what's old is new

There are times when I feel everything in fashion is a throwback. I swear my mom or one of my cousins had almost this exact purse at one point:

Cleobella Daniella Messenger Bag - $220

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it - I'd totally throw it over my shoulder in a hearbeat (it comes with a strap). You can score one at shopbop.

cool shoot cool shoes

“IN MY ROOM” : the last shadow puppets

Paco Peregrin for Neo2 Magazine (Madrid, Spain)

demimonde jewelry

Lovely, affordable, local.

I really like Demimonde, a jewelry line designed by Portland-based Rachel Donaldson. As it turns out, she and I share a strange thing in common. We both have a family member who obsessively collected stones.

See more at her online shop. Trust me, it's worth the jump to see her work.

boutique 9

Nine West launched a new division, Boutique 9, which I'm curious about.

The descriptions on their website are enticing - leather soles and leather uppers - and I love the styling. I'm a tough sell, so I decided to pre-order a few pair for inspection.

I'll report back with my findings when they arrive in January.

Boutique 9 by Nine West: Ronnie - $130


Boutique 9 by Nine West - Elation - $198

inspired by: madeleine vionnet

The work of Madeleine Vionnet is a huge inspiration for me at the present moment. I am transported to another time when I view these photographs, which date between 1914 and 1931:

Styles included a myriad of intricate details, such as these thumbprint tags.

Ms. Vionnet's avant-garde design aesthetic remains a huge influence for couturiers such as John Galliano and Issey Miyake. And a huge influence for me, as well, as I begin work on a Spring 2010 bridal jewelry line.

If you happen to be in Paris, you can view a major exhibition of her work through January 31, 2010 at Les Arts Decoratifs. For a glimpse, watch this short video:

All photos, courtesy, Madeleine Vionnet collection.

my g.i.g.

my g.i.g.

[otherwise known as my girls in grayling]

Mai wears: Web necklace and earrings by grayling.

Cecilia wears: Shield body chain by grayling.

[and rad boots from Halo Shoes]

The Web and the Shield necklaces are currently available by special order through my website.

Special thanks to Mai and Cecilia for the photos - you look amazing. Well, then again, you both are amazing...

dopeness

Rick Owens hi top trainers

Is it some kind of cruel rule of fashion that the best kicks are the hardest ones to find?

true story

Gunnysack by Alexander Wang - $620

Once, while I was at working at a boutique, an drunk, old, leathery man came into the shop. He looked like he was right out of the woods. I'd liken his appearance to that of an ancient coon skin hunter.

He began to mumble a few indiscernible words to me. I struggled to make sense of the gibberish. Then quite clearly, he said "he wanted to stuff me into a gunny sack".

A gunny sack probably not as nice as the one pictured here, but it's the thought that counts.

mercy me

Mercy: Experiment Number One, will be a feast-your-eyes-on-awesomeness kind of thing. The evening will feature artwork by Nialls Fallon, rough and rustic jewelry from Andy Lifschutz (I adore!), and clothing designs from my pal, Janeane Marie.

Be there this Friday (if you live in Portland, that is) to support our local talent. It all goes down November 20th, 2009 at 537 SE Ash St from 6 p.m. to whenever.

DRKSHDW by Eastpak

rick owens hippifies eastpak : http://www.eastpak.com/

your attention please

Currently, I'm loving a hilarious image from the Paul and Joe lookbook for Fall/Winter. It's pure comedy:

www.paulandjoe.com

don't stop the train

Le Train Bleu, is, in my opinion, a Portland institution.

Over the years, I've witnessed Bria's concept evolve via her website, blog, and (now-closed) storefront. Yet, Le Train Bleu remains the place for of-the-moment designers in all the fashion mags - and I can still shop online.

Her small, but well-edited offerings in the realm of shoes and accessories are not to be missed. Le Train Bleu is one of the few Portland-based places carrying Rachel Comey. And, I love just about anything by Rachel Comey - especially these booties:

Rachel Comey - Smuggler Booties - at Le Train Bleu

I am also smitten by these gorgeous, embroidered gloves by Rebetiko. I feel that gloves, by nature, tend to be quite the homely accessory. But these manage to be functional and stylish:

Rebetiko - Embroidered Gloves - at Le Train Bleu

Le Train Bleu may not have a storefront, but I can still find everything I could ever want on their website.

just (don't) do it

Dear Manufacturers,

Please, please, please quit making these shoes. They are terribly unstylish. Sure, you tout their "comfort" and "style"... but really, who are you kidding!? These shoes are practically made of 2x4's hidden under a fabric overlay!

