11.03.2008

Where Are They Now: Jaslene Gonzalez

So, after investing a lot of time and interest into fashion-themed reality television shows I often wonder where the winners (and some of the other top contestants) actually ended up. You don't see last season's ANTM winner Whitney gracing the cover of W or Vogue. In fact, an ANTM winner has never landed the cover of a top fashion magazine. Or how about Jay McCarroll, season one winner of Project Runway? Apart from the occasional cameo on Bravo or the Style Network, I've yet to see his rise to fame. Therefore, I've set out on a weekly journey to find some of these "winners" and see what they've really been up to. My first subject: Jaslene Gonzalez (Winner, Cycle 8, America's Top Model).
Print Work: Latina Magazine cover, 8-page spread in Colures, Scene Magazine spread
Runway: Ashley Paige (Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim 08), Armani Exchange, Jillian Lewis (Project Runway), Jose Duran, Indashio, Custo Barcelona, Adolfo Sanchez
Other: "Love is Not Abuse" campaign by Liz Claiborne, two billboards in Times Square, ShopBop online ad campaign, Ryan Leslie's "Addiction" music video





Chanel Mobile Art

I wish I was in New York City right now to catch the international Chanel Mobile Art exhibit (October 20-November 9)! Touring Hong Kong, Tokyo, New York, London, Moscow, and Paris, "Chanel has decided to make the legendary quilted bag the focus of an event on an international scale: MOBILE ART....in a futuristic pavilion created by the architect Zaha Hadid, 20 international contemporary artists will exhibit work inspired by the elements that give the emblematic quilted bag from Chanel its identity." And not only is there art inside the exhibit from Soundwalk, Blue Noses, Yoko Ono, Stephen Shore, and other artists, but the Bauhaus inspired museum itself is a work of art! One of the first mobile museums that can travel, the pavilion can be taken apart for transport to different locations around the world and then reassembled. Click here to be completely blown away!


10.31.2008

Meet: Jeremy Kost

Known on the New York circuit as "the Polaroid artist", Jeremy Kost exposes the reality of of celebrities and the fashion and art elite in his unstaged Polaroid photographs. Influenced by Warhol, Kost has direct access to the relaxed environments of the rich and famous and his art reveals the character of his subjects with uncompromising immediacy.

Marc Jacobs shot by Kost

Mary-Kate Olsen & Famke Janssen shot by Kost

Jessica Stam shot by Kost
Lindsay Lohan shot by Kost

Good Riddance!


Just in case you all haven't noticed (you've probably been too busy scrambling to pay off credit card debt and struggling to but groceries in the fridge, right?) the publishing industry has not been taking this whole recession thing very well. In fact, things are so bad over at CondeNast publications (the publishing giant whose roster includes Vogue, W, Glamour, Allure, Teen Vogue, GQ, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired, and many more) that they've resorted to a HUGE budget cut and the first victims appear to be Portfolio and Men's Vogue (which I've never enjoyed reading). While Portfolio is being published 10 months per year instead of its usual 12, Men's Vogue will only be published twice per year!!! That's an incredibly severe cutback considering that magazine was previously a monthly. It's rumored that much of it's content will be absorbed into Vogue and that the two publications may combine. Too bad Men's Vogue...maybe now that all your writers have been laid off they can take some time to think about the crappy content they've been responsible for lately. You did it to yourselves, my friends.

10.30.2008

What happens when a baby runs a house?


Apparently, great things happen! Nicole Ritchie just launched House of Harlow, her new jewelry line which she named after baby Harlow. Compared to some other celebrity fashion lines which have recently hit the market (L.C. anyone?), Ritchie's goods aren't too shabby! Take a look for yourselves:
Black leather ring, $38
Red Pyramid Bangle, $68
Black leather cuff, $125
Gold Antique Large Bangle, $35

Don't Quote Me

"I gave you a shot and while your efforts were admirable...I'm bored. You ruined my pants. Goodnight, Blair." - Chuck Bass to Blair on this week's Gossip Girl

Model Profile: Cole Mohr

Nationality: American
Birthday: 1986
Born in: Houston, Texas
Height: 6.1 1/2
Agency: Request
Modeled for: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Hermes, Thomas Burberry, Dries Van Noten, John Galliano




10.29.2008

Feel the Influence



Recently, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen have been on a media tour promoting their new book, Influence, which hit stands yesterday. (This explains why you've been seeing so much of the usually private and reclusive duo lately). The book contains photographs and interviews with some of the girls' icons, role models, and others who have influenced them such as Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin, Alexandre De Betak, Diane von Furstenberg, John Galliano, Richard Prince, and more!

On October 23rd the twins sat down with Oprah to talk about the book and, ummm, breakfast? Oh whatever Oprah, as if. Anyway, the twins said they were most nervous interviewing Karl Lagerfeld, who sat down with the girls a day before his Chanel collection went down the runway at Paris Fashion Week.

Yesterday afternoon the pair also had a book signing at Barnes and Noble Union Square in NYC where the following list of rules were handed out:
1) Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen will be with us for a limited time. They will only be signing copies of their book, Influence. They will not be speaking, reading or taking questions.


2) Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen will NOT sign any memorabilia or product other than Influence. There is a limit of one book per person, and your one book must be purchased here.


3) You will be directed to pay for your book upon entering the store and will be given a receipt for your purchase. Please keep your receipt. You will receive your book at the signing table.


4) Along with your receipt, you will be given a B&N wristband, and then directed to the event space on the 4th floor. You must have a receipt and a wristband to access the 4th floor.


