebrate their 120th birthday! One-hundred-and-twenty years of style and glamour. What started out as a weekly magazine for high society New Yorkers in 1892, would eventually embark a whole new meaning on American fashion. When Conde Nast bought Vogue in 1909, the advertising and sales genius decided to turn Vogue into a women’s only fashion magazine. In turn, he reached a much wider market than just rich Manhattanites. Nast owned the Home Pattern Company, so being the brilliant business man he was, he expanded the pattern section of the magazine. This gave everyone an opportunity to recreate the designs seen in Vogue. Even wealthy women turned to Vogue for fashion ideas. As the years went on and the wars unfolded, the editors at Vogue were at a loss because they had always looked to the French for the latest designs and trends. Due to the Great Depression and the extremely high tariffs, the editors resorted to American designers instead. This was when American fashion really began coming into their own.
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