Part VIII of Travels: Stores

Of course there are hundreds of stores in Japan but these two caught my eye and they're pretty opposite ends of the spectrum. Hirofu and Uniqlo.

The first is called Hirofu which basically looks like an Hermes copycat. They even stamp a big H (in the same font as Hermes) on the bottom of their bags. I really like the layout of the store with all the colors arranged together (notice the orange, Hermes' signature color). The items are actually pretty plain but the leather quality is fantastic. I think the purses run from $500 and above, mostly $1000 and up.





Now on to my FAVORITE store I found in Japan, Uniqlo. It was hard for me to shop in Japan because the women there are TINY and I am, um, not. When I say tiny I mean Nicole Richie size. For example, stores carry a lot of size 20-22 jeans because that's what people wear there. I've never even seen a size 20 -22 in the US. But anyways, Uniqlo had lots of different sizes so it was easier to shop. They're like a way cooler version of Gap. Their clothes are stylish, really good quality and very reasonably priced. Their cashmere sweaters are under $100 and fantastic quality. They also have high fashion designers design lines for them. When I was there it was Lutz and Patmos but Phillip Lim had a line there in April and Alice Roi has a line there right now. I'm so jealous I can't check out the Phillip Lim line.


Here's a picture of the Lutz and Patmos line.


Uniqlo just opened a store in New York City on Broadway, hopefully they'll come to LA soon!

Gap Update

One of my favorite blogs, iamfashion just did an entry about the May 2006 issue of Vogue where the feature is "The World's Next Top Models" who are Lily Donaldson, Hilary Rhoda, Doutzen Kroes, Sasha Pivovarova, Caroline Trentini, Raquel Zimmermann, Jessica Stam, Chanel Iman, Coco Rocha and Agyness Deyn. But look what they're all wearing, Gap's limited edition shirts that I just posted on. I must say, I'm very impressed by how fashionable these shirts look on the models, but of course, it's Vogue (who really could make a plastic bag look like couture, wait, have they done that?) and the shirts are on incredible models. They made the styles I thought looked plain seem like couture. Either way, I think it's pretty cool to see something from Gap on the cover of Vogue. I'll bet Gap paid an arm and a leg for the publicity.

Whoa Gap!

Darn I wish i was in the US right now to check out these collections by Gap. Gap has decided to jump on the designer train (like Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld for Gap, Paul and Joe, Proenza Schouler, Luella Bartley etc . . for Target) and they have chosen this year's winners of the 2006 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Doo.Ri, Rodarte and Thakoon to design a few pieces ranging only from $66-$88. I was upset that when Gap had Roland Mouret design a collection it was only available in London but I think we Americans are getting a good deal with 3 awesome designers here. You can buy the collection in stores or online here. Looking at the items more closely I like them, but I'm not in love with them. I don't have that OH MY GOD I MUST OWN THIS feeling for any of them. Maybe because they're a little plain and while very cool takes on the plain white shirt Gap is so well known for, they're not as unique as I thought they would be. However, that could just be the pictures, maybe when you try them on they look really cool and different. Sizes are going quick online so hurry and buy them if you want some! Here's are all the pieces that are available online (and I'm assuming the entire collection in general).



Doo Ri

On the left we have the Belted Shirtdress for $88 which I like but I think it's wee bit plain, looks like something the regular Gap designers would have done. On the right is the Scarf Shirt for $68.00. Again, it's cute but looks likes something I've seen before.



I like this Pleated Shirt for $68.00 much more. I think the back is really cool. There's only Large in this left online as well.
Surprisingly her stuff was my least favorite of the group even though I love her other clothes I've seen. I just think they don't look all the special.


Thakoon

Here is the Tie Shirt for $88. I think one is actually really cool, If you look more closetly there's a lot of detailing on the front. I also love the bell sleeves and the pleating in the back.


On the left is the Tied Shirt Dress for $78.00. I like how it's loose fitting and looks like you threw on your significant other's dress shirt, makes it a little sexy. I bet it would look good over a pair of jeans too (yes i still love the dresses/long shirts over jeans look). On the right is the Petal Shirt Dress for $88.00. Definitely much riskier and more what I expected from the collections. Would look like crap on me but I can imagine it look great on others.


Rodarte

On the left is the Trapeze Top for $68.00. I like it, but I have a feeling it might not look great on. On the right is the Bow Blouse for $78. I really like this shirt and the detailing. I would probably look pregnant though if I wore it. There's only Larges and XL's left online for these two.

What do you think of the collection? Are you gonna go out and buy some? If any of you go and try these on please comment, I'd love to know what they look like on.

All photos from gap.com

What do you think?

So I've decided to treat myself to a new everyday wallet since the one I have is not big enough to hold my stuff. I have some Chinese new Year money left so I'm going to buy something nice. My only requirement is that it is long so it will fit all my stuff. I'm not quite sure what's out there along the wallet category, but here's some stuff I found online that I kinda of like.

