Street Fashion: Silver Lake

Our intrepid street fashion photographer, Colin Young-Wolff, was pounding the pavement last weekend on the hunt for some local style. His travels landed him in the Sunset Junction area of Silver Lake, where he found Janet Schultz, 26 of Los Feliz. Janet says her wardrobe is "all pretty much vintage." And that lovely red knit cap that's drawing your attention? Shades like that are not a one-time thing. "I always show at least one pop of bright color," she says.

Find out who else was brunching in Silver Lake by checking out this gallery. And don't forget that you can always show off you style in our Your Scene: Street Fashion section.

-- Whitney Friedlander

MORE FASHION SCENES:

Westfield Century City shopping mall

Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade

Santee Alley

Old Pasadena

Los Angeles' Third Street neighborhood

Abbot Kinney, Venice

Melrose Trading Post

Photo Colin Young-Wolff / For The Times

Two California girls are battling it out for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway slot

Victoria’s Secret must have wished all the contestants for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show could have been California girls, since the two finalists in the lingerie retailer’s modeling contest are from the Golden State.

As you might have read in Adam Tschorn’s earlier post, Victoria’s Secret decided to spice up its spicy Fashion Show with a modeling competition featuring 10 gals scouted in casting sessions in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Miami. The competition has been whittled through online voting on VS All Access and CBS.com down to two finalists: Simi Valley’s Kylie Bisutti and Carmel’s Jamie Lee Darley, who lives in Brentwood.

A look at blog Hipster Is the New Homeless

Aaron Small and Jessica Rosenberg, collaborators on the eyebrow-raising hipsteristhenewhomeless.com, describe themselves as "cultural anthropologists with an eye for plaid." The website recently went live, and is quickly garnering reactions like "Totes epic" and "Quit your day job,"  from a growing band of followers.

Digging through our closets: Michelle Obama's fashions

Before heading to the holiday sales, get some fashion inspiration from some of our readers’ favorite features from 2009.

Google won't need to worry about removing these images of the first lady -- a gallery of her signature styles from the past year or so. It includes the now-famous Jason Wu inaugural gown that Times fashion critic Booth Moore described thus: "The one-shouldered style is sexy, and the powdery hue reflects the trends we saw on the Golden Globes red carpet" as well as the impressive metallic strapless number from Indian designer Naeem Khan, pictured above, that she wore to the Obamas' first state dinner. 

What do you think of how Mrs. O's fashion wardrobe is shaping up? Have you tried, or are you going to try, to incorporate any of her looks into your closet staples? Or are you so over it?

-- Whitney Friedlander

Photo credit: Susan Walsh / Associated Press

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Photos: Michelle Obama's fashions

Black Friday: More deals and steals

Here's more incentive (including loads of Champagne) to battle the Black Friday crowds. 

House of Petro Zillia

The Deal: 50% off the entire store Friday. Expect scads of jewelry, bags and feminine frocks from Petro Zillia and contemporary brands including Smoke & Mirrors and Karen Zambos Vintage Couture.

The Deets: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 8218 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323) 782-0424.

Sugar Lilie Dessous Prives

The Deal: Complimentary mimosas and a three-hour sale -- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Friday with 20% off all lingerie and a gift with purchase. Expect pretty underthings from hard-to-find European labels.

The Deets: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 8024 W. 3rd St., (323) 655-0795.

Moods of Norway

The Deal: Complimentary Champagne and waffles and 15% off everything in the store Friday. Look for the brand's signature color-drenched contemporary gear for gals and gents.

The Deets: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 113 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 271-7172.

Em & Co.

The Deal: 50% off all apparel, and freebie Champagne and mimosas Friday. Look for a cool mix of high and low(er) labels including Iodice, Sworn Virgins and Missoni.

The Deets: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 7940 W. 3rd St., (323) 782-8155.

Cerre

The Deal: 20% off the entire collection of perfectly louche leather bags, ready-to-wear and accessories.

