I am going back to where it all began today… can’t wait! When I look back over the past few years, I’m always flabbergasted (haven’t used that word in a long time!) when I think about all the random decisions, experiences and events that got me to where I am today. It’s refreshing because through it all I have listened to my gut… you know, intuition and all that… it’s funny because when you relinquish yourself to that inner-voice, it never fails you. Even if the immediate result is not what you wanted or expected, I have found that the end result is always just what you need. Yeah, enough of this mushy stuff and on to la moda.

Today’s designer is Kcoline… Born in France, imported to the US in 2002 Kcoline’s clothes are inspired by the streets of NYC. (Wow, I really miss NYC. I have to get back there ASAP.) Materials used are natural and noble as often as possible: silks, cashmere, wool, cotton, linen, or sometimes mixed but always high quality for longevity and a better glow. The garments are mostly one of a kind, like people! I love these playful silhouettes!

Check out Kcoline on Etsy and on MySpace.

By the way, I have been listening to