A New Day for Kay Day

Kay Day is from Louisville Kentucky And grew up in Queens new york.  With a fondness for tutus, stiletto heels, slip on bias-cut dresses, and tons of costume jewelry, Kay Day moves to the beat of her own drum. Her inspiration for her wardrobe comes from her variety of experiences, some of which include living in Queens, New York in her early life, moving to New Albany and Louisville working as the tutu-wearing, high-intensity Spinelli's pizza girl, going on misadventures with her best friend Devin, and dancing to Lady Gaga and Britney Spears.In the last year she has been performing in the EDM scene MCing for DJ Axis,Dj Detramentl, Dj Heretic and more. Last november she opened up and shared the stage with Borgore singing songs such as "Ice Cream" and "Nympho". Kay says her favorite show shes opened up for is the Grammy nomination for best new artist: Skrillex. Kay Day has been performing since she was 6 years old. She would say that shes a bodacious loud bombshell botch. Kay Day wont stop performing until she reaches her goal of fame.  "Surf's Up, Bro", "Put it on a shirt!", and "What?" are Kay Day's favorite sayings and the words themselves have gained a sort of strange notoriety that follows her everywhere. I can remember her telling me, after a mob of screaming girls hugged her, "I need to get a bodyguard". Like Lady Gaga, Kay Day wants to live the famous life. Known as Kay Day to her friends, including me, and known as "Gaga Spears", or just "Gaga", she is one of the rarer souls like Andy Warhol, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, and Lady Gaga herself that seems to seamlessly live in her own world while simultaneously existing in the one around her.

THINK: Da Scuderia a Cottage - Elle Decor Italia March

Browsing the archives of Barnes and Noble, I came across the Italian version of my favorite home decoration and interior design magazine, Elle Decor. This month's feature home design involved a natural modern cottage designed by architect David Kohn winner of the One-off House Architect of the Year in 2010. Anyone who knows me knows I love modern house design more than life itself. Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the masters of modern residential architecture, he believed that a house should be integrated into its surroundings, which many times included parts of the house being created from surrounding natural resources. This house manages to achieve that using the same wood material in the living area as well as the bedroom. Each room in the house possesses some similar furniture piece or fixture as the other rooms in the house which ties the house into one magnificent work. Take a look at the photos below.

Model Madness: Pablo Morais

For this week's Model Madness, we've scored a dazzling newcomer from Brazil, Pablo Morais. The new addition to Red Models NYC is definitely a testament to the overwhelming beauty that is the Brazilian mystique. He's been splashed along the pages of Ohlala Mag, Queerty, The Fashion Spot, and he keeps on coming back for more, making his way to the pages of Fashion Inc. Style Society. Standing at 5'11 with sea-green eyes to match, you might want to wear your sunglasses for this one, folks. Looks like it's going to be a South American scorcher. Enjoy.

HOW: Score the Internship

Forget the hype boys and girls and bump what you heard about fashion internships in the big city. For anyone who's worked as a fashion intern in a city like Los Angeles, Chicago, or New York, you know it's definitely not as glamorous and action-packed job as movies like The Devil Wears Prada and shows like Gossip Girl make it out to be. If you've never had an internship before, an internship is a chance for you to gain real-world professional experience while building your portfolio and gathering your strengths. Sorry, chances are you probably won't be rubbing elbows with the fashion elite or even get to speak two words to the editor-in-chief of a magazine. You'll be doing the menial tasks, sitting around in the office waiting for tasks to be handed to you, and perhaps watching from the sidelines. But that's your time to take notes and find out if you'd want to work a job like your internship in the future. Don't get hung up on what the romanticized intern image is. Use the people you work with to find ways to network, add projects to your portfolio, and make yourself stand out among the other interns. Sometimes in the world of fashion, it really is what you know that counts. Check out how to dress to land the job below.

SEE: Mr. Bathing Ape Summer 2011 Lookbook

The mind behind the massive Japanese brand A Bathing Ape, Nigo has unveiled his newest lookbook for his Mr. Bathing Ape collection. The Mr. Bathing Ape collection exists as an upscale, professional alternative to the avant-garde and artistic aesthetic of the main BAPE collection yet the various infusions of the Japanese street fashion and American influences that gave birth to the BAPE brand is still apparent in the camoflauge-colored ties, thick gold chains, and graphic tees that complement the tailored pinstriped three-piece suits, sophisticated oxford shoes, and clean pocket squares that populate the collection. Mr. Bathing Ape also has a collection of denim and t-shirts which gives a casual edge to the otherwise refined image. The collection is sold exclusively at United Arrows, the famous Harajuku retailer in Tokyo. Check out photos.

