MODA Summer 2012
MODA Rachel Reid & Caroline Wang
Summer 2012 Contributors: Photographers:
Nabila Abdel Nabi, Fatima Ibrahim, Jasmine Kwong, Terence Lee, Rachel Reid, Charlotte Smith, Anita To, Zoe Steinberg
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Stylists:
Nina Coomes, Lyn Han, Felicia Harris, Lauren Kelly-Jones, Ann Li, Rebecca Liu, Nerjada Maksutaj, Cathay Zhao
Charlotte Smith
Photography Editor
Fatima Ibrahim & Sara Hupp Writing Editors
Tara Anantharam
Models:
Jenna Bekeny, Coral Dabarera, Erica Fagin, Bethany Fixsen, Alexis Fowler, Felicia Harris, Lyda Harris, Ann Li, Helen Li, Naomi Mine, Lena Sparks, Maggie Zhang
Makeup Artists:
Style Editor
Victoria Huang, Isabelle Langrock, Zoe Steinberg, Cathay Zhao
Special Thanks:
Student Fine Arts Fund MODA Board The Chicago Maroon Front cover photographed by Rachel Reid Back cover photographed by Terence Lee MODA’s Summer 2012 Issue was printed by The Mail House, Inc.
Writers:
Colin Bohan, Amelia Hawkins, Sara Hupp, Fatima Ibrahim, Grace Lin, Sean McClelland, Kathryn Mitchell, Jessica SheftAson, Cassandra Walker
Layout Staff:
Lily Dasso, Sara Hupp, Fatima Ibrahim, Kelsey Reid, Charlotte Smith, Rachel Reid, Caroline Wang, Cathay Zhao
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS As U of C students, we understand that fashion isn’t always a priority around here. It’s not easy to stay fashionfocused when you’ve been in the Reg for 72 hours. But we believe that fashion has the potential to bring some perspective into our hectic lives and force us to pay some extra attention to how we treat ourselves. In our best efforts to help you enjoy the benefits of a fashionable summer, we reached out to some of our favorite voices in the industry and asked for their best styling tips. We even caught up with our fashion-savvy neighbors at SAIC at their annual fashion show! Led by our fantastic style editor, Tara Anantharam, our team of stylists went out to some of Chicago’s most popular stores and asked for a sneak preview of their summer collections. In Princess and the Prints we take a look at Topshop’s most impressive prints, and in White Wash, we showcase Zara’s summer whites. We’ve had a great time putting this issue together and we hope that our new additions to the magazine will help you guys get excited for summer 2012! We’d like to thank everyone who helped out, and especially the Student Fine Arts Fund for giving us the opportunity to print this season. Happy summer! — CAROLINE & RACHEL
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MODA Spring 2012
MODA Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Jordan Larson in White Wash
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MODA Speaks
06 08 10 12
SUMMER PRODUCTS:
Find out how to get perfect summer skin!
OLIVIA PALERMO: The
people and clothing that inspire this fashion icon
SKETCHBOOK: A behind-
VOICES OF CHICAGO FASHION: An interview with two Chicago bloggers
MODA Features
14 16 20 22
Nicole O’Malley, SAIC designer
the-scenes look at Uchicago students’ designs
FRESH PERSPECTIVES:
Coverage of the 78th SAIC Fashion Show
MEETING HABERDASH: Advice from a Chicago Menswear store
INSTYLE WITH HAL RUBENSTEIN: A feature on 100 Unforgetable Dresses
PAINT IT BLACK: The
evolution of the iconic “Little Black Dress”
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MODA Shoots
26 30 34 38 42
PRINCESS AND THE PRINTS: Fun prints from Topshop, perfect for a garden party
PASTELS: Dressing in summer’s softer shades
WHITE WASH: Crisp whites from Zara’s new collection
STAYING NEUTRAL: This season’s tones bring us back to basics
STANDING OUT: Make a statement with bold jewelry
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Our Favorites Rachel’s Picks LUSH’S TURKISH DELIGHT is a body polish that’s handmade using crushed rose petals. Put it on before you shower and you’ll come out smelling like a rose! www.lush. com
ASHLEY MADEKWE Actress-turned-fashionista, Madekwe has become my personal style icon. Every outfit she puts together is classy and coordinated, but nowhere near boring or expected. I check her blog constantly to find great shopping links. www.ashley-ringmybell.blogspot.com
ZARA PUMPS These mint green pumps from Zara are the perfect style and color to go with all the pastels I plan on wearing this summer! I love everything in Zara’s new collection, check it out at www.zara.com
CHLOE FOR KIDS The line of childrenswear puts dress-up back in the adorable hands of those who do it best. This year’s summer collection is filled with tiny jumpers and eensy denim jackets that I wish I could fit into. www.chloe.com
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MODA Speaks
Caroline’s Picks HERRIOTT GRACE a father and daughter duo that create beautifully hand-carved wooden collectibles for the home, not to mention an adorable blog at herriottgrace.com/blog
RUN IN BROOKS Summer, for me, means ditching the treadmills in the gym and running outdoors. With an unfortunate flat feet problem, I suffered from shin splints and other running injuries...until I found Brooks. Comfortable and supportive, these shoes also come in fun colors. Glycerin 9 $130.00
CINEMAGRAM My new favorite app allows users to take a video and animate a small portion of the image. Before we know it, there will be an app for 3-D holograms... HERE COMES THE SUN So it’s time for a new pair of sunnglasses right? Waiting for the Sun Sunglasses’19.G natural lunettes are the perfect neutral color and shape to match any summer wardrobe.