This is the Prada Saffiano Wallet. So far this is my favorite since it has the zipper closure. It's classic and will never go out of style. Hopefully.


Here is the foldover version, the Prada Saffiano Metal Oro Flap Wallet. The zipper one looks like it would be able to hold more though.


This is the Chloe Paddington Leather Wallet. I think the little lock is really cute. However, it's a little more rough than the Prada ones.


Here's the Bottega Venetta Intrecciato Continental Wallet, I love Bottega Venetta stuff and this wallet is very classy. It might be too old though, maybe in a few years this will be the next one.


I really like these Gucci wallets, but I don't know if I can bring myself to spend over $400 on something that isn't leather. They are SO very pretty though.


Here's are Gucci wallets with all leather. I really like these but they're a little out of my price range.


The Tod's Kate Long Wallet is nice, I love Tod's too, they're such a classy and elegant brand. For some reason it doesn't really have that same "I want it factor"as the other ones do though.


One of my friends has this Lodis Credit Card Case which is the niftiest wallet ever. It's superthin and holds a lot of stuff. It's only $38.00 too at Nordstrom. I'm going to buy one of these for travelling and putting all my stuff into a smaller purse.


Which ones do you like? Do you have any other suggestions or brands that I should look at?

Oscar Fashion Wrap Up

It's Oscar time!! The mother of all awards show is here and while the show itself is usually pretty boring the fashion is always fun to dissect. However, since the Oscars are such a big deal, usually the fashion is less risky and a bit more plain than the Golden Globes or SAG Awards. I think this year followed that rule.

I didn't notice any huge trends but here are some women who chose to wear beigish/creamish colors. From left to right: Helen Mirren wore Christian Lacroix and while I liked the dress I thought it made her look kind of matronly, especially compared to the Golden Globes. Jennifer Lopez chose the Greek Goddess look again with Marchesa. Gwyneth Paltrow is wearing Zac Posen. At first I didn't like the dress but after looking at it for a bit it's growing on me.


There were also some women who chose very light colors. Kate Winslet is wearing this light green Valentino dress. I think she looks okay, the dress is a little plain and the color isn't very flattering on her. She's looked better. Beyonce is wearing Armani Prive. I don't like her that much and even though the dress is nice I just don't think it looks that great on her, I think it's just my bias against her.


Bold colors still make a statement. As much as I don't really like Jessica Biel (she went to the same college as me and I don't think she's a very good actress) her Oscar de la Renta dress was approrpiately young and fun but still classy. Although I think she should have worn a bra or something. I thought Nicole Kidman looked absolutely stunning in Balenciaga. The red is gorgeous and matches perfectly with her blond hair and skin tone. For someone who is so fair that can be difficult. Naomi Watts in Escada looked good too, although I think the yellow doesn't quite match perfectly with her skin tone. Apparently the rep for Escada said how they designed the dress around her pregnancy even though she hasn't announced it herself yet, oops!! She's probably not so happy about that. Reese Witherspoon in Nina Ricci looks simple and elegant, even though her hair is the same as the Golden Globes.


I think feathers are tough to pull off and very fashion forward. Penelope Cruz in Atelier Versace, Maggie Gyllenhaal in Prouenza Schouler and Kirsten Dunst in Chanel Couture all went with feathers. I'm not a huge fan of feathers so with every one of these dresses at first I didn't love them but after seeing a few pictures I've decided they're not bad.


I really liked Cameran Diaz's Valentino dress. I think it's kinda cool and I really like how the white contrasts with her darker hair and the 2.9 million dollars worth of Cartier jewelry she's wearing including ncluding a 9-carat cabochon emerald and 65-carat diamond earrings. That's a lot of money on jewels, but those earrings are gorgeous.


My best dressed this year goes to Cate Blanchett in Giorgio Armani Prive and Rachel Weisz in Vera Wang. Both their hair, make-up and outfits look fantastic. I think Cate's dress is beautiful and very outstanding while still being classy. Really sparkly dresses are hard to pull off (see Beyonce, Golden Globes) but she does it well.


I love how silky and gorgeous Rachel's dress is. The train also has really cool detailing on it. I'm surprised how nice that necklace and pin look on a strapless dress, that might look like overkill on someone less elegant.


Now time for my worst dressed. I thought Kelly Preston's Dolce and Gabbana dress was kind of overkill. I know leopard print is in and all but it is a lot and looks a little too young for her. It's also not very flattering on her great figure. Anne Hathaway's Valentino dress looks like a grandma's doiley with a big bow on top.
Eva Green is so beautiful and a great actress (she looks fantastic in Casino Royale my new fav movie) but at events she always looks terrible. The Oscars were no exception. That dress is just ugly, and so is her hair.


I thought the show itself was kinda boring, I miss Jon Stewart as the host. I was kind of annoyed when the announcer that The Deaprted was based on the JAPANESE film Infernal Affairs (one of my top 10 favorite movies of all time, that is from Hong Kong in CHINA), oh well. For a complete list of winners click here.