UO Blog

From Philadelphia

05/20/13 03:16PM

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DIY: NPW Nailwraps

These NPW nail wraps are super easy to use, and that's coming from someone who is mostly a disaster whirlwind when it comes to anything that is vaguely related to "doing" beauty. If you don't have the time to paint beautiful (but hard) flowers all over your nails, look no further than these flowery nail wraps. I'll even break down the (super easy) steps for you. —Katie


NPW Nail Wraps

Nail DIY:


(Even my sweaty hands couldn't mess this up.)

Step one: Peel off nail decal
These decals are not super flimsy and are easy to pull off the paper, so you'll have to try pretty hard to fuck them up. (Just make sure you don't go getting your grubby hands all over the sticker part, because then they won't stick as well, obviously.)

Step two: Put it on your nail
These Nailwraps have good adhesive on them, which is a must for nail decals. (After messing around with several brands of decals, we realized how important getting the right amount of "sticky" is.) The good thing with these is that you can readjust if you mess up the placement the first time, and they still go on smoothly.


(See? So easy!)

Step three: File off excess
Unless you have beautiful talons (I have stumpy baby nails :c), you will have some excess nail decal hanging off your nail. Sand it off. You don't have to go nuts with it; the file will take the decal off smoothly, and it's better to just gently rub, so as not to get a jagged line.

Step four: Topcoat, y'all
You don't need a topcoat with these since they're a durable vinyl, but it certainly won't hurt. In case your topcoat is buried in a gigantic tub of cosmetics and you can't be bothered, your nails will still hold up on their own, but a topcoat will make them last a good deal longer.


(My nailbeds suck.)

Step five: Admire
Honestly, this entire process took me about 10 minutes, and my friends were complimenting my nails all weekend long. It made me feel like a nail wizard. You'll definitely want to do some gratuitous Instagramming. Trust.

From Elsewhere


(via Vulture)

05/20/13 01:16PM

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What If Spock Were A Stand-Up Comedian?

Boy, I'm super sad I didn't think of this, but Vulture put up this awesome post with the kind of jokes Spock would tell if he were a stand-up comedian. They are so not funny that they're actually hilarious. Read some below, and then click here to read the rest. Vulture is the best. —Katie


Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
I am Spock, first commander of the USS Enterprise.
Spock, who?
I have just informed you of that information and it appears you have heard me, as you have repeated my name. I would like to enter this door now.

A rabbi, priest, and a minister walk into a bar …
They each have three to four drinks, as that is the average for human males.

It was hot today.
How hot was it!?
So hot that the onboard temperature gauge read 35 degrees Celsius.

From Elsewhere


05/20/13 11:16AM

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Bazaaaaar Pop-Up: Photoshoot

It's the last week to shop BAZAAAAAAR, our zamrock inspired L.A. and NYC based pop-ups that have limited-edition and custom made apparel, housewares and art. The L.A. BAZAAAAAAR closes on Monday, May 27 and NYC closes on June 2, so if there's something you've got your eye on, you'll want to get out there soon! All outfits in these photos were shot with clothing and accessories from the pop-up, including brands Osei Duro, Fashion Rising, Bombe Surprise, Makono, Tallow, African Lookbook, and a dress from our very own Marissa Maximo. These pieces are available only in our pop-up shops, so you don't want to miss this!



















Photography: Stella Berkofsky 
Make-up: Amy Strozzi 
Models: Maddie and Kendall at L.A. models

From Elsewhere


05/20/13 10:29AM

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Album Review: Ducktails

Ducktails is Matt Mondanile's rather groovy side project (you might know him from Real Estate)—it's grown from a one man job to a full fledged band for this most recent release, The Flower Lane, on Domino Records. The Flower Lane mixes tons of different sounds that I guarantee you'll want to hear this summer when you're cruisin' to the beach in your convertible—or sitting at home with the air conditioning on. —Maddie



Packaging:
The Flower Lane comes in your standard LP sleeve, with some pretty cool checkerboard album artwork. Getting some real optical illusion-y vibes from it. Aside from the cover, there's an awesome inner sleeve that holds the actual record, and lists all of the people Matt collaborated with on the album in a faux-newspaper sorta way. On the back of the inner sleeve are all of the lyrics, because you're probably not going to be able to refrain singing along to the entire album.

