Resort-ing to New Heights

The recent resort collection presentations have really set a brand new stage for fashion in the marketplace. With the major fashion houses actually paying attention to consumer need (and demand) of having product available in all seasons (and all markets) and presenting resort collections (or transition collections in retail), those of us sartorial minded beings get another whopping dose of fashion. My favorite pieces over the past ten years have all come directly or indirectly from the resort collections. What once was only available for the months before and after the holiday shopping season as "limited" release, Resort has grown to be its own fashion entity. It has become the "preview" of what we'll be wearing in the warmer months, as such, a prelude to Spring. Yet in the disjointed "fashion timeline", these collections are shown after we have had just a short time to process the Spring/Summer collections that are in the current markets. This could lead to fashion confusion or inspiration, depending on how you see it. In all my years in retail, I would always steer my clientèle to invest in Resort pieces as the special additions to their wardrobe because of their "inspiring essence". Resort pieces are different and unique because they merely come out to "play" in the designers' complete oeuvre.  And "playing is what one should be doing in Resort. These collection themselves are rooted in fun and fashion frivolity, but also in an edited and streamlined approach to wardrobing (ie travel clothes). In Resort, you want to be light and carefree. And what could be more fun..?

For a more in-depth and complete report on the Resort collections by the fantastic Cathy Horyn, please click here. There is also multimedia and a slideshow presentation of the collections of note.
Let them inspire you to play...

-feelgoodguru

Men's Fashion Week-Milan : DSquared2

I absolutely love the DSquared2* show, just presented at Men's Fashion Week in Milan.
It's theatrical, modern, and celebrates the return of the well groomed man, albeit as the quintessential  lothario/gigolo/bachelor type, complete with his latest seductive conquests at his side. Unlike the male models of recent seasons, the men cast here in DSquared's show are well...men: athletic, coiffed, and tailor made to wear Dan and Dean Caton's modern men's collection. Take notes, because this is how men should and will be dressing next Spring.
-feelgoodguru
(*video courtesy of T Magazine/NYTimes; photo credit: Alberto Pizzoli/Agence France-Presse-Getty Images)

Who's Lovin' Woo?

I recently attended LA fashion designer Staci Woo’s annual Poolside Event in Santa Monica. Held in a gorgeous private home and its very French yard and pool, I was able to view Staci current collection and shop selected current and previous season’s items at a fantastic 40% discount. There were other specially selected vendors there such as Kai Skincare, handcrafted artisan jewelry, and specialty swim wear, to name just a few. The elegantly catered fare and beautiful surroundings and coastal weather all added to the fun and atmosphere of Woo’s Poolside Event. Private sales such as these are a fantastic and welcomed treat in LA, and really is a very special and intimate way to get to know a brand, and the brains behind it. 

Staci has been in the business for over 15 years, and her line has expanded to include not only womenswear but also childrenswear. Being a Mother herself definitely contributed to her starting a children’s line but her offerings stand out in that they are well tailored, classic, sourced and made with the best materials (much of it organic) and all fit perfectly in the brand’s beach aesthetic. 

I attended the event with Woo’s exclusive model (and my friend) Marie and my sidekick Angela, who both tried on many of the items at the sale. A great time and fabulous goodies were had, and I'm looking forward to the next event, cause I'm lovin' Woo.

-feelgoodguru

Le Roi est Mort

It goes without saying how much I have been influenced by this true icon. He shaped me in his way as a dancer, a musicologist, and a fashion stylist. I am always reminded of the joy he brought to people everywhere and how he touched many lives. His legacy will live on forever, and his influence will be ever reaching, and he is still very much missed.

Vanity Fair just released a fantastic article on his iconic "Thriller" video, please read it here.




