#shegotstyle: Bad Bitch Editorial - #TBT Styling
Back in February 2013, it seemed like songs about "bad bitches" were everywhere. In honor of the women that make men weak in the knees and kick ass on every level, our creative team decided to turn Teisha from NEXT, a young, gorgeous model into a true bad bitch.
For the styling inspiration, I looked to strong females from the 90's and fashion trends from that era, that were starting to become trendy again at this time. Aaliyah, Naomi Campbell, Lil Kim and Trina began as my inspiration points when I pulled wardrobe from Toronto stores, showrooms and my own personal vintage collection. Amber Fairie of The Manor Salon styled Teisha's locks into six different looks, from straight and sleek to a mohawk and cornrows. Bronwen Weiderick went from a more natural, approachable make-up look to a full on glamazon and Asia V. kept the drinks going. The shoot was so much fun to do, as we were a group of creative women combining our forces to make something beautiful yet empowering together. Take a look and let me know what you think of our spin on the "bad bitch" title. It's fun to see how much my styling has evolved over the years, but also what style signatures still pop up in my work today.
- Photographer: Jennifer Toole
- Model: Teisha Evanson @ NEXT
- Wardrobe Stylist: Megan Ann Wilson
- Make-Up Artist: Bronwen Weiderick
- Hair Stylist: Amber Fairlie of The Manor Salon
- Cocktail Stylist: Asia Vickovic
- Shot on location at Milk Glass Studios
shegotgame: #StyleSwish - UNDRCRWN MJ Crying Crewneck
#StyleSwish are various fashion finds that are both sporty and stylist approved.
Once in awhile in the vast depths of the internet, a meme explodes and becomes part of social media culture. The MJ crying face meme is now not just a mainstay when it comes to sports memes - we've seen the entire Clippers' roster crying, LeBron James on the court last NBA finals all sporting MJ's face. But now, it's become the universal struggle face photoshopped onto reaction photos with the quickness.
Leave it to sports lifestyle brand UNDRCRWN to take it to a new meta level with their MJ Crying crewneck which features the GOAT complete with tears and red eyes on a black sweater. For $50 you too can sport a piece of meme culture. The crewneck is certainly a more relevant and funnier alternative to the ugly Christmas sweaters this holiday season, cop your own here, available in S-XXL.
shegotgame: Sneakers for good - RISE for PUMA "New York is for Lovers" Collection
Sneakers may seem like a frivolous purchase to some, but they can also be used as a conduit for philanthropic endeavours. Nike is own for their Dorebecher program while adidas is assisting universities and colleges with changing their mascots from culturally insensitive to acceptable. It's not always easy for smaller boutiques to do ambitious collaborations that are also for a good cause but the team from RISE in Long Island, New York is leading by example.
Entitled "New York is for Lovers", the boutique's latest collaboration with PUMA is being released on Worlds AIDS Day. The collection includes an almost fully red "Blaze of Glory" sneaker (red is the official color of amFAR and World AIDS Day). The sneaker has a red leather upper with suede overlays and mesh collar. The apparel features four key pieces - the Marlo stretch woven terry pants, a tee, the Bodie oversized velour hoodie and the RISE for Golden Bear varsity jacket.
The other key piece is the RISE for HEX "New York is for Lovers" sneaker duffle bag - that's also carry-on safe (yay!). There's an area for clothing, faux fur tech devices area for laptops, tablets and phones, and two footwear compartments. The bag and the hoodie are by far my favorite pieces from the collection as they're versatile with an unique touch.
But it's not merely the colorway that may remind sneakerheads and streetwear fans to remember World AIDS Day - it's the storytelling behind the pieces. I'll let Chase, one of the co-founders of RISE, explain the story behind the heartfelt collaboration and how both the store and PUMA are being agents for change.
People we love are dying.
Since HIV/AIDS appeared in the 1980s thousands of New Yorkers and tens of millions around the world have been devastated by these infections. They are spread by sharing needles, unprotected sex, and childbirth, but the biggest contributor to infection is ignorance.
Only through candid conversations about the reality of these diseases can we hope to stop their spread. Only by constantly re-engaging these difficult discussions can we stop this from dismantling more lives. In 2015 it’s possible to live with these infections and build a life with little or no interruption thanks to the tireless work of organizations like amfAR whose research has done so much to change the way we treat these diseases.
Science has changed a lot since 1994, when my Father was taken by this illness. I was only 10 years old. And, I lost him. My family lost him, and it was entirely avoidable. This path doesn't have to be walked by anyone else... not anymore. "New York Is For Lovers" is our collective effort to put these illnesses behind us, and to inspire those who are living with it every day.
PUMA has proven the ideal partner for this project of awareness. Where many other brands were confused or turned off by the aggressive and honest nature of what we wanted to say, PUMA rightfully saw the unique potential for an important conversation centered around the idea that we can help.
Together, we are making a $15,000 donation to amfAR that is not tied to sales, proceeds, or percentages. For us it's not a way to flash PR on our shoes or our brand. Instead we’re using the social force of footwear collaborations as a tool to lift others up away from the fate that millions have already found, and change the path of those already there.
