Suno Bridges Fair Trade and Fierce Patterns

It's my birthday in a few weeks, which means I am on the prowl for a new party dress. I've also picked up an addiction to unconventional prints, so it's no wonder this Suno dress completely caught my eye. After doing some research, I found out that Rachel Bilson recently wore it to Fashion’s Night Out in New York City, reaffirming the fact that we are kindred spirits. However, one aspect left me puzzled, what/who is Suno? I had never heard of the company, so I called my good friend, Google, and here's what I found:

Suno is a NYC-based brand and was formed in 2008 by Max Osterweis. The company is unique because they use fabrics collected from Kenya, giving their frocks an authentic East African look. And there's more to the story than just a treasure hunt for unique textiles. According to their website, Suno "employs local Kenyan talent, treats workers fairly, and showcases some of Kenya’s artistry." The company hopes their presence in Africa will have a positive effect, especially in regards to social and economic change.

They are certainly receiving a ton of attention from the fashion industry for their efforts. This month alone, Suno has been featured in Harper's Bazaar, Nylon, and on both style.com and Women's Wear Daily (WWD). I think Suno is worthy of all the buzz, especially considering its good-natured company philosophy. Here are some of Suno's looks from their spring 2011 RTW collection...

photos from http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2011RTW-SUNO

Quotes & Couture XII

"Writing is a form of personal freedom. It frees us from the mass identity we see in the making all around us. In the end, writers will write not to be outlaw heroes of some underculture but mainly to save themselves, to survive as individuals."

-Don DeLillo

How to Successfully Wear a Summer Dress During the Winter

So you invested in a $500 summery designer frock for $250 in October because, let's face it, that's 50% off and you've been drooling over that dress since it hit Barney's in July. Alas, three weeks went by and the honeymoon phase between you and your silky number was cut short by the daily high plummeting a good 30 degrees. You've only worn your dress a handful of times and it's starting to look like the red tag sale really got the best of you. What's a girl to do?!

Do. Not. Panic. I'm here for you, and if need be, I will mail you a brown paper bag for all of your hyperventilating needs. However, I doubt you are going to reach that level of despair because I'm here to give you some really easy tips on how to utilize your summer dress during colder weather. Let's get started!

The sample dress I'm going to use is a belted summer dress from 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent. It retails for about $300 and was recently on sale on The Outnet for $75, so this is a very realistic example.

Tip 1: Remember Your Basics

Honestly, whenever I don't know what to wear during the cooler months I start with a foundation of black with cognac boots. Well, black tends to be part of my fashion philosophy all year long; however, pairing black with cognac boots becomes particularly useful between October-February. Especially with the periwinkle color of this dress, you really have to darken the entire outfit to make it suitable for fall/winter color schemes. I'm also going to throw it out in the open that I really prefer solid, thicker tights. I'm not a pantyhose type because it's really unpractical as far as keeping you warm, and I have a lingering paranoia that they are going to rip at any given moment. Just food for thought.

Candence Cognac Boots- Steve Madden
Gray Legwarmers- Puma
HUE Black Tights- Ron Herman
Commander Jacket- All Saints

Tip 2: Dress It Up With Booties

Of course one of the best times to utilize your summer dress is while you're out on the town! My go to outfit for winter nights out is definitely a tunic-type dress with leggings, booties, and either a cardiganish knit item or a blazer. It's really comfortable and warm, while still being a little on the dressy side.

Ribbed Stretch Leggings- DKNY
Lovely People Juniper Bootie- DSW
Paisley Gust Sweater Jacket- Anthropologie
Draped Multi Chain Necklace- Forever 21

Tip 3: Play With Current Trends

A great way to sort of mask the summeriness of your dress is to amplify other aspects of your outfit. Right now, red coats seem to be a huge hit, as well as infinity scarves, moto boots, chunky knits, and cowboy-esque boots. However, because you don't want your outfit to scream "trend overload" make sure you pinpoint one or two trends you want to showcase and fill the remainder of the outfit with neutrals.

