bunny BISOUS

"Karl" and I Discuss His Latest Chanel Haute Couture Collection... Again

In my most recent seasonal PAPER Magazine post-Chanel Haute Couture tête-à-tête with "Karl" of the uproarious cult read in fashion circles -– Karl Lagerfeld's Guide to Life (recall his quite hilarious take on the masterfully cut, entirely black-and-white Spring 2009 Chanel couture collaboration with Japanese hairstylist/milliner Katsuya Kamo) –- Karl discusses his Fall 2009 HC presentation presented this week in Paris, expounding on his innate glove-wearing kinship with Michael Jackson and the rather grave importance of plush sofas.
Read our entire chit-chat at my PAPERMAG Fashion Schmashion column here.

Related:

• Fake Karl Returns to Discuss His Fall 2009 Haute Couture Collection [PAPERMAG]

• "Karl" and I Tweet the Intricacies of a Chanel Treehouse [Karl Lagerfeld's Guide to Life]

• Fake Karl Returns to Discuss His Upcoming Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld & Chanel Collections [PAPERMAG]

• Fake Karl Discusses His Spring 2009 Haute Couture Collection [PAPERMAG]

• Interview with Julia on the Fall 2009 Couture Collection [Karl Lagerfeld's Guide to Life]

bB,
ox jf

Street Peeper Anniversary Picks: Julia Frakes of PAPER Magazine

Phil Oh – my dear friend and the photographic mastermind behind the worldwide fashion sensation StreetPeeper – recently invited me to partake in the "StreetPeeper Picks" series and select my absolute best-loved streetstyle photographs in honor of the acclaimed website’s anniversary.

No doubt flattered at the opportunity, I had such a hoot picking my preferred togs and chronicling why I nominated them that I felt compelled to pass along the lighthearted bit: it was originally published at http://streetpeeper.com/fashion-hot/street-peeper-picks-julia-frakes-paper-magazine and is duly replicated below.

Which ensembles strike your fancy?

Paisley, polka-dots and plaid? As an earnest Woody Allen fan, it's no wonder that I'm head-over-heels for Fay's zany modern-day take on Annie Hall's signature menswear-tinged aesthetic! This intricately layered, flawlessly accessorized ensemble is at perfect balance: the hard-core matching grommets and metalwork (on dusty rose vest, skinny Western belt, rustic hardy boots) are consummately juxtaposed against the decidedly dainty ankle socks and ladylike pleated pants. [full-size]

I'm dazzled by Alfhild's distinct take on such iconic, patently-Prada pants (S/S 2008). With her Peter Pan collar, Peggy Guggenheim glasses, and peek-a-boo belt, she rather magically managed to transform such distinctly off-the-runway Art Nouveau-cum-Biba bell bottoms from an ethereal, instantly recognizable "Trembled Blossoms" impracticality into a striking base for a warm outfit of the quirkiest proportions. Check mate! [full-size]

I'm supremely smitten with her endearing sense of wit – olde-worlde Victorian boots, handmade floral shorts, an umbrella necklace, and a timeless Chanel tote – all rather legendarily capped off with a hefty bear hat from Paddy's Markets! Majorly prolific in her fairy-tale irony. [full-size]

Yoon's innate sense of transparency and perceptive proficiency of textures is something to be envied. Her command of the subtleties of both coloration and fabrication is sublimely cultivated – the silk Chloé top's girlish frills lend an air of innocence to an otherwise slinky set of separates (daring desert sand fishnets atop charming beige bloomers). Her 'fro and friend are rocking to boot! [full-size]

Gloria Baume's composition here is most in keeping with the mode in which I personally dress on a day-to-day basis. I especially admire her fresh, offbeat mingling of textiles – the immaculate melding of a brawny plaid button-down blouse with Miuccia's magnificently regal Miu Miu brocade skirt is further accentuated by twee floral socks, Marc's sought-after carnelian boots, and a scarlet Chloé bag (all of expertly coordinating tones). Indispensable thermal leggings, a quintessential bole belt, and a simple staple denim jacket serve as the perfect foils to an otherwise intricate ensemble. [full-size]

Oh golly, Miss Molly! Isn't she utterly delightful from head to toe? Donning mightily versatile togs, she puts her best foot forward in spunky cerise shoes and Isabelline socks. A nonpareil pair of Yale blue high-wasted jeans and a fundamentally unfussy grey single-breasted top coat aptly set off a vibrant blouse abloom with charisma and derring-do. Topped off by enchanting tortoiseshell spectacles and a cutesy purse charm... her magnetism is irresistible! [full-size]

