Cheap Chic: Topshop

There are posters plastered all over New York that read “Hooray! Topshop ships to the USA.” As if I needed another reminder to spend hours and hours perusing their website. Here are my picks:


Chartreuse piped shorts about $61


Jewelled Headband about $20


Celia Birtwell Print Scarf about $37


Leather Double Buckle Belt about $51

My New Accessory Bible

I love when things are color coded. It not only brings order to life but it tends to look awesome too. The New Issue of Vogue Nippon really out-did itself this month. Along with the magazine comes this amazing little booklet with all of Fall's best accessories organized by color!! It makes these items look even more like candy than they already do. Also, the booklet comes with little tab stickers that say Gucci and YSL too. I don't know why. But they're pretty sweet.

Completely Self-Indulgent Post!

I have been selling vintage clothes and accessories on ebay for the past 7 years or so. It all began in my tiny apartment in Northern California with Chelsea as my business partner. What probably sprung from severe boredom and curiosity has ballooned into a long term love/hate relationship with the 'bay. I call it a love/hate relationship because I no longer have my bff Chelsea by my side to make things fun and interesting and my selling has turned into necessity and compulsion rather than a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious dress up party and photo shoot.

As much as I whine and moan about listing, clicking and shipping, I really do find great joy in selling my much-loved clothes to girls who have been waiting all their life to find them. So I guess that's why I'm still trucking along, week after week to bring the world fantastic vintage and super hard-to-find designer items. Plus I'm always in need of more closet space. Here's a sampling of what I have up this week, you just might score a little treasure or two!



Perfect wine leather blazer jacket!



Itsy bitsy black jacket with detachable hood!



Sold-out Built By Wendy top from Fall 2005 collection!




Rare Marc Jacobs sailor shirt!

As a special bonus for my beloved readers, I'm offering FREE SHIPPING within the US to those who enter "cat party" upon checkout.

Click to enter the store!

New York Art Book Fair!

The second annual New York Art Book Fair begins tomorrow and I can barely contain my excitement! The fair showcases a huge selection of artist books, periodicals, zines, etc from over 120 international artists and publishers including Nieves, ANP Quarterly, Butt Magazine, Printed Matter, Parkett, LTTR, etc. Yay!

Location
548 West 22nd Street (Between 10th & llth Avenues)

Hours
Friday, 28 September, 11am-7pm
Saturday, 29, September 11am-7pm
Sunday, 30 September 11am-5pm

Admission is FREE!

Fly Magazine

The DVD-format fashion magazine Fly has always intrigued me, although I never feel compelled to cough up $45 for a magazine when I have no concept of it’s contents. However, I was pleased to discover that a trailer has been released for the third issue, which features the likes of Debbie Harry, Missy Rayder, and Julia Restoin Roitfeld.

Blogging About Blogs!

Someone once asked me what I think about most throughout the course of a day, and I swiftly replied "fashion and cupcakes." I have certainly shared my love of fashion, and now I share with you my love of cupcakes! My awesome foodie friend Amy introduced me to the wonder that is Cupcakeblog.com. Run by Cheryl Porro who resides in the Bay Area with her "sensitive Boston terrier," Cupcake Blog offers recipes and photos of all different kinds of delicious looking, exotic, cupcakes. This website can almost make me drool as much as gems and crystals do, but not really as much, of course. Enjoy this picture of these awe-inducing Doughnuts and Coffee Cupcakes.

London Fashion Week Mega Post!

Here are our picks from London!

JOANNA

Paul Smith Women: Best fashion reference #1 - David Hockney! I always love Paul Smith's work; it's so beautiful and classic, and he always uses the best wovens. I love this outfit with its two versions of the classic Paul Smith stripe, the Hockney glasses, and the mixture of other prints.

Luella: Best fashion reference #2 - Enid from Ghost World! When I first saw this show I yelped with joy, I always have Ghost World on the brain! I loved Luella's interpretation of the glasses and boots Enid wore in the movie, and, of course, everything else about the collection. I will definitely be searching for this t-shirt as soon as the collection comes out!