You bully department and mom-and-pop stores into placing big orders by giving bulk discounts. You tempt the consumer with bargain prices, just to pad your pocketbooks. But at what cost?

Can't you see you're weakening the actual fabric of our fashion community? We teach our fellow citizens what is cool, what is worth wearing, even what is affordable in magazines, on t.v., and on the internet. They know better. Yet, somehow every season I see poor, helpless women wearing these shoes.

The fashion police can only help so many victims...we need you to cease production on the following styles before it is too late.

Yours in fashion,

Katy Kippen

mouthing off

Oona Noir Lipstick by Julie Hewett

There's no better accessory than red lips in the Winter.

Last weekend, I stumbled into my friend Fez's makeup store, Fez Studio, in Portland. After a long week of wet and rainy weather apparently I was in need of some pampering, because I proceeded to sample all the eyeshadows and lip colors I could!

In the end, I walked away with the PERFECT red lipstick - Oona Noir by Julie Hewett. Oona Noir is a semi-sheer red and the shade is not too overpowering. If it happens to wear away, you're left with a perfectly stained pout.

If you've been looking for the best lipstick - this is it.

www.fezstudio.net
205 NW 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 227-2226

spread some lovin

Hey there. Just wanted to mention you can follow my blog with bloglovin. Don't know what bloglovin is? Click the link above - it's a great place to go for inspiration!

Click Here For Images & Shoelace Heart Pictures

heartbreaker

Just how good can Actor Ed Westwick look in a hat? Only two words can describe him: Heart. Breaker.

CREDITS

Magazine: Arena Homme+
Photography by: Alasdair McLellan
Website: facebook.com/arenahommeplus
From: designscene.net

pull the wool over your eyes

(Warning: if you hate ponchos, you can skip this!)

Over the years, I've learned there's a very divided camp on ponchos. They're a lot like Uggs*; you either love them or loathe them - - with a passion.

And whether you like it or not, several of my sources tell me wool flannel ponchos will be back very, very soon. In fact, I'm already seeing them in stores and on the street.

When Opening Ceremony and Pendelton teamed up for Fall/winter '09, I knew it was just a matter of time until ponchos re-entered the fold.

*Just for the record, I think Uggs are awful.

Don't worry, Ganelina Natasha's models are scared, too. The photo is from her incredible collection on Flickr. Click through for more!

nuts!

I recently stumbled across this great bracelet from Giles and Brother-slash-Philip Crangi at shopbop. It’s a great example of transforming everyday objects, in this case hardware nuts, into something artistic.

photo from shopbop.com

stiletto school

This week, Oprah hosted a feature called Stiletto School. Just think, after watching, we might learn what it takes to look good while walking in heels.

Check out this short video. (My advice? Lots of practice, a moderate heel-height, and a pair of crutches on hand just in case!)

when it rains it pours

It's November in the Pacific Northwest. The weather we're having is fantastically dark and cranky.

Today's the kind of day in which I'm just ....t i r e d. I slept twelve hours last night and yet I can't ignore my couch and warm cats beckoning me to join them....

Artwork by Jesse Hora

hello, lovelies

Some days I dream I have a rich lover who showers me with gifts "just because". In the off chance my husband wins the lottery in the near future - honey, I want these.

Root Earrings - $310

(oxidized silver and yellow gold)

by Annette Ferdinandsen

available at Barneys

next year's costume?

I'm lame. And I admit it. I totally didn't dress up this year. After returning from a whirlwind trip to Georgia, I barely had time to get into the spirit.

This image is from a spread for Inspire Magazine shot by Paco Peregrin. Check out Mr. Peregrin's website for a multitude of interesting photos.

kate the great

I'm not sure whether the lower half of this outfit by Katie Gallagher classifies as a pair of pants or a pair of tights. You be the judge.

photo from refinery 29

boo

photo - coutorture.com

wild wild jewelry

The renewed hype over Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are is touching everyone these days. Whether you read it for the first time twenty, thirty, or forty years ago, the story - and the characters - were unforgettable.

How fitting it is those illustrations and characters would inspire a limited-edition jewelry line by one of my favorite designers, Pamela Love. Her designs are characteristically dark, edgy, and a little scary - perhaps the perfect mix of young Max's wild imagination, and Ms. Love's talent.

Pamela Love for Opening Ceremony

Douglas Feather Cuff

$ 575

Pamela Love for Opening Ceremony

KW Claw Bracelet

$345

Pamela Love for Opening Ceremony

Max Boat Bangle

$288

These precious pieces (and several more) can be found at Opening Ceremony, ShopBop and Barney's for a very limited time.

Images from barneys.com