Talk about moxielicious! Layering for the elements has proven to be anything but a personality impediment for this lovably madcap sprite. A cozy cyan Faroese lace shawl swathes a billowing, puffy parka in a Peter Pilotto-esque pattern. Her pixie persona is played up by elfin pointed mary-janes, a braided hairpiece à la Natasha Kahn, and fetchingly flecked cheeks (not entirely unlike Shirley Temple or Joanna Newsom). One can only wonder what treasures lie tucked inside her winsome white Western pouch and shopping bag ostensibly burstling with freshly ferreted-out vintage finds! [full-size]

With a perspicacious eye for concomitantly eccentric and posh pieces, Ronx is indubitably the crackerjack color coordinator. The fiercest of felt coats serves as the focal point of her swank regalia boasting hues that harmonize to the hilt. Her shirt and sherbet tartan coat's superficially at-odds plaids in sooth compliment each other inimitably; set off by veritably matching azure sunglasses, sack, and stovepipe jeans... as per usual, Ronx is right on the money. [full-size]

Tomo's winning getup relies almost exclusively on the sparkling wit of bit details. An unpretentious yet fastidiously-crafted white Lad Musician shirt is a relaxed relief from his proper suspenders and form-fitting, charmingly cuffed April 77 jeans. My heart set a'flutter upon perceiving his playful collocation of straightforward black and white shades (checkerboard socks, striking CA4LA bowler hat, tidy lace-ups) against a markedly quirky Palos Verdes Blue butterfly necklace and an old school camera bag (in the most literal of terms). [full-size]

I don't think it is actually possible not to have a ball whooping it up in this crackerjack ensemble! I'm rather bright-eyed and bushy-bunnytailed for her jaunty Jean-Charles de Castelbajac top flanked by the blithest of smiley face epaulets! Her exuberant more-is-more approach is positively enlivening – spotlighted by necklaces aplenty (an ebullient Trojan Horse to the fore), a fanciful diagonally-striped sequined skirt fit for Studio 54, and crazy-cool contrast-leg B&W tights. Nonetheless the opulent razzamatazz is refreshingly offset by a manifestly easy-breezy Mia Farrow pixie coif, no-frills Repetto Zizi Femme lace-ups, and a carefree attitude (sans makeup). This is one cute lassie with whom anyone would want to hit the town! [full-size]

bunny BISOUS,
ox jules

Related:

• ViVi Magazine (p. 59, July 2009 issue) surprise MagStyle scan: [bunnyBISOUS tweet]

• Tipping my hat to Phil in New York [StreetPeeper]

• Phil found me hastily hopping to Sharon Wauchob in Paris [StreetPeeper]

As Requested: the Wardrobe Credits from SPUR and GINZA Magazine Self-Styled Features [in English]

SPUR Magazine:


details/style credits:
 
dress: Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld
flapper cameo pin: vintage Leah Stein
Eiffel Tower heels: Yves Saint Laurent
prescription eyeglasses: Tom Ford
bunny bracelets: Stella McCartney
vintage purse: Chanel
keychain: Hello Kitty (disguised as a cow)


dress: Sari Gueron
seahorse, pirate ship, and dried flower necklaces: vintage from Screaming Mimi's
cherry clutch: Stella McCartney
floral scarf (worn as bonnet): Missoni
pin: Charles Anastase
shoes: vintage Salvatore Ferragamo
floral bracelets: vintage
beige bracelet: Hermès


Scottish crest: vintage
fish necklace: vintage from Screaming Mimi's
dress, sweater, shoes and clutch: all Stella McCartney

GINZA Magazine:

[upper-left]
dress: Chimala from Pas de Deux
Oxford shirt: Boy by Band of Outsiders
prescription eyeglasses: Persol
espadrille wedges: Prada
[lower-right]
dress: Proenza Schouler
vegan patchwork sac: vintage Chanel
cherry heels: Stella McCartney
denim jacket: Charles Anastase
necklace: vintage

details/style credits:

dress: vintage See by Chloé
seahorse necklace: from Screaming Mimi's
shoes: vintage Stella McCartney
hat: Rag & Bone
canvas tote: Chanel
cardigan: Rachel Comey


dress: Peter Pilotto
vest: Boy by Band of Outsiders
hairpiece: bespoke from Screaming Mimi's
necklace: vintage from New Laundry, Scranton PA
cat in bucket pin: vintage from Fabulous Fanny's
shoes: Stella McCartney


dress: Rag & Bone
hat: Maison Michel
prescription eyeglasses: vintage from Fabulous Fanny's
bumblebee pin, purse, necklace: all vintage from Screaming Mimi's


tribal skirt: Suno from Opening Ceremony
shirt: Comme des Garçons
fish necklace: vintage from Screaming Mimi's
sailing-boat heels: Stella McCartney
hat: Rag & Bone
handmade teddy bear and elephant: Judy Geagley

Related:

• Fresh Talk: Julia Frakes by Jenna Fain [The Supermelon]

• About Last Night... Berlin Book Signing with Julian Schnabel & Lou Reed at Steven Kasher Gallery [PAPERMAG Fashion Schmashion]

Featured at PAPERMAG: Spring Cleaning & Shop Talk with...

