The Psychological Benefits of Wearing Exactly What You Want

March 24, 2015, 7:40 am

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My whole sentient life I have been pretty adamant about the way I wanted to look. While, in my case, this hasn't equated to tattoos or even dyed hair, I've certainly made some experimental aesthetic choices. I've never really understood the sense of fear some people have when it comes to wearing things they deem "risky", or even worse "unflattering". Aesthetic decisions about yourself seem, to me, the only creative process that absolutely every human has to partake in. So making these decisions from a place of uneasiness, compromise and even fear can only really set you up for unhappiness, both in how you look and in how you are. I often receive comments such as: "Wow, that is some lipstick. I wish I could pull that off." Well I have news for you -- all of you. You can.

To be able to "get away with" something all you need is belief that you can. Once you start to really understand this, it's like Dorothy's realization in the Wizard of Oz, that she had the power to get home within herself the whole time. You tell yourself you can wear it, and you can. It's really the closest thing to magic which exists in the world. If you pretend you feel confident about your choices, eventually you will.

The trick lies in an arrogant sense of trust in all your aesthetic decisions. Take it as read that you have impeccable taste. Therefore, everything you decide you would like to wear will look great, simply because you have chosen it. This takes away all of the unnecessary and fun-destroying agonizing out of your decision making. If you like it, you are right, and you should wear it. If you don't like it, you're right, and you shouldn't. You're right. You are right.

I am prone to indecision and self-doubt in pretty much all areas of my life apart from my style-based decisions. I don't think I've ever avoided something I actually wanted to wear for fear I couldn't "pull it off." I'm 5'9, and I wear huge clumpy shoes all the bloody time. Having self-confidence which borders on the bratty in this small but important area of my life acts as a foundation for the other areas. Putting on a "risky" lipstick, or shoes which makes you 6 foot 4, tricks everyone around you into thinking you're completely self-assured and confident in every way, and not just in your makeup-based decisions. I obviously don't care what you think of me; otherwise I wouldn't be wearing this ridiculous [insert item here]. And it can even trick you.

There are many who focus on the concept of "flattering" when questioning aesthetic risks. To which I say: you are totally missing the point. Most brightly colored lipsticks are, in the basest sense of the word, deeply unflattering. They are jarring and loud and obnoxious and FUN. Neon pink doesn't "go" with any other color, really. That's not why it's enjoyable to wear. If you admire it on others, you can definitely "get away with it" yourself. It doesn't "suit" anyone, so conversely it actually "suits" everyone the exact same amount. Self-excusing language doesn't make sense to me: simply by wearing it you are "getting away with it," you are "pulling it off."

My perspective on these things has led people to believe I am "fearless." I'm not fearless at all -- I'm scared of lots of things: strangers, sharks, throwing up on airplanes. But I'm just not scared of clothes or makeup. There's no bravery in wearing something "out-there," really. Doing it once (maybe twice for beginners) is enough to convince you that there's no need to be scared. For the most part, nobody around you will notice, and if they do, it is seriously unlikely they will care. And even if somebody else doesn't like it, you shouldn't care. Everybody knows that you can't please everyone, but you can guarantee that wearing what you want will definitely and consistently please you. And that is powerful.

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Recreate Amanda Seyfried's Fierce French Braid In 5 Simple Steps

March 24, 2015, 8:01 am

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The French braid has been our go-to hairstyle since our younger days. But we sometimes find it hard to pull off the youthful plait without looking like we're still in grade school. Thankfully, Amanda Seyfried has inspired us with a refreshing take on this classic 'do.

For the New York City premiere of "While We're Young," Seyfried stepped out sporting a severe French braid. Her hairstylist Renato Campora chose the playful hairdo after seeing the actress' red and white Valentino dress.

Instead of allowing the braids to drape down her back, Campora created structural twists in the back to give this French braid hairstyle a sophisticated touch.

Want to try this yourself? Scroll down for Campora's step-by-step instructions.



Step 1: Prep dry hair with a conditioning spray like Oribe Foundation Mist and brush through with a blow dryer.

Step 2: Create a center part from the top of the head to the nape of the neck until you have two sections. Then apply a molding wax to build texture and create a firm hold.

Step 3: Begin to French braid one side of your head, starting with a small section (about a quarter to a half inch) so the braid lies flat on the scalp. As you braid down your head, gradually increase the size of the sections and secure the ends with a hair tie.

Pro tip: To really bring attention to your eyes, pull the top section of the hair tight.

Step 4: Mold the end of the braid into your desired shape at the nape of your neck and secure with hair pins.

Step 5: Repeat the same process on the opposite side of your head, and finish with a blast of anti-humidity hairspray to set the hairstyle and prevent flyaways.

Selena Gomez Reminds Us All How Fleeting Life Really Is In Bikini'd Instagram Snap

March 24, 2015, 8:18 am

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Selena Gomez seems to be in a good place these days. We don't just mean that because her latest Instagram photo was taken in a picturesque setting, but that she seems more zen lately.

Could her rumored relationship with EDM artist Zedd have something to do with her reminding us all to just chill out a little bit and not let life pass us by?

On Monday, the 22-year-old singer and actress took to Instagram to share a photo of herself in a floral bikini against the backdrop of what appears to be a tropical locale. "Remembering how precious every day is ."

