No Fewer than 12 Times Karl Lagerfeld Cribbed ‘Ab Fab’ for Chanel

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Joseph Larkowsky

Illustration by Joseph Larkowsky

Coco? No. Keira? Oh no. One fashion icon has inspired more looks from the Chanel archive than any other. Look no further than fashion and PR maven extraordinaire, Edina Monsoon.

I stumbled across the similarities whilst binging on Ab Fab, the incredible and hilarious series created by Jennifer Saunders earlier today, not quite believing my eyes. There she was — Edina, accompanied by binge-drinking socialite and magazine features director du jour Patsy Stone wearing what appeared to be a Chanel Spring 2015 look. Vivid watercolor sleeves in pinks, purples and oranges, with a tweed palazzo pant and draped ruffled necktie. After hauling up the images on Style.com I compared the similarities; pretty identical if I say so myself.

Chanel Prêt-à-Porter Spring 2015

After a little more digging, I realized this wasn’t Karl Lagerfeld‘s first time referencing an outfit Edina has worn in the hit Brit comedy. From her iconic “LACROIX Sweetie Darling” orange jumpsuit, seen at the brand’s Fall 2014 collection, to full denim outings from the Pre-Fall 2014 collection in Dallas, ostentatious fabrications from the Cruise 2015 show in Dubai, the Chanel archive has a whole host of inspired recreations from Edina’s most memorable looks. It seems Karl is like the rest of us after all, sitting on the sofa, starched collar off kilter, downing a bottle of red, catching up with the box set of fashion’s ideal duo.

I’ve always wondered how Kaiser Karl created and styled so many collections a year, but it just comes to show you, inspiration comes from the most unlikely of places. Edina Monsoon, fashion salutes you.

Chanel Prêt-à-Porter Spring 2015

Chanel Cruise Paris/Dubai 2015

Chanel Prêt-à-Porter Fall 2014

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2013

Chanel Pre-Fall Paris/Dallas 2014

Chanel Pre-Fall Paris/Bombay 2012

Chanel Cruise Paris/Antibes 2012

Get Inspired by the 5 Chicest Street Style Trends from Milan Fashion Week

Posted on January 21, 2015 by BlackBook

All photos: Julien Boudet/BFAnyc.com

Fashion Week is not inspiration-poor; from the runways to the streets, we’re finding all kinds of reasons to reinvigorate our wardrobes. Get inspired by the 5 chicest MFW street style trends, right here.

Shearling

Plaids and Checks

Pinstripe

Camel

Blue Fur

Getting Lost in Wim Wenders’ 1985 Ode to Yasujirô Ozu, ‘Tokyo-Ga’

Posted on January 21, 2015 by BlackBook

Although a German native and a staple of the country’s cinema, internationally beloved filmmaker Wim Wenders has always been a great explorer of foreign territory. Whether he’s shooting the sweeping deserts of the American Southwest with a romantic eye and pastiche fascination or the everyday intricacies and idiosyncratic wonders of modern Japanese culture, Wenders possesses a tremendous ability to impress his own poetic and beautifully melancholy voice into just about everywhere he travels.

And in 1983, the director traveled to Japan with the hopes of shooting a documentary feature called Tokyo-ga—a diary on film of his exploration further into the life and work of iconic Japanese filmmaker Yasujirô Ozu. He conducted interviews with Yuharu Atsuta (Ozu’s cinematographer) and visited his shooting locations, as well as showing us his exposition on the culture of contemporary Tokyo in comparison to the Japanese culture so heavily imbued in Ozu’s work. The resulting film is an homage to him and a journey to capture the essence of what it is Wenders has forever been so fascinated by in his work.

In speaking to the films, Wenders once said that for all the Japanese linage present in Ozu’s work, he is able to “recognize all families, in all the countries of the world, as well as my parents, my brother and myself. For me, never before and never again since has the cinema been so close to its essence and its purpose: to present an image of man in our century, a usable, true and valid image, in which he not only recognizes himself but from which, above all, he may learn about himself.”