WEAR: Bell & Ross BR 01 Red Radar

Heavy-duty watchmaker brand Bell & Ross have unveiled their newest creation, the BR 01 Red Radar watch. Bell & Ross's reputation of creating watches for fighter pilots, bomb disposal experts, and astronauts has certainly made Bell & Ross knowledgeable of the needs of the man whose life involves heavy risks. The company's professional-grade military watches designed for the most extreme of conditions gets a touch of luxury with the new Red Radar. Its black, sleek square frame and durable band complement the high contrast red dial face that resembles a sonar screen. The watch keeps time with a sweeping movement and possesses high-tech aesthetic. The watch is priced at $5500 and only 999 units will be made available at exclusive stores. So even if you're not James Bond and you're looking for ultimate in timekeeping gadgetry, you'd better have a bank account like his.

READ: Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion, Architecture

If you're a fashion book aficionado like I am, or your coffee table is feeling a little lonely, then waste no time getting your hands on Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture, one of the best books of fashion, architecture, and luxury photography created by the best in luxury, Louis Vuitton. So hopefully as you're reading this you're logging on to Amazon and one-click shopping yourself a copy, right? No, no, that wasn't a question. Every page of this foot-long book archives the breathtaking glamour, sophistication and exclusiveness that has built the Louis Vuitton brand since its start in the late nineteenth century with fashioning its famous trunks. The book features the very best in Louis Vuitton shot by the biggest names in fashion photography, Mert & Alas, Patrick Demarchelier, and Annie Leibovitz. You'll see every stunning inch of Louis Vuitton's international and domestic stores and the masterful bags, suitcases, and attaches will make your heart pound. And if you're one of the people who actually do buy photography books to read them, you'll definitely be impressed by the essays from artchitects, designers, and creatives who all laud and appreciate the craftsmanship, advertising, brand, and luxury goods that is Louis Vuitton. Check out some images from the book after the jump.

DESIGN: The Art of Saul Bass

Many of you may have somehow been influenced by the work of graphic designer Saul Bass directly or indirectly. His famous work for film sequences and titles as well as his relationships with the greatest filmmakers of the time such as Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock, and Martin Scorcese and has placed his modern, and abstract works in movies such as Vertigo, The Man With the Golden Arm, and The Age of Innocence. What made me fall in love with Saul Bass's film art as well as his logo works is his clever use of minimalism and negative space.  It takes some kind of person to transform an object as banal as a cutout of a paper arm into a controversial and metaphorical icon. He studied at the Art Students League in New York City and also attended Brooklyyn College before his launch into designing film posters. His big break came in the form of creating a film poster as well as sequence for the film Carmen Jones thanks to its director Otto Preminger. His work captured the eye of Alfred Hitchcock who commissioned him to create sequences for several of his films due to his attraction to Bass' contemplative designs which meshed well with Hitchcock's psychological thrillers. His movie poster work continued for over 40 years and also included his graphic design logo work for famous companies such as Dixie, AT&T, United Way, Girl Scouts, and the YMCA. Bass is also quoted for the powerful maxim that "Design is thinking made visual." And no doubt Bass could sublime his immense imagination into his works. Check out the best of Saul Bass after the jump.

NEWS: Dior Looks to the Future After Galliano's Firing

It appears that although the legendary house of Christian Dior sustained a massive PR torpedo by the hands of its creative director John Galliano when he was videotaped in the midst of a racist harangue towards Paris cafe patrons, they are excited with the new direction they are taking after his dismissal. Galliano is set to stand trial for his remarks which he later recanted in the midst of acknowledging his impropriety. Some would say that this is only a reflection of the blatant inelegance that is plaguing not only the fashion world and the spheres of the Page Six fixtures, but also a large number of public and private figures; the you're-only-sorry-because-you-got-caught phenomenon. For a company that embraced the avant-garde, envelope-pushing influence of John Galliano, it no longer remains to be seen how Dior feels about his leaving or his mark on the Dior brand. Dior wants to move in the direction of a return to the classical, youthful, and exuberant beauty that Christian Dior himself painstakingly created in each fashion show. A very different direction indeed from the somewhat outre and darker hold John Galliano had.

