Fashion PR division of Pierce Mattie Public Relations, A Fashion Public Relations. Fashion publicity, promotion marketing firm

Iconique Fashion, Art and Lifestyle Magazine - Iconique ezine is your online fashion, lifestyle, beauty, trends and art magazine feat. virtual catwalk shows, news, editorials, beauty, trend blogs and more.

See The Couture Fragrance Spot Antidote:
A COUTURE FRAGRANCE, Iconique Fashion Magazine exclusively presents the movie of Viktor & Rolf's Antidote, their first fragrance for men.

On Tuesday, August 29th, STAGR launched its premier collection at the “G-Suite” in Palms Casino Resort. UFC fighter Chris Leben was the evening’s special guest. Guests and members of the media enjoyed music spun by special DJ Malik from The Real World, Back to New York and had the chance to create their own customized STAGR shirt.

Interesting interview with Cathy Horyn of the New York Times. Cathy shares Julie Fredrickson's viewpoint on the need to take bloggers seriosly. Also discussed, Cathy's take on personally blogging and the "imaginary" conflict that some luxury brands feel when it comes to blogging about luxury. I'm sure if Billy Daily was still working at KCD he would have let Julie from Coutorure Media in to see the Mark Jacobs show at the Spring collections fashion week. Other sources for coverage are: New York Magazine, Fashion Week Live website, with coverage by Lauren Ezersky

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10th, 2006
9.00 AM
10.00 AM - LELA ROSE
The Atelier
Photos

11.00 AM - BRIAN REYES
UPS
Photos

NOON - DKNY
711 Greenwich Street
Photos

1.00 PM - GUSTAVO ARANGO
The Atelier
Photos

2.00 PM - TRACY REESE
The Promenade
Photos

The Designers of Fashion Week 2007

The devil wears green pants! See Almost Girl fashion blogger making contact with Anna Wintor.

I don’t think I have ever been more terrified in my entire life. As much as I talk a lot of shit about numbers being the only arbiter of access in an ideal new media world I still harbor a lot of fear. I know that I am only in my position because of luck, timing, and very little aversion to risk. I talk smack about KCD because I know that they can’t hold us off forever: there are more of us than there are of them and this time the barbarians are out for good. I know that numbers don’t lie because well the economists at the University of Chicago told me so.

But still when I arrived early for Costello Tagliapetra and saw Anna Wintour alone in the front row I didn’t think I had the guts to go up and interview her. I had already tried at Rag and Bone and she waved us off. But heart pounding I steeled myself, left Patryk in the pit, and requested to ask her a few basic questions. She didn’t want to talk about collections because it was too early in the week but I assured her I was interested in her experience and not her opinions on current fashion. Ever the consummate professional she agreed.

Here is the Heatherette line showed at New York Fashion Week. Some say the line was all about "Mommy Drinks" The drunk, slutty mom look also called "pre-teen cool"

The enigma has been solved. Science has found the answer. No, not the cure for cancer; the reasoning behind the Brazilian takeover in the glamorous world of super models. I, like 99% of women, experience Gisele-Bundchen-envy (substitute Adrina Lima, Ana Beatriz Barros, Alessandra Ambrosio interchangeably) every time I put on a bathing suit. But I no longer curse God for bestowing the Victoria’s Secret Angels with heavenly proportions and me with back fat and cellulite. Turns out that God doesn’t necessarily like Gisele more than me, the leggy Brazilian bombshell, and her equally beautiful Brazilian sidekicks, can credit their mind boggling good looks to science.

Patty Huntington reports from Milan's fashion week: Gucci's 85th

Now don't get me wrong. It's not that the Gucci party wasn't nice. It was very nice. A series of elegant, ivy and bay leaf-lined black/transparent marquees had been erected on some vacant block or park in Milan's Via Melegari last Wednesday night to create a mini Gucci world. The R&B artist John Legend performed. The service was impeccable. People "got down" nicely – but not naughtily.

Backstage after Thursday's scintillating Dolce e Gabbana show. And I do mean scintillating, with a finale of one-armed, Lesage-sequinned catsuits and jumpsuits. I should note that the most amusing aspect of this finale was not the outfits themselves, which seemed more than a little Elvis-meets-Coogi but rather, the performances of the models who had all apparently been briefed to wave one arm up and down in a kind of interpretative dance movement - designed, presumably, to best highlight the unisleeves. Twyla Tharp, it wasn't.

