Cougar Boots Fall Fashion Update

Winter is coming and I had the pleasure of reconnecting with a brand from my childhood.  I received a fabulous package of Cougar Boots, a Canadian brand that I had not seen since the second grade.

I remember they were always practical, warm and popular with every other little munchkin in my class.  What I don’t remember was that they were fashionable. 

Flash forward to the class of 2010… During a particularly bad slush-filled blizzard day during NY Fashion Week, I realized I had absolutely nothing appropriate to wear on my feet.  I had either lambskin stiletto heels or ugly, but waterproof hiking boots.  The slush was above my ankles.  There was no way to venture out and look stylish AND have dry feet…

The tall, furry Ringo Star boots I just received would have solved all my dilemmas that day.  They look edgy in slick black.  The fur topped edges mirror the trends of this fall season.  They look great with leggings and my favorite jackets.  For once, I couldn’t wait for cooler weather.  (Be careful what you wish for…the next morning, New Yorkers were attacked with gusty winds and hail).

Photo editor Fab Ritika was in need of new rubber boots.  Her last pair met some inexplicable demise (apparently it was a melting mishap that she doesn’t want to talk about).  Our girl loves bright colors and prints.  She took a shining to the Tibet style from Cougar.  The bright red rubber with ribbed stripe knit were clearly suited her palette perfectly.  The style isn’t earth-shattering, but they work with a fashion forward look.

I’m not usually a fan of class reunions, but Cougar totally made the trip worthwhile! 


Like the boots?  Answer their survey! 

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Siki Im and Leong Leong's Pop-up Boutique for BOFFO

The latest installation for the  non-profit arts organization BOFFO project "Building Fashion" launched Friday.  Designer Siki Im and architect Leong Leong presented their pop-up boutique, or what I call "cave couture".  The stone or cave-like building dwells under the High Line Park.

Building Fashion is a series of temporary installations that have been  a collaboration between design professionals of several disciplines.  Past partnerships included Richard Chai and Snarkitecture, Heather Huey and Urban A&O and of course House of Waris with competition winner Christian Wassman.
The shop will be on display until November 15th, 2010.
Photos by David Smith

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Ralph Lauren Screening Invite - Fashion+Art+Technology

Ralph Lauren is celebrating the "ultimate" collison of fashion, art and technology and inviting readers to a screening at their Upper East Side boutique.  They are aiming to show Madison Avenue in a "whole new light" using a revolutionary '4D' technology.  

Dress warm, as the event will be projected onto the facade of their boutique outdoors!

Where: Madison Avenue and 72nd Street, New York NY

When: Thursday, November 10, 2010

Screenings are at 8pm, 8:30pm and 9pm.   If you can't make it, watch for it online on November 11.

Teaser pics:

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JewelMint's Bauble of the Month

A custom-style piece of jewelry delivered to me based on my personal tastes every month.  How can someone not be tempted by that?   The project is the collaboration between actress Kate Bosworth and celebrity stylist Cher Coulter.  For a subscription fee of $29.99 each month, you will receive a stylist-chosen piece of jewelry for you that would normally be worth over $100.

I admit, I was a little skeptical about this when I first received the announcement.  There are plenty of celebrity collections out there and anyone can state that a piece of jewelry is worth a certain amount subjectively....right?

I decided to see the collection in person.  I see a lot of jewelry at all different price points.  The pieces here really are substantial and very well made.  I can honestly say that the weighty creations I picked up are in the same caliber of quality that I see at much more expensive boutiques.  How is this possible?  Well, Kate Bosworth has family ties to fashion.  Her father is CMO of Talbot's Clothing, giving her a professional perspective.  Cher Coulter has always designed.  The pair personally oversee the design and production of each piece of their collection.  They are also selling directly to the consumer.

I loved the chic gift boxes that every delivery arrives in.  New members take a thorough survey to determine their jewelry tastes.  I also appreciate that you're not committed to purchasing anything you don't like.  If you don't find the right piece for you, you simply won't be charged.

