Haute and the City

“Oh, my God, I love your skirt! Where did you get it? …That is the ugliest effing skirt I’ve ever seen.” – Regina George, Mean Girls

I’ve made no secret of my mad love for the hip downtown boutique, Oak. It’s like a rich hipster’s dream come true. Although I can rarely afford to shop there, I usually find approximately 1,500 things I want each time I go in or visit their website.

However.

No one is perfect.

Oak has successfully created what I consider to be the ugliest shirt ever. It is an evil Frankenstein-esque monster; half-tank, half-tee.

WTF are you supposed to do with this shirt? Where would you wear it? It’s like the worst qualities of two already terrible people became magnified in their illegitimate baby.

Listen, we ALL make mistakes.

(Especially when too much Patrón is involved, which may have been the cause of this monstrosity. I hope.)

I’ll do a nice post about Oak soon to prove my unwavering love, despite this mishap.

But for real – doesn’t this thing make you a little sick?

Remember when I introduced you to Eubiq NY, the NY-based menswear line? I liked the Eubiq look so much that I wanted to learn more about the genius behind the brand, Shirley Lee.

Here’s what the savvy seamstress had to say.

The story of how you got started creating men’s clothes is really interesting. Could you share it with us?

Since I was a kid, I’ve also loved fashion and made clothes for myself, so a few years ago, when my boyfriend/(now husband) couldn’t find pants that fit right and sat “just so” over his sneakers, I set out to make it for him. Those few pairs of pants became a capsule collection and eventually I decided to quit my day job and to start my own label.

Your designs eschew fleeting trends that we tend to see on the runways. What is your reasoning for this?

That’s a huge compliment! It’s not necessarily deliberate but I don’t want to sound like I design in a bubble also. I just think good designs are not bound by what’s hot at the moment. I certainly keep one eye on the market but I prefer to reference classic designs. My philosophy has always been it’s better to invest in a low-key piece that’ll take you through season after season and always look good.

Zac Efron in Eubiq NY at the premiere of Charlie St. Cloud

Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

I find that I frequently look to the past—old movies, icons, pervasive military influences. But, you wouldn’t necessarily think so from my designs, because I like to re-work and bring and modern and urban influence into it.

What are three essential pieces for a man’s wardrobe?

A great pair of non-descript dark wash jeans—or at least a well fitting pair of pants, a structured jacket and a great sweatshirt that doesn’t look too sloppy. Looking good shouldn’t mean being uncomfortable.

Do you have any men’s fashion pet peeves?

Ill fitting clothes—especially too tight pants! Just because it’s trendy, doesn’t mean it works for everyone. You have to find what works for you.

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve seen in fashion recently?

In case you can’t tell, I’m really into outerwear. Jackets are my thing and there are definitely some interesting things going on—from super drapey to really structured. I’m loving the high end sneakers market at the moment too, like the Balenciega, Kris Van Ashe, Rick Owens, etc.

There’s been a lot of buzz about localizing fashion production, supporting the Garment District, etc. Tell us your thoughts on this.

Well, I do 90% of my production here in Manhattan, so I am a total supporter of the Garment District. We’re only helping ourselves by localizing our business, especially small companies like mine—it’s win/win. We wouldn’t be able to compete and survive in this industry if it weren’t for the resources available to us right here.

Are you from NY? If not, what brought you here?

Born in NJ and been living in NY for 10 years. For my line, it’s so important to be here. It’s so influenced by the city and urban living. In addition to the fact that NY’s garment district is like no other.

Do you also create clothing for yourself, or do you prefer to shop?

I make my own shirts, but more often, I tweak and tailor clothes I buy so that it works for me. I don’t have time to shop as much as I would like to! But my menswear philosophy is influenced by my personal style—If you have a few great style pieces, mixed with great staples, then any old t-shirt or pajama top will work.

Where are your favorite places to shop for men’s and women’s clothes in NY?

For men—Aloha Rag, OAK, and Atelier. For women’s, Poppy, Edith Machinist, TG-170, and if you feel like having a NY movie fashion experience, go to Jeffrey. You can find the same items in other stores, but there’s something about that place that makes you feel like a little bit fabulous.

What’s in the future for EUBIQ NY? Where do you see yourself in five years?

World domination. Or at least men’s accessories and a women’s line. I like to keep it small and focused.

Photos courtesy of Factory PR.

So, one of the perks of being a fashion blogger (as opposed to a fashion journalist), I get to assault you with my opinions and any other little thought that flies through my brain.

Today, one of my completely biased opinions I will be sharing with you is about my favorite accessories designer EVER – Chris Habana.

I don’t even remember how I discovered Chris’s jewelry and accessories line, CHRISHABANA. It was certainly before I jumped on this fashion journey, probably back when I was in a work-induced coma.

I fell further in love when I attended a GenArt sample sale, during which I was broker than a joke and couldn’t buy anything (water, water everywhere…).

Because I love CHRISHABANA so much, I naturally had to write about it!

Chris graciously took some time recently to answer some interview questions so I could introduce him and his work to all of you! Be sure to check out his website.

What have you done so far today?

Woke up, showered, threw some stuff in a bag and headed out to Fire Island…I’m on the beach in Cherry Grove writing this at the moment.

How did you get started in designing accessories?

