We ♥ Taylor Tomassi.

via Kiss Kiss - Two redheads to know in the fashion industry are Grace Coddington (as you will see in The September Issue) and Teen Vogue's former accessories director, Taylor Tomassi. Today we pay style homage to her as Taylor makes the editorial move from Conde Nast to Hearst's Marie Claire. Learn more about Taylor's style etiquettes here.

About a Boy by Band of Outsiders and their FW '09 (NYC)

Designer Scott Sternberg offers adorable vintage prep school looks for his BOO boys and BOY girls this fall with an extraordinary theatrical presentation at New York Fashion Week. 

An iMix including selections from Amelie, Little Children, Benjamin Button and Magnolia set the tone, (Click here) and park benches and lampposts as well as vintage desks and beds curated by Jared Lawton help illustrate Sternberg's world. 

And what a world it is. Worsted wools, cashmeres, waxed corduroys, donegal tweeds and (gasp!) chinchilla fur make up his wardrobe of toggle coats, military shorts, slim suits and the most perfect pair of pleated trousers i've ever seen. Count on Tina Chai's impeccable styling to turn Harry Potter scarves and two-tone socks into the fall 2009 must-have for every outfit on every girl and boy.  Footwear collaborations with Sperry Topsider and Manolo tie into the collection with their jewel tone leathers and suedes, and transcend seasons with their ability to be worn with or without those awesome colorblock cotton cashmere socks.  Sternberg evokes a classicism that harks back to the time of newsies.  Updated, improved upon and relevant, versatile and cool, this collection has a bit everything so i'm just waiting around 'til i start seeing these looks everywhere.  Coming to a parkbench, a lamppost and picnic bench near you... - Christina Tung

View the Boy by Band of Outsiders collection here.

And here for Band of Outsiders.

Carine Roitfeld Hearts Sigerson Morrison

The French Voguette was spotted all around town during New York Fashion Week (including front row at Marc Jacobs Fall '09 Show) wearing booties and sandals by Sigerson Morrison. Snag a pair and release your inner editrix! - Christina Tung

Armani and the Bunnymen

Is it safe to say that there's been a slight attack of the bunnies these past few weeks? 

I bring to the table this Donny Darko/PETA vs Armani bunny man comparison (left photo), especially since here is a spread from Harper's Bazaar March issue, shot by Peter Lindbergh on location along Fifth Avenue. 

As it turns out, you should know the man under all that bunny fur. Actor Robert Buckley from Lipstick Jungle dons the exact same bunny suit as the PETA protestors picketing outside of Armani 5th Avenue store this past Tuesday evening.  I am not paranoid, but did the fashion world experience a Tangent Universe or is this just a serious case of life imitating art?  Whatever the case may be, please do not tell me that bunnies are the new black.  - Christina Tung

This Planet Runs On Diesel

On Wednesday morning, 10am in New York City marked the opening of the largest Diesel store in the world ... so far.  Francis Pierrel, SVP of Retail for Diesel chainsawed the black ribbon at the doorway while corporate employees, friends, passerby and a dozen hired punks with Mohawks looked on.  At 54th Street and 5th Avenue, this "Planet" mega-flagship houses 3 floors packed solid with Men's and Women's apparel, accessories and their newest addition, the higher-end Black Gold collection.  The store has more than just merchandise to offer. 

Architecture, interior design and product displays do not disappoint.  Puppy figurines help display the watches and there's a full dining room in the window, where celebrities and owner Renzo Rosso himself are rumored to dine this week.  Be sure to check out the "Magic Mirrors," near the dressing rooms that reflect with a five second delay so shoppers can see themselves from all angles.  - Christina Tung 

Op-ed: Project Runway's Losing Season 5

by Christina Tung

I know I'm not the only one hugely disappointed with this season's Project Runway designers. Challenge after challenge they seem to find new ways to make ugly clothes. Choosing winners became more like choosing the least of all evils.

The runway show was no exception. In short, Heidi looked great. No one can really tell Michael Kors apart from his mom/twin. Surprise guest judge (and October ELLE covergirl) J.Lo "hurt her ankle" and was unable to attend, although she finished her first triathlon two days later .... Clothes were lackluster, until the final designer's collections came out. I'll give you 3 guesses...

