IDLM x KINGDOM of STYLE

Kingdom of Style's Queen Michelle recently sang the the praise of her new Obesity and Speed Mesh Lace Ruffle Dress from I Dont Like Mondays. The famed style blogger notes the sexy yet ladylike nature of the piece and how it appeals to "her inner goth". Music to our ears!

 Check out all our Obesity and Speed in the SHOP. 

above images via Michelle at Kingdom of Style

FASHION FRIENDS: CHRIS HABANA

Designer Chris Habana brings gothic iconography to the forefront of jewelry trends. His edgy collection features signature cross, spike, and triangle charms that are eye-catching and head-turning. With a childhood reveling in fantasy and sci-fi and a young adult life dabbling in 90’s gay counter-culture, the designer was able to let the two worlds clash to create his bold line. Features in publications from V Magazine, Vogue Italia and Nylon to The New York Times have gained Habana recognition as a daring designer with more great things to come.

CHRIS: Hey Chris! A lot of your jewelry references different symbols (crosses, eyes, thorns, bones etc.) What is the power behind that symbolism? What do these symbols mean to you?

CHRIS: I grew up in a catholic house so crosses have been ingrained in my psyche since childhood. Crosses have so many different meanings to different people. Generally though the connotation is something somber and serious. I like to look at them as a design form and challenge their normal variations by twisting them around, linking them end-on-end or dangling them upside down. The same is true for other symbols such as bones, eyes and thorns. They are all dark in nature but beautiful in form. I like to take them out of context and make it something you wouldn’t think of.

SARAH: All your jewelry is unisex, it looks awesome on both women and men because it achieves a balance of toughness and sexiness, how do you manage to navigate that territory? Managing to include both genders?

CHRIS: People often ask “who do you like to see wearing the line” and the answer is usually some riff on, “Boys, girls and everyone in between.” I’ve always been really into androgyny. I don’t bother to specify pieces for different sexes. I design the collection and encourage everyone to wear it.

SARAH: A lot of your pieces evoke a certain sexuality (i.e. the lovelace ring, thorns), can you speak about the sexual persona of your jewelry? Their boldness?

CHRIS: I love to push the envelope when it comes to sexual taboos in the same way I like to fuck with religious imagery. I always want to create something unexpected and subversive no matter what the subject. Sex in particular though is something we all do and as much as it’s out there on tv there’s still so much that happens behind closed doors that people are afraid of. I dedicated FW11 to merging fetish with fashion for the creation of the “WierdNKinky” collection. I wanted to just put everything in your face and I was surprised by the unexpected response. People seemed ready for it. It was really cool.

SARAH: Do you have any major cinematic or artistic influences that seem to reoccur with your designs?

CHRIS: I draw most of my inspiration from street style but themes from Doom Generation and Paris is Burning always have a presence in the collections.

SARAH: Who is your greatest inspiration?

CHRIS: JESUS, Duh.

SARAH: Your line is so contemporary, so involved with our current culture, what are your guiltiest culture indulgences?

CHRIS: Well I already said Jesus, but I also like Tyra and Weed.

SARAH: What are your style no-nos? What celebrity would you love to make over?

CHRIS: I think anything goes. I’m not into making people over. I am all about people expressing themselves however they are comfortable.

Shop CHRISHABANA in the store!

Fashion Friends: TJ Cowgill of Actual Pain

TJ Cowgill is the "man in black" behind the line Actual Pain. He personally designs each piece referencing the occult, fine art, and the heaviest of metal. TJ writes for Seattle's the Stranger, has his own band Book of Black Earth, and maintains a pretty solid blog of his own. TJ makes the kind of clothes guys want to wear, and their girlfriends want to steal. Also, he likes girls in platform shoes - really, he said so! Check out his amazing stuff in the store and our comical exchange below:

Sarah: So TJ, describe your personal style in 5 words.

TJ: Not so young Roy Orbison.

Sarah: What is your favorite thing you've ever designed?

TJ: I always have new favorites, but I think our Pyramid Logo is one of the best things I've ever designed. It's really half luck, I beat a lot of people to the punch on that one. And now we see where triangles and pyramids have gone... But I still believe in the importance of the hidden meaning of the trinity as an esoteric concept. People really want to understand that these days.

Sarah: If you could have Anton Lavey, Aleister Crowley, Elvira, Genesis Breyer p-orridge, Kelly Bundy, and Lil B at dinner party; what would you cook? who would you sit between?and who stays after dinner was over (wink wink)?

TJ: Geez, ha ha! I don't know. Probably pizza. Everybody likes pizza right? And I wouldn't cook it I would order it for delivery. I'd sit between B and Kelly because I would want to watch everyone else very closely. I know that Crowley would want to stay over because Kelly Bundy and Elvira would be there, and since he'd have a big bag of dope I'd probably let him. Then Anton would want to stay because Crowley was staying, and that would make Gen P want to stay and ask Anton questions about the Process or something, and Lil B would probably be on my computer recording a video of himself... So I guess everyone would stay over. I would try and get 1980s Zeena's telephone number from her dad.

Sarah: If you were trapped in a room for the rest of your life watching one director's films on loop, who would it be?

TJ: Easy. Werner Herzog.

Sarah: Are there any musicians or artists who have influenced you so greatly over the years, that now you can see/feel a connection to them in your designs?

