Friday, July 27, 2012

Project Runway: Candy Challenge

ATTENTION: Spoilers Ahead!
These designers are not making picking a favorite easy for me this season! I love that most of them are staying true to their own design aesthetics, even if they do not think it is the best decision for judging.

Heidi Klum, dressed in a plaid dress with an accent leopard print belt that I think looks a lot like one of the dresses I used in my "sneaker wedges" post, greeted the designers at the runway. Post introduction, the designers met up with Tim Gunn at Dylan's Candy Bar. By now the designers have put two-and-two together that this is the materials challenge, during which designers are required to make pieces out of not so ordinary materials such as candy.

"Evil" twin Gunnar
Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

As always the designers are given a time restraint and left in the work room to let their imaginations run wild. The rivalry between the "good" and "evil" twins, as referred to by contestant Christopher Palu, continues to fest as Gunnar Deatherage continues to believe Chris feels "threatened" by him.  After winning the first challenge, I honestly think Gunnar is the last thing on his mind.  This is such a difficult  contest to win, and you cannot get distracted by the pettiness of others.

Heidi says "Auf wiedersehen" to Lantie
Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when Heidi's debuted her second outfit on the runway.  A snakeskin sweatsuit.  While this outfit would have been great for movie night with your family, and we all dig a little snakeskin, let's stick to one accent piece that doesn't make us look sloppy, yes?

Melissa's Look
Photo: buddyTV
Photo: Huffington Post Video Shot

Do I think the right person went home this week? No, not necessarily.  I guess I was kind of expecting Elena to go home. I think her designs are old and used.  We already have designers who create pieces with sharp, bold edges.  Don't get me wrong black is my favorite color, there is no reason why you cannot create something that stays within the rules of the challenge and holds to your design aesthetic.  Melissa created an all black look out of licorice that looked almost identical to real leather as her model graced the runway.

Elena's Noodle Suit
Photo: Huffington Post Video Shot
Photo: Lifetime Video Shot

I wanted to give Lantie one more try. Although her outfit did not embrace the candy element to it's fullest potential, she did use candy and her design was wearable. She was one of the older contestants this season, and I really wish I could have gotten a chance to see more of what she could do with real materials.  Part of it could also be my vendetta against Elena. Elena seems rather bothered by the judges heavy critics, all of which excluding the fact that pina colada licorice keeps shedding from the dress. Michael Kors was right in saying that she presented herself in an arrogant way for being in the bottom three.  


Ven's Look
Photo: Lifetime Video Shot
Photo: buddyTV

Sonjia's Look
Photo: buddyTV
Photo: Lifetime Video Shot
I almost agreed with the top three contestants, Sonjia and Ven definitely deserved to be there.  Did you have to put Gunnar in the top three? I know he made his own accessories out of candy, but now we have to listen to even more ranting on his behalf. Instead of Gunnar being the third finalist, Alicia's candy take on over-alls or Dimitri's candy-beaded flapper dress could have easily snagged top spots. 


Alicia's Look
Photo: Huffington Post Video Shot
Photo: buddyTV

Dmitry's Look
Photo: buddyTV
Photo: Huffington Post Video Shot

Sunday, July 22, 2012

What to Wear to a Music Festival


WARNING: 
This is not the place to look classy or chic. Load up on your brightest attire because you are headed to a place where neon thrives! 

Tie-Dye
Here is your chic, Hippie Chic.  Everyone is experimenting with different dying techniques, and it is relatively easy to find cute pieces almost anywhere.  If you can't find what you are looking for, why not throw a tie-dye party.  That way you and your friends can all rock pieces of art personally created by YOU!

Bathing Suit
I made the mistake of not bringing a bathing suit top to camp. It is great to have for during the day, it's usually HOT and who wants tan lines? Make sure your top ties behind the neck, better safe than sorry! If you're really feeling bold rock your entire bikini. 

TUTUS!
Seriously buy a Tutu. How can you not have fun in a Tutu, and when will you ever get to wear one again? Indulge yourselves ladies! They come in almost every color or color combination.

Supportive Sneakers
Do not wear your cute new Steve Madden sandals or your sparkly pink Toms.  The walkways are most likely going to be gravel, so you are going to want a supportive shoe.  Shoes made for extreme activities such as skateboarding or BMX will give you both support and grip.  My DC high tops were great all weekend, but dont forget good socks, blisters can really ruin things fast. 

Graphic tee's and tanks
Simple. Funny. Cheap. But most importantly can stand to get dirty, smelly, sweaty, dusty, and gross.   

Ripped Leggings
I saw a girl rocking these leggings at camp and I fell in love.  Leggings are great light weight bottoms that allow plenty of movement for dancing, and these have slits for breathing! No getting sweaty for this chick.

Sunglasses
The crowd favorite seems to be Ray-Ban knock offs, and why fix something if it isn't broken? Scoop a pair of neon shades from Nordstrom's BP, Charlotte Russe, or a gas station on the way there if you must.  You are not going to want to be without these on a bright, summer day.

Bandanas
Unless the forecast is calling for rain you are going to want a bandana, or scarf, to cover your mouth and nose.  The dust can get overwhelming fast, so make sure you have one or the other on hand.

Flower Headbands
These are just fun.  Let out your inner "Flower Child" with one of these flower head bands.  There were even vendors at the festival selling their own hand made headbands. Support small business and local artists!

