I was in love with the shot.

Then found out that the photographer behind the lens was Vivian Maier, she lived her life alone and was a nanny for many years, never sharing her photographs with anyone until one day after her death a lucky young man bid on a box of olf photographs at a sale in Chicago and what he got in return was years of American life captured on film by someone with an amazing eye.

Here are some of my favorite. To see more go to her dedicated website here.
http://www.vivianmaier.com

to see a video of the story go here

]]> http://www.toocutemagazine.com/2011/05/introducing-vivian-maier-photography.html/feed 0 http://www.toocutemagazine.com/2011/04/style-file-jeffrey-kalinsky.html http://www.toocutemagazine.com/2011/04/style-file-jeffrey-kalinsky.html#comments Mon, 11 Apr 2011 05:39:48 +0000 Yanique http://www.toocutemagazine.com/?p=4324 Jeffrey Kalinsky is the owner of the very selective New York and Atlanta boutique Jeffery.

He’s also the Executive vice president of designer merchandising at Nordstrom since 2008.
The Charleston native returned to the retail industry after graduating from George Washington University. His father owns upscale shoe store Bob Ellis, so his keen eye for predicting fashion bestsellers was no accident.

After returning to the south, he opened Jeffery Atlanta in 1994 as a luxury outpost for designer fashion. In 1999 he opened the Meatpacking district outpost of Jeffery NYC offering the same well edited concept to his savvy clientele.

He is also the head of the Jeffrey Fashion Cares fund-raiser.

source: wwd.com

JEFFREY NYC:

Store address

449 W 14th St

New York, NY 10014-1003
(212) 206-1272

View Larger Map

Step, Clap, Go! from Opening Ceremony on Vimeo.

Still one of my best places in NYC to shop – unlike Colette here in Paris, they still have a focus on featuring a diversity of style and fashion innovators that aren’t all luxury related (I was so disappointed yesterday when I stepped into Colette, these days its more about the hype of Chanel, Fendi, Prada etc.)

So it was no surprise that they collaborated with retailer Target for the re-issuing of peices from the last 5 years of Target’s Go International Collection.

On the OC blog it’s said that “OPENING CEREMONY AT ACE was bustling last night, where, for one night only, the store became a Target GO Collective pop-up shop where shoppers could get their hands on 34 re-issued dresses from the 5 years of GO collections. The Ace hotel lobby, where DJs Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe spun the tunes, wasn’t any less abuzz–especially once the beaming ladies of the Bad News Step Team, the stars of THE LATEST OCTV PRODUCTION, arrived and broke it down hard in their performance. After that, a Rodarte for Target-clad Santigold took the stage and gave a great show before surprise guest Sheila E. performed an energetic percussion set that sent drumsticks flying into the air. ” by Sofia CAVALLO

I’m sure we all wished were were there to celebrate 5 Years of Target GO International!

PS I’m just creating a Facebook fan page, started yesterday, so please FAN me! I promise to update it with daily streetstyle photos from people here in Paris.

If you unfamiliar with one of the other his blog is a great place to get familiar; you’ll find our what makes New York the Big Apple and Paris the City of Lights.

Paris Versus New York is a cheeky collection of comparative art that pokes fun at the ordinary, and cultural aspects of living in both cities. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Paris Apartment versus NYC Apartment:

This could very well by my present apartment in the 2nd Arrondissement, and the one beside it ( to the right) where I lived with my two other roommates in Harlem, Manhattan.

Taking a cab in Paris versus taking one in NYC:

You don’t know what you have until its gone! I tell you it’s almost impossible to find a cab here in Paris on a Friday or Saturday night. Same at the Airport. Thank God, I have my bike, but then it’s a bit dangerous to be riding around when you’ve had way too much to drink!

Macarons at Laduree versus Cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery:

It’s becoming easier to find a good cupcake in paris and more and more places even have bagels! Check out that post I did on Chloe’s Cupcakes in Pigalle, it’s so decadent.

Amélie vesrus Sex and The City

See more on of work on his Blog for this Paris vs. New York project.

Many shows were even streaming live on the Internet; as will be the case during London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks.

Power to the people! I didn’t do a day to day round up because, well everyone was doing that, but I’m working on some mood boards on looks we can wear now inspired from the present Fall 2011 collections. It’s going to be hot and very budget friendly.

Here are some of our favorites: for more go to the MBFW Youtube Chanel.

Michael Kors FALL 2011 COLLECTION, MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK
MIchael Kors is one of my favorite fashion designers, every season he makes clothes that arent just for stick figures, peices that can transition from boardroom to weekend shopping. He’s really in tune with what women want, time after time. I love him and his pants suits is to your body as is butter on warm toast; divine.

Diane von Furstenberg FALL 2011 COLLECTION, MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK
Leave it to DVF to show us that the wrap dress after all these years can never go out of style. Like Yves Saint Laurent is so famous for saying “Fashion Fades but Style is eternal”

Derek Lam FALL 2011 COLLECTION, MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

Prabal Gurung FALL 2011 COLLECTION, MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

SOME ADDITIONAL VIDEOS FROM STYLE.COM
Actually my favorite is this one! Phillip Lim Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear – “Green is the color of money” he says- funnnnnyyy

Proenza Schouler Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear – Look at the textures! OMG so inventive, they were inspired by Indian blankets.

