Do you Rami? Run! Don't Walk...

If you've seen project runway season 4 then you'd know that Rami Kashou was the runner up of the competition. If you haven't seen the show and know nothing of this man then allow me to help you out a bit. Rami Kashou was the most cohesive and strong minded competitor of the whole season. His understanding and appreciation for the beauty of the female body is definitely a plus. His love is draping and personally I think thats what makes him such a good designer because when you drape a dress on a woman it's custom made for that woman or dare I say "Couture". However Rami's show in fashion week NY for the finale of the show has shown the world that there is so much more to him than drapery. What I didn't know was that Rami has had a line prior to the show and still does have a line which according to him isn't doing bad. I recently ran into Rami in NY (don't worry about where) and we had a very interested conversation about what he's doing now and the direction of his line and I don't have to say much because his clothes speak for themselves just know that I cant sit still looking at his line; incredible. You can see for yourself, don't take my word for it. Check out Rami Kashou

Your Welcome

SoHo

Do you Rami? preview...

Have you ever seen project runway season 4? If so stay posted, if not stay posted anyway, you won't guess what I have to talk about...SoHo

This Just In...

remember where u saw it first

SoHo

Great Bathing Ape!

Hello dunk heads and sole collectors, meet the unreleased "Sponge Bob Bapes" these sneakers haven't grown on me yet however I recently paid a visit to the Bape store and I'd like to retract a statement that I made in a post about the "Bape Panda Hoody" which I don't think it looks that bad. I must admit going to the Bape store made me want to wear the line again. If your looking for some sneakers that are going to be one of a kind and stand out I think you should purchase some Bape's. You can either visit the store in SoHo on Spring and Greene or you can visit the cliff edge website whose link has been newly added to our list to the right. The sweaters are cool, the jeans are hip and the sneakers that are coming out are worth the wait. How do I explain my previous bad review of Bathing Ape? Well I can just simply say that I haven't been to the store in a long time. I might not agree with the super hero hoods and the timberland laces in the leather Bape's but on a whole the line is cool. To answer the question if its fashion or foolishness... it's fun! 

Enjoy

SoHo

Are You Ready?

Ladies and gentlemen meet Liezeal. Don't worry about who she is and all of her personal information. The question at hand is are you ready because this woman is so ready for spring. When she walked in with the jeans (which didn't come like that) I thought: love at first sight. Now if the jeans were skinny, even more destroyed and she had on heals i would be telling you about how this was my new girlfriend. I've been waiting to find someone dressed well so I can talk positively about them and here she is. Bask in her forecast for spring; Enjoy.

SoHo

Ladies!!!!

Ladies listen to me carefully! Please follow the YSL link at the side of the page, proceed to the women section of the site and click shoes. The very first shoe you will see is in the top left corner, it's called "Patent Leather 105 mm Pump" once you see those shoes you'll understand all the exclamation points. The price before tax is $595 so if you can afford it please procede to purchase those because those shoes are water on a 105 degree day. If you cant afford them right now no worries YSL shoes dont sell out that fast so you have about two weeks; I'm thinking overtime. Once you purchase the shoes and you wear them email me and tell me how many marriage proposals you got that day.

SoHo

The Landing of Lanvin

If I've told you once then I've told you a million times, high top is in; refer back to the "Aim High" post. I gave you one good route to take to high top success, that being the great YSL. Well here's amother line that has an excellent selection of high top sneakers and clothes. I've seen the paris runway show for spring 08 and I thought it was nice but other shows overshadowed it. However the time to reveal what you've been working on all winter is approaching so get your high tops ready. We'll see who reads L&F from who doesn't, dont miss a beat. To get a more indept look at everything that Lanvin has to offer check out: LANVIN

SoHo

Be Kool

If you seen the picture and your expecting to read good reviews and positive thoughts on this fusion of Reebok and Kool-Aid then you've definitely made a wrong turn somewhere because your reading the wrong blog. Who are they targeting with this marketing strategy? Sure I liked Kool-Aid as a child but seriously are they under the impression that I liked it so much that I would want a pair of Kool-Aid sneakers and a matching Mr. Smiley hat? This is a good laugh and that is all.

SoHo

Appearance is everthing

Gisele Bundchen looks beautiful and the dress is perfect but why is it that Lebron was made to wear the clothes that he practice's in? We see the man in basketball shorts and athletic tops all the time thats why I was exciting about him being on the cover of Vogue. For one because he's one of the most electrifying basketball players out right now and two because I was eager to see what suit they would display him in but instead I find this, this insult to my intelligence. I've seen Mr. James hit red carpets and dress himself better and the expression on his face doesn't match hers. I expected so much more from Vogue.

