so you think you're a fashion blogger eh?

I have always hated being called a 'fashion blogger'.

I have nothing against 'fashion bloggers', but I'd like to believe I blog about more than what shows up on Hypebeast or Sea of Shoes. I don't have a million dollars from my parents to spend on ridiculous items I'll only wear for 'ironic' photoshoots, fluttering about in vintage around very 'urban' scenery. I don't care about being in Vogue, or being bothered to be 'seen' at New York fashion week. I don't want to be a model. Or use my 'fashion blog' to get a job with a major magazine.

I'm probably being rude.

I learned a long time ago that somewhere along the line people will always try to put you in a box. Oh, you like posting interesting 'clothes/shoe/accessories' found around the internet and in your home town? FASHION BLOGGER. Is that all I have to be for one simple title? Kill me.

Whatever happened to just enjoying fashion because of design. Or loving art. Or typography. Or photography. Or color theory. Or thinkers, movers, shakers, and the like?

Totally getting this shirt.

[via. buy @ IHMDJ]

here's to growing up| save no prayer - dimepiece spring 2011.

Once upon a time I was a street wear enthusiast.

Like a crazed out Hellz Bellz wearing, Married to the Mob toting, Stussy repping FOOL.

I mean because who doesn't want to wear a in yo grill graphic tee between the ages of 17 and 21?

Somewhere along the line I grew up and realized that my style, just like my life, was changing, and my wardrobe was making a change with it.

That's when I started investing in staple pieces that would last me for years.

I started refining my ability to spot unique items I could hold onto instead of discard after one season.

And in a sense I feel out of love with a lot of street wear brands.

It's like they stopped growing...

Stagnant.

Lame.

Through all the breaking up with brands I've done over the last couple of years, I never fell out of love with Dimepiece because they've never stopped growing up. It's almost like they've grown and evolved at the same speed as my tastes and style (if that makes any sense at all).

Spring 2011 will be epic, just because of this collection.

Thanks for evolving Dimepiece.

Don't ever stop.

[more @ the avantguardian]

married to the mob finally steps it up.

I'm not sure what it is, the new photographer (David Perez), the slight departure from the verbal assults splashed across brightly colored tee's, or the fact that this Holiday collection doesn't remind me of a 15 year old high school student with attitude problems, but Married to the Mob might have actually done the unthinkable: GROWN UP. It's no secret that I've had a tumultuous Chris Brown/Rihanna type relationship with the street wear brand. About a year ago I was a devoted follower sporting aforementioned tshirts proudly and without shame, but that was before I started noticing the intense similarities in every collection they released. It was like a fiesta of remixed denim, outerwear, and of course that damn tshirt, fit for that overly aggressive bitch in all of us. I got bored with it.

Not even 5 minutes ago, Married to the Mob released photos of their Holiday 2009 collection via their blog Mob Living. Aside from the fact that I can't believe it's time for holiday collections, this serving from MOB is probably one of their best. Heavy on sweaters, and general outerwear, the collection consists cable knit sweaters, an assortment of insane leggings, studded tees, and surprisingly a collection of rugby inspired shirts. I haven't bought a MOB piece in a very long time, but I think it's time for us to mend our broken love with the use of my credit card. [MOBLiving]

nike city pack.

I haven't purchased a pair of sneakers in a really long time. The last pair I bought were the neon yellow Nike Dunks created for NYLON Magazine, and as much as I love them, I haven't been inspired by a pair of kicks since then. This is tragic for a person who loves sneakers about as much as I love Givenchy (that's a lot of love by the way). Nike dropped the City Pack recently at 21 Mercer in New York, paying homage to 4 iconic American cities: Long Beach, Chicago, New York, and my favorite Atlanta. I want! [21Mercer]

i really don't like you...

Here's more looks from the Dimepiece x Cassie collaboration. I love Dimepiece and I will continue to buy their products from here to infinity, but Cassie annoys the shit out of me. I'm sorry, I couldn't hold my tongue any longer. She gets under my skin, and I have no idea why. It's something else other than her voice that just irks the shit out of me, something I can't quite put my finger on. Is it the hair? The new 'edgy' look right before the release of her album creating hype and hoping the hype will equal skyrocketing album sales (which reminds me of Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad transformation)? Is it because she's involved with Bad Boy and I equate that as the label artists go to, to die? Is it because in my gut I feel like she just tries so damn hard to be 'it'. Maybe it's a combination of all those things, but in the words of Mr. Unforgivable: "I don't like you!"