I’ve always been doing something in fashion since I could remember. When I moved to New York in 2000, I started to make recycled jewelry and fur pieces.  Seven [New York] picked up a few styles and it went from there. I was in and out of doing jewelry, also designing clothing for a bit, but it wasn’t till 2007 that I got more official and pursued CHRISHABANA as a real business.

What do you love about accessories?

I love that accessories and jewelry have a transformative effect. I’m also into the “more is more” philosophy so I feel naked when I don’t have at least 2 necklaces on and a wrist full of cuffs.

What inspires your designs?

My accessories and jewelry are heavily inspired by growing up in the late 80′s and early 90′s in San Francisco. I love the mix of POP elements from that time such as Madonna and Moschino with harder elements from underground movements such as punk, goth and house.

Do you do anything special while you work?

Nothing out of the ordinary, really. I sketch a lot, and have an inspiration board with tears that help shape my collections. When I take breaks, I walk around my neighborhood in the East Village to recharge and get re-inspired.

Do you have a favorite piece you’ve designed? If so, which?

Some of my signature pieces are actually my favorite to wear, such as the Cross Cuff and the Cage Cross Necklace, but I am also really into the Bed Of Nails Group from my FW2010.

Many pieces from your collections seem to reference a sort of gothic-glamour feel. Is this intentional?

Not really intentional to make it glamorous, but more intentional to make it POP. I want to translate goth and fetish into something that is more POP. In doing so, the results can sometimes be glamorous. That was the case when I designed the Bed of Nails group from FW2010. I created different forms and drove nails into them. When cast in my gunmetal and copper finishes, the nail heads look like organic, shimmering paillettes, till of course you get closer and realize they’re pretty bad-ass pieces.

What are your wardrobe staples right now?

I have a pair of 10-year old combat boots that I wear almost everyday, even in a heat wave. And of course, my jewelry.

What are your fashion pet peeves?

I hate when people say “dress it up, or dress it down with jeans.”

Where are you from originally?

Originally from the Philippines.

Why did you choose to live in New York?

Well, I always fantasized about New York and the art scene in the 80′s such as [Jean-Michel] Basquiat and Keith Haring. But I didn’t choose to move here. My boyfriend at the time got a transfer from his job to move to New York so I moved with him. I guess in a way, New York chose me.

If you could live anywhere but New York, where would it be and why?

Don’t make me a traitor to my home.

What’s your favorite thing about New York fashion?

That it’s always changing.

Where are your favorite places to shop in New York?

I wear and customize a lot of vintage, so I love going to flea markets, 10 Ft. Single and About Glamour. I’ve started to wear “newer” clothing from boutiques like Oak, so I guess I’m growing up…a little.

What’s your idea of a perfect New York night?

Having friends over to drinks and dress-up, then out to eat ramen at Rai-Rai Ken, then dancing, dancing, dancing.

You’ve had a lot of great success so far with CHRISHABANA. Where do you see yourself with your work in five years?

I try not to think about the future too much. I want to keep things as organic as possible. At this point, I’ve gotten a good amount of attention and support from press and shops and I am so thankful for that and hope it continues to grow.

Photos courtesy of MAO PR.

I first discovered Erica Bradbury’s jewelry and t-shirt collection, Species by the Thousands, while browsing my favorite internet porn “window shopping” store, Oak. Not too long ago, Species by the Thousands was also featured on my favorite website, New York Magazine.

Species by the Thousands is awesome for a lot of reasons. First of all, each piece is a bit of nature, magic, weaponry and/or bearded creature. Next, the collection of t-shirts and accessories is created using sustainable materials such as vintage, reclaimed metals, organic and recycled fibers. So, what’s not to love?

Species by the Thousands

In an effort to learn more about the creative force, I interviewed the talented Erica Bradbury!

Tell us a little bit of background on you, where you come from, that sort of stuff.
I was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, where the famous Lizzie Borden supposedly killed her parents.  I lived in her uncle’s house. I went to high school in Tiverton, RI, undergrad at B.U. and grad school at U.Penn. I studied painting.

Describe yourself in three words.
very, very, nice

Describe your work in three words.
animal, vegetable, mineral

How did you get started designing?
When I was a kid I used to dress up my friends in cool, fashion forward outfits. I also used to mess around with dried flowers and balloons.

You place a strong emphasis on eco-friendly fashion and use recycled and vintage materials to create your pieces.
What inspired you to go down this path? In high school I was head of the environmental/social rights group. We would pick up trash and make rubber fishnecklaces.

How do you get inspiration for your jewelry designs? Is there something special you do, like go to a museum or visit a park?
Sometimes materials inspire me, I use a lot of dead stock, vintage findings. I also watch a lot of horror movies from the 70′s and go camping.

Your biography states that your t-shirt designs are “heavily influenced by the outsider worlds of moons, seventies guys, witchcraft and bearded men.” First of all, that’s fantastic. Second of all, do you find yourself frequently in contact with these entities?
Not nearly enough. I love Roky Erickson (13th Fl. Elevators) and other sort of outsider types, especially my grandfather who had a psychedelic cellar where he would read tarot cards (all the cool stuff happened before I was born).

If you had to stop designing today, what would you do instead?
I would probably want to be cop or an office worker or maybe work with animals.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Ten years in the past wearing a gray sweatshirt.

Species by the Thousands on Facebook | Erica Bradbury on Twitter