SoHo

FYI

Pharrell Williams also designed the LV Millionaire shades. These shades were an instant hit and it isn't hard to see why. The design is fitting for the current shades trend; small frames are out just in case you didnt know.

SoHo

Everything that shines

The new Louis Vuitton jewelry line designed by Pharrell Williams.

Enjoy.

SoHo

"Cant leave rap alone"

Well readers it looks like he wasn't playing when he said "I can't leave rap alone the game needs me". I'm talking about rapper Jay-Z known to the business world as Sean Carter. Dressed rather dapper in Tom Ford for the 08 Grammy Awards; Jay-Z is definitely a power player. I cant name one thing that this man has done that has been a bad business investment, Warren Buffet look out. Now DJ Clue has leaked a new track entitled "Aint I" by the great Jay-Z and its said to be on his new album entitled "Blueprint 3" this would be the third installment to the Blueprint series, yes thats right this rapper has series, about 10 albums. Whether the album will really be released or not is unsure at this point but you know we here at L&F will keep you posted.

SoHo

Just in case you've never seen it.

Here it is, currently unreleased but 

it's Kanye West's "Good Morning" video

and no I didn't tape it myself; 

my hands are steady.

Enjoy

SoHo

Across The Pond

Enjoy

SoHo

Remember this?

Best video. So futuristic.

Enjoy

SoHo

More Nonsense!

I know this is old but I still have to address it because history repeats itself.

What is this that I'm seeing people wearing? Half notebook, half sneaker, do you really believe that this is cool? Nike dunks are cool kid clouds but this is just non sense; seriously. When I think of dunks sneakers like the Mork and Mindy, Undefeated, Olympics,  Dontrell and Pharrell come to mind (follow the Flight Club link). However this doesn't belong on anyones feet and if thats not bad enough it's being paired with this New Era fitted cap.

I think this is a clear display that the design team at Nike is running out of ideas and creativity is just out of the window. It looks like "just release anything they'll wear it anyway." I think its time to show them they we have more sense than that; don't you?

SoHo

As Promised

Well ladies I promised you the more affordable alternative and  here it is; Longchamp. You could be the owner of this Longchamp Le Pliage large handbag for as little as $135. Longchamp bags are simple but yet chic and dear I say cool (for women). They get the job done and are easy to work with. Good quality bags at good prices, however the bigger the bag the more expensive its going to be but just as anything else that runs a little on the expensive side your piece of mind comes in knowing that your purchasing a quality item that is going to last a long time. You don't have to take my word for it go see for yourself the picture above is just the most noticeable bag in the longchamp family you can find plenty more affordable and trendy bags here at Longchamp. 

SoHo

Solid Gold Iphone Like Im Richy Rich???

From Gold Blakberrys To Gold Iphone??

He just likes the "Richy Rich' Aspect of things

I think a gold Macbook is next...

Don’t forget to tune in to BET tonight and catch N*E*R*D perform “Everyone Nose”

{P}

Y? SL

Ladies this is the YSL Muse bag. Muse bag say a very friendly good day to the ladies. If you have already met the Muse bag and are well acquainted with it then congrats on your insightfulness. However if you do not already have the bag you must know that this bag is a women's must have; so go get it. The large Muse retails at $1,195. Now I'm not saying kill yourself I'm just saying a little overtime goes a long way. If you can do it by all means go for it but if not don't feel bad tomorrow there will be a more affordable post that is also a must have stay tuned.

Always

SoHo

Blow it all on the bag!

Spring 08 this is what you have to do; blow it all on the bag! Put every penny into the bag and make sure everyone knows that you spent everything you had on the bag. You might ask yourself how would everyone know that I've spent it all on the bag? The answer is quite simple, when you dress like this woman in the above picture it will soon become evident to the public that you have spent all of your money on the bag. Fendi and sketcher's don't work well together and the two tone jeans suit just isn't working and never was so people please... DONT blow it all on the bag. Work with items that are fashionable and within your range. You can look great in anything as long as you put it together properly.

L&F

SoHo

Goldmine Fashion Show

This event is a must see. The hostess and her team is working round the clock to make sure that everything goes according to plan. I'm looking forward to seeing the Award Tour Line and the Alien line but I'm sure I'll see something else in the other lines that would impress me as well. Hope to see all of the L&F readers there too.

SoHo

Hit the runway!

Now if I were her runway coach or the designer of the line that she was walking in I'd be infuriated but Im not so I find it funny. This is Paris Fashion Week and I doubt she will be hitting the runway again anytime soon if ever again.

Enjoy.

SoHo

Bape. Fashion or foolishness?

