Crafting a collection of vests and jackets that revolves around spin offs of the essential black jacket — think iterations from leather to light fabric —  we fell in lust with these wickedly cool pieces.  A New York City girl at heart — you can find her at hot spot watering holes like Rose Bar or Double Seven– she is redefining cool in a very sartorial way.  Check out her collection and read more about her namesake below.

How did you get your start in designing?

Since I was a little girl, I’ve always wanted to have my own fashion label. Design just seems to run in my blood. Though in a different industry, my father is a designer, so I was always around it. For as long as I can remember, we would constantly be examining different shapes, forms, textures/finishes, and he’d talk to me about their relationship to design principals & structural elements. Very early on, I developed a fascination with watching him sketch, fusing all of these understandings to actually bring his ideas to life. My mother too has a natural eye for design of all types – interior, architecture, clothing, you name it – and has worked in fashion since her twenties, so this interest has always been a family affair.

Who is the CS woman?

She is fearless, fresh, savvy, independent, cultured, innately confident… and fun! She’s the epitome of the metropolitan modern woman: a real go-getter, always on-the-move, juggling the demands of her big career and/or family, with an equally as busy social calendar. She’s leads a full, rich life and, in short, is absolutely fucking fabulous. She is effortlessly stylish and sophisticated, but has a distinct edge to her, evident in the way that she presents herself. Her soft spot for luxury items and appreciation quality over quantity prevail during shopping excursions, where she’s always on the lookout for distinctive pieces to match her taste and active lifestyle, not hesitating to splurge when she finds a winner. After all, she does deserve it.  In many ways, what I think I’ve just described are many of the incredible women who I am blessed to be surrounded by.

What are signature brand features?

The brand has a luxe-edgy aesthetic and day-to-night utility, which are core to my design credo. The line itself, however, revolves around spin-offs of the essential black jacket, whether it be in leather, fabric, or some kind of unexpected combination of the two. Across the board, what you’ll find is a sharply tailored fit, strong, architectural lines, sometimes menswear-inspired, and unique hardware or trim to accent these features. My weakness for gorgeous, Italian leathers is also something that’s undeniably apparent, which you’ll see a lot of throughout this collection and those to come. All of these things are also consistent throughout the other portion of my line, which caters to private clients, who I create customized pieces for on an individual basis.

What are the jackets best worn with?

Aside from ball gowns and pajamas, the jackets can be mixed & matched with almost anything and easily dressed up or down. This kind of versatility is really one of their best features.

How do you wear them? 

When it comes to my personal style, I tend to keep things simple and wear them with either a pair of skinny jeans (blue, black, white, you name it) and a tank, or with some type of black legging that has a little something special to it, like a matted leather effect or high waist, paired with a sheer blouse. Worn over basics, the jacket (or vest) then becomes my statement piece and gives me a complete, pulled-together look without having to do much. At night, I just throw on a pair of sky-high, platform boots or pumps and I’m ready to hit the town.  I also love to combine them with a long, flowy skirt or maxi dress, because they make for a great contrast to the structured, menswear-inspired lines of the jackets, then add a pair of tough looking boots or heels.

What’s inspiring you right now?

I’m fixated on the concept of functional fashion, something that goes day to night.  I also draw a lot of inspiration from menswear, but then feminize the silhouette and mix in statement hardware that you wouldn’t normally see used.

For more information on Candice, tweet her @candicesonneman and check out her facebook page. 

Charlotte Olympia Tri-Colour Platform Pumps – Mom started that new stripper workout class, and she can’t get enough. Give her some colorful, sexy and tasteful platform heels so she can drop it like it’s hot in high style. $907, harveynichols.com

Jenny Packham French Lace and Silk-Chiffon Robe - Cougars don’t wear sweatpants and t-shirts around the house, they wear lingerie. Something soft and romantic is perfect for lounging solo or entertaining 20-something company. $1,955, net-a-porter.com

Kenneth Jay Lane 22-Karat Gold-Plated Crystal Ring - Every successful single gal needs a right hand ring, something to show the world she doesn’t need a man to buy her fine jewelry. This modern version’s coral and jade hues will be fab in the coming warm weather. $190, net-a-porter.com