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SUMMER BEAUTY PICKS
From moisturizer to blush, for him or her, check out the favorites of MODA’s executive directors. text by colin bohan and jessica sheft-ason
HER
LOTION: PALMER’S COCOA BUTTER, $9.00
BLUSH: NARS BLUSH SUNSCREEN: SKINin GAIETY, $28.00 CEUTICALS SPF 50, $28.00
NAIL POLISH: ESSIE in ORANGE, IT’S OBVIOUS, $8.00
The best (and cheapest!) moisturizer I own. The sweet scent lasts long on my skin and it’s great for making your tan last longer.
I love the look of a cool-toned pink on tanned skin and this blush adds just the right amount of pink to my cheeks.
A great summer color that stands out from your traditional pinks and corals. I’ll wear this all summer right up until Halloween.
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I love this tinted sunscreen because its liquidy texture literally melts into my skin. It can also double as a primer and has the best UV coverage you can get.
MODA Speaks
HIS
SUNSCREEN: MALIN AND GOETZ SPF 15, $48.00
MOISTURIZER: RAZOR: GILLETTE NIVEA EXPRESS MACH 3 TURBO HYDRATION, $6.99 RAZOR, $10.00
SHAVING FOAM: ALBA FOAM SHAVE ALOE MINT, $7.99
You might not forget to put on sunscreen at the beach, but did you know that day to day UV exposure can be just as damaging? This face moisturizer keeps my skin silky smooth while reducing the risk of fine lines and UV damage.
Make sure your skin is swimsuit ready before you hit the beach. This lotion dries about as fast as you can apply it. It has a very light scent and is great for all skin types.
Keep your shave natural and fresh with this light foam. It keeps my face moisturized, shave after shave.
If you aren’t comfortable with the straight edge razor, you should try this razor. It boasts a close shave, and it should —Gillette spent over $750 million on its development!
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TOPSHOP LAUNCH Olivia Palermo poses with writer Fatima Ibrahim at Palermo’s Topshop Web site launch party in Chicago.