The Leak: Can this be true? Glamour takes Crimes of Fashion and Don't Spotting from photos to video! Glamour magazine and Blip.tv have launched a Web site for readers to rat out their less-than-fashionable friends, or tip off America to the next big trend.
Don'tspotting accepts e-mail photos taken by users of the fashion highs and lows they come across on the street. Visitors can send in comments on the images, including rankings of approval and disapproval.

I fell in love with Mango as a teenager while on my first European trip. I remember the Spain based clothing retailer Mango as the one place where all of the clothes fit my hour glass shape perfectly and had a playful yet sophisticated look that often evaded American designers. While other European based clothing retailers, such as H & M and Zara, expanded to the US, Mango remained a European treasure.

When I first saw these Ads I thought they were exploratory portfolio comps. Some of the most edgy stuff never makes it out into the public sector.

Hindu clothing chain High-Style The Fashion World creates relevant "shock-and-awe" advertising campaign that will definitely appeal to the younger audience. If you think about trends, this is nothing new, we've been incorporating more and more gore in our entertainment for years. Cobranding big name brands in goreiffic video games is old news. From my experience the more edgy and subtle the integration into the game the better it is received. Clients never like o hear this of course, they want blatant obvious placement which is not accepted as well as modest "easter-egg" style placement. Has anyone seen Michael C. Hall in Showtime’s new drama DEXTER? I'm not advocating that this is appropriate advertising for everyone. I do think you can take things too far, remember the Sandra Burnhard Mac cosmetics spot?

The gore is not from physical violence, just fashion descriptions supported by graphic images. It gets my attention, seems appropriate for the target market and the ads are "executed" well. Although I no longer fit the 18-34 demographic, I actually love first person shooters! I have several girlfriends who love them and UFC fights as well-go figure. Most of us worked in advertising or marketing which taints the demographics a little. So I understand that it takes "more" edge or shock-and-awe to reach an over stimulated generation of shoppers. Trends to keep in mind: Shock-&-Shop, Multicultural-Must-Haves and Gore-iffic.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BLOGGERS

Trendsetters around the globe are engaged in a fashion race, scouring boutiques and department stores in a desperate search to be the first to discover the new “It” denim line. Now, more than ever before, jeans are the staple item in stylish wardrobes. Jeans have also progressed in the fashion world. Designer denim has made its mark, appearing everywhere from the runways of New York to the office and bars during happy hour. Dressed up or dressed down, designer jeans are an essential item. Given the popularity of denim, the market is over saturated with new designer denim lines. Bread Denim is a unique brand in the overwhelming world of designer denim. Bread Denim’s fresh styles and flattering cuts have rendered them the next premium designer denim line.

New Un-retouched Photos Released: October 10, 2006

Photographer is Clarence K @ Frank Management
Models are Agatha @ Elite and William @ IMG
Photoshoot, October 10th.

Rather than following current trends, the creators of Bread Denim took a chance and ventured on their own. The young entrepreneurial team prides themselves in their “anything fly’s” mantra that is reflected in their unique designs. Bread Denim’s styles are as fresh as their namesake. The hot new line specializes in ultra sexy and stylish denim for men and women. Bread has quickly risen to the top of the competitive world of denim and established itself as the “Must Have” brand for 2007 and has already become a celebrity favorite.

The Predator Skinny Zip Jean is the company’s best selling style. A zipper extends from mid-thigh down, making The Predator an adjustable skinny-jean that is flattering on all body types. “It is minimalist, but super-sexy and sophisticated,” states Jason Ferro, the head designer of Bread. The line has three other styles for women and six styles for men. The designs come in a variety of six washes and three colors. The environmentally conscious line uses non toxic dyes at the wash house and the finest denim from Italy, Turkey, Japan, and U.S. Bread Denim has exclusivity on all their denim, which makes each piece unique and original.

Bread’s Holiday line and much anticipated spring line will debut at fashion havens such as Hollywood Trading Company, Fred Segal, Atrium, Selfridges, Isetan and Gallerie Lafayette. Get Bread while it’s hot.

From bathroom stalls to concert halls to the red carpet thralls, Bread Denim designers Sun, Jason, and Clark bring the outlandish and glamorous and grittiness of Los Angeles into their line. Visit www.breaddenim.com to learn more about Bread and get it while it’s hot.