The boys can have Beer of the Month club.  I'll take my baubles any time.

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Pierre Cardin in NYC - 60 Years of Innovation

Last Tuesday, the legendary designer stopped by the Assouline bookshop at the Plaza Hotel to sign copies of a tribute tome to his work.  Pierre Cardin: 60 Years of Innovation is a retrospective of the 60 years of the fashion icon's artistic and business achievements.  The cocktail launch party of the book attracted socialites and fashion's elite.

On Thursday, Pierre Cardin also received the Legend Award from Fashion Group International.  Friday, the designer debuted his collection for Spring 2011.  It has been a busy week for the 88 year old man... What did you do in the last seven days?

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WEST COAST FAB: M5 Eco Couture

Besides benefitting Entertainment AIDS Alliance, the Fashion Minga event also showcased 5 Southern California design houses. Events like these can be very important to small design houses, because they can help to give them the much needed exposure necessary to succeed in the highly competitive fashion arena. Los Angeles has a vibrant fashion community that marches to its own drummer and often reflect the local culture and concerns.

M5 Eco Couture is a perfect example of a design house that produces clothing that is right in line with LA style and is also fashion with a conscience. Designer Morgan Olson, the founder of and the creative talent behind M5 Eco Couture, definitely has an agenda. An agenda for saving the planet. M5 Eco Couture is all about being Eco-Friendly. Ms. Olson not only designs using resources that are sustainable and wonʼt harm the environment, but a big part of her collections are focused on recycling materials. Making garments out of recycled denim, scarves and other fabrics from used clothing, M5 Eco Couture strives to eliminate the waste that is caused by mass production. It also eliminates the need for producing new fabrics. Manufacturing fabric can pollute the environment with chemicals and dyes used in the process. Ms. Olson tries to use very little to none of packaging materials, with an eye toward reducing the mount of plastic bags and other packing items that end up in our landfills.

M5 Eco Couture presentation at Fashion Minga proved that you can create LA Chic clothing without being detrimental to the environment. A noble cause for fashion and a noble cause for our future.

Reported by Mdivani Monroe of Ladies Who Lunch Travel. Photos by Omri Escalante.
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WEST COAST FAB: Fashion Minga at Boulevard 3

The cancellation of most of the runway shows for the second half of Los Angeles Fashion Week left me wondering if there would be any events that would mark the week as special.  There were some delightful revelations, such as Julia Clancey’s dreamy collection, but would there be an event that would have a particularly LA flavor to it.  Fashion Minga may have been that moment.

Held at Boulevard 3, Fashion Minga was more than a fashion event in the strictest sense,  it was an extravaganza.  The word “Minga” is an Ecuadorian term for “a community coming together to work for the benefit of all”.  And being for the “benefit of all” goes beyond the participants in the event.  Fashion Minga also benefited the Entertainment AIDS Alliance, a volunteer group of industry professionals responding to the urgent need for AIDS service organizations nationwide. And members of the industry turned out to support the cause and the event, including Thom Barry of Cold Case.

Fashion Minga was an interesting mélange of fashion, theatre, dance and music.
Opening with a performance by Bella Circo, a Cirque de Soleil type theatrical group, the mood for the evening was definitely set. Performances by the dance troop, Flirt Dancers, an acrobatic duo by the name of Elle-Evate, and the music stylings of pop/hip-hop duo Electrolightz served as segue-way to the Fashion being shown.

Presenting five of LA’s up and coming designers, we were treated to runway offerings by M5 Couture, Urban Republic Clothing, BiPolar Gear, Destroyed by Fame and Onanong Swimwear.   All in all, they definitely had a flare for drama and an aesthetic which represented the City of Angels well.

Once the performances were finished, it was the audiences turn to become part of the celebration with dancing and partying into the night.  A night that benefited Fashion, Theatre, Music and even more importantly those in our society who need us the most.

Watch video of the performances at Ladies Who Lunch Travel.

Reported by Mdivani Monroe of Ladies Who Lunch Travel.  Photos by Omri Escalante

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