V-V-Versace! What I'm Wearing Now...

Like LA loves prescription drugs and celebutantes New Yorkers love their black. And I am guilty of this as well.  But sometimes in the summer black can seem so...dark! Last week I stopped in Allan & Suzi's vintage store to add a little color in my life. Recently re-located from the UWS to  237 Centre Street near Broome,  it's a mecca of great designers of the past 30+ years. When I stopped by both Allan and Suzi were in and when I explained that I was a fashion blogger Allan's eyes lit up and he started rattling off specific pieces he thought I would absolutely love. (and he was so right) I felt like I was having my own private tour of the history of fashion featuring everything from a Hermes Kelly bag to vintage Lanvin platforms to insane '80s club kid gear.

I told them I was looking to add a little color to my life –starting with my wardrobe. Suzi told me she had the perfect dress for me and with a little flourish presented me with this Versace gown. I took one look at it and thought "No WAY is that going to look good on me".  As someone who is 5'3" when I stand up straight and not exactly curvaceous, the idea of wearing a full length column dress seemed insane. But not wanting to be impolite, and being a little bit curious,  I tried it on. And I fell in love. I felt transformed into some sleeker more sophisticated version of myself, and the experience taught me not to jump to conclusions as to what I can and cannot wear.

I won't be doing my everyday kind of shopping here but for special one of a kind situations I'll definitely be stopping by Allan & Suzi!
Also! Allan & Suzi have a space below their store that they are willing to rent out to a young designer as a workspace with the added bonus of having your clothes sold in the store. In addition they're looking for someone to help them part time with their website and social media –this would be a few times per week in the store. So if you're interested stop by and tell them you read about it on Style Defined!

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Springtime Fresh in the Summer at #LuckySocial

One more look from the other evening! Annie is wearing high-waisted pants from Zara with a black corset top by Stella McCartney for H&M. Not everyone can pull off this shade of green but I think it works well with her coloring and she has the height to carry it off. It's also nice to see style inspiration for pants in the summer! She's also wearing bracelets from The Andean Collection and heels by Prada.

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A beau with a bow - file under new york club kids

What can I tell you? These two leave me speechless. Happy, but speechless.

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New York Nightlife Style - Crazy Colorful

Anyone who thinks that style = expensive hasn't been out in the city. You may hate his style (which I happen to love) but have to give him props for creativity and fearless use of color.

And a little closer detail of makeup - shown with friends.

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Boys in black or white + color

These two have totally different looks but equally individual style: love the pants on the left-although the brown boots, are in my opinion, a flaw in an otherwise great look. His friend on the right is not afraid to wear white OR color - and I can't take my eyes off his green kicks.

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Seeing Red

No, she's not going to a Mad Men theme party –although her outfit is clearly inspired by the same time period– it's just how she dressed. I love when people aren't afraid to entirely commit to a style. My only critique would be that I'd rather see a sexier shoe. The red seems a bit too matchy-match with the off white accent not really matching. Other than that she's ready for cocktails at eight.

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Boy in Red

I love a boy who's not afraid of a little color. The top-stitch on the jacket is cool too.

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Color Coordinated

Rosson Crow is one artist with great fashion sense. I saw her all over NYC during fashion week and each time her ensemble completely caught my eye and imagination. ...I doubt it was planned, (tho' you never know) but I love how she's decked out in something that could be seen on a superhero and he has on the batman t-shirt. Also her eyeshadow matches his t-shirt. How brilliantly unexpected is that? So you tell me: was this planned or mere coincidence?

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Urban Tigress

I am digging everything about Pharah: The detailing in her hair, her gorgeous eyes and defined brows, the bright pop of gold that's her jacket and the red boots. This is a girl decked out to party and wearing clothes comfortable enough to go all night yet with enough glam to still get attention. You definitely want to know what after party she's going to...but I promised not to tell!

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Christoper Lee Sauve does The Big Top

Last night Christoper Lee Sauve had a runway show and pop-up shop at Big Top, Amanda Lepore's party at Carnival. A designer of witty and sometimes acerbic t-shirts, Christopher first became well known for his "SAVE ANNA" t-shirt a few seasons back and to quote from his website,

His current popularity began when rumors began to circulate the bloggosphere that ANNA WINTOUR was being replaced as editor of VOGUE. The now iconic t-shirt he created simply read: SAVE ANNA.

But it would be a less-likely, Bravo reality show vixen that would usher SAUVÉ into the mainstream,
“She would always say, I DIE. BANANAS. over and over again,” says the artist in regards to celebrity stylist RACHEL ZOE. “After I produced the shirt I received a letter from Zoe’s attorney saying that she trademarked the words ‘I Die.’ And ‘Bananas.’ I sent this letter to the press and a media sensation was born. How can someone trademark a fruit?” As a response to the cease and desist letter, SAUVÉ created the FREE THE FRUIT campaign which garnered support from around the globe. It was from this line that the ART (TM) BANANAS t-shirt, which is currently in production, was born.
 



