Savage Style

This week's savage styler is the creator of fashion blog, Genetic Boi. As said on his site:

"My name's Quan. I'm young, broke, and fabulous. Born 10/24/87 in Vietnam, moved to US in 1998. I enjoy my solitude. I study Graphic Design, but I do a little bit of everything... so I prefer to call myself an artist. I believe that identity is a construct. I'm often alone and misunderstood, but I'm free!"

What he fails to mention in this modest introduction is that his fashion sense is as defiant as his incredible anti-gravity poses:

YesStyle pullover, BDG jeans (cut to shorts), vintage thrift shoes, D.I.Y. jean jacket

Topman pants, H&M woven cardigan and tank top, biblical sandals, Urban Outfitters necklace

Topman pants, H&M buttondown, YesStyle belt and bag, vintage bracelet and shoes

WHO THE HELL IS GENETIC BOI?!?!

I have been using this screen name as my identity for the past 4 or 5 years now, ever since I downloaded AIM (aol instant messenger) way back in freshman year of high school. My good friend Linda was joking around since I loved Dark Angel so much, I should be Genetic Boi or some sorts. She actually made an AIM account under GeneticBoi for me because I wasn't caught up with all the chatting yet at the time! Since then, I have been using GeneticBoi for online purposes. At the same time becoming more confident and learning about myself to reflect onto this ID named GeneticBoi.

**The reason why I jump in my pictures is simply because ANYBODY can stand and take a good picture, but it's hard to jump AND take a good picture, therefore, I want to challenge myself, and not bore my viewers.**

YesStyle blazer, Kendu shorts, vintage bracelet, Urban Outfitters necklace, H&M t-shirt

Topman shirt, YesStyle blazer, harem pants and backpack, shoes Aldo

D.I.Y. leopard shirt, vintage thrift leather jacket and shoes, H&M shorts, oversized wayfarers

Words from Quan to live by:

Remember: even if people talk shit about you, or say negative things, you have all the rights to feel self-important! LOVE YOURSELF! FREE YOURSELF! BE COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR SEXUALITY! BE YOU! :)

For more of Quan's high-flying style, check out his Facebook album.

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Fall Beauty Checklist

The time has come where we followers of fashion are cleaning out our closets, chanting “out with the old, in with the new,” boldly trying a new trend or look. Yes, September, dually known as the “January of fashion”, is right around the corner and we are all getting ready to set our fashion new year's resolutions in motion. This coming month, women worldwide will be scouring through the biggest magazine issues of the year to see what’s hot, what’s not and where they will fall on the line. But amidst all of the excitement, be mindful that September is not just a special time for your closet; your beauty bag wants some of the love too. Take this opportunity to try out bold new looks for your hair and makeup but do so with everything you need to protect your skin and hair from the cold weather that is to come. Here is your beauty checklist; don’t start fall without everything you need!

The past year has been revolutionary since the launch of lash-enhancing products. The beauty world is going crazy over lashes since products like Latisse and RevitaLash have landed on the market, ready to aid those with thin eyelashes. This fall is all about intense lashes so use products that will not only enhance but also intensify lashes. Also on the market is Kate Somerville’s True Lash Lash Enhancing Eye Makeup Remover, so you can keep your eyes healthy and clean while continuing to work towards getting that super glam look that you want.

Featured above: Urban Decay Lush Lash Mascara, Kate Somerville True Lash: Lash Enhancing Eye Makeup Remover and Fusion Beauty StimulashFusion Lash Enhancing Liquid Eyeliner, available in September at Sephora.

Spend time basking in the sun this summer? If so, you’re probably beautifully bronzed. While it looks great to have sun-kissed skin, the effects aren’t always so great. Clogged pores and uneven skin tone are common to those who have spent lots of time in the sun. Combat those effects by exfoliating regularly. Prep for the upcoming season by gently scrubbing skin to reveal a fresh face for fall.

Featured above: Ren Micro Polish Cleanser, Tourmaline Charged Radiant Skin Refiner, Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub.

While we’re discussing facial care, we can’t forget to moisturize. Moisturizing really goes hand-in-hand with exfoliating. While I preach about moisturizing regularly year-round, it’s especially important during the fall and winter months to protect and hydrate your skin.

Featured above: RMS Beauty Lip & Skin Balm, One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Multi-Balm.

While we’re talking about moisturizing, why stop at your face? The only way to keep skin looking luminous and feeling supple when the elements are working against you is to moisturize regularly. While lightweight body lotions are primarily used throughout the summer, the cooler months require super-emollient moisturizer; or, if you’re feeling bold, try a luxe body oil!

Featured above: Alba Kukui Nut Organic Body Oil, Duchess Marden Body Serum, Kiehl's Creme de Corpes Body Moisturizer.

What’s worse than chapped lips? I can’t think of many things that will send you on a downward beauty spiral faster. Keep lips happy and hydrated with lip balm, but amplify that happiness to excitement by adding a tint to the hydration.

Featured above: Votre Vu Bebe Duette Moisturizing Lip Balm & Luxe Hand Cream Duo, Eco Tools Lip Balm.

