Notes of a shopaholic

Thursday, February 06, 2003:

Hedi Slimanne is following in the footsteps of many trendy designers by introducing a jeans line. At only 825$ a pop, they're sure to be a hit among the masses!

Won a shirt from Diesel on EBay last night for $10. Wasn't really expecting to. I'm now kind of hoping I get outbid on a Prada shirt that I currently have the $35 bid on.
Steven Sherman // 6:05 AM

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Wednesday, February 05, 2003:

My order from Bluefly came today. A Moncler jacket and sneakers from Marc Jacobs. Moncler: this is a French company that's been expanding in the US--I see a lot on Bluefly, and I know Saks carries them. Relaxed and sporty: sort of a French Polo Ralph Lauren. But after trying on this jacket, I have to worry about their future. the shoulders pinch, while the waist is wide: what sort of body is this designed for? Furthermore, the cotton blend is inexiplicably stiff. Its going back.

As for the sneakers--yellow mesh perfectly updates the converse high top look. I have to say, although I usually focus on buying the steak, not the sizzle, for me, Marc Jacobs sizzles. The fact that he uses people like Steve Malkmus and Jarvis Cocker in his ad campaigns does a lot for me. I remember once VH-1 did a big thing about Versace's 'rock and roll' connections, but Bon Jovi and Elton John just aren't my idea of rock and roll. Pulp and Pavement, on the other hand... Anyway, the sneakers will add a lot to casual spring looks.
Steven Sherman // 4:14 PM

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Tuesday, February 04, 2003:

Describing fashion week in Brazil, Karen Nelson comments "While those who had arrived from the Northern Hemisphere bared the city's rainy, 60-degree weather and sub-zero air conditioning, the Portuguese-speaking set arrived at the Bienal Foundation -- where the majority of the shows are being held -- sporting skimpy camisoles and chiffon blouses, the latter spilling over to expose one gorgeously tanned shoulder after another.
It makes one wonder whether the winter 2003 collections are pointless in a culture that loves to show off skin. " (Full article, subscription required).

A similar characterization is provided by Jennifer Berkshire, describing, of all things, The World Social Forum at "Porto Alegre's Catholic University, temporary home to perhaps the world's single largest collection of leftist swag. Che's visage could be seen everywhere, adorning tiny t-shirts and halter tops, buttons and berets. Lula was just as popular. Beautiful women tied their hair back with PT headscarves; their boyfriends wore the number 13, signifying the PT's spot on the electoral ballot.

"There are so many attractive people on our side here," mused one labor activist friend, taking in the scene. I nodded and pointed out that it wasn't just the model good looks shared by so many of the "juventud" that distinguished the crowd from a left gathering in the US, but that so many people were smiling. " Full story.

Perhaps it would be nice if the twenty-first century is defined by Brazillian style, rather than Japan's, as I predicted last week. On the other hand, the only major innovation to be absorbed into the US wardrobe from Brazil so far, the thong, hasn't done all that much for American style.



Steven Sherman // 1:28 PM

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Monday, February 03, 2003:

One way a shopaholic can amuse him or herself when feeling a little broke is to bid low on Ebay items. Its like a slightly more exciting form of window shopping--for a day or two, you can pretend you'll be getting something really great in the mail in a week or so. A little bit of searching and you can find something by Prada, Diesel etc that you can put in the first bid at $10 or $15 reasonably confident that you will be outbid. However, never put in more than you'd actually be willing to spend on the item, since you'd be surprised what some stuff actually winds up going for.
Steven Sherman // 5:14 PM

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