Sophisticated modern classics

I really hope I can make it to this show. Last season was amazing.

Coming to America

Thank you American Apparel! The dudes will be thanking you too when this sheer mini dress comes out. I think I would layer it with a spandex tank dress underneath, but the possibilities are endless really (depending on where on the attention meter you want to be).

Put up a shield

Here's some shoes for the warrior in you. Oak always has you covered.

Transformations

If you weren't at Art Basel to see the opening of Paul Rowland's Transformations, but will be in NYC in a few weeks, put this one on your calender. The exhibit, opening February 12, will feature Rowland's compelling portraits snapped over the past five years.



I really love this one, particularly because I'm obsessed with her hair. Anyway, you guys should go but don't forget to RSVP.

In a galaxy far, far away

I honestly hadn't heard of Belgian designer Cathy Pill before but I will never forget that name after seeing her spring collection. These are the kind of dresses I think most women would feel great in. Pill's smart use of draping and intricate graphic patterns are the designer's trademark, and as you can see, her use of color is just phenomenal. A lot of her inspiration, I learned, comes from the Art Nouveau architecture of her native city, not to mention Pill studied with some of the greats after school, including A.F. Vandevorst and Vivienne Westwood.

Faux shor-ty

I wrote about Misha and her etsy shop earlier this week and have been keeping an eye on it as she promised to add new items often. Well she just put this architectural faux leather dress in the shop and I want it so bad. The touch of organza framing the zippers was such a rad idea. It's made to order custom to your measurements so you can be sure it fits.

Gimme some glo

This awesome neon hinge wallet could double as a purse for a night where you need little more than money, an ID, and some lipgloss...perfect for black outfits that could use a pop of color. Oh, and it costs less than lunch in NYC—how often can you say that about a wallet?

Gilty as charged

Samantha Ronson is on sale at Gilt Groupe today- the sale started at noon and things are clearing out fast! Not a member? Join using our invite: www.gilt.com/ismental

Double Vision

I actually took photos of myself as well when I was in this changing room at a Weekday store in Stockholm. It's a lot of fun as you can see.


via StockholmStreetstyle

Caught

I'm sort of intrigued by this look from Ida Sjöstedts' Fall collection shown this week in Stockholm. The first thing that comes to mind is getting tangled in a big fishing net. It has a sexy vibe to it though with the resemblance to lace—the obvious function would be a beach cover-up but I would rock it as partywear. Her design philosophy is described as "tongue-in-cheek elegance"...I'd say that's right on the money!

Don't step on the flowers

I'm not much of a floral print girl, although I did love Luella's spring offerings. These flats from Old Navy though are pretty cute and they are $19.50 which pretty much rocks. There are four different prints to choose from but I like these best because I love purples and chartreuse and the print is more of a paint splattered floral, than a floral floral. We are at the point now where winter is dragging on so seeing shoes like these kind of makes me want to begin an early transition to spring.

via Nylon

All arms

I'm really into these two variations of the vest from Carin Wester's fall 09 collection. The sleeveless tux dress is perfect and that hunting-inspired vest on the right would be a great layering piece. Oh and that hair....if mine were long enough, I'd be in front of the mirror right now attempting it.


source

Mad for Alaia

Azzedine Alaia makes some of the sickest shoes, period. These are just insane! I'll add them to my list of shoes I will be walking on in my dreams, and probably not in real life.

Recycled beauty

The economy is tanking all over the place, so what does Martin Margiela do? He uses his conceptual genius to craft pieces out of everything from shoelaces to hair combs for his Spring 09 Artisanal collection. I'm beyond words.

closeup via ASVOF

Acne FW09

Stockholm Fashion Week has started and Acne has set the bar pretty high. I'm always really excited to see all the designers shown in Stockholm because their work is always so relevant to what people actually wear on the street there—which translates to what I would like to be wearing! I was pretty blown away by Acne's very eclectic but modern 60s-inspired women's collection. Twiggy would have been proud. It wasn't just the hair (I kind of like the 50/50 brunette & blonde hairdo), but the sofa tapestry fabrics, mod plastic pants, and AHmazing space wedges that I would die for.









