How monks get their kicks
AS badass celibate dudes go, few men of the cloth can contend with the fear factor of China’s world-famous Shaolin monks, Buddhist devotees whose mad martial-arts skills have earned them a reputation as bald Bruce Lees. But while their traditional monk robes may leave something to be desired fashion-wise, Shaolin monks sport surprisingly chic footwear – courtesy of feel-good company Rubber Duck.
The Rubber Duck “Shao” shoe is a totally bendy sneaker available in a rainbow of colors – this season, in fashionable gold and silver – and soled with a special rubber created especially for Rubber Duck.
Perfect for fighting, meditating, lounging around the monastery or, well, shopping. The “Shao” by Rubber Duck, from $50 at rubberduckbrand.com
The sweet escape
“Everything is sweet. We’re hooked on sugar and our society is obsessed with it,” says Jerra Spence, founder of Sugar Hooker Entertainment, explaining the name of her record label and clothing company.
Spence is an accidental designer. The dripping ice-cream T-shirts she made to promote her record label during Warp Tour completely sold out, inspiring her to turn her sweet tooth into a thriving fashion company.
“It wasn’t really part of the master plan, but kids kept asking for it,” she says.
Currently Spence’s line of pink and black T-shirts ($40), bandanas ($10), and hoodies ($100) in ice-cream cone and skull and hearts print are available at Hot Topic and sugarhooker.com. Sugar Hooker jeans are expected to hit stores this winter.
Obsessions of the week
* Mela-me and you: New York skin guru Dr. Adrienne Denese hosts educational skin-care shows on PBS and sells her wares on QVC. Her best miracle product? A melanin-tinted matte SPF 30 moisturizer that adjusts to match any – and we mean any – skin tone. We can’t live without it. Dr. Denese Defense Day Cream, $75 at QVC.com.
* Jean-ius: Take the American Eagle Fit Challenge: Buy a pair of jeans between Tuesday and July 24, and get a ticket indicating which one you bought. On Aug. 28, the store will announce the most purchased men’s and women’s pairs. If the fit you bought was the best seller, your ticket is worth a free pair of jeans. It’s perfect timing – this fall, AE is launching new wide-leg, straight-leg and trouser fits.
* Sexify yourself: Unleash your inner flirt with these three must-have beauty-box tools, new this month from Victoria’s Secret. Give Me the Shimmers body powder, $28, comes in a wild pink poof. Get Gisele Bundchen’s covet-worthy hair with the high-gloss style cream, $7. And the Sexy Little Things fragrance mist, $20, a delectably sweet pink concoction that literally purrs when picked up – try that next time someone asks for your number. Meow.
* Zzzzz is for zit: Cupron’s new Spa Therapy Beauty Pillow harnesses the power of copper to fight acne and improve the health of your skin while you sleep. Copper oxide ions, which are embedded in the fabric, have natural anti-bacterial and anti-odor properties. The pillow hits the shelves at Bed Bath & Beyond this month – but for those who can’t wait, pick up the anti-microbial pillowcase, $50 at cupron.com
* Bootylicious: Jessica Simpson got in Justin Timberlake’s pants, and now you can, too – just buy his jeans. Simpson was spotted showing off her svelte self in L.A. last week in a pair of Timberlake’s William Rast “Savoy” ultra low-rise flare jeans in “Evening” wash, $242 at Saks Fifth Avenue.