Blog Posts by Julie Pereira, Thread Blogger

Ash Lendzion at SXSW | Photo by Ariel Kaiser for The ThreadBetween rocking our faces off at SXSW and taking in all the sights of the festival's host city, we ran in to the painfully adorable and put-together Ash Lendzion on the streets of Austin. If you don't recognize her, fear not--you will soon. Lendzion is, in addition to Heather Morris' (of "Glee"/Beyonce backup dancer-fame) bestie, playing Forest, "Selena Gomez's [character's] friend from church youth group," in the upcoming and much-buzzed-about film "Spring Breakers." Starring the former Disney Channel starlet, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Benson, and a be-cornrowed James Franco, the film is debuting at SXSW and follows the story of four...let's say "adventurous" young women and their relationship with a sketchy guy. Lendzion told us, "I play Forest...and I find out [Selena Gomez's character, Faith] is going to spring break with the naughty girls." And while Lendzion describes Forest's style as "small town emo punk girl...I wear colored hair extensions and huge hipster glasses (which I

Uncanny. | Photo courtesy of Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images / AP Photo/Thibault CamusFashion Week is in full swing over in the City of Lights, with some of the biggest fashion houses presenting their Fall 2013 collections. One of those designers is the heritage fashion house Balmain. Lately, Balmain has been all about embellished mini dresses and plenty of leather, and this season they sent a collection of totally rad, late-'80s, early-'90s-inspired outfits shuffling down the runway. And, like The Thread, they're having an epic bout of nostalgia. Big shoulders, puffy sleeves, and belted, lamé jumpsuits dominated the catwalk, and while the clothes were typically well-crafted and gorgeously rich-looking, all I could keep thinking was, "You Can't Touch This," and/or "Stop: Hammer Time." Balmain's big-shouldered leather jacket with an ostentatious gold belt and a head-to-toe gold lamé getup would have been right at home in one of MC Hammer's music videos circa 1990. The early '90s rapper and pioneer of dressing like a genie may have other things to worry about these

Durran with her EE British Academy Film Award | Photo courtesy of Dave M. Bennett/Getty ImagesWhen last we spoke with award-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran, we were crossing our fingers for an Academy Award nomination for the lauded designer's most recent effort, "Anna Karenina." Now, with the Oscars quickly approaching not only is she nominated, but she's a favorite to win! And for good reason--"Anna Karenina" has been referred to as "costume porn" by some and as visually stunning by pretty much everyone else. From sumputous furs to sweeping ballgowns, the film is chock full of stunning outfits and accessories we're lusting over here at The Thread. We got a chance to ask Durran a few burning questions about her process and the making of "Anna Karenina."

The Thread: How did you get started in costume design? What made you want to go down this road?
Jaqueline Durran: Well, I had finished at university and didn't really know which direction to go in and I realized in my early 20s that costume designing existed as a job by watching TV and watching films. I realized that

The girls at the 1997 Brit Awards | Photo courtesy of Getty ImagesWe're experiencing some serious pangs of nostalgia for the '90s here at The Thread. We're waxing romantic on everything from overalls to daisies, but don't worry--we haven't forgotten one of the greatest things to come out of the decade: the British girl group, The Spice Girls. For those of us that had the profound privilege of growing up with Ginger, Baby, Posh, Sporty, and Scary, there are more than a few reasons why we miss them, but these are the most pressing. We'll tell you what we want, what we really, really want: more girls like The Spice Girls. Sorry we're not sorry.

1. There was something for everyone
If you liked sports (especially soccer), Mel C aka "Sporty Spice" was your favorite of the group. Were you a clotheshorse and/or a little bit goth? Victoria "Posh Spice" was the LBD-wearing gal for you. If you were a girly girl with a sweet tooth, Emma "Baby Spice" was right up your alley. You loved Geri "Ginger Spice" if you were either a.) a little bit bossy or b.) a redhead.