Michael Jackson, "In The Closet" music video (featuring supermodel Naomi Campbell); directed by Herb Ritts  (video via MichaelJacksonVevo/YouTube)


Continue to rest and be peaceful...
-fggofstyle
(photo credit: Arno Bani, via DailyMail UK/EPA)

Focus On: Janelle Monáe

Thanks to the imitable style of R+B's Neo Soul genre, there has been a plethora of artists who have come onto the scene blazing their individuality in spades. Thanks to pioneering female artists, like Jill Scott and India.Arie, showing who you are has never been more in vogue.

There are so many ways we can be sexy and confident. I am not faithful to any of the clothes that the world says I have to wear to be more feminine. Strength and femininity come from me, not my clothes.

-Janelle Monáe

Taking her cue from the Mother of Neo Soul, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe* steps proudly and naturally in to her fashion and musical footsteps. Sporting classically contemporary androgynous looks and rocking the funk out of a pompadour, Janelle Monáe takes us on a fashion journey that's all about tailoring. Her favorite look is a menswear inspired three piece and polished oxfords and is perfection in it! 

She matches her sartorial daring to her music, which is also funky, androgynous, contemporary, and tailored to her own aural story: playing a persona who comes from the 24th Century sent back to our time to bring musical/spiritual awareness to help save Humanity via an android, all to lift our spirits to higher heights. 

Where Erykah is Earth Mother, Janelle is Future Cosmos Daughter and can easily be the other side of the same coin. Take a look at her fantastic and stylish short film, "Many Moons" and the equally sartorial music video for "Tightrope" to get a taste for yourself. Both videos are a sartorial examination of uniqueness in a collective aesthetic. 

And its downright pure funk.  Now that's what's feeling and looking good is all about.

-feelgoodguru

(photo credit: Marc Baptiste/D.R. Mgmt/ 944 Magazine)

*please read the 944 Magazine article by clicking on Janelle's name above

White Out-Summer 2010

I can’t escape the lure and appeal of wearing all white in the heat of the summer months. To me it is fresh, clean, crisp, and just exudes the coolness the warmth of summer weather needs to temper it. And from what the greater fashion populace has been relaying to the masses, the same sentiment exists. Why not take your cue now and get into the great White Out.

Here are some key tips to remember:

• Be mindful of your fabric choices in summer. Stay in the naturals: linen and light weight cotton are pretty much the tried and true staples of the season.
• Pairing colors with white will heavily stand out. Try just a tiny pop, as in a skinny belt or scarf, or keep it off the body and wear your color in your hair or as your bag
• Carry a Tide bleach pen and baby wipes in your bag with you for “slips and giggles”
• Don’t be afraid to show some skin with your white. Utilize nature’s contrast of playing your skin tone against the pale clothing canvas.
• Really play up your jewelry. This summer, go for the gold (necklace, bangle, bracelet, earrings)

 Check out these celebrity girls in summer's LWD (via InStyle's The Look) to get an idea.

Go outside in the summer sun and enjoy the white rays, and feel good.

-feelgoodguru

 (photo: Prada S/S 2010, courtesy Vogue.com UK)

Focus on: Jenna Bryson

For months, I have had many fun times in my Jazz dance class with this lovely young lady, Jenna Bryson perfecting our pirouettes together. You can guess my surprise when one day she and I got to speaking and I found out that she is a very talented and accomplished musician, with a voice that comes from some great and wonderful place inside, full of verve and passion and effervescence. I have not been able to stop listening to her music, and I know you will love it too! 
With her immense talent, she has managed to break the top 20 in the Lillith Local Talent Search, and Jenna has a very strong shot at going out on the Lillith Fair Tour this summer but she needs your votes and help to make it there. 

Here, in her own words and cute style which you will see in the video, she explains:


"Hey, Elgin!

My song "Me Minus You" made the top 20 in the Lilith Local Talent Search: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego competition (out of 650 songs)! Amazing! Playing Lilith Fair (freakin' LILITH FAIR) would be a dream come true.

