Spotlight: The Most Fashion-Forward Show You've Never Heard Of

In March of last year NBC launched a new, glittery, high-production (spent $10 million just on the pilot!) show that was profiled by Time, NPR, and widely acclaimed by critics... and you've probably never heard of it. It was called Kings and lasted only one season.

Why so short?

Well, I wasn't in the country to see it, but apparently the promos were terrible, and I can imagine that the premise--a modern retelling of the Biblical tale of David--didn't appeal to many. (Why Christian audiences didn't seem to tune in either is still a mystery.) It's a damn shame, too, since the show was actually original, well-produced, and very intelligent. Not to mention that Ian McShane's performance as King Silas (Saul) is one of the best prime time TV has seen in a loooong while. Also, the dialogue is at times casual and modern, and at others almost Shakespearean in its language, which might turn others off but which I adored for the fact that it assumed the audience could handle monologues more intelligent than something spouted by Spicoli (not that we don't all love Fast Times at Ridgemont High, but still...) In fact, much of the show has a Shakespearean feel, with highly potent symbolism running through the whole series while juxtaposed against the shiny New York-esque background of the capital city, Shiloh. Some might not think the balance is that well achieved between the ancient and modern, but I happen to think it works. And even if you don't agree, you have to give the show brownie points for ambition and scope.

Be all that as it may, it was something else that happened while I watched the show that gave me reason to ramble on about it here. I noticed that, episode after episode, the fashions I was seeing on the characters (from over a year ago!) were reflected in the new trends I was seeing pop up in stores. From the princess' 80's style waist pleats now in the Jean Paul Gaultier dresses at Target, to the bilateral ruffles on Katrina's dresses that are now all over H&M, to the prince's narrow, buttoned dress shirt collars which I just saw last week at Urban Outfitters!

Ok, so maybe the show wasn't 'forward' in an edgy, pushing-the-envelope kind of way, but it did a damn good job of being ahead of the curve. Moreover, a lot of these new trends don't look good on everyone, so what was even more impressive was the fact that designer Daniel Lawson costumed each cast member in the most flattering style for their size and type--and character for that matter. Even if the styles had not been right on the pulse of what's up and coming (and they were, though subtly), the fashion would still have you itching for your own royal tailor.

It's just the icing on the cake of what's already a stellar show. Too bad no one noticed it when it was actually on the air.

Style Profile #13: Elaine Hepburn

Name: Elaine, Lainey-lu, MissElaineia

Occupation: Charity Education Outreach Worker, Art Therapist in training, Singer, Writer, Artist (in the becoming!)

Locale: London, for now.

Favorite shops/labels: For day to day style and ease, I still love good old h&m, though I usually go for the clothes left on the sale racks that no-one else wanted. I've never had the money to experiment with expensive designer labels but would secretly love to, as I reckon they'd cut to fit really well. Otherwise charity shops anywhere and everywhere - especially in towns in the middle of nowhere and in posh areas of London (for amazing deals!). Fav highstreet shop at the moment is 'Pop Boutique', a vintage-inspired/homemade clothes shop to be found in the tangle of interesting streets in between Neal Street and Leicester Square:
http://www.pop-boutique.com/where/Pop
Or Rag N Bone Vintage clothing in Deptford:
http://www.chriscareyscollections.co.uk/boutique.html
Or the fabulous 'Kitt's Couture' if you happen to be in Penzance, Cornwall!

Fashion Influences: My childhood, my ladyfriends, my Mum! The 60s/70s/80s and the collective unconcsious... (often my ideas come from seeming nowhere...) Working clothes- cowgirls, aprons, Japanese construction workers, India, Africa and countries where all sorts of patterns and styles are worn jostling along simultaneously. The odd glamour-puss; Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe; The Be-good Tanyas, Madonna (in the early years), Bjork.

Local Fashion Scene: London fashion is vast and eclectic, and multicultural - I love it. You can pretty much cater for any fashion whim you might have, it just takes you a while to work out where to find it. Currently I am stuck on Deptford - for its amazing African boutique/tailors, and the retro shops that are still chaff-and-grain, and still retro prices. I've heard there is a huge clothes mountain somewhere under one of the railway arches, where lots of vintage clothing outlets go to source clothes and get the deals, but I haven't quite mustered the energy to go find out for myself! Then there's Southall for anything Indian; whole streets of silks and sparkles, and then with the Indian restaurants, supermarkets, cinemas and Hindi signs, it feels like you are a hop and a skip from the sari emporiums in Chennai!


*Interested in being a Peach?*
Send 1) one full-length pic, 2) 2 to 4 other snapshots that capture your style, 3) your name, locale, fav shops, influences, the scene in your city, or any other pertinent info to pickypeaches@gmail.com

Trendspotting: Retro 80's

LOVE: The Sunglasses

I admit the first time I saw someone wearing the flat-lensed, bright-colored 80's shades I rolled my eyes, but I have to admit now that some people can definitely work this look! The key is using the sunglasses as an accent point and not wearing anything else that's too overtly retro, so that they don't look cheesy (and you don't end up looking like an extra from Miami Vice). I even love the slitted shades that are peeping up now. I think they remind me of Hollywood from Mannequin and I can't help but grin. Sadly, I've only seen them for sale and haven't caught anyone wearing them yet, but I'm hopeful. If any city has people who'd wear them it would be here in San Francisco, land of the eternally fashion eclectic.