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MODA Speaks
MEET OLIVIA PALERMO The fashion icon shares her style influences on her new Web site. text by fatima ibrahim photography by emma arnold
S
tyle icon Olivia Palermo became a familiar face in fashion while on MTV’s “The City.” She began to emerge as a trendsetter, photographed for magazine covers, editorial spreads and as the face of numerous UK brands. The fashion icon recently launched a blog and Web site, www.oliviapalermo. com. As a fashion outlet, Palermo’s Web site allows her to share the influences she picks up abroad and the style tips she has with her readers. “I’m always on the lookout for inspiration [on my travels] and I love sharing them,” she says. When getting dressed, Palermo does not follow any fashion rules. She wears what she is in the mood for, while ensuring her ensemble is appropriate. “[What’s important is feeling] comfortable in what you wear and then pushing yourself to be a little adventurous too,” she says. At the Chicago Topshop launch party for her Web site, she showed off her adventurous nature by wearing a pair of blue, electric pants and a chunky, black and white sweater. During college, Palermo tended to experiment more with fashion and mixed different styles and trends. “One of the wonderful things about Topshop is that there is something here for everyone,” she says. “You can incorporate their pieces with the items you already have in your closet.” Palermo’s partiality for experimentation
is evident in how she’d style a student for an interview. “[For an interview, I would dress a student] in a great pleated skirt, a turtle neck, beautiful tights and a pair of fantastic heels,” she says. Instead of wearing a full suit, she believes that applicants can combine great pieces to recreate the desired professional look. When it comes to festivities and parties, Palermo uses “individual pieces” to stay true to her love of mixing and matching. For the Chicago Topshop launch party, Palermo created several head-to-toe looks from Topshop’s newest line. Each outfit featured a must-have item with some flair. Palermo says she would finish each styled look with a red lip, a smoky eye and the hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her favorite outfit was a head-to-toe black look with a maroon, velvet bootie for a pop of color. “You can have a velvet shoe for years and it will always look new,” she says. “It will never go out of style or become outdated.” Through her various experiences working in the fashion industry, Palermo has collaborated with many figures who have inspired her. While filming for the MTV reality show,“The City,” Palermo worked with Diane von Furstenberg and as a contributing editor at Elle magazine. Palermo spoke fondly of her experiences with von Furstenberg and praised the incredibly inspiring designer’s business and marketing skills. “She is all about empowering women and supporting each other—two great ideas I love,” she says. MODA Summer 2012
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SKETCHBOOK
I
t’s not every day that student designs are featured on the runway alongside those of established designers and retailers such as Ann Taylor. That, however, was exactly the case at the MODA Spring 2012 Fashion Show, held downtown at Union Station’s Great Hall. We wanted to provide readers with a backstage look at what went into producing the fashion show this year through the designer’s original sketches and inspirations.
FRANCISCA SONDJAJA YEAR IN THE COLLEGE: 3RD YEAR HOMETOWN: JAKARTA, INDONESIA [I started designing] in elementary school, when I was fascinated by the classic 80’s manga about Marie Antoinette, called “Rose of Versailles”. I wanted to make Rococo dresses for my Barbie dolls, but with only minimal hand-sewing skills... I failed miserably. I did not think too much about fashion design for a long time...Eventually I discovered Lolita fashion, which got me started in sewing again, and later, avant-garde street fashion.
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interviews by amelia hawkins and cassandra walker illustrations courtesty of designers MODA Summer 2012
MODA Speaks
MARY ELLA SIMMONS YEAR IN THE COLLEGE: 2ND HOMETOWN: WINTER PARK, FL I’ve been sewing since middle school, when my mom signed me up for a sewing class over the long summer. Designing has been a more recent challenge, and a way to take my sewing to the next level. [For my collection], I was inspired by peacocks, which are the symbol of my hometown and classic old Hollywood design. When the audience viewed my collection, I hope that the words “power” and “glamour” came to mind.
FATIMA IBRAHIM YEAR IN THE COLLEGE: 4TH HOMETOWN: CHICAGO, IL My Spring 2012 collection was inspired by my current tastes in fashion and my exposure to media. Without realizing it, I was inspired by the stewardesses of Pan Am. My designs are true to who I am. Each can be worn by any body and be flattering. Each design is timeless, classic and feminine.
KAITLYN LEE YEAR IN THE COLLEGE: 2ND HOMETOWN: LONGVIEW, WA This year, I was inspired by the ocean and how its many aspects can be evoked through fashion. This also allowed me to play with some recent trends, like the peplum and teal. Designing for MODA is one of those activities where the reward is proportional to the input effort. It’s hard to avoid the last frantic rush to hem this or fix that before the show, or the long nights at the sewing machine between problem sets, but it’s all worth it when you see your work come to life on the runway. MODA Summer 2012
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Gambaccini wears a Proenza Schouler shirt, Rag and Bone pants, Chanel shoes and a Bvlgari watch. Her jewelry includes pieces from Sofia, Possessionista and Nina Nguyen.
VOICES OF CHICAGO FASHION
An Interview with ChiCityfasion and TrèsAwesome text by fatima ibrahim, grace lin & kathryn mitchell photography by charlotte smith
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n the world of fashion, it’s rare to go a day without receiving information, inspiration and insight from a fashion blogger. MODA sat down with wellknown Chicago fashion and streetstyle bloggers, ChiCity Fashion and TrésAwesome and asked them about their work.
