There and back

Sup dudes, I'm back: back from a blogging hiatus, and back from a 2 week Eurotrip! I was all over the place in Reykjavik, Amsterdam, and Berlin getting my party, arty, and shopping on mostly. I will try to share some photos soon, but for now, here's a few of the things I picked up from the Weekday store in Berlin. I went wild in that place!

Sehnsucht

One of my favorite metropolises in the world, Berlin, hosts their Spring 2011 shows this week and I've been coming across all kinds of sweet events and parties you should not miss if you are in the German capital.

ffiXXed

ffiXXed is a collaborative project between Kain Picken and Fiona Lau that focuses on producing readymade fashion products. The label began in Berlin in 2007, but its headquarters are now mobile, gravitating to different global centers and using the need to adapt to these new physical, cultural, and economical climates as a way to stimulate their collaborative ideas. Their focus on experimenting with new methods of creative production has led to some really interesting concepts such as this wool scarf with sleeves that is sold out at Ooga Booga.



The duo collaborated with BLESS for their SS09 range to produce this "Shopperbag top" as a BLESS advanced product that is available on request. It might seem strange at first, but it's really just another take on the pocket, and the desire to carry things on our person.



ffiXXed's Spring '10 range titled Unseen Utopias functions as framework to explore the construction of lifestyle associated with specific forms and materials. For example, garments like the desert sun hat, mosquito net hat, and mesh dress draw on the practicality of outdoor wear and its function to mediate our experience with nature. Other pieces repurpose familiar shapes, like the upside down trouser top which is self-explanatory and the multi-sleeve rug which is literally a rug you can wear. I like their modern, clean, lightweight use of fabrics for summer, and I'll definitely be checking Ooga Booga, Children of Vision, and some of their other stockists come spring.

Handle with care

Handle With Care was the name of the debut project from Uncommon Matters, a line of porcelain accessories that goes beyond traditional materials and offers a new perspective on jewelry altogether. The pieces aren't only unique in material, but the designs are a beautiful marriage of modern artistry and ancient forms that feel right at home in the pages of an editorial. Amelie was kind enough to send over images of her new collection, entitled AU [79] and immediately I was blown away by the shoulder piece and collar. Their delicate nature would prove a daunting challenge for someone like myself, but one I would be up for in an instant!

You can find Uncommon Matters in select boutiques around the world, including Maryam Nassirzadeh in New York's Lower East Side.

Bless Sample Sale

I would surely do a LOT of damage if I was in the right part of the world for the Bless sale this weekend. Score Bless creations from past seasons and one-of-a-kind "prototypes" this Friday and Saturday in both Paris and Berlin.



While I'm on the subject, here's a few looks I'm very excited about from their Nº39 SS10 range, especially ze sandals!

Apartment Berlin

Anyone who rolls with yours truly probably had to hear me wishfully talking about a trip to Berlin this past spring- flights got as low as $380 roundtrip from NYC! I thought I would make it...but I did not. Last year I teased myself with 1.5 days in the metropolis and managed to hit up some really dope shops. One of my faves was Apartment, not far from Alexanderplatz. From the moment you walk in, you feel like you are in on some secret as you make your way across a blank white gallery space to a small spiral staircase that leads you into the shop. I'm not sure when I'll make it back to this dream cave, but in the meantime, they have put up some of their stock online for purchase, including a section called "Cash" filled with handpicked 2nd season and 2nd hand wares- definitely worth a peek.










top image via ASVOF

Bring it back

Oozing with hard-edged sex appeal, Kai Kühne's spring presentation in Berlin marked his triumphant return to the homeland, after showing in NYC since the label's runway debut in 2006. The zombie/vampire glass eyes reminded me of Ann-Sofie Back's fall show, except that Kai's centered more around architectural glamour than horror movie homages. It was definitely one of the best-styled shows of the week, with the sharply tailored outfits topped off with some delicious sculptural jewelry courtesy of Patricia Von Musulin.










pc: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and Coutorture

Playing for the high one

Between running her label, making music, and touring the globe, Ellen Allien has found time to delight us with a new collection for spring. The main line is sexy and cheeky made from a black python fabric that molds to the body like a glove-do you SEE those pants and that catsuit? Hotness.





She also gives us a more casual side line called QUARTETT made up of jersey dresses and tops featuring black or red prints of the Ace card (in all four suits). The spades tank dress looks like a winner to me.

Ohh lala!

Lala Berlin designer Leyla Piedayesh interpreted sexy in many ways for her autumn/winter 2009 collection. From a completely sheer jumpsuit to loose knits and leather, all of my favorite fabrics were in effect—not to mention Piedayesh used those amazing Ann D. sandal boots from Spring 09 if I'm not mistaken. For being her first fashion show at Bebelplatz, Berlin Fashion Week’s main venue, Lala Berlin definitely brought the heat.

BLESS N°36 Nothingneath

I'm really into the laid back approach to Bless's spring collection. The soft, muted color palette makes it easy to integrate into any wardobe, and the oversized fit means you can have that extra slice of pizza without any hesitation. :)







all images via eklil from team azita

Esther Perbandt

I came across Berlin-based fashion designer Esther Perbandt while browsing german webshop Styleserver. She has a unique aesthetic that is undeniably influenced by the progressive culture of Berlin. It has to be one of my favorite cities in the world because something about the creative output of that place (especially the music and fashion) is always so refreshing and modern.





Esther's spring collection, appropriately titled Wildly Structured, used a strict palette of black, white, gray, and a fluorescent pinky orange—pretty much my favorite colors to wear. Her pieces explore a boyish female individual who isn't afraid to take risks. In addition to clothes, Esther also produces a handbag line that makes quite a statement on their own. I can only imagine how my fingers would tingle if I could touch one of those coin purse bags in person. I'm hoping to make it over the ocean to Berlin this year, and I will def be making a point to stop by her shop in Mitte.