QUIET AS IT’S KEPT: STYLE RADAR

FASHION EDITORNovember 5, 2012

QUIET AS IT’S KEPT…What’s on the radar of the dynamic New York fashion-stylist team, THE STYLEMONSTERS?

Hey XEX Readers! We are really excited to be a part of the XEX Magazine family, and we’re thrilled to be given a column that allows us to put into print some things that those who live and die by fashion (like us) should be on the look-out for. Let’s get right into it…

Quiet as its kept and with no shame in our game…

1. Like every other fashionista, we are waiting- with bated breath- for super-retailer H&M’s collaborative collection with fashion/anti-fashion juggernaut Martin Margiela. After reviewing images the collection, we can definitely say we will be camped out in front of H&M on 5^th Avenue on November 15^th (when the collection is slated to debut) with the same fervor that folks demonstrate when waiting outside of the Apple store for the newest iPhone/Pad. Why are we so excited about it? Check out some of the most compelling pieces from the collection

Also of note- and by “of note” we mean ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to add to our closets- are these metallic blue high tops offered by the mother collection, which we will be going down to Barney’s to get as soon as we submit this column!!!

Quite as its kept between us frugal fashionistas…

2. We know a lot of people are happy to be able to purchase a piece of “more-accessible Margiela”, but what about “Burberry on a budget”? No, we’re not talking about those horrible scarf and bag knock-offs that flood the corners of Canal Street; we’re talking about getting the ‘feel’ of the $3,595 Burberry Prorsum peplum trench coat that Chelsea Clinton wore in this past September’s Vogue magazine for a frugal fraction of the cost!

Well, with a little creativity and a GREAT seamstress/tailor, you can make your OWN version for little more than $300……..How?

Begin by snatching off the rack this GREAT cropped faux leather quilted jacket by A.N.A for only $40 at JC Penney (yes, you heard us- JC Penney!). Then, get thee to Zara and scoop up their version of their leather peplum trench coat (for a mere $159!).

Once you have both jackets, either sit in front of a sewing machine (only if you are a fashion student at F.I.T or Parsons) or hand both jackets over to a fabulous seamstress with a copy of that picture of Chelsea. The two jackets will cost you $199 in total- and, with the seamstress’ labor fees, should cost you no more than $300 for a $3,595 look!!! Then brag to everyone that will listen that you came up with this idea all by yourself. Go ahead, we won’t tell…

Quiet as its kept, its about time Isaac…

3. The H&M/Margiela collaboration is the biggest fusion of ‘haute-designer-with-huge-retailer’ this year, but the FATHER of high-low retail- Isaac Mizrahi– has released his first women’s fragrance with a name that completely befits it; its simply called FABULOUS. Its hard not to couple the word fabulous with the Mizrahi moniker, so there’s no question behind the rationale for the name. With the campaign being shot by the fabulous photog Terry Richardson, how could it not be?

Described as “a modern blend of fresh citrus, luxurious florals and creamy musk (that) combine to create a clean sensuality and confidence with a mysterious allure that leaves you craving more”, our take is that it is so feminine and non-abrasive/non-intrusive, that Upper East Side socialites and West Village drag queens alike can both wear it without a sense of irony.

Quiet as its kept and with no shade to Angela Lindvall…

4. Isaac Mizrahi is back for the second season of Lifetime TV’s reality series, ‘Project Runway All-Stars’, which is being hosted this year by the inimitable Carolyn Murphy (whom we completely ADORE!). Nothing against Angela Lindvall (who hosted the first season), but just 2 episodes in Murphy seems right at home in the host seat while also sartorially KILLING it on the show- which is hard to do when you have to compete with the flawless beauty of the other returning judge Georgina Chapman (one-half of the Red Carpet ruling team known as Marchesa). We LOVE seeing Murphy come from backstage- completely done from head to toe- to present the designers with their challenge each week; she has yet to disappoint in her fashion choices.

Its also great to see that Aminat Ayinde (the ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Cycle 12 alum with the body of a GODDESS) is working as designer Emilio Sosa’s fit model.

Our pick as this season’s winner? The VERY talented and underrated Uli Herzner…

Quiet as its kept, we are so happy to see “CiCi” back on top…

5. Speaking of talented and underrated (and let’s add ‘stunningly beautiful’ to the mix while we’re at it), we are completely taken with R&B chanteuse Ciara!!! Besides the fact that she is ALWAYS giving Fashion and Face with a capital ‘F’, we are really feeling her latest single, “Got Me Good”.

This is the Ciara we’ve been pining for since she released the single “1,2, Step” and her signature “Goodies” video back in 2004 …Besides the fact that NO ONE “pops it and drops it” like Ciara…