Jubilee

Happy Holidays! 

xx, the hipster cookie

STITCH issue #04 PREVIEW

"dead leaves -- doe lump," photos by Marcy Capron



"Grey Guardians," photos by Marnie Soman

Issue #04, Winter 2009, goes live January 9 'o9. It's better than ever.

STITCH photographer & photo editor Marcy Capron...

... has a new Etsy store where she is selling her incredible prints. Visit! Buy!!! You won't regret it. She is fast becoming the next big thing in the art world.

- C

A New Kind of Fugly

The trend on campus? Looking fugly. Fashionably ugly, that is.

The best example of this seems to be the growing tendency to wear those grotesque, hideous sweaters that were hand-knit by some slightly off-kilter relative. Granted, wearing these sweaters in jest has always been somewhat popular, but never has it been such a veritable trend. The best are the sweaters with a vomit-inducing melange of colors or the sweaters with large characters on the front.

The only limit to the acceptable ugliness of a sweater is the wearer's ability to pull off the right attitude. As long as one can muster a hipper-than-thou swagger while walking around in a sweater with a giant Minnie Mouse and tassels on it, the look is sheer fugliness. However, the second the ensemble starts to look like that of a kindergartener who picked out his own clothes for the first time after drinking a Mountain Dew, well then that is just plain ugly.

To look fugly, you've got to back it up with a healthy dose of blase and manage to not look crazy. So boys and girls, this year for Christmas ask your grandmother to knit you a sweater instead of buying one from J. Crew for 89.50 or at least pillage the local thrift store for viable fugly options. Either way, it'll give you more cash in your pocket and more swagger in your step.

Music Video of the Week

France Gall - Laisse Tomber les Filles (music & lyrics by Serge Gainsbourg)

Best Etsy Ever?

Oh my lord, seriously. Etsy user Emily Ryan is talented. Amazingly so. The limited pieces she has up now remind me of a kind of mix between Haider Ackermann and Jil Sander. Will we see more of her in the future, perhaps outside of Internet land? I hope so.

- C

Take It to the Street

I spend at least hour a day looking at online photos of complete strangers. I know, major creeper activity. But I freaking love my street style Web sites.

Photographing stylish pedestrians is nothing new-- fashionable New Yorkers have been gracing the Style section of the Sunday New York Times for over a decade. But after the Sartorialist, imitators were suddenly, and literally, everywhere. To see the clothes horses tromping around Helsinki, you have Hel Looks; for London, London Street Fashion; Berlin, Stil in Berlin; Prague, Made on Street; Tokyo, Tokyo Street Style, and the list of cities and sites goes on. Google, and you shall receive.

And now, the Sartorial middleman is cut out with the proliferation of online communities where users post photos of their daily outfits. Big names in the game are: Lookbook.nu, Chictopia and What I Wore Today. Here, photos are more camerawhore than candid, yet come off much more personal-- instead of an anonymous fashionista standing on a Milanese street corner, you have Karolina F. from Poland or Wen L. from Guangzhou. You have a face and a name, explanations of where they wore the outfit to, the pretentious indie song lyrics they use as post titles, their apologies for "looking like poo-- i have the flu :( :( ."

So go on now-- Open a new browser window to begin your world adventure, and start clicking away. But remember: There's no place like home.

Music Video of the Week

Kate Bush - Running up that Hill

Garçons, s’il vous plaît…

Finally, the time has come: Comme des Garçons Limited Edition collection for H&M debuts this Thursday. Comme founder Rei Kawakubo promises that the line is "very much Comme des Garçons to its roots." Thus, we can expect a black, white and navy palette, sleek silhouettes, and avant-guarde elegance. "Comme des Garçons" translates to "like the boys," which explains the brand's embrace of the androgynous. The Japanese couture staple usually retails in the thousands, but the Comme pieces for H&M will range from $14.99-350.00. 

If the success of H&M's collaborations with Lagerfeld, Cavalli, and Victor & Rolf are any indication of the demand, you better be reading this post from your tent in front of H&M.

Music Video of the Week

Grace Jones - "La Vie En Rose"

Speaking of Fasion Penis -

Remember when everyone used to be obsessed with Johnny Depp, before he got kind of old and reclusive and started dressing exclusively like his character in Secret Window? Well, I haven't forgotten him. And if we're going to start talking about internet crushes, it's time to break out some of those dreamydreamydreamy pictures of Johnny, the heartthrob of my teenage years.

"La Lettre"

Michel Gondry, a French film director (most famously noted for his work in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as well as Bjork's music videos), exemplifies the fine line between mysticism and realism; he unleashes the tension between what exists concretely and what exists imaginatively. Through visual and musical media, in his emblematic manipulation of our visual frames of reference, Gondry's work is a tribute to an inexorably childlike perspective, a lens of innocence and boundless creativity.