Remembering how precious every day is

A photo posted by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Mar 23, 2015 at 8:50am PDT

Iggy Azalea Reveals The Biggest Misconception About Her In Vogue's 73 Questions

March 24, 2015, 8:26 am

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Iggy Azalea is the latest celebrity featured in Vogue's "73 Questions" interview segment. The video, all shot in one take, follows the Australian rapper all around her Los Angeles home, from the kitchen to her recording studio. We suspect the video was filmed before Azalea swore off social media, because she told the cameras that the most important website is Twitter. And despite what you may have heard in the chorus of her song "Fancy," she has never been to Tokyo. On a more serious note, the 24-year-old divulges what she believes is the biggest misconception about her: "I think people think that I think that I'm the shit and I'm actually super critical of myself."

For more with Azalea, head over to Vogue.

Would You Let A Robot Do Your Makeup?

March 24, 2015, 8:38 am

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By now, there's a good chance you've mastered your makeup routine to the point where you could do it in your sleep (or at least after hitting the snooze button five times). But what if there was a way to automate beauty? After all, we're in a digital age: you can use your phone to lock the doors of your house and order food for a party with just a few clicks. Is a robot makeup artist what's next on the horizon? The latest creation of students Maya Pindeus and Johanna Pichlbauer of the University of Applied Arts Vienna in Austria will convince you to stick to old-fashioned, manual makeup.

18 Honest Photos That Show What The Wedding Night Is Actually Like

March 24, 2015, 8:59 am

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People often have a romanticized notion of what the wedding night is like. Newsflash: It isn't all rose petals, orgasms and fancy champagne.

Recently, we asked our readers to send us a photo that more accurately represents what the night after the wedding was like for them. Some couples chose In-N-Out over pricey room service. Others opted for a peaceful night in their own bed instead of a night at a swanky hotel. And guess what? They still said it was perfect.




Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Weddings on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Photographer Shoots Street Style Series To Raise Money For Skid Row Artists

March 24, 2015, 9:36 am

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Skid Row artist Osiris, dancing on 6th Street and Spring Street.

"I wanted to show something uplifting and joyful,” French photographer Geraldine Freyeisen told The Huffington Post from her windowless studio, just steps from Los Angeles' Skid Row, on a sweltering afternoon in March.

Freyeisen has spent the last year in the most densely populated homeless community in the U.S. The 35-year-old’s images of incredible fashion in Skid Row are bright, fierce, full of light and full of life. To understand Skid Row, "you need to have a reason to be here," she said. "If I were to just pass by, I would have missed the whole thing."

Motivated by a free fashion school developed in the favelas of Brazil, Freyeisen is launching a fashion line in collaboration with Skid Row artists -- 50 percent of the proceeds will go directly back to them.

“What people don’t really know about the neighborhood is the creativity," she said. "And it’s not just the style -- I have met so many artists here.”

Freyeisen bought a sewing machine and keeps it in her studio. There are already racks of clothes hanging in the corners of the space and fabric, paint and yarn on the shelves. “When you take photos, you’re a spectator. I wanted to be active,” she said.

Andre, posing by the King Eddy Saloon.

Launching a brand -- it’s already trademarked, called The Swagabonds -- is not easy in this kind of an environment. Finding artists to work with who are sober and capable of representing themselves were the biggest two concerns, she said.

“I took photos of the Flower Man. He’s been homeless for 30 years and he has that name because he makes these little flowers out of ribbon," she said of a man named Donald. "He is very stylish and creative."

Freyeisen arranged for the two of them to take a sewing class together and now the Flower Man makes his designs out of higher quality material and -- “voilà,” she said -- they sew the flowers onto jackets.

Her plan is to sell online -- and not cheaply. The price point will be around $300, and while artists will take home 50 percent of the proceeds, the other half will cover the costs of the project.

She buys clothes, mostly jackets and sweaters so far, from second hand stores and the Skid Row artists are experimenting with adding embroidery and painting. Freyeisen has also screen printed one artist’s painting onto the backs of jackets.

Screenprint of a painting by Skid Row artist Gary Brown.

She has already invested over $10,000 of her own money for studio rent, the trademark lawyer, clothes, fabric, a camera and the sewing machine.

“It goes fast,” she said of the money. “But I know it’s going to work. The story is so powerful.”

She hopes to raise money with a crowd-sourced funding campaign, either on Indiegogo or Kickstarter, and is putting together a video to help explain the project.

Dice, the fashion icon of Skid Row, posing on San Pedro.

Andre, making his own fashion show on Wall Street.

Freyeisen is typically Parisian, with a chic nickname -- Gigi -- a soft French accent and daring style. Wearing a denim jumpsuit that she made, high tops and a red chain link belt, she practically floats up the stairs of the old building where she recently began renting a studio for $400 a month.

Even though she lives about nine miles away in West Hollywood, Freyeisen spends most of her time here -- taking photographs and working with Skid Row artists on The Swagabonds fashion.

Just a block away, over 17,000 homeless people have set up a world within a world in downtown Los Angeles. Skid Row’s four-mile district includes tent camps, homeless shelters, churches, low-income housing and many non-profits that are there to assist the community. While many have been homeless for 20 or 30 years, the neighborhood is also made up of artists, social workers and activists.

