Well Heeled: Barbara Briones

Chilean designer Barbara Briones knows that women like to be chic and comfortable – a tricky concept to merge, yet she pulls it off sublimely. A leather artisan, Briones shoes are made by hand showing a modern style for the fashionista who never leaves home without a good eye catching heel.

Best for the Androgynous Male: Dominic Louis

Androgynous menswear is still a new medium for many fashion lovers, although it shouldn’t and we thank up and comers like NYC brand Dominic Louis. Following in the steps of Bernhard Willhelm and Rick Owens, Louis has already established a cult phenomenon outselling his mostly neutral colored, draped creations at hip downtown havens such as Eva and Lazaro in NYC. And with traction from major stars supporting him like Lenny Kravitz, there may be a lot more dudes rocking androgyny in 2012.

Tom Ford, watch your back!: Mathieu Mirano

Add a touch of Giambattista Valli, sprinkle a dash of Phillip Lim and mix in a dose of Tom Ford and you get Mathieu Mirano. Judging by his mostly oceanic and wave inspired S/S 2012 look book, Mirano is all about clean lines, tailored silhouettes and conceptual prints, all more to be excited for in 2012!

The Next to Blow: Honor

Already a fave among stars and the fashion elite including Alexa Chung, Tracee Ellis Ross and Kristen Dunst, NYC based brand, Honor already made a major impact in 2011. With only a year out the gate, Honor’s head designer and CEO Giovanna Randall is making strides with her newbie label incorporating her Welsh and Italian background into a carefree and ultra-feminine brand.  Randall made even bigger moves by opening a store in the swanky Meatpacking District in NYC this past April. We’re pretty sure they’re going to be a house hold name by end of 2012.

Best Indie Jewelry: Moon & Arrow

Handcrafted accessory designer, Chelsea Pearce of Moon & Arrow knows a thing or two about making metal objects and churning them into works of unique art. The Philadelphia, PA based jeweler and collector of fine vintage (we gag) has a wide array of pieces from brushed metal triangle necklaces to crystal pendants all befitting a boho vibe.

Look at those stripper heels… As it turns out, almost every aspect of the collection has that “Lady in the street, freak in the bed,” thing going on. While the print on the above blouse is a digitized, modern version of an 1850′s quilt, the metal closures, which appear on many of the pieces in the collection, are actually Prince Albert rings!

One of our favorite pieces (besides the S&M print, of course) is this incredibly cool, surprisingly edgy white blouse, pictured above. The leather collar “is a great way to hint at the S&M references without being too in your face,” Vosovic says. The fluid, white portion of the collection also has a surprise inspiration inappropriate for most dinner parties. “When I was developing this idea of the frontier woman, that’s where these long skirts and little dainty blouses came from. And then I started to get in to this child bride idea, and that’s where these wax cotton pieces came in!”

Can we just say, we absolutely loved the collection’s classy/trashy element, and don’t tell anyone, but we kind of have crush Daniel as well – if you saw Project Runway Season 2, you’ll know why! His final word to us sums everything up perfectly: “When I designed this, I was almost thinking about what a woman feels like when she wears a really sexy pair of underwear. No one else knows it except you – that’s what this collection is.”

For complete images of the A/W 2011 Runway Collection, check out NYMag.com.

Yet, you may know him, rather his styles from Jak & Jil. In 2009, Groo and friend, Jean Paul Paula – Grace Jones Boy, we affectionately called him over in the states – were featured on Tommy Ton’s site and like wildfire, they’re popularity grew and were the talk of the fashion blogsphere. With their sky-high heels, black furs and Euro cool, they are fashion’s new kids on the block and many are taking notice.

We were treated to interview Groo, to find out a bit more about him, his background in the industry and tips for hopefuls. Click to read more after the jump!

Where and when did you begin your fashion career?

From an early age I’ve been intrigued and interested in the way people dress and use the way of dressing to communicate. My career in fashion started while doing a fashion internship in Amsterdam at 18.

What have been milestones in your career thus far?

We shot an editorial for MykroMag, during Michael Jackson’s memorial service in LA a few days after he died. The model – styled in a way inspired by Michael Jackson – posed in between thousands of fans with MJ t-shirts and look-a-likes. It was insane.

Also, our first printed issue of MykroMag.

What prompted you to begin MykroMag?

We’re young, we want to work, we want to create, grow, breath. But with not that much experience and mostly ambition and love, who’s going to hire you?
So after a zillion emails sent to editors, stylists, etc., I decided to find a group of people and try it online. It was efficient, more easy and way less expensive. We hit 200,000+ readers in the first month.

