Straight Outta Compton, the authorized biopic of the rap group N.W.A, was the unexpected hit movie of the summer. It tells the story of the five guys — Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella — who shocked the country with songs like “Fuck tha Police.” Five guys. But wait! Look at…
Princess Diana Style: Right for 2015
Elle put together a photo gallery called “Princess Diana’s Most Underrated Style Moments” and it’s pretty great. As Elle points out, many of her looks would be on-trend now, including her “boyfriend” sweater with a skirt. The only thing that hasn’t come back in a high-fashion way is that 1980s feathered hair. View image |…
The Weeks in Review
In case you missed it, here’s what has been on the blog for the past couple of weeks. Monday, Aug. 17: Feathers were flying in St. Tropez. Wednesday, Aug. 19: My experience selling jewelry on Amazon. Thursday, Aug. 20: Vegas memories for Throwback Thursday. Friday, Aug. 21: Recommended reading about a refugee experience. Monday, Aug….
Jewels of the Month: Arrowhead Y-Necklaces
I’m happy to see that jewelry guru Cindy Edelstein’s latest TrendTracker post for National Jeweler is about Y-necklaces. Cindy writes: “You knew it had to have a comeback soon … the Y-neck of the 1990s is back en vogue now and enough time has passed so that we’re actually enjoying it. This time around they’re…
Throwback Thursday: McQueen Top, Now and Then
With only a few weeks before the start of the fall season, it’s time for me to make sure that all my summer clothes have gotten out and about. I hadn’t worn this Alexander McQueen top yet this year, so it got to go to dinner at the uptown Red Farm. (Good Chinese food; I…
Another Miley VMAs Controversy: Discount Universe
Nicki Minaj isn’t the only one with a beef after Miley Cyrus’s MTV Video Music Awards hosting gig. When Miley ended Sunday’s show with a performance of her new song, “Dooo It!,” I got all excited about the costumes. View image | gettyimages.com I was positive the big eyes and sequins were the distinctive work…
Recommended Reading: The Children of Strangers
I have all kinds of work to do, which means I am, instead, procrastinating by catching up on August issues of the New Yorker. (I will read yesterday’s Wall Street Journal story on procrastination tomorrow. I swear!) The August 3 New Yorker has a beautifully written, happy/sad story by Larissa MacFarquhar about Sue and Hector…
Wendy Brandes on American Fashion Podcast
Check me out talking about the fashion and jewelry industries on American Fashion Podcast! Part I Part II AFP hosts Seth Friederman, Charles Beckwith and Lisa-Maria Radano invited me and menswear designer/ fellow Fashion Group International Rising Star awardee Loris Diran to dish the dirt. We had so much to say that the podcast had…
My Best Dressed at the 2015 MTV VMAs Is …
Video of the Year? Who cares! We all know that the most prestigious category at the MTV Video Music Awards is my Best Dressed/Wear What You Want combo. The last time I gave out one of my coveted awards was in May for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute gala. Before that, I had…
Miley Cyrus Hosts the MTV VMAs
The MTV Video Music Awards are tonight, so I was inspired to dig these out. I went to the #vmas from 1999 through 2003. I can't find my ticket from 2000 though! #mtvvmas #mtvvideomusicawards #videomusicawards #mtvvmas2015 #vmas2015 #nostalgia #mtv #bringitbacktonyc #fun #tickets #memories #ticketstub #mementos A photo posted by Wendy Brandes (@wendybrandes) on Aug 30,…