More Tunes for Spring Cleaning

If you are like me, every spring you toss out pieces of clothes that never should have been stored in the first place. In fact, after remembering that you never wore that red and black leather mini, you realize you shouldn't have bought it in the first place. But there's that nagging sidekick on your shoulder that says " But what if there is a party coming up where the theme is NASCAR? This would be perfect!" Well, I kicked that little lady off my shoulder this year for good and weeded out those demons.

Usually the bags of clothes I intend to give away to Salvation Army or Beacons Closet sit in my hallway for at least six months. No joke. So, when I found out that Felicia Sullivan, (author, fashionista and overall hilarious chica), was holding a clothing drive in May called Fashion For All, I kicked it into gear. It did take me a bit, but with more good music and some light dancing, I now have about three bags to donate for Fashion For All. Here is what I was listening to:


1) My Girls by Animal Collective
2) In a Daydream by Freddy Jones Band ( college anyone?)
3) Back Together by Citizen Cope
4) Automatic Stop by The Strokes
5) Right Here by Brandi (sigh...)
6) Princess Jean Jellypop by Scott Sullivan ( super fun, bobbed head)
7) Listzomania by Phoenix ( again, head bobbing)
8) Islands on the Coast by Band of Horses
9) Stir it Up by Bob Marley
10) Human by Killers

There were others that I am a little too embarrassed to post here, but you get the idea. Keep it light, keep it fun and it will go by super fast!

A Man You Should Know: Jason Campbell, JC Report

Where does a trend come from? While many people just follow them, others wonder why all of the sudden everyone is wearing leg warmers. Aside from the hunch that everyone just happened to watch old episodes of Square Peg on the same day, it seems to come out of nowhere. But this is so not true, and to dive more into the world of fashion trend casting, I thought I would talk trendcaster extraordinaire Jason Campbell, founder and head writer of JC Report.
I met Jason at Emilio's Ballato- YUM- on Houston and Mott to indulge in some amazing Italian food and fashion secrets. We talked a bit about city living, world travel (more him than me) and the weather. I find him so fun and interesting and could have talked with him for hours about simple things like the beauty of waking up early in the morning, and getting a good night sleep. After our introductory chit chat, I got right into it and asked him to tell me all there is to know about international fashion trends:

Kate: So Jason, when was the JC Report started and why?
Jason: JC Report started in 2002 and came out of a column I did for Magic online ( for those who may not know, MAGIC is a the fashion industries leading trade show). Trend Cast was my column and it was targeted to vendors at the show to guide them and give them cues for their upcoming seasons. Magic changed and I wanted to continue my voice so I decided to start JC Report. There was a need for this type of trend casting and I found that global information was the way of the future and the internet was going to be a very useful tool for this type of reporting. With the internetyou are connecting cultures and there are no boundaries any longer. So I wanted to let people know what was going on in international regions such as Australia, Brazil, Berlin and so on and the internet has been a wonderful tool for this.
Kate: You must see so much talent and design all over the world! Is it ok if I live vicariously through you?
Jason: Haha, sure! Yes so much! There’s talent abroad that is so amazing and fresh but people aren’t reaching for it; so not many people get exposed to such things.

Kate: That's a shame; some of the best talent is totally under the radar. In the newsletter and on the site, you report on the trends all over the globe which made me wonder, are you doing all of this traveling or are their JC Report informants?
Jason: It was really important for me to go at first and get that initial information. I was able to go to those cities that I felt were emerging markets and I needed to go detect it myself. As the business grows it’s important to have a network worldwide to help. With all of my traveling, I developed this network by identifying people who can seek out that information and feed it back.

