Style Shot

Top: Made by Yours Truly, Dress: Target, Necklace: Vintage, Shoes: by Pass

An Obsession

I'm sorry I missed you girls, but I promise I will go see you the next time you come back to the city.

The Animal Within

Amazing....This ring is so animalistic and raw. The photography is so great on this. This ring made Species by the Thousands can be purchased at Supermarket.com.

One Order of Denim Coming Right Up

Based on this video we will be able to buy denim like we order Chinese food! 

I assure you that even in production it takes longer than 12 minutes to make, but it does amaze me at how simple they make this look.

Featured Artist: Holly Slayton

Head piece featured in Swoon Magazine.

Hats, hats, and more hats. I have been seeing them every where lately and not only on the runway, but on the streets and worn by the top fashion bloggers.  Because hats have been such a big item in the fashion scene, I wanted to go right to the source and find one local artist that is paving the way for the millinery industry.

Holly Slayton, owner of Artikal Handcrafted Millinery, has been producing custom hats for over 9 years for both men and women.  Here's what Holly had to say  about her designs:

1. What inspires your designs?

• I love vintage silhouettes so even if I'm not trying most of my hats look like they have come out of the 30's.  I make mostly cloches, fedoras and large brim hats out of straw and velour.

2. Do you make new collections each season?

• Yes and I am always creating new designs.  I also do a lot of custom bridal and cocktail hats. 

"(I) love (bridal) because I can be creative with every piece and make it special."  Photography by Marie Labbancz

 3. When does your next collection come out?

• I just did a lot of new designs for fall fashion week. I made hats for Terri Stevens line for project runway season 5.  She requested fedoras so I just finished a line of fedoras some with large brims and some with a lot of drapes. (The theme was a mix of) Diana Ross and 70's sexy super fly.

 

4. What kind of machinery do you use to make hats?

• Steamer, sewing machine, hat stretcher and a lot of hand stitching.

"(This) is my signature piece.  I love incorporating drapes in to my pieces."

5. Do you make the hats yourself or do you work with factories that make it for you?

• Everything is hand blocked and hand made by me in NYC.

6. How long does a typical hat take to make?

• A few days. It needs to dry on the block overnight. My panama straws are handwoven in Equador and take about 5 days to weave before the straw is imported and I then start making the hats.

 7. Can we buy your hats in any stores or do you only sell online?

• I only sell exclusively online, in my studio which is open 2 nights a week, and at craft fairs and trunk shows. I had up to 8 stores carrying my line, but prefer to sell it myself and have created a large customer base this way.  Plus I ship everywhere so the internet is easy to reach a lot more people.

Bridal piece featured in Novias InFashion Magazine.

8. Now that fashion week is over, what do you see happening for Fall 2011 for accessories?

• More hats...

Thanks Holly for sharing!

Holly also offers workshops so you can make your own custom hat at her East Village studio.  I think it's great that she is willing to share her knowledge. For more info on when she offers workshops, check out her schedule.

No Profiles Please....Or Maybe Just One

I usually avoid using profile shots as it reminds me that I have a big nose, but today I totally abandoned that rule and look what I found.  A piece to a puzzle. Who would have thought?

Silly Rabbit

I think I may be weird, but I am totally in love this ring. It's just a great mix of simple and folk.

You can purchase this ring from Nullnetwork on Shapeways.com

Amazing Dance Amazing Costume

So I went to see a dance performance yesterday by the Martha Graham Dance Company and am always interested to see what kinds of costumes the dancers are wearing. At some performances the costumes are very distracting, but at this particular performance, the costumes were amazing. I just wanted to run on stage and take some of the costumes home with me. Here is a glimpse of some of the costumes that were worn at the show and some others that just remind me how interesting the art of movement and fabric is. Correction B/W photography shot by Albert Watson and color photography shot by John Deane.

Style Shot

The Look

Purple Top: Made by Yours Truly

Scarf: Forever XXI

Cardigan: Target

Belt: Rock & Republic

Jeans: Rock & Republic

Boots: Aldos

Featured Artist

So I will now be doing a section called featured artist where I will show you collections from new and upcoming designers in the local area. My first featured artist is Kevin Mathews who is the owner of the new accessories line Zeno + Marie.

Kevin Mathews recently started Zeno + Marie launching their first collection this year.  This fashion forward accessories line throws away all the traditional rules and takes accessories to a unique and interesting place.

Here is what Kevin has to say about his line.

1. What inspires your designs?

• ME DREAMING ABOUT SOMETHING NEW AND COOL TO WEAR.

2. Where does the name Zeno and Marie come from?

• IT IS THE COMBINATION OF MY PARENTS' MIDDLE NAMES. MICHAEL "ZENO" MATHEWS &   COMSTANCE "MARIE" BELL. MY PERSONAL STYLE IS SUCH A HYBRID OF MY MOTHER AND FATHER'S APPROACH TO FASHION AND GETTING DRESSED - SO IT JUST FELT RIGHT. 

