My favorite Vanity Fair Issue (September 2008) had a feature on fashion’s new guard, and lo and behold, there are Asians in there. And lots of them! It’s happening in the fashion industry (Doo.ri, Alexander Wang, Peter Som, Richard Chai, Phillip Lim, than Thakoon Panichgul are pictured below), happening in film, in architecture and in many other creative industries.

Exciting times are a coming (minus the financial crisis, but I suppose that’s exciting too - in a whole other way). God willing, hopefully soon we’ll be seeing some diversity at the White House too.

photograph of Vanity Fair Fashion’s New Guard Article

I love my new shoes. Your Gilda Gladiators make me so happy I’ve worn them almost every day this week. My feet thank you for making shoes that are both cute and comfy. I wanted to take a picture of my feet in some nice grass, but I felt the need to share right away. Hence the photo against my crappy cube.

If anyone else has been looking for good gladiator flats, I highly suggest you get yo’self to tobi.com and grab a pair. 

via Cybele Wiren

Unfortunately, it looks like she’s not carried anywhere in the US. Hopefully Elizabeth Charles will add her to their already stellar list of designers from down under.

Anyway, so onto more interesting things. I always get giddy and excited when I think about friends who are living the dream. I’m not talking private jets and houses in the Hamptons, I’m talking about actually doing what they love for a living. Sure, there are tradeoffs, and maybe sometimes it doesn’t seem worth it, but for those of us who are just clocking in and clocking out, you’re our inspiration and our hope.

I digress. I have many such friends, but one in particular has achieved a most coveted milestone in the life of any designer. She’s on men.style.com! Well, she’s not (though one day she will be), but the collection she designed for Yigal Azrouel is and it’s simply amazing. Enough words, here are some pictures of her collection. I’m so proud!!!

Yigal Azrouel Men’s Spring 2009 Collection via men.style.com

via tobi.com

Something about not getting laid off makes me feel like I deserve a present. Update tomorrow.

It was one of those issues that makes you feel like you should be doing something more interesting with your life - not in a bad way. It just made me realize that there are wonderfully creative people out there who are actually achieving success while doing something they love. Where did I go wrong?

Anyway, instead of trying to mull that one over in my head, I’m going to share some interesting tidbits from the issue.

Conor Oberst

photograph of V Man Conor Oberst Article

I love that that recorded his album in some small Mexican village. The piano didn’t fit through the door, so they kept it on the porch and recorded parts of the album outdoors.

The quote that made me like him a lot:

“I guess I learned, finally, that nothing is really that big a deal. If someone’s not dying or getting born, it’s just not that big a deal. Everything in between those two experiences should be about just enjoying life.”

His music is pretty good too.

Daft Punk’s Electroma

photograph of V Man Robot Dreams Article

Written and directed by Daft Punk x black leather bike suits designed by Hedi Slimane. Sold. Added to my Netflix queue right after Ella Enchanted. Yay for Peter…no more chick flicks.

Hayes Peebles

photograph of V Man Hayes Peebles Article

He’s still in high school and he writes his own music and lyrics. He’s actually pretty good. I love musicians who have a lot of songs on their MySpace that you can listen to for free.

Kanye West’s Pastelle

photograph of V Man Kanye and Co. Article

Kanye’s got a new line out called Pastelle. He’s a pretty sharp dresser so I’m sure it’ll be an interesting line (due out in Oct/Nov along with sunglasses he collaborated on with Ksubi. Their site is worth checking out simply because the design is hilarious).

I might make Peter sport the mexican blanket bowtie for our wedding (I’m being serious). I also love Lupe Fiasco’s necklace which is, of course, his own. I hate when that happens.

(via Yoox)

PROS:
1. If I wasn’t saving for the wedding, I would’ve gotten them in a second.
2. They’re not “wedding” shoes and I’ll wear them before and after the wedding.
3. They’re Marni
4. They look comfortable
5. Any pair of shoes I get will probably cost about that much, and they won’t be Marnis

CONS:
1. A bit casual?

Hmmm…Pros (5), Cons (1)…Comments please!!!

(Photo Credit: White Trumpet Autumn/Winter 08/09 Triangles)

P.S. As soon as I figure some html stuff out, I’ll be adding a shop section where I pick out my favorite stuff from the web and store it in one place. Hopefully it’ll be useful to some of you, or at least fun to look at.

The documentary also reminded me of how pretty and romantic the Louis Vuitton Spring 2007 show was. I haven’t been able to get the crushed floral head pieces out of my mind and as soon as I got to work, the search for the perfect new hair accessory began.

(Photo Credit: Style.com / Louis Vuitton Spring 2007 Runway Show)

I’ve been wanting something with feathers and found a few that I think work pretty well. Now I just have to pick which one I like best. Decisions, decisions…

(Photo Credits Top Row from Left: mothlove/Etsy, ban.do, myrakim/Etsy)
(Photo Credits Bottom Row from left: Urban Outfitters, whichgoose/Etsy, mothlove/Etsy)