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Fashion Designers

Anne Sofie Madsen spring 2012 capsule collection

Copenhagen Fashion Week spring-summer 2012 (August 2011) brought together the best of Danish labels. My favorite shows were as usual By Malene Birger, Bruuns Bazaar, Baum und Pferdgarten, Stine Goya, Wackerhaus. An astonishing surprise was the debut collection of designer Anne Sofie Madsen, graduate of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design in 2010. Her diploma project received praise in the fashion press and she was invited to show at London Fashion Week's Vauxhall Fashion Scout Show in February 2010.

Anne Sofie Madsen spring 2012 at Copenhagen Fashion Week

Susana Mercedes fashion house

In the ever expanding world of independent fashion designers, there is Susana Mercedes, a self taught couturier whose aim is to create a fashion label known for a distinctive look, beyond trends and also for redesigning special vintage clothing. Established in 2000, the Los Angeles-based fashion house comprises two clothing lines: Susana Mercedes original designs and the Restored Vintage collection.

Susana Mercedes original fashion designsSusana Mercedes original fashion designs

LA sophistication: Katie May

Katie May is a Los Angeles based namesake label of an enthusiast and talented fashionista. Founded in 2010 this young clothing line has already made waves among young Hollywood starlets and fashion stylists. Its debut collection for spring/summer 2011 brings out a unique style mixing dramatic details with youthful cuts, chic modern minimalism with timeless glamour.

Katie May spring 2011 lookbook: Kimmy Jean dressKatie May spring 2011 lookbook: Kimmy Jean dress

Eco luxe jewelry by Joanna Cave

Jewelry eco-artisan Joanna Cave, brought up on a Cycladic island by her Greek mother and English father, perfected her style after studying jewelry design in London. Her refined minimalist pieces are an organic abstractization of all her inspiration sources: the beautiful landscape of Cycladic islands, ancient Greek artifacts, folklore art, vintage photography and illustration, 1930’s modernist architecture or the happy “gang” of pets living at her family home in Ios.

Joanna Cave gold-plated eco-sustainable fine jewelry

Sarah Williams unique handmade luggage

The art and functionality mix sounds like an abstract, unidentifiable notion but it is given a lively representation through Sarah Williams’ debut collection of surreal luggage. The young British designer, a recent graduate from London College of Fashion designed for her 2010 MA thesis project a collection of unique fashion artifacts by transforming traditional craftsmanship through the vision of Salvador Dali’s art.

Williams British Handmade luggage

Whimsical design by Kronkron

I love the colorful, cheerful, whimsical aesthetic of Kron by KronKron shoes. They look like coming right out of the Wonderland after being on a Galapagos adventure and on an African safari. The thick soles and heels make them super-comfy while the use of fine suede, patent leather and velvet put the Kron shoes in the luxury range. Tinted in bold color blocks in mix with white, black and gray, decorated with bows, frills and tassels this could sound a little too much but they can be a true staple in an imaginative wardrobe.

Kron by Kronkron shoes ss2010Kron by Kronkron shoes ss2010

Maria Lucia Hohan's girlie glam credo

Maria Lucia Hohan is one of those quiet designers who steer clear of the gossip scene while focusing on developing a strong high-fashion brand. The result is red carpet recognition at the most important film festivals (Cannes, Berlin, BAFTA) and an international marketplace: MLH is present in big cities like New York, Tokyo, Copenhagen, Oslo, Athens or Singapore and online also.

Maria Lucia Hohan fw2009/2010

Gestuz designs new femininty

The end of year 2009 has a very stylish feel from the viewpoint of Gestuz, Danish brand established in 2007 by Sanne Sehested Nielsen and Lene Boesen who succeeded in offering “popular, high profiled but reasonably priced clothes with the best in quality”.

Gestuz winter 2009 collection

Coats&Jackets by Camilla Wellton

I love a unique piece of outerwear and swedish designer Camilla Wellton knows how a standout coat should look. The fall/winter 2009 capsule collection of black wool coats and jackets gained a great deal of interest on her Stockholm-based prêt-á-porter/eco couture/ made to measure label.

Camilla Wellton fall/winter 2009/2010

Dashing into the office with Kate Spade

This cheerful clothing collection from renowned fashion accessories label Kate Spade is the loveliest thing I've seen for some time. For the current fall season Kate Spade launched 60s retro French style looks with a very feminine and optimistic feel.

Kate Spade clothing collectionKate Spade clothing collection

Andreea Tincu pre-fall 2009 collection

Surprisingly polished collection from one of the Romanian art - trained designers, Andreea Tincu was presented at Pret-A-Porter Paris Fashion Trade Show.