And another thing, is anyone other than myself noticing how women's street wear brands are taking to celebrity endorsed/designed lines? It's fascinating that the minute Teyana Taylor becomes the face of MOB for this season, it's on ALL the major black blogs, and the second Cassie collaborates with Dimepiece the label (or rather Cassie THEN the label) ends up on not all the black blogs, but The Cut AND People magazine does an exclusive interview with the artist (and I use that in it's lightest form). I've never seen these labels on anything more than street wear related fashion blogs and the occasional magazine editorial a la Missbehave (RIP). Do we equate these endorsements and collaborations as a way for the labels to get their name in the media or something else? I personally love things that have that "I'm anything but mainstream" edge. Street wear use to be anything but mainstream to me, and that's what gave it it's charm, but now it's getting to be over exposed. Come Fall, with the help of Teyana Taylor and Cassie everyone will be draped in MOB and Dimepiece. I.will.not...

PS. This may not go over well with some, but who gives a shit. People are so quick to jump on bandwagons and not develop their own feelings about a product or a person. I have an opinion. Please deal with that...

PPS. Cassie said she made her hair cut mainstream in the People magazine interview. I just want to open hand slap all the girls that went out and did this after Cassie to make her feel this way (*cough Lala cough*) We the people give a resounding: NOOOOOOOOOOO [Alice Dellal, Kelis, JDavey, and Kesh come slap this chick]..

Ok. I will be purchasing that sweat shirt, and Uncle Karl tee post haste...

cassie x dimepiece: first look A/W campaign.

It's such a good thing I don't ever sleep, and stay glued to my computer because otherwise I wouldn't be one of the first bloggers to bring you what I'm guessing is part of the final product for Dimepiece Designs Autumn/Winter campaign featuring Cassie. And to think the thanks for leaking these photos goes to Diddy (let that marinate for a moment). Although I'm not a huge fan of Cassie's music, I do think she's a stunning woman (those eyebrows are a bit dangerous though), and her beauty is evident in these photos, along with Dimepiece's ability to create thought provoking garments. Can't wait to see the entire thing...

jeremy scott x opening ceremony: troll or dare.

Jeremy Scott never fails to amuse me. His designs are forever entertaining, and this is no exception. Although he teamed up with my arch nemesis Opening Ceremony to promote the retailer opening a Tokyo location, I still love him. Forever the clever designer, and never failing to remind us of pop cultures past, these tee's are based on two things we've all been in contact with at least once in our lives: Madonna and Troll Dolls. Themed around the material girls documentary "Truth or Dare" and sporting a scantily clad troll on the front, these tee's will be sold in limited quantities at Opening Ceremony LA and NY. Like all JS gear, get it while it lasts, because once it's gone it's gone forever!

stussy fall/winter 2009.

Is it really time to go back to school? Really?

If my mind isn't deceiving me that only means one thing: shopping! Probably the best part about getting back into the books, is the new items for your closet you can accumulate with one (or several) good 'Back to School' shopping trips. Legendary street wear brand Stussy shows us a nice selection of basics suitable for the classroom and beyond. Even though some of us may not be hitting the books this Fall we can still shop like we are...Right? [stussydirect]

voila violette!

Downtown's Sweetheart aka Va$htie just launched the Summer 2009 collection of her clothing line Violette New York. I have a couple shirts from her Fall 2008 collection, and I'm glad to see she's sticking with the same atheistic of comfy loose fitting tees for the tomboy in all of us.

See more shots from the collection over at Violette NYC.

kicks after six.

I know a lot of people that are going to be re-posting this video today, but since Hellz Bellz is one of my favorite brands (even before Marc J) I feel as if it is my duty to blog about this. Kicks After Six is a special capsule collection from the infamous womens contemporary line boasting six garments that accurately display the graphic artistry Hellz is known for. I'm really digging the Yves St Laurent inspired tee! Check out this teaser video below.

HELLZ SPECIAL DELIVERY & SHORT FILM, "KICKS AFTER SIX" from HELLZ on Vimeo.