Donna Karan Fall 2008

If F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous 1920’s playboy Jay Gatsby were a.) real and b.) throwing a party in Long Island in say October, he would no doubt be looking to befriend Donna Karan for some help and inspiration. Her Fall 2008 collection is a luxurious ode to the Jazz Age, full of rich earth tones, drapey silhouettes and a shift in accentuation from bust to hips. Unlike her 2007 collection which featured mainly black, form fitting attire this season’s look is all about glamour and nostalgia. Though far from practical for the most part, it will be interesting to see how this season’s looks will translate into the everyday attire of Ms Karan’s chic urban followers.

Possibly the best poster ever!

Everyday for the past month as I storm through Bond Street station on my way home I've been passing by what is probably the best poster I’ve ever seen. ‘If You Don’t Like Your Life You Can Change It!’ by Mark Titchner is just one of the ten works commissioned by the London Underground's Platform for Art program. This exhibition by the acclaimed Turner Prize winner explores the use of billboards as a traditional space for advertising or campaigning.

Titchner took phrases from some of the world’s biggest brands ‘vision statements’ and put them over a backdrop akin to stained glass, with bold Gilbert & George style coloring. He also added ‘We Want’ to the phrases, an idea which was taken from an anti-capitalist group’s ten point plan. The results are both eerie and thought provoking, especially when you take into consideration the environment in which there in. Whenever I pass by it I always wonder if anyone else rushing through the station has taken notice of it or enjoys looking at it as much as I do. There's nothing like having a good old think about 'the big picture' on the train ride home after a long day at work.

The rest of Mark Titchner’s exhibition is on display at the Gloucester Road station until April 19^th or if you want check out some of his other work visit http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/turnerprize/2006/marktitchner.htm

Music Lesson in Fashion

When my Mom took me to buy Dire Straits’ album ‘Brothers In Arms’ in 1985 at just four years old, I’m sure neither of us had any idea just how much of an impact it would have on my life. The single ‘Money for Nothing’ not only made me want my MTV, it also sparked my love for music and the culture that surrounds it. Fast forward to 1991, when Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ came out - by that time I was completely hooked on music and without realizing it I started to get into the fashion that went along with it too. The real excitement for me though came a few years later in high school where the uniform requirements there were much more liberal than my grammar school had been. I had the option to wear any of the five different colored skirts they offer, and more importantly whatever button down shirt I wanted (as long at it was tucked in of course).

Armed with all skirt options available thanks to hand me downs from my sister, I started out my freshman year dressed safely in white and shades of blue. In a school of 4,000 it was easy to blend in, which was exactly what I did until I made a friend who got me to be a little less timid and look around more. There were lots of people there but the ones that stood out the most to me were the music fans who roamed the hallway in fantastic style. Dr Martrins, pins and patches on backpacks, band t-shirts peering through faded white button down shirts, dyed hair – it was a like an artistic community unfazed by the preppy world around them.

That year I made some new and interesting friends, went to lots of great gigs and my style developed as taste in music did. While bands like the Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth and Weezer dominated my stereo an array of busy-looking vintage shirts, navy blue Dr Martin boots and oversized sweaters of my Dad’s from the seventies dominated my wardrobe. I also got a few more holes pierced in my ears, wore lots of costume jewellery and experimented with my hair-color every few months. Looking for stuff to wear was half the fun of dressing up in it. On Saturdays me and a few friends would often hop on the 7 train into the city so we could check out what was on offer the Antique Boutique and Cheap Jack’s on Broadway or Screaming Mimi’s on Lafayette. Nothing ever really fit but it didn’t matter. It was more about fun than fashion.

I learned a lot about having a personal sense of style from my adventurous days as a high school freshman, many of which still inspire me today. Most importantly, like the Keith Anderson songs says – “clothes don’t make the man” – or woman. The way you dress should be an extension of you, not a defining factor, so be expressive but don’t forget to have some fun.