In one of my most recent youtube tangents, I stumbled upon this short film he made called "La Lettre"... A meditation on weightier ideas like space and time and the role of an artist as well as simpler notions like childlike naivete and the inevitable disappointment therein. I believe these ideas are relevant to all forms of expression, including especially the realm of fashion.

Designers today--Erin Featherston's Spring 2009 collection, for example--are constantly inspired by the act of collapsing the binary between a more dream-like fantasy world and things more practical. Just like Gondry.

Only ten minutes long! Watch it! Ponder and enjoy!

-Kate

First Lady, Glamor Icon?

After eight years of Laura Bush's conservative -- some might say dour -- style as First Lady, the US is setting itself up for a turn toward a sophisticated style set by either Cindy McCain or Michelle Obama. Either way this country shows stylistic promise, although the two have distinctly different takes on the trends, McCain with a nod to high-end couture characterized by a conservative look punctuated with bright colors, while Obama offers a more forward, experimental look. Think McCain = Oscar de la Renta, and Obama = Maria Pinto (a Chicago designer whose work pushes the limits while maintaining a clearly Midwestern sensibility). The poised, refined image these women exude will clearly become a part of the next administration's public image, but both have also shown that they aren't merely interested in taking the sideline role that Laura Bush assumed, a powerful message about the state of women in the realm of American politics. Regardless of the outcome on Tuesday, America is set to have a new glamor icon in office for the next four years.

Some Internet Crush

So, in another installment of C's internet crushes, there is this guy. He models some really killer hoodies & hoodie accouterments on a fanciful Etsy store (ruffeoheartslilsnoty).

Buy their stuff! Because, whether or not this dude makes the hoodies or just models them, they are really great.

Recommended:
White SARS GUARD hoodie thing (nice for biking)
Geometrical dress
Hahahaaaaa swooooon

- C

chic people do chic things

if you're like me, you often dream of a life surrounded by chicago's social elite, holding that effervescent glass of champagne (does anyone know a champagne that doesn't start with an A and end with a -ndre? because i don't.) and showing off your air-brushed legs in a cocktail gown designed to break hearts.

now, for $15, we too - the few, the midtermed-out, the underage - can be truly cultured for a night.

"See the Art Institute in a new light--After Dark. Immerse yourself in the luminous photographs of Jeff Wall. Surround yourself with music from Life during Wartime DJs and performances by the acclaimed theatrical ensemble Collaboraction. Grab a cocktail and enjoy complimentary appetizers. After Dark offers a whole new experience of the Art Institute.

Order tickets online, by phone at (312) 575-8000, or at any Art Institute ticket counter. Tickets will also be available the night of the event."

I like my couture well-done

The Chicago History Museum’s newest exhibition portrays the glamour of decades of Chicago fashion. Haute couture from Chanel, YSL, and Comme des Garçons are juxtaposed with the backdrop of a gritty, meatpacking Chicago. Escaping the Chicago of Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle, elite Chicago women frequently indulged in overseas shopping sprees. Visitors learn that these women, to counter the reputation of Chicago as hog butcher capital of the world, only wore the most upscale, high-end fashion. In the words of exhibit curator Tim Long, “If you were a Chicago matron who traveled internationally and wanted to prove to the rest of the world that you were sophisticated, you would buy not just Balenciaga, but the best Balenciaga.”

Chic Chicago: Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum runs until July 26, 2009.

Cool Stuff Alert

Strange & satisfying: cartoon earrings by Zachary Pryor on Etsy. Click the image to purchase.

Autumnal Absence

Call me crazy. But amid the sunny 80 degree weather today and the sea of shorts and flip-flops, I yearned to feel the chill of autumn. Shades of black and grey epitomize fall chic. The following comprise basic transition pieces that would serve one well while experiencing bipolar Chicago weather.

a. Men’s leather sports coat; jcrew.com

b. Men’s Acne jeans; tobi.com

c. Women’s Acne jeans; revolve.com

d. Women’s Miu Miu motorcycle boot; bergdorfgoodman.com

e. Men’s Common Project low-top sneaker; shopjake.com

f. Women’s Alexander Wang silk top; lagarconne.com

Scout scout scout it all out.

Well, Wildcats, it's about that time again. The dog days of summer are drawing to a close, and those of us ill-fated to the quarter system are resigned to watch our home friends trot happily back to a world devoid of curfews, gas money and eight-hour retail shifts. Before you start wishing these sunny days away, however, consider the silver lining: while they're busy slaving away over research papers and bone-dry textbook chapters, we retain the precious gift of free time...time I, personally, plan to fill with Sex and the City, a boudoir overhaul, and - of course - window shopping for fall must-haves.

Digging on lately?



Gold nail varnish (and the entire Chanel ad campaign).



!iT jeans.



Faux nerd glasses.



This Brighton koi fish necklace, inspired by the 2008 Beijing Olympics.





