Mirror Image

Welcome to our style blog, Mirror Image.

We thought it was about time that The Inquirer got in on the local fashion blogosphere action since there is just so much to write and so little column space.

That said, our blog will be about style. We aren’t going to push product (sorry, cosmetic companies). And we promise not to over-celebrity you – although we will take note of the ridiculous, like Paris Hilton pledging to change the world, AFTER she got blonde extensions post her jail release, of course.

We want Mirror Image to be your online choice for local fashion happenings and national fashion news. Here is where we will muse and ponder (and occasionally wish) on everything from Theory dresses to Bandolino shoes.
We’ll blog about new hairstyles. Vintage purses. And we’ll rejoice when you all STOP wearing black nail polish.

We’ll give our spin on trends, such as the current swapping mania going on now with high-end shoes and bags. I don’t know why someone would shell out big bucks to rent a bag, but whatever. We’ll write about it.

And occasionally we’ll use this space to spotlight local stylistas who have turned a passion for fashion into a booming business, whether it’s a fancy new boutique or jewelry (although, I’ll warn you now, I’m not a big bead fan).

We’ll also be on the lookout for street style, from Phillies' games to the Market/Frankfurt El to your neighborhood Acme. Because fashion is more than what the big houses in New York, Paris and Los Angeles say it is. It’s what WE wear, no matter how good or bad.

See what we think. Tell us what you think. And enjoy.

Forget about Paris.
Move over New York.
And thank you, Los Angeles.
Japan is on it’s way to be the world’s next fashion center.

It’s been a slow movement that started kicking up about five years ago, but the high fashion world is on its way to being controlled by Japan.

Early this month, Tokyo-based Fast Retailing Limited reported they are in the running to buy Barneys (www.barneys.com) New York for $896 million. This is serious because as all of us stylistas know, Barneys is the clearinghouse for high-end contemporary fashion. That’s why we rejoiced when we learned that Barneys Coop was coming to Rittenhouse Square.

In the last five years, Barneys top buyer Julie Gilhardt has put new designers Zac Posen, Stacey Bendet(of Alice + Olivia) and Philadelphia’s own $100+ T-shirt maker Neal Spearling on the radar.
Fast Retailing Ltd., is a subsidiary of Uniqulo which has a high financial stake in women’s clothing chain, Theory.

Creatively speaking, much of fashion’s cutting-edge developments seems to have its genesis in Japan. Within the last five years, beauty experts and cosmetologists have introduced hair straightening and creams women believe will help them stay young. They have introduced super expensive denim. (Try upwards of $500 for a pair of jeans). Yohji Yamamoto’s sportswear designs for Adidas are runway hits every season. There is even a new book: Japanese Schoolgirl Inferno: Tokyo Teen Fashion Subculture Handbook: (Chronicle Books, $16.95 which talks about singer Gwen Stefani’s influence on fashion.

And every designer from Betsey Johnson to Coach has opened a store there.

Fashion is cyclical and just like styles who has control of it changes hands often. Even in fashion we are on our way to becoming solely consumers. The Japanese have figured out how to sell our own hype back to us at top dollar.

It's long seemed curious that so many people want strangers reading their chests. It's human nature to steal a peak, but reading seems a different matter entirely. We're inviting people to stare, while paying big companies for the pleasure of advertising their goods. I'm no fan of the writing on the backside of shorts, either, which began some summers ago and shows little sign of abating. Why is someone's rear a billboard?

In that vein, I'm utterly perplexed by the "Life is Good" clothing phenomenon, especially when adopted by adults. If life is so good, why is a t-shirt necessary to proclaim this? The graphics are minimal. They're cloyingly cute, invoking stick figures at a time where there are gifted creative people out there whose work deserves our attention. This extensive clothing line offers aesthetics as confounding as the message, and yet the stuff is everywhere. When something this dull becomes pervasive, it isn't good.

Besides, if life is so good, wouldn't a smile be a better, more personal expression than a commercialized product?

So I was walking around town on Saturday afternoon and everywhere I went, people were reading the latest Harry Potter saga: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/harry_potter.html
The woman behind the counter of the Candle Shop at Liberty Place hardly wanted to take a break from the book to wrap my aromatic confections in tissue paper.
On a walk through Rittenhouse Square, I peeped at least three people holding the orange covered book adorned with the bespectaled teen.
As I drove up Lincoln Drive, I glanced over to the car next to me and the passenger was enthralled with Harry Potter, her feet up on the dashboard reading away.
There was even a copy of the book sitting on the table at the Bubble House Sunday afternoon- that's a weekly block party in West Philly.
I just assumed an orange book cover was the Harry Potter book.
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines fashion as the prevailing style.
That means fashion is not what Vogue tells us it is, or the latest episode of Project Runway but it's what people do whether it's wear Crocs (I know you thought they were ugly too.) Or carry Vera Bradley Bags.
And that means Harry Potter - who will probably grow up to be a Dockers wearing wizard - is in fashion; the height of fashion, no less.
Whoulda thunk it?
What do you think?

