Noelill's Blog
Plush You L.A. @ Munky King on Melrose
8.26.10 – 9.19.10
Opening Reception: Thurs, August 26th 7-10pm
Munky King Melrose
An exhibition of 65 of the "best of the best" plush artists from around the globe curated by Kristen Rask of Schmancy Toys in Seattle.
Plush You will be held for the first time in LA at Munky King Melrose.
Music by R-Rated and Colby
Ice cream treats by Coolhaus
Examining Robert Pattinson's style in honor of his birthday!
Known for starring as the lovesick vampire Edward Cullen in the wildly popular teen flick 'Twilight,' Robert Pattinson probably can't even go to his favorite burger joint without paparazzi snapping his picture. How annoying, but thanks to those stolen moments, we get to see what he's wearing!
A favorite accessory among thespians, the black knitted beanie is one of Robert's preferred looks that tops off his V-neck cotton T's and dark denim jeans. Very urban and sleek, he finishes the look off with a pair of vintage-styled Ray-Ban sunglasses. He also enjoys jumping on the plaid bandwagon once in a while, a trend that is still rolling into summer. The "Remember Me" star grunges up his plaid button-ups with leather jackets and worn-in boots, but let us not forget, his favorite pair of black Nike sneakers with the white swoosh. Robert is also great at layering hoodies and sweaters with under shirts and outerwear.
The way Mr. Pattinson sticks to solid, neutral colors like black, gray, white and navy blue is a great way to give a wardrobe lots of room for mixing and matching. Robert owns a casual look that's stylish with a bit of an edge. Doesn't he know that's the style people go crazy for? It won't help in diluting his heartthrob status. Fans and paparazzi will be chasing him for a while.
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
photos via: irenalightfoot.blogspot.com
Indie Style Prom Dress Ideas
Molly Ringwald's savvy character in the classic movie, Pretty In Pink (1986), deconstructed a shocking, pink, formal, gown and transformed it in to a du jour creation. Her end result? She arrives at the dance in style and gets her guy! This year for Prom, embrace that spirit and deconstruct those formal wear clichés.
Spring season is showing some leg. Short ,above the knee, petticoat dresses are all the rage. They are fun, fluffy, and perfect for moving about the dance floor. Betsy Johnsonhas some festive designs or tryModcloth.com for neo-retro looks and old school glamour accessories like lacy gloves! Feathers can also be very elegant for formal wear, but don't over do it. Take your satin, strapless and top it off with a ritzy feather hair accessory or float like a feather in this Sue Wong dress.
If you're running low on budget, Forever 21'sDarling Mesh Tiered, little, black , dress is at a bargain price and you can accessorize with a collar necklace and lacy headband. Thrift shop and vintage shopping is also a great option. Finding a one of a kind piece will guarantee you won't have that "omg she has the same dress as me!" embarrassing incident. Pair your vintage find with some classy heels, or sparkly flats and you'll be bella of the ball.
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
headband- Helena Markos, dress, shoes, necklace and purse- Forever 21
hair clip- Hayashibeads on Etsy, dress- Nordstrom, lace stockings- Urban Outfitters, heels- Martinez Valero Steffi, clutch- Juicy Couture
Rachel From Glee and her Owl Sweater
Glee; the show is so addicting, there is always something going on at McKinley High and last night, Rachel Berry's owl sweater, totally had it going on! The gasps from owl lovers around the nation could be heard when Rachel's sweater appeared on screen. The cashmere, knitted, number displays a toasty shaded brown an orange owl embellished with sequins.
The charismatic design is by Kate Spade, a witty and sophisticated label based out of New York (with stores located in 20 other states). They first started with hand bags and then gradually added to their line. Now you can find just about everything at Kate Spade, from whimsy shoes to colorful stationery.
At the moment, the amazing owl sweater is not for sale on the Kate Spade website. Either is this awesome owl hand bag we found while browsing the net, but make sure to check out the bedazzled, Izzie, ladybug flats and the juicy, Bot Mot Lime, coin purse. Perfect for Spring!
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
Nerd Glasses Are Still Trending
Nerdy glasses are not quite done making their statement in the indie fashion world. The trend was apparent in the 90's when the Fresh Prince's, DJ Jazzy Jeff, sported them as he worked the turn tables. Head MC of Digital Underground attached a funny looking, fake, nose to his pair of nerdy glasses, but who knows? Maybe those guys really needed prescription glasses. Wether or not they really needed specs to see their hip hop hits top the charts, the look sure caught on.
