Posts Tagged ‘independent fashion bloggers’

Oh, Brave New World…

Edited by: Ashe Mischief of Dramatis Personae That has such bloggers in it! From a ballsy and confident "I Like Being Fat" at Return to Sender to Awakened Aesthetics post on greenwashing & buying American to Cake Not Coke’s expose on Venus Williams’ controversial courtside fashion, fashion bloggers are brave and bold. Just the way I like them.

Read the rest of this entry »

You, Only Better

Edited by: Ann Colville Somma of Holier than Now It’s a strange culture we live in: we’re always told Just be yourself!, yet the bestseller list is chock-full of self-help books and memoirs depicting radical change. Finding the balance between total transformation and chilling in our pajamas is difficult, but that’s why I love the blogosphere. Here, inspiration is served up one manageable bite at a time. Want to save the world? Start with vintage beachwear – the purchase benefits disaster victims. Hoping your man evolves into a sharp-dressed diaper-changer? Let’s begin with a chic- and sustainable- Dad’s day gift. Looking for your dream job? Take baby steps by revamping your work wardrobe and taking notes from inspiring entrepreneurs.

Read the rest of this entry »

Back from a little hiatus…

Spring Fever

Edited by Jennine Jacob Do you get spring fever? Oh man… the itch to run around outside in flowery prints and frilly laces gets greater and greater each passing day. To heck with chunky sweaters! This week we have a load of great spring style posts, Holier Than Now checks out cape coats, if you’re strapped for cash Out of Order gives the perfect 45min spring skirt tutorial, so cute! And girly clothes not your thing? The Demoiselles has a great homage to genderbending unisex looks. I’ve been thinking of doing a couple of days in menswear myself. Well, as soon as I learn how to tie the half Windsor knot. There were so, so many great links this week, it really was hard to narrow it down to 2o. Check out the full listing of Links à la Mode here.

Read the rest of this entry »

"Goth" for grownups– dressing for the office in Hot Topic’s team colors.

Red cardigan – thrifted

White ruffly halter blouse with awesome collar – some discount line from my old retail job

Black chambray slacks – ditto

Red flats – Naturalizer

Awesome trio of plastic bangles – some urban discount "trendy" store

Awesome collar!

How not to take a fashion photo – no feet

The Anti-Fashion Week

Edited by Dramatis Personae That isn’t to say that I’m against Fashion Week… but more that this week’s Links á la Mode just really isn’t focused on it. With amazing interviews from kaKofoniesOfsi(gh)lens, Fashion in My Eyes, and Eternal Masquerade to great features on vintage clothing from Retro Chick and Unfunded, there’s as much fabulousness on off the catwalk as on. Maybe it’s bitterness that I’ll be missing out on NYFW for the 3rd season in a row or maybe it’s my gentle heart preventing you all from Fashion Week burnout too soon…which it is, I’ll never tell. Note from Editor : Please be sure to check out the IFB Conference at NYFW : Evolving Influence

Links à la Mode: February 11th

• 39thandbroadway.com: – How Designers Really View Their Customers
• A Typical Atypical: – I chat about how hard it must be to love fashion and be blind, and I question whether there ought to be a charity dedicated to helping people feel good about how they look even if they can’t see it in the mirror.
• Cafe Fashionista: – Style Secrets: Symbol of Style. A how-to on creating your very own trademark/signature look.
• dramatis personae – How to Pack for Mardi Gras!
• Eternal Masquerade: – Interview with young designer, and Teen Vogue/CFDA/Target scholarship winner, Jennifer Huang.
• Fab Blab: – Even after all these years, we continue to differentiate between dark and fair. How does this affect the fashion industry adversely?
• Fashion Cents: – Seven Style Basics that EVERYONE should know! Make sure you are not committing these style “sins.”
• fashion in my eyes: – Fashion is supposed to be fun! Interview with designer Arina Varga
• Haute World: – A Mad Tea Party? An exclusive look at how 9 luxury designers interpret Alice in Wonderland for French department store Printemps.
• Instant Vintage: – Blood, Sweat & T-Shirts: Learning the true cost of that cheap and chic outfit you just scored.
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS: – Interview with Anna Osterlund of Ravishing Mad
• Model Max: – Are ‘respectable’ fashion writers insecure with ‘upstart amateur’ fashion bloggers?
• Oranges and Apples: – Is fashion oppressive or fun? some belated thoughts on Tanya Gold hating fashion
• Rags to Reverie: – Vivienne Westwood showed that fashion forwardness could be inspired by the past
• Retro Chick: – Top tips to on the spot dating of Vintage Clothes
• THE COVETED: – Devil’s Advocate : blogging and corporate seeding
• The Fashion Planner: – DIY: How to Make Naughty Granny Panties for Valentine’s Day!
• the musings of ondo lady: – Back in 2006 Slave to Fashion, a three part documentary was aired on Channel 4 which took a really good look at the fashion industry.The aim was to make sense of the multi billion industry which everyone from the media to consumers seemed to be obsessed w
• The Recessionista: – an hour ago Rebecca Taylor & Milly: Fashion Week Inspiration
• Unfunded: – Photos and thoughts from the Vintage Fashion Expo in Santa Monica, CA.The

