Another vice

(via Acne)

I heard from the inside that Acne will be launching a web boutique in the coming month (most likely with international shipping) -thereby creating yet another way for me to be bad. Get your kroner ready.

Full stop

(A.P.C. f/w 2007 collection)

The full A.P.C. fall collection has dropped online today. Peppered with a couple sweet prints, it’s a bit more austere than usual, but that’s alright with me. It’s little shirtdresses like these and the ubiquitous coquettish basics that make me go crazy.

Jewelry aquatic

(the divine Heremiti ring by Moea at AlohaRag)

What better inspiration than nature, and more specifically the ocean? Hawaiian jewelry designer Jennifer Binney of Moea makes beautiful jewelry with oceanic influences, very simple and poetic, naturally.

I have been admiring this ring from afar for over a year, but haven’t purchased it for a reservation about buying jewelry for oneself (I’ve put it in the shopping cart, unloaded and loaded a couple times…) For some reason, a hundred dollar barrier comes up when buying jewelry for myself, as if anything more extravagant would be construed as a sign of vanity or flagrant consumption.

Other things, I don’t fret over, but the significance of jewelry for some reason strikes me as a sacred purchase, only to be exercised on special occasions: an engagement, a birthday, a reward for reaching a big milestone, etc. I feel as though I could only possibly enjoy and deserve this gorgeous piece if I were to really work for it -though I have a couple big goals in mind that, should I achieve, perhaps then I would be so deserving.

Friendly fashion

(Filippa K dress from Oak)

I saw a petite, heavily pregnant young woman walking around the neighborhood in this dress. The drape of the dress was amazing and she, bra-less, wearing white canvas slip-ons and sporting heavy bangs, was just the picture of beauty. Though it was a hot and humid day, she looked amazing.

That’s the thing with Filippa K (no doubt compounded by the fact that this girl was wearing it well), whether it be the dead of winter or the height of summer, her stuff always looks fresh.

A longtime devotee of the line, I appreciate Filippa for the following reasons:

1. The clothes fit well and flatter, use quality fabrics, and have a long life (the trousers are nice and masculine, and she makes a mean winter coat);
2. The prints are unique. Case in point: I spotted a shirt with a beautiful peacock print in Copenhagen in the fall of 2002, stalked it for a season, didn’t buy and always regretted. The print haunted me until finally one day last winter the shirt crossed my path again (eBay) and now lovingly hangs in my closet. Needless to say, the print was a memorable one;
3. Having signed up to receive their catalogue in 2002, I without fail continue to receive them the beginning of every fall and spring -something small that speaks of the brand’s consistency and reliability.

I’ve actively had to seek out Filippa wares upon returning from Europe as the line isn’t widely available in North America – but with Want Agency heading up distribution here, that is slowly changing. With little advertising and press, the brand has been growing into a mini-empire; and with an underlying philosophy of simplicity and longevity in the clothes, it should continue to flourish. This is friendly fashion.

________

PS: All of Oak‘s stock is 50% off, but damn…the super cute and functional tres bag is sold out!

Three for one

(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.

Aloharag Canada Day 50% off sale

For a limited time, these Pierre Hardy wedges (and all the spring/summer clothing) will be $407.50 (50% off) at  Aloharag.com.  Love their bi-annual big sales.

Summer sale Steven Alan

(Jacqueline Schnabel Genaro flat 30% off)

Steven Alan’s summer sale is on now girls (and boys). Cute stuff to be had for all. Free shipping on $100+ orders.

Plaid dress for summer

(via hejfina)

With my penchant for plaid and great like of Alexandre Herchcovitch, I immediately adored this dress the moment I saw it.  He uses great prints, colours and shapes in his clothing that totally set them apart from the rest.  His Dia de los Muertos print a couple years ago of skeletons in cowboy hats riding on horseback is still one of my favourites.  

On sale at Hejfina.com – another web boutique I frequently browse and await for their summer sale – and only one size L left!!

Creature comforts

(Michelle Lowe-Holder dress from Creatures of Comfort)

Creatures of Comfort has fast become my favourite online boutique. Having read blurbs about the Los Angeles boutique all over the place since its opening, I was glad to see they have a web boutique. Visiting for the first time made me slack-jawed with its delightful collection of colourful and diverse designers – like that of Alexandre Herchcovitch (whose men’s collection is equally interesting), United Bamboo, and Cabane de Zucca, along with many other favourites.

My Creatures of Comfort wishlist is quite extensive, and am thus waiting for a summer sale (hopefully to strike soon?). Among the many objects of affection is the dress above by Michelle Lowe-Holder, which would be just perfect for humid summer nights here.

Will I have to schlep out to the West Coast for a visit? Perhaps.

A big bag

(Nam Kim's Fly-By-Night Bag via stars&infinitedarkness.com)

Richard Branson seemingly won the fight to have ownership over the word "virgin," and so virginthreads.com changed over to starsandinfinitedarkness.com. The switch, however did not affect their spirit and continued success showcasing independent and emerging designers of all kinds. There's some really cute jewelry on the site, and even Montreal's complex geometries sells its wares there.

A recent browse turned up an awesome and utilitarian bag by Nam Kim. Great for day trekking, carrying lunch and 'folios and the like. Getting tired of the big slouchy bag, this shape is a nice change of pace. Similar to the Chloe tote, this one is useful and much more down-to-earth – probably since it's a cute mushroom brown.

The 'Fly-By-Night' ships out the next day, but often on S.A.I.D. orders take 1-2 weeks to complete since most of their items are one of a kind. It gives the heart a tingle to think that someone out there is making something just for you, which of course only makes the wait absolutely worthwhile. It's nice to think that it's not factory made in volumes, but perhaps crafted in a cramped and cluttered studio apartment, with everything cut by hand and on the floor (causing many a-backache), and made with love and care.

The lives of emerging/independent designers can be tough at times, so give them your $upport.