Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Smart Winter Suiting via 80's Valentino

From 80's era Valentino comes this classic split neck navy & ochre houndstooth on camel wool chemise dress/coat-dress that has beautifully molded shoulders to give the piece a very strong, straight-forward shape. And with winter finally rearing it's cold head, we couldn't think of a winter day dress that's any more chic than this classic.

80s VALENTINO Houndstooth Chemise Coat Dress-$168

Accessory of the Week: 40's Fur Muff/Clutch

A perfect addition for your "Mad Men" inspired fix comes to you from the 40's with this sweet plush black fur muff that ingeniously doubles as a clutch & wristlet. It has rich matte black satin trim and a gorgeous silver frame with a silver deco trio-knob closure. We paired it with a crisp Lanvin hourglass suit to play up its darkly romantic feel, and this look proves that you can channel Betty Draper today without looking too retro.

40's Vintage Fur Muff Clutch-$138

Saturday, December 27, 2008

A New Proportion via 90's Romeo Gigli

Over the past few season's we have come to grow fond of the 80's trend of wide/cropped tops because the proportion is just so flattering. It elongates the body while drawing focus to the shoulders as well as offsetting the hip. No matter what label it's from, we can't get enough of these must-have flying shirts. And this piece is a sweet 90's era ROMEO GIGLI take on the new wardrobe essential... Its a brown plaid wide cropped flying shirt with three wooden buttons and two subtle box pleats running down the back that's perfect for layering year-round...think of pairing it over dresses, pleated shorts, or high-waisted wide-leg jeans.

90's ROMEO GIGLI Brown Plaid Wide Cropped Flying Shirt-$146

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Channel Ray Petri with your own Buffalo Stance

With top stylist's & designers still drawing inspiration from the work of genius stylist and "Buffalo Look" creator Ray Petri, it came as no surprise to us that the past men's Spring 2009 shows were a diverse homage to his signature look. We at Vagabond Nyc have always been fond of his mad-cap mix of designer rags teamed with bits of lingerie, athletic basics and under garments to create a strong look that juxtaposed the diverse street scenes of the 1980's. We wanted to take a moment and share some of our own Petri inspired buys(we literally have about 25+ but here are three exemplary pieces):

80's Cream Fishnet Knit Tunic Length Racer Tank Top-$168

90's MOSCHINO Black Brocade Bolero Matador Jacket-$296

80's Black Denim Buffalo Military Fitted Jacket-$278

Friday, December 19, 2008

In An Absolut World by Helmut Lang ends 12.31.08


It should come as no surprise that we at Vagabond Nyc are crazy about 90's fashion & music, especially since it's the decade we both came of age in. And while we are often sadly reminded of the gaping hole left behind by Helmut Lang's superior presence on the fashion scene, we are glad to announce that he has once again brought his cunning vision to the art world with the help of Absolut Vodka and Greatworks. Lang as you know, was the first designer to showcase his collections online way, way back in 1998, and he has done it once again, this time using Absolut's pioneering online platform to exhibit his 'Alles Gleich Schwer' multi-media show. The online virtual gallery will be up until 12.31.08 and is full of beautiful, printable downloads.

Visit Absolut.com/HelmutLang

And the final print 'Next Ever After,' with it's austere holiday theme, is also now available for download. To get it, go to the 'download' section on Absolut.com/HelmutLang(enter your D.O.B), save the file to your desktop, and in 5 seconds you'll have a digital art print that can be printed up to 24"x36", that's personalized with your unique download#, date, time, country & IP address.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Accessory of the Week: Prada Ombre Wedge's

Leave it to Miuccia Prada to take a 40's inspired curved wedge and give it an unexpected, tribal edge like this darkly romantic pair of PRADA wedges. Their inky green and iridescent khaki ombre color-way give the shoe a thoroughly modern update that makes them perfect year-round sandals. We'd pair them with thick chunky oatmeal socks in the fall played off against brilliant shades of rusts, oranges and browns. And in the summer, their strong look would look easy-chic juxtaposed with some sheer trouser socks and naively printed boho layers.

PRADA Velvet Ombre Tie-Dye Wedge Sandals-$188

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Skinny Pants Never Looked So Good: Montana

From the 80's come these super sexy black matte satin CLAUDE MONTANA high-waisted skinny cigarette pants that have two front side silver zip pockets, one side zip and elastic stirrups at the legs so the pants do not rise. Romp around in these for your own HELMUT NEWTON inspired daydream.