I have been a fan of his since Save ANNA and not only is he super talented but he's a super genuine person with amazing energy. So I was thrilled to be a model in his show with many of the people I normally photograph including Malik So Chic, Jordan Fox, the many beautiful boyz of Manhattan nightlife, and of course Miss Amanda Lepore herself...wearing her own likeness on her t-shirt - of course! And along with the t-shirts were brilliant hats (shown in both photos above) by the fabulous Deryck Todd who will be debuting his full collection later this fall, and shades by Mercura.

So check out Christopher's website where you can order your own custom t-shirt to look pretty in because God don't like ugly!
***photos by George Perez. Thanks GeoXge! :)

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NYFW style trend -black & red

We all know that black is big with people in fashion and New Yorkers, so it's nice to see a bit of red adding a jolt of color. 

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Fashion Week: Night 4 was fierce and fabulous

I know that we just officially finished "Day 5" but I had to post a few photos from the Tommy Hilfiger party. I was going to stay home Sunday night but a call from my friend Aleks to come to the Tommy Hilfiger show and 25th Anniversary party got me out of Brooklyn. The show was too crowded to shoot but the party? A-MA-ZING! (so good I skipped another "exclusive" party to stay)

No I don't know what the hell this girl is wearing either but I could not keep my eyes off her. She has that kind of presence. Oh and she's gorgeous!!!

And these 3 are poptarts –I mean popSTARS in Japan. But I lost their card so if you recognize them let me know. And if you like more of the model-y blackstage photos follow me on twitter where I'll be posting them regularly.

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Making a Statement

Every once in a while I hear someone refer to an article of clothing as a "statement piece" and while  I'm not always sure what qualifies.. I think her jacket definitely does! She caught my attention immediately when she walked into the BlackBook Magazine party with her friends. It's a Stephen Sprouse design and I love the pop art aesthetic mixed with the glamour that comes from it being entirely sequined...which is kind of hard to see in the photo. A really great look!

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Seen at Black Book Magazine party

Last night I shot the Black Book Magazine party at the new Gansevoort Hotel on 29th and Park. It was a fun party full of pretty people. These girls were also really nice, and I love that they are wearing color! I find that I am wearing more and more black and with fashion week coming it's so easy to fall into the black uniform trap. So it's great to see fun flirty dresses that are fearless when it comes to adding a little color into our lives!

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Amanda Dolan at her opening

The fall art season has not yet begun and I've gone to two gallery openings this weekend. Painter Amanda Dolan art is decidely feminine -dripping with hearts and the color pink– but underneath there is something a little bit darker and edgier, not unlike the artist herself. Her dress split in red and black almost seems like a reflection of this...if we were to take it literally, which we won't. If you're in Soho check out her show at the Ward-Nasse gallery now through September 16th.

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Peggy Noland in her pop-up shop!

Designer Peggy Noland has a pop-up shop at The Hole Gallery with her crazy, colorful styles for sales. Check it out while you can.

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Trend alert: Shaved sides

I know I brought this up last winter but the shaved sides style has taken off and is here with a vengeance. What I hate are the girls with one side shaved and the other side long and stringy looking. It looks to me like they started copying Britney Spears head shaving fiasco and then suddenly stopped. But I do like the short on top looks on girls. Emma here is particularly adorable. Also love her shoes and Peggy Noland jacket.

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Ready for the Fall

Today was the first day in a long time that, not only did I not need to use the air conditioner (which I loathe) but could comfortably wear jeans. I love this mild in-between weather and this look is perfect for it.

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Gaga Inspired?

I don't know if Lady Gaga inspires more creative dressing or if she's just a reflection of our times but I suspect it's a bit of both. I'm not saying this girl is trying to be her, but simply that the idea of wearing a leotard as your main garment doesn't seem as strange as it would in the pre-Gaga era. I like the Lanvinesque jacket and her big glittery bag. But what I really love is her makeup (although the lip color clashes with the red on the jacket) I don't normally comment on makeup but her lips are a great color and look stained and glossy at the same time as though she's just eaten forbidden fruit...and she wisely kept her eyes simple and just a hint of blush on seriously flawless skin. See below for a better view of what I'm talking about!

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Two to Go-Go

These kids seem to have adopted the saggy hiphop jeans (at least hers) with the neon and colorful accents of the Eighties and made them their own. They also seemed to be gay until they started making out for the camera...so is it real or performance? Either way they're having fun which is never a bad thing and


I seriously dig these sneaks!

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