We Are YOUNG! [Peter and Harry Brant]

Fashion has long been a conduit for launching the "careers" of rich, celebrity offspring, particularly when they come in pairs and are attractive. Think Paris and Nicky Hilton, Kendall and Kylie Jenner or for a more elusive example, Elizabeth and Georgia Jagger. Enter a new dynamic duo with an illustrious and well bank-rolled lineage: Peter and Harry Brant are the progeny of art collector and publishing legend Peter Brant I and 90's era super model Stephanie Seymour. The pretty pair is often spotted at art and fashion events several nights of the week, rarely ever missing a photo op, with the grand exception of the MET Ball; "complications" arose with their invites. MET Ball aside, the boys are the new "it" couple; they have been profiled in Vanity Fair, The New York Times and most recently Interview. It's hardly a surprise considering their parents' fashion connections; Azzedine Alaïa gave Seymour away, and Naomi Campbell was the maid of honor at the super model and publishing tycoon's nuptials. Peter Brant Sr. also happens to own Interview Magazine.

[Yves Saint Laurent]

Summer is rapidly drawing to a close, so it's time to start swapping out your wardrobe staples. Step into Fall with this shoe by Yves Saint Laurent. The super high bootie features the house's signature platform, spectator shoe details and is cut in plum suede. It's a win, win, win for the Fall season.

Bombs Over Baghdad [Duro Olowu Fall 2012]

Nigerian born and London based designer Duro Olowu has a keen eye for bold prints and seventy's era tailoring. For Fall 2012, Olowu played mostly to his strengths, mixing complementary and contrasting patterns in wide-leg pants and shift dresses. But for all the vibrancy of the fabrics, Olowu showed a fair amount of solid black options. He opened with a black wool coat with oversized lapels and puffed sleeves and even offered a few simple black satin gowns. It was a smart extension into less trendy or niche territory; bright colors and busy prints are not appropriate for every occasion nor right for every shopper. But Olowu never forgets his quirky house codes. He closed with a searing lime green leaf printed pant paired with a sky blue and plum cape. 

LBD [Alexander Wang]

Alexander Wang is the go-to-guy for an easy, downtown sexy look, and he hits the nail on the head with this draped, jersey number. The discreet cut out detail adds just enough sexy to this otherwise modest dress. But the best part is that you can easily dress it up or down with some key accessories. Versatility is another Wang specialty. 

Hell Yeah, Fucking Right [LANVIN Men's Fall 2012]

The power suit is back, and at Lanvin, suits never looked this good. Head menswear designer, Lucas Ossendrijver took the bold shouldered silhouette of traditional suits and pumped it full of steroids, exaggerating the proportions to an almost cartoonish scale. The end result of puffed up, rounded shoulders and super-cinched waists was pure genius. Ossendrijver gave the outerwear the same treatment, adding bulky, cropped puffer coats over formal suits. The color palette was decidedly drab, but done in a remarkably luxurious way. A faded/ombre plaid sweater and pant combo was definitely a standout. The accessories were another strongpoint in the collection; the fur embellished caps and slim briefcases felt absolutely fresh. To round things out, Ossendrijver tempered the formality of the suits with a chunky sneaker/boot hybrid done in python. I don't have a single complaint. 

A Star is Born [Elle Varner's Perfectly Imperfect]

Singer Elle Varner released her debut album Perfectly Imperfect today, but her musical talent would have you believe she was a well seasoned veteran, and to some extent she is. The Los Angeles native and [fellow] New York University alum has music in her veins. Growing up with parents in the industry, Varner started singing as soon as she could speak and soon after began learning to play a variety of instruments including piano and guitar. Fast-forward to today, and you can clearly see the fruits of Elle's musical childhood. Perfectly Imperfect is a heartfelt throwback to the 90's era R&B albums that Varner no doubt grew up listening to. Against all the techno-heavy pop music of late, Varner's soulful, raspy voice and honest lyrics are a refreshing reprieve. With a slim and trim tracklisting of 11 songs, Elle showcases her vocal strength, while baring her emotional vulnerability. This kind of paradox is where Elle excels. She is just as convincing as aggressive on the track "Sound Proof Room" as she is as shy and "terrified" on "Not Tonight." The latter is hands down the album's best vocal performance. However, the recording doesn't begin to compare to the live rendition I watched Elle perform at New York's S.O.B.'s earlier this year. That live performance is more evidence that Varner is of a rare breed. Perfectly Imperfect is an honest portrait of a rising star.

Congrats, buddy!

Dracula's Wedding [Givenchy Fall 2012]

After all the sweetness of his Spring show, Riccardo Tisci returns to his goth roots for Givenchy's Fall 2012 collection. This time around Tisci favored leather, lace and fur. Black dominated the palette, but there were also some choice pops of red, purple and orange. Oh, and the frenzy-inducing thigh-high boots from Pre-Fall are back. Enjoy!

Show Me Your SOLE [Lanvin Fall 2012]

Alber Elbaz upgrades this season's classic pump with a super high heel, skewed platform and crystal encrusted underside. Now you can leave a lasting impression as you walk away. 

source

Class President [Wes Gordon Fall 2012]

At just 26, Wes Gordon has completed studies at Central Saint Martin, worked at famed fashion houses Oscar de la Renta and Tom Ford, and created his own eponymous brand, for which he has already received numerous accolades. Anyone of these accomplishments could overrun a seasoned fashion alum, but this southern-bred designer seems more than up for the challenge. For Fall, Gordon mixes things up, infusing his ultra luxe aesthetic with an albeit controlled dose of chaos. The house staples were all still there, but with a downtown edge. His signature wide-legged pants, for example, were cut in a metallic ocelot print and paired with a sequin top baring just a smidgen of the model's midsection. A white knit sweater belted over a full black skirt was almost minimal. And a green mullet dress was cut with a raw hem; the contrasting lining was just for extra credit. 

PUPPY LOVE [T-Shirts]

Apparently, the dog days are not over. Big brands like Balenciaga, Burberry and Givenchy are plastering visages of pooches on men's T-shirts for Fall. I wonder if there is a subliminal message hidden in the imagery.

Balenciaga

Burberry Prorsum

Givenchy

Pumped Up Kicks [Wedge Sneakers]

Isabel Marant has singlehandedly ushered in the most unlikely trend in women's footwear with her suede wedge sneakers. The fashion crowd literally went bonkers for the sporty style, and the masses are close on their heels. But Marant is hardly a stranger to creating shoe frenzies; her slouchy fringed boots from past seasons were perpetually sold out at every major retailer. What's impressive here is that after season upon season of sky high stilettos and chunky platforms, Marant looks in the opposite direction to the decidedly unglamorous tennis shoe for inspiration for her latest footwear craze. Following Marant's success, a slew of imitators have joined the game and not just from the typical knock off culprits; brands like Giuseppe Zanotti and Marc Jacobs are capitalizing on the trend. The originals by Isabel Marant are still selling out as they hit the floor, so maybe these other designers are on to something.

HOMEROOM [DSQUARED2 Fall 2012]

In honor of the approaching fall/school season, Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless will be focusing on some "recent graduates" in the worlds of fashion, music and entertainment. Consumers are apparently obsessed with newness, but there is still an undercurrent of long established standards that we cling to. This is the intersection where we kick things off. First up, relative veterans Dan and Dean Caten of DSQUARED2 literally teach a class on how to fuse the old with the new.



I hope you took notes.