Aug 23, 2009 | DIY
(My DIY version, left) I fell in love with this necklace (found on SixSixSick, right photo), originally by artist Anni Albers. They sell the DIY necklace kit on Urban Outfitters for $14.
(A little bit about Anni Albers and the necklace kit from the UrbanOutfitters website: “This German-born American textile artist was always creating, even during WWII when fine materials were in short supply. Back then, she’d use unlikely objects from hardware and stationery stores to constantly make new and exciting pieces. A pioneer of 20th century Modernism, Anni, along with her husband Josef, revamped and challenged the purpose and aesthetics of modern art. Based on an original 1941 piece that was featured in Anni’s exhibition of “common object jewelry”, this Washers and Ribbon kit lets you easily create an eye-catching piece. A simple, easy project, the kit includes all the components needed to create the necklace shown plus a photo of the finished product as a guide.”)
Now I was all ready to plonk down my $14 for the kit at my local Urban Outfitters, but the store didn’t have it, and the salespeople were so unbelievably rude when I asked about it (admittedly I was holding an upset-looking toddler and looked somewhat sweaty and disheveled myself) that I decided no way, no how was I buying it from Urban. So I just put together the parts – one trip to Home Depot, and one trip to Michael’s later, I was set. Figuring out how the ribbon was woven through took a few false starts, but here is the DIY anyway, just in case anyone’s interested:
You will need:
-2 M of 5/8″ double-sided ribbon (I chose satin-the UO version is grosgrain. Whatever you like, just make sure both sides are the same! I also grabbed a 3 M remnant spool out of Michaels’ $1 bucket near the cash registers.)
-4 small (5/16″ dia) zinc cut washers (loose washers in the drawers below the washer/screw section)
-2 packs (of 6) 1/2″ dia SAE washers (they come in little orange plastic packs hanging on the wall at Home Depot, item#19861)
-7 x zinc cut washers1/2″ (again, loose from the drawer below)*
*I know it looks like we just bought a whole bunch of 1/2″ washers, but for some reason the loose 1/2″ dia washers actually ARE 1/2″, whereas the loose, in the drawer “cutwashers1/2″ are larger (like 7/8” if truth must be told). Not sure why. Anyway, those are what I used; choose whatever sizes you like!
Total cost of washers? $3.74.
How to: Thread one of the smallest washers onto your length of ribbon, about 8″ or so from one end. Follow lacing instructions below, adding washers on in this order:
(S= small washer, M=medium washer, L=large washer)
S-S-M-M-M-M-M-M-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-M-M-M-M-M-M-S-S
Make sure you underlap the washers as you add each new one; the new one goes underneath the previous one. And they’re single-sided (a shiny side, and a matter side), so make sure you’re keeping the same side out for each one as you add it on!
Leave 6-8″ on the end once you’re done , and tie the end of the ribbon. You can also treat the ends with Fray-Stop, or fold them over twice and stitch a narrow hem to encase the edges (neither of which I’ve done in the photo cuz I’m just too lazy). I think I’ll just leave the ends tied – am not sure I like the bow I made. Anyhow.
Project Cost: $4.74.
Time to Make: 40 min since I had to rethread it 3 times before I figured out the tying method. Should take you less!
The necklace (though heavy) sits beautifully on the body, almost like a flat snake. Very nice, Anni Albers!
I’m wearing it with my DIY cut-off Hanes shirt that I got from the Dollar Tree for…yup, you guessed it…ONE WHOLE DOLLAR. I was thrilled to find blank white and colored M and L sized Hanes tees at Dollar Tree. The bottom half of this shirt went to my DIY necklush, which I’ll probably post a photo of to bore you all with later. I kept the top half, then realized it looks more than slightly like that little Loose Crop Tee that American Apparel is selling for $17 (which I’ve had my eye on for awhile)…so ka-ching! I feel $16 richer. Funny how DIY works that way!
Happy DIY’ing!
xoxox
Carly
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Aug 22, 2009 | Media, Score!
(Free with Purchase, above: Blueberry-print mini-shorts with Sept. issue of GISELE mag; cher-print large tote and small lunch bag with Cher Fall/Autumn Collection Lookbook)
In the U.S., you may come across an offer of a free tote or calendar or small handbag or makeup pouch sent to you FREE with your paid magazine subscription to Lucky, Allure, Cosmo, etc? Almost every women’s magazine out there has one of those freebie offers (though I’ve only seen an offer of a freebie with a Vogue subscription ONCE, and that was this past June, and so I promptly renewed my subscription by using the mail-in offer card so I would get the free bag, because although I really don’t need yet another bag…it’s free and it’s from Vogue, so of course I wanted it. Makes perfect logical sense, no?)