Best song:
The song that most stands out to me on this album is "Assistant Director," (track 6) because it's just a nonstop jam. It really makes me want to have a disco dance party—I'm not joking. Another good one is "Planet Phrom" (track 5). This song is a little slower, and less dance-y (all while Matt sings hilarious lyrics about another planet), but you'll have to listen to find out!



What it's good for:
Basically this album is great for all those times you're just chillin' by the pool with your pals, but you still want the option to have a dance party somewhere in there. It's also good for when it's summer and 500 degrees outside and you need an album to cool you off. Matt Mondanile's sweet riffs will no doubt do that to you.

Shop Ducktails' The Flower Lane


From Elsewhere

05/20/13 09:33AM

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Gabi Fresh x S4A

Gabi Gregg, AKA fashion blogger Gabi Fresh, helped develop a 5-piece capsule collection for swimsuitsforall.com and it's now available to order online! The suits range from sizes 10-24, and are all made in amazing neons and prints (like SPACE PRINT). Plus, how can you not love her Spring Breakers references in the pics? —Katie





From San Francisco

05/17/13 04:11PM

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Nail Art with Floss Gloss: Round One

Floss Gloss has an incredibly fun palate of colors to choose from. With their bright colors and pretty packaging, we had a feeling the women behind the brand, Janine and Aretha, could teach us a thing or two about nail art... and we were right. Using inspiration from the Bazaaaaar Pop-Ups in L.A. and NYC, and products from our site, the duo has created three unique and easy-to-follow tutorials to get your nails on-trend just in time for summer. Here, Janine takes us through Round One, and it has us dying to see what they have in store for next week!

Your guides Janine (left) and Aretha (right).

Janine: "I was inspired this week by the Sparkle and Fade Cut Out Romper. 


I love the triangles and the variety of the print with only the simple triangle shape. This design is fairly easy and can be done just on one nail, two or all ten! Play with different color stripers or do the design on naked nails with a colored tip for a lace effect.



The Polish:
I used Floss Gloss Ltd Pro Nail Lacquer in Bassline for the base coat, Bikini Coral, Neon Nacho, Perf, Fastlane for the color scheme, and topped it off with Gloss for the top coat. All Floss Gloss Ltd lacquers are available online at Urban Outfitters. I used a nail art striper in white for the design.






The Steps:
Always base coat! Using a base coat will help make the longevity of your manicure longer and protect your nails from any staining from highly pigmented lacquers etc. This design can be modified for ability level by simply not doing step seven. Get playful! Try just one triangle on each side of the center front line or two center front lines! The possibilities are endless and because African Prints are so organic, the lines do not have to be perfect."


Step One:

Step Two:

Janine getting into the zone! (And showing off her crazy cool nail station)

Step Three:

Step Four:

Step Five:

Step Six:

Step Seven: Add the Gloss and...
Ta-da! Janine shows off her amazing work.


Already getting ready for next week? Stay tuned to find out!

Shop Floss Gloss and make sure to check back next week for Round Two!

Follow the girls on Facebook and Twitter at @FlossGloss 

From Elsewhere

05/17/13 01:30PM

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Della x UO Interview: Esenam Nyahe

Esenam was one of Della's first employees, and over the last three years has worked her way up to head seamstress. She lets us know what it's really like working with the other women on the Della team (hint: lots of fun).



Where did you work before Della?
I was a nanny. I loved the kids, but I wanted to start working as a seamstress, so I started looking and found Della when a friend told me about them. Della is my first actual sewing job, and I really enjoy it.

What is your role now?
I was one of the first to be at Della, so I am a leader. My teammates come to me when they need jobs to do and I assign them different tasks, like sewing parts of a bag or cutting more fabric.

What’s it like working with the other women on the team? Are you all close?
It’s cool. Everybody is friendly! We laugh and talk to each other a lot. We laugh when someone makes a mistake. When we were doing the moto jackets, someone sewed the sleeve upside down so the armpit was facing the wrong way. We laughed and teased her about it. We always laugh. Everybody is close.

