September 30, 2009
two to tango
teamwork. i love it.
fall mixtape fun
we've compiled a mixtape playlist of fall-ish songs for all to enjoy!!
wednes-diy
bleachblack had an awesome diy post last week, which i wanted to share here. especially because one of my friends already did this...
high-tail it to your local craft store and make one! for your purse, your car, your bike, whatever...
September 29, 2009
sample sale
we had an outdoor sample sale here on friday...just for employees. needless to say, folks like sample sales.
your fave band?
in high school, my favorite band was the cure. i would have DIED for robert smith and simon gallup...
who is/was your fave band when you were in school? send me a picture...cyotter@freepeople.com.
:)
September 28, 2009
we need you!
come one, come all...
pretty thing
knighttcat just posted about charlotte lohmann...
she made an appearance on our may 09 homepage...see below...she IS lovely.
brian andreas
brian andreas makes art from old barnwood and incorporates words about a specific moment or memory...
this is my favorite thing about his work, really, as mentioned on his site:
"we believe (fiercely) in the power of stories, not because they're our stories, but because it is valuable & right to protect the precious connections between people."
one lump or 2...
check out siebe warmoeskerken...his photos are cute, but what i really love is his video. that's my kind of style...
Cookie splash from De Vetpan Studios on Vimeo.
monday quote
kind words will unlock an iron door...
turkish proverb
be nice today. be nice every day...
photo by way of ffffound.
September 27, 2009
punkin pie
i made a pumpkin pie the other day, to ease into the knowing that autumn is slowly on its way.
i didn't write the recipe out anywhere, but i'll type it out for you, in case you want to make...
filling:
1 can pumpkin (i used organic whole pumpkin, but you can use whatever you like)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp sea salt
* and if you're so inclined, 4 oz of cream cheese!
mix pumpkin and spices together. add remaining
ingredients. mix slowly but thoroughly. pour into 9"
pie shell. bake at 375 degrees for about 50 min.
let cool for a smidge, then dig in. :)
September 26, 2009
sowa
if you're in boston this weekend - sunday, to be exact - stop by the sowa open market!
you'll find painters, sculptors, photographers, clothing and jewelry designers, milliners, handbag designers, house wares, florists, bakers, local farmer's produce and much more every week!
540 harrison ave. boston, ma
September 25, 2009
tgif
some of us out on the town...
enjoy the weekend! be safe.
going up the country
in case any of you are interested (and i suspect one or 2 of you are, especially if you're my mother), i am accompanying 2 friends on a drive cross-country next week. :)
not sure i'll have as amazing a collection of travel photos as nike's, but...i'll try and share some of my sights/adventures with you via the blog...
maybe i'll see some of you...asheville, new orleans, austin, etc. :) unfortunately, not in a cool bus such as below...
black spot books
margaux kent lives in philadelphia. she has a beautiful son and endless talent. check out her wares at her etsy site, the black spot books.
September 24, 2009
not so fast, mark...
on tuesday, ny daily news reported that designer mark fast intended to use plus-size models on the runway during london's fashion week.
his stylist and creative director quit 3 days before the show.
if the girls pictured are his models, i think he did a rad job, but...what do you think?
thursday poll - edition 61 - tighten up/sock it to me
where does the time go? honestly...
last week we asked you which we the free cover-up you liked best; of the 496 that responded, 237 of you - nearly half of you - liked the wtf silk blazer. :)
i liked that one, too.
onto this week. now that fall is slowly approaching, and we've got to think about keeping warm and looking rad, what tights/socks do you like the best? and if you have an opinion as to why, please write and share your thoughts with us! we'd love to know...
let's start with the double-dye tight...
the backseam sheer hose...
and then our socks, starting with the mosaic cable over-the-knee...
and then the mesh stripe legwarmer, which is more like a footless sock, but...
vote! vote! vote! vote!
AND!!! to boot (no pun intended), we're offering a special on these items right now...buy 1, get 1 free!!!!!
new designer!
meet our new we the free designer!
and see what she likes...and dislikes.
what is your job here at fp?
designer for we the free
what is your current state of mind?
confused
who are your heroes?
hmmmm.............successful people in general?
what would you choose to be in your next life?
big bow
who or what is your greatest love?
jeff ma & mirabel
name one thing necessary to your happiness.
food & family (oops! accidentally wrote 2 things!)
what, if anything, do you hate the most?
cad bodies...my ex-colleagues would share the same feeling
if you had a band, what would your band name be, and what instrument would you play?
fartloud - bassoon?
what color are you?
white or gold
what's your motto?
work hard, don't get stressed
holy ship!
that's right...we are shipping across the globe! click here to see a list of all the countries to where we can deliver our goods...
miranda july
by way of booooooom.com...
artist/writer/beautiful miranda july taking moments from classic movies and making them her own...
