Alex and Ani is a unique line of jewelry that is handcrafted from recycled metals to create pieces that inspire the spirit. The line consists of bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, and hair accessories. The eco-friendly jewelry brand, Alex and Ani piece has symbolic meaning that fuses glamour and consciousness. The company’s concept of Charity By Design allows for proceeds from the sale of the jewelry line to go toward charitable causes such as relief efforts for the survivors of natural disasters and wildlife preservation efforts.

READ MORE ABOUT: alex and ani

Does Not Equal is an amazing accessories brand that has been producing unisex pieces since 2007, and has really stepped their game up with their current collection. The metal necklaces and bracelets all look great, and would love to have anyone of them hanging from my neck. However, it is the sailor hat that I have fallen in love with.

Gallery: DESIGNER TO KNOW: Does Not Equal

via Men’s Rag

READ MORE ABOUT: Does Not Equal

Bassike offers men’s and women’s luxury basics in cleverly designed silhouettes maintaining a strong brand identity, which are easy to layer and make your own. Using only the highest quality organic cotton jersey, this brand is perfect for the warm summer months, whether you’re in NYC or Australia. Their decision to use organic fibers, is part of the push towards ecologically sustainable clothing production.

READ MORE ABOUT: bassike

I can’t get enough of organic and sustainable clothing, especially when they look as luxe and hip as designers Debra Kellner and Marie-Helene Gautier’s new line, Leaf. Based in Montreuil, France, the duo sources materials from small cotton fields in India, proving again that you can produce aesthetically pleasing garments while sticking to ecologically sound practices. The collection consists of urban basics such as jersey harem pants, menswear-inspired vests, wide-leg trousers, and swathy, oversized button-downs that are earthy, yet très à la mode. Parisian hipsters and fashionistas alike are taking notice, with the collection being carried at fashion enclaves such as Le Bon Marche in Paris, Liberty in London, and Flying A in NYC.

READ MORE ABOUT: debra kellner, LEAF, marie-helene gautier

 Dogstate Jewelry looks to me like a cross between ‘Frank’ from Donnie Darko, Minnie Mouse, and Mexican Day of the Dead skulls.  Oddly enough, that’s a really good combination.

Check out Dogstate’s website, but for now the jewelry is only available in the UK and Japan (and runs around 200 Euros for one piece)

SOURCE: High Snobette

READ MORE ABOUT: day of the dead, dogstate jewelry, donnie darko, minnie mouse

Former Mulberry designer Sally Turner designed a fun stationary inspired collection for London based designer Whistles, available in June.

READ MORE ABOUT: sally turner, whistles

The Italian based designer Marios couldn’t have been anymore captivating with his latest Fall 2009 collection. The androgynous looks are freakishly trendy, and really have this intriguing composition that really can’t help but grab the interest of any observer. The all black pieces display so much creativity and construction that they almost appear as dark art pieces. Dramatic for sure, but nothing short of fabulous as well.

Gallery: DESIGNER TO KNOW: Marios

via IS MENTAL

READ MORE ABOUT: Marios

Combining feminine cuts with custom prints are indie designers Silvia Hillmann and Katrin Wiens with their German cult, womenswear line, Pepper and Pistol. With respective backgrounds in fashion design and graphic arts, the designers at Pepper and Pistol have created a line that strictly follow seasonal themes. Pepper and Pistol’s spring 2009 collection, “Babylon,” is a colorful mix of middle eastern head-wraps, beachy shift dresses, long graphic tees, patterned leggings and ruffled tops. “Clowning,” the line’s fall 2009 collection, consists of trapeze print layered tops and asymmetrical dresses, as well as a ringleader bedazzled shirt-dress and clown-face prints. 

Pepper and Pistol’s fun, youthful designs are available at a variety of New York boutiques, across the globe and online at I Don’t Like Mondays. Check out Pepper and Pistol here! 

Pepper and Pistol: Spring 2009 Collection 

Pepper and Pistol: Fall 2009 Collection

READ MORE ABOUT: Katrin Wiens, pepper and pistol, Silvia Hillmann

I’ve been on quite the jewelry binge lately, but not that precious stones or “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” kind of frenzy. Instead, I’ve found myself a little obsession in long, brushed gunmetal chains and charms, beat-up sterling silver rings and bracelets that look like they survived a war. Needless to say, I fell completely in love with Brooklyn based designer, Aaron Ruff, upon discovery of his incredible jewelry label, Digby & Iona. 