Origins Starting Over Eye Cream - Just because mom looks young and hot doesn’t mean she will stay that way forever. Help her preserve that youthful, wrinkle-free face without the use of needles. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving. $41, debenhams.com

Burberry Prorsum Long Biker Leather Jacket - Leather jackets are great for clubbing because they protect you in bar fights and act as armor when falling down stairs drunk. Mom probably won’t be partying quite this hard, but a handsome leather jacket will keep the other inebriated bitches at bay. $4,494, luisaviaroma.com

What would you add to the Cougar Mother’s Day Gift Guide?

1. Loveday 31, Astoria
Owner and curator Ivona Bilicic knows her stuff – she used to be a buyer at famous rip-off Manhattan vintage store Screaming Mimi’s. But the merchandise at Loveday 31 is far from overpriced and much more carefully selected. Eccentric metallic shirts from the 80s share a rack with silk Givenchy shirts and Prada dresses. Uniquely shaped vintage bags are shown among locally designed jewelry and antique brooches. I recently bought a black, intricately knit shirt with metallic silver threads and 7-inch long fringe for $40.

Credit: Free Williamsburg

2. Beacon’s Closet, Williamsburg & Park Slope
Perhaps the most well-known local Brooklyn thrift store chain, Beacon’s Closet has something for everyone. Both locations have their fine points: the more-crowded Williamsburg store has about four times the merchandise ranging from beat-up tees to Pucci pumps while the slightly more refined selection at Park Slope requires less digging and waiting. Some of my best buys include an $18 Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater and $18 brand new Betseyville shoes.

3. Buffalo Exchange, Williamsburg
You won’t find a ton of vintage merchandise at Buffalo Exchange, but you might come across some cool new digs along the way. Designer denim for men and women usually costs less than $20 and a brand new chunky necklace will set you back about $8. There are great vintage finds too, like a pair of Marc Jacobs sandals I bought for $24 a couple years ago.

4. Housing Works, Upper East Side
Where do all of the wealthy UES women take their Ferragamos and Pradas when they don’t want them any more? Housing Works, of course. In my opinion, this location is the best of the 10 retail stores around the city. There aren’t a million downtown vintage hunters in your face, and the merchandise comes straight from Park and Madison Avenues. It also has the best vintage jewelry selection -  I have at least a dozen pieces from my summer living in the same neighborhood.

5. Monk Vintage, Williamsburg
Where can you buy a rainbow striped bow tie, cummerbund and pocket square matching set? Monk Vintage in Brooklyn has about 10 for you to choose from. From the tutus suspended from the ceiling to mounds of vintage jewelry, you will find super fun and unique vintage pieces here. Dresses run from around $25 – $40 while a full suit will cost you about $100. Everything is in pretty good condition and the store is small, so you won’t spend hours looking for an outfit. The peach Polo Ralph Lauren Western shirt I got for $35 is still one of my favorites.

6. Goodwill, Chelsea
Of all the Goodwills in the city, why this one? Are the workers nicer? Absolutely not, but the selection is all that. This fairly new outlet isn’t too crowded, but it is fairly organized. If you’re familiar with Goodwill, expect all of the same prices and merchandise categories. Last week, I found a leather Coach computer bag in good condition for $20.

7. Vintage Thrift, Gramercy
From Manolos to mink throw pillows, this store literally has everything. You can get a stack of records with your dining room table and Italian designer ties with a retro KitchenAid mixer. Not only has Vintage Thrift been named Zagat’s #1 NYC thrift store four years in a row, profits go to The United Jewish Council of the East Side.

8. Viceversa, Williamsburg
Maybe the most overlooked Williamsburg thrift store, Viceversa is definitely worth your time. Stocked with equal parts men’s and women’s apparel, you can find everything from red cowboy boots to sequined muumuus. Prices here are dynamite – you can snag a fur coat for as little as $40. I bought an 80s rainbow sequin dress for $20 last year; I recently saw the same exact dress on Nasty Gal retailing for more than $200.

