Designer Discovery: Steampunk

Edited by Kirby Marzec

I’ll admit it, these Japanese 19th century inspired wrist-watches by Steampunk have got to be the craziest things I’ve seen in a long time. Talk about hardware! These watches incorporate materials from leather to metals like copper and even foam pieces! Although many of the artisanal pieces are a bit impractical to wear on a daily basis, we must agree that these watches have a very appealing aesthetic! They might look straight out of Disney’s animated move The Rescuers, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a brave soul sport one of these crazy time pieces!

Thanks Gizmodo!

Designer Discovery: Natalia Brilli

Edited by Andy Wass

Accessories designer Natalia Brilli is another one of those grown-up goth visionaries. Like Gareth Pugh and Olivier Bobin, Brilli designs pieces that are dark, conceptual, intriguing, and daring.

Belgian-born and Paris-based, Brilli attended La Cambre in Brussels and started out in the theater, designing sets and costumes.  Gradually she began collaborations with fashion designers.  In 2003 she enrolled at Paris’ Institut Francais de la Mode (IFM).  Here she began her devotion to accessories design.  In 2004 she not only joined Rochas under Olivier Theyskens, but also launched her own line.

Her handmade leather jewelry and accessories are now like ink spreading across the globe.  From sculptural bags to layered necklaces, the weighty black make Brilli’s pieces look serious — but they often have a humorous tint.  She’s made a laptop sleeve with a keyboard molded on the outside, and her signature “Nolex” bracelet (bottom image), which is a leather-wrapped fake watch.

Brilli has also done art installations, and won the Association Nationale pour le Developpement des Arts de la Mode (ANDAM) award in 2006.  

Images from Natalia Brilli’s official site and Flickr.

Designer Discovery: Vassilisa

Edited by Rebecca Alexander

Vassilisa, a luxury fashion label named after classic Russian fairytale heroine, “Vassilisa the Beautiful,” is inspired by myth, history, art and nobility. Designed by Nadja Solovieva, a graduate of Central St. Martins in London, Vassilisa plays on heritage and folklore in an inspiring and stunning women’s ready-to-wear collection.

Vassilisa Spring/Summer 2009 is made from romantic silk and chiffon prints hinting seventeenth century silhouettes. The collection includes dresses, separates, caftans and scarves. Prints are custom made and include delicate chains, romantic floral and ancient lettering in hues of soft blues, oranges, black and white, green and rose.

Designer Discovery: Tilly Bloom

Edited by Saynt

Born and raised in Scotland, Tilly Bloom is one designer we can’t seem to get enough of.  Grabbing her inspiration from Scottish slang and Victorian culture, Tilly at one with the whimsy created by her conversational jewelry. Now a Brooklyn native, Tilly is spreading her gifts with a collection of earrings, necklaces and broaches that turn any outfit into a work of art.  

She believes that people would be happier if everyone had special objects which seemed to speak to them alone, and gave gifts which were literally unique. You can find more Tilly Bloom on her etsy shop and website.

Designer Discovery: Aardvark K Mask

Edited by Rebecca Alexander

Crafting highly innovative facial sculptures under his label Aardvark K Mask, Rasmussen’s conceptual pieces are hand-crafted expressly to make heads turn. Melding highly artistic design with a wearable form, Rasmussen works with a mixed-media that mainly consists of hard-style papier-mâché that’s typically used for body armor and buildings. The masks range in their intricacy from a lip-covered, side-paneled face support to unique full-coverage masks with tube-formed eye sockets or those with graphic shapes jutting from structural appendages. The most recent addition to the theatrical collection is the revealing mask, constructed from twisting forms over the face that are carefully placed to emphasize rather than hide the wearer’s facial features.

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Designer: Quail

Edited by Amanda Gabriele

Oh what it’s like to be a working woman in your 20s, longingly gazing into your favorite designer’s store window. With that disposable income just starting to show its face, most of the funds are going towards a party. But not to fear! Designer Michelle Williams felt the same aches and pains that every gal starting a career has experienced. That’s when she decided to start her label Quail. The Long Beach-based line boasts prices in the $40-$110 range.