If Freyeisen seems like an outsider, it’s because she is. Her background is in luxury branding, after all. She worked for a niche company in Paris and was responsible for telling the story behind cosmetic brands, and in some cases, choosing the names of many perfumes. After seeing the documentary “Lost Angels,” Freyeisen says she immediately became interested in learning more about Skid Row and wanted to meet the people who lived there.

About a year ago (she had already been living in Los Angeles for three), she found a job assisting on a that was filming in Skid Row -- about women recovering through drama therapy -- and slowly began to meet her subjects.

“For weeks, I would never take photos,” she said. “I would walk around and stay in the park. Because the documentary was very involved in the community, I would go to events and get to know people.”

JC, sewing on San Pedro Street.

Andrew, always so elegant, posing on Stanford Avenue.

Roosevelt and his dog by the fire station on 7th Street.

She never advertised herself as a photographer. Keeping her camera always in her bag, Freyeisen says bonding with the residents of Skid Row was a long process and something she didn't want to rush. It's all about your attitude, she said. What are you about? Do you have genuine intentions?

Freyeisen grew up with a mother who was deeply drawn to helping others. As a little girl, she would see her mom routinely provide food for homeless individuals and sex workers and even open their home up to Parisians recently out of jail.

"[My mother] passed away and I realized I am a lot like her," she said.

Being foreign in Skid Row played its part in helping her form relationships, too: “People were curious, in a good way."

JR, capturing light on Main Street.

Positive news is rarely reported out of Skid Row. But Freyeisen’s vibrant photos illuminate something inspiring and important: regardless of one’s circumstances, the human spirit persists.

The issue of whether or not her photographs are exploitative comes up in our conversation. She, a white woman, points out the difference between exploiting the poverty that is on many corners and showcasing the talent in the neighborhood. By photographing personal style, she says she is highlighting something the subjects are proud of -- what they decided to wear that morning.

Robert and his smile on their way to Church on 7th Street.

Kane, the king of Wall Street, on his bike.

So far she is collaborating with six artists on the fashion project -- two young street artists, a young Skid Row community activist, Donald the Flower Man, a street musician and another woman who both live in the low income housing program in Skid Row. None of them have any formal design experience.

Freyeisen meets with the different artists in her studio (where many come to paint or work) and they sit down one-on-one to look at the art and decide together how it will work best on clothing, she said.

“I try as much as possible to involve everyone in the production. To me, the goal of this project is really to showcase and empower Skid Row artists so that -- when they want to -- then can start their fashion business on their own.”

She says that the artists already involved in the project are very excited.

“They also feel empowered to do more,” she said. “They’re excited to the point that sometimes it wakes me up in the middle of the night; I planted so much hope and dreams that I can’t disappoint them. It’s not an option.”

The two young street artists that she’s worked with (they do paint splattering on jackets) have already started making their own clothes separate from Freyeisen’s project.

Jacket painted by Skid Row artist Ron King.

“We try things, we explore together, we see what works," she said. "And if they want to, we can keep on collaborating. If they want to do things on their own, I encourage them to. It’s supposed to be really open, with people coming in and out -- and new people coming in.”

In one of her photos, a man confidently wears paint-splattered jeans, Nike sneakers, hologram sunglasses and a hard hat.

In another, a man with a large afro dons a disco shirt, black and white tuxedo shoes and sits atop an old suitcase while holding a cane.

Malcom, covered with paint, on 5th Street.

Donald, also called the Flower Man, with his luggage at Gladys Park.

“I walk so much here that I know someone on every corner. Everyone has their spot,” Freyeisen said. “It’s like a village. Everyone waves at each other. Even though from the outside it looks like chaos, there is such a form of family here. With hate and love and everything.”

Drug use and violence are simply realities of the neighborhood. The Los Angeles Police Department is currently under fire for the recent shooting of a black homeless man. A bystander caught it on video and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti has begged the community to wait to pass judgment until an investigation is completed.

When Freyeisen’s camera is out, she works fast. “You feel the vibe and trust your intuition a lot. I’m totally aware of my environment," she said.

Tammy, dancing on Main Street.

It's obvious when looking at Freyeisen’s photos that far more men are featured than women are. "Women are tougher here," she said. "It’s a male environment. I have girlfriends who work in finance and they have to be tougher because it’s a man’s world. It’s the same here. With all of the drugs and the violence ... They have to be."

Mariah and Chrystal hanging out by San Julian Park.

The new sewing machine sits in her studio next to a framed quote by Martin Luther King Jr. that reads: “The time is always right to do what is right.” Above the sofa rests a vision board with clipped images for inspiration for the clothing line.

Freyeisen says she is planning to go back to work in branding so that she can pay the bills and still work on her new project. Noting the name of the Skid Row fashion brand -- The Swagabonds, a combination of "swag" and "vagabond" -- Freyeisen said, “The link between all these people here is the swag. That’s for sure.”

Freyeisen stitches the words Skid Row across the backs of many jackets. “It’s really a way to start the conversation. What I like so much about Skid Row is the pride people have. That’s why I want to use this name."