Digby & Iona is unisex line, incorporating worn and detailed trinkets into wearable pieces of art. From lion knuckle rings to caged bird necklaces, each piece is charming and unique, and despite the fact that they can be purchased at a variety of New York boutiques, they appear to have a lengthy history behind them. While prices may vary by size, the pieces are relatively within the $100-$500 price range, many of them reasonably priced for how detailed and distinct the pieces are. The Black Spot Pistol Ring and the Filigreed Knife Necklace are definitely on my list of things to buy! 

GALLERY: DESIGNER TO KNOW: Digby & Iona

Check out Digby & Iona here! Thanks Daily Candy!

READ MORE ABOUT: Aaron Ruff, Digby & Iona

Make way for London design label, Ayuk & Adaora. Focusing on versatile construction and that feminine flair, the clothing brings a certain sense edge. Though there are a few softer pieces in the bunch, with Ayuk & Adaora it’s all about making a statement. Chic dresses and flowy tops are featured in their latest collection, all featuring the perfect balance of bright colors and simple tones.

READ MORE ABOUT: Ayuk & Adaora

I think it goes without saying that Czech designer Jakub Polanka is one that the fashion industry has needed for a long time. As a finalist of 2008’s Mango Fashion Awards and winner of Vienna’s AFA Fashion Festival Kontakt Award, Polanka went on to design for Philippe Starck and eventually start his own label. While Polanka has Gareth Pugh’s futuristic volume and Alexander McQueen’s artistic appeal, the designer is certainly his own, combining one-of-a-kind draping with dramatic silhouettes and shapes. With experience in costume making, one would think that Polanka’s futuristic designs would be obscenely over-the-top, but his pieces and very much wearable for the more daring crowd. From his fall 2009 collection, I’m really digging Polanka’s version of the drop-crotch/harem pant as well as his blanket coats and draped dresses! Definitely a designer to keep you eye on! 

Check out Jakub Polanka here! 

Thanks Kingdom of Style! 

READ MORE ABOUT: gareth pugh, Jakub Polanka, Philippe Starck

Make the 24 hour trip down under and you are bound to find some fabulous fashions. With Australia’s Fashion Week recently coming to a close, Australian designers hit the net, showing off some impressive collections. One of my favorites was Therese Rawsthorne, an Aussie designer with youthful romance pouring out of her sewing machine. Having worked for Issey Miyake and Oswald Boateng, Rawsthorne returned to London where she founded the label Youth World, eventually naming it after herself. Her Fall 2009 collection combines intricately tailored masculine pieces with feminine naturals. While pieces remain relatively simple, Victorian inspirations, like ruffled sleeves, high collars and bodice tops and dresses. 

GALLERY: DESIGNER TO KNOW: Therese Rawsthorne

Thanks Lifelounge!

READ MORE ABOUT: issey miyake, Oswald Boateng, Therese Rawsthorne, Youth World

Since leggings are here to stay, Lee Jeans from Australia has introduced what they’re calling Licks, the mixing of “Leggings + Jeans”.

Not found in the U.S. yet, Licks run around $135-$165 (US dollars).

READ MORE ABOUT: Lee jeans, leggings, licks

Reena Ahluwalia is a Toronto-based Canadian jewellery designer. She began her career immersed in traditional Indian jewellery. Jewellery being an intrinsic part of everyday life in Indian culture, she was able to focus on the importance of jewellery’s many functions – symbolic, physical and conceptual.

READ MORE ABOUT: Reena Ahluwalia

To say that my jaw dropped when I saw Txell Miras’  Fall 2009 collection would be an understatement. Practically kicking myself for not discovering this Spanish designer earlier, I did a bit of digging and found that she’s fairly new to the fashion scene. Having graduated with a bachelor’s in fine arts from the University of Barcelona in 1999, Miras went on to win several designer awards, design for Neil Barrett’s womenswear and eventually establish her own brand in 2004. Miras combines formal body works and conceptual art to produce her structurally exquisite fashions. And with an array of inspirations, from cinema to Franz Kafka, her collection interpretations are seemingly endless. 

I must say, Miras can assuredly compete with the big boys. Structure and volume are two of the hardest fashion elements to pull off, and with her Fall 2009 collection as proof, Miras runs circles around her competition. While the structural cubes might not be so ready-to-wear, I simply can’t get over Miras’ bomber jackets, strapped bubble dresses, drop-crotch bloomers, Balmain-esque blazers and draped jackets. Amazing.

