SICKA THAN AVERAGE

WeSC x Bing Bang Capsule Collection — A Beautiful And Slightly Twisted Fantasy

Designer Anna Sheffield's distinct aesthetic hinges on her ability to intertwine the delicate and the coarse, incorporating feminine and masculine motifs, and toying with the contrast between hard and soft. In her Bing Bang line, braided mixed metal chains and tarnished-looking, hammered copper and brass pendants are mixed with Bohemian-flavored feather motifs, vintage-looking tassels, dainty star and heart charms, and tribal-tinged wood beads. This boundary-pushing, category-defying, tough-but-sweet style is precisely what drew the attention of city slick Swedish fashion and headphones brand WeSC. The recently released WeSC x Bing Bang collection, then, incorporates the irreverent, brassy, take-no-mess spirit of WeSC and combines it with the lethal but lovely Bing Bang look.

The collection, of course, incorporates a pair of hefty headphones (for which WeSC is known). Part of the WeSC x Bing Bang Box Set, the black headphones feature gold-plated ear cups adorned with golden heart motifs and a gold-and-black adjustable headband and incorporate 40mm power drivers for excellent sound quality. The headphones come in a sleek black box with a foil-like golden heart detail placed off center on the top of the box so that it wraps along the side of the lid. A chain strand with a heart frame dangles from the headphone chord, adding a cheeky accent. In addition, the box set incorporates a sterling silver bracelet with a hollow heart shape threaded through a loop.

On the jewelry front, pieces include the sharp, dangerous-feeling WeSC x Bing Bang Bar Ring ($88 at WeSC.com/BingBang), a two-finger piece made mainly of copper, fused with a hint of zinc and tin. As its name implies, the top of the ring has a completely flat and mirrored surface with a sword-like etched detail. The sides, meanwhile, have a hammered, almost honeycomb-like finish. Another similarly tough piece is the WeSC x Bing Bang Pocket Knife Necklace ($92 at WeSC.com/BingBang), a copper-based pendant resembling a folding blade, with the words "Til Death" engraved along the tamarind-like curve of its top surface adding an ominous, almost gothic feel. Since there is an actual blade inside the pendant, make sure not to rock this when heading for the airport or any other situation that may involve a security check (hey, no one wants to be escorted into the infamous little room!)

Those with more of a prim disposition will adore the WeSC x Bing Bang Forever Nameplate Necklace, which features the word "forever" in cursive, gold-tinged copper letters and a hefty, oxidized-looking chain link strand ($79 at WeSC.com/BingBang). Another great option: the WeSC x Bing Bang Mixed Chain Bracelet ($72 at WeSC.com/BingBang), which features a silver-toned bracelet combining two chain link styles, as well as a copper-based, heart-shaped locket in a framed shape.

Posted at 10:10 AM in Fashion, Jewelry, Music | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

October 17, 2011

DC Shoes x Skullcandy Sneaker Collaboration — Keep Your Ears To The Ground

A favorite among sneaker aficionados and die-hard skateboarders alike, DC Shoes has been expanding its range of lifestyle-driven designs without sacrificing the comfort provided by its foam-padded tongue and collar and the stability yielded by its pill pattern sole. Over the last four years, then, DC has joined forces with such cult brands as SSUR, JB Classics, and Atmos and pop culture influencers like tattoo artist Darren Brass, photographer Mike Blabac and musician Mike Shinoda. Next month, DC Shoes will unveil a new co-branded footwear collection with headphone and earbud company Skullcandy.

The DC Shoes x Skullcandy collection consists of two sneaker designs: the Spartan Hi ($100), a black-on-black nubuck suede and leather hi-top sneaker with a foam-padded collar, black laces, gold contrast stitching, the DC and Skullcandy logos stamped in gold along the heel counter, and gold-trimmed glossy black enamel logo plates with the interlocking DC letters featured on the uppers; and the Stack ($95), a low-top style in back leather with black suede along the side panels, eyestay, an heel counter (which features the DC and Skullcandy logos in white), perforated quarters with a mesh-like quality, and silver-toned strips with tonal stitching running diagonally across the quarters and up to the top sections of the eyestays.

