And with silhouettes that could easily evoke comparisons to greats like Giambattista Valli, and Raf Simons, Julia Hederus‘ menswear line is as avant-garde as it is beautiful. The dichotomy of fitted and and more billowy shapes makes for a nice contrast– a ying and yang, if you will. And while the modernity of it all seems a bit futuristic, it is achieved in a wearable, and functional manner. She even takes care enough to create an assortment of headgear, like the Spartan-inspired Mc Felt Helmet– indeed a delightful touch. Most notably, however, with her K-Swiss collaboration, she was able to arouse enthusiasm for (unarguably) the least fashionable of all sneaker labels. And so, it seems the future is a bright one for Ms. Hederus– and perhaps for menswear, too.

-Virginia Jackson-Reed ♥

Pizza is my favorite food (in general, I’m a fan of cheese, and marinara sauce.) I will never get tired of pizza. I could eat it every single day for the rest of my life (until I develop some sort of awful stomach condition, that is.) Currently, my favorite NYC spots are Brick Oven  Pizza 33 on 14th & 6th Avenue, and Piola, on 12th & Broadway. But hey, I’m in a never-ending quest for a great slice. So upon learning of Scott’s Pizza Tours, I became psyched because:

1. The graphic identity of the site is great, and I’m a sucker for such things.
2. Because I’m a pizza fanatic!
3. You get a goody bag.
4. You get to ride around on a yellow school bus and learn some pizza history.

So really, I’m sold. And the tour has received rave reviews, so that’s good enough for me. The downshot? Well, the tour is $55 for adults, $45 for kids 4-12. And for that, you get only get slices at four pizzerias. Still, it’s something cute to do if you have money just sitting around that you can’t think of anything better to do with (because really, don’t we all?) But if you enjoy busses, knowledge, and pizza, add it to your to-do list, and “buon appetito!”

-Virginia Jackson-Reed ♥

This tee is by Danny Roberts, one of my favorite fashion illustrators. It isn’t new (and I didn’t just become aware of it), however, I still have yet to buy one. So let’s just consider this a friendly self-reminder to buy it. Originally, I had planned on buying the print, but few things trump art that you can wear. The “Girls in Glasses” t-shirt is a collaborative effort with Borders & Frontiers. They’re the same folks who did shirts for bloggers Tavi and Susie Bubble. But What I really like about this one is the illustration of emaciated gals decked out in Chanel. I think that’s something we can all just feel really great about.

This summer Andrew W.K. is hosting a series of free shows at Santos Partyhouse. For those who live under a rock, in 2008 Santos became the new NYC hipster-haven (dethroning Studio B). Once it opened, Manhattanites could breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that there was a venue that threw dance parties a few times a week in their native borough– splendid, I know.

The lineup is as follows:

June 11 – Andrew W.K.
With: Cherie Lily, Aleister X, Bad Brilliance & Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head

June 25 – Jon Glaser (Delocated!)
With: The Woggles, Cheeseburger, A.C. Newman, The Pontani Sisters

July 9 – Brendon Small (Metalocalypse)
With: Paul Green’s School of Rock

July 30 – Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!)
With: DJ Douggpound, Gildon Works, The Party Animals and Beat Jams

August 6 – Dave Willis (Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Squidbillies)
With special guests

August 20 – Christy Karacas (Superjail!)
Featuring a night of local New York bands

Summer in the city is all about the free love and the free music. I can hardly contain myself.

This is Carmen Solomons. She is the exotically stunning new “It” girl in town, by way of Capetown, South Africa. She is not, as many purport, 5′6″. According to her agency, she is 5′8″, according to Models.com, she is 5′9″. But what else is Carmen? Well for one, Carmen is a minor. See, at just seventeen years of age, Carmen has naked pictures plastered about the internet. And frankly, it’s outrageous. Oddly enough, for a model from a country that has waged a war against child pornography, it is ironic (to say least) that one of the countries top models has posed for a series of images that could certainly meet that criteria. But my question to the fashion world is “where is the outrage?” It is BEYOND exploitative the way these (for all intents and purposes) children are treated in the modeling industry. But to this? It’s appealing. And frankly, illogical.

