Something Old, Someone’s New

By Emily Raduzycki

Clothing from mainstream retailers is becoming rather dull and repetitive, wouldn’t you agree?  Sure, we can still find pieces in our favorite hot spots but it's rare that we hear someone say “wow” anymore when out shopping.  Where to turn?  Vintage. 

The Urban brands have led the way in vintage retailing, often upping the price to match the one-of-a-kind nature (see photo).  Their vintage pieces are less focused on a particular brand or designer name but the retro style.  The dresses are primarily sourced from SOR Select, the label of Some Old Rubies, which reworks and sources vintage pieces.  Each of the pieces is an original and available in a limited size.  

I prefer, however, the classic pursuit in second-hand shops.  Philadelphia has many options to fit the college budget.  Philly AIDS Thrift or PAT, has three floors of merchandise ranging from items to furnish your apartment, to books and old magazines, to clothing.  Thrift shops such as PAT also serve as a non-profit, donating their proceeds to the AIDS Fund with volunteers as the employees.

 

My best advice when it comes to buying previously owned clothing is to go to places in or near an affluent community.  You will be more likely to come across a more valuable treasure in great condition because the donors or consigners tend to circulate their wardrobes more often.  My purchases are from a mixture of Philadelphia, New Jersey and London stores and include a Christian Dior blazer purchased for $10, a Robert Rodriguez top for $30, and many purchases under $5.  

If you’re visiting London any time soon, check out my ratings on the list of second-hand shops that I visited.  

Get Inspired by Madness: "Van Gogh Up Close" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

By Barbara Hionides

He was addicted to absinthe, ate lead and paint, vigorously mumbled to himself, cut off his ear in the name of a broken heart, and most importantly created timeless masterpieces. Van Gogh. He was a genius of his time, even if no one saw it until years later. He created art works that were soon to be highly respected in the art world, bringing a new light to perspective, psychological fears, and depiction of light in art. They say that true creativity is born from madness, and in this case it is evident.

The Dutch post-impressionist painter had created over 2,100 works in his short 37 years of life, before he committed suicide. He started painting and drawing from an early age, highly involved in building his skill set as an artist. He soon found himself working for art dealers, later wanting to become a pastor, and finally deciding to stick to art when in 1886 he moved to Paris. When studying the impressionist style, one can note small colorful brushstrokes, a great emphasis on expressing light, depiction of realistic subject matter in an unconventional abstract way, and the movement of objects expressed through color and brush strokes. Van Gogh did just that. His style changed once he had discovered this new method of expression through painting. He emphasized colors, light and objects’ angles to create an accurate depiction of how he, having a mental illness, saw his subject matter emotionally and psychologically.

Fortunately for Van Gogh Up Close, a traveling exhibition of his most notable, unusual paintings done at the time of his mental turmoil’s peak, we can view these works in Philadelphia. The exhibition opened on February 1^st and will end on May 6^th at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Be sure to visit Van Gogh’s legendary works such as “Rain,” which is a depiction of his window while staying at the Clinique of San Paul after several mental breakdowns. Other works such as “Almond Blossom,” “Garden in Auvers” and many more show the true genius use of color, shadows and lines Van Gogh created through this works. The emotional and psychological impact his paintings unleash, reveal how art can truly inspire and allow for us to see the world through the artists's eyes. 

"Rain", France, 1889.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/02/03/arts/design/20120203-VANGOGH-9.html

http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/743.html

Color, Color, and more Color!

By Anastasia Athineos

Being bold and bright doesn’t have to be just for celebrities. Anyone can rock a variety of fun colored denim to add a new flare to their wardrobe for a fresh and new look this season. Colored denim is a great way to show off your personality in a fashionable yet casual way. Celebrities have been giving this trend mainstream attention with their color blocking style by dressing up or down their outfits. What’s great about this trend is that it isn’t gender specific. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and even Justin Bieber have all been spotted sporting the current trend.

This trend is one that takes some getting used to because not every color is going to look good on everyone’s skin tone.  In order to make this style look best you are better off pairing your colored denim with a simple neutral toned top or jacket. I find that wearing white, black, or gray tee shirts are the safest and most visually pleasing routes to take. By wearing a simple neutral tone, the color from the denim is able to pop and stand out without the outfit looking too loud. Colored denim cries out for fun accessories and shoes. The style of the accessories and shoes can take the simple denim outfit from trendy and flirty to laid back and carefree in a matter of minutes.

So experiment and let your mood and personality shine through your wardrobe! If you are feeling happy, wear something bright. And if you’re feeling a little blue, well cobalt looks great on everyone! No matter your mood, one thing is for certain - you can always feel confident stomping down the sidewalk in your bold, look-at-me pants and effortless style. 

Once Wed

Everyone thinks about it…

That glorious day when love and all things beautiful meet.

