It is the beginning of the end of the fashion business as we know it.   Thanks to Zara, Forever 21 and H&M, appropriation is king and there is nothing the fashion houses can do about it.   Disposable fashion seems to rule right now.  A guilty pleasure of many, myself included.  Sad but true.   Hate to see the repercussions in a couple of years.   I will note that I stopped by the massive store in Harajuko as well which was packed.    Better stuff next door but the teens didn't care.  It was "forever".   Shopping with tourists until 2am- yes, you can do it now at Forever 21 in Times Square.

By JON CARAMANICA for the New York Times
Photo by: Kirsten Luce


Meet the squad, each with specialized skills and a code name: there's Ace, performance studies scholar and an ex-Marni fiend turned American Apparel fanatic; Fleur, an unconflictedly modern hippie who, for her last birthday party, wore a custom-made tiara of thistle and pink jasmine; and Bolt, a keenly observant fashion blogger and frequent buyer of custom No. 6 clogs.
There were to be two assaults: Ace and Fleur joining me on a weekday afternoon, followed by a weekend nighttime excursion with Bolt.
Of course, it should have been clear that time is not an issue at this store, which is open until 2 a.m., and which appears exactly the same at all hours, teeming with tourists and teenagers. This Forever 21, one of four in Manhattan, is big enough to lose a friend in and cry helplessly over it, as one young girl did on my first visit, soliciting help from an adult waiting in a fitting-room line, who looked irked to lose her place.
That's because everything is ephemeral here. Turn your back for a second, and you can see five other women fingering the garment you were just pondering. Or, wait a couple of days, and it'll be gone altogether, as was the case with a purple and white leopard-print dress with wide side pockets ($24.80) that was Ace's favorite, the only piece she could be persuaded to try on, but was practically sold out two days later. Are Forever 21's styles secretly rare?
Future vintage collections might consist entirely of this store's surviving re-creations of designer style, the vintage T-shirts of 2050. Ace deemed a tight black sweater ($19.80) with ruching at the shoulders "very Veronique Branquinho" and a lavender romper ($29.80), one of the store's cheekier pieces, a direct lineal descendant of Marc by Marc Jacobs. During Bolt's trip, she mulled over whether she could tolerate the poor leather quality on the navy purse that was a blatant, um, celebration of the Proenza Schouler PS1 bag.
Fleur braved the line at the fitting room, reporting back that some of the items she had picked out were already ripped. Of the intact pieces, a white-on-navy nautical-theme shirt ($9.50) paired with a white tulle skirt ($17.80) was charming. (A note: all materials mentioned in this article are approximations.) Later, she pronounced an alluring ribbed black sheath ($27.80) Khloé Kardashian manqué -- in the best way. Eyeing her from the line was a young woman wearing cardboard-color ankle socks under black slip-on sneakers, a brilliant flash of orthopedic style, and the only genuine stroke of fashion I witnessed in both visits.

This is the coolest hat store in Tokyo.   In the Shibuya shopping district.   Their displays are gorgeous and the Andy Warhol hat collection is here.   Didn't even know there was one.  Nova did some hat modeling for me.

Green tea sweets and cakes are everywhere.

I like it. A great script-check.   High production value-check.  Hipster styling- check .  NYC as the setting- check.    Everything HBO touches turns to gold.   There is rarely bad programing whether you relate to a project or not.   How to make it in America will hopefully stick.   Imagine a more downtown, gritty version of cool Gossip Girl twenty somethings.    They look like the exotic waitresses at Indochine, wear Supreme and sport a skate streetwear look.   Cooler and real- I am thrilled to see the styling and content on a major TV show echo what really is happening on the street.      You know you have heard, "I'm starting my own Tshirt line or I'm creating my own energy drink" a thousand times.  Will they be able to spin a TV series on it?   Designer John Varvatos guest stars in the first show so I'm excited for more designer cameos in future episodes. Here is the run down.
(this press excerpt courtesy of HBO)

"How to Make It in America" follows two enterprising Brooklyn twenty somethings as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream. Trying to make a name for themselves in New York's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein (Greenberg) and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon (Rasuk) use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene (Guzman), who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo ("Kid Cudi"), the entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.

"How to Make It in America" also stars Lake Bell as Ben's ex-girlfriend Rachel, who is concentrating on her own career and a new relationship; Martha Plimpton ("Beautiful Girls," "200 Cigarettes") as Rachel's boss Edie, an eccentric interior designer; Shannyn Sossamon ("40 Days and 40 Nights," "The Holiday") as Gingy, Ben and Cam's artsy friend; and Eddie Kaye Thomas ("Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," "American Pie") as David Kaplan, a successful hedge fund manager and high school friend of Ben's.