TJ: I rip off Raymond Pettibon a lot when I draw. Also if it weren't for the Blues, Rock n' Roll, and consequently Heavy Metal I would never have drawn anything beyond comic book characters.

Sarah: Do you have any style "pet peeves"?

TJ: Not really. I really don't care what other people wear. I do like this trend of women in platform heels, like Jeffery Campbells. It makes girls like 10 times hotter.

Sarah: Lastly, and super important of course, any advice for girls who want to wear fitted caps and not look so..."bro"?

TJ: There's only a few girls that can pull this one off. Having really long hair helps. Also dress the rest of your body really girly and you should be fine. I hope that helps.

Actual Pain, TJ's graphic tee and accessories line, is available HERE

FALL IS HAPPENING IN THE SHOP: Miista Boots shot by Saga Sig

Miista is a fashion foward footwear brand based in Hackney, London. They've made waves doing incredible weaving and "drool worthy" heels. The Zelda boot is one of our favorite pieces for fall, shot above by fashion photographer/blogger Saga Sig. Saga's site is full of amazing ethereal work, and compliments the Zelda boot perfectly. A little bit mystical, a little bad-ass, and totally statement making. Follow our links to see Saga's site, and to shop the Zelda in the store!

INFLUENCE: Fall Fashion Film "Reading List"

Fall is a great time to be re-inspired by fashion, and one of the best sources of that motivation can be a film with really amazing style! So, for your viewing pleasure we're putting together a little "Back2School" viewing to do list! If you're having trouble leaving summer behind, and you are weeping at the thought of getting off the beach...might we suggest the classic 1959 Gidget?Starring Sandra Dee, this teen beach movie will satisfy all your resort-wear nostalgia and is chock-full of serious hunks. Take note of the serious sexual tensions and surf boards, ugh! If you're in darker mood for fall, dont miss Videodrome 1983(pictured above). This trippy-80s-tech-thriller starring Debbie Harry is way campy, and eerily stylish. Any film by Ken Russell is a visual masterpiece, but for fall why not take inspiration from Whore 1991(also above)? The story of a seedy and difficult (yet well adorned) life of a 90's working girl. Feeling style crazy, manipulative, and totally deranged? The Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant 1972 (above), is a parade of incredible costumes and emotional turmoil. The whole film, by Fassbinder, takes place in one very elaborate boudoir, instant Netflix people! Or maybe you just want to be a teenager again, a really hot one desired by everyone around you? The Babysitter 1995 starring Alicia Silverstone is a suspenseful tale of a young girl and all her many admirers. And lastly, for a dose of comedy with a sprinkle of fur and diamonds, Alice 1990 directed by Woody Allen is the story of a spoiled and repressed New York housewife and a trip to Chinatown. In the film Mia Farrow wears amazing coats and has an adorable bob cut.

INFLUENCE: always and forever Rick Owens

THE COOLEST STORE YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TO...YET: C'est Magnifique

C'est Magnifique is a New York institution. Stores come and go, trends fade over time, but this West Village staple has remained true to its roots since its opening in 1959. It's a jewelry addict's paradise; crazy gothic silver rings, turquoise cuffs, Tuareg imports, rhinestones, crystals, skulls, some really impressive antiques, and so much more. Some pieces are made from molds that are over 20 years old, as well as new items that always seem to appear. C'est Mag is a family business, with loyal customers and devoted followers. A piece from here will solicit a lot of "Where did you get that?" and impressed faces. In a fashion climate that favors looking like an effortless "BAD-ASS", the men in the Albrizio family could probably give a lesson. In addition to having amazing merchandise, the pricing is highly reasonable. You might be compelled to grab several items. Here is a list of famous people that feel similarly:

Madonna - Jimi Hendrix - Bob Dylan - Jerry Garcia & Bob Weir - Robert Danero - Micky Rourke - Johnny Depp - Iggy Pop - Jim Jarmush - The Ramones - Matt Dillon - Debi Mazar - Josh Lucus - Patti Smith - Ralph Lauren - Indian Larry - Lenny Kravitz & Lisa Bonet - Axel Rose - David Byrne - Mike Myers - Stephen King - Tony Benett - Motörhead - Thrill Kill Cult - The Blasters - Beat Farmers - David McCallum (Man from U.N.C.L.E.) - Bette Midler - Cher - Carly Simon - Susan Sarandon - Gregory Hines - Marianne Faithfull - Teri Garr - Vernon Reed - Halley Berry - Lil' Kim - Drea de Matteo - Janeane Garofalo - Dean Winters - Handsome Dick Manatoba - Patrick Stewart

Hide your face under a hat to hide from that heat and head on over!

120 MacDougal Street
1 212.475.1613
cmag1959@gmail.com

THE MAN AT WORK: all repairs, new designs, and custom work happen back here

FRIEND THEM on FACEBOOK for updates

INFLUENCE: Role Model Matrix

Rational Animals are embarking on a month-long tour in support of their new Bock Rock Parade LP and are starting things off in Brooklyn for two shows this weekend...could get rowdy!

On July 15th:

Rational Animals (Bock Rock Parade LP Release/US Tour Kickoff)

+Wiccans,Hoax, and CREEM

@ Tommy's Tavern

1014 Manhattan Ave.

Brooklyn, NY $5

On July 16th:

w/ Nomos, Leather, and Pygmy Shrews

@Union Pool

484 Union Ave.