Eclectic Jewelry and Fashion

Just some of the MANY reasons that we LOVE Topshop.

(topshop.com)

An object for few women: the Candy Bag by Furla, offered by the Italian brand to Internet users for Christmas 2011, has been produced only in 150 pieces that will be sold for 260 euro each exclusively at Furla.com.

The rubber satchel this time is worked in a fresh and ironic pastel pink and its personalized – and enriched – with python printed calfskin inserts, in light blue on the background and natural color on the handles and on the shoulder strap. The bag will be available from December 15th: a date to mark down on your agenda if you want to own a truly unique accessory.

(Vogue.it)

I love this bag...the pink and python is the perfect mix!

Charming Southwestern-inspired prints, patterns and materials are gaining major ground for spring.

Whit






Rebecca Minkoff




Isabel Marant




Mara Hoffman



Cynthia Steffe

Marni

Gretchen Jones

Alexis Bittar

Mango

Aquatalia

San & Soni

House of  Harlow

Joe's Jeans

Burberry

Surface To Air

Rupert Sanderson

(WWD)

 I'll have a Cynthia Steffe jacket, the Aquatalia sandals, House of Harlow clutch, Burberry bag & Rupert Sanderson sandals to go please!

Featured are few of THE most beautifully articulated pieces from the spring 2012 collections. In this moment, I'm all about the accessories! Charlotte Dellal for Charlotte Olympia, Jordan Askill, Nicholas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga (I wouldn't want those in a box, I'd strategically place them where I could see them at all times!), and last, but certainly not east, the Delfina Delettrez studded collar.

Who: Charlotte Dellal for Charlotte Olympia What: Avalon sandals from spring 2012 collection Why: Dellal's penchant for old-time glamour is clean in the ornate gold metal heel of this platform sandal, which gives new meaning to the term statement shoe.

Who: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen What: Spring 2012 runway dress Why: This gown made of mother-of-pearl and white shells with a pearl-embroidered tulle skirt transformed the model into a coutureworthy sea creature. The shells were drilled and individually sewn by hand onto the dress, proving hard work really does pay off.

Who: Tom Binns Design What: Cameo choker from the spring 2012 collection Why: Constructed of rhodium, crystal, brass, and epoxy, this neon cameo collar instills Binns’ signature punky edge on a timeless classic.

Who: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana for Dolce & Gabbana What: Spring 2012 bodysuit Why: At the finale of Dolce & Gabbana’s spring runway show, a band of models marched down the catwalk in varying elastic bodices, entirely hand-embroidered with Swarovski stones and plastic beads in different colors. For the designers, this bodysuit is a tribute to their iconic shows of the ’90s, and inspiration for the bodices came from the sexiness of pinups and the glitter of beauty pageants.

Who: Jordan Askill What: Spring 2012 hummingbird cuff Why: The young British jewelry designer created this resin piece using a combination of artisan techniques and 3-D imaging processes.

Who: Christopher Kane What: Spring 2012 runway shirt Why: Made of 70 percent aluminum organza with 100 percent plastic floral stickers, this top creates the effect of an English garden in another dimension.

Who: Mary Katrantzou What: Spring 2012 runway dress Why: The designer’s signature digital prints contrast abstractions of nature (wildflowers, underwater seascapes) with modernist metallic sculptures on this silk dress with a two-tone chiffon train.

Who: Giles Deacon What: Spring 2012 runway dress Why: Silver laser-cut leather in an elaborate symmetrical design is a bold yet wearable statement.

Who: Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel What: Spring 2012 runway bag Why: Lagerfeld used mesh and silicone to replicate the look of coral on a chain-strap bag in the sea-themed spring collection.

Who: Nicholas Ghesquière for Balenciaga What: Spring 2012 shoes Why: The graphic cutout detail of this shoe, which is made entirely by hand, is meant to resemble flames, while the metal plate on the base simulates a blade. The triangular heel is covered in leather, and the "drop" piece at the base of the heel is in a contrasting colored matte lacquer. All in all, each pair takes four hours of work to complete.

Who: Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy What: Spring 2012 runway jacket Why: Tisci used an array of unexpected exotic skins in his spring collection for Givenchy including eel, shark, and stingray. This laser-cut jacket trimmed in eel skin leaves the beloved leather jacket far in its tracks.

Who: Olivier Rousteing for Balmain What: Spring 2012 runway dress Why: The house of Balmain took a chance on 25-year-old designer Olivier Rousteing to revive the collection after Christophe Decarnin departed last spring, and the result was stirring. The embroidery of this pastel-and-gold floral dress exhibits the kind of meticulous detail the Balmain fan craves.

Who: Delfina Delettrez What: Ex-pression studded collar from the spring 2012 collection Why: As a fourth-generation Fendi, Delettrez has an innate knack for expressing her creativity in wearable art. The surrealist design of this resin heart pendant and studded leather collar necklace from her spring collection makes it a whimsical collector's piece.

Who: Dries Van Noten What: Spring 2012 runway jacket Why: The complex hand-stitched embroidered design of this cropped toreador jacket complemented the designer’s inspiration for the collection’s silhouettes, which he drew from midcentury Spanish couturiers like Cristobal Balenciaga. The embroidery is silk thread in satin stitch and some leaves are done in bullion stitch in cotton yarn, and is accented with Chinese knotted buttons.

