RSS FeedArchive for November, 2011
Inez & Vinoodh
photo: Warmenhoven
I met Inez Van Lamsweerde today. Have you seen the piece focusing on her in intothegloss.com? Back to the story – Inez, Vinoodh, George Cortina and others strolled into Handsome Coffee Roasters today. She was sweet and we talked about coffee. It was the most exciting moment of the year! Even better, she posted and tweeted about her visit (see: blog post for Nov. 17th), so I know it wasn’t all in my head.
A Manicure
photo: Natalie Joos, Tales of Endearment
Apolis, Global Citizen
I was at French Trotters in Paris earlier this year when I first spotted Apolis. The brand was straightforward, unfussy and I liked how the company made a social message and fashion work together - Steven Alan with a soul, if you will. Fast forward a few months and a friend detours us into a shop preparing to open in the downtown LA arts district and I’m re-introduced to Apolis. I’m still impressed by the quality, the design and the mission.
VPL Shoes
photo: courtesy of VPL on style.com
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images North America, zimbio.com
VPL previewed a small collection of vegan shoes for Spring 2012 last week. It’s a great idea because vegan shoes generally leave a lot to be desired in the design department, so it’s nice to see more good-looking options in the category.
Band of Outsiders x Momofuku Milk Bar
No fashion, just food.
Band of Outsiders hosted Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar tonight. I couldn’t stick around to see the person of the hour, but I ate enough to make cookie monster proud and stealthily lifted a piece of crack pie on my way out.
Gyakusou
You’re probably wondering what 3 Asian guys running in Kyoto have to do with fashion. There’s a connection. I swear. I’ve previously posted about Jun Takahashi and his Undercover line, but he also does a collaboration with Nike. Jun is a dedicated runner and on his third season with Nike, but it’s unfortunately for men only – curses. You can read more about the inspiration for this specific incarnation by clicking here. What follows are a few detail shots. The heathered grey with deep orange and burgundy accents are are incredibly evocative of the fall season, and, of course, I had to include a close-up shot of under-arm ventilation in a jacket as I admired a similar detail in my favorite coat for fall.
photos: Nike
If you’re interested in purchasing, try Aloharag.com.
Rag & Bone D.I.Y. x Mina Shin
The Rag & Bone D.I.Y. project launched ealier this year. Here’s the concept in their words:
…our favorite girls get into our jeans. No stylist, no hair and make-up, no lighting. Just a girl and her camera. And Rag & Bone.
So far the Rag & Bone D.I.Y. girls have been major models, but the latest girl is one of my favorite Korean actresses, Mina Shin. She has a distinctive look which is rare in the Asian entertainment world where plastic surgery is a bit too common. Rag & Bone/jean is a reliable basics line, and this pick for the D.I.Y. project has me thrilled.
photos: Rag & Bone D.I.Y.Project
IKO IKO
It’s not news that an owner’s personal aesthetic and vision is the fundamental distinction between boutique and chain. It’s what I love about shopping in small stores, but Kristin Dickson’s Iko Iko is probably the most intensely personal store I’ve ever visited. Everything - from the clothes, the jewelry, the art even the clothing racks and shopping bags – has a wonderfully personal connection.
Although I usually go to clothes first, I’m riveted by the wall of necklaces made by Hannah Keefe. She uses silver solder to bind brass chains together. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
As I deep dive into the clothes, I’m struck by the textures: rough, soft, stiff, silky, smooth. Kristin designs the clothes under the label Rowena Sartin and she tells me that the pieces frequently start out as her own wardrobe desires. Her impetus for fashion design is so commonsensical as to be completely revolutionary to the rest of the fashion world. In general, the clothes start as basic dresses and shirts, but then she plays with it. I’m particularly taken with a collar made in satin with distressed silk-chiffon strips. It’s a clever accent piece waiting for the perfect occasion or a fashion photo shoot. I’m also drawn to a mobius chain in a wrinkled linen that has lots of possibilities for wearer customization and vague echoes of Star Wars.
There’s a lot to see in this small store apart from the clothing and jewelry. There’s art on the walls, ceramics, the display pieces, small jewelry and little accent bags. Kristin speaks so fondly of everything when I ask questions. It’s obvious that she’s connected with each artist who creates the beautiful and quirky objects in her store.
I walk out of Iko Iko with the latest issue of Fantastic Man tucked into a cute sack made by Kristin’s mom. I’ll be back for sure.
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