SoHo Is Feeling It

Walking around SoHo today I witnessed something that the whole world has been talking about for quite some time now; a recession. You don't even have to be paying attention to hear the loud echo of sale throughout the streets, some as serious as "going out of business". As soon as you get off of the train you are slapped in the face with a huge advertisement for just another store fighting not even to make a profit off of the failing economy but just to break even. The SoHo blocks were more crowded than usual, they were filled with the usual mix of foreign and domestic shoppers trying to take advantage of the unbelievable prices. Hordes of people pile and and filter out of stores having big sales like Uniqlo; a store who's clothes never sported big price tags to begin with. While others seem not to be experiencing the same reaction from the consumers, stores like Lounge, who due to losing their lease is now going out of business and selling everything in the store for 50% off of the ticketed price. The only problem is that Lounge has a habit of marking up the price of their goods so the 50% isn't really doing much to persuade a knowledgeable consumer to purchase the goods from them when they know that they can go elsewhere and get it even cheaper. For those of you who aren't getting beat into a corner by the current market conditions this is an opportune time for you to get busy with the Christmas list, for you this year is historically the easiest year to be generous.

If I were CEO of a clothing company I would send out a memo: Our theme for the holiday is Recession! So our next sales event is going to be appropriately titled "Recessionary Sale".

SoHo

CURT@!NS

COMING SOON

Maha Gang!

Maharishi has provided us all with one of the coolest trainers all year and the crazy thing is that the model of the trainer is derived from that of the Vans Chukka boot but the difference is the fact that this trainer is a slip on. That's right ladies and gentlemen, no laces but there are two adjustable velcro straps going across the front of the trainer not only providing some kind of resistance so you don't come right out of your shoes but the straps also create a cool effect that gives the base of the trainer new life.

That's a good message, it was also an important message in Godfather 3.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God"

SoHo

Alife Denim

 The street-wear/ suggestive lifestyle brand that has made a name for itself by doing collaborations with the best names in the industry is now trying their hands at denim. You are looking at Alife's very first pair of denim and I must say I am impressed. It is a straight leg, selvage pair of denim which is the best way to start. Selvage denim and similar unwashed denim is the way of the now, the only way that I would wear washed denim is if I broke it in when it was dry and then I washed it. Alife is known for making quality goods so when it came to them making denim I expect nothing less than a quality denim and that is exactly what they have provided.

ALifestyle Like No Other.

Hypebeast

SoHo

Temple Spring Fling: Previously Unreleased

We have so much footage in our archives from Temple Spring Fling that we have decided to release it all, one video at a time. So if you are having a tough week and you just need to laugh head on over to L&F Personal and enjoy yourself. There are so many video's on there for you to enjoy plus the daily releases of the Temple Spring Fling footage, there has never been a better time to read L&F.

SoHo

Barbara Walters: Will Smith

I haven't seen the movie yet I seriously doubt that this is the most unexpected role that Will Smith has ever played before. Have we all forgotten about 7 Degrees of Separation? Who saw that role coming? I seriously want to know the real significance behind Will Smith because it is more than just a movie star, all of the movies that he play in have big ideas behind them and there is always a hint of truth, like a "if you choose to accept" kind of idea. Think back to the concept of Men in Black, then fast forward to iRobot and finally I Am Legend. There is something more to this man and I'm going to figure it out.

SoHo

The Stiletto Heel: Glamour and Appeal

I enjoyed my time at the exhibit so much so 

that I have decided to release the pictures of 

the best shoes from the exhibit. I will release a shoe a day for the next week starting on 

Monday.

To see the rest of what you missed: 

CLICK HERE

SoHo

Usher at Victoria's Secret Runway Show

Good performance and an even better show.

Enjoy.

SoHo

Dear America:

SoHo

Diddy As Bond?

Sean Combs believes that he is most apt to be the next James Bond so it should come as no surprise that his ad for his new fragrance I Am King doubles as his audition tape for the next Bond movie. I actually think that he would make a good Bond, what do you think. 