But the freebie is never included inside the magazine. Never. It’s sent to you about 4-12 weeks after your subscription is processed, so even if you were planning on cancelling your subscription as soon as you got your freebie, you still have to be pay in full and then go through the rigmarole of trying to get a partial refund since you’ve already received a couple issues.
In Japan, you can get a subscription to a magazine, but why bother? You may receive 10% or 15% off the cover price with a yearly subscription, and there’s the added bonus of the magazine being delivered to your doorstep every month so you don’t have to bother walking the 5 minutes to the nearest one (or three) convenience stores in order to buy the latest issue…but it’s financially not worth it unless you buy 10 or more issues a year. In the U.S. a year subscription to LUcky is something ridiculous like $12, since advertising pays for the cost of producing the magazine. In Japan, consumers pay $4-6 an issue for the latest women’s magazine, and unless you live super far from a bookstore or convenience store, a subscription isn’t that great a deal. Consumers are far more likely to just go to their local store and pick up the latest issue – and that’s where the FREEBIE comes in.
In June of this year, to boost flagging sales, almost every single women’s magazine in Japan came with a freebie of some sort, tucked in between the pages, and sealed in plastic so you couldn’t slip it out secretly while in the bookstore and make off with the freebie. From compact mirrors to makeup cases, eco-friendly tote bags to scrunchies, keyrings to cellphone cases, just about every little thing you could think of was included with the purchase of some magazine.
And yes, it wasn’t necessarily stuff you might really need, some of it was really cool, like some famous brands (Celine and Q-pot, for example) doing collaborations with the magazines and producing merchandise specifically for the readers.
(Paul & Joe Sister-designed vinyl tote, included with purchase of Sept. Sweet magazine)
Though come July things were back to normal, with only a few mags offering up some goodies, again this month there is a whole slew of magazines with products included. There was even a list at the local bookstore of the items available in magazines this month- so you could pick and choose what you wanted and buy the magazine accordingly. A Marc Jacobs tote included with the purchase of the Autumn/Winter ’09 Marc Jacobs lookbook? A pair of thong undies with another ladies mag? A puffy scrunchy and pompon hair elastic with Popteen? Check, check, and check.
I picked up a pair of mini-shorts, a large canvas tote bag, a small lunch tote bag, and a large vinyl tote bag with my purchase of magazines. Free! Love that word.
(And if you have a Kinokuniya or other Japanese bookstore that stocks these magazines near you – you can pick up yourｓ too!…at the dismal price of $13 U.S., whereas the Japanese counterparts are about 400 – 500 yen or $4-$5 a mag.)
xoxox from Tokyo
Carly
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Aug 21, 2009 | Fashion
Okay, if someone asked you what images popped into your mind when you heard “nail art,” would it be something like the image below? (Or, art drawn on the head of a nail…for those particularly out there people.)
In fact, most style gurus out there decree nail art a DON’T; declaring it “tacky.” (Okay, the above image is…well, definitely NOT practical, and not really pretty, to be perfectly honest. There was tons of work that went into it, but yeah, it does look a little tacky.) (I also, on a side note, find it funny that say, Marie Claire will declare the exact phrase above…and then the Marie Claire Japan will showcase the nail art of some Japanese celebs in the same month. Different markets.)
Well anyway, the people who think of tacky stuff when it comes to nail art are probably thinking about the above, or the plethora of airbrushed designs that dominate U.S. nail salon art requests.
You guys probably know about this already, but just in case…
Japan has, hands down, the most innovative nail art EVER. Sure it only caught on in Japan in like the mid-to-late 90’s. Sure Koreans are probably known for populating U.S. manicurist/nail art salons. Sure Korean nail art is fantastic too, and Korea has definitely introduced some advances to the industry. But the Japanese have completely appropriated U.S. nail art…and made it superb.
Reverse manicure with clear tips and half moon, and black nail bed + some sequins.
It wasn’t until 1998 that I really started noticing nail art on every trendy girl’s fingers in Tokyo. I mean, growing up there I always felt, no matter how much effort I put into my appearance, I was always sloppy, messy, and uncoordinated compared to the super-clean, super-put-together Japanese girls. They really thought out everything about their outfits…and then in the late 90’s they were perfect down to the tips of their fingers and toes.
I never really saw nail art as “tacky;” it was the crowning touch to a perfect outfit.
{As a side note: I had this dream of becoming a nail artist once…then I realized I only liked doing my nails…and having pretty nail art on them. Nail artists always have messed up nails from doing everyone else’s!
So I routinely practiced on my own nails…until I had a baby. [Okay, a lot of my sentences end that way…not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing.:-)] I did freehand drawing, stamping, and embellishment, as well as acrylic overlay and acrylic sculpture…I’m right-handed so my left hand’s nails would always look fabulous but my right hand’s would be all wonky when it came to sculpture…I still sport a nail piercing from time to time, and still have my gigantic nail art kit which is begging to be used again.}
Acrylic sculpture with 3D “bubble” where rhinestones are actually knocking about in there.
