BRANDS WE LOVE: SOPHOMORE NYC
Sometimes, I need a break from the avant-garde. I mean, while I am an advocate for looking stylish at all times, I don't think that you need to be a fashion victim to do so. Because let's face it, we all have those days when we just want to throw on a pair of skinnies and a tee, but should we have to look terrible because its an "off day"? I think not.
And apparently, neither does Chrissie Miller of Sophomore. With comfy basics in breathable fabrics, the line imbues the laid back vibe of LES with items that are so simple, they are timeless. Teaming up with Madeleine von Froomer (whose last stint was at Proenza Schouler) the collective churns out effortlessly cool items with a 70s flare. And with a look book featuring everyone's favorite underage scene girl, Cory Kennedy (oh, and Bijou Phillips,) they've definitely got their target market all figured out. Look out C&C, there's a new sheriff in town!
-Virginia Jackson-Reed
Richard Chai, the acclaimed women’s wear designer, is debuting a men’s line for fall. The move is a first for his almost-four-year-old label, but Chai is in fact quite seasoned in men’s wear, having been creative design director of Tse. Prior to that, he was the design director for Marc Jacobs’ men’s and women’s collections and launched the Marc by Marc Jacobs men’s line. 
GQ magazine, in conjunction with the CFDA have created The Best New Menswear Designers in America project to recognize the rising stars of American design. the designers of six collections: Obedient Sons, Rag & Bone, Engineered Garments, Steven Alan, Gilded Age & Spurr were selected by GQ as finalists for the competition and are featured in the February 2008 issue of the magazine. The winner will receive $50,000 in cash and the opportunity to create a capsule collection for Levi's. There was tons of great style at last night's party to kick off the project. 
NY Times blog 
The guys over at the Brooklyn boutique 
Stockholm Fashion Week just wrapped, and since the Scandinavian capital is leading the market right now, we thought we'd check out what the top designers are putting out for fall/winter. Of course designers from the land of the midnight sun are obsessed with a somber palette, and gray and black ruled, with color accents. A key item is sure to be the all black suit. Experimentation with shape and volume was an important direction and we saw huge overcoats, oversized bags, and lots of chunky knits paired with skinny pants and slim trousers, an evolved preppy style is important, as are workwear influences.
Guess that ladies don't love limited-edition sneakers quite as much as men do: Laces, a women's-only sneaker boutique at 252 Mott Street between Houston and Prince Streets, has said goodbye to the retail world. When we walked by the space earlier today, all the Nikes and Reeboks had been cleared out and a "For Rent" sign marked the glass storefront; their 
Our friends at 
We hear from 
Fashion is getting super fast. Now that the masses are able to view fashion shows on the internet, they want the new styles faster than ever. They dont want to wait for next season's deliveries. They want the new styles when they see them. When Halston relaunches next week at NY Fashion Week, 2 of the designer's runway looks will be available for sale on 
Bloomingdale's 59th street store's subway entrance now opens up on to a newly rejuvenated men's contemporary floor. The renovation seems to have been inspired by the success of the Soho store, with selections by downtown faves like Trovata and Vince making fuller statements on the uptown floor. This is the first step in a total overhaul of the Bloomingdales menswear dept, reports 
Target in Deal to offer Shaun White Apparel 
We didn't realize how much we missed 
Word on the street is that the 
There were washing machines on the runway of the Kris Van Assche show and no one could figure out why-- until the finale- the models began to strip and throw their clothes in the wash. The collection was casual, and cool-- high fashion staple pieces for the coolest guy you know-- skinny jeans, skinny lapels, skinny ties, silver accents, an awesome scarf, the perfect trench... More pics after the jump...
Wanna learn some tips on "developing the billionaire mindset"? Just ask Marc Ecko... At least, that's what 
The best labor is always the labor of love, and I'm sure no designer knows this better than Chris Isenberg of 
For the man who wants to be subtly stylish and comfortable, Nove has a great line of classic men's tops. Most known for their simple button downs with details like single left chest pockets with small button closures and stitched seaming, the brand has also expanded to knit- and outerwear. The timeless designs in pinstripes are perfect for transitioning from work to a night on the town, while the more casual plaid designs are great for weekend. Nove is making its (capsule) show debut Jan 22 and 23.
The '90s revivial is on and popping! At the Number (N)ine show in Paris yesterday, designer Takahiro Miyashita paid homage to Kurt Cobain with a collection that was full-on grunge. Called My Own Private Portland, Miyashita gave us layers of mismatched flannels, thrift store sweaters, Elmer Fudd hats, plaid shirts, shabby knits, busted shoes, and even moccasins that took us waaay back. We've got pics after the jump.
The floods of fashion have receded! PeeWee pants are out- full trousers are back, reports a happy Armand Limnander from Paris. Limnnander reports on all the trouser trends from the European runways. He writes, for 
Scott Schuman – better known as The Sartorialist – has emerged over the last few years as the leading photographer of the blogosphere. Since September 2005, on his blog 
Pharell to Unveil Louis Vuitton jewelry line 
Now if you can't make it to Orchard Street to shop at Bblessing, the store has launched a web site that brings the store to you. There's menswear, an ecelctic range of music, literature and art. Roll up your sleeves and get shopping! Bblessing is launching their e-commerce site on Friday, and are running a huge 40% off sale on all our favorite brands. Snap up key items from Adam Kimmel, Christophe Lemaire, Obedient Sons, Patrik Ervell, Opening Ceremony, SNS Herning,Surface To Air, Yoko Devereaux an more! Just click 
Simon Miller jeans will be showing its fall/winter collection at (
From outerwear to chunky knits to ethnic patterns and lots of layering, Milan gave us plenty of food for thought. We've got a quick trend recap after the jump!
If there's one thing that usually renders me particularly vexed, its pretentious fashion. Fashion should be fun, because at the end of the day, what's in this week, will be out the next. Ah fashion, a fickle friend indeed. Besides, when you're young (as am I), you might as well enjoy your neon, and lamé while you can still pull it off. And if there's one label that knows how to have a good time, that label would certainly be 
