This year marks British fashion destination, Browns, 40th anniversary. The store has been credited for launching the careers of many top name couture houses including Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Rei Kawakubo’s Comme Des Garcons. To celebrate the store’s anniversary, a number of high end designers from Martin Margiela to Christian Louboutin have created exclusive pieces famous from their past and current collections for the fashion retailer. Some newer names that have made a mark with Browns include Nicholas Kirkwood who created a fantastic “butterfly” shaped shoe using his gravity-defying signature heel, and a structured LBD created by Scandinavian house, Acne.
Joan Burstein created Browns with her husband Sidney in 1970. Once a small boutique housed on the ground floor at 27 South Molton Street, Browns rapidly became one of London’s most important fashion destinations and grew quickly, expanding through five connecting townhouses with number 23 being exclusively for men. Joan Burstein is credited with discovering such talents as John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan and Commes des Garcons. Her talent for spotting future fashion super stars, “is nothing more than a hunch, “it just happens”, she says. “People say, ‘How can you tell?’. It’s a gut feeling. It’s a gut instinct.”
Their complete anniversary exclusives can be found here:
At the end of March, Prada is launching a collection of limited edition “Postcard Sunglasses” line that will represent six different cities around the globe. The sunglasses range from Santa Monica florescent pink to to matte black Setubal, dominant colors representing the culture of the cities. These glasses follow 2010’s trend of feminine and chic uplifted cat-eye styled frames with a subtle retro appeal. The Pop’s blog has a stunning video of these shads in action! If anyone knows where to get their hands on these, please let us know!
Created by Melissa Coker in 2007, Wren clothing embodies the preppy chic with a down-to-earth adorable humbleness that is wearable for all girls. The line consists of loose fit tees, breezy skirts and shorts, and playful silk rompers for the summer months. S/S calls attention to khakis and navy blues for a nautical theme that will set you sailing away to beach fronts with a pina colada in hand! Starting this weekend, Refinery 29 is offering a 15% discount to Wren to its online shoppers. Who can resist a finely tailored blazer for under $300?
Apiece Apart, designed by fashion veterans Lara Cramer and Starr Hout, flaunts clean lines and essential mix-and-match versatility between items. Since 2009, duo has founded their company upon the idea of pieces that impeccably coordinate with each other for casual ready-to-wear to more formal outfits. Their Spring/Summer 2010 line brings together vibrant colors with sophisticated tailoring for a pair of fabulous loose trousers and a chic sunburst bustier.
For many of us, our glasses are not just an extension of our visual aid, but they gradually become part of our body from daily use and fashioning. Anne Et Valetin’s glasses caters to this concept completely, recognizing both comfort and fashion. The frames are largely flexible for customizable with metal arms and bold plastic faces that dramatically wrap the eyes. One of our favorites is the Plume pictured below.
Market Optical in downtown Seattle is a local retailer of Anne Et Valentin. The adorable Kikimodel is currently in stock!
Based out of Singapore, Vice and Vanity is an accessories label that advertises both luxury for our vanity - a vice of the soul. Founded in 2006 by Vivi Masturah Lim and Aaron Kao, the team have designed three collections thus far that show an evolution of shape, form, and extravagance using an array of mixed medias. Vice and Vanity have designed necklaces by utilizing laser cut wood, plastic, and metal that focuses the viewer’s attention towards a striking centerpiece.
Their latest collection, Sinew and Strain beckons an era of art deco flapper gowns with a revival of the 70’s Egyptian craze. It’s all about the fringe and netting!
For folks interested in ordering, the team ships internationally. Just shoot them an e-mail with your desired necklace for pricing.
One of our favorite bloggers, Todd Selby (of The Selby) recently casted, photographed, and interviewed people he found inspiring for Cole Haan’s Spring Summer 2010 ad campaign and microsite called “The Inspired Life”.
Here are some images from the campaign:
We are equally excited for the debut of The Selby book, The Selby Is in Your Place being released on April 1st!
V Store has the most amazing selection of fragrances! Beautifully photographed and curated, these inviting bottles include fragrances from Comme des Garcons, Six Scents (series of six fragrance collaborations by fashion designers), and Dover Street Market just to name a few.
One of our favorite magazines, Fantastic Man (for the editorial and art direction!), recently launched a sister magazine: The Gentlewoman, with “covergirl” Phoebe Philo (from Chloé fame) - creative director for Céline.