Finally, a Barbie that looks more like a regular girl than a Playmate bimbo-in-training – and it plays music too. This week, Mattel is introducing a Barbie MP3 player that comes with a docking station that allows entrée into its own virtual world, BarbieGirls.com, where players use “B bucks” to buy outfits for an online version of the doll.

This is territory that has been explored before – the popularity of Webkinz, a stuffed animal-centric Second Life world for preschoolers, has been documented in the Inquirer , and the New York Times reports that companies such as MTV and Disney are following suit.

What I find interesting is that while BarbieGirls.com may be a virtual world – ergo, one of fantasy – the new Barbie player itself cleaves much more to reality in looks and fashion (while the player has interchangeable outfits, they lean more toward casual t-shirts, jeans and skirts than elaborate ballgowns) than the bleach-blonde pneumatic version I grew up with. Does this mean that toymakers at Mattel believe that when it comes to gadgets, technology-savvy girls are more likely to buy and use one that reflects themselves rather than a societal ideal? Guess we’ll have to wait until the Princesses version comes out.

There is something about patent leather and Birkenstocks that don't quite jive with me. Maybe it's a mental thing. I think it's because Birkenstocks are the epitomy of all things California and earthy. They are the height of granola fashion, if you will.
Therefore Birkenstocks fashioned from material that I-must-be-careful-where-I-walk in is kinda scary. It just doesn't make pratical sense.
However, despite my misgivings, my fashion moles in New York, tell me T-strap versions of the shoes in rainbow shades are walking all through the city. http://www.birkenstockusa.com/styles/43663/manager=ProdDisplay&brand=100&category=10o40o110o140&sub_sandals=Yes&user_id=3564121&store_id=0&page=0&cat=birk
The sandals are $69.95 and in addition to patent leather, there are gold and silver metallics as well as one in exquisite pearl.
They have turned out to be cool alternatives to $1 flip flops for comfortable jaunts from subway stop to subway stop. I'm sure they will be here in Philadelphia at Benjamin Lovell soon, if they aren't there yet.
I think I'll wait for the Payless knock-offs.

The August issue of Vogue arrived. It's the age or "ageless" issue and the mature -- that is, 35-year-old -- Winona Ryder is on the cover. That's the age at which most models are put out for pasture. Ryder's a curious choice, as her career is largely moribund. In the feature story, she's reduced to talking about her most celebrated work of the past five years: her 2002 conviction for shoplifting.

What does it take to land Vogue's cover? Ryder is a magazine favorite, though she's hardly in fashion in Hollywood. She remains achingly beautiful and highly photogenic though why stylists had to borrow Mrs. Lovett's hairstyle from Sweeney Todd remains a mystery. Ghastly.

It's alway interesting to perform Kremlinology on Vogue's choices, especially for the cover. Oprah appeared only once after, according to legend, editor Anna Wintour asked her to drop to 150 pounds. As first lady, Hillary Clinton appeared on cover. So far, there have been no Republicans. If this is truly the "ageless" issue, and older beauties (even in their 90s) are featured inside, wouldn't the beauteous Helen Mirren, who turns 62 this week, have been a more interesting and viable choice? The day Vogue puts someone of that age who is still beautiful and working will be stunning news, indeed.

From the left Gregory Seitter, Jason Day, Jordan Casale

So I was pulling clothes at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd for the upcoming Fall Fashion section that will run in Image, August 26th when I walked into an interesting debate.
Prada specialist Gregory Seitter was talking about a wealthy customer. This person buys two of everything - including two Mercedes Benz. Anyway, this friend of Seitter's bought two I-phones. The customer was so wealthy, they offered to buy Seitter a phone too.
"Did you get one?" I hungrily asked, "I want one. What did you do?"
Totally unfazed, Seitter, looking wonderfully trendy in a classic, light blue seer sucker suit, opted for the $500 Hermes belt instead.
"What?" I asked.
"Well, it's reversible," he said. "Black on one side, brown on the other."
"But all the things you can do with an I-phone..." I whined.
Now, check this out:
"In two years, " he said, "When the I-phone craze is dead and over, I'll still be pimping out my Hermes belt."
Hmmm.... Maybe he has a point.
Which one would you fashionistas chose?

