mastering it

While we're busy reading about Jennifer Aniston and the new line of jeans from the GAP (double yawn) in this month's US Elle, Bristish readers are feasting their eyes on Master Pieces, a spread inspired by the Old Masters from Vermeer to Velazquez.

The whole stunning thing was shot by photographer Matthias Vriens, and they somehow neglected to share the entire story with their readers here in the States. Playing favorites, are we, Elle?

For more of the shoot, head over to Fashion Copious. You won't regret it.

photos www.elleuk.com

i'll take it

Just a small price to pay to be viewed as a professional in your line of work. If you're carrying a laptop and six pounds of raw metal everywhere you go - at least do it in style.

Proenza Schouler
Large Leather PS1 Bag - Khaki $1,995.00

at Barneys

scarf it down

Felted wool scarves and shawls by Tiana Giefer.

thanks to the babes of BleachBlack for the photo montage.

arielle de pinto

"Enhancing one's charm by pretending not to be aware of it is a gentle art", or at least that's what Oliver Herford once said. Sometimes artists are unaware of the impact of their pieces on people.

I encountered the jewelry of Arielle de Pinto recently, and I was curious about how it was made, so I contacted Arielle to find out. When I asked about her design background, she replied casually:

The pieces are made of crocheted chain, mostly of sterling silver or vermeil. My story? It just happened.

She may downplay her work, but I've seen it in person and it is incredible. She makes necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and gloves, and I want it all.

noah mills

Allow me a moment to digress from my usual topics of conversation.

photos - Atelier Management and Design Scene

on the job: bliss lau

Everyone has their "industry heroes". Bliss Lau is one of mine.

The unrivaled Bliss Lau, Fall 2009

I had the pleasure of meeting Bliss back in the Fall of 2007 at a trade show in Las Vegas. In my experience, it was rare to meet actual designers at a trade show; usually you just met their sales rep. Often, people at shows were alarmingly unfriendly given they were trying to sell you something. Sad but true.

But there Bliss was, all glowy and cheerful, and we struck up a conversation. I thought her line was so innovative, so quietly sexy and so refined while still maintaining edginess. We didn't place an order because we weren't certain if it "was our customer", but I never forgot how incredible her jewelry designs were.

A few weeks ago, I contacted Bliss. I asked if she'd be willing to do an interview with me. Turns out, I am a lucky girl. Read more for the interview...

KK: What have you been working on?

BL: I have three collections for spring 2010. First, the Art Deco Collection which is made of thinner more delicate chains. This group is elegant and celebrates my love for that time in history particularly the 1920's New York lifestyle. The chains visually reference many Art Deco buildings in NY such as the Empire and Chrysler building while simultaneously channeling the writers and creatives of the time. I have one piece called the Gatsby and another called the Zelda (Zelda Sayre was a famous flapper married to F. Scott Fitzgerald). I enjoy the process of designing through the translation of history and lifestyle into the current fashion moment. Also, I think that the life and times of the Art Deco movement were similar to what we are experiencing now.

One of the other two collections I am working on for Spring 2010 is the Classic Leather Collection which I have translated into a hippy - African inspired group that welcomes fringe with open arms and challenges the boundary between clothing and jewelry. This collection is a continuation of my original idea spawned from a single day when I procrastinated in my studio and made the first body chain.

Lastly, the launch of my fine jewelry collection ‘Mysterious Concealment’. This group explores the concept of wearing jewelry in odd places, such as underneath your clothing or behind the ear. Through designing this group I ask the client, “Why do you wear jewelry? Who is it for?”. I wear jewelry for myself, the chain worn under your clothes is somehow sexy and empowering I think that when you are the only one who knows it's there the jewelry becomes devilishly delightful....sensual and private.

KK: Does your upbringing influence your work?

BL: I was raised in Honolulu Hawaii and it has influenced me greatly. My Chinese family immigrated there (grandparents) and at an early age I learned lei making techniques and traditional island crafts. The unique island culture from music to nature will always be a part of me and therefore will forever influence my work.

KK: How did you get started?

BL: After six years in business I feel like the start was a lifetime ago! In the beginning when I launched my handbag collection / senior thesis from Parsons, I was so young and unsure of the why and who my creations were for. I think that over time I have learned about myself as an accessory designer and discovered myself through my work.

Earlier in my career I was scared to design and show my most intimate and personal ideas. Designing is often times a fearful existence... you ask yourself, “What if no one likes it? What if it doesn't sell”, the concept of 'safe' is always hanging over your head, I think that to many people 'safe' equals 'sell' and I think now for me, this is no longer the case. Which makes everything so much more fun!

KK: What is something people don't know about your line of work?

