Fad*ish- fashion and design

Nothing says “I love all things British” like plastering a roll of Lizzie Allen’s ‘London City Gents’ wallpaper on your living room wall. The design goes way past quirky to just plain adorable faster than you can say Margaret Thatcher. Is it kitsch? Yes, but I am sure it will appeal to more than just people who collect coins, stamps and gnomes. Her designs are a well balanced, graphic depiction of London life -- romanticized in a whimsical, ‘Mary Poppins’ sort of way. The hand-screen printed paper comes in Fall and Spring editions to suit more than one color story, and seems to be recommended for an accent wall rather than a whole room.

Lizzie Allen isn’t just some chick with a wad of paper and some glue -- she studied printed textiles at Winchester School of Art, graduating in 2004. Along with her gentleman inspired design, she also has wall paper inspired by the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace and visitors crowding around St. Paul’s Cathedral. It beats an “I heart the Queen” t-shirt for loving British culture -- and it is a bit more sophisticated too. Furthermore, it is commendable when an artist captures the mundane, and makes it something to discuss over tea and scones.

Lizzie Allen also offers bespoke and consulting services for individualized projects. For more information visit her website at www.lizzieallen.co.uk.

*ms.b

Labels: Decor

It is a sad day when women are opting for glorified scotch tape over a bra -- and nowadays there is an increasing need for it. Clothes are getting scarcer, more transparent, and who can lift and separate under these new conditions? Though I am all for the women’s movement of the 1850’s which evolved into the flapper culture of the roaring 20’s and eventually the burning of the bra in the 60’s, I must personally put my foot down and plea with designers to give reason to put on a bra’s and save our dignity. How is it that in the new millennium we can’t get the balance between being incredibly sexy and completely naked right? We are downright forcing random manufacturers to come up with loose attempts to keep our bosoms in tact and together.

Bristol B. gives us various renditions of the pasty that comes in candy coated colors and shiny fabrics. In addition, for the more reserved pasty wearer, they created a neutral collection called ‘basic’. Though it is not Natori, it will give you the wow factor if you are disrobing in front of any man -- for obvious reasons. No amount of cute colors can cover the fact that it is just for tantalizing. They boast how reusable their products are, but I think they should be disposable --for that one night on the town when your backless dress just can’t support a bra. Their coverage will help keep you from blushing every time a cool wind blows by, but offers little support for those of us over an A cup.

Useful Chick Stuff offers a wide range of barely-there-underwear that includes nipple cover, tapes, and my favorite an adhesive breast ‘perk-er’ called ‘Liftits”. Once you get past their curly logos, and the catchy slogans, their products basically break down to a creative use of the double-stick. It is almost as if a 3M employee was at home one night, and thought I got all this adhesive what can I do with it? Maybe I am a bit disgruntled because I didn’t think of the ‘Liftits’ first-- just like the idea of the post-it. The idea of using a large piece of tape to lift your breast back to the days when you were twenty-two is absolute genius. However there is still one major flaw: how does one explain the sticky tape when you disrobe for your significant other? I agree it is good for that once in a lifetime J-lo moment, but removing it looks like you are peeling a layer of skin from your ‘boobs’.

I am an advocate of progression – especially that of the female kind. I am glad that bathing suits are no longer made of rubber, and women can vote. There is a use for double stick at award shows, when you are trying to keep a handkerchief dress from blowing in the wind-- I understand that. However, in this world of elastic, micro-fibers, and Teflon under-wire, it is possible for designers to make clothing that stays in place. The need for adhesive based underwear is more a cry for better dress design, than lingerie design. After all, if a dress exposes the wearer, and that was not what it was intended to do, somewhere between the draping and the sewing, it went terribly wrong.

*ms. b

*useful links

Useful Chick Stuff

Bristol B

Labels: Style

The time when bigger was better is slowly diminishing -- well at least outside of the United States. Who can blame us for being more environmentally conscious, when the world as we know it is getting warmer by the second? Compact cars and sedans are being abandoned for upgraded, vintage ‘small’ cars -- with new and improved add-on features. It was only a matter of time before Fiat made the leap and joined the scores of old and new ‘small’ car models on the market.

Fiat upgraded their 500 model, just as the Mini did years before, and I for one have been waiting for this change. For years the Italians have been sore losers, boasting how the Fiat 500 was the Mini’s predecessor. Though that might be true, what has the Fiat 500 done for us lately? It has been a while since they emerged from the mind of Dante Giacosa -- Fiat’s chief designer at the time -- in 1957¹. Then, the original ‘Italian Job’-- starring Michael Caine invaded the silver screen in 1969, and the Mini has hogged all the attention ever since. Also, the Mini and other vintage cars have continued to evolve, leaving the Fiat 500 lost and forgotten.

Now in the year 2007, the Fiat 500 has finally emerged with a new version sure to live up to that Italian pride. Its updated design -- and ability to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.5 seconds-- is sure to give any compact car in the market a run for its money. We have more than just the Mini Cooper to consider here, the world of small cars is getting bigger by the minute. Don’t let their size fool you, small cars are getting smarter, and are coming with more than just a gas saving incentive. It is just a matter of time before robots become friends, food comes in pellets, and the small car takes over the world.

For more information on the Fiat 500 visit their website at www.fiat.it.

*ms.b

^1. http://www.gizmohighway.com/autos/fiat_500_history.htm

Labels: Wheels

I must admit I was a bit confused when I saw the Squiddledee & Company collection at New York’s Edge NY Noho. The 100% silk tie collection is sugary sweet-- like someone dipped it with sugar frosting, and sprinkled it with candied buttons. Each tie is decorated with whimsical cartoon characters -- and if the frogs and elephants don’t throw you back to the days of Disney, the pastel colors will.

So why was I left scratching my head when perusing their tie collection? I was wondering who their target customer was -- the bricks and mortar banker by day, and closeted ‘My Little Pony’ lover by night? While I am sure you could find that person in New York--a city that is inhabited by people from all walks of live -- are there really enough of these people to sustain a company?

By the looks of their collection, Squiddledee would argue yes. They are so confident they even put it in their brochure. Asking their customer ‘do you know a Squiddledee guy?’ I couldn’t think of one, but then who am I to judge, most of the men I know are alpha males. It is hard enough to convince then that blush pink is the new blue, let alone throw a frog and a hippo at them. However, maybe the world of tie wearers isn’t so black and white. Apparently, they also encompass the lavender elephant ‘ponderer’ and the pink octopus ‘player’.

For more information on the Squiddledee & Company visit their website at www.squiddledee.com

Labels: Style