Beth Springer

I came across Beth Springer in LA and just loved the clean, unfussy lines and bold colors. Beth makes bags that every woman can carry and pays attention to the environment to boot. Using reclaimed leather, vegetable dyes, and moving to organic hemp/cotton linings are just a few eco steps in the hand made process. Take a look at the entire collection here, there is a small section for the boys as well.

Urban Dencity

Most often posting on this site is based on aesthetic...whether I love it or if I think readers will love it. This time around I spent a few days with Kim of Urban Dencity and her personality is easily reflected in her gorgeous pieces. Each of the four distinct collections plays on the idea of the female archetype; sophisticated, exotic, bold, and eclectic are all defined using a mix of leather, semi-precious stones, and delicatey crafted metals. Kim herself is hilarious, engaging, and quick to share a laugh...I'd say she's a mix of Chloe and Sienna myself. Check out Urban Dencity here.

In LA...

I'm heading to downtown LA for the market so I'll be away for a few days. In the meantime, check out the lookbook for your holiday wishlists and stay tuned for our first November giveaway! See you Monday

Adha Zelma

I'm enjoying my time wearing mega earrings now before kids come along, but browsing through Adha Zelma is proof that I haven't even hit the mark! Inspired by world culture, the styles are bold, big, and dripping with individuality. I'm primarily a jeans and tee shirt girl, so I'm a sucker for great accessories. I'm also loving the movement in the photos.

Lizzie Parker

Lizzie Parker designs this ultra wearable collection of eco friendly pieces. Using bamboo and organic cotton blends, Lizzie set out to dress every woman comfortably. Sign me up for the delicious wide leg pants in two colors..

Samoy Lenko

Natasha Samoylenko emailed me recently about her new collection Samoy Lenko. Natasha stumbled upon fashion while studying Graphic Design and found herself inspired to push the boundaries of convention. After selling pieces to small boutiques Natasha is officially launching for Spring 2008 with the "Baika" collection; meaning fable in Ukrainian. Follow the story along to see this great new collection evolve.

Anne Maa

Anne emailed me recently about her limited edition holiday collection. For once my words are limited so I'll let the images speak for themselves...

Velvet Leaf Clothing

I came across Velvet Leaf at Coterie this past September, where I believe they were showing only the second collection. Velvet Leaf is just as pretty as the name suggests, with simple silhouettes, rich colors, and very sweet details. The entire collection is comprised of 100% organic cotton and produced with strict attention to Fair Labor and Environmental regulations. Check out the Fall collection here.

photo credit: Velvet Leaf MySpace page

Lucky Shops

LUCKY MAGAZINE SHOPS
TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
OCTOBER 26 & 27
METROPOLITAN PAVILION, 125 WEST 18TH STREET, NYC
The Ultimate Shopping Event
LUCKY MAGAZINE’S FAVORITE DESIGNERS, UP TO 70% OFF:
Chloe,Theory, Marc Jacobs, Bluefly.com , Balenciaga , Tory Burch, Jill Stuart , Cynthia Rowley
Alice Ritter , J Brand, Vena Cava , Charlotte Ronson, Botkier, Stella McCartney, Daryl K
and more!
LYCRA® Denim Bar:
great jeans for $100 or less, and Free Hemming while you wait!
Plus, the Love, Recycled® Shop—
overflowing with one-of-a-kind vintage items from Blahnik, Chanel, Gucci, YSL, and more.
Get a GIFT BAG worth $100+*
For tickets and information:
LUCKYSHOPS.COM or
866-4LUCKYU
* Gift bag with paid admission, while supplies last. LYCRA® is a registered trademark of Invista for its brand of premium stretch fibers and fabrics.

Wilen

Aaah, these West Coasters and their easy clothing. Brooke Wilen launched her first collection in Fall 2006 with herself and friends in mind; clothing for professional women who don't want to wear pantyhose and a suit. The line is knit entirely with luxurious Italian yarns for a comfortable and easy fit.

The Lookbook

The lookbook is live! It is a small selection of designers that will hopefully make it a bit easier for you all to stock your stores...and closets, with some of the best design out there. I hope to make it something that changes seasonally. Also, some of these good folks have signed on to give clothing and accessories away to you just for reading, so stay tuned for the giveaways! Right now the lookbook is searchable by category and designer, I'm working to break it down by pricepoint as well but on one page it's pretty easy to navigate. Enjoy!

P.S. Forgive the long title...it can be reached from a link on the right column as well :)

Rust Belt

Angelina from Beklina wrote in to tell me about the new collection she picked up and I was sold immediately. The name alone makes one curious, but the collection is a favorite already. Rust Belt creates jewelry from re-purposed materials using environmentally conscious practices. Their website goes more in-depth on their choices and a blog details their research into the subject. I love that even the packaging is recycled, the result is lovely.

Bethan Lloyd Worthington

I fell for Bethan's ceramic charm bracelets when Grace posted them yesterday... just too cute to pass up. Bethan makes some of the most beautiful ceramic tableware with detailed layers of patterns and sketches. It's about that time to start thinking about gifts and what a unique gift this would be; the designer also does commissioned work.

Barila

Sabrina Barila isn't afraid of a little sex appeal...ok a lot sex appeal. Inspired by her extensive travels, Barila embraces feminine cuts and fabrics that promote a woman's curves. Check out the collection here.

New Happenings...