Many of my early fashion memories center around images of my mother getting dressed for various parties and corporate functions. Not a big risk taker, her evening looks were mostly black, either a tasteful dress (for her, too much cleavage was a big no) or a sparkly pants suit.

For daytime lunches and country club teas, though, she would bust out some color. And usually, she'd turn to St. John, the conservative California line specializing in knits and matching separates. To Mum and her friends, St. John was always "appropriate," consistently "classic," never "tacky" - which is what she believed (and still does) should be the guiding principles of fashion.

But St. John lost its way a few years ago when the company attempted to make the line hipper. As new management took over, St. John's co-founder and lead designer Marie Gray (no relation), stepped down. The company then hired first Gisele Bunchen and later Angelina Jolie as spokeswomen (replacing Marie's daughter Kelly) and introduced clothes better suited for the hip, not the hip-py (meaning, the fits were changed for a more youthful body).

The move was a disaster. Suburban ladies who lunch, from the OC to Winnetka to Westchester, abandoned the brand in droves. It seems that while middle-aged women with money may not be a fashion company's sexiest customer, they shouldn't be ignored.

It may be hot and humid outside, but the Image Section is preparing for its annual Fall Fashion issue so we've got coats and boots on our minds. Because our fashion shoot is tomorrow, Elizabeth has been pulling clothes from boutiques and stores all week...it's always fun to see over what she's chosen and make last-minute adjustments to the looks.

At every shoot, there's always something that I can't wait to buy. This time, it's these jeans with a silvery sheen from Seven for All Mankind. I know we've written a lot about how premium denim is out while dresses are in (this Image article here), but these pants are an exception!

At $175, the wide-legged jeans (known as Ginger, with the "Naples" wash) are a bit pricey, but if you are looking for a metallic item or two to add to your fall wardrobe, they are a great option as you could wear them to work with the right jacket AND to most evening functions.

More on the making of the Image Fall Fashion issue (slated for Aug. 26th) to come...

Andrea Wright. before her lace front was applied and after. See her on video here.

I know this is the latest thing in black hair care trends, and as a fashion reporter, I'm somewhat obliged to write about this.

On one hand it's fascinating. And you can't help but notice all these women walking around with back-length hair that is kind of a weave, but kind of not. Hmmmm????

But I must honestly say, I'm not a fan.

When I was reporting this story that ran in today's Philadelphia Inquirer, West Oak Lane-based, Dayna Cherry-Smith - who is a doll of a woman - let me try on a wig. (Check out her web site at http://www.divacherrylacewigs.com)

For a hot second, I was transported back to being a little girl in the 1970s when everybody - especially little black girls - wanted to throw their hair off their shoulders and tout bouncin' and behavin' hair. Back in the day, we just used one of our mommy's big, soft towels.

Anyway, when I put Cherry-Smith's reddish brown, beyond-back-length lace wig on and ran my fingers through my hair for a split second, I was a different person. I swung my hair. I kept looking in the mirror. I was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Then, I snapped back to reality. My hair is locked. I started wearing locks because I refused to put any more chemicals in my spongy hair. Why should I let America - and especially other black women - make me feel bad about what I was born with. My hair just isn't supposed to be straight. Point blank.

This lace front wig trend takes black women beyond the press and curl, perms and weaves. These caps cover your whole head and unlike the wigs of the Diana Ross and the Supremes days, these are supposed to look natural. And that's funny because it's as far from natural that you could possibly get.

What do you ladies out there think about the trend? Would you get a lace front wig? If so, tell us why.

She's young (29), slim as a rail and oh so connected. She's Stacey Bendet, the UPenn grad behind alice + olivia, a fashion line that caters to Bright Young Things (who happen to have the slim bodies and flush wallets that the clothes require). Her rise to fame (thanks to celebrity clients) and fortune (four stores, a partnership with Theory, a shoe deal wtih Payless) within a mere five years is documented by Elizabeth Wellington in this week's Image section. It will have you thinking, why don't I have friends as influencial as Stacey's?

Also in Image: A.D. Amorosi takes a look at Etsy, the online bazaar that's earning accolades within the craft world. And Rick Nichols gives us a tasty recipe for Limonata, a Sicilian-style lemonade that sounds perfect for a humid weekend.

Fridays afternoons can be unusually busy for Image. The section publishes more than a week in advance, so there are proofs to read, last-minute stories to read, weekend photos to assign (along with the usual endless meetings that editors have to endure).

