New Site

As a loyal and dedicated reader of this blog, you probably remember that we went to New York this past February for a conference and to sneak around Lincoln Center during Fashion Week.  Our trip gave us a lot of time to discuss Les Deux, and we ended up agreeing upon changing the site's name to Galactic Noise.

So why the change?

Well, to begin with, we have to admit that Les Deux isn't all that creative of a name.  At the blog's inception, the moniker was quickly chosen simply as a reflection of the fact that there were two writers (also, Katie is basically fluent in French, but that's a different point).  Also, if you do a quick Google search for "les deux" about 175,000 results show up for various cafes, nightclubs, real estate businesses, etc., etc.  The name is also associated with some other fashion endeavors as well as blogs, and while none of them have a huge amount of notoriety, we have to admit that others may have had the name first.

And, why Galactic Noise?

After racking our brains for weeks trying to come up with a unique and fitting title with every possible combination of words, fashionable and otherwise (Think grunge, bohemian, sequins, and southern fit together?  Yeah not so much...), we decided to think outside of the fashion box.  It was then that we came up with the new name, and hang in there with me, because there is a valid connection.  As we understand it, galactic noise is something that comes from outer space, but we can still hear it here on Earth.  And in a way, that is what we are.  We're very far from the fashion capitals of the world, but we still have opinions on the industry, and we are making them heard.  You may argue that a Google search on "galactic noise" yields about twenty times as many results as the aforementioned one for "les deux," but these are all science-y, and as far as we are aware, there are no blogs with the title of "Galactic Noise."  So it's ours now.

Will the only change be the name?

For now, yes.  While we're constantly making efforts to improve our site's layout and cohesiveness, to be perfectly honest, we've got busy lives outside of blogging.  We have classes to attend, crappy jobs to be present at, and parties to go to, people.  So for the moment, don't worry, because there likely won't be anymore changes.

Getting to the point...

The site formally known as Les Deux at http://lesdeuxxx.blogspot.com is henceforth Galactic Noise located at http://galacticnoise.blogspot.com.  If you like Les Deux, we encourage you to come to our new site and follow us on Bloglovin' or Google Friend Connect, and if you really like us, tell your friends!

Mossimo1

Above is Target's $34.99 Mossimo bag; Below is Proenza Schouler's $1,995 PS1

If you've been to Target lately, you may have noticed a nice buttery looking faux-leather satchel placed near the accessories and clothing. Looked familiar, didn't it? Maybe you'd seen it before, right? Well yeah, you probably have. The bag is a strikingly similar replica of Proenza Schouler's PS1 satchel, the schoolboy bag that's had everyone talking. While the brand has worked with Target on a GO International collection before, this was definitely not a collaboration piece, and Jack and Lazaro are not happy about Target's producing it.

After reading The Cut's article about the  knock-off bag, I starting thinking two things:

1. I want that Target bag.

2. Is it ethical of me, as a knowledgable consumer, to buy it?

As someone who doesn't have the lifestyle that allows me to buy a $2,000 purse (let alone one that's $100) every time a new trendy it bag comes out, I usually feel grateful when lower-priced brands like Target and Forever 21 release similar models. I buy them knowing well that they're poorly made and not as good as the real thing, but also knowing that they'll satisfy my urge for a product that will always be out of my reach. Plus, I don't expect to trick anyone in to thinking that my knock-off Target bag is really the super expensive designer original; anyone who knows the difference would recognize that it's not the same bag and anyone who would think the bag is designer-made probably has no clue who Proenza Schouler is anyway. Still, I feel a pang of guilt when considering the purchase of a knock-off item. On one hand, it's not like the products I buy have fake labels plastered all over them (think fake Louis Vuitton), but on the other, they do look similar enough to the original product that I can make the connection.

My conclusion is that I'll probably continue to buy designer look-a-like clothes until I can afford the real thing. Until brands like Proenza Schouler start losing money, and more importantly, customers to lower priced brands like Target, I can't feel all that bad for toting around a Mossimo1.

You can read The Cut's article detailing how hurt and betrayed the designers of Proenza Schouler feel here. 