Do you have any secret talents, or is there anything in particular you do to make people laugh?
Acting! I love it. I like to fool around and have fun. Once I was acting in a scene where I had a sick daughter and the husband couldn’t afford the hospital bills. I had to act really, really mad. It was fun because I didn’t know I could act to that extent.

What kind of music do you listen to?
Hip-hop. I like 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Rhianna and Beyonce. My siblings usually bring new music to our house, so I am always discovering new music from them.



What is a traditional Ghanaian style of dress?
We like to wear traditional clothing called a slit and kabba to church. The slit is a floor length skirt and the kabba is a top made in a matching fabric. You don’t buy slit and kabba in the store; they are custom-made for each person. I have so many of them I can’t count! On normal days, I prefer to wear simple clothes, like jeans and a t-shirt.

What’s a normal, jeans-and-a-t-shirt day like for you in Hohoe?
I like to stay in the house. I watch movies a lot! I can spend the whole day watching movies! I like American movies and television, like The Vampire Diaries and Twilight, but I don’t let my children watch those with me. We watch cartoons together, like Barbie.

The Vampire Diaries is definitely worth watching all day. What are your children like?
When I was seven months pregnant, my sister unexpectedly passed away during her son’s birth. With the help of my mother, we adopted him. Chris, my son, and Na, my daughter, are now five. My mom stays at the house watching the kids while I’m at work. As a single mother in Ghana, it is very difficult. You get judged. If you have a child out of wedlock, people talk about you. I don’t care what people think. We are a happy and healthy family, and that is all that matters.

Totally agree. Aside from providing for your family, what are your goals for the future?
I want to open an orphanage. When I see children on the streets every day, I feel bad for them. They are in the hot sun and have to sell things just to get by. There are so many orphanages that say they are first class, but they are not. Everyone has to share things from toys to even beds. Some babies even sleep in chairs. I want every child to be comfortable. I want them to have time for their books so that they can prepare for their future. I don’t want them to feel that if their parents were alive, things would be different.

Shop Della x UO



From Elsewhere

05/17/13 12:00PM

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Arrested Development Superfan Quiz

Oh shit, Vulture made an Arrested Development superfan quiz! You should absolutely spend the next 10 minutes of your life taking this thing. I am, and apparently I'm a terrible AD fan because this shit is super hard and I'm failing it as hard as I fail chemistry tests. See how well you can do! —Katie

From Elsewhere

05/17/13 11:51AM

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Diplo Reviews Daft Punk

Diplo reviewed Random Access Memories and... well, I don't know. Did he like it? Did he not like it? I DON'T KNOW HOW HE FEELS! That talking steel guitar video is a very accurate representation of the album, though. —Katie




From Elsewhere

05/17/13 11:50AM

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Look Of The Week: Marcello Ochoa

Hi Marcello! Can you tell us what you do at UO?
I'm the Men's shoe specialist and self-proclaimed MAAC-ster (Master of Men's Accessories). I work at the Gaslamp location in San Diego, CA. We've got our own hashtag, #27killz.

Can you tell us what you're wearing?
I'm wearing the Hawaiian Print Shirt by CPO with my Hawkings McGill Cutoff Chino shorts and my TOMS.

You're rockin' the Zach Braff in Garden State look today (but like a cool Zach Braff). What's your daily style like?
I draw style from a lot of different places. I love Kramer's style (from Seinfeld) because his patterns are always on point, but I also love denim jackets and vests and band shirts. If I gave it a name, it'd be "punk-rock Kramer", haha.

By the way, how do you feel about Garden State? People still tend to have a lot of feelings about that movie.
I love it! The story is great, plus I've been a fan of Zach Braff since he was on Scrubs, and I've always had a thing for Natalie Portman. I heard Zach Braff was making a follow-up to that movie and I couldn't be more stoked to see it.

What's the general style like out in San Diego?
Ironically enough I feel like my outfit in the photo describes San Diego style perfectly, haha. Shorts/swim trunks and patterned button-up combinations are literally everywhere I go.