The Deets: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 1647 N. Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 960-0700.

Opening Ceremony

The Deal: 30% to 50% off a major swath of the store's merch starting Friday (no word on when it ends). Look for markdowns on top-flight brands including Acne, Alexander Wang, Band of Outsiders, Topman, Vena Cava and Nom de Guerre.

The Deets: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 451 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 652-1120.

-- Emili Vesilind

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Black Friday short list: Temperley London, H&M, Alice + Olivia, Mohawk General Store, Rock & Republic

Photo: A leather Cerre coat. Credit: Cerre

Shopping, Black Friday short list: Temperley London, H&M, Alice + Olivia, Mohawk General Store, Rock & Republic

Temperley London Friday: British designer Alice Temperley celebrates America’s Black Friday with a one-day sale. Fall-winter ready-to-wear and accessories will be up to 50% off. Fashionable deals include a $548 Heaven tunic (regular price $1,095) and $363 Twiggy trousers (reg. $725) and the $648 Mini-Nikita dress (reg. $1295, pictured).

8452 Melrose Place, Los Angeles. (323) 782-8000. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m

H&M Friday: The global fashion chain is taking 25% off any item of your choice until 10 a.m. (most stores are opening either at 5 or 6 a.m.). You might find some Jimmy Choo for H&M at select locations (Beverly Center, Sunset Plaza). Fashion finds start at $5 for women's knit dresses, tunics and men's merino knit pullovers. Check H&M.com for locations and hours.   

Alice + Olivia Friday: Stacey Bendet’s contemporary line is taking 40% to 60% off current season styles one day only at both area locations. Bellinis will be served in the morning, and martinis in the afternoon to shoppers age 21 and over.

134 S Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 247-0120. 11 a.m.to 7 p.m.

3939 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. (310) 775-8375. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Rock & Republic Friday through Sunday: The L.A. fashion brand is celebrating Black Friday with its first-ever flagship store sale by taking 50% off select styles.

105 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. 310) 285-0486. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. 

Esprit Friday: The legendary casual label for women and men is taking 50% off all fashions before noon and 40% after.

1349 Third St. Promenade, Santa Monica. (310) 393-7062. 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Tarina Tarantino Friday through Monday: Pink-haired accessory designer marks down everything in the store by 20%.

7957 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 651-5155. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Mohawk General Store Friday through Dec. 3: Echo Park boutique is taking 20% off current season clothing. Look out for fashions and footwear from Rachel Comey, Steven Alan, Repetto,The Generic Man, F-Troupe and others.

1102 Mohawk St., Los Angeles. (213) 484-8162. Noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Monday through Thursday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

-- Max Padilla

Photo: Temperley Mini-Nikita dress. Credit: Temperley

Digging through our closets: The world of competitive facial hair

Before heading out to the holiday sales, get some inspiration from some of our readers’ favorite features from 2009.

In May, Times staff writer Adam Tschorn braved the wilds of Alaska for the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships. The what? Here's Adam; "[It's] a testosterone-fueled mash-up that fell somewhere between bachelor party and beauty pageant. A handful at a time, contestants in 18 categories took to the T-shaped runway in the cavernous Dena'ina Convention Center in downtown Anchorage, flanked by photographers and friends, in front of a panel of judges and a streaming Web camera."

Digging through our closets: Classic fashions

Before heading out to the holiday sales, get some fashion inspiration from some of our readers’ favorite features from 2009.

Some looks never go out of style. For proof, there's our gallery of classic fashion photos from yesteryear-- which features Elizabeth Taylor enjoying lunch at the Brentwood Country Market in 1952.

Would you wear Liz's look today? Which old-school trends do you incorporate into your wardrobe? And how refreshing is it to see a starlet (supposedly) eating a cheeseburger? Now go have another slice of pie.

