Marimekko is releasing a clothing line, in the spirit of Jackie O, through H&M. New York Magazine has the story, and here is an image that I grabbed from that article (which you can read here)

I’m not sure I am a total fan. I love the stuff on bedsheets, shower curtains, even plates - but on clothes…. I think you would have to be in extremely good shape and have your fashion sense really tuned to pull this off. The reason being that these patterns which are so big and bright will otherwise call out whatever you think is unflattering about yourself. I mean, I stand pretty firmly that any sized person can wear whatever they want to… in theory. In practice, it will make you feel uncomfortable to be having these crazy patterns making your butt look huger than it is, or calling out your lack of curve.

But, keep on making those sheets, Ms. Mekko.

 Pete Wentz, Bassist and Lyricist for the band Fall Out Boy, and all around reneaisannce man, has agreed to partner his clothing company with Nordstrom. According to an article in the Portland Business Journal, Wentz’s company, Clandestine Industries, will make and design the clothes, which will be sold in the juniors department at Nordstrom’s. When asked what he thought about the partnership, Wentz replied, “I am stoked to collaborate with Nordstrom.”

After reading this article, I did a little more research (i.e. went to wikipedia) and read up on Pete Wentz. In addition to being a bassist, lyricist, backup singer, clothing designer, clothing company owner, he is also a children’s book author, an owner of a record company, and the owner of a film company.

Pete Wentz Looking Fly (photo by GBDAM)

Some might critisize Wentz for “selling out,” as he is clearly not just about The Music. But I don’t feel that way. The only way to do that would be to associate any use of business savvy with selling out, which I don’t do. But then maybe I just don’t believe in the concept of “selling out” any more. I think that a person has a right to try to make something of him or herself, and a right to try to make money. Especially here in America.

Furthermore, I’d like make a general point about small businesses by talking about the world of journalism. On one hand, the media is completely built up and systemized to the point where news companies are owned by weapons manufacturers and the word of main stream journalists is almost impossible to take without a grain of salt. On the other hand, the voice of the individual is louder than ever through blogs, message boards and podcasts. But a blogger must take responsibility for his or her own income, thus benefitting from the financial structures in existance: sole prop, LLC, C Corp. This is the way that a individual can protect him or herself from being sucked into the other side.

Drawing this back to Pete Wentz, man of the world, I think that he is doing the right thing - recognizing that music, fashion, media is all connected on a financial level in a very smooth and flowing way, and that anyone who wants to position him or herself to take advantage of this connection, can do so. Pete, I’m stoked for you.

Guys, go put Resevoir Dogs and/or Pulp Fiction on your netflix because you are about to start to put together (if you havn’t already) a plain black suit with skinny black tie combo.

GQ has been bringing this up for about three issues. ThisNext tells us that it “Seals the Punk Look.” Seal wore a skinny black tie to the grammy’s this year (see previous post).  Justin Timberlake uses this look all the time. Brad Pitt too.

Vanessa Valiente, personal stylist, describes the ins and outs of the skinny black tie. She says,

On the occasion when a suit is necessary the skinny tie is so hot and so easy.

Check out the rest of her informative article here.

In the Grammy car, originally uploaded by sealsong.

Here is Seal with that look I was describing, but in patent leather instead of cotton or a cotton blend.