A Few Fashion Week Favorites - Designers are Nailing Print Mixing

SS2013 has sent collections catapulting down NY Fashion Week runways with customary sultry panache.  For the fashion crowd this means eye candy for days. And stress, caffeine, and blisters. But that's all kind-of-sort-of-part-of the collective pain that brings the fashion community together. Only walking through this tiresome yet thrilling experience can birth the "we just really love and also abhor fashion week with all our heart" glance that can be shared knowingly between industry insiders.

This season is no different, of course. The reason we endure it all, again and again, is to be there to bare witness to the rare but exulting moments of brilliance and art that inevitably occur, season after season. Several of this season's special moments I'll mention here. For several seasons print mixing has been a heavy theme. The trend continues but it seems this season's designers have really polished this dance. Handling an intuition based, rule-less idea with more dexterity and ease. The wild-west of print mixing is being tamed and it is delightful to watch. For example, the prints at Mara Hoffman were jaw dropping. Always suckers for a classic t-shirt with playful words across the chest, we especially loved its classier sister - her tongue and cheek sleeveless 'ALOHA' shift.  

 

 Photo Credit: Randy Brooke

And then there was the  Look Good/ Do Good favorite, Cambridge Satchel Company, and it's  collaboration with another one of our all time faves, Chris Benz.  Each of Benz's outfits were accessorized with a color blocked CSC bag. Can you even? This is one of the most joyful little bags we've seen in a long time. 

via: Glamour.com

Also this bralette by Bono's line EDUN is just darling.  The perfect accoutrement to a sheer overlay or  peeking from the wide neckline of a slouchy fall sweater.  We love EDUN because the line proves socially conscious can be unquestionably high fashion- as a brand they actively work to increase trade with Africa. Aiming to produce 40% of their seasonal collection in Africa by 2013. Crunchy and boring equals socially conscious? We think not.

And finally, these shoes from Kork-Ease Jackie Fraser-Swan' s EMERSON collection. Killing it. (Photo by moi. It's much harder than one might thing get a good photo of models's fast moving feet! Slow down speed racers!) 

Tweet

Fashion Week! Last night: SGC-NYC pop-up shop

Last night we stopped by our favorite man about town, SGC N-Y-C's, pop-up shop. SGC N-Y-C produces and fabricates all items locally in NYC. He's not just slow fashion saavy, his is an edgy, every day cool girl  sort of line. We could wear every piece in the collection. Other featured favorites were Blood Is the New Black, Zana Bane x Todd Pendu, and  In God We Trust - all committed to handcraftsmanship and local production. Last but definitely not least Nettie Kent Jewelry, whose local production and emphasis on sustainable design is admirable. And plus we just really dig her sea-inspired collection. She was featured along with the artwork of her better half Colin Ruel. Becka Diamond spun from above all night long.

Top to Bottom:

Blood Is the New Black

Colin Ruel

Nettie Kent Jewelry

SGC N-Y-C Flasks

Todd Pendu x Zana Bayne

Photographer Betsy Blundell (taking pic of me taking pic of her)

SGC N-Y-C T's

Tweet

Modern Vice: Sick shoes handcrafted in NYC

MICKIE from MODERN VICE on Vimeo.

A few qualities we really appreciate at Look Good/Do Good are local production and the preservation of handcrafted artisan traditions. But we aint willing to give up super fabulous, rad-ass design.  All of these elements, we believe, can and should be achieved in modern fashion design. 

So when we stumbling upon this handcrafted in NYC, blow your mind unique design shoe line Modern Vice, we were all like, "Nailed it!" Check out this video on how Modern Vice made the Mickie (not to be confused with this).

Tweet

ISARO by Flutter - Indulge in pattern mixing without committing to entire clown outfit

Flutter by Jill Golden, always one of our jewelry favorites, has come out with another design hit. As usual her pieces are lux and gorge but this time they also have a helpful spin. Through a partnership with the Social Enterprise Indego Africa, a design driven, nonprofit outfit helping women gain access to education and economic independence, these handwoven beaded bracelets and necklaces are  produced in Rwanda, Africa.  Made of Japanese glass beads with Swarovski crystals and lambskin suede details, the mix of patterns and colors are also a perfect way for the faint of heart to indulge in this season's pattern/print mixing trend without committing an to an entire head to toe clown outfit.

Each piece is signed by the Artisan and comes in a unique Dutch Wax fabric pouch.

