Fruit of the loom

A random trip into Topshop today and I walk out with this amazing piece of hand-knitwear. I've been looking for a chunky colorful knit cardigan like this for years, especially after seeing this one from a Tokyo shop, and then Rag and Bone's take from Spring that sadly never went into production. Too bad it's like 95º right now.

OMG NYFW

I really haven't had the time to get all up close and personal with Hurricane Fashion Week just yet, but from the itty bitty browsing I've done, I got most excited by a couple of things: the green beetle pants at Theyskens' Theory and the electric knits at Rag & Bone. I guess I'm after that POW factor for spring?

Slim shady

You know who rules? Complex Geometries. Being a brand known mostly for their unique loose-cut jersey pieces has not stopped them from shifting gears from time to time. Case in point, they've put out this hot knit style that is available in a bodysuit or tube dress. It's oozing sexy summer robot vibes and I'm totally into it, just maybe not when the sun is blazing on my back.



PS: There's a Complex Geometries sale on Privé this week!

Just breathe

I took a peep at Bless's upcoming range, Nº42 and I gotta point out the awesome loose knits that will be hot over just a bandeau or swimsuit if you're beachbound. You can see where my mind is at right now, which is very far away from black ice and a cruel windchill.

Grandma gone wild

Do I get an award for the most zany knit find of the season? If so, I will gladly accept the find itself: this crazy cardigan by Japanese brand Hiro. It's available at this shop in Tokyo called Acycle which I stopped by this past spring when I was there- only a few doors down from the new Mishka store. As far as "streetwear" goes, it has one of the best and most interesting selections I've seen worldwide, clearly illustrated by this gem!

Plastic Baskets

Walking alone on a windy day, my eye fixates on a single plastic grocery bag fluttering above the street. I realize I'm having a moment parallel with that scene in American Beauty where the bag gets caught in a wind tunnel, swirling about in the air with a pile of leaves, like "a little kid begging me to play with it." NY-based Josh Blackwell also sees the beauty in these everyday mass-produced disposable objects, using the bags as canvases to apply delicate embroidery in simple patterns. Like a wise someone once said, "one man's trash is another man's treasure." I want to not only admire these creations in person, but would love to have one to carry around myself!

Second life

I'm still not quite sure what I make of Ann-Sofie Back's collection as a whole. That's not a bad thing- it just has me pondering. In terms of "wearability", this look took the cake for me. I've come to pray for these kind of killer sweaters from Ann now, especially after the memorable ones from the Ann-Sofie Back burns in hell range last fall. But the graphicness, neutral palette, generous length, and hanging black threads has me sold.... also a fan of "dangerous" looking accessories so I hope to see this belt in production too.

pc: ny mag

From me for you, forever and never as long as you like

The above was taken from the first line of Von Sono's biography, which might suggest someone that creates without boundaries or explanation, and off these mere assumptions, I'm already a fan. Von Sono is Stephanie Oberg, a designer that landed on this earth by way of Munich, Germany. Fresh out of school in Hamburg, Stephanie went on to design with such houses as Kostas Murkudis, Closed, Bless and Cacharel. She started making objects like duvet covers, blankets, and accessories under the name Von Sono in 2001. Since then, Von Sono has formed a solid aesthetic that includes textured knitwear, oversized silhouettes, and clever loungewear. Stephanie's vision for Summer '10 is all of this and more- the more being tops with faces popping out of the fabric, which I would wear ALL summer if I had in my closet.











A larger than life braided scarf and scaly leather top were highlights from Von Sono's Fall 09 collection- both are stunning works of art.

I dug through some of Stephanie's older projects from the last decade and found some awesome uses of polka dots!

What's it called?

I love a lot of classic patterns, but I love them even more when they are blown up beyond recognition. Paper Tiger did this awesome lilac purple sweater with giant leopard print...one word, OBSESSED.


via Pixie Market

Stop making sense

I'm getting close to my head to toe knit dream recently inspired by Cooperative Designs' enticing ensembles. I could not believe my eyes when I layed my eyes upon these:




KNIT shorts!? What!? I picked up these two from Uniqlo recently and although they ARE short, I've found they look rad over a pair of tights with a long jacket or cardi over top (to cover up the behind). Not only that, they are perfect under dresses in the cooler seasons and for layering in general.