Design Muse: Tom Ford

I don't think that any designer has been as successful at breathing life back into fashion than Tom Ford has. His dedication to fashion that has a character, mind, and movement of its own has brought the attention back to what true design should possess and convey. His infusion of masculine sexuality into fashion has given him great strides in territory left untreaded. He's not afraid to be pictured in W magazine nude slapping a towel against the rears of two male models in a shower, or to massage a derriere with a car buffer. His insistence on male objectification has given more thought and appreciation of the allure and power of the male form stripped away from the oversexed connotations oft associated with it. In his interview with Interview magazine he stated on the male form, "I’m very comfortable with naked bodies. Full frontal male nudity challenges us. It makes men nervous. It makes women nervous. Other times in history, male nudes have been regarded in a different way. The Olympics were originally held nude."

Lady Gaga for Vogue March

There are many reasons the world has paid so much attention to the antics, the style, and the brand that is Lady Gaga. Her modus operandi of constantly breaking set within fashion and pop culture and synthesizing them into new forms and ideas is a skill she has beautifully mastered. Like most great artists, her work often evokes misunderstanding, perplexity, and fear to those who do not understand it. But I feel that the greatest thing about Lady Gaga is she does exactly as she thinks. She is one of the few people who know how to turn the dreams and ideas in her head, no mater how scandalous or surreal and turn them into realities. It is this magic that shows in her feature spread in Vogue's March Power Issue. And a subject to choose indeed. Her otherworldly creativity and desire to unite completely with popular culture can be nothing short of magical. With her single "Born This Way" released earlier this month, Gaga is beginning to unveil to the world her newest creation. Check out the photos of this little monster from the spread after the break.

Model Madness: Brandon Espy

Ah, the power of Google. Who knew such technology could be used to find out som much about beautiful people? Well we certainly snagged a big one this time and he comes by the name of Brandon Espy. A rising star who prefers to selectively solicit his beauty rather than settle for overexposure, he strikes your eyes with that "Where have you been all this time?" thought. Also, through my Google exploits, our model of the week, a native of Diamond Bar, California, played football for the University of San Diego in 2005 to 2007 where he majored in Communications. He was a three-sport high school performer in football, basketball, and track, hence the impeccable Spartan physique. It's interesting how Brandon's history has led him to the world of fashion modeling but he's definitely smart enough to know he's got the looks. Check out why he's out model of the week and you'll see why we're mad for him.

The Elegant Animus

The universe of fashion is a place where ideas are constantly being created, changed, thrown away, recycled, and picked up. In this infinite manufacturing of creativity, one person's trash is another's treasure and subsequently becomes someone else's trash or treasure. And as we come into contact with these ideas in fashion, whether old or new, we are inevitably changed by them. Suddenly a light of inspiration in a dark tunnel becomes clearer, or perhaps a new path suddenly springs up from the other new path we just took. To document this amazing and wonderful phenomenon, I created a new blog, Elegant Animus, to document all of the inspiration that hits me and how it has and continues to change me.

Guerre de Style

If fashion really is everywhere, as Coco Chanel once said, then Karl-Edwin Guerre, creator of the men's fashion blog Swagger 360, can find it. His site's slogan, "Where Lifestyle and Attitude Connect", sums it up perfectly; fashion isn't just made up of what we wear or where we wear it, it's made of how we live and how we think. His reputation for maintaining a Wildean-crisp style has earned him attention from many fashion watchers especially his impecable impresario skills. It's especially pleasing to me to see so many images of men of color, for these are oft scarce in other blogs. It's wonderful to see a culture of stylish, ambitious, and refined men using their creativity and showcasing their style. Check out Swagger 360 here.

The Eyes of a Dandy

I love scouring the web looking for people who love fashion as passionately as I do and who have found ingenious ways of expressing their creativity. When I came upon DapperLou, the blog of notoriously stylish urban dandy Ludget Delcy, I knew I had found my style soul brother. His effortless classical American style and his eye for catching it is what attracts me most to his blog. He could certainly have composed a blog just on his own personal style but Ludget chooses to use his erudite taste to feature gentlemen both young and old who are mastering the art of dressing the man. I first noticed Ludget's style on LookBook.nu, my favorite haunt for fashion inspiration but I had no idea the man had such an impressive portfolio of street personalities. I also noticed his blogroll is quite short, especially when many fashion bloggers including myself tend to prefer to give their readers a great deal of places to find other great content. But then again, Ludget understands that too many cooks spoil the broth. Most of all Ludget gives me what I want: pure, unadulterated sharp-dressed people. See all about Ludget Delcy and his site here.

