début daily

Fashionable Quotes

“If you’re never in fashion, you are never out.”

New York Times style scribe Ruth La Ferla, penned “You’ll Know How Much You Spent,” examining the rarefied logo-free success of Bottega Veneta with designer Tomas Maier at the helm and his tenacious and original approach to fashion, style, and life.

Bottega Veneta Spring/ Summer ‘08   

Bottega Veneta Fall/Winter ‘08 

 

Bottega Veneta’s winning formula: Accessories that silently protest subtle luxury and fine craftsmanship.

Images courtesy of Style.com.

Vogue’s LeBron James Cover Not in Vogue

Criticism of Vogue magazine's April cover featuring LeBron James and supermodel Gisele Bundchen has been spreading like wildfire with commentators decrying the Annie Leibovitz cover shot has intense racial overtones. James is featured striking a snarling pose with one hand dribbling a ball and the other around Bundchen’s waist. Commentators such as Samir Husni, a well-known magazine analyst, have likened the photo to a modern day “King Kong” and Fay Wray. Husni feels the cover shot was deliberately provocative adding, “When you have a cover that reminds people of King Kong and brings those stereotypes to the front, black man wanting white woman, it’s not innocent.” Vogue spokesman Patrick O’Connell released a statement saying, “Vogue sought to celebrate two superstars at the top of their game. We think LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen look beautiful together and we are honored to have them on the cover.” LeBron James expresses similar sentiments telling The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer he was “just showing a little emotion.” It’s pertinent to mention James is the first African American male to grace the storied fashion glossy cover, joining the prestigious line up of actors George Clooney and Richard Gere. Vogue’s annual April issue celebrates size and shape. Début Daily staffers collectively feel the Leibovitz cover offer hints of “King Kong”. Noting the famous Napoleon Bonaparte quote, “A picture is worth a thousand words”, rings true in this case.

Beachy Keen

Junglegurl bikinis have glamour girls clamoring for swimsuit season. Founder and designer Natalie Golonka, formerly a model, creates them from repurposed vintage fabrics she’s collected on trips around the world to ensure no two pieces are exactly alike. The sustainability factor takes them from red hot, to a heightened form of green hot. Available at www.junglegurl.com.

- Stephanie Simons

Brilliant Baubles

Canada’s Arielle de Pinto takes a thoroughly luxuriant, fluid approach to traditional jewelry design. She treats metal as fiber, hand-crocheting each necklace from sterling silver and vermeil metal. Each complex weave has a few raw “threads” (delicate metal chains) to lend it the authentic look and feel of fabric. Available at www.arielledepinto.com

-  Stephanie Simons

Kiss and Shout

Lancôme has teamed up with hot Brit designer Christopher Kane for a limited edition Juicy Tube line inspired by his Burns Night spring ’08 collection. Kane mixes up the cult lip gloss in nine hot new hues of Red Hot New York, Tokyo Plum Blossom, Rio Mango, Paris Bubbly, to Copacabana Coffee. The tubes are decorated with stylish illustrations from Kane. $18 at Lancôme counters nationwide and online.

Lace Desires

Miuccia Prada revved up the sex quotient with exquisite couture lace over powder blue broad collar shirts and frills drifting to a a semi-transparent display of skin. The looked evoked a sly hint of sex appeal with an intelligent style. It was pure Prada and instinctively modern.

 

Up close and personal: A killer color combination paired with the most unlikely fabric compostions. A back-view cutout leaves little to the imagination.

Best Foot Forward

Despite winter’s lingering effects, spring is around the corner and I can’t wait to slip into a breezy slip dress and gladiator sandals. After months of going undercover, our toes need a little TLC to score a perfect 10. Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer is a revolutionary patent-pending all in one wash and scrub sponge. The hand-size sponge cleans and exfoliates with a unique blend of olive oil, shea butter, and tea tree extract infused with luxurious aromatic scents of lavender and citron eucalyptus. Pedi-Scrub is the ultimate spa for your feet, transforming hibernating toes to a Choo-worthy appearance. Available at www.spongeables.com.

Hot Specs

Banana Republic increases its style options with the brand’s début sunglass collection. The collection includes 21 sunwear styles for men and women ranging from aviators, vintage, oversize, and preppy styles range from $78- $118 at retail. Available at Banana Republic.

Banana Republic ‘Doris’ sunglasses ($118).

Louis Vuitton Blason

Louis Vuitton’s Blason jewelry line designed by Pharrell Williams and co-designer Camile Miceli is a regal mix of eye-catching stones, the LV logo, heraldic assertions, and bling-worthy rainbow-colored gems. LV promotes the line with a stunning commercial featuring Williams and Miceli. Take a view…

The Mad Hatter

NYC’s numero uno East Village milliner, Eugenia Kim, enters the fashion big leagues with a city chic hat collection for top American accessories brand Coach. The 20-piece collection is the perfect of blend of Kim’s downtown ethos with Coach’s preppy-chic appeal. Available in April at Coach stores.

 

Topped Off: (l to r) The Legacy Stripe Tara, Eugenia, and Maude.