Calvin Klein Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear – Listen to Nicole Phelps from Style.com – One of the best fashion writers of all time. If you don’t know she writes those bomb ass reviews during fashion weeks. As for the collection it is simple, perhaps you can find many of the styles in your local Mango. But CK has always been well, simple.

I was a bit disappointed I couldn’t find a good Victoria Beckham Video, as the collection has really matured and in a way embraced real women bodies with a lot of flowy yet stylish dresses and bold colors. Not to mention the bags were to die for.

Hope you enjoy them all.
xoxo

Just passing on the news from the good folks at Rebecca Minkoff.

The VIP Night is from 4PM – 9PM hosted by Megs and Vlad of The PurseForum.

xoxo

Marc Jacobs  

Initials thoughts where  ”wait – no, they cant be wearing flats!” gasp – “of course not, they’re like , um what you call them …kitten heels” OMG.

Leave it to Marc to kick the six inch heel trend out. Ladies if your a Trifter ( aka person who loves to thrift shop for vintage pieces) then you’ll love  Marc’s latet collection , which I’d like to sum up High School Teacher Sophistication – clear eyeglasses, flats with socks, pants suits, skirts that hit below the knee and granny purses.

 But lets not be too judgemental here, the last part of the show nicly progressed into “I’m working the hell out of these flats” with fur trimmed long dresses, bright yellow sweaters and velvet skirts like only Marc can do.  Oh! and that transparent coat – leaves me a bit unsure – but its fashion as art and is what to be expected from the man that challenges us to be a little bit more original. Let’s get off the caravan people!

Donna Karen

Traditionally after 25 years you celebrate with Silver, but After 25 years of shows for Donna Karen, she decided to celebrate with black.  The timeless shade – black never goes out of style and almost anyone can comfortably wear a LBD ( little black dress). In a way her collection was a futuristic look on the brand as well a homage to its previous years – cocoon styled coats, sultry leather lined dresses a equal mix of past and future. 

Zac Posen

Zac Posen’s collection reminded me of the type of designs you’d see at a graduation for a Fashion school – a lot of theory  some practicality but mostly a show that left didn’t leave people saying “I want that!” – their was no envy for the pieces. 

Tracey Reese

There was no big bang idea behind the fall 2010 collection  for Tracy Reesse, you could tell she kept the daydreaming out of this seasons look with a focus on ready-to-wearabilty and keeping up with trends - lace, layers and faux fur. But in a way the collection seemed like it could have been one of those retail GO collaborations with Target – Mass Appeal with slight infusions of the designers brand. 

image source

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang has somehow manged to consistently have the best fashion followers since his first show – fashion buyer, stylists and magazine editors alike all woo at his creations and most specifically his accessories that quickly become either it bags or it shoes.

I feel a bit ripped off this season – literally as many of the pieces looked like they were missing fabric in some places and too much fabric in other areas.  It would be interesting to see how people wear these off the catwalk , stomach bearing and all.

Altuzarra

This is the third season for the newcomer and he’s out with a collection that says he more mature and definitely has staying power with clean cut lines, leather body suits  and updated wool ponchos.

Peter Som

Peter Som came out with a strong showing of how to skillfully mix and match colors, patterns, and texture for a sultry and sophisticated look. He pulled it off with the use of flowy fabrics such as silk and chiffon.

Jason Wu

Something tells me that from Jason Wu’s Fall 2010 show he no longer wants to be seen as the designer who can just make ball gown dresses – so he’s switched things up a bit with a turn to more edge, rather than frills.

Boy by Band of Outsiders

Scott Sternberg showed us how he could  tweak the interchangeable male/female wardrobe  with American classics and a touch of color, or the lack thereof with bright yellows or models draped in all gray.

ADAM

For some reason this is what I expected the Alexander Wang show to look like – easy clothes that you can wear whenever. Shearling lined cropped leather jackets paired with jogging pants might not be very original , but originality doesn’t sell its adaptability that doesn’t and my guess is well see these pieces being sold out in stores.

images

Cynthia Steffe- Shaun Kearney seem to have taken the Wiliamsburg 2o something woman and decked her in some knee high thighs, flowy skirts and utilitarian coats such as hooded parkas and tweeds. These days the brand is becoming a mainstay on many retail chains as buyers are liking the revival of the brand to relate to the young and trendy shoppers.

Charlotte Ronson – The famous sibling has showed that she has staying power and with a collaboration from JCPenny under her belt she also knows what it means to make clothing that can easily transport into retail success. With this seasons line some of the pieces were a bit of a miss – that only the Olsens could carry off, such as the head-wraps/Turbans, but most everything else  could be deconstructed to wear with your regular wardrobe staples and fit right in.