Tatyana Merenyuk is a Chicago designer originally from Kiev, Ukraine, making dreamy made-to-order dresses, jackets, and skirts.  The dress above is part of her Fall ‘09 collection, previewed through her site.  Some of the designs are available on etsy, and Merenyuk claims to be happy to chat with any potential customers about her designs and purchases (you can stop by her store in Chicago to pick stuff up too!).  I adore the neckline of the dress above, and how it’s a minidress (it kindof reminds me of an ice skater’s dress). Check out her site!

Most of these pieces can be worn as both an outerwear accessory, or an add on in the bedroom. Hot either way you where it.

Barcelona designer, Gemma Degara has hit the streets in unique style. All designs are created to be both functional and comfortable with a wide array of colors to choose from. Dresses and more formal shirts are created just as works of architecture; with lengthened backs and unique shapes it’s clear that Gemma tags each piece with that signature flair. Decorated with numerous awards for her work, the designer continues to evolve with each and every ensemble.

GALLERY: Gemma Degara designs

Mark and Estel make really easy clothes, fun to wear and layer, with their signature ripped/shredded leggings as the collection ‘must have.’

Or should I say Hussein Chalayan, since he was the originator of her bubble outfit…Japanese artist Daisy Bubble makes haute couture outfits from balloons, amazing!

Get ready for designer Ana Locking! Versatile creations for both men and women never fail to impress when it comes to this designer. With a strong focus on bold colors, all of the clothing is painted in brilliant golds and edgy blacks. Ana treats each piece like an individual work of art, with each piece accessorized fully from head-to-toe it’s no wonder that people can’t help it  just stop and stare.

GALLERY: Ana Locking designs

The perfect collection for Lady Gaga…

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.

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

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.

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.

 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

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

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

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

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!

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.

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!