MANIACAL ABOUT MANIAC
During our short day in LA, my mom and I discovered a japanese line we had never heard about at Maxfields-we pried the sales associates to tell us about it, but no one seemed to know much. They had only a very small selection. We first fell in love with the cropped bell-bottom frayed jeans we both bought-their tags said 'LGB'.
Later we found the most breathtaking leather jacket tucked away in the back of the store: layers of beautifully distressed leather, exagerated sleeves & assymetric cut, tiny little skull buttons....and an arrangment of peacock feathers going down the lapel. Very rock & roll but at the same time completely ethereal. We were told that this jacket was made under a label that was in the same group as LGB-that the group as a whole was called 'Maniac'.
My mom and I totally flipped out over that jacket...it was hard to leave the store without it. But I told myself that I would make it my mission to find out more about 'Maniac' and 'LGB' when we were in Tokyo.
Easier said than done-Maniac's amazing stores are unknown to even some of the most shop-savvy Tokyoites. They don't advertise and they don't allow their clothing to be photographed for magazines. It took some snooping-had to find out what the hell 'LGB' stood for (Le Grand Bleu as it turns out) and I got a little confused by the three store locations when I finally DID manage to find out where/what they were.
So if I have understood correctly, the 'Maniac Corporation' consists of their two lines: Le Grand Bleu (LGB) and If Six Was Nine. The lines are extremely similar, but LGB focuses mainly on denim. If Six Was Nine is all amazing rock n roll pieces-menswear and womenswear.
The three stores that the Maniac corp owns are Bedrock in Omotesando Hills, Le Grand Bleu in Azabudai, and Circus in Daikanyama.
All of the stores are very different. I can't even begin to describe to you how amazing the stores themselves are. I wish I could take pictures but it is strictly foridden in all of their stores.
Bedrock is probably the most impressive: to get to Bedrock, you have to go through a little backdoor in a cafe in Omotesando hills. That cafe would be the Forbidden Fruit cafe, which has great vegetarian curry by the way.
Bedrock is competely out of this world-without a doubt the most memorable shopping experience I have ever had. It's like you've left Tokyo and stepped into the world's coolest post-apocolyptic fall-out shelter. It's worth the trip just to see the store itself. There is an amazing gigantic terrarium in the back of the store too.
This is the Forbidden Fruit Cafe-go down an ominous flight of stairs to enter Bedrock.
This is the sign outside of Le Grand Bleu-the storefront is a great cafe.
Side door
The food there is *really* tasty.
Like I said, the stores themselves transcend verbal description. The only thing I can tell you is that if you're ever in Tokyo, you HAVE to go.
In addition to LGB and If Six Was Nine, their stores carry Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens, Givenchy, Lanvin, and John Galliano to name a few.
These big-name labels paled in comparison to what Maniac had to offer.
My mom and I decided that while we are in Tokyo, we only want to shop at Maniac's stores-the pieces we've purchased are now our favorite things in our closets.
I'll just shut the fuck up about how much I love this label now!! Let me show you a couple of the things I've come away with.
Wearing a raw silk charcoal caridgan by LGB, wax coated python-embosses tie-dye pants by If Six Was Nine, double layered tank top by LGB, Martin Margiela python clutch, Martin Margiela wooden clogs, and Yohji Yamamoto hat.
Here is what my mom wore yesterday.
The LGB bondage pouch pants-this is a men's pant.
Worn with vintage sequin jacket, Stella Mccartney mesh sandals, Ralph Lauren belt, Topshop tee
These are men's tie-dyed jeans. Mom is wearing them with a vintage jacket, vintage belt, and stella Mccartney mesh sandals.
I got this one-sleeved cream leather jacket for myself.
If Six Was Nine leather jacket worn with LGB bondage pouch pants (mine are womens jeans), LGB double layered tank, and Givenchy cowboy booties.
I have more Maniac things to show you-I think mom and I are going to run over their today to pick up some pieces for her.
Please do visit their website-they have some pictures of some of their collection but they don't do them justice at all, in my humble opinion.
I am so happy that I've come back from Tokyo with something that I truly love and am totally excited about-finding out about LGB and If Six Was Nine made this whole trip very special.
I would love to find out more about this somewhat mysterious label-the language barrier has made it difficult to ask the sales associates questions, but I do know *who* the designer is. He was eating lunch in the cafe the first time we visited. I'll try to find out more info before I leave!
jane that last outfit is absolutely divine on you - the jacket is amazing! It looks like you're having an awesome time in tokyo!!
xox.