Marios Schwab: I really love these prints. Yes I do indeed. They remind me of those "oily" stickers I used to collect when I was younger; the ones that were really important and special and I would never trade them with my friends.

Clare Tough: Yes, I've mentioned her here and there on the blog lately, and if you haven't checked her out now you will understand my obsession! This is the most amazing, epic knit piece I have ever seen. Look at the rest of this collection too -- she does this great knit piece of the new york skyline, which is also featured in the new issue of Purple.



Christopher Kane: As much as I love his tight, short dresses, I am really into the direction Christopher Kane went in this season. In this outfit, i love the tiered leather and the way it's paired with the quilting on the shirt (which, judging by the video, is composed of sheets of Swarovski crystals - drool!)

Basso and Brooke: I always look to them every season for exciting prints. Usually, a textile that looks so painterly makes me wanna puke a little, but this is really delicate and pretty and I love the cut of the dress.



CHELSEA

Marios Schwab: I’m not usually into dresses that remind me of the frog autopsy that I performed in 8th grade but I’ll have to make an exception for this one.

Giles: Giles Deacon's foray into extreme prettiness really took me by surprise. Honestly, who can resist the allure of a dress like this? And the hats! I am seriously hating on style.com for the lack of detail shots. Bad style.com! Bad!



Jens Laugesen: This gold tuxedo jacket is so Grace Jones-ish, how could I not fall in love?

Jonathan Saunders: As a child I always hoped that people in the future would dress like this. I'm kind of pissed that it didn't actually happen.



Christopher Kane: It is so refreshing to see a young designer who is self-assured and willing to take risks. Did we all really expect Christopher Kane to make Léger/ Alaïa homages forever? I for one am loving the looser silhouette that he presented for spring.

Biba: I am very pleased that Bella Freud decided to incorporate a feline motif into her spring collection for Biba. I think that all designers should be required to produce at least one cat-themed article of clothing each season. Am I alone here?



MEGAN

Luella: I totally had to restrain myself from posting an outfit just because it included the awesome black mask (reference to Enid in Ghost World) but honestly I just like this ensemble more. Everything is so right I can't even talk about it, my words will just mess it up.

Giles: He had me with the Bloody Bambi print, but then he went ahead and brought me to my knees with this foxy hat. Like really, a fox hat! Also, my favorite hairdo ever was included - the fishtail braid. Haven't attempted that since I was fourteen or so, maybe it's like riding a bike?



Biba: Next time I sing an ABBA song at a karaoke bar I would really like to be wearing this dress. This will probably happen (again) next weekend so I'm going to need that via express delivery. Thanks Biba!

Matthew Williamson: I used to fish for rainbow trout outside my grandparents' cabin when I was a little girl . I can only imagine how much more awesome the experience would have been if I had been wearing this dress, matching the fish I would catch.



From Fashion Fringe-

Dejan Agatonovick: This is the kind of stuff that has to be seen in person, I've been pressing my nose up to the monitor trying to catch the intricate details all night. The colors are so spot-on, I can't wait to see more!

Graeme Armour: Though those shoes are probably totally annoying to walk in but I'm such a sucker for tassels, especially when they match the dress I'm wearing. I wasn't completely into everything in the collection but like I said - total sucker for tassels and (I admit) the whip-stitch...sometimes.

Book Club: Bob Richardson

I have been bad about blogging lately, mostly because I can’t seem to tear myself away from the new Bob (father of Terry) Richardson book. Due to some colossal injustice, this is the first comprehensive survey of his work. The book includes several so-cool-you’ll-die photos of his then-girlfriend Anjelica Huston, an unpublished autobiography, and tons of previously unseen personal snapshots. If you buy one obscenely expensive coffee table book in your life, please let it be this one.




Buy Bob Richardson from Amazon.com (it's way cheaper)
Read Cathy Hoyrn’s obituary from The New York Times

How cute are those elephants?