MODA Speaks TrèsAwesome MODA: What is TrèsAwesome? EMMA ARNOLD: TrésAwesome is a street
ChiCityFashion
style fashion blog I started as a side project while being an art director during the day. I am obsessed with fashion, designers, photography and personal style, all of which I get to integrate on my blog.
MODA: How did you start ChiCityFashion? JENA GAMBACCINI: I was bored second
M: How did you begin blogging? EA: I was at school at the Art Institute of
M: What’s your favorite thing about the
M: What excites you most about the fashion
semester in college and I started a twitter account. I began tweeting about pieces and how I’d style them. It soon came to the point where 140 characters just wasn’t enough. Someone sent me a direct message suggesting I start a blog and recommended a platform. Chicago fashion scene? JG: I love watching it grow. I started going to events in Chicago after I graduated from college in 2010 and the events keep getting better. There’s great talent popping up.
M: What is the most exciting event that has
resulted from your blog? JG: During New York Fashion Week in September, Tommy Ton took my picture and I love him.
M: What advice do you have for bloggers? JG: You have to stay authentic and be true to yourself. Don’t be too influenced by others and bring something unique to the table.
M: Where do you want to be in 5 years? JG: I like what I’m doing now with my blog
and as the Social Media Coordinator for eDrop-Off. I’m not sure about the future but, I want to be involved in fashion and still be in Chicago.
Chicago for graphic design and had several different jobs including advertising. I started at [the advertising agency] Leo Burnett about 3 years ago, but since that wasn’t fashionoriented I got a DSLR a year later and I started my blog! world? EA: Overall, fashion has become more democratized in the advent of the internet. Now, being an influential member of the fashion world is possible anywhere outside of New York.
M: You’ve worked with the likes of Toms, Michael Kors and TopShop. Which collaboration was most memorable? EA: My work with Topshop was most memorable. I’ve done a lot of photography for them in the past, including taking pictures of Olivia Palermo. [They also featured me as] the Chicago Fashion Insider for their holiday city guide.
M: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
EA: Taking pictures of stylish people and
growing TrèsAwesome … One thing I would love to do is fashion advertising which would meld my interests together! MODA Summer 2012
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DESIGNERS (clockwise from top left) Andrew Cruz, Lana Spodek, Alex Ulichny, Natalie Burton, Compton Quashie, David Cantu, Irene Koan, Ciara Lee Conner, Nicole O’Malley
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MODA Features
FRESH PERSPECTIVES Coverage of the 78th SAIC fashion show text by fatima ibrahim photography by jasmine kwong
C
inderella, the sensibilities of Xray imagery and schizophrenic tendencies were just some of the inspiring ideas behind garments at the 78th annual School of the Art Institute of Chicago fashion show. Amidst the magnificent architecture of Millennium Park, over 300 garments waltzed down the runway creating a spectacle and commanding admiring ooh’s and aah’s. A procession of the sophomore class’ allwhite wear began the show. Architectural designs mixing hard and soft textures set each white on white look apart. The junior and senior class collections followed with a rainbow of colors and beautiful fluidity. An overwhelming number of designs gave a nod towards end-of-world ensembles and futuristic fashions with rugged minimalism and polished neons. Huge stripes, fascinating posterior designs and majestic looks trended from one collection to the next. Fabric choices and elaborate accessories stood out on the runway. Material handknit with large needles and huge fiber made rugged tops and dresses. Braided hair extensions became decorative additions to corseted dresses and were intertwined into headdresses. Sophia Khan’s geometric handbags, swaying beside pieces made from various polka dot prints, popped off the runway. Other
standout accessories included slings, backbags and full face masks. Student jewelry and fashion designer, Nicole O’Malley, was inspired by globalization and different cultures. “I’m half Korean, half Irish, so I feel a connection to a mist of cultures,” she says. Her collection featured her handmade Echo Boomers custom acrylic jewelry and blended fabrics she obtained online from China and India. With aspirations to become “an entrepreneur and create a business for herself ” in fashion and music, O’Malley’s senior collection was a great step in the right direction. From beginning to end, numerous menswear options impressed viewers. While some designs, like a three-layer blazer, were traditional with a slight twist, others, including a masculine sheath dress, were unconventional. Accessories were also prevalent, with pieces like Natalie Burton’s metal and knitwear chain accents. Most menswear was clean, full of interesting asymmetrical cuts, and did not shy away from bold colors. The designs from the remarkable night were created by SAIC’s Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates and more than 40 graduating seniors. This next generation of up-and-coming designers delivered a fresh perspective with impressive cutting-edge designs and bold concepts. MODA Summer 2012
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Phillip WIlliams, Director of Sales at Haberdash, stands outside the store at 607 N. State St. in Chicago.