Bunny hop over to PAPER for a few chipper articles Spring Cleaning with...

Aya Kanai, Teen Vogue

Chrissie Miller, Sophomore

Bonnie Morrison

Timo Weiland, Timo.

Anna Sheffield, Bing Bang

Rachel Antonoff

Sarma Melngailis, Pure Food and Wine

Emily Current, CURRENT/ELLIOTT

As well as a trickle of tête-à-têtes with cutest cats in the quintessential NYC retail establishments in Shop Talk with...

Meghan Farrell, Opening Ceremony

Rocky Banks, Screaming Mimi's

Rachel Kichler, Rag & Bone

Sue Goodlow, Prada [Fifth Avenue]

Chelsey Grygorcewicz, One Lucky Duck

Amy Sall, Pas de Deux

bB, Jules

Related:

• The Supermelon talks shop with Julia Frakes [Teen Vogue]

• WILLIAM YAN Profile Project: an interview with Julia Frakes [williamyan.com]

• Julia Frakes tipping her hat [streetpeeper]

NYLON Japan June 2009: Best-Loved NYC Boutiques | Surprise Lissy Trullie Cameo

NYLON Japan June 2009 via MagStyle

Pas de Deux
Owned by the brilliant partners Eddy Chai and Paul Birardi – who have single-handedly revolutionized E. 11th Street into an East Village retail retreat as proprietors of the preeminent men's store, Odin (as well as the groundbreaking pop-up concept shop, Den) – Pas de Deux is an elegant and enchanting emporium that is carefully curated to fit its polished, petite quarters. Staffed by the most ebullient and accommodating salespeople in retail, Pas de Deux is a chic must-visit for rare collections like Chimala, Coming Soon by Yohji Yamamoto, FWK by Engineered Garments, Repetto, and Coventry by Matthew Terry – alongside a hand-picked selection of the best from my favored Boy by Band of Outsiders, Karen Walker and Rag & Bone collections. 328 E. 11th St. New York, NY 10003 (212) 475-0075

Opening Ceremony
Without a doubt, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim have the most enterprising, innovative, and pioneering vision in retail today. It has been an honor to better get to know Humberto while I was with Chloë Sevigny shooting her Fall 2009 lookbook in Brooklyn (for her unisex collection in collaboration with Opening Ceremony); he is a revolutionary gentleman who has garnered an unprecedented assemblage boasting the likes of Bernhard Willhelm, Proenza Schouler, Schiesser Revival, Hussein Chalayan, Marios Schwab, Alexandre Herchcovitch, G.V.G.V., Jeremy Scott, Meadham Kirchoff. and their cult-venerated eponymous label – as well as my all-time favorites: Charles Anastase, Peter Pilotto, Tsumori Chisato and Rodarte! Until the eagerly awaited opening of their first international store in Tokyo, if you're in New York be sure to request their brilliant salesperson Meghan Farrell at OC: she is incredibly knowledgeable and obliging when navigating their unrivaled selection (including vintage wares) and exclusive, cooler-than-thou collaborations. 35 Howard St. New York, NY 10013 (212) 219-2688

Otte (West Village location)
Otte is a delightfully curated little boutique that carries many sought-after feminine labels that are otherwise quite rare to come by in America – including my beloved Sonia Rykiel, Vanessa Bruno, Burfitt, Catherine Holstein, Seneca Rising, and Ulla Johnson lines. My favorite Otte location is in their West Village storefront just across the street from the enchantingly twee British tearoom, Tea & Sympathy. 121 Greenwich Ave., New York, NY 10014 (212) 229-9424

OAK (Manhattan location)
Always cutting-edge, Oak is a downtown punk oasis situated on a treasured rarity in Manhattan: the cobblestone road that is Bond Street. As the ultimate destination for avant-garde leggings, superbly skinny trousers, and architecturally intriguing volumes, Oak tends to attract an unpretentious, progressive Alex Wang-esque crowd with labels like Obesity and Speed, Horace, Don the Verb, and Ilse Jacobson. 28 Bond St. New York, NY 10012 (212) 677-1293