Are there any new styles/trends coming into the store that you're pumped to wear? I am not mad at all about the resurgence of Zubaz.
My favorite part of summer time at Urban is the swim trunk collection we get so I'm super psyched about those. I've also recently become a big Nike fan so I love the Rosheruns we've been getting.

Where can we find you online?
You can see what I'm thinking on Twitter, what I'm eating on Instagram, what I'm listening to on tumblr, and watch me on Vine, @marcelloisgreat.

From New York

05/17/13 11:14AM

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Avant/Garde Premiers The Cycle Revealed

The Avant/Garde Diaries’ spring season is starting off with a new series entitled “The Avant/Garde Diaries Premieres.” Samantha Casolari’s film, The Cycle Revealed, a "ruminative exploration of Robert Lepage’s production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle at The Metropolitan Opera," will be the first event in the series. The event will take place Thursday, May 16 from 8-11 PM at 372 Broome St., NYC. There will also be performances by Valentin Stip, and a DJ set by Dave Harrington, one half of Darkside. —Katie

From Elsewhere

05/17/13 10:21AM

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Peace: "Lovesick"

Peace are made up of four guys from Birmingham, England, that a) know how to dress better than me, and b) know how to make some pretty excellent music. Their new video for the song "Lovesick," from debut album In Love, is a whirlwind true to the feelings of actually being lovesick. Watch Harry and Sam Koisser, Doug Castle, and Dom Boyce do donuts in the parking lot while serenading us with an incredibly catchy tune. These boys are my new favorite. —Maddie

From Philadelphia

05/16/13 02:45PM

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UO x Arts Thread Contest

Urban Outfitters & Arts Thread are proud to introduce the Make It Design Competition! We like to party, but we need your help getting ready! Design something amazing for our Urban Outfitter girl to wear to a party this winter. Five winning designers will receive an incredible prize package and have their pieces sold at select Urban Outfitters stores! Can you make it?!

Make It Design Competition

From Philadelphia


05/16/13 01:23PM

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What Would Ann Want?

Her? —Katie



What would Ann want?


Eggspress Heart-Shaped Egg Mold
For when she's got a hankering for a romantic mayonegg.


Diament Jewelry For Urban Renewal Vintage Name Bracelet
It doesn't matter that it doesn't say Ann. No one remembers her name anyway.


Anna Sui Rose Body Cream
I'm sure that Egg is a very nice person, but I don't want you spending all your money on diamond cream for her.


Staple Satchel Jersey Baseball Tee
Ann's low center of gravity makes her a great asset to the softball team.


A Hipster Joke Book
...She's really funny.


TLC - CrazySexyCool
She needs something to bring to the record burning party.

From Elsewhere

05/16/13 01:20PM

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The Office: Series Finale

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I am really going to miss The Office. Sure, the middle parts after Michael left were not the show's strongest (Robert California? barf), but after all of the shake-ups and weirdness, it evened itself out again, and I am going to have A Moment when I watch the finale tonight. Although I don't think my dream of Pam and Jim divorcing is going to happen (listen, an amicable divorce for each character to CHASE THEIR DREAMS would have been amazing), I'm sure the finale will still have some surprise moments. In the meantime, let's take a look back at some of the best Office moments. —Katie


Michael Scott on hunting
Pretty much everything out of Michael Scott's mouth on The Office was gold, especially the quicker, throwaway moments. The above clip is right after Michael spent like, a solid 8 hours going back and forth on who to fire. It is hilarious. Plus, he gives us really good life lessons, like, "I am Beyonce, always."


Michael Scott on dating
See? Hilarious! "Hi, I'm Date Mike. Nice to meet me." All he wanted was someone to love. :(


Dwight on the perfect crime
Dwight, you beautiful weirdo. Sadly, Dwight's spin-off about his beet farm didn't get picked up, but we'll still have plenty of OG Dwight moments to remember him by, like his idea of the perfect crime and his weirdest friendship with Pam.