As Wenders takes us along on his travels, we go everywhere from Pachinko halls and wax food factories to observing rockabilly culture in Yoyogi park. It’s been said that:

More than anything, Wenders’ film plays out like a travelogue of a very personal artistic pilgrimage, in this case, to Ozu’s Tokyo. A potentially excellent double-bill counterpart to Chris Marker’s (who makes a brief appearance in the film) contemporaneous Japan-centric experimental fiction/documentary hybrid, Sans Soleil (1983), Tokyo-Ga reveals the perspective of a fascinated apprentice,

And although the film doesn’t seem to be streaming in one piece anywhere on the internet, you can certainly enjoy the wonder of Tokyo-Ga scene by scene. Set aside some quality time as you hibernate from the snow to enjoy a bit of Wenders. And if you’re really looking for an escape after, head to Hulu + to enjoy a wealth of Wenders—from Alice in the Cities to Wings of Desire.

Pachinko & Mu

Getting the Shot With Yuharu Atsuta

Wim Wenders and Chishu Ryu

Rockabilly Scene

“Only what’s there can exist, what’s real.”

Werner Herzog on his quest for ‘pure’ images.

GIRLS Fashion Recap: Hannah Goes to Iowa

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Sara Spruch-Feiner

I don’t think we’re in Brooklyn anymore.

Hannah’s moved to Iowa to begin her new, writerly chapter and it is going to be a wild, messy, blue-paint (?!) filled ride.

This is one of those GIRLS episodes with very minimal screentime for Jessa, Shosh, and Marni, but a whole lot of Hannah, and one New York looking Elijah, come to Iowa for no discernible reason but shits and giggles.

Let’s go.

Hannah starts out optimistic, inspired by the real estate potential in Iowa, as any New Yorker would be. This was a kinda cute look IMO…I was getting some Orla Kiely/Marimekko vibes from this outfit.

She’s snacking on grapes, not thinking about Adam, and not worrying about whatever bejeweled sweatshirt thing Marni has going on.

But then, there is a bat in the house and she winds up locked out and re-entering through the window, going to sleep on the bathroom floor.

This leads to one of Hannah’s most unfortunate moments. Hannah is running late to class and ends up throwing this could have been cute varsity sweater (a nod to academia) over her PJ’s. Is this some sort of reference to the nonchalant, poor fashion choices of an undergrad? Does she really think this is an OK look for the prestigious Iowa Writer’s Workshop?

We get a few brief moments of Shosh and Jessa, watching Scandal. Shoshanna seems to have reignited the flame with her larger-scale hair accessories.

Enter Elijah: Hannah pulls it together to go to a party and wears this dress which I really liked. (Note: I did not like the sallow cardigan or rest of the outfit, just the dress)…

But then, this happens.

Goodbye, cute dress. Elijah, of course, looks perfectly put together in his morning-after getup, in spite of his grinding/tryst/cheering on the paint-wrestle.

Resolutions:

It’s way too soon to worry abut Hannah learning proper garment care (somehow her wrestling opponent managed to wear a bathing suit), so let’s just focus on the small stuff…

-No more pajamas to class

-Maybe Elijah can help Hannah curate a writerly-chic look? Or Marni even, with her desire to be sartorially on-theme? Someone help this girl.

Pretty excited to track the development of GIRLS’ delightful cast of characters throughout season 4–see you next week!

Jen and Angie Red Carpet Face-Off! + Who Won (& Lost) the Critics’ Choice Carpet

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Sara Spruch-Feiner

(Interesting to see red in a sexy, devilish red next to Angie in angelic draping and a more cherubic palette…) Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

We’re fully in award season now and last night, on the heels of controversial Oscar noms, stars hit the red carpet once again. One might imagine a sort of dressing up ennui might occur especially with the fashion spotlight so heavily focused on February’s upcoming Oscars ceremony, yet impressively, I found the Critics’ Choice outfitting to be full of excitement, if not simply better than most of Sunday’s Globes looks.