3. I see that you have a 2011 collection. Does this mean you are doing one collection per year?

• NO, THIS IS THE FIRST FULL-FLEDGED COLLECTION THAT ZENO AND MARIE HAS OFFERED. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON NEXT FALL AND WILL FOLLOW A REGULAR FASHION CALENDER THEREAFTER, WITH SPRING AND SO FORTH.

4. When does your next collection come out? What is the theme?

• ALL OF THE ITEMS YOU SEE ONLINE ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. I AM ALSO CURRENTLY  SHOOTING SOME NEW SPRING PIECES. THESE ARE HEAVILY FOCUSED IN COOL EMBELLISHMENTS LIKE FEATHERS, DICE AND SPIKES TO NAME A FEW.

5. What is your favorite piece you have created so far? Do you have a picture of it?

• "MR. ROBINSON" -  A BLACK SILK BOW TIE EMBELLISHED WITH MULTI-COLOURED DICE. ALL HAND DONE.  ACTOR ALAN CUMMING RECENTLY WORE THIS TIE TO THE PREMIER OF THE SPIDERMAN BROADWAY SHOW HERE IN NYC. 

 

6. What made you decide to design bow ties out of all the things you can go with?

• I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN STRONG ACCESSORIES FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. BOW TIES ARE A KEY ACCESSORY FOR MY WARDROBE - I ALWAYS LOVE WHERE IT TAKES MY LOOK.  EVEN BEFORE THEY BECAME THE LATEST RAGE, LIKE THEY ARE RIGHT NOW, I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE A CLASSIC BUT FUN WAY TO UPDATE ANY LOOK; FROM JEANS AND A GREAT JACKET TO A NEW SPIN ON  A SUIT FOR WORK. 

7. Do you think you may expand to other accessories? If so what kind?

• DEFINATELY - IN TERMS OF ACCESSORIES, BAGS AND JEWELRY. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON A SMALL MEN'S APPAREL LINEUP AND A CAPSULE OF WOMEN'S PARTY DRESSES. 

8. Now that fashion week is over, what do you see happening for Fall 2011 for accessories?

• I THINK THE OPERATIVE WORD IS "FUN!" ACCESSORIES DID NOT HAVE A SINGLE TREND THAT SHINED THROUGH OVER ANOTHER. DESIGNERS REALLY HAVE BEEN STAYING TRUE TO THEIR OWN DESIGN AESTHETIC WHEN PRODUCING COLLECTIONS LATELY. AND THIS APPLIES TO ACCESSORIES AS WELL. SO IT WAS ALL ABOUT DIFFERENT SHAPES, SIZES, MATERIALS, PROCESSES, EMBELLISHMENTS, COLORS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

Thanks Kevin!

You can currently purchase any of these items from the Zeno + Marie collection online at www.Zenomarie.com This collection ranges from $85-$150.

Fall Favorites

Here are some of my favorite looks from the Fall 2011 runways.

Lanvin - I love this top. It looks like the sleeves are separate and attached at the same time. Very sophisticated.

Erin Fetherston - I love that effortless knot.

Isabel Marant- That jacket is so great and so now.

Pedro Lourenco - Although I am not a huge fan of the fabric choice, I think the silhouette of this jacket is very interesting and unique.

3.1 Phillip Lim - I love the pleat in this jumpsuit. It makes the silhouette very unique.

Oh Monique

Oh Monique, where do you come up with all these fabulous dresses? I can't get over this dress. I am in love. Can you make me one?

Mila Kunis in Monique Lhuillier

Hair Gone Wild

Hair, hair and more hair! I saw this picture on Stylesight.com, and I am just drawn to it. It almost looks like the hair is styled front on and she is turning her head without the hair moving.  Regardless it is amazing.

Fall 2011 is near...

I just checked out some of the Pre Fall 2011 collections on Style.com. Here are some of my favorite pieces so far. This is exciting because it is always interesting to see how designers translated the forecasting information that have received.

 Pringle - I love the whole thing especially the sweater.

Monique Lhuillier - I love the drama in the dress. It's like she's turning into ice from the floor up.

3.1 Phillip Lim - Love the knot on the pants, looks so light and effortless.

3.1 Phillip Lim- Love the irony of woven pieces with a knit fabric.

Nina Ricci -Can barely see it, but love the dramatic draping in the back.

These looks are great. Which is your favorite or is there something even better? 

Who Do I Think I am?!?

So I can't decide if this outfit works for me. Am I a school girl, am I some military lady kicking ass in the forties? I am not sure. I like the look a lot, but I am afraid it looks too much like school girl gone bad, and I am certainly not going for that look. What do you think? Does it work or should I just put i back in the closet?

Vintage

Vintage

D.E.P.T.

Origin Unknown (Sorry I can't remember,which probably means time to throw out)

Rock And Republic (My Favorite Boots Of All Time!)