dsquared clothing

How many designers have launched a collection and, in its very first season, found it hanging in between Celine and Rick Owens at Barneys? Exactly two that we know of: Laurence Nguyen and Brian Tamborello of the L.A.-based, not yet year-old label Les Aperizes. “We were there to look at shoes last week, and we wound up introducing ourselves to a woman who was trying on one of our sleeveless blouses,” explained Nguyen. “She asked us, ‘What do you think?’ We told her she looked beautiful, but of course we’re biased.”

The fiancés and former New Yorkers have good reason to be. Les Aperizes, named after a dream Tamborello had not long after they met in which he saw the word “aperyznotic,” is remarkably well crafted and well conceived for a debut. Nguyen, who hails from Double RL and Levi’s, and Tamborello, who was a drummer for the Psychic Ills, chalk up the brand’s quick success to its “masculine/feminine point of view.” They describe the collection in dichotomies like “formal/informal, Victorian/Samurai, and embellished/industrial.” As those divisions imply, the debut collection is a smart mix of sharply tailored menswear-influenced jackets and pants and high-necked, pillowy-sleeved blouses and dresses, many with hand-embroidery done in Vietnam (the line is L.A.-made). For Fall, they’ve expanded on those concepts, adding leather detailing to tops and skirts and increasing their coat offerings. This delicate camisole and bias-cut skirt is one of the highlights.

The duo may be back in New York come September for fashion week. Then again, they may opt to open a small store in Los Angeles instead. Either way, we’ll be watching. The label is also sold at Ikram in Chicago and Montaigne Market in Paris.
—Nicole Phelps

Photo: Courtesy of Les Aperizes

A throwback to the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper look, this style of jacket is back in a huge way!

100% cotton.

Purchase information: Buy it here.

I found this version available for pre-order on FredFare.com designed by BB Dakota, one of our favorite designers. It comes in both black and white, and the look is favored by celebs like Beyonce and Rihanna, who have recently donned Balmain’s version. Their choices are fierce and also priced at about $6,000-$11,000.

$80 PREORDER NOW

The style is so hot right now that I’m thinking of ordering one or two from FredFlare.com. But, be afraid when the almighty bustier makes a return. I for one will actually sit out on that one since I’ve already been there and done that. Just watch all the young’un’s frantically lace up and try the old hook and eye!

Hook & eye closures.

Black or white.

Available in XS thru LG.

PRODUCT DETAILS

A red carpet evening bag for $30?

Kate Walsh emerged from her town car at the 61st annual Primetime Emmy Awards in a beautiful J. Mendel Crystal Blue Hand Pleated Mousseline Strapless Gown with Soft Draping, Stephen Russell 18kt yellow gold and diamond earrings and vintage bracelets and…get this: A $30 Aldo clutch!

Talk about keeping it real! Don’t you just love her? I do. I actually really love the clutch itself, too! It’s rose gold faux snakeskin and looks as rich as a Judith Leiber or a Nancy Gonzalez! It comes in silver and gold, one size fits all and if you’re a vegan, it’s perfection because it’s synthetic! Classic, timeless and chic. Buy two!

PRODUCT DETAILS
KANTAH
Material: Synthetic
DCS: 34-06-03
This very feminine clutch features this season’s hot snakeskin print, plus baguette profile and kiss-lock closure. With inside compartments to help you sort your favorite items.

Purchase information: Buy it here.

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

This morning, the British Fashion Council (BFC) announced the three womenswear designers—Mary Katrantzou, Henry Holland, and Louise Gray—and one menswear designer, James Long, who have been awarded the Fashion Forward sponsorship for two consecutive seasons of London shows. Long is the first menswear designer to receive funding from the Fashion Forward program. They are in good company. In the past six years of the program, the winners have included Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, and, last year, Peter Pilotto, Todd Lynn, and Meadham Kirchhoff.

Photos: Giovanni Giannoni

It’s rare to see new designers joining the Milan fashion week ranks. Rarer still for that designer to be a Chinese woman. Uma Wang, an alumnus of China Textile University and Central Saint Martins in London and the founder of a nearly seven-year-old eponymous line with a flagship store in Shanghai, made her Italian debut on Sunday night. Guests who managed to squeeze her show in between Aquilano.Rimondi and Versus witnessed a collection from the Yohji Yamamoto and Ann Demeulemeester school of fashion. Colors were mostly blacks and neutrals, with a hit or two of red, and her cuts, for the most part, were asymmetric and unconstructed. There was a focus on innovative knitwear and dramatic coats—often in one piece. It’s too soon to say if Wang will be back next season (she showed in Paris once last year), but wherever she ends up, she’s a designer to watch.
—Nicole Phelps

The fashion mainstay partners with the iconic video game series, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, to promote its latest designs in Arena Homme+. 9:12 PM PDT 4/5/2012 by Elizabeth Snead

Knost was on top after Thursday and Friday and felt good as part of the final pairing. But those nerves Knost acknowledged Saturday were apparently back again in the final round.

