The Postelles: A Band To Share

This band's got a black & white style, but they record in Technicolor. Their forthcoming album is produced by Albert Hammond, Jr. of The Strokes, and it's keeping us up at night. The foursome is young, though their sound is lustfully cohesive and organized. It seems they would owe this to the growth they experienced during the recording process. Lead singer Daniel Balk tells Back Row Mafia, "For me personally, recording our debut record was an amazing experience. We got to work in some amazing studios like Quad and Electric Lady, and we learned so much about the process. I feel we really became a band during the recording."

The band will return to the Bonnaroo stage this June for the second time. Hear their previous hit "123 Stop" here, and find other catchy tunes off the new EP at their MySpace page.

The Return of Stella McCartney for GapKids

For all who squeezed into the XXLs of the Stella McCartney for GapKids fall 2009 collection, rejoice for the release of her second line, which is expected to debut online March 30. The fall 2009 line was simply adorable and unique, and the best pieces sold out quickly so be on your toes for this release! See a preview below.

Photos courtesy of nitrolicious.com

 

Photo courtesy of style.com

Niemann's Way or the Highway

Now that Paris Fashion Week has concluded, we are in the mood for a good dose of self-reflective art. Christoph Niemann's new collection, My Way, is an hilarious, magical hit of musings on daily life and life life. See his most recent illustrations below as they speaks for themselves, and see more here.






Photos courtesy of blogs.nytimes.com

2010, Year of Madness

Dada artist Hugo Ball said, "Being in harmony with nature is the same as being in harmony with madness." In light of the MoMA's Tim Burton exhibit continuing through April 26, we felt the release of Burton's Alice in Wonderland was particularly exciting, and it ignited our realization that everyone seems to be a little mad these days. It is no wonder people ages five to seventy-five can't look away from Lady Gaga's red-carpet arrangements or switch off her songs. We feel her emergence in pop culture has been one of the most obvious sparks for this destruction of design, from couture runways to sidewalks everywhere and anywhere reached by radio waves.

So, what have this mad hatter's most recent effects been?

An image from Gaga's video Telephone, performed with Beyoncé, to be released tomorrow (Photo courtesy of ladygaga.com)

It appears John Galliano took his cues for the pre-fall Christian Dior collection from the true Mad Hatter, overtly enough to be a tribute to Burton. The line includes top hats, ethereal, otherworldly layers of chiffon, plaid jackets we'd expect to see on the White Rabbit as he checks his pocket watch, Helena Bonham Carter's perpetually wild hair and pursed lips, and apron-like frocks from Alice's closet. See the rest of the collection here.

Photos courtesy of style.com

Speaking of "children's" films recreated, a pack of wild things walked the plank in Paris at Vivienne Westwood's command, and they linger in other lines such as Maison Martin Margiela, the final image below. Even the VW models' bold makeup seems monstrously reminiscent of KW and the gang's enormous facial features. See the rest of the Westwood collection here.

Photos courtesy of style.com

Where have all the normal people gone? More importantly, does anyone miss them?

Fabric and Length for Fall

Long dresses have been grazing many-a runways these days. In Milan and Paris, floor-length gowns have not only been popular but also gorgeously done. See below in order: Salvatore Ferragamo, Balmain, Roberto Cavalli, and Vivienne Westwood. We love the dresses from Ferragamo and Balmain for their metallic fabrics and plunging necklines, which balance nicely excesses of fabric and sexy flashes of skin. The Cavalli dress fit nicely into his bohemian, weighted collection, as a fresh perspective injecting youthfulness amidst the other complex, layered looks. Westwood? Well, let's just say this is the least conspicuous arrangement to appear on the runway.

We'll definitely be keeping our maxi dresses close at hand after Labor Day.

   

   

Photos courtesy of style.com

Milan: Reinventing an Old World Aesthetic

The conclusion of Milan Fashion Week yesterday finalized the dominating characteristic on the runway: An amalgamation of the truly timeless, rethought. The looks we saw cannot be ascribed to particular decades because their inspirations were not either. Rather, they spanned eras, and the new variations are modernized aesthetics transformed enough to be truly ours. The D&G suit, first below, owes thanks to the classic Chanel suit for lending one of its ribs, but its sexy, silky brassiere camisole is so 2010. Also, don't miss the Dolce & Gabbana's pants-less suits sure to offend the older generations from which they spawned. See a suit revolution from Salvatore Ferragamo, top right, with their pre-fall signature hat, a cold weather variation on the Panama style. FYI, the Salvatore Ferragamo line was a huge success so check it out here. The third and final look is a knock-out boatneck-line dress, a chic and immortal cut, from second-time showcaser Marco de Vincenzo.

   

Photos courtesy of style.com

We can't overlook the power of accessories. These cat-eye glasses from Prada and Marni, respectively, are an intelligent modernization of a priceless glamour. (We must note that aside from these specs, Marni floundered with unflattering cuts.)

   

Photos courtesy of vogue.es

Paris Fashion Week has officially gotten underway. Expect gloriousness to follow soon hereafter...