Kate: In your extensive travels and research, can you pinpoint where some trends start?
Jason: Trends are not scientific. You know, war can spawn particular trends in terms of how people want to dress. And the internet, that is like a behemoth of a thing that is going to spawn some trends. Then there are more organic trends that are coming from the streets, and in that you have those individual trendsetters that really change things up and those kinds of people move trends forward. So, I say that trends really percolate from a variety of sources. Part of my work is that I try to detect very early on and forecast very early on when you see something what that may spawn. There are some formulas that you can use to detect, but also things just come out of nowhere.

One trend that Jason said completely blindsided him was the legging trend. For him (and me. My God move on with this trend!) It spawned from the skinny jeans but he just didn’t see it coming to surface the way it has. I’m relieved that he’s just as bothered by this trend as I am, because it just seems so unflattering, weird and frankly I wish it would just go away. However, Lohan launched her own legging line, so this one might be here for a bit. As far as I’m concerned, leggings belong under ski pants.

Kate: Can you indulge me with some of your favorite designers and collections?
Jason: I have many favorites and there are many brands around the globe that I continue to champion. One of them is the designer of this scarf I am wearing (I had scarf envy the minute he walked in) called Material By-Product ( dress on left...)which is a design team out of Melbourne who are all professors at a University. I have been trumpeting their work locally in Australia, speaking with editors and trying to bring attention to their work. There is also there is another line out of Australia called BAsek who makes amazing tee shirts that are really well done, very cool and extremely approachable. And I’m like why aren’t these people blowing up all over the world? And Isabella Capetto, who I really love and it’s a brand like that is not exposed expect for in Brazil. Same with Francesca Giobbi who makes the most AMAZING shoes (she used to work at Prada) but can’t seem to break out worldwide and we ask ourselves “why are these designers not getting the exposure they definitely deserve?”

Kate: I am so glad you brought this up because I wonder why it’s so hard for such talented smaller designers to break through the barrier. Why do you think it’s so hard for new designs to get recognition in the US? Jason: Fashion is a club. The gates are only opened to those very sanctioned people and they have criteria for that. A lot also has to do with relationships and less on talent. As well, I find that a lot of editors don’t want to work so hard and go off script to find new stories and they don’t want to dig. And they don’t have to, they stay with the usually suspects and can do that.

Kate: Right, because things are placed in front of them like fashion weeks and showrooms, it’s much easier to work with what’s in front of them then to reach out and explore. That’s not to say this is the way it is with every editor, but for the ones who seem to have influence…

Kate: Can we expect a JC Report magazine?
Jason: I would love to do this, but not a monthly and I think it would be more special issues and curate issues for other entities. You know, JC Report is such a trusted voice that we are in a position to market anything to curate different things for other properties and that really interests me. We can customize different content for different channels.

To subscribe to the newsletter, or to follow the trend casting, go to www.jcreport.com.

Because Utah Loves Their Pageant Girls.

A few years ago, I had a client in the Active/ Outdoor market and they asked me to help out at the Outdoor Retailers (OR) show in Salt Lake City, Utah. Twice a year the fittest, tannest and most active people I have ever seen land in Salt Lake and take over the town. Brands like Patagonia, North Face, Polartec, Cliff Bar, 66 North and hundreds more present their upcoming collections. It’s awesome. Its so much fun and I wish I could just stay in that convention center for days on end and swim in the kayak pool, gather free samples of everything and anything, and make sure I get the free ice cream.While I was there, I headed out one day with a co worker and ended up in this strange, eerie place that was once a mall. The whole thing just screamed Hitchcock. I was OK because I spent most of the time in the lone remaining department store, Neiman Marcus. As we were walking down the hallway of hell, we walked by this store oozing bright colors, polyester and sequins. This was a pageant store, and I had to go in. The trick was to head on in there and try some dresses on without ever laughing. This was no task for me. My whole life I have played dress up. Starting at age 8, I would go into the local bridal boutique with my friend Meghan and try to convince the women in the store that I was getting married and needed to try on the dresses. I always thought I just was an amazingly mature looking kid, but I think the clerks were just bored and perhaps found slight entertainment in my efforts. And now as I look back, I am a little embarrassed.