An Interview With Designer Alyson Eastman

March 24, 2015, 9:41 am

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Designer: Alyson Eastman

I met Aly several years ago when she first arrived in New York City working in a luxury women's shop doing retail sales. Something that all New Yorkers ask each other is "why are you here?" She said she planned to have her own line one day, and I smiled in that "let me guess, you're a model/actor/DJ/stylist/blogger/designer" kinda way; for some reason forgetting where Donna Karan, Michael Kors and many others got their start. I got to know her over the years and found a young woman who could go from running around a farm doting on dogs and llamas in southern Washington State to a sophisticated lady holding court in a Parisian restaurant wearing a facinator while catching up with friends in fluent French. She balances her charming girl-next-door roots with a modern, if not calculated sex appeal... something that is reflected directly in her collections. So years later after watching her evolution from the sidelines, she still holds some mystery to me. I'm hoping this can be the perfect forum to find out what is going on in her head.

EP: First thing, give me an exact time frame of when you first said I am going to do this and you held a garment in your hands. What was your process?

I always knew I wanted to design and have my own clothing line -- I studied fashion design both in Los Angeles and Paris, and during my time in New York I worked for a number of different designers (Zac Posen, Badgley Mischka, Ports 1961 and Julie Haus). I finally found my voice in December 2013 when I was looking for a new winter coat and could not find anything I loved. I decided to sketch one up and had it made. Within two weeks, I had created my first garment start to finish. A collection soon followed and I had my first presentation in February 2014.

EP: Inspiration; to me you are dressing yourself but I know you. Who are these clothes talking to and what purpose is making them desirable for her?

I draw new inspiration each time I create a collection. In my past collections, I have been inspired by Paris, Montauk and Russia in the winter time with the snow at sunset. I love the romanticism in fashion and ­­­­I try to pull all that inspiration and translate those feelings into a wearable garment that will take a woman from day to night in both a professional and social lifestyle.

EP: I mentioned balancing modesty and sex appeal... what is your take on your collections?

Thank you, Eddie! That is exactly the culture I want to promote -- a balance between the smart, powerful woman who can be sexy and feminine at the same time. For me, professionalism doesn't just mean a pencil skirt... blazer... power pump, and a social look can be quite sophisticated and still be sexy. I want women to look luxury all the time.

EP: You have created presentations, lookbooks and a video... what were the pros and cons of each? How did you make this content happen?

Honestly, it has all been an evolution. I am really lucky to have an amazing group of friends -- all in the creative industries -- and as the brand has progressed, so has our approach to presenting each collection. At the end of the day, we want to evolve and do something new, while having fun at the same time. We are all so creative that we are able to channel the inspiration in a number of different ways.

A look book is a necessity in the fashion industry to sell during market, but we decided to take it one step further this season and make it more of a visual story that could be experienced by the women who will actually be wearing the collection. We decided to make a video, which was more of a challenge, but we can all agree it was worth it. Logistically, the video was a multi-step process. It was my first time doing a project like this, so naturally there were a few hiccups but we all worked together and it turned out great!

EP: You have your hands all over this business, what have been the biggest challenges? Are you compromising personal life for these accomplishments or have you maintained a balance?

Absolutely I have compromised personal life, but it is my dream so I am okay with that. This is what I have dreamt of since I was a little girl so most of the time it doesn't feel like work. I think time management has become my new challenge. I have had to learn to be organized with my time and what needs to get done. It is very easy to get on a creative tangent and lose track of time.

EP: Who else is in the closet of this client?

Acne Studios, The Row, Isabel Marant, Dries Van Noten and Alexander Wang.

EP: I LOVE the jackets and skirts; what pieces are you standing behind and finally if you only kept one, what would it be?

That is really a hard question. Obviously I love it all and I have a special connection with each piece. I really do love the dress with pleats (it comes in navy or pink and cream). in fact, I think it may be my favorite. This dress was the biggest challenge because we used different forms of pleating and fabrics that were new to us. That would be the one piece I keep because it is definitely a day-to-night garment and I feel great in it. As for the leather jacket -- I love that too! I have been coveting the perfect leather jacket for a while now and I finally made it (in my opinion it's perfect) so I would maybe sneak that one with me too.

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What Bloggers In Eloquii's New Look Book Can Teach Brands About Plus-Size Clothing

March 24, 2015, 9:49 am

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Yes, yes and more yes.

Plus-size retailer Eloquii has made waves in the industry for providing its customer with truly trendy, well-made fast fashion. Where other companies have fallen short, Eloquii has made good on its word to deliver great style in all shapes in sizes.

Once an off-shoot of The Limited, which focused mainly on workwear, the brand relaunched a year ago with high fashion in mind. Since then, it has pushed out 24 collections and has an impressive social media following, keeping pace with its straight-sized counterparts.

More and more brands are finally following suit, but Eloquii has managed to maintain a special connection to its audience. So much so that it has even included customers in its past look books.



This time around, the brand decided to show off its latest collection by teaming up with influential fashion bloggers including: Sarah Conley of Style It, Liz Black of P.S. It's Fashion, Margie Ashcroft of Margie Plus, Clementine Desseaux of Bonjour Clem, Kellie Brown of And I Get Dressed and Chante Burkett of Everything Curvy And Chic. In addition to looking gorgeous in the clothes, these ladies have some words of advice for other companies venturing into the plus-size market.



"Listening to your consumer is key," Brown told The Huffington Post. She added, "Rather than dictating what one thinks plus-size women want, ask them. [Eloquii] does a great job at both employing and consulting with stylish, plus-size women, which I think makes them a lot more fearless in their approach to design."