If real Louis Vuitton luggage was half as cool as the custom made set featured in Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited I would finally understand what all of the fuss is about.
Via Elle.com

Tokion Gets a (blah) Redesign

Just when I was finally getting over the Another Magazine redesign, I spotted the new issue of Tokion at the newsstand. It looked so generic that I could barely recognize it. Why would a magazine that is known for it’s playful, forward-thinking approach to editorial design decide to re-invent itself as a sub-par fashion magazine? And what is with the cover? It’s almost as bad as Surface. Not interesting!

The New Face of Lookbooks

Lately I've been noticing a lot of designers are creating short films showcasing their latest collections. Best thing to come along since the revival of high-waisted jeans (thank you, world). I'm so in love with this new form of lookbook, the perfect way to visually incorporate the inspiration behind the collections. An added plus: the stylists can't get away with pinning garments to death like they can in photographs, so you can sort of actually see how the clothes will look and move in real life (if you're a 6 foot waif, that is).

The Spring/Summer 2008 Samantha Pleet video is dreamy and surreal, with a strong creepy/cute Picnic at Hanging Rock vibe. Click below for some pretty girls and pretty clothes.




The Fall/Winter 2007 and 2008 Spring/Summer Heimstone videos are quirky and cute, and show that you should have no problem skipping, twirling and dancing in their dresses.






Thanks to Jargol, Fashionologie and Antoine Wagner for posting the videos!

Textile Geek: Louise Goldin

I am trying to refrain from fashion week overload here at Cat Party, but I cannot resist talking about Louise Goldin's new collection. I haven't been this excited about knitwear since discovering Clare Tough. These complex, fully fashioned knit pieces combine many techniques that are familiar to me (as a fellow machine knitter), and they are used together in a wonderful, beautiful, exciting way.

Oops I did it again!

Danielle Scutt's asymmetrical swimsuit bears a striking resemblance the iconic Rudi Gernreich suit, shown above on Peggy Moffitt. Just saying...

Like a Sweater for Your Legs

Last week was filled with sunny days in the high 80's, today it's barely pushing 65 and drizzling. As much as I love margaritas and sun dresses, I am really looking forward to Fall and that means TIGHTS! Here are few of my favorites:


Lavante Diomede Tights
O Lovelies


E.G. Smith (best tights in the world - seriously).
O Chevrons


Copenhagen Socks
Lover Ladder Knit Leggings


Gaspard Yurkievich Butterfly Tights


Hansel from Basel Chevron Tights
Hansel from Basel Tuxedo Socks

A Few Things...

-Alice Temperley's collection for Target is now in stores and online.
-Watch the video for the much talked about Marc Jacobs show.
-Today is the final day of the amazing Summer of Love exhibition at the Whitney. Go now!

London/Milan/Paris Fashion Week Schedules!

Although the end of New York Fashion Week is (only a little bit) sad, oh my god guys, can you even take the excitement for what's in store for us now!? I certainly can't. At Cat Party, London, Milan, and Paris shows mean staying up until 4 in the morning, biting our nails, and clicking the refresh key on style.com every 5 seconds!! Yay!!

London Fashion Week Schedule:

15th September - Paul Costelloe, Gavin Douglas, Caroline Charles, Ben De Lisi, Bora Aksu, Ashley Isham, Unconditional, Issa
16th September - PPQ, Armand Basi, Danielle Scutt, Louise Goldin, Amanda Wakeley, Peter Jensen, Gareth Pugh, Todd Lynn, Eley Kishimoto, Julien Macdonald
17th September - Marios Schwab, Luella, Jasper Conran, Margaret Howell, Christopher Kane, John Rocha, Basso and Brooke, Jonathan Saunders, Ann-Sofie Back
18th September - Duro Olowu, Paul Smith Women,Isabella Blow Private Memorial Service, Nicole Farhi, Jens Laugesen, Sinha-Stanic, Erdem, Clare Tough (my hero!)
19th September - Betty Jackson, Roksanda Ilincic, Matthew Williamson, Ashish N Soni, Aquascutum, Rodnik, Richard Nicoll, Nathan Jenden, Giles
20th September - Osman Yousefzada, Asprey, Antoni & Alison, Fashion Fringe, Modernist, MAN, Biba, Allegra Hicks, Adidas by Stella McCartney