The Hits

Let’s start with Miz Jennifer Aniston whose red, cleavage-baring suit is a totally new look for the generally-pretty-boring star formerly known as Rachel. Extra points for the sexy, boob-grazing jewelry.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Rumors have already surfaced about the great lengths Angelina Jolie and Jen went to avoid one another last night. In the competition of fashion, I’m going with Jen. Angie’s vintage-inspired silver dress is a predictable silhouette for the curvaceous bombshell and points are always granted for trying something new.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Julianne Moore is a whatever-color-carpet superhero. She rarely misses. This gown is no exception. Even in black, she’s never boring, and the cleavage baring panel is werking.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

With much excitement, Keira Knightley gets a spot where she belongs–on the Hits list. While some might find this gown to be a little twee, what with its Peter Pan collar, I think it’s gorgeous and that train is just owning it. Her makeup look is flawless.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Leslie Mann is so freakin’ cute. This is a playful look thanks to the mix of shine and sheer, the rainbow clutch, the fun, fashion-forward shoes…what a cool mom.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Rosario Dawson‘s one-shouldered gown is a picture of sophistication. As is her regal little wave (below). Her makeup is also on fleek and her smile is radiant.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Weirdest compliment of the night goes to Rosario Dawson’s perky boob. It’s just really rocking it in that gown.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

The Misses

Meh. Not my favorite look for Jessica Chastain whose red carpet style usually slays. But I’m feeling her pink lipstick. Bold and beautiful with her red hair.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Ugh. Why is the usually ultra chic Diane Kruger dressed like a tablecloth? On the one hand, this reminds me, in color palette, at least of an Isabel Marant print I loved, but it literally looks like a fancy tablecloth draped on Ms. Kruger’s frame the way I would wrap a towel in a gym locker room…Moving on.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Now we are reaching the part of this blue carpet analysis in which I am forced to express my disdain about dresses on stars I love. Case in point. I love Emily Blunt. She is a joy and she is, obviously, such a beauty. This dress, however, is feeling a little prommy to me.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

File this under the same category. Felicity Jones: high on my girl crush list. This Wednesday Addams Halloween costume? Not so much.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

First and foremost, congratulations Jenny Slate. Obvious Child was my perhaps my favorite movie of the whole year and I am personally thrilled to see it recognized. This belted dress situation though! I can just picture myself trying things on only to have my mom tug at my general crotch area: “Doesn’t it bother you how it’s pulling there!?” Yes, yes it does.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

This is going below Jenny for a reason. If you follow Ms. Slate on Instagram, then you might already know that the woman is obsessed with turtlenecks. I would have loved to see her real life style go all blue carpet for a hot minute.

Rosamund Pike, however, is a. definitely a fan of white dresses and b. rocking the mock neck. Hit or miss? Can’t decide.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

Really not WILD (see what I did there) about this ultra-prom Jessica McClintock x Hot Topic gown on Reese Witherspoon. No, no, no.
Photo: John Salangsang/BFAnyc.com

See you soon for a million more award shows!

Red Hot, Majorly Metallic, and Flops… Every Golden Globe Red Carpet Trend Is Here

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Alex Miller

Photo: David X Prutting/BFAnyc.com

While some trends are truly enduring (old Hollywood glamour, whatever that means!), many more are far more fleeting–do we expect starlets in 2070 trying to replicate their version of “old Hollywood glamour” with cut-outs and illusion netting? Here’s a sampling of some of Hollywood’s top talents dipping their toes into pants (!), primary colors (!!), and butterflies (oh my!!!)

Metallics

Julianne Moore loves avant garde designer gowns, the appeal of which can be totally lost between the runway and red carpet. In this custom Givenchy piece however, she looks fantastic; the glittering silver graduates beautifully into the ombre feathers–it’s a lot of look, to be sure, but she pulls is off.

Photo: @givenchyofficial on Instagram

Dakota Johnson’s Chanel is similarly silver (and tricky), but I wish that the dress had a more straight hem–I’m personally not a huge fan of mullet hems, and especially when they’re not done with such a loose fabric. [Editor’s note: DISAGREE. One of the best looks of the night.]

Photo: @usweekly on Instagram

Bold metallics can be deployed well in more minimalist dresses–Reese Witherspoon’s silvery Calvin Klein is a straightforward silhouette with just enough detail in the beading to keep it from looking pedestrian, and she had the red carpet savvy and confidence to make a strong impact.