'Kiki' Over the Knee Boots- Dolce Vita
Thermal Leggings- Old Navy
Knit Collar Coat- Forever 21
Slouchy Beanie- Banana Republic
Deux Lux Bag- Urban Outfitters

And that concludes my lesson! If you have any other tips/tricks/questions/concerns feel free to leave a comment! Also don't forget to enter the RemChic giveaway before the contest closes! Click here for more details.

Oohs and Awes for Anndra Neen Metal Clutches

I never thought I'd see the day where an an accessory screamed medieval-meets-cage-dancer. Oh, how fashion continuously surprises me. This Anndra Neen clutch du jour was designed by acclaimed sister act Phoebe and Annette Stephens and has won my approval. This "bag" definitely plays into the motorcycle trend we're seeing this season, although I would like to see it juxtaposed with a swank LBD. What do you think? The clutch retails for $695 and is available on roseark.com

Tim Gunn Awkwardly Poses for Capitol File

Fashion guru Tim Gunn posted this picture on his Facebook about a week ago and as much as I love him I feel like his stance/lean/whatever on that stool is a bit awkward. Anyone agree?

A Spoonful of Fashion that will Taste Bittersweet

M y approach to journalism is through an artistic lens. Some of you might say this lens might as well be a rose colored magnifying glass and that's a perfectly valid response. When I think of the media I think of the glossy sheen on a magazine cover, inviting readers to flip through colorful pictures and informative stories. I thrive on the deceiving nature of photoshoots- still glamor captured in front of the camera while chaos engulfs every other angle on the set. It's an illusion created by visionaries. In that moment you have to pause and appreciate the artistry and abandon the hustle and bustle over profit margins.

A perfect example of this is the magazine cover above, which dates back to April 1965. The cover girl is model Jean Shrimpton, who was photographed by Richard Avedon. The overall concept was conceived by art directors Ruth Ansel and Bea Feitler. I came across this vintage cover by accident and it reminded me why I love fashion magazines so much- they merge together the informative/newsy nature of journalism with a few extra ounces of pizazz. I could literally frame this cover and hang it on my wall. Some day, I want to be apart of a creative team that evokes that same reaction in people.

Fashion magazines are a hand-held gallery of the latest and greatest designs and encourages you to dip into your closet and paint yourself with something beautiful. They are a paper-stack of the latest trends, delivered to your mail box or available with coffee at the corner newsstand. Let's not forget that couture comes from an artist scribbling charcoal onto a sketch pad before those smudges are made into a real garments. Then, those garments are puzzle-pieced together with other garments to form an outfit. Next, that outfit is paired with model (who might as well be the canvas) and photographed. Finally, with a click of the mouse and a scurry across the keyboard a designer crops and edits the photo and tucks it into its proper place on the page layout before calling it a night. Each page of a magazine takes a fusion of collective minds, all adding to one completed piece. This process is beyond inspiring!

Sadly, the industry can definitely be a cut throat monster. Girls starve themselves to be on the latest Hearst cover, fashion designers sell their souls to the devils of corporate mass production, and fresh meat journalists will fetch coffee for years before the are even assigned a story. But why? Because if you aren't willing to make those sacrifices, someone else will take your spot before you can click your Prada heels together and wish you were back in Kansas.

So alas lies the tension: avant garde vs. capital greed. My experience within the fashion industry has made me realize a pretty terrible pattern- innovative designs are given a golfer's clap for how artsy they are and a roaring round of applause for how much money they can make. The same goes for a great model, a great cover design, etc. This is a shame, but what can we do? After all, the fashion industry is an industry- a business where people make their living.

For me, what needs to happen is a shift in perspective. We need to change the way we think about the clothing on our backs and the pictures laid before us. We need to be responsible consumers and support designers first and foremost as artists. Do I think there will be a huge shift within my lifetime? Probably not. But I'd like to think I'm doing my part by appreciating the artistic nature of fashion instead of the sides that scream "seven deadly sins." I'd like to maintain a cognitive dissonance as I'm shopping and try and be not only more ethical in my purchases (sweatshop free) but also more environmental (recycled clothing). And someday, when I'm working for for Harper's Bazaar or Elle (hehe) I will treat all of my colleagues and young protégés like people, not like errand-running robots.

Until then, be conscious of your choices as budding fashionistas and remember, viva la moda- long live style!

RemChic Giveaway: Stila Eye Shadows!