Image from The Cut

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 RTW

So clearly neither Jax nor I really pushed through reviewing all four weeks of fall fashion this year (do we ever), because I'm just now discovering Dolce & Gabbana's celestial 80's (or 50's rockabilly, according to Vogue) collection, and I'm overwhelmingly obsessed. Dolce & Gabbana fused their original classic shapes and techniques with insanely fun textures, prints, and colors, leading to a collection that is completely out of this world.

Sparkles, stars, brogues, and tiger print? Say no more, I'm hooked.

While basically everything about the collection was fantastic, I have to admit I'm not a big fan of 80's dressing. And when I say not a big fan, I mean I'll oftentimes wish that the 80's as a decade never happened. In fact, this collection is the only good thing I've ever seen come out of the whole tacky era. The music note printed pieces and over the top shoulder-padded blazers were definitely at the lower end of the spectrum of goodness, and could have potentially turned me off of the collection all together if it weren't for the amazing success of the rest of the clothes. Clearly my pink sparkly mascara and Happy Birthday nail polish are not going to be enough come fall. Considering my constantly growing affection for the collection, I don't think they're going to be enough come spring anymore either.

Images from Vogue.com

The Search for Perfect Skin: Murad, Part 1

I was not blessed with perfect skin. Far from it, my skin is consistently broken out on my nose, chin, forehead, hairline, and even - as embarrassing as it is - my back and chest. As someone who's consumed with thoughts of what I'm wearing, I don't want to have to worry about my complexion on top of that. And, more than anything, I don't want to have to worry about having the skin of a 15 year old while I'm wearing a Celine Spring 2011 inspired outfit; the two worlds just don't mesh.

For years I've tried drugstore products that promise to leave me with clear skin in the blink of an eye, but nothing has worked. So I'm beginning the official Search for Perfect Skin. This search and report entails an overhaul of my sugar-filled diet and a revival of my long dead exercise routine, as well as investment in some high end skincare brands. The first brand I'm going with is Murad and their Acne Complex Introductory Kit:

That's about life size up there

The Murad Acne Complex Intro Kit promises a noticeably different feel in one day, a noticeably different look in three days, and completely clear skin in four weeks. They caution that skin will get worse before it gets better due to the medicine's ability to draw impurities from under the skin. Reviews online are very mixed, about half claiming that the product made their skin worse than ever and another half that it cleared their skin more than they could ever hope.

Currently I'm on day 5, and I've got some mixed reviews myself. The skin on my cheeks and chin, which is usually abnormally soft, feels rough and almost bumpy. Thankfully it doesn't look that way, but it doesn't look clear either. After the first day or so I did notice a difference in the clarity of my skin, but, as the kit promised, it has started to get worse. Small pimples (I hate that word) have begun to pop up here and there, but nothing too embarrassing. The moisturizer, which I have to use more of than the kit recommends, gives my skin a dewy glow, which I appreciate having not gone to the beach like the rest of my friends over spring break. The cleanser and gel do burn when I apply them, but I would expect as much from products containing salicylic acid. Seeing as my skin is getting worse before it gets better, I haven't found much solace in the spot treatment just yet, but we'll see as the weeks roll on.

I promise to be diligent in my skin trials and report weekly on how my skin is clearing up. This segment is really important to me, not only because I'm very personally invested in its results, but because fashion shies away from real acne. Sure, they'll tell you how to blast a break out here and there, but they never address those of us with bad skin year round and almost act as though it doesn't exist. My hope is that not only I can clear up my skin, but help find a product that works and spread the word to other fashion lovers who suffer from the same poor skin problems as me.


Image via Murad

Yo Yo Johansson

I am the universal doppelganger; I've been told more times than I can count that I look like this person or that person. One of the most common celebrity comparisons I get is Scarlett Johansson, which is a real stretch, but a real compliment nonetheless. Especially flattering when you see editorials of her where she looks like this:

What a babe. If I suddenly decide to hack off a foot of hair, you can blame Arizona Muse and these Vogue China shots.

Images from Vogue China April 2011 via

A Very Happy Unbirthday to Me

Hey there, it's me: Katie! Remember me? I used to co-run this blog? Lightyears ago, I know, but I'm finally back from midterms, back from spring break, back from the dead. And hopefully there will be no more unannounced extended leave-of-absences from me anytime soon.

