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Look Three: Barefoot Summer Walk

The Stripe Dyed Skirt: Maggie Ward, $300

This maxi looks straight out of the desert. The flowing chiffon will hit the floor when worn at the waist, but I pulled it up to just below the bust to extend the possibilities of layering. It’s even more comfortable than it looks (if you can imagine), which is designer John Ward’s goal with the brand.

The Nude Lace Top: Pas de Calais, $258

Pas de Calais is a region in the north of France known for its exquisite lace. That is why this Japanese company chose to name the company as such. I chose the top for its delicate nature and the ability to see through it to the under layers – an important factor this season.

The Mesh Metal Bra: Diana Broussard $594

With the metal detailing of the bra and the height of the skirt just showing a sliver of skin at the ribs, this is a classy way to see through a shirt. Having worked under the tutelage of John Galliano at Dior (in the 90’s, pre-drama) and at Gucci designing shoes, Diana Broussard now creates ultra stunning shoes, and a collection that encompasses lingerie like this.

The Sweater as Belt: Pas de Calais, $258

A men’s sweater tied ‘round the waist whispers nonchalance while defining the waist. Luckily, it will keep you warm as the night rolls in chilly later on. The quality of the wool is superfine, as is the tradition of Pas de Calais.

The Skirt as Shawl: Pas de Calais, $298

Whether they know it or not, and they probably do, Pas de Calais has crafted a seriously versatile piece out of this. It hangs as wrap around skirt, meant to sling low. I however threw it over my shoulders as a shawl. I like things that do things.

The Gold Scale Bracelet: Diana Broussard, $590

Like a dragon’s skin of solid gold, this engulfs my forearm in luxury. Broussard has a personal legacy of haute couture houses, of course it’s divine.

The Longest Necklace in the World: Laura B Collection Particuliére $500

Woven gold and silver and other various metals block together to form a necklace, that has the capacity to twist and drape on your body to your desired length. Spanning from neck to shin, I have found my favorite way to wear it. Little fact about Laura Bortolami she was studying law and economy before she met Armani’s primary assistant, which set her on a path to fashion.

A. Turen | 85 Stanton St (btwn Orchard and Allen), New York, NY | (212) 533-8200

Photography by Christopher Hall

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LOOK ONE: Crop It Tall

The Painted Shorts: A. Turen, $168

The look began with the jean shorts, hand painted by Ashley Turen. Tattered to exposed-pocket summertime delight, these completely original mid-waisted metallic daisy dukes spoke to me.

The Nude Leather Tank: Maggie Ward, $282

I chose this top for its stability and flounce; the cropped A-line is perfect with a short and tight high waist. Plus, the leather is like cream. Maggie Ward was founded by Three Dots co-founder John Ward with the vision to make comfortable clothing that doesn’t appear comfortable. Tricky, tricky, and totally working.

The Softest Cropped Cardi: KristenseN du Nord, $239

This piece immediately warranted a home in the Boutique Critique. The combination of fabrics so delicate on a shape that embraces the moment makes for a must-have. Since the brand’s inception in 1996, they have worked exclusively with carefully selected Italian craftsmen and the finest materials. They use a method they call “wash-wash” to ensure zero shrinkage.

The Turban-Tied Scarf: Juma, $176

Amidst the wall of brilliantly patterned scarves, this one jumped out in its regality. With the image of a peacock surrounded by its painterly feathers, it just begged to be wrapped around my head until it became a fabric beehive. Brother and sister duo Alia and Jamil Juma forged these scarves and the rest of their collections from the influence of travel and art.

The Memories Necklace: Venessa Arizaga, $325

Off this chain hangs little bits of reminders of the trinkets you’ve encountered throughout your life and childhood. Each piece of jewelry is different; these pieces are gathered by Vanessa Arizaga through her copious travels. Before she took the dive into her own jewelry business, she was deep in the design world working under Tuleh, Carolina Herrera and Zac Posen. This is jewelry with a sense of humor and a background of elegance.

The Sneaks: Ash, $130

Properly faded and bleached, this pair makes one chill summer sneaker. The design pair Leonello Calvani and Patrick Ithier share a history in French luxury and create fine shoes that hit abreast of the trend – they strive to cater to those who seek out fashion in the most thrilling cities in the world.

The Chain Mail Pouch: Laura B Collection Particulière, $760

Made of metal mesh that moves like water, this pouch slouches so elegantly at the side. It has an alternative handle to carry on the wrist as well. Versatile and a little bit see through, I’m rather in love. This bag came to Laura Bortolami in a dream, whilst sleeping in Morocco; a glimmer on mesh. And so she did. Before she did any of this, she worked in her native city of Rome for Armani, Gianni Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and more until she dedicated herself fully to her jewelry venture in 1999.

