Metropolitan Pavillon in NYC is hosting its annual Vintage Clothing Show this weekend, composed of an astounding 90 different vendors. The collections fuse ‘80s funk with Victorian class, sprinkling garments with a bit of seduction from the ‘40s. And since estrogen tells us one can never have enough LBD’s, the epic vintage affair is displaying a special exhibit on the transient wardrobe staple. The show begins Friday, February 5th (1pm-8pm) and continues on Saturday, February 6th (11am-6pm). It is not limited to women’s apparel, so bring your guy along! The selection is sure to tempt both sexes (of which you can read more about here).

-Maria Eilersen

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[Images via Style.com]

I ended up with a bad cold, so please forgive me for the dealy in fashion week recaps!

Richard Chai  (Womens):

Fur’s the word at Richard Chai this season, although he still knows how to make a mean print work in a variety of ways.

Mackage:

True to their heritage, Mackage stayed focused with absolutely incredible jackets — I would be glad to wear every single one of them – leather bombers, parkas, long wool cream overcoats- you name it!

Milly:

Milly designer Michelle Smith runs the lbd department for fall 2009 — seriously, and that’s a good thing.

Marchesa:

A true fantasy in eveningwear, 100% red carpet-worthy, and I’m sure to see a few of them tonight at the Oscars

3.1 Phillip Lim:

The ’60s inspiration was quite evident; the coats were quite exquisite.

Proenza Schouler:

These boys can do no wrong; McCollough and Hernandez sent out a bevy of coats, tweeds and dresses without forgoing their signature, accentuated modern bustier silhouette.

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• The quality, for the most part, was NOT up to our standards — cheapo-looking even for H&M
• Pass on the limited-edition fragrance – too retro, too old lady, too musty (NOT-musky!)
• People will claw each other’s eyes out and buy anything if it has a label on it and is “hot” in that exact moment — even if its not anywhere near their actual size
• The true gem was the deconstructed multi-tonal women’s wool sweater (we bought it!!!)
• The menswear was WAY better than the womenswear, as far as living up to Comme des Garcons’ design motif AND quality — especially the trousers, jackets, and blazers
• NEVER check out on the first floor - OR attempt to use a dressing room – simply head up the escalator for some breathing room
• If Ebay.com is any indicator on how well the collection did, by late this afternoon there were 86  Comme des Garcons for H&M items posted, with about 83 of them at 0 bids

-Stay tuned for our next designer collaboration mash-up!

UPDATE: We’ve got some new pics from the racks and the dressing room! See how Fashion Pulse Editor Julia DiNardo looks in the Comme des Garcons tops!

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest! Please stay tuned for future giveaways, and thanks for visiting Fashion Pulse.

The winners are:

Sakshi Jain, New York City, NY

Lily Kwan of Las Vegas, NV

Christine Wember of Wauwatosa, WI

Jenny Ham of Topeka, KS

Chris Messer of Bothell, WA

Tracey Hoenig of Whitinsville, MA

Shilo Beedy of Mexico, NY

Robert Schulz of Wauwatosa, WI

Michael Pease of West Rutland,VT

Kayce Crews of Knoxville, TN

Enter below  to win one of ten ‘I Love Shoes’ eco-friendly totes, provided by Payless Shoes Source. These exact tote bags were gifted to attendees at the Spring 09 Abaeté and Lela Rose shows, and now its your chance to own one!  Not only are they super cute, in a covetable shade of orangey-red, and eco-friendly, but also fold up to a tiny size, perfect for on-the-go days and traveling. To enter to win: click on this post, then  please include in the comments box your full name, address, and email address. This contest ends at 11:59 pm, Tuesday, October 14th.

THE CONTEST HAS NOW ENDED — THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

]]> http://fashionpulsedaily.com/2008/10/10/win-a-red-i-love-shoes-baggu-eco-friendly-tote-from-payless/feed/ 0 http://fashionpulsedaily.com/2008/10/08/designer-qa-justin-giunta-for-subversive-jewelry/ http://fashionpulsedaily.com/2008/10/08/designer-qa-justin-giunta-for-subversive-jewelry/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:41:37 +0000 fashionpulse http://fashionpulse.wordpress.com/?p=650 ]]>

Image from JustinGiunta.com

We’ll admit it, we’re biased — we LOVE Justin Giunta. Winning the Ecco Domani award and designing a capsule collection for Target is just merely the tip of the iceberg for Giunta.  Talented across multiple disciplines, his work spans jewelry design (Subversive Jewelry), industrial design, lighting, and painting. Fashion Pulse Daily caught up with the Pittsburgh native to learn more about the man, the inspiration, and what he absolutely can’t live without!

FP: I love your company name – how and when did you come up with Subversive? I read this in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette “Choosing the name was easy. It just alludes to my personality in every way.” – Can you elaborate a bit?

JG: Subversive literally means to overthrow an established institution or idea.  By employing cast-off jewelry and base metal chains into intricate (one-of-a-kind) compositions, I force the wearer to reassess the traditional value system behind jewelry, costume and real,   valuing design over materials.
Additionally, there is an array of narratives strung through my work. By combining disparate materials such as classic “presidential” pearls and Tribal beads I have made collections like the “South American General’s Wife”. I try to highlight a paradox then bury it in burnished beauty.

Images from SubversiveeJewelry.com

FP: At what point did you realize that jewelry was your calling?

JG:I don’t think I have yet.

FP: Does it sometimes happen that you make a piece of jewelry and don’t want to let it go because you love how it turned out so much?