Kelly Kapoor
Thank god Mindy Kaling got her own show because Kelly Kapoor was one of the best side characters on The Office. This day is bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s! Without her none of us would know how to use the cayenne pepper diet to look amazing in our bikinis.


Michael and Holly
DID YOU EVER LOVE SOMEBODY SO MUCH IT MADE YOU CRY? Listen, whatever fictional universe Michael and Holly are existing in, I hope they're happy. If Michael Scott makes a cameo on tonight's episode and things are anything less than perfect between this flawless couple, then you can rest assured that I will burn down my television. Pam and Jim divorce? Fine. Michael and Holly divorce? Universe is broken.


Tonight this will be me, constantly refreshing the iTunes sample of James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover." GOODBYE, MY OFFICE.



From Philadelphia

05/16/13 11:36AM

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Trend: Glow in the Dark

Not all things go bump in the night, some glow instead. Just like those stars you stuck to your ceiling in grade school that are still stuck there even though it's been almost 15 years. Those stars aren't burning out anytime soon, and neither is the glow in the dark trend that has been popping up! Here's what's inspiring us at the moment, followed some products to get you glowing like a worm. A really pretty, cool worm.—Ally


Alexander Wang



Johan Ku


Get Glowin':

Your fingers are now glow sticks. (Click the image above to watch this nail polish in action!)

You might only live once, but you can glow every day in this Corner Shop Tee. GLOW-LO!!!!

It's time to get out your black light, head to your local warehouse rave and dance the night away with these amazing glow-in-the-dark body paints!

Magical Thinking Wild Thing Glow-In-The-Dark Tapestry
I know what you're thinking: "No way."Well... YES way. THIS TAPESTRY SERIOUSLY GLOWS IN THE DARK. This takes things like glamping, nighttime beach parties and indoor forts to the next level. Count me in.

Stance x Lizard King Glow-In-The-Dark Sock
These socks would look so cool at that all-night kegger you're going to this weekend in the woods. Good luck trying to hide from the cops in these babies.

UO Glow-In-The-Dark Risky Sunglasses
So far, these are the only reason I can find for wearing sunglasses at night.

It's time to add a new element to your eighth grade ceiling with this Moon Wall Clock. A few more gems like this and your entire room will start to look like a Plane-arium.

You know, for when it's like... dark. Or whatever.

From London


(Photos via Stephanie Sian Smith)

05/16/13 11:20AM

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Bazaaaaar Pop-Up Interview: Bombe Surprise

Bombe Surprise is a London-based fashion label run by Nina Ribena, and it is currently featured at our Bazaaaaar store pop-ups. We recently spoke to Nina about the story behind her brand.



Can you give our readers a little background on yourself?
I’m Nina, and I’m from London and still live here. I did a film degree at the London College of Communication but hated it so I decided to teach myself how to sew and here I am, five years later!

Where does the name “Bombe Surprise” come from?
I spent ages trying to think of a name for my label but everything I was coming up with didn’t really work. My friend used to run a club night called Bombe Surprise and as soon as I heard the name it just made sense. I think Bombe Surprise is actually a French dessert but I take it to mean a collection of different types of weird and wonderful ideas!

How long have you been designing clothes?
I made my first outfit for myself five years ago. It was a blue catsuit with red strawberries on it. People liked what I was doing so I started a label for one-pieces called We Are All in One. As I started to get better at designing and making clothes I ventured into the world of separates and that’s when I started Bombe Surprise.



Your line can be found on Etsy. How do you think Etsy has changed fashion?
It has definitely made my designs a lot more internationally accessible. Most of my orders are from customers in the U.S. If you don’t look at fashion blogs or have your designs stocked in other shops, then I’m not sure how people would find my label without the help of Etsy!

What made you decide to start using the patterns that you do? Where did they originate? Are they traditional African patterns?
I used to work solely with jersey and stretch materials and it’s quite hard to find good patterns in those fabrics. When I found the wax fabric that I use now, I jumped on it straight away because it’s what I’d always been looking for! When I decided I wanted to make a whole collection out of it I looked into the history of it and found that the prints actually originated in Indonesia. They weren’t very popular there and were copied and imported by mostly Dutch tradesmen and shipped over to their posts in Africa where they really took off and became part of, and widely associated with, African fashion and culture. I wanted to connect that to the multicultural identity of my own background, and to how London is this great big melting pot of different cultures. There’s an artist called Yinka Shonibare that does a lot of work around the same subject.