Photo: @reesewitherspoon on Instagram

The Emilia Wickstead worn by Diane Kruger makes a strong impression with a chic and modern shape that we’ve come to expect from Kruger, who, like Moore, loves couture gowns for a spin on the red carpet.

Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Moet & Chandon

Jessica Chastain’s Versace would have made a huge impact regardless of the gorgeous burnt gold shade of the gown, but she imbued the dramatically draped dress with a sex appeal we don’t often see from the ridiculously-prolific actress.

Photo Credit: David X Prutting/BFAnyc.com

_______

White with Side Body Skin Reveals

Like we said earlier, when you see it three times, it’s a veritable trend. Rosamund Pike and Kate Hudson wore structurally-similar white gowns with side cut-outs, but Kate Hudson’s dress is quintessentially Versace: tight, sexy, and outrageous, in an appropriately-formal way.

Photo: @eonline on Instagram

The Vera Wang that Pike wore, however, has strangely thin straps where thicker ones would be much better, and it’s making the bust stand off of her chest in a way that does her no favors. She had a baby five weeks ago, and looks objectively amazing, making this gown’s appearance all the more disappointing.

Photo: @eonline on Instagram

Emily Blunt’s is the most classic of the three, with the Michael Kors-custom gown embodying a beautifully-made, Grecian inspired ensemble.

Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Moet & Chandon

_______

Ladies Wearing Pants

Emma Stone, possibly inspired by the Golden Globe outfit another Emma (Watson, in Dior last year), wore pants on the red carpet. Pants! This Lanvin jumper looked completely chic, with the crystal detail on the top offset by the beautifully cut black trousers, complete with a bewildering, but ultimately exciting, side/back bow that also created a small train.

Photo: @lanvinofficial on Instagram

Nominee Lorde also opted for a pantset this year, sticking true to her offbeat style in a custom Narcisco Rodriguez suit that spoke to her trend-resistant style while not making her look like Morticia Adams. Or significantly older than 17, which is how old she is.

Photo: @narciso_rodriguez on Instagram

_______

Afros

After making such a memorable (caped!) splash at last year’s Globes, it was nice to see a looser, sexier Lupita Nyong’o in this white and purple Giambattista Valli Couture gown. Lupita is rarely seen without her short natural hair, and her styling team has demonstrated the myriad ways in which it can be played with and adapted to any event, making as strong a case for the afro — or any iteration of natural hair — on the red carpet as any.

Photo: @Vanityfair on Instagram

YOLO Icon Prince also sported an afro at the Globes, making an amazing surprise appearance.

_______

Vintage-Inspired Looks

“Old Hollywood Glamour” is such a red carpet cliche that it’s hard to swallow another actress describing her gown as such; it’s even harder to swallow when it’s as miserably depressing Lana del Rey’s turquoise gown is. She looks like a re-animated Priscilla Presley wax figure.

Photo: @goldenglobes on Instagram

Keira Knightley’s ruffled bib-nightgown looks like a vaguely victorian confirmation dress–this is made all the more distressing by the fact that it took more than 30 people from Chanel’s design team over a week to complete this gown. The fact that such an extraordinary amount of labor went into crafting this glorified bib-nightgown set with a crushing lack of poeticism or grace is depressing. Look: there’s a butterfly attached to the bag. Look: there are butterflies beaded onto her skirt. It’s entirely too literal and marks a rare miss for the normally-chic Brit.

Photo: Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com

_______

Red

For years, ladies avoided red on the red carpet, most likely for the logistical challenges that can arise from being photographed in fabric the same color as the surface they’re standing on. However, more and more leading ladies, undaunted by the possibility of blending into the carpet. Heidi Klum went for her usual overt sex appeal in her usual Versace.

Photo: @heidiklum on Instagram

Jane Fonda, also slaying in Versace, and Helen Mirren in Dolce, acted as physical manifestations of those “Sexy at Every Age” articles. Helen Mirren is 69. Jane Fonda is 77. Let that sink in.

Photo: @Goldenglobes on Instagram

Photo: @Versace_Official on Instagram

Viola Davis and Allison Janney look similarly ageless and sexy, in Escada and Ella Zahlan, respectively.