With no formal training, Williams used to cut and reconstruct old garments as a child. Her design concepts are blatantly seen in her creations- modern garments with a vintage-y feel. She describes herself as a Quail- a term used in 60s hipster slang to describe a woman or girl. Williams gets inspiration from music, art and local culture. Her fabulous line includes adorable high-waisted skirts and pants, vintage-looking jackets and vibrant minidresses. Her line can be found at various locations throughout New York including Catbird, In God We Trust and Cry Wolf.

Thanks to Qisforquail.com for all the info and photos.

Designer: SQY-T Skin of the City Collection

Edited by Kirby Marzec

Talk about detail. SQY-T’s Skin of the City t-shirt collection has captured elements of the hustle and bustle and made them wearable, on a t-shirt:

Skin of the City by SQY-T is inspired by different natural or man-made textures found in the city. Just like the fact that human beings have different skin colors, the skin of the city is also very diversified. Being in the city, we might be merged into the urban environment better when putting on such a camouflage.

If you don’t want people staring at your chest for hours on end, I wouldn’t suggest wearing one of these crazy shirts, but who can resist a t-shirt of their very own apartment. Hey, maybe you’ll get lucky and appear in one of the windows!

Designer: Olsenhaus

Edited by Amanda Gabriele

Elizabeth Olsen decided at a young age that animal cruelty was something she was not going to take. She first became a vegetarian, followed by a vegan and has been an advocate for animal rights for more than 20 years. She ultimately decided to turn her beliefs into a creative force, and the Olsenhaus brand was born.

Originally a southerner, Olsen attended art school in the South and design school in New York. She worked on the East Coast as a designer for Nine West, Calvin Klein and Bulga in addition to being the Creative Director at Tommy Hilfiger. She worked as a stylist on the West Coast on print ads, commercials and films. But her most impressive work is her vegan, cruelty-free shoe line Olsenhaus. Not only are they environmentally friendly, but the designs are the most creative and hip I have seen in awhile. From electric blue ultra suede boots with silver paint splatters to chunky black and silver platform heels, her collections have something for everyone to look good, and feel good, wearing.

Thanks to Olsenhaus.com for the info and photos! Make sure to check out the spring ’09 lookbook on the site.

Designer: Thea Lang

Edited by Marissa Moshell, Student

Paying close attention to past experiences and surroundings, Thea Lang has emerged as a designer on a mission. The inspirational roots found throughout Thea’s works stem from the various neighborhoods, which surround her hometown. Drawing upon a vintage feel, Thea uses vintage elements throughout her pieces to give them the perfect touch of unexpected edge. Thea works toward an incredible balance, which is achieved not only by incorporating multiple elements, but by composing a work with two inevitable extremes. The use of bulkier, more prominent aspects of a piece along with more simplistic, delicate aspects allows for a bold statement.

Thea Lang jewelry encompasses several elements that make the collections characteristic of their passionate designer. The gold scheme radiates amongst the intricately inscribed designs. The chains provide a sense of edge, whilst the designs provide the innate touch of flair. It’s a combination, which deserves an endless amount of applause. The pendants withhold a degree of design detail that is desirable amongst a wide range of people. With experience and familiar surroundings as one’s inspiration, it’s a wonder that such diverse and innovative fashions could be produced as the result.

Designer: Nova Dando

Edited by Andy Wass

South Wales-born Nova Dando earned a humble Knitting degree from Central St. Martin’s before embarking on a path of self-branding and innovation.

Dando started out working in fashion PR (along the way connecting with Gareth Pugh, House of Holland, etc.), event production, and assisting on photoshoots.

For four years she has also been half of DJ duo Lou&Nova, who perform internationally at fashion and music events.

Now she has fused all her creative endeavors into her own clothing collections. Dando’s musician and artist neighbors started enlisting her to style their videos and shoots. Soon she went from Missoni wannabe to an in-demand stylist and costumer. She’s still pretty under the radar now, especially in the states, but Dando’s specialty is made-to-order pieces for music videos, fashion editorials, events and performances.

Notable clients include M.I.A., Hercules and Love Affair, The Teenagers, Operator Please, and Vice magazine.

Above images are from Nova Dando’s A/W 2008 Disco Collection.