Mischen - More than geek chic!

When I first heard of Mischen, this was the image that sprung to mind. I think I'd seen it in a magazine and presumed the inspiration behind Carla Knapp's designs had to be Geek Chic...but on further inspection I realised there was so much more to this established designer. Knapp first worked for Jill Stuart and Paper Denim & Cloth, before moving on to her own signature line.

Mischen is characterized by it’s eclectic styling, uniquely researched and refined materials from around the world, quality tailoring, and a combination of edgy, sophisticated, and feminine detailing. Knapp is dedicated to the art of fine detail, craftsmanship, and tailoring found in vintage garments, accessories, jewelry and prints that she collects from around the world. Mischen is the conduit to providing quality garments using these artful and valued techniques.

There's a definite combined vibe from both the 60s and 80s to a lot of her clothing, which is definitely elegant and fashion forward. I love the 80s oversized, camel coat with contrasting button detail - mainly beacuse it has some of my essential fashion ingredients - stunning, deep pockets and unusual sleeve length. Check out the Mischen website for details of online stockists and her full inspired range.

Twinkle...You really are a Star.

I always thought Twinkle by Wenlan made gorgeous, designer, chunky knits. Then today I stumbled across an email advertising Twinkle jewellery. On further investigation (I felt thoroughly fashion-unaware!), Twinkle has produced several stunning collections, incorporating a stunning mix of colours and fabrics, layering and loveliness. I adore these outfits above, with their full spectrum of colours, particularly the spotted swing dress, centre. Below is a peak at their eclectic necklaces - the mix of colours and materials makes them truly unique. Wenlan Chia is still a great advocate of fine knitwear but has also managed to move seamlessly into the realm of quirky fashion. Check out the Twinkle website for more details, especially of their stunning wools and knits; plus buy online at Shopbop or from the Twinkle on-line store.

Eley Kishimoto - Now on ASOS!

I had a bit of a shock today, Eley Kishimoto is now available on ASOS! These 70s Court Shoes are just so delightful and original - very Eley. I just really didn't expect ASOS to stock such an avant-garde designer. One benefit is that there are usually plenty of discount codes for ASOS, so some Eley Kishimotos could be yours with a potential 20% reduction. I can't stop looking at them (is that weird?)!!!!

Mike & Chris - Simply Stunning

The photography on the Mike and Chris site completely intrigues me - its dark grungy undertones are the total antithesis of the usually polished, over-stylised fashion shoots I'm used to seeing. I love the messy hair, the sallow skin...unbelievably edgy. The clothes are stunning especially this beautiful array of jackets, each of which has an off-beat name; Nigel, Conrad, Isaac, Donovan...if possible this makes them even more desirable. I also find it truly endearing that this a husband and wife design team:

After embarking on their much sought after hoodie line, husband and wife design team, Mike Gonzalez and Christine Park-Gonzalez decided to broaden their offering to a full collection.

The duo have created collections that better reflected the art and sub-culture of their roots. Born in Queens, NY, Christine, has always been inspired by the arts while husband Mike pursued a career in fashion photography that eventually took him to New York and Paris. "Mike comes from a long line of artists and as a former photographer, his inherent understanding of how colors and the lines of clothes work really shaped a lot of the designs," says Christine. "We knew that the standard hoodie could be more fashion forward with the right detailing without sacrificing wear ability or comfort". The design duo has managed to meld chic and street, resulting in a line that is both laid back yet put together.

Celebrity endorsements have really boosted Mike & Chris' profile. I have to be honest and say I'd never heard of them until I saw Rachel Bilson in this stunning hooded jacket, right. The jacket covers almost every trend, tulip shape, puffball hem and all with the Mike & Chris signature hood. Check out the Mike & Chris website for stockists and their full range. (Sorry can't direct link to anything specific as it opens in flash.)

Beyond the Valley - Beyond the Norm

Want a fashion piece that's a little different?...well look Beyond the Valley. A lovely online store, full of great treats and goodies. A true fashion triumph is the Little Inside Tee, a piece of design genius and kooky all at the same time. The Love is Enough and There Will Never Be Another Time, brooch and necklace, also manage to incorporate some beautiful lettering that blend seamlessly with the design. Go Beyond the Valley for their full range of products.

Topshop Boutique - Everyday clothes with a twist.

