Target Designer Collaboration

Anna Sui is designing for the next Target Designer Collaborations. She developed this collection based on the looks of "Gossip Girl" heroines, Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Jenny Humphrey and Vanessa Abrams and combined elements of art, spirit, punk and glamour. Some of the looks are a little too friendly for me, but I will hold judgment until I see them in stores. The collection will launch on Target.com and at select Target stores nationwide September 13, 2009, timed to the third season debut of "Gossip Girl."

These are my favorites

Interview with Kid GQ

I had the recent pleasure of interviewing the prodigious 18-year-old behind DC based men's fashion blog Kid GQ. A DC-native who loves urban life and is inspired as much by our city's style as it's lack thereof. This unique and much needed fresh perspective permeates Kid GQ. His blog loyally follows current men's fashion, posting zealously curated trends, runway shows, street style looks and local events. I haven't been this impressed by someone's vision, outlook and knowledge of fashion in a long long time. He has inate aesthetic sensibilities that would be impressive for a man of any age, specially his. His blog is quickly becoming a daily read for guys in the city, and I'm predicting it will be a major style influence to men worldwide.



Here are some pictures from our morning chat as well as insight into the young editor's mind:





His favorite fall accessories: "Hats, vintage distressed belts, trench coats, boat shoes,
rolled up trousers worn with simple tees."




His style inspirations: "Modern vintage from the 50s, 60s, 70s"



Where he shops: "ebay, Treasury, H&M, Zara, Urban Outfitters, Gilt Groupe."

He got this watch on ebay.

What he would like to see change in DC men's fashion: "The fit! It makes the most difference- It can take something from being hideous to looking nice. I would also like to see men take more chances, realize that they can still be creative within their own restrictions."


His favorite designers: "Prada - they are modern and upbeat but always look current because they have that design aesthetic that's classic with a little flare, nobody has a handle on that as well as they do. Calvin Klein - I love their suits, they keep it basic but always have a current spin. They are sleek but masculine, which is where I think a lot of trends are going for the Fall."

His predictions for next season resonate strongly for women as well - he gave me great ideas for bridging the Summer-Fall gap and reshopping my closet to get ready for the cooler months. I will share them with you soon!

I can see your house from here

One of my favorite reasons to travel to California is the drastic variance in scenery within short distances - the rocky coast, the calm ocean, the dessert, the valley. In just a few short days I was able to see them all. Here is Napa Valley:















I didn't have the chance to go to French Laundry while in Napa, but luckily another one of Thomas Keller's restaurants, Ad Hoc, was near by. It is an incredible little place with immaculate service, perfect uncomplicated seasonal food, served family style and changed daily. Some of the vegetables from the Little Gem Lettuce Salad came from the French Laundry garden and tasted as fresh and summery as they look. I also had Louisiana-style barbecue, Cowgirl creamery cheeses, and peaches with ice cream. Everything was amazing, I can't wait to go back.

San Francisco from the hill

I just came back from San Francisco - while there I learned that an uphill mile is very different from a flat mile, that Mark Twain never did write that famous summer quote and that I have an Asian twin "sister" at Asia SF, but she's a better dancer and has a smaller waist :)

Here is the first batch of pictures:


The city from Twin Peaks


Graffiti


My favorite coffee shop - Stable


Tea on the patio


Breakfast at Stable



The drive up Twin Peaks

Remember when you left me on the side of the road?

The prints from Hussein Chalayan's "speed of life" collection for Spring 2009 were some of my favorite to go down the runway last year, especially when I learned they were hand-painted prints of car crash imagery. I loved the duality of the destruction, the tragedy, the beauty and the consequent irony of their marriage. Perfect for these trying times.

The fabrics are even more beautiful in person - full of details like door handles, mirrors and chrome. This dress is so easy to wear and perfect for layering - in these pictures I left it by itself so you could see the print and paired it with these impossibly comfortable Louboutin Hyper Prive pumps.