BL: I think that the average person may never think about a few things. I think it is sometimes scary how intensely critical people are of designers and collections, they can be vicious! Sometimes one may forget just how an independent designer operates, we may be social creatures but often times designing is again an intensely personal thing.

I spend hours and hours alone in a room draping for each collection. We then create a product that is public. We open ourselves up to criticism and possibly conflict and sometime theft. I fear that our critics forget sometimes we are human, too.

Several gorgeous styles now available at

http://www.blisslau.com/

and specialty retailers worldwide.

Photos: Camerone Krone

boy oh boy

Piles of menswear-inspired oxfords and lace-up shoes are flooding stores this Fall. There are plenty of heel heights to choose from, and the fabric options are endless. The question then becomes, "What do I wear these shoes with?".

Personally, I love a pair of heeled-oxfords with a white shirt, pencil skirt, and layers of pearl and chain necklaces. For a casually elegant vibe, I'd pair the spectator flats with a cardigan and rolled-up boyfriend jeans.

Christian Louboutin - Estoteri

Lanvin - Oxford Pump

B0ttega Veneta - Spectator Ballet Flat

All images from http://www.barneys.com/

shoe lust part III

Chie Mihara - Cibeles Shoe

Trippen - Fence Bootie

Fiorentini & Baker - Eli Boots

Hi. My name is Katy, and I have a shoe addiction. Ped Shoes in Seattle made me feel better today. I find such a sense of security knowing I can purchase all these styles in the click of a button.

after-the-fact-note: Now I find out Ped moved to Berkeley, California! Good thing they ship almost everywhere!

on the job: tylie is tops

Model with Runaway Clutch by Tylie Malibu

A good bag is hard to find. Gold hardware when you want silver. Big logos when you want none. Lining so dark you can’t find your stuff inside. The list goes on and on…

Fortunately, Los Angeles designer Lisa Izad totally gets it. Her company, Tylie Malibu, has been around for ten years, and she’s cranking out some of the best bags around. Lisa grew up in Malibu and she draws upon “that 70’s beach girl”, as Lisa puts it, for her inspiration. Each bag is handcrafted at her Santa Monica, California design studio, making every bag one you can be proud to wear.* And, they’re pretty easy on the eyes, too:

Crackle Leather Bag by Tylie Malibu

Exeter Bag in White Leather by Tylie Malibu

Mojave Nomad Stud Bag by Tylie Malibu

I love how she combines supple, tumbled leathers with domed studs and exposed zippers in the brand new Runaway Collection. You can see it all here. If you happen to be driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, be sure to make a pitstop at Lisa's new store:

TYLIE MALIBU STORE
3835 CROSS CREEK ROAD
at the Malibu Country Mart
MALIBU, CA 90265
(310)456-8886
www.tyliemalibu.com

*Only a handful of bag lines are actually Made in the U.S.A.

yank my chain

Alice + Olivia - linen dress

Vince - chain tee

Chanel and Givenchy were the first to debut layered chains on the runway. Not surprisingly, other designers are following suit by incorporating chain into their collections. Vince and Alice + Olivia take it one step further by doing the hard work for you - dresses and tees come with the necklaces attached. Instant glamour. Photos courtesy of Saks.

the best vest

The Vest Bag by Alexander Wang: your faithful companion in the woods, on the street, or at the grocery store. Now you never have to leave home without your lipbalm, barettes, fishing line, credit cards, bullets, wad of cash, hand lotion, water bottle, tampons, punch cards for various coffee shops or your trusty sunglasses. I guess you CAN take it with you.

Now available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Barney's.

need i say more

Lanvin Paris - Framed Aviators

Lela Rose - Butterfly Necklace

Elizabeth and James - Snake Ring

Thanks to www.shopbop.com for the photos.

federico erra

Photography by Federico Erra

Please treat yourself to the work of Federico Erra. His photos are dark, dreamy and occasionally indescribable.

shoe lust part II

Joie - Refugee Lace Up Boots

Gryson - Flat Cornelia Motor Boots

Christian Louboutin - Arielle a Talon Ankle Boots


Chloe - Tall Foldover Boots


Ann Demeulemeester - Lace Up Flat Ankle Boots

Once again, I was trolling the 'net for shoes. Often, my searching yields nothing. But every once in a while, I strike gold. The other day produced these beauties. Every pair is perfect in its own way.