Mick Margo
Nestled in the historic West Village on the picturesque Commerce Street, Mick Margo's airy, light-filled boutique retains the best selection of Isabel Marant in Manhattan. I usually peruse their comely selection of antique jewelry and easy, dainty basics after wandering around Christopher Street (bursting with gems like Aedes de Venustas perfumery, McNulty's Tea & Coffee Co., Rag & Bone's flagship, and just mere blocks away from my favorite bookshops – Three Lives & Co. on the corner of Waverly Place and W. 10th St. and Left Bank Books on W. 4th St. near Bank St.). Don't forget to ferret out their Chronicles of Never sunglasses and stock up on their impressive selection of supremely supple and cozy environmentally-friendly ecowares by Araks, Royalton, and Organic by John Patrick. 19 Commerce St. New York, NY 10014 (212) 463-0515

bB, jf

Lissy Trullie "Boy Boy" directed by Cass Bird

featuring Chrissie Miller, Chloë Sevigny...and even yours truly makes a few cameos (2:12, 3:00)
hint: a hoisted crowdsurfing bunny donning the same Rag & Bone hat as above NYLON scan

Related:

• Julia Frakes StyleSetter interview conducted by Elizabeth Monson [StyleCaster]

• Vogue Nippon spots a bunny during Mercedes-Benz NY Fashion Week [vogue.co.jp]

• Hehe... sent to me by M: bunny BISOUS Conspiracy Theories [The Clothes Horse]

• Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld presents three photographers [New York Magazine]

• Caught outside Lanvin F/W '09 by ELLE Japon in Paris [elle.co.jp]

• On my BFF Rachel Antonoff's lookbook set with Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alia Shawkat [Teen Vogue]

Field Trip! Bunny Hop to PAPERMAG.COM for my Ongoing Fashion Month Down-Low

My Pre-Fendi Chit-Chat with "Karl Lagerfeld" [PAPERMAG]

images via Chantale Nadeau

My Quick Chit-Chat with Calvin Klein Exclusive (and bunny amie via my dear friend, the talented photographer Owen Bruce) Addison Gill [PAPERMAG]

My Quick Backstage Narciso Chit-Chat with Charlotte Høyer [PAPERMAG]

My sincerest of apologies for the lack of bunny BISOUS exclusive postings as of late! While I cannot reveal very much quite yet – as per various contractual things way beyond my realm of understanding – I've been quite a busy bunny! Stay tuned for in-depth behind-the-scenes action when I arrive back home to New York après Paris A/H 2009-2010 Prêt-à-Porter. In the meantime, be sure to check my twitter and PAPERMAG column for the latest daily fashion schmashion! As always, thank you kindly...

bunny BISOUS,

ox jules

Bunny Fash-Chat Live (not quite from) the Red Carpet

Join the fashion confab with surprise cameo chatters galore! 

See you at 6 pm EST –

bunny BISOUS,

ox jules

Field Trip! Bunny Hop to PAPERMAG for My Ongoing Fashion Week Down-Low

 My Quick, Mid-Casting Chit-Chat with Katie Fogarty [PAPERMAG]

photo via Supreme Beings at Paul Rowland's Transformations exhibition
My Quick Pre-Show Chit-Chat with Designer Jeremy Laing [PAPERMAG]

Douglas Pernet's Quick Chit-Chat with Some Cool Cats – somehow your bunny snuck in there – at Transformations [Confessions of a Casting Director]

  My Quick, Mid-Castings Chit-Chat with Constance Jablonski [PAPERMAG]

Vlada Débuts her New Red Hue [PAPERMAG]

  My Quick, Backstage Chit-Chat with Burberry It-Girl Alexina Graham [PAPERMAG]

Related:

• Julia Frakes is Cool, Calm, and Collected at threeASFOUR [Teen Vogue]
  

• Once Perennially Late, Now Always on Time – Jacobs Makes a Statement (a.k.a. I have the funniest editor ever, Mickey Boardman) [The Cut]

• First Glimpse: Jeremy Laing Fall '09 [Fashionista]

• Bloggers Unite! Teen Voguers, Fashionista and bunny BISOUS Cover Costello Tagliapietra [Teen Vogue]

• At the Tents: Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist) Spots a Bunny at the Ready-to-Wear Shows [Style.com]

• 6119 Ilana Sunderland's Designs Make You Look Red Hot and Feel Naked! [Refinery 29]

bunny BISOUS,
ox jules

Une Ode à La Mariée | A Crowning Moment: Backstage Princess Bride Diaries

Legendary hairstylist Odile Gilbert crowns Lacroix's "La Mariée" Vlada at the Centre Pompidou

Subsequent to Pascal – my ultra-altruistic "chauffeur extraordinaire" (he surprised me at Charles de Gaulle with the most delightful Parisian cat book and later Ladurée macaroons to tote home for my roommate Elana) – proffering my super warmhearted and loyal Norweigan mate Siri Tollerød and the always ebullient Aussie Skye Stracke an entertaining lift from the Chanel presentation on rue Cambon to the Christian Lacroix show at the Centre Pompidou, I tarried backstage with some familiar faces and old friends. 

