RSVP

These days, I discover new stores via Tumblr even more than ever. Once you start clicking around for sources, your taste will inevitably align with a person or place you'll want to add to your follow list. RSVP Gallery is a Chi-town boutique and gallery space that is definitely up there on my heavy inspiration tip, both in their inventory of amazing lux and streetwear brands, and the merchandising and styling seen in their promo images. I'll definitely be popping through if I ever make it to Chicago.

images via RSVP tumblr

Just another day in paradise

It's always around this time of year that I start pining for spring pretty badly. This whole tropical/ hawaiin print trend is only making it worse, but I'm def on board with it 100%. One of the finest examples I've seen is Mother Denim's "Another Day in Paradise" jeans. Words can't express how awesome these are! I've seen them mentioned on a few other blogs, but if you are at a loss at where to hunt them down for spring, allow me to recommend Goldyn. The online shop, which recently opened its first brick-and-mortar store in Denver, knows their stuff: they carry labels like Alexander Wang, Pamela Love, and Vena Cava. Check them out, and if you find something you like, use the code ISMENTAL20 and get 20% off your order this month.

The doctor is in

When I heard they were putting a Dr. Martens store in NYC, I thought "bout damn time!" Docs have been making a huge comeback over the past few years with the 90s resurgence and collabos pouring out of fashion land. I myself got down with the Dr. Martens for Opening Ceremony pony hair Darcie boot. So I had to stop in the new store a few weeks ago and survey the variety of docs available these days. I grabbed pics of some of my faves- especially loving the ones with raised patterns and textures. Reptile, embossed floral, metallic, polka dots...what's next!?

Nervous twitch

Never has fashion photography on the web been more lively and trippy than the day Reed + Rader put their spin on it. These days, e-commerce boutiques are competing for our attention through amazing styling, self-produced lookbooks, and editorials that all promote their inventory. A favorite online store of mine, SSENSE has just enlisted the photography and digital art skills of Reed + Rader to further shake up the fashion status quo with this satisfyingly creepy editorial.















Photography: Pamela Reed + Matthew Rader; Stylist: Aki Maesato; Makeup: Katie Mellinger; Hair: Saya Hughes; Model: Uliana at Trump; Photographer's Assistant: Jude MC

Time to play

So on Thursday night, I rolled by the Oak party celebrating Salvor Project's makeover to the giant geometric sculpture that snakes through the store. I forgot to get a picture of it, but Zana was there to document the stunning installation and the cool kids that took over the store (also more pics on Oak's facebook). Me the amateur, on the other hand, forgot my camera so only snagged a few from my iphone!


My friend Missy collaborated with our friend Sonia, a skilled tarot reader and graphic designer, to come up with this epic design she had screened on her jacket. I might just it put on my denim jacket and be twins!


I've been to many a club and party in my life so "glow jewelry" is nothing new to my eyes, but seeing these bracelets worn outside of that setting and scene looked refreshing and new somehow?


Next up, we walked down to Stanton St. for the grand opening party for International Playground, a clothing store that specializes in a lot of up-and-comers from Scandinavia and New York.


They sell that matte polish by Knock Out Cosmetics that's been around the blog-o-verse for a minute.. they don't have too many stockists yet so good to know they carry it!


A little vain time, but honestly I liked their mirror! I'm wearing an AA hoodie, Jil sander/Uniqlo dress with a Weekday mesh dress over it, and Robert Clergerie boots.


This store has a living plant wall!! You must see this in person..so beautiful. I wish I had one in my apartment.


This oversized ying yang Daniel Palillo top hung in the window to lure you into the store. There was quite a few pieces by Palillo, so excited to know I can try this stuff on in person now!

Hanging around on Bowery

Tuesday night, I stopped by Eva for the Telfar spring preview party for his diffusion line Un.der T. It's a store that's been high on my list of ones to visit but for some reason I've never gotten around to checking it out (they have an online store but appears to be down right now). Well what have I been missing? A LOT. The store stocks a really great mix of established & emerging labels such as Henrik Vibskov, C.Neeon, Telfar, Barbara Gongini and Savant. Telfar's line hung near the front on these mannequins suspended from the ceiling.