Model Madness: Hidetoshi Nakata

This week's model comes in the form of a Japanese footballer whose career led him into the world of modeling. Hidetoshi Nakata has been hailed as one of Japan's greatest soccer players. But his lens has moved from the field in recent years to the runways. His avid interest in fashion has always been apparent and his statuesque physique makes him a perfect candidate for the modeling world. He's hit the US previously with his appearance in GQ's 2007 fall fashion issue and he is currently holding down a spot in Calvin Klein's notorious underwear line while simultaneously serving as the editor-in-chief of Monocle magazine, a global culture magazine. Check out more photos of Hidetoshi after the jump.

An Homage To Black Style

In light of Black History Month, I must stop and pay tribute to the numerous Black icons that have and still contribute so much to fashion and what Black American style really is. In a history that often calls for much more sadness than celebration, in spite of our oppression and in light of our achievements, we have managed to create a style that is distinctly ours. Whether it is the dashikis, afros, and kente cloth that hearken images of Black is Beautiful, or whether it is the smooth, crisp, and classic style of a 1940s Stacy Adams suit, or even the bold, expressive, and unrestrained hip-hop style, Black Americans have always found a way to make their voices heard and have created our own definition of luxury and elegance that is as rich and varied as the colors we are. Check out a slideshow featuring the icons that have shaped Black fashion.

Don't Get Mad, Get Inside

If you're still messing around with keg stands, dorm parties, and the free-before-11 fare of parties, then you'll definitely want to step your game--and connections up with the host-with-the most Marquis Phifer. The man behind the LateBoots brand is launching an exclusive group catering to the more sophisticated bacchanalian set, titled Inside Socializing. If you're lucky enough to get on the list.

Model Madness: Darren Taylor

There's nothing I love more than a great story about working your way from the top. Sure it's great to finally "get there" but I'm an appreciator of the journey rather than the destination. And someone else who is enjoying their journey to fame is our Model Madness spotlight this week Darren Taylor. A native Texan, not only is everything bigger there but apparently more beautiful as well.

Maverick Monday: Introducing Rashad Benton

Few men around are adept at the subtle art of style like this week's man-about-town Rashad Benton. A student at Florida A&M University, Rashad's creativity and his erudite eye for style have placed him in our spotlight. From first sight you'd never notice the taciturn and res Fem a very quiet person, low-key type. I keep to myself a lot. I honestly don’t enjoy being rved nature that lies under Benton's refined exterior.

Model Madness: BJ Williams

This week's male model BJ Williams hails from Las Vegas, Nevada and is one of the recent newcomers to Red Models, an agency that is currently leading the modeling industry in producing top-performing minority male models. Though his time at Red has not been very long, his portfolio says quite the opposite. Williams has worked with Levi's in their Fall 2008 campaign, Akademiks' Spring 2009 campaign, Sean John's Fall 2009 campaign, and Williams has appeared in Ebony Magazine, GQ Magazine, as well as GQ Britain. BJ stands at 6'1 and is definitely charming designers as well as musicians such as Cassie who cast him in her video. Check out the photos of this rising star.

Don't Call It A Comeback

Call it a come-up. The Dynamic Duo of Style Marquis Phifer and Sham Shirley are returning to the blogosphere with a new and improved look for their site LateBoots, a collection of photographs, personalities, and most importantly hard work. Calling themselves the New Workers, Phifer and Sham are showing young creative aspirants as well as the world at large just how much power a little bit of perseverance, ambition, creativity, and drive can get you what you want and where you want to be. Through their brand public relations team, Marquis and Sham are spreading their influence through independent fashion designers as well as catching the eye of notable style professionals not only in their stomping grounds of Atlanta and New York City but also abroad. The urbanly urbane Morehouse dandy Marquis Phifer creates a smart and innovative synthesis with the street-smart, edgy, and artistically erudite Sham Shirley giving a new perspective not just on getting ahead in life but on realizing and achieving your dreams. Check out the new site here.

Black Swan Style

This week, bring the beauty, the drama, and the style of the critically acclaimed motion picture Black Swan from the big screen to your wardrobe with these fashion sets from Polyvore.com. Learn how to successfully combine the elegance, purity, and effortless chic of white with the seductive, stylish, and timeless quality of black. It doesn't matter whether you heading out to a day at the office, going out for after-work drinks, getting ready for a date, or simply having a night out on the town make yourself the center of attention with these styles. And if you've got a keen eye for style yourself or if you're looking to design your own Black Swan look, head over to Polyvore.com, create a profile and create fashionable sets and share your style with the world!

