Mayer's Tricked-Out Pad

...your dorm, too, can look like this!

In the September issue of Elle Decor (which I do not read, by the way...you know, just in case you were wondering), the magazine features a spread of John Mayer's apartment. As you can tell from the resulting photos, the conditions were absolutely horrendous. The musician's 2,5000 square foot apartment located in SoHo was decorated by Armani Casa, of whom Mayer is a fan (who knew!) The feeling was mutual, and Armani was more than happy to lend his magical hand saying, "I wanted to create a sophisticated environment for John, one that will bring as much pleasure to him as his music brings to us." Visitare mia camera, Giorgio!

Poor Man's Blues

In poor taste?

Today, our favorite street-style photographer, Scott Schuman (a.k.a The Sartorialist) took the above photo of a homeless gentleman who Schuman described as "someone who, while down on his luck, hasn't lost his need to communicate and express himself through style." I just can't decide how I feel about the picture. On the one hand, I don't see anything wrong with Scott shooting this guy who seems to be trying to make the best out of his situation by demonstrating a unique sense of style and, in effect, maintaining a sense of self. Too, inspiration comes from a wide variety of sources, this situation being no exception. However, on the other hand I see it as being exploitative on Schuman's part by using this poor man's misfortune to benefit himself (whether it be through increased blog hits, to garner more attention and publicity, who knows). While I truly doubt (or at least hope) that isn't the case, I still think the photo was tasteless. Sorry, Scott.

The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman

The Sartorialist Flick Through from Susie Bubble on Vimeo.

GO OUT AND BUY THIS BOOK!!!

Inside Rachel Zoe's Studio

Ummm, yeah, can you say BANANAS! Talk about a sea of shoes! The celebrity stylist has hundreds of pairs of shoes lined up for her clients, with everything from Louboutin and Zanotti to YSL and Blahnik. We can't even begin to imagine what it would feel like to open the door to the studio everyday and come face to face with the fiercest heels in the world! You know Rachel and Taylor (heck, probably Brad, too) are always tempted to slip on a pair. WERQ!

BONUS: Let's see how many styles we can identify! I know the photo is pretty small and each shoe looks miniscule in comparison to the whole collection but let's try. I've spotted a D'Orsay Pump by Manolo.

Don't Quote Me

“I was just shooting in Belize and in St. Tropez and I met this homeless man who had never owned a shirt in his life. He had taken his pants and worn them as a shirt and I just thought it was so creative, you know? He was just liberated from the conventions of fashion.”- Julia Stiles sounding a lot like Erin Wasson circa that disastrous and condescending (yet, hillarious) NYLON interview

BoO's latest Roids feat. Jason Schwartzman

The most successful campaigns tend to make us forget about our meager student checking accounts for just a fleeting moment as we are swept away into the magical world of double-breasted pea coats and perfectly tailored khakis. Our most recent fantasy comes in the form of the latest Band of Outsiders campaign featuring Jason Schwartzman decked out in some of the finest threads known to man. The only thing that hurts more than the fact that we don't work for Scott Sternberg yet is that Schwartzman gets to roll around the streets of Los Angeles in the $1,800 toggle coat we've been lusting after for months. Revenge will be sweet...

Best. Cover. Ever

Two of vcuStyle's favorite models, Sasha Pivovarova and Ash Stymest, in the September issue of Vogue Italia shot by Steven Meisel

Breaks Over Kids! VCUStyle returns!

Hope you all enjoyed your summer! Now it's back to the books, but not without some fashion relief from your one and only Richmond style destination. Check back often for new content and, please, feel free to email any suggestions to vcustyle@gmail.com. Savor the few days you've got left kids and get ready, because VCUStyle is coming at you...and we're coming at you HARD.

Ad Crazy: "Happiness Comes From Inside..."

