June 3, 2011
I’m not going to lie: these Marc Jacobs Mouse Jelly Flats, from Zappos.com are THE most adorable shoes that I have in my closet. Available in four colors at $135 a pair, I love them in “ocean,” however am all about the subtlety of this style that can only happen in black. Plus, check out that cute little curly tail on the back – great touch!
-Julia DiNardo
June 1, 2011
Not growing up in NYC, I was curious as to what a high school for the arts, in particular, fashion, might be like. Although I can’t turn back time and attend (and even if I could, I’m not sure if I’d want to my teens again), I was able to go to The High School of Fashion Industries Fashion Show and Salute to Isabel & Ruben Toledo. The Toledos were so humble and thrilled to be the recipients of the salute this year, and as an extra bonus, Ruben Toledo’s artwork will be auctioned off (seen above and below) to benefit the High School for Fashion Industries at CharityBuzz.com through June 15th.
The students’ work was framed under the theme “Continental Couture,” with categories including British Invasion, Euro Military, Asian Elegance, and GaGa International. It is so impressive to consider that all of these students are at the oldest, 18 years old. What a feat!
[One of the student designs]
May 29, 2011
I must tell you that I am a huge fan of any product that reduces the weight that I must carry, so right off the bat, I knew that the Tocca Stella SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelettes had great potential to become everyday favorites, always found in my bag, come the warmer months.
Compliments of The Plaza Beauty, I patiently waited for a warm day to test out these wipes that are water and sweat resistant, clinically tested and hypoallergnic with broad spectrum. Now I must admit to a full on preoccupation with the towelettes, with 10 uses available in each pouch. Plus, Tocca knows how to give a fully aromatic experience with the infusion of Stella, their classic blood orange scent. Not tested on animals, no phthalates, lanolin, petroleum, or waxes but including vitamins E and B5, aloe, marine silk, and oak extracts makes the Tocca Stella SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelettes a must!
The Tocca Stella SPF 30+ Sunscreen Towelettes are available for purchase for $24 at The Plaza Beauty , One West 58th Street at The Plaza Hotel’s Concourse Level. 212.223.4694.
May 28, 2011
[Images via Jihee Chun]
Jewelry can most certainly have a soul, and tell a personal, if not haunting story, which Jihee Chun Jewelry achieves in one fell swoop. With an interesting mix of eclectic elements, artfully arranged to look elegant and merely feel appropriate together, Chun shows that she can create a punky yet clean aesthetic, but also, primarily through her cuff link designs, execute the utmost of precise, fine detailing and shapes. She defines her designs into three lines: Fine Jewelry, Costume Jewelry, and Art Jewelry with men’s cuff links and the crack ring series being her signatures. Her unique approach to jewelry is to ignore trends and rather follow her gut instincts as well as conscious and unconscious inspirations, a goal that has kept her eponymous label away from a cookie-cutter jewelry look.
“Aware, but not influenced by fashion trends, I source my inspiration internally which offers a unique vantage point in the trend-driven fashion Industry,” explains the designer. “Every jewelry piece I create is enclosed by my strong and complicated thoughts and emotions. I desire to have my personal collection encompass a diverse range of such primordial feelings as desperate desire, ambivalence, agony, frustration, joy, and hope. I aim to emphasize the full spectrum of these emotional feelings through pieces heavily worked with techniques such as textures, sensational colors and non-traditional materials to bring balance to otherwise distorted shapes and thicker lines.”
With a background in Fine Art, History, and Literature, Korean native Jihee Chun came to New York City to follow her passion for the art, studying in the Jewelry Design program at F.I.T. in 2010 and immediately launching her own label upon graduation. Throughout her studies, she interned and apprenticed at Rent the Runway, Fragments, and Subversive Jewelry, gaining the knowledge and experience on all ends of the industry to take the first step of branching out on her own.
Cuff links start at about $300; contact Jiheechunjewelry@gmail.comfor additional pricing and sales information.
Check out Jihee Chun Jewelry at the brand’s Tumblr page for additional photos of her designs.