Black Swan II by ♥ Adorable~T ♥ featuring valentino shoes

Black Swan by lagomera featuring a bodice gown

2. Black Swan Inspired by •• deeelushious •• TAG ME! featuring ballet shoes

Black Swan by julesmason2311 featuring a ballet shoes dress

Blake Lively Becomes The New Face of Chanel Mademoiselle

Blake Lively, the uber-stylish starlet who plays the equally glamorous Upper East Side-dweller Serena van der Woodsen on the CW show Gossip Girl is now reaching new heights as she begins to take her place as the new face of Chanel's Mademoiselle handbag collection. The 2011 collection began during Chanel's Cruise 2011 show and Karl Lagerfeld was the photographer who shot Blake Lively for the new campaign. Lagerfeld spoke highly of Lively and called her 'a kind of American dream girl'. It's no doubt that the blonde bombshell has definitely been garnering the eyes of the who's who in fashion as an American muse, with a double Vogue cover, and even snatching the cover of their Best Dressed Special Edition issue. Perhaps its her ethereal goddess appeal, those perfectly coiffed golden locks that even still manage to look smokin' hot all tousled and strewn aside, a look that her character Serena van der Woodsen has managed to be caught it numerous times. But even though she may not be the Park Avenue Princess that she plays on television, Lively's individualism and her willingness to embrace fashion garner her tons of praise for her canny dress smarts. And now she follows in the footsteps of other great actresses who have been the face of Chanel Mademoiselle such as Audrey Tautou, Nicole Kidman, Keira Knightley, and Vanessa Paradis.

The Top Apps for Fashion Enthusiasts

With the era of smartphones in effect, it's easier more than ever now to stay in touch with what's going on in the world of fashion as well as locate the most exclusive style finds with the simplest of ease. Apple's App Store provides an enormous amount of fashion apps to buy but great style is priceless and so are these are some of my favorite fashion apps for your iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad. No matter where you go or what you do, make sure you're armed with the right technology to keep you abreast of what's coming in and what's going out.

TrendStop TrendTracker

This app is one of the best tools for finding out the newest in fashion trends as well as breaking news events from the fashion industry. An extension of their larger site Trendstop.com, get quick blurbs on the most important collection showings, fashion events, industry changes and trends from fashion professionals right on your iPod, iPhone, or iPad.

Elle 

This app is an extension of the magazine's features without having to pay for the full issue. Read your daily horoscope, get instant updates on fashion articles, and even read advice from Elle's in-house columnist E. Jean. Bookmark articles to your own personal My Elle profile for reading later and most of all enjoy the stylish interactive design. For any Elle lover, you definitely won't want to miss this app. 

Style.com

The glamour and fashion collections from the site come straight to your iPod complete with push notifications on all of the latest parties and sightings and full viewing capability of the newest collections. You can even view runway show videos right on your iPod and gather the top news from the Style File Blog. For men, you can also view the latest runway shows from around the globe and the slideshows of each look. A must have for any trendspotter.

GQ Style Picks 

Get the best fashion, entertaining, and grooming tips right on your iPhone with GQ's Style Picks app. You can also use the built in GPS in your iPod, iPhone, and iPad to to find an item and locate a store near you that carries that item. Also browse the top brands and view their picks right from the men at GQ. You can also input product requests through messages so you can find out where to find your favorite brands. For the style-conscious man this app should definitely be in your arsenal.

Who What Wear 

Get all of the insight and knowledge from the top fashion forecasters right on your iPod with Who What Wear. The famous website provides interactive stylings of the newest trends in an attractive, fashionable design that's perfect for any fashion professional, stylist, or enthusiast. And if you're a hairstylist or makeup artist you can also browse the hottest in beauty right from this app as well. If you're wanting to change your look then definitely head over to the App Store and download this free app. 

The Sartorialist

You've seen the website by Scott Schumann and you've read his column in GQ magazine. But now you can browse all of his international style spottings right through the app. If you're looking to see what everyone around the world is wearing you'll find no better app than the Sartorialist. Zoom in, zoom out, slide, and even save the photos to your iPod, iPhone, or iPad. The perfect extension from his blogsite, The Sartorialist gives real photos of real people with real style.

Target

Get the awesome style and convenience of Target right to you through their app. If you're looking for something specific or if you're just wanting to browse a category check out Target's full collection and even look up an item in their store tracker to find a store near you to buy it from. Also use your iPod Touch and iPhone camera to take a picture of an item's barcode to find that item within the store. Refine your search by price, color, style, and department. You'll find no app that's more geared to the modern shopper than this one.