Where do the materials you use for your clothing come from?
I buy all my fabrics from Petticoat Lane, East London.

Do you get your inspiration from London, or do you find yourself traveling a lot and getting inspiration from other places?
I travel a lot as I also dance in a band called Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs—but my big inspiration is London. I’ve yet to find somewhere so culturally diverse that isn’t completely segregated.



Who are some designers that you look up to?
Nasir Mazhar, Agi & Sam, Wanda Nylon, Moonspoon Saloon, Kit Neale, Katie Eary, Christopher Kane, House of Holland, Gareth Pugh.

What do you hope people take away from your line?
Confidence to wear bold patterns!



Where do you see your line heading in the next five years?
I’m turning the label into an online shop and who knows, maybe a real life shop. I want to design whatever I feel like and not feel like I’m constricted to a particular season or style.

What are you excited to see with the UO pop-up?
People being introduced to an array of patterns and styles they might not necessarily be familiar with.

Bombe Surprise



From Elsewhere


(Photo by Bekah Cope)

05/16/13 09:40AM

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Interview: Turf War

Turf War are a band made up of five dudes (John, Cecil, Brian, Brad and Ian) from Augusta, Georgia that have now made a name for themselves with their new EP, entitled The Great Escape. Their sound is heavily influenced by classic rock and roll, which I'm a massive fan of, but there is also a taste of the South, where the band grew up.  Below I talk to frontman John Robinson about the importance of that one band Nirvana, how where you live can influence your sound, and how the Strokes are still up there for him, and probably all of us. - Maddie

First off, how did you guys meet and start playing together?
We all grew up around each other with the exception of Ian. A few of us played in crappy punk and hardcore bands in Augusta when we were younger so we knew each other from that scene. We come from a smaller town so you can't be picky about who you play with. There's a small minority of people that are into the music I was into, and they all played in Turf War at some point.

Did growing up in the South have any influence on your music?
Yeah, big time. We like simple pleasures. My parents grew up in rural Alabama so they're some sweet home Alabama chanting motha fuckas. My mom listened to a lot of '90s country, some Clarence Carter and my dad got me into good country and Tom Petty, I also grew up listening to CCR a lot. I always thought they made the perfect music for what I thought of the South. Then I watched "Behind the Music" and found out they're from California. Oh well. Shit happens.


(Photo by Tim Song)

Your new EP, The Great Escape, definitely has some true rock and roll roots. Did any specific artists influence you when writing and recording the songs for it?
I take influences from the wide variety of music I listen to. For The Great Escape EP I wanted to go more roots rock than the first album. I don't think the title song is roots rock but the rest of it is more rock 'n' roll that anybody can get into. Kids, moms, dads, hipsters, druggies, homeless people... anybody.

How did you decide on the name 'Turf War' for the band?
Everyone asks that question. There really wasn't that much thought put into naming the band. I thought Turf War sounded cooler than the other names I came up with, and John Robinson and the whatevers just didn't have a good ring to it.

What is the album that had the most influence on you growing up that you still listen to today?
Nirvana, Nevermind. I can't escape the influence that Nirvana had on my life from age ten on. That was the first band that I knew who all the members were and I studied religiously and dressed like them and wanted to be them. We'll never be Nirvana but it would be nice to influence at least one kid the way they influenced me.



Since you guys are touring and will be playing Hopscotch Festival in North Carolina in September, who would your ultimate festival headliners be?
Man. That's a hard question to answer. I'm so fuckin' excited about Spiritualized headlining Hopscotch. That's a dream in its own. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers would be an amazing headliner.

Last but not least, what album could you never live without?
I would love to lie and say something cool like Exile on Main Street or a Replacements album, but honestly the first Strokes album is a time capsule for me. I can listen to that with some folks my age and for at least half of the record I feel 19 again. I don't get straight outta Compton I get straight outta high school.