After catching up with Heidi Mount and Ellen von Unwerth, I settled at "coiffure" with the brilliant and witty Odile Gilbert, where I chatted with the lovely Tanya Dziahileva (snug as a bunny in the most charming striped Sonia Rykiel cardigan... more on our adventures later) and Lacroix's third-time bride-to-be Vlada Roslyakova. 

Vlada – who attained the throne as Lacroix's "La Mariée" when fellow doll-faced belle Lily Cole bowed out of Couture runway in July 2007 – revealed that she was keen on how the strawberry blonde rinse applied for an upcoming Christian Lacroix video campaign (details originally reported at PAPERMAG, thanks to Women Management's James Tinnelly's kind missives) began to fade into the most fetching reddish-flaxen. Just as the backstage photographers and video cameramen had vacated the scene and made their way to the wardrobe chambre, I suddenly beheld "the crowning moment" [above]. 

Originally assuming that I was in sooth a model awaiting maquillage (flatteringly jesting that "Kate Moss was short too, you know"), Odile apprised to me that the gleaming wedding tiara was akin to her antique Russian coronet collection. She promptly added that her assemblage is predominantly composed of costume-jeweled crowns – "or else I wouldn't be here toiling away backstage" she quipped. I would have to beg otherwise considering that just three hours later at Colette I spotted Odile's eponymous in-demand line of sleek hairpins when I hastily snapped up a grey Lanvin ribbon motif pearl necklace and a straw Maison Michel hat [video] with Liberty print ditzy floral trim [photo].

As the industry's chicest coiffeuse (scope out her portrait here lensed by Karl Lagerfeld), Odile's gravity-defying 'dos include Kirsten Dunst in Marie Antoinette and the notoriously innovative hairstyles at Rodarte, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Bottega Veneta, and Nina Ricci: so it's only fitting that the French Minister of Culture and Communications recently bestowed Odile with the medallion of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres. 

But for the love of transformative coifs... please don't stray from the backstage! 

bunny BISOUS,

ox jf

• Related: The History of Model Bags Explained: Backstage at Haute Couture Week [PAPERMAG] 

• Related: Top Fashion Hairstylist Odile Gilbert [Teen Vogue]   

• Related: Fêting Odile's fellow recipient of the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, The New York Times' Bill Cunningham at Bergdorf Goodman [Guest of a Guest]

• Link: Check out photos that I snapped at the intimate Chanel HC presentation at Pavillon Cambon Capucines (and noticable lack of quality compared to Mark's handiwork) after running into Patti Wilson and Rose Apodaca [The Cobrasnake]

Elle Japon February 2009 | New York Wardrobe Special

What an honor to be featured in the new February issue of ELLE Japon's Closet Confidential (other wardrobe/flat write-ups include Margherita Missoni, Mary Fellowes and Natasha Royt). It's always a delightful experience to collaborate with both the ELLE Japon and winsome ELLE Girl teams; moreover working with the ever-so-elegant Makiko Monji was an absolute dream. Not to mention garnering the opportunity to meet designers Mikhael Kale and Akiko Ogawa was an unforeseen lagniappe! 

As per usual, my ragdoll cat Daisy insisted on making a few inevitably adorable cameos (word has it she even manages to make a little appearance in an upcoming Teen Vogue as well)! The most sincere of thanks to Taiwan's favorite fashion blog MAGSTYLE for sending along the pristine scans; I generally tend to demur from posting profuse photos of myself – there are no doubt copious other talented bloggers more-than-willing to oblige – so many apologies for the deviation!

bunny BISOUS,

ox jf

• Link: ELLE WARDROBE SPECIAL – Julia Frakes [MAGSTYLE Taiwan] 

• Related: Out on the Town with Margherita Missoni by Mickey Boardman [PAPERMAG] 

• Related: Of Big Macs, Twillies and Teen Vogue [bunny BISOUS]

Battle of the Suits: Tom vs. Thom Ensues...

Tom Ford [left] and Thom Browne [right] contrast their trademark tuxedo tailoring

Among the more sparkling revelations of Tom Ford's Rules of Style feature in the new January Details, the designer mogul/film director/luminary of luxury less-than-crypticly divulges: "I hate the trend of short suit jackets. When a man’s butt is showing below the bottom of his jacket, I think it makes him look like a female flight attendant from the back— not my idea of sexy." 