As someone who spends most of their waking life in front of a computer, I can't help but take a couple minutes to stop work and surf on some of my fave sites. Call it a Guilty Friday Pleasure and don't tell my boss (I don't think she's reading this blog yet anyway!)

Anyway, every Friday at noon, Tell Me About It columnist Carolyn Hax of the Washington Post does an online chat with her readers. The questions range from the mundane (I hate my friend's boyfriend, what do I do?) to the sad (my mom is an alcoholic, what do I do?) to the downright scary (I'm having suicidal thoughts and have been eyeing the kitchen knives, what do I do?) Carolyn handles the questions with the wit and aplomb that she demonstrates in her newspaper column, and quite surprisingly, her "peanut gallery" of regulars often have some good insights as well.

(If one etiquette expert isn't enough for you, give The Social Graces, a Philly-based duo, a whirl. They are taking questions on our web site here).

Oh, this is unreal. In the olden days, fair maidens dressed for the royal court. Later, they might have done so to attend a sporting match court. Today, the endless question is what to don for criminal court for the ne plus ultra in contemporary acronyms, the DUI. Guess if you never bothered with college, or much of high school, it serves as a degree. A degree of bad judgment.

One of our favorite websites -- OK, our favorite -- gawker.com posted an item about Nicole Richie's court attire for her second DUI. Apparently, a Moschino publicist wished to notify all that the undernourished celebutante had chosen this smart black, back tied sheath."This dress is part of the Moschino Fall/Winter 2007/8 Pre-Collection."

That, Nicole, always thinking one season ahead.

Some trends won't go away. We hoped those oversized, bug-eyed sunglasses would bite the dust, the huge plastic frames favored by various Bimbos of the Apocalpyse, as the NY Post presciently dubbed Lindsay, Britney and Paris last year. "No clue, no care, no underwear."

Alas, no luck.

They're still prevalent on the street among otherwise fetching young women. The glasses make the wearer's head look very, very small, suggestive of a bug and other persistent, pesticide-resistant, small-brained creatures. They make the wearer look -- how to say this delicately? -- not smart, largely because they follow in the tiny, wobbly steps of so many bimbos. A pity when so many attractive, fresher and, dare we say it, smarter alternatives abound.

There is at least one place you can shop in Rittenhouse Square without circling around the ever-clogged Center City streets.
Starting last week, Kiehl's, located at 1737 Walnut Street, instituted curbside service.
Other big city locations including those in Manhattan, Boston, D.C. and Las Vegas have similiar drive-up perks.
That means all you gotta do is call the friendly, white-coated Kiehl's salesperson. Tell them you are out of Creme de Corps Soy Honey Body Polish or Amino Acid Shampoo and pay for your order over the phone via credit card.
Then, with cell phone in hand, (you want to make sure they don't confuse your whip for somebody else's) you pull up in front of the tiny apothecary and voila! a neat little bag packed with high priced, yet all natural products are yours for the taking.
Unfortunately, if you want to go across the street to Anthropologie, browse at Joan Shepp or lollygag in KnitWit, you are gonna have to park.
Happy Shopping!

Bill Walsh, who coached the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl championships in 10 years, died Monday. Even though we were diehard Skins fans before switching to having our hearts perennially ruptured by the Iggles, we always had a soft spot for Walsh, who may have been the most elegant, clasically good-looking coach in NFL history. No, not Dick Vermeil. (Good hair, though.) Not Tom Landry. (Dallas, yuck, though the man could wear a hat.) Not the Tuna or Ditka. (Not ever). Not even Big Red with his absurd stripes and toothbrush stache. (Uhmm, no, though there's a deep affection.)

With his perfectly coiffed silver hair and exquisite profile, Walsh looked like Central Casting's idea of a professional coach. He was always perfect, in manner, deed and style. Wish there were more like him.

That's the sound of this summer, isn't it? Flip flops are the accessories this season, suitable for almost everyone. They're affordable. They come in a wide array of styles. And they're comfortable, too. Well, as long as you're not doing too much walking in a rush. Flip flops are all about taking life slow.

As hot as it is, though, casual flip flops -- the rubber or surfer styles -- don't work in the office, unless your work is on the boardwalk or at camp. Even if you're a summer intern, flip flops convey a sort of informality, a lack of seriousness for a professional setting. The same holds true for shorts. Though here at the Inquirer, I assure you, many men are prone to shorts and flip flops. The women, as holds true in so many matters, are more sensible.

With work, especially if you're young, it's best to dress a bit older than you might in your personal life if you wish to move onward and upward.