Plum and cobalt skinny jeans.



Shrunken blazers.





Anything zebra or peacock.









Blair Waldorf frocks, tights and headbands.



Sam Edelman moccasin boots.

Kiss kiss bang bang, Northwestern. See you in two weeks!

Informal Non-Poll Poll

The new Ugg?



It's strange, and new and kind of exciting, but weren't Uggs back in the day? Before everyone got sick of them?

Respond in the comments.

(I don't know why I'm on the TOMS beat all of a sudden, I just get their emails.)

CHICAGO PRINTER'S BALL

STITCH is going to the ball!

The Printer's Ball, actually.

Hosted by excellent POETRY magazine of the Poetry Foundation, among other fine local publications, the Ball is a 21+ free party-party-time at the Museum of Contemporary Art. You wonder around looking at really great publications (like STITCH!), dancing, drinking, being merry.

Go! Enjoy.

Friday, Aug 22, 5:30pm-10pm, Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave; FREE; printersball.org

Proud Parent of a Male Model

(Very few) belated highlights from men's Spring 2009 runway.

- Number (N)ine
Steampunk, anyone? Wiggy.

Ann Demeulemeester decided to do her collection entirely in the vein of a certain pirate in a certain Disney movie about pirates. Cool, Ann. Really super (although, she alleges she was inspired by German intellectual and man-of-cultural-import Hermann Hesse. Whatevs.).
On a positive note, LOVE those strappy man-sandals.





More Ann D. Look, it's Keith Richards.



Also, I have a huge crush on Henrik Vibskov:

- C

Summer Sole

I've recently spent a lot of time looking for a good summer shoe. One that is office-appropriate, but also cool with plenty of air flow and also allows for sockless wearing.

I've found it! A friend who lives in Santa Cruz tipped me off (in Santa Cruz it is always summer so I had no doubt she'd know), they're called Toms Shoes (above) and they are wonderful. Breathable, light, attractive, easy to slip on and a good replacement for you people out there in Internet land, male and female, who are tired of sneakers and/or ballet flats (aren't we all!).

Mine are white, and I have a feeling they'll get dirty fast, but it's worth it. Dirty shoes are sexy.

Big plus: for every pair sold they'll give a pair to a child in need.

- C

The 80s Will Never Die

... or cease to be amazing.

Check this really killer vintage e-shop Nasty Gal. There are some seriously sweet cyborg sunglasses, killer must-have hooded rain emergency ponchos, and, obvs, the dress above.

Hurry though, the stuff tends to sell out VERY FAST. Because, sorry, you aren't the only one who is cool enough to go vintage shopping. :(

In Vogue?

Fashion magazines are pretty much evil. Fabulously evil (or something).

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of editrix Anna Wintour's reign at fashion mag Vogue, and apparently she's done a whole great deal of good for the image of the publication, according to obsequious Robin Givhan, who penned in-case-you-weren't-aware-Vogue-is-really-great for the Washington Post.

Givhan spends the majority of the piece talking about how Vogue has become a cultural icon in its pure fantasy glamor and the fetishization of skinny bitches, celebrity obsession and luxury goods.

[Vogue] taps into that core desire to be gorgeous and declares it righteous and worthy and, most important, smart. [It] validates the modern careerist's fantasy, that she can run the world and look fabulous doing it.

Is that really all we ask from a fashion magazine? That it validate a consumerist cultural stereotype of the power female who not only wants to make a lot of money but spend it too? I mean, is this really celebrating, or even covering in a journalistic sense, the art of fashion? Sure it gives more attention to the few mega brands (CHANEL! PRADA!), maybe even fewer "up and coming" names who are already mostly well-known (Givhan reports that Vogue helped "two promising young designers" by paying for trainers and nutritionists so they could lose weight -- my money is on the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte who DON'T NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT and have pretty much made it in the industry) but does that provide a cultural service? Or a consumerist one?

I don't know if we could really call Vogue, or Ms. Wintour for that matter, a cultural icon. I think it's more of a capitalist icon. Congrats to you Anna on 20 years of shelling out shit to the uber-rich! Here's to 20 more.

- C

WARNING: NO FASHION HERE

I have an unrelated question I'd like to pose to the Internet:

Why do you think South Koreans can form enormous protests that cause the government to shiver in their booties, but we here in the US can't?

Don't you think we have better reason to? I mean, I don't eat American beef either, and it's totally worthy of mass protesting, but COME ON. We need to get our shit together. What do you think?

- C

Braided twists aren't just for vending machines anymore.

Your new best-friend summer shoe:







Forever 21, $7.50. No, really. Let that pedicure see the sunshine!

Say what?

I take a considerable degree of pride in hating American Apparel for generally being poorly marketed, overpriced hipster bullshit. I also could not be more obsessed with this mélange jersey tulip skirt:









Considering purchasing multiple colors. Be concerned.