The whole collection comes off as such a breath of fresh air to me. I'm also super impressed by the attention to detail, mainly the lollipop-sized rings and giant wrist cuffs that caught my eye. These were the result of a collaboration with German jewelry designer Michael Zobel, a father of one of the Acne designers. The sculptural quality is incredible and was icing on the cake of a pretty fabulous collection.


images via Fashion Week by Burns + Stylesightings

Hot mess

These jeans at URBN are prob my fave I've seen so far of the whole dyed/streaky jeans look. Most of the others have taken a more subtle approach, but these have a stark contrast of bleach and black, and a super skinny stretch fit. It's a good way to try some lighter denim without going all out white.

The sun's in my eyes

For Maria Cornejo's first pre-fall 09 collection, she said she designed what made her happy. Well this dress makes me happy too. Warm colors have that effect don't they? It would be a savior for days when you need a little pick-me-up.


Zero + Maria Cornejo pre-fall 09

Nightlife

Metal mesh, iridescence, chain strap—a dream come true basically. It's not an everyday bag but I will make sure I get some good use out of this one.


from F21

Original High

Old school vs new school. I'v been feeling very nostalgic lately, and these sneakers take me back to a simpler time- my glow in the dark beeper, no rent, hanging out in the park after dark. Good times.

Image via william killjoy

Margiela Toe Ring Sandal

Margiela rocks the asymmetry and geometry principles so well. 700 bones though ain't gonna happen so I guess I got a ways to wait till they go on sale.  

Gray in the shade

The simplicity of these gray dresses by Bassike is beautiful. I could live in these every day this summer if I had to. Plus the beauty of gray is that you can pair it with almost any color, so all my sandals and warm-weather shoes are game.

Babewatch

Images from Vivienne Westwood's spring campaign have been leaked, and they are surprisingly good considering her model, Pamela Anderson. I'm not hating on Pam, but I would think Vivienne could book a more relevant star for her adverts. Either way, Ms. Westwood is also in the campaign along with her man Andreas Kronthaler, and by the looks of it, it was a pretty fun shoot.

Zakka

Last week I was freelancing at a studio in Dumbo and I figured it was a good chance to visit Zakka, one of my favorite stores in NYC. I hadn't been there since they moved out of Soho, which was well over a year ago. Their new space is much larger and pretty much paradise for graphic designers, toy collectors, and the magazine obsessed. I think I spent a good hour in there just flipping through books and picking up everything. I definitely recommend visiting if you hoard magazines like I do. They carry some harder to find Japanese titles like FRUITS, Tune, Nylon Japan, and +81, and it's also a good place to find gifts like odd magnets and tote bags. Dumbo might be small, but if you find yourself with some time to kill, it's worth heading down there.

Are we there yet?

I'm talking about summer. Seeing shoes like these results in a long, wishful sigh. They are from Nine West. That means they aren't like $1200! I love the abundance of straps and slits—enough to keep your feet in place but still let them breathe when it's 97º.

Puffy Plait

This puffy nylon scarf from Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair would make me look forward to the cold. I'ts on sale now at Stand Up Comedy in Beige.

Misha

I recently came across Dusty Dress, a rad fashion blog run by a girl named Misha from Stockholm. She posts a lot of outfits much like other style blogs, but the difference is, they usually incorporate something new she's made from scratch. Her designs are simple with a definite Scandinavian flavor. The girl has skills behind the sewing machine—something I'm very envious of, but thankfully now she is selling her creations (and at reasonable prices).

Misha Market, named after herself, only has a few items up now but promises to grow, which will include a feature in the shop called ONE that offers one-of-a-kind draped dresses and shirts. Keep an eye on this girl—she knows what she's doing!

Henrik Vibskov FW09

Vibskov is like the fashion counterpart to Willy Wonka. I kind of hope he made a version of these pants for the women this year.

