Gabriel and Schwan

Gabriel & Schwan is a German accessories label by designers Fenke Schwanand and Alex Gabriel. They have used a variety of different fabrics, materials and a whole lot of bright colours for their SS09 collection.

The collection includes purses/clutch bags with fringes and chain straps, roomy shoulder bags which I think can be used as a knap sack and then my favourite, the knotted necklaces which come in a variety of gorgeous colours which I think are now available online.

Anima Blossom art

I don't own many slogan Tshirts, Ive just never been keen on them which is a bit of a shame as I've recently been coming across a few that I think are just exquisite.

My favourite so far is a collection of T shirts by Kim Won-man, also known as Anima, he is an Illustrator and Graphic designer. He's most recent creations include a collection of Tshirts featuring with illustrated images some of which are inspired by smoke blossom art.

Here are a few of my favourites

Have a look at more of anima's work on his blog

Julia and Ben Leggings

I think you might all agree that one of the best ways to relieve a bad, rainy,

moody day is getting something great through the post.

This Julia and Ben Tie Dye Leggings arrived today and I'm ever so excited.

Thanks to the lovely Julia for getting them to me so quickly.

Funny face by Laura Liberte

I love masks, I'm not exactly sure why, but I have a bad habit of walking into a fancy dress shop and coming out with a fancy mask with lots of beads and feathers I'll probably never use.

And just when I have decided to come to a conclusion to stop buying masks just because I like the look of them, I came across this decorative masks on Etsy by London based Latvian artist Laura Liberte.

These masks are handmade and painted by Laura.

Fashion Videos - Samantha Pleet show

Fashion Video lookbooks have been on a rise for a number of years now, from designers like David David , Emma Cook and so many other established designers have presented their collections using this medium and I have to say I absolutely love them.

You can probably tell from the previous fashion videos I went on about a wee while back, like the video for Nakkna, dream in paper video featuring Paloma faith by Petra Storrs and YSL Men's collection.

Presenting a collection via video just seems a lot more creative to me than the traditional catwalk, there are no restrictions, just have a quick look at some videos by Ellen von Unwerth, like Erin Fetherston Dollhouse for target video, dreamy wander and also Wendy Bird featuring Kirsten Dunst.

Another designer who seems to be very fund of fashion video lookbooks is New York designer, Samatha Pleet, she has presented a number of her collections via video, however my favourite was her Spring 2009 collection video.

More recently Samantha has just completed her new video lookbook for the Holiday Collection which is presented a little bit like a TV show, but more fun, playful and quirky, with lots of champagne and tap dancing. Au Revoir Simone also makes an appearance.

I think this video is a very creative and unique take on presenting a collection, definitely joins my long list of favourite fashion video's.

Pleet TV from WMIG on Vimeo.

Q&A with Ceren from Keyman Design

A little while back I came across some jewelry pieces by turkish designer Ceren, for her label Keyman Design, she designs a collection filled with very adorable and playful jewelry. So I thought a Q&A setion would be a great way for us to all get to know her and her designs better.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I graduated from Bilkent University department of music - violin in 2003, and apart from being a musician I also design jewellery, clothes and furniture. I show up my first jewellery collection under the name of my label "Keyman Design".

Desribe your recent designs

I'm always interested in circular shapes, but nowadays my attention is interpreting the classical details of any object, this could be a part of a musical instrument or a jacket collar. I concentrate on significant details and transform them with different materials.

What are your main influences, inspirations and why?

Material is always the first inspriation considerable point, but the player of that material is more important. Myself, what I like, what I think, what I hear, it can be anything. I almost forgot bugs, bugs are important too.

What are the best and worst things about being a jewelry designer?

I think jewelleries are the wearable pieces of sculptures, you can see your design on anybody, you know clothes can be hidden under so many accessories, but when they use jewellery they like to show them up. But I like the way people interpret the cloth in their way so I try to use this advantage in my jewellery designs too.

Which designers would you most like to work with and why?

ThreeASFOUR, Martine Sitbon... there are many that I really want to make some pieces; hats for Yohji Yamamato, or necklaces for Antonio Marras, shoes for Gareth Pugh, stage for Alexander Mcqueen... there are so many things I want to do...

What are you currently working on

Nowadays, I'm on vacation, so I just prefer to collect the ideas or inspirations. I just did a video, a photoshoot and prepared the winter collection. I need new things.

What do you do when your're not designing or working

It is strange that I still can't see designing as work, I think my work is being a musician.

When and where are your designs available to buy or view?