You all know I'm a Topshop fan - but I haven't posted about their Boutique range. I bought this cardigan in grey last week, from Boutique and I have to say the photos really don't do it justice. It has a great fit, with fab scalloped sides and the back detail is truly unique. A wardrobe staple, with that little extra detail to make it stand out - simply perfect.

Miss. Sixty Bamboo Clutch - Where have you gone?

So, I saw this fab clutch by Miss. Sixty a few days ago and after a little deliberation thought, "Mmmm. I like you, you'll fit in great with any summer look." I then when to purchase the very original, handheld beauty in bamboo and it was nowhere to be seen! ASOS had sold out! Oh well, at least I found out Miss. Sixty now has an online store (U.S. and Canada only!) and I can peruse, longingly, the Miss. Sixty website!

Abercrombie & Fitch - Logo Hell...but wait...there seems to be a glimmer of hope!

I'm not the biggest fan of Abercrombie & Fitch, in fact I'm not a fan of blatant logo-wear full stop. A&F (as they are also known) used to epitomise all I hated about logo emblazened fashion but since my last visit to the U.S.A. some key pieces have slowly changed my way of thinking. Of course Abercrombie still displays a plethora of logos but with the advent of its inoffensive moose logo, some subtilty has crept into their designs. Touches of grey creep into my look on a daily basis, so I was pretty impressed with these items. I adore the little grey, short-sleeved hoodie, the mini-pockets are extremely cute and not a hint of a logo in sight! The cable knit, chunky, hooded grey cardigan is also pretty gorgeous - the little bows on the pockets adding a very feminine touch. All the other pieces have the aforementioned, very unobjectionable, moose logo.

I read a really interesting article about the company in last weekend's Sunday Times Style section. It tells of how only very specific types of people are employed in their stores, those who embody the A&F "look", i.e. toned, young and beautiful. This form of exploitation does worry me in our image obsessed society as do the perfect clones that model on their website (a.k.a. the A&F "New Faces"). But Abercrombie has always been the flag bearer for all that is young americana and I suppose that isn't going to change anytime soon. The one good thing for you A&F lovers is that you now don't have to pop across the pond to get your fix of Abercrombie - the new London flagship store and U.K. based website can fulfill your logo cravings. I think I'll settle for these more subtle wardrobe staples and try and ignore the frankly unobtainable perfection (unless you've been blessed with amazing genes!) of their models and staff.

Bobby Pins, Matches...perfect design inspiration.

Now these necklaces, by Oath, are special. I just love how they've taken such everyday objects and created pieces of high end jewellery. My one reservation - the market is flooded with costume jewellery, therefore do these pieces stand out as $300 necklaces? The sterling silver versions are a little more affordable at around $120. My personal favourite is the bobby pin charm, as bobby pins form an essential part of my daily hair routine! Despite the elevated price tag, I still adore the concept behind these accessories. Check out the Oath website for more designs and another great NYC accessories store, Catbird, for even more quirky jewellery.

Rags to Bitches - Online Vintage Boutique

I found the fab online vintage boutique today - Rags to Bitches. Their store is located in Manchester but they have a fab but small selection of vintage pieces online. The website is amazing very "Victorian" (see screenshot below) and links directly to the online store. I adore this graphic print 70s dress below and at a mere £37 for an original vinatge piece, I think it shall be mine.

GLITTER & twisted - Costume jewellery at its best.

The lacey, doilly look is something I haven't explored but these fab pieces of costume jewellery, by GLITTER & twisted, are persuading me to try it out. I saw someone wearing one of these lace look collar necklaces on the weekend and it really did look like part of her t-shirt, I was truly impressed. If such a simple accessory can give any top a vintage look, I'm willing to give it a try. I also love the lace cuff bracelets. I don't wear bangles very well, the noise of them clanging together is too distracting but I do like the idea of this lace cuff. Check out the website for more fab, kitsch jewellery ideas. You can't buy directly off the site but there is a link to contact them about how to make purchases.