Now it's time to get down to business.

I'm a very frequent user of nail polish; sometimes I wonder whether or not my polish purchases single-handedly kept the nail polish industry afloat during the economic crisis here in the states. Nail polish is my favorite accessory, so I change up my color every two or three days. Naturally this leads me to get bored with all the reds and the pinks and the Chanel-it-colors out there and naturally this urge to find something interesting lead me to a small stroke upon first seeing Deborah Lippmann's Happy Birthday (pictured above). It's like you stuffed the following picture into a tiny glass bottle:

Renders you speechless, doesn't it?

So this afternoon when my friend Hannah pulled Happy Birthday out of her bag and placed it into my hands, I was overwhelmed with joy and also the urge to just kind of paint the stuff all over my hands (I didn't).

This stuff is seriously the greatest. It's a little messy in the picture, but it's hard not to smear when you're shaking with excitement.

Pros: The best glitter nail polish I've ever used. The colors are evenly distributed and the flakes of glitter vary in size, yielding a very cool 3D-like effect. For a glitter nail polish, this stuff dries relatively fast. A few hours after I applied my million coats it would smudge a little if I was doing any manual labor with my hands, but the glitter was easily pressed back into place. Also, I mean, just look at it and ask yourself, what's not to love?

Cons: Difficult to apply with accuracy because it's very thick from all the glitter. Also, it takes a LOT of coats to achieve the effect I got. When I say a lot I mean 6 or 7; my nails are about 1/4 an inch thicker now.

Worth it? DUH!

(Images from style.com, tumblr, and me; Ring, Nashville Flea Market)

Blue and Yellow, Blue and Yellow

Love this photo, love the bag, love the nails.

Don't love the ashes that Girl is getting all over her precious Celine bag, but whatever, she owns it, she can tar its perfect beauty if she wants to!

Image from streetfsn

All Over The Place

I know I've been absent from the blogging world for a while, but I'm finally on spring break, and therefore free for the next week. I figured I'd start off my blogging return by sharing the pictures that are littering my desktop and my brain; my fashion inspiration is a little schizophrenic right now, but it always kind of is.

Enjoy:

Images from Summer Teeth, Pepper and Chips, Honestly...WTF, style.com, and some other sites I can't remember (sorry/fail)

On The Fringe

What with the Fall collections almost done showing, it's time to start focusing on the trends they've produced. While there was a big emphasis this season on modern textures (like plastic) and 60's shape, there was the Native American influence that popped up from show to show as well. While I can delve into 60's style a little here and there, plastic is not my thing. I like sensual fabrics that move with the body. So you can bet I've been much more inspired by the Native trends for fall. Something I'd never delved into in that realm is fringe. It's fun and kitsch, but still, for the most part, wearable. It's a little more summery than it is cold-weather, so hopefully I'll be able to break out some mean fringe come May or June.

Brand and price info found here

A Little of New York

Thought I'd share a few shots from our trip to NY.  The first two are actually of me attempting to pack and plan outfits, along with Phineas being super helpful as I tried to pack my camera.  Then there are the best palm frites that I've ever tasted from a restaurant whose name I can't remember, a few good outfits, swag from the Jill Stuart show, a building in "The Village" (my mother tells me that this is the appropriate way to refer to Greenwich Village) whose address appears to be 387 1/2, and the store front of Alexander McQueen.  Oh, and did we tell you that while shopping at Diane von Furstenberg in the meatpacking district, DVF herself came into the store because, "[she] just felt like shopping"?  Just thought I'd brag a little bit.

Sorry if I'm a little MIA for the next week or so; I'm going skiing in Colorado for spring break and plan on being on the slopes all day every day, so I may fall a little bit behind fashion-wise.

Academy Awards Red Carpet 2011

It's Oscars time! As is well known, the 83rd Academy Awards were Sunday night. Congrats to the winners, but more importantly congrats to the 11 ladies (Anne Hathaway x2) featured above, as they are Les Deux's best dressed of this year's Oscar ceremony. No time for small talk about who won what; continue on below the jump for larger pictures and critiques.