Photo: David X Prutting/BFAnyc.com

Julianna Marguiles looks great in a patterned Ulyana Sergeenko, though the dress an unusual tea length hem that I’m not quite sold on.

Photo: @ulyana_sergeenko_moscow on Instagram

Taylor Schilling’s dramatic and modern gown, courtesy of Ralph Lauren, was a head-turner.

Photo: David X Prutting/BFAnyc.com

Holding it down for the millennial set, “Girls” co-stars Lena Dunham and Allison Williams also wore red gowns last night: Allison opted for an Armani Prive gown with beautiful red beading that offered a welcome break from her often-prim choices. Zac Posen created yet another ill-fitting gown for Lena–he’s her former babysitter so I get the sentimental choice, but he has served her wrong on too many occasions now. Good color for her, though.

Photo: @goldenglobes on Instagram

Photo: @bpcm on Instagram

_______

Yellow

Reese Witherspoon wore a vintage yellow gown to the Globes back in the early aughts, starting a huge trend for both the bold color and throwback style. Jenna Dewan-Tatum, in a loose, romantic Carolina Herrera gown modeled a softer, gentler yellow on the carpet.

Photo: David X Prutting/BFAnyc.com

Leslie Mann’s Kaufman Franco sheath hugged her body like a glove, and the successful use of the brighter hue demonstrated yellow’s surprising versatility.

Photo: @kaufmanfranco on Instagram

Gucci created a more classic belted gown for Naomi Watts, though the entire outfit was essentially a canvas for her incredible Bulgari snake necklace. It was a huge and risky statement piece that elevated the whole look.

Photo: @eonline on Instagram

All in all, this year’s Globes had a fairly safe, and sometimes pedestrian, red carpet. Usually billed as Hollywood’s biggest party due to its early date in the awards season and massive amounts of booze distributed, it seems like these A-Listers might be reserving their big statement pieces for later awards shows– even this last night’s style flops were somewhat conservative. Hopefully we’ll find more surprises and risk-takers along the way: remember, we’re only just getting started.

Madonna and Justin Bieber Are Stealing Jobs from Hard Working Models

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Joseph Larkowsky

Illustration: Joseph Larkowsky

Last night, as part of my quest for a better lifestyle after 2014’s debauchery and body battering, I went on my first ever sober evening date. No booze was consumed, I was elated. On my way home however, after checking Instagram, it felt as if I had fallen off the wagon pre-Prohibition and never managed to get back on. Was I drunk? Was I going insane? It turns out neither, and I realized it was actually true…

Lara Stone, model du-jour, was draped as luxuriously as a Prada mink stole over the body of teenage ‘heartthrob’ (using the term extremely loosely) Justin Bieber, sporting nothing much but a hint of denim and a body full of questionable artwork, lensed by indestructible duo, Mert and Marcus. Bieber had apparently been signed as the new face of Calvin Klein underwear and denim. God help us all.

Now, you don’t have to be a ‘Belieber’ to realize what a technically clever stunt this was from the branding team. Working with one of the world’s most talked about auto-tuned schoolboy, sweetheart Disney Prince looking. Screen-king turned DUI laden, protein shake guzzling, wannabe bad-boy extraordinaire, can only mean one thing; girls and flustered cougars alike are gonna wanna buy those pants.

The problem I have with this is that already, fashion is a cut-throat and demanding environment for some, mostly models, and the constant battles to land campaigns and deals to actually make a living means that modeling, as simple as it looks to outsiders, is one of the most brutal industries around. At least stock market traders already have money to throw about. Add to the equation that narcissistic (and again already extremely wealthy) celebrities, many of whom are trying to relaunch careers, are taking the jobs that are already very few and far between.

Versace illustrated by Joseph Larkowsky

Case and point made with the current Versace Spring 2015 campaign starring none other than the over-photoshopped singer Madonna. Donatella made a serious effort to push the idea of youth and new beginnings backstage after her show in Milan last September, but hiring a girl like Anna Ewers or Lexi Boling who do evoke a young Versace ideal would be a ludicrous suggestion when Madonna is trying to launch a new album. Since when did someone else’s advertising campaign become the new platform to sell your own garbage? The debate over if Vogue should sport more models than actresses on its covers is a mundane and pointless battle which nobody will ever win, but when Nicki Minaj, a woman famed for her Gluteus Maximus and pink wigs lands a campaign for Roberto Cavalli, you have to really reassess the situation. Same is to be said for famed (half for nothing) super couple Kimye landing the Spring 2014 menswear campaign for Balmain, with BFF Olivier Rousteing at the helm. I just cant imagine how they landed that! (If you think women’s modeling is hard, don’t even get me started on the world of the male model.)