Well, first, let's just take a step back and get a little more political. I can't say I'm particularly partial to Jerell. In fact I think he could've (should've, would've) been eliminated in the drag queen episode, or what's your sign, or the city-inspired challenge, etc... But, I have to say he was shortchanged on the Botanical Garden challenge. His win should have secured him a spot in Bryant Park, just as Christian Siriano's win (Season 4) did last season. However, the judges didn't grant immunity nor could they decide whose dress was more hideous - Korto's or Kenley's. Instead, they snuck in two last challenges for tent qualification - construct a wedding dress to fit into your collection and upon their return to NYC, a surprise bridesmaid dress. Ultimately, Kenley redeemed herself with an Alexander McQueen-esque tea length feather dress and an adorable little teal number. (The rest of her collection is wacky, but Tim praised it during his interim check-up. Possibly to avoid another one of her hissy fits) Leanne won, of course, with an amazing panel-flap/pleated dress reminiscent of a carburetor and pleated aqua complement. And it was off to the chopping block for Korto and Jerell. Jerell's gown was beautifully dramatic, albeit a little messy. His bridesmaid dress was bizarre and sloppy. Korto's gown was overworked, unflattering and too busy and made a nearly identical bridesmaid dress in the same color.

No matter, since Korto's collection of dresses (inspired more by Arkansas than Africa) didn't measure up against Kenley's crazy circus outfits, that, as clown-y and ridiculous as they were, were at least fun and imaginative. However, neither of them really stood a chance against Leanne's water-inspired pieces of perfection. Her aqua and cream ensembles were clean, modern, romantic, fresh, directional, yet wearable ... truly everything a girl could want. She kept her palette sparse, I would've liked to see a bit of a surprise pop of color or texture - a hot pink or black, even brown may have made it a bit more dynamic, but I'm not complaining. Leanne saved the season!

So, congratulations Leanne Marshall, winning designer of season 5!



*photo and logo courtesy of BravoTV.com

Tibi Spring 2009

Tibi Spring 2009

by Christina Tung

"A Room With A View, set in Asia in the 1980's" 

- Amy Smilovic

Tibi designer, Amy Smilovic took a trip down memory lane for Spring 2009, back to the 80's and back to her fashion beginnings in Hong Kong.  She romanticized the times by contrasting her oversized tropical florals in bright tangerines, lemons, limes, tomato reds (it must be time for lunch) and ... cobalts with softer pastels and seersuckers. 

To be quite honest, I wasn't crazy about the collection upon first viewing at the Promenade. The highlight for me was her Arthur tank and Charlotte Drape skirt in yellow with a navy obi belt. And of course, Javier Peral's choice in music - That's Not My Name by The Ting-Tings who opened for MGMT at McCarren Pool this summer and The Black Kids' hit catchy tune, ridiculous song title, I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend Hot To Dance With You.  

Anyhow, after watching the show again on Full Frontal Fashion, the clothes started to grow on me. Maybe compared to the rest of the crap out there now, this collection started to look better, who knows?  I appreciated more the thoughtfulness to the cohesion of the collection and Smilovic's attention to timing - finally a spring collection appropriate for spring!  She kept a well-draped silhouette among her harem pants and tulip skirts. Don't get me wrong, I HATE harem pants, but after seeing more of this season's variations on this I Dream of Jeannie trend, Tibi's seemed to be possibly even wearable, flattering and dare I say, chic with a matching blazer, one of her Arthur tank tops and a tassled obi belt. Even upon third viewing via Style.com, I still can't begin to understand some of her more literal translations and some styling choices - mandarin collar cheongsams with knot enclosures and an obi belt to top it off. I felt it was a bit of a Pan-Asian overload. Overall, however I applaud her clear and focused perspective derived from her own personal experience.  Her looks are clean, effortless, elegant and yet still allows you to be cool. What more do you want? 

William Rast Spring 2009

William Rast Spring 2009

by Christina Tung

Once again I felt time warped into the wrong season. This time, instead of just colors from the Crayola BOLD Marker Set, fall leaves and red shadow plaids decorated the runway.  

Justin Timberlake and childhood friend Trace Ayala has hired design duo Mr. & Mrs. Lindberg to craft their Spring '09 collection, which in my eyes looks like Fall, but that's just me. The models walked straight out of a Tennessee porch, literally and onto the runway, while guests sat on distressed wooden benches surrounded by crisp maple leaves and galvanized pails filled with cans of Budweiser.  The clothes - fringe, fringe, fringe. And some denim.  The opener was a softened up white leather biker jacket with pyramid studs paired with slouchy denim cutoffs. This girl is no Daisy Duke, despite her plaid shirts, distressed denim and Southern drawl.  The William Rast girl resembles a downtown East Village kind of girl if she relocated to the South. Or maybe vice versa? No doubt, model-stylist-designer friend Erin Wasson had a hand in the dirty MOD (Model Off Duty) look. 