Crystal Wire Wraps
Another art form that is highly prevalent is crystal jewelry.  Wire wraps are made with crystals into beautiful designs, each boasting it's own "spiritual" purpose.  Each crystal has a different energy, and when combined correctly can create an aura of positivity.  Support these local artists, and leave with a custom made piece charged with uplifting memories

Friday, July 20, 2012

July High Fashion Hits


I love blues and nudes for this July. Royal blue patterns made to mirror Italian Spode create an antique chic. Who needs a cardigan when you can throw on your fitted, denim hoodie both comfy and cute.

topshop.com
$115 - farfetch.com
calypsostbarth.com
footcandyshoes.com
glamourmagazine.co.uk


Camp Bisco 2012: The Music

While it has been a nice 2 week vacation, it's time to get back to business. Now, while the essence of this blog is to bring you updates on the latest fashion trends, I want it to be more than that. The world of fashion is created not only by the articles of clothing on our backs, but by the events and people that inspire them. This past weekend (July 12-15) I attended my first Camp Bisco in Mariaville, NY. I had no idea going into this trip that it would leave me with memories and connections that will last a life time.

First thing is first, I want to give a shout out to our amazing neighbors for making this experience  priceless. To my girls from Florida/New York City, I am so glad we got to sit around roasting marshmallows and talking about fashion! Who our favorite designers of the moment are (such as Marc Jacobs and Prada), and who we think has gone a little overboard this season (sorry Michael Kors). Fashion really does bring people together! Warped Tour here we come :) Another shout out to our Grassroots Movement FAM from Massachusetts, I hope you all stay safe at Gathering of the Vibes this weekend!

Before I talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly fashion I saw at camp I want to talk about the music. Music is just as beautiful to me as fashion, and both have been a passion of mine from a young age. Going VIP to Camp Bisco XI allowed me and my fiance front row passes to some of our favorite artists. Sets we got to see included of course The Disco Biscuits, Skrillex, Amon Tobin ISAM, Bassnectar, Zeds Dead, Zedd, Porter Robinson, Dillon Francis, DJ Craze, Mimosa, Minnesota, Alvin Risk, Kill The Noise, Lotus, Dada Life, Big Gigantic, Daedelus, Break Science, The M Machine, Gigantic Underground Conspiracy, and Future Rock.

One DJ duo I was not excited to see was Zeds Dead. They were one of the first sets that we went to, and my fiance had to do some serious talking to get me go in the first place. I am so thankful for his persistance. While I have not been particularly fond of the music Zeds Dead has released in the past, their live set portrayed both a different sound and feel. Mixing both new and old tracks, you got the sense that this team is searching for something deeper in their sound, expanding outside of their usual element. My favorite song of the entire music festival ended up being their new, unreleased track "Cowboy". If you have not heard of Zeds Dead I strongly suggest checking out their latest remix of Colin Munroe ft Pusha T's "Fight of Your Life". Their new EP featuring "Cowboy" will be released this Tuesday July 24, 2012.

Zeds Dead Camp Bisco 2012
Out of the many labels who "curated" tents with their artists, Skrillex's label OWSLA far exceeded my expectations. As you can probably tell by the lists of sets I attended, many on this label were the first on my list to see, and the did not disappoint. Skrillex set the mood for the weekend Thursday evening with his sunSET, boasting high quality video screens, pyrotechnics, and fireworks that were timed flawlessly with his set. Closing out the first night of camp, post Skrillex, were Zedd and Porter Robinson. Both OWSLA artists played back to back sets, even throwing down together during some of their most popular tracks.

Zedd and Porter Robinson Camp Bisco 2012

Friday was a rather chill day full of jams. Most of the day was spent meandering, checking out artists' booths, and dropping by the mainstage to catch a few of our favorite tracks from artists such as Break Science and Lotus. The real wonder of the night was Amon Tobin ISAM. This Brazilian electronics musician, composer, and producer is considered to be one of the most influential electronic music artists in the world! The ISAM, Inverted Sounds Applied to Music,  project displays a visual presentation of Tobin's album. Whenever Amon Tobin brings this tour over to the states, His shows sell out in only a matter of seconds. If you have the opportunity to experience this true form of art, do not miss out!

Break Science Camp Bisco 2012

Amon Tobin ISAM Camp Bisco 2012

Minnesota started our Saturday with a set in the B.I.G Tent. A lesser known talent of the weekend, hence the early set time, this was one of my most anticipated sets. The lighting technicians in this tent deserved just as much recognition as the DJs performing their sets. The light shows in the B.I.G tent were being mixed live by CLVR ATL, a design, production, and creative events group from Atlanta. This group has been helping run Camp Bisco for the last 5 years, and this year performed custom light shows for every DJ who did not have equipment of their own.

CID Entertainment gave Bassnectar a killer time slot Saturday night, during which NO other artists were performing on any of the other four stages. Ironically, a faulty power supply cut Lorin off multiple times right at the drop momentarily throwing off the vibes in the crowd. Bassnectar fans stayed faithful and in the end the set was one that left everybody in the crowd enlightened. A-Trak closed out the night in the B.I.G tent, but we decided to be lazy VIP people (the walk to the other tent was quite the distance). Instead, we went to Gigantic Underground Conspiracy. This "super" jam bad includes members from The Disco Biscuits, Big Gigantic, Conspirator, and Underground Orchestra. The VIP tent was small, but packed a punch, with a full laser light show and no need for a fog machine. The band members played until they could play no more and we closed out camp with a sunrise.

Bassnectar Camp Bisco 2012

Gigantic Underground Conspiracy Camp Bisco 2012