Completely Gratuitous: JOY DIVISION

Fashion is a lark compared to this. They were post-punk revolutaries. Nothing really compares and nothing today is 1/2 as beautiful, or hard and soft and cutting and transcendant and punk as they were.

Accessory of the week: McQueen Belt

From the king of dark-romance, ALEXANDER McQUEEN, comes this fabulous wide black leather laser-cut scroll belt that reminds us of a wrestler's medallion belt. It has two silver adjustable buckles on the back and is a classic must-have for instant wardrobe updating.

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Wide Black Laser-Cut Scroll Belt $224 Sorry this item has been SOLD

Accessory of the Week: Pucci Print Purse

From the luxurious house of PUCCI, known for its graphic abstract scarf prints, comes this gorgeous harlequin printed matte silk color-block accordion evening purse that has a u-shape, thick gold chain straps, a brass floral turn-lock, brass & leather feet, and three interior compartments. Its a great testament to Pucci & a great addition to your wardrobe since it gives any look the appropriate little splash of Pucci.

PUCCI Silk Harlequin Logo Scarf Print Evening Purse $238

Rodarte Fall '08

Rodarte's Fall 2008/09 show was definitely fantastic, and leads us to believe that they are one of the best American labels around today. From the towering spiked shoes to the spider-web knits and major soundtrack, the statement was loud and clear, but worth the shout indeed.

Dolce & Gabbana Sheer Black Guipure Lace Skirt

Take a look at this sensational yet classic DOLCE & GABBANA black guipure lace high-waisted straight skirt that reminds us so much of the great Prada lace we saw for Fall 2008. This skirt is made of soft black tulle with 3-d floral lace appliqués and is smartly unlined so you can layer more with it. Think of adding a printed under layer or one with an explosive color-way. It could be great as a beach cover-up, or worn over a bright neon slip. It's sleek shape helps give lace a modern update and offers you something that's sexy, yet luxurious & refined.

Dolce & Gabbana Sheer Black Guipure Lace Straight Skirt-$138 Sorry this item has been SOLD

Crazy for Callaghan by Nicholas Ghequiere

From the 90's comes one of our favorite summer buys, this heavily embroidered wide cropped Callaghan flying shirt from Nicolas Ghesquiere(before Balenciaga) that is covered with bold 3-d textured maroon blooms set against sheer, dark olive. Its shape is surprisingly current & even modern. Imagine pairing it over denim cut-offs with sky-high heels or using it as a beach cover-up or even wearing it with super-high waisted wide-leg jeans. We love this top's wide/short shape because it is great for year-round layering and immediately makes the wearer look taller and slimmer.

90's Callaghan Embroidered Flying Shirt $178

Remembering Genius: Miu Miu Spring 2003

In Andrea's opinion one of the best: Miu Miu s/s 2003 was and shall forever remain one of the most wearable and real-world-translatable (don't think that's a word, but whatever...) RTW shows in a long, long time. Plus, it harkens back to a time when Miu Miu was a whole lot cheaper than big sister Prada. No more.(That happy time ended when the Miuccia started showing her nickname-sake line in Paris 2 years ago.)

Now, while the Miu Miu aesthetic still tends towards knickers, dolly dresses and dark/smart girl whimsy, its prices are nearly equivalent to super-smart-as-shit and a-lot-more-serious, Mother Prada.

A Sneak Peak at New V Finds

Get ready to pack a heavy yet sensual punch this summer with this totally rad & totally fierce black early 90's studded criss-cross showpiece. It is covered with large floating pyramid studs, grommets, and rhinestones to sweeten up its s&m appeal. Its downright over-the-top sexy, and hits our current urban warrior obsession dead on. Think about pairing it with something high-waisted, or push it's limits by wearing it over one of those Margiela body-suits with the padded shoulders. Since it has such a feminine, boudoir shape, you can take it from sweet to strong instantly.

CFDA Awards Night...What a Bore!

Naomi w Andre Leon Talley


We have to admit that when it comes to fashion-watching, nothing is more boring than an awards ceremony. We rarely like maxi dresses, updo's, and tiny evening minuaderies...And you'd think, this is The Council of Fashion Designers of America awards night, which is basically orchestrated by Anna Wintour herself, so everyone should be looking fantastic. However, American Vogue is so watered down and wretchedly boring, it's no surpirse to us that a quick look at pictures from last night's event give us a big, big yawn!

The only two note-worthy(that too very barely) who looked good in an un-conventional yet supremely chic manner were Naomi Campbell in vintage Yves Saint Laurent & Maggie Gyllenhaal in Proenza Schouler.

Maggie in Proenza Schouler

YVES SAINT LAURENT dies at 71

We at VagaBond NYC are saddened by the loss of one of the last great French Couturier's, YVES SAINT LAURENT. He leaves behind quite an important and long legacy and will be remebered as one of the most influential designers of the twentieth century. His designs, esp. in the 60's & 70's, were explosive when it came to color, shape, and most importantly, exoticism. He was one of the first to put women in pant-suits, and he brought safari, uniform dressing, tuxedo & sheer looks to the forefront of high-fashion. He was also the first(like many designers do today, esp. Gaultier & Galliano) to be boldly inspired by cultures & his travels, which he would then put in his own collection with little re-interpretation. Which is to say that he would do this explicitly. Nothing he studied became derrivative, and the world would thus be seduced by the YSL gypsy, Russian ballerina or most importantly, the French ingenue. YSL brought pret-a-porter to the mainstream not because he simply wanted to make more money, but primarily because of his love for women, and how he understood the needs of modern life.

We adore Stefano Pillati, and we feel like the last YSL show, fall'08, was a brilliant homage to YSL and find it uncanny that the LCD Soundsystem song played during the show repeats the verse "when someone great is gone," over & over again.