Heidi, who works at the Ralph Lauren store in Soho, New York, was just too good to miss. So much to the fact that I pulled her outside for a quick photo opp and a chat. Her all encompassing Ralph Lauren outfit was resplendent in detail and geo-era influences. I mean look at the dress. The detailed patchwork reminded me of an art canvas, where material replaces paint, and an amazing melange of colour and texture comes to life. It’s worth noting that each patch was made individually and then combined. Such inspired work by Ralph Lauren, whose vision for this dress rise from Indochine.
What’s great about Heidi’s style is the range she’s chosen to wear from Ralph Lauren. Often is the case that sales clerks from boutiques bear a homogenous look from the brand they represent. Not Heidi, though. She’s managed to unite both the orient and Lauren’s wild west styles with the denim jacket, vintage cowgirl shoes and belt from Lauren’s runway collection. Sublime.
Ever spot someone and wish you two were friends? When I saw Nicole and spoke to her for 2 minutes, I did. Park for a second the fact that her rocker chic aesthetic and her magnificent jawline are totally disarming. It’s that she looks like she can own a game changing night out on the town, and one should be so lucky to join the ride.
Alright, style talk. I seldom use the word fierce, wary of sounding like a clichéd fashion writer, though I will make an exception this time because the occasion is so fitting. Nicole does indeed look, ahem, fierce, and I will attribute it beyond those avant garde Rick Owens ankle boots. There’s an appreciable effect in looking grand in an oversized black t-shirt and black leggings. Indeed, the boots certainly add that edge, however her overall style is that much more pronounced by the entire package, Nicole 360 if you will. I love Nicole’s look. It’s so, “I don’t give a shit”. I think women who can pull that off and look this good deserve a hat tip.
Leave it to style maven June Ambrose to knock us off our feet with shockingly amazing garb. Spotted at New York Fashion week last February, June was wearing a pair of Skeletal Heels made by Toronto darlings DSquared from their Fall/Winter 2010 collection. Untrue to form, June ditched her signature turban for a bowler hat.
Speaking of bowler hats, how chic does June’s daughter, Summer, look with a bowler hat of her own? June and Summer were not the only fashionable mother daughter duo during fashion week in New York. Remember Tessa? Watching mothers and daughters bop around fashion week to catch the shows reminded me of my mother taking me with her to all her social functions. It wasn’t a pain as one might think. Quite the contrary, actually. I would assume my own little world and interpretations amidst all the movement and noise. I suppose this also applies to the young girls who accompany their mothers to the shows. It would be such a marvel to become intimately acquainted with how children interpret what they see at the runway and on the street during fashion week, and what it means to them. Take note, Moms.
I’ll be in New York this weekend, and in anticipation of the trip, I’ve decided to rummage through photos I took during New York Fashion Week. There are a handful left I have not published, and I owe them due attention. Like this photo, for example.
The unfortunate thing about sub zero winters is that dreaded winter coat. If you are of the sensible variety during winter, you’ll know what i’m talking about. Glorious looking or not, the coat hides all that style you wish you could show off without freezing your behind off.
What this young gentleman achieves through smart layering is a proper reveal of his outfit. He’s made small, yet significant styling choices such as tying his jacket with a nondescript belt, as if it was a curtain opened just wide enough to check out the goods beyond. The comfy red velvet scarf is such a chic touch to the academia look cued by the leather belt, attache and the moccasin boots.
I noticed Emily’s cool, assured stride as she was walking along Spring Street with her mother. It is apt to echo Mona’s sentiments here about sounding like an old fart. As I listened to Emily tell me with such poise about her years of experience in the fashion world, I was surprised to learn that she was still in undergrad. I firmly believe that the confidence with which one wears their outfit will make (or break) it and Emily illustrates my point.
Emily described her style as “do-it-yourself” and “whatever happens”. She made me laugh when she noted that her necklaces were her re-incarnation of “tacky gold belts” (yes, I remember those from the 90’s) and hand-made feather details. Turning to street style as inspiration and stores such as Forever 21 that are on trend but wallet-friendly, translates into a large canvas on which Emily can experiment. With her confident approach to style, I look forward to see what she comes up with next!
Story and photo by Irene Kim
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The Goods:
Dress, Forever 21
New York and Toronto Street Style: Summer Delicates
White on white is definitely a colour matching situation that is hard to pull off, at least in my books. Safer circumstances in which women can go full on white is typically in the summertime and even then you’d be hard pressed to find an outfit that does not look tacky. Not in this case, not even close. Both Angela and Irene look spectacular in white.