September 23, 2009
abigail breslin
spotted in our we the free store...one of our fave fp girls ever, abigail breslin!
make a terrarium!
a few folks from the home office attended lord whimsy's terrarium workshop in philly two sundays ago...hosted by jay from arthur mag.
i have yet to make any of the aforementioned, but the class was really inspiring. i kind of want my whole house filled with terrariums...
here's a little video from the event, too...
i met one of our blogreaders, there, too...if you made your terrarium, share it with us!
harvest bazaar
if you're in philadelphia today, stop by the navy yard and our communal building 543. the urban gogreen committee - with terrain at styer's - is hosting a harvest bazaar!
it looks awesome!
wtf designer search - nyc!!!
hey there, we've got another opportunity for designers interested in adding to our we the free collection!
come out to the wtf store in brooklyn - 113 smith st - this thursday, sept 24th! we'll be there from 12 to 3pm.
bring along your women's apparel/accessories!
in the meantime, take a look at the event we held in hollywood last month.
September 22, 2009
girls on film on music
another installment from our very own go-to girls about awesome tunes...
kurt vile – god is saying this to you
this comes under the intimidating genre “psych folk” but really it’s just dreamy guitar loops with dylan-esque charm. and here’s a fact for you – that’s kurt vile’s dad on the cover of this album.
brendan benson – my old familiar friend
have a listen to “tiny spark” and tell me you didn’t do a little jig in your chair.
crystal stilts – crystal stilts
the lo-fi sound and super 8 videos have this brooklyn-based group posed as kings of hipster cool, but in a good way.
tune yards – bird brains
ok, there had to be some serious restraint not to totally gush about this band, this album, and in particular this vinyl. it’s not for everyone, but it will definitely make you sit up and listen.
blondie - parallel lines
though this is the band’s third album, it is their most popular by far. it’s the perfect getting-ready, singing-in-the-hairbrush record.
the blasters - the blasters
once a fixture on the LA punk scene, they can now be heard playing in the background of episodes of true blood. they are a complete dichotomy: LA punks with a heart in the bayou. and come on, they toured with queen!
clash - combat rock
last clash album with its’ original line up, combat rock has the band flirting with rap, funk, and reggae, and it even has a cameo by poet allen ginsberg. plus, MIA’s “paper planes” main riff is sampled from the song "straight to hell".
ella fitzgerald - sings the cole porter song book
this is the first album in ella's song book series, and the best rainy sunday music that ever existed. *fun fact – it’s one of only 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be in the National Recording Registry*.
click here for a sampling of the above...enjoy!
peace pleace
just saw this on urban's blog, and wanted to share it with you all, too...
promote peace today, even if it's just in a smile. :)
urban outfitters' blog is amazing - check that out, too.
girlz
this video from the band girls is awesome...
NOTE: the f word is used a few times in this song...if you're offended by this word, maybe you might want to wait for the next post. :)
go, san francisco!
September 21, 2009
space 1520 - leonard cohen
from dez at our we the free store in hollywood:
folk fans will unite as amoeba music presents a special screening of "leonard cohen: live at the isle of wight festival 1970". the concert film captures the iconic cohen at his commercial peak in 1970 as he performs his bittersweet ballads to a packed crowd of starry-eyed hippies and fans at the isle of wight festival--a coachella of the 70's, if you will...the dvd won't be released until next month, and this screening is free and open to the public.
pop in and say howdy to the we the free girls while you're there!
here's leonard performing "suzanne"...amazing!
monday, sept 21st. 8pm. space 1520.
convertible scarves
we've got some new scarves in our free people assortment...take a look at our little videos for different ways to wear 'em!
first, our convertible leopard swing wrap...
and then, our rib sleeve wrap!
more to come!!
cuz this is thriller
our senior designer gianna became a mom for the second time this weekend...
thriller's just a few weeks old, but g is feeding him here at work and keeping him real comfy. they are so lucky to have one another...
monday quote
from edgar allan poe...
"those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."
enjoy your week, everybody...
September 20, 2009
drawing for food
kris chau has been on our blog many times, but she and fellow illustrator hawk krall were featured in philly's local city paper...wanted to share it with y'all. they collaborate on a blog - drawing for food - that is awesome and if you want to know about what's good eats in philly it is even more awesome.
eat, drink and be merry. it's sunday!
September 19, 2009
flea fi fo fum...
if you're in ny this weekend, check out some of these flea markets!!! you just might find something that'll make you happy.
