Fad*ish- fashion and design

Now and again some interesting or thought provoking design graces my desk. As I was rustling through the normal correspondence, I came across a brochure for Liquid Skin, and realized that today was not that day. Interesting in concept, Liquid Skin is a glass designed to look as if one would scoop water in their hands and drink it. And though I guess if one was in the wilderness drinking water with your hands would be appropriate, but drinking a glass of wine with the same posturing at a diner party seems a bit crude. And to add insult to injury the marketing ploy for this invention is gearing it towards the picnic going bunch or the classy traveler on the go. But even in that capacity it seems like an ill thought of invention due to its delicate nature. So here is my theory: maybe this was an accident in the land of hand blown glass and someone decided to recoup their loss by being creative. In conclusion, I guess it could work, but I think that the concept just doesn’t hold water.



*ms.b

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: January- Black Ice issue; 1/31/07

Labels: Decor

Nothing says come hither or I’m too sexy for my ‘cosmo’ like a smoky eye in a dimly lit night club. Some say red lipstick, but I think that is more known for being on collars and getting men in trouble. But the eyes can never get you caught –not that I am promoting promiscuity. Urban Decay’s new spring collection is all about the nude lip on an otherwise dramatic face. They even added sparkle to further illustrate this night time look. Some might try to wear this during the day, but we normally call those women misinformed. Here is a tip from your friends at Jil no one needs extra sparkle during the day, that’s why we have the sun. You can get more tips on how to recreate this look at http://www.urbandecay.com/.

*It’s Jil Baby!

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: January- Black Ice issue; 1/22/07

Labels: Beauty

I love it when filmmakers feel inclined to let us in on little piece of their lives. In Area Boys, filmmaker Omelihu “Mel” Nwanguma, takes us back to Nigeria to tell us a story about “overcoming the struggles of life”. One of the most interesting things about the film, is it shows how certain life decisions are universal. Most people are a product of their environment, and whether illegal or not the make decisions based on what they have been taught. I think that it is hard for anyone to ingest a new set of ideals when it conflicts with what they were raised on. To put in laymen’s if you are raised a thief, it is hard to break from that way of life and choose to do the right thing. And likewise, if you were raised capitalistic, turning against using a sweatshop, might take an act of G*d. Either way there is a bigger moral question; I think anyone can identify with this movie. We will keep you posted on the development of Area Boys, keep it locked!


More information on area boys is available on their website at http://www.inspirefilmmedia.com/.

*ms. b

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: January- Black Ice issue; 1/16/07

Labels: Film

I got this tip from a stylish friend who just loved herself some Tabio. After going through their product catalog, and seeing some rather unexciting, but well made tights, I happened across the multi-colored Tabi socks. I think these socks might be something a very avant-garde geisha would wear with her Technicolor Kimono. Should I be happy that someone made a sock that can be worn with flip-flops, or those Nike ninja sneakers that were so popular some seasons ago? Yes. Anything that gives people an excuse to be absolutely original is endorsed by Jil. Keep it gansta’.

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: January- Black Ice issue; 1/16/07

Labels: Style

What do you get when you mix ‘Goth’ darkness with Paris haute couture? Apparently you get Noir. It was no surprise that this would be the clothing for the Morticias gone ultra-glamorous. The fact that Noir means black in French should tip you off that the collection wasn’t going to be centered around Disney. But not to be totally kitsch, Noir gives you so much more than a gimmick. The fabrics are luxurious, the silhouettes are slinky, and despite the consistent dark color scheme, Noir oozes with femininity. We are not talking black lipstick, and demonic tattoos-- leave it to the French to create a vampiric wear anyone can sink their teeth into. Here are some examples from their current collection:




Check out their website for their look book, stories, and other Noir specific details.

*it’s Jil Baby!

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: January- Black Ice issue; 1/7/07

Labels: Style

We passed this car on the street, and we weren’t the only people who stopped and stared-- though we might have been the only ones who took pictures. It was too sexy to ignore and it was something I’ve never seen before. So like a proper stalker we researched it, and found its name, the Wiesmann. we will just call it “the sh*t” for short.

Not sure who the ‘baller’ was who parked it near the cathedral in plain site. I like to think he was some ugly troll, who needs the car to validate his manhood (it’s only right to even the odds). But it is a better guess that he is some modern day playboy--with blond to boot, who parks his car on odd blocks to mock the have-nots. But I am not a hater… I can’t knock your hustle. I bet you rub you interior leather on the weekends, and rush through the city streets in his BMW on the weekday, you know really slumming it. I am going to live vicariously, because even if I could afford it, I would still have that driving manual sports car hiccup. Because the Wiesmann doesn’t seem like it purrs, it seems like it roars.

*ms. b

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: January- Black Ice issue; 1/3/07

Labels: Wheels

I am pretty sure when the design teams of H&M and Victor &Rolf decided to create wedding apparel; it was with the altruistic goal of providing a cheap, ultra-chic alternative to Vera Wang. Or maybe it was their futile attempt to broaden their product line and after the success of their maternity, plus size and baby collections. But where those collections hit, their bridal collection misses.

These creations are the epitome of what belongs on top of a cheap, tacky wedding cake. Everything from the fluffy ruffles, to the ‘ginormous’ bow bespeaks an era that never happened, and one we are thankful never existed. How did they do it? I am not sure. But all I could think-- when gawking mouth open at the store window--was a company who I adored for their clever cross branding and their stylish collaborations couldn’t come up with something better for brides to be. They got Madonna & Co. to do a whole line of 80’s chic. You mean to tell me there wasn’t some chic celebrity getting married to hassle into producing some sort of frock that could show up nicely in an amateur wedding video?

But H&M alas, I am on your side. Thought the world is regrettably imperfect, I have faith you will one day create something suitable for the currency, conscious, bride on the go. Here is a head start: designer knock off + Chinese production = Fabulous (I know they teach that in Fashion school).

*it’s Jil baby!

*Originally Published in Jil Mag: January- Black Ice issue; 1/3/07

Labels: Style