Eloquii's success seems to stem from engaging with its community of shoppers. With more than 120,000 Facebook followers who rarely shy away from giving their opinions, the company seems to respond to consumer demand in ways other retailers do not. The site vows to answer to every single request that comes through on its social media channels, and services such as tailored suiting, extended sizes (select pieces come in size 26 and 28) and a wait list for sold out items have been a direct result of customer requests. As Conley puts it, that heightened consumer attention is what's missing in most of the plus-size market:

"Fashion is about self-expression, but you don't see that represented in most plus-size merchandise on the market. I’m not talking about expressing yourself through a trite graphic tee or skull T-shirt. I’m referring to real fashion, like taking risks, having the latitude to experiment with prints, colors, textures and silhouettes. I’d love to see plus-size brands wake up and realize that if they want to offer fashion (as so many claim to do), they need to have a point of view."



With this kind of feedback and support, it's difficult to understand why more fashion-forward are not yet hopping on the plus-size market train. According to Black, it may stem from simply not wanting to do it. "I think many brands don't want to bother. They are making a profit doing what they're doing, and they see expanding their size range as a way to spend, not make money," she told HuffPost.



Even if that may be the case for some brands, as beauty standards continue to shift and evolve, more retailers will have to expand to plus-sizes in order stay relevant. For now, however, regardless of the amount of trendy plus-size options out there, Ashcroft says there are already plenty of ways for women of all shapes and sizes to feel good in their clothing.

"Early on I realized to never look at a size tag when shopping," she said. "People need to buy what fits, and realize that no one piece of fashion needs to be worn the way the designer intended. The lack of clothing options for my size is what ultimately led me to be a plus-size blogger, as I wanted to show girls around the world that your size does not need to define your fashion identity."

Check out the entire look book below, and head to Eloquii to shop.

The 15 Most Stylish Twins On Instagram

March 24, 2015, 9:50 am

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Is it just us, or is there something inherently fascinating about well-dressed twins? Ever since the Olsens, we've been big fans of the mantra that two is always better than one.

While it's safe to say that we spend way too much time clicking through photos of Mary Kate and Ashley, today we want to highlight a few duos that fly under the radar. From Vogue contributors to designers to everyday girls, we trolled Instagram to find the most stylish pairs.

Herewith, 15 stylish twins to further fuel our obsession with twosomes. Check them out below.

Kendall Jenner And Justin Bieber Are In Hollywood's New Brat Pack, According To Vogue

March 24, 2015, 10:36 am

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If you ask Google who the members of the Brat Pack are, the search engine will tell you in approximately 0.00000001 seconds that they are Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy -- actors who all rose to fame in the 1980s. But if you ask Vogue who the Brat Pack is, they list Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Ansel Elgort and Dylan and Hopper Penn.

In a recent photo shoot for the magazine, Vogue crowned the group of young models, actors and reality stars the "new Brat pack," aka "Instagram aristocracy." Naturally, the group happily reposted photos from the Vogue spread on their Instagram accounts:

#repost shot by the amazing @mariotestino April 2015 @voguemagazine

A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on Mar 23, 2015 at 12:03pm PDT

me, G, and norm in April 2015 Vogue! @voguemagazine @mariotestino

A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on Mar 23, 2015 at 12:53pm PDT

@voguemagazine @mariotestino

A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on Mar 23, 2015 at 12:56pm PDT

last one! April Vogue spread @voguemagazine @mariotestino @justinbieber

A photo posted by Kendall Jenner (@kendalljenner) on Mar 23, 2015 at 2:10pm PDT

Side note: Kendall's younger sister Kylie Jenner was noticeably snubbed from Vogue's "Brat Pack" clique, but hey -- at least her dog Norm made his Vogue debut.

Head to Vogue for the full photo shoot.

Weekly Roundup of eBay Vintage Clothing Finds

March 24, 2015, 1:12 pm

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No time to page through thousands of eBay listings? Then just sneak a peek at my Weekly eBay Roundup of top vintage clothing finds.

This eclectic mix of designer and non-designer vintage clothing and accessories caught my discerning eye because of its uniqueness, contemporary feel and highly collectible nature.

As always, buyer beware! Be sure to read the listings closely and contact the sellers with any questions.

This week's roundup includes items by Lilli Ann, Gucci, Tina Leser, Emma Domb, Pucci and St. John. Don't miss the collectible Courreges dress, the antique French cashmere shawl, the Lilli Rubin studded wool dress, the 1950s lame cigarette pants, the antique Chinse carved cow bone card case, the 1980s Chanel earrings and the 1860s serpent necklace.

GET READY, GET SET, BID!!!
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Which item is your favorite? Leave me a comment below to let me know.

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CrossFit Couple's Engagement Photos Are Nothing Short Of Badass

March 24, 2015, 3:55 pm

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Couple and fellow CrossFitters Iliana and Joe jokingly tossed around the idea of doing an engagement photo shoot at their gym (or "box," as insiders call it) in Ocoee, Florida.

"I had joked around with Joe and told him we should take pictures at the box because that's where we spend most of our time together," Iliana told The Huffington Post. She continued, "I didn't really think he was taking me seriously. Then he asked our photographer about it and she sounded excited so he said we should try it out. I was all for it -- to just do something that was a little more 'us.'"


Credit: Cricket's Photography

In November 2014, Joe proposed to Iliana under a waterfall at Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida. Earlier this month, the pair prepared for the engagement photo shoot by looking up some athletic-yet-adorable poses on Pinterest for inspiration. They also came up with some poses of their own on the fly.