September 18, 2009
on the road to ruin
i kind of want to live out my weekend on a bike now...
from rackk and ruin...
tgif
one of our sample coordinators, sam...coming out of the closet, but only to enjoy her weekend! please do the same. :)
take a picture - it'll last longer
this weekend, take at least one picture. if for no other reason but to try and remember something beautiful...
like if the light is nice and you like your new ring alot...
or if you see something someone is wearing that's awesome...
or your dream car (this is mine)...
or if you meet some nice guys on the train named tex and kc...
:)
September 17, 2009
we the free! thursday poll - edition 60
hello all,
last week we asked you about some of our favorite statement necklaces...
and the winner - by a leap and a bound - is our gem stranded necklace with 245 votes!!
so this week...we wanted to find out what layering pieces from our we the free collection you're diggin. there are 3 to choose from:
we the free drapey knit blazer
or, the we the free silk mesh back top?
thanks, as always, for sharing your opinion. :)
vanessa bruno
okay...this video has been posted on so many blogs. but it's one of the most beautiful i've ever seen...and i wanted to share it.
hope you all think it's lovely, too.
September 16, 2009
musicfest
hey you folks in the northwest! in portland, to be exact...
this festival sounds amazing...go!
sooooo many bands, including this one, whose video i love a whole lot.
from the desks of babes, pt 2
wednes-diy
fpgirl katie found this on bleachblack...so rad.
and knighttcat had something like this on her blog...
pin-up!!!
and then there's office style...
office style took a bit of a twist...we started wearing each other's outfits...
first, doub and alex..
then, kristal and gianna...
can you tell who was wearing the outfit first?
September 15, 2009
office style!!!!!!!!!
spotted around the office today...
patrick
thanks for giving us dirty dancing, point break, ghost, donnie darko, etc etc etc...
williamsburg fashion week
if you can't get into any of the fashion week festivities in ny (or even if you can), take the L train to williamsburg and check out brooklyn's answer to the big event - williamsburg fashion weekend.
wfw opens its sixth season on september 18th and 19th, at secret project robot. :)
9-15-09
in the spirit of this recent beatles revival, please take some time this morning to revel in their glory...this video breaks my heart in a good way.
September 14, 2009
alexander wow
i want to wear this. by alexander wang. would you?
via the wonderful knighttcat.
sebastian mlynarski
sebastian mlynarski is a great photographer...his nature scenes kind of take my breath away...
monday quote
some monday affirmation for you...courtesy of a very gentle soul.
"keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."
so true...
September 13, 2009
be your own best critic
having a second, or even third, opinion when you're shopping is sometimes super helpful. that's why we're featuring some of our top product reviewers this week...
if you find a reviewer whose style you like, visit their profile to see what other products they liked and what they put on their wishlist (if they made it public). to access a reviewer's profile, simply click on their nickname!
it's really easy to do...go here to find out how!
September 12, 2009
a lil home office magic
just a little sampling of jenna's talent...as she creates the artwork for what will become one a lovely feature of our reversible lace patch tank!
voila!
September 11, 2009
stylin in boston
and for our fans/readers in the northeast...doub and lauren will be stopping by our boston store next friday, the 18th, to offer up styling tips/advice!!! don't miss it.
:)
tgif
an aerial view of the north end of our office, building 15...
happy weekend, everybody!!!
feline fine...
just cuz...someone left this on my desk and i love 'em to bits.
glamford
come out to our stanford store in california this weekend and get glam!! enter a raffle to win a free people gift card with purchase of our select "glam" items.
click here for more info. :)
September 10, 2009
thank you julie!
today is our visual display intern julie's last day...
during her stay, she worked on developing some holiday in-store displays! here's a sneak peek of what you may see...
and she took the time to write this little note, which i'll transcribe for you in a sec.
"hi, my name is julie and i have been working with the free people visual team since june. today is my last day and i have had so much fun here! my favorite part of my internship was helping to make prototypes for upcoming displays. also being able to witness how creative and hard-working everyone is has been really exciting. one thing i will take with me is to keep working hard and let others inspire you and that is will impact the quality of your work. thanks for having me, free people family! thanks!"
thank you! be good!!!
thursday poll - edition 59
hey everybody! what's going on? enjoying your day? good!
so, last week we asked you about bold vs. ditsy prints. the majority of you chose our freecycle cropped work top; we'll be talking to you about freecycle real real soon.
in the meantime, let's think about necklaces, shall we?
which one would you want most to make a statement with?
or the gem stranded necklace?
please vote! thanks...
from the desks of babes
some of our co-workers' most favorite things from their desks...
more to come...
kevin e. taylor
check out kevin e. taylor if you live in or around san francisco...his show "terrestrial syndrome" is opening at the shooting gallery there this saturday. he's really very talented.