The Love/Hate Relationship With Fashion

Edited by Debutante Clothing I’m always complaining about going out to fashion events by myself – I just don’t have many friends that are into fashion. While some people think fashion is frivolous and contributes nothing to the world, others are curating museum exhibits featuring 20th century clothing. This week’s links made me think about the love/hate camps in fashion. Starting with Grit and Glamour’s post on bloggers getting backlash from fashion insiders, Houndstooth + Tortoiseshell’s refreshingly funny admission of Tavi envy, or Fab Lab’s hate of people who hate. But there is some love in sight – British Style Bloggers reminds us to look in the mirror and love ourselves. Enjoy! Note from Editor : Please be sure to check out the IFB Conference at NYFW : Evolving Influence

Links à la Mode: February 4th

• A Dress & A Bike – Why breaking the love of one particular brand has been good for my personal style
• British Style Bloggers – Some gems to remember
• Debutante Clothing – Going to a Vintage Show? Insider Tips & Interview
• dirty hems – lacroix by lacroix
• Fab Blab – Why I Hate People Who Ostracize Fashion
• fête à fête – Review of Guerlain’s Spring 2010 Cherry Blossom makeup & the new Rouge G Le Brillant lipstick
• Friend in Fashion – Luxe Vintage
• grit and glamour – Fashion’s Knickers are in a Twist
• hello beauty! – Benefit Stay Don’t Stray: An innovative new primer to lock down shadows AND concealer
• Houndstooth + Tortoiseshell – Young fashion blogger incites curiousity, envy
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – Get Out There : How To Cover Events Without Feeling Like an Idiot
• Lillys Roses – How to DIY your own Chanel Jade nail polish
• Mariel’s Castle – Haute Couture 101
• Model Max – MAT GORDON: The ModelWatch Interview
• Oranges and Apples – Top websites for ethical shopping
• Retro Chick – Ethical Design Spotlight – Junky Styling
• Styletastic – To fur or not to fur?
• Stylist Diva – : Are Fashion Bloggers taking over the world?
• Tatiana Supports the Arts – Etsy Window Shopping: Queen Elizabeth I Roundup
• the brooklyn posh blog – He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, red hot
• THE COVETED – Pretty Dresses at the VioletvilleVintage.com launch
• White Rabbit – The inspiration behind my Merlixa Designs millinery collection
• [the3st] – Interview with Amy Smilovic of Tibi

Analogue Chic is included this week!  Check it!

A Touch of Frivolity

Edited by Retro Chick It’s been a long time since pay day and this weeks Links à la Mode brings a touch of much needed frivolity as we crawl into the second month of a new decade. Idiosyncratic Style takes Scooby Doo’s Velma as her style inspiration, Dirty Hems is inspired by dolls houses and Ode to Awe shows off her leopard print nails. Want something for nothing? A few Goody Gumdrops has an Aspinall of London bag to giveaway and Retro Chick (that’s me!) has 2 Valentine goodie bags to giveaway worth over £100 each. We’ve also got some great designer interviews and some practical advice. On a more sober note there’s some timely tips from Sway, Sway, Sway! on how you can continue to donate to Haiti without getting scammed, Shoe Daydreams discusses Tanya Golds “Why I hate Fashion” article and Ventures of Jenn shares her opinions on the body image debate. Bring on February! Note from Editor : Please be sure to check out the IFB Conference at NYFW : Evolving Influence