Check out The Great Escape on SoundCloud, or get the limited white cassette tape here!

From Philadelphia


05/15/13 12:27PM

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Trend: Maxi Skirts

Maxi skirts are all over the place right now, and we should all rejoice. Don't feel like shaving your legs? Throw on a maxi! Don't feel like having your organs crunched by high-waisted denim? Throw on a maxi! Don't feel like taking off your PJ pants? Take 'em off, and throw on a maxi! With maxis you get to feel easy breezy and look good with almost no effort. It's a win/win! Here are some of our favorites. —Katie


The Reformation X Urban Renewal Bowery Maxi Skirt


Urban Renewal Button Front Maxi Skirt


Sparkle & Fade Silky Ombre Maxi Skirt


Ecote Double Slit Maxi Skirt


Pins And Needles Silky Double-Slit Maxi Skirt


Ecote Lace-Block Knit Maxi Skirt


Silence & Noise Geo Print High-Slit Maxi Skirt

Shop Maxis

From Elsewhere


05/15/13 12:14PM

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Della x UO Interview: Rachael Curtin

Rachael Curtin is the production manager at Della, and we recently spoke to her about how she came to work at Della, her favorite places in Ghana, and her newfound tolerance for spicy food.

Where did you go to school? What was your major?
I went to the University of Notre Dame. I majored in French and minored in European Studies. Naturally I never imagined I would be working at a place like Della, though I never knew anything like Della existed. Now I can safely say we were meant to be.

How did dorm and college life prepare you for living in Ghana?
When deadlines come, it’s like finals week. Sometimes it lasts quite a bit longer than your average end of semester freak out, though we manage it!

How did you become part of the Della team?
I first heard about Della while teaching English on an island east of Madagascar. My roommate heard about the job from a manager who was about to leave Della. Knowing my hobbies and interests, she recommended I apply for the position. I did and haven’t looked back.

What is your favorite Della product?
Definitely the bralette. I love that every square inch of the piece was touched by at least 60 hands. They were a labor of love, from the actual making of the batik cloth and the cutting, pinning, and sewing to the adjusters, buttons and button holes. To wear one is an absolute treat. Although I wear it here with a knee-length high-waisted white skirt, I can’t wait to go back to the US and wear it with some high-waisted jean shorts. Those don’t fly here because in Ghana we do not show thigh!



What’s your favorite place in Ghana?
Ghana is scorching hot, so I love to be near the ocean. There is a beautiful area where Lake Volta meets the sea and you need a boat to go anywhere. On a recent trip, a friend and I had to put his motorcycle in a canoe to get to our hotel called Meet Me There. It was well worth the hassle, with a diving platform off the restaurant into a lagoon, a five dollar a night beach hut and a wild ocean front, free of tourists.

What’s a typical day like for you in Hohoe?
A typical day involves a lot of walking/running/biking around town, various Della-related people coming to me to tell me anything from we lost a screw to there’s a goat in the office, and I brief the women on the day’s expectations after greeting them all and answer any questions they might have about anything.

What’s your favorite Ghanaian dish?
When I came, my diet consisted of mangos, popcorn, random sautéed vegetables and “red red”, which is a mixture of black-eyed peas, cabbage, ground up cassava, palm nut oil and fried plantains. Everything I ate was free of fish and not spicy at all. Now, I go out to restaurants with a plethora of international food choices and end up ordering something Ghanaian off of the menu. I order my salads with sardines now, and my rice with extra spicy sauce. I find that I enjoy the food more and more with time, although I do wish I had a bag of Cheetos and some Greek yogurt right now…

Would you recommend traveling and working abroad?
Certainly. I’ve traveled and worked abroad in three different countries, and each one has shaped me in different ways. They were perfect stepping stones to Ghana, and I only hope there will be another one. I’m generally a pretty easy-going person, and it might be because of that. Ghana has definitely presented a fair share of challenges, but I’ve never felt that I couldn’t tackle them head-on. Maybe it’s because I know climbing to the summit of Piton des Neiges was a lot more difficult?

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