Like what you see? See more all week here from A. Turen. And here’s where to go to get your own:

A. Turen | 85 Stanton St (btwn Orchard and Allen), New York, NY | (212) 533-8200

Photography by Christopher Hall

PS – Seriously, try the meatballs across the street.

Look Five: Spring Spins Sheer and Long

The Sheer Tie Dye Skirt: $175

The dyed effect on this clear piece brings ethereality. It’s meant to layer, so I kept my blinding purple American Apparel tights on underneath. The leggings are low slung, and I’ve hiked the skirt up, leaving my skin only partially exposed, good for a summertime peekaboo.

The Summer Vest Dress: $195

Hitting floor length and speckled with florals, this garment is flexible in its wear. Pull it open for an all-encompassing vest, or close it for a lovely sweeping dress. And it gives me slight vibes of Easter Sunday, which I suppose makes sense, as it’s been reborn.

The Cashmere Crop: $105

Soft and delicious is this little top. It squeezes right into this look, its lavender picking up the purples throughout. In the mid-weather Spring, it’ll keep you cuddling warm with a jacket, but will still be working alone with a high waist. The shoulders stay aloft with substantial facing, acting as its own shoulder pads.

Want more from The Reformation? Check what I did with Look 1, Look 2, Look 3 and Look 4. Happy Shopping.

The Reformation NYC | 143 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, (646) 448-4925

Photography by Christopher Hall

Shoes by Walter Steiger.

Look Four: Layered and Lace

The Long Lace Skirt: $205

I chose this skirt because it has to be layered, and the lace is insatiable. It’s perfectly narrow at the waist with a zipper, and it flares so naturally at the bottom. Spinning takes great effect in this.

The Nether Layer Ivory Skirt: $145

I went white underneath so that the lace can come alive in contrast. It’s shorter than the lace skirt, so there’s a cloud of mystery by the ankles. The elastic at the waistband makes this piece ultra versatile and the silk makes it super soft.

The Crop Tank Back-Lace: $125

From the front, it is proportioned just right for this skirt, curving up to the top of the hips. The back is made of white lace, covering sheer from nape to waist.

The Plucked Heart Necklace: Pamela Love, $380

She’s the drummer in a band and inspired by everything from medicine to Hieronymus Bosch. She’s making mighty jewelry, rustic, weighty and evocative.

See what else Fashion Indie found at The Reformation in Look 1, Look 2 and Look 3. And visit them yourself!

The Reformation NYC | 143 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, (646) 448-4925

Photography by Christopher Hall

Look 3: Counterstripes

The Long Skinny Stripe, $170

Skinny stripes cause an optical illusion. They’re a stark black and white contrast and play with the light to look three-dimensional. This bottom shirt layer hangs way low in the back, a completely different length than the front. It would work alone as a dress on a shorter frame, as it’s a small and I’m a giant.

The Mid Layer Shirt Vest, $145

The optical quality of the stripes is thrown into relief with another layer of mini stripes. Black and off-white, it brings the eye to notice the opposing shapes and colors. Cut narrowly sleeveless, and high at the side, it can stand on its own or as a lovely layer.

The Wash Silk Crop Shirt, $85

Breast pockets and a mid waist crop are some elements that make this substantially silky button up so perfect for now. Layered over the optical twins, it acts like a jacket, but looks and feels like nothing of the sort.

The Thin Maxi Skirt, $145

The layers get longer as we go down. Thus, the skirt is an ankle length swinger. Not see-through but certainly light in texture, this skirt and its elastic band will find many ways to live on your body.

See what else Fashion Indie found at The Reformation in Look 1 and Look 2. And visit them yourself!

The Reformation NYC | 143 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, (646) 448-4925

Photography by Christopher Hall

Check here for Look 1 and more about The Reformation NYC.

Look 2: Work It Two-Timer

The Tall Turtle Stretch Silk Top, $175

This tie-bleached black washed silk tank has a cowl on the neck that is the just the size to hug over my ears and contain my hair within it. Imagine that feeling on a cool summer’s eve. The shirt goes longer, falling just below butt level.

The Summer Slack, $135

The pedal pushers in a washed silk twill have an elastic insert at center back for size versatility. When remaking vintage clothing into something new, the sizing doesn’t always carry over. Aflalo uses this method in many of her pieces.

The Slouch Blazer, $165

Once made for shoulder pads, the shoulders are now rounded into a drop shoulder. It’s malleable and light; an ideal warm weather sport jacket.

The Vintage Wicker Slippers,$95

They like these little ol’ guys at The Reformation. A different shape cut from yesterday’s look, but these slip-ons are super practical; a lovely summer flip flop alternative.

