After lemming the Rag & Bone Newbury and Harrow Booties for what felt like an eternity, this season, I caved on...both. First came the Newbury in burgundy suede, while I picked up the Harrow in classic black leather just a week or two ago at Barney's. And after wearing the Harrow more in the past two weeks than I've worn the Newbury in the past two months, I've been forced to concede to a favorite, and it's clearly the Harrow.
Given the similarities between the styles (they share the same toe shape and seaming, as well as the same comfortably high stacked heel), my preference comes down to two design details - first, the shaft (that's the height of the boot) on the Harrow is an inch shorter than the shaft on the Newbury, which makes the bootie easier to wear with skirts and dresses, particularly for those of us with shorter legs (I'm 5'2" for reference). Second, as opposed to the clean finish of the Newbury, the Harrow has a notched v that sits at the front of the leg, which is not only flattering, but also makes it easier to tuck in a skinny jean (there's more room to play with at the top of the boot, though the Newbury works perfectly with skinnies, as well). That said, if I had picked up the Newbury in a more obvious color, I might have found it more versatile? You can't win 'em all, I suppose. If you're in the market:
Shop Rag & Bone:
Harrow in leather, $495 or suede, $346.50
Newbury in leather, $495 or suede, $346.50
Head to Head: Rag & Bone's Newbury & Harrow Booties
Making a House a Home: Medallion Rug Gallery
Rag & Bone Harrow Booties on a Contemporary Turkoman Area Rug from Medallion Rug Gallery
As many of you likely know by now, I recently moved - if at the beginning of the summer still qualifies as recently? As I was moving from a narrow, tiny and dark one bedroom on the Lower East Side to a spacious, modern and light one bedroom in the Financial District, I saw fit to upgrade my life accordingly (this is a danger of living in New York, of course!) So, months later, I'm still putting the finishing touches on my home, with my most recent additions being a sleek little wood and brass bar cart, and this, this GLORIOUS Turkoman rug from Medallion Rug Gallery, a manufacturer and online destination for fine handmade rugs from all around the world.
While I'm by no means a design expert, I will tell you that in my experience, there are two things that make a home feel, well, homier in an instant: art (preferably art that's personal to you and art you adore) and textiles - think throws, curtains (particularly as the weather chills) and rugs, from bedside to area. Medallion's assortment is ENORMOUS, almost overwhelming, in fact - it surpasses any of the rug stores I'd visited in the city. But by using their filtering options (including shape, size and color), you'll be able to narrow in quickly on a few favorites. Find an area rug to love here!
In My Cart: Matches Edition
Girls of a Certain Age, the new-ish blog from former Lucky EIC Kim France, is admittedly one of my favorite sites on the World Wide Web at the moment. One of the funniest, yet most inspiring, recurring features is the "I Can Shop Anywhere Challenge," in which Kim finds items she'd actually wear in the most unexpected of places, i.e. the fashion wasteland that is the FINGERHUT catalog. Admittedly, I'm not so into self-sacrifice (better Kim than I), so for the first in a new "In My Cart,' series, I instead devoted my energies to the carefully edited designer assortment at Matches Fashion, home to men's and women's apparel, along with a bounty of gorge accessories.
If given an unlimited budget, here's my top five:
- Rag & Bone Hubert Tuxedo Jacket: "Dina Fierro died still on the hunt for the perfect tuxedo jacket." may well be included in my obituary. ($574)
- Current Elliott Stiletto Low Rise Skinny: If whimsy and rock and roll mated and had a baby, they would be these star-printed jeans. ($259)
- Alexander McQueen Swarovski crystal Union Jack Clutch:I can't go another season without a McQueen clutch; it would be simply uncivilized. ($1,673)
- Isabel Marant Dicker Suede Boots: I've got a knock off of these from Aldo, and they are, in short, tragic. I'm better than that. You're better than that. We're all better than that. ($420)
- Eddie Borgo Pave Cone Bracelet: Glitter, glam and edge from a CFDA darling. ($1002)
While all wishes, dreams and desires expressed are my own, this post was produced in association with Matches Fashion.
New York Fashion Week: Fekkai for Rag & Bone
Teddy Charles, lead stylist for Frédéric Fekkai, created a rough and tousled look full of texture and volume for the Rag & Bone Spring 2010 show today.
After a few spritzes of Fekkai Tousled Wave Spray he rolled hair to make it piecey. He then wrapped and teased the hair into messy tendrils with Fekkai Full Blown Volume Lifting Hairspray. He completed the look with Fekkai Au Natural Dry Shampoo to create a matte finish.
What do you think of the hair at Rag & Bone? Would you rock this look yourself?
Revolve Clothing Launches Forward
One of my fave sites, Revolve Clothing, is a launching a new site concept in the coming weeks. Dubbed Forward, it will house collections from established and emerging young designers including editor favorites Erin Fetherston, Jenni Kayne and rag & bone. For a preview, click here.