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Clarissa Labin

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:59:47 -0500

Born and raised in Germany with roots in Venezuela, Clarissa Labin moved to London to study womenswear design, graduating with honors at London College of Fashion in 2000.

Here resume really speaks for itself.

She has a professional background in both luxury and high street fashion with almost two years experience as accessories designer at Christian Dior in Paris and almost six years experience designing womenswear for the leading Swedish retailer H&M in Stockholm. She started her career at H&M as product designer specializing in knitwear and jersey for the Trend Department, and rapidly advanced to become the Head of Design for one of the largest departments in the company, Divided Black, where she lead a team of 20 people creating collections for the youth market worldwide.

After twelve years abroad, Clarissa moved to Berlin in 2009 to launch her first collection for A/W2010.

(photo credit - www.clarissalabin.com)

The Clarissa Labin philosophy is based on the concept of a unique and fashionable statement for the daring individual who loves color. Focusing mainly on quality knitwear and jersey with highlights in leather, Clarissa Labin experiments with texture and surfaces for a unique and edgy, yet wearable style. The soft fabrics enhance the body within, without restricting the wearer which is essential for the modern woman who wants to look chic at all times of the day. Sophisticated and expressive color combinations are present in artistic prints and on the beautifully structured knitwear, emphasizing the inspiration of each season and enhancing the bold yet feminine style of the brand.

(photo credit - www.clarissalabin.com)

Annie Fish. eco-conscious and one-of-a-kind

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:29:10 -0500

Not sure what to wear to that New Year’s Eve party. Check out Boston independent designer Annie Fish.

Photo Credit - Annie Fish Website

Annie Fish designs handmade dresses out of recycled and re-purposed clothing, fabric, and jewelry. Because they are eco-conscious, she aims to use all of the materials resourcefully while still producing a garment that is comfortable, wearable, and wonderful! Each and every design is exclusively one-of-a-kind and, of course, completely righteous.

Anna Hovet - Chicago Emerging Designer

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:33:03 -0500

If you are looking for a young contemporary collection with some edge, check out designer Anna Hovet.

“Charleston’s Finest” Designers Debut New Collections

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:32:00 -0400

Some of Charleston’s favorite designers debuted their new collections at the second installment of the Dock Side Fashion Show. The Charleston Maritime Center historic waterfront was the perfect backdrop for a runway presentation.

This year’s lineup included Clewis Reid, Sarah Maxwell, Anna Lassiter, Rachel Gordon One Love and Julie Wheat’s Cavortress.

Clewis Reid (Photo Credit - Jessica Crouch)

Sarah Maxwell (Photo Credit - Jessica Crouch)

Anna Lassiter (Photo Credit - Jessica Crouch)

Rachel Gordon (Photo Credit - Jessica Crouch)

Julie Wheat’s Cavortress (Photo Credit - Charleston City Paper)

2 by Lyn and Tony

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:24:34 -0400

Art becomes Fashion!

Two art photographers from down under have found a new passion and has produced an exclusive range of fashion pieces, that reflect common elements of art practice and a commitment to a new aesthetic of luxury fashion.

Their pieces are all handmade, using the finest of materials such as kangaroo leather, sterling silver, semi-precious stones, silk, Macaw feathers & gold.

Each piece is handmade in very limited editions, with some pieces taking up to 22 hours to make. They created pieces using tradition techniques such as crochet & knitting, but using these techniques with unconventional materials, so that the objects are unique and original.

If you are looking to make a bold fashion statement. Check them out at 2lynandtony.com.

Love is Love, Love

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:46:44 -0400

Looking for a designer who creates edgy streetwear that is quality and fit womanly figures. I found one!

Brooklyn based designer Amelia fell in love with streetwear in Italy, while studying abroad with FIT. She is a lover of indie girl streetwear, power couples and high top sneakers. Basically, and all around cool chic.

Draped Muscle Tank - Retails for $75

With her love of street culture and her passion to design women’s clothing, love is love, love was created. Her handmade collection focuses on creating women’s clothing that embodies effortless attitude and timeless craftsmanship. Driven by wearability, styles are designed to be multipurpose and sculpted to complement feminine figures.

Black Lace Varsity - Retails for $500

Marc Bernstein - Triple wrap bracelets

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:37:11 -0400

I met jewelry designer Marc Bernstein at the Young Designers Market in Soho and not only was he the nicest person ever, but his craftsmanship and attention to detail is superb.

This rope style triple wrap bracelet in Rhodium with chocolate leather is a must have for the fall.

I purchased this one!

Vote for fashion designer Julie Wheat!

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:04:00 -0400

Stylishly Ambitious! That is how I describe emerging designer Julie Wheat. A school district administrator by day while designing clothing and accessories by night, Julie is in it, to win it.

Cavortress (design and vintage collection) hit the Charleston fashion scene a couple of years ago and I have witnessed first hand how this brand has changed the style of Charleston fashionistas. For the better!

Photo Credit: Cyle Suesz

Cavortress is an eco-friendly clothing and accessories line that uses 80%+ vintage, recycled, and/or deadstock materials. Each piece is of a limited edition but available in a variety of fabrics.

Julie describes the Cavortress brand as lively and boisterous fun.

“The Cavortress brand is for Cavortresses. A Cavortress can be classified as proper not prim, ladylike yet licentious, refined and renegade- fashionably suited for the punk rock-love child, rockabilly-hipster, urban debutante.”

