More Mary

I don't know how exactly I missed the Mary Katrantzou x Longchamp collaboration, but in all the fuss over the designer's latest collection for Topshop (which I also went a little crazy for, but more on that another time), I neglected to notice her less-hyped, and similarly priced new bags, which are also arriving in stores now.  The bags, which are inspired by an East meets West theme, are done in the same style as her interiors collection, and features digital recreations of fantastically imagined rooms.  Architectural elements are mixed with other signature Katrantzou motifs like cascading flowers, gilt ornaments, and brash color combinations.  One bag even includes the undulating wooden staircase of the Longchamp flagship store in New York.  While I'm not normally a big fan of the brand, I certainly wouldn't mind wearing the logo when it's combined with a fun Katrantzou print.

-Tiffany

Swan's Way

What is it about swans that constantly capture our imaginations?  While they had their big moment last year following the release of Black Swan, I don't know if we've fully exhausted our obsession yet.  One cruel friend who's known for her Elmyra tendencies (hi Gabbi) says that she fantasizes about taking their long necks and tying them into a knot.  I think most of us though are more drawn to their elegant silhouette and their long-standing fictional romanticization.  Whatever your feelings are, I think it would be easy to fall for the swan-inspired accessory series created by Singapore-based designer Mimi Pong.  The small collection includes the "Bird of Two Feathers" bag that converts from a Swan to a Cygnet when you turn it inside out, and two sweet enamel swan necklaces.   Perfect for anyone who's ever felt like an ugly duckling.

-Tiffany

Touch of Neon

11" Pink Fluoro Cambridge Satchel, iPad with Nicola Formichetti Zombie Panda cover

There's no better way to fight Seasonal Affective Disorder, something everyone deals with in this region, with a big walloping dose of fluorescent pink.  Even though I already have a large purple Cambridge Satchel, which Urban Outfitters gifted me a while back, I've been longing for the small neon version ever since it started making the blog/fashion week rounds earlier this year.  I finally decided to put it on my Christmas wishlist after Michelle mentioned that they sell lightly damaged factory seconds off the website, and Jimmy got me this "imperfect" bag, which has two barely visible nicks on the flap.  What Cambridge Satchel doesn't mention on the website is that the 11" bag is actually the perfect size for an iPad.  Even though it is quite small and gets cramped up pretty quickly, I managed to squeeze a decent amount of things into it, albeit with bulging satchel buckles.

Inside my bag: Pippi Långstrump (Pippi Longstocking, which I'm reading to practice my Swedish), iPad, Miu Miu wallet, iPhone with cover courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff, keys, and dinky Swedish phone.

-Tiffany

Good Vibrations

If I wrote down a checklist of all the things that I currently obsess over in fashion, Timo Weiland's Spring collection would somehow manage to hit a fair amount of them all at once.  It has a decidedly  feminine side, with plenty of flouncy, pretty dresses, yet also has an edgy tomboy feel that comes in the form of cropped sweaters, bandana printed jackets, and mesh tops.  Add to this a set of colorful prints, and you have a collection that I was essentially in love with at first sight.  While Weiland and his partner Alan Eckstein worked with digital prints, rather than printing sleek and photo-realistic images on fabric, they chose to do a clever reworking of classic fusty florals, spiked with a technicolor twist.  The Timo Weiland florals are giant lilypads, or coastal florals flecked with little birds, and you can almost feel the sea breeze drifting off of the garments.  On one strikingly adorable dress, a layer of printed sheer chiffon dances over cotton fabric in the same print, creating a dreamy and semi-hallucinogenic effect. I feel like Langley School's cover of Good Vibrations serves as the perfect soundtrack, encapsulating the ethereal and coastal cool that is built into these clothes.

-Tiffany

Vintage Versace

Vintage Versace jacket, Mary Katrantzou dress, Proenza Schouler heels, bag courtesy of R&Em, YSL belt, Triskaidekaphobia necklace. 

I promise I have better things to be posting than photos of my outfit, but between working, going to shows, and mustering up the energy to go to a party or two, I haven't had much time for actual blogging.  I wore this to the Saturday night shows at Milk Studios, after being inspired by the archives of vintage Versace that Laura Wills of Screaming Mimi's unloaded at the Formichetti pop-up store.  Triskaidekaphobia is at the pop-up too (photos to come!), so make sure to stop by the store ASAP, as it is only open for another week!

-Tiffany

Handbag Heaven

FREITAG REFERENCE multi-colored scale bag

Sorry for the major slowdown in posting. Jimmy surprised me with a trip to Jamaica for my birthday, and my internet access has been rather slim. Plus, I've been spending most of my time on the beach getting an unsightly sunburn.

Last Wednesday, I attended events for two very different bag lines: FREITAG and Katherine Kwei. FREITAG is a Swiss bag company that's been making bags out of upcycled truck tarpaulins and seat belt straps since 1993. While the company started with their signature messenger bags, they recently launched the FREITAG REFERENCE, with a more fashion forward focus. They've just opened their first store in New York, which is covered in a wall of cardboard drawers that each open to reveal a different bag style. I especially loved the FREITAG REFERENCE bags with a scaley multi-colored surface, and I'm a big fan of the way they utilize materials that would otherwise be taking up space in a garbage dump somewhere.