[Sonny Groo and Jean Paul Paula (end of right), with friends in 2009, Jak & Jil]

You and your friend, fellow stylist Jean Paul Paula have a bit of a cult following due to your unique styles and really help inspired a generation of young fashion lovers. Did you have any early inclination about your following? How have you infused that into MykroMag, if so?

We dress up. We wear womenswear and heels. Our 3rd Paris Fashion Week, we started to grab the attention of photographers (also because there weren’t many young kids going to the shows) and the hype started. Especially the images of Craig Arend and Tommy Ton helped boosted our profiles. But it wasn’t until the first issue of MykroMag (online) that I started to notice the huge amount of followers. We received emails from people thanking us for our way of dressing or a story I’ve styled for magazines.

What was your first “pinch me” moment?

I have many pinch-me-moments, but which one was my first, can’t tell.

What are some tips that you have to aspiring professionals in fashion?

It’s not going to happen overnight, so if you want this make sure you really really want this. And simply, jump: ring doorbells; send emails, assist, work, etc. Create, learn and grow.

A bit clichéd, but where do you see yourself in the next 2 or possibly 5 years?

Probably in New York with a strong and good team making beautiful work, doing great events and projects.

Images courtesy of Abdul Lagerfeld & Jak & Jil Blog

Spring is upon us; well it’s 60 or 70 degrees in most parts of the US – so technically it’s here! And with Spring comes bright colors as displayed on many looks for the S/S 2011 season; hence our infatuation with orange. From Jil Sander to Marni, orange is big this season, so we drummed up some of our fave pieces with the carroty color! Check out for the product dets below!

(Starting clockwise)

Marc by Marc Jacobs Block-color silk-habotai dress: $565 $285 – theoutnet.com

Michael Kors orange silicone watch:  $160 – neimanmarcus.com

Stella McCartney printed floral orange tank top: $685 – matchesfashion.com

Steven Alan renada double-breasted silk blazer: $385 – net-a-porter.com

Jil Sander market acetate bag: $145 – net-a-porter.com

Betsey Johnson Betsey’s Secret Garden 2 Stack orange flower ring: $45 – zappos.com

Giambattista Valli metal-cuffed leather and twill sandals: $900 – net-a-porter.com

Citrus Orange Adjustable Cocktail Ring: $24 $18 – fantasyjewelrybox.com

We’ve watched Dawn Richard from the very beginning; starting with the grueling audition process on MTV’s Making The Band for Diddy’s all female pop group, Danity Kane, to even watching her fall in love with Que from Day 26. We’ve watched Dawn grow as an artist and evolve into a fashion superstar, with the fabulous help from celebrity stylist Ugo Mozie. The #factor got a chance to speak with Miss Richard to discuss her latest mixtape #ATellTaleHeart, Diddy’s styling tips and her solo studio album in the works. Click ahead to read our exclusive interview!

Diddy is a stylish dude; has he ever given you fashion tips?
Of course! But he actually trusts my style. I think he loves when I do me. He is always saying “Yo, where did u get that” I’m like “yea its fly right”.

Who are some of your fashion icons?
Agnyess Deyn, Kate Moss, Mary Kate Olsen and Cate Blanchett. They just push the envelope without trying.

Being in an all-girl group can mean some horrendous fashion, what were the worst outfits you had to wear?
Umm I had a year of bad outfits (laughs).  It’s hard to do you with 5 girls picking options with maybe 2 good pieces.

What inspired the new hair style?
It was time for a change.

We love “Me, Myself and Y” off your new mixtape, #ATellTaleHeart. Is it true you’re working on a solo album? If so, what can we expect from it?
Yes, I’m super excited. I want to tell a story of the fall and rise of a hopeful heart. The mixtape was the prelude. I’m creating this album as if it were a book, with everyone reading. The mixtape is the fall into my heart. The welcome. The album will be the first chapters of my quest to Love. And if you know love …It can be an unpredictable friend.

What inspired the tile of your mixtape, and who are some the people that you worked with?

The title is from Edgar Allen Poe’s Tell Tale Heart. I worked with a lot of up and coming producers, namely Jey Anonynmous! Cnote, Smurph, B-Boys and Battleroy. These are amazing talents who created art.

Do you have a favorite song that you’ve made, whether it’s on #atelltaleheart or previous albums?
“Bulletproof” – from #ATellTaleHeart –, has such a special place in my heart. I wrote it right after Hurricane Katrina.

Who inspired you growing up?
My mother and father; they are the best and were always supportive.

Are there any places on the road or in the New York that are your favorite places to shop?
I love the Village in New York! It’s full of vintage and antique stores, my faves!