Matthew Williamson - Embellished Shift Dresses

I was a little unsure when I first saw these dresses last year by Matthew Williamson but the simplistic chic behind these seemingly over-the-top dresses is now starting to shine through. I think it may be a mirroring the start of spring! I saw Cat Deeley on a U.K. quiz show a few weeks ago, wearing the black floral shift, left. She looked stunning and at the time I remember thinking, "what a great dress, I wonder if it's high street?". I then remembered where I'd seen it before, on the Matthew Williamson catwalk, at a definitely un-high street price of approx £1,400! I adore the way these dresses fall and hang and when worn the O.T.T. details seem to disappear. Have a few thousand to spare?!! Pick one up at Browns or Net-a-Porter.

Vintage by Suzie High Heels

Suzie High Heels is a great online store with a truly eclectic mix of vintage pieces and work from new designers. I love the site navigation, gorgeous little drawings to lead you to each section. Two items that really stood out were this dress and scarf. The Biba inspired dress has a stunning plunging neckline and a great floor-sweeping length. The scarf has everything I love in my neckware - length and a bold design, all for only £6. Suzie also showcases new designers and I adore the little skull bracelet by Lolapeachy. I know skulls are very "Now" but I love the fact that all their jewellery is handmade. Suzie aslo has a great policy on returns, so don't worry if the item isn't exactly what you imagined it to be, you can always send it back. Apologies if any of the links take you to an item that is sold, these vintage pieces are one-offs, so once purchased, they're gone!

Summer Neons and Brights - Thank goodness for Marc Jacobs

The new trend for summer neons and day-glo colours has been worrying me slightly, simply because the last time I saw this trend worn on mass was in the form of the dreaded "shell suit" and "cycling short". Those of you who grew up in the 80s and were teenagers through the early 90s rave scene will be equally worried, I'm sure. So I was really glad to see this picture montage (above) in Nylon magazine's on-line e-zine - showcasing some of the spectrum of colours on offer. Summer brights now seem far less daunting, especially this more folk, floaty version from Marc by Marc Jacobs, available from Net-a-Porter. I'm seriously considering buying this dress as it has all the key factors I like; balloon sleeves, pockets and with the added bonus, vibrant colour (all be it a little more subdued). The main added bonus is the price, £145. My one reservation, what material is it? It says "gauze"...gauze? My gran calls that crimpeline - some of you may know what that is...and I can assure you, crimpeline isn't good!

Spring Dresses, look no further than...Eley Kishimoto

This weekend the northern hemisphere steps into the beautiful season of spring. Tonight, in the U.K., our clocks go forward by one hour to lengthen our dark winter days and bring us into B.S.T. (British Summer Time). So what's on my mind? Spring dresses of course! The first name that comes to mind is Eley Kishimoto - their clothes scream colour, brightness, and quirkiness. Two of my favourite pieces are above - I adore the rounded, scoop necks and colourful details. The red print dress also features one of my design must-haves; deep, low pockets. Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto's textile design roots shine through in these stunning prints but I'm also glad to see a little subtilty in the shape of this beautiful black mini-dress (right). With a monochrome design and balloon sleeves this dress has it all. Check out Eley Kishimoto's website for the whole of their stunning spring/summer '07 collection, runway shots for fall '07 and a list of stockists. You also have to take a look at their quirky knee-high socks (below) at Sox-Populi, they'd look amazing with some of their dresses (not sure if I could pull off the look though!).

American Apparel - Making it soooo easy to buy!

American Apparel unveiled a new feature yesterday that makes it even easier to browse their website and find exactly what you want (not necessarily need!). We've seen their Featured Styles section, their Style Grid, now comes Living in Colour. You click on the picture link to see what's available on the site in that particular colour - red, yellow, blue and purple. Personally, I'm loving the blue. Another amazing advertising feature.

Stella - Layered Tank Dress

Oooohh, Miss. McCartney, how good would this dress look with jeans! The bubble hem and light floaty material is simply stunning and the layering gives it that extra bit of coolness. Please high street stores, make an identical copy! Available for a hefty £600 at Net-a-Porter.

Orla Kiely - Stunning Seventies Vibe

I adore Orla Kiely's seventies inspired collections and in particular the photography...so kitsch, so authentically seventies. Of course Orla's signature prints are included in many of her designs but a favourite piece of mine has to be this embroidery anglaise dress. I love the mix of colours, the cream and olive green and the beautiful full skirt. Please check out the amazing website and online shop.

Chloé, when will you stop making these beautiful jackets?!?