Credit: Cricket's Photography


Credit: Cricket's Photography


Credit: Cricket's Photography

"On the days we have off together, this is what we look forward to doing together," Iliana told HuffPost. "We can also go in there when a class isn't going on and do our own workout because we both teach there. Sometimes we do go to a class if we can work it into our schedule."

The couple first met at work at SeaWorld in Orlando. When they started dating, Joe had been doing CrossFit for about two years. Soon after, they started going to the box together.

"It's a hobby we are both really passionate about and that's something we like to do together," she said. "It's really fun that you can share it with somebody that you love."


Credit: Cricket's Photography


Credit: Cricket's Photography

Both Joe and Iliana have gymnastics backgrounds, which helped them with some of the more challenging poses.

According to Ilana, this was the most difficult pose to capture:


Credit: Cricket's Photography

"We had a couple times where we flopped honestly. We got it the third try."

And this was the couple's favorite shot. They both made it their profile picture on Facebook after the shoot:


Credit: Cricket's Photography

"He had to teach me how to tie my foot into the rope and climb it up," she said. "Joe gave me a mini lesson beforehand."

The pair plan to tie the knot on April 30 at Paradise Cove near Lake Buena Vista, Florida. We'd love to see them recreate some of these photos in their wedding attire!

Check out more photos from the shoot below:



Keep in touch! Check out HuffPost Weddings on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Sign up for our newsletter here.

YouTube Stars' Wedding Photos Couldn't Be Lovelier

March 24, 2015, 4:32 pm

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After months of waiting, followers of Rose Ellen Dix and Rosie Spaughton's popular YouTube channel finally got to see the couple tie the knot.

They knew each other for a while; Dix had a crush on Spaughton for five years before the couple actually got together.

"We met through mutual friends who went to school with me and then went to college with Rose," Spaughton told The Huffington Post. "Rose fancied me for ages and when we were both single, I asked her out on a date and it started there!"

When @annawhitemua brings a selfie stick to your wedding

A photo posted by Roxetera (@roxetera) on Mar 21, 2015 at 7:55am PDT

The couple -- whose YouTube channel is dedicated to their love for each other -- got engaged 10 months ago and married on March 20, which was also World Happiness Day. They said it was everything they'd dreamed of.

"Our wedding day was absolutely perfect, every tiny detail was exactly how we planned," Spaughton said. "It was one of the best days of both of our lives."

The couple shared photos from the big day with their collective 200,000 Instagram followers. Check out a few especially gorgeous pictures below:

A photo posted by Rose Ellen Dix (@roseellendix) on Mar 21, 2015 at 11:39am PDT

#regram from @tabbi_btw

A photo posted by Roxetera (@roxetera) on Mar 21, 2015 at 8:25am PDT

Most perfect day of my life

A photo posted by Rose Ellen Dix (@roseellendix) on Mar 21, 2015 at 5:24am PDT

Still haven't had enough of these two? Watch one of their YouTube videos, below:



H/T Cosmopolitan

Miss Universe Japan Faces Criticism That She Is Not Japanese Enough

March 25, 2015, 9:12 am

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Bi-racial beauty queen Ariana Miyamoto should be spending this week celebrating her new title as Miss Universe Japan, but instead she has been using her energy to fight off nasty comments.

A photo posted by Miss Universe Japan (@missuniversejapan) on Mar 18, 2015 at 8:42pm PDT

The 20-year-old contestant, who was born and raised in Japan, is the daughter of a Japanese woman and an African-American man, or as they would say in Japan, a "hafu" -- meaning half-Japanese. Many critics are complaining that Miyamoto doesn't look Japanese enough to represent their country and some have taken to social media to express their dismay.

Japanese websites Byokan Sunday and Naver Matome have rounded up some of the mean remarks, which include things like, "Is it okay to select a hafu to represent Japan?" or "Because this is Miss Universe Japan, don't you think hafu are a no-no?"

A photo posted by @beautifulmissesvzla on Mar 23, 2015 at 10:36am PDT

The former Miss Nagasaki will represent Japan in the 2015 Miss Universe pageant and while the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, thankfully Miyamoto also has some supporters. Fans of the young contestant include filmmaker and co-director of the film "Hafu," Megumi Nishikura, who told NBC News: "The selection of Ariana Miyamoto as this year's Miss Universe Japan is a huge step forward in expanding the definition of what it means to be Japanese." We couldn't agree more.

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Here Are The Most Popular Throwback Jerseys In Each State

March 25, 2015, 9:27 am

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Everyone has a hometown hero, a team favorite, a legend. Turns out Kobe Bryant is that person for a lot of people, even well outside of Los Angeles.

The folks at Mitchell & Ness released a map Tuesday showing the top-selling throwback jerseys in each state. And while most are pretty expected -- Karl Malone is a favorite in Utah, Patrick Ewing in New York and Troy Aikman in Texas -- others are less so. Namely that Kobe Bryant is a top seller in Delaware and Tennessee.

To be fair, he's also the top-selling jersey in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio, but maybe we can chalk that up to the Laker's existence as a franchise formerly located in Minnesota with a namesake derived from the Great Lakes?

