Secrets Secrets Are So Fun

Nasir Mazhar for Topshop Jeweled Headdress with Multicolored Pompoms

I've always appreciated how Topshop has gone out of their way to support designers who might not yet be known to the general public, even ones who only recently graduated from college, and use their clout to introduce them to a wider audience. While the UK based flagship store is well known for both collaborating and stocking emerging designers, only some of those collaborations have made it over to New York. Lucky for us New Yorkers, that's about to change, and starting this Thursday, they will be launching a "Secret Store" at both their New York and London locations.

What secrets do we have in store? Special treats from regular partners Meadham Kirchhoff, Emma Cook, and Ann-Sofie Back will sit alongside accessories from milliner Nasir Mazhar and jewelry designer Maria Francesca Pepe. We also can look forward to new partnerships with Michael Van Der Ham, and pieces from local favorite Tom Scott. I would love to get my hands on one of the Nasir Mazhar bejeweled headdresses which were originally designed for the Meadham Kirchhoff Spring show, but unfortunately they're about $600. However, his geometric brass hair combs are around $80, and might be a more affordable option. I look forward to seeing all of the pieces in person--look for the "secret" entrance market by the eclectic flower arrangements...


Nasir Mazhar for Topshop Headdress


Nasir Mazhar for Topshop comb


Nasir Mazhar for Topshop comb


Maria Francesca Pepe for Topshop Love necklace


Meadham Kirchhoff for Topshop Bangles in a heart shaped box


Steven Morris for Topshop scarf

-Tiffany

Oh Dear

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

I don't know the lyrics to the lullaby "It's Okay My Dear," that served as the inspiration for the name of Ashley Cheek's sweet new collection, but Maria's list of favorite things from The Sound of Music could describe the theme just as well. Apparently Ashley's Mom wrote the lullaby to comfort her during solemn times, and in that spirit, the line is meant to cheer you up when you're in low spirits by conjuring up wistful images of youth and first love. Each piece is full of gloriously girly indulgences such as as flouncing skirts, frilly trims, and big fat bows. This might sound like child's play, but Ashley gives the pieces a grown up touch with revealing cutouts, structured boning, and raw edges. Best of all, each piece is made by Ashley herself in her secret studio hidden behind the In God We Trust store in Brooklyn. Handmade with love? Definitely on my personal list of favorite things.

-Tiffany

Red Stripe + Goat Curry

This camera hogging stray dog followed us around for twenty minutes and insisted on jumping in all of my photos. Cropped tee courtesy of Blood is the New Black, Acne shorts, backpack courtesy of Fjällräven, Charles Anastase sunglasses, Havaianas flip-flops.

Last week I got a birthday present better than I could ever deserve: a surprise trip to Jamaica. Jimmy had hinted that he would take me on an excursion, but I didn't know anything until twelve hours before our plane departed for Kingston. We spent the first part of our trip in the beach side city of Negril, and then spent the last two days of our vacation in the lush and verdant Blue Mountains outside of Kingston. I have to admit it took a couple of days for me to adjust my city girl self to doing absolutely nothing, as well as being in nature with half of the known members of the animal kingdom creeping around. Nonetheless, I got acclimated to our beautiful, if slightly random surroundings: a little resort hotel that was mostly populated by middle-aged, topless sunbathing, pot-smoking, single females from America and Germany who had taken Jamaica as their second home.

After this strange but lovely interlude in MILF country, we moved on to a more quaint and cozy bed and breakfast called Rafjam's nestled into a nice little valley in the Blue Mountains, which felt more like a home stay. Susan, who owns and runs the bed and breakfast with her husband and young adorable sons, couldn't have been a more wonderful host and guide, and I would honestly go back to Jamaica just to visit there again. In addition to the idyllic setting, the goat curry by the side of the road is worth a plane ride on it's own. While our hiking was minimal, we did take a little trek through Alex Twyman's family run Old Tavern Coffee Estate, which is a must see if you're in Kingston. We got to see how coffee is grown and produced, in addition to tasting plenty of it. Thankfully, one habit that laid-back Jamaicans and high-strung New Yorkers share is conspicuous caffeine consumption.


Birthday dinner at The Rock House in Negril. Alexandre Herchcovitch x Rosa Cha skirt, Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony top.


Alex Twyman's farm and house on the top of the Blue Mountains

Alex demonstrating how coffee beans are roasted

Freshly roasted coffee beans being cooled

The view of Alex's coffee farm from her living room window


My pathetic attempt at a hiking outfit, wearing the best sneakers I own. Something Else by Natalie Wood dress, VPL bra, Rogan x Target leggings, backpack courtesy of Fjallraven, Charles Anastase sunglasses, sneakers courtesy of Jeffrey's x Keds.

Jimmy at the Kingston military base

Rafjam's Bed and Breakfast

Typical Jamaican breakfast at Rafjam's

The view from our hike in the Blue Mountains

-Tiffany