Yesterday I featured eight of my favorite makeup products, and today, I'm happy to announce I have obtained three Stila Sweet Steals Eye Shadow Palettes! This particular eye shadow set is a special edition and is no longer being produced, so getting your hands on one of these now is a definite must.

HOW TO ENTER

1. You must be a fan of RemChic on Facebook.

2. You must have a continental U.S. mailing address. I will not be shipping prizes outside of the continental U.S.

3. You must comment below on this post with the following information (in order!) The comment link is at the end of this post where it says the number of comments.

first and last name (I need both to verify you are a fan on FB)

e-mail address

your favorite childhood clothing/accessory item

example
Kristina Remy
info@remchic.com
I wore baby pink ballet tutus as skirts ALL the time 

4. Bonus entry: If you post a Facebook status announcing this give away and tag RemChic (use the @RemChic feature) you will receive one (1) additional entry. Let me know if you have posted a Facebook status announcing the contest and I'll keep track of your extra entry. You can either write on the RemChic Facebook wall, write it in a comment below, or e-mail me (info@remchic.com) and I'll log your extra entry. Thanks!

OTHER BUSINESS

Contest ends November 30, 2010 at 11:59pm. Entries submitted after this time will be considered invalid. Results will be generated via random.org. Winners will be announced December 1, 2010 and will be contacted via e-mail. Winners will also be announced on RemChic. Questions? E-mail me at info@remchic.com! Spread the word and have fun!

photo credit: http://www.weddingobsession.com/2008/05/31/stila-marchesa-backstage-beauty-2008/

RemChic Essential Makeup Products

I recently received an e-mail from a RemChic reader asking what kind of makeup products I use. I used to wear a lot more makeup than I do now, so I'm going to stick with 8 products I've continued to use for a while. As always, remember the most important thing to do is to prep your skin before wearing makeup (cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize) and properly remove your makeup as soon as you can. No hot messes allowed on my watch. After a night out you better march your tooshie to the bathroom and wash your face before hitting the sack!

Essential Makeup Products

These are my list of deserted island must-haves. If I could only use four products for the rest of my life, these would be them.

1. Tarte Cheek Stain in Rose
This is hands down the best blush out there. You will never have to reapply and it's really natural and sunkissed looking.  I also use it on my lips for a little color and then put chapstick or clear gloss over. Make sure you go for one of the natural colors because some of the other cheek stain colors are too shimmery.

2. YSL Singulier Mascara in Deep Black
I used to be a huge Diorshow fan, but I found that the tube dries out after 2-3 weeks, so I made an experimental switch to YSL Singulier and I will never go back! I first tried it at Sephora without an eye lash curler and I was thoroughly impressed. If you have straight, stubborn lashes like me, this is the perfect choice for you.

3. Stila Perfecting Concealer in Shade D
This is the most amazing concealer in the entire world. If you layer enough of it on you can even cover tattoos. It's ridiculous! It's sort of pricey, but it's so concentrated you really only need a little bit. I use the Bare Escentuals concealer brush to apply. It rocks!

4. Bare Escentuals Bronzer in Warmth I am so sad because they discontinued this color; however, I bought this bronzer my sophomore year of high school and there is still about 1/3 left. It's a really good investment and like the Stila concealer you only need a little bit. Another bonus is that it's suitable for all skin tones. My roommate uses it pretty frequently and she has ivory skin, whereas mine is olive/tan. I also use Bare Escentuals face powder in medium beige- amazing brand.

Other Favorites 

These are some of my favorite makeup products.  For some reason I couldn't find very good images of the liquid eyeliner, nor the eye shadow palette, so we will have to make due with the photos below, sorry!

1. MAC Full Lash Curler
This is hands down the best eyelash curler out there. If you are going to try and vouch for the Shu Uemera you can take your opinions elsewhere. Also, this one lady at Sephora taught me an amazing eyelash curler trick years ago, which I'm going to share with you now. If you put your eyelash curler under your blow drier for 10 seconds before using it, it acts like a curling iron on your lashes. Just make sure you test it before hand, or you might fry your lashes. Ick!

2. Too Faced Shadow Insurance (primer)
Another amazing product, this one will make even the cheapest eye shadow stick for days. This is another super concentrated product and the tube is huge. It's transparent, too, so no worries in the color department.