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MODA Features
MEETING HABERDASH A Chicago menswear store provides insight into enhancing the shopper’s experience. text by sean mcclelland photography by nabila abdel nabi
“
What a guy chooses to carry with him is in itself a form of self-expression,” a sales associate at Haberdash’s EDC store says. Haberdash is a menswear store in Chicago that has capitalized from an increasing interest in tailored menswear clothing in recent years. Style blogs, street-style Tumblrs and fashion magazines have become increasingly central to the lives of many men who, just years ago, went without such a community of like-minded gentlemen. One of the biggest effects of the emergence of this community is the coincided rise of shops dedicated to serving these gentlemen. Old-school haberdasheries that have been around for decades are not the only such stores benefitting from men’s renewed interest in the classic look; modern versions of the classic menswear shop have also gained a considerable foothold. One such shop in Chicago is Haberdash, wherein classic style is deftly blended with newer, seasonal trends to create an aesthetic that is at once modern and solidly grounded in the traditions of decades past. Founded in 2005, Haberdash has recently moved from
Old Town to a spot in River North and has also expanded its offerings by opening a second shop on the same block dedicated to menswear accessories, EDC. Adam Beltzman, the store’s founder, thinks that the impetus for these recent developments in menswear has been twofold. “[Men] can relate better to classic menswear than to trendy or slick fashion,” he says. “It’s familiar and comfortable because they have seen it before, either in pictures of style icons from the past or it was how their dad or grandfather dressed.” As such, any store that wants to appeal to this new male consumer must provide offerings that can legitimately claim to stand the test of time. At the same time, Haberdash has benefitted from the huge rise in men’s style blogs. “[The blogs] provide men with tons of resources to source out style tips, reviews and pictures of new products,” he says. This means that consumers come into the store with a deep knowledge and appreciation for the quality of the wares sold by Beltzman and his crew. At Haberdash, what men look for is a wellMODA Summer 2012
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MODA Features
(clockwise from top left) tie display of Haberdash’s private label; Alden shoes from Haberdash; details of an outfit worn by Haberdash sales associate, Jason Mason.
curated selection of sharp-casual and relaxedtailored jackets and the ability to talk intelligently with sales associates about the clothing they will soon be purchasing. “We’ve seen a rise in tailored clothing—specifically soft constructed jackets,” Beltzman says. Brands like LBM 1911—an Italian line renowned for its soft-shouldered sports coats—have become central to Haberdash’s success. To Beltzman and the Haberdash team, however, it is not simply enough to offer these articles of clothing. Haberdash must also provide the customer with a knowledgeable dialogue about the products. To appeal to the heritage menswear folk (who are centrally interested in recreating the high quality garment construction of years past), stores must be extraordinarily well-versed at the construction, fabric and fit of the articles of clothing they sell. At Haberdash, every guy behind the counter is more than happy to describe the details of the selvedge denim of a pair of Baldwin jeans or the welting process of the store’s selection of Alden wingtip shoes. Associates here will describe in great detail the most useful way to tie a tie (“go for the four-in-hand”), the correct amount of pomade to spread through your hair (“roughly a pinky’s worth”) and the highest number of bracelets a man can wear (“three or four but usually none”).
In effect, it appears as though men have identified classic clothing as a facet of style that transcends time while at the same time being influenced by a vanguard of welldressed men on the Internet. Haberdash has capitalized well on these developments in men’s style. Indeed, Chicago menswear blog icons are some of the most vocal supporters of the store. Bloggers like Ryan Plett (of you_ have_broken_the_internet) have featured Haberdash on their sites. Though, at Haberdash, S/S 2012 may seem similar to S/S 2011, when you look closely at their vision and personality, it’s clear that they’ve been more than capable of keeping up to date with both the minute changes in the “classic” menswear scene and the menswear revolution currently taking place on the blogosphere. Ultimately, Haberdash is pitching to men who have always shied away from trends, but are deeply interested in cultivating their own manner of dress. As far as Beltzman and Haberdash are concerned, “Fashion is a broad term that is more about clothes in general and their relationship to a particular period in time. It is constantly changing as society and the population change. Style on the other hand is personal – it’s more about the wearer. Style is really an individual’s way of putting themselves together. Style is expressing oneself through clothing.”