From the venue to the flowers, the invitations and dress – a wedding showcases your taste and design aesthetic. Tucked away in a shoebox under the bed or in an ambiguous folder on your Macbook are pages ripped out of magazines and images downloaded from the web.

We’re not crazy. It’s just premature planning, ya know?

Once Wed is a website that finally recognizes and facilitates our obsession.

Launched in 2008, Once Wed is a daily blog that archives notable weddings, supplies fresh ideas and DIY projects, provides vendor contact information and offers an outlet for the solicitation of used dresses.

Until that moment comes we can fixate on other's. And when the day does arrive… you’ll be ready.

Woody's Bar and Restaurant

By Patrick Bartscherer


Known around the city as Philly’s “Gay Mecca” club, Woody’s Bar and Restaurant has served the LGBT community since it opened in 1980. Located in what is known as Philadelphia’s “Gayborhood,” the nightclub attracts men and women of all ages with their themed nights such as college night on Wednesdays, which appeals to the underage crowd, as well as line dancing night where everyone can feel like a cowboy (or cowgirl!). Woody’s has made several transformations and renovations since the opening, but a recent total overhaul has brought Woody’s to a higher standard.

The first major change in Woody’s appearance is the first floor lounge that the owners aptly call the “The Pub.” Originally, the downstairs portion of Woody’s consisted of two dimly lit rooms with old carpeting that attracted an older more “experienced” crowd. A dingy bar countertop circled around the original beer taps that leaked more beer then they served. Now, over 32 draft beers are on tap from Irish microbreweries to national favorites; the Pub has something for everyone. Floor to ceiling windows span the wall facing the street and bright LED TVs wrap around the enormous bar and young bartenders serve up pint-sized cocktails to a trendier city going crowd.

"The Pub" - Photo courtesy of Woody's 

Woody’s has also stepped up their game when it comes to their nightclub located on the second floor. Modeled after top New York City clubs, the owners have revamped their sound and lighting system in order to attract a consistently larger crowd. A visual equalizer lines the walls and lights up the massive hardwood dance floor. The bars have been replaced with elegant granite countertops and CO2 fog cannons keep dancers cool throughout the night.

The Club - Photo courtesy of Woody's

From a worn down tavern to a two-story mega nightclub, Woody’s Bar and Restaurant has become a must for any Philadelphia resident looking to forget about the busy workweek and let off some steam dancing the night away. Their long list of tasty beers will impress even the snobbiest of beer connoisseurs, and the new dance floor area has enough pizzazz to keep visitors coming back for more. More information on Woody’s events can be found on their website at woodysbar.com.

TOMS - how much is too much?

I had to reevaluate my opinion of TOMS shoes recently, when the catalog came in the mail. It was that feeling a hipster gets when their favorite indie band hits the top of the Billbaord charts – or so I imagine.

From apparel, to youth footwear, a glitter and corduroy line …even eyewear?

You’re killin’ me TOMS.

I get it, I get it – one for one.

But the whole “We give sight for every sunglass purchase” angle is pushing it, and the endless promotional emails are forcing me to resent them almost as much as Groupon.

Thus, I am forced to pose the question – How much is too much?

When a company experiences success, should they continue to expand product lines and assortment, saturating the market and hitting the consumer over the head with what made them big? Or should they maintain their business model, allowing for gradual increase in profits, rather than peaks and valleys? After experiencing success, it is difficult for anyone to restrain a concept instead of running with it. However, in the case of TOMS, the latter option might have been desirable. The “One For One” driven company has lost their exclusivity and are devaluing their product. That is, in my eyes anyway.

After seeing TOMS tees and babies in pink glittery cordones on the streets almost daily, my interest is dwindling.

What do you think?

Stylitics: Virtual Wardrobe and Style Assistant

By Christy Lucca

Stylitics.com is an up-and-coming website that coins itself as “your own personal style assistant that makes being stylish easier than ever.” Thousands of fashionistas have been testing out this new style platform, which launched late last year. Stylitics offers a way for its users to view their wardrobe virtually while incorporating personal style trends, outfit history, and connections to popular brands.

The website serves to facilitate a smarter way for people to make decisions about their wardrobe. Users can input every item in their wardrobes and update them according to what they buy and wear each day. For each item, Stylitics will show the last time you wore it and other items you wear most with it. It keeps track of how much you spend on your wardrobe, so you can make smarter buys. It also sends alerts according to trends in your area and new ways to wear items in your wardrobe.

One of our own Design and Merchandising students at Drexel, Caitlin Stelben, is a campus representative for the company. She believes that, “It’s beneficial to students because they receive feedback about what they wear, allowing them to make smarter purchase choices in the future.”

Stylitics is the first website of its kind and revolutionizes the way people think about their own style. One of its biggest perks is the rewards and incentives from brands the more you use the website. After its launch, Stylitics will continue to grow and could potentially become the next biggest “trend.”

Visit the following websites for more information: http://www.stylitics.com/

http://www.facebook.com/Stylitics

http://stylitics.tumblr.com/