The Reformation NYC | 143 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, (646) 448-4925

Photography by Christopher Hall

Look 1:  Trompe L’ace

The Lace Fringed Dress, $125

This piece is so versatile because it becomes what is beneath it. The low swinging fringe makes the dress substantial.

The Nude Bra Top, $65

The top underneath is made of lace – pile the two laces atop one another and they become opaque. The bra hits the bottom of the ribcage, which equals more skin coverage from the lace.

The High Nude Shorts, $125

These thick silky shorts hug the body close and make a great layer unto itself. The length just happened to cut at the exact proportion necessary for this visual effect.

The Lace Cutout Kimono Jacket, $225

Found in varying lengths throughout the store, this particular piece comes to a sheer end at the bottom of the dress fringe. The silk swims to complement the shape beneath, and it has the capacity to fit a multitude of situations. However you decide to style it, it can work inside the house or out, day or night.

The Vintage Man’s House Slipper, $95

Now, these probably were not made with the intention of being indoor slippers, but they do remind me of what my grandfather used to wear, though his were not as pointy. The woven leather has been worn, and wear with ease. This look, however, could certainly do with a spicier pair of shoes.

The Reformation NYC | 143 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002, (646) 448-4925

Photography by Christopher Hall

Look Four: AvaMaria in Wonderland

The Oil Slicker Saddle Heels: Repetto, $250

It started with the Repetto; this time, oil slicked. In the most beautiful way, it looks like a dirty puddle. It was love at first glance. Repetto is famous for ballet shoes, and construct gorgeous others for we non-professional-dancing folk.

The Mini Checker Shirtdress: Cacharel, $178

Ah the shirtdress, blue and gold checked, enhances the hidden hues of the Repettos. So dainty on its own, so innocent, yet vibrant as well. Cacharel took off in the 1960s with its iconic shirtdresses designed by Jean Bousquet. Following in the traditional footprints, they are still prevalent today.

The Kitty Silk Top: Paul & Joe Sister, $228

A shirtdress is a shirtdress, and I couldn’t wear just a shirtdress. I was jazzed to find this complementing silk top that slid underneath the open top so smoothly. The blues dance together and the checks on cats patterns don’t protest too much. Famed French menswear designer Sophie Albou started Paul & Joe in 1995 and branched into les femmes in 2006 with the little Sister.

The Waving Belt: Linea Pelle, $188

The gingham and the shirt came alive together, but the look was still lacking something. Linea Pelle belt corsetry filled that void. With the ends fastened at the back, the shaping quality of waving leather strips brought more shape to the silhouette.

The Flowering Rings: Marie-Lise Lachapelle, gold-plated leaf, $350, silver orchid $375

The silver and golden leafy rings flourished on one hand, enhancing the dual tonal quality of the entire look. Marie-Lise Lachapelle constructs these structures by making molds from actual orchids and leaves. That’s why the metal has so much wildlife in it.

AvaMaria | 107 Crosby Street, New York, NY 212.966.0909

Photography by Christopher Hall

Since I started this blog, I’ve been lucky enough to visit a lot of small boutiques, meet their owners and talk clothes and fashion. My recent trip to New York was no different. My goal was to find a really unique, small, and out of the way cool boutique and only spend money on clothing that I felt I couldn’t find anywhere except at this store and only in New York.

On my first day out, thanks to one of my oldest friends Michelle, I found the snowflake of boutiques in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn called Cozbi. As we walked in, we were greeted by the owner, Cozbi A. Cabrera.

Cabrera is a tall, statuesque, dark-skinned beauty. She was wearing one of her own creations, the “must have” dress for the summer season; made of white eyelet, under which she wore a soft cotton white slip. I was taken.

Her clothes are the ultimate in classical femininity. The designs are sexy because they are cut and tailored to fit a woman’s body perfectly. All handmade in Brooklyn. Most of her dresses are in either Jackie Onassis style or shift dresses in prints as bold as Pucci, but with a distinctly African twist.

I tried things on, and asked her to hold my favorites. I needed to think. We went back to Michelle’s apartment to check the Cozbi website. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design. She began her career making handmade collectible cloth dolls called Muñecas; dolls in Spanish. The dolls are collectors favorites and have been featured on Oprah. Her heritage is Honduran. She is the illustrator of the picture book Beauty, Her Basket which Publishers Weekly called “a quiet treasure” in a starred review.

After much debate, calls to my fashion guru Jamie, many hours of shopping/shmying around Brooklyn, the lower East side, NoLita and Soho, I ended up back where I started. I bought a dress at Cozbi. It fits like a glove. It’s one-of-a-kind. It makes me feel good to support women like Cozbi Cabrera. I wish I lived closer. My husband is probably glad that we don’t.

SOURCE: Cozbi Boutique