-- Whitney Friedlander

Photo credit: J.S. Rosenfield

Lookback: A trip through fashions of yesteryear

Cut it out: Fashion's peekaboo moment

Dresses and separates with cut-outs -- strategic windows flaunting bits o' flesh -- are officially having a moment. If the proliferation of the look on Spring 2010's runways didn't convince you of that fact, maybe the white "Fifth Element"-esque pantsuit Rihanna wore to perform at the recent American Music Awards will.

The pretty pop star looked so fashion-forward, she came off as downright futuristic in the bondage-style pantsuit, which was comprised of bands of white fabric wrapping her from bust-line to boot. (Though daring, close inspection of the getup in pictures show that there was, indeed, a thick nude body stocking filling in the many cut-outs. The girl may be envelope-pushing, but she's not crazy.)

Alexander Wang, Gucci, Balmain and Basso & Brooke were among the labels that showcased cut-out looks for spring, often by removing a chunk of the waist to reveal flat-as-pancake model abs.

Don't have the chutzpah -- or mini midriff -- to pull off such brazenness? No worries -- local designers including Suzy Yun of Unhee and Donna Mizani are among the many using cut-outs in more body-friendly ways this season. Yun is showcasing clavicles with cut-out accents on party dresses, while Mizani (who's first-ever collection just hit stores) is going the Donna Karan route with tops that are bare where we're always feeling reliably slim -- in our shoulders.

--Emili Vesilind

Photos: Best & Worst: American Music Awards 2009

Photo: Singer Rihanna performs onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards. Credit: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

'Stache talking with George Parros

Anaheim Ducks  right wing George Parros is a lamb-barbecuing, punch-throwing, occasionally Times-blogging, professional-hockey-playing Princeton grad. And for a few months every year, the long-locked, massively mustachioed enforcer endures looking like a Yanni impersonator so he can donate his hair to a group that will use it to make wigs for children battling cancer.

This year’s George Parros Cut for the Kids is slated for Dec. 14, but before that, he's weaving a new strand into his particular brand of follicular fundraising: the launch of ‘Stache Gear, his very own apparel line, which goes on sale on Black Friday, exclusively at the Anaheim Ducks Team Store.

All proceeds from the two styles of mustache-festooned ball caps and four styles of T-shirts (two men's and two women's), all of which retail for $25 each, will benefit the Childhood Leukemia Foundation and Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation.

I caught up with Parros by phone before practice recently to discuss his charitable activities, his foray into fashion and to trace the history of the signature upper lip adornment he believes to be “the physical embodiment of all that is manly.”

How long have you had the mustache?
I’ve had one on and off for a long time, but this is probably my fourth straight year. I’ve had it since before I was with the [Anaheim] Ducks.

What first prompted you to grow one in the first place? Did your dad sport a ’stache?
He had one when I was born, I think. And when my sister was born. But he didn’t while we were growing up. But I was always a big hockey fan, and I remember being fascinated with the mustaches. It’s a rich

Stila's Winter Warehouse Sale coming up

Just in time to get some sparkly eye shadow and luscious lip gloss for those upcoming holiday parties, Stila cosmetics is having its big sample sale on Saturday, Dec. 5.  So if you don’t spend all your money on Black Friday, then head to Hollywood to grab some cute stocking stuffers, which are marked down 50%-80% off, in that adorable Stila packaging.

Stila’s Winter Warehouse sale, Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

1161 Vine Street Hollywood, CA 90038 (between Lexington & Santa Monica)

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Image/information for the sale by Stila

Ewan McGregor toasts Toms Shoes' Blake Mycoskie at Go Campaign's Go Go Gala

Last Friday, Go Campaign -- which encourages kids to volunteer to help other children around the world -- held a dinner fund-raiser and auction at the Social Hollywood to honor Toms Shoes' Blake Mycoskie. Actor Ewan McGregor hosted the event.