Japanese nail art (though the stuff in magazines runs the gamut from the trendy to the salon offerings, to the challenging, to the more conceptual, “artistic” show pieces like the set at the top) tends to focus more on acrylic sculpture than the U.S. (Though gel nails are now all over the place, I think nail artists still go for acrylic because of the enormous 3D possibilities.) The average customer coming into a nail salon in the U.S. will ask for a French manicure, maybe a little rhinestone or flower detailed on one nail or a toenail, maybe an acrylic overlay (over plastic tips that are glued onto the nail bed). But art actually made out of acrylic sculpture??? Unh unh. [Well okay, you can get that stuff at the nail salons in Honolulu, where the Japanese tourist population is immense…but I’m talking your average salon, even the ones that are featured in magazines as being an “authority” on nails.] I had never heard of it until I was watching late-night Japanese TV when I was 12 and I saw a manicurist create a nail out of this powder and liquid. She put a foil paper under this lady’s nails and created new, long nails out of liquid!! I was floored – how could such a thing exist??? I searched high and low in the U.S. for this magic stuff for years afterwards…and after the internet came kept searching…but the selection was always few and far between compared to what they had in Japan.
Clear acrylic sculpture nails with embedded sliced venetian glass millefiori beads.
It also seems like there is a huge contingent of Japanese girls out there (late teens – early 30’s) who are doing their own nails – and are spectacular at it. Nail art is a HUGE hobby for girls in Japan, yet in the U.S., there might be some people who are gung ho about it, but it definitely doesn’t feature in the forefront of fashion rags, TV shows, or celeb’s styled “looks.”
So just as in introduction….here’s just a smattering from my magazine collection…I know they’re really old but I haven’t felt like buying it since I can’t really do any of this stuff while I have a small child and spend my days doing housework and cooking… {whaaat….you thought I did other things??? You thought I lead a fashionable life??? LOL} But for me, this stuff is still so inspirational and mind-boggling…and, IMHO, it even looks pretty.
Well, except for this. It’s a cool concept (which is why I posted it), but not that pretty. Again, a contest-winning set of nails, not in the “fashionable” category methinks.
Kanoko Miura, personal nail artist to Hamasaki Ayumi (or Ayu…basically, think the Beyonce of Japan). Her nail art is on the more tame side than the typical stuff you see on the fashionistas in Tokyo…but checkout those nails with that paint drip on the ends!! So cool.
Nails with acryclic scultped 3D shapes placed UNDER the tips so you only see the shapes when looking at the tips straight one. Weird.
Blue-tinted clear
acrylic sculpture with air bubbles added via syringe while solution was still soft.
Nails made to look like faceted gemstones by placing carefully-folded foil pieces over soft colored acrylic sculpture.
Manicurist Student Nail Art. Tons and tons of acrylic 3D sculpture. Fab!
Acrylic sculpted nails with working (sculpted) heart-shaped hourglass filled with sand. In case you ever need to time an egg on the go.
Gel-based “bubble” over clear tips with painted art below.
Some salon offerings. It’s really old, but at least you can see the range that appeals to customers over there.
Acrylic sculpture nails with blue glitter nailpolish and embedded sliced seashells and starfish. (They mean “AquaRium Nails” LOL) I was so in love with this idea I went the whole nine yards and actually had mine done specially at a salon so the right and left hands would match – for my animation school graduation. Mine were clear, with embedded holographic foil chips and tiny pink clamshells. It’s hard to see in the photo below, but they’re there.
Hope this has inspired you to start looking at your nails in a whole new light…a blank canvas, if you will, for innovation!
xoxxo
Carly
Photos from NailMAX magazine issues ’00, ’01, Summer ’02, Winter 2002 [they changed their numbering system after a couple issues], Autumn 2003, and Spring/Summer 2004.
And sorry, Martha, for deleting your comment from this original post…Blogger dashboard messed this up and published it in its first draft before I completed my changes. I could only repost it at a later date by deleting your comment! So sorry – no offense intended!
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Aug 20, 2009 | Beauty
Japan is also fabulous for (among other things) innovative beauty and health products. [I know you’re probably all sick of the whole “Japan is so great yada yada yada” routine, but honestly, if you got me started on the “Things I hate about Japan” that list would probably be longer.;-) So to keep things positive, I’m just focusing on the cool stuff – mainly consumerism and product innovation at its best.] Here are some neat products I’ve found:
Use instead of earring post nuts to keep your studs secure. Me, when I sleep on my side at night the studs I’m wearing in my ears always stab me in the side of the head when my ear is flattened. The nuts get caught on clothing and hair, get gunky with soap/shampoo/dead skin in them and have to be cleaned frequently – and I never thought about how much of a pain they are. These solve that, plus provide relief to people suffering from metal allergies (there are alot in Japan) since they are non-metallic. An added bonus: you can wear the pearls in the front and the stud in the back…very multifunctional! The store also had different versions like gemstone rounds or acrylic pastel colored balls for sale as well.
