Burkman Bros Talk Kanye West And Travel

So the saying goes, “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” According to Burkman Bros co-designer Doug Burkman, it does — at least when it comes to his label’s signature woven bracelets. “You know the bracelets existed long before he wore them,” Doug said at a recent studio visit. The “he” Doug is referring to is the illustrious Kanye West, known just as much for his fashion sense as his rap lyrics. “We did these mini bracelets and they’ve been a big part of the Burkman Bros’ DNA since the beginning. The idea was if you buy an item of clothing, a bracelet is attached and you become a friend of the brand, like a friendship bracelet.”

How then did Doug and his brother Ben becomes friends with the ever so famous West? “We sold them at the cash wrap at Ron Herman and he was in the store prior to Coachella earlier this year,” said Ben. “He just happened to mix them with some Cartier gold bands and everyone got photos of him at the festival.” It was no small feat for the two-year-old family business, known for their travel inspired menswear. “Once the blogs found out they were Burkman Bros bracelets, everyone started emailing us, and asked if we sell them,” Doug continued. ”We launched an e-commerce site for the bracelets as a response, and recently expanded. It was just serendipitous.”

Uniqlo’s New Flagship Store on Fifth Avenue

Yesterday while standing in front of Uniqlo’suptown Fifth Avenue location with designer and architect Masamichi Katayama, a passerby’s voice was overheard exclaiming, “I don’t know what that is, but it’s gorgeous!” Katayama, the store’s innovator, was flattered by the compliment, “that’s a very good sign, makes me smile.” Though the person who shouted the sentiment might not be familiar with the Japanese-based clothing store, this particular location is meant to become their stamp on the U.S. and its burgeoning fast-fashion dominance.

We had the pleasure of getting a sneak peek of the brand new 89,000 square foot space before it officially opens to the public today at noon. According to Masamichi, “it is the biggest and boldest Uniqlo store in the world, even more statement-making than it’s Tokyo counterpart.” And if this store is one thing, bold is definitely it. Walking in you feel more like you’re in an international airport than a clothing store and that is exactly what Masamichi intended with his sleek and open design. He told us, “this is the premiere location in the world and it is the window to the world for Uniqlo, so it is kind of like an airport.” Bringing Uniqlo to the world makes total sense for a brand that has cemented its roots with its signature tag line, “Made For All.”

BANGING BRUNETTES: TRESS TREND

Going to the dark side never looked so good!

Leighton Meester, Rose Byrne and Jennifer Love Hewitt have all turned heads with their new darker ‘dos complete with bangs. Elsewhere, Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz sent lythe ladies down his Fall 2010 runway topped with espresso-colored coiffs, while beautiful brunettes ran rampant backstage at Catherine Malandrino’s first Ready-to-Buy Fall 2011 show. And cool girls rocking the hot hair hue are constantly being featured on street style blogs like The Satorialist and Street Peeper.
“Italian and American cinema from the ’40s to ’60s was popular, using Ava Gardner and Sophia Lauren as inspirations,” explained Clairol Color Director Marie Robinson on the runway inspiration. “Their rich and realistic, even these shades of darkest brunette can look beautiful and sexy.”

RASHIDA JONES ON MAKING FRIENDS WITH HER HAIR, HER DREAM ‘DO AND TRIED AND TRUE HAIR CARE ADVICE: EXCLUSIVE

With her brow-grazing bangs and glossy, shoulder-length strands, actress Rashida Jones appears to have it all put together on top, but the “Parks and Recreation” star admits that she’s come a long way to loving her locks.
“I remember my mom used to spend hours trying to put my very fine, very straight hair up in a ponytail,” said Jones. “I also remember putting my hair in cloth rollers overnight, so I could rock a Shirley Temple look to school. I was elated with the results,” said Jones.
She adds, “I love my hair when it’s not unpredictable, when it is being my friend and is shiny and full, versus freaking out on me by being dry and frizzy, everything else in my life feels manageable for me.”
Styling Jones’ frizzy and fine hair to achieve the look she yearns for is quite the battle, and one that many women can relate to. So, it only seemed natural that the 35-year-old teamed up with Dove Hair Care to launch the “Make Friends With Your Hair” campaign — a nationwide movement where women are invited to put on their acting caps and produce a video on how their hair has an alter ego for a chance to win a trip to New York and experience a tress-formation by Dove Celebrity Stylist Mark Townsend.