THE SHOOTING GALLERY
LOCATION: 839 larkin St between o'farell & geary
GALLERY HOURS: tuesday - saturday 12pm - 7pm
September 9, 2009
girls on film on music
hey...welcome to a new segment here on the blog... :)
(i love the name so much!!!!)
fp girls merrie and sarah review a few albums for your listening pleasure, and take real cute photos of 'em, to boot.
1. discovery, LP – it’s a shame you can’t see how colorful this album
cover is here, but good news is the songs are in no way dull. this is rich,
synthy pop that merits an aHa-style video.
2. dum dum girls, self-titled – california lo-fi is becoming way more
prominent and the dum dum girls make this is a seriously good thing. tell
me you don’t shimmy a little during "ship of love."
3. dead weather, horehound – this year has seen the emergence of many a
super-group, but dead weather may be the leader…with jack white
compositions and alison mosshart attitude, horehound is like a soundtrack for
a movie that hasn’t been written yet.
4. cotton jones, paranoid cocoon –– the cover for this album is a COLLAGE
I TELL YOU! someone out there has amazing elmer’s glue fingers, which is
ok, because cotton jones is very very good inspiration for being laid back
and still for a little while. RELAX ALREADY.
5. hawaii calls – the summer is almost over but these songs always make the
sun come out.
6. george michael, faith – the supermodels of the ‘90s are making a major
comeback right now and this is the soundtrack to celebrate. FASHION WEEK
HERE WE COME!
7. george harrison, all things must pass – george looks like King of the
Countryside on this album cover, sat on his tree stump throne, and this
four-album set is equally regal.
8. sam cooke, the best of sam cooke – there’s something about these songs
that are both completely of their day but fresh-sounding anyway. the right
kind of stuff for the start of fall when you’re just waiting for someone to
light the first bonfire.
and then, you can listen to the music, too!!!! except we couldn't link up to the dum dum girls, so you have to check out their myspace.
sam amidon
this video is so stinkin cute...i need to know more about this sam amidon.
styling event in ny!
our in-house stylist and creative director are headed to the big apple next week for our 2nd installment of "styling how-to's"! sept 16th AND 17th...
stop by and get gussied up!
wednesday inspiration
forgive me...i don't know where the first image came from, but the b/w image is hedi slimane's, and the drawing is by mike brodie. :)
September 8, 2009
visit fp on fashion's night out
visit our king of prussia or soho stores between 6 and 11pm this thursday - get a free gift!
in the name of supporting something we all love...
to learn more about the global event, click here.
live with animals
i travelled out to williamsburg with my buddy for an outdoor art/music festival...was awestruck by this collaborative installation at live with animals.
the show is called "fit for habitation"...
210 kent ave. brooklyn, ny.
heat seal
if you look around our site right now, you'll find a few items that are embellished with studs/jewels via a process called heat sealing.
here, one of our knits designers - courtney - shows you how it's done. :)
click here to view our heat-sealed items!
september inspiration
for fp's september catalog, our creative director found some of her inspiration in jack pierson's book, desire/despair.
hope you all enjoy this catalog! curious who your favorite model is...
September 7, 2009
fashion's big night out
if you're in the big apple on sept 10th, come out and support fashion in all its glory...
fashion's night out is a global initiative designed to engage and entertain and inspire consumers, and invigorate the economy and local industry.
in ny, participating stores will be hosting events from 6 til 11pm. champagne, designers, models...across all five boroughs! proceeds from the sale of their special fashion's night out t-shirt will go toward the national september 11 memorial and museum. and there's a clothing drive...AND! 13 other cities across the globe will be celebrating, too. support and celebrate!!!!
danielle buetti
danielle buetti...perforated photos illuminated from behind w lightboxes.
via today and tomorrow...
September 6, 2009
terrariums!!
my friend brooke is hosting a terrarium workshop in collaboration with arthur mag!!!
this is so cool...i'm definitely going.
sign up soon!
road less travelled
the post about amelia merrick made me want to seek out more images of nomadic types...santiago mostyn's book all most heaven did that, and then some.
September 5, 2009
15 coaches long
some cool pix of trainhoppin' going live at benna's cafe in philly on friday, sept 11th.
my grandfather used to jump on bethlehem steel cars from his farm into the "city"...always loved that image...i think you'll love the ones taken by amelia merrick.
benna's. corner of 8th and wharton.
opening 9/11 from 7 to 9pm.