The linen shorts on Angela (above) and Irene are incredibly summer chic, and this is a measurable attribute, people. Amidst the scorching heat we seem to be enduring, these shirts and knitted shorts make their owners look breezy and comfortable next to their hot and bothered neighbours. The cool (pun intended) trick to both Angela and Irene’s white outfits is they feel delicate, but their materials, which are made of heavier fibres, feel comfortable and practical at the same time. Notice how both their tops have longer sleeves! And the only glisten to be had is of the variety that seeps from their style. White, comfortable outfits are in full throttle here, and I need an encore.
Photo credit: Irene Kim
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The Goods:
Angela
Shirt, The Gap
Shorts, Club Monaco
Shoes, H&M
Bag, Aldo
Dog, King Charles Cavalier (my favourite!) named Finn
Irene
Cable knit shirt, Banana Republic
Shorts, Club Monaco
Shoes, Marc Jacobs
Bag, Gucci
Sunglasses, Marc by Marc Jacobs
1 year agoNew York Street Style: Jolie Laide gives Jolie a run for it’s money
Comptoir des Cottoniers is a French brand that captures the French aesthetic of effortless chic, an essence closer to “jolie laide” in the sense of unconventional attractiveness than to stilettos and mini skirts striding along cobble-stone boulevards. One could peg the likes of Charlotte Gainsbourg as a leading lady of this style, with her simplicity and ardor wrapped in Balenciaga.
I felt like a mini-celebrity entering Soho’s CdC, as all of their sales associates approached me to point out that I was wearing one of their dresses! One of the associates who approached me was Thea Murvanidze, a Georgian-born, New York-based artist with an effervescent personality and dressed head-to-toe in CdC (with Frye boots). Not surprisingly, Thea’s craft inspires her fashion and, most likely, vice versa. In her fashion choices (and her art, perhaps?), Thea said that she likes to mix and (un)match textures and colours, and the masculine and feminine, with interesting and surprising results. True to her word, she chose to wear her very feminine and flowery jumper with heavier leather boots and aviators - in true jolie- laide form. (I loved Thea’s jumper so much that I ended up buying it for myself!)
The Goods:
La Combi-Pantalan, Comptoir des Cottoniers
Boots, Frye
Ballerinas, Lanvin
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Photos and story by Irene Kim
2 years ago
There is something wonderfully tribal about these outfits, and all the more punctuated by the fact that this man and woman appeared as a pair. Let me start with him. The Mongolian fur coat coupled with it’s belt tied to itself at the back almost renders an image of a tail, unintended i’m sure. Or am I? South of the coat are the most perfect Jeremy Scott x Adidas teddy bear sneakers. Let me check that comment regarding lack of intent (to appear almost bear like entirely). Nevertheless, isn’t the juxtaposition between “rugged” bear and “cute” bear so positively out there? His partner in crime also looks rich in fur. Her jacket is quite unique in that the cuffs and waist are lined in a warm, and artisanal textile. The rustic spirit remains intact, as is also evident with the Diana Lomography camera that dangles around her neck (in addition to the other camera).
It was a flare jeans fest at New York Fashion Week, and among the guests of honor was Emmanuelle Alt, accompanied by a few fashionable others, including this woman. I’m really happy flare jeans have made a comeback. I think they are flattering on women, and although I’m not ready to part ways from my skinny jeans just as yet, flares are a nice departure from skinnies. I particularly like the way this woman has coupled her flare jeans with her crew-cut sweater. The sweater itself is adorable with its soft, fluffy material and ¾ length sleeves. The cuts of the sweater make a great pair with the long lines of the flare jeans. It gives the woman height and a great silhouette. I also think the cut of the jeans is perfect, enabling the ends of the jeans to lightly tread the ground.
Rock ‘n Roll meeting military chic doesn’t get much better than with Kyle Anderson, senior accessories editor at Elle US. It’s been noted that this Swedish bombshell mixes runway one of a kind items like Balmain or Burberry Prorsum with vintage military pieces. Case in point: his killer Bess combat boots and his Balmain trousers. Heck, this guy could be in full Balmain military regalia, however I believe his coat is Burberry Prorsum. The larger than life shearling lapels give it away, but I could be wrong and would love to be corrected if it is the case. It’s guys like Kyle that confirm my obsession with menswear, especially when it is wrapped with military luxe.
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