Anyway, I digress. So I was up for this challenge. I pulled out several dresses with the help of the excited women in the store. Yes, there were women, not woman, involved with this. A few of them thought it was so great that I needed a pageant dress (Yup, I told them I was entering a pageant). I decided I needed some chiffon and beads. Here is what I was given:I kind of like the pink look. But I worry when the talent portion of the show arrives, the taffeta at the bottom might get stuck in my roller skates. No?

I Don't Mean To Be Judgmental, But...

I will just say straight up, I don't like Brooklyn Industries. I am sure they offer some great things for a certain style, but I just really cant stand that store. I used to enjoy stores like BI, H&M and Forever 21, however, as the years have gone by and Kick PR has had the honor to meet/work with emerging designers who actually hand make ( and design)their pieces, stores like this make me cringe. Actually, I probably could be called a snob, and I guess that's OK with me. What can I say? I like the finer things. ( My bank account and I need to discuss this and get on the same page...)

I walked by the Park Slope location this morning and stopped at the window and just stared. Not because the outfit on the mannequin was so fabulous, more because I cant believe people get PAID to style mannequins like this:


I am trying to understand how this outfit was approved. How did this slip by management? Did the stylist think, "So purple and yellow looks great together, and I think we have some leftover trashy fishnets that we need to get rid of, so... lets just pair that right up and put it front and center!"

Again, I don't mean to be super duper judgmental and rude, but isn't this just atrocious?

My Boyfriend CallsThem Mummy Shoes

So, I bought these shoes last week and have been non stop justifying the purchase to anyone who will listen. You see, $179 may not be a lot for you or in general, but when you run a business and have things like taxes, office rent and messenger services, shoes should be last on your list. But since I work in fashion, I feel it is my duty to stay in the know and to walk the walk (pun totally intended.) So, my justification for the purchase is this blog. Its part of my work. I needed to buy these Everybody Gladiator Shoes so I could share them with you and inform you.



I walked by the store about five times and finally decided to go in and "take a look." My head was saying, "Kate, just walk in, browse, and walk out. KATE! WALK IN- BROWSE- AND WALK OUT!!!" But then I saw them and I was done. It was almost this out of body experience where I asked the clerk for a size 7 and next I knew I was smiling and laughing and saying "And I have the perfect outfits to wear these with!"

The leather is amazing, fits like a glove AND there is a chic zipper up the back that just adds a touch of sexy.

So, I took a picture and sent to my boyfriend. I knew it wouldn't reach him in time to stop me ( I am a true addict, I know the tricks). Bought the shoes, went back to see him and asked what he thought about my new zapatos. The email got to him, yes, and he responded a little too late with, "They look like mummy shoes." Well, I guess he wont be wearing them... more for me.

Greetings from Brooklyn: Hayden Harnett

I kind of feel like my head has been buried in the ground, seeing as I recently found out about Brooklyn based Hayden Harnett. I am a little embarrassed, and frankly for someone who surrounds herself with emerging fashion, my late discovery of this is unacceptable and I apologize.

I actually found HH on twitter, who is super fun to follow using @hayden_harnett. It's all about fashion; specifically their fashion. They post fun and energetic 140 character notes AND they actually engage and respond to their fans, unlike some people I know…wink wink @aplusk. I find them really smart the way they use Twitter with their daily sales and most recently their charity auction. And they offer deals to their Twitter followers that they don’t offer to the general public. I feel like I am part of a secret club that I didn’t have to pay dues for. I find this with @JetBlue also, I was alerted about their $39/way one day deal about 2 hours before I got the email newsletter.

So it was from one of these tweets from HH that I heard about their 50% off all of the print travel items. And, as a gal who travels and likes to look chic doing it, I went down to their Greenwich Street store and purchased the Lisbon weekend bag, which is roomy enough to pack for a week, not just a weekend. ( Sale is over, btw.)