KATIE HOLMES’ MESSY UPDO: SNAP JUDGMENT

Katie Holmes hit the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards red carpet wearing this messy updo. While the 32-year-old actress turned designer embraced her signature effortless aesthetic in a blue belted Calvin Klein dress, her simple hairstyle was such a snooze.

What do you think about Holmes’ textured and tousled hairdo?

Tell us your thoughts in the comments section and click through the gallery below for our top hair looks at this year’s Emmy Awards.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD’S BLUNT BANGS: SNAP JUDGMENT

Country singer Carrie Underwood is truly a cut above the rest, but she may have missed the mark with her new ‘do.

The 28-year-old, Grammy Award-winning star took to the iHeartRadio Music Festival stage in Las Vegas this weekend wearing new blunt bangs. While we’re used to seeing Underwood sport side-swept fringe, her new lash-grazing look raised quite a few eyebrows.
What do you think about Underwood’s bangs? Does the cut compliment her face shape?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments section and see which star recently turned heads with her “Stepford Wives” hairstyle.

TRYING ON PETER SOM’S SPRING 2012 ROSE-GOLD HAIR: ROAD TEST

Throughout my entire life my mother stressed natural beauty. She never let me experiment when it came to hair trends: no dyes –- temporary or permanent, and no unconventional cuts. The worst was every September, while the other girls got their back-to-school highlights, I stuck to the same boring style.

Now in my early twenties, I adhered to my mother’s rules, until I met Aura Friedman.

A petite hairstylist with spunk to spare, Aura is a very in-demand hair colorist who has coiffed many a celebrity. From Lady Gaga to M.I.A., she has even colored entire runway shows including Alexander McQueen. Which brings me to my recent hair makeover.

HARRODS’ $500 DIAMOND AND METEORITE DUST BLOWOUT

 

When it comes to my hair, I spare no expense to have my kinky, curly strands styled in intricate ‘dos. I don’t even mind forking over a few extra tens to splurge on a deep conditioner that will rid me (even if it’s temporarily) of lackluster locks. But would I pay $500 for a salon service? No. That hasn’t stopped Harrods, however, from introducing “the world’s most expensive blow-dry” at its Urban Retreat spa in London.
The U.K. department store’s extravagant treatment includes a diamond and meteorite dust-infused shampoo and condition with Truffle by Fuente haircare products (including full size bottles to take home) followed by the blowout that the salon boasts on its website will “leave your hair looking silken, shining with health and feeling light as air — just like our favorite red carpet starlets.”

FORMALDEHYDE-FREE TREATMENT FOR FRIZZY HAIR

I didn’t realize that I had curly hair until I was 12 years old. Until that point, I would brush my ringlets into a porcupine-esque frizz ball and slick it back into a ponytail on a daily basis. I started to discover the wide world of products shortly thereafter, and along with learning about mouses, creams and sprays I became dear friends with the terrifying flat iron.

Years of blow drying, ironing and heat styling has left my locks beyond drab. I have always wanted to have straight hair like Gwyneth Paltrow or Jennifer Aniston, but I am terrified of the chemicals involved in most treatments. TheBrazilian blowout? Japanese hairstraightening? There had to be another option.

Chanel Spring 2012 Nail Colors

British makeup artist Lisa Eldridge, who helps guide my brushes from the palette to my face with her reassuring voice and smile in the Chanel Makeup Confidential videos, recently unveiled the French fashion house’s Spring 2012 nail colors on her website. The candy-colored trio of shades include April (a rich garnet), May (a rose pink) and June (a creamy pastel apricot). But it’s the latter polish that caught my attention, as it reminded me of the orange sherbet my grandmother bought for hazy, summer days in South Carolina.

“I was immediately drawn to June (I’m wearing it in the pic) as its one of those shades that flatters many skin-tones,” wrote Eldridge. “I’m all about June’s future bloom.”