3. ULTA Precision Liquid Liner in Carbon Black
I've tried a bunch of different liquid liners and this one is not only friendly to the wallet, the wand and tip style is friendly to the face. I usually line my top lids with a thin line of carbon eyeshadow by MAC then put this over the top. Works like a charm!

4. Stila Sweet Steals Eye Shadow Palette
This was only $10 at Urban Outfitters and all three colors come in this convenient palette. They are easy to mix, match, and blend, and are suitable for both day and night looks.

Quotes & Couture XI

"It's Christmas every day when you're a shopaholic."

-Me

Georgia May Jagger: The New Face of Fashion at 18

She's been compared to Brigitte Bardot and has been known as her father's daughter...until now. Jagger is storming out of her father's shadow as the face of several fall 2010 ad campaigns including Hudson jeans and Chanel . Her gap-toothed haughty look says "I'm dangerous, but how can I be? I'm in [fill in designer label name here]!"  And Christmas is apparently coming early for Jagger. In addition to her gigs with some of the highest fashion houses in the biz, she is also the cover girl for Harper's Bazaar's November issue and Vogue Australia's December issue (see pics below). Move over Kate Moss! There's a new girl in town.

Harper's Bazaar

Vogue

Photo Credit: Heidi Slimane for Harper’s Bazaar

Stop Saying Versace like 'Ver-say-see.' It's 'Ver-sah-chee.'

I don't consider myself a fashion snob, but it is definitely a huge pet peeve of mine when someone tries to impress me with their couture lingo and mispronounces designer names. I can't help but simultaneously chuckle and cry inside when someone says 'Ver-say-see' for Versace when they really mean 'Ver-sah-chee.' After conducting some research, I have compiled a list of commonly mispronounced designer names. After debunking all of your linguistic conundrums I expect all of my RemChic monsters to go out into the world honoring the phonetics of these designers' names. For a more in depth list, check out tristinstyling.

Balmain: Bal-mah

Bulgari: Ball-gah-ree

Burberry Prorsum: Bur-bur-ree Pror-some

Carolina Herrera: Caro-leena Hair-era

Christian Louboutin: Loo-boo-tin

Dries Van Noten: Drees Van Know-ten

Emilio Pucci: Eh-mi-li-oh Poo-ch-ee

Furla: Fer-luh

Givenchy: Jee-von-shee

Hermès: Air-mez

Jean Paul Gaultier: John Paul Gal-tee-aye

Lanvin: Lon-vin

Louis Vuitton: Loo-ee Voo-ee-ton

Marchesa: Mar-kay-sa

Moschino: Mo-ski-no

Monique Lhullier: Mo-neek Loo-lee-ay

Rodarte: Ro-dar-tay

Versace: Ver-sah-chee

Yves Saint Laurent: Eve San Lor-ron

Zac Posen: Poe-zen

Photo Credit: http://gofugyourself.celebuzz.com/cat_531/index3.html

Ask RemChic: What to Wear to Fall & Winter Weddings

 

Whenever I think of wedding season I usually think late March/early April...a garden...a classic Cymbeline floor-length number...oh, wait, I'm fantasizing about my own wedding...again. Well, there is a point to my fantasy introduction: when people think 'wedding season' they think spring. Therefore, fall and winter weddings are considered unconventional and people don't always know how to dress for them. One RemChic reader will be attending two large weddings during the cooler time of the year: one in southern Arizona in mid-December and one in southern California around the beginning of January. Time to brainstorm!

Okay let's get the facts straight--both ceremonies will be held outside, receptions inside, formal attire, and roughly 200+ people. Nothing over the top. Additionally, this reader has geography on her side. Neither southern Arizona nor southern California will require outfits tailored to snow, sleet, hail, and all of the other wonderful natural elements typical of east coast winters.

I suggest buying one dress and wearing it two different ways. This is the most economical option and it lends itself to one of my favorite pastimes: mixing-and-matching. By exploring multiple ways of wearing the same dress we can dip into our existing wardrobes and stretch our creative minds.