Unfortunately for Kobe, the reigning champion in jersey sales in California is none other than Joe Montana. Can't win them all. Either way, check out the map to see who leads your state:



H/T For The Win

January Jones Believes Girls Should 'Be Proud' Of 'Funky' Haircuts

March 25, 2015, 9:51 am

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January Jones is no stranger to Violet Grey magazine's The Violet Files.

Posing for the second time, the "Mad Men" actress was photographed for the magazine's latest issue wearing six dramatically different looks. Makeup artist Rachel Goodwin and hairstylist Mara Rozak transformed Jones into various personas including an edgy party girl wearing greasy hair, burgundy lips and chunky rings, and an au natural beauty with soft waves and glowing skin.

In the interview, Jones spoke candidly about self-acceptance. She referenced the amazing photo she posted on Instagram for Throwback Thursday, which depicted her 9-year-old self with a mullet.

“I was at my most confident as a kid,” Jones said. "It actually wasn't until I got into high school and started to get quote-unquote pretty that my confidence started to disappear."

Jones added that she wants women and girls who feel weird about their hair to still feel great. "I want to give the message that girls can be proud and self-assured no matter what funky haircut they have," she added.

Take a look at Jones' amazing photos for The Violet Files below, shot by Alex Caley. Check out the interview and comments from the makeup artist at VioletGrey.com.

American Apparel Casting Call Says 'Instagram Hoes' Not Welcomed

March 25, 2015, 10:18 am

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A leaked email for an American Apparel casting call said no "Instagram hoes" are welcomed, according to reports.

While the casting agency took full responsibility for the email, the revelation comes as American Apparel tries to move past previous controversies, as well as the firing of founder Dov Charney in December amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Animal NewYork obtained the email sent by casting agent Photogenics that called for models to attend the March 18 call at American Apparel's Los Angeles office. "Company is going through a rebranding image so will be shooting models moving forward. Real models. Not Instagram hoes or THOTS," read the message, written in all caps. (THOT is an acronym for "that hoe over there.")

In a statement, Photogenics agency Director Phira Luon, who reportedly wrote the email, told Animal the note was intended only for a few who would be attending. "The comment made at the end was made in jest with models whom i have a personal relationship with and did not reflect the views, or directives by the client. i apologize to all those who were offended or affected by my comments, as it was not my intention."

Luon also addressed the email in the New York Post, calling it “an inappropriate, off-color joke that was not intended to defame the client’s name or philosophy/views in any way.”

Cynthia Erland, American Apparel's senior vice president of marketing, also emphasized to The Huffington Post in a statement that the email neither came from American Apparel nor represented its values.

"It's just completely false that American Apparel is only using professional models, and we have had and continue to have public casting calls on our calendar," she said. "We continue to look for diverse models of all sizes and backgrounds that look great in our clothes, and these open casting calls play a key role. Suggestions to the contrary are the result of an email written by a non-American Apparel employee that does not reflect our company's beliefs in any way, and they have since apologized for writing it."

As Design & Trend notes, American Apparel has used amateur models in suggestive ads in the past. After new CEO Paula Schneider was hired in December, some wondered if the brand was going to tone things down.

This article was updated with a response from American Apparel's Cynthia Erland.

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Lifelong Brow Obsession

March 25, 2015, 10:29 am

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If the eyes are the window to the soul, certainly brows must be the curtain. Or maybe I'm just rationalizing what is surely a sign of insanity.

My brow fixation began as a little kid, but intensified as I grew older. At age 11, I coveted Cameron Diaz's brows from The Mask, pining to make mine as lithe and lean as hers. But because I was, you know, literally a child, my mom forbade me to tweeze.

"Leave your eyebrows alone. They're fine!"



I struggled to find a loophole in her Draconian laws. A ha! Tape! She never said I couldn't use such methods to remove unwanted hairs! So I grabbed some Scotch tape, pressed it to my "must fix" areas on my brows, and yanked away. It didn't hurt. Actually, I found the removed hairs fascinating, in a geeky way.

Yes, I did that until I graduated elementary school.

Finally in junior high (in the fall of 2001), I was permitted to tweeze (but not yet to wear makeup). I stood, victorious, against the seashell wallpaper in my bathroom, tweezers poised high.

I took a deep breath, grabbed a hair, and pulled. It was agony!

Briefly, my body writhed in the kind of pain I can only liken to being burned alive while getting repeatedly kicked in the shins. I recoiled, my small body slamming back against that stupid seashell wallpaper. I tried to catch my breath. Then it occurred to me that I had 20 more hairs to pull. Maybe -- maybe this second time -- it wouldn't hurt.

Nope.

My eyes swelled with tears, then flowed down my face before the next hair had even left its home in my brow follicle.

I stared back at my tweeny reflection in the mirror. Like a Spartan warrior, I understood: I had to keep fighting. I must endure the pain and conquer my brows. Though I was blind with tears and grasping on the counter to avoid falling, I knew I'd find the strength to prevail. With a silent anguished cry, I continued.

Perhaps I blacked out from that pain after that; I honestly don't recall how the rest of the evening went down. The next day, however, I stroked the bald skin beneath my arch. I basked in the light of my first-period Social Studies class while the morning announcements droned on, innocent to my broaching womanhood. It was worth it. When Christina Aguilera dropped her album Stripped in the fall of 2002, my impressionable eighth grade self abandoned my former brow idol Cameron and lusted after Xtina's pair -- but still, pencil thin was in.

