This dramatic necklace is the work of LeJu, a London-based brand founded by designer Lenny Trines. There, Lenny discovered vegetable ivory, a natural, sustainable alternative to elephant ivory. “I absolutely love this material, it has a wonderful purpose,” Lenny told me last year. It’s what she used to create the dramatic, colorful necklace at left. Beautiful and earth-friendly? I can’t think of a better summer piece. Click here to see LeJu’s collection.
Niza Huang is known for her stunning works like Under Earth and Petroleum, both of which refer to the awesome power of the earth’s creations. Her next collection, Crush, is inspired by the thermodynamic life of metals and the breakdown of energy. It all starts with a rather humble material: foil.
“I experimented with different metal foils to discover potentialities and create innovative new forms. The creation process has been much harder than before, because the thinness of the foil makes it very difficult to make molds successfully.”
Niza has finally honed a particular technique to make her vision a reality and the new collection is coming soon. Watch this space for her new pieces.
For me, the word “geometry” conjures memories of failed proofs and hurled textbooks, so I admit I was rather hesitant to tackle the subject with a feature. But I took a fashion-centric approach to The Art of Geometry, talking to a few of our designers about the sharp geometric shapes that inspire them again and again. Our stellar graphic designer Eva gave the topic a stunning visual treatment – this feature must not be missed.
Our interview with Michal Lando also touches upon similar themes, as former journalist Michal experiments with shape and volume. If all this talk of angles and volumes is too much for you, click over to our spotlight on Charlotte Linton, who uses her scarves to document the adventures of her fictional muse, a stylish zoologist named Ermantrude. This week’s style inspiration comes from two places: First, we highlight great graduation gifts with a moodboard that will make you want to hit the books again. Then, check out Boticca Styles, which features two gorgeous looks that demand to be worn on fabulous holidays. Whether you’re rewarding yourself for a semester of hard work or just need a break, I know you’ll find them irresistible.
Finally, we’re introducing three new designers with brilliant summer creations. Florenz is a socially responsible scarf brand committed to delivering multicultural designs. Eliurpi’s romantic hats are adorned with fabric blooms that won’t wilt, even on the gloomiest of days. We’re also welcoming an old friend to the fold again – the hippy chic bags by Believes are back on the site. Find all these and more on our Fresh Talent page.
Though I’m absolutely a city girl at heart, I’m looking forward to a short trip to Wales later this week, where a rather punishing hike awaits me. If I make it back, I’ll share a few photos. Wish me luck!
It may be swimsuit season somewhere, but scarves are always in style. We have an incredible selection of scarves that tell stories, from Charlotte Linton’s illustrated masterpieces to Louve de Nordneg’s intriguing digital print scarves. Don’t worry, there are plenty of options for men, too – our gallery-style feature is a great way to find the perfect summer scarf.
Our interview with LACAMBRA’s founder Christina Alvarez Lacambra is a great read. Concerned about the decline of local production and the suffering leather industry in Spain, Christina teamed up with designer Ruben Gomez to create a collection of classic leather accessories made by craftsmen there – they’ve already won high praise from WIRED’s Gadget Lab and Cool Hunting.
MeDusa’s punchy plastic pieces are featured in our spotlight – I can’t think of a better summer accessory than these bright bags and jewels. We’re trying a rather adventurous new look in this week’s Boticca Styles, pairing a crop top with some dramatic pieces by new designers Bellebas and ADIN & ROYALE – don’t worry, there’s a more classic look here, too. And in case you haven’t heard, The Great Gatsby is finally hitting theaters, so we’ve assembled an incredible Gatsby-inspired moodboard packed with gorgeous ’20 styles.
One last thing: Be sure to read our co-founder Kiyan Foroughi’s Huffington Post blog for a bit of insight into why we do what we do. Following the horrific factory collapse in Bangladesh a few weeks ago (the death toll has now surpassed 1000), it has become more important than ever to support craftsmen and small brands. Help us change the apparel industry by investing in skilled artisans and ethical brands.