(elle.com)

With the winter cold now hitting Paris, locals are starting to cover up, slowly but surely, with all sorts of coats, big knitted scarves (a must!) and a touch of fur (fake or real). While shots of red or orange appear here and there, the colors of choice are so far anchored in a darker palette of black, gray and beige.

(WWD)

Entomology gets sartorial for spring as designers draw on butterflies, buzzing bees and other tiny critters, making for whimsical spring looks.

Waxing Poetic

Jen Kao

Miss Trish

Betsey Johnson

Coach

Karen Walker

Melvin

Oliver Goldsmith

Judith Leiber

Tucker by Gaby Basora

Slane

Echo

Lily Pulitzer

Melvin

Emmelle

Pono

(WWD)

O.k., let's see here now, I'll take a Jen Kao sweater (so cute and imaginative!), a Melvin cuff, Oliver Goldsmith glasses, an Echo Design clutch, and the Pono necklace....I think that about covers it.

Whether prominent or subtle, wide or thin, pleats are everywhere for spring.

Carven

Asos

Giuseppe Zanotti

Aritzia

Giorgio Armani

Roberto Cavalli

Mango

Blumarine

Rebecca Taylor

Bulgari



Eryn Brinie



Alice by Temperley

(WWD)

In a sultry tropical city where there is pandemonium at every street corner and where a cacophony of colour rules the catwalks, Bridget Awosika’s collection at last month’s MTN Lagos Fashion & Design Week was like the very cool arrival of a serene but invigorating glacial breeze. The only thing interrupting Awosika’s palette of stark white fabrics and fluid asymmetrical lines was a tempting menu of discreet peek-a-boo slits stitched together with criss-cross webbing, transparent foliage motifs and ice-blue floral clusters which were pushed to the outer edges of the slinky silhouette.

 “This collection was actually quite an emotional one for me,” said the young Nigerian who left Lagos as a teenager with her parents for Washington DC where she got a prestigious degree in business management before moving to New York City to pursue fashion at Parson’s School of Design.

“It meant so many things to me… innocence, growth, beauty, and healing. I guess I was thinking of ‘new beginnings’ and ‘cycles’, exploring relationships, a woman’s stance in life, and where I live again – Nigeria – now that I’ve moved back here a couple years ago.” Despite her cosmopolitan upbringing, a versatile perspective and an aesthetic with the potential to tempt global markets, Awosika says that choosing to show in Lagos (rather than one of the fashion capitals) means that sometimes she is labelled an ‘African designer’ instead of being considered just another ‘international talent’ like her peers on other continents. Does that frustrate her?

 “In the end, I believe it’s my work that’s most important – not so much where I’m from. I love being African and I wouldn’t trade the African experience for anything. It’s definitely part of what has moulded me to become the woman and the designer who I am today.” This season is only her second complete collection. The first also included many neutral tones but focused on brooding shades of black, more unconventional draping and a deconstructed sex-appeal that contrasted a monastic mood of chastity and restraint with sheer panels and erotic brute leather.

 A thrilling, dangerous and diverse backdrop like Nigeria where a phenomenally wealthy and well-educated elite zoom through chaotic shanty towns in bullet-proof Ferraris and where high-society and street culture constantly collide must provide all the inspiration a young designer needs – does it not? Or at least inspirational muses must not be hard to find among the country’s 150 million inhabitants, correct?

 “Oddly enough, I find the unlikely sources even more interesting. Yes, I'm inspired by people, architecture, modern and avant-garde art, my mood, culture, music and so on. But it’s usually the times that I’m not even in ‘design mode’ when the best thoughts run through my head. I once attended a chef’s tasting party, for instance, and it was quite interesting how he played with shapes, colours and the presentation of the food. I guess I also find asymmetry beautiful – things that are perfect but somewhat imperfect. Things that are beautiful but still ugly in between.”

(Vogue.it)

I'm drawn to the varied elements of this collection....especially the more "fluid" pieces.

Paris, London, New York...Sydney? Though not quite a major fashion player yet, Australia's biggest city is well on its' way to becoming a fashion fixture thanks to the wildly popular handbags from Australian designer, Rachael Ruddick. Established in 2008, Ruddick's luxury leather goods and accessories are created with a commitment to celebrating classic Australian style and "sense of attitude. A veteran of LVMH, Ruddick was shocked that "the world's most coveted leather from Australia had not been embraced in a fashion sense." Ruddick's holiday collection covers all the bases from bright totes and messenger bags to studded clutches and fabulous tie dye hobo bags. If Rachael Ruddick's collection is any indication, the land down under is rising to the top!

 (modaoperandi.com)

For me, a "diverse" collection equals instant appeal! The "bay street" (pic. one) is my favorite design.

I wouldn't be at all disappointed if one (or more!) of these little goodies ended up under the ole Christimas tree!

Chloe

Sonia Rykiel

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

Kelley Wearstler

Kelly Wearstler

Kelly Wearstler

Stella McCartney

Kelly Wearstler

DKNY

Kelly Wearstler

Christopher Kane

Emma Cook

Lela Rose

Emma Cook

Valentino

Roberto Cavalli

Thomas Wylde

Stella McCartney

Giuseppe Zanotti

Lela Rose

Sass & Bide

Rag & Bone

(netaporter.com)