Media Contact
Quinn Doan
Pierce Mattie PR
323.469.5500
quinn@piercemattie.com

In a recent interview with Cool & Dre, these famous hip-hop beat makers gushed about their love for sneakers. "I probably have more than 300 pairs," Dre stated. However, nothing compares to hip-hop sensation Fat Joe's collection who sports $10,000 crocodile AF1's.

The young, rich and trendy say that the right shoes are the first purchase you make on your way to the top. Before you can afford the Bentlys and Ferraries you need to get the right kicks. Plus, these influencers say that a girl appreciates when a man can pull together his outfit with a fly pair of shoes.

If you aren't spitting lyrics or following up with the latest rap trends, you can still pull together an outfit for a Don. Check out www.on-the-fly.com to learn about the essentials of the modern man...and yes shoes is one of them.

Guns and Roses is staging a comeback, and not just with their summer tour. Hollywood hipsters are respectfully paying homage it Axel Rose’s hard rocking 80’s rep by sporting his signature hair band. The trend isn’t limited to celebrities (who, for some reason, get away with off the wall fashion flops) From the frolicking on the beaches of Malibu to the shopping on the Sunset Strip, to partying on Hollywood Blvd, the entire town of Los Angele begun channeling the rock legend.

Often, mainstream brands hire Hip-Hop artists to give their brands street credibility, which often turns into greater suburban popularity and financial profit. This is especially true in the athletic footwear market, where gangsta rappers’ loyalty to Converse’s Chuck Taylors and other artists affinity to Nike’s Air Force Ones lead to huge demand among the youth and young adult demographic. Recently, a traditionally urban brand, Marc Ecko Enterprises, secured a one-year global endorsement agreement with mainstream teen idol, JoJo, to promote its Rhino Red junior footwear line. JoJo will appear in Rhino Red’s spring print and TV “JoJo the Creator” campaigns.

The Golden Globes had quite a few fashion trends going on, did anyone else notice? I was surprised to see so many bare necks, when flashing the jewelry has always been a staple of the Red Carpet. At least Heidi Klum didn’t let us down with her one million dollar diamond necklace, plus she looked positively radiant in her gorgeous Givenchy gown.

More trends were white gowns, black belted gowns and unfortunately multi-layer ruffle type gowns as evidenced by Rinko Kikuchi and Cameron Diaz (who almost looked like Snow White.)

While it’s split down the middle about Sienna Miller’s look on the Red Carpet, I think her gown by Marchesa was gorgeous. Despite many other’s nay’s, I also liked her hair. However, that “I just got off the treadmill” shiny look to her face was the least beautiful thing about her.

I think Drew Barrymore and Angeline Lily were the best dressed of all. They both looked stunning and had this beautiful elegant look to them. Worst had to be Rose McGowan, although she looks much better post-Marilyn Manson, and Vanessa Williams.

My biggest surprise had to be when I saw Sacha Baron Cohen with Reese Witherspoon out of Borat attire. WOW. Imagine my surprise at how absolutely gorgeous he is.

Many other Bloggers gave their input about the beauty and fashion gracing the Red Carpet, be sure to check them out:

Beauty Addict: Worst Makeup, Best in Beauty
Second City Style: Best & Worst Dressed
HiiFii Celebrity Entertainment: Best & Worst Dressed
LMNOP: Golden Globes Fashion Recap
Seamsters: Fashion Honorable Mentions

What were some of your favorites?

Wow, we tried to find fashion designer John Barltlett's homepage but had no luck. However, we do have the recent runway show footage and some still for your viewing via Coutorture.com.

With his thick brush of hair, round glasses, and toothy grin, Cincinnati-born Bartlett looks like he could be his own model. A Harvard sociology major who studied at the London School of Economics, Bartlett came out before he went to college, and his clothes often tease the uptight norms of menswear. Although the early part of his career was hectic and his press mostly positive, he hit a troubled patch around 2000, when his backers dropped out and his collections were not as well received. He closed his business in 2002 and spent a year traveling in Asia and studying Buddhism. After returning to New York, he began working his way back into the fashion business, starting with a small menswear line (shown at the Harvard Club). In 2005, he was named creative director at Ghurka, the upscale American accessories line and given the task of establishing that venerable brand’s identity in the lucrative, competitive handbag market.

New York Magazine has wonderful coverage of the fashion shows.