The Holy Trinity of NY

Every time fashion month rolls around, kicking off with our dear NYFW, we find ourselves anticipating three shows above all others: Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Proenza Schouler.  Though you may have different opinions on the matter, for us, these three brands are the absolute creme de la creme of New York fashion.  They represent three different maturations of design, and each has a completely unique and compelling perspective.  Marc is obviously the oldest and most established, and it's always interesting to see what theme he chooses to delve into for each season.  Jack and Lazaro of Proenza make up the up-and-coming classic brand, favorite of prominent editors and young bloggers alike.  And Alexander is the young breakout star, who still struggles to find his footing every now and then, but is becoming more confident and coherent with every progressing collection.

And so, without further ado, follow the jump for our thoughts on our three favorites' fall 2011 ready-to-wear shows.

Jeremy Scott Fall 2011 RTW

Jeremy Scott stuck with the general 90's trend for fall, but took it in a completely different direction from grunge: 90's pop culture. While I love, love, LOVE grunge, I missed being old enough to dress myself in plaids and safety pins by only a few years. I did not, however, miss the period of the Spice Girls, Tomagotchi, Zenon Girl of the 21st Century, Powerpuff Girls, etc.. The late 90's semi-Japanese inspired semi-out-of-control style of dress was much more a part of my life than grunge ever was until it's recent resurgence. Maybe that's why Scott's Fall collection struck such a cord with me. 90's references in fashion have gotten so serious and dark, that it feels refreshing to see a fun, kitsch, sarcastic take on the trend. As a college student, I can still afford to Manic Panic my pigtails and wear hot pink leather (or pleather) pleated skirts for another year or two without looked absolutely out of my mind, so you can bet yourself that I'll be delving into the fun 90's asap.

P.S.

If the clothes didn't do enough to convince me, this shot of Charlotte Free's hair and makeup definitely did:

(Images from style.com and The Cut)

Don't Waste Your Youth Growing Up

I ran into this video at Like Cool today, and am super inspired by it. It's all that great 70's-meets-90's, California cool inspiration all rolled into one fantastic video. So I'm gonna go let my wavy hair down, throw on some bell bottoms, a sarcastic motorcycle t-shirt, and a cargo jacket, and wreak some havoc around town with my friends. While I'm doing that, enjoy Youth by Tommy Petroni.

Cushnie et Ochs Fall 2011 RTW

The collection was a distinctly Cushnie et Ochs take on the Native American tribes of the Wild, Wild West complete with "elastic boning" inspired by American tribal jewelry, loads of fringe and fur, feathers in the models' hair - the works. Among the many native references were leather tops and dresses that were as smooth and buttery looking as those of Celine and mane-like fur that hung down from the hemlines of dresses and skirts. Unlike the typical neutral palette associated with Native Americans though, Cushnie et Ochs went with a very shocking palette of inky black, metallic silver, airy white, and bright purple. As unusual as the colors were for the theme of the collection, paired with Cushnie et Ochs' signature minimal, slightly apocalyptic shapes, it really worked.

And as if the clothes weren't convincing enough, I leave you with the nails:

Our View at Jill Stuart Fall 2011

As I mentioned before, Katie and I had the honor of attending the Jill Stuart fall/winter 2011 show earlier today at Lincoln Center, and it absolutely did not fail to impress.  The collection showcased some of my favorite current trends such as below-the-knee hemlines and graphic color blocking, but the real standout aspects were the knife pleats and unexpected pops of metallic gold hues.  Being that this was the first runway show that we here at Les Deux have ever seen in person, the experience really made the clothes that much more special to us.  Also, on top of getting free Frappuccinos and Fiji Water at the event, we managed to snag some gift bags with Jill Stuart makeup (it doesn't take much to excite us).  Luckily, from our position in the venue, Katie and I were able to document some of the show.  Above, you can see some photos taken by yours truly, and below, you can watch a video of the finale shot by Katie.

Live from Lincoln Center

Blogging today from the Lincoln Center Starbucks at 63rd and Broadway in NYC.  We just saw Jill Stuart walk... be jealous.  Expect more info and pictures later.  For now, we're off to the Museum of Natural History!