His collocated Bergdorf Goodman Men's second and third floor showdown with fellow American suitor Thom Browne may in fact serve as a microcosm of a greater vying over the definition of masculinity in the twenty-first century luxe market – and as such, a gallant battleground of sorts over whose modern cut will reign supreme in the sartorial propinquity. Although their rivalry over disparate design ideologies will suitably remain as gentlemanly as the made-to-order maestros themselves, when Mr. Browne was asked whether he would indeed triumph in a fist-to-cuffs fight with Mr. Ford, he famously boasted: "I'm a stubborn Irishman, so I'd probably win." 

While his Central Park jogs (famously sporting his signature shrunken silhouette on every run) may help maintain his tiny physique, Thom's runway pursuits of the tennis leitmotif have done little to convince Suzy Menkes of his diminutive dissertation on crisp American menswear with his hallmark hoisted-up schoolboy proportions. Madame Menkes – who recently toured Tom Ford's new Milan menswear maison [below] – strayed from her usual propriety when describing what her fellow International Herald Tribune/New York Times fashion reporter Eric Wilson had just praised [above] by proclaiming Browne's Spring 2009 presentation as "a shriek for a shrink [rather] than a coherent vision of a new man with a newly filled closet." She asserted that he failed to properly infuse his trademark tailoring into his cuts at Brooks Brothers, instead lavishing on overly-literal, frivolous Roger Federer-inspired togs. Match point.

bB,

Julia

• Related: Karl Lagerfeld adores Tom Ford and his goods (erm, clothes): video interview with Kate Betts

Bunny Elf's Holiday Countdown: Luella X Linda Farrow Vintage Geek Glasses Online!

Luella Bartley and Linda Farrow's sought-after S/S 2008 collaboration square frame spectacles are finally available sur l'internet! The cult geek-chic lenses responsible for revamping Olga Sherer and Masha T. into lovably quirky Brit schoolgirls – an aesthetic no doubt brought to the fore by the season of yore's delicate-Liberty-printed-belle-cum-comic-book-nerd-meets-punky-Doc-Martin-spirit – are at long last procurable at Feathers London.

Want to see more of your bunny's gift picks? Be sure to procure the new December 2008/January 2009 Solange-fronted issue of Paper Magazine; I contributed to "The Best Holiday Gift Guide in the World" [pages 96-103]:

bunny BISOUS,
ox Julia

Related: Runway Report from London: Luella S/S 2009 [PAPERMAG Fashion Schmashion]

Tod's to Tap Lam for Couture Endeavor?

Rumor has it that Gwyneth-fronted Italian leather goods and shoe label Tod's is laying the groundwork for a potential couture accessories and footwear launch to coincide with the upcoming Paris Haute Couture Week in January 2009. As for whether or not Derek Lam – Tod's creative mastermind and all-around cutie (he was such a gent at his intimate Parisian cocktail party [pictured, above] to fête his eponymous collection that debuted during New York's Spring/Summer 2009 Fashion Week) – is set to design the professed ultra-luxe pieces is still nebulous... though distinctly foreseeable according to industry insiders.

 

After a long day of Paris showhopping, I headed to the Derek Lam cocktail presentation with brazilliant stylists Patti Wilson and Christine de Lassus where we had a nosh and reunited with Mr. Mickey. After catching up with a few lovely model amies, meeting the super fun Elle Japon team – speaking of which, your bunny truly makes a wee style cameo in this December's issue with a full-blown feature interview and spread (shot at my apartment) to come this Spring – as well as with my idols, Marylou Luther of the Fashion Group and Bill Cunningham of The New York Times just prior to their decoration ceremony: Marylou was awarded the Chevalier dans l'Ordre National des Arts et Lettres and Bill the Officier dans l'Ordre National des Arts et Lettres. 

More of my snapshots here.

bunny BISOUS,

ox jules

Of Big Macs, Twillies and Teen Vogue

Teen Vogue  senior fashion editor Aya Kanai at her childhood home on The Selby

Oh golly! Apologies abound... I have been bunny hopping quite a bit and just now finally gained access to a (semi-reliable) internet source! It's the little things in life...

As The Transom pointed out in The New York Observer, I have quite a propensity for donning "a ribbon in her strawberry blond hair every day"; but truth be told, said ribbons are ofttimes vintage Hermès scarves – more specifically, twillies! 

Like my beloved Bryanboy, I too have been force-fed The Economist's Big Mac Index [glance through the current index here] as a kit and find his intriguing, no doubt laborious Twilly Index disquietingly thought-provoking (though not entirely surprising). The middle-of-the-range price point of a Russian Big Mac compared to the staggeringly steep Moscow Twilly strikes me as a particularly telling juxtaposition.

This disparity was the keystone of my musings during an unforeseen journey to Pennsylvania – one that I literally embarked upon twenty minutes after a magical madcap photoshoot in my New York City apartment for an upcoming feature in the March issue of Teen Vogue.

