Re-Up NYC: Part 1

I've been sweatin' it out in NY for the past couple of weeks...working hard and hardly working but way more of the first! Here are some peeks at the first round of the business. New "Goods!" at Hairy Mary's and Valley...check-it out!

The slinky poly-oly goodness at Hairy Mary's...


In Jumpsuit formation too...

And cotton "Goods!" fresh for the wearing at Valley...

Tropical lovelies...


Animal Instinct...


And the OMG!! twin jumpsuit goodness...you'll have to wait for fall for these cuties...


Stay posted for what's new from The Goods! at Daha Vintage and Marmalade!!

Ver Unica SF: Summer Solstice Par-tay!!

Tomorrow night in SF, Ver Unica is hosting a Summer Solstice Party!!! All the details are below, make sure to RSVP for the event...Peep some of "The Goods!" that will be available for sale! And if you are one of the lucky ladies to win one of the 6 decadent goody bags you can wrap your waist in a super cute deadstock 80's belt courtesy of "The Goods!"






Ver Unica Summer Solstice Event Date: Thursday June 21, 2007 Time: 6-9pm
Where: Ver Unica 437b Hayes St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.431.0688
Join us for an evening of wine, refreshments, music and yes SHOPPING!!!
• One evening only 50% OFF all vintage in the store!!!
• RSVP a must! Guest list is limited! (call 415.431.0688 or email michaela@ver-unica.com to RSVP. Respond by 5pm June 21st to guarantee your entry)
• Raffle drawing at 8pm, 6 lucky gals will win decadent goody bags and $150 gift certificates to Ver Unica!!!
• First 10 people to purchase any items totaling at least $50 leave with a goody bag!!!
• New art by Olivia Hill Raffle

Details: Every purchase of at least $50 gets you $10 off your purchase and a ticket in the raffle. Enter as many times as you like up until the time of the drawing. You must be present to win so come on in and get your first ticket now!

Goody Bags brought to you by:
Ver Unica
Miette Organic Patisserie
Nanskin
Jacqueline Talbot
The Pampered Girl
The Goods!

UNDRCRWN "Believe In Five" Par-tay!!

Landed into NY last Wednesday night...My Lando' and I headed down to Philly on Thursday for the UndrCrwn vs. Adidas "Believe in Five" party at newly opened shop "Arsenal". Half of the UndrCrwn camp are my homies from way back in the day, we're talking 6th grade thru high school. It's always so exciting to watch your friends grow and succeed!! UndrCrwn is a very well thought out and executed line of basketball inspired streetwear. The party showcased the new Adidas collabo sneakers and vintage pieces from the late 80's and early 90's that inspired the collection. Here are some picts from the party. See more of the party action (like the shoes!) over at Lando'kicks and my new blog spot on SlamXHype with Mama's Family!

Da Chicago Bulls...Some O.G. Starter Hats and UndrCrwn's Bulls inspired designs...


They had a whole wall dedicated to these O.G. caricature t-shirts, the inspiration behind some
of their t-shirts...


This is the most amazing Starter Jacket Parka paired with an UndrCrwn t-shirt...believe me when I say, if any of the boys in my middle school had that parka, I would have managed to borrow it and not give it back, it is that awesome!

A fine vintage selection from Fruition in the house...


O.G. Nintendo games, Sports Illustrated Magazines, and golden milk crate hoops where part of the decor...


Some Troop in the place too...a most important 80's inspiration!


And this belonged to my homegirl Mia and was being worn by her man...O.G. Vision Streetwear Sweatshirt, HOT!

Please go over to LandoKicks and Mama's Family to see many more picts!!

The Goods x Miss Behave Magazine!!

Peep the technique in the most recent issue of MissBehave magazine. Raiders Starter jacket from The Goods!, photo freshness by Estevan Oriol.

The Keeper of the Shoes.

While in New York last week I had the privilege of spending a day at the Nina Shoes offices. I spent most of my time chatting with their archivist, Zoe Arcidiacono. Vintage is what inspires designs of today and having a proper archive for reference is an important part of the design process. Have a look into her world...

Tell us your name and title:
Zoe Arcidiacono/Archivist, In broader terms I think of myself as a Fashion Archivist and Trend Forecaster.