September 4, 2009
tgif
have a lovely holiday, says dexter...
don't worry...he got a treat for his hard work! :)
come sale away
get great stuff on sale...click on the ad to find a store by your house/apt/school/etc.
teepees for a cause
at the onset of summer, a group of amazing designers/artists congregated to build 6 teepees at the surf lodge in montauk, ny - bob melet, mike diamond, robert mckinley, tracy feith and rogan gregory...all to benefit the local skate park there! how rad.
unfortunately, east hampton's fire marshall demanded they be taken down soon after...but, kudos to these busy guys for giving their time and muscle for kids and what they love.
thanks for finding, meredith!
chicago, chicago
our friends at we the free chicago told us about the jazz festival going on in grant park this weekend...
if you're in town, don't miss it! and stop by and say hi to our team. they'll be around with catalogs and good vibes. :)
ok...more bikes, then!
bailey sent us a comment, re: yesterday's post about the bike exhibit at moore college here in philly...
"i just mosaiced a bike and i thought it would fit in with this little blurb!"
you bet! thanks for sharing...
September 3, 2009
bold as love - thursday poll - edition 58
hello everyone...thursday again?
we asked you last week to share your feedback about whether you were digging feminine or boy-ish looks...not too many comments, but the poll results show lady luck was on your side...199 of you voted for the lovely louisiana top!
this week, we've got another toss-up for you: bold prints vs. small allover prints?
you choose:
bold prints first...
the abstract floral dress...
and then some smaller prints...
double-v rouched top...
or the free cycle cropped work shirt...
bold...ditsy...what do you think?
are you sick of home office pix yet?
:)
moore bikes, please
from fellow fp'er whitney...she has a good eye.
"i stopped by moore college of art and design to pick up my bike from the bicycle: people + ideas in motion exhibit. there was one bike there that screamed free people; wish i would have had my camera.
(NOTE: whitney went back and grabbed some pix for us - rad)
it was all done up with glitter, small figurines, flowers, etc. it definitely wasn’t for riding but it was wonderful to look at.
bicycle: people + ideas in motion celebrates philadelphia’s passion and commitment to the bicycle with exhibitions and events that explore the art and design of the bicycle—from functional object to a canvas for good causes, personal expression and civic-mindedness.”
runs through october 13...
dark circles
this is dark circles. it's briana's band, with help sometimes from her sister mikele. and kyle and anthony. they are pretty incredible with a hint of creepy. and are playing at johnny brenda's in philly on the 15th...with sian alice group and the war on drugs. please go and see them before they become wildly famous.
September 2, 2009
martin's school
some more touching stories from merrie, re: her travels in india...
"these are some pics we took last monday while visiting a school on 'baas,' a small village outside delhi.
the school was created 2 years ago in an area where the children have no access to a good education. its founder was the naval attache for the british high commission in india years ago, who ended up staying in india with his wife. together, they built an amazing home which they have opened as a guesthouse (bed and breakfast) for tourists.
it was fascinating to hear his stories of what he has been through with the indian government and the villagers while trying to help the children, but he perserveres, undaunted...amazing 'chap."
these pics are from the morning assembly they were having...all the children lined up singing songs and dancing with their music teacher ("mary had a little lamb," etc.).
when i popped my head in to take a peek, all the children stood up, unprompted by their teacher, and greeted me with "good morning madame". very sweet.
martin offers internships to english-speaking students to expose the children to other accents, etc. when we were there, a young girl from britian was just finishing up her month spent with the children. it was very emotional for her to leave, as the children performed their songs for her farewell..."
public domain
cool video made for gold panda using found movie footage...cool. did i say cool?
GOLD PANDA - Back Home from NO-FACE Films on Vimeo.
todd selby
is my hero.
if you haven't seen his blog, you must you must you must! he features pix, paintings and videos of interesting people and their creative spaces. so very inspirational.
samesies
this is the most amazing, clever photo project. ever.
folks look for photos that look like photos they took and post 'em together.
it really is a small, awesome world...
September 1, 2009
treat up...
our assistant stylist anna shared some treats with the home office, courtesy of her mom (who sent them from memphis)...
russian tea cakes, lemon squares, peanut butter and sugar cookies...
kevin loves them.
thank you, mrs. brugge!! you made our day.
isaac schell
i stumbled across isaac schell recently, and fell in love with his photos...
hope he shows again soon!
embellish your own tights!
fpgirl katie found yet another cool DIY project - this one involves studs and tights, by erica domesek...
if i did just half of these projects, i'd be pretty amazing.
from refinery29.com...
DIjulY
we just got a comment from lowra, re: recycling her july catalog.
check it out...
pretty sweet...