Speaking of which, super chill and über accomplished photographer Alex Hoerner may well be the next Doctor Dolittle! It was pretty sagacious how he "persuaded" my rediculously lazy ragdoll cat Daisy to pose prettily perched in uncannily adorable positions throughout the shoot. I wonder what she'll think of her Teen Vogue debut? Meow.

It was such a pleasure to work with one of my favorite stylists, the brilliantly talented and funloving Aya Kanai! In a fresh, bold, admittedly unorthodox move, the entire production was styled exclusively with my own wares in lieu of the standard fetching of spring samples. It was supremely inspiring to observe someone else's unique take on my clothes – especially how she mixed and matched garments that I had long since been "retired" (or rather, wrongly so). 

Check out Tom Selby's touching shots of Aya and her father, Kiyoshi at her childhood home in Manhattan [at top and below]:

The Selby

Thanks again to the entire crew for such a marvelous experience!

bunny BISOUS,

ox jf

Your Bunny Hops Around Chelsea with TurnedOut Style Report

I recently had the distinct pleasure of meeting the ravishing and talented Maya Villiger (read a bit about her genius here) for a fun feature on TurnedOut.tv. Here are the results:

Julia Frakes – Art History and Journalism student at The New School, bunny BISOUS blogger, Paper Magazine fashion contributor and all-round absolute sweetheart. On my most recent trip to NY we took a chilly stroll around Chelsea, the Manhattan neighborhood she calls home, snapped a few photos and chatted about what she is up to at the moment.

I'm listening to FM Belfast, Roland Kirk, Jim Noir, Vashti Bunyan, The Chap, Hercules and Love Affair, Detektivbyrån, and James Pants.

I'm buying cozy items to stay warm like Bernhard Willhelm scarves, cruelty-free Marni rainboots, Lindsey Thornburg cloaks, Stephen Jones hats, Hansel from Basel socks, and Luella's Eastwick-witchy Ingals trapeze coat.

I'm reading Buckminster Fuller, Jane Austen, David Wolfe, Joan Didion.

I'm excited about my editor Kim Hastreiter's new Geoffrey Beane tome [Assouline] and a jaunt home to the country next month with Pure Food & Wine's Thanksgiving take-away in tow!

I'm spending time reading foreign fashion magazines with my adorably plump Ragdoll kitten, Daisy; working at Paper Magazine; perusing Chelsea's art galleries to prepare for my favorite course at The New School; blogging for bunny BISOUS and papermag.com's "Fashion Schmashion"; raising funds with Mr. Mickey for the extraordinary charity: water foundation to build desperately needed wells in developing nations.

I'm wishing for an Obama-Biden victory, an end to the Chinese occupation of Tibet, and – on a far more frivolous note – Sonia Rykiel's bunny rabbit intarsia dress.

I'm eating frozen Durian pudding from Bonobo's, Pure Food & Wine's chili lime tortilla wraps with avocado and cashew sour "cream", One Lucky Duck's gingersnap "ice cream", and tucked upstairs at LifeThyme Market's live foods buffet with a good book.

I'm drinking Pure Juice & Takeaway's Hawaiian Breeze norwalk juice, raw cashew "mylk" with agave and cinnamon, GT's Organic Trilogy Kombucha, the green juice with added ginger from Quintessence.

I'm traveling to Paris come January for the Spring/Summer 2009 Haute Couture collections.

I'm making hand-dipped candles, raw vegan pumpkin pie, and weekly escapes to the charmingly quaint Angel Feet Reflexology in Greenwich Village (if I'm lucky)!

I'm inspired by Lynn Yaeger, Rachel Maddow, Leith Clark, Beatrix Potter, Kate & Laura Mulleavy, Sarah Lerfel, Joanna Schlenzka, Iris Apfel, Cecilia Dean, Kinga Rajzak, Marie Chaix, Jacob K., Alber Elbaz, and Charles Anastase.

In these photos Julia wears:

Moschino F/W 2008-2009 dress

VPL by Victoria Bartlett braette top

cruelty-free Elizabeth & James coat

American Apparel bi-colored tights

vintage Miu Miu "Alice in Wonderland" shoes

Lanvin vegan F/W 2008-2009 "ribbon collection" bag

Alexandre de Paris hairband

— By Maya

Be sure to check out the feature in its entirety at TurnedOut.tv.

bB,

ox jf

If Bianca Jagger Was In the Bloomsbury Group...