Today is just a short note while I do some admin work around the blog.
On October 15th, we will launch a lookbook portion of the site. It will be a small selection of some of my favorite designers, and you will be able to find designers by category, price point, etc. It will read like a blog layout, but each designer will have contact information listed so there will be less need to click over...search for contact info...etc.
Next...I'm so excited that I will be able to offer designer giveaways. Yes...free stuff for you fabulous readers. Free stuff from fab designers that you know and love...how spectacular is that?! Stay tuned for the first one 10/15.

Kimberly Baker

New designs from the fabulous Kimberly Baker. Some of the new items pull from antique collectibles and vintage coins, while others have a little edge thrown in (see the brass rings pendant). Overall Kimberly stays true to her nature with pretty pieces for stylish gals.

Meet the Designer- Melanie Dizon

-Your name and name of your brand.

MELANIE DIZON

-Tell us a bit about your brand and your inspiration/story.

I started my company in spring 2001 first launching with handbags, here in NYC. And 5 years in the spring of 2006 expanded into shoes, which has done wonders for the collection and the brand. I’ve always been into accessories as far as I can remember, having grown up in LA, I was always collecting/buying vintage and reselling it, sometimes reconstructing as well. I’m pretty much self taught in what I do as I never went to school for this, so with that I’m most proud as there’s no better way to learn that actual hands on and learning from your own mistakes. I’m inspired by everything really, and when I design I keep my girlfriends in mind and what they would need/want in their wardrobes, as well as my own of course.

-What was your inspiration for this season?

Fall carries a sort of Argentinian hunting lodge feel with a splash of bohemian rock.

-What's your current beauty obsession?

Cheek stain, can’t leave home without it.




-Name 5 items you couldn't live without?

iPod, my handy Sony Cybershot camera, water, my black “poppy” bag, and Kiehl’s lip balm.

- What's currently on your playlist?

Kings of Leon- Knocked up
Kings of Convenience- the weight of my words
Astrud Gilberto- Agua de Beber
Inflagranti- Hot city feelin
loveimagination- So Good, So Right
Claudjia Barry- Love for the sake of love
the Doves- Here it comes
Ian Brown- Neptune
Tosca- Natural High

- Favorite vacation spot?

Mindoro, Philippines

- What's your decoration style?

minimal- clean-old world tribal


- Favorite book/magazine? What are you currently reading?

Norwegian Wood by Murakami

-What current fashion trend are you excited about?

What’s His is Hers

- What's your favorite snack?
Gummy Bears

- Day bird or night owl?

NIGHT OWL

- If you weren't designing your own collection...what would be your runner up career?

Poet/Writer

- Pick a fashion decade (or period) and tell us whay you loved or hated it.

I loved the 30’s; I’m all about the finger wave hairdos, smoky eyes, and lots of dancing!


Thanks Melanie!

On the Line- Le Train Bleu

- your name, name of store, year opened

Bria Phillips, Le Train Bleu, 2003. Le Train Bleu launched in 2003 as a web-only boutique and we opened our first brick and mortar store, which has now moved to a larger location in Spring of 2006.

-tell us a bit about your shop and inspiration to open

Le Train Bleu the website is inspired by international fashion websites such as dresslab and showstudio. It's a creative endeavor--we do our own fashion photography and make fashion movies. We try to offer experiential shopping online, like a cool fashion mag come alive. Viewers can see special features such as exclusive designer interviews, articles, and styling tips. Our flagship store has the same vibe as the site, inspired by the creative era of the Ballet Russes in 1920s Europe. Our influences for the interior are London's Biba of the 60's, Art Nouveau, Russian Tea Houses, and psychedelia. We carry international cult labels and cater to customers around the world who appreciate fashion as art.

-what item is currently on your covet list?

The newest Karen Walker High-Waist trouser pants--very Sartorialist.

-what item could you not resist buying for yourself?

Just bought a Tucker dress and I know it will be one of many for Fall--I'm already an addict for Gaby Basora's prints and think she's the Diane Von Furstenberg for a new generation.

-who is your personal "it" designer right now?

I would have to say Lover the Label out of Australia. Talk about cult following. And they do two collections each season, one for the Northern Hemisphere and one for the Southern Hemisphere. Their followers in Australia don't have access to the Northern Hemisphere styles there, so they have to purchase them online and in advance of each season we receive tons of emails from Australian customers who are eagerly awaiting our shipment. They really love their Lover!

-what is your recommendation for designers who want to be carried in your store?

Send look books as emails and have great photos on live people (doesn't have to be a professional model, but that helps)--as the sole buyer for Le Train Bleu I am bombarded everyday by emails and mail from new designers and the snail mail stuff quickly gets buried in piles. Also, be on the regular fashion schedule.

-what is the biggest trend that is currently impacting your buying decisions?

I don't really think so much in terms of trends, maybe because our customer is really ahead of that curve. Our designers are all really unique and individualistic as well--each has their own personality.

LE TRAIN BLEU

1905 NW 26th Ave

Portland OR 97210

www.letrainbleu.com

Beau Soleil

Are you in love yet? Beau Soleil, new launched Fall 2007, by Anne Salvatore Epstein is an eco- fashionistas dream! Anne uses organic cotton, bamboo, tencel, recycled leathers and vegetable dyes to create the Beau Soleil collection. While there is a emphasis on sexy silhouettes, with deep v-necks and bared shoulders, the collection has a serious comfort factor. One of my many favorites is the beau sweat, I want to don that and wait for my husband to come home :o
There's something for every occasion though, check out the full collection here.