My 5-year old niece happens to be blessed not only with blonde locks to die for and a beautiful face, but most importantly, brains. But since every adult shuns her smarts in favor of her appearance, odds are she’ll inevitably start expanding the contents of her closet rather than her cerebral cortex. Because I refuse to let her be influenced by the likes of Bratz and Britney Spears, I’m sending her dozens of Define Tease – a new line of couture tanks and t-shirts with a conscience. An extension of the “Smart Is Cool” (SIC) movement that began as a backlash against the widespread “stupid girl” phenomenon (think Pink), Define Tease was developed to reinforce the message that intelligence and moxie are what matter most… not T&A.
The masterminds behind Define Tease are New Yorkers Erin Darby, a former schoolteacher and dictionary addict, and Ana Henao, a fashion designer, who have made it their mission to instill the positive SIC message upon women all over the world. The quickest way to spread the word (literally) has been through their witty roster of hip handmade dresses, tanks and tees plastered with thought-provoking words and definitions, discretely woven into eye-catching designs, including butterfly and dragon motifs. Ready to spruce up your style and vocabulary? Simply slip into a buttery-soft, fitted cotton shirt that says sui generis (one of a kind and unique), resplendent (shining brightly), nefarious (incredibly wicked), virago (a fierce woman) or pervious (open to ideas). You’ll also be please to know that your purchase has a higher purpose. A portion of each t-shirt sale is being donated to fund female youth organizations like Heads Up! Children Reach Out and Read, Verizon Hopeline and Girls Take Charge. Their mantra is clearly catching on, as even celebs have been spotted sporting their sexy chemises around Tinseltown. If only Paris Hilton had been given a Define Tease growing up, she might not have felt the pressure to act so dumb.
I’ve always fantasized about having a luxurious dressing room like Joan Crawford’s in Mommy Dearest. Something spacious enough (with no wire hangers in sight) where I can freely prance about in my silk robe, spritzing on perfume without bumping into any furniture. But because I live in a tiny New York City apartment, there’s only one alternative that will suffice: bunking out at Suite Orchard – a chic Lower East Side boutique with the same ritzy, boudoir-esque interior.
A shopper’s paradise for girls who refuse to fork over top dollar for dressy, designer gear typically found uptown, Suite Orchard offers the perfect compromise. Enter this laid-back shop and you’ll discover a whole suite of hipster clothing, jewelry and handbags not normally found in this hood. Run by Sonia and Cindy Huang, two trend-setting sisters who honed their skills at haute fashion houses like Diane Von Furstenberg and Stella McCartney, Suite Orchard was created to resemble the spacious, modern closet they’ve always been craving. Expect tons of mirrors (perfect for viewing your arse at every angle), candy-striped pink, white and grey walls, a plush Houndstooth-upholstered chair and the ultimate frivolity, a Hello Kitty rotary phone by the cash. As for the merch, rummage through muted, of-the-moment silhouettes ranging from Jovovich-Hawk (flirty ‘n feminine dresses), Sonia by Sonia Rykiel (high-waisted jeans), RN Convertibles (Rozae Nichols’ less pricey day-to-night pieces) and Loeffler Randall frocks, new for fall. Don’t forget to check out the slouchy, Bliss Lau handbags and Made You Look baubles adorned with skulls and crossbones. Also a must is the Huang sisters’ own debut label, Soni & Cindy, a girly assortment of blazers, skirts and pants infused with a rock ‘n roll edge. A friendly warning: with an atmosphere this endearing, Suite Orchard just might become your second home.
A long, hot shower followed by a quick swipe of deodorant may be all it takes to banish B.O., but what about that clumpy armpit residue that leaves its mark on your clothing? C’mon, we’ve all been caught from time to time sporting zebra stripes along the sides of our solid black tanks. Since feeling clean is only part of the equation, I was tickled pink when I discovered Gal Pal – a genius garment deodorant remover pad ideal for both cotton and delicate silk fabrics.
Before Gal Pal, I was always worrying about ruining my favorite little black dress even before heading out the door. With Gal Pal, there’s no need to change clothes or waste time (and money) dashing off to the nearest dry cleaner. Simply grab the reusable sponge, swipe it gently with the grain of the garment, and watch those pesky white streaks magically disappear. Best of all, those messy marks should be buffed dry so you needn’t stress about soaking your outfit. And for banishing those annoying fuzz balls (a.k.a. sweater pilling) and crusty food bits, try Travel Gal Pal, a 2-sided pad with contrasting textures that work well together. The coarser gray flip side doubles as a lint brush and fabric fuzz buster (sans batteries), while the softer pink side buffs everything away for a smooth, smudge-free finish. Place it in its pretty, portable pouch and you can stay gorgeously groomed even on the go.
Join us this Thursday, July 26th for a fun-filled night of schmoozing and sipping cocktails. But wait… there’s more! Three fabulous make-up artists, including Sephora’s top trainer and manager, Amy Eidelman, will also be available for makeovers and pointers.
In case that’s not incentive enough to show up, you’ll also receive special deals on MOTIVES, an exclusive private-label cosmetics line created by the makers of MAC as well as gift certificates and savings on BeWell memberships and services. Plus, Fashion Junkie will be on hand to provide expert tips and tricks for building your fall wardrobe.
Event Admission: FREE!
Drink Specials: $4-6 Cocktails until 9 pm
Makeover & Mojito: $12
($17 without advance reservation)
I’m a fairly laid back femme who finds humor in just about any kind of situation… except for when it comes to drugs. So when I came across this risqué “Fashioin Junkie” Sisley ad campaign that’s been circulating throughout cyberspace, my jaw literally dropped to the floor.
Sisley, the Italian-based fashion brand owned by Benetton who’s known for producing provocative ads (remember the controversial campaign featuring model Josie Maran milking a cow with milk all over her face?), has been slammed by slews of bloggers for pushing the envelope with this particular campaign. The distasteful “Fashioin Junkie” ad features two anorexic-looking models indulging in some recreational “fashion.” The fashion they’re actually snorting happens to be a slinky, white Sisley dress. To the left of the dress is a pile of cocaine that’s perched on top of a Chase credit card (a common cutting device). What’s even sketchier is the expression on one of the models’ faces, who looks like she’s about to O.D. Note the intentional misspelling of “Fashioin,” which brings heroin to mind.
Although purportedly fake (check out this link to see the statement Sisley’s parent company, Benetton made in reference to it), the ad is still sending out the subliminal message that coke is cool. And thanks to current celeb rehab craze, battling addictions with blow have suddenly become chic. My take on this trend? I find the ad morally reprehensible. Please note there is absolutely no connection between these ads and the FashionJunkie.com website. FashionJunkie.com was launched 10 years ago as a tongue and cheek blog for the shopping obsessed and I have never condoned drug use of any kind. Peruse my site and you’ll notice the playful tone, which is not offensive, nor does it promote drug use in any manner. The bottom line is, coke isn’t cool, no matter how it’s fashioned.
Feel free to share your comments about the Sisley snafu.
My 5-year old niece happens to be blessed not only with blonde locks to die for and a beautiful face, but most importantly, brains. But since every adult shuns her smarts in favor of her appearance, odds are she’ll inevitably start expanding the contents of her closet rather than her cerebral cortex. Because I refuse to let her be influenced by the likes of Bratz and Britney Spears, I’m sending her dozens of Define Tease – a new line of couture tanks and t-shirts with a conscience. An extension of the “Smart Is Cool” (SIC) movement that began as a backlash against the widespread “stupid girl” phenomenon (think Pink), Define Tease was developed to reinforce the message that intelligence and moxie are what matter most… not T&A.
