Frank Tapoli Blog

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Le Tigre Hearts Indie Rock

I have some breaking news, folks: Le Tigre (the clothier, not the electropop band) is trying to move beyond its preppy roots. The evidence: The homepage features a free download of a track from the new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah album. The main image on the men's shop is of an shaggy-haired hipster type with beard scruff ironically holding a tiny sandwich and ringing a bell for the butler (apparently his teacup needs refilling); his female counterpart is a dead ringer for a young Kim Gordon. The male model in a promo shot sports a forearm tattoo; one of the shirts is actually called the "Indie Plaid Shirt." Tapes 'n' Tapes played a launch party of some sort.

What's going on here, besides pure funnin'? I asked Ali from Le Tigre, and she explained that the Le Tigre folks are just very indie-centric and see tie-ins with indie bands as a good marketing tool. With the mainstreaming of indie music, I'd say they've got some smarties on their team. Obviously I'm a target market, being a dyed-in-the-wool indie fan (and also a fan of bright colors and prints), but this sort of thing warms my heart. She also told me that in addition to the aforementioned bands, the following groups also wear Le Tigre: The Shins, the Thermals, Cold War Kids, Takka Takka, and many other well-scrubbed Pitchfork faves.

So what are the cool kids wearing? Who knows...probably polos mostly. But this is what I'd wear if Le Tigre were outfitting me:

I'd start out with one of their cute hoodies. It seems like you could get something as cute as this in Forever 21 that wasn't $78, but the polka dots, especially, are just so cute. Hearts a solid runner-up.

This Sweetheart halter dress, $88, is perfect for a summer day. Provided you have a good bra, I suppose. Or lesser boobies.

Now, Le Tigre is known for its polos. Classic, some say. Personally, when I hear "classic," I think "boring." Not so much a fan of the classic. But happily, this is hardly classic. It might be the cutest polo I've ever seen. Polkadot polo in cafe, $52.

This stripey sweater may not look like much, but I've seen it in person, and it's supercute. Paired with a print blouse, knee skirt, and boots, you'd be just effortlessly stylish. $78.

Rugby Crew Dress, $48.

For the fellas, I recommend the hexagonal track jacket, $84. In red and brown. No question.

And this fresh update on the Earth Stripe argyle sweater, on sale for $39.59.

Finally, Le Tigre will be participating in a Mardi Gras party at awesome Brooklyn rock club/bocce court/library bar Union Hall on February 20, where they'll be selling special limited edition polos. Proceeds will benefit musicians of New Orleans and Habitat for Humanity. There will be DJs, bands, comedians, and a burlesque performance by the world-famous Pontani Sisters. I'm very interested to see what these limited-edition polos look like, and will post images once I get them, so check back.

Toodles, my little tigers!

The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency

Ever since I got cable, my apartment mate and I have been obsessed with one show: The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency!

I first caught a glimpse of it this January when we sat down and watched a marathon of it. At first it was just something to watch while we had lunch, but then we got hooked and we couldn't stop! We knew she had quite a character from ANTM, but who knew it was quite this big? She jumped into a fountain in a one of a kind, really quite gorgeous, couture gown. She made her models sing christmas carols to strangers in the cabins in christmasy UNDERWEAR, which is both hilarious and scary, because if I opened my door and a bunch of half naked people were singing Christmas carols at me I'd freak out. Although I must say, they were a rather good looking bunch of half naked people. . . . Oh and her version of the 12 Days of Christmas was completely shameless and one cannot help but want to wince and laugh atthe same time. One modeling agency, two giant breasts, three former husbands, four Italian suits, five naked men. . . . . . .LOL. For a 53 year old, she really isn't doing too badly, although many pictures and stuff are SO photoshopped (i.e. the cover. . . ).

Another thing I like about this show is that there aren't just female models, but male models too. It definitely adds something more to the norm. And they look soo hot, esp when one of them was pouring water down his half naked body the other day for a photoshoot. Plus, the whole situation is actually real and the models are actually getting somewhere, unlike some shows where they put models in unrealistic situations for ratings and tell them they're being trained for the real world *cough cough*. We actually get to know what the modeling world is really like, which is nice.

Anyways, from the feedback I'm getting from my girlfriends, it doesn't seem like its just me whose obsessed with the show. So if you haven't given it a try yet, check out season 2 every wednesday night 10/9C. And when you get hooked, you can join me and catch up with season 1 on their DVD which was released just yesterday.

Happy Procrastination everyone!

Richie could face felony charges in DUI case

The investigation into Nicole Richie's DUI arrest has been turned over to the LA District Attorney to determine whether the Simple Life star should be charged in the case. California Highway Patrol officials would not disclose any details of the investigation, but the fact that the DA is reviewing the case may mean Richie could face a felony charge. Richie was arrested in early December for driving the wrong way on the Ventura Freeway and admitted to police that she had taken Vicodin and had been smoking pot. A tentative hearing has been scheduled for February 7, assuming charges are filed against Richie.

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Katie's first interview as Mrs. Cruise

Katie Holmes's first interview since becoming Mrs. Tom Cruise will hit the newsstands on February 20. In the Harper's Bazaar article, Holmes gushes about her new husband, saying, "Tom makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world and has since the day I met him. I love being with him. I love calling him 'husband.'... I have a whole new set of responsibilities. My work is very important to me. My family is very important to me. When I go to work, it will be the right thing, worth my time and worth my time away from my family." Of the possibility of working with Cruise, Holmes says, "He's the biggest movie star ever, and he's an unbelievable actor. It would just be a real honor." The actress admits to craving cupcakes during her much-photographed pregnancy with daughter Suri, but says the whole experience was easygoing. "I felt so proud to be having a baby and so excited and I felt closer to other women - to my sisters, to my mom," Holmes says. "I felt empowered, like, 'I've given birth. I did it. There's nothing I can't handle.'" Of motherhood, she adds, "I've really enjoyed this time that I have taken to be with Suri as well as the challenges of the first couple of months - feeding and pumping, learning to decipher what each cry means. Is she hungry? Is she tired? Does she need a fresh diaper? And figuring out how to really help her." The actress's spread in Harper's Bazaar was styled by Victoria Beckham, and the pair "were like girlfriends" on the set, according to the mag's special projects director. After being introduced a year and a half ago by their husbands, the unlikely duo bonded over being young mothers and sharing life in the spotlight being married to superstars.

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Thandie's environmental pleas ignored by celebs

Crash actress Thandie Newton is hoping to change the world - one celebrity at a time. Newton wrote letters to a host of A-listers, including Madonna, Jack Nicholson, David Beckham, Tom Cruise and Chris Martin in the hopes of convincing them to trade in their SUVs for hybrids. "I didn't get one letter back," the actress says. "I wasn't judgmental. It was like, 'In case you didn't know here are some facts about the environment and reasons why it turns out 4x4s aren't that great to have in the city.'" The actress has also set her sights on persuading Oprah to go green. "I was staying with Oprah recently and I suggested that she switches her whole fleet of cars," Newton said. "I really hope she does. It would do so much good."

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Spears back in Vegas

Britney Spears has returned to Vegas to get back to work on her new album. With sons Jayden and Sean in tow, Spears is staying in a $25,000 a night suite at the Palms. The popstar hit Sin City with producer Lukasz Gottwald, who boasts Kelly Clarkson, Mos Def, and Missy Elliot as past collaborators.

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