On the right when you walk in, the walls are ablaze with neon works by artist Norma Markley. I'm not sure how much longer the exhibition will be up, but if you're in the area and dig neon art as much as I do, definitly pop by.



My girl Susanita under a cloud.



Here's a shot of some of the C.Neeon pieces stocked at Eva- one of just a few stores that carries that line in NYC.



The back of the store housed a lot of the emerging designers- was stoked to see local label Take Off Your Clothes represented. My eyes popped out of my head though when I saw this rack of vintage fur coats. I did not adjust the colors in photoshop- they were really that bright! I'm pretty sure they were llama, but could be mistaken. I couldn't even bring myself to try one one knowing I couldn't afford this madness anyway.

Eva also carries some super rad jewelry, especially necklaces. They have the Zero + Maria Cornejo horsehair necklaces I love, designed by her stylist Victoria Simes.





Needless to say, I highly recommend this store. If you want to make a day of it, you're not too far from New Museum, Rogan and St. Marks. Also, this giant ode to Homer Simpson on the wall down the street...hilarious.

New Items Up on the Mart!

We just posted some new items up on Mental Mart! Be sure to check them out along with all the other great pieces we have up for sale. Happy shopping!

Open for business

Living in modest NYC apartments does not lend itself well to hoarding clothes (plus I just moved into a smaller space), so Danae and I decided to open up our closet doors to you in an effort to edit our wardrobes. We'll call it Mental Mart...has a nice ring to it eh? We'll be adding more stuff over the next few days, and be sure to check back weekly by clicking the link on our sidebar.

Bringer of joy

Karen O's performance outfits never fail to ooh and ahh me cause her costume designer, Christian Joy, is a pure genius. So I was stoked to see the designer recently opened an etsy store selling one of a kind handprinted pieces made in her studio in Brooklyn. The collection of tops, dresses, scarves, and tights are meant to resemble Joy's work as a costume designer, but are a lot more wearable of course.

I love this religion print the most, which repeats "Joy" amongst listing some of the countless religions on this planet.

This fringe scarf is amazing too, modeled by Elizabeth of The Trashicist (who interns with Joy).

Keep x Ooga Booga Mini Shop

If you're in LA, and looking to get a head start on holiday shopping, you're in luck! Keep (the vegan shoe label) has joined forces with Ooga Booga to host a "Mini Shop" that celebrates with an opening tomorrow from 6-9pm at Keep's Fairfax store (523 North Fairfax Avenue). The shop will feature a fun assortment of items, all under 100 bones, from OB's tightly knit community of artists, musicians, photographers and designers. Contributors include Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony, Alexandra Cassaniti and more (and that's just the fashion tip of the iceberg). The shop will stick around until the new year.





In honor of the collaboration, Keep + Ooga Booga have also made fresh fruit preserves and pickled beets which use sustainable produce only. YUM. Get your eat and shop on for me!

Shop Brinie

I pretty much work right upstairs from the Eryn Brinie store in Soho now, but if you love their clothes and aren't as geographically close to the store as me (they also have locations in Italy and Korea where they're based), you can now shop online. I just popped in the store yesterday, and they have a 40% off Fall sale with a lot of great knit pieces and some nice trousers, so definitely check out their selection if you are in need of some winter wardrobe additions.

*Stop by the store this Saturday to shop the sale and browse the racks to the tune of disco classics and cologne techno with Luke and Zach Go Boating.

Bart

Somehow I discovered Bart, a small secondhand boutique located in Seoul. Their precise eye has collected more or less a dream closet for me, dedicated to stocking finds from labels I hold close to my heart like Margiela, Limi Feu, Bless, Dries Van Noten, Comme, Bernhard Willhelm, and more of that variety. It's rare to find a secondhand boutique like this with such a curated point of view- the buyer(s)' own style really is key. I have yet to inquire if they ship globally, but in due time!


Cosmic Wonder


merci beaucoup

Balenciaga + Limi Feu

Bless

X-girl