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INSTYLE WITH HAL RUBENSTEIN The fashion director of InStyle magazine curates 100 iconic dresses in his new book.
text by alexandra mcinnis photography by fatima ibrahim
W
hat is the driving force behind shifting cultural standards of beauty? Hal Rubenstein, the fashion director of InStyle magazine answers, “dresses.” However, his answer is more complex than just a physical gown. In his latest tome, 100 Unforgettable Dresses, he chronicles the most famous (and infamous) dresses in recent history. Rubenstein defines memorable dresses as individual stories with lasting social effects. “[In the book] you see the impact that the dresses had, either on the person who wore them, or on the way it changed how women dress,” Rubenstein says. “If the dress moved the needle in any way, to me it was unforgettable.” It is not just the dress that is noteworthy, but the woman wearing it as well; together they form an image that creates a sensation, challenges our current ideals, and progresses societal standards of beauty. “It really is the right woman in the right dress at the right time,” Rubenstein says. Rubenstein was extremely meticulous in his selection of dresses. He understands the construction of each individual garment (for
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example, Rita Hayworth was really wearing a plastic bodice under that slinky Gilda gown, and the front bow was tacked on to conceal her pregnancy), as well at their specific influence (Elizabeth Taylor’s white dress in A Place in the Sun became the blueprint for every prom dress in the 1960s and 1970s). Rubenstein therefore makes a convincing case that the seemingly simple image of a woman in a striking dress can revolutionize our cultural standards of aesthetics and enable women to redefine how they want to be seen. However, this change does not come easily, as many of the dresses in the book were initially met with harsh criticism, implying a complicated relationship between society and aesthetics. Rubenstein cites red carpet style as an example of clashing ideals. “The problem is that we say that the red carpet, Oscar night, is the biggest fashion show in the world, but that’s really not true,” he says. “The public comes to the red carpet with a preconceived notion of what glamour is, and it’s very much influenced by the movies, which means we want to see sparkle and flow.” Rubenstein cites Tilda Swinton’s oneshouldered black velvet Lanvin gown from
MODA Trends MODA Features
the 2007 Oscars as an example. “At that time people were uncomfortable with asymmetric dressing and she was criticized,” he says. “They said she looked ridiculous...Albert [Elbaz] was going to get fired from Lanvin… but is there any more popular dress designer in the world right now than Albert? The same thing when Nicole Kidman wore the chartreuse Galliano haute couture dress on the red carpet. It’s so amazing, the way people hated that color because they had never seen chartreuse on the red carpet. It was “icky”; it was not a pretty color, you heard all these things, but it raised the whole bar of putting haute couture back on the red carpet, and it basically brought up a whole level of sophistication from then on.” Rubenstein notes that as a designer, pushing the envelope can be frustrating, but it is ultimately rewarding. “It’s the designer’s job not just to give the public what they want, but to give the public what they didn’t even know they wanted,” he says. “The idea is that the new is frightening, but the new is also thrilling.” Although Rubenstein is a proponent of change, he has many consistent views on how
women should dress. For example, he believes that taking full advantage of youthful skin should be a priority when young woman select formal-wear. “Youthful skin is the greatest accessory any woman can ever have and it’s not yours forever,” he says. “No doctor will ever give it to you, no pill you swallow, no cream you buy on the shelf…so don’t hide it. Don’t cover it up; don’t bury it in jewelry and don’t bury it in makeup. Simplicity is key, and just let yourself glow.” According to Rubenstein, women should also maintain perspective and practicality when getting dressed. “The reality is that 99.9% of us never go to the Oscars,” he says. “Wear a dress that you’re going to feel comfortable in for a whole night.” In describing his work at InStyle magazine, Rubenstein says, “you have to truly believe what you put on the page. If you believe in what you put on the page, the reader will believe you.” In 100 Unforgettable Dresses, Rubenstein has printed his personal beliefs of what women should wear through the stories of 100 iconic dress, the same way he adds a personal touch to Instyle magazine. MODA Summer 2012
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ON LENA (this page and pg 24) dress, Modcloth; necklace, Pam Hiram; sunglasses, Joia
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photography by anita to styled by rebecca liu modeled by alexis fowler & lena sparks makeup by victoria huang
MODA Features
PAINT IT BLACK
The evolution of the iconic Little Black Dress text by sara hupp
T