I thought -- with repeated tweezing -- I could thin out my brows enough to save years of hassle. I pictured myself as a suave, all-black-wearing, important young woman clacking around in heels... with very thin eyebrows.

Thankfully, the scary-skinny brows didn't trend for much longer. By the time I started my sophomore year of high school in 2004, I cut back on tweezing. In doing so, I learned a lot about my natural eyebrows. I have a bald patch in the arch of my left brow. Most of my eyebrow hairs are blonde. Though they start dark and unruly at the inner corners, they turn blonde about half way through and form the vague shape of a balding, albino caterpillar. It's like my Italian and Finnish sides battled, then gallantly compromised, on the territory of my brows.

New brow routine: Tweeze. Pencil in the outer halves.

Finding a balance between tweezing and penciling proved challenging. With no older sister to provide brow aspirations, I studied the brows of all the women in my family to determine whose best resembled mine. At family parties I stared intensely at everyone in an effort to find that inevitable brow gene twin. (I come from a decent-sized family -- I figured there had to be at least one.) After months of observing, my Aunt Susie ultimately proved her genetic brow twinness to me. I struggled to contain my excitement as I leaned across my grandparents' wormwood coffee table. At long last, I could question my brow guru! My journey was over! The words tumbled out of my mouth.

"Aunt Susie! Your brows look so nice! How do you do them?"

Almost immediately, I watched my aunt instinctively groom them the way I did. Uh oh. She spoke:

"Honestly, it's always been kind of a struggle... "



Years later, she would tell me that she once waxed her brows before a dinner party. Her eyes "blew up like balloons," as she put it. That day, my dreams of a perfect browed future crashed around me in a thousand miserable shards of magnifying mirror. I felt the blood drain from my face as reality sunk in: I would never be a brow master. My ancestors bestowed terrible brows upon us all!

What I was, really, was a drama queen. As the years progressed, brows thickened in the beauty sphere. I followed the trend. By 2009, my college self was mortified by my formerly malnourished brows. Four years later, my "real adult" self took in the cool stream of airbrushed makeup before a party where I was serving as a promotional model. As an overworked young professional, I was less brow-trend savvy. I felt the makeup artist fill in my brows further than I would have.

"You," she explained, "are so fall with these brows." It was spring. "What designer are you modeling tonight?" she questioned, before noticing I couldn't move my face. "Anyway, they're going to love this look!" When she held up the mirror, my jaw nearly dropped. Everything -- the expensive dress, my updo, the additional handiwork of the makeup artist, my eyes themselves -- faded away while I beheld the magnanimous entities that now resided on my face.

I was speechless. Of all the years I had strived for thin, how could I have ignored the beauty of plush brows? I was lifted. Enlightened, if you will. The glorious epiphany washed over me in ecstatic waves. All those years of tweezing were wasted. Everyone was right -- my mom, teachers, vintage Tiger Beat magazines, I mean, even my dad was right. From the depths of my shallow heart, I vowed to my reflection that I would turn my life over to the glory of thick brows.

Since that spring of 2013, I've developed a new brow method: Tweeze the few pesky hairs that deviate from my desired shape. Pencil in my arches, inner bits, and continually blonding ends. Sweep over the entire brow with brown shadow to even the texture and color.




Though I'm one of those (apparently) rare women who enjoys the process of applying makeup, I know I can't do this forever. Physically, the maniacal process will likely eventually give me carpal tunnel, and mentally, I'm sure this is absolutely insane. How much time have I focused on such a silly aspect of my life? Weeks? Months? For the sake of Brooke Shields, please let it not be years!

Really though, I know this trend will fade off into the horizon of hip huggers, waterbeds, Chia Pets, and other deceased fads. Some day, I might come full circle and return to the mirror as a thin-browed version of myself.

No. Never.

This story by Giana Ciapponi first appeared on Ravishly.com, an alternative news+culture website for women.

You can follow Ravishly on Twitter @ravishlydotcom and read more stories here:

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Here's What Happened When Ginger Spice Left The Spice Girls

March 25, 2015, 10:29 am

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Zayn Malik has left One Direction for good, and though the world is still standing, perpetual teens were reminded of a similar pop group shake-up that left us broken. It was a dark day in 1998 when Geri Halliwell, aka Ginger Spice, hung up her Union Jack dress and said goodbye to the Spice Girls.

Twitter didn't exist, Facebook wasn't even The Facebook and Meerkat was still just a mongoose. But Ginger Spice broke our hearts, and, fittingly, the news. "Sadly I would like to confirm that I have left the Spice Girls," Halliwell said in a statement at the time. "This is because of differences between us. I am sure the group will continue to be successful and I wish them all the best. I have no immediate plans. I wish to apologize to all the fans and to thank them for everyone who has been there."

"We are upset and saddened by Geri's departure," Alan Edwards, spokesman for the Spice Girls, said at a press conference. (Yes! There was a press conference!) "We are very supportive in whatever she wants to do. The Spice Girls are here to stay. See you at the stadiums. We're sorry to all our fans for having to go through this."

Here's a compilation of all the news footage covering her departure, featuring testimonies from fans -- "AHHH!" -- and commentary from Variety's Sharon Stewart. It foreshadows the dark days ahead for Malik, One Direction fans and Spice Girls devotees.