To respond email us @ l.fblog@yahoo.com and let us know what you think.

SoHo

LV features Madonna

I present to you the Madonna Louis Vuitton ad campaign. I know that most of you have heard rumors that she was paid $10 million to do these ads but Antoine Arnault, LV communication director has released a statement to NY Magazine saying that was untrue and the real figure was "no where near that number". I think that these shots are amazing, I like the look that they were going for. I think it's good when a team has a vision for the shots and they materialize it so well that the viewers can see the vision that you had in your head. I expect nothing less than remarkable from well renown  photographer Steven Meisel. Madonna might not have gotten $10 mill for doing the shots however word is that she received complementary LV goods along with the amount that she did receive. I wonder if she got those shoes in the deal.

SoHo

Who Will Dress Michelle?

Ever since the world first got a taste of Michelle Obama, we have been hooked; we can't get enough of the Obama's. Richard Simmons wants to be the ambassador of health and a personal fitness advisor to the Obama's. There are rumors that André Leon Talley is whispering labels in Michelle's ear and now designers are fist fighting to dress them, especially Michelle. The inauguration ball will take place in 2009 in Washington but designers have already sent in their looks for the couture dress that they would design for Michelle and some even include the children. When you really think about it you can't knock the designers, you know that Michelle is going to find a nice dress and when she comes out in it she is going to look good in it so why not your dress. One thing is for sure, designing a dress for Michelle Obama is like winning the lottery in these times of economic uncertainty because sales are going to go through the roof.

SoHo

10 Deep Winter 08 Collection

This has been a phenomenal year, everybody has stepped it up a bit more this year and you should expect nothing less than 10 deep. Enjoy the look book for their 08 winter collection.

SoHo

Pop International Award: Britney Spears

I've never seen this, have you? Apparently KL is a fan of Britney's work, I wonder if the feeling is mutual.

SoHo

Catch and Dress: Victoria Beckham

This commercial is an ad for Victoria Beckham and her collection. Our friends over at NY Mag said that this commercial didn't make sense but I am going to have to disagree with them on that one. This commercial is so artistic that I think you would have to watch it again and pay less attention to get it. Although the models are running from nothing and hiding from something or someone that never reveals itself that is only a distraction. The point that you miss is that every pose that they get into when they find that hiding spot is artist, like a still life photographers dream.

You be the judge.

SoHo

Shop For LaROK

Ladies I now present to you the jacket that you should be in by LaROK. I say that this is the jacket that you should be in for three reasons: 1) It's amazing. 2) It's not that expensive 3) Chances are your friends have never heard of it. Now when I say that this jacket is amazing, I don't really mean that it is amazing, I mean that it is incredible. The tailoring on it is remarkable, they didn't go too crazy with the buttons, keeping them big and black adds a good effect to the entire jacket any other color might be too much. The cut of the jacket is one of the most attractive things about it. It's like the design team took ideas from a well tailored mens blazer and altered the cut and fit to complement feminine curves. The jacket is a double breasted double knit which basically means it isn't made for everyone but if works well with your body you should definitely get it.

Oh yea and it is only $200!

CLICK HERE

SoHo

Alife x L&F

For those of you who said that L&F isn't slam hype, I say to you watch the video. Are you kidding me? Award Tour is family. L&F is everything, Life and Fashion, that encompasses every form of fashion. 

Living A Lifestyle Like No Other

SoHo

Karmaloop Presents: Justice

Our friends at Karmaloop bring us... Justice.