JG: This is a two part question and I will answer it backwards.
First: No I never make a piece and then fall in love with it so much I won’t sell it.  I really believe in the concept of, “if you love something, let it go” I really believe you have to purge the new for even newer and that which is to come.
Of the thousands of pieces I have made, I have kept only two physically for my ultimate archive of artwork. One is a wrapped pearl and chain necklace that I made for the ”Alireza” runway in 2003, Then Lanvin ran with the idea, the other is a wreath necklace made with embroidered coral and findings, it is a piece that embodies my paintings, like a mini sculpture more than a necklace, and I won’t part with it.

Image from SubversiveJewelry.com

FP:  What was the learning curve like for you, switching from fashion to industrial to jewelry? Was there some trial and error involved, did you have a mentor who guided you along, etc?

JG: I learned a lot on the street, just trying to sell my wares.  I have been fortunate to have had an immense amount of support from some older friends throughout my young adult life.  I had tons of encouragement, and they made sure I wasn’t out on the street.  The business stuff, I had to develop through experience.  Irregardless of the industry, the role of the creator is the same, and so are the challenges that face them.  I learned to rely on my own judgments.

Image from Target.com

FP:  How have you grown, since you initially started the line (in 2003, correct)?  When did you move from doing everything yourself to the team I saw in the studio today?

JG: Every part of my business has been grown from the ground up.  Often in the first years I felt like a ‘one-man-sweatshop’ filling orders from my place in Washington Heights. As the attention shifted to my larger pieces I was really making jewelry 24/7 to fill demand.  I never made a sketch of the design, I would just make the pieces.  I have been fortunate to have some great interns from the fashion schools around the city.  By taking on a creative staff, I have been able to translate a composition, or tableaux, with a rough sketch, or description.

Image from SubversiveJewelry.com

FP: What would you say was the biggest turning point — when you knew that the line began to rapidly grow and garner press/more retailers? The Ecco Domani nomination? In 2003 when you made a piece for a stylist friend?

JG: I have grown my business past several milestones: moving downtown allowed editors and stylists to access my designs through my studio space.  An article in the New York Times brought several big buyers through which helped propel my unique designs into the realm of the multiples (small editions or variations of the same). This prompted me to start a secondary line, clinically named, “Line-sheet Collection”. Being nominated for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2006, and winning the Ecco Domani prize also gave my brand the industry credibility, which has been an important turning point for the brand. Winning the Ecco Domani Prize enabled me to stage a live show to showcase my jewelry during Fashion Week in New York.  I feel this was a pivotal moment for an Accessory designer to show in the context of the traditional fashion presentation.

Image from Target.com

FP: Where have you traveled and collected pieces from? I know a bit from Pittsburgh, and you mentioned Morocco – where else?

JG: Buenos Aires, Brazil, European Flea markets: Berlin, Vienna, Paris.

FP: I love what you have in the works for the next season – what  theme did you have in mind when creating these pieces?

JG: Topography. I wanted to take the well-traveled life and make each style reflect a destination in sync with my travels.

FP: So what’s next for Justin Giunta? Would you consider going back to doing t-shirts? Industrial design?

JG: I am constantly working on my studio art, paintings, drawings and prints.  Additionally I am going back to some industrial design.  I am currently collaborating with an interior designer from L.A. on a chandelier.

FP: What websites do you frequently visit for fashion coverage and inspiration?

JG: Style.com is pretty efficient for my needs. It serves as a non- biased archive of fashion.

FP: What are the three items you always have with you/can’t live without?

JG:
Pens
Paper
Paper Towels
The first two ensure a great idea never gets away, the last is to clean up the mess I create!

Special thanks to Justin Giunta for sitting down with Fashion Pulse Daily!

–Julia DiNardo

This year at the Emmy Awards, Fashion Pulse discovered that the red carpet twinkled and sparkled with various gems and baubles not found on the hottest prime-time celebs’ necks, wrists, or ears. Instead, we found quite a bit of bling on their gowns! Lauren Conrad made her own simply-designed dress memorable and unique with the addition of a diamond flower brooch. Stars like Holly Hunter and Brooke Shields also went from boring to dazzling with the same brooch trend, and others, such as Hayden Panettiere, Heidi Klum, and Kate Walsh simply radiated with their gem-encrusted frocks.

Previously, we considered the perfect placement for brooches to be inside our grandmother’s jewelry box or at vintage shops, but as we learned from the Emmys last night, it’s time to bring the trend back! We found some inexpensive and stylish pins so you can be the belle of the ball (or office), too! Affix this Black Studded Brooch from Mango to a dress to add a gothic feel for $29. A pink or yellow Flower Brooch from Jessica McClintock is perfect for spring ($32). Next, this Forever 21 Studded Bow Pin ( $7.80) is chic and classy, while the Faux-Quartz Star Pin from J.Crew ($65) is sure to make you stand out in a crowd.

Fashion Pulse Favorites:

Brooke Shields

America Ferrera

Christina Applegate

Felicity Huffman

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

For her spring 2009 collection, Vera Wang infused subdued and sheer fabrics with simple cuts as a base for what looked like a fabulous ode to an arts and crafts project. Some of the filmy garments stood out simply through the color palette of orange, yellow, and lavender layers artistically draped underneath. However, what really made the collection a stunner were her embellishments, embroidery work, and chunky and colorful accessories – in particular necklaces, bags, and belts. Our favorite look was a neutral tone dress that was given a new life with a metallic mosaic-like embellishment carefully placed across the waist. Wang said her inspiration this season was French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, and through this discovery, we at Fashion Pulse easily pieced together the concept that her meticulous work truly embodies the execution of fashion as art.