Medicine for Melancholy

Coming to IFC Center Jan 30, Medicine for Melancholy is a love story about bikes and one-night stands told through two twenty-somethings who wake up one day in bed together with no recollection of the night before. After a series of unparalleled events, Angela and Micah find themselves wandering the streets of San Francisco on a sunny Sunday afternoon, taking in the sights and sounds of the city’s streets. The story feels very real and beautifully shot...I plan on seeing this one.

Putting it on paper

Luce of Ink has an awesome blog showing her design/illustration work as well as her daily inspirations. She made this awesome piece inspired by Rodarte's SS09 collection. I would love to have this on my wall...


(click to enlarge)

P.A.M. + Samantha Pleet + Wowch Sample Sale

Calling all P.A.M. lovers: my fave Nolita boutique, I Heart, needs to get rid of some of their backstock. They have P.A.M. samples from the last 3 seasons, including some that never went into production (mens and womens)! There will also be items from Samantha Pleet and zany gear from Wowch. The sale is just two days next week: Wed Jan 28, and Thurs Jan 29 so don't miss out.

I missed Capsule...

Therefore I missed seeing these amazing boots from Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair coming this fall. It's probably a good thing, because it would have been pure torture!

Swimming with Norma Kamali

I know we are nowhere near summer in the northern hemisphere, but I keep finding swimsuits I like (which further reminds me how many cold months are left). Much like my obsession with shoe hybrids at the moment, I really am finding myself attracted to swimsuit styles that combine a one piece and bikini in one. Norma Kamali has always been known as an innovator in the swimwear industry, and with the endless variety of styles and fabrics for her current collection, I'd have trouble deciding if I had to pick just one. All you studs-loving fashion bloggers, DIY this!

Don't say anything at all

Sometimes being so aware of the fashion scene and what you consider to be great style makes you forget what everyone else actually thinks (not that I care I must note). Today's Racked Street Scenes featured a girl named Jessica in an outfit I found to be quite killer and chic head to toe, but there was an abundance of hate and ignorance in the comments.



This comment kind of explains it all:

As a guy if she showed up on a date looking like this I would think "ill just concentrate on her top half and if the date goes well ill pray she doesnt show up to the second installment looking like this."

Spirit World

Pixie Market is on a roll and not stopping anytime soon—they just added Aussie brand Something/Something Else to their amazing selection of fresh designers. The label is headed up by the talented Natalie Wood, who is also Creative Director at fashion/surf label Insight. She infuses her love of nature, art and popular culture into her brand to create the perfect blend of street-chic and high fashion. 

Pixie Market is carrying a selection from Something Else's Holiday 09 range, but I like the offering for summer better (pictured below). The theme (Spirit World) is a strong one and is evidenced through the ghost thin fabrics, whimsical prints and the contrast of dark separates. I'm curious to know if the shoes are also part of the collection too.

I think I need that yin yang necklace...man the 90s are here to stay.

Alter sale

My favorite Greenpoint boutique is having a killer sale right now! If you live in New York City, I highly recommend stopping by their store and checking it out, and afterwards head north down Franklin to Brooklyn Label for an awesome brunch. Make a day of it—there are a couple of other cute stores on the block to poke around in as well. If you dont live in NYC, dont worry- they ship! Check out the goods on their blog.

Cheap Monday + WKND Concept Store

As if New High (M)art and Welcome Hunters wasn't enough to make me envy you LA folks, now you are getting a pop-up shop marking the US debut of Cheap Monday's WKND line, which I should clarify isn't available outside Sweden or Denmark, not even online. When I was in Stockholm last year, I got to see all the Weekday collections in person, and I really wanted to take everything home with me. The designs are fresh, and the garments are comfortable and affordable...what else could you ask for?

The complete Cheap Monday and WKND collections will be housed at Choose Chinatown, a new concept store created by the owners of Welcome Hunters and Lions Den. The store will also carry Cheap Monday's other lines, Kostym and L.L. Vintage. I'd say LA's Chinatown is turning into quite the fashion mecca...I may just have to book a flight over there this year.

The WKND SS09 collection, designed by Peter Jansson, invokes images of destruction in the form of earthquakes, flooding, typhoons, and volcanoes....very much a sign of the times.