“Toms is not only giving shoes to kids around the world but it’s inspiring people to think differently about business,” said Mycoskie, who wore a new silver Toms shoe for Neiman-Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. “When I accept an award, I get a few minutes to tell people: you don’t have to either do just charity or business. You can combine the two for more sustainable ways to help people.”

Toms Shoes has a policy where it gives one pair of shoes to children in need for every pair sold.

Ewan McGregor said he got involved with the Go Campaign after mutual friends suggested he let organization founder Scott Fifer stay on his couch in London while en route to a project in Tanzania. “I’m here to raise awareness and raise money for the project -- that's my job,” said the now L.A.-based actor who was wearing just a "gray suit." “A lot can be done for a very little.”

Dave Stewart and his Rock Fabulous quartet entertained the student volunteers and their families plus celebs Jonah Hill, Cheryl Tiegs and Danielle Bisutti.

-- Max Padilla

Photo: Ewan McGregor (left), Go Campaign founder Scott Fifer and Tom's Blake Mycoskie. Credit: Paul Redmond/WireImage

Beautyzzz pillow looks to make you prettier while you sleep

Say goodbye to plain old sleep. Since most of us don’t get enough of the stuff as it is, we might as well make the minimal shut-eye we do get more effective.  No, it’s not a souped-up Ambien, it’s a pillowcase made from silk that works to boost the efficacy of the beauty products you slather on before bed, while also hydrating skin and hair -- not to mention, no more pillow case creases across the face from that scratchy cotton.

The Beautyzzz pillowcase claims to care for the natural condition of the skin and hair, balancing PH levels, promoting cell renewal and eliminating “bed head” through the amino acids found in the silk fabric, which mimic the amino acids in human skin.

At $47, I’d better see my eye bags decrease and my skin look more radiant. As for those pillowcase creases, simply not sleeping on your face could solve that for free.

The Beautyzzz pillowcase is sold at Fred Segal.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo credit: Beautyzzz

Odin New York Launches a Fragrance Trio at Studio Beautymix at Fred Segal

Odin New York, the upscale Manhattan men's boutique, has branched out into fragrance with a trio of enticing unisex scents.

"We wanted to be able to deliver a fragrance line that had a distinct point of view and fairly represented Odin," said Paul Birardi, who co-owns the company with Eddy Chai. "We have always sold fragrances in our store, and watched customers' strong reactions to various scents. It is an immediate change to their entire mood."

Birardi and Chai spent over a year developing the scents in conjunction with German perfumer Drom. "It was important that each scent had interesting levels for customers to experience while wearing," added Birardi. "There was a focus on detail not just on the fragrance itself but on all components -- the feel of the box and the cap,  how the box opens, the color of the actual juice... It was about creating a line that we could all be proud to stand behind."

An artisanal approach to fragrances jibes perfectly with the store's refined merchandise -- which includes collaborations with brands including Duckie Brown and edgy pieces from labels such as Band of Outsiders, Philip Lim 3.1 and Richard Chai.

"Nomad," the earthiest of the three scents, features juniper, Himalayan cedar leaves, West Indian sandalwood and bergamont, while "Owari" veers more to the citrus side of things, boasting Owari mandarin, neroli and grapefruit leaves. "Century," the most grandiose of the bunch, is comprised of silver birch, earthy cypress, forest mint and smoky vetiver, among other simmering notes.

The fragrances, which launched this week at Studio Beautymix at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, sell for $110 for a 3.4-ounce bottle.

-- Emili Vesilind

Neiman Marcus for less this Christmas?

Is it really almost Christmas, and not April Fool's Day?

There, among the scores of pages of shiny, shiny ads in the fashion magazine I was reading ... no,  it couldn't be.

Ad copy reading, ''Ooh la la for not a lot of moo la la ... Coast through the holidays at remarkable rates ... The best gifts of the season for a song ...''  All enticements to bargain prices.

At Neiman Marcus.

Neiman Marcus? Needless Markup, bragging about its low, low prices?

If you still aren't a believer in bad retail times, these ads alone should do it for you.

