Good blood

Like the "Pepsi or Coke" experiment, you might have trouble at first telling Limi Feu's designs apart from her father's, unless you indulge in Yamamoto like oxygen. Her Spring collection was just that good, and spoke volumes, quite literally, about Japanese fashion today. Limi explored androgyny as the core of her collection, further spelled out by a few male models wearing the womenswear in the show (even an older man with a dog). I found my favorite pieces to be those that really reworked the idea of menswear into loose collared vests, a kimona-like button oxford shirt, and endless varieties of black trousers. The show finished off with several voluminous dresses, including the only red piece in the show which made for the perfect exclamation point to a beautiful, wearable collection.






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The cardigans

There was a point when I went straight for my black hoody when autumn began rolling in, but these days I'm working on keeping my closet stock with more knit options. Thick + longish cardigans are on top of my list, which make the perfect substitute for jackets and the best tool for the layering game. I love any that have an interesting graphic quality, and hoping I can dig up some ugly gems next time I go thrifting.








DVF @ Barneys (image from Barneys CO-OP catalog), Henrik Vibskov @ Farfetch, Topshop, YMC @ Farfetch

Be nice to your feet

Comme des Garcons always does a mean flat shoe, as is the case with these rad laced numbers from Yoox. I love the quirky take on the everyday oxford and the exposed stitching. I can't wait to see what Rei makes for our feet next season- only a few days away!

The graphically aware

Two of the most eye-popping collections at London this season came from Basso & Brooke and Josh Goot. The labels aren't strangers to color-blocking and digital prints, but still managed to mix things up and show some hot things for next season. As a graphic designer, I can really appreciate the thought processes and bold use of color that went into every piece.

Basso & Brooke (below) looked to pop art legend Jeff Koons and the black and white world of Herb Ritts for inspiration. You can really see they pushed their concept to great lengths and kept silhouettes fairly simple so the prints could do the talking. That first dress kills it!





Josh Goot's Aussie roots really shown through for spring with loose, casual separates and prints that remind you of surfboards and swimsuits. I could really go for some of those 2-color trousers and the bitmap long-sleeved shirt...and that tank is THE BOMB! Did I really just say that?




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The beholder

I most always prefer my jewelry big and chunky (like my cookies) so it was love at first sight when I found Pipertree's rock-encrusted labors of love. Brooklyn native Alexandra Lauro is the creator of Pipertree Leather Goods, a collection of adornments made from fragments of Earth and stone interwoven with lanyard and leather. The crystals look like they emit magical powers for the wearer, and that is just what Alexandra intended. Her etsy shop offers customers the chance to request certain stones or crystals they may be drawn to and if she can find them, you have yourself a special little custom piece!

Warm Up

Ok, it's not really cold yet but these two ladies are really inspiring to me with their topknots and volumes of black. I used to fear losing the female silhouette in the colder weather once more layers were required, but I look forward to it now. I love getting lost in fabric.


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Year of the Rosenmunns

I first came across the San Francisco label Rosenmunns when I saw their one-of-a-kind button-adorned sweatshirt dress on Light Vision, one of the coolest online shops around for up-and-comers. They contacted us with their lookbook for next season that offers up knee-length shorts, loose button-ups, and vibrant red sheer pieces that I might have to indulge in come spring...styled with nude socks and tabi boots and I'm sold! The garments are simple, yet unique, with a color palette that is perfect for mixing and matching. The ladies informed us that they just picked up their first east coast stockist, No. 6 in NY. This shop has a great mix of affordable young labels and vintage and with the addition of Rosenmunns, I have one more reason to visit now!

In pieces

I wasn't a fan of Marios Schwab's overall exploration of proportion for spring- it put too much focus on the torso, but I still found beauty in some individual pieces, particularly the accessories. The one piece from the collection I really fell for was this black bunchy skirt that reminds me of something Junya Watanabe would do, and I'd likely style it with a minimalist Japanese avant-garde approach too.


LOVE this pearl arm cuff....


The jeweled ear cuffs were definitely the standout accessory- kind of look like luxe spy cellphone ear pieces!

I was already stoked on the Mykita x Bernhard Willhelm circle shades but they look so cool here with this chainmail top situation, and I'm swooning over the whole past vs. future look.

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I picked my Wedges

So I have been feenin' for these wedges for months and I am so happy they finally hit the Irregular Choice store in Soho! Maybe you remember them from their AW09 lookbook, which has many other amazing styles as well. Aptly named "Flashing Lights", these wedges are very comfortable- like wearing 5 inch platform sneakers. These basically sold out in a matter of hours, but I hear they have another shipment on the way.



Dress: T by Alexander Wang, Necklace: Anonymous Agent

*sorry for the fuzzy outfit shots, still practicing how to master the self timer on my fancy camera :)

Strawberry punch

Scottish designer Louise Gray got her start as a textile designer, if you didn't guess that already that by looking at her artsy, off-kilter creations. She's spent the last few seasons building on her signature look of vibrantly-hued, boldy textured garments and I'll definitely be following this girl as I love what she's doing. Her Spring 2010 line was bursting with energy and color from head to toe. My favorite print was scrawled white on black grafitti craziness that she used throughout.








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Turning japanese

My boyfriend is in Tokyo and I couldn't be more jealous. I thought about compiling a wish list to give him, but I don't have an endless bank account to back that up. No need to ramble on about how much streetstyle over there inspires me, because I've already crossed that bridge and back on here. A couple things I'm seeing- tons of short asymmetric bobs, zany socks/tights, and interesting layering.




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Man those kids have some cool footwear at their reach (*sheds tear). This doesn't even hit the tip of the iceberg.






Rope sneakers, Monomania; rubber sole shoes, Double Decker; mesh insert boots, Candy

I love the bright socks with open-toed shoes look (finally seeing this on runways!) and have for awhile. Swedish label Happy Socks makes some great options for experimenting and I will definitely be picking up some now that they are carried in my neighborhood at Alter.

Just do it

I know a lot of you out there are avid DIYers with skills that could take you beyond making stuff for your friends or have fledgling clothing or accessories lines you are trying to get off the ground and seen by more eyes. If you can get you and your work to downtown Brooklyn tomorrow (9/24), and think your designs would fit in at Free People, here's your chance!

Yabba Dabba Do

Jeremy Scott always manages to invoke humor and cartoonish graphics into his designs, and for LFW SS10 he's taking it way back in time- prehistoric style with Flinstones-inspired mini dresses and sexy bathing suits. Here are a few of my favorites- the only thing missing is Wilma's rock bling necklace!












images via WWD + Mark Hunter

Just a spoonful of sugar

Woah, I'm seriously riding high on the color wave this week! I was on Minimarket's site earlier and was excited to see they've posted images of the Spring accessories already. It's all so bright and sugary sweet- Warhol reincarnated if you will. I absolutely adore the way they styled everything in the lookbook, especially those zig-zag shoes worn with bright salmon-colored socks. I'd like to see how the caps work with the hair worn down.

The new girl in town

This was hands down my favorite shot from Tavi's feature in POP. The Ashish jumper looks like it was made for her...paired with that blonde wig and the "this isn't happening" pose and it's golden. I contemplated all sorts of clown garb staring at a bag of pom poms last night in the dollar store...in due time.


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There came a big spider

When I looked at Louise Goldin's efforts for spring, I immediately thought of "Little Miss Muffet", except this isn't the Miss Muffet you're used to seeing in the children's book. Baby doll dresses got the 90s Versace treatment, and everything had a bit of a sci-fi touch, especially that gold lurex jumpsuit that totally nailed it. Check out the amazing colored heels covered in crystals and spikes- so dope!






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