Tweet

Panties for Microloans

 (via AhaLife.com )

Empowered By You Panties, $20

Not only are these thongs seamless, sassy and other s-words - through the Seven Bar Foundation, $1 of each purchase goes towards providing microloans to women in developing economies around the world.  Super! (sorry)

These little numbers makes us actually want to start wearing underwear. We JK. Who doesn't wear underwear apart from days when laundry day was supposed to happen two weeks ago?

Tweet

I Die Friday: STELLA!!

Stella McCartney Eco Friendly Glasses, $225.00

Clare Vivier Messenger Bag in Bottle Green, $363.00

Lika Mimika Leather Espadrilles , $80.40

Stella McCartney is one of the few luxury designers who consistently adds at lease one element of social and eco-consciousness into every design.  So it's no surprise she's come out with a line of sunnies made from 54% natural and renewable resources - sacrificing nothing in spectacular design. (via SassyBella.com)

Normally a strictly black purse kinda girl, I'm loving this Bottle Green Clare Vivier Bag. Vivier  produces her collection locally in LA, is a socially conscious company, and keeps a low carbon foot print. And her shit cray fab.  It can be done!

Speaking of carbon feet, these naturally died organic calf leather espadrilles are anything but the crunchy espadrilles of yore.  What a brilliant neon pink for not using any chemicals in the dye, amIright? 

Tweet

Osborn, You are Everything

 

Osborn Soko Oxford , $148

I love this Greenpoint Brooklyn based company - and not only because they work from the best part of Brooklyn ( hint I live there, McGuiness what what?!!) but also for their crazy cool design sense with an equally unwavering dedication to the preservation of handcraft and skill. Focused equally on beauty and process, Osborn works with weavers and cobblers in Guatemala and has developed a collection of handcrafted to-die-for kicks. Lookin' Good, Osborn.

Tweet

I Die Friday: DKNY x FEED

DKNY x Feed, Matte Wellington Boots, $115 

DKNY x Feed Survival Tote, $220

Look Good

DKNY's latest collaboration with FEED is pretty brilliant. Donna Karen, the queen of black basics, joins forces with model and activist Lauren Bush Lauren's highly regarded FEED project to create a few items that are as wearable as they are cool. Those Wellies? After 5 years in NYC I might finally give in and get a pair of rain boots!

Do Good

Purchase the wellies and you'll not only conquer puddles in style, you'll also provide 25 children with emergency food through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).  And the survival tote?  It provides 100 emergency meals.

Among other huge accomplishments to date, FEED has raised money to provide  over 60 million school meals to children around the world through WFP.  

Tweet

Suzanne Rae is the Shit

 Photography: Tracy Morford

Look Good

Loving this Suzanne Rae Pelaez's haunting Spring Summer 2012 campaign and collection.  I think this bandeau bikini might be what I've been looking for the entire season. It's so Old Hollywood in fabrication and silhouette, I just can't. The presentation on her site is brilliant and if you haven't been on vacation yet this summer to a lake house in the woods, the shoot will make you YEARN for it. I want to be on that empty tree lined country road in the middle of the night night in that white dress RIGHT NOW. I also have a crush on both the designer and the photographer, Tracy Morford.

Do Good

Palaez is a female-centric designer who uses sustainable fabrics whenever possible. She supports local industry by doing 100% of  production in New York City's Garment District and collaborates with local artists to create unique prints for each collection. Basically she's the shit.

Tweet

Beast of Burden: Sustainably Sourced, Handmade Crocodile Skin Bags

Beast of Burden Sheba bag

from $6,175

Look Good

Walk around like you own the place carrying a Beast of Burden Sheba bag. Oft referred to as the 'CEO bag', it won't be hard to hold yourself in the manner of an executive carrying a purse with such fierce crocodile and leather blocked panels. 

Do Good

Whoever said leather or croc skin was bad? We beg to differ. Beast of Burden's bags are handcrafted locally in Italy and sustainably sourced alongside artisans in Africa - they come at a pretty penny but you get what you pay for. This bag is good all around.

Tweet

I Die Friday: Shades of (metallic) Grey

 

 

 

Zoe Karssen Creme de la Creme Sweatshirt, $160.00

J. Crew- The Cambridge Satchel Company Metallic Satchel, $205

Derek Lam Bristol Wedge, $255

Butter London Diamond Geezer, $14

Haute Hippie Leather Shorts, $395

Nixon 'The Ceramic Time Teller' Watch, $450

Look Good

Some items I'm pouring over this week. I'm feeling a metallic, black, white and grey color palette. I'd just love to hate J. Crew but I can't. I just can't. Especially when they pair up with some of my favorite companies such as Cambridge Satchel, and offer sparkling metallic bags like this one. I love these Haute Hippie leather shorts because of their sporty elastic waistband.  The ceramic Nixon watch is just a favorite, the Derek Lam's wedges are sick, and that Zoe Karssen sweatshirt - I need to get my hands on it.