he Rolling Stones ballad “Paint It Black” may not make explicit reference to the quintessential little black dress, but when Mick Jagger croons, “No colors anymore, I want them to turn black,” it certainly captures the essence of the female population’s love affair with the style essential. Often abbreviated as simply LBD, the little black dress has made a permanent mark on the world of fashion for women as that one, universally flattering item that is suitable for almost any occasion. Popularized primarily by the late Coco Chanel, the LBD is a go-to piece for the likes of everyone from Victoria Beckham to the everyday working woman. To achieve its current notoriety, the modern LBD has undergone decades of evolution. One could even call the process Darwinian in nature.Though in constant competition with the other defining trends of each era, the now timeless little black dress continuously underwent natural selection—albeit at the hands of some of fashion’s most prolific designers. Over the years, its shape changed as it adapted to the style environment of the day, yet the LBD, like all species looking to dominate, has retained its defining features: An understated elegance and sophisticated wow-factor. As far back as the 1920s, celebrities and society women donned the little black dress. A longer, handkerchief hem, higher neckline, drop waist, and perhaps most importantly, beaded art deco details set their version of
the frock apart. It was a style that The Great Gatsby’s Daisy very well might have worn to a wild West Egg party. Jumping ahead to the mid-1950s through the 1960s, iconic figures ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn brought the little black dress to the forefront of pop culture. Hepburn’s Hubert de Givenchy LBD, which she wears with black sunglasses and double-stranded pearls as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffanys, has been immortalized in the pop art works of Andy Warhol. Karl Lagerfeld of the House of Chanel gave the little black dress its classy oomph back in the 1980s. Over the years, Lagerfeld would continue to modernize the classic little black dress as one of high fashion’s most iconic designers. The 1990s and 2000s saw a host of styles, from absolutely edgy to downright demure. Icons from across the globe—think of the late Princess Diana, current First Lady Michelle Obama, and fashion tycoon Heidi Klum— graced the glossy pages of magazines, wearing various versions of the little black dress. Such celebrities may be the public faces of the LBD, but just as important are the innumerable women who turn to the little black dress for occasions ranging from Sunday brunch to office parties to formal soirees. When slipping on a little black dress, it is as if the stylishness of its decades of development is suddenly transferred into one person, making her the epitome of class and fashion. MODA Summer 2012
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ON ALEXIS (this page) dress & belt, H&M; necklace, Modcloth; bracelet, Charlotte Russe MODA Summer 2012
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ON BETHANY swan print skirt $68 lattice sleeve blouse $98 lioness blonde wood sandals $170 black leather pushlock satchel $170, Topshop
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THE PRINCESS AND THE PRINTS
photography by terence lee styled by lauren kelly-jones, nerjada maksutaj & cathay zhao modeled by bethany fixsen & naomi mine makeup by victoria huang MODA Summer 2012
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ON NAOMI sleeveless drape front top $60 morphed tribal shorts $70, Topshop; bandeau, Vintage
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ON BETHANY vectra studded slippers $56 wrap jersey maxi dress $76, Topshop
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P astels
photography by zoe steinberg styled by felicia harris modeled by erica fagin & ann li makeup by zoe steinberg
ON ERICA crop top, American Apparel; black leather skirt, Forever 21
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ON ANN tank, Rory Rebecca; short, Delia’s
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white wash
photography by rachel reid
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styled by ann li
modeled by jordan larson
MODA 2012 MODASummer Spring 2011
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MODA Summer 2012
ON JORDAN shirt & shorts, American Apparel
blazer, Zara
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Staying Neutral MODELS felicia harris & maggie zhang PHOTOGRAPHY charlotte smith MAKEUP zoe steinberg STYLIST nina coomes
ON MAGGIE skirt, AKIRA; bandeau, Aritzia; scarf, Lush
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MODA Summer Spring 2011 2012
ON MAGGIE (left) wrap, skirt, bandeau & belt, Salvation Army ON FELICIA dress, vintage; wrap shirt, AKIRA
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STANDING OUT
make a statement this summer with crystals, pearls and tribal jewlery photography by anita to styled by lyn han modeled by coral dabarera & lyda harris makeup by victoria huang
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MODA Summer 2012
ON LYDA (opposite page): gold floral necklace, Club Monaco; pearl necklace, Forever 21; earring, H&M ON CORAL (this page): hair piece and earrings, vintage from singapore
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