The Illusionist

A little inspiration to start the week off right. We love Aakash Nihalani's use of geometric shapes and color.  Check out more of his work here.

 

What is it about Muhammad Ali that knocks us out to this very day? Perhaps it's his remarkable courage, his quick wit, his swagger, his unwavering patriotism and faith, or his legendary prowess as a showman and an athlete, all at once. Also, the man had major style...as designers, we can't help but love the way Ali looked in simple sweats- he gave athleticism style and set the bar for what it means to be casual and cool all at once. Ali's iconic presence was celebrated recently when he turned 70- stricken with Parkinson's but still floating like a butterfly. Ali made athletes cool, street, and above all- fierce. Here are some shots of him looking amazing- Ali is an American treasure- the greatest of all time, and our pick for style stalwart of the week. Channel your inner thrilla in Manila when you get dressed this week- after all, we're all just fighting to get by these days, so dress accordingly. PS check him out in just a white v neck- we may need to whip one up and name it the Ali...POW.

Totally Topanga

Southern Cali- to East Coast folks we’re too hippy dippy, too in the clouds, too “conscious”. But spend some time here and you’ll know that the inspiration and sunshine that this place gives to all of us who live here is unrivaled by the grit and tweediness of the Northeast- and we can’t get enough of the fascinating images from a time when SoCal was at its trippy peak- the 1960s on Topanga Beach. In the 60s, this little beach community was the spot to surf, party, and escape the trappings of LA. It was groovy, happy, and grungy glam in that surfer way that you can’t help but be blown away by- Southern California’s subcultures are legendary, and the surfing community in Topanga was proof positive that a great combo of Vitamin D, waves, and a great tan was a magical combination.

It was full of outlaws, surfers- a paradise lost for wayward souls looking for some community, a healthy dose of experience, and a whole lot of good vibrations. Topanga Beach, and the Canyon that shares the same name, has always been a magnet for artists, bohos, freaks, and free spirits…what is it about those gorgeous waters that made for such legendary independence as well as fabulous SoCal style? We think our tees would have fit right in, PS, don't you?

These photos show of which we speak- enjoy their rebelliousness and wanderlust and style- so very Southern Cali, but they really spoke to an American spirit that we are hoping beyond hoping we get back in 2012- a respect for differences, a warm embrace of all colors and creeds and ways of life, and a rebelliousness and sense of adventure that trumps all of the chaos of an election year…we would stay longer but we have a wave or two to catch…

Some thoughts on Serge

What is it about Serge Gainsbourg that is just so "impossibly cool" (a blog devoted to such pursuits, The Impossible Cool, is a favorite around here..)? Serge, that naughty Frenchman with the crooked face and elegantly wasted style was unique en son genre- a chip off a block that had crooners before him, bien sur, but his ability to move around musical genres and controversy was second to none- there was an air of comedy, tragedy, and sexiness all rolled into one- and though he never really made it in the states, his paean to his gorgeous wife and style icon Jane Birkin (yes, she inspired the famous Birkin bag) "Je t'aime...moi non plus" is an oft cited example of why French people are known for their sexual prowess. And who could forget his drunken TV appearances, especially the one where he made a young Whitney Houston squirm with his over the top innuendos and overtures? Besides all of that, his style was legendary- rakish, rumpled, somehow impeccable despite the permanent cigarette and alcohol habit. He was not classically handsome, rather, infinitely masculine yet sensitive at the same time. And his most important accessory? A beautiful woman on his arm, naturally, of which there were many, though Jane was the great love of his life, even though they separated prior to his death. Serge had that thing- that French thing that has Americans who go to Paris wondering how the men manage to look so damn cool- like they had just made passionate love to a beautiful woman, rolled out of bed, lit a cigarette, and got on with their day. It's an art, that look, and Serge surely had a big hand in perfecting, and inspiring it. He was uniquely French, a trailblazer in terms of his forays into almost all genres of music, and his effortless style that instantly made him cooler than anyone else. Today, channel a bit of the Serge, and see what ensues- we can't guaranteed the attention of hot leggy British women, but give it a shot.