The Voguette
Wow. As I was scrolling past these photos I could feel my eyes widen and my jaw drop. Thank you for sharing this incredible label with us. One more reason I need to visit Tokyo ASAP.
Your cream jacket is gorgeous!!!! I'm totally in love
Omg your python jeans are amazing! you and ur mum have such style. this brand sounds interesting... :P
xoxo
you look amazing, especially that first outfit, wow!
You both look beyond amazing!
I'm really enjoying all the Tokyo photos! Keep it up. It helps the rest of us feel like we're there =]
I cannot beleive that one sleeved leather jacket!!! To die for!! and the python pants... oh dear... I would love to get to Tokyo at least once in my life, my mom lived there for a while too.
Thank you so much for keeping us posted on your trip, I'm totally living vicariously right now.. haha
I've heard of If Six was Nine before, they have some really drool worthy-what-dreams-are-made-of stuff :)
FYI, Yoox carries both If Six was Nine and LGB.
jealous of your mums sequinned blazer and your huge clutch!!
heslington-jacobs.blogspot.com
i dont really like it... dik, i guess its just not MY style and i really dont like your vocbulary, please dont cuss! :)
Your moms jacket is amazing! I have been dreaming about something like this for a couple of month, gorgeous, really :)
I love how your mom introduces the idea of women wearing a men's skinny pant/jean-- that just opened new doors for my shopping! Also, the waxed python-embossed pant is TO DIE FOR. HOT! HOT! HOT! Thanks for sharing!
love those bondage pants and the tank top and that black cardi.. and the python pants.
all gorgeous!
oh my god love the way that leather jacket is pieced together. gotta start sewing like crazy. what a label!
also <3 the various shades of gold tempered with black in the first outfit. i feel like those pants should be really over the top and punk but they just come off as...almost elegant? with that drapey, ghosty-sleeved cardigan.
Jane, if your parents couldn't afford expansive fashion where would you shop?
Delilah
That cream jacket is so cute from behind. I just wish it had another sleeve. I know it's part of the jacket's charm, but I feel as though it'd be awkward to wear. The length and front detailing are gorgeous though.
sneaky sneaky little brand... so mysterious... nextime I'm at Maxfield I'll have to take a looksie.
Thanks so much for sharing, and I hope that someday I will get to see the stores in Tokyo myself!
pinknapoleon.blogspot.com
your leather jacket is awesome, i'm dying to be in tokyo to visit these amazing stores (i will study in tokyo in sep 2010) love your blog, and kiss from france jane.
such an inspiring post! amazing cardigan and jacket. i love the cool details of your mom's pouch pants!
Oh how exciting!! Like a fashion treasure hunt! No one is as creative and mysterious as Japanese designers!
The leather jacket is simply exsquisite, please so us some more!
x
http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/
Ooh yeah love your style like always. Your mom also always looks great. Isn't your sister a little bit jealous that you go to Tokyo and she not? I'm jealous haha. Curious to other posts!!
If six were nine and LGB are wonderful. The one sleeved leather jacket is beautiful.
muah x
Marian.
I Love love love the python pants and that leather jacket is AMAZINGLY great.
Your mom is hot
Amazing find, ladies! Those pieces are seriously SICK SICK SICK!!! Your tie dye pythons are very very exciting!! Are they actual python or an embossed denim python texture? The fray at the bottom leads me to believe that they are fabric but with the Japanese, you just never know. Boy I love Japan!!
Any ideas where in NYC one may find LGB and If Six Was Nine? Maxfield does not have a website and I don't visit LA that often.
Looks like you and your mom have found some kee-razy pieces on your travels!! I love your mom's sequin jackets. Wish I had one like it.
2 types of Macadamia nuts! I didn't know there were different kinds.
goood god. you just took yourself to a completely new level. from alice in wonderland to cowboy noir. congratulations. and your way is better than what noir looks like usually because its got that alice twist with the hat and your sweet alice face.
the creamy leather jacket KNOCKS MY SOCKS OFF. im a jacket girl. its like im a dying person, eyes clouded by mirage (seeing desert.)
and i would wear that first outfit every single day until you had to peal it off of my old wrinkled skin.
clothes make for the best toys dont they?
i found a hat like that on haight street. that single hat made me into a hat fiend and my wallet has thinned because of it.
evil hat.