Milan Schedule:

24 September - C'N'C Costume National, Giorgio Armani, Just Cavalli, Trussardi, Burberry Prorsum, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Gianfranco Ferre, Allesandro Dell'acqua
25 September - Sportmax, Blumarine, La Perla, Missoni, Bottega Veneta, Moschino, Jil Sander, Etro, Iceberg, Pollini, Prada
26 September - Roberto Cavalli, Salvatore Ferragamo, Emporio Armani, Gucci, Alberta Ferretti
27 September - Maxmara, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Versace
28 September - Blugirl, Aigner, Dsquared, Daks

Paris Schedule (when I get really bold happy):

30 September - Balmain, Rick Owens
1 October - Vivienne Westwood, Christian Dior, Undercover, Maison Martin Margiela, AF Vandevorst, Yohji Yamamoto
2 October - Balenciaga, Junya Watanabe, Viktor & Rolf, Issey Miyake, Ann Demeulemeester, Comme Des Garcons, Jean Paul Gaultier
3 October - Karl Lagerfeld, Akris, Valentino, Costume National, Dries Van Noten, Christian Lacroix, Loewe, Sophia Kokosalaki, Givenchy, Hussein Chalayan
4 October - Stella McCartney, Emanuel Ungaro, Celine, Yves Saint Laurent
5 October - Chanel, Agnes B., Sonia Rykiel, Giambattista Valli, Rue Du Mail, Alexander McQueen
6 October - Kenzo, Elie Saab, Chloe, Hermes, John Galliano
7 October - Nina Ricci, Miu Miu, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton

New York Fashion Week Mega Post!

Here are our picks from New York Fashion week. Check it!

MEGAN

This buttercream dress with lavender feather print from Jovovich-Hawk
was by far my favorite piece of all the collections. I've never been
much of a pastel fan, but this dress is winning me over in a big way.
Rachel Comey seems to be coming along nicely, I really enjoyed her
print combinations and use of texture in her latest collection. The
delicate floral prints paired with thick black rimmed glasses offered
just the right amount of tomboy to keep the collection from being
overly saccharine.



The color Phillip Lim incorporated into his collection was so
refreshing in an ocean of neutrals, and the lace detail on the dresses
and tops was some of the best I have seen. It reminds me of those
delicate sea-fans, such a pretty contrast to the boxy silhouettes of
the dresses and separates. Karen Walker, one of my favorites year
after year has done it again! She is the master of effortless cool,
all of her pieces being incredibly wearable. Oh yeah, and her
sunglasses are THE BEST!



Thank you Marc Jacobs, thank you for giving me hope again. I was
really starting to worry, what had happened to the fun vintage-loving,
sorta sexy but kinda nerdy collections? I can breathe again, the
Spring 2007 line is just what I needed. How perfect is that little
blue vest? So very. Alice Temperley's collections are always spot on,
I was especially drawn to this too-cool little white and black number,
though I highly suggest checking out the rest of the collection if you
haven't already. For those of you who are not millionaires, Temperley
for Target will hit stores on the 16th!



JOANNA

Marc Jacobs: This bag is just so gaudy and wonderful. Anything involving that many sparkles makes me drool all over myself. Also I obviously need this bag because it has a J on it! for Joanna! also, note the rat bracelet!

Marc Jacobs: I am definitely on the love side of this love or hate show, and I love every element of this outfit.



Phillip Lim: Smiley face!! Awesome!! I mean that obviously makes this look for me but everything else gets an A+ as well.

Anna Sui: I would like these Terry de Havilland-esque shoes now...at my door...with the socks!!!!