HATE: The Big Shoulders

Right off the bat, I need to clarify that I hate big shoulders, not puffy shoulders - there is a difference. On a recent trip to H&M, I grabbed a jean jacket with a mandarin collar that looked promising. It had a bit of puff in the shoulders which I thought would look cute. Instead, I looked like I had just stepped off the set of Dynasty! Now, I do realize that this is the look a lot of girls are actually going for (frightening as it is), but I gotta step in and ask 'Why this trend?'

I *loved* the 80's (and, yes, I'm actually old enough to remember it!) and I honestly adored a lot of the fashion - 'winged' shirts, bright colors, bold jewelery. It was fun. It still is, which is why I can appreciate the 80's comeback and how daring so many of these retro looks are. But, I think someone ought to pull a few people aside and remind them that some looks are better left in the past - like MC Hammer pants, tight-cuffed jeans, and, yes, huge-ass shoulders.

Why? For one, it ain't flattering. On a-n-y-o-n-e. Two, the whole look was born from women who were finally entering the office as business women, instead of secretaries. It was a look that emphasized power, telling the good ol' boys that these ladies were not sweet, petite girl-Fridays, but people to be reckoned with. Now, if that's what you're going for, more power to ya! But if you're donning the look blindly for nostalgia or merely the retro-factor, you might want to pass on this one and leave it to Angela Bower.

Style Profile #12: Kimi Klatka

Name: Kimi Klatka

Locale: Cleveland, OH

Favorite Shops/ Labels: I love to shop online to scope out what stores are carrying, there's a website shopstyle.com that is brilliant for searching for specific styles. TJ Maxx and Forever 21 are the first places I look if I'm trying to find a cute outfit, its like a treasure hunt!

Fashion Influences: My sisters and friends are constant inspirations to my style, and I love people watching to see what girls are wearing now. I kind of pick and choose what speaks to me. Comfort is always a priority.

Local Fashion Scene: I live in Cleveland's Little Italy, which is one of the more fashionable areas about town, so there's tons of great people-watching. The fashion of the mid-west is much more conservative than either coast, but people here have a classic, clean style, and aren't afraid to get a little adventurous with color and accessories.



*Interested in being a Peach?*
Send 1) one full-length pic, 2) 2 to 4 other snapshots that capture your style, 3) your name, locale, fav shops, influences, the scene in your city, or any other pertinent info to pickypeaches@gmail.com

The Skinny on Sexual Assault

Ok, I like to keep things light on here, but I just have to comment on something this absurd! Apparently, skinny jeans became the deciding factor in a rape case in Australia recently. In a note to the judge, the jury commented that they wanted more details on exactly what the victim was wearing because they, 'doubt those kind of jeans can be removed without any sort of collaboration’. Once it was confirmed the victim had indeed worn the skinny jeans, the accused rapist was acquitted.

Wow. You heard it here first ladies! We need not fear sexual assault as long as we're wearing skinny jeans! It's like kryptonite against sex offenders! They don't have the skill or know-how to get 'em off - unless you saucy ladies lend a hand! Hmm, do I hear the chime of a new jeans ad coming on? Think of the sales once word hits the street!

Of course, we might have to hold off on our excitement until we find out if we're only safe in Australia. Men from other countries might have more dexterity. Only time will tell.

(For more info, see the article in BUST online, here.)

Style Profile #11: Guillermo Riveros

Name: Guillermo Riveros

Profession: Visual Artist

Locale: New York City cuurently; Colombia originally

Favorite Shops/ Labels: h&m, topman, urban outfitters, thrift stores, uniqlo, the halloween store

Fashion Influences: "My So Called Life", Edward Furlong, Eddie Munster, Fairuza Balk and Sonic Youth

Local Fashion Scene: What I love and find so inspiring from the New York fashion scene is the high contrasts. The beautiful outfits you can find on the homeless crazy man screaming on the subway to the snobby lady walking her dog on the upper east side.



*Interested in being a Peach?*
Send 1) one full-length pic, 2) 2 to 4 other snapshots that capture your style, 3) your name, locale, fav shops, influences, the scene in your city, or any other pertinent info to pickypeaches@gmail.com

Trendspotting

HATE: Tights as pants

Seriously, this is one of the most hideous trends I've seen take hold recently - and unfortunately one of the most prevalent. When I left Japan, women there were working a similar style, but they had the good sense to pair their black tights with long button-down shirts that at least covered their asses. I can't say Americans have the same discretion. Yesterday, I saw a girl in heather gray tights and a red shirt that just came to her hips, framing the prominent V of her camel toe for all to see. I came very close to stopping and shaking some good fashion sense into her, but thought better of it. I've also seen several girls abusing those shiny faux-leather tights and not covering their asses in those either. And let me tell you ladies, unless you're walking-the-runway thin, you won't look good in these unless they're under a skirt. (Actually, I take that back, I don't care how thin you are, they still look unflattering - the picture case in point! Panty line anyone?). I'm all about experimenting with fashion, but for god's sake make it look good. Don't just throw it on because you saw it in a magazine or it looked hot on the plastic mannequin. And in case you think I'm the only one that feels this way, check out www.tightsarenotpants.com


LOVE: Peacock feathers

This trends been floating around for a while, but I adore it. The colors are gorgeous, it's inspired from nature, and it has a classic feel even with such a bold pattern and color. What's not to love? Earrings and hair clips in particular add a nice flash of color. And despite the price tag of these accessories, the look can be economical if you've got a hot glue gun and access to a craft store. Or better yet, if there's a Chinatown in your city you can get peacock feathers dirt cheap for DIY projects.

But a word of warning: any good look can wrong if you go overboard. I'd steer clear of the peacock-themed lingerie. Dear lord. If you need to buy that to get your lover's attention, you're doing something wrong, honey.