Those of you who love the audio quality of Skullcandy's headphones will love this detail: with every sneaker, you'll automatically receive a free pair of Skullcandy earbuds. Sweet!

Check out close-up images after the jump and make sure to keep a look out for the collection, which will hit DCShoes.com in November.

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Posted at 02:42 PM in Fashion, Music, Skateboard | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

September 08, 2011

Fashion’s Night Out Countdown — The Fun Begins Tonight!

We've already told you about the events at Ash Footwear, Caudalie, Jo Malone, Kiehl's, MAC Soho, the NARS flagship store, and Rebecca Taylor going down this Thursday, as well as the festivities at Saks, Macy's, Mackage, Sephora, Searle, Dylan's Candy Bar, and Scosha —and now, we've got even more to dish about!

Below, find our final round of Fashion's Night Out 2011 event picks for your perusal.

So now that you've got our top selects for the evening, tell us: where will you be heading? And don't forget to upload photos of all your FNO fun onto our Facebook page: Facebook.com/SickaThanAvg!

Meet Drop Dead Diva's Brooke Elliott at Avenue

Who better to make an appearance at plus-sized retailer Avenue (711 Third Avenue) on FNO than Broke Elliott, the star of Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva? Stop in between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to meet Elliott, get style advice from expert Jacqui Stafford, and emerge feeling like a drop dead gorgeous diva. The first 100 guests will also receive an Avenue gift bag, and they'll be entered to win a $500 shopping spree.

Learn all about the new Velvet Eyes eyeliner patches and get a complimentary makeover at Dior

Step inside the Dior boutique (19 East 57th Street, between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue) between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and get a makeover courtesy of celebrity makeup artist Ricky Wilson and scoop up the new Velvet Eyes reusable eyeliner patches available in four different shades exclusively on September 8th at the artistry station inside the boutique.

Enjoy a performance by Estelle at DVF

Let British singing sensation Estelle serenade you at the Diane Von Furstenberg Studio (440 West 14th Street) where, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., guests will be able to enjoy a DVF Home Installation, sample the new fragrance Diane, enjoy cocktails and finger foods, and receive a free gift with any purchase.

Check out the new Kenny Scharf for Jack Rogers collection

Brooklyn-based, California-born painter Kenny Scharf has created a new capsule collection for Palm Beach-flavored footwear and accessories brand Jack Rogers which will be unveiled on Thursday between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. at the Jack Rogers store (1198 Madison Avenue).

Stop by the Joe's pop-up store

To toast Fashion's Night Out, Joe's will be opening a pop-up store at 77 Mercer Street in Soho. Founder Joe Dahan will be hosting the evening's festivities alongside Something Navy’s Arielle Nachmani and her sister, celebrity stylist Danielle Nachmani (who has worked with the Olsen twins, among others). Guests can get the scoop on fall denim trends from the Nachmani sisters and vie to create the most stylish ensemble in order to win a $1,00 gift card. DJ Alex Daniel will supply the tunes, Ward III mixologists will serve up drinks, and Rickshaw Dumpling, the Gorilla Cheese Guy, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream trucks will be parked outside the pop-up store to sate customers' appetites.

Take in a Nicholas K trunk show, pre-shop the latest Bijules collection, and jam alongside School of Seven Bells

In addition to grub from Taim Falafel and food trucks Kimchi Taco and Wafels & Dinges, guests who drop by Treasure and Bond (350 West Broadway) can check out a Nicholas K trunk show and purchase new jewelry pieces from Bijules from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., then chill out and enjoy a performance by electronica-laced indie rock band School of Seven Bells from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Shop for Paige Novick jewelry and benefit the NYC AIDS Fund

Jewelry designer Paige Novick has joined Bergdorf Goodman's "Wheel of Fashion" event, going down between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., during which guests can buy a ticket to spin a giant Price Is Right-style wheel and, if they get lucky, score a special prize. Robert Verdi will host the event and designers like Michelle Smith from Milly, Stacey Bendet of Alice + Olivia, jewelry designer Eddie Borgo, Libertine's Johnson Hartig, and Tibi's Amy Smilovic. All of the proceeds form ticket sales will benefit the New York City AIDS Fund of the New York Community Trust.