About the Dress

The dress I've chosen is called the "Cotton Cady Aveline dress" by J.Crew. I'm fairly familiar with the reader's personal style and I know she isn't one for anything with a lot of froo-froo. This is a nice, classic option that will last beyond the winter season, and it will work with an array of accessories. She can also dress it down (which I know she will appreciate) with flats and a cardigan for a year-round look. I also chose this dress because the A-line silhouette with the plunging neckline is a flattering choice for a number of body shapes, and if this exact dress isn't to your liking, there are probably similar versions out there. This is supposed to be easy and fun, so let's save the headaches for the brides' wedding planner(s) and/or future mothers-in-law.

One thing I'd like to note is the color of the dress in the photo below. Unfortunately, the website only shows a modeled version of this dress in the off white/grayish color, but I do not recommend this color. In fact, I think it washes out the model and it is not appropriate for a wedding because it's too close to white.

Option 1: Wildflowers in Tucson

For this ensemble I was inspired by the colors of a desert sunset. I wanted to leave the neckline alone (i.e. no necklace) and give the wrists a little bling, so I chose leaf-inspired bracelet by Monet. This keeps with the earthiness emphasized in southwestern style. I also think it would be cute if the reader tossed her hair in a loose bun and pinned it with a taupe flower pin like the one I've chosen from Forever 21. It brings in the colors of the desert floor and would contrast nicely with her dark hair. Additionally, it leaves the deep v in the back open for admiration! The shoes are a simple Nine West pump, but with a low heel for dancing and mingling at the reception. After looking at the necklace, hair pin, shoes, and dress I felt the outfit could use something to bring all of it together, so I paired it with this amazing French Connection clutch. I could gobble it up it is so dang cute.

The other nice aspect of this style is that it isn't too loud. There is undoubtedly nothing worse than being the girl who is screaming for attention at another girl's wedding. If you are that desperate for limelight, I suggest you wear a straitjacket.

Option 2: Southern California Stud

After spending a lot of time between Tucson and southern California I can honestly say that California's style persona is a little bit more on the oomph side, while Tucsonians appreciate subtle, sandy ensembles. The look above could definitely work in California, but seeing as it's more on the classic side, I want to push the boundaries a little more with this second outfit. Between daily celeb faux paux and the Real Housewives of Orange County, I think California can handle it.

The shoes are a peep toe bootie from Moda Spana. Peep toe booties are all the rage this season and have been seen on the runways of Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, and more. To add to the edgy vibe I've chosen a studded cross-body bag from Target. Cross-body bags are another hit this season, and I love carrying mine when I go out because you can just throw your essentials in one place and go! And finally, I chose a simple silver two-finger ring to finish the outfit from Urban Outfitters.

Other Tips and Tricks

You can always dress this outfit down by substituting heels for flats. Kate Spade has a ton of really cute ones that are semi-dressy. Also, for those chilly evenings, I would recommend grabbing a viscose cardigan. Wear it open over the dress and or you could even try throwing on a thin waist belt over it. Don't forget to use a good make up primer so your make up stays in place all afternoon/evening without you having to reapply. Yay!

Photo Credit: http://ruffledblog.com/maggie-zacs-handmade-fall-wedding-2/

Label Whores and Passive Dressers Sacrifice Self-Expression

When I woke up this morning I was feeling inspired by Marc Jacobs and his backwards cardigan, so I rummaged through my closet and found this gray and navy striped number that I have been ignoring for some time. After fastening the buttons and slipping it over my head, I threw on a jangling necklace from Urban Outfitters and briskly left the house. When it only takes me three minutes to dress myself, I know it's going to be a good day.

I really didn't even give a second thought to my ensemble until I grabbed my usual Thursday afternoon frozen yogurt. I unexpectedly felt a tap on my shoulder and slowly turned around till I was facing a complete stranger. I was a little taken aback, but when an army of single file buttons has your back (literally) you can't be terribly afraid.

"Excuse me, but is your sweater on backwards?" he said. Mind you, this came from an averagely dressed college guy. Based on what I saw at face value, I wouldn't say he was a fashion guru, but rather more of a t-shirt and jeans type. And he mistakenly called my cardigan a sweater. But who knows.

"Yes..." I replied.

"Oh, so it's fully buttoned in the back?"

