Guide To Modeling

The Wildest (But Still Cool!) Looks From NYFW

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

NYFW gives everyone an excuse for dressing to the nines. For us, that means sticking on heels that are higher than we'd normally wear on the subway, and lipstick that is brighter than we'd usually wear to the office. For others, it means going all out in outfits that were so, well, out there, it made us do a double take (even outside the tents). From bright color-blocking to wild hair accessories, these ensembles held their own in front of street style photogs and fashion mavens, though maybe not normal pedestrians. Go ahead, get a bit wild–click through 'cuz we're bringing you the most eye-catching looks of New York Fashion Week. While we may not rock each and every one ourselves, they sure were unmissable.

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Just In: Invest In This Major Marni Clutch (That’s Not H&M!)

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:30:00 +0000

While we can't exactly remember what President's Day is, we're thanking past POTUSes for giving us the day off. Get in the car, we're going shopping. Mean Girls ref aside, there's nothing like some free time to hit the boutiques (as long as they're not closed, too), and, when it comes to Miami browsing, the first destination tends to be Marni....a lot.

Among the spring '12 merch recently calling the Design Distric flagship home, we spotted this "Grey" clutch, a small work of art that we think is an intelligent investment. No day bag here—save this mini-masterpiece for gallery openings (naturally), glam cocktails, and a little high-end table dancing. We're way into the signature Marni details— overlapping geometric spirals made up of spiked cylinders topped with silvery glass beads cover a silk base, itself attached to soft black calfskin. And that zip-pull ensures you'll never lose hold of your brand-new buy, while giving you the perfect angle for maximum dangle (read: eye-catching exposure). Like all good art, let admirers look...but please, no touching. And no, girls, this ain't Marni for H&M.

"Grey" Clutch, $600, available at Marni.com and Marni; 3930 NE 2nd Avenue (between NW 49th and NW 50th streets); Suite 100; 305-764-3357.

Photo: Courtesy of Marni.

Exclusive: These Steel-Plated Mandy Coon Platforms Are Made For Stompin’

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:20:00 +0000

When we heard downtown cool kid Mandy Coon wasn't showing this year at New York Fashion Week, we were a little bummed. Her intellectual presentations, which always combine her more meditative leanings with exquisite, ethereal clothes, are always a high-point, but fans of Mandy shouldn't worry. The New Yorker hasn't disappeared: In fact, she took the season to prep her new line of ZOMG-inducing, steel-plated platform shoes.

The City Of Lights Meets Angelenos In This Lavish Lookbook

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

If there’s one place we’d kill to be when April or May rolls around, it’s Paris. Since that’s not going to happen this year, we’ll take the next best thing: ultra-chic French line April, May.

The edgy, clean-lined label is chock-full of wearable pieces with pops of subtle embellishment — drawing inspiration from both the City of Lights and the City of Angels. With a glimmering celeb fan base that includes stars like Jessica Biel and Ginnifer Goodwin, it’s no surprise it’s so in demand. Designer Diane Goldstein flawlessly fuses casual West Coast cool and Parisian sophistication, and if you ask us, the result is very Jenna Lyons-meets-Emmanuelle Alt. And the summer lookbook is certifiably impressive. Peep the pretty pics that will leave you yearning for a sweet Parisian stroll in the Tuileries (but are just as suitable for a Griffith Park picnic).

Photo: Courtesy of April, May

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This Is Our Jam: Charli XCX, "I’ll Never Know"

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:20:00 +0000

For a singer whose music is consistently referred to as “goth pop,” “I’ll Never Know” might just be Charli XCX’s sonic version of Goths In Hot Weather.

The result of a recent Redbull Catwalk studio project with designer Fred Butler, the track has Charli XCX’s patent, sultry vocals — somewhere between Pat Benetar and Robert Smith — wrapped around a bouncy steel-drum track. Nevermind the connection between an energy drink, a pop star, and an accessory designer, the resulting “I’ll Never Know” feels hot enough to melt Charli XCX’s trademark black eye makeup right off. Everyone loves a trip to the beach, right?

Charli XCX
"I’ll Never Know"

All music is for sampling purposes only. Please go out and buy the artists' records. If you would like for us to remove a track, please email us at feedback@refinery29.com.