Nerd frames made a come back two winter seasons ago and it seems indie trend setters are still riding those thick frames out. With chain apparel stores like Hot Topic and Urban Outfitters carrying the particular style of glasses, it looks as though we won't be saying "dying trend" for this one just yet. The popular, young, fashion blogger from Paris, Louise Ebel, is rarely seen in a photograph without her pair of nerdy glasses; but as she models them with Miu Miu platform heels, there is no trace of the word nerd left in Louise's attire.
Although, every now and then, a fresh face surprisingly pulls the look off, it's best the rest of us stay clear of this trend. Justin Timberlake, Scarlett Johannson, Jay-Z and a number of other celebrities (including Madonna!) have fallen victim to the nerd glasses.
Advice: If your vision is 20/20, you are terribly lucky you don't need glasses and you should keep it that way. If you don't have time to pop in your contacts, wearing rectangular, thinner frames or lighter colored frames is not as harsh on the face and looks more modern, less nerdy.
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
Louise E. lookbook.nu
Sybianna Sybianna M. lookbook.nu
Nicole W. lookbook.nu
Michael C. lookbook.nu
Courtney Love: Indie Style Icon
With a new album out, Courtney Love is resurfacing again to inspire a whole new generation of neo grunge princesses. We can't deny Courtney has defined a look for herself that fuses vintage beauty queen with rock and roll grime. From her days with Hole, back in the 90's wearing baby doll dresses and Mary Jane shoes, how could we not predict she would become a style rock and roll icon?
Now as she matures in her own way, Courtney reinvents her style time and time again and like Courtney herself, it never gets old. Last night on David Letterman, she wore a silky, cream colored top with a flat, black pencil skirt looking very interview appropriate, but as she took to the stage, she donned a gothic dress dripping with black lace.
Yes we might have seen her during personal hard times defining the word hot mess, but Courtney knows her stuff. She collects dresses dating all the way back to 1929 with the help of her vintage dealer Timeless Vixen. Love also shops Boudoir Queen, a gorgeous boutique of vintage inspired dresses and adornments. Courtney's closet must be a gold mine of beautiful vintage frocks, we can only imagine.
Do you love Courtney Love's indie style?
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
Half Shaved Head- Who wore it and Who's wearing it Now
What goes great with a pair of platform stiletto heels, a tight mini skirt or an over sized boyfriend tee? A half shaved head of course!
That's right, this indie trend started creeping up last year spotted on singers Rihanna and Cassie. Even glamazon Carmen Electra went razor happy, but they weren't the first to show a little skin. This style could trace all the way back to when Native Americans shaved their heads and wore roaches which were head peaces made from brightly colored porcupine or deer hair, but lets not go back that far.
The 80's were a popular time for the half shaved head. Pop music sensation, Cyndi Lauper, wore it well with her frilly dresses and charm-ing jewelry. Kurt Harland Larson from the 80's, synthpop band, Information Society, had the look down and maybe he was the inspiration for sythpop musicians who wear the look today. In the early 2000's when electro clash blasted in to the indie scene, Alex Ebert, vocalist of the indie band Ima Robot, jumped around on stage with his half shaven head. Now, Los Angeles based DJ and ex-vocalist for the band From First To Last, Sonny Moore, wears half his head bare and goes under the name Skrillex.
British model Alice Dellal has been storming catwalks with this distinctive look. It goes rather well with her off the runway personal style. Dellal pairs her undercut with black leather jackets, combat boots and heavy, black eye liner creating a wild and rebellious image that's inspiring young IT girls.
Buzznet.com correspondent and fashion enthusiast, Hanna Beth jumped on the trend stating in her blog that she loved Dellal's look. Hanna writes, quote: "i have never been as happy with my hair as i am now.. i love it.." She and her best friend both took to the razor's edge an adopted the edgy style. Even though the undercut can look rather punk rock, Hanna does an impeccable job of keeping this look very clean and feminine combining it with lacy blouses and leopard print outer wear.
While the half shaved head is brave, bold and clearing making a fashion statement, we just have one question...what do you do when it's time to grow it out?