You can view them on my web site http://www.keymandesign.com/ or on http://www.istanbulmodern.org/ or on http://www.notjustalabel.com/ or on http://www.keyonstyledust.blogspot.com/ .

They may buy them on notjustalabel, you may know they are launching their new online store "The SHOP" later on, we hope. Until now we take orders by email.

What are your plans or hopes for the future

As my designs become well-known, I have to find new places to reach people. It is my plan to find new places. My hope is to expand my abilities of anything. I just want to realize my performance.

Baiba Ripa SS09

Latvian designer Baiba Ripa designs garments with the most beautiful unique embellishments.

Ripa's Spring 09 collection includes a collection of sheer dresses with clean cut tailoring and beautiful simple embroided details. The lookbook for her more recent Autumn/Winter collection is available on her site , however I think this ss09 collection is still my favourite of her collections so far. I cant get over how beautiful the gold dress is, epecially the paper like ruffle detail on it .

Shape shifters

I went on about London based Label White Trumpet a wee while back and I was delighted to have come across the new AW 09/10 collection.

Designer Reno Inchenko is known for manipulating geometric shapes and also seems to have an obsession with triangles, just have a look at the previous Autumn-Winter 08 collection.

This recent AW09 collection has a futuristic feel to it, with a lot of cut out circles and triangles that form see through details which I reckon would be perfect for lots of layering and experimenting.

The circly cut out dresses and tshirts are my favourites.

Yokoo Spectacles

YOKOO!!!

we all love her and I can never get enough of her creations,

Here is another of my favourite from her new creations,

Informal Spectacles

Formal Spectacles

Hilary Laing Crayon Scribbly SS09 Collection

Glasgow based designer Hilary Laing is known for her colourful scribbly crayon prints which just make me happy, her recent collection is even more cheerfull, exciting and fun.

Filled with her trademark scribbly crayon prints, this whole collection is just so vibrant, its such a unique and clever take on prints. Before I came across this pieces I considered crayon scribbles as children making a mess but I guess I couldn't be more wrong.

Julia and Ben

A wee while back I came across Berlin based label Julian and Ben via the super amazing Not Just a Label, Julia and Ben often design contemporary wearable pieces but with a twist, I think this recent collection is their best yet.

The collection is titled "AN ANSWER BECOMES SLOW AND I AM SAD" and My favourite thing about this whole collection is the contrating color palette, also the collection seems like an androgynous one which I quite like.

Also I love the vibrant legwear in this collection, one of their tye dye legwear was featured in the June issue for Vogue UK which you can get by mailing the designers here.

While trying to find out more about the Label the lovely Julia was kind enough to send me a copy of an interview they did a little while back for the June issue of Vogue UK, I think the interview is a fantastic read so I thought I share it with you all.

Tell us about you. How did this label start?

It all started after Ben and I graduated from ESMOD Fashion School Berlin, we met and after a very short time it was clear that we want to do something together, we were able to use the backrooms of an art gallery in Berlin Mitte as our Studio for almost no rent so we started to make a collection. In the beginning it was all more fun and chaos but since 3 seasons we make real collections and show in Paris.

Many young designers often say that they are trying to create something new. Did you have a particular agenda or concept that you were trying to express?

No, we really just wanted to make our own fashion, if we are not designing or sewing or pattern making for more than a week we both feel like something is missing , it just happens very naturally. By expressing ourselves we create clothes.

Although your work seem very polished and well presented, it’s hard to say that they are a "mainstream collections". In fact some of the looks are quite radical. How have you manage to be innovative and non conformist, whilst maintaining such a well organized concept of fashion?

Wow, the question itself is already quite a compliment. We usually take our instincts and feelings and blow them up. And then it’s all about not loosing balance between art and practical design.

Would you like to appeal to a wider audience? Will we see you in the future designing under a big fashion house?

Never say never, if you know anybody interested feel free to forward us the offers ha ha …and of course we want to grow, at this point there are still so many things we want to do , create, use , try…. But that are much easier to fulfill with a bigger company in the background.

It looks like your male and female muses are continually borrowing each other clothe. In other words, the women’s contains some more mescaline pieces and vice versa.

Androgynous pieces are definitely a theme in our collections , and even though the items might be androgyny the person wearing it is giving it the gender , we don’t want men and woman to look the same, but they can profit from each other, Also we sometimes borrow clothes from each other , jackets hoodies or draped loose fit items really depend a lot on HOW you wear them how you combine them , who is wearing them etc We think many people already have these rules and borders in their heads when they enter a shop and for this reason maybe miss their perfect fitting Coat cause they don’t even try it on, Fashion is also a lot about try and error and seeing what works for you no matter what gender you have.