The Standard Hotel x Quicksilver

The "Hollywood"

"HAHA!" The laugh I emitted when I first read an article about Quicksilver collaborating with The Standard on a limited-edition line of (wait for it...) boardshorts! There are 4 boardshorts which represent 4 cities (and the 4 Standard Hotel locations): New York, Miami, Downtown L.A, and Hollywood. The inside of each pair features a "city guide" edited by Natas Kaupas and tailored to a specific location.

Surprisingly, I was actually a little impressed with the concept so I copped a pair of the "Hollywood" boardshorts for myself (my Lacoste trunks are too long and my Parke & Ronen shorts can be a little too short and risqué depending on where I'm vacationing....so these mid-thigh boardshorts should be perfect). Type promo code: STNDFAN for 15% off!

http://www.shopthestandard.com/feature.html

All four designs by The Standard Hotel x Quicksilver collaboration

The "Downtown L.A"

The "Miami"

The "New York"

Elizabeth and James + Alexander Wang "Launch" Menswear

Elizabeth and James

Two of this Fall's most anticipated menswear collections are also, to my dismay, two of the most disappointing. Back in February, Ashley Olsen announced that Elizabeth and James would be adding a men's line to their collection this upcoming Fall; after the huge success of both the Row and Elizabeth and James, I was looking forward to them finally branching into menswear. Another one of my favorite women's wear designers, Alexander Wang, also recently announced that he would be creating some basics for his "T" label, intended to be sold with the male consumer in mind. Well, apparently the males buying from this particular line aren't the same ones who inspire his women's collections, because the innovation and forward-thinking fashion perspective are seemingly (and shockingly) absent. Of course, the looks that have been released are only a mere glimpse into the rest of the collections, but to be frank...I think I've seen enough.

Elizabeth and James

"T" by Alexander Wang

"T" by Alexander Wang

Runway to Reality: Mary J Blige AT&T Commercial

I was watching a little television earlier this evening when my attention was drawn to a particular AT&T commercial. What sparked my interest? Well, it wasn't Mary J. Blige (who I barely recognized), and it DEFINITELY wasn't the selection of crappy keyboard phones AT&T was trying to shell out. Rather, it was the print on Blige's tank top which I immediately recognized to be from the Alexander McQueen S/S 09 Collection. Although the tank top itself isn't a runway piece, I'm assuming they used that particular print design for a variety of RTW pieces. Click here to see Mary J in action (or just look below).

Best Of: Prada F/W 09 Lookbook

Where Are You Louizy?

Mise-en-Scéne: S/S 2010 Men's Fashion Week's Most Elaborate Sets

DSquared

Moncler Gamme Bleu

Lanvin

John Galliano

Prada

Kenzo

Emporio Armani

Etro
(All images courtesy of The Moment)

On the back of Thursday's WWD: A Note from Chanel

"Don't get it twiz-ted!" says Karl.

Video Lookbook

Alright, so just one more thing before I go on hiatus again (this whole semi-retirement thing just isn't working for me, is it?). I always love looking at New York Magazine's Video Lookbook...it's basically what The Sartorialist would be if he actually featured video. The NY Mag crew camps out in random spots of The City and catches people with the coolest, quirkiest, and most refined style. I wanted to share this with you because (a) it's something I knew you guys would enjoy, and (b) the guy they featured today is who I'd like to be in 10 years.

Feel free to browse through the Lookbook archives, too. They've got some great (and very interesting) characters who just may give you a little mid-summer inspiration.

C'est Trop Chaud: "Lisztomania"

I sure hate that I missed these guys a few weeks ago at the Rock & Roll Hotel in D.C. (tickets sold out super fast). If you haven't heard of them by now they're called Pheonix (you've been formally introduced), they're French--an immediate plus in my book as you all know, and they couldn't possibly be any hotter right now. Hope you're enjoying your hot, humid Richmond summer. Be back soon!

UPDATE: Just bought tickets to see these guys @ Rumsey Playfield in NYC on 9/26! That's right suckazzzzz