Benjamin Cho: I loved this whole show but something about this dress is so perfect to me. Yes, I will take one, and I will wear it with my new Anna Sui shoes and socks!!!

Thakoon: I am so into all the awkward-and-ugly-but-in-the-best-way-possible clothing in this show, but I especially thought that this blouse was the most amazing. thing. ever.



CHELSEA

Proenza Schouler: This was far and away my favorite collection of the week, although one could argue that they drew a little too much inspiration from Nicholas Ghesquiere. But whatev, I am seriously coveting every pair of shoes that they sent down the runway.

Proenza Schouler: I am always so impressed by their sense of proportion. Impeccable!



Phillip Lim: I have spent a lifetime hating Birkenstocks but Phillip Lim’s interpretation of the classic hippie shoe is oddly appealing.

Preen: My goal in life (aside from being BFF’s with Carine Roitfeld) is owning a Preen dress. Like this one. It’s so shiny!



Karen Walker: This dress is possibly the best interpretation of pageant fashion ever. Ten bucks says Chanel Iman will wear it in Teen Vogue.

Marc Jacobs: I think it’s safe to say that all of us at Cat Party are thoroughly obsessed with the rat-themed jewelry in this collection. Want!

Built by Wendy Shopping Party!

Tomorrow is my birthday, and I plan on celebrating by shopping my little heart out at the Built by Wendy Shopping Party! The entire fall collection is 20% off!!!

Fashion on Film: Kenneth Anger

Kenneth Anger’s films have been confined to art house theaters and crappy bootleg VHS tapes for ages, so you can imagine my joy when I discovered that Fantoma was finally releasing his work on DVD. Anger’s surreal, often occult-themed films feature some seriously stylish girls including Anita Pallenberg (pictured above in Invocation of my Demon Brother) Anais Nin and Marianne Faithfull. His films have inspired collections by Anna Sui, Jovovich-Hawk, and most recently, Vena Cava, who cited him as an influence for their Spring 2008 collection. Below is Anger’s most fashion-oriented film, Puce Moment, which he made in 1949. It’s only six minutes long—watch it!



The Films of Kenneth Anger Volume 1 is out now. Volume 2 will be released on October 2nd.

77 Boadrum Fun Time!

The beggining of the school year is hitting me hard! When I see people around and they ask me what I did this summer, before thinking about my internship, I think "Well, I went to 77 Boadrum." This concert was definitely life altering for me and probably everyone else there, and since the show has been over I've been obsessed with looking for pictures, videos, and recordings of the concert so I can relive it, at least a little bit. Now I would love to share my findings with you, my dear blog readers. If you were lucky enough to be at the show, I'm sure you will appreciate these things as much as I do, and if you weren't at the show, you can get a little taste of what it was like! Below is a recording of the show in its entirety:

Express Yourself LIVE

If you click on the little green music notes, 77 Boadrum should start playing immediately.

The people at Viva Radio posted some really great videos from the big event. The first one has interviews with a lot of the drummers, and some nice footage of the first few minutes of the show:



The second one is an interview with Eye from the Boredoms. Very educational!



The Viva Radio website also stocks the 77 Boadrum t-shirts, which I am very happy about, because there was no way in hell I was standing in those long t-shirt lines! There are also a bajillion pictures available to go through. And finally, here is a nice article written for Vice magazine by Kid Millions from Oneida (he was one of my favorite drummers to watch at this event) about his experience being a part of 77 Boadrum (or, I guess, Boadrum77.)

I've heard through the grape vine that next summer the Boredoms have an 88 drummers concert planned to be in Chicago. Now I know where my next summer vacation will have to be!

Oh Terry Richardson...

...How does everything you touch turn to gold?

Here are some of my favorite shots from a super awesome editorial featuring Lily Donaldson from the September issue of Paris Vogue. (Please excuse my shoddy scanning skills, by the way!) But who doesn't love everything having to do with the occult/goats/Terry Richardson/goats!?