Snatch up pieces from Seville Michelle Anastos, M.Y.O.B., and David Dalrymple for House of Field at the Patricia Field Boutique

Professional model Byrdie Bell will be co-hosting the FNO festivities at the Patricia Field Boutique (302 Bowery, between Houston and Bleecker), where you can shop for jewelry from designers Seville Michelle Anastos and M.Y.O.B., and scoop up some gear from David Dalrymple for House of Field.

Have you hair dry-styled at the Redken Gallerie and Exchange

From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., swing by the Redken Gallerie and Exchange (on Fifth Avenue between 46th and 47th Street) and give your hair a pick-me-up. When you spend $20 or more, you'll be gifted with another star products from the Redken line and, if you spend upwards of $40, you can have your mane dry-styled into one of the looks seen on the New York, Milan, and Paris runways. The hair stylings are available on a first come, first serve basis, so make sure to prioritize this spot, chicas!

Pamper yourself with full face makeovers and complimentary manicures at Ricky's NYC

Unlike the Victoria referenced in the Victoria's Secret name, the Ricky mentioned in Ricky's NYC is a real person — and, on Fashion's Night Out, you'll have the opportunity to meet this famed entrepreneur in the flesh at his Upper West Side store (2387 Broadway, between 87th and 88th Street). Shop for beauty supplies, get a blow-out for just $25, and score a free makeover and complimentary manicure by Patricia Yankee, Katy Perry's nail artist, when you spend $40 or more.

Get a mini manicure and eyebrow shaping from a Sally Hansen expert at Talbots

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. get style and beauty advice from Mary Alice Stephenson and let Sally Hansen experts pamper you with mini-manicures and brow shapings at Talbots (525 Madison Avenue, between 53rd and 54th Street). If you're an early bird and you happen to be among the first 100 folks to drop by the store, you'll score a gift bag stuffed with Sally Hansen items.

Get a skincare consultation from Tata Harper at Space NK

Explore one of the leading organic skin care lines, Vermont-based Tata Harper, at Space NK (99 Greene Street) between 7 and 9 p.m. The line's founder will be on site to offer skin care consultations, plus guests will be able to sample the calendula, borage, and arnica oils harvested from Tata's farm.

Raise funds for HIV/AIDS patients alongside Zero + Maria Cornejo

Rather than simply focus on turning a profit, designer Maria Cornejo is looking to give back to her New York community, donating 5% of the evening's sales to Housing Works, an organization that works to deliver proper medical services and living conditions to HIV positive patients. In addition to shopping, guests who stop by 33 Bleecker Street (between Lafayette and the Bowery) or 807 Greenwich Street (at Jane Street) can enter a raffle to win a set of rare Polaroid photographs and art books by Mark Borthwick. Customers who spend over $500 will receive a large Zero + Maria Cornejo silk scarf in the new book print introduced for Fall 2011.

Posted at 12:28 AM in Art, Beauty, Books, Charity Auction, Fashion, Food and Drink, Giveaway, Home Decor, Jewelry, Liquor, Music | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

June 03, 2011

Nixon x Beastie Boys Watch Collection — Fight For Your Right To Floss

Twenty-five years after the release of their debut album Licensed to Ill, Mike "Mike D” Diamond, Adam “MCA” Yauch, and Adam “Ad Rock” Horovitz — collectively known as seminal rap trio Beastie Boys — are hoping to bring together the music and fashion worlds via a new limited-edition collection of Krush Groove-flavored timepieces designed vis-a-vis timepiece brand Nixon.

True to the Beastie Boys' spirit (think of the riotous, defiant, punk rock-infused edge of their "Sabotage" single or the Animal House-ish feel of their "Fight For Your Right (To Party!)"), the group insisted that the proceeds of the Nixon Beastie Boys watch collection benefit WKCR-FM, Columbia University's student-run radio station, thereby enabling these youngsters to continue voicing their original ideas, unrestricted as they are from commercial interests and advertiser regulations, and sharing their musical selections with eager listeners.