What labels are you in to? Have they necessarily influenced you?

We really like Rick Owens, Chronicles of never, Balenciaga, Horace, Haider Ackermann to mention a few bigger well known names - there are always moments of inspiration but we try to translate it in our own visual language.

Each one of your collections has a poetic title. What does a line like "an answer becomes slow and I'm sad" refer to your fashion?

Our titles are more like an emotion that carries the collection, we are usually not directly inspired by an artist, a movie or a colour; it is more like we see ourselves as storytellers and our titles appear within the process, they describe the special story or feelings we want to express while creating the collection. We don’t consciously put our collections in any cultural context, giving it a name that refers to our emotions connected to the pieces we create, we build a bridge to the world around us.

Would it be correct to say that you subscribe to the deconstructive school? What are all those drapes and original lines trying to represent?

I wouldn’t totally refer to us as deconstructive, it’s more a purisms that might appear deconstructive in the end, our lines always try to either reveal or hide the lines of the body. It’s a lot about mixing tight fits with loose draped fits what makes it attractive for us.

Looking at fashion today, as young and maybe post modern designers, do you think that it all going to a better place or exactly the opposite?

We definitely think it’s going to be better, we are optimistic on the future especially now that designers starting to become big that try something new, instead of the 100th 80`s and 70`revival, also we personally feel that there was a time when we didn’t’t know what we want to wear there were times when we were looking through editorials and fashion blogs and didn’t’t see anything that we wanted to have but right now there are plenty of new shining desires out there… So yes the future will be bright we hope.

Feather Earrings - Haji Couture

Gorgeous feathers everywhere...thats what I thought when I came across Haji Couture pieces.

Chicago based designer Aya-Nikole Cook designs one of a kind accessories, with inspirations from tribal pasts, using stunning looking feathers in a variety of colours and shapes.These pieces are handmade by Aya by layering, trimming and weaving each feather, she also makes use of organic and natural materials such as sea leather, wood, stones and many more.

I reckon her pieces are absolutely stunning, they are available in Haji Couture Etsy shop and here are a few of my favourites.

Decorate my head

I feel like decorating my head, I personally blame this sudden urge on the recent lovely warm weather.

While looking for some inspiration I decided to go back to one of my favourite designer for headwear Jeffrey Portman, I came across his work sometime back now, I think it was in a previous issue of Fashion156, the hats and headpieces issue it was. That was also when I noticed that I know his designs but at the same time I dont, if that makes sense... maybe not.

What I mean is, most of Jeffrey's pieces are often featured in so many editiorials for fashion Magazines, so to some extent most of you are very likely to recognise his pieces.

Jeffrey who graduated from Kensington and Chelsea College London, has worked with a whole lot of designers and photographers including some of my favourites from Duro Olowu, Tim Walker, Hannah Marshall and many others.

His Spring Summer 09 collection is just perfection, the colours, the strucutures and playfullness are all so lovely, the whole collection also has that soft and delicate feel which I like very much, here are my favourites from the collection.

Q&A Setion with Rosetung

I still cant get enough of anything knitted and Crochet pieces, the difference between the two still confuses me, however a little while ago I came across some of Rosetung's pieces and ever since her Etsy shop has become one of my Favourite, therefore I thought a Q&A setion with her would just be perfect...

How did you become interested in knitting?

A few years ago, I wound up at a new starting point in my life- fresh out of a relationship, relocated, job-hunting. I was in the mood to learn a new creative skill in my free time. I chose crochet. (I would like to re-learn knitting, but haven't made time to tackle that yet.) I am drawn to textiles and fashion, so, I guess that explains the appeal of this particular craft.

Describe your designs and Style

I'd like my work to speak for itself, but I feel I'm really still so new to my craft. I think my personal style is starting to come across in my newest designs though. Generally speaking, I like odd beauty, I like sex appeal, I like simplicity, practicality, versatility, nothing too girly, dainty, or cute... Texture is important to me. I avoid synthetic materials. I'm attracted to the softest wools, the silkiest yarns, paper-like ribbon, crinkly thread-like fibers, oddities like that, things that will excite the skin. I like materials that appeal to our sense of hearing too, but, of course, turning on the senses of sight and touch are most important.I tend to work intuitively, so, a lot of my pieces are one-offs. I'm getting more disciplined though about taking notes, so I can repeat patterns. I sketch ideas, but a lot of times, the ideas morph while I'm working on them.

