I can safely say that any musical obsession that I’ve had in the last few years has somehow been connected to Linde. I specifically remember a few years back when she tried to get me to listen to Hot Chip and I was like “nah, why would anyone like this… it’s so borrring!”. Linde could have quit on me then but she didn’t! She kept sending me great music and let me tell you, Hot Chip gets me through some things – like riding the L train every morning. So I’m really thrilled to announce that Linde has agreed to do a monthly mix for Trendology!

The first one, is entitled “Not Fade Away” and it’s full of goodness, including some of my current favorites like Miike Snow – “Animal”, some Devendra Banhart – “I feel just like a child”, and an American legend –Loretta Lynn‘s “Have Mercy”.

I dare you not to sing along.

Definitely peep the back-up dancers, some of the fly-est women that I know in real life. And Victor and Hima are aiiight too. I kid. Someone sign them, please.

It brought a smile to my face.

Let it Fall

I had forgotten completely that yesterday, WFIT was sponsoring a panel called “Masthead”, featuring some very influential people in the magazine world.

Panelists:

Harriette Cole (Creative Director – Ebony),

Kate Lanphear (Style Director – Elle),

Nick Sullivan (Fashion Director – Esquire),

Memsor Kamarake (Fashion Director – Vibe),

& Pippa Lord (Photo and Bookings Editor- V).

The guests spoke for nearly an hour, answering questions put together by members of WFIT and even a few from the audience.  I found their messages to be overwhelming hopeful – with emphasis on the importance of working hard  and not only believing in your own talents but really taking the time to hone your craft.

For me, one of the most memorable moments was when someone complemented Ms. Lanphear on her strong sense of style and asked her if she ever felt the pressure to conform. She responded by saying that staying true to yourself is key. She also admitted that people were not always nice to her and her transition into NYC fashion scene was not without its difficulties. Seems like pretty standard advice, right? But for me it took on new meaning considering the source. The realization that even someone as fierce as KATE LANPHEAR, who is now a style icon in her own right, has  dealt with haters and the negative sides of Fashion! The key is to keep moving forward, with your head up, I suppose.

Wish I had time to share more about the panel but alas, I have a lot of school work to attend to! It’s also time for us to pick our classes for next semester – wish me good luck!

Spring Break is kind of the best thing ever created by man [with the exceptions of french fries and bubble tea]. It comes at the moment when you’ve got nothing else to give and Summer seems impossibly far away. Spring Break ’09, while maybe not the most exciting or eventful break of my life, was probably the most needed. To celebrate the culmination of my week long vacation, Saturday night, I met up with Jason,  Melanie and my roomie, Promiti, at Santos Party House where we saw Francis & the Lights perform.

The lighting was crazy for most of the night while the djs were on – scary strobe lights. We were also posted up against the subwoofers for hoursssss waiting for the band to come on and the vibrations were causing some heart palpitations. Prime conditions for a seizure.

The Wesleyan assemblage was waiting to see Rene make one of his signature faces.

We were not disappointed. Also, how awesome is that gold blazer? I’m jealous.

If you’re not already up on this band, get with it.

You can download music on their site. But nothing beats seeing them perform live.

It’s a good time.

MAGIC, I SAY!

That’s kind of how I feel about BlackBook‘s latest spread with Nicole Richie dressed as Lady Gaga.

If you knew me about three years ago, you’d know that I absolutely adored Nicole Richie – to the point of near obsession. Despite being a sophomore in college, and like you know…totally grown up and stuffzzz…, I had a collage on my closet doors of all of my favorite Richie looks. [yiiikes] Flash forward to the present day, the collage is long gone (ripped down in my end of the year haste) and while I still love Richie (nah, I can’t really explain), I still collect inspiring photos of her ….and Lady Gaga in a folder on my laptop. So imagine my excitement when my roomie extraordinaire Promiti hooked me up with a link to these photos.

There are polarized opinions on the BlackBook spread. While some fans, like me, think it’s stunning and really lighthearted, other people wonder what exactly the point is – why didn’t BlackBook just ask Gaga to do it instead of hiring another “celeb” to impersonate her?  To that, I say : “ugh, whateva” and just want to enjoy the photos- I don’t really care why it is that they exist.

My real question is, how long before Christina Aguilera throws another temper tantrum and begs to be noticed?

These photos and more courtesy of BlackBook.

Gucci F/W 2009

rida Giannini has done Gucci a solid. Since she’s taken over as the lead designer at the house, I’ve found myself desiring to be a… GUCCI WOMAN.

Fashion critics keep expressing their disappointment in regards to her collections – the common complaint being that she isn’t doing enough. They want to see more. They want to see some next level isssh. But in this day and age, I’m pretty sure what the critics have to say means a whole lot less to the investors than the spending habits of Gucci’s clientele.

Sarah Mower of Style.com wrote:

When a designer sees her market, it would be insanity not to go for it, and in Giannini’s case, that means aiming at nightclubbing girls who might be tempted by a glittery upgrade on the slick-leather leg and big-top look all urban teenagers are rocking this year.

Talk about backhanded compliments(?). I don’t consider myself a nightclubber and I am not nor have I ever been an urban teenager, but I do think that there something desirable about Giannini’s designs. They are both sleek, powerful, and they are (realistically) BOLD.

If I had an excessive cash flow, I’d be more than willing to let Gucci hook me up next Fall. The “Frida pantsuit” is officially on my LUST LIST.

Gucci S/S 2009

Photos courtesy of NYMag.com

This pair was my favorite.

Maybe I’ll catch them on the L train….