Where Assistant Stylist, Allison Bornstein Finds her Literal Gems

Allison Bornstein spends her days as the assistant stylist to Julia Von Boehm. Pulling garments from showroom among showroom, searching for the best trinkets to accessorize a story and bringing it all together to create a exceptional editorial. She has found some of her best pieces yet at the Lower East side boutique Hello Sari. Hello Sari is the perfect spot for treasured ornaments of all of types Indian flavor

                                          If you are like me and gravitate to anything that is shiny, 

                                          then you have probably already walked into Hello Sari. 

                                          Brightly colored saris, colorful bracelets and embellished 

                                          slippers sparkle from the windows of this small lower east

                                          side store making you feel as though you have truly come

                                          across a hidden gem. Upon entering, shoppers are invited 

                                          to browse the amazing selection of bold colored tunics, 

                                          intricately adorned textiles, and jewelry from the middle 

                                          east all at incredibly reasonable prices. My favorite purchases 

                                          have been a collar necklace dripping with silver coins and

                                          multicolored beads as well as a pair of black leather pointed 

                                          toe slippers with beautiful silver embroidery.

A Couple of Looks from Giambattista Valli for Macy's

     We're salivating over Giambattista Valli's 

     collection for Macy's.With prices from
     $50 to $100, you  would be foolish
     to not get your Valli fix. 

 Will you line up at 8 am on October 26?

If You Can't Wait for the Proenza Schouler Sample Sale...

When you’re a sample sale fiend like us, we tend to eye full price, retail merchandise in terms of what will qualify as a keepsake and how will it dice up our wardrobe. How can we take something so eclectic and use it in our everyday lives? Well today we’ve carefully gone through the Proenza Schouler Spring 2012 collection to help you pick our your full price garb until the much awaited sample sale comes around.

Whatever you choose it will either be a basic or statement piece, there’s no in between. So when choosing your ideal getup remember it should be something that will carry you through multiple seasons and various stages of your life (not that you can see the future, unless you weirdly claim your telepathic).

It’s hard to find a pattern you feel will translate year after year, but think about your style and what it consists of. This iridescent top is at the top of our list. The fact that it has a neutral palette within the ornamentation makes this an easily coveted piece.  

 This floral elongated bustier is more assertive than essential side, but because of the elongation is can be worn in so many different arenas.

Collars buttoned to the top seem to be making all the designers orgasm.  This little number has such a basic feel with its touches of leather and metallic sheen. 

Some shoppers prefer to rampage on accessories. Like Toni Collette said in the film In Her Shoes, “When I feel bad I like to treat myself. Clothes never look any good... food just makes me fatter... shoes always fit.” This shoe is not only architecturally keen, but it looks quite comfortable, although we don’t make any promises. 

Ever since we purchased our cameras we’ve been looking for that perfect compact that doesn’t entail the brand Case Logic. It truly doesn’t get much better than the leather and chain detail.

Talk about the perfect skirt, buttons to go from day to night and to top it off the color is phenomenal. Made of eel skin, this glossy number will probably set you back a chunk of cash, but you’ll never get rid of this one.

And lastly, that dress you couldn’t live without.  Now some would prefer to wait until the sample sale, but being the finale specimen, you probably won’t get this number for half price. The description says it all, embroidered tulle, long sleeved, backless belted sheath. 

So choose wisely and don’t break your bank account, just treat yourself to a indispensable gift.

How Stylist Marina Munoz Balances Androgyny

Marina Munoz is one of the most sought after women in the street style photography phenomena and we felt it was essential to find out where her motivation lies. We gathered she’s taken her experiences and travels and used them to her advantage. Her signature Indiana Jones style fedora, androgynous attire, and casual vibe showed Marina’s apparent love for vintage as well as her relish for the fashion industry. Besides her prevailing taste, her modesty and how she cares for those she mentors as well as works with is 

extremely refreshing.

Why do you think photographers want a photo of you?

I think they see something different and fresh. Then when they get to know me, we usually become friends…

Who’s your favorite street style photographer?

I get a lot of inspiration from Scott Schuman His attention to detail is so good. I learn a lot from his blog about shoes, belts, and pocket squares.

What would you say is your signature style and where does it come from?

My signature style mixes masculine and feminine wear, men’s shirts, silk blouses, trousers, blazers and men’s fedoras! Also, my parents are chic examples of cool and elegant. Also, I take bits from my travels and films that I have seen.

What is your favorite part about styling?

The whole creative process is exciting for me, coming up with the concept, researching, and watching it all come together. It’s like cooking. You have a project and you see it from start to finish.

You’re a model and you’re a stylist’s assistant to Kate Young what is your ideal job?

I’m lucky to be in a position where I can do a lot of things and still stay focused. My ambition is to eventually style and be happy. I don’t expect to get to the top; I am content with working and being able to enjoy life.

Are you in NY for good or do you think you would go elsewhere?

(Laughs) there’s always the Parisian itch! Now that I have been here for a year, fallen in love with someone and haphazardly fallen in love with NY it all has been very rewarding.

Vintage Junkies, Your Time Has Come

Now contain your excitement because two of the biggest vintage events are in the same weekend so schedule your calendar accordingly.

October 21st and 22nd are your days to rampage.

Decades is bringing it's L.A.duds to New York and curating two different shops for the uptown and downtown crew.  If you're more of a Soho Rat take a trip to the Soho Grand. And for those uptown yuppies make your way to Lisa Perry. 

Maybe after your rendezvous to the downtown Decades you can cab it to the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show
at The Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea. But we must warn you it's a $20 fee to get in. But we highly encourage you to hand over the cash, because this is like the Disney World of Vintage.  

Derek Blasberg's Classy Just got Very Classy

 


No worries, you don't need to be too 
trampy to pick up Derek Blasberg's 
newest book Very Classy. A sequel to 
his first book, Classy, was filled with
tips and pointers on how to be a posh
modern lady. Very Classy will be a 
savvy extension of more witty one
liners to eliminate any trashy 
elements you may 
uphold.

Not Much of a Dream Closet at the Albright Fashion Library Sample Sale

This afternoon we stopped by the Albright Fashion Library sample sale in Mina NYC located at 32A Cooper Square. If you aren't familiar with the so called "spectacular armoire" it is the collection of the mother, daughter team Irene and Marina Albright. Between the stylist mother and the daughter's impeccable taste, the pair have cultivated a successful and respected rental business among Hollywood and editorial stylists, film costume designers, celebrities, and models.

With those credentials you would expect a whole in your pocket after visiting the cache, but sadly the selection seemed to come from the nosebleed section. The clothing mostly consisted of dresses with a rack of $100 Philosophy by Alberta Feretti and Moschino garb. Few pants, coats and tops were shown, but there were a couple of swoon worthy pieces including a chiffon cut out tank by Alessandro Dell'Acqua for $225, also a Pollini velvet and chiffon cocktail dress for $340. 

Accessories were limited, as there were no more than ten bags. There were multiple shoes, but the wear and tear made the couture resemble merchandise from the salvation army, especially the Manolo Blahnik bins for $75.  If you're looking for a splurge, we vote on the Yves Saint Laurent cage heels.   

The dressing rooms at Mina are available for private fittings. If you're looking for a quiet shopping experience, you're in luck, but the sale only runs for two days (October 8th & 9th) so hurry and get those YSL Cage heels.