Links à la Mode: January 28th

• 39th and broadway – 5 Questions To Ask Before Beginning a Career in Fashion
• A Few Goody GumDrops – A Few Goody Gumdrops and Aspinal of London are Giving away an ever-so chic and sophisticated beige patterned skin clutch!
• Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style.
• Bonne Vie – Invest in Quality Denim; featuring How-To Tips from Denim Debutante
• Cafe Fashionista – Style Secrets: Cowboy Boots Made Classy
• Cindy Whitehead – The Modern Snow Bunny
• Denim Debutante – Aeropostale Gives Back with Teens for Jeans Campaign
• dirty hems. – In the Dollhouse – Miniature inspiration and a teeny resulting DIY
• Dramatis Personae – a feature & interview with the designer behind i am dorkas
• Fasshonaburu – I challenge myself to follow my own dress code regulations in order to wow up my day to day ensembles.
• fête à fête – Clarins debuts first certified organic beauty soap
• Idiosyncratic Style – Inspired by the sartorially underrated Velma Dinkley.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – IFB Presents : Evolving Influence Conference NYFW 2010
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS – Interview with Janeane Marie Ceccanti
• Ode to Awe – I review Minx Nails, plus my glamourous Russian Garnet cocktail ring
• Oranges and Apples – Vintage teenage hair inspiration
• Retro Chick – Valentines Day is on it’s way and Retro Chick has 2 goodie bags worth over £100 each to give away to help you celebrate!
• Shoe Daydreams – Fashion Influences (?)
• Style Eyes Fashion Blog – I have avoided eco and ethical fashion in the past because of the price but I have just discovered it is affordable and stylish.
• Style Symmetry – How to Choose Items at a Clothing Swap Party
• Sway Sway Away! – A passionate plea from a member of the global community to her fashionable brothers and sister: help Haiti!
• THE COVETED – Suzy Menkes, Facehunter, LeMads & The Coveted talk about fashion blogs
• ventures of jenn – on body issues

The Heavyweights

Edited by Dramatis Personae Fashion’s getting heavier– and I’m not just talking about the rise of supermodels like Crystal Renn. This week we’ve got meaty posts covering ethical topics like the sustainability of bamboo at Awakened Aesthetic while Bonne-Vie covers the the implications of buying items made in China. We’ve got not 1–not 2, but 3 AMAZING Interviews this week at Alice in Stilettos, kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS, and White Rabbit. Even Gala Darling’s post on her 2010 Style Direction could serve as a paperweight, it’s so chock full of inspiring images, details, and notations. As usual, there’s a fabulous collection of links in the forums for your continued reading pleasure!

Links à la Mode: January 21st

• Alice in Stilettos: – Interviewed brilliant 18 year old designer, Nathan Gerard!
• Awakened Aesthetic: – How Green is Your Bamboo?
• Bonne Vie: – At Bonne Vie, we talked about the impact of conscious spending on your wardrobe (and one girl’s journey to not buy “Made In China”)
• Cafe Fashionista: – Style Secrets: Stormy Sophistication. A comprehensive guide for the girl who wants to remain fashionable even in the midst of a monsoon!
• DailyDivaDish: – Vintage Broaches: 8 Unique ways to wear these treasures & more — includes many pics of different broaches & a DIY idea for reusing those with broken clasps.
• dramatis personae: – Following Your Instincts…When Meeting New People, When Shopping, When at Work, and When in Love
• Fashion Pulse Daily: – Ponders the significance of the C. Finley Wallpapered Dumpster Project
• For Those About to Shop: – nternational runway sensation Stacey McKenzie inspires aspiring models to be themselves.
• Gala Darling: – 2010 Style Direction: Psychadelic Ladies Who Lunch
• girl friday : – DIY Ribbon Necklace & Bracelet. tutoirial on how to make your own ribbon necklace.
• hello beauty! – In my post on Hello Beauty, I wrote about the new Bobbi Brown campaign. She’s using friends – not models.
• Idee Fixe: – Fashion and the arts charities supporting Haitian Relief on Idee Fixe
• In Life & In Fashion: – Make a “Most Coveted List” to avoid silly impulse spending! Includes tip on how to create your own list and what is currently on mine!
• Independent Fashion Bloggers: – How to Create Your Media Kit
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS: – My exclusive interview with Inbar Spector, an Israeli London-based designer whose renowned avant garde Bjork-inspired designs have been worn by celebrities such as Rihanna.
• Model Max: – A special report on the history of male modeling – from the 1980s to the present time, with short profiles of selected male models who remain successful even after modeling.
• Oranges and Apples: – Top tips for organising your wardrobe
• Retro Chick – The 4 things I’ve always wanted but never owned
• THE COVETED – Marion Cotillard and Franz Ferdinand team up for Dior
• the fashionate traveller: – the rock/burlesque/voodoo vibe that is alternative Sydney label Baroque & Roll.
• White Rabbit: – Introducing Sorcha Gillet, the Irish born textile designer and blogger.

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily This week, some of us looked back at icons of the past, such as // Fade to #c5c5c5’s Marchesa Luisa Casati, Fabulous Finds Gal ’s Horst photography post, and Cafe Fashionista’s take on Diana Vreeland’s famous quotes, while others looked at how far we’ve come, such as The Curvy Fashionista’s plus size fashion observations and A Dress & A Bike ’s thoughts on what it means to be sexy. Each post brought a unique angle to the subject at hand, and raised important topics of self-expression, style, adaptation, trends, individuality, and acceptance. It’s fascinating to examine our own fashion-related introspection, and think about how our inner selves, thoughts and feelings, are reflected through the clothing choices we make, the pairing of certain looks, and of course our writing and blogs. As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