NYC Broker Makes Actual Real-Estate Porn (You’re Welcome)

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000

First off, we'd like to thank our opposite numbers at The Observer for plucking this one out of the air. But more to the point, we'd like to thank New York City real-estate consultant Michael Meier – the host of his own YouTube series "Selling Higher with Michael Meier" – for taking time off from flying his plane, sailing his boat, and riding his Ducati to show us that the best way to sell a 4,500-square-foot Chelsea penthouse – a heretofore impossible task – is to grab a few beautiful models and have them get all up on each other in the hot tub. Housing crisis SOLVED. That's right – whereas we used to believe that thoughtful floor planning, good schools, and location, location, location sold real estate, we now understand that what buyers want to see is Estonian models getting real with each other in their future kitchen. Michael Meier, you definitely deserve that totally boss Ducati. (New York Observer)

Photo: via Selling Higher with Michael Meier

Is Free-Range Fur A Kinder Alternative? One Writer Learns, First-Hand

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:10:00 +0000

Without picking sides in the real vs. faux fur debate, we began to wonder if there was something to be said about going the free-range route. If you've heard of free-range chicken or eggs, well, this is along the same lines: animals live in the wild and are captured for food, pelts, etc. as opposed to being farm-raised; an extremely sad existence all around. Writer Jenni Avins raised the question as to whether wearing real fur can be justified as not being cruel if the wearer was able to trap it in its natural environment, and then skin it and sew the pelts herself. And, yes, she followed through to the T.

Working with experts in the field of acquiring, preserving, and fashioning furs, Avins learned to do it all and participated in every step of the process. We'll admit we got kinda choked up when she described the traps that "hold an animal’s paw until it’s 'dispatched' (i.e., shot and killed)" and almost lost our breakfast with the writer's in-depth description of how she skinned her trappings with her own hands — don't worry, we'll save the gory deets for you to read yourself.

After a few days, six experts, five fox pelts, and one recorded emotional breakdown, the result was — drumroll, please — a vest. Granted, we admire the investigative journalism and, quite frankly, her strong stomach, but is this kind of hunt-and-gather fashion really any better than the farm-raised option? Can animal murder for the sake of fashion be justified? Under any circumstances? Read the full account of this first-time taxidermist, and obviously, spill all your thoughts in the comments. (Vice)

Photo: Via Vice

Glitter vs. Silver: Which Spring Trend Shines More Brightly?

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Spring is coming and battle lines are being drawn in the fight to determine which trend will rule the season. For the Nine West Trend Face Off between the two shiny contenders for your favor (and your dollars) we’ve recruited a couple of our favorite, veteran bloggers to represent the contrasting styles. Working out of San Francisco, beautiful style blogger Laura Ellner of OnTheRacks will offer up buyable examples of silver trend pieces, while crafty, gorgeous NYC girl Jenni Radosevich of I Spy DIY will present sparkly goods representing the glitter trend. Vote for the victor yourself by tweeting #groundedbyglitter or #starringsilver. Now, hold on to something tight (like your credit card) because this fashion fight is gonna get fabulous.

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Miami’s Hottest Shoe Designer Lets Us Into His Sweet Sunset Island Casa

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

When we first spotted Matthew Chevallard, our once-over lingered particularly long on his camo slippers —they were badass, elegant, and just so good. Since then, we've learned he's the dude behind Del Toro, a line of shoes — oxfords, espadrilles, and wing tips — that have started popping up in droves on the toes of editors and A-listers alike. So, we were mega amped when the super laid-back designer (we're talking Judd Apatow movie laid-back), let us into his cluttered-cool Sunset Island home for a chill hang. Look for bright colors, collectable sneaks, and one happening desk in our exclusive pics of his bachelor pad, plus a golden lab and a white German shepherd that will make you go aww. Did we mention he makes custom pairs? Yeah, man. We'll send you a pic when ours come in. Do the same, won't you?

Click through to meet the man behind Miami's coolest shoes, and check out his super-chill Bachelor Pad.

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11 Ankle Strap Heels We’ll Wear This Spring

Brittany Adams — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +0000

There's nothing our shearling-and-rubber clad feet want more right now than a sweet, feminine ankle-strap heel. And (when it finally gets here) spring '12 won't be short on style with sole. In fact, we'll see the polished, sexy edge of a high strap on everything from wedges to stilettos. While we've got a few months weeks (fingers crossed) until we can strut around Chicago in these stunners, we can still feast our eyes and wallets on them right now. Click through and start shopping for the pairs (we might as well make that plural) you crave, right now. If you buy 'em, spring will come, right?

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