Style Notes

Archive for July, 2009

india + irish convent + osh kosh b’gosh = a really cool label

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Raised in India by a family with close ties to the country’s glorious textile industry gave Raasta creative director, Kavita Parmar, an inherent sensibility for color and craftsmanship. But her destined fashion designer path doesn’t stop there. Schooled at an Irish Convent, Kavita learned to sew and embroider. AND THEN, she took over the OshKosh B’ gosh license and expanded the iconic children’s wear label throughout India. It gets better still. After satisfying her wanderlust and living in cities such as London, Singapore, Hong Kong, San Fransisco and New York, she moved to Madrid…and stayed. It was there that she created Raasta, which is the culmination of her cultured and storied past. The result is a whimsical and colorful collection sprinkled with hints of Kavita’s rich experiences. And everything is utterly wearable too!

For fall, we are over the moon for Raasta’s Jumper in the most perfect deep green and her bright, punchy tops.

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Pretty Tough

DUSKIN FALL 09

DUSKIN FALL 09

I first learned of the lovely label DUSKIN in ELLE magazine where the equally lovely designer, Stephanie Tran, was profiled. Her debut spring collection managed to be whimsical and romantic yet totally wearable. Tran has a knack for creating pretty clothes that maintain a cool girl edge. The follow up fall collection, pictured at left, still has plenty of pretty details, but with a hint of gothic. There’s a black party dress that is reminiscent of a chic Wednesday Addams and a navy and black (the best color combo ever) yarn sweater that is knitted into a loose web…that I plan to wear to death this fall.

We’re pretty excited about the entire collection!

For more on this brilliant new line, check out Stephanie’s blog - appropriately entitled “Other Pretty Things.”

Quail in August LUCKY

Quail featured in August LUCKY!

Quail featured in August LUCKY!

LOVE. This Quail top. LUCKY features it in their August issue and we’ll be stocking it on our site this fall. The versatility of this piece makes it so special…dress it down on the beach or glam it up for a night out. One top…Multiple Looks. Recession friendly!

Let us know if you want us to set one aside for you.

More Than Meets the Eye

Operations

Operations

When Matteo Gottardi, Michael Leen, and Hamid Johannes Mahmood joined forces to create Operations they set out to merge fashion and functionality. The uniforms of blue collar men and women throughout history inspired this trio to create a line where their designs serve a purpose as well as show the inherent beauty that lay in each functional detail. They reinterpreted fits and fabrics and designed unique and wearable pieces with the lineage of the original remaining intact. Raw wools become Italian tweed jackets, combat fatigues become blazers and blouses, and rugged utility fabrics morph into trenches, clerk skirts and Russian army coats. Who wouldn’t love these carefully constructed and oh so “operational” pieces?

So keep your eyes peeled for the fascinating details that make up each special piece!!

Operations = more than meets the eye. Shop the collection NOW!

Je t’aime IRO

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IRO

Already a huge success in its native France, this beautiful Parisian line got its name from the Japanese word for colorIRO has been a staple for the fashionable femmes overseas for the past few years and we love they are now stateside too.

Created by two brothers, Laurent and Arik Bitton, this collection blends high fashion city styles with bohemian inspired prints to embody the fresh feminine spirit of modern young women.

If you ever in Paris take a stroll down Rue de Saint Peres into their flagship store but if you are daydreaming of Paris you can still enjoy IRO essentials at shoplesnouvelles.

Dress Like Daria

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July '09 VOGUE

July VOGUE’s “City of Dreams” well story opens with a lovely, layered Daria Werbowy. Her leggings are Rag & Bone and we’ll be stocking several styles on Les Nouvelles. The flattering cut, flexible fabric and signature Rag & Bone detailing make them essential to your fall wardrobe. Email us if you’re interested in pre-ordering!

Color in a Sinch

Meredith Wendell's Delicious Belts!

Meredith Wendell's Delicious Belts!

Poor belts. While an essential fashion accessory, they are so often an afterthought. We use them to polish a look or billow a blouse, but rarely do we set out to style an outfit around them. Former Marc by Marc Jacob’s accessories designer, Meredith German, felt bad for belts and set out to create a collection where they would garner the attention they deserved. Her brilliant new label, MEREDITH WENDELL, is comprised of outfit making belts that will serve as the foundation for your fall looks rather than the finishing touch.

Meredith’s “uptown awkward” aesthetic is characterized by bold and unexpected color combinations and quirky chic glass dot embellishments. Even color phobes won’t be able to resist cinching their black ensembles with a popping Meredith Wendell belt.

And so belts are back in the spotlight thanks to Meredith, and such venerable fashion publications as The New York Times Style Section and Style.com have already taken notice! Belts should be proud.

PS - She has bags too. I know!! Way too much excitement in one post!