Links à la Mode: January 14th

• // Fade to #c5c5c5 – Marchesa Luisa Casati inspire artists, designers and authors till this day, more than 50 years after her death
• A Dress & A Bike – Discussion of the trends of ’sexy’
• Alice in Stilettos – Runway Review: The Colors for Spring!
• Bonnie Vie – Discussing retail hell and how both customers and sales associates can contribute to better shopping experiences for everyone.
• Cafe Fashionista – Why Don’t You…? In the spirit of Diana Vreeland; a post featuring luxurious things one can do to make themselves feel fabulous!
• ’cause I’d rather waste my life pretending – Bites sized interview with Stephanie J, Editor In Chief of N.E.E.T Magazine
• Cool Mama Style - Is there an ideal pair of panties?
• Dedicated- Gets downright nosey with Nadia Izruna of the gorgeous & girly indie label Nadinoo
• Denim Debutante – teaches you about discrepancies in denim sizing
• Dramatis Personae – How to Custom Order Goods from Your Indie Friends
• Fabulous Finds Gal - Horst photography is a study in elegance, style and rarefied glamour that spanned 60 years
• Fashion Pulse Daily - Finds the Habillees series on the Sundance Channel to be the perfect elixir for another hectic fashion week soon approaching!
• Fasshionaburu – Reviews an indie label from Australia she discovered called Evil Twin
• Independent Fashion Bloggers- How to cover fashion week….when you’re not there.
• Le Quaintrelle - A collection of Hermes-inspired outfits from my own closet.
• M.I.S.S. – She’s Crafty – Safety Pin Epaulets & Fringe Lapel Pin
• odetoawe - Love for the movie Cry-Baby, and how to get Traci Lords’ rockabilly look
• Rags to Reverie - Fantastic plastic to slip on your fingers
• Skinny Buddha - Sending out some love to the artists creating handmade items
• Style Symmetry - Interview with Audi of Fashion For Nerds
• The Coveted – Snow boots? Winter comfort or style?
• The Curvy Fashionista - Plus size fashion has picked up major steam, inspiring both yeas and nays for the latest in V magazine- stating it just a trend- or is it?

Bring It On

Edited by Dream Sequins My job as editor this week was difficult as many bloggers decided to follow the fierce directive of that cult cheerleading movie, Bring It On. It’s a new decade, and the IFB community decided to “bring it” and then some. (Just to clarify, I’m talking about the original movie starring Kirsten Dunst, and not the subsequent, watered down sequels; because as fashion bloggers, we all have original stories to tell!) This week’s links explore topics such as winter trends, vintage fur care, biker chic style revelations and profiles of 70s and 80s style icons and are so good that they make me want to lead the group in a cheer.

Links à la Mode : January 7th

• 39th and Broadway – NYC Brings Opportunity to Emerging Designers
• A Typical Atypical – My style revolution takes me into the realm of the biker chick, and doesn’t look back!
• amanda lee dot org – Essential sewing skills for wardrobe maintenance
• Bobbins and Bombshells – Fashionable History – Airline Travel
• DailyDivaDish – Indie jewelry designer Debra Mitchell’s newest piece: Tibet. Part of the new SALVAGE line, this necklace is convertible and each contains a piece salvaged from Tibet.
• Darian Darling – The blonde fashion icon of every 80’s Hair Metal skank and rock star’s girlfriend!!
• denimaniac – Woolrich Woolen Mills S/S 2010 Lookbook
• Dream Sequins – A studio visit with designer Katie Gallagher
• Fashion Pulse Daily – We Love Colors will fulfill your legwear fantasy, as Fashion Pulse Daily quickly discovers!
• ferOHHHsh – Bryce d’Anice Aime S/S 2010 RTW … chic LBD’s, pops of red, and those spiked shoulders Rihanna made famous
• Gotham Hipster – Once you’ve indulged in Babycakes there’s no going back
• HiFashion – How to roller set your hair
• Idiosyncratic Style – The Personal Style of Costume Designer, Melissa Stewart
• Oranges and Apples – On the importance of critique in fashion blogging
• Retro Chick – 5 New Years Resolutions you can’t fail to keep
• sighsandwhispers – A history and analysis of the style of a notorious teenage groupie in the 70s, Lori Maddox
• Style on a String – An interview with Judy Kou, owner of the fabulous online dress shop – Sunday Brunch Dress
• Styletastic – We’re finding it hard to adjust to a new year at Styletastic, but here are some things we can all look forward to!
• The Bargain Hunter Extraordinaire – I already knew I was going to wear a black sequins belt and beret for NYE, but I wanted some fun shoes to add to the mix; I couldn’t find anything I liked though, so I decided “when in doubt, make your own”
• The door in my wardrobe – How to choose a vintage fur and take care of it – plus DIY repairing & maintenance for the brave of the heart
• wit & whimsy – The winter trends you should be wearing