The boys' looks ranged from a biker-mechanic to modern Southern gentlemen, many wearing strangely abbreviated neckties. Trace & JT donned representations of the two extreme William Rast personas, respectively. 

Front row boasted a flicker of celebrities from Kevin Connolly and Jeremy Piven from Entourage, Erin Wasson, Anna Wintour and oddly enough, Rachel Hunter.  It was nowhere near the star wattage one might expect from JT's NY fashion week debut, but I guessed that all his close A-list friends and main squeeze (where was she?) were cross-country in Hollywood at the MTV VMA's. Justin certainly proved where his priorities lay, by choosing fashion over music on Sunday night. (He also hosted the star studded Fashion Rocks event a few nights before) And the most impressive part was his role as creative director on the runway when he introduced the designers and even gave Johan Lindberg a playful 1-2 punch. 

*photos by Marcio Madeira
View the complete collection here.  

But, you can watch the show here:

Geren Ford Spring 2009 (New York)

She's A Little Bit Country, And A Little Bit...

Geren Ford Spring 2009 

(The Bowery Hotel)

by Christina Tung

At first glance, I was overwhelmed by the rich, bold colors in this collection - eggplant, navy, teal, rust, fuschia, olive.  Am I in the right season? Is this really spring?  Designer Geren Lockhart's signature silks lend themselves to warm weather, but the overall styling - dark smoky eyes, socks with thick strappy sandals are what got me thinking I was in pre-Fall. 

Per usual, her simplest pieces were divine - solid silks with minimal black trims and perfectly placed necklines and "backlines."  Her pleats and pintucks are best when used sparingly.  As her seams become more labored, she loses her effortless chic appeal and the pieces get a bit clumsy and contrived. 

I was puzzled by her choice of Laura Ashley-esque prints, a patriotic red plaid and a blue floral print more fitting on a piece of china. It seemed a bit out of place when juxtaposed with her modern solid hues.  

Lockhart's choice of ornamentation, brass rivets, which she used as a sturdy gladiator-esque sequin in various looks, was much better suited for her aesthetic.  

I suppose the girl she envisions is just a little bit country, a little bit rock n' roll ... and a little bit hippie-chick. 

The variety should prove successful in the retail realm as there is, as they say, something for everyone.  For the most part, flattering, easy and modern.  

Insider: Christina Tung

name: Christina Tung

occupation: PR Director for Marc Fisher Footwear (Guess by Marciano, Guess Black Label, Marciano, Unisa, Marc Fisher - okay we get it)

hometown: Carlisle, Massachusetts

homebase: New York City

jack black, jack white or jack daniels? 

Jack Black! Kick it with a tasty grooooooove.

if a genie in a bottle granted you 3 dream purchases, what would they be?

A vintage Porsche convertible, a house by some sort of swimmable body of water, a large studio loft downtown Manhattan or in the BK.

what's your dream occupation (other than your current job)? 

Mine's pretty dreamy!  But, if I wasn't doing this, maybe writing for a travel guide or teaching sustainability somewhere. 

what did you wear to work today? Khaki onesie (imagine button down shirt & shorts), 

faux python belt with gold hook buckle, brown leather Guess heels. 

is brooklyn - or was it ever the new manhattan? You can't compare! Totally different beasts, I'd party in BK over Manhattan any night though. 

favorite spots to brunch, shop and boy watch in the city? 

For all three, Alphabet City without a doubt. (*For some readers out there, it's old school term for the deep end of the East Village - Avenues A, B, C, D) 

Nobody beats Schillers' french toast but Cafe Mogador. Cafe Orlin and 7A are pretty solid.  For shopping, the East 11th Street shops (Min-K, Odin, Tokyo Joe) and Tompkins Square.  And for boys, that Supreme Skate Park that just opened on East 12th Street.

what material items do you need right now or a.k.a what's on your birthday wish list?  Just got a Garmin Nuvi Navigator for road trips. Loooove it.  I've been eyeing a black patent Longchamp bag for a bit now.  I really don't need or want anything - I'm pretty lucky.

if you were stranded on an island and had to have one of these celebrities deserted with you, who would you pick and why:

a) Victoria Beckham

b) Miley Cyrus

c) Mischa Barton 

d) Heidi Montag

....answer: Oof.  That's a toughie. They're all so...awesome.  Maybe Victoria Beckham since after a few weeks on the island I could fit into her clothes (She is bringing her wardrobe right?)

And here's a special early birthday treat to my Ming, since I can't be there to shake it on the big day, I send in our fave, David Bowie.