I know guys, I'm hurting you today. Believe me there's a slight pulling at my heart strings and a twitch in my eye. These bags are so classic, modern, wonderfully understated and just darn beautiful. Rachel is influenced by 1970's style and her creations sport a vintage look with a modern sensibility. There's that twitch again, ok guys I'm going to talk to this gal; mama wants a brand new bag. Take a look here.
Mimi Turner fell off the couch and into the fashion world, literally, while persuing a doctorate in psychology at Harvard. After stints with a few labels Mimi started her collection in 1998 to address a need for wearable yet visually interesting clothing. I think she's still doing a great job of it. I love the above look, bag and all.
By now you know my obsession with organic shapes; for those of you who are new...welcome to the matrix. I love, in jewelry especially, liquid almost undefined shapes. Judith is inspired by water, sun, plants, and architecture (specifically Antonio Gaudi); her pieces are designed with an absence of symetry and regularity to mimic natures natural forms. Check out more here.
For some reason these take me to the fifties; not thinking sock hop here but vintage cadillacs. The silhouette, piping, and colors remind me of the bold, classic cars. Wierd right? Especially since Cammie was inspired by the eighties; but I hated eighties fashion so why torture myself further. These styles are simple with just enough detail to make a statement. Take a look at the collection here, including a great clutch made of cork.
Christina Taranu was inspired by her upbringing in Romania to create her jewelry. Whimsical folklore, mystical tales, and the magic of nature. Tra la la! See the rest here.
sugar plum fairies...or something like that. Wasn't really into fairy tales...really digging the jewelry though.
Do you hear that? It's the door slamming as a pair of footless tights and platforms go back into the closet. Aaah to be put away forever...well until spring 2008 when the fashion industry runs out of ideas again. Camouflage anyone? It's becoming a shock to see design that's not
Drama, movement, energy...sounds like a Broadway play, but it's actually the fundamentals to the collections of Selma Karaca. Selma knits, drapes, trims, and finishes each gament by hand, invoking each piece with spirit and energy. Find out more about the collection here.
Azra Design creates these incredibly simplified, modern bags. Isn't it something? It's a bit like art or modern design to me; the design is based on bare necessity with a focus on function and fit. Oh yeah, and it's hands free, formed to fit seamlessly over your wrist or shoulder. Best part...the current collection is on sale so take a look.
Admit it, as much as you love your buckled, studded, colorful bags, it's nice to see something a little lighter. Summer bag maybe? Nepacena takes care of that with her oilcloth and canvas bags. The three styles are offered in refreshing colorful patterns with the intent of being an easy carryall...keys, lipstick, diapers...diapers?? Well, when it's time to tote around diapers I wouldn't mind a cute hobo bag at all. Those plaid multi pocket things give me the heebie jeebies. Check Nepacena out here.
These young women are so independent these days...how nice. That's something grandma would say and these pieces kind of put me in that mood. 23 year old designer Lisa Salzer uses found antiques, long lost room numbers, shoe buckles, chandeliers, watch fobs...well you name it and she creates a one of unique piece from it. The above earrings are actually spectacles...you know it's vintage when they're called spectacles; I imagine the person who wore them probably had a bike with a bell. Find Lulu info here.
Ok, so I love the jewelry. But my real inspiration for posting this? Erika Pena is putting the clasp on that necklace while she sips a colada in the caribbean. Grrr. Erika studied at Parsons before launching her collection and moving back to her native Puerto Rico. Her inspiration comes from her move from Manhattan to San Juan; creating pieces that are at once edgy, light and airy. Grrr. You can see more of the collection at Girlshop while I look for airline tickets. Retailers please contact Erika to see the full collection.
This should be called ' why I like independent designers'. Really, you have to give credit when someone designs around a concept rather than no brainer clothing for the masses. Cari Borja, self-titled clothes maker, is inspired most by balance and contrast. As she explains it ' a woman's sexiness is from implication rather than explication...clothes should have drama, details should showcase the wearer'. Take a look at the full collection here, it really pulls you in.
Saya Hibino, born in Kyoto, spent years surrounded by her family's generations old kimono business. As a teen she spent her time observing and drawing tea houses, geishas, people and temples. Sounds lovely actually. Saya used those memories to create her incredible jewelry collection, inspired by antique lace. To the designer the combination of lace and metal is an expression of the ideal woman; delicate and strong. See the rest of this beautiful collection here.
Don't laugh, but when I was younger I imagined myself as the type of woman who wore dainty gloves, a smart suit, and a pillbox hat atop my coiffed hair. Obviously I was some decades behind the trend, but that's when women really knew how to dress...now muffin tops and too tight clothing reign. Designer Erin Mahoney revives this feminine decade with her collection; her inspiration aside from color and texture are formality, theatrical performance, and drama. Love it! Learn about Erin and see the collection here.
Incredible shoes...need I say more? Juan Antonio Lopez is the creator of these and an entire yummy collection to be discovered. Wedges, flats, heels...make merry and keep a tissue handy.
Kale Handbags are new classics in an over trendy, bedazzled nation of handbags. Designed by sisters Leslie and Jennifer Kale, these bags are a refreshing diversion from the overdone. The collection and contact info can be viewed here.
Just thought these were cute as ever. My other passion is home decor and since some day I want to own a store, I'm always looking at how I might blend decor and fashion to create a space. These wall panels are really well priced at $35 and can work in a boutique or even in a home arranged as a series. Find them at Trunkt. It's also my ways of adding a little fashion related spark to your Friday's...hope you like.
Brazilians have it made; great tans, supermodels for days, and now shoes?? Show offs! Chie Mihara, born in Porto Alegre, is behind these sweet-as-candy creations. Chie describes her shoes as a 'feeling', a 'state of heart' and infuses the sense of an artisan in her work. Can you tell...they're so beautiful; and Chie interned at an orthopedic store also. Could they be comfortable too? Blimey! Chie will have a webstore up soon but in the meantime I they are carried at Sodafine in Brooklyn. 
Charms, links, pearls, beads, these are my kind of gals. Frisk has taken the trend of baubles and trinkets to a glammed up level with vintage materials and charms, creating these one-of pieces that make me think grannie was a pin-up doll. Ah well, that gal had class. Take a look at the whole collection here.
Plunket and Pivet is a Brooklyn based line of bags that just as cool as...well anything on this side of the bridge. I'm appreciating the leather and canvas construction of the new styles; perfect for the warmer weather. The designer also introduces silk screening as a new form of pattern and texture. Take a look at the line here.
