Fashion

Pimp My Cane

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:17:38 +0000

We may associate canes with old age and physical decline, but 150 years ago the cane held a much more dashing and flamboyant place among the fashionable elite. Wildly decorated and splendidly diverse, canes were associated with prestige, power, and youth, and were extremely trendy. The demand for canes made of allspice wood nearly drove the West Indian trees into extinction. Here to discuss the 19th century version of twenty-two inch rims is Wayne Curtis, a freelance journalist who has written for The Atlantic, Preservation, and Down East magazines. We found his recent article, “Pimp My Walk” on The Smart Set blog.

High Heels Are Sexy and Other "No Duh" Research

Virginia Prescott and Alison Kuzmickas and alis — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:18:38 +0000

The high heel—ever the fashion accessory—has always attracted attention. Turns out (insert astonishment here) that they make the wearer more attractive and more feminine.

In honor of this not quite surprising research, here are our top scientific no-brainers inspired by the Ig Nobel prizes for thoughtful, humorous and sometimes absurd research.

Word of Mouth 11.24.2012

Virginia Prescott — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Part 1: The Awesomeness of Procrastination/Fashion Trucks

I'd like a Burrito and a New Wardrobe Please

Virginia Prescott — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:03:31 +0000

The fashion world runs on new trends and we discovered one that’s a little more practical than 5-inch heels – fashion trucks. Like the fleets of food trucks now selling everything from gourmet tacos to artisanal soft serve, ‘fashion trucks’ capitalize on the ability to move to where their customers are. Producer Britta Conroy-Randall visited a mobile boutique for a peek at what could be the next big thing in the fast-moving fashion industry.

Today's Hunters of Tomorrow's Cool

Britta Conroy-Randall — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:57:47 +0000

We meet the people who are deciding what the next wave of trends will be.

Word of Mouth 05.26.2012

Virginia Prescott — Sat, 26 May 2012 03:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Trophy Wives/Old Lady Style

In those gin-soaked days of yesteryear, a beautiful woman on the arm was an executive’s secret weapon for landing the deal. A young knock-out by your side signaled power, style, and proof that you had it all. Just ask all those Mad Men...That was then.

Style for the Ages (and the Aged!)

Virginia Prescott — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:42:11 +0000

While being advanced in years tends to signal the decrease in fashion forward thinking, this is not always the case.

Fashion Week 2012: Coats Make A Comeback

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:01:00 +0000

New York Fashion Week may be coming to a close on Thursday, but a cycle of fashion shows in cities around the world is just about to begin. Fashion editors and store buyers will descend upon London, Milan and Paris to inspect clothes that may appear in stores next fall. Sally Singer — editor-in-chief of T: The New York Times Style Magazine — is one of those tastemaking jet-setters, and she joins NPR's Renee Montagne to talk about 2012's trends.

"Already we see a proliferation of great coats," Singer says.

Cheap Chic: Couture Comes To Discount Retailers

Asma Khalid — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:01:00 +0000

On Feb. 5, fashion designer Jason Wu is launching a limited-edition line for Target. Wu became famous for designing Michelle Obama's inaugural gown. He's the latest high-end designer to partner with a mainstream retailer and offer his chic couture at cheap prices for the masses.

On a bitterly cold morning in Washington, D.C., last November, hundreds of fashionistas flooded the street in front of the low-priced fashion chain H&M. Italian luxury label Versace was launching a collection there, and customers were waiting for the doors to open.

Customers swarmed the store.

Eco Fashion

Sybil Gelin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:00:00 +0000