"I love New York" is more than just a slogan for shopping bags, it’s a way of life. To love New York is to love New Yorkers, all New Yorkers. Every banker, busker, and bus boy. By educating each other and looking at these issues honestly and seriously we are fighting to erase stigma, empower our friends, and remember the ones we’ve lost. To really know someone is to love them. We invite you to know those engaged with us in this fight.
– Chase Ceparano
Co-Founder – RISE
Check out the full collection below. The sneakers are available in men's sizes 5-12 and 13 for $145. It launches tonight, December 1st - World's AIDS Day, at the Rise45 pop-up at 345 Broome Street in Lower East Side neighbourhood of New York. The remainder of the stock will be available online tomorrow, December 2nd, at 12:01AM at Rise45.com. Here's to more brands and stores giving back and helping to raise awareness of issues and that effect us all. If it's one thing we need more of in the world - it's love.
All images courtesy of RISE.
shegotshoes: Balenciaga Arenas Hightops in Green Felt + Grey Leather
It's without question that the Balenciaga Arena has been one of the most popular silhouettes in sneakers in the last few years. The hype was at its peak when Kanye West and Pusha T started wearing the sneakers in 2011, and hasn't died down much since 'Ye sported them. Since the original model debuted we've seen it in both low and high top silhouettes in suede, calfskin and lambskin. Over the last few seasons, Balenciaga began experimenting more with texture on the popular kicks, like using embossing techniques to mimic stingray hide.
This season, Balenciaga moves onto felt with the first pair being a darker shade of tennis ball green with grey leather accents like the stripe down the heel along with a grey sole and laces. It reminds me of a grown up version of the incredibly popular and hard to find Alife x Reebok Court Victory Pump "Ball Out" in neon green. Both shoes use a similar shade of green (albeit one more neon than another) with neutral base colors (grey vs. white), one color midsoles, while the Reebok's use an icy outsole and the Balenciaga sticks to the same grey as the midsole.
What do you think of the newest textile to join the Arenas family? 'Ye has not been sported in them yet but he has worn a similar pair in yellow leather, back in 2012.
The Balenciaga Arena hightops in felt and leather in green and grey retail for $585 USD. They're currently sold out everywhere but let us know if you'll be copping a pair or if you'd like our help securing your pair, submit a form here. Check out more images of the sneaker below in the gallery.
Steal His Style: The Varsity Jacket
The retro renaissance is in full swing in the NBA. There are vintage inspired uniforms worn by the Golden State Warriors and Kobe's overbite is back with a vengeance and poor shot selection to match. Players are also taking vintage cues when it comes to their off-court wardrobe. For the past few seasons, menswear has become enamored with preppy styles and a cleaner version of 90's hip hop references. Gone are the baggy jeans, Rock and Republics and all iced-out everything. Now, wardrobes are full of snapbacks, Starter jackets and a bevy of Ralph Lauren.
The varsity jacket is a classic that can work in every man's wardrobe when worn appropriately. American streetwear brands are all offering their own branded take on the Letterman style. While luxury fashion houses like Rick Owens and Balmain mixed unexpected fabrics and fitted silhouettes for a modern interpretation on the classic, NBA stars have recently started designing their own personalized varsity jackets. Let's take a look at some of the style highlights when it comes to the varsity jacket and how you can put your own look together without the high price tag and endorsement deal.
When it comes to the most popular brand, Nike comes out on top. Nike Sportswear launched an aggressive marketing and design campaign this year focusing on their classic Destroyer jacket, their version of a varsity jacket. At events across the world, and at the Nike Sportswear flagship store in New York City, the blank canvas is customized with the help of Nike designers. They brought on cities, trend setters and their own roster of athletes to showcase the styling options. Nike's reigning king, LeBron James, was the first NBA athlete to début his custom Nike Destroyer jacket. He's been followed by burgeoning fashion designer Amar'e Stoudemire as well as his teammate, Chris Bosh.
When you're out hunting for the perfect varsity jacket, the key thing to keep in mind is shape and fit. Lay the jacket out and make sure the waistband, usually made of a stretchy material, isn't a lot smaller than the shoulder width. If the jacket makes a definite v-shape, it will likely look like that on you -- too big in the shoulders, too tight in the hips and could give you a gut that otherwise isn't there. Make sure the shoulders fit properly as many cheaper varsity jackets will have a tiny collar and huge shoulder, and not a more even distribution. Also, many jacket sleeves tend to widen or be very large in comparison to the body of the jacket. Remember that anything can be taken in, but likely not let out. It's better to size up, then tailor down to the get best fit.
In terms of materials, the Letterman style standard is a wool body with leather sleeves and optional iron-on or sewn-on letters. If you want the jacket to last, leather is a better option than vinyl sleeves as it is more breathable, meaning you won't have to dry clean it as often. The best places to look for a quality jacket are eBay or a local vintage store. It takes some digging, but you can find some really interesting or limited pieces. If you feel like getting creative, you can find letters, numbers or have a logo made to style a basic piece into something personal.
Here are a few of my picks for varsity jackets on budget, as a bespoke or limited edition Nike Destroyer jacket will cost you upwards for $2000. Layering thin materials in classic patterns and fabrics -- such as chambray and gingham -- with denim and boots is an easy way to look polished but casual from now until early spring.