80's CLAUDE MONTANA Black Matte Satin Stirrup Pants-$218

Yet Another Great Pair from Rodarte...

Season after season Rodarte proves to be one of the greatest American collections out there and while last season's killer collaboration with Louboutin was nothing less than amazing with his metallic urban warrior mary-janes, we already can't stop drooling over these mirrored platforms by Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte Spring '09. They are so drop-dead chic, and ladies, there probably isn't a look or ensemble that wouldn't benefit from these beauty's...even sweat-pants!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Remembering Genius: Old School Miu Miu Ads

It's hard to believe that this Miu Miu campaign is almost a decade old now considering that if it came out today, it would still be as fresh & relevant as ever! We looked all over the place to find it because even after all these years, it remains our favorite Miu Miu campaign.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Vnyc Favorite: GIVENCHY by Ricardo Tisci

Ever since Ricardo Tisci took the reigns over at GIVENCHY when the label was barely keeping afloat, sartorially speaking, the venerable house has become one of our favorites in terms of inspiring our buys. And while Tisci has also had his fair share of nay-sayers & detractors, it's hard to resist the dark glamour & cool allure that he has built over the past few season's while still being able to maintain, manage and even update the house's own take on Parisian chic. This Spring we saw yet another fantastic show from him that played with the core concepts he has been referencing from season-to-season. And lucky for him, people are now catching on to his knack for strict, slim tailoring, organza ruffles and voluminous pleats, the perfectly decorated white blouse and his penchant for romanticism & Gothic/Catholic flare. Each season he has continued to deliver must-haves from the highly influential pyramid stud/nautical collection of last winter to the zany Peruvian acid-trip presentation of this fall's Couture. With the economy the way it is, and with fashion reacting to that climate and collections becoming increasingly stripped down, it's incredibly exciting to at least have this new energy. For next spring he hit all of our favorite notes from 90's body-con to sci-fi cowboy and these two looks are the ones that are going to be keeping us up at night until we can get our hands on them.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The Perfect Fall Blouse from Oscar de la Renta

From the 70's comes this glam OSCAR DE LA RENTA Russian inspired blouse that is truly the perfect fall blouse since it hit's all of today's trends without being too loud about what's going today. First of all, its darkly romantic with its muted florals set against matte gold & black, second, it has rows of dramatic ruffles that highlight the shoulders like we saw from labels like Christoper Kane, Dries Van Noten & even Gucci. But best of all are the puffy, voluminous sleeves that make the blouse the perfect companion to a high-waisted jean/fur puff vest combo.

70's OSCAR DE LA RENTA Russian Floral Blouse-$124

Christian Dior Bleached Zebra Bomber Jacket

From CHRISTIAN DIOR by John Galliano comes this sexy lightweight pique bomber jacket that is perfectly suited to become one fantastically glamorous fall/spring jacket. It not only hits all of today's biggest trends from tie-dye, to Afro prints to new rave, but it also gives the wearer an instant sense of rebellious chicness.

Christian Dior Bleached Zebra Bomber Jacket-$212 Sorry this item has been SOLD

The Perfect Holiday L-B-D from Rifat Ozbek

Believe it or not, one of us actually wore this same dress to prom in the early 90's! So when we came across it, it was not only a sentimental trip down memory lane, but it also proved just how universally classic this black body-con dress from RIFAT OZBEK truly is. It has an elegant boat-neck, and its ribbed stretch body is juxtaposed with a soft, plush velvet outer-layer. They say the perfect L-B-D should be simple & sophisticated enough as to never go out of style, and this one proves that it is just that.

90's RIFAT OZBEK Black Body-Con Dress-$168

80's Krizia Black Tulle Mesh Sequined Bodysuit

Since we have been fans of the bodysuit for quite some time, we are naturally more than thrilled that they have been getting some much over-due catwalk time. With everyone from Margiela to Jean Paul Gaultier scrambling to make the coolest ones, we wanted to point out our very favorite, this awesome black sequined KRIZIA number from the 80's. Its not only perfect for this upcoming holiday season, but its light weight and stark, minimal composition also make it perfect for year-round wear. Pair it with a dramatic, elegant high-waisted ball skirt for a holiday fete or take it to the streets with some cut-off denim shorts.

80's KRIZIA Black Tulle Mesh Sequined Bodysuit-$278