"Rescue" on Newbury Street

Many of our followers may recall that Meggasus and I have a passion for going to secondhand stores and creating trendy outfits out of miscellaneous treasures that we find. We can spend hours searching through the racks at the Salvation Army in order to find unique pieces we can add to our wardrobe. Being in the city, Boston has many ideal locations to find thrifted deals such as Second Time Around, The Garment District, Poor Little Rich Girl and The Closet. However, a few weeks ago I came across "Rescue" located at 244 Newbury Street, which has easily become my newest favorite consignment shop.

How is works is that they selectively buy women and men's clothing on a walk in basis. All the items they resell must be up to date with the current trends. While reading their website I was somewhat surprised at how picky the criteria is for what they select...For example, they do not accept any vintage clothing from after 1980, lounge wear, business attire, formal dresses or furcoats! Also, all items must be up to date with the current trends... even "classic" styles will not be accepted. They do not have an area for backstock so every item must be in season. However, this just goes to prove that "Rescue" prefers quality over quantity and knows its target market. Take a look at the this photo of Meggasus and I decked out in our recently purchased "Rescue" attire.

Although Rescue does carry a lot of expensive designer brands, the majority of the store is very reasonably priced. I was able to purchase that black blazer for 30$ and the gold studded tube top dress I'm wearing underneath for only $10... The lace top Meggasus is wearing was only $20! We got away like bandits...This photo is a preview to one of our most recent photoshoots that will be featured on the blog shortly, so stay tuned!

Some of the designer items I saw in the store while I was browsing included Levi's Marc by Marc Jacobs, American Apparel, Dolce Vita, Betsey Johnson, Zara, and BGBC. They had an amazing selection!

Here are some of my favorite items currently featured on their blog.


Helmut Lang Dress, $200


Marc by Marc Jacobs Dress, $120


Black Cross Shredded Tee, $40


Diane Von Furstenburg Silk Top, $44

I can't wait to go back to Rescue. They make the avid thrift store shopper's job simple by only choosing the most fashion forward items to sell in their store, so you don't have to spend hours looking through racks of clothing that are outdated!

Xx Katie Lu

Just Like a Movie....

It's funny how looking at a fashion photograph can make you feel like you're watching a movie. This editorial from W magazine, photographed by Alex Prager made me feel like exactly this way.









I had never really studied Alex's work before until I came across his photography website and noticed that he has a very distinct, 1960's retro style. The subjects of his photographs always seem to be a little dissatisfied, disturbed or trapped (in a purposeful way, of course).

In fact, his style reminds me so much of an old classic movie....maybe this next photo by Alex will trigger a cinematic memory for you...



That's right, his style can basically be summed up by the movie, THE BIRDS (1963) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Here are some screen shots from the old horror film....can't you see the similarities?





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I love it when a photographer can be identified just by looking at the style of the photo. Tim Walker, Helmut Newton, Terry Richardson, Peter Lindbergh and Steven Meisel all have distinct artistict styles that come across in all of their work.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Meggasus

Need some style inspiration? Get it from the Professionals....

Being a fashion model is a job in which you must always look the part, even when you aren't at a photo shoot. Whether you are at a casting, backstage, or just walking down the street, there will always be people taking your picture.

Since a fashion model gets the chance to wear thousands of designer clothes for a living, it is only natural for fashion lovers to wonder what they choose to wear when they are not working. This is why a model's street style is so exciting! Take a look at these models and what they choose to wear when they are (as Alex Wang says,) "off duty."

Anja Rubik

Coco Rocha- Love the leopard print!

Frida-That military jacket is amazing!

Frida and Hanne- two fashion icons together!

Sasha Pivovarova- This outfit is just perfection. Can anyone ID that bag? It's incredible!

This One is For the Manly Men!

When people think about eating disorders, most automatically think about females... but what about the men? Out of the population who has anorexia and bulimia, 15% are male! (Mirasol Health) For the past decade, it has been the trend for male models to be super thin with little to no muscle tone in their body. Quite frankly, many of these "Men" have the bodies of prepubescent boys... After looking up the measurements for the average male model, I was shocked to find the average dimensions for a male model are a height of 5 ft 11 in to 6 ft 3 in, a waist of 26–33 in and a chest measurement of 32–40 in.

Here are some example images of the skinny male body type that have dominated the fashion industry for the past decade.... (Photos from DNA Model Management)

Maybe this look is "edgy" or "editorial"....but it definitely does not look like these men are healthy. I could probably beat all of them in arm wrestling...Just sayin'!


However, times are changing! After the Spring/Summer 2011 shows it is clear that designers are starting to choose more muscular, "manly men" to walk the runway.

Aww male models are growing up!

Here is an awesome collage I found on the NY times website showing some of the on the full-grown, muscular men on the runways and covers of this season!