Sad as it may be, the only place to snag Txell Miras in New York gear is at Takashimaya …and that’s on a good day. Oh well, looks like I’m going to Barcelona! 

Check out Txell Miras’ website here!

READ MORE ABOUT: balmain, neil barrett, Txell Miras

The company was started in 1981 with Karen Millen and Kevin Stanford selling plain white shirts to friends. By 1983, the pair had opened a boutique in Kent. By 2009, the brand became part of Aurora Fashions which owns other brands in the UK. Today the brand is under the Creative Director Gemma Metheringham who oversees a team of twelve designers that work solely on the label’s ready to wear, accessories and lingerie collections.

This ribbon slot bra is £40.00 and the matching knicker is £22.00. With a full design shop like Karen Millen, you can also pick up these red satin sandals for £135.00.

The team produces two main collections and two transitional collections each season – within each collection are eight stories that cover day, work, occasion and week-end. Everything in the collections is designed in-house from the lace used in the label’s famed eveningwear to the embossed hardware on the statement bags. In-house pattern cutters complete the team and help to perfect the flattering fit for which the brand is famed.

This animal set has a bra for £36.00, string for £16.00, and suspender for £22.00.

With a strong sense of British style, the Karen Millen brand is expanding outward. The brand can be found in 29 countries with 93 stores in the UK and another 135 stores around the world. You can find Karen Millen on Facebook and Twitter.

This is the Ava with bra, string, and knicker options for £46.00, £22.00, and £24.00 respectively.

LINKAGE: the-lingerie-post

READ MORE ABOUT: karen millen, Sexy Time

Hats and accessories designer Rike Feurstein studied millinery in New York and London, soon after she opened up her first studio in Berlin.

Rike’s designs are often sculptural with very distinctive shapes and colors, the pieces from her AW 09/10 were featured in collaboration with C.Neeon’s recent collection.

Above are the posters for the  AW 09/10 collection, illustrated full face shots modeling pieces from the collection.Very creative!

READ MORE ABOUT: Cneeon, rike feurstein

I love Tristan Blair, the shoes are remarkable and the color combinations are just divine (coral/salmon, with the gray and black). There is also a great mix of designs to choose from, the high heel, the bootie, and my fave, the men’s inspired oxford.

READ MORE ABOUT: shoe, tristan blair

LINKAGE: Simple Smocking

READ MORE ABOUT: Michelle Lowe-Holder, smocking

READ MORE ABOUT: Gareth Pugh Fall 2009, katie gallagher, Yohji Yamamoto

BrownbunnybyIris offers unique hat designs and one of a kind hats that have been used in films and fashion shows. Iris lives in Berlin and Los Angeles and if you ask her from where she gets her ideas and inspiration from, she’ll quickly reply “I dream my hats”.

READ MORE ABOUT: brownbunnybyiris

Maiden-Art is an Italian brand of men’s and women’s clothing, accessories, and jewelry. Highly conceptual and design-oriented, the artsy label is even planning a magazine and music label for Spring 2010.

“The Black Vinyl’s Collection,” for F/W 2009, is all black and white (although I saw a couple blue pieces in the lookbooks … ssh …), and ranges from simple tees to sculptural leather accessories, like the origami brooch above.

We have Maiden-Art’s men’s and women’s collections for F/W 2009 in our galleries — the accessories and jewelry are by far my favorite.  They have a strong, dark presence without being too goth.

GALLERY: Maiden-Art Women’s ‘Vinyl’s Collection’ F/W 2009.

GALLERY: Maiden-Art Men’s ‘Vinyl’s Collection’ F/W 2009.

READ MORE ABOUT: Maiden-Art

The relatively new designer’s Autumn/Winter 09 collection is a contemporary ode to the eponymous sophisticate, Holly Golightly to which its name is owed. Consisting entirely of uniquely constructed dresses, the Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Chloe alumni’s pieces are inherently classic and feminine, and carries an uptown palette. However, Karem’s penchant for offbeat details such as an oversized ruffle hem or a racerback bodice, and creative use of delicate fabrics add a sense of adventure and daring, and a downtown vibe that begs to be noticed. The meek need not apply.

READ MORE ABOUT: karen karem

READ MORE ABOUT: above, all of the above