Mark Badgley, Nicole Henry and James Mischka hang out backstage before the show | Photo courtesy of Julie Pereira for The ThreadNaturally beautiful and freakishly talented, jazz chanteuse Nicole Henry has a lot going for her. In addition to her burgeoning music career and the release of her latest live album, "So Good, So Right," she's close friends with two of fashion's brightest stars: Mark Badgley and James Mischka of their eponymous line, red carpet staple Badgley Mischka. We caught up with the singer and her designer friends backstage before the moody and Hitchcockian Badgley Mischka Fall/Winter 2013 show.

The Thread: We know that you're fans of Nicole's, but are you fans of jazz in general? Does it influence your design process?
James Mischka: Well first of all, Nicole is influencing jazz right now--not the other way around! But, actually I'm not usually a fan of jazz. I love Nicole's version of it, though.
Mark Badgley: We've seen her in concert twice now and both times were such amazing experiences--once downtown and once at Lincoln Center--and her spin on it and her song selection are completely up our

Siriano loves Bounce | Photo Courtesy of Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesWe have all experienced embarrassing fashion moments that we’d like to forget, but luckily, designer Christian Siriano has teamed up with Bounce to give us the opportunity to laugh at those fashion faux pas. With the "Stick it and Forget it” sweepstakes comes the chance to win a new winter wardrobe styled by Siriano, and, more importantly the opportunity to learn from past style mistakes.. The Thread spoke with the wildly success "Project Runway" winner and red carpet master to see what trends he'd like to see go away, and who he wishes he could style.

The Thread: How did you get involved with the Bounce "Stick it and Forget it” sweepstakes?
Christian Siriano: We were just talking to the girls in my office--they come in and their dresses are all staticky so [the Bounce dryer bar] really helps with that. You just don't need to think about [static] every day. The whole idea of "Stick it and Forget it" is what it's all about! I think that's why it's really cute, it just really makes sense.

Prabal Gurung for Target Sweatshirt, $29.99 Photo Credit: Splash News Oh, to be a stunning, wildly talented and successful actress. Oh, to be besties with one of the fashion industry's hottest, coolest, and most handsome designers. Oh, to be Zoe Saldana. Our girlcrush was recently spotted in an incredibly affordable--like, REAL LIFE afforable, not "fashion affordable"--piece from the Prabal Gurung for Target collection not 24 hours after his Carnival-themed launch party in New York. Gurung, a Nepal native, shot to stardom in 2009 for his unique and cutting-edge designs. After winning the CFDA Fashion Fund Award in 2010, he went on to become a favorite of fashion icons like Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Middleton, and (obviously) Saldana.

Like the bright, kaleidoscope-printed top? It's a steal at only $29.99--but we have some bad news. You can't buy it or any other piece from the collection until February 10th, 2013. Check out the whole collection here, and be sure to visit Target for an inside look at Gurung's stylish and wallet-friendly collaboration. We know

Clockwise from top left: Alabam Shakes, Frank Ocean, fun., Hunter Hayes, The Lumineers | Photos courtesy of Getty ImagesSome people have called winning the Grammy award for "Best New Artist" a kiss of death--many past winners failed to find success after snagging the award. But whoever snags the award this year will be in good company with past winners like The Beatles, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, and Adele. Yeah, no biggie. Let’s get familiar with this year's nominees.


fun. – Let's be honest, guys: if you haven't heard one of fun.'s many earwormy jams by now, chances are you've been living under a rock. In a cave. On Mars. Whether it's the Janelle Monae-assisted "We Are Young" or the anthemic hit "Some Nights," most of the band's tunes feel like instant classics. They've been working together since 2007--after the break up of his old band (The Format) lead singer Nate Ruess asked his buddies Andrew Dost (formerly of the band, Anathallo) and Jack Antonoff (formerly of Steel Train) to join him to create fun. (And yes, Antonoff is designer Rachel Antonoff's brother and is currently dating "Girls"