Giving Thanks

Ah, Thanksgiving. We at Cityzen Green love this holiday the mostest- a time of family, trytophan, football, and most of all, giving thanks. These days, that's a tall order. The giving thanks part, that is. We are in an age of chaos and disorder and confusion- and with many people out of work and the super committees being less than super, there is no better time than to take stock in all that is around you that IS good- family, friends, a warm meal, stuffing overload. If you are lucky enough to have a family to break bread with this Thursday, give thanks. If you are lucky enough to wrestle in supermarket lines to buy sweet potato fixings, give thanks. if you are lucky enough to have an aunt Ida that annoyingly gets lipstick on her teeth without fail, give thanks. We are luckier than lucky to be here, with each other, with the people that matter most. And Thanksgiving is a great time to celebrate the things that are still good here in the US of A- to take a break from occupying, ranting, and working 24/7/365 to appreciate our life, liberty, and hopefully, happiness. It's a time of nostalgia, but not in a sugary way- in the way that makes you want to watch Charlie Brown specials, curled up, and play football and wear chunky knits that feel handmade. It's all about authenticity and heritage- two things that make this country a ok.

Thanksgiving is also about making peace, protecting our rights and freedoms, and charting new territory in search of a better life. And though we may swing more Team "Indian" than Team Pilgrim, it's still important to recognize how we all got here, whether your'e a Mayflower descendant or your heritage is more Ellis Island. It matters not. We are all here, living in relative freedom, even in times of tremendous change and flux. 

And speaking of flux, growing up on the East Coast, Thanksgiving was symbolic- of crisp fall days that led to cold winter nights. It was the beginning of the end of the year, the start of the holiday season, and a marking of hope for the year ahead. It's also time for homemade spiced lattes, of which we may sneak a few.

And on another note, since you will most likely be carbo loading on stuffing and protein powering on turkey or tofurky, what better to wear than one of our comfy tee shirts? Nothing says freedom and thank you like a great cotton tee. Just a thought...'tis the season to wear a tee shirt, and above all, thank all of you for supporting us in our new endeavor. We feel so lucky to be here- looking forward to many more holidays and inspiration for years to come- all our love for a happy Turkey day- thanks one and all for helping us realize our dreams,

Jami and Gilles

Johnny and Kate and 90s (un)chic

 

Yes, we know the 80s had a real moment in the past few years, but we’re seeing a lot of PYTs doing a bit more of a “Nevermind” these days- the 90s are back and in full effect- call it a longing for the boom days of dot com and the Clinton years, but grungy chic is feeling very in step with those looking for something a bit nostalgic to rock this fall- think flannel, long dresses, creeper shoes, and thermal. And although George Michael’s infamous video of those supermodels was called “Freedom 90”, a new girl was coming to town- part cool Britannia, part waif, part ingénue, all amazing- the 90s was when we first laid eyes on Kate Moss- and the world of style was forever changed.

In our minds, there’s simply nobody more stylish than la Moss- she’s one of those girls who always looks cool- her wardrobe is a swoonworthy cabal of cool- she looks amazing at Glastonbury, fabulous going to a meeting with Topshop execs, and unreal for a night on the town with her new hubby. Kate has always had that rock chick glamour girl thing- sexy as hell and full on Marianne Faithfull meets Anita Pallenberg. Nobody looks chicer in skinny jeans and a blazer than our gal Kate- but before she was the style star she is today, she was a teeny tiny thing- all of 5’6” and stick thin- who could forget her amazing turn as the face of Calvin Klein? After years of Naomi, Linda, and Cindy, big time glamazons, Kate felt new and fresh and somehow otherworldly. And she was more than a bit of a bad girl, with a penchant for bad boys. Our fav of all her conquests? Johnny Depp of course, who trashed his hotel room at the Mark after one of their rows. The combined cheekbones alone…talk about the perfect mid 90s couple…divine. Maybe Kurt and Courtney’s style was too extreme for some, but look no further than Kate and Johnny as the way to go if you’re going to channel your inner black hole sun. That black and white shot of them shows everything that was right in terms of 90s style- a bit of vintage, a bit of street, and a whole lot of rock and roll. They were no angels, but that's what made them great. That and those darn cheekbones.