A funky interpretation of Nixon's Time Teller watch, the custom model at the center of the collection features a 20mm-wide polyurethane band emblazoned with the word "Beastie" outlined in bold, '80s-style bubble letters on one side and boasting a printed quote from Mike D on the other side o the strap (his words of wisdom, if you will). The dial, meanwhile, features a campy image of Mike D in a sailor outfit worthy of a Love Boat episode (but set to a Beat Street soundtrack, of course), and is set inside a polycarbonate and hardened mineral crystal case measuring 47.75mm x 39.25mm. Each watch is packaged inside a box with illustrations of nautical paraphernalia like lifesavers and ship steering wheels.

Available in white, red, green, and blue, the Nixon Beastie Boys watches are available until supplies last — and, if these follow in the footsteps of the group's multi-platinum album sales, that won't be very long.

Nixon Beastie Boys Watch, $85 at NixonNow.com

Posted at 10:15 PM in Fashion, Jewelry, Music | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

May 21, 2011

Run The World Like Beyoncé In Laruicci’s Power Earrings And Claw Rings

Jay-Z may have been on a "Run This Town" trip last year, but his leading lady, Beyoncé, has set her sights on a much larger target: the world. In her new female empowerment single, "Run The World," Bey gives props to other ambitious, independent, driven women, with lyrics like, "Boy, you know you love it, how we're smart enough to make these millions, strong enough to bare the children, then get back to business." In keeping with the female domination theme, the video for the "Run The World" single features Beyoncé in a besieged, post-apocalyptic, desert universe sporting a series of regal warrior ensembles that reference Cleopatra, Aunty Entity (Tina Turner's character in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome), and Joan of Arc-worthy armor.

In one scenario, she is surrounded by an army of women wearing colorful scarves as harem pants, their black bustier bras peeking out from underneath military-style jackets, black caps propped atop their heads — all facing off against a gang of leather-clad men rocking thick gold chains.In another scenario, Bey stands behind two menacing hyenas, one leash in each hand, all while wearing a red carpet-ready, flowing white gown. But perhaps the most dramatic moment, from a fashion perspective, involves Beyoncé wearing a sleeveless mini dress covered with mirrored, diamond-shaped, golden paillettes stacked atop one another to resemble a futuristic, geometric-style armor. In that moment, Bey complements her ensemble with some stunning jewelry pieces by Laruicci. With her hair in a messy updo, onlookers can focus on the Laruicci Power Earrings (pictured above, third from top) dangling from her lobes. Each of these mammoth earrings features a gold metal post; three elongated, cylinder-shaped bars arranged into a triangle shape and attached via a golden chain; a chunky gold metal bar dangling below it, laying horizontally; and two large, faceted glass beads in trapeze-like shapes cascading down to the shoulders.

If the Power Earrings feel like an ode to trigonometry via jewelry, the Laruicci Man Eater Claw and Transformer Claw rings Beyoncé sports in this scene infuse a lethal, feline, savage quality to her look. The Laruicci Man Eater Claw (pictured at top) fits on the top half of the finger, but the band allows it to rest in place securely so that it won't just fall off the hand. The mixed metal ring is designed so that the pointed part of the teardrop shape rests below the knuckle, while the slanted, wider curve practically reaches the top of the finger. The ring's hollow interior, meanwhile, creates a peek-a-boo effect that's sexy and enigmatic.

The Transformer Claw (pictured second from top), meanwhile, boasts a diamond shape, with each side slanted so precariously, the edges so steep and the metal so resplendent and mirror-like, that it gives the piece a three-dimensional feel. This, to me, is the One Ring — the piece that dominates all the other Rings of Power.

Laruicci Maneater Claw, $68; Laruicci Transformer Claw, $78; and Laruicci Power Earrings, $268. Available at Laruicci.com

Posted at 10:01 PM in Fashion, Jewelry, Music | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)