5) Anyone approaching the signing table must have paid for the book and be wearing a B&N wristband. One person, one wristband, one book.


6) You will collect your signed book at the signing table. If you have paid for any additional copies, a staff member will provide you with those before you exit the space.


7) There is no photography allowed. You must put away your camera or cell phone before approaching the signing table. The authors will not pose for photos.


8) If you leave, or the authors leave, before you are able to collect a signed book, you may present your receipt to a cashier for either an unsigned book or a refund. (Refunds only issued within 14 days of receipt.)


9) There will be no extra signed copies available after the authors leave the store. They will not be able to sign for anyone who is not on line. No pre-orders.

Way to treat the fans ladies. I still plan on buying a copy, though, and it will more than likely be the one with Mary Kate on the cover (above, right) since she's always been my favorite Olsen!

10.24.2008

...and we're BACK!

So, after a err, brief hiatus from the blog (hey, I'm a working student! cut me some slack!) I'm announcing my return so expect some new posts very soon! I'm working on new articles right now and I'll also be writing about my trip to NY Fashion Week and uploading some pictures for you all to see (my special treat to you for being avid readers). See you soon!

8.21.2008

Juergen Teller-From American Apparel to Marc Jacobs


Ever wonder who first started shooting those scandalous, seductive 36"x 48" crotch shots that made American Apparel popular? Or how about who shoots those crazy and, sometimes, seemingly senseless Marc Jacobs ads (like the one featuring Victoria Beckham inside an oversized purse?) Why, none other than German-born photographer Juergen Teller! And New York Magazine has written an awesome article about him in their special "Fall Fashion '08" feature. Check it out here! (I, personally, think it's a must read. Teller's take on raw beauty is just such a far cry from the photoshopped glamour seen in most fashion advertisements today.)

8.07.2008

The difference between iPhone owners and....everyone else

This is an older story from New York Magazine but it's hillarious! enjoi.

Cover your Eyes! (The best and worst of Fall fashion magazine covers)

It's a well-known fact that the biggest issue of the year for fashion publications (and the one in which they generate the most ad revenue) is the September issue, which usually hits stands in mid-August, giving fashionistas the hottest trends and styles for the season just in time for Fall. However, this year some fashion magazines have cut the number of ad pages that they will print while others will make an increase. Vogue, for example, had 725 pages of advertisements in last year's September issue but will have only 675 this year. Elle, on the other hand, will be printing its largest issue ever, spanning 420 pages.

There will no doubt be a battle between these magazines to see who can sell the most copies at newsstands, and an important factor in that struggle will be who they choose to put on their Fall covers. Take a look at some of their choices:

Mary-Kate Olsen/Elle U.K

Jessica Simpson/Elle U.S (really...?)

Tyra Banks/Harper's Bazaar

Kate Hudson/W Magazine

First Lady of France: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy/Vanity Fair
Mila Jocovich/Lucy Magazine

Jourdan Dunn/i-D

Vanessa Hudgens/ Teen Vogue

....so, which September issues will you buy???

COLDPLAY

We had the opportunity to see Coldplay in concert this past weekend in Washington D.C and the experience was nothing less than perfect. With tickets costing $97 each, I was a bit wary about the show, but being a die-hard Coldplay fan I sucked it up...and just let me say that I would have gladly paid 3x more. I won't go into all the details (there are too many to recall), but I've some photos taken with my iPhone for your pleasure (check out the ones I snapped when the band came into the audience and played "The Scientist" one section away from where we sat!).






We're Back!

....vcustyle has been experiencing a few technical difficulties. But we're back now and will be giving you updates on the daily!

Gavin DeGraw: Part II

...just a few photos from the concert & backstage:



8.01.2008

SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!!!


Hey guys! This been in the works for some time now, but I didn't want to write about it until I was 100%, absolutely sure that it was truly happening...and it is! So, are you ready for my huge announcement (drumroll please....)? I'M GOING TO NEW YORK FASHION WEEK THIS FALL!!! Yes, I will be in NYC from September 4-7th and will DEFINATELY be working at the Patrik Ervell (whose menswear designs are pictured above) and Tim Hamilton shows on Saturday 9/6! They're TBA, but I might also be working some other shows too (in between camping out in front of the tents at Bryant Park all day looooong to maybe get a glimpse of Blake Lively at the Miss Sixty show, Kanye at Rock & Republic, or L.C and Whitney at Sass & Bide again??? Who knows!) All I can say is that I'm super excited and I'm really hoping to take all of you along with me for the ride! Here are some photos from these the two designers' previous shows:

PATRICK ERVELL


TIM HAMILTON


...more Fashion Week updates to come...

Mr. Gavin DeGraw

So, I just had the grand privilege of meeting Gavin DeGraw this evening (finally, slaving as an intern all summer is bearing some fruits!) and I just have to say that he's probably one of the coolest guys I've ever met. At his soundcheck he was extremely nice to his fans, interacting a lot with them and taking a TON of photos in addition to signing a MILLION autographs. Too, he was extremely down to earth and totally relaxed and pleasant during his interview backstage. It's not a show I'd have previously paid to go see, but after hearing his raw voice with nothing but either his guitar or the piano, I'm amazed at this guy's incredible vocal ability. Unfortunately, I had to leave right after the interview. But, he is playing at The National tonight and he doesn't go on stage until 10pm so swing by if you're downtown. I've also posted some photos for your enjoyment (coming up next). Enjoi!