As we look at these photos, it’s very tough to imagine that these were not taken recently- Johnny looks amazing and right on trend and Kate looks timeless and sexy and cool. It just goes to show what a supermodel and top actor coupling can do- we’re still wondering why they broke up, and we’ll always love their style…

Stevie's So Cal Chic

 

Besides the constant buzz of possibility in the air, the warm midday sun and the freshest tacos in the universe, LA is inspiring on other fronts as well- namely style. Southern California style has an ease to hit, abohemian thing that is never cheap, never heavy, and always worn best with a bit of a tan (self tanner these days) and a mane of blondish beach waves. There’s something about the weather in our town that allows for a more easy breezy approach to fashion- though we heart the way New Yorkers dress, there’s always a sense of dressed up and done up there- in LA, we tend to take it easy and wear clothes that could take us from an early am walk on the beach to a later pm dinner at a fabulous new restaurant. And the art of layering here will always be the hallmark of dressing here- it’s cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon, so layered pieces can add to the hippie vibe of how we dress.

And in terms of that vibe, nobody rocked it harder than the mother of it all- Stevie Nicks, one of the sexiest rock babes of all time who personified California style- crunchy hair, sexy halter tops, high-waisted jeans, and more flowy and printed pieces than most.  Today’s Stevieites are LA chicks like Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe, and we’ve spotted  young glamour girls like Vanessa Hudgens having full on Gypsy moments at all the cool festivals this past summer. The epic and legendary stories behind the rise and fall of Fleetwood Mac is part of rock history, and Stevie’s relationship with Lindsey Buckingham (who had full on babe status in his day PS) had all the makings of a Hollywood drama. And through all the thrills and chills, Stevie rocked a style that was a forerunner to today’s gypset chicks and her peasanty fashion was amazing, until it became altogether too witched out, though there were some chic moments there as well. But before Rhiannon, there was Rumours, and Fleetwood Mac mania seized the world and became one of the most popular albums of all time, and Stevie’s style was perfectly transcendent- think denim mixed with silks, with high heels and tousled hair. We find 70s chic so glamorous, so sexy, so slinky yet never, ever cheap. Rock on, gold dust woman. So Cal style never looked so perfect.  We’re loving ourselves some Stevie this Monday am.

 

The Thing About the Mojave...

 

Maybe we're channeling our inner Gram Parsons, but we can't help but feel inspired by all things Mojave- what it is about that dusky boundless good piece of Earth that has us swooning? Maybe it's the freedom that comes from being in wide open space, where the possibilities are limitless, where our imagination can be released from the stress of daily life. or could it be that the vast sounds of silence let us hear our own thoughts and really listen, instead of merely hearing? Regardless of what philosophical bent we're going with, our collection was inspired by the dusky vistas and patina of the desert- think sandy browns, dusty pinks, the blue of the sky, and neutrals that serve as a blank canvas for our creativity, and hopefully, yours.

And channeling your inner Mojave has never been easier- our collection is made from lightweight fabrics that are as comfortable, open, and fundamentall as the open sky.

And no place makes us feel more at peace than Joshua Tree National Park- a vast other planet of a place where you can climb big boulders and get lost in nature and trees that look both prehistoric and futuristic all at once. And if you're up for it, you should definitely camp there and stare at a sky seemingly jammed with stars. It simply makes you feel alive.

And then for a little more civilization, we adore Pappy and Harriet's to hear some great coincidental music- meaning, cool bands stop by to play as a diversion from big gigs in LA. And the antique shops along the way are filled with hidden gems that are big time scores. And then of course are the incredible hot springs for a healthy dose of complete chill time.

But what inspires us most about living in LA is the ability to take to the open road- we yearn for the era of road trips when all was possible, when Jack Kerouac wrote "On the Road" on a beat up typewriter, when highways and cars were the ticket to an enlightened state of being- road trips are simply good for the soul, and the road to the Mojave has always had us feeling like little kids- we love to pack up the car, create a special travel playlist, grab some snacks, and go go go. After all, they say the journey is the reward, and we couldn't agree more- though staring at a sky full of stars doesn't hurt when you get there...and make like these lovely ladies, and take a girls trip there...think camping, but with style and great food and friends. There's nothing better, really.

We hope you're somewhere inspired today- we'll keep hitting you up with what makes our hearts sing, feel free to share what moves you with us, too.