Petterson used another fast start for a 2-under 69 and a five-shot victory over Zach Johnson on Sunday at the RBC Heritage. Pettersson has never fit the tapered, powerful build made popular by Tiger Woods and copied by scores of young players.

With a win under his belt, Pettersson doesn’t expect to change anything, even his (lack of) fitness routine.

“There were a couple of bumps along the road, but a lot of positives,” Johnson said. “Certainly some things that I can learn from.”

Masters winner Bubba Watson and most of the world’s best took the week off to recover from the year’s first major

Pettersson used a run of five straight birdies on the front side Saturday to gain the lead. He was 13 under on the front nine the four days.

No one, though, was catching Pettersson in this one. He rolled in a 24-footer on No. 1 to get things started with a birdie. He added another birdie, from 16 feet on the par-3 fourth hole, then two-putted from 40 feet on the par-5 fifth to go up by four shots. When Johnson took bogey at No. 10, Pettersson was five strokes in front and cruising.

“I like all the holes,” he said. “I don’t have one hole on the front nine where I feel awkward over the tee shot or second shot.”

Kevin Stadler (68) and Billy Mayfair (69) tied for fourth at 6 under. Two-time Heritage winner Boo Weekley had his worst round of the week, 73, to tie for sixth with Matt Bettencourt (69).

However, Knost’s chances ended, though, a hole later with a horrible drive out of bounds left on No. 3 that led to a triple-bogey seven and left him five shots behind and out of contention.

“Ultimately, just cause you don’t look like an athlete doesn’t mean you’re not an athlete,” Pettersson said. “We’re not running a marathon out here, we’re walking 18 holes.”

Pettersson remembers in 2009 feeling like he needed to trim down to play better. He worked out more, ate right, dropped 30 pounds — and couldn’t swing the club. He vowed to beef up and rediscover his game. The regimen?

Top-ranked Luke Donald needed to finish eighth or better to retain his ranking, but tied for 37th and will fall behind Rory McIlroy.

Donald was largely resigned to surrendering No. 1 when he woke up early for his 9:46 a.m. start time, more than four hours before the final group of Pettersson and Knost teed off.

The one time the 34-year-old Pettersson did slim down and lost 30 pounds, he also lost his winning golf swing.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Save the fitness trailer for the rest of the PGA Tour, Carl Petterson knows he’s fine the way he is.

Divots: Sean O’Hair played by himself as Sunday’s first tee time and finished a 2-over 73 in one hour, 55 minutes. … 2010 champion Jim Furyk was a stroke off the lead Thursday with an opening 68. Furyk was only able to improve one stroke the final 54 holes, which was good enough to tie for eighth, his sixth top-10 here in the last nine appearances. … Brian Harman, a 25-year-old pro from nearby Savannah, Ga., had a horrible final eight holes during his round of 82. Harman had four bogeys, two double bogeys and a triple bogey during that stretch.

And no one walked them better this week at Harbour Town Golf Links than Pettersson. He finished at 14 under to win his fifth PGA Tour title and first since 2010. Pettersson also tied countryman Jesper Parnevik for most ever on tour by a Swedish player.

He also didn’t feel too bad on the greens, needing just 104 putts over 72 holes.

“Well, you drink 10 beers and (eat) a tub of ice cream before bed,” Pettersson said. “That puts it on quickly.”

Comfortable in his skin again, Pettersson went to work on his game. Things perked up this season with a second place at the Sony Open in January and the showing in Houston earlier this month. “It’s fun to play again and I kept the weight on,” he said.

“He had a tough time out there,” Pettersson said. “But there were still other guys with a chance.”

Donald headed the list of four golfers among the 20 who followed the Masters with Harbour Town. World No. 13 Webb Simpson finished at 4 over while No. 14 Matt Kuchar, two strokes from the playoff in third at Augusta National, also was way off the pace at 3 over. No. 18 Bill Haas did not make the cut.

Pettersson, second in the Houston Open two weeks ago, earned $1,026,000.

“I hit it good this weekend, but the one swing (on No. 3) got me in trouble,” Knost said. “I made 7 and that was kind of it.”

He missed an 8-foot putt for par and made bogey on No. 1 for a second straight round to drop three shots behind Pettersson. And just like Saturday, Knost fought back with a birdie on the second hole — he made eagle there in the third round — to close in on Pettersson.

But Johnson ran out of steam on the 16th hole when he drove into a waste bunker and took bogey. Still, it was Johnson’s best showing of the year and first top-10 finish since January.

Pettersson didn’t let Knost’s troubles affect his focus.

“Maybe,” Pettersson says, “some of these guys are overdoing it.”

Donald said he’s proved he’s among the world’s best and is confident he’ll stay in that conversation, no matter where he’s ranked. “Now, my focus is winning tournaments,” he said.

Johnson, four strokes behind Pettersson at the start, tried to make a charge with birdies on the second, fourth and fifth holes. Johnson closed to three shots when he birdied No. 15 and Pettersson had his first bogey of the day moments later.