After the FREITAG opening, I headed over to the Thompson L.E.S. for a preview of Katherine Kwei's spring collection. Katherine always hosts the most fun gatherings full of my favorite fellow bloggers, and this time we were treated to dim sum, as well as two different bracelet making stations. If you aren't familiar with Katherine's work, she is particularly well known for her Chinese knot-adorned creations, and each style is decorated with a different type of knot. At one station we were given the opportunity to tie our own knot-bracelets, and after a few tries, you begin to realize how difficult they are to make--and I consider myself pretty dexterous with my hands! I have two Katherine Kwei bags, and struggling with my knots has given me an extra sense of appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into producing each bag.

Katherine also partnered with Charm Co. for the event, a jewelry company known for their charm bracelets and necklaces, as well as their treasure trove of vintage charms sourced from all across the globe. I almost never buy jewelry from other designers, but vintage is an exception, and their website is worth trawling for some of those one-of-a-kind impossible to find pieces.


FREITAG REFRENCE

Waseem, my date for the evening, in front of the wall of bags at the FREITAG flagship store

FREITAG REFERENCE

Katherine Kwei Lulu bags, my favorites from the new collection

Leather bag charms, one of which I'm positive is inspired by Katherine's furry white dog


Charm Co. charm bracelet
-Tiffany

Twelfth Street

I think I'm coming down with a serious case of date dyslexia, cause even though I obsessive-compulsively check and update my Google Calendar (every five minutes or so), I still manage to mix up dates, times, and A.M. vs. P.M. with alarming frequency. This has caused me to miss plenty of fun and exciting things, and there's nothing worse than showing up somewhere a full twelve hours late (yes, this has actually happened). I was seriously looking forward to the Cynthia Vincent store opening party on Wednesday night, and yet I sat at home futzing around on the computer until midnight before I had that smack-your-forehead moment of "Eep! Wednesday is TONIGHT!" Even though I missed getting a look at the store (and probably massive amounts of fun too), I did take some photos of the Cynthia Vincent collection at their press preview the week before. I was immediately drawn to the leather accessories, and in addition to the gorgeous shoes which have gotten plenty of attention lately, there are some lustworthy supple leather bags added to the mix. The snakeskin satchel above is my favorite, and I also love the classic riding boots with the straps on the back. However, I will still have to make a trip over to the new store at 853 Elizabeth Street soon, as I hear they have a fabulous temporary installation by famed candle-maker and houseware designer, Douglas Little.

-Tiffany

Beach Blanket Bingo

A little while back, I stopped my new neighborhood Mexican restaurant, Teqa, to look at the new Roxy collection, and to hang out with my BFF4L, and newest member of the Starworks team, Nicollette. In addition to throwing parties and doing the door at The Jane, Nicollette is now working at the Starworks showroom, and I was so excited to see her in her new role. It's definitely a lot more fun to have your best friend take you through a press preview than awkwardly lurking around alone with no one to talk to, as I normally do. We sipped some very strong drinks, and she walked me through, pointing out items that she knew we would both love: faux-fur lined booties, denim jackets, and plenty of printed and woven backpacks. We're both suckers for a cute backpack, and the blue and white leather trimmed one seems like a nice alternative to the Rachel Comey version that I loved so much, but is out of my price range. Anyway, big congratulations Nicollette, you're the hardest working lady in town, and I can't wait to visit you at the showroom!

-Tiffany

In The Bag

The newest addition to the Collina Strada collection, an adorable round bag that can also be attached to the front of your bike.

My Collina Strada bag is one of my most prized possessions, so it's really no surprise that over the past year, the line has garnered a somewhat large local following. I know this because I frequently see the vivid printed bags and backpacks popping up on girls all over downtown, and when I tried to get a hold of one of her pouches that doubles as a furry handmuff, I found that it had sold out. Designer Hillary Taymour works with artfully constructed leather, as well as a constantly changing selection of original printed canvases, to constantly create fresh new designs that are far cry from your average handbags. The prints, which are inspired by vintage designs, and modern updates on traditional ethnic patterns, allow for a burst of varied color that is uncommon in most designer handbag. Additionally, the bag styles Taymour creates are always innovative: one of her best-sellers is roomy knapsack that can be converted into a crossbody bag, and this season she introduced an adorable tube-shaped bag that can be worn on your shoulder and then strapped to the front of your bike. It's like the grown-up version of the pouch I had attached to my pink Huffy bike as a child, and I'm desperately hankering for one, even though I probably ought to buy a bike to attach it to first.

Classic designs in new prints for Fall

One of the popular roomy knapsacks

Much nicer than your average grocery tote



The Collina Strada take on the satchel style that's been so popular for the past few seasons

-Tiffany