You’re about to go on tour with Diddy – Dirty Money, is there anything you have to have while on the road?
I need Febreeze and Lysol man lol. There can be so many people in confined spaces that it can get funky sometimes.

Costume wise, what should we expect on the tour that you, Kalenna Harper and Diddy will be wearing?
Swag all day!

We’re glad to announce that Diddy – Dirty Money will perform on American Idol on March 10, 2011 on Fox.  Also, be sure to also pick up their latest album Last Train To Paris, out now. Dawn Richard’s #ATellTaleHeart is available for download, here.

Images courtesy of Sarah McClogan and styled by Ugo Mozie

Jared Michael Lowe, Keenyah Hill from ANTM Cycle 4 and Christina Brown

Last week, New York Fashion Week Fall 2011, was one of the most highs I have ever had in my life. To start off, @lowefactor covered over 30 shows during NY FW – special thanks to Molly, Brittny, Maurice and Amanda for going to shows and reporting, the greatest blog editorial team ever – second, it was Black Style Bloggers 2^nd tweet up.

Photo courtesy of Centric TV

Black Style Bloggers started with Christina Brown from LoveBrownSugar and I met in the tents last September during New York Fashion Week Spring 2011. We chatted in between shows about the lack of opportunities for bloggers of color and wanted to do something about it, hence Black Style Bloggers was born. We had our first tweet up last Dec. and invited major black bloggers like: StyleMom, LipstickFashionMascara, StyleandBeautyDoctor to name a few and was a major success. So this time, we expected to do it bigger and better to cultivate our fellow bloggers and get the BSB name around. The event took place at Hotel Rivington’s chic CV Lounge and literally the RSVP list was over 200 online editors, bloggers and members of the media industry. Christina and I were beyond amazed.  To add, Vibe Magazine, SoftSheen-Carson, Ciroc Premium Vodka, Centric TV and Chill Marketing all sponsored the event.

KiddUNot, ChareseTheGreat and Curran from Kings Rule Together: Photo courtesy of Babylon Cartel

It was one of the most proud moments in my life and I was beyond thrilled to share it with Christina. It goes to show you that hard work and determination really pays off!

Check below for more images and shoutout to Centric, OmoWrites, Glamazons, Stuff Fly People Like and Ebony/ Jet for covering the event!!! And to Ginger & Liz for sponsoring a special treat post event! Major thank you!!!!

Justin Dwayne Joseph from Centric TV and friends: Photo courtesy of Centric TV

Right, Ginger from Ginger and Liz: Photo courtesy of Centric TV

[Centric Culturelist]

[LoveBrownSugar]

[Babylon Cartel]

[Glamazons]

[Omowrites]

[Stuff Fly People Like]

[Ebony/ Jet]

Photos couresty of Centric TV and Babylon Cartel

This is our favorite bag of the collection – we might be future bag ladies but we prefer a gigantic handbag (overnight bag is a more accurate term). If we can’t fit the kitchen sink inside it, we look elsewhere, which is one reason why we were drawn to this chic, shiny and functional carry-all.

Let’s face it – if you’re in the market for a furry, multi-colored/snakeskin handbag, you don’t really give a crap about what other people (or fashion blogs) think. Life is short – channel your inner Malik and just get down with your bad self!

We had to show you a close-up of the logo – we think that if Malik was of the canine species, he would clearly be a poodle. So glamorous, the center of attention, and filled with extra fluff. He also told us that the numbers 100 and 21 symbolize 10021, the zip code of Park Avenue on the Upper East Side – high society indeed! Pampered Royale bags will range from $295 to $695 – we’ll keep track of this brand and let you know what stores will carry it!

Images courtesy of Us.

This past Monday (January 20^th), we were treated to go to the Agenda/ Capsule tradeshow exhibition held in the Chelsea area of NYC. Lifestyle and menswear brands including LRG, NOOKA watches, TOMS shoes, SONY, Rogan and hundreds of others invaded Chelsea to show off their new spring and even Fall 2011 lines.

We were treated to up and coming brands like Cali based Publish clothing line, a peek inside new releases from Gourmet and even a hug from one of our favorite new designers, Timo Weiland (sorry there is no photo evidence as we weren’t allowed to shoot in Capsule, but trust it was monumental!). It was a guy free for all at the Agenda / Capsule tradeshow!

Check for more images after the cut!

