Black Market.

Black Market.
A curated collection of what's on the market.
by Julian Mack

Fashion is everywhere and easily accessible.  Maybe a little too accessible according to Elizabeth L. Cline's Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion.  Cline says that the H&M's and Forever 21's of the world are costing us quality for the sake of a "good deal."  That consequently makes high-end designers harder to get your hands on.   So with all the ready-to-wear and accessories that designers throw at us season after season followed by a failed attempt by fast-fashion houses to mimic those designs, here is a curated look at the best that's on the market, all whilst staying stylish and avoiding the fast fashion frenzy.  I have scoured the market and curated transitional pieces that can be mixed-and-matched from work to play for Femme et Homme.

Femme

Homme

Fashion is subjective.  But that which separates the fashion spectators from the enthusiasts at heart is the style behind it all.  Fashion means nothing really without style and design, it is otherwise just a conglomerate of pretty things. Packaging or styling designer pieces like the Givenchy shark print sweatshirt (my favorite), pleated Niel Barret trousers with black leather All saints Gauntlet boots and a pony-hair leopard print Yves Saint Laurent wallet for homme or an Ann Taylor ivory tulle ball skirt paired with a puppet print Marni T-shirt and black leather Alexander Wang Kori oxfords for femme, takes a stylish eye and an even edgier swagger.

Homme:

Givenchy.

Reclaimed Vintage.

Niel Barret.

All Saints

American Apparel.

Yves Saint Laurent.

All Saints Gauntlet Boots

  

Femme:

Rebecca Minkoff.

These polka-dot Paige Denim jeans are an homage to the Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuittion collaboration polka-dot collection.

Ann Taylor.

Marni.

Zara.

I love these Zara sandals paired with a printed sock.  This makes for a very quirky and chic look.

Alexander Wang.

Proenza Schouler.

Vintage Chanel Earrings.

Jil Sander Navy.

Fashion Credits (in the order in which they appear): 


Homme; Shark print cotton sweatshirt, Givenchy ($510), mrporter.com. Camo print jacket, Reclaimed Vintage ($80) asos.com.  Navy pleated trousers, Niel Barret ($275), yoox.com. Black Gauntlet boots ($265), Black Skinny "Byron Iggy" Jeans ($120), both All Saints, allsaints.com. Leopard Print pony hair wallet, Yves Saint Laurent  ($595), mrporter.com. Navy and red striped canvas bag, American Apparel ($72). americanapparel.net.

Femme; Black and White Kalahari Pants, Rebecca Minkoff ($268), Polka dot Verdugo skinny jeans, Paige Denim ($190),  both shopbop.com. Ivory Tulle ball skirt, Ann Taylor ($350), anntaylor.com.  White Puppet print t-shirt, Marni ($255), marni.com. Color-Block sandal, Zara ($49.90), zara.com. Black "Kori" leather oxfords, Alexander Wang ($450), saks.com. Black PS1 Large Tote, Proenza Schouler ($2150), proenzaschouler.com. Vintage Gold CC Pendant Earrings, Chanel Spr 94',($550) What Goes Around Comes Around, 351 West Broadway (between Broome and Grand St,  NYC. Nude and Black leather slip-on platform wedges, Jil Sander Navy ($415), saks.com.