"Yes..."

My frozen yogurt was melting, taking all of the Heath bar crumbled with it like quicksand. I wasn't exactly annoyed, more like confused. And the funny part is I think he was confused, too. I don't think he was trying to compliment me and was just really bad at giving compliments; I felt like he was...concerned.

"Is it supposed to be like that?"

"Yes." Apparently, third times a charm when you use monosyllabic responses like "Yes" because the conversation ended there. But after my mish-mosh of chocolately delight and I awkwardly walked away I started thinking about his question, "Is it supposed to be like that?"

When I told him my top was supposed to be backwards, that was a logical, honest reply. I intentionally dressed myself that way, and someone aware of Marc Jacobs fall 2010 RTW collection would definitely be able to see that I derived inspiration from a "higher" fashion source. But if you aren't aware of this connection, my garment choice would certainly come off as aberrant and off-putting. This reaction is somewhat disappointing.

We are products of a society driven by systems that emphasize "normality." I am subservient to these cognitive institutions, too. I expressed in my blurb on Marc Jacobs that I never would have thought to turn around a cardigan and wear it like so, even though it's such a simple idea. I must confess this morning when I took a one-two look in the mirror I definitely had a sublime moment. Even though it probably only lasted a fraction of a second, there was a slight dissonance evoked at the sight of something being outside of its conventional wear.

Why is turning a shirt inside out or backwards considered out-of-the-box thinking? I really don't think that Marc Jacobs has some sort of divine brain where his super thoughts allow him to conceive magical sweaters. I think he challenges himself to think, to see things from different perspectives, to envision something outside of the normal. We often applaud D.I.Y. queens and fashion legacies, yet we also turn around to our average Joes and ask "is it supposed to be like that?" It's an odd contradiction.

Admiration for innovative dress is an everyday practice. We see cute celebrities on the covers of magazines and tip our hats to the latest Dior frock, but how often to we challenge our own capacity for style? Why does it matter what anything is supposed to be? And who is the agent who dictates these rules? It all goes back to one thing: self expression. Label whores and people who have literally given up on their appearances are sacrificing their ability to express through style. What a shame.

So this brings us to the poly-fold moral of my story/rant- Extracting inspiration from novel designs is definitely not a crime. Wearing novel designs because they help you express who you are is not a crime. These are the building blocks for a sense of community within the fashion realm. However, you should always push yourself to create your own outfits as if they were the last opportunity you have to express yourself. After all, it's not just an outfit, it's what you live you life in.

Lanvin for H&M Video Released

While getting my daily fix of Harper's Bazaar, I came across the Lanvin for H&M promo video and found myself gobbling up oodles of slippery dresses and coats that remind me of garments Cruella de Vil would wear (in a good, faux animal print kind of way). The noir-meets-Marvel-meets-Gaga video was released in order to showcase the 44 piece collection, scheduled to hit stores November 23. The pieces are shiny, romantic, and a-symmetrical. The video depicts these exact themes. Fierce, confident females march around the hotel halls while Lanvin scribbles hearts and handsome men tries to woo hot mess blondes. The filming techniques and weird music give the short film an odd erotic twist. It sort of makes you feel uncomfortable in a Beckett-esque way...kinda vain, kinda runway-ish, but still kinda love it. As for the collection I love color choices (red, mustard, turquoise), exaggerated poof sleeves, and the robe-like trench coats. Below are my favorite looks and if you crave more, check out the video and the full lookbook!

Oohs and Awes for Marc Jacobs Backward Cardigans

If only Marc Jacobs was 20 years younger and straight. He is really my ideal man: dark features, an amazing dresser, and "intelligent" is an understatement. What makes Jacobs such an admirable designer is his ability to reinvent classics in the most ingenious way that makes you say, "why didn't I think of that?" This season I'm loving his Backwards Crew-Neck Cardigan. I literally live my life in cardigans, and I've never even thought about turning it around for a whole new look. You really can't beat that kind of innovative thinking. If you are loving this look, but not the $995 price, check out this awesome article by Who What Wear on a really simple D.I.Y. project a la Marc Jacobs. I'm definitely going to try this at home! Kudos Jacobs, and if you have a nephew that's remotely like you...have him call me.