Your smile is your most recognizable accessory and you have to play it up every chance you get. No one wants to go into fall with mother-of-pearl colored teeth; it ruins any lip color you may be trying as soon as you open your mouth. Make sure your teeth are at their whitest without costing you a small fortune by using an at-home whitening system.

Featured above: Crest 3D White Strips Professional Effects, GLO Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device.

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Foot Locker reports (impressive) second-quarter earnings & Skechers sued over sketchy model dealings

As previously reported, there are a few retailers showing signs of financial growth and stability, even in a tough economy. One of the more surprising was that of Footlocker Inc., which recently released its second-quarter earnings to show an impressive $37 million dollar profit. This makes the sixth consecutive quarter of positive growth for the athletic apparel and footwear retailer. A year prior, the company's second-quarter earnings showed only $6 million in profit.

"Our associates worldwide are doing an excellent job executing the initiatives of our strategic plan," said Ken C. Hicks, chairman and chief executive officer of Foot Locker, Inc., in a statement. "As a result, we were able to deliver strong sales and profit results in the second quarter, including a comparable store sales gain of 11.8 percent and earnings of 24 cents per share. The results over this longer time period encourage us to believe that we have the right strategies in place to create shareholder value on a sustained basis."

Since the top of the year, the company opened 35 new stores, remodeled/relocated 95 stores and closed 54 stores. At the end of July 2011, the company operated 3,407 stores in 22 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 25 franchised stores were operating in the Middle East and South Korea.

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A $10 million dollar lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against Skechers USA Inc. by a group of models accusing the company of failing to pay for the use and global distribution of pictures of said models modeling the company's footwear.

"Skechers paid a small sum of money for only limited use of these images, for a limited amount of time," said David Shraga via statement, a lawyer from the Los Angeles firm Kawahito Shraga & Westrick, who is representing the 11 models. "Then it disregarded these limitations and embarked on a successful worldwide branding campaign that was built around the images of these young models."

The complaint alleges that Skechers "took advantage" of the models who would find it difficult to "discover the wrongdoing," since the majority of the ads ran in foreign countries.

The models are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. "The models are seeking no less than $10 million in compensation for Skechers' misappropriation of their likenesses," said the news release from Kawahito Shraga & Westrick.

A Skechers spokeswoman had no comment, stating the company does not comment on litigation.

This is the second lawsuit against the company to makes waves this year. The first was made by a woman who claimed the company's "Shape-Up" footwear caused her hip fractures.

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Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I need you to settle a debate that my roommate and I are having. She recently had a job interview and asked if she could borrow a pair of heels to wear. I told her sure, but being who she is, she chose the most expensive pair I own - my first, and might I add only, pair of black Louboutin pumps! When she returned them they seemed a bit stretched and I noticed a few scuffs. I told her she should reimburse me for them and keep them since they don't fit as well anymore and the scuffs irk me. She argues that she'll pay for the damage to be repaired but not for the shoes. Who's right? Should she own up and pay me for the shoes or should I lighten up and let her pay for the repairs and live with them?

Signed,

Red Hot Over Red Soles

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Dear R.H.O.R.S.,

Treating this as if it were "Fashion Court", you both have an argument. Looking at it from your vantage point, your prized footwear was damaged and deemed, in your opinion, "unwearable" where as she believes the shoes could be returned and worn once repaired.

A judicious suggestion would be to have her take the shoes to a quality shoe repair shop and have them fix all that ails you about the shoes and see if you can once again love them. If you still can't find it in you to love your old soles then try listing them on a site like eBay, Craigslist or take them to a local high-end designer consignment shop and gauge which refurbished route will garner you the best financial return. Now that the shoes have been repaired to "like new" condition you may get back most of what you originally paid for them.

Once the shoes have sold, see if your roommate will either cover the remaining cost of a new pair of Louboutins or split the remaining balance in half with you. Since you did tell her that she could borrow a pair of shoes for the interview, and failed to mention that there were pairs off limits, you have to take ownership of your part in this shoe debacle.

Going forward, it would serve you well to create some boundaries for your wardrobe/accessories to avoid having a calamity like this happen in the future.

In the case of roommate vs roommate, the ruling has been delivered. Fashion court is adjourned.

Have a fashion question? Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

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This Trend Just In: Bold Statement Jewelry

This week's trend has sometimes been categorized as 'gaudy', 'flashy', 'ostentatious' and even 'extravagant' by some standards, but this summer, with the heat still searing many streets far and vast, the best way to accessorize without adding bulk to your body is by going 'bold' with your jewelry.

From as low as HSN and Forever 21 up to the diamond studded sky of high end jewelers, a statement necklace can add new dimensions to your day-to-day work wear, change the look of your favorite LBD or dress-up a casual jeans and t-shirt weekend outfit. Now granted, some things may be deemed just a tad too "over the top" for certain occasions but that's why this summer trend is being touted as 'bold' - the expression "go big or go home" comes to mind.

Here are a few celebrity looks to help draw inspiration. You may want to adjust your screen for the size of some of these baubles!