Why, oh why, do you keep making such cute, little coats that I can't afford! Aaargghh! I love these cropped jackets, especially the terracotta dream on the left. The rounded collar detail and brass buttons are simply stunning - the jacket would add a stylish touch to any outfit. Check them both out on Net-a-Porter.

Topshop Podcast - A Fab Insight

You just have to sign up for the Topshop Podcast. They just released the video footage of the design process for Kate Moss' new collection. Kate seems to have had quite a significant imput into the range - as opposed to some other celebrity endorsements that I've heard about. She also seems very "normal" and down-to-earth, not too starry or diva-ish. Still can't wait to see what the collection is actually like...roll on May 1st.

Valencia - Fab Fashion Find No.2

While in Valencia I discovered a new label within the famous Spanish department store El Corte Inglés - Sfera seem to be a little bit like the Spanish Topshop. Every item I saw resembled something from the designer spring/summer catwalk collections - and all were reasonably priced, à la Topshop. This coat really stood out for me - it was almost identical to the designs shown by Burberry Prorsum (see my post from last week). The bell-sleeve detail, ruffled rounded collar, a replica design - all that was missing, the buttons, which you could easily replace. How much was the jacket you may ask? €75 - £51 - $99, a superb price when you consider that for the original Burberry Prorsum you'd have to fork out €1,160 - £795 - $1,550! I know the quality of the photo isn't that great but I can assure you the first thing I thought when I saw it was, "Burberry". The downside - they didn't have it in my size, aarrrrgghh! There was one jacket left in a large and unfortunately was just too big on the shoulders for me (just my luck!). Check out the Sfera website - which unfortunately isn't updated as often as the items instore and definitely seek out a Sfera the next time you're in Spain.

Valencia - Fab Fashion Find No.1

Fallas was amazing, as was one of my favourite cities in the world - Valencia. I used to live there and I forgot how much I loved trawling the little sides streets for amazing unique fashion finds. This weekend I stumbled upon this little retro shop, with a mix of vintage and replica pieces. Bacilococo was a veritable aladin's cave, full of stunning bags and accessories and amazing clothing - particularly the 70s and 60s dresses - all very NOW but still truly retro. I really loved their changing room (left), an antique indoor phone box - genius! So if you find yourself in Valencia, Spain, in the Carmen part of the old town, pop along to Bacilococo in Calle Purisima, a true vintage haven. They haven't a website yet but you can email them here.

Fallas in Valencia - No posts til Monday...Sorry!

I'm off to Valencia for the weekend, so no posts until next week. I'm going to meet up with some friends and see the amazing Fallas festival. Fallas is a true spectacle that fills Valencia with papier-mâché caricatures, that take one year to create and are then burned in the culmination of the festival, the "crema", this Sunday. Everyday of Fallas week there is a "mascleta", a daytime fireworks display that is a celebration of noise rather than light (see below). Find out more about Fallas here. More posts Monday.

Love by Geneine Honey

Wow, what a pretty little site from Love by Geneine Honey. Gorgeous, kistch accessories and light, floaty...simply pretty illustrations. I adore these mirrored brooches and fab satchel bags; a particular favourite has to be the cute swallow earrings (you all know my obsession with bird accessories!). Info from the website says:

Geneine uses her own drawings as a source of inspiration for her designs, which include a range of acrylic jewellery in shapes that hark back to the innocence and romance of childhood's imaginary worlds.

A beautiful concept. Check out the website for stockists and more information about this Australian designer.

Burberry Coats - I want one! (now please!)

I have been obsessing over the stunning coats by Burberry Prorsum ever since they hit the catwalk last year. If I had £795 to spend, the black, cropped, version of the coat (below) would be my first purchase - available now from Net-a-Porter. I adore the trench coat detailing on the back, the amazing buttons and the gorgeous puff sleeves. Another coveted but very unavailable item..oh well!

Red Leopard - In or Out?

A few years ago I swore off animal print - a dodgy photo from uni confirmed why - I thought (at the time) my "tiger" print cardigan was very cool (THOUGHT). Upon looking at the photo a few years on...it sooo wasn't cool, not then, not now, not ever. So as far as I was concerned that was it - I was done with the animal prints. So imagine my horror when leopard prints became cool again - quirky pumps, leggings, little cardigans...AAAHH! I have managed to steer clear of "the print" until now but I have been seduced by the red leopard print as showcased on the Louis Vuitton catwalk. After seeing it on several people - who all have made look infintely cooler than I ever could - I have surcomed and bought this copy from Urban Outfitters (below right). At £16 it is far more affordable and if I decide that this was truly a mistake and my previous abstinence from "the print" was justified, the £16 was a small price to pay!

