minirobot

(Photo from Facehunter)

The Facehunter has hit one of my favourite places, Copenhagen! Stay tuned for what will no doubt be a parade of beautiful people and great style. Looking at the faces and places fills me with nostalgia…

(Acne Jeans hep raw)

Barneys Coop is having a huge sale on select women’s and men’s Acne styles, but sizes are quite limited. $59-$89 for some Acne, anyone? They really go a bum good. (If you don’t try before you buy, these jeans run quite small so consider ordering 1-2 sizes up).

Read JC Report’s interview with the North American brand manager here - she even explains why they cost what they do - ie. the tailoring, made in Italy. Their cuts have always been superior; they look great on guys and girls, and the rear pockets are large and very flattering. For girls, the “Hep” and “Hex” are the classic standards, but I am quite taken with their “Hug” style - though the carrot silhouette probably fits a very particular bodytype (tall and slim) best.

Though Acne denim has garnered a great deal of attention in recent years, their entire collection of men’s and women’s clothing, and expanding footwear and accessories collections also mirror all their jeans are - well cut, well made, both classic and unusual.

“The technology of making cloth from bamboo is surprisingly recent. Developed by Beijing University in 2002 companies are starting to make clothing using this wonder material. In addition to its organic and sustainable benefits, bamboo fabric feels incredibly soft. It is antibacterial, antifungal and antistatic, properties which are retained even after repeated washings. The weave is exceptionally good at wicking moisture away from the body, and the fabric will keep you a few degrees warmer in winter and cooler in summer. And it’s biodegradable. Got your attention?” (via Coolhunting)

Bamboo in textile form got my attention last summer, when I bought a drapey faux wrap top from APC. The knit had an unusual texture and was slightly stiff, and was surprised to find it was composed of “100% Bambou.” Though Bam Clothing makes basic tees and the like, it is great to know that this textile can be used in many different functions and kinds of clothing. Though worn often, the shirt has hardly aged a day since I bought it. Handwashed, it retains its shape and consistency, and definitely passes muster. (Read more here to be convinced).

Bamboo has really gotten ahead in the past couple years first as an alternative building material in flooring, furniture design (etc.) for its rapid regrowth and green factor, and slowly is permeating the fashion industry. I hope to be wearing more of it soon.

(tees from Cabane de Zucca)

Are these not the most perfect stripes you ever did see? This is something that has the potential to become a signature piece, an item worn so often that becomes inextricably a part of you.

(photo from Bon&Ging)

A way to look elegant despite the scorching summer heat without subscribing to the typical sundress (though the good ones can be so good) and looking like you’re dressing with the sole intention of keeping cool, is in wearing some interesting shapes and unusual silhouettes. Seems like kind of a tall order until I stumbled across this collection recently.

Don’t know much about Bon&Ging, but I liked their aesthetic immediately. This sister team makes some beautiful pieces, stuff that I could totally wear - and the models look rather petite so their stuff should work for short people. So simple, youthful, and elegant. There’s a Bon&Ging store in Los Feliz, but no retail listing and most probably aren’t stocked anywhere in Canada. The flock of emerging young designers keeps growing, and to my frustration the access here is terribly limited.

Fafi show at Colette (July 3 - August 26)

All images from Fafi.net

(via Urban, Lover at LaGarconne, Samantha Pleet)

Seems a small trend has surfaced, and only time will tell if it takes hold. The plaid shirt/tunic isn’t something I feel averse to, however it seems like such a individual style/look that it would seem strange to see them on the backs of hipsters everywhere. Much like the legging trend, this style would be interesting only if seen rarely. However, even though madras plaid was coopted by many, it never seemed to hit big.

But isn’t the greatest thing about this potential trend the fact that it could serve double-duty as sleepwear and daywear. Rolling out of bed wearing this and into the day, the grunge look would be down pat - if it’s to be worn with reference to that era…or perhaps the leggings look will endure coupled with the plaid shirt and jazz shoes…

(Les Prairies de Paris boots from Satine)

A love of blue-green leather, laser cutting, and a fetish for boots converge in this boot from Les Prairies de Paris - I love when things just come together so perfectly. Details like inlays and laser cutting are something I find infinitely interesting and utterly exquisite on a pair of shoes. It is the intricate and subtle details and labour of a skilled craftsperson that make me love and appreciate footwear.

My first big ticket shoe purchase was a pair of Gianna Meliani black low cone-heeled pumps with a laser cut abstract floral pattern and accompanying etched lines that revealed black suede lining underneath. This became the standard for my shoes henceforth and marked the beginning of a great relationship.

In other news, two people/things of interest have also come together in a most harmonious fashion: the talent of Sophia Kokosalaki and French mail order catalogue La Redoute have announced a collaboration for f/w 2006. I’ve sung both their praises before, but am delighted they’ve paired up and that Kokosalaki’s great work will be available to a broader demographic. Now if only a slightly more affordable version of her gorgeous cream leather jacket were produced, I’d be over the moon.

More by Barbet Schroeder:  a film on love, youth, hedonism and tragedy set against a 1960’s Ibiza backdrop with soundtrack by Pink Floyd. I love Mimsy Farmer in this film, and her wardrobe is fantastic - many great style cues. Utterly beautiful, and one of my (many) favourite films.