Kiss and Make Up

Kiss, the punk nouveau girl on the left, has been on Style Defined before but I loved her eye makeup the other night so had to share...

You are your own superhero at the NYPL's Anti-Prom

 
If, like me, you didn't attend prom because you were considered too "out there" to fit in, than the New York Public Library's Anti-Prom would have been the place for you. Anti-Prom is an event that provides an alternative, safe space for all teens who may not feel welcome at official school proms or dances because of their sexual orientation, the way they dress, or for any other reason. 
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With ChiChi Valenti/The Jackie Factory providing entertainment, Johnny Dynell - the official DJ of Vandam working the music, Barneys New York providing gift bags and Bill Cunningham on the scene photographing the event for the NY Times this is not only the "anti-prom" but the prom that nurtures the next generation of designers, djs, and nightlife creatives of New York.

Group shot of fashion show participants and instructors

This year there was also a fashion show featuring looks by ten students from the High School of Fashion Industries inspired by the Anti-Prom's "super (hero)" theme as well as by visits to NYPL’s Library for the Performing Arts, the Art and Architecture Collection, and the Mid-Manhattan Picture Collection. The end result were outfits that I could imagine on the likes of Katy Perry or Lady Gaga...or one of the not-yet-discovered superstars dancing the night away at the ultimate Anti-Prom.

Models looking down on the crowd before the show.

Spikes & Safety Pins and still more fashion than punk

I am utterly intrigued by the clever use of safety pins on this coat. I assume it's a DIY but perhaps it came that way. Ditto the spikes on the bag. She's like the quirky goth niece of Lynn Yaeger.
*and mini-update: I've been made aware that Lady Gaga modified a Birkin bag with spikes....so perhaps this is copying that? Or maybe she's as ignorant of the minutiae of pop culture as I am and came up with it herself... 

Another pair looking fierce in furs

So it was gloriously warm in NYC today, but it's still March which means there are still going to be nights when the weather dips and you can take advantage to wear your fur –or faux it. Hats and black boots optional!

Polaroids at Avenue NYC from party by @greggorNYC

Not a typical post, I'm well aware...but last Tuesday night after the Zink Magazine event I stopped by Avenue where my friend Greggor was having a party and shot some 'polaroids' - which aren't actually polaroids but a purposely random style instead of framing each shot...which is challenging by that point in the night as it is! The girl here is Kiss and I think she has great style that you can see even without seeing the whole image...so there you have it!

Shaved sides still going strong

If they made a new Star Wars movie and Rick Owens was the costume designer maybe the end result would be something like this.

Punk Nouveaux

 I think the waves in the mohawk make it look more pretty than punk, and that she has a certain gamine quality I adore.

Three to go

This is kind of a punk remix and there's something about the Docs (left) and suspenders that make me feel like there is a sort of UK edge to it all. I love the mixing of the formal element of the vest with the less than conventional fishnet. They kind of look like they all got dressed from the same closet and could easily mix and match their outfits in other ways as well.

Punk Nouveaux

Sometimes I look at someone's entire outfit and at the individual pieces that make it and think to myself "this looks like it should be a disaster bur for some reason it isn't" Like on someone else this girl's outfit would be heinous...maybe it's the blue hair that makes it work but this is one of those times. What do you think? Does she look good? Would you wear it?

Flipped Out

This photo reminds me of a book I had as a kid that was illustrations of different people split into thirds so you could flip through it and mix it up: put the ladies high heels with a fat man's middle and a little girl's face. The top half and bottom half here are completely incongruous. He also looks like he could kick your a** if you gave him a critique...so I'm not going to do that! I actually think the red skirt is kind of interesting and I'm totally going to steal how he styled his t-shirt with the safety pins! I just might not wear this as an ensemble...but that's just me!
UPDATE: in addition to being a fashion rebel, I was just informed by a reader that the man in the photo is Malcolm Harris who is the founder of The One Dress Project  whose mission is mission is to support global organizations that enhance and protect women's rights, safety, health and well-being. Most excellent.

Fall in NYC is spiky

There are always trends listed online from military to animal prints. But what I am seeing currently on the streets are spikes and studs. You can see them from head to toe: but hopefully not all on one person!

Seen at FW: Celebrity EyewearDesigners

Apparently if you design shades worn by Lady GaGa and other celebrities you need to be up on your style game. 

CoCo and Breezy rock a goth punk look and made the well dressed ladies at the tents look boringly tasteful in comparison.

Stevie Boi (center), who I with members of his team made an appearance downtown at The Sachika Twins show.

Fashion Week: Night 4 was fierce and fabulous

I know that we just officially finished "Day 5" but I had to post a few photos from the Tommy Hilfiger party. I was going to stay home Sunday night but a call from my friend Aleks to come to the Tommy Hilfiger show and 25th Anniversary party got me out of Brooklyn. The show was too crowded to shoot but the party? A-MA-ZING! (so good I skipped another "exclusive" party to stay)

No I don't know what the hell this girl is wearing either but I could not keep my eyes off her. She has that kind of presence. Oh and she's gorgeous!!!

And these 3 are poptarts –I mean popSTARS in Japan. But I lost their card so if you recognize them let me know. And if you like more of the model-y blackstage photos follow me on twitter where I'll be posting them regularly.

boys will be...

I didn't post yesterday. Very rare and my apologies. But to make up for it I'll do two postings today. What do we think of these looks? Do we like the cartoon print sweatshirt that reminds me of children's bedding with the leggings and black shoes? I found these boys rather endearing in an odd sort of way.

Happy Birthday Becka Diamond

The uber-gorgeous Becka Diamond celebrated her birthday last night at the Soho Grand with her nearest and dearest. She struck a pouty rocker chick pose for this photo so I added a few below with friends!


Niko Liakaris and Sophia Lamar with the birthday girl!

In Suspense

These girls are kind of working a '90s grunge vibe which isn't necessarily a bad thing. What I'm looking at here though is the suspenders. When I was in Madrid recently I saw an amazing pair of acid green cotton pants with suspenders. I tried them on in the store and while they were very "Y-3" they weren't enough "me" to justify buying them. If I had though, I know I'd keep at least one - if not both - of the suspenders down...but these aren't the only times I've seen suspenders so, like the overalls, I wonder if these are just blips on the screen or retro revivals?

Color Coordination

When I see someone with such perfect –and perfectly artificial– color match between hair and clothing I always wonder which came first? I can't begin to know...and even though it could read as a little cheesy, I really like it.

Ninja Style

I haven't been posting nightlife pix as of late because I went through a brief hibernation. Last night I ventured out to Amanda Lepore's Big Top and it was crazy fun. (note to self: make time for fun!) Anyways, one person I ran into was none other than Benny Ninja, of the House of Ninjas and known to girls everywhere from his appearances on America's Next Top Model. His look is a great example of comfort and style. And he was so great to photograph that I'll be doing a whole separate photo shoot with him. Now that will be fun!

Seen at Sloane

I have been under the weather lately so not going out as much as normal. So today stopped by Sloane to return a jacket I borrowed from Brian and show him the Taff! segment. (which we all watched even though none of us knows German!) I knew I would be able to take photos for the blog there and I was right. This is Lauren, who is also a designer as well as a very cool girl. And she's perfectly dressed for a rainy city day.

Oh you beautiful boy

This creature is chic chic chic. When I first took the photo I honestly thought it was a girl. And only later upon review realized that was not the case. And this is not the first time this has happened! I love the fluidity of gender with these gamine like boys. And the handbag is brilliant as well... now where are the girls being mistaken for boys who look as equally fabulous? I think I'll have to go find them...