Do Good

Butter London is a NON-TOXIC nail polish. Shut up. I know. No awful ingredients! It was the first company to sell non-toxic nail polish in the US. I think metallics are where it's at right now in terms of nail polish- especially silver shades. It seems they have migrated from previous seasons place on shoes, to bags and a more understated place on the human body, nails. 

The Cambridge Satchel Company stands for many wonderful things that I've already covered on this blog and you can read about here.

Tweet

Sports Utility Bathrobe? Sure, why not?!

Look Good 

Have you ever wanted a Sports Utility Vehicle but were flummoxed by their negative environmental impact? Have you ever wanted a bathrobe you could wear everywhere, even on the beach. If the answer is yes, there's a solution. If the answer is no, do some more soul searching.

Meet the Winnifred Beach (sport utility) Bathrobe ($300) with brushed cotton-twill exterior, cotton terry lining and pockets galore (even one big enough to fit an iPad). This is not exactly a vehicle per se but a robe-slash-field jacket that is a finely oiled machine built for sports utility and comfort. Plus you get to look like an outdoorsy/athletic Dude from the Big Lebowski. No brainer.

(I just wish there were one produced with various colors (neon pink hello?) terry cloth on the inside. Well you can't have everything.)




Do Good

Proceeds go towards helping save one of the last remaining FREE public beaches in Jamaica. Read more here.

 

Available online and also featured in the fine rooms of a favorite Montauk destination - Ruschmeyers.

*

Tweet

RHLS Wants YOU: fundraising that helps all

MOVES, every East Williamsburg dweller's favorite concept store needs YOU!   Revolutionizing the made-local sweat-shop free movement, owners/designers/advocates R. Mackswell Sherman and Sarah Jones look outwards, towards the community to fund their Fall/Winter 2012 RHLS line. Based on the CSA (community supported agriculture) they look to their neighbors to fund the collection, in turn offering investors (you! small stores! ) wholesale prices on the line. Go to SmallKnot.com and give them a little love in the form of cash. You'll not only get their amazingly off the cuff geometric goodies for a fraction of the cost, but you'll participate in the future of small business fundraising in a "ethic esthetic" process that helps everyone down the line from you to the pattern makers. This type of fundraising also allows small retailers to  to make purchases without the barrier of pesky industry minimums. What's more- you'll be able help decide what's made! So throw RHLS a bone! or $100!!!!

MOVES Concept store, located in East Williamsburg at 419 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11222

Tweet

Derek Lam + Human Rights Watch = Totally Rad

 Derek Lam + Human Rights Watch 'Hayden' Sunnies

Look Good + Do Good (at the same time)


Loving Derek Lam's collaboration with Human Rights Watch, an organization that, for over 30 years, has investigated and secured an accurate picture of abuses in over 90 countries.  HRW fights to obtain changes in policy at the highest levels of government. Basically human rights superheroes.

Lam will donate a certain percentage of proceeds from sales of Hayden sunnies to this incredible organization. This is not just a guaranteed rad purchase (Derek Lam! hello?!) but for a good cause too.  Everything we stand for.

Tweet

I Die Friday: The Importance of Purging

Versace Printed Silk Shift Dress

Karla Deras x Roman Luxe Python Triangle Necklace in Gold

Deszo Shark Tooth Wrist charmer Rubber Bracelet

Kate Spade Cobble Hill Leslie Bag 

ASOS DENY Wedge High Top

Look Good

What more can be said? This stuff is grrrrrrr8.

Do Good

Purge. Seriously. Every time you buy a new item of clothing, please try and give away or throw away something that is no longer of use to you.  This will help you only make necessary purchases, limiting conspicuous consumption. 

It also helps clear your closet so you can see what you actually own, avoiding redundancies and making use of it all.  Also minimalism is beautiful - there's nothing like an organized, paired down closet full of well curated pieces. All intentional and useful.  Now that is responsible consumption! 

** Also the name of this blog is officially changed today from DressMeUp/DressMeDown to Look Good/Do Good.  See the reason here ! **

Tweet