9. The Antiques Garage, Chelsea
Lauren from Corvus Noir introduced me to The Antiques Garage last summer when I interviewed her for FashionIndie. This place is insane. From 9 am – 5 pm every Saturday and Sunday, you can walk through this concrete jungle of every antique imaginable. It can be a little overwhelming, so take it slow – one table at a time. I bought a gorgeous leather, color-block bag with a chain strap for $10 the last time I was there.

10. No Relation Vintage, East Village
Nestled among the dozens of nail salons and pizzerias on First Avenue, No Relation Vintage is a rare gem. Little nooks throughout the store hold specifics like shoes or sundresses while scarves sit in a basket by the register, waiting to be impulsed purchased. In true East Village fashion, you won’t find a shortage of leather jackets or distressed band tees. Many a silk scarf from this old school thrift store hangs in my apartment.

Did I miss anything? What is your favorite NYC thrift store?

A variety of clothes for sale

Credit: Free Williamsburg

After the success of working with Justice and Kings of Leon, the S2A leather jacket has become a signature piece of S2A.The jackets are composed of leather applications covered in laser etched drawings. The applications are hand sewn using the famous “loop stitch” technique inspired by original Hells Angels members jacket. The jacket “Dead Fucks”, portrays funeral inspired drawings using classic Scott Campbell symbolism. The “Cobra Jacket” shows an extremely intricate drawing of cobra heads intertwined and covering the entire back.

These are ridiculously cool. I mean they scream “BAMF!”

Taylor Momsen is 17. She had her big break starring on the tween hit Gossip Girl. And now she’s calling out Rihanna for wearing a leather jacket, saying that the pop star’s sartorial choice is unacceptable since Rihanna is not a rocker. What? From a recent interview with Spin:

“People think pop is rock, and the lines are getting blurred. Now Rihanna’s wearing fucking leather jackets, and it’s really annoying.”

Remember when men flew planes and rode motorcycles rather than sip Eggplant Melon Martini’s in the back of the club, waiting for some underager to stumble in his path? JOFAMA does and they’ve just launched a line of luxury jackets as a call back to a simpler time when men were men and Jersey Shore wasn’t on the air.

Founded in 1926, JOFAMA is a true heritage brand with a long history of clothing the men of Malung, a small Swedish town with true home sensibilities. You can find out more about the brand at Jofama.se

The new look for queen bees everywhere. LEATHER. Thank god they’ve updated. Now kiddies. Copy and repeat.

Taylor rocks leather on Gossip Girl

Two worlds collide as this trend sweeps the city.  Girly girls are showing their edges with leather jackets, thick chains, and motorcycle boots. I hate to make a Gossip Girl reference, but think Blair Waldorf meets Taylor Momsen (no, not Jenny Humphrey, Taylor Momsen, the not-trying-as-hard-to-be-edgy-version).  I love this look, but would be interested to see edgy girls trying to be more girly…would that have the same effect?

SOURCE: Shopbop Shoptalk

Can’t believe these coats have made a comeback (should have kept mine from high-school) but here they are, worn many different ways by people from all over the world, from Paris to NYC. And with many different variations on cut and style, you too can easily rock a version of this trend.

Thanks FaceHunter for the pics

Remember the “We are your friends” video that Justice and Surface To Air worked on? Of course you do, that song still plays in every single club in NYC and LA. Well that partnership spawned an exclusive collection of designs by the two artistic love birds.

The two’s shared love for leather jackets recently brought them to the design table of Surface to Air Paris studio. Together, they designed X & G’s dream leather jackets.

These limited edition series of 3 jackets (150 pieces) conceived and designed by Justice for Surface To Air. With a very exclusive distribution, the line will be available beginning June at the following locations: Surface To Air Paris, Surface To Air Brazil, Colette, Barneys, Lane Crawford, Isetan, Le Bon Marché, Paris Texas, Asylum, Le Shop, Incu.

I need them. I want them. And I will kill you if you get one and I don’t!!!

Spotted by FashionWindows