Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Know how vibrant your hair looks newly colored, when the subtle contrast between highlights and lowlights garners compliments from even complete strangers?

And then after a month of shampoos, things get very dull.

Enter Purology, with its its AntiFade Complex™, a proprietary blend of nano emulsion ingredients, including cleansers derived from coconut, corn and sugar, full spectrum sunscreens and antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E. Founder Jim Markham, who began his career as hair stylist to celebrities such as Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Frank Sinatra, stands behind the company's guarantee: if after four weeks you're not satisfied with the color-retaining results, Pureology offers a full refund.


If your salon doesn't carry it--and a quick survey of salons listed on the Pureology web site don't--contact customer support at pureology.com or 800-331-1502. They'll give you the lastest info on those which do.

Monday, February 21, 2005

Oooh la la!

French womenswear designer Kristina Popovitch is not yet a common name in the US but that all changes this month: Popovitch is opening her first store in Manhattan.

Popovitch uses deconstruction and technical detail in everyday fabrics, in an austere silhouette reminiscent of the early 1940's but with elements of Edwardian corsetry and 80s grunge. Unlike grunge, however, Popovitch's palette is rich and lively; her Spring 2005 Collection includes saturated turquoise, deep plum, and variations on a black/stark white theme. Burning and slashing, her pieces often reveal surprising textures peeping through the garment. The result is a Catwoman-esque sleek with an earthy sex appeal.

Check back for updates on store information and the debut of her website.



Kristina Popovitch's cat suit noir Posted by Hello

Friday, February 11, 2005

Don't Leave Home Without It

MIT as the new Central Saint Martins? Not quiet yet. But a new "smart" handbag from graduate student Gauri Nanda provides what most cutting-edge design doesn't: feedback if you're about to leave the house without your wallet, information on where you put your keys, even weather reports.

Named bYOB (build your own bag) Nanda's convertible creation is actually the perfect accessory: a bag one day, a scarf or a belt the next, all part of a "flexible, computationally-enhanced modular fabric-based system." Computer chips embedded in soft, fluffy lego-like fabric blocks snap together to form an object, thus becoming part of a sensor network. This communication network can then begin to communicate with people, other objects, and the environment.

Best of all, it doesn't take a programmer to install, just a little training, rather like a pet. Once the bag learns about your lifestyle, it can adapt by doing everything from displaying current stock prices to forecasting the weather, alerting you, for example, to take an umbrella to work.

Kate Spade, start brainstorming.

Tuesday, February 01, 2005


"Smart" Mustard Clutch by Gauri Nanda Posted by Hello

Friday, January 28, 2005

Jean Therapy

Navigating the world of jeans today can be overwhelming. Citizens of Humanity, True Religion. 7 for all mankind--obviously marketers today care little about the descriptive value of naming. Highly sought after but purposefully scarce Rogan jeans do no better. A description from their website reads: "We are re-approaching the core icons of American apparel and reassessing their functionality and aesthetic in a world transformed by the avant-garde." And you might mistake their past Collection images for indie film stills.

But OH, will you get compliments. Multiple washings and unique finishing techniques make each pair unique. Detailing includes bleached pocket outlines, unfinished belt loops, brightly colored contrast pocket lining, and unusual distressing and fading techniques that include drying in the sun.

Available in New York at Steve Allan, Barney's CO-OP and other select locations worldwide.

After all, your jeans are what make you unique.

Rogan's cooler-than-you look. Posted by Hello

Saturday, January 22, 2005


Andrew Andrew, consultants...of a fashion Posted by Hello

Dial "W" for Weird

Stuck for what to wear today? For free inspiration, ring design team Andrew Andrew’s Fashion Hotline at 877-RMX-0405 for their daily recorded message. But don't expect practical advice: the design duo is better known as the iPod DJs and designers of the 24k gold-plated security tag than purveyors of taste. Recent recommendations include the Post-It® as accessory, the grey trenchcoat (their hotel TV got one channel and they watched a hurricane reporter in one for hours) and shopping at Dress Barn®, where after spotting a woman wearing sneakers and a "super '80s" dress sewn to look like separates, they concluded once can get there something "that looks like a Margiella or Dries van Noten for, like, $10."

At the tone, start dressing.

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

Fashion Emergency

Six years ago a close friend invited me to her SPRING, OUTDOOR, AFTERNOON wedding to a then Microsoft executive. My outfit: a black tulle cocktail number with black hose, black shoes and a black satin bag. I stood out like a tall weed among a garden of flowers--the soft, pretty, pastel flowers in the dresses of every other female attendee. I still relive this fashion debacle at stressful wardrobing moments.

If only I had known about
Chic Simple's, What Should I Wear? Dressing for Occasions I could have saved myself much pain and embarrassment. Chic Simple founders Kim Johnson Gross and Jeff Stone have been dishing out tasteful fashion advice since long before Carson Kressley could walk. Itemized by season as well as by special event, their book is loaded with clear photographs of perfectly accessorized outfits, timeless advice on selecting quality pieces, tips on maintaining and storing last season's wardrobe and marvelous (sometimes hysterical) fashion quotes culled from popular culture and English literature.