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LOOK FIVE: Sustainable Pattern Mashup

The Parachute Hoodie: Christopher Raeburn, $462

Christopher Raeburn caught my attention with his collection in London for next fall. He takes discarded military material and repurposes them as slickers and other articles of clothing. Like this jacket for instance, that is made from 100% Parachute Nylon. I had been eyeing a different holy jacket down, as it was featured in its own front display, but I didn’t end up putting it with my chosen looks. That piece would suffice to live independently of an outfit; a true outer layer fit to engulf any look. This neon piece, however, seemed more the challenge: I was after some good pattern mixin’.

The Tank: Timo Weiland, $320

To suit my pattern mashing desires, Timo Weiland jumped to me once more. The sheer red-orange organic shapes that formulate on this tank completely complement the wild dotting of the jacket. But what’s on the back of the shirt, you ask? Why it’s the same tree landscape we saw on the dress in the previous look.

The Skirt: Lisa Marie Fernandez, $224

You might have sensed my affinity for neoprene at this point. Lisa Marie Fernandez shapes up a lovely little black skirt, beach- and bar-friendly.Though, I must admit, if there were to have been a brightly patterned bottom that meshed, I would have Man-Repellered it up.

The Necklace: Orly Genger, $395

This rope conglomeration collar hung from a single nail in the Orly Genger nook, and eyed me down the entire two hours I was in Début. Each mountain climbers rope speckled with neon, hand-tied knots wrapping concentrically around thick straight ones, clung together.

The Sandals: Love Is Mighty, $175

My vision for this outfit was sandals. Monisha Raja‘s vision for these sandals was environmental and social sustainability. Employing artisans from indigenous tribes across the globe, she uses traditional arts and crafts techniques and completely animal friendly materials to produce beaded sandals and bags. See the Facebook page for more about their world involvement.

Thanks to Début for a fabulously fashionable week! Check back Monday for another shop, just down the block.

Début | 298 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

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LOOK THREE: Abstract Python Warrior

The Shoulder Piece: Fannie Schiavoni, $825

This look began with my love of the chain mail shoulder piece. The metal mesh moves like water in my hand and makes me feel invincible when strapped around my body. Its creator Fannie Schiavoni hand makes each piece in her studion in London, and keeps the color of her materials muted so that she can focus purely on the shape and clean lines. She has named this collection “Lucy in the Sky”, evoking a psychedelic yet other worldly feeling.

The (non) Body Suit: Calla Paris, Leggings, $174, Tank, $98

My first instinct to match the brilliance of the shoulder scene-stealer was an abstract printed dress by Calla Paris. Calla Haynes is a Canadian-born, Paris based designer with a five-year training history with Olivier Theyskens and a serious knack for tight prints. Début had the pattern in a fierce little itty bitty dress (which I spotted first). That mini thing, which being one of the only pieces left over from Fall 2010, did not come in my size, and thus did not even contain half of one of my boob. But I needed an outfit to form the foundation of that glorious shoulder piece. So it occurred to me to try the olive printed stirrup tights with the matching tank. Alone and together I was in love. The leggings have a nearly 3-inch sturdy black elastic waistband that hugs and sucks in as the tank tucks in to form a bodysuit.

The Skirt: Whit, $225

A bodysuit is so right for so many reasons. However, it didn’t feel 100% right at the moment; there had to be another layer, if not to cover more stunning items in Début, then to cover some of my winter weight… With that came this military green scoop pocket skirt by Whit, a line launched by Phoenix native Whitney Pozgay. With a studio Brooklyn and experience with Kate Spade, Three Asfour and Steven Alan, she has created a line founded in imagery as diverse as Keith Haring and ice pops.

How do you feel about the bodysuit? Would you wear this look?

Come back tomorrow for Look 4.

Début | 298 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

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LOOK TWO: Early Afternoon Romp

The Romper: Timo Weiland, $350

It started with the Timo Weiland romper. Playful stripy black and white brocade touched with lace pile at the shoulders makes for a delicate daytime look. Timo and his design partner Alan Eckstein mused over Scandinavian actress Bibi Andersson for this collection. The result: feminine joviality.

The Belt: Meredith Wendell, $225

It looked somewhat incomplete without a belt. Luckily, Début is stocked with Meredith Wendell accessories. Self-defined as “uptown awkward”, there was nary an awkward sliver of leather in sight. Just this Italian-made baby soft mustard suede belt. The hue brings out the golden yellow button on the romper ever so slightly.

The Shoes: Esquivel, $540

These white patent cutout Esquivel saddles more than suffice for such a summer outing outfit. George Esquivel is enormously passionate about the craft and thus custom handmakes many of his shoes at his studio in California. Super smooth and uniquely built, these shoes felt made with love. I recommend you watch the video “Sound of Shoemaking” and enjoy a hot slice of cobbler.

Wondering how to get that braided headband look I’ve got going on? I whipped my hair into it in an instructional video here.

Stay tuned: Round 3 coming at you tomorrow.

Début | 298 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

Like what you see? Shop at Début and mention FashionIndie to get 10% off!

LOOK ONE: Swim Slung Salsa

The Skirt: Heikki Salonen, $585

Look closely. This is not just a dress. In fact, it’s no dress at all, unless you were to pull that skirt up above the bosom and belt it, á la yesteryear’s silhouette. This swingy, deep pocketed, ruffled and raw chiffon hemmed skirt is by Finish-born, London-shown designer Heikki Salonen. Though the skirt looked familiarly pleasing at the waist, I’ve slung it fresh at my very low hip, stretching the length to ankle height.

The Top: Lisa Marie Fernandez, $385

The top is also, in fact, no top at all. It is a bathing suit by Lisa Marie Fernandez. Made of neoprene. The shape recalls forties swimwear while the material calls more for a surf instructor and/or scuba gear. Wear it to swim, wear it to dinner. If you were Gaga, you’d wear it alone to both.

The Necklace: Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer, $325

The black and white speckled neon rope tied necklace topped the texture twist. This innovative jewelry from Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer is made of entirely hand woven climbing ropes; the knotting techniques are stemmed from those used in artist Orly Genger’s sculptures. The jewelry is a collaborative effort of the two.

Check back tomorrow for another fresh look, and more information about Début.

Début | 298 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012

You have to admit, now is probably the scariest time to graduate. Designers are bellyflopping. Retailers are downsizing. Buyers ain’t buying. But thanks to Lisa Weiss and Debut, her downtown boutique, students might actually have a prayer at making some bank. Many pieces from the Parsons senior collection will be on sale during the week of June 16th. If you’re not in the market to buy, at least stop on by the Mulberry street store to check out the designs and show your support. These young designers need as much consumer feedback as possible! 

Debut: 298 Mulberry Street   (On sale starting June 16th for one week)

Thanks The New York Times!