Don’t these tights remind you of Prada? They’re Anntian gradient tights that start off as rusty blue and fade into a yellowish hue. At $98 bucks, you better make sure you get as much wear in them as possible.

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This really cool designer from Latvia Stanislav Ktaz make cool furnitures and objects

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Name & Age please.
Jessica Gonsalves, 23
Rafael, 25

Where are you from:
J: Massachusetts
R: Brooklyn

Occupation:
J: Producer/ Worship Worthy’s Our Lady of Guadalupe
R: Photographer

Nickname(s) for your significant other:
J for R: Boo/booboo and any variation of those
R for J: Boobah

How long have you been together?
J: A bit more than a year and half
R: A year and a half

Married?/Kids?
J: Nope/Nope
R: No/Not Yet

How did you meet? Who stepped to who first?
J: A mutual friend was visiting from Texas and introduced us. For the next couple weeks, we randomly kept running into each other everywhere. After a bunch of run-ins, Rally got my info from our friend
R: We met while I was riding my bike and Jess was definitely going the wrong way on a one way street- very dangerous! I did obviously.

What was your first date?
J: We had dinner at my apt but everything kept going wrong so the next time, we went to a real restaurant (Esperanto) and had a real date
R: Our first real date was at Esperanto in Alphabet City- some delicious ass fish. Does that sound gross- ass fish???

Describe your first kiss:
J: Fantastical
R: Amazing!

How long did it take to get some lovin’?
J: Keep that on the hush
R: Hmmmmmmm

Who said the three “magic” words first?
J: Me
R: She did

What’s sexy about him/her?
J: His eyelashes, his hilarious jokes, his confidence
R: Her culo and she knows everything

What’s your favorite outfit he/she wears?
J: He always looks good
R: Her babydoll dress and red sneakers

Who wears the pants in the relationship?
J: Rally
R: Me. She wears leggings.

Who is always right?
J: Me
R: She is

Who’s the drama queen/king?
J: Me
R: She is

Who does the cooking?
J: Me
R: She does. I try every once in awhile.

Who steals the covers?
J: Me
R: She does, that’s why I wear socks to bed

Who is the first to say I’m sorry?
J: Me
R: She does

Who’s more romantic?
J: Rally
R: Me of course!

What’s something he/she is always borrowing without asking?:
J: I’m always taking his stuff
R: My clothes

One thing you have opposite opinions of:
J: Waking up early - I need sleep!
R: Steak- that’s nasty

What’s the one connection that keeps you two together?
J: That’s my soul buddy!
R: Soul Buddy

Best trip you ever taken together:
J: Mexico City
R: Mexico City

Best New York memory together:
J: Going to the beach all the time when we first started dating - no one was around and we could just relax and get to know each other
R: Getting completely drenched in Williamsburg while trying to get to my friend’s birthday party.

Favorite place to eat as a couple:
J: Right now we’re really into Essex street market and Bacaro
R: Bacaro

Who’s more cool?
J: Rally
R: Jess

What are you doing on Valentine’s Day this year?
J: No idea…
R: I don’t know

Society for Rational Dress, notably one of the best brands to come out of LA in the past 3 years has been able to maintain its integrity and aesthetic since designer Corinne Grassini’s launched in 2005. After studying pattern making at Central Saint Martins in London Grassini moved to LA to start her brand, which initially consisted of leather shoes, than bags, and now a full collection of well tailored but simultaneously flowy and unrestrictive clothing dressed with thick leather trims and heavy duty hardware. Here is a sneak peak at her Spring 08 Collection. For full preview and access to archive of collections visit Society for Rational Dress.

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Whilst I pretty much followed readers' NYC shopping suggestions down to a tee, Century 21 wasn't one of those places that I planned on visiting.  I wasn't up for a TJ/TK Maxx experience where you MIGHT stumble upon a designer gem in amongst the crap, especially on the day of the Gucci event where I was feeling a little unsettled as it was. 

However, we did have to go in the direction of Lower Manhattan to Battery Park for the essential Statue of Liberty viewing (was the boyf's first time to NYC, not mine - to answer a reader's question...) so I thought I'd take a gander.  The store might look a little crusty, in terms of interiors and in some cases a little retro with the slanted curly font highlighting four floors of designer discount joy but I think a trendy revamp would sort of defeat the point of the places; which is good old-fashioned elbowing bargain-hunting madness.  Ok, it wasn't madness but it was busy for a Wednesday afternoon (where other boutiques were quiet) and there were a lot of sharp looks going on especially in the shoe section.  The bulk of people there were the middle-aged to elderly who seemed to have the smarts about this store as opposed to me who was just looking at random racks.  In womenswear, it actually made it simpler for me that it was slim pickings for the US size 6 and below as it made it easier for me to search out stuff and so I came away with a Martin Margiela yellow satin dress and a Viktor & Rolf office dress, each at a sum of $50.  The manicurist for the Gucci event wrinkled her nose when I told her of my purchases and said 'But they're last season's stuff!', which of course bothers me not a bit as my thoughts have always been 'Seasons Schmeasons!' (didn't manage to perfect my NYC drawl...). 

