Madewell comes to Bird

According to our beloved WWD, J. Crew brainchild Madewell has joined the ranks of Alexander Wang, Acne and Proenza Schouler to extend its offerings toward the heart of hipster paradise, also known as Brooklyn's Bird, with three locations in Park Slope, Cobble Hill and most recently, Williamsburg. Being one of the first retailers in NYC to obtain a LEED certification, Bird kicks off this strategic alliance with a shopping event tomorrow night co-hosted by Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem, as WWD proclaims, "Hipsters welcome."

I want dat.

So while I may or may not be able to attend this baller opening event seeing as how Midtown will monopolize my time, a girl can still lust after the monochromatic wonders that (along with Rumi, of course) have inspired a gradual yet soon-to-be-complete shift in my design aesthetic. Let's step outside of the box now, shall we?

Cotton Asymmetrical Zip Jacket

Ligne 6 - Martin Margiela, $255

Perfect Tencel Button Shirt

Current / Elliot, $198

Dianetta Melange Cashmere & Silk Scarf

Faliero Sarti, $339

Sun Spike Necklace

Wendy Nichol, $405

Striped Silk Tennis Shorts

Rag & Bone, $255

Large Leather Zip Pouch

Comme des Garcons, $135

3 Stitch Knit Brass Cuff

Wendy Nichol, $310

Sazerac High Heel Ankle Boot

Rachel Comey, $425

On a slightly unrelated note, Bryanboy has the very best taste. How unbelievably awesome are these Mugler F/W 2011 booties? Yum.

At Kenzo. How could you possibly not love him?

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Summer in the city

It's a given that even though I'll be spending my entire summer in New York City (God, the more I say it, the more real it becomes...), I won't be able to let go of my Greenville roots or the influences I've gained from supreme fratting at Wake. Here's a simple, bare-boned ensemble to transition my real-life style as it stands to the one I'll acquire after weeks and weeks of my coveted position as a Diesel presence marketing intern.

Solid Skinny Oxford

Polo Ralph Lauren, $90

Cuffed Denim Shorts

Joe's Jeans, $98

Sabrina Belt

Elegantly Waisted, $86

Gladiator Wedge Sandal-- Cognac

Cynthia Vincent for Target, $30

Golden Knots Necklace

J. Crew, $55

RB3044 Aviator Small Metal-- Arista

Ray-Ban, $100

Milla Clutch PM

Louis Vuitton, $350

Loving life, remaking the city our playground, a clothing allowance at my incredible internship... could I be any happier? Maybe with a little more fratting (country music, pong and America-loving)... but that can be arranged.

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.

Choo Choo: Jimmy Choo >> H&M

A sailboat, a vacation, a nice car. Now, these are typical things fifth-graders would spend their first paycheck on. I, on the other hand, had a different vision. I imagined myself spending my first paycheck on a fabulous pair of Jimmy Choo heels.

 image courtesy of Nitrolicious's Jimmy Choo H&M Women’s Collection Preview

That's why I'm ecstatic to report that one of my favorites, Swedish retail giant H&M, has teamed up with the luxury British label to create a highly-anticipated collection for Fall/Winter 2009. The line, which will be available in 200 selected stores around the world, encompasses both women's and men's pieces that personify the Jimmy Choo brand image while also maintaining the inclusiveness of H&M's high street store philosophy.

I will admit, I was as skeptical as I was intrigued when I first encountered the fashionably-loud Jimmy Choo/H&M ads that took over the Victoria tube station, given other designer/discount store flops such as Alice & Olivia for Payless ShoeSouce (Ew?) or Vera Wang for Kohl's. Whether or not it's about the downright inconsistency of such strategic alliances, something instinctive always tends to tell me that designer looks for cheap prices is just too good to be true. The difference with this particular match up, however, is that H&M historically has personified high-fashion items without compromising quality or value provided to consumers. Looks like we'll just have to see what unfolds after I take a little trip to Oxford Street!

Here's to you, fashion. Cheers.