Creator and first-time writer Ian Edelman is collaborating with Emmy nominee Rob Weiss ("Entourage") on many of the show's scripts. The pilot and other episodes of the show are being directed by Julian Farino. Additional writers and directors will be announced as they are confirmed.

"How to Make It in America" is produced by HBO Entertainment; executive producers, Stephen Levinson, Rob Weiss, Ian Edelman, Julian Farino, Jada Miranda and Mark Wahlberg; producer, Jane Raab.

I often find myself watching actors on the screen and thinking, "wow, they have such great teeth".   Then I realize 90% of them have had them "done" with some form of cosmetic dentistry.   I love a girl that smiles sex appeal through all her imperfections.   It's that character gap I love.  Just like her father Mick, Georgia May Jagger shines through Mario Testino's lens in the new Versace Ads.  Mom is Jerry Hall.

My darling husband Paul Mittleman was so moved by the situation in Haiti he decided to sell his sneaker collection.   20 years worth of limited edition sneakers will be be put to good use to raise money for UNICEF.   Many of the sneakers are shoes he designed for Undefeated, Stussy or Nike including rare AirJordans that were never avail. for sale.    The auction is on Ebay, all items are authentic and will have a certificate and tax deductible statement.    We hope to raise ten thousand dollars.    100% of the proceeds go to Unicef.

I admire his good will and am thrilled that the sneakers will go to provide disaster relief and aid to children.    If you have husbands or boyfriends that love kicks, please bid- its a great cause.  

There were some truly spectacular sights at the LA Auto Show.   Where else do you debut your hot number than here in LALA land where car culture pretty much is the culture.    Here is a baby blue Rolls Royce with a Matt Finish hood , there were Lotus, Aston Martins, Caddies, Audis and ofcourse, the Porshe Panatera.    A car that will probably be all over LA in the next year.   Porshe had their own "wing".   You can get into the cars if you like.   needless to say there was a lot of fanning out.   Fun, feels like walking in Vegas....have your walking shoes on.     Auto show  On a side note, the American car wing was less interesting, somewhat uneventful and even less innovative.    Maybe that's why most of them are out of business.    Get some artists in there to do something cool!!.   Dec. 9-14.

These have got to be the most bizarre thing I have ever seen for sale on the street.  Aside from some wierd food items in Asia.    A few of the vendors where carrying them in Berlin near the Berliner Dom.    They told me they sell quite a few.  Something for everyone.

Every Saturday my daughter and I doodle about and make art.     These are some of my objects of desire.   I figured I didn't really need another pair of 3 inch heels, the closet has a bit too many boxes from years of shoe fetishing so I just drew them instead.   Lanvin, Victor & Rolf, Miu Miu, Loubutin, and Pierre Hardy.

 I love succulents and have learned through much trail and error they are probably the easiest plants to care for.    Little water, and pretty low maintenance.    I also love propagating them and giving them to my friends.   When they grow, they will think of our friendship.    This is a cute company that has adorable self watering planters.   grobalworld

For the serious photo collector.    This camera is gorgeous and elegant.    Not sure exactly what this will set you back but it is not recession friendly.   This is a lifetime investment.  Prob looking at about 6 grand.     If you like rangefinders this is the bently of cameras.

The amazing Veronique Branquinho is shuttering her eponymous line to focus on other opportunities.   She will be teaching at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and act as artistic director of Belgian luxury leather goods brand Delvaux.

Bio Courtesy of Branquinho's Website:

Born in 1973 in Vilvoorde, Veronique studied fashion design at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp (1991-1995)

In 1997 she presented the first collection under her own name in Paris, followed by the set-up and expansion of her own company in Antwerp.      I am sorry to see her line fold, but excited to see what she can do with Delvaux.    Good Luck Veronique!!

We have all been shopaholics at one point.   Not so much recently for me, but I do enjoy some good retail therapy.   Enough to recommend this book to all my friends.  

 Since the dawn of consumerism, women have decided what and when things are bought for their household and their families. From grocery shopping to buying new appliances, every purchase comes from her checkbook. On the other side, young women keep the retail industry flowing with their shopping trips with their girlfriends, and the gifts that are bought for them by their significant others for birthdays and other assorted holidays, (that is if those boys can remember). Bridget Brennan has written a guide for the development of products to be geared more successfully towards the gender that will in most cases be purchasing them. A must read for both sexes I'd say!


Author: Bridget Brennan
Published by: Crown Business

You know the shoes and bags, now look at the arm candy.   A must have for any jewelry collection, pieces from Roger Vivier beautiful and classic. Almost like wearing art on your neck or wrists, the pieces are graphic and eye-catching. Pick some up the next time you just can't say no to those signature buckled flats.