SoHo

Yohji Yamamoto: Coming Soon

What you are looking at is a scarf and gloves combination brought to you by none other than Yohji Yamamoto's new line Coming Soon. I'm not saying that the line is coming soon but the name of the line is Coming Soon. The combination makes good usage of a wool and cotton blend. This is the first piece that has been released from the collection and if this is any inclination as to what the collection is going to look like then I like it. If you wish to purchase it then:
CLICK HERE

SoHo

09 LV Collaboration Bags

Please ignore the nude guy holding the LV bag, he's just a genius and one of the best designers of our time, no big deal. All jokes aside the shot of a scantily clad Marc Jacobs is up here for two reasons: 1) He's holding a LV bag. 2) This photo was taken by none other than Terry Richardson. The bags that you see below are apart of a 2009 collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Stephen Sprouse, an artist with a taste for graffiti art. I'm actually a fan of the bag immediately below with the roses on it, I think that is a beautiful revision to an already beautiful bag. I'm not really impressed with the graffiti pieces but some women may like the attention that it draws. I dislike loud articles of clothing but there are people who live for attention and for those flies that circle the lightbulb every summer I say to you; enjoy.

For more work from Terry Richardson: 

CLICK HERE

SoHo

Press Conference in New Zealand: Kanye West

When Kanye isn't tired his interviews are comical. If you sit down and watch this press conference you see Kanye West "talking like it's just you and me". I don't know if being this real with everyone is such a good thing when your a public figure like Kanye West. When asked if he would do some sight seeing in New Zealand before he left his response was "I only wish to see the back of my eyelids." You have to appreciate him because he's just being real but at the same time the media is going to take sound bites of this press conference and try to destroy him. In his defense he did say once that he jokes to keep his interviews interesting and when it's quoted it seems cruel but that isn't his intention. 

"You gotta love it though somebody still speak from the soul" Kanye West

SoHo

Brooklyn Go Hard: Jay-Z

CLICK HERE

Bape Flannel

If you are looking for a warm flannel, one good option would be the one produced by Bathing Ape. The construction of this flannel is what impresses me the most, it will keep you warm (when layered properly) but is still light enabling it to be layered. The signature ape is displayed at the bottom of the shirt but the most interesting thing about the shirt is the elbow patches that the picture does not reveal, it is of the signature ape, which is a very cool detail.

-style note- 

The BBC flannel features the astronaut as the elbow patches.

SoHo

Lethal Skate

Every time I look at these guys they are reaching a new level and trying something interesting. One thing I realize about their clothing line is that it seems like they are trying to find their own lane, in an industry where everyone wants to look like what is cool and in they are striving to be individuals. Check out the skate team that they are assembling.

SoHo

King Magazine: Centerfold Photo Shoot

Our friends at King magazine set up a photo shoot where in which they got four beautiful women to pose for some sensual pictures in bikini's and heels; why wouldn't you watch the video?

SoHo

H.E.R: Great Scott Interview

If you don't already know Scott is one of the coolest people that you could ever run into on a SoHo Block. I did a post about him a while back and now he has returned to the pages of L&F with an in depth interview for High End Reality . This is an extremely informative interview if you pay attention, it is like a commercial in a way because the first time you watch it you might miss something due to the length of the video. I'd like to take this time out to thank Scott for sending me this video and if you see him on a SoHo Block shout him a friendly "good day chap."

For more info on Great Scott: 

CLICK HERE

SoHo

A Quote by Jay-Z

"Don't believe everything your earlobe captures/ it's mostly backwards unless it happens to be as accurate as me/ and everything said and sung you happen to see/ then actually believe half of what you see/ none of what you hear even if it's spat by me." Jay-Z


SoHo

Nylon TV: Lily Allen

"There are definitely things that come out that are really good but there are also things that are really bad and not just for me I think it's bad for other people, I don't think that celebrity culture is very healthy for young people." Lily Allen

Nylon Magazine

SoHo

A Quote From Nas

"Life! I wonder, will it take me under? Na, never that." Nas

SoHo

L&F Personal:

L&F Personal, either you read it or regret it.

CLICK HERE

Barbara Walters: Barack & Michelle Obama

"In only 55 days Barack Obama will replace one of the most unpopular presidents in modern history." Barbara Walters

SoHo

Original Fake Trainers

These trainers are one of the few low tops that I would consider this season. The high top has been in since February but this new collaboration between Original Fake and Visvim is something that I think you should seriously consider. Since Kaws collaboration with Marc Jacobs for the mouse flats a lot of us were anticipating the Original Fake trainer and for now this is it. Personally I like it and I think that this is one investment that you will not regret.