Cost: $8
For your Uggs, high-top sneaker, or other boots. Place inside the shoe in the heel area and it gives you a small height boost, so you don’t look short and with stocky legs, and don’t have the boot visually cutting you off at a weird place. They have ones that give you a 2 cm lift or a 3 cm lift. They’re made of silicone and so provide added cushioning to your heel – a big help for the tons of walking you have to do here.
Cost: $12.50 for the 3cm lift ones
Japanese people are also obsessed with ear canal cleanliness. Seriously. The colored Q-tips show the gunk you get out better, and the spiral shape really gets it all out. Or so I’m told.
Cost: $2.80 (from JBox.com; will ship to the U.S.)
Fake Eyelash Mascara
(sorry I can’t find a photo or a listing online, but basically, it looks like your average mascara)
Last year eyelash extensions were all the rage (I got some too) – they were cheap (about $80 for a full top set), lasted about 4-6 weeks if you were careful, indistinguishable from your natural eyelashes, you looked gorgeous round the clock with or without extra makeup….but they had problems, such as people being allergic to the glue, your natural eyelashes growing out and the extensions twisting and matting at strange angles and then poking you in the eye (yeah, that stage kind of sucked), and then your natural eyelashes growing in shorter or sparser because of the added weight and damage that the extensions had incurred. So now everyone’s just applying falsies for day and removing them at night with their makeup (even my 57-year-old MIL). But the problem is, no matter how realistic the false eyelashes look, they’re still kind of floating on top of your real ones. What to do? Enter this mascara, specially formulated to coat both natural and false eyelashes so that the two become indistinguishable. (Regular mascara can damage some types of falsies, but with this you can reuse your pair until they fall apart.)
Cost: $7
You know how, even after you shave your pits, you get this sort of bumpy terrain going on under there? I don’t necessarily mean ingrown hairs (which this product also helps alleviate), but just the sort of pit-appearance. It doesn’t look as nice as say, the skin on your forearm, does it? (Whether or not you use Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth deodorant – which is specifically a growth retardent, not a skin-smoother per se.) Plus under there you also got deodorant buildup…well, it’s just an icky area of the body. Enter WakiLaLa Clear Wash, a product guaranteed to make your underamrs pikapika (smooth and shiny) by scrubbing away dead skin and deodorant buildup, and leave everything smelling fresh.
Cost: $7.50
Why didn’t they think of this sooner??? A pen with a tint made of self-tanner, you draw in your eyebrows with this (carefully, mind you) and even after you wash your makeup off what you drew lasts for 3-7 days. Brilliant – especially for those who’ve overplucked or have eyebrows so blond they disappear every time you wash your face (that’s me! Though not a problem most Japanese women have LOL)
Cost: $13 (the linked page above isn’t loading the product photo, so I’ve included the photo from this site here…the pens are henna-based, but still the same concept, tho they only last 3 days, and the Peach John version lasts up to 7)
I know you probably hadn’t thought about it before (I know I hadn’t), but those pierced ear holes get kind of…smelly and gunky after awhile, no? Clean them with ear hole floss! Like dental floss, but stiffer and shorter. Like a toothpick, but thinner and more pliable. Genius! I found both mint- and rosewater- scented versions.
Cost: $3
You can’t be female and survive Tokyo’s August without these. This work like blotting paper, except when you blot, the sheets impart a layer of soft, lightweight powder. Some sheets have separate functions for each side: one side wipes the sweat, the other re-seals your foundation once you’re done. Your makeup stays put no matter what! (And they have scented versions, and Men’s Sheets….)
Cost: $3
Most of these products you can only buy in Japan; the links on the titles will take you to pages where you can buy them but you have to have a shipping address in Japan. Some Asian supermarkets will sell them (I’ve seen the WakiLala Armpit Clear Wash at the local Uwajimaya in Oregon, for example). Some you may be able to buy on JBox.com (for example, the cotton swabs above), which is a treasure trove of all things Japanese!
xoxox from Tokyo
Carly
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Aug 19, 2009 | Fashion
[note: This was an article I wrote that was intended to post on FashionTribes.com sometime after New York Fashion Week. For unknown reasons, it never did. I felt really bad about that, and so wanted to post it on my blog to at least showcase the designer and his work, and publish the article, since I did spend some time on it. However, the information regarding the Ebay sale is now old news – so sorry to bore you guys!]
