I just got an email from the guys at To Die For Clothing and I’ve got to say I kind of like there stuff. There designs are inspired by graffiti, tattoos, and other art, and the results are pretty cool. I generally don’t like design companies where they use there names in a lot of the designs, but somehow it works for To Die For, because it seems to be more focused on the wearer as opposed to the design company. Anyway, if your tired of seeing Ed Hardy shirts everywhere you look check these guys out.

If there’s one thing that usually renders me particularly vexed, its pretentious fashion. Fashion should be fun, because at the end of the day, what’s in this week, will be out the next. Ah fashion, a fickle friend indeed. Besides, when you’re young (as am I), you might as well enjoy your neon, and lamé while you can still pull it off. And if there’s one label that knows how to have a good time, that label would certainly be Pa:nuu.

The Danish label, brainchild of Catharine Nielsen and Jacob Hoilund, doesn’t use “analysis, market research, color scales, trend boards, or the likes thereof.” Where they do pull from however are the 80s, acid-pop, and bold prints that would give Jem a run for her money.

My attitude towards jewelry has changed drastically since the days of my youth; when I was little (alright, I was never little– let’s say younger) jewelry was fun, never fussy. Trying strands of my mother’s pearls, and diamonds seemed a tad bit more playful than it does now. Although in those days, I knew nothing of Harry Winston or Mikimoto– I, just as most any other girl, took much delight in the the way a diamond glimmered when the light hit it.

But recently, the whimsy I once knew has been rekindled, thanks to a recent influx of a few jewelers who’ve taken on a lighter approach to precious metals and stones. One such line is Italian label Toy Me. With just about as many pop culture references as a Jeremy Scott show, they mix high-end and low-end to create pieces which are fun, yet chic. But their name is not just a result of their playful element; in past collections, many of the pieces were actual toys, plated in gold and other precious medals. Their Fall 2008 collection is inspired by none other than the Fonz, himself. And to be quite honest, I’ll pick a silver charm reproduction of a leather jacket (complete with a comb protruding from the pocket) over a boring, “Return to Tiffany” bracelet anyday.

Our friends at Brand Pimps give us a little peak at some of the designers they have lined up for this week’s Capsule. Hope your ready cause Trendible will be there giving designers the royal treatment on Trendible.com.

Clean silhouettes, in a palette of basics and colorful pops characterizes Yoko Devereaux’s Fall/Winter 2008 collection titled ‘Holding Up the Heiress,’ inspired by the darker side of America’s fascination with high society and celebrity. Yoko Devereaux continues to reinterpret traditional men’s tailoring through the use of fleece and jersey and is expanding the collection with new fabrications like tweed and a full wovens program as well as outerwear and trousers for fall. All graphics in this collection incorporate direct imagery from the works of artist Charles Lutz. The Yoko Devereaux Fall / Winter 2008 collection will debut at the (capsule) show Jan 22 & 23. And, the brand will be staging its first runway show in several seasons d at Pier 92 on January 21 at 6pm.

Hey Indies. Here’s a new fairly original little shoe designer out of Italy that is making some major waves in the US for it’s collection of affordable ($200 is affordable right?) collection of metalic shoesies. Apapezza’s collection of shoes have a look that includes futuristic silver, leather bullet wedge booties. Ultra shiny metallic zip shoe with a lean tapered toe and silver shade to clear heels. You can find the shoes at OAK which are on sale for 40% off. Happy shoepping. (shoe shopping, new word so write it down and spread it like butter.)

So my biggest peeve besides Rubber Boots are designer fakes! Seeing them on the street makes me want to steal it and run, especially since most fakes are so obvious to spot, and the good fakes are almost as expensive as the real thing so why not invest in the acutal product! I personally would rather not have a certain bag then carry a fake. We support designers in all that they do, and by purchasing fakes we let them down.

Billions of dollars are spend annually on counterfeit goods, and besides lowering the integredy of designers and their goods, many of the manufacturers that produce fakes help fund organized crime that includes child labor, drugs, and terrorist activity.

