E
very so often the world of fashion is inundated with a deluge of new talent so rife with innovation that the current market place forcibly undergoes restructuring. New brands and styles replace the old, and the early adopters with their trend-spotting vision reinvent what's in or out.
As author Malcom Gladwell might refer to it, this restructuring represents the "tipping point" for new brands and styles, where the current must-haves become pass8e -- quite covertly -- and without warning, new counterparts take their coveted position.
Having just returned from one of my semi-regular NYC jaunts, it is clear to me that this "tipping point" has occurred, as the current fashion landscape is teeming with new designers, new trends and an abundance of early-adopters with the confidence to sport the gear.
Among the leaders of the "new brand pack" is the Swedish-based jeans company Cheap Monday, a denim product of which I've been a devotee since discovering in London last year. These unisex jeans are the ideal drainpipe/skinny trousers, with the perfect balance of stretch-material and rigidity to emit that "fashionable rocker" vibe. They come in nearly every color that's fit to wear, from the original distressed gray (88 la Kate Moss) to skin-tight electric red.
And they're not called Cheap for nothing. These must-have jeans are just $65 a pair -- an unbelievable steal, especially considering the A-listers who croon over them. However, like all good things, Cheap Mondays can be hard to find, as just a few stores in Manhattan and Los Angeles stock them. (See the Where to Buy guide.)
Another newly popular entrant is California-based label Trovata. A favorite among upscale hipsters and those who take their clothing with a pinch of off-beat-edge, retailers from Barneys to Bloomingdale's can't get enough of these quirky designs. Signature styles include visibly off-centered stitching, faux tortoise shell buttons and horizontal stripes a plenty. Trovata is one very progressive brand that provides its wearer with clothing that truly makes a statement.
One of the most unexpected labels to hit the must-have scene is that of Billionaire Boys Club. A label started by rapper Pharell Williams, style analyst and gurus initially snubbed the brand as being that of another "celeb designer wannabe." However, BBC's signature diamond and ice cream print, in wildly bright pastels, has become a staple among the wardrobes of fashion-conscious men, and can be found at upscale retailers throughout the country.
Although this ever-hot brand has been around for over two years now, Tsubi jeans continue to sheath the lower torso of the trendiest stars and fashion aficionados around. Hailing from the Outback, this Australian brand can truly be credited for the popularization of the skinny jean, first spotted on the likes of Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan and Ryan Seacrest.
Unlike other high-end denim brands, Tsubi individualizes its creations with signature touches like emblazoned "plus signs" on the jeans' rear and a hastily scribbled "Tsubi" at the right-hip pocket. As of late, the company has put out a line of retro shades that are sure to be the next "big thing" in eyewear.
A personal favorite designer of mine, Jeremy Scott has made a name for himself with trousers, sweatshirts, dresses and even pajamas covered with odd prints, like eyeballs, Snicker wrappers and alphabet soup. Not for everyone's taste, Scott is sure to attract a cult of zany dressers.
More mainstream brands basking in their own "tipping glory" are chain retailers Bebe and H&M.
While the former was once known as a mall-based Mecca for skanky club clothing, the company's new design team is insistent in taking the brand in a classier direction.
So, with style maven Mischa Barton at the helm of their fall/winter ad campaign, Bebe has produced a collection of sophisticated black dresses, classy elbow-high gloves and Louboutin-inspired heals. For such an affordable brand, the company has put out some very attractive garments.
Even more affordable than Bebe, is the ever-popular, oh-so-ubiquitous H&M, which has just released its latest collection that had been co-designed by 9fber-avant-garde designers Viktor and Rolf.
While the average shopper may not be familiar with this German designing duo, the fashion world has long been infatuated with their edgy creations, characterized by rigidity, slightly-masculine women's clothing and slightly grandpa-like men's looks.
From Nov. 9 throughout the season, Viktor and Rolf for H&M is sure to be in high demand.
Whether you're a fashion addict on the prowl for the next major trend or simply looking for a method to reinvent your current style, the moment has never been more appropriate.
While new brands and themes are continuously cropping up in the fashion realm, rarely do we experience such a plentiful array of new entrants and creations, which are as innovative and accessible as those here and now.
Sorry, but you can't get your cherry back
R
ight now I'm sitting in the HAC lab, asking my friends about masturbating. I can honestly say I never saw myself in this position three years ago. In high school, I always followed the straight and narrow path: never drinking, smoking or having sex. Surprise! Though I had a few boyfriends, my sexuality developed at a slow pace. During a rehearsal for Fame my freshman year, I had my first kiss when my soon-to-be gay boyfriend shoved his tongue down my throat. Though it was exciting, I ended up asking my friend if it was supposed to hurt like it did. Sophomore year, I was dumped by the older "Italian Stallion" because of my lack of experience and unwillingness to take things past second base in his crummy Dodge Neon. But that summer, things got more heated. What began as an opportunity to learn about my sexuality through a "friends with benefits" situation ended as an amazing two-and-a-half-year relationship. As far as the learning process is concerned, it's important to be with someone that you are comfortable with and truly care about.
After thinking more closely about this question of the origins of my sexuality, I realized that things began earlier than my first long-term relationship. Maybe my parents are responsible, having introduced me to Def Leppard at three years old. I sure loved performing "Pour Some Sugar On Me" for anyone who was willing to watch. Later on, I spiced things up between Barbie and Ken as they made out in the back of her pink convertible.
Upon discussing this topic of young sexuality with friends, I learned that I wasn't the only curious child. One friend played "Sleeping Beauty," and, though she forgets the details, she remembers that it concluded with a kiss from her boy playmate. For her, a peck on the lips wasn't strong enough to break the curse. She instructed him to kiss longer but he refused and ran away. Another friend was scarred after being yelled at by the video store clerk when peeking into the "Adults Only" room. Many learned about sex through raunchy jokes at sleep-overs. One in particular ends with the little boy sleeping with his parents screaming "Mommy, turn on your headlight, Daddy's snake is going into the grass."
Whether it was through `80s music or playing make-believe, most discover sex at an early age. True sexual awakenings, however, do not occur during harmless play. One's first experiences of physical pleasure open up a whole new world. Everyone remembers his or her first kiss. What I wouldn't give to regain that electric sensation from those first few make-out sessions. It's the kind of feeling that leaves a permanent smile on your face. I remember my cousin falling dramatically onto my bed after a date and saying, childishly, with a sigh, "I love kissing." That freshness and purity of intimacy sadly dissipates with time and experience.
There are many firsts: first kiss, make out session, hickey, feeling of nakedness, hand job, oral and, of course, intercourse. Some argue that there are still other firsts after having sex, including your first time having anal sex or a threesome.
What happens when you run out of "firsts" after experiencing everything? Is it possible to regain those innocent teenage feelings? Regretfully, you can't fully recapture the full body tingle from your first kiss. But, you can still experience the feelings of newness after time has passed. With each new partner comes the opportunity for an exciting fresh experience.
Here's a nice tip: The longer you wait, the more intensely you will feel it. Anticipation along with some healthy hormonal frustration will heighten these feelings. By making each experience unique and special, you can make every moment one of sexual discovery.