Hats off to the Saks footwear buyer for the impeccable selection, and the designers themselves for creating such beautiful work. This is why I love shoes so damn much.

ring thing

If you're in the market for a ring these days, may I suggest you give Barney's a try? Never one to disappoint, Barney's stocks about twenty rings that would fit nicely into my accessories repetoire. Unfortunately, I would need to trade in the family car to get the one I want by Sevan Bicakci, the Turkish designer behind Sevan.

alis volat propiis

"She flies with Her Own Wings", or "Alis Volat Propiis" in Latin, was adopted as the Oregon state motto in 1854. At that time, Oregon wanted separation from the rule of Britain. Interestingly, it also wanted nothing to do with the rest of the United States - Oregon wanted to be its own ruler. Rebel, rebel.

hazel cox

photos, www.una-myheartisfull.com

Hazel Cox is a Portland designer of which I first became familiar back when she (and her business partner) opened Denwave. Denwave came and went, but Hazel's line kept getting better and better. She makes most, if not all, of her unique chain by hand. In my opinion, chainmaking is an incredible and mostly difficult art form - one which few can even master, much less make "cool".

These photos were from a trunk show a few weeks back at Una - I popped in for a few minutes, but I was a little too late! Most of the really amazing styles sold instantly. I meant to introduce myself, but it was crowded. I will be early next time. Huge fan. But not in a stalker-ish sense... just in an "I want to be a lot like this person" sense. If that makes sense.

wanted: sugar daddy

Golden Goose boots are just one way to blow $1273.oo. http://www.shopbop.com/

six scents

photo: shift-japan

So, one day I was walking on E. Burnside here in Portland, and stumbled into Stand Up Comedy - a small shop run by two cute gals. I'd heard about Stand Up Comedy before, but never had the pleasure of actually being inside.

The shop had just enough of a few well-chosen things to pique my interest. On a small table inside, I caught a whiff of what was to become my new favorite perfume line: Six Scents. I had been a huge fan of L'Artisan perfumes from Paris for ages, but all six of the Six Scents line became my new favorites.

"Six Scents is a curated collection of limited edition fragrances that matches designer with perfumier. It's also a smart look at contemporary fashion and design, interpreted through the vastly overlooked art of perfume-making."
- from the Stand Up Comedy website
.

I was especially drawn to Urban Tropicalia, a fragrance that contained cedarwood/amber fond, lemon, cassis de bourgeons, lime, green, apple, apricot, jasmine, tagete, freesia, and musk. I thoroughly doused myself like a sixteen year-old at the perfume counter of a department store and made a vow to ask for a bottle for my birthday.

Maybe you could remind my husband...

edition 24 from YSL

Los Angeles jewelry designer Annie Costello Brown is know for her elegant leather pieces, and Yves Saint Laurent is into them - in a big way. She was recently commissioned to design jewelry to be sold alongside Yves Saint Laurent's new Edition 24 line, "a range of closet staples—think trenches, smoking jackets, breezy blouses—designed for everyday wear", according to www.rackedla.com.

Harper's Bazaar reports Brown's debut "comprises 14 organic yet elegant necklaces made of leather and metal, and it features stunners in everything from strong geometric shapes to ethnic, fringed objets d'art." From the little taste above, I think Edition 24 will be a smashing success, if even just editorially.

Image complements of the Seen blog.

shoe lust

Every year, at about this time, I inevitably get a huge case of shoe lust. My size (11) sells out fast everywhere, so I am trained to look for boots and close-toed anything just as summer becomes unbearably hot.

I subscribe to the daily posts from http://www.refinery29.com/, and today these new beauties arrived in my InBox. Every pair is part of the new Fall collection from Elizabeth & James. I've loved the Olsen twins' line (yes, they design it) every season, and now I'm sold on the shoes. My faves are 1, 2, & 6 (L-R) worn with a loose white shirt and skinny jeans.

Time to max out my card before my size is s o l d o u t...

no nooka yet

I need a watch. Mine broke. I've had serious cravings for a Nooka watch since I saw them on Kanye West's blog (namely the white-slash-glow-in-the-dark version shown above). I was seriously considering ordering it until I stumbled across this beauty from the upcoming Nooka Fall line:

Now I am stumped. I love mesh and it seems more sanitary than the rubber version. Thanks, Nooka, thanks. All I need is more choices to cloud my brain.

natalia brilli

Leather wiz kid Natalia Brilli makes some rad stuff. Hit up the link for more of her clutches, pendants, and laptop bags. Thanks to the girls at BleachBlack for the info on this smashing Parisian designer (and their impeccably on-point taste).

sick styling

Hair and makeup by Sandrine van Slee at Art Department.

yes vincent

I'm obsesssed for the moment with Yes Vincent, a feathery, art nouveau-y line from Australia. If I ever find these things in the U.S. I will be stocking up.

It doesn't hurt that one of my favorite artists, Natasha Kahn (of Bat for Lashes) is a fan of Yes Vincent, too. Sleep Alone and Travelling Woman are my favorite songs on the new album.

p.s. love the hair.