How many of you have had an article written about you? Not many? I have. When I was in 3rd grade I was a great student, well-liked by my friends and enjoyed close ties with all my teachers, the janitors and the principal. Even as a 10-year-old I yearned to be an adult- to be taken seriously, to be viewed as responsible, to be able to make a convincing argument about politics. So obviously I was thrilled when I heard that a journalist from the Boulder Daily Camera would come to Heatherwood Elementary to do an interview with me.
Imagine my disappointment when the line of questioning consisted of things like “What is your favorite class?” and “What is your favorite color?” That was the first and last interview of my life.
Alaina Moore, an employee at our Denver Common Era store, has a slightly more glamorous story to tell. She and her husband were recently interviewed by none other than the New York Times Magazine.
In the interview the husband and wife team talk about taking a 6 month journey sailing along the east coast of the United States, stopping into ports, coves, towns and bars. It was that experience that inspired their “Marathon” EP, which, subsequently inspired a mean sense of jealousy in all young married couples who yearn to be half as cool as these guys. I myself have feared marriage and it’s seemingly unavoidable spiral into a hapless mediocrity filled with sentences like “We never do __________ anymore.”
The antidote is to look for couples just like Patrick and Alaina- couples that are creative, couples that make a goal together and strive to reach it. Hey, everyone needs a hero. I used to look up to Mates of State and Russel Simmons and Kimora. Now that the hip hop mogul is yet another divorcé, I’m left with Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn and now, thankfully, Tennis.
Posted in Spotted!, Thumbs Up, What People Say About Us | Comments Off
While it’s true that soccer has never been a huge spectator sport in the United States, the World Cup is, after the Olympics, the biggest international sporting event in the world. Teams from dozens of countries prepare for four years to be able to compete with the best. This year’s world cup is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa and the culture, music and colors of this region have been fun to see.
Take Thursday night, for example, when the opening ceremonies included performances by the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and Shakira among other lesser known African born performers like the talented Vusi Mahlasela. Song lyrics were changed to relate more to the event (Empire State’s refrain “New York, New York New York” was changed to “World Cup, World Cup, World Cup”) and Somalian-born K’naan sang his infectious “Waving Flag” song adapted for the event. It was all very moving, but what I really loved were the colorful outfits!
Traditional South African garb uses brightly colored and patterned fabrics in almost blinding quantities. Think of using the same fabric head-to-toe- layering a long high-necked tunic over matching pants and a even a matching hat. It can be visually overwhelming to our American sense of style (blue jeans, sneakers and tee shirts) but I found it to be very inspiring.
During Shakira’s performance, there were these incredibly hip and beautiful back-up dancers and singers who managed to incorporate their African identity but look amazingly hip and modern. I fell in love. I wasn’t able to find any pictures of these girls so I had to watch the video on Youtube and pause it when I saw them to take a screen shot. That’s why the images looks so terrible, but you get the idea. I LOVE the girl with the pompadour and the thin beaded headband across her forehead. These kinds of headbands were popular last year but worn with the bangs and whisps of hair underneath them. I think I like this version a lot better, it’s less hippie/bo-ho and more like a delicate, subtle, crown from another time.
Vibrant bangles are a fabulous way to incorporate bright bands of color and these skirts! That’s the way to use a vivid, wild pattern… A short, tiered skirt with lots of movement, a high waist and a wide gold belt. Paired with a plain tank and a pair of earrings and you are all set!
So try to open yourself up to inspiration from all different sources- mixing colors and textures you hadn’t thought of- green and gold, red, navy and black… The world has a lot to offer and if you can draw inspiration from something as improbable as an international soccer competition, you are a true fashionista.
Tags: colors, dancers, fashion, headband, patterns, shakira, soccer, south africa, spring, world cup
Posted in Spotted!, Thumbs Up | Comments Off
OK, so fashion week is over, but there’s no need to cry. All the best moments, designers, skirts, blouses and old-lady shorts are etched into our minds forever. Or at least until the next fashion week.
Now, you may be wondering why I mentioned old-lady shorts (or OLS as we will refer to them from this point forward). First, let’s define OLS. Think of a wholesome 60 year old woman. She’s a great mother and neighbor, who bakes delightful cupcakes and casseroles. She volunteers at church functions, she loves Halloween and she just can’t wait to be a grandmother. Her name might be Margie or Irene or Gail. Now imagine this woman is getting ready for big 4th of July picnic. While she may fret over what patriotic accessory to wear, she will always, always depend on the OLS to provide casual but refined comfort.
These shorts sit high on the waist, usually include belt loops and always have pleats at the waist. OLS generally observe an a-line cut with ample room in the thigh region and a 1 to 2 inch hem. They will usually fall slightly above the knee and sport extra deep pockets for storing things like candies for neighborhood kids or used tissues.
Now, if you are like so many out there who have a hard time predicting trends, don’t worry about it. That’s why I’m here. Let’s take it back to July 2006. It is a balmy summer day in the Logan Park district of Chicago. My best pal and I decide to leave her cutey-pie neighborhood in pursuit of second-hand clothes sold by the pound- a dream come true for any fashionista. As we are paying for our goody bags, Sera notices my pile of OLS. I had found a cream pair with red stripes (my fav), several floral prints and a nice navy pair perfect for combining with any one of my many nautical themed tops and rope belts. What I found so appealing about them was the way they combined the comfort of my 90′s era baggy skate shorts with the more feminine A-line silhouette of a mid-length skirt. Sera is incredulous but I assure her they will be the next big trend within a few years.
This fall’s New York Fashion Week did nothing if not reinforce my trend-picking abilities. Designers from Isaac Mizrahi to Project Runway’s Christian Siriano were showing variations on the OLS. Lengths varied and bowed belts were added but the basic characteristics stayed true to the OLS spirit.
This blog entry is for you Sera!!!! OLS are taking over!!!
P.S. – The above photos are from the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week website featuring looks from Lacoste, Doo.ri, Milly by Michelle Smith and Derek Lam.
Tags: new york fashion week, old lady shorts, trends
Posted in Fashion Shows, Spotted!, Thumbs Up | Comments Off
Check out these lovely and stylish young things! I could probably tell you that these are the up and coming actors for an Oscar-nominated movie and you’d say “Oh yeah, I think I’ve seen them in People magazine…”
Of course you probably didn’t see them in People magazine because they aren’t actually famous and they are not casually waiting to be interviewed by Ryan Seacrest. In fact, the little that we do know about them we were only able to deduce through some fancy detective work (i.e. looking at the logo in the background of the photo and entering the name into Google.) As it turns out they were actually attending an event here in Denver called the the “Sneaker Prom” put on by Pulse Arts as a fundraiser. The idea was to dance the night away, but comfortably, while raising awareness about the power of art as a way to “end generational poverty.”
So what does this have to do with Common Era? Well, of course we are artsy types ourselves, but more importantly I would like to take this opportunity to direct your attention to the young lady on the left with the black strapless and the oh-so-chic headband. Not that the dress isn’t lovely, but that headband- what a statement! I imagine her gentleman friend spent the whole night begrudgingly holding her purse while she danced it up with every guy in the place. I mean, with such an obviously fashion forward sensibility she must have been the belle of the ball. I can only hope she told everyone who asked her where that hand-made head band came from- our one and only Common Era.
If you have any doubts whatsoever about the cutting-edge excellence of our hand-made headbands, please refer to another of our blog entries entitled “Don’t Fear the Headband.” You won’t be sorry.
Tags: common era, denver, headbands, metromix, pulse arts, sneaker prom
Posted in Spotted! | 1 Comment »