sneaks to pinks…

There are few things better than supporting your favorite local hotspots.  In Fort Collins, I love seeing people carrying Human Bean coffee cups across campus, and in Denver I can’t help but smile when I overhear someone talking about my neighborhood restaurant, The Cherry Tomato, while browsing through the isles at Safeway.  You almost want to confront them by saying, “HEY! I love that place too!”, but then your social judgement gets the better of you and hold back.  Regardless, not only is it meaningful to you for others to take stock in the places and things that are important to you but those local businesses thrive because of it.

Certified Customs

120 South Broadway, Denver 80209

From bullets to real pieces of a $50 bill, you can get just about anything you want put onto your Nike’s.  Yeyo Mondragon is the owner and talent behind Certified customs, a small shop on South Broadway in downtown Denver that will customized anything from your favorite pair of sneakers to t-shirts, hats and even your skin with his conveniently attached tattoo shop.  Yeyo acquired his skills while in a Nevada prison by drawing on fellow inmates shoes.  All his work is done freehand (obviously there are no airbrushes or stencils in prison..), just provide him with a general idea of what you want and you will shortly become the new owner to your old pair of A1′s.  See…prison isn’t as bad as the movies make you believe, in fact it could really jumpstart your next career move.  Think about it before you insist abiding by any sort of laws around town…

Pink’s – Straight From L.A.

745 S. University Boulevard, Denver 80209

With a name that contains reference to L.A. in any way – I am hooked.  Raised entirely in Colorado, I have come to the realization that somehow I was predestined to love California within the womb.  Unfortunately the love of California comes with a steep price tag, which is exactly what I was expected as I walked through the doors of Pink’s, nestled in the Bonnie Brae shopping center just blocks from Wash Park.  As I sifted through organic cottons and skin-tight clubwear, I braced myself for the sticker shock I had been expecting.  Incredibly, the prices were lower than what I even expected to be reasonable for a boutique of any sort – especially one that gets weekly shipments from similar boutiques throughout the Los Angeles area, I couldn’t see anything in the store that was over $100.  The sales staff is friendly, helpful and most importantly…very complimentary of everything you decide to try on.  And of course – the entire store is bright pink, down to bowls full of pink M&Ms and Good & Plentys.  Yum!

xo.

Birkin Bag or $8,700 in your pocket?

Decisions, decisions…

When making a big purchase, and by big I mean a purchase that is completely unnecessary under any rational explanation, it is important to do your research.  Meaning, it is essential to know that there is not an almost 100% identical item for at least half the price.  In most cases, high ticket items are wanted by all but can only be acquired by the top 1% of the population that can afford to spend thousands on something that doesn’t truly have anything special about it other than a label that says Louis Vuitton, your new bag will not brush your teeth or walk your dog at that price but it will make you feel good.  Isn’t that why we all buy the clothes we buy? Because when we have the ones we chose on they feel better to us than other similar options? 

All of this is how the wonderful world of knock-offs came to be.  Most everyone wants the expensive things but very few can pay the price.  And who would when you can get essentially the same thing for a fraction of the cost..?

LADIES

The Birkin Bag

For over thirty years, Hermes has created this exact bag in varying shapes, materials and colors but never once changing the fundamental design or structure.  The Birkin Bag is named after actress Jane Birkin, when in 1981 Birkin was seated next to Hermes Executive and Chief Jean-Luis Dumas, the contents of her purse spilled from the overhead compartment and she exclaimed how difficult it was for her to find a suitable weekend tote bag.  In 1984, Dumas created the very first Birkin bag for her…the rest is history.  These bags range in price from $9,000 to $150,000 depending on the material used, and if you want it encrusted with diamonds, then tack on an additional $100,000 and the Hermes Birkin bag is yours - as long as you made sure you were on the waiting list at least a year in advance.

In all honesty, for the amount of money you would spend on this bag you could buy a nice house.  House or purse? Humm. 

This fall, designer Michael Kors released his spring line of handbags.  One of which bears a striking resemblance to the Birkin bag at about a 26th of the cost!For $298, you can find the Hamilton tote at the Michael Kors store in the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver.  

 

GENTLEMEN

Velvet Blazers

 

Velvet is no longer a fabric associated with pure 80′s excellence – when tailored and styled just right a velvet blazer can become an essential piece for your wardrobe.  Dress it up with nice pants and a tie or down with jeans and collared shirt.  Either way, the soft texture conveys a relaxed vibe at the same time the subtle sheen insists upon some extra attention.  Blazers like the ones seen on Will Smith, Clive Owen and Tyrese can costs upwards of $300 - even as much as $1100 for a design by Salvatore Ferragamo.

This look does not have to break the bank, in fact it won’t even cost as much as the last Call of Duty or pair of Jordans you just bought…

Although it may not be 100% velvet, Forever 21′s velveteen adaption to this blazer is impressive.  As a male, before you start recounting all the miserable trips you have taken to Forever 21 with you girlfriend, lost amongst the piles of clothes with nowhere to sit, bad music and what has to be hundreds of tweens gawking at the same things as your grown female counterpart – relax.  In their effort at re-branding two years ago, Forever 21 created a line of male clothes that are both affordable and pretty tasteful.  Quality leaves something to be desired but at $48.50 for this blazer, you can afford to buy yourself another in a year when the buttons start falling off.  The best location to find their men’s collection is on the 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver near the movie theatre.  But of course there is always the internet for the shop-a-phobics, www.forever21.com/21men .

xo.

mondo guerra.

Who would be a better designer to christen the first post of my first blog than Mondo Guerra?

Mondo is not only my favorite designer but also happens to be from and base his work out of Denver, Colorado.  Lucky us!  

Mr. Guerra stitched his way into the hearts of many during the latest season of Project Runway with a design style quite unlike any other.  He gained audience attention with his bright colors and unique interpretations but maintained viewership and fandom when he opened upon sharing his personal story for the first time ever about his battle with HIV/AIDS.

Now 32, Armondo T. Guerra began his career as a fashion designer completely self-taught and taking art and music classes at the Community College of Denver.  From a glue guns, faux fur and raves to millinery apprentice to theatre to high fashion – Mondo gains influences across the spectrum which is exactly what makes his work so incredible.   After winning numerous local fashion contests, he and his work started getting recognition across Colorado and with the help of Project Runway – across America.

In what was considered the most divided and controversial decision in the 8 seasons of Project Runway, Mondo placed runner-up in the season finale during fashion week in New York City.

Want to meet Mondo? As a local celeb…of course you can! Tomorrow night he will be at the launch party for the Pozitivity Project from 6pm to 9pm at Wilhemina Denver (209 Kalamath Street, Ste. 10).  Tickets are $50 and can be bought through the Colorado AIDS Project.

If you want more information on Armondo, the Pozitivity Project or other upcoming events – visit www.lovemondotrasho.com

xo.