Everyone has an opinion, you can count on that, and opinions on the designers and their fashion shows at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is no different. Here are videos from various designers from Fashion Week in NYC with reviews from fashion editors and fashion bloggers alike. Be sure to check out Chic.TV coverage of fashion week on You Tube, for all the videos check out Chic.tv website, it's some of the better quality fashion footage I've seen this year.

Oscar de la Renta Watch Video

WWD: De la Renta’s collection was, in a word, dazzling, and not only in its well-controlled embroideries. It shone as well in its security; its grounded, cross-generational appeal and its fabulous expression of sporty luxe.
Fashion Week Daily: Oscar de la Renta's latest collection was designed with dames in mind. It’s all the contradictions real women have been clamoring for since the babydoll dress came back into fashion. We say: vive de la Renta!
Godfrey Deeny, Fashion Wire Daily: Oscar de la Renta is twice the age of most of the 200 odd designers who will stage shows in New York this season, yet when it comes to the attitude of his classy fashion, it's probably fresher than any of them and more in step with the real world.
Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, WSJ Heard on the Runway: Designers may be collectively heralding a return to more polished dressing and tailored looks, but that’s probably not news to Oscar de la Renta, who has never veered far from his core mission of creating luxurious suits, ballgowns and accessories for the rich and famous.

Diane von Furstenberg Watch Video

WWD: Typically savvy fusion of the sensual and the sensible, but with a notable upgrade to the sophistication level, starting with the palette.
Fashion Week Daily: Though DVF's collection was decidedly dress-centric, that didn't equal a lack of variety. Even the black frocks, of which there were many, had an eye-pleasing uniqueness, and each one she sent one down the runway felt as fresh as the first time.
Nicole Phelps, Style.com: Her collection was singular in its focus on dresses. Many of the dresses came with matching coats, a nod toward the designer's sense of practicality, an asset that should serve her industry well in the coming months.
Godfrey Deeny, Fashion Wire Daily: Von Furstenberg’s fall 2007 collection was a swaggering tour through Iberian culture that inspired prolonged applause in Bryant Park. Though not exactly demure, it was ladylike, poised and entirely fitting for a stroll across St Peter's Square.
Rachel Michaela, Style Bites: The fall collection opened disappointingly with black on black. Sad, since DVF does color so well. At the worst moments (there was the linebacker-like jacket, then the metallic pewter monstrosity of a top and skirt, and at least one graphic dress nightmare) the models looked positively fat.


Doo. Ri Watch Video

WWD: The collection she presented on Tuesday wasn’t groundbreaking, but it showed hints of a step forward. The second half of the show, comprising variations on the jersey dress, often embellished with architectural crystal harnesses, felt a bit one-note and even lackluster.
Fashion Week Daily: Doo-Ri made a tentative foray into color, mixing a mellow, muted turquoise with burgundy and even a pop of lemon yellow. The collection seemed to find her in a transitional phase, gone were the cinched waists of seasons past, replaced by elongated torsos ending just above the hip.
Nicole Phelps, Style.com: The crystal cages and harnesses worn over her signature jersey dresses got a little complicated, and it would've been nice to see her work in colors other than bordeaux, emerald, and navy.
Suzy Menkes, International Herald Tribune: Doo-Ri Chung had a soft and graceful take on silk, draping it into a top over a bib of sequins and scooping up the sides of a jersey dress. The palette of wine, blue and peacock green made for a repetitive show, but its effect was youthful with a touch of romance.
Lauren Dimet, Second City Style: The bubble-hemmed jersey dresses and frocks began looking very repetitious, but the bordeaux and emerald printed Georgette dress with Swarovski crystal blew me away. She will do very well with this line. She is a crowd pleaser and so darn adorable and talented, you can't resist.

Carolina Herrera Watch Video

Fashion Week Daily: The designer seemed to be juggling a widening scope of references: a square, three quarter sleeve fur tunic worn over a straight plaid skirt paired with substantially spangled stockings for an almost grunge-like layered effect, adapted for the Park Avenue set; when the skirt's pattern showed up again in a bustier dress, the effect was nearer to Anglomania.
Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan WSJ Heard on the Runway: A polished collection featuring dresses made with perforated felt, coats with dramatic funnel-necked collars and tailored, slouchy jackets with wide lapels. Color-wise, she said her subdued palette of blue, “grape,” ash and bark was influenced by Edvard Munch’s somber portrait of Norwegian philosopher Hans Jaeger.
Nicole Phelps, Style.com: With dark menswear plaids and jacquards juxtaposed against the artistic detailing that has lately become a Herrera signature, the effect was altogether different from her confectionary-sweet spring outing.
Godfrey Deeny, Fashion Wire Daily: Herrera’s collection for fall 2007 oozed haute sophistication, from the remarkable jacquard coats to the stockings finished with jade.
Girlawhirl: Favorite new look are the pants, high waisted, slim through the hip and thigh and full through the rest of the leg to the ground where they flipped and flickered as the models walked.

