Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

I think I say it every spring— if not, I should— warm weather makes me want to dress like a hippie. Many times, I don’t always achieve the look because it turns into an odd rocker/hippie mix. Today, was no exception. My look was slightly hippie, but more utilitarian rock fan.

I adore the Jimi Hendrix tee I found in the men’s section of Target years ago. I don’t often wear tops with images or writing on them, but for some reason, I feel it’s acceptable for me to display my undying support this genius across my torso. Plus, a new Hendrix album, primarily recorded in early-1969, came out yesterday entitled, Valleys of Neptune. I won’t turn this into an album review, but I will say, there are some guitarists who can stir your body, some who can stir your emotions, and some who can stir your soul. Only Jimi Hendrix can do all three.

The way music and fashion influence each other has always intrigued me. It’s a very chicken-or-the-egg situation, but after discussing this with various people in both industries, I often chalk the influencing up to being a sort of dynamic equilibrium. I do, however, sometimes say, fashion is my heart and my music is my pulse— I may need fashion to live, but music let’s me know I’m alive.

Talk Back: How does music influence your sartorial choices, and vice versa?

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Over the weekend, I had a mini adventure with my cerebral-twin, whom I’ve lovingly and ironically dubbed Smiles. We went to Park Slope, Brooklyn— a place, though quite cool, is forever away from Manhattan and a hell of a pain to get to when in 4 1/2-inch heels— to see another friend’s band called Cedric Needs Us.

When we arrived, there was what I can only described as a faux-Chaplin, cowboy hipster who sang songs that were unequivocally ordinary. In fact, there was one song about how he had two shoes. His southern twang was as false as his Charlie Chaplin-esque stache, but there was something entertaining about the entire situation.

Finally after about 45 minutes of the hipster Johnny Cash, Cedric Needs Us, a 5-piece band including a clarinetist and a pianist— that’s a clarinet player and a piano player— squeezed onto the 5×7-foot stage and wowed.

I’d only heard one song, “Silvi,” which can be heard on their MySpace page, and was hoping I didn’t have to grin an bare it as I tried to be a nice person, but I can officially say I’m a Cedric Needs Us fan and will hopefully be at their next concert on February 13, 2010 at Kenny’s Castaways (157 Bleecker Street, NYC). If you’re in the tri-state area, you should totally come too!

p.s. Cedric Needs Us is on Facebook too!

“Anyone who has bought a dress with wild passion and seen that emotion continue to flow gently each time it is worn, will understand the warmth with which so many fashion enthusiasts have contributed to this exceptional book.” ~Suzy Menkes

The “exceptional book” Menkes spoke of is called My Favourite Dress, a compilation of stories and pictures about the favorite dresses of fashion designers, editors, and elite. Inspired by the original ‘My Favourite Dress’ exhibition at Zandra Rhodes Fashion and Textile Museum, an exhibit curated by one of the book’s authors, Gity Monsef, this wonderful coffee table book is chock full of mesmerizing masterpieces chosen by over 150 of fashion’s finest, including: Manolo Blahnik, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, John Galliano, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hamish Bowles, Calvin Klein, Christian Lacroix, Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Zac Posen, Oscar de la Renta, Zandra Rhodes, Paul Smith, Anna Sui, Valentino, and Vivienne Westwood.

It has also topped Amazon UK’s list of best fashion books, all while donating to a good cause— a percentage of the proceeds go to Save the Children.

I first started reading this book not knowing what to expect, but finished with starry eyes and a little more insight into the worlds of some of my favorite designers. I think I also found my dream dress, a Coco Chanel piece made in the late 20s chosen by none other than Hamish Bowles. Not only does the man write one of the only columns I am guaranteed to read in US Vogue, but he has a collection of vintage pieces, probably, no one can rival. I’d never seen this dress before, but with the low back, a scandalous statement in the 1920s, and intricate embroidery, I can’t help but swoon each time I think of it.

What is your favorite dress?

Buy My Favourite Dress on Amazon.com

I hate to be a fangirl, but right now, I have to be a total 30 Seconds to Mars fangirl— question my musical taste if you must. The music video/”short film” for their new song “Kings and Queens” premiered on MySpace Music today, and like all their grandiose videos this one is awesome and fun to watch, not to mention I’ve and the song stuck in my head since it came out.

There’s something magical about a night bike ride, especially when it involves light up spokes, a guy on a giant bike, about 100 people in costumes, and, umm, Jared Leto (I didn’t say it! I didn’t say it! It’s about the music, I promise!).

Anyway, watch the video, love the song, and get This Is War when it comes out on December 8th.

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I saw The Brothers Bloom for the first time, over the weekend, and knew I would love the movie, but I had no idea I would find a new style icon in a character aptly named Bang Bang.

Bang Bang, played by Rinko Kikuchi, not only was the most badass, silent, gun-slinging arsonist I’ve ever seen— maybe the only silent, gun-slinging arsonist I’ve ever seen— but she carried this title while sporting bright red lips and Chanel Willy Wonka sunglasses. In every scene there was at least one piece of utterly inspiring clothing, and the way this character layered pieces was sheer perfection.

Bang Bang easily topped the list of my favorite female characters the first time I saw her— love at first sight!

Of course, I might be biased because Rian Johnson did create one of my favorite film noir-esque movies of all time, Brick. The complexities and abnormalities of the characters Johnson creates truly appeal to me, Bang Bang being one such character. Since she was primarily silent— there was an exceptionally funny karaoke scene— the viewer only had glimpses of Bang Bang’s personality through Kikuchi’s facial expressions and her fabulous wardrobe created by Beatrix Aruna Pasztor.

Follow the jump to see more Bang Bang amazingness. (more…)