Now, NM's idea of ''not a lot of moo la la'' is rather different from mine -- $297 leggings, a $145 sequined T-shirt. But maybe in the NM shopper's universe, that is like shopping at Target.

But they'd still have to move the decimal point one space to the left to make a Neiman regular out of me. That's a Christmas miracle I'm not even bothering to ask Santa for.

-- Patt Morrison

Bearded & Tschorn: Mustache merchandise

So far in the marathon of mustache musings, I've forgotten to point out that "Movember" has become a great way of sponsoring brands to reach the tonsorial tribe and support a charitable cause at the same time. As you prepare for your postprandial foray into the retail wilderness, you might want to be aware of the following for the mustache maven or friend of facial hair in your family:

The Urban Demistache: This thick, handsome handlebar looks like it was plucked fresh from a carnival barker. Basic versions of the 2-inch-long mustache are plated pewter available in rose gold, brass gold, gunmetal black or silver for $38, or you can kick it up a notch with topaz, crystals, amethysts or pave crystals for a bit more (up to $98). Order one here through Jan. 1 and the company will donate $8 from the sale to Movember. ($38 to $98).

Dermalogica Shave products: Through the end of Movember, the folks at Dermalogica have pledged a dollar from the sale of each shaving product to the Movember Foundation, which will split the funds between organizations battling prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Arbitrage mustache cuff links: If you prefer to wear your support on your sleeve instead of your upper lip, check out the 'stache cufflinks. In gold, rose gold, gunmetal and silver ($65). For each pair sold, $20 goes to the Movember efforts.

Giles & Brother by Philip Crangi tiny mustache earrings: The sterling silver ($65) or 14-karat gold vermeil ($78) earrings I mentioned back in October don't benefit the Movember Foundation, but they're worth a mention if you're making a list and checking it twice.

OK, so these two mustache-themed items from Urban Outfitters aren't kicking any money toward charity either, but they could be the perfect stocking stuffers for the handlebar-hosting hipster in your office pool.

Mustache ornament: O tonsorial Tannenbaum! Give your Christmas tree the gift of facial hair with a faux leather handlebar mustache ornament ($8).

Mustache bandages: Cut yourself shaving that upper lip? Cover the carving with the appropriate bandage -- one bearing a mustache graphic design. ($7).

-- Adam Tschorn

Photos, from top: Urban Demistache necklaces ($38). Credit: Demitasse Jewelry. Arbitrage cuff links ($65, shown in gunmetal). Credit: Arbitrage Clothing

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Alternative Apparel celebrates its green initiative

Last Thursday night, environmentally conscious celebrities and all-around fans of Alternative Apparel’s slouchy sweatshirts and super-soft loungy pieces gathered on the rooftop of the quaint Petit Ermitage hotel in West Hollywood to celebrate the “Think Earth” T-shirt, sales of which benefit Global Green.

Model, mom and eco-friendly makeup line creator Josie Maran arrived early with her daughter in tow. Maran also appears in Alternative Apparel’s “ReThink” booklet, which highlights how various celebrities and notable names view and support the environment. Davis Factor -- also a party guest -- snapped a few of the book’s subject, such as Alicia Silverstone and Nina Clemente, wearing basics from the lifestyle line.

Alternative Apparel owner Greg Alterman, who started the line 14 years ago in his home state of Georgia, is looking to expand the brand into freestanding retail locations, so people can snap up their favorite cuts at one time. Also on deck: an expansion into ready-to-wear pieces such as the knit pants and a blazer Alterman was wearing at the party. Like American Apparel, but without all the irony.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: Josie Maran and Greg Alterman/Wireimage

Tim Gunn and me

I had the loveliest chat not long ago with Tim Gunn, the heart and soul of "Project Runway." If you didn't see it originally, you can read it here.