One of the brands that is actually famed for using celebrities in their campaigns is Miu Miu, but unlike the tabloid hungry powerhouses, the cast is a little more unpredictable than the cover of US Weekly. Up and coming actress Stacy Martin was picked to front the Fall 2014 campaign, with previous faces including Lupita Nyong’o, Bella Thorne, newly cited Bond Girl Adele Exarchopoulos, and most frequently, Imogen Poots for SS15. These girls are not household names, but are trying to forge out careers for themselves just the same.

Fashion constantly batters us with a barrage of “new talent,” continuously reminding us that they are ‘investing’ and ‘nurturing’, all key buzz words in the world of convincing consumerism; however, I feel it’s time to hang up the tawdry celebrity, leave them for the covers of numerous glossies parading as fashion magazines, and give back the campaign to the model! After all, it is their job.

14 Things You Need to See and Know About the GIRLS Season 4 Premiere (T-5 Days!)

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Sara Spruch-Feiner

Photo: Matteo Prandoni/BFAnyc.com

Okay GIRLS fans, we’re getting really close now. The cast and crew raised a glass to season four last night, which premieres this Sunday evening. The annual event is bigger and more glamorous than most movie premieres, largely in part to Lena Dunham’s adoring cult-following of actresses, feminists, writers, and designers alike. Let’s discuss everything we need to know — the event itself, the upcoming season, everyone’s favorite Iowa Writer’s Workshop bound hot mess, Hannah Horvath, and her ultra-composed, and much better dressed counterpart, Dunham herself.

On Lena

1. Dunham walked the red carpet having returned to one of our fave hairstyles in her repertoire: the sleek brunette bob.

2. She wore a custom Creatures of the Wind Japanese crepe and sequin embroidered gown at the Season Four soiree last night.

3. Dunham avoided question-raising jewelry after a news item that she and long-time boyfriend Jack Antonoff were engaged. Still adorable, not engaged.

4. Best of all, the celebrations continue today–because the show has been officially picked up for a fifth season–and four hasn’t even premiered yet!

The Fashion!

The after-party took place in a gorgeously-decorated, Pinterest-dream version of the whale room at the American Museum of Natural History.

The spectacular atmosphere @girlshbo season 4 premiere – @sarajanenyc

A photo posted by BlackBook Magazine (@blackbookmag) on Jan 1, 2015 at 7:48pm PST

5. Allison Williams in Monique Lhullier

6. Jemima Kirke in Adam Lippes

7. Zosia Mamet in Alexander McQueen

8. Gaby Hoffmann and GIRLS Producer/Dunham’s Partner-in-Crime Jenni Konner, both killed it in jumpsuits.

Gaby Hoffmann

Jenni Konner

9. Janet Mock, Tavi Gevinson, and Broad City‘s Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson

10. Sophia Bush

Anticipating Season Four

Guest stars this season will be high in both number and cool-factor.

Expect to see:

11. Zachary Quinto

12. Natasha Lyonne

13. Gillian Jacobs

14. We’re going to meet this sassy lady’s mama, in the form of Ana Gasteyer (previously: Lindsay Lohan’s mama in Mean Girls.)

***

Oh man, this party is one of my favorite nights of the year.

Taking Our Style Cues From Our Elder, Wisers: A Power Play Style Guide to NYE

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Alex Miller

Are you stressed out about what to wear tonight? Were you stressed out while making your plans for tonight??

Understandably. Afterall, the success of 2015 is entirely contingent upon what you’re wearing wherever it is you’re imbibing tonight.