Inspired by the futuristic, austere atmosphere of Gattaca (the movie) along with the concept of the new metropolis, Tincu's prefall 2009/2010 collection displays precise cuts and geometric volumes.

Andreea Tincu prefall 2009 collection

Vegan handbag label Samsara supports social causes

More often fashion and non-profit organizations team up for charity work and donations. One of these worthy initiatives belongs to canadian accessories label MATT & NAT with its newest vegan handbag collection entitled samsara.
This eco-friendly, affordable line ($35-155 price range) donates one dollar per sale to one of the four causes voted by viewers: International Aid, Women's issues, Animal Welfare or the Environment. Samsara bags and wallets reveal a clean, modern design with bold metal details and come in four chromatic styles: black, cognac, plum and white.  

A bit of Alexander's genius

Fashion's "terrible child" Alexander McQueen follows in the steps of fellow couturiers and lends his brilliant talent for a Designer Collaboration with American mega chain store Target.

McQ Alexander McQueen for Target, released at the beginning of March, is a rock-chic styled collection that mixes McQ (McQueen's diffusion line) classic craftsmanship aesthetic with "a rebellious, nostalgic flare", having as muse the lead singer of the British rock band Duke Spirit, Leila Moss (yep, another Moss).

MCQ spring 2009

Minna spring/summer 2009 collection

The British Fashion Council ethical fashion show/exhibition at London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009, Estethica, now in its 5th season, turned into the very epicenter of the eco-sustainable fashion industry in UK.

One of the best newcomers in this community of fair-trade, eco and ethical fashion design is young fashion label Minna, an example of edgy design and eco passion mix.

 

Jeffrey Campbell collection at OAK

I love this selection of Jeffrey Campbell footwear, fall-winter 2008-09, available at hip store Oak Nyc. From sky-high 5" heels to the flattest flats the collection keeps a sassy look thanks to the fun and forward spin on the season's trends (such as the peep-toe bootie or the high platform pumps), street style and vintage classics (oxford shoes).

Buckles, lace-ups, soft suede or python skin, there is something for everybody. My favorites are the suede low boots Dakota and the naughty looking Pape Heel.

 

Coca Zaboloteanu shoes

Coca Zaboloteanu is an emerging Romanian shoe label synonym for playful-retro-chic style. Coca, a 26 years old fashionista, got a BA in Dental Medicine but decided to make her passion for shoes into a fashion business.

She started by drawing sketches and getting professional manual labor while learning shoe manufacturing techniques by herself. Shortly after she opened a small design studio in Bucharest and launched an exclusive line of unique shoes.  

 

Coca Zaboloteanu fall 2008 line

 

Kellylicious by Ludmila Corlateanu

Not long ago you read about Ludmila Corlateanu fall 2008 ready-to-wear collection being one of the best presented at Romanian Fashion Week. Only at its 3rd season, this Bucharest-based label has already climb up the ladder to success; fashion editorials, online reviews, international fashion fairs.

Speaking of which, Ludmila's latest collection for spring-summer 2009 season, entitled "Kellylicious", will be displayed at Pret A Porter Paris Fashion Fair, "Creative By" Hall, from September 5th to 8th, 2008.

 

Kellylicious by Ludmila Corlateanu

 

Sunglasses: a fashion statement

Spring/summer 2008 collections showed how important sunglasses have become. I'm sure that, as a true fashionista, you know what fashion accessories can do to improve one's personal style.

And sunglasses have their own share, especially in summer season. It's easy to go wrong, too; wearing a sporty-wrap sunglasses to a lady-like outfit is not good. Just like the shoes and the handbag, a pair of sunglasses must be coordinated with the style of your outfit.
Sunglasses summer 2008

First row: Versace, Michael Kors, Gucci.
Down: Calvin Klein, Marni and Bottega Veneta.

Lara Miller Bamboo Clothing

Here it is another proof of how stylish, sophisticated and innovative eco-friendly clothing can be. Young designer Lara Miller (Chicago) creates beautiful clothes from handmade bamboo soft jerseys and unique wovens.
Lara Miller spring 2008 collection

Hannah Marshall's Code Black

Also named as one of the season's ten most promising new talents by online Style magazine is young British designer Hannah Marshall who reinvented the Little Black Dress with her "Code Black" collection destined for winter 2008. Hannah won the backing from the British Fashion Council's prestigious „New Generation" initiative to exhibit at London Fashion Week in February 2008.

Hannah Marshall fall 2008

Hannah Marshall fall 2008