A name soon to be (if not already) on the lips of every fashionista in the know, Yigal Azrouël, chosen as Mercedes-Benz USA’s “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer for Fall 2009, has a lot on his plate these days. Each Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, a designer who demonstrates unparalleled talent, pace-setting style and the highest quality craftsmanship is chosen to receive this honor (past recipients include Badgley Mischka, Peter Som, and Chado Ralph Rucci). Mercedes-Benz supports and celebrates the chosen designer throughout the week through the sponsorship of their runway space, access to the VIP Star Lounge for hosting media receptions, and a charitable donation to a design educational program/school on behalf of the designer and the Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer program. Yigal Azrouel was selected this year for his fresh, modern designs, meticulous attention to detail, and appreciation of exquisite fabrics.
Besides the commitments of being sponsored this season, the designer also had not one but two shows to put on: the Menswear and the Women’s RTW Fall 2009 Collections shown at the tents.
He used a darkly romantic inspiration for the Womens’ collection, interspersing his trademark drapey dresses with leather pieces such as skinny pants and a studded jacket. Azrouel, best-known as a self-taught draping expert, said “Sometimes I don’t really know what I’m doing, but it comes out when I start draping. I’m a draping designer.” His designs have been worn by celebrities including Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba. In addition to the shows, he also has two New York City brick-and-mortar boutiques: one in the Meatpacking District, and a second store that opened in Watermill in 2008.
If that weren’t enough on his dance card, the young designer also has entered into a partnership with eBay, where he plans to offer pieces from his Spring/Summer 2009 Collection for sale on the site this summer. Proceeds will be donated to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an organization that works to protect both wildlife and their habitats, ensuring a healthy environment for all life on earth. The charity sale (not standard eBay auction!), launching June 4 on eBay.com will offer all items at fixed, below-retail-prices. The drapey, feminine designs of his eponymous line will finally be available to women around the world who may not have had access to them previously.
Ultimately, both the pieces in the upcoming sale and those in the designer’s current collection display a fluidity and femininity, combined with an ease of wear and a chicness that elevates them beyond that same-old, same-old we tend to see so much nowadays. If you are in the New York area don’t hesitate to stop by one of the boutiques and try something on…you’re guaranteed to find something flattering and stylish…and if you don’t happen to live in New York there’s always the eBay sale starting June 4.
Designer Yigal Azrouel and some random girl hogging the photo op. The bag I made for Fashion Week also made the shot, apparently. Isn’t the Y.A. adorable??
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Aug 18, 2009 | Fashion
Still in Tokyo, still shopping til I’m dropping…
Having a great time, trying as hard as I can not to gain weight on all the ymmu food… (That word was supposed to be “yummy” but I thought ymmu looked so much better….)
So – opinions please!! I already bought a fabulous wedge bootie with multiple buckles and zippers for Fall…will post photos once back in Oregonia… but am still hankering after a shoe that shows some skin.
Which do you guys think is better? (To wear after tights once the weather cools down, sans for right now.) Don’t consider walkability – beauty is pain!
The choice is:
These studded lovelies, a knockoff of ones seen on Diane Kruger at some event somewhere sometime…
Or these cutout black booties?
Which would you choose? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
xoxxo from Tokyo
Carly
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Aug 17, 2009 | DIY
Is it bad when DIY-oriented, non-mainstream jewelry is sold by such a large e-tailer as Uncommon Goods??
[They also sell a Recycled Bicycle Chain Bracelet ($14), a bangle formed from an oversized nail ($145), and a Zipper Pull Necklace ($90). All these items are apparently made by a couple of artists selling their wares – they’re handcrafted from recycled materials, etc. etc.]
Does anyone think the price is a little….um, steep???
Now don’t get me wrong…I love
Uncommon Goods for funky, cool gifts. But stuff we’ve seen all over the blogosphere, and on cool it-girls like Kate Lamphear (below, photo from
karen-wheredidugetthat.blogspot.com)…now being sold by such a large company online? Perhaps the trend is now officially dead.
I feel bad for the designer who made this and gave it to her in hopes of some exposure. It’s okay, but the zippers look kinda cheap and bunged-up, and the cuff part that they’re sewn to looks like a simple piece of belted webbing. Maybe Uncommon Goods did it better…?
Ooh! Plus- head over to Michael’s. Look in the bead/pendant section (bypassing all the ugly gigantic lampwork pendants). There’s a line of pendants and findings called “Tokens”..and in this line is some cool, stylish stuff, like a cast 3″ bircage with a little bird in it, or an oversized kilt pin with rhinestones.