I’ll try and ease your concerns by taking inspiration from the most carefree partiers of all: old people. Well, old is a relative term. People older than you, probably. The word old will likely be used carelessly and hopefully not offensively throughout this guide–by which I really mean these people have gracefully aged out of their 20’s, which I am yet to do. Plus, who better to take our inspiration from than those who’ve seen the repeated lifecycles of trends and thus, already established what works for them.

People who, if they have Instagram, don’t worry about whether or not they exceed 11 likes or if a filter makes them look jaundiced, and, most importantly, whether or not their outfit photographs well. When people get old they get yolo. They’ve seen like, 200, or maybe like 45, New Years in their time: the novelty is gone. It’s time to yolo.

YOLO: heard of it? As an adjective, yolo old people are the ones who demand to be wheeled out of the nursing home party in the middle of the Tony Bennett cover artist but will also need 3 slices of cake to bring to their room. Yolo is power!

So: here’s your rule for the night: make every choice a Power Play. Carrying cherry lollipops to use as a chaser and a suggestive prop: Power Play.

Taking control of the iPod that’s playing a Disney song because this is abso-LUTE-ly not the time for nostalgia: Power Play.

NYE appropriate choices that can also double as Power Plays are, in my opinion, the ones tied to the season.

It’s winter, and it’s probably cold as sh*t. Wear velvet, leather, and fur, all of which can retain your body heat (I mean the latter two were something’s skin at some point –don’t be queasy about it: you made that choice), and, if worn in black, can look especially Powerful. There’s a reason why that stereotype about fashion people wearing all black carries water: in an industry stereotypically-defined by how viciously you can yell at interns, wearing all black can help compound the idea that you are not to be f*cked with.

Old people wear whatever fabric they please, thank you very much!! If someone’s hosting the party I think you can generally assume that their space is a #noflexzone, but don’t let social norms hold you back.

Photo Credits: Ben Rossen/BFAnyc.com

Photo Credits: Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com

Another favorite Power Play? wearing things inside that you “should” take off once you’re inside. Why should my sunglasses come off? I can see fine. And don’t get me started on gloves. Wearing gloves is cool and elegant and might also be necessary if you feel weird about your hands because you’re old.

It should be noted: demanding to be carried is also a massive Power Play when executed successfully.

Photo Credits: Kelly Taub/BFAnyc.com

But my all-time favorite is the Power Coat, which gets its own category. It should probably be some sort of topcoat, but in a pinch, and with the right amount of yolo, a decrepit cast-off from the bottom of the closet works in a pinch.

A tip: if you have a dramatic coat, feel free to let it casually rest on your shoulders. This resembles a cape, which I believe to be the most covetable wardrobe item in existence.

Photo Credits: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

Photo Credits: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com

Olivia Pope, of iconic Power Player status on “Scandal”, essentially runs the entire country despite having only a vaguely outlined JD and staff of two. But she wears Power Coats. There are references to “white hats” blah blah, but really, it’s all about the Power Coat. The worst someone can do is question you, which is not a problem for a power player like yourself.

If someone asks you, “Aren’t you hot?” just respond “B*tch I might be”. If someone, possibly that host, pressed because you’ve broken the unspoken boundaries of the #noflexzone, says something like, “Why don’t you take your coat off and stay a while?” Look them in the eye, preferably with your sunglasses still on, and let them know that you might not stay a while. You might need to get bored and wait for an Uber for 45 minutes until your phone dies and you have to kneel behind the couch charging. In short, do what you want, it’s a new year, carpe yolo, etc.

Photo Credits: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

I’ll see you in 2015 where I plan to wear only brightly colored fur jackets with animal print pants or a romantic silky muumuu with a massive fur muffler. POWER PLAY. (Taking my cues from these chic people below)

Photo Credits: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

Photo Credits: Leandro J/BFAnyc.com

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Category Archives: zHeroRight

No Fewer than 12 Times Karl Lagerfeld Cribbed ‘Ab Fab’ for Chanel

Get Inspired by the 5 Chicest Street Style Trends from Milan Fashion Week

Getting Lost in Wim Wenders’ 1985 Ode to Yasujirô Ozu, ‘Tokyo-Ga’

GIRLS Fashion Recap: Hannah Goes to Iowa

Jen and Angie Red Carpet Face-Off! + Who Won (& Lost) the Critics’ Choice Carpet

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