Sarah Jessica Parker wore these two Erickson Beamon necklaces together.

Olivia Palermo wearing a Mawi Sunray bronze necklace.

Leighton Meester sports a Chanel agate stone necklace.

Kate Beckinsale paired her red carpet gown with these gorgeous ruby red Fred Leighton earrings.

Jessica Alba adorned with House of Lavande necklace.

Heidi Klum took the bold bull by the horns by pairing Lorraine Schwartz's large earrings with an armload of bracelets and bangles.

Amy Adams wowed in this Fred Leighton bib necklace.

Carrie Underwood wore this Jenny Packham dress with attached bejeweled collar.

Niecy Nash wore this stunning Charles Albert necklace with peridot hued gems.

Eva Mendes needed no other accessory but this bold necklace compliments of Van Cleef & Arpels.

Ali Larter's Erickson Beamon necklace is a work of art.

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Savage Style

Lydia Okello of Style is Style is an inspiration. Not just because of her sense of style, but the Canadian is not, by industry standards, a conventional beauty. But where some may think she falls short, others applaud her for sharing her style - and her experience coming to terms with her looks - on her site:

From the post, "Beauty + Glamour":

"I have always, since I can remember, felt as though I was outside the realm of "pretty girls". When I was growing up, my parents, when praising or complimenting me, would say things like 'You're smart' or 'talented' or 'did a good job', which in hindsight, was probably a very good thing. These remarks taught me that I should value my intelligence and talents and not rely on my looks. But on the flipside, those compliments reinforced an idea in my head that I was not beautiful. Although smart and articulate, I would not be considered pretty by the rest of the world. Now, I'm sure this sounds a little melodramatic, but for a long time, this is how I felt. Then came blogging. When I started out posting photos of me in my backyard I was sort of just doing it as an experiment. I was finding many beautiful and real girls who wore the coolest outfits, and I was inspired to try and dress to please myself, just like they were. In the beginning, I wasn't nearly as confident as I am now. But as time passed, and I got compliments and encouragment from random strangers who really had no obligation to boost my self esteem, I started to think that maybe I did have something to offer."

Thrifted sunglasses, triple collared blouse and belt.

Vintage skirt. Jellypop 'Daydream' wedges.

Thrifted blouse, belt and skirt. Coat - Fletcher by Lyell Tights - Urban Outfitters.

Shoes - Catwalk Heels c/o Modcloth.

Thrifted jean jacket, sunglasses and purse. True Value Vintage blouse.

Gap pleated skirt. Aldo heels.

Morning Hour Dress c/o Modcloth. H&M blouse and heels.

Target tights. Thrifted purse.

Garage Sale dress. Brandless knock off Alexander Wang sunglasses.

Gifted belt. Hue tights. Chelsea Crew shoes c/o Modcloth.

Thrifted sequin blouse, belt and skirt. F21 headband.

Drugstore Glittery tights. Old Navy shoes.

"Beauty + Glamour" continued:

"The world of blogging can be kind of overwhelming at times, because you find blog after blog after blog of thin, modelesque (sometimes they are models) girls, who have amazing wardrobes, perfect faces and a seemingly endless wallet. Believe or not, there are many times when I feel doubtful of myself. It could be a rude look from a stranger, or a glance at an ad that makes me think 'I'll never look like that.' And I admit, there are times when I wonder: "Is there a point to me doing this? I mean, I don't look like I just came off a runway, and I'm certainly not wearing Christian Louboutins, Marc Jacobs, or the lastest Mui Mui heels. How can I be an inspiration, or even interesting with such meager means? Would anyone even want to read my blog?" But I think that you lovely readers have shown me that just because someone is of a different background or body type doesn't make their point of view any less valid or interesting. I appreciate every email and every comment, because it makes me believe that there is room for change in the fashion industry, and even in the mainstream. As much as I may wish that I had a doll like pout like Lindsey Wixson or gorgeous freckled skin and red hair like Cintia Dicker, I'm starting to believe that the skin I'm in isn't half bad. I might look different than most of the people around me, but different doesn't have to mean bad. I'm discovering day by day what makes me beautiful..."

Thrifted jacket, scarf, skirt and sunglasses. H&M lace shirt.

Modcloth Catwalk Queen Heels. Joe Fresh tights.

Thrifted Shirt and Blazer. H&M Dress (as skirt). Joe Fresh tights. Etsy boots.

Thrifted blazer, blouse and skirt. Joe Fresh tights. Old Navy wedges.

Thrifted blouse and scarf (worn as turban head wrap). Co-operative skirt.

Joe Fresh tights. Granny's Bootery boots.

Thrifted blouse and skirt. We Love Colors tights in Yellow. We Who See heels.

Thrifted blazer and tutu. H&M lace shirt.

American Apparel tights. Jellypop 'Daydream' wedges.

The final words chosen for the "Beauty + Glamour" post was a quote that seems as fitting then as it is now:

"Glamour is profound. Glamour is saying: I want to be as beautiful as I can be - to myself first and then to anyone else who has enough sense to see" -Maya Angelou

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