I was so pleased with the store and my bag, that I have been on and off their website incessantly for a bit now. Ben and Toni are the two designers, who live in Brooklyn (hollah!) with their two cats. They have their cats bios on their About page, which shows me Ben and Toni are pretty cool cats too. I think they design a great collection and a lot of it at that! A few pieces that have been popping up in my head like a junior high crush are the Maia Jumpsuit, Leda Bikini, and the Helena Wrap Dress.

Last year I gave myself the green light to wear a jumpsuit after I saw the Rogan for Target piece. And I’m happy that I have accepted this style, because I really love the flowy, girly and silk aspect of the Maia Jumpsuit. I also love that this item is not limiting. This isn’t your Dickies gas station jumpsuit that looks cute ONLY while you’re cleaning the kitchen with a bandana. The Maia is perfect for so many occasions, and that’s what I look for in my clothes; something that I can wear to work, out at night, at special events or not so special events. With a solid piece like this you can accessorize until the cows come home, or leave it be. Either way, it’s a hot piece and could be a staple in your closet. As I write this there are only four pieces left, so hurry soon and click here.

Next up is from the swim category. Seriously, I hate bathing suit shopping. I think things are boring and its either halter, bandeau or a few more styles that look horrible on me. I humored myself a few months ago and went on their swimsuit page. I actually loved the fact that they only have a few styles and each one is fab! The Leda Bikini is my favorite; it’s so classy and very much something I think my mother would have worn when she was in her twenties and flirting with the lifeguards at the beach with her girlfriends. And it must have worked, because she married one. I bet she would have worn this suit, I just know it! And as I have a serious appreciation for vintage style and influence, the Leda would work very well for me. Often I find myself complaining about low rise this and low rise that. I constantly feel like my bathing suit bottom slides off as the day goes on, and that’s also why this piece was intriguing. The bottoms on the Leda are not going anywhere, so beach Frisbee here I come!

And last but definitely not least is a little black dress, revised. I used to trash talk the color black and how many people can’t get creative and find a real color to wear out at night. Its always just black with black shoes and sometimes, even worse, hot pink pleather heels. Ok, I am done being rude and will be sent to hell in one moment, but let me just finish talking about this Helena Wrap Dress. This is a washed silk piece with flirty cap sleeves and a tiered skirt all pulled together with a long ribbon like belt that can be tied up front, back, side...Again, as I get older and my style turns more towards solid quality pieces with good design, a dress like Helena catches my eye for so many reasons. I love its girlie flowiness and the simple fact that you put on this dress and its instant style. Cant you totally see this with sandals, heels, flats, wedges and maybe even a cute scarf up top as the sun goes down? I sure can.

I recommend following this line on Twitter and also checking out their extensive collection at www.haydenharnett.com

Window Shopping with Adriana Carador

As a designer, I imagine you would want your line to be carried in the best stores, and even better, featured in the windows. Maybe if you work hard enough and your collection truly impresses, the first one comes true, but the second is a bit harder to pull off. Unless you are Adriana Carador.



As the buzz continues to grow around this collection, more and more influential people want to be part of the success, including the buyers at Fragments. The collection started out at the SoHo location, and if you consider shopping your hobby, you know that's an area with some of the best.

And as of last week, the Adriana Carador collection was added to the Madison Avenue location, where not only is it displayed in the store, but also in the windows! In the top photo you can see the Star Pendant front and center, surrounded by the Leite Cuff (Audrey Magazine, January), Leite Earrings, Anjo Earrings and over there on the left, one of my favorites, the Blossom Ring ( Modern Bride, March).

And seen in this window is the Cupilha Pendant, Twist Earrings (D Magazine) and Briollet Ring. Yes that big fabulous piece on the right is a ring! All of these pieces are available for purchase at the Fragments store at 997 Madison Avenue and www.adrianacarador.com.