Erin Fetherston Watch Video

WWD: Erin Fetherston showed froufrou dresses in fabrics that appeared a bit cheap, but her PYT friends are likely to find at least one star in the collection.
Fashion Week Daily: Erin Fetherston sent a sweet and lowdown little collection down her silver, star-spangled runway. For demurely divine, goddess-like evening gowns that closed the show, we'll be dreaming 'til they hit stores for sure.
Lindsay Sammon, Fashion Wire Daily: A memorable addition to this season’s collection was Fetherston’s use of the cape, shown with constellation and butterfly prints, and affixed to the back of dresses in a way that gave the garments lift and endless fluidity.
Meenal Mistry, Style.com: The collection occasionally ventured toward the less-sophisticated side of girlish with a couple of Lurex pieces, it was a solid effort that will keep the growing Fetherston fan base more than happy.
FabSugar: Erin Fetherston's designs are what little big girls dream about. Super feminine and girly, while remaining modern, here is a collection that wisks you away to a beautiful boudoir floating in space.

Jason Jobson, Dallas Texas: Last month I spent a FREEZING weekend up in Litchfield County, Connecticut. I was a guest of a friend who has one of those compounds with staff, stables and Style by the acre. The whole area is fabulously chic in an un-hampton’s way. You know the crowd, they don’t chase after the latest "it" bag. In fact, they have more bank than bags. What they do buy is horses. No, actually they have horses bred for them. There are rolling hills of undisturbed country and you usually don’t think about a neighbor unless you get in your car and drive over to see one. I have to say, it is one hell of a place to snuggle up and have a good night’s sleep. It’s also a dream of a place to find antiques and super chic collectibles. One place to spend a few hours browsing and buying is Michael Trapp antiques in West Cornwall…. The owner and shop keep is a most interesting fellow who has created a fantasy world of stone, fountains, and decorating finds – a bit Italian loggia meets Miss Havisham – Great Expectations.

My gracious host planned for us to have dinner at another friends house on Saturday night.  That’s what the Connecticut crowd does. They don’t throw on every piece of new clothing and line up for reservations at one of two hot spots in town to eat. They make plans and invite a small group of people to dinner at their home. Now I must throw in a disclaimer here. I grew up in a poor-cousin version of this Wasp’s nest known as Litchfield County. So it goes without saying that everything should be taken with a grain of salt. The somber serenity of rolling hills can cut like a knife day after day in the grey winter months. The bucolic aesthetic and lock-jaw attitude can be quite stepford like. It’s enough to send a boy running for a 3 day bender in the east village, desperate for a non homogenized experience! On the flip side, living in NYC can also send you running for a long walk on a country road in an L.L. Bean barn jacket and some knee high Wellies! So here I am – Range Rovering from town to town to have dinner with another group of refugees from Manhattan -all of us trying to forget the honking horns, and squealing garbage trucks that are too often embedded in the psyche of New Yorkers. Our dinner host had a cozy place decorated like a big white washed country lodge, with a great room filled with sofa’s and chairs all surrounding a humongous fireplace that crackled and roared with cool spurts of air from the flu. It was a perfect setting for a Winter Saturday night in the country.

The pleasant surprise of the evening was who was seated to my left at dinner -none other than the Queen of celebrity news and Hollywood chatter – Liz Smith. Yes, that Liz Smith, the syndicated columnist who has been reporting scoops on everyone from Liz Taylor & Richard Burton to Jude law & Sienna Miller.