They sell an oversized (like 2″ long) cast zipper pull pendant. Gah! And I almost bought it, too!! What is the world coming to???:-)
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Aug 16, 2009 | Fashion
Well, since I’m in Tokyo right now the posts that I’m adding to my blog while typing on this annoying JIS-standard keyboard (where the apostrophe is shift-7) are going to be Japan-focused. Sorry for those of you completely bored with Japan…just bear with me a couple more weeks and it will all be over soon, promise!*-) (what a smileyface ends up as on this keyboard)
In Japan there are so many little subgroups and fashionable variations on a theme it’s somewhat difficult to round up items into a single “trend.” There’s the Fruits or Harajuku-style, which is bright, mismatched, youthful, and layered, where anything goes; Goth-style, which is often asymmetrical, black, tailored, and androgynous; cutesy kiddie-style, which included striped armwarmers, shorts, ridiculous English printed tee…etc. The trends below are what I’ve been seeing on a number of different girls who ascribe to different styles of dressing, as well as what is in the stores I’ve been visiting in Shibuya and Harajuku.
1. Tees with Suspenders/Neckties
T-shirts with real suspenders attached to the shirt itself, or sold as a set with a mini-necktie, abound. Some just have the tie or suspenders printed trompe l’oiel style on them. Some tees have extra fabric tabs on the front of back to accommodate the suspender clips, and buttoned epaulets on the shoulders to keep them in place. (
Tee: Cecil McBee)
2. Black Buckled Boots (wedge, stiletto, or even chunk heel)
A chunky, stacked heel I find unusual in Japan, since boots have either been flats or stilettos for ages. Engineer boots are also popular for Fall. I almost bought a pair of multi-buckled Fall ’09 Balmain boot (you know, the one where the buckled straps cover the heel??) knockoffs at Cecil McBee, but there were scratches on them, and at the stores in Japan they will not discount damaged merchandise for the customer.
At all. There will be another Japanese girl who will come along in the next 20 minutes and pay full price for it anyway. (
Boots: R&E)
3. Vests (fur/suiting/denim)
Though the fur vest (long crimped Mongolian lamb being the forerunner for Fall) is too much for August in Tokyo just yet, there are still tons of girls layering suiting-style vests in black and gray over their tees, or opting for washed, bleached denim (often with studding) to add to their outfits. Apparently the trend for Fall is also to layer something under said vest – as in a sequined vest or a vintage-style, lacy tie-front dress so a contrasting texture peeps out at the front. (Vest: Kai Lani)
4. Stretch Front-Clasp Belt (2″ wide plus)
Worn at the natural waist or above (even right across the ribcage under the boobage – hah! silliest word ever). Here they also wear alot of mini bustier style dresses over mini tees, and then cinch the whole look with a belt, so it looks like you’re wearing a tee dress. Totally a way to get more use out of that mini you bought at Forever21. (Belt: Rose Fan Fan)
5. Leggings/Tights
Legwear abounds here, even with odd choices (garter belts and thigh-highs worn under super-short minis? Black large-scale fishnets (the usual threadlike netting made thicker, spaced with 3″ wide openings) worn over neon tights?) but black leggings dominate, year round. They come in just about every length imagineable, with stirrups, scrunched bottoms, or lace hems. (Leggings: Chocorouge)
6. Arm Covers
Sure the Japanese kids have always loved armwarmers to coordinate with a funky, punky outfit, but now I’ve been spotting them on older ladies peeking out from their t-shirt sleeves, and on women every age inbetween. Now they are no longer “warmers” but are instead UV protectant, cool-technology layers, that the savvy Tokyo-ite (and northern Japanese lady, according to my sister in law who went there earlier this month) adds to her ensemble. (Arm Covers: Niizu)
7. Mini Hats
Almost every store catering to the younger set had these, yet I saw few people wearing them. (In Harajuku, where many girls were decked out in Lolita fashions, I saw more, and Ageha Magazine was populated with them.) I was sorely tempted to buy a little black one for myself, when I realized Hub would probably hurt himself laughing if I donned one for my morning grocery shopping at the Fred Meyer back in Oregon. (Hats: FAIRYTEARY)
8. Vintage-Look Lace Dress
Big for Fall! the stores proclaim, and even if there are some who will never ascribe to the boho style of dressing, my guess is that even they will use tea-dyed and ivory lace dresses as a layer under cardigans and over leggings come cooler months. (Dress: Snidel)
9. Frilly Bloomers
I kid you not. Super-mini-shorts-style, with layers upon layers of lace, satin frills, or sequin layers, apparently you can wear these peeking out from under a tunic that’s just a wee bit short, or under a skirt that’s short enough to flash everyone when you’re going up on an escalator. I almost bought a pair and then realized even layered under a denim mini or tunic, they’re still too short for my comfort. For someone 10-15 years younger, perfect…? (Bloomers: C. C. Cross)
10. Popp
les
Japan has always had an infatuation with cutesy characters, and Barbie, Marie from the Aristocats, Hello Kitty, and Snoopy have been on t-shirts and cell phone lariats for decades. Last year to my pleasure I saw My Little Pony had made a comeback on t-shirts and bag charms (but the new G3 series models from this decade, blecccch…which don’t even hold a candle to the G1’s from the 80’s IMHO) but now it’s all about Popples. When I saw Puffball and Party Time plush dolls in a store, I almost went ballistic!! But then again maybe they’re back at the Toys R Us in the U.S…I just haven’t checked. T-shirts and cellphone lariats definitely crowd the stores here. And though 6 months ago everyone was mad for stuffed bear bag charms all decked out with rhinestones and chains now it’s characters dripping from bags, including the aforementioned Popples.