I am Iron Man

There are some artists who seem like they knew from the moment they picked up their first crayon that they had a story to tell. Mark Newport creates work centering around his fascination with superheroes. His hand knit costumes combine the idea of their heroic, ultra masculine personas with the protective gestures of his mother- sweaters she made to keep him warm during the long New England winters.



Using techniques and color choices he learned from his mother, Mark creates life-size, wearable objects of art that challenge the stereotypical muscular form of the hero, allowing someone to imagine themselves as a real-life hero. Some are characters we all know well like Spiderman and Batman, but others like The Sweatermen, Every-Any-No Man, and Bobbleman are heroes Mark invented himself.



Seeing Mark's learned talent for knitting, I'm hoping he explores other wearable heroic ideas, but in the meantime, I'm ready for my custom-made hero knit jumpsuit, so call me Mark!

Eyes wide open

There's always a neverending flow of ugly sweaters pouring out of ebay and smelly thrift stores. This kind of crazy, retina-burning knitwear was once a thing of decades past, but it's refreshing to see them come back from the dead, and modernized with huge prints and unisex cuts. Such is the case with Chinese designer Yang Du, who I just recently discovered, and I'm so glad I did. With a degree from Central Saint Martins and work experience at Westwood, Dior and Galliano, Yang went on to start her own label full of vibrant color and inventive humor. Her assortment of oversized sweaters, knit dresses, and quirky headpieces for this season are a surreal trip into imagination land.





She counts Bjork as one of her style icons. I NEVER would have guessed.



These cactus-like bunny ears are so much fun.



Don't worry, Yang isn't suggesting you drown in knits for spring too. How about cute little (and big) dresses with strategically placed mouths and eyes? I can get down with that, even if I might look like I hopped out of a children's book.






all images by Bella Howard; some via Platform

Disectional

Besides the most amazing undergarments ever (that are best worn in a way that shows them off), VPL has been steadily churning out some cozy, slightly askew basics, and this season is no exception. I'm hoping some of the knit chains and skeletal harnesses get produced for spring, but in the meantime, I'm lusting over these wonderful contoured knits.






available at Creatures of Comfort

Left behind

I stopped by Loehmanns last week to see what all the fuss was about (Racked reported that they got a huge shipment in from Barneys) and definitely spied some rad pieces I had to look and not touch (my bank account is eeeeeek status right now). I had to get a pic of this insane fringy knit dreaded number from Elizabeth and James- it was kind of sad walking away from it.

Warm and fuzzy

In regards to stocking my closet with more knit options, besides cardigans, it would really be nice to work it out from head to toe. I just now got around to taking a look at Cooperative Designs Fall range, and they have me covered, so to speak. If you're brave enough to wear stripes covering your entire body, than you'd be one cozy winter warrior in that first getup.



The pom pom jumper is kinda craze (even more than this one), but I love it! I thought I hated leg warmers, but CD made me change my mind- I think the sweet patterns help a lot.



SO into the big cross earrings and this striped snood too, both available at Browns.

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

I Know Why No

I've probably only hit on knitwear here and there around this place, like when rocking my fave sweater, the amazing cold-weather accessories champ Yokoo, or in the case of this fishing net dress Ida Sjöstedts sent down the runway in Stockholm. So I was excited when I came across this picture on Hel Looks of this chick wearing the most amazing lilac loose knit dress, styled to perfection. Thank god Hel Looks takes notes or I would never know the designer of the dress, I Know Why No, even existed.



There is not too much info about the label, but I learned that it is the handiwork of designer Aino Vainio, based out of Finland. Rather than follow the seasonal model, Aino has crafted a few dozen pieces, and then set up photoshoots to draw the essence of the garments. Cursed, Cheetah, Dark Energy, and Spirited are just a few of the mini collections on her site and they all have a different, yet cohesive energy I'm really drawn to. Loose dyed knits contrast well next to other fabrics Aino works with like hologram vinyl and silk jersey, all reflecting the dark, remote nature of Finland.




















more info here