I might have to steal that leather jacket of yours, it's one of the prettiest I've seen in a long time, kinda tired from the whole bomber jacket trend..
you and your mom look amazing!
check out my blog @
http://talitasbubble.blogspot.com/
People that think you look too over-the-top have certainly never been to Tokyo. ;) You both look very chic as far as I'm concerned.
I love the leather jacket it's so beautiful! You are so lucky to have these chances and such a fashion forward mom.
I hope you having a great time!
love the fashion kiwi
http://www.thefashionkiwi.blogspot.com
i am completely captivated by this rather avant garde line! their aesthetic is so appealing, perhaps due in part to their preference for remaining underground, so to speak- whatever the reason, it's certainly clever. how very margiela of them!
LOVE the one-sleeve jacket, with its "incomplete" construction. wow. i'm now tempted to remove a sleeve from something; how crazy is that! and the python-embossed frayed pants are insane.
i'm very glad you and your mom were able to locate some killer finds. sleuthing is fun, and obviously paid off, judging from the fantastic photos.
I'm really in love with that cream blazer! *cries* Thank you for discovering this lovely label and now I'm really hoping to get to Japan one day!
i have to say, i was starting to perfer your older style more, but this cream jacket made me change my mind. you have this way of pulling of completely insane looks and making them look amazing(:
I've been following ur blog since couple months but this is my first time comment :) I love about everything that you and your mom wear. Every single detail just so amazing.
. And reading ur blog made me thinking of starting a fashion blog.
I love your outfit with the snake scaley pants. Very unique!
My friends and I have been looking at this blog and we agree on the following:
1. Your have a horrible sense of style. The amalgamation of colors and patterns are simply not working.
2. There are a lot of people with seriously green eyes who obsess over every little thing you do because their lives are empty and without meaning.
3. There's really nothing about a rich Southern girl who wearing $1200 shoes in a recession.
TO ANN:
Is that long post your attempt at sounding educated? Just because it's not your taste does not mean it doesn't look good. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe people sincerely like the clothes and are not just kissing ass? Please honey...
I, for one, love it. Love clothes that are unique. Great buys!
you must have over $50,000 in designer shoes alone. each week you or your mom are showcasing the latest greatest shoes or clothes that you've acquired, usually with an uber high price tag. yet there are more people than ever in the US doing without the basic necessities. my question is when do you suppose abundance becomes excess and excess becomes greed. when does ones conscience kick in? you and your mom are in such a unique position to help others in the community. i hope you will blog about it sometime. i also hope you never have to find yourself roasting one of those designer shoes over a fire pit. you are young and you can make a difference and not just in the fashion world.
Those tye and dyes are Fierce and so are your wedgies. I have been following your blog for the longest time now, but just got around to actually commenting. Now i think ill do it more often. Looks like you are having the time of your life in tokyo. And you have such impeccable style. Always perfection. You are one of the most stylish bloggers here plus you are really pretty too. Like mother, like daughter, huh?
i am enamored. http://enamored-alifeofindulgence.blogspot.com/
I'm rarely ever fanatical but IMO you and your mom are freaking rockstars!! U are fashion, it is a lifestyle and the way you two commit to it is intriguing. I love this post, u really took us to tokyo, this time. Keep it up!
i am really digging your light makeup here.
CC
Hi Jane, I don't think you are trying too hard. You are still so young, have as much fun as you want. You look great, and people in Tokyo would definitely not think you are too contrived. They do things to the nth degree there (quote Tyler Brule :-) )
What a fabulous find! The apricot jacket is so unique and beautiful.
Also, you have the best-dressed mother I've ever seen, ha ha!
I found the If Six Was Nine label at a store in Prague last summer. I've since forgotten the name of the store but it carried goodies like CDG and Ann Demeulemeester. I took a photo of the shirt's label thinking I should look up the brand, and then forgot to. Boy did I miss out! Your purchases are gorgeous.
If six was nine, LGB are great labels!It sold out in Moscow boutiques. This brands are very popular in Moscow. My mom loves LGB pants sooo much!
I really appreciate that you open new brands for yourself. I hate when people wearing only magazine looks with popular brands, when everybody wearing the same clothes. This post is my favorite on your blog!Perfect jacket and I like your clutch!
You live for shopping. You buy shoes just for wearing it once in your life. You only buy, buy, buy.....I loved your blog in past but now it looks like n-a-p.com or luisaviaroma.com.I think you need something else than shopping
I love reading about your fashion adventures. It's always so interesting. :)
I like your cream jacket very much - it's a very nice colour.
Enjoy your Tokyo trip!
Cheers,
Kate from
http://theleftlook.com