SkullCandy

SABRE
LRG

SONY Piiq Headphones

NOOKA

Gourmet

Gourmet (2)

Images courtesy of Shade Photography

If you’re not familiar with Theophilus London, you might want to before year’s end. After releasing three well-received mixtapes and a debut album set to drop early 2011, Theophilus is the “next best thing” in music. Aside from his indie hits, Theophilus is getting plenty attention for his retro cool wardrobe (don’t ask us, he has his own blog on men’s style blog, Hypebeast). While in Miami, Theophilus took time from his busy schedule to talk to us, YES US, to discuss making music, fashion and what he finds sexy on ladies: black undies (we gag!) Click ahead to read the interview and see his new video “Oops” featuring Lindsay Lohan wearing you guessed it, black undies.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-DE3clAjNc[/youtube]

Tell lowefactor readers a little bit about yourself.

My name is Theophilus London, that’s my first name and I’m the second. I lived in Brooklyn for quite some time and that’s when I started making music, I focus a lot on songwriting and performing. I travel a lot actually fairly a lot, so, I have a blog where I capture photos, stories and share with my fan base. Instead of writing books, I can update it everyday. I put out three mixtapes, one in 2008 (Jam), one in 2009 (This Charming Mixtape) and in 2010 (I Want You) was the last one. They were received really well and it got some radio airplay. I just finished my first album and it will be out in January. That’s what kind of sums me up.

When did you start rhyming?

Maybe like 5^th grade, I started rhyming and putting stuff together. But I really focus more on songwriting than just rhyming. First coming up with a good melody and rhythm. I don’t really focus on rhyming. After I figure out of my mood or the emotions of the song, that’s when the rhyming stuff comes in.

You mentioned earlier about your mixtapes, I love your cover art of all of them, especially This Charming Mixtape, which you channeled Elvis Costello. How did you come up with those concepts?

A lot of the stuff that we do, there’s a references even with the video for “Flying Overseas” there’s a reference of the styles of the 1960’s and we run it with new ideas in the systems. With the Elvis Costello thing was like an Andy Warhol statement, where he took Madonna’s face or the Campbell soup and made it poppy. I kind of just wanted to take Elvis Costello and make it into a black rock kind of thing and expose him to new fans. The fact that now they can say they know who he is or maybe look him up, it’s cool.

What can we expect from your debut album?

I worked with some really cool producers; with me and some songwriters and sat down and came up with something. It’s like a biggie meet the Jackson 5.

You have a unique sense of style, it’s very retro yet very modern. Were you always this stylish?

I wouldn’t consider myself a stylish person; I guess I get my style from my mom. I’m gonna use the word ‘style’ as a metaphor, because that sounds kind of like a profession and it’s not my profession but my mom was my first stylist, quote unquote. Everything she did was a good job so that’s just where I get it. You know I made a lot of mistakes I did a lot of wrong things and I did a lot of fashion no nos.

 

What’s the worst fashion “no no” you’ve done?

I can’t remember but I know I dress at my best every day now. But if I didn’t go through those days of no nos…. I was doing stuff like I remember I was kind of pissed off that everyone wore everything that matched. So I was blatantly going against that. Like, if someone had a red shirt, then wore red sneakers and a red hat, I was over that. I was like fuck that, I’m gonna have red shoes and a purple shirt and make it pop like that. But I wouldn’t even call that a “no no”, you gotta take risks. You gotta learn about yourself when it comes to clothes and I kind of learned about myself through clothes, and I’m still learning which is cool.

 

Do you have any item of clothes that you would never part with? Like, you would never throw it away.

Ah yes, actually no, I throw away a lot of my clothes believe it or not. And I lose a lot of them. But I think it’s a good thing, when you lose things you can gain new things. I lost a pin one time and I found it again in another country. It wasn’t the same pin but it was the same style, but I’m very accepting of new stuff. But an item I wouldn’t want to lose would probably be… I just got a couple of new hats. I’m wearing one of the hats at the moment! I think everyone went through this phase like Michael Jackson and James Dean. I’m going through my cowboy phase at the moment.

 

Yeah I saw that in the new video for “Flying Overseas”.

Yeah

 

What’s the sexiest item a woman can wear?

I’m into panties, black panties.

You’re about to go on a date with a girl, what are you going to wear and where are you taking here?

I’ll probably wear a solid color like all black or navy blue. I don’t know where I would take her. I’d probably take her out for drinks so I can talk to her. I always get nervous on dates.

You did the song, “Soles On Fire” with Mark Ronson for his special edition shoe for Gucci, would you ever consider designing? And if so what would you design?

I think 5 years from now I would consider designing but for now I don’t know what I would design at the moment. I just want to continue to write music, I want to be popularized by being a songwriter first before I step into the fashion world. I have a long ways to go.

 

What are some great places to go shopping either in New York or somewhere you’ve traveled while on tour?