Harper’s Bazaar decided to do something about this; they put together an Anti-counterfeiting Alliance and created a website to help prevent the sale and purchase of counterfeit goods, www.FakesAreNeverInFashion.com. Here you can leard how to spot a fake, spread the message about the Alliance, and know where to anonymously report the sale of fakes. They even have competitions where if you send in a fake you get entered into a draw to win REAL merchandise.

So check it out, and help spread the word that FAKES ARE NEVER IN FASHION!

- writer Rebecca Alexander

In tune with my latest article on recycling, I found a designer right up the “GREEN” ally.

Gary Harvey has made a fashion revolution with his “recycled” dresses. “By sourcing fabrics and raw material that have literally been thrown away, you can look good and be good too. Too many garments are deemed aesthetically redundant and are discarded at the end of the season, when there are still many years of wear left.” Gary has made a career for himself out of his frustration toward the mainstream. Working as Creative Director of Levi Strauss and Dockers Europe for nearly ten years, Gary saw first hand how much was being thrown away and decided to create something out of his dismay; to change people’s perception of second-hand clothing and create a fashion and social conscience.

His first dress evolved using 42 pairs of Levi’s 502’s. His other works include a stunning design using 18 Burberry macs, a corset dress using 28 camouflage Army jackets, and a body-contouring gown using discarded baseball jackets. His latest collection is made of 30 recycled copies of the Financial Times. His silhouettes are inspired by vintage ball gowns (totally perfect with the “recycled” theme) and his first collection showcased his stunning dresses during London Fashion Week. Now this is a designer that’s doing something for change….

Alright so I think I’ve had my share of “designer exclusives”.  They have been popping up everywhere. Cavalli at H&M, Alice Temperley for Target. It’s gotten to the point that everything needs to be “extra special” in order to be worthwhile, which seems ridiculous, I mean honestly how many of these things can they push on us before they become, well, un-special.

Case in point. The Erin Fetherston collection for Target.  The CFDA nominee hit Target stores nationwide last month.  Did anyone care?  I didn’t. I just stopped by Target this weekend and saw rack after rack of Erin’s collection still waiting for desperate “exclusive” shoppers to pick them up. Even worse, the Alice Temperley collection which hit shelves months ago still are lingering in the clearance section.  It seems that since Proenza Schouler the Go! International collection can’t seem to, um, go.

This doesn’t seem to be the case at H&M though which seems to sell out collection after collection of big names designers that lend their talents to the retailing giant. Take for instance the recent Roberto Cavalli collection which flew in and out of H&M in under 15 minutes.  You can still catch remnants of the collection on ebay selling at up to three times as much (which is really quite ridiculous).

Overall it seems these designer for hire are a hit an miss which doesn’t bode well for the future of independent fashion.

P.S. Did you know that Uniqlo regularly welcomes capsule designers. Philip Lim, Alice Bittar and other locals have filled their shelves. Big surprise is that no one seems to hear about it and it’s hush hush on eBay. If you’re really looking for exclusives this might be the place to shop.

Talk about creative collaborations. Justin Timberlake and partner Trace Ayala have just commissioned J.Lindenberg designers/founders Johan & Marcella Lindenberg to develop a mens & womens collection for William Rast. This type of news always gets me going cause of the sheer creativeness and genious behind it. William Rast has become synonmous with jeanswear and this new collabo suggests that the line is a.) doing very well and b.) getting ready to expand.

The Swedish designers behind J.Lindenberg recently opened up a private shop in NYC called Paris68 (named after some riots that took place in the city in May 1968). The concept is to create new collections and design for other labels. With Justin’s Rast in their pocket, we’re sure it won’t be long until Paris68 makes it big.

It was bound to happen. The new Los Angeles “it” girl, Victoria Beckham, has been tapped by Marc Jacobs for his new Spring ‘08 ads. The Spice Girl will be wearing select items from Jacobs recent foray into haute couture, the collection with raised more than a few eyebrows when it came strutting down the runway in September.

Juergen Teller was the photographer for the shoot and the look was a part of Jacobs new look which stresses sex and identity, a signal that Jacobs is changing his perspective and morphing into a new style of designer.