Who or what are your biggest inspirations and influences?

It's hard to say. I wish I had more time to study the fashion world. I do find inspiration in all manner of sources though- friends / family, art, random looks I stumble across, Sandra Backlund of course, intangible ideas, endless things. I imagine there are countless things influencing me that I don't even notice.

Over the last year or so, knitted and Crochet pieces have become somewhat trendy, designers like Sandra Backlund have been on the forefront of this, Topshop's collaboration with Saint Martins knitting graduate Simone Shailes is also evidence of this, why do you think knitted pieces have become so trendy?

Well, like I said, I don't make much time to study fashion, so, any guess I make is not much of an educated one. I think crafts like knitting and crochet have their own funny stigmas associated with them, so, to break from these associations is a unique challenge for designers who do this type of work. To see people like Backlund using this method of construction so artfully, with such innovation, is truly stunning. It's changing people's perspectives, in a good way, on these types of crafts. It's particularly impressive, too, when you recognize that this work is created by hand, with the simplest tools. That, I would think, inspires a unique love and appreciation for the product. Personally, I also appreciate artists and designers doing something to keep these old, dying arts alive.

What are you future hopes for both yourself and your designs.

Collaborations, more education, constant evolution, and more time and assistance, to help me bring to life as many of my ideas as possible.

Where can we buy your designs?

My online shop http://www.rosetung.etsy.com/ or this one http://www.makoollovesyou.com/ or just email me at wheresrosie@gmail.com.

For more on Rosetung work have a look at her blog

Tatoo tights

I just realised I dont own a pair of opaque white tights... bad times, I know I have the floral and the lace ones from Topshop, but that doesn't count. However while browsing dearest Etsy, I came across Tattoo Tights.

Tattoo tights designers are Gabby and Tal from Tel Aviv, Gabby is a designer and illustrator, on the other hand, Tal is a jewelery designer.

The opaque tights come in a variety of paterns and colours, I reckon they're super lovely.

More on José Duran

In a previous post I featured Jose Duran's Spring Summer 09 collection and ever since I have been keeping an eye on his work. I personally think Jose designs are absolutely stunning, the way he plays with fabrics to create "wearable art" is perfection.

Jose's recent collection is just as impressive and eye catching, seen as we all know very little about him, I thought a short Q&A setion with Jose about himself and his designs would just be ideal.

So, here it goes...

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is Jose duran, I'm from the dominican republic.

After spending 3 years in college studying international relation I decided to change to Fashion design and Merchandise, after I finished school, I went into the world of fashion in the New York city and worked with b-michael, DVF, Nathen Jenden and a couple of other companies.

After a couple of years of working with others I decided to go on my own. I knew it was going to be hard, little by little it payed off.

Desribe your recent AW 09/10 Collection

My latest collection was inspired by Romans and the freedom ladies used to have during carnabal and it was also inspired by paganism.

What are your main influences, inspirations and why?

I get inspired by happiness and sufferings of women, I like to go back in history or research our society for problems that women have, I think I have a voice in our society and I think I can make a change on the way people think.

What are the best and worst things about beign a designer?

The best thing about been a designer is that we are able to make beautiful clothes and make people happy, its lots of work but it feels great to see your clothes on a celebrity or in a publication.

Which designers would you most like to work with and why?

I would Love to work with Alexander mcqueen because he has taken fashion to the next level, he makes beautiful clothes and his shows are like watching a play.

What are you currently working on?

At the moment I am in paris working on my first men's collection it will be shown here at the end of June.

What do you do when your're not designing or working?

When I'm not working i like to spend time with my family, i love to think. i am not much into movies, books or music. I love to think and to watch people. I think that's how I get all my influences for my job.

When and where are your designs available to buy or view?

At the moment you can buy my clothes at Midnuit here in Paris and you can see them on my website www.joseduran.net

What are your plans or hopes for the future?

For the future I hope to get an investor and take my creations to a mass market.

Eyewear by MERCURA

Whether you like your eye wear as extravagant and fun like maybe Calvin Harris, Kanye or even the Gaga then I think Mercura NYC eye wear might just tickle your fancy.

The designers behind these playful eye art are sisters Merrilee Lichtenstein Cohen and Rachel Cohen-Lunning. Mercura has been around since the mid 70's and has managed to continue designing their ever so consistent creative designs. Sunglasses by Mercura were worn on the Barbie Turns 50 New York Fashion Show to celebrate Barbie's 50th anniversary.

Here are a few of my favourite pieces from their collection

Pictures by Eric Martin.