L'arbitre

images courtesy of google,

What if we said that in New England, (Norwalk, Connecticut to be exact) located right at the South Norwalk train station, and right near the awesomely delicious Chocopologie Cafe, you’d find a major fashion studio, with some of the coolest people and extensive fashion literature this side of FIT? Would you believe it?

Well, that is exactly what you’ll find at the New England Fashion + Design Association, co-chaired by Marc Feldman and Irina Simeonova. For those of you looking to take classes from two of the most qualified teachers I’ve had the pleasure of meeting: this is the place for you.

Books abound, textiles, fabrics,…this place is perfect for anyone who wants to get a serious fashion education.

Unfortunately their site, worldfashioncouncil.org was hacked recently, so it is down at the moment. But check back there soon….If it’s as cool as their studio is, then its one place your sure  to enjoy browsing around for a while.

With all the controversy brewing over the excessive (we think anyway) and ridiculous (we know for sure) pat-down screening methods at airports, we decided that L’arbitre had to take a stand on this issue. Now, we’re no experts on preventing terrorism in the skies or anything like that, but we do profess to have a little knowledge of the world of fashion. So with that in mind, and with a need to feel less violated when we travel, we created the top 5 TSA pat-down friendly items that will ultimately keep you from feeling minimize how violated you will feel….In no particular order….

1. Heavy Sweaters

2. Denim - anything - jeans, jackets whatever

3. Bras - a no-brainer

4.   Military Wear (especially jackets) - no, not uniforms that’d be really suspicious….but more like stuff inspired by it…

think Michael Jackson…

5. Hockey Pads… kidding….kind of

images courtesy of msnbc.com, denimology.com, bloomingdales.com, thinkthrufashion.com

I’m not sure whether Emma Watson gets advice on what to wear from someone or not, but it’s almost beside the point. This girl’s got style. Young Hollywood take note: this is how you do it.

It’s always weird to label someone “in the making” because they could just completely fall of the rails and fail to live up to the lofty expectations placed before them. But even if Ms. Watson were to stop right here with her stylish ways, this past week and all the Harry Potter press events she attended, still cement her as one of the best to do it.

images courtesy of people.com and huffington post

Cheryl Cole - stunning as usual in a DRKSHDW by Rick Owens Denim jacket and scarf  via Denimology 

Winter is one of the most wonderful times of the year for fashionista’s and stylists alike. The colder weather provides many opportunities to dress up with coats, sweaters,(cardigans too!) jackets, scarfs, gloves, hats and much more. Here are some of our favorite coldweather styles and brands (for the ladies) in stores and on beautiful people.

BB Dakota - Ellen Plaid Coat

Left Coast by Dolan

Quotation “Julia” Cashmere Cardigan

Vioalba Embellished Shoulder Jacket by Malene Birger

via Denimology, Bloomingdales, revolveclothing.com, shopbop.com

Sarah Moon was born in Britain in 1940 and after modeling for a bit she started shooting. Her work is exceptionally stylized and creates these grainy blurry moods. Often strong patches of color and shapes dominate her painterly world. Women are seen covering their faces or from behind. She currently lives in Paris.

The Gay Men’s Health Crisis held their annual Fashion Forward event this past Monday at the Metropolitan Pavilion here in the city and it certainly did not disappoint. Hosted by Tim Gunn and featuring top designers Diane Von Furstenberg, Richard Chai, Simon Spurr, Yigal Azrouel, Anna Sui and Narciso Rodriguez; the event and show were everything you’d come expect from such talented and professional company.

The well attended fete also had its share of celebs, including regular attendee and talk-show host Wendy Williams, a few “Housewives” of NYC, singer Deborah Cox and the ever colorful Patricia Fields. 

check out some photos of the event below…

This past Halloween was L’arbitre’s first and, with all the costumes and characters, and people dressing up as their favorite hero or heroine; we got to thinking about fashion in a whole different arena………………Cartoons!

Yes, cartoons provide us with some of the most memorable and iconic fashion statements witnessed by mankind - or childkind… The wonderful world of animation is home to many fashion standouts such as the entire Scooby Doo gang, Doug Funnie, Scrooge McDuck and many more….

Check out the signature looks from some of our favs and tell us who we forgot

There’s always room for more!

Scooby Doo 

Doug

Scrooge McDuck 

Carmen Sandiego

Hey Arnold!

Inspector Gadget

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Raquel Welch in “The Biggest Bundle of Them All” circa 1968

Now, we know not everyone can look like Ms. Welch here in their denim.. (good God!) But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t don a great pair with confidence.

remember ladies..the cut, the shape, the color..make it work!

….and if your in the City Nov. 4th, don’t miss the Rock and Republic sample sale! details below…

Rock and Republic Sample Sale

November 4th 11:00 am Metropolitan Pavilion - 4th Floor, 123 W. 18th St, New York, NY 10011

Here, in short, are some exquisite denim brands, (with the most appealing cuts of the season) and some people wearing their denim exquisitely….

J Brand

23110 Maria in Starless

via Urban Outfitters

Ecote Drawstring Jean - Rinsed Denim

Rock and Republic Scorpion Amethyst

and now the wearers….

images courtesy of denimology.com