Gunn occupies the role on "Project Runway" that the Queen of England holds constitutionally in her realm: to advise, to warn, to be consulted. It's a wonderful role, and an influential one, which is why I was all the more delighted with this part of my exchange with Gunn:

Do we have you to thank for the fact that there is no fur in the challenges?

Yes, thank you! I was called a fool when I was chair of fashion at Parsons and I invited PETA to speak to students. The industry went crazy. I said: "Wait a minute. The International Fur Trade Commission is coming here. I have a responsibility to bring another point of view, let the students decide." I would say if you're going to use fur, you have a responsibility to know its origins. At Liz Claiborne, every brand is now fur-free. A woman assaulted me verbally for my fur position. She said one of [her] favorite items is a mink coat, and that furthermore, it's sheared mink, so people wouldn't even know it's fur. I said: "Then you have even less of an excuse. Sheared fur looks like velvet. You could wear a velvet coat." I'm also not a great fan of faux fur that looks real -- I'd much rather have it look fake.

Bearded & Tschorn: Show us your charity 'stache

The Movember mustaches are now barely 3 weeks old, so we thought it was high time to provide some visual updates -- and encourage others to send in photographic evidence of their hirsute pursuits so we can all have a good chuckle over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Mine has finally emerged from its lip smudge dormancy and become something I find myself referring to in the third person (things like: "Adam's mustache wants to go to Palm Springs," or "Adam's mustache wants to buy the band a drink.")

At this point, the men behind the 3-week-old badges of follicular courage will find themselves having to make some serious decisions about what kind of mustache they want to cultivate. I've chosen a conservative, somewhat corporate Eric Holderesque bat-wing 'stache because it seems so against type. It's actually turned out creepier than I imagined.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that a few week back, the guys over at KTLA had a good-natured response to my earlier call to Southland celebs to let it grow, which I've embedded at the bottom of this post. (But I still expect real ones next year, guys!)

So submit photographic evidence of your facial forestry to our Your Scene site, or Tweet them to our attention @LATimesImage and we'll put together a gallery. 

-- Adam Tschorn

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More pursuit of the hirsute from Bearded & Tschorn

Photos (from top): The 3-week-old mustache belonging to Times staff writer Adam Tschorn is now prominent enough to refer to in the third person. (Example: "Adam's mustache was NOT happy with this photograph.") Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Seen on screen: Cheryl in Nanette on 'Curb'

Every time I see those features in the magazines where people write in to find out where to get the dress/lipstick/handbag that appears on a celebrity, I'm suspicious that they're all just made up inquiries.

So I was surprised to receive an e-mail recently asking the Rage crew for a little bit of fashion forensics. It read in part:

"Hoping you might be able to help me.  In last week's episode of "Curb" (Episode 8 of Season 7, "Officer Krupke"), Cheryl is wearing an animal-print blouse that my mother is OBSESSED with.  Would love to know where to get it for her for Christmas ... Do you guys know how I can find out who makes it?" 

It took a little bit of digging -- since the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" cast members have been known to mine their own wardrobe for the clothes they wear on-screen -- but I'm happy to report that the blouse in question is by Nanette Lepore.

What I'm not happy to report is that the blouse in question is from the designer's Resort 2009 collection and the folks at Nanette Lepore tell me it's no longer available in stores.

But at least now our Christmas elf (whose name I won't divulge in case the hunt turns out to be successful) now has some search terms to help as she scours the far corners of the Internet.

And, if you've seen something on screen and want to know more about it, feel free to post a comment on the blog or shoot me an e-mail (at adam.tschorn@latimes.com) and I'll try to get the back story.

-- Adam Tschorn

Photo: Cheryl Hines (left) and Elisabeth Shue. Hines, as Cheryl* David, is wearing an animal print blouse from designer Nanette Lepore's 2009 Resort collection. Credit: Doug Hyun.

*[Updated 11/23/2009 11:05 AM: In an earlier version of this post, the "Curb" character played by Cheryl Hines was incorrectly referred to as Laurie David.]

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