Monies

I found the most amazing Danish design team Gerda and Nicolai Monies recently. I love large pieces of jewelry and theirs takes the cake. The jewelry is created using natural materials; wood, water buffalo horn, bone, and amber (all lawfully derived). Ahh...trust the Danish to bring style in all forms...jewelry, furniture, clothing...pastry?? smirk. Find an incredible selection at Debello (great website), through Sasco, or contact the designers directly for distribution.

Georgina Goodman

Georgina Goodman creates art for the feet with her approach to shoe design. Based in London; her shoes are hand painted and then skillfully assembled to make the masterpieces you see here. The designer expresses her work from an almost meditative point of view; beginning with a concept and natural form and ending with a material expression. What? It's ok, just breathe and think about how pretty they will look on your feet. Find the entire spring summer collection (with US prices) here or choose from the selection here.

Ashley Paige

This isn't your grandmothers crochet....not even your hip mom who had the rocking body and wore platforms crochet. Ashley Paige creates incredible hand knit bathing suits and really takes the expected to another lever...and then takes the stairs to the roof...and a waiting helicopter. I just worked up the nerve for a string bikini last year, so this will take me another year or two (but I'll fight fire breathing dragons for the one piece above). Find out more about Ashley Paige here.

Ciarla

I have been on the quest for a great summer wedding dress and I think Ciarla just solved that problem. Jessica Ciarla draws inspiration from the romantic eras of Audrey Hepburn to create flirty, feminine pieces. My favorite styles are in the cocktail collection; but I'm clearly biased. Learn more about Ciarla and where to purchase here.

Undesigned

Designer and former architecture student Carol Young, inspired by the needs of urban nomads, created a line that would allow the wearer to move comfortably in style. Her background heavily iunfluences the collection in the lines and shapes that make each piece unique and incredibly flattering. This is far from Undesigned but I'll take it however she calls it. Contact Carol here for more information or purchase online here.

Johanna Ho

Johanna Ho is a young designer from London; acclaimed across the seas she's a little tough to find stateside. Her perspective on the collection is interesting because she designs to fit both customers; and either way they're a discerning bunch. Her shoes and a few RTW pieces can be found at Ladida in New York; a great boutique with a well edited collection of independent design.

Shumaq

I'm far from demure in style (I'm no raging trollop either!) but when in the coy mood I'd opt for a Shumaq dress over a babydoll anyday. The collection, using linen, silks, and silver detailng, has an understated sophisticated feel. Best of all the designers support the economic development of women artisans in Peru; so now you look fabulous with a conscience. How very Audrey of you! See the entire collection here and how to purchase here.

Mike & Chris

Mike & Chris makes a perfect threesome for me. Out of the gutter folks; I mean three ingredients: fleece, modern style, and antique detailing. As a comfort connoisseur I've been following these guys for awhile and they have changed my idea of sweats altogether. The husband and wife duo kicked a litte street chic into the classic hoodie and created a near cult following. Find out more about Mike & Chris and where to purchase here.

just to bite into my pocket and my bleeding heart some more...they made bags too.

Lauren Felton

Lauren Felton approaches clothing as though creating a sculpture, constructing and uniting each piece. Although bold in the structure; the garments strike a fine balance between rigidity and fluidity. Every peice is meant to be reconfigured at your whim to complement whatever mood strikes you. My mood says...it's a hot summer night and boy does that dress look ...well-ventilated! View the entire collection here and contact Lauren here (to the trade only).

Alyssa Graves

Oh mighty python...how you woo me with your... incredibly stylish clutch? Alyssa Graves makes gigantic snakes a most appealing accessory with these clutches; made from python coupled with chic patterned fabric she combines the best of both worlds. Alyssa forages Europe for the best materials and the bags are then handmade in New York.
If the snake exhibit I visited in second grade had anything like this maybe I wouldn't have screamed...or ran...screaming. Check here for more information on Alyssa's collection.

K. Amato

Kristen of K. Amato just updated me on her new spring collection...and boy is it...springy. Her new designs are refreshingly girlish; I'm usually into large statement pieces but I can definitely see these when the occasion calls for something light and pretty. Who couldn't love dangling butterfly earrings? See the entire K. Amato spring collection here.

Nicola Fan

Nicola Fan merges geometric shapes with the fluidity of jersey; sounds pretty intricate but the result is easily draped, body conscious silhouettes. The collection has interesting infusions of pattern, color, and bold inserts. I love the swingy jersey dress in the summer and this is a nice balance between the usual too bold or too mundane jersey dress. View the Spring 2006 collection here, and get a sneak peek at Fall 2006 here.

Ananas

Already well recognized in our little snow globe of contemporary design; Ananas bags are well worth a look...again and again. They remind me of the Caribbean life I so love; mango yellow, teal, coconut wood and shells. Designers Jennifer and Miwako weren't far off when they sourced indigenous materials and techniques from the Phillipines; they began with a signature abaca fabric and developed into leathers. The result are these amazing bags with bursts if color. Aaah, the temptation.
Find the collection at a retailer near you, or these styles at shopemilygrace and fengjunk.

Bon Bon Oiseau

Despite the overcast, unseasonably cold New York day I feel the need to adorn my crown with a peacock feather. Or at least I would greatly respect anyone who chose to do so; Bon Bon Oiseau makes jewelry and hair adornments for the exotic island princess in all of us. "Le Bleu Plume" above is a combination of plummage, vintage flower and charms, leather, and pearls. The charms dangle, um...charmingly into one's decollatage. See the full collection here and where to purchase online or at select retailers. Bonsoir!

Vena Cava

These girls have been considered New York's buzzworthy for some time; and rightfully so. Vena Cava's inspiration is vintage design with a heaping serving of simplicity and elegance. Hand drawn prints are their signature and much of the collection has textural details like braided edges. Much like the vein to my own heart (vena cava!); they too are based in Brooklyn. See how easy that was? View the Spring 2006 collection, meet the designers, and where to purchase here.

Candace Ang

I think of jewelry as sculpture; pieces of artwork that can be worn on the body. I know, I'm way to into this stuff. How can you help it when designers like Candace Ang make pieces like these. Candace combines layers of details with a femme, almost sweet appeal; the result is jewelry that's easy on the eyes, refined, and just plain lovely. sigh... Learn more about Candace here and retail locations here.

Rapp and Posavek

Must be an inherent NewYork thing; you know, carrying a bag with room enough for a studio apartment. Rapp and Posavek makes sure you look chic while doing it with their incredible bags; a combination of sophistication, femininity, and edge complement the soft lambskin pieces. Find out more about Rapp and Posavek here and purchase online or find a retailer here. Kitchen sink? Check.

Octopi

I don't mean to brag (snicker, snicker) but Brooklyn has the best designers. Now a full collection after expanding from one of a kind pieces, Octopi combines a classic feel with dramatic silhouettes to fit and flatter. Like it's namesake, Octopi uses color, texture, and shape to suit ever changing environments. Find out more about the designers here and where to purchase here.

Bef Du Suede

Is jaw dropping too strong a term? Well as long as my jaw doesn't distract you from my fabulous new belt! Bef Du Suede belts can easily double as jewelry; croc stamped leather with chevron plate or a double buckle style with copper studs dress up a look with little to no effort. See the entire spring collection here or at I Covet This ( a great stop for independent design and a fitting name).

Ashley Tyler

Ashley Tyler marches to the beat of her own drum, and it's one catchy tune. Ashley creates shapes that naturally hug and envelop the body; her signature term for this unique design style is "spirally draped". Her first flagship store is in New York and is as much visually enticing as her clothing with pieces displayed from wood branches.