When I was a senior in high school in 2005 a Japanese clothing line by the name of Bape exploded onto the U.S. scene. At first the sneakers were the most coveted thing in every neighborhood. Every pair is exclusive and limited and no two pairs are exactly alike so once it sells out its gone forever. Then the sweaters and jeans became the must have items and before you knew it the line was an instant classic. It became a craze, the people that had fallen in love with the sneakers wanted more so they consumed everything that they could from Bape keychains to Bape slippers. Now two years later I am disappointed to say that the future of Bape looks dim or at least not as bright as it did one year ago. Bape has released a serious of apparel over the last six months that I do not exactly agree with. For example a superman sweater with batman ears on the hood was released along with a slew of other DC comics super hero's. Then recently sponge bob footwear was released by the company and now today I see that hypebeast has released pictures of the newest installment in what "E" (a good brother of mine) and I refer to as the foolishness; Bape panda sweaters. Follow that link and you be the judge. Is this fashion or foolishness?

SoHo

Valenti_NO!?!?!?

When I first heard that Valentino Garavani was retiring I didn't believe it. I intially thought that he would close the doors on the fashion house but then I heard that the company was purchased by Permira (a private equity firm) and the line would continue on without Mr. Garavani. The idea really marinated in my head when I read the style section in this Sunday's Times. Then I saw the runway show that the new creative director Alessandra Facchinetti put on in Paris' Fashion Week and upon viewing that show I have difficulty believing that Garavani himself didn't design those pieces. I knew that Facchinetti was previously the creative director for Gucci after Tom Ford left but little did I know that she would be so precise with following in the Valentino legacy and so fast too; Valentino just retired in September of 07. I was really expected this show to be something distant of what Valentino customers have come to know but that was not the case at all. Was this just a case of luck or is she the perfect fit? For now it appears so but all is revealed in time so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Stay tuned.

SoHo

Marc who?

Where ever there is a Marc Jacobs store you shall find SoHo B. For one simple reason, he makes damn good clothes. Most people dont know this but Jacobs worked as a designer for Perry Ellis and in 1997 he created Louis Vuitton's first ready to wear line. His clothes are distinctive yet easily worn everyday, they are sophisticated yet chic, they are loud but somehow subtle at the same time and Im just obsessed with his Marc by Marc Jacobs line for its wearability. Take some time out and follow the link to the right and you might grow to understand my sentiments on the subject.

SoHo 

Aim high!

Fact: High top is in

Opinion: YSL is a luxury line that's actually worth the high prices

Fact: Low tops are out

Opinion: The YSL Rolling Sneakers are the best high top sneakers to acquire right now

If you had to make a decision off of someone's opinion why not mine?

Not convinced?

Follow the link to the right for the YSL site.

SoHo

There's no place like Homme

Kris Van Assche creative director for Dior Homme talks with Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune about the Spring 08 collection for Dior Homme. He talks inspirations and explains a lot of the outfits that otherwise might not be so easily interpreted. Simply a must see.

SoHo

Oldies

Nudie jeans. This is a must for the 2007 mens closet but seeing as its 2008 I dont think it would be a good idea to stock up on them now. Maybe one dry denim pair and one washed pair but thats it. They are a great pair of jeans to own and the moment you try them on the become your favorite but I think that the brand has become too popular in the last 3 months and has lost the exclusivity that it once had.

SoHo

Show Time!

Location: Paris

Event: Fashion Week Spring 08

Designer: Alexander McQueen

Now I know what your thinking. Your thinking is this fashion? Seriously now one of the women is wearing a dead bird, while another has butterflies in her hair and then there's a dress with over sized clothes hangers attached to it. So I ask you again is this fashion or are these pieces too costume esc to be considered fashion. YES! I say unashamed of my response yes this is fashion and it is glorious. What may appear to you as an overcompensation for the lack of something translates to me as creativity and innovation. It's fashion week, its supposed to be a show and there is nothing to compensate for the dresses are exquisite aside from the oversized head pieces and other various distractions. Besides when have you known Alexander McQueen to design anything average or normal? Even his prêt-à-porter can be considered weird at times. However I love this show, I was captivated by it as soon as the first model walked out. This is what the runway is all about; creativity. Oh and the butterfly idea; genius. Im at the edge of my seat to see how next season's shows turn out because I was extremely pleased with this one.

SoHo

Black Garbage Bags...