But the fight isn't over! My song needs to get to the top 10 by tomorrow, Friday night at 9pm PST -- the higher my song finishes, the more likely I am to get chosen to perform at Lilith.

Here is a link to a video tutorial I made on how YOU can help make this happen: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/7230784/highlight/76858

Or, if you prefer Facebook, visit the event page which lists the step-by-step process of how to participate in the judging as well as the tutorial video: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=121910457843787 "



It’s very simple and takes a just few minutes. And it is helping this very talented woman to achieve a dream of hers. If she makes it, I'm sure we can persuade her to do a double pirouette on stage at Lilith... 
And OurStage is a great site for new and emerging artists. There are some great artists all for the finding, so get there now and check them out and most importantly, don’t forget to vote for Jenna and help her making it to the top! We all have until 9PM TONIGHT because, it feels good to help shape a dream into a reality, doesn't it!?!


-feelgoodguru




(photo credit:  Jeff Drongowski, courtesy of Jenna Bryson)

An ELLE of a Night

with friend/fellow dancer Joe Zee, Creative Dir of ELLE Magazine

Los Angeles was all a-glitter Tuesday at A|X Concept Boutique on Robertson at the Disco Glam Event, brought to the Left Coast by ELLE Magazine Creative Director Joe Zee, who hosted THE fashion summer launch party featuring Dragonette rocking the stage.

Dragonette performs hits for the fashion  crowd

with actress/musician Taryn Manning and her glam friend

It was an extremely fun night, with the cream of the Los Angeles fashion scene in attendance and a mad dashed sprinkling of Hollywood celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Taryn Manning, Golden Brooks, and Kelly Osbourne to up the fabulous quotient a few notches on the style scale (and doing their stylists very proud).

Joe Zee and Kim Kardashian

with Golden Brooks

Deciding to exude a “neutral” vibe, I wore a pale gray Helmut Lang sleeveless top, charcoal gray James Perse pullover, Current Elliot indigo denim leggings, and vintage Guess ankle low boots (still in pristine condition from 1987 and my “wink” of whimsy) a custom layered gold and silver multi-chain necklace, Cartier bangle, and brought out my favorite vintage Dior clutch (my accessories being my “glam”).

I loved how many attendees showed off their fashion smarts and really took to the theme of last night’s event. Sequins and shimmer were the standout style choices of the night. And in true Los Angeles style, the more dark and designer your denim, the better and more chic you were. I also loved how many guests were not afraid to wear some color to an evening event, moving forward from the tried and true black staples of night dressing.

with my sidekick, writer and stylist Angela Thompson

A great way to welcome the summer, thanks ELLE and A|X for the most fun a stylista could have on a Tuesday night!

-fggofstyle

*complete photo archives of the event can be found at these two great sites: Forward Fashion and LookBookLA. 

*photos taken by myself or where credited.


** a special thanks to Shadow PR LA/Claire Zimmerman 

The 50's Never Looked So Good

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

I have to post this because "B.B. Homemaker" hits the look out of the park!
Who knew the 50's looked this good: Beyonce hits every vintage retro-glam note pitch perfect, I think.
Enjoy!
-feelgoodguru
(video via Beyonce/Vimeo/2010 Parkwood Pictures)

A Culmination of All...

KENZO Paris--Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Show

I have been watching this podcast repeatedly since I first viewed it back in December and knew that *this* is, for me, a culmination of all things that say Spring 2010. I absolutely love the entire presentation, even down to the strange burst of color on "colored" models, and the sunburst of gold, both symbolisms not lost on me.
I love how the collection is a mixture and culmination of all: prints, monchromaticism, texture, fabric, weight, and color. It is exuberant and elegant and is a perfect vision of wearability and style.
I am taking many cues from this in how I am doing Spring 2010, of course adding my own energy and attitude to it. I think Kenzo has done it PERFECT this season!!

Enjoy!

-feelgoodguru
(video/podcast via Fashion Network {http://fnetwork.com}