Iggy & Lou Lou Jewellery

Please check out the georgeous website for Iggy & Lou Lou. It's in flash so it will take a little while to load but it's worth it. Read all about the Australian design team below and check out their website for their plethora of products and stockists. You can also buy direct from the website as they provide international shipping.

Hyde S.K. - Stunning Site

Sasha Knight, a student of The Surrey Institute of Art and Design in London, has designed for The Duffer of Saint George, Paul Smith, Jessica Ogden and Silas. On her website she showcases her own collections which are influenced by a strong interest in American Indians and Shamanism, skulls, Vietnam camouflage and American bands (click below to enlarge for more details). Check out the website for beautiful illustrations and designs and for details of stockists.

Stabo - Original design duo.

I love the accessories designed by the design duo at Stabo. Their website is full of beautiful illustrations that you can see reflected in their kitsch designs. Some particular favourites of mine are the mini bag with bird motif and these gorgeous cracked leather, slouch bags. I've included their philosophy below (click to enlarge) - which includes the use of "alternative" materials to create everyday accessories and clothing. Check out the Stabo website or pop along to one of their stalls at the various London markets (see website for more details).

Le Train Bleu - Yeojin Bae Dresses

Summer is defintely on its way...and summer fashion is looking good with these stunning dresses from Yeojin Bae, available from one of my favourite eclectic stores, Le Train Bleu. Yeojin is an Australian based designer and has worked previously for Marc Jacobs - setting up his diffusion line Marc. Her dresses have a definite understated elegance and a truly vintage feel.

To read the interview with Yeojin Bae and see her stunning dresses go to Le Train Bleu.

Zara - Simplicity becomes fashion

I had a bit of a freaky day today. This morning I saw this amazing photo (above left) on Face Hunter. I loved the dress sooo much and commented Face Hunter saying how I love the the contrasting colours. Then this afternoon I went into Zara....and there was the dress. Zara make amazing wardrobe staples, I have two Zara winter coats that have lasted me several years, each with a little design quirk that makes them stand out. This image by the Face Hunter illustrates everything I love about Zara - a simple summer dress becomes a fashion must-have by adding a dash of colour and some opaque tights. All this coupled with the girl's integral cool (amazing fro!) and it catches the eye of a stylehunter. Thanks very much to Yvan for letting me use the image - check out Face Hunter for more great global style tips and Zara for their summer collection.

Antoni & Alison - Beautiful Fabrics

I'd seen these colour swatches on the Antoni & Alison website before, but I didn't realise they were materials that you could actually purchase form the website. You can also get the very cool quirky buttons and sewing kits to add the finishing details to your creation. I am very challenged in the sewing department, so this isn't a design task I could take on - but you could potentially create a very original look.

Kate Moss for Topshop

So we've been waiting.........here's a preview of Kate Moss' collection for Topshop in this month's British Vogue:

It looks sufficiently stylish - beautiful photography, although it's difficult to see the design details of each piece. There will be MUCH longer queues (in May) at Topshop's flagship store on Oxford Street than I previously thought!!! Let me know what you think of this preview and check out Bristish Vogue for more stunning photography.

McQ - The Cool Campaign

The very clever people behind the McQ label, by Alexander McQueen, have come up with an ingenious method of discovering new talent in advertising. The collection revolves around youth subcultures, so in order to tap into those roots, they jumped on the MySpace wagon. They chose 35 people, whose sites they admired, invited them in to see a showcase of the collection and then asked them to create an image or video inspired by the products. Alexander McQueen then chose his favourite 8 pieces, which then became the global print ad campaign. Some of the artists' original work is shown below and the resulting print ads above. Go to the McQ website to see the ready-to-wear range and the stunning slide show of MySpace artists.

Perfido Bracelets

The kind people at Perfido design sent me an email today about their beautiful bracelets, designed for United Bamboo. I love their mix of materials - opaque and transparent lucites with wood. Seeing the spectrum of bracelets made me think how well they would accompany a spring look - the way the light shines through is pretty spectacular. Check out their website for the full range - each bracelet retails at £23 or $45 (U.S.).