Do you like this Style?
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
Wiksten: Indie Designer Spotlight
Think a breath of fresh air when you see Jenny's designs because that's literally what you'll get. Jenny Gordy's creations are stylish, yet extremely comfortable. No struggling in girdle tight waists or ill-fitting push-up tops here. Jenny proves you can look good in her clothes and feel good in them too.
Wiksten is her independent clothing line named lovingly after her grandmother's Swedish last name. Jenny's works are hand sewn from natural fabrics like linen and cotton. She also showcases adorable necklaces made out of wool in her Winter 2009 collection. For spring 2010, Wiksten introduces delicately, polka-dotted, woven tops and cotton shirt dresses.
Peek at the young designer's blog Westin-made to discover indie style gems. There she posts pictures of her latest designs, inspirations and, once in a while, a look in to her personal life to see where her passion for sewing is drawn from. She also guest blogs for Lucky magazine and teaches a sewing class now and then in Fort Greene Brooklyn. She’s a graduate of The Fashion Institute in New York and calls Brooklyn her home where she lives with her husband and two cats. Combining elegant simplicity with modern design, Wiksten is definitely the future of independent design and style.
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
All photos from www.wikstenmade.blogspot.com
Parisian Chic: Get The Look!
What is it about the Parisian girl that seems so chic and modern? Maybe it's her way of playing it simple yet sophisticated. This style is great for the working girl or the girl on the go that doesn't have time to search through her endless patterned dresses trying to accessories them, only to discover the look is "too much". When dressing the Parisian style less is always more. Take it from our favorite fashion icon Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 movie Funny Face. With her sleek, fitted, black beatnik top and her black Capri pants, she's somehow been able to grace the ads of GAP in that ensemble 40 years later!
Keep an eye out for these independent ladies in style to stay inspired by their modern Parisian looks: Actress and singer/songwriter Charlotte Gainsbourg. French, fashion bloggers and designers Betty from Blog De Betty and Alix The Cherry Blossom Girl. Also UK journalist Alexa Chung is one to follow with her new fashion line being heavily influenced by horizontal stripes, blazers and sweaters.
To get the look, keep your color pallet very simple. Black, white, neutral tones and gray. Must haves are a stripped pattern, nautical tee, a dark colored blazer, fitted, cotton pant or jeans and if you're really serious about it, a gorgeous trench coat. Dressing up requires the most famous "little black dress" and add some flirty-ness to it with a bow in the hair like Zooey deschanel. Keep the hair and make-up natural and don't be late for your date at La boutique de Cafe.
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
Try Colored Locks to go with your Spring/Summer Wardrobe
Spring is in full effect and summer is just around the corner. You have your sundresses and little rompers ready but nothing completes a look like that little something extra. Pastel colored locks showed up on runway models from New York to Milan during fashion week this year. Google trend setting cyber queens like Audrey Kitching and Raquel Reed and get inspired by their candy colored curls. Also well Known accessories designer Tarina Tarintino has been sporting her signature pink hair for a few years. The best thing about it is that you can wear this style no matter what age! It's a theory that the pastel colored inspirations came from the cotton candy tinted white hair worn on senior women. Now, in the 21st century, no color is a bad color, even gray is a go as seen recently on Kate Moss.
So are you ready to get started coloring your hair? Don't stress, there are lots of ways to try unnatural colors without making a full commitment. Lots of local hair salons and boutiques sell clip-ins. They are really easy to apply yourself. You just snap it in like your favorite hair clip. If you have blonde hair, pastel colors like baby pink, mint green and baby blue make for beautiful highlights. For brunettes, coral pinks, shocking pinks and reds add a splash of enhancement to your dark tresses. If you want to make a color commitment, find a color that works for you and go for it. Tish & Snooky's Manic Panic hair dyes come in just about every color of the rainbow. Bleaching the hair or color striping it before you apply the hair dye gives best results or take the color to your hair stylist and they will know just what to do.
Now that your hair is having more fun, make sure your clothes don't clash. It's best to keep the colors you wear neutral or complimenting to the colors in your hair. If your hair is pink, cool colors like blue and purple will compliment the warm color on your head. Try it out and who knows, you might end up being the next Patricia Field.
article by Noel ILL: Indie Style Examiner