It wasn't remotely like a TK/TJ Maxx situation as everywhere I rifled, there was Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Rick Owens (a BEAUTIFUL jacket at $500 was nearly snagged.... ), Jil Sander, Martin Margiela, Vivienne Westwood to be found at prices ranging from cheapie to not overly unreasonable.  The shoes alas were a bit pricier but still bargainous if you want things at 50% off.  Definitely glad I took the gander.  Exciting shopping experience it may not be but for a rooter-outer like me, it was still rewarding.  Speaking of designer consignment, INA which has branches in Soho, Nolita and Noho is also pretty amazing in terms of range of designer and prices (I'm still not sure how I came away with nothing...) and a far less bewildering/retro experience than C21. 

Some gold and red for Chinese New Year celebrations (I postponed my celebrations until I got back to London...)  Happy belated Chinese New Year by the by...hope you ate a lot of food!  I'm planning to despite the fact that I just bought these unforgiving satin dresses...

PAUL SMITH WOMEN FALL 2008 READY-TO-WEAR SHOW: COMPLETE COVERAGE NOW ON STYLE.COM

See all the shows so far

To some of you who were mildly/semi interested in the trip to New York courtesy of Gucci and those who were dismayed at my confounded week of tech-mistakes, I am trying to make up for it now that I'm back online (emergency trip to PC World yesterday...) so you may either skip if you're not interested or read along for the Gucci ride.

I'll be brutally honest and say that when Gucci first approached me about participating in this trip and attending the event etc, I had to question whether me posting about Gucci, a brand that I have never shown great love for would be blog-ethical.  The way I did approach it is to perhaps try and see if I would personally have a change of opinion, whilst taking in a trip on behalf of the blog.

On Tuesday, as I said, the press conference held at the new Fifth Avenue Store (for which all of this hoo-hah is for...) was heaving with a) Gucci bags.... so many that I began seeing duplicates and b) those running through the motions of New York Fashion Week engagements and there was myself, one and only amateur fash blogger (Betsy from Fashion is Spinach and Elisabeth from La Coquette are both pro journalists...).  First, Mark Lee, the CEO of Gucci detailed the history of Gucci and its relationship with New York, how when the first store on Fifth Avenue opened in 1953, a 'special bond' between Gucci and New York formed.  I later found out that Mark Lee is a self confessed New Yorker, hence why he seemed genuinely passionate and excited when speaking of the new store ('excited child proud of his school project' was the vibe I got with no offense to Mr Lee!). 

Now comes the maths part.  He then ran through some rather interesting figures of Gucci's profit growth.  Dull as dishwater they may seem but it seemed interested how a brand that is known for its leather goods is making healthy increases in ready to wear (though the overall percentage of revenues was still dominated by leather goods 54.3% to be precise, RTW and shoes increased their revenues by 20% as opposed to leather goods which only increased by 10%).  It says to me that a bigger interest is being taken in luxury brands' non-core businesses, that creative directors like Frida are taking the right steps to making people see Gucci as something other than just that brand that produces logo-ed bags.  It occurred to me that perhaps it is my automatic disposition to rain down on the fat cats and champion the underdogs that makes me forget that fashion is also about business and that Gucci is exceedingly successful as a luxury brand and that after 50 years, they are one of the handful of brands that still remain.  This isn't me joining the 'I love Gucci' parade but accepting it for what it is and respecting that. 

Another maths fact that explained why there were SO many press people from the Asia Pacific.  Asia and Japan (Japan brings in enough revenue to warrant it's own category) makes up 40% of total revenues.  Ack is all I can say!

Frida Giannini then took the podium and ran through the concept of the store which she designed herself and instead of outsourcing architects, Gucci had an in-house team to realise their vision for the store.  Natural light is a key component of the store (too bad, it was a bit of a gloomy day...) and historic Gucci materials were also incorporated such as dark rosewood and marble.  It sounds too heavy for a store but when combined with all the smoked mirror/glass, perspex/glass and shiny gold, the store felt like an homage to both Gucci and Art Deco.  It could have been ever so bling-tastic but it was actually rather understated and elegant but not in a cold way. 

Later that day, all the bloggers were given a tour or the store in great detail by Mark Lee, who could have easily delegated the tours to someone else (he had already given three that day...) but undertook it himself and it was literally so indepth, I'm still getting little tidbits popping back in my brain even now.  Though Frida Giannini is the creative director, Mark Lee seems involved in all processes and knew everything from what the lacquer the bamboo handles on a bag is covered with to the origins of the carpet design.  I felt like I wanted to ask him really REALLY random things just to see if he would know it.... (I did ask him how he felt about the upcoming Ridley Scott film on Gucci.... he was all for it!).      

I have to admit that because of the tour of the store and seeing things that made me think 'Oh my!', I did sneakily check out the SS08 collection after the tour just to refresh my memory as again, Gucci isn't one of those collections I memorise   For example, in a very uncool way, I suddenly yelped 'Oh my God!  I luuurve those shoes' when talking about the peep toe patent lace-ups from the SS08 collection.  People laughed.  It was on the 2nd floor with the shoes where all the really fashion-forward stuff came together and where my eyes started glinting and probably where Giannini's work is best-showcased.