Other trends: Harem pants, in sweatshirt, jersey, or cotton woven fabrics (they call them sarrouel here, which I assume is from the French…?), striped nautical tees, straw panama hats, oversized black sunglasses, super-sparkly nails in a rainbow of colors, heat-set studs on tees creating a pattern or spelling out words, strange English phrases on shirts, destroyed denim, boyfriend blazers with contrasting sleeve linings, jumpsuits, suspender pants, and baggy harem pant overalls.
Jewelry does not seem very interesting or unique this time around…I’m seeing piles of gold and silver bangles and definitely some neon plastic accessories here and there, but for the most part, everything seems about the elastic belt and the studded shoes lately.
*-) from Tokyo
Carly
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Aug 15, 2009 | Fashion
(all runway images: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)
Designer Lela Rose drew inspiration for the Fall/Winter ’09 Collection of her eponymous line from the rich, jewel-like colors of the rainforest. A self-proclaimed “big fan of color,” the designer swathed her models in deep emerald greens, brilliant purples and turquoises, shimmering golds, and vibrant crimsons. Wanting to evoke the enchanted forest and all its magical charms, she felt that “this season has both evolved [from last season ]but is new: new shapes, new colors…but the big feature is its really amazing color. “This season is about the jewel- tones that come from the rainforest; we’ve cocoon-wrapped shapes…it’s got a little bit of an enchanted quality but at the same time we know who our customer is and we want to offer her that.” The ombre sequined dresses and tops in shades of turquoise and mustard; the pleated satin cocktail dress in a fascinating crimson; the cobalt redux tweed puff-sleeve jacket; the vertically-dyed splashes of apple green and moss on dresses and skirts; the folded open-collared dress and Grecian-draped evening gowns in gold and white; even the chunky gemstone and bronze bell jewelry evoked a dreamy opulence that was undeniably wearable.
(Clockwise, from far left: Exeter [round-toe pump with black suede straps, in salt-and-pepper Tweed with black suede trim; also avail. in Olive and Smokey Purple]; Mallory [round-toe, stacked-heel bootie with short cuff detail and cut-out tassel vamp in Cobalt Suede; also avail. in Olive Suede, Mallard Green Boucle, and Charcoal Suede]; Everett [round-toe pump with stacked heel in Multi-Color Tweed; also avail. in a black-and-white Geometric Pattern and a Mallard Green Boucle]; and Gilsan [suede strappy cut-out detail pump with tassel-tie in Black; also avail. in Charcoal, Olive, Berry, and Cobalt].
The nine styles of shoes appearing on the runway consisted of Lela Rose’s 9th exclusive line for Payless. Featuring Rose’s signature use of rich fabrics like multi-color tweeds as well as “knot-less” bow accents designed to look like insect wings, the architectural heels appeared in a kaleidoscope of colors that included a punchy magenta and bold chartreuse (reminiscent of a butterfly’s wings or the petals of a wildflower). The designer’s signature use of layering and mixing various textures was employed as a play on the idea of an insect’s exoskeleton. “Working with the team at Payless is always a joy,” Rose said. “They understand what I offer aesthetically as a designer and do a great job of turning my vision into reality. The Lela Rose customer is feminine, but always looking for something special and a bit unexpected – thanks to Payless’ great prices, I am able to reach a much broader audience.” Arriving at Payless stores in September of this year, the average pricepoint for a pair is below $45. For more information visit www.paylessontherunway.com.
Celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow for Beauty.com used Stila Cosmetics to create an update on the smoky eye; instead of using blacks or grays, she perfected a smudgy jade color. Using the ChaCha and Mystic (a shimmering teal blue) Stila Eye Shadow Pan colors, Kajal Eyeliners in Emerald and Pearl ($18), and Stila Smudge Pot Liner in Jade Shimmer ($20), she created a multi-dimensional emerald-ringed eye, perfect for Fall 2009. The face was smoothed with Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($34), Perfecting Concealer B ($23), and then dusted over with Sheer Pressed Powder ($28). Convertible Color cream to powder blush in New Camellia ($25) grazed the cheeks, Praline Lip Glaze ($22) glossed the lips, and as a final touch, pink and beige shimmer shadows was brushed over the brows and high cheekbones.