Well Feb 27th should go down in history, it was a good day for true fashion lovers. On the 27th Canal street was raided by cops and agents from the mayor's office of special enforcement. Well to be exact the block of Canal st between Centre st and Baxter st was completely shut down due to the proceedings of the officers, buildings on both sides of the street were raided. Official's say that over $1 Million in fraudulent bags, clothes and watches was confiscated. The part that threw me off is that people were genuinely upset about this action and feel that there anger is justified. The items confiscated were unlawful due to the fact that the were fake, not produced by the company that they were made to mimic. The economy is doing bad enough already, this action will do more good than just from the fashion aspect. Im sure this is what the good Mayor Bloomberg had in mind when he first ordered the investigation. My only question is why now? I've personally known of the fake boutiques for years. Its a well known fact amongst New Yorkers and most tourist alike that for cheap imitation "luxury items" Canal st is the place to go so why only now have these actions been taken against it? However a victory is still a victory no matter how small and that is definitely one small step in the restoration of order to fashion. We need to take a strong stand against the foolishness. The new slogan is "NO FAKES IN 08!"

SoHo

Supporting Details

New York listen to me, It was just earlier today that I posted talking about the Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas Speedy Bag. After said post I then ventured to one of my favorite spots in N.Y. (SoHo) to hang out with some good friends of mine and while walking through SoHo this is what I found. Didn't I warn you that the Damier bags or imitations of the damier bags are falling into the wrong hands? Now I cant judge this one as far as to say fraudulent or authentic because I am not an expert in the field however I can say this was possibly the worst way she could have worn the bag. No justice at all to the bag, no respect for the brand and no sense of fashion; disgusting. 

SoHo

Bravo!

A personal favorite; YSL delivers once again. This couture house is nothing short of brilliant; Stefano Pilati does not disappoint. Now here is a line to be truely appreciated

Enjoy

SoHo

Everythings bigger in Paris?

Stella McCartney shows her collection in Paris Fashion week. Keyword in this collection: oversized. I love it.

Enjoy

SoHo

Slow and steady wins the race

New York please I'm begging you, no more! The Damier canvas speedy bag is finished. Take your $700 and spend it somewhere else preferably in YSL (shameless plug). I've personally seen 20 of these bags in the right hands with the right outfit and in the terribly wrong hands with the worst outfit ever pieced together so N.Y. if you don't already have it you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you purchased it now. Heed my warning N.Y.

SoHo

"I Know" but do you?

New Jay-Z video. "I Know" a single from his latest album entitled American Gangster. Hand claps to Zoe Kravits who was featured in the video and congratulations to Philip Andelman; the producer of the video. He has worked with Lenny Kravitz, Kelly Rowland and John Mayer previously on their video's. I love this video because it is so cinematic. Nothing short of outstanding. Enjoy.

SoHo

Teyana Rip's The Runway

OMG! Teyana did what? Thats deplorable! Well it wasn't at all bad. She was just having fun, isn't that what she was first known for anyway; vogue dancing? If you take sometime out and check out her myspace page you'll find that there are so many picture captions with gay lingo or as they say cunt. Between that and the boyish fitting BBC jeans there is alot left to wonder. Thats all I keep hearing. Well TT let the haters hate thats what they are there for, that is how you measure your success by how many haters you have. I say keep up the good work. Besides she's young, I believe she's only 17 now. So if she wants to rap let her rap, if she wants to sing, then she shall sing and if she so chooses to vogue down the runway at BET's Rip The Runway then let her do it. Why? Why not? She's Teyana Taylor the princess of Star Track. Let her have her fun. I say Teyana vs Malechi down the Runway, lets see that one.

Also catch the video premier of "Google Me" Teyana's first single on MTV's TRL airing on Feb 28th.

 

SoHo

Atrium?

Ever been to 644 Broadway street? No!?!? Then I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you've been missing out on one of NoHo's best boutiques. Do you see the scribbling on the door that appears to go on forever? That is a list of the designers carried by Atrium, what they don't tell you is that everything in stock is limited and are most likely Atrium exclusive's so if you get it your not going to find too many other people with it. The moral of the employee's is high and the assistance you get is unparalleled its like every sales associate is likely to become your personal shopper and they will stay focussed on you until you feel like you have found something you like and are comfortable with. So next time you need an exclusive outfit head out to 644 Broadway; Atrium.

SoHo

Who?

Ever seen these two characters before? If you haven't then you've been either living under a rock or you just haven't been paying attention. If you can think back to the summer of 2006 when Busta Rhymes released a hit single entitled "Touch It" you would remember that what caught and held your attention most was the hook for the song "touch it, bring it, babe, watch it, turn it, leave it, STOP! format it". That was actually a sample from this group above. They are Daft Punk. More recently responsible for the hit single "Stronger" from Kanye West's Graduation. The hook for that song was a Daft Punk sample as well and they even made an appearance in the video to the song. Get used to the spacey helmets (which might be fashion must haves in 2 years) and futuristic sound because these guys seem to be here to stay.

SoHo