Because when you get right down to it, the purpose of a magazine editorial spread is to sell clothing. However, it seems these days that it’s near impossible to open a magazine (other than traditionally safer publications such as Vogue, Harpers or Elle) without finding spreads with outright nudity. It’s blatant. It’s gratuitous, and it just really says a lot about our standards (or lack there of). I liken this to the infamous Miley Cyrus incident; of course legendary photographer Annie Liebowitz was aware of how  provocative the cover image was. In fact, it seemed to allude to the iconic “The Last Sitting” series (of Marilyn Monroe). Still, this became the cover. And why? Because sex sells, period.  I’m just hoping that more people are seeing these images, and feeling the same sense of uneasiness that I am. It’s a shame that we live in a world where instead of protecting children, we abuse them and their innocence.

-Virginia Jackson-Reed ♥

Hype Williams is not the kind of group that I’d recommend playing for your mother (or your grandmother, unless she’s into ritual sacrifices and the like). Instead, they’re the kind whose dark, industrial, trance-like tracks would set the perfect tone for a well-crafted, independent thriller. You see, with lyrics like “Legend has it that when the Devil first came to Beirut, with his Slayer t-shirt, and his long greasy hair, he slinked into our school, and walked down the hallway like he owned the place “, it might make them think you’re conjuring up spirits of some sort. But if you actually are evoking the dead, then it’s probably fine. You can download their EP here. And expect an East Coast tour in the US this summer.

Dolo – My favorite track on the EP

-Virginia Jackson-Reed ♥

Icelandic electro act Steed Lord has long been a favorite of mine; since ‘07, they’ve had me rocking along to synthy dance beats that would make even the stiffest of “stick in the muds” bust out some serious moves– Napoleon Dynamite style. That being said, they also have a very hot lead singer by the name of Svala Björgvinsdóttir (or her pseudonym, Kali). And trust when I say her style is just as great as her voice (and trust me, that’s saying something!)

After first emerging on the scene in the mid 90s with “one hit wonder” Icelandic electronica act, Score, Svala tried going down the traditional pop route before getting back to her electro roots in 2006. Since then, she and her band mates have been touring the globe, making good music wherever they go.

But more so than loving her for brightening my days with dancey goodness for a good year or so, her style kills. The flaxen haired songstress mixes high and low, coupling more modern pieces with 80s throwbacks like rope chains and doorknockers. But it’s always executed so well. And whether she’s sporting elaborate hair and makeup, or a fresh face and signature bun atop her head, she never ceases to look like an absolute doll. And apparently, others have taken notice, too; Svala landed a MAC campaign in her native, Iceland a few years back.

And although she and the rest of her Steed Lord crew haven’t enjoyed a huge commercial success, and are still kind of unknown Stateside, I don’t really see it as an issue; they’re awesome, and underground (often the best way to be). And the way I see it, the fewer people that have her as a reference, the easier I can jack her style without getting caught!

-Virginia Jackson-Reed ♥

More images at Blogue.us — The other awesome blog I write for!

The styling is cute. The collection is cute… okay. But it’s the model and the makeup that make the Hellz Bellz, “So Lolita” SS09 collection lookbook straight “fuego”. And this makeup? I to die for! Superb. Simply superb.

-Virginia Jackson-Reed ♥

But I mean, really… it’s basically Rihanna in various poses. Now, were I a man, I’m sure I’d fancy it for the eye candy. But really? Boring. At least the videos where he tried too hard gave me something to talk about. Like the b.s. that was “Flashing Lights”, but this? C’mon ‘Ye. Work with me, here! It really breaks my heart, but he lost that spark after Late Registration.

-Virginia Jackson-Reed ♥

Ah, good old Karl Lagerfeld. He never seems to give a f***. It’s marvelous! He scoffs at the issue of anorexia, he has pinpointed the reason why America can’t seem to sell cars anymore, and is generally bored by most things (save for children, who he “hates”), according to his interview with Prestige Magazine. But the greatest thing about being Karl? He can laugh at himself, too (well, I doubt he ever laughs, perhaps a chuckle).

Still, it was fun to see him toting this eco-friendly “Karl Who?” tote. Because I care about sustainability? Not quite. But c’mon, I mean, it’s ironic, and it’s an INGENIOUS photo-op! I think after a cameo as “DJ Karl Lagerfeld” in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and being made into a Steiff teddy bear, this was probably the most logical progression of events, anyway. Ah Karl… can somebody give him a column? Because seriously, who wouldn’t want to hear his daily musings?!

-Virginia Jackson-Reed ♥