As you may have heard, we at VagaBondnyc.com have recently added over 100 items for under $100 bucks and now the deals have gotten even sweeter with over 40 items marked down under $60, all with free-shipping worldwide!
Our latest Accessory of the Week comes to you from the genius of Helmut Lang with this mid-90's metallic gold lame layering device that was so far ahead of it's time that even over a decade later its still down-right too-cool. Its basically a cropped tank that gives any look a strong, urban warrior effect that's cool and collected thanks to its minimal appeal yet decadent fabrication.
AND in this cropped and rather more modern (we think) version at VNYC.
Claude Montana quilted silk and metal bomber-$398
Click here to read VagaBond Nyc's interview with French fashion social networking site ModePass.com
With our incessant ranting on the need for cleaner, more sober palette cleansers, we were more than floored by Phoebe Philo's smart collection for Celine S/S 2010 and equally pleased to see some of our other favorites from Stella McCartney to Chloe also propose practical yet sophisticated offerings that had undertones of one our favorite times, Minimalism. And with that recharged enthusiasm comes our latest Smart Buy, this chic 90's era Norma Kamali blazer that's been given a crisp treatment thanks to Kamali's signature "paper" technique. With its lustrous pearl hue, classic shape, and simple spare composition, we think this is one of the sharpest buys you can make at the moment. Consider it a smart alternative to the classic black blazer for work and think of how smart it will look with everything from nautical navy wide-leg trousers to next season's must-have leather shorts.
We at Vnyc have been thinking a lot about the future of fashion after the recent shows, and with the economy, the end of the decade approaching and the flamboyance of Balmania and Wassonism moving out of fashion, there's a lot to think about indeed. This week's bad news about Yohji Yamamoto, our recent desire for pared-down elegance and Phoebe Philo's brilliantly clean return at Celine, makes Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, a hardcore purist who also happened to wear lots of Yohji, seem like a smart muse to reflect on, even ten years after her death.
Here's a peek of our latest work with photographer Toto Cullen for D:Mode magazine featuring Theodora Richards in our accessory of the week 80's cross earrings and our 80's era Oleg Cassini jet-bead bolero. More to come...
Kansai Yamamoto may be one of Japan's less talked about designers to rise to fame in the 70's & 80's, dressing the likes of David Bowie on his Aladdin Sane tour & The Blitz kids, but to us at Vnyc, the bold vision of his label still makes it one of the most collectible today. We adore his energetic, flamboyant knits, military references and bold use of saturated color, and every time we do come across a Kansai score, we are always floored by everything's contemporary appeal. Yamamoto's pieces were all so far ahead of their time & inventive that they not only seem highly inspirational but also totally relevant as they showcase his uncanny wit with western-inspired sportswear and to us, prove that he basically paved the way for contemporary sportswear. He mixed the era's vibrant street culture with his Japanese roots and came up with clothing that was not only functional, but also highly decorative. You can credit Yamamoto for bringing screen printing to the forefront of sportswear by screen printing knit wear, for using appliques, and military patches, pockets and accoutrements for the first time.
Smart menswear can at times be about as rare and momentous as a smartly dressed man is and with one of our favorite mens labels Number (N)ine reportedly closing shop, the going could have gotten just a bit tougher. That was until we caught our latest obsession, Japanese design firm Giuliano Fujiwara. Like Raf Simons & Muiccia Prada, we love the label's fresh approach to tech/sporty gear that's modern, a bit witty and oh so smart.
Giuliano Fujiwara is available stateside in NYC at First Among Equals, to learn more please click here
Alla Kostromicheva was one of the top models at Paris's Fall/Winter 2009 fashion week and it came as no surprise to us that her versatile look also made her one of Spring/Summer's top models, scoring every major big-ticket show from Givenchy to Lanvin. We at Vnyc are big fans of her somewhat stern, brooding look.
Our latest accessory of the week comes to you from the glamorous flamboyance of the 80's with these chic red crystal cross earrings that pack a powerful yet romantic punch. They are a little bit Grace Jones and a little bit Dolly Parton, and equally full of personality.
Christy Turlington, Vogue, Irving Penn 1988
Street Findings, New York, Irving Penn 1999
Sweetie, Irving Penn 2002
Vnyc lovers out there, check out Haper's Bazaar U.K, who just featured our shop on their website!
With today's recession and fashion editors continuing to preach about buying "investment" pieces, we at VagaBondnyc find it odd that no one is pointing to the importance of collecting fine jewelery in a time of uncertainty. And while today it is true that houses such as Lanvin have brought the desirability of classic French costume jewelery back to the forefront, creating almost one-of-a-kind modern works of art, it's also true that many of them come with price tags that are close to the real deal. If anything, you should start to look at fine jewelery as a safe investment, even safer than that dream art collection, because you not only get to enjoy the beauty of your investment day in & day out, but when times get tough, the right pieces can also be something you can fall back on, plain & simple, it's money wisely spent. And while a $2,500 blouse is ephemeral in nature, precious jewelery will always be a constant, ready for heirloom destinies.
Our latest Smart Buy comes from the genius of RICK OWENS with this smart loden shaggy knit sweater dress that has his signature romantic, brooding, sci-fi appeal. Like all of his designs, it has a dual beauty because on the one hand its a classic, sturdy, get-you-through-the fall & winter stand-by. But when it's on you see Owen's tendencies, the thick almost shaggy like your grandfather's old sweater fabrication, the generous cowl neck that can be worn as a hood, extra long dolman sleeves with uneven edges, almost pre dog-eared, and the romantic side ruching along one side all together make this one quiet, yet strong statement maker.
Rick Owens Loden Shaggy Knit Sci-Fi Sweaterdress:$398