Describe your feelings about the importance of vintage and designing for today:
Vintage clothing and accessories are an amazing and valuable resource for designers and most look to them for inspiration. In the Archive at Nina shoes designers use the archives for new (or should I say very old) ways to riff on current trends. For example bows which are very popular right now a designer will look at shoes with bows from the 40s, 50s or even the way Roger Vivier did them in the 80s. Or, to get ideas for strappy sandals-designers in the 50s did them in infinite ways that look great on the foot. A designer will look at those shoes and use it for a basis of a design-and then change or add something to make it his or her own.

I had a similar position at Donna Karan and every department from Collection, DKNY to the home division used the Antique Library as a design resource. They look to Vintage garments for color, fabrication, silhouette, textile design or pattern. I was always amazed at the way the home department could take a 1930s silk gown borrow one detail from it and apply it to a pillow or bed-spread in a way that was completely fresh and modern-and so beautiful. Or the way the knitwear team could look at a turn-of-the century undergarment and use it to create a beautiful, sexy dress. And neither screamed their source.



What is your favorite era for fashion and why?
I can find something I love from every era in fashion-I have a couple of things (skirt, corset covers) circa 1900 and from every decade in the 20th century. That said, I have the most from the 30s and 70s. I tend to favor clothing that is draped and body-conscious rather than pieces that are very tailored. I love the bias cut, cotton jersey and silk satin!


These are called "lasts". Zoe explained to me that the shape of the last determines the entire shape of the shoe and the height of the heel. An important tool in the designing of a shoe.


Who are some of your favorite designers/brands from today and yesterday?
Madeleine Vionnet, Coco Chanel, Bonnie Cashin, Claire McCardell, Betsey Johnson circa 1965-70s, Biba, Norma Kamali, Donna Karan, Pucci and Marimekko for their printed textiles, Costello Tagliapietra, Diane Von Furstenberg, Stella McCartney for Adidas and Maria Cornejo. I am also very interested in what the emerging designer, Angel Chang is doing with textiles and technology. I'd love a jersey dress that changes color according to the temperature!

Here are some of the shoes that Zoe houses in the archive...

Nina from the 80's...


A project that never came to fruition was a collaboration with Betsy Johnson. Stanley, one of the brothers/founders of Nina saved everything! Lucky for us! Here is an original sketch and sample of one of her designs.



Nina from the 70's...


The original shoe and picture of Stanley holding the shoe back in the day.


Nina from the 70's and 60's...




Nina from the 60's and 50's...


The archive not only houses Nina shoes but other brands of design importance...

Please note that the bottom right picture is the most amazing Nina jazz booty from the 80's!

Design marvels!!! Albion was a famous cobbler from Italy with a very wild imagination as you can see!


There are no "new" designs. In today's design world having the ability to forecast what the next big thing will be in terms of rehashing an era gone by is design. Zoe and I both agreed that new things will come in the form of textiles but silhouettes and garment styles will continue to be "what goes around come around". Having resources of vintage for reference and inspiration are key...look to the past to see the future. And having a "keeper" to guard these precious gems is most important!!

Slangin' It From The Trunk: Get Jazzy!

Treasure hunting in full effect! The come-up: 80's deadstock Capezio Jazz shoes, black, taupe, white and navy. Go get these and other Goodies! at Marmalade NYC.

NYC: Re-Up The Goods!

OK, so I could give you a million and one reasons as to why my posting has fallen off...but no excuses, just let me get to posting! So, I've been posted up in NY for the past week and have re-stocked The Goods! at some of your favorite Vintage haunts...And if you aren't familiar with these spots, then please, GET FAMILIAR!!

New shoes and boots at Daha Vintage...

Dropping The Goods! at Marmalade...

Jump suits Galore!

Witchy shoes and Ankle Booties like no bodies business...

Ferragamo jazzy loafers tipped in silver, size 10.5, WHAT?!?!

70's wood stacked dancing shoes..."whomp-chicka-whomp-whomp"

And yet more Goods!

And re-loaded Valley with tons of the business!!




Now go cop The Goods!!

The Goods! on The Coveted!

I can't thank you enough, Jennine, for all the love you show The Goods! Glad you like your "new" earrings!