The Chloé Oversized Satchel - A closer look.

Just a closer look at the beautiful Chloé satchel - I love how outrageously large it actually is, plus the lucsious green, distressed leather. Scholastic chic at its best!

Chloé - The new collection's growing on me.

At first I was a little unsure of the new Chloé fall collection, by Paulo Melim Andersson...but the more I look at each piece, the more certain items seem to stand out. I particularly love the use of orange, as both a main and accent colour, especially the drop waisted, ruffle dress above. I'm not a big fan of the patent, platform, doc martin style boots (they were too much of a distraction). The styling details were also a triumph. The oversized satchels were stunning, I'm sure we'll see them on several celebrity arms (or more likely shoulders!) this fall. I'm also a huge fan of printed scarves and adore the turban styling below. I'm sure they will be sufficiently expensive, so no Chloé for me this fall...but we can all look on with envy!!!

Topshop - Affordable Outerwear at its most Stylish

I know from your comments and emails that most of you are devotees of Topshop, as am I. This season I've been particularly impressed with their range and variety of coats and jackets. All are affordable, while still following trends and incorporating beautiful detail. The most expensive jacket above is £55, while the most pricey coat is £70. For a wardrobe staple, that could easily be mistaken for a designer item, I think they're fabulous value for money. My personal current favourite, that I'm strongly considering buying, is the oversized mac (bottom right). In the photo it's not that impressive, but I saw it in store this weekend and it truly epitomises oversized urban chic. They had it on display with several layered tops underneath and a great slouchy messenger bag worn across-body. It also has a very slight sheen/shine to the fabric, thanks to the use of metallised cotton (I've never seen metallised used as a real word...but lets run with it!). Check out their Jackets and Coats section for their full range.

Silas and Maria - Grunge at its Best

Silas and Maria are great perveyors of women's street fashion. I love their eclectic, grungy looks...very fashion forward. Please check out their website; it offers a kaleidoscope of looks and a very original set of navigational tools. There you'll find a list of stockists, including I Heart, as well as their men's collection.

Another great jacket by Stella McCartney

I love this Taffeta Cropped Jacket by Stella McCartney. It's not my favourite Stella jacket but I still love the shape and fit, plus the contrasting wide sleeves and fitted waist. This loose, open look on the left also shows how diverse this jacket is...shame about the price tag though...£465 from Net-a-Porter! Check out my favourite piece if you get a chance.

Pimpinette - Autumn/Winter Exclusive

Sasha at Pimpinette has kindly sent me some exclusive photos of their autumn/winter collection - W1 - its inspiration is London in the 1960s. I love the print ads above; they're full of style and intrigue. The images below are from the lookbook. If you take a closer look, you can see that the components of each outfit takes a traditional British name - a very quirky touch! Check Pimpinette's website for stockists and all their previous collections.

All Saints..not just randomly cool!

I am a huge fan of the British label All Saints. I've been waiting impatiently for their website to update with their spring/summer collection...and finally it's here. All Saints clothing is a perfect collaboration between fashion and music, they tend not to follow trends, instead creating their own brand of "cool". Check out their website and online shop. You'll find quirky, mixed with grunge and more tailored pieces.

Urban Outfitters - Cool Advertising at its Best

Urban Outfitters always seem to get it just right with their advertising campaigns. This spectrum ad is just perfect.

The Reds...





The Blues...




The Greens...




and The Yellows...



As individual pieces they wouldn't look as appealing - but displayed like this...it makes you want to buy them all!!!!

Oh Stella!

Wow...I've had difficulty getting my hands on pictures from Stella McCartney's Fall show in Paris today...but from what I have seen in looks amazing!! I adore the cape/mac above - it's voluminous but still seems very tailored. Grey/silver and red are a favourite colour combination of mine - the gorgeous red dress with fabulous pocket details, simply stunning. Admirably, Stella is one of the few designers that refuses to use leather or fur in her ranges - it's great to see such beautiful designs are still acheivable without animal cruelty, such as this striking oversized bag. This was one of the most eagerly anticipated shows (especially by me) ... and it truly hasn't disappointed.