28 September 2009

Cool, Confident, Kate


Just when we think she couldn't get any cooler, Kate Lanphear puts this bit in the October issue of ELLE. I was kind of over the whole Kate craze, but this earned her a new level of respect in my book.

Rebel, Rebel
by Kate Lanphear, as told to Rachel Rosenblit

I come from a conservative Irish-Catholic family. My parents are judges, and I have a sister who's a lawyer. She's an all-American girl: Abercrombie jeans, Old Navy hoodies, Nikes. My Aunt Bunny and godmother, Auntie Esther, are two of the most put-together women of all time. Esther's impeccable bag was always coordinated with the most polished shoes, both offering subtle contrast to her perfectly tailored skirt suits.
My closet, however, is filled with studs, chains, rock 'n' roll T-shirts, and black skinny jeans. The clothes that feel most like my own skin are the ones that are a little aggressive, a bit punked out: Balenciaga shoes and YSL blazers--I could blow my life's savings on Givenchy and Alaia.
If you asked me who my style icons were, I'd say I began with old-school heavy metal. I love the androgyny and the glam. In high school I covered my bedroom walls with Axl Rose posters. Appetite for Destruction was out, and I trailed Guns N' Roses' tour bus in my Honda Civic (its plates read AXL LVR). I had these amazing, skinny, tight-enough-to-cut-off-your-circulation acid-wash jeans with an inky blue plastic zipper that ran up the seam, purchased at Spencer's Gifts at the mall. I had begged my mom for them. They were part of a look: slouchy suede boots, oversize suede jacket, outrageous jeans. Breaking the suburbatopian mold by wearing metalhead garb definitely wasn't something one did to fit in with the cool kids in Fairfax, Virginia.
My getup was an even bigger faux pas with the family. For awhile I gave their Hyannisport compound ideal a shot. I wore glen plaid trousers from the Limited to Aunt Bunny's for Christmas. "Oh my God, you look amazing!" she said. Meanwhile, I felt like an impostor.
The awkwardness and inner conflict got worse when I started out as an assistant at a fashion magazine. There was so much pressure to dress the part. I decided I had to fake it to make it. Carolyn Bessette was the girl du jour, so I did my best mimicry, wearing LBDs at an appropriate but unflattering length, with pointy lady-like slingbacks. Then one day in a vintage shop I found...a pair of skinny acid-wash jeans. It was like, Ahhh!--a halo was shining around them. I wore them every day. When I got my first big break, I thought, "Screw it, I'm wearing the jeans to the interview with the editor in chief." I wanted to see what would happen if I was real. I remember telling her, "I'm not your typical fashion editor. I work hard and I know my stuff, but you should know, I'll be the one wearing the acid-wash jeans." I got the job.

Once those skinny jeans came into my life, everything that wasn't authentic--the whole WASPy facade--dropped away. That's the thing about fashion: You can use it to hide, but it's only magic when you use it to express who you really are.

(The Fashion Spot, ELLE Magazine)

22 September 2009

17 September 2009

Dear Nashville,

I'm thinking very seriously about going to this on Saturday. I heard the last one was fantastic. If you are around, you should probably check it out.

16 September 2009

Wishlist

It's been pouring outside all day long so here I am underneath the comforter in my sweats, flipping through the shots from NYFW and shopping for things that I can not currently afford. Ever since I bought these shoes, I've developed a bit of a shoe fetish. I'm accustomed to buying all of my shoes at thrift stores so I've been pleasantly surprised by how wonderful a really good pair of shoes can make you feel. And now I want more...

My picks for fall are as follows:


Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony Buckle Boot





08 September 2009

Edie's Leopard Spotted Coat









Edie Sedgwick was the first person to introduce the leopard spotted coat into my consciousness way back in 9th grade. I remember thinking how glamorous it made her look even when she was at her lowest point. I used to run around in black tights, mini skirts, and chandelier earrings trying to imitate her, but I was always missing that key element. I've been looking for the perfect leopard spotted coat ever since. No matter how overused or cliche they become, leopard spots will always be the epitome of glam for me.