As another way of celebrating the store's opening, they a) delved into the archives to create a Heritage line of bags that are based on designs in the archive and b) went a bit tongue in cheek and wanted to say a big 'I HEART NY' with an entire range of bags with this slogan emblazoned on it.  I'll again be honest and say that yes, Gucci did bestow upon me such a bag which I had to be photographed with in front of my favourite NYC landmark (I chose the Frick Collection... who snootily would not allow pics inside it...).  I'm still looking at the bag back in London and thinking how I can carry this without looking like I'm disturbingly REALLY into New York so I'm thinking loading it up with my red and blue chain scarves and necklaces with a t-shirt dress and red patent shoes will somehow make this work.

Through my sudden urge to back-up every five minutes, I did salvage some footage and made an ok-ish video of the tour.  It of course would have been ma-hussively better with my footage of the main event but hey... best of a bad situation and all that....

Notes about my lack of professionality which has recently come up... People who see me as a professional blogger be it readers or the fashion industry (if any of them read this?!) need to get one thing clear: I have always and STILL work full time as a digital media planner and blogging is what I do part time (as in during unsociable hours...).  Which means, when I'm supposedly swanning around the world doing fun-bloggery things with my boyfriend in tow, it is because I am taking those days off as part of my limited number of annual leave days.  Ergo, effectively, that is my annual holiday.  Slap me for wanting to be with the ones I love during those days.  Yes, the Gucci trip was in essence a business trip but it was also a holiday for me which I don't get many of (you might have noticed I haven't been back to Hong Kong in an age.... that's because I have no time....).  Attending any fashion weeks, fashion-related event are all taken as holidays.  I'd love to be a Diane Pernet and traipse around the world dedicating my entire life to blogging but alas, I have to eat, live and pay high tax rates in Laaandon. 

Yes, I majorly fucked up with my week of tech accidents/blunders and if you think I didn't cry over it or berated myself for letting down readers and also Gucci, because they were ever so helpful over the whole thing, then you're wrong.  The boyf and also the bloody tissues can attest to that (I have nose bleeds when I cry....).  I did my best to salvage the best out of a bad situation.  What more can I do? 

Oooh... I know...post about the actual event itself which is EVER so late and alas...sans images but there you go...

My ears started ringing the moment I heard him utter the b-word. Branding. Brian Vargas brings a business sense to his family run couture t-shirt design company, Verdette that is uncommon among many independent designers. Introduced to the fashion world by his cousin Jean Pozzi-Escott, co-owner of Verdette, Vargas has made waves in the D.C. fashion community by keeping his ear to the ground and consulting with the people whose opinions matter most – the consumer.

“We never put anything into production without a prototype. We share designs with boutiques and other designers to get opinions. Everyone has an impact on the final design.” In8’s opinion? Verdette is for the ”regular” guy who has an elusive edge, a mysterious confidence and swagger that your typical monogrammed or down-to-the-knee tee just can't portray.

Often compared to cult favorites Ed Hardy, Monarchy, and Affliction for their vintage edge, Brian decrees that what sets Verdette apart from these marquee brands is that ”Verdette is not bought for the name; Verdette is bought for the style of the design.” Brian notes the welcomed and long overdue shift in urban men’s wear from engrossingly large looks to more physique flattering fits. ”Trends are changing. People are tired of big names and brands on their clothes.”

Jean Pozzi-Escott, co-owner of Verdette and cousin of Brian Vargas, began sewing the seeds for Verdette 20 years ago in Peru, humbly buying t-shirts, redesigning, and then reselling them. Fifteen years later Verdette was born – bringing an urban couture flavor to men’s wear that integrates elaborate stitching, digital media and visual illusions into the workmanship of the designs. Verdette designs recently caught the eye of celebrities like Eva Pigford and D.C. native DeAngelo Redman form MTV’s Making the Band 4, who is now an official endorser of the brand.

“All of Verdette is considered limited edition because we only produce about 500 shirts for a single model in a single market. So when it's gone it's never seen again! Each model comes in three colors, so it is very unlikely to find someone else wearing Verdette out in the streets. Our product is also "green," we are ecological because we use organic PIMA cotton, provide ethical wages, and a great working environment for all of our employees. We keep our styles fresh by having new collections every two months.”

Verdette’s sharp and unique designs appeal to all backgrounds – gender included “A lot of women buy the t-shirts for themselves, not their boyfriends –” a tricky and unexpected triumph considering the plethora of apparel at their fingertips. Incited by a strong female response to the men’s wear line, Verdette will release its first women’s collection in 08 featuring tops, dresses, skirts, jackets, trousers, and their signature tees.

“For now, Verdette is very underground, yet very spread out being in areas from Pentagon Row to D.C. to Annapolis and Baltimore! We are also expanding in Miami, Austin, and L.A. I will put 110% into everything that I do. I try to convey how unique Verdette is in the way that I approach everything.”

Photos courtesy of Verdette

Contact: brian@verdette.com; 703.927.9590