...it may look something like this:

magazine: Vogue Nippon

issue: December 2008

editorial: A Matter of Elegance

photographer: Matt Irwin 

model: Iekeliene Stange

stylist: Aurora Sansone 

bB, xx jf

Still Speechless After a Morning with Alber

obviously it would have been precarious to take photos, so here is the "public" invitation

illustrations by Alber; silly stickers by your bunny (quite the ahhhrteeest, non?)

Women simply adore Alber Elbaz (and by extension, Lanvin) owing to his love and appreciation of real women: sans the plastic or pretension. It was an absolute dream to spend Monday morning with him – quite candidly my favorite designer of our era – and Mr. Mickey exploring the showstopping Lanvin Spring 2009 collection (with a few previously unseen Cruise 2009 gems thrown in for good measure)! 

Lanvin Spring 2009*

As per usual, comfort was of cardinal priority throughout the design process. Even the seemingly 'structured' garments felt lighter than a feather on the skin: a truly remarkable feat bearing in mind the weighty heft of similarly shaped Giambattista Valli frocks. 

The kooky throwback resort garments (think more "contemporary" items like t-shirts emblazoned with Alber's whimsical sketches not unlike the invitation above) were reasonably priced considering their handiwork, style level, and refined fabrication; while the Acne Jeans collaboration was the epitome of 'cool kid meets easy breezy chic' [below]: 

Lanvin Cruise 2009 [also feat. Acne line] with Suzy Menkes

About 70% of the bags were entirely vegan – perhaps stemming from his dear kinship with fellow Israeli Natalie Portman or a reworking of F/W 2008's cruelty-free (by default) ribbon motif – the most electrifying of which sprang from Spring 2009's interludes of vibrant leopards, insane new crystal studded versions of last season's cult shapes, and Cruise 2009's Elbaz-doodled beach totes with PVC handles. 

Ogling Alber's deco-gone-glam jewelry and flossy flossy bedazzled heels was pure sensory overload: 

And yes, Alber is that twinkling and warmhearted in person! I did feel slightly maladroit since I had just broken one of his F/W 2008 bags* in a taxi door earlier that morning and hastily replaced the stunning Jeanne Lanvin charms with little bunnies from a quaint shop in Pennsylvania found deep within the recesses of said bag. He didn't seem to mind... 

bunny BISOUS, 

xx jules 

If you're in Gotham Tuesday or Wednesday be sure to stop by Barney's 2nd floor on Madison & 61st. See invitation [above] for details. To my knowledge Alber will not be in store again – but his all-embracing, voluptuous, fresh-from-the-runway frocks will!

*Total major coincidence: many thanks to Tim Blanks (brilliant host of the style.com videos, including the one at top) for helping me find the then-new black Lanvin bag lost in the kerfuffle of Ikram's annual post-McQueen Indian fête. By now that bag must be on its ninth life! 

Could I possibly be more obsessed? Bunny hop to snatch the last POP (ever)!

POP Winter 1998 2008

Very Alice in Seattle!

A downcast day in publishingland... the end of an era indeed! 

In my book, Katie's vampy-lipped Drew cover so trumps Glenda's November Bazaar; what do you think?

bunny BISOUS, POP

Adieu et bonne chance!

PS: Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Grand 'featur' [sic]!

Stray Musing on Vogue Paris | Emmanuelle Alt Digs Anna Selez... and Bowie... and Bleached Jeans

Emmanuelle Alt styled Anna Selezneva (who – many mazel's abound – will be the lone model in the upcoming S/S 2009 Calvin Klein campaign) in the same Dolce & Gabbana David Bowie t-shirt in August's "Reality Show" and November's "Trente ans versus dix-sept ans" V.P. editorials.

snapped! Emmanuelle scoping out Anna S. at the Alt-style Isabelle Marrant show last month

Meanwhile bunny hop on over to Paper to get the lowdown on...

Paolo Roversi & Natalia Vodianova Bring Shalimar Back: October 23

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen Have an "Aha! Moment" with Oprah: October 23

Modelize This! Meet Brit Sensation Emma MacLaren: October 22

DKNY Cruise Campaign Sells Vlada: October 22

bunny BISOUS

ox jules

PS: The server was down so the past few days worth of blogs haven't been uploaded at papermag...

PPS: You really need to see this. Read this. Watch this. Smell this. 

Dirrty Glam October 2008 Interview with Your Bunny!

The new issue of the Parisian fashion magazine Dirrty Glam (and no, it's not even remotely "dirty") is now available for your viewing pleasure online in its entirety! What a wonderful team to work with; I did a fun little interview on pages 21-26 here.

Check out their backstage footage with coverstar Clémentine Poidatz and fellow feature Esther Garrel – daughter of the great Philippe Garrel and a super talented actress in her own right:

bunny BISOUS,

ox jules

photo: The Cobrasnake [snapped at the Calvin Klein's 40th anniversary fête]