Johnson shot a 70 to finish second at 9 under, while Colt Knost’s chances for his first PGA Tour title fell apart with a 74. He was third at 8 under.

Donald’s round began badly with a double bogey at No. 1. He worked his way back with birdies on the fifth and sixth hole and that’s where he stayed. Donald ended a four-week run at No. 1 that began after he won the Transitions Championship last month.

“It was great,” said Pettersson, now a U.S. citizen. “I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself, so I kind of downplayed the whole thing. But getting off to a birdie on one was great.”

When Knost flew his approach to the 12th green way left, he simply stood in the fairway and stared straight ahead, hands on hips, in disbelief.

Pettersson’s last victory came at the RBC Canadian Open in 2010 and this win was likely just popular with first-year Heritage sponsor Royal Bank of Canada. The financial institution, along with the Boeing Co., stepped in last June to back the cash-strapped event which was in danger of disappearing without such support.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — In an April 12 story about the first black leader of Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets, The Associated Press, relying on information from the university, erroneously reported that Marquis Alexander is the first person with military experience to head the corps. The university says Alexander is the first corps leader with military experience since the 1951-52 school year.

After winning a large chunk of change from the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, Prabal Gurung decided it only seemed natural to launch a pre-fall collection.

“You have to do all four seasons at this point,” he says of his first pre-fall collection, debuting exclusively here on Style.com in this video made during his lookbook shoot with photographer Dan Martensen, who has worked with the likes of i-D, The New York Times, and The Last Magazine. “It’s a huge opportunity to introduce new categories and more sportswear pieces—it’s an incredibly important season.”

Here, Gurung’s girls Alana Zimmer, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Kate King, and Ming Xi (all have walked in his shows) model his latest efforts. “With this collection, I developed a particular print that I had taken a picture of. I had this printmaker in London that I was working with and it looks like a kaleidoscope,” Gurung tells Style.com, in between meticulously pintucking Zimmer’s dress and picking out the perfect pair of Linda Farrow shades with his longtime stylist, Tiina Laakkonen, as Rihanna blasts from the stereo in the background. “We worked to develop the image more and more and more. I didn’t want it to have the same floral idea of my Spring collection—if you look, it’s pretty from afar, but up close, it’s a little hard.” The kaleidoscope print appears throughout the collection, on featherweight T-shirts (his first), Lurex and cashmere jacquard knits, and multiple silk wool or silk georgette pieces in rich green and jet black.

A pre-fall collection isn’t the only new addition to his growing list of accomplishments—Gurung has been hard at work with his new duties as chief designer for ICB, a label that hasn’t been sold in the States for nearly a decade. “The design integrity, aesthetic, and what I believe in will be the same,” he says of his vision for the new ICB collection. “Obviously I come from the American couture background, but there’s also a side of me that lives in the East Village, you know? It will reflect that a little bit more, but not in an obvious East Village way; this will have more grit.”
—Kristin Studeman

—Maya Singer

Photo: Steven Torres

The Times has noticed it, and if you’ve been racing around the city, you’ve likely noticed it, too: Bikes—and bike chic—are proliferating in New York lately, especially among stylish girls, thanks in part to the city’s many new bike lanes. (The same movement is happening in London, too, which recently introduced a bike-share program.) During fashion week in September, bikes were actually one of the best ways to get around, from Alexander Wang at Pier 94 to Band of Outsiders’ presentation on West 22nd Street, from MAC & Milk to Lincoln Center and back. (Good luck finding those cabs, especially circa 4 p.m.)

But here’s the rub: If you want to avoid grievous injury, you need a helmet, and that’s still the weak link in the stylish gal’s cycling ensemble. If you’re a skillful enough cyclist, you can bike in most heels, and if you’re willing to endure catcalls from truckers, a floaty skirt works just fine. But the helmet, oy. Leave aside the insult to the daily hairdo—the options currently on the market in and of themselves are, for the most part, ugly. Fashion ought to rise to the challenge of making the bike helmet a sought-after accessory, much in the way it has risen to the challenge of creating desirable laptop bags and iPad cases. It’s good business, for one thing.

Over fashion week, as I was cycling back and forth to shows, I threw this challenge out to the jewelry designers Wade Jensen and Moire Conroy, of Jensen-Conroy. I dropped off a matte black helmet at their studio, and they returned a helmet knit over in silvery-blue, in the vein of the knit-wrapped jewelry they create. I’m so pleased with the results, I’m tempted to drop off more helmets with other designers, so I can coordinate with various outfits. Unless, of course, labels begin to get the hint and start doing it for me. Designers everywhere, please: Get on board with the non-bogus bike trend and make some cool helmets. Collaborate with a helmet-maker, like Bell. To you street-style bloggers who love to photograph girls on bikes: For crying out loud, starting photographing them in helmets, before you initiate a trend of major brain injuries. Truckers: Shut up. And everyone else: Stay out of my lane.