 I was in awe of this legend who was as personable as could be. This is someone who could hide behind her own celebrity – after all she knows EVERYONE.  She had just had lunch the day before with Rupert Everett.  On the contrary, she was friendly and funny and held court all night with stories that had us all laughing and at times gasping! After all, there are things that she just cannot print. Things that are worth gold to a captive audience of New Yorkers who thought they were in the know. Two things struck me the most. First how incredible Ms. Smith looks for her age. She just celebrated her 84th birthday! I’m not one to throw around peoples age, but I saw her on that Michael Eisner show “Conversations” talking about it, so I know she is cool with it. Half the room was half her age, but no one had a quicker wit! The second thing I noticed was her clothes. She was wearing the most beautiful Periwinkle blue leather Jean jacket that you would find on a 40 year old,  and she rocked it! Paired back with a multicolored turtleneck and grey flannel trousers, the leather jacket was a shot of color that hit the spot. It was a great choice that drew her deeper blue eyes out and made them dance as she told story after story. I just had to ask her where she found this keepsake leather piece. I was thinking Armani, or Akris, - maybe Jill Sander… all wrong.

It turns out her entire outfit was all from the Carlisle collection. Doesn’t ring a bell? Well you know the collection, or at least you have seen it. It’s worn year after year by first ladies and Washington wives who have an eye for fashion but who might not have an oil heiress budget to keep them well heeled. It’s also the favorite of those I mentioned above who would rather buy a horse than a shearling from the latest runway show. The collection is only sold through appointments in representatives homes, so you won’t find it in any store. Which does add to the appeal. Fashionable clothes, well made, that don’t cost an arm and a leg, that won’t be seen coming and going all over Madison avenue!

This was the kind of weekend that makes living in New York so special. At any given moment, you have the chance to meet anyone! Liz Smith is an inspiration and a class act. I hope to run into her again, maybe next time in a warmer place!

Spend a "seamless" saturday with the spring collection of fashion savvy graphic designers and graphically sophisticated fashion designers. Examine the pages of the fashion story from the creator's vision to the public eye, from the swatch to sketch, seam to sale, the fifties to the future. Register Here. See the schedule.

SATURDAY 24 MARCH 2007 Florence Gould Auditorium French Institute 55 East 59th Street

Fashion PR is a curious thing. There are many fashion blogs out there, most from those who adore fashion, but a select few from those who are actually in fashion public relations. Many times Bloggers are tapped by public relations firms and are sent information regarding new products out on the market or about to hit the market. Occasionally this also means being sent a fashion product to review on our blogs. In a sense, this then puts the average fashion blogger into the realm of Fashion PR.

For my personal beauty and fashion blog I am often contacted by various PR firms regarding their client’s fashion brand or accessory. The following PR Firms that have reached out to me that represent fashion brands are:

Pierce Mattie Public Relations
The Winning Pitch
BelleRinger PR
Style House PR
Wilks PR
Rubenstein Communications

The Fashion PR blog that I read the most is PR Couture by Crosby Noricks. She manages her own PR and Creative Consulting Company, Clever Gretel in San Diego, CA, where she specializes in providing clients with expertise in media relations, creative promotions, branding, creative copy, event planning and design. Her interest in Fashion PR stems from undergraduate work in media studies, where she examined the relationship between feminism and fashion, as well as graduate work in mass communication and media studies. Her master’s thesis, “From Style to Strategy: An Exploratory Investigation of Public Relations Practice in the Fashion Industry” took her to Los Angeles and New York City to interview practitioners, and was the first academic study of its kind. Crosby was gracious enough to answer my questions regarding her reason for entering into the Fashion PR world:

Sometimes I get in this style rut where I start to think the whole fashion thing is pretty lame. When I get this way, nothing in my closet looks good and I start thinking that maybe what would really inspire me would be to live in a beach cave like the chick in Island of the Blue Dolphins, or better yet, Blue Lagoon. These are low points to be sure, but they do happen. Blame it on too much of the So-Cal sun.

Since spear fishing is probably out of the question, it’s supremely lucky for me that there is Nylon Magazine – a rare gift for that rarified, thinking girl fashionista who loves sneaking into the bath with her Lucky magazine stickers, but sometimes needs a bit more substance. Witty, brash, like the cooler hipster girl you wish you were, Nylon comes on strong with art, style, interviews with crush-worthy ladies like Christina Ricci and Maggie Gyllenhaall, and delicious, inspiring fashion editorials that make me weak in the knees, surrounded by the kind of smart writing that truly feeds me.