Also, take a look at this cover of VMAN magazine featuring Josh Brolin on the cover. Personally, I would much rather see his face on the cover of a magazine than the other boyish men that have been on covers in the past. This cover projects an image of security and confidence!

Hopefully the average male model measurements will be going up in the future so that men do not get a false sense of how they should look! However, as male models get more muscular, let's hope this doesn't have the reverse effect on men causing them to worry too much about being jacked.... For the wellness of men everywhere, let's hope there can be a happy medium!


Xx Katie-Lu

The Row: Spring/Summer 2011 Collection Video

Meggasus and I have adored Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen ever since their debut on "Full House". (Undoubtedly because of the shared twin bond between us but that's besides the point) Now since they have made their move from child stars to high fashion designers with their increasingly popular line "The Row," Meggasus and I have even more of a reason to remain devoted fans of the pair...

Here is a candid shot of the two bartending at Fashion's Night Out last year... This photo is just so fun I had to share it!


What I love about the Olsen's collection is that they stay true to their own personal style. Pieces are understated and classy... focused on precise fit and the use of luxurious fabric, or as MK and A put it, "Refined, minimal luxury that is wearable." If you would like to hear more about the design process for their Spring/Summer 2011 collection, take a look at this video!

<a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/browse?mkt=en-us&from=&vid=c34b5e5f-b41e-4406-ae85-f482d979017d&from=en-us&fg=dest" target="_new" title="The Row">Video: The Row</a>

What I noticed about this particular collection that is different from what I expected is the use of light colors such as white, ivory, tan and pale pink. When I picture the Olsen's style I automatically think black and grays! Don't get me wrong, black is one of my favorite colors to wear on a daily basis (a habit I am trying to pull away from)...just it is nice that the Olsen's are incorporating these lighter colors, proving that "classy" doesn't necessarily always mean black.

The only aspect of the The Row that I believe the Olsen's should strongly consider changing, is its absurd prices. I understand that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are powerhouses and can basically do whatever they want, but charging $250.00 for a simple, plain gray T-shirt is beyond ridiculous! Just take a look at a few of these sky-high prices.

$250.00

$3,800.00


$1,990.00

This red trench is lovely, however I believe I bought almost the same exact one from H&M last year for about $20.00... That fabric better be as luxurious as they say it is!

Xx Katie-Lu

Part Two of The Fenway Garden Photoshoot!

Now for part two of my photoshoot in the Fenway Gardens with the fabulous Miss Emily Tebbetts!

I loved sitting in this tall grass! I felt like a tiger. ..



My expression in this moment was definitely influenced by the random violinist that was playing the garden next to us...he was quite an interesting fellow. I play the cello, and at first I couldnt help but laugh to myself a little because it sounded like he was playing "Mississippi Stoplight" in double time...which anyone who did elementary school strings knows what I am talking about! However, that must have been his warmup because I was shocked when he began to play "Explosive" by Bond.... my favorite modern day string quartet! I definitely recommend checking them out if you get a chance ;)


I wear the bracelete in this photo almost everyday...never fails to get at least 2 compliments!


To me this last photo is genius. Everything about it works...the bike in the foreground is an excellent touch! Emily's photography never fails to amaze me...


This last photo I like to call "Secret Garden." ;)

I hope you all enjoyed part two of this shoot.... This is the first photoshoot of many with Emily this year!

Xx Katie Lu

"Hit or Miss" at Jil Sander

This season the Jil Sander collection left me with mixed feelings. Half of the collection was beautifully designed with flattering silhouettes and bold colors. The other half of the collection was composed of floor length dresses with zero structure whatsoever. These dresses seemed as wide as they were long (the horizontal stripes didn't help), and even looked unflattering on the runway models!!

As I looked through the runway images my opinions for each look became very polarized. Basically, they were either a "hit" or a "miss". Here is a little of what was going through my head:

Hit! I love the splash of color on the white dress....gorgeous.....

Miss! This pastel color has potential, but the shape of the dress is just...a blob.

Hit! This collection is clear evidence that vertical stripes work wonders and elongate the body whereas chunky horizontals can be a bit unflattering. Here's what I mean....

Miss!!! This dress DROWNS the model. People with thinner frames are usually the exception when it comes to wearing horizontal stripes, but not in this case. The only redeeming quality is the lip color.

But no worries, for every action there's an equal but opposite reaction....

HIT! I love the nontraditional shape of this dress. Some may think the design is unflattering but I think it's intriguing and Shena can really pull it off. The tangerine color works amazingly with her skin color!!

Miss! Too much fabric, no structure. Where's the body underneath?

Ok, I'll end it on a positive note:

This was my favorite outfit of the show. I love the combination of vertical/horizontal stripes, as well as the light pink color paired with black. The top is dark and sexy (Sheer tends to bring sexiness to any outfit), and the bottom is feminine and conservative. The outfit is one big juxtaposition and I love it.

Do you agree with me? How do you feel about this collection?

xx, Meggasus