Nonie Crème from butter LONDON created a catwalk wet look for the nails by starting with a coat of butter LONDON’s Swinger 3 Free Nail Polish ($14) (a pale, sheer, ‘antique’ gold), and then adding a coat of white pearl over the top to create a light, shimmery nail in an opalescent hue.
Celebrity hair artist Ted Gibson utilized the rainforest inspiration to create a “a sophisticated, insect-like shape” for the hair. He took the chic-ness of the classic ponytail, and made it current by backcombing the entire front part of the head, putting in a center part, and pulling it all back into a ponytail. The focus on the runway became the bump at the top of the head – creating a beetle-like silhouette when viewed from the front. The artist used Build It blow-drying spray ($28) to first create the texture and the voluminous shape. He finished off with
href=”http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=158753&catid=13004&trx=PLST-0-CAT&trxp1=13004&trxp2=158753&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT&cmbProdBrandFilter=46300″ target=”_blank”> Beautiful Hold Hair Spray ($28), and Tame It shine lotion ($31) to calm frizzies and to give further texture.
Overall, the synchronism of the hair, makeup, nails, and clothing evoked an enchanted femininity despite its insectoid references; the shimmering, brilliant colors, rich fabrics, and classic styling will likely fare well in the season to come.
-Carly J. Cais
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Aug 14, 2009 | Fashion
The 100yen shop (or Hyaku-En Shop, as they say in Japanese, which would make the title of this post nice and alliterative) licks the US Dollar Store into a cocked hat.
Whatever that means.
It’s bigger, for one, sells a larger variety of goods, and each one you pick up the thought “this can’t possibly be 100yen!” floats unbidden through your mind. From the packaging to the instructions, the design to the coloring, pretty much every product is amazing, useful, cute, or something you’ve been missing in your life up until now. But for those homesick for Dollar Tree, they do sell ceramic cherub centerpieces (though in small supply).
Here is what I bought, for $0.97 a piece at today’s exchange rate:
1.) 3 dual-direction zippers – almost as good as YKK brand from Jo-Anns that they charge $5.49 apiece for. Grrrr. DIY Kate Cusack zipper cuff, here I come!!
2.) Paint for ceramics (in white and pink)
3.) Super-long-handled sporks and heart-shaped mini foil cups. Hub was thrilled at finding sporks, since we don’t have any at home, and threw these into the basket, not noticing that they were super-long-handled (for parfaits and sundaes). So now we have a complete set of parfait sporks. Or just sporks for eating food at great distances, which may in fact prove useful at some point in time.
4.) Pack of 3 Jewel-print plastic file sleeves.
5.) Eyelash extensions. I used up all the extensions that came in my Ardell Duralash kit long ago, and since I have tons of the glue left, I wanted to get proper extensions to use with it. (The individual clumps of eyelashes for single-day use do not work at all.) This was the only thing in my shopping that cost more than 100yen – 314 yen, to be exact ($3.10).
6.) 2 double-layered snap-lid boxes and a heart-shaped mirror. (I plan to DIY them after I get back to the States.) The Japanese love it when everything has a place and is in it. So many boxes and cases and compartments…for just about everything you own! I want to go home and box my whole house up into pretty, multi-functional cases.
7.) Clear fake nails with rhinestone and glitter art. Not sure where I’ll wear them, but they’re just so pretty…
8.) Mini-notebook and regular notebook. So many products in Japan are so incredibly chatty. They have English all over them as if they’re desperate to tell us something. The large notebook is the “Fruit Train” notebook. “Welcome to the country of the fruit,” is its kind greeting. “What do you see in this fruit? It is a train that carries your dream.” The majority of my dreams are filled with mini strawberry shortcakes, so this is perfect for me!
9.) Highlighters that draw over an already-highlighted area. Not pictured: Eraseable highlighter and highlighter with acrylic window in the tip so you can read the words as you’re highlighting them. Never had that need myself, but…now I do!
10.) Cute little rhinestone rings on a necklace.
11.) Mini sauce squeezy bottles. Perfect for adding to my son’s bento box that I will be forced to assemble for him twice a week come school days!
12.) White opaque gluesticks. Gluesticks come in a rainbow of colors here – and the crafter in me wants to sing!
13.) Puffy black 3D heart stick-ons, rhinestone variety pack, and 3 packs of mini fake food for all my decorating needs.
And, lastly but not leastly, 14.) 3 erasers for Hub: curry-scented, yakisoba [Japanese chow mein]-scented, and beer-scented.
After all, who would not want to leave the aroma of beer wafting from a freshly-erased page?
Total everything up, and I spent 3014 yen (about $30) on all this bric-a-brac!
xoxox from Tokyo
Carly
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