I’m hoping that Nylon Guys creates the same kind of style-euphoria upon my well-dressed male friends and those complete strangers I see wearing too short suit pants at my local coffee shop. Focusing on sneakers, graffiti, music, with a tad of the sexy lady in her skivvies, Nylon Guys is a stylish pick me up for those XY chromosomes of a slightly more indie persuasion than MR. “I subscribe to GQ and Maxim.” It’s a bit like falling in love with the boyfriend I never had. It’s also free to download.

Who knew that being a manager at The Gap, having some fashion savvy and owning an iMac with a built in video camera to shoot a few video blogs on, would one day land William Sledd You Tube celebrity status, as well as possible offers from NBC and Bravo.

William Sledd is the 23 year old vlogger behind the now hugely popular video clips on You Tube, “Ask a Gay Man: Fashion Edition.” With over 45,000 subscribers and millions of viewers, big media is starting to take notice. He has signed a deal with NBC and Bravo (owned by NBC) has discussed with him their ideas on some possible scenarios that he could fit into on their network.

Sledd has a good sense of humor and answers subscriber emails in his video series. He has no fashion background beyond managing The Gap, but its his interest in dressing everyone better and his unique standing as the average gay guy dishing out fashion advice that has captured everyone’s attention and lead him onto celebrity status with the jump from ordinary blogger to someone who may be gracing your television screen sometime soon.

Be sure to check out his fashion video series on You Tube. I’ve posted my favorite above, Ask a Gay Man: Fashion Victim Edition, it is very funny and I laughed out loud during the woman and the salt and pepper shaker scene. William Sledd is definitely one to watch!

Fashion is beginning to merge itself with social media. Fashion communities are popping up where you can mix and match pieces of clothing with shoes and various accessories and publish your fashion match for others in the network to see. Of course, no fashion site would be complete without telling you who sells the items and enabling you to purchase what you’ve styled (or the styles of others).

In a previous post I mentioned MyShape.com, a place where you can shop for put-together outfits based on your shape; sites like Polyvore and FashMatch have taken the idea of a clothing match site one step further by creating a community of members who are the driving force behind the mix and match ensembles allowing them to create outfits from pre-existing brands in their database and upload fashion items of their own for every fashion members mix and matching pleasure. Each site tells you the brand and store where the items are available, not only making the whole process fun (and addictive), but allowing you the ability to purchase some pretty terrific looking outfits.

Both sites offer top designer names and brands in fashion like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Baby Phat, Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs (among many others), as well as brands that may be more for the budget oriented like Old Navy, Abercrombie & Fitch, Forever21 and Target. Both sites are also free to join, which is always a bonus if you are inclined to purchase clothes you fall in love with.

Honing your styling skills can be fun, especially with an audience filled with like-minded fashion addicts, but I can also see how it can be bad for your wallet when you find wardrobe after wardrobe that can’t seem to live without.

Ford Models can now do more than just strut on the runways or land a designer print ad campaign; they can also star in the new web series by Ford Modeling focusing on beauty, fashion, modeling and fitness tips. In a time when many companies are trying to spread brand recognition through viral marketing with web videos, Ford Models seem to have found the right formula of a high quality video, the right beauty and fashion professionals offering attention-grabbing behind the scenes tips, content to keep the viewer interested and of course, beautiful models to look at.

FordModels.tv has several different web series to choose from: Beauty Tips, Fashion Flash, Model Fitness, Ford Models 360 and Model Lifestyle. All episodes are under 3 minutes, most ranging from 30 to 90 seconds, making load time much faster and offering content that is simple and to the point.

Beauty Tips is just what the name implies; Fashion Flash are quick fashion trend “flashes” of fashion; Model Fitness focuses on fitness tips by Ford fitness model Kim Strother; Ford Models 360 is a blend of episodes about the season’s latest trends, while Model Lifestyle has the entertaining, “Changing Room Confessional” series. If you are a Blogger and your niche is beauty, fashion or fitness, FordModels.tv offers a variety of code to fit into a variety of blog formats including MySpace, RSS feeds and your typical blog. Code for the web series is provided by Revver, an online video service similar to You Tube, however those who produce videos and use the Revver service to upload them earn money each time their video is viewed.

FordModels.tv is a great way to get behind the scenes in the fashion and modeling industry in a pretty down to earth manner. I’m most in love with their Beauty Tips series, but have loved watching many of their fashion webisodes. Since FordModels.tv is a new venture for the modeling agency, it will be interesting to watch how these webisodes evolve.