Photo Credit: Cyle Suesz

“I can spot a girl and know instantly or not if she’s a Cavortress, even if she’s dressed up in a business suit, a uniform, or a wedding gown…it’s that twinkle in her eye and spring in her step.”

What I Love about Cavortress?

99% of pieces in the collection are priced under $100.

Up Next for Cavortress?

Cavortress has been selected as one of the 12 semi-finalists with a chance to compete at St. Louis Fashion Week’s ‘Project:Design’ competition sponsored by Brown Shoe. Cavortress is the only clothing line selected from South of the Mason Dixon Line in this year’s competition. The 12 semi-finalists selected have been entered into an online voting competition that ends on August 17, 2010. Those who finish in the top 6 will show their collection at St. Louis Fashion Week on September 7, 2010.

Make sure you vote for Julie Wheat(more than once). The link to vote is listed below. http://www.saintlouisfashionweek.com/projectdesign/PD_F10/vote_browse.cfm?browse=DesignerLabel

Green Fashion is not a Fad!

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:59:01 -0400

Eco-conscious fashion is not a fad. Green fashion is here to stay!

Vaute Couture is the first apparel line to focus on developing high style high performance fashion with one major challenge- no animal derived materials.

Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart is the brainchild and environmental activist behind this Vegan line. Her eco blend tanks and tees, uncycled windbreakers and organic dresses which are new to her collection, can be seen on the likes of Alicia Silverstone, Ally Sheedy and Ginnifer Goodwin.

“Vaute Couture proves that compassionate style can be cute, chic and sexy.” -Oprah.com

*New* Friends Not Test Subject Racerback

Seattle's Best!

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:09:52 -0400

I always love a designer who wears their own designs. Lizzie Parker, who is based outside of Seattle, creates many of her first samples for herself: as she test drives everything in her line.

I found this lovely designer via Portland Fashion Week and loved her unique sense of style that was still wearable for the everyday woman.

Photo Credit: Ed Kavishe - Fashion Wire Press

Therese Rawsthorne RAFW 2010

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:31:36 -0400

Therese Rawsthorne RAFW 2010

Memento Mori Jewellery

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 20:36:00 -0400

While making a post to Twitter last week, I stumbled upon a tweet that said Memento Mori Jewellery. Intrigued, I clicked on the link and was directed to a photo gallery on Facebook of brilliantly designed jewelry by Lisa McEachern.

Lisa McEachern designs and handcrafts Memento Mori, a passionate and eccentric line of jewellery.

What is Memento Mori you ask? Well….

Memento Mori is full of symbolism and deep meaning that dates back to the Victorian era during the plague. Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that translates to “Remember your mortality.” This eerie phrase reminds us of the brevity and fragility of human life, and thus reminds us to embrace it.

Lisa’s fascination with history guides in the creation of her designs which take on many different forms.

Her collections are so unique and yes this girl is deep.

The Memento Vestra collection is composed of various hearts, both symbolic and literal, this collection reminds us to remember ourselves.

Bleeding Heart Necklace - priced at $145 CAD

The Wing-ed Things Collection, which by the way is my favorite, reflects our desire to spread our wings, embrace chance and leap to the next adventure. Flitter, Flutter, Float, be free.

Hooter Ring - priced at $160 CAD (Want it!)

Believe me, this is just a teaser of what this young and talented jewellery designer has to offer.

If you want to check out Lisa’s collection go to www.mementomorijewellery.com or even better, find her old apothecary themed booth at Lilith Fair.

Vancouver's Eco Fashion Scene

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:34:00 -0400

On my recent trip to Vancouver, I was excited to scope out their fashion scene. To my surprise, this unique city was filled with limitless STYLE.

Instead of hitting up the high-end designer stores and malls, I opted to find a one-of-a-kind boutique that showcased Vancouver’s emerging design community.

After a doing a quick google search (Vancouver emerging designers), Body Politic popped up at the top of the list. I click on the link and yes, I hit the jackpot.

Body Politic seeks out the best sustainable designers from across Canada and the United States and is the go-to place for those who seek out fashion-forward yet timeless pieces.

After taking two trains and walking what seemed like miles, I finally ended up in Vancouver’s vibrant South Main district.

When I entered the store, I was immediately greeted by owner Nicole Ritchie-Oseen(she is so cute) who graciously showed me around her lovely boutique. She was very knowledgeable about each of the designer lines she carries.

Two designers that really peaked my interested were Nixxi and Snoflake.

Nixxi is all about clean silhouettes and organic textures.

Empire dress - Halter neck dress with front pockets. Sash tie belt. Retails for $160

And Snoflake by Toronto-based designer Debbie Sutton designs are all about the perfect blend of quality, great tailoring, feminine detailing and inspired flourishes.

Joe Vest - Racerback vest with button closures and adjustable tie neck. Pin tuck detail on back. Retails for $145

I really did not have much time to try on anything so I only ended up purchasing a branded Body Politic tote (LOVE). I will be back very soon. Hopefully for Eco Fashion Week in September.

If you are ever in Vancouver check them out. You will not be disappointed.

Body Politic

208 E 12 Ave (SE corner of 12th & Main)

Vancouver, BC

V5T 2G9

Canada

Meet Katie!

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:13:13 -0400

Meet Katie!