CLICK HERE

SoHo

A Clot Winter 08

Clot is starting to show its true colors, so to speak, with the release of their wool pea coat which has enough details on it to be considered a M65 jacket. This is honestly one of the best pea coats that I have seen in my lifetime and I have a feeling that it will be for some time. The cut doesn't look too slim from the pictures but one must consider the fact that the coat is open in the pictures and open coats do tend to look bigger. The gold buttons was a nice touch and the epaulette's on the shoulder (which originated in the armed service as a way to distinguish the generals from the foot soldiers) add a certain element to the pea coat that is matched by none at this time.

Bravo

SoHo

Pinocchio Story: Mr. West

"Do you think I sacrificed, a real life, for the fame and the flashing lights?" Kanye West

SoHo

Comme des Garçons: Accessories

Garçons accessories get dipped in silver this season. I find this funny that it was only recently released seeing as how the popular color's of last season were gold and silver. Bathing Ape released metallic gold and silver trainers last season and I thought that would have been the last of the metallic silver but I was mistaken so here is the latest release from Comme des Garçons.

SoHo

Happy Thanksgiving: 808's and Heartbreak

Please purchase the album.

SoHo

New KVA Trainers

Kris Van Assche you have done it again. These trainers are incredible and that is the simplest way that I can describe them. My favorite pair is the white pair and all I can think about is how beautiful they are going to look beat up. These are high tops that actually live up to their title of being "high" which is hard to find now a days seeing as how most of the trainers that we consider "high top" are only high enough to really be considered mid top. This is footwear to truly be appreciated.

SoHo

BBC NYC: 1 Year Anniversary

Are you in New York? Perfect! Friday November 28th 2008 the place that you are going to want to be is the BBC/ Ice Cream NYC flagship store because in honor of being up and fully operational for a year now they will be releasing this limited edition tee shirt. You know how the line is going to be and you also know that when they say limited edition they mean it, so just be there at two to three hours earlier; doors open at 11 am.

SoHo

Release Dates: Kanye West

Pastelle: January 09

Air Yeezy (Sneaker deal with Nike): March 09

Louis Vuitton Footwear Collection: TBD

Lets go over the facts here, Mr. West has come out to say that his clothing line, Pastelle will be released this coming January. His latest album 808's and Heartbreak was just released on November 25 (please purchase the album). The sneaker deal with Nike that cause such a stir is actually going to be brought to fruition by March unless of course the date gets pushed back again. Kanye has also been selected to work on a footwear collection with the legendary house of Louis Vuitton (what an honor) and lets not forget he promised another album sometime in the earlier months of 09. This man is going to be very busy building an empire in 2009.

SoHo

Rolling Stone: Britney Returns

This is a truly applaudable feat. The entire world watched as it all fell to pieces for this young lady and now she is looking as good as she did before everything happened. Judging from this cover shot alone one might forget everything that she has been through, incredible how blessed some people are.

Who God bless let no man curse.

SoHo

GQ: Designer of the Year

The Gentlemen's Quarterly magazine has named Thom Browne designer of the year. That's a major compliment for a designer, but do you think he really deserves it? Email us at l.fblog@yahoo.com with your response because we want to know your opinion on this one.

SoHo

Model of the Year: Jourdan Dunn

The Brit's have something to say and they shall be heard. According to our friends at Style the British Fashion Council has awarded Jourdan Dunn ,seen above walking for Gareth Pugh, Model of the Year. A big title for such a fresh face, I can't say that she didn't deserve it but she beat some serious competition: Sessilee Lopez, Chanel Iman and Agyness Deyn just to name a few. Congratulations to the new top model (non Tyra associated) and good luck to her in her future endeavors.

SoHo

D&G S/S 09

Some clothing lines never change.

