Balmain and the Soldier boy (jacket) blues
March 20, 2009
There’s no doubt about it, from fashion pack to Paris shows – Balmain is this season’s hot ticket. With a collection to literally die for, the french design house has got every one in the fashion industry in fidgets. His Micheal Jackson, thriller inspired, soldier boy jacket being the main culprit.
Shoulders? Check. Faded denim? Check. Rock/military embellishment? Check. How many on-season trends can you fit into one jacket? Probably not as many as Balmain.
As the most coveted item in the spring collection, this jacket is so painfully on trend and frankly; absolutely beautiful – it’s out of reach price tag has given me the Soldier Sailor blues.
On the plus side, having just worked very hard at getting a fabulous new job at NET-A-PORTER.com; where there’s a will, there’s a way…
Nastygal opens first US store
March 15, 2009
Across the pond, there’s good news.
Much loved vintage brand NastyGal are opening their very first store in Berkeley, California.
Mentioned before on Tinker Tailor, NastyGal are a haven for all things vintage and fabulous. Their offerings include everything from dresses, jackets and shoes to accessories and even some rare vintage designer pieces at not too extravagant prices. And for added value bonus, each item is carefully selected with current trends captured so as to ensure extra hot finds.
There’s no set date for the store to open as yet but if you’re lucky, owner Sophia Amoruso may make you an appointment prior to the big opening day.
Since 2006, Nastygal have come a long way and with a legion of Facebook and Twitter followers, there’s no stopping them. If your stateside, quick enough and can prove your fashion worth, they’re looking for an intern too – the perfect opportunity to have first pick of a very impressive vintage collection.
Sadly, for those here in the UK (including myself) we’ll have to make do with drooling over the website at maybe hope that with enough tweeting, facebook groups and admiration from afar, Nastygal will cross the pond to a very lucrative London market.
Jack Peñate – Tonight’s Today
March 10, 2009
I fly to Thailand tonight – I’ve finally finished packing, the rain just stopped pouring and just as the sun started to beam through, Jack Peñate’s new single Tonight’s Today came on the radio.
A very different sounding track, It’s a brave move changing your sound as much as Peñate has from his debut album Matinee (which got old, very quickly minus ‘Second Minute Or Hour’ which i love simply for the video). However, in this case, it’s been a fantastic side step – the track is fun, upbeat and reminds you that summer, fingers crossed, is right around the corner. I’ve been meaning to add this chirpy little track to Tinker Tailor for a while and with the sun shining, it seemed perfect timing.
Peñate’s been quite clever with his website too (what with an impending ban on YouTube music videos) and devoted the entire homepage of his site to an audio of the track (accompanied by a very good photo). Clearly, he knows that if he’s not guaranteed a winner with Tonight’s Today alone, his good looks will seal the deal.
The track isn’t out until 30th March, but that’s not going to stop me from naming it the soundtrack to my trip and putting a reminder in my iCal to download it on my return for a burst of digital sunshine on demand. Enjoy.
Reiss to launch sub brand for 25 plus
March 5, 2009
As a huge fan of Reiss (and not so much of their over inflated prices), It can only come as a good thing that they are to launch a younger, sub brand aimed at fashion conscious men and women in their mid twenties.
Yet to be named and with Reiss designers, including former Stella McCartney Creative Director Andy Rogers behind it, the brand promises to be a very stylish collection at lower prices. It’s their second sub brand after the launch of the Black Label in the autumn which sells dresses starting at £125-£225. Looks like Reiss are proactively trying to capture the wallets of a diverse range of shoppers, something other brands might want to take note of in a difficult recession.
Designs for (let’s call it ‘Project X’) will include more design led, edgier tops, dresses and tailoring and will see the introduction of a range of denim to be available at all Reiss stores. As with the brand’s name, most prices are yet to be confirmed, but a pair of Reiss ‘Project X’ jeans are to set you back £69 as opposed to £79 for their main line. Not stopping with the launch of a new brand, the website is also to see a complete overhaul for Spring/Summer.
There’s no plans (or at least none publicised) that the new brand will have stand alone stores as yet. In a tough market, it’s no surprise Reiss are playing safe not opening a new string of stores to house their fledgeling brand. However, that’s not to say it’s not planned. There’s also talk of ‘Project X’ collaborating with other designers at a later date. Whatever they end up calling it, ‘Project X’ will be available at selected Reiss stores from August and by the sounds of things this is one, is one to watch.