I can go shopping anywhere in the world. I appreciate shopping anywhere in this world. Europe is great; America is great too.

 

My last question is, your music videos are always very creative and different, yet very sexy. Where do you find the inspiration for the visual aspect of your music?

It comes from song writing; people want to hear the songs. I’m not just thinking of words, I’m thinking of visuals too. I can see a photo and get inspiration from that photo. When I was writing this album I would lie out photos, like my friends acting wild at parties or when I went to Brazil and went to Jamaica, just tons of photos on the album. I like to capture everything in my life, so it can live on. See, when I write I put all the photos together and I write based off what these photos are making me feel. That’s if the song has something to do with the photo. But that’s what I do.

Images courtesy of The Lovers.

Jennifer Pauline

Here at the #factor we love to hear inspiring stories on how fashion industry insiders made it or at least trying to make it. As you may or may not know, the fashion biz is a very fickle industry (Heidi Klum hits it right on the ball with the whole ‘one day you’re in,next day you’re out’ thing). It’s always great to get advice and tips to move with the best of them in fashion. So to kick off our series, we bring you Jennifer Pauline, a twenty something girl making it happen in the world of fashion. Read on!

Please provide a brief background as to who you are and where you are from?

My name is Jennifer Pauline, the world is my home.  Although I was born in Oakland, as it is so eloquently etched “Made in Oakland” on the back of my neck, I was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and have lived in Savannah, Atlanta, Las Vegas, New York, Paris and now Los Angeles over the past 6 years.

Where did you begin your fashion career?

My official entry into the fashion world began with my internship during fashion week with Alice + Olivia helping to set up their F/ W 2008 fashion presentation right next to Bryant Park.  After that, I interned at Christian Louboutin in New York and Paris, moved on to helping Dirrty Glam magazine in Paris then to become their US Fashion Editor for DG+(which is sadly no longer in publication).

What were your internships?

I interned at both entertainment PR firms and fashion houses in the PR department.  My very first PR internship was with The Britto Agency (a pr firm) and then I moved into fashion a year later going to Alice + Olivia, Christian Louboutin and Dirrty Glam.

Have there been any milestones in your career thus far?

My biggest milestone was actually before my official career began in fashion.  I was studying at La Sorbonne in Paris when my good friend, stylist Charles Wade informed me that he’d be coming to Paris for the shows and wanted me to be his partner in crime.  To this day, that week of attending S/S 2009 fashion shows in Paris changed my life.  We were all over Paris attending shows from Giambattista Valli and Lagerfeld to Akris, Andrew Gn and Christian Lacroix.  This was my first major fashion moment, I was amongst the biggest names in fashion developing my own perspective on what this industry really is.  It was true inspiration.

Tell us a bit about Dirrty Glam and what were your duties there?

I had 2 goals while I lived in Paris, master the French language and immerse myself into the fashion culture in Paris because I am a true believer that Paris is the mecca of fashion.

Dirrty Glam is the most amazing digital magazine based in Paris, France.  I met the editor-in-chief, Alie Suvelor, at Elysee Montmartre in Paris at the Jeremy Scott after-party; I remember that moment clear as day.  We shared the dance floor; Dj Kesh was on the 1′s and 2′s, there was lots of sweat and yelling over the music in French begging to be involved with the magazine. After touching base with her the next day she informed me that she needed help with some photo shoots, picking out samples and looks etc. and we went on from there.  I was with her in Paris assisting and interning from October 2009 to December 2009 and upon my return to the states we began discussions of creating an English version of the publication.  We created the US version, DG+ and produced 2 amazing issues with the help of one of my best friends, Andre Michael, who directed the Men’s editorial stories.  I love Dirrty Glam and although it’s in French anyone who loves fashion should check it out, their editorial spreads are amazing.

What is your current position?

VIP Relations Coordinator for a major fashion house.

What are some tips that you have to aspiring professionals in fashion?

It’s all about being fearless.  It’s about having a lot of faith, a lot of hard work, patience, humility, tenacity, passion and drive.  This industry is not easy, it’s about ideas, coming up with the next big thing, being 6-12 months ahead amongst many other things. If you’re not ahead you’re too far behind to catch up and as the saying goes “in fashion, one day you’re in, the next day you’re out”.

One of my biggest inspirations, publicist Bonnie Morrison, made a key point in an interview I did with her for DG+ she said “the principle is, I think you have to try to take the ego out of things; to work in fashion often means putting a brand, or a boss, or a precept before yourself. I’m sure that sounds counter-intuitive because fashion seems so ego-driven, but the people who recognize that, are the ones who ultimately thrive.”