SoHo

Acne S/S 09 Collection

How many ways can I express how cool this forthcoming collection from Acne is? I'm not sure but I'm going to take a stab at it. This collection embodies everything that they try to achieve as a company and what's more than that is the fact that fashion houses go 50 years trying to create a collection that represents them in a way that words couldn't even describe and fail, they fall short where Acne has ascended with this collection. This is now what I would refer to as a stand out brand, one to look out for because I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a beautiful design path. It's classic yet modern, vintage yet refreshing and most importantly of all it's cool. This is something that I would wear but at the same time I could see Ray Liotta dressing like this in his younger years.

Enjoy

SoHo

Terry Richardson for Vogue

I don't know if you read the post that I did last week about Terry Richardson and how cool he is but if you didn't then you did yourself a great disservice. Terry Richardson has been commissioned by Vogue to photograph beautiful scantily clad women in some risque poses which is right up his alley anyway. The idea behind this photo shoot is to create a calender with fourteen shots instead of twelve (don't know how thats going to work out but okay). The entire photo shoot has been released and you can take a look at it on the Hypebeast website.

Enjoy

SoHo

CNN: Michelle Obama

Personally I like this short report that CNN has done on Michelle Obama and I think that it is very appropriate and long over due. The only "stereo-types" that I think about are Bose and Yamaha. I say that because the idea of seriously considering a stereotype as a rational and reasonable way to view someone is ignorant and shows of a serious lack of education or information. The whole system of stereotyping came from a place that no one wants to willfully go back to; slavery. A time when the slaves with the farer skin were favored in order to create a sense of animosity towards them from those of a darker complexion and spread jealousy through the entire plantation, the idea was in order to keep them from uniting and over throwing the master instill these feelings in them and let it spread through their population so that even their children are affected this way they will be too busy fighting with each other to fight us. That was a time when ignorance triumphed and rationality and better judgement was tossed aside, we don't wish to return to those days America; do we? I promise you that the reciprocation of an attempt to re-instate that kind of thinking and behavior in this country will not be as well received as it's inception was. If you wish to be viewed as a professional, respectable, educated and valued member of society then I suggest that you carry yourself as just that and nothing less. Leave the stereotypes to the simpletons.

Beside every great man is a woman that made him better.

SoHo

Conan O'Brien: Kanye West interview

This is a good interview for those of who who has fallen out of love with Kanye West. This Kanye is a mature, well mannered man and what comes out in this interview is the fact that he hasn't forgotten where he came from nor lost a sense of who he is. This is displayed when he goes into the segment about the ways in which members of his family participated in the movement and what he is going to do to bring about change in the media world for the better. I must admit I myself am guilty of running up on a celebrity with a camera, without their permission and I understand how rude that is and how uncomfortable that must make then feel. I am not a professional photographer and it wouldn't make it right if I were so I'd like to take this time out to issue a public apology to Pharrell Williams for my actions on 7/30/ 2008. There is no excuse for the way in which I acted and I should have shown more consideration for your personal space. I'm sorry.

Jason "SoHo" Burke

Ellen D'Generous: Beyoncé Interview

This interview is really the first time that I have ever heard either Beyoncé or Jay-Z admit that they are married. In a way its funny to hear her openly talk about it and at the same time it really takes the fun out of the whole thing. I think the fact that they were so secretive about everything is what made it so fun to follow and I imagine that it might have made it interesting for them as well but now that it's okay to openly talk about it will they make appearances together besides when the media catches them being normal people in public? Heaven only knows.

SoHo

New Pierre Hardy:

When you think about Florida what comes to mind? A rigged election? Maybe retirement, palm trees, sunshine and Miami beach. Well these trainers that you are looking at is Pierre Hardy's interpretation of Florida. I mean he didn't stray too far from the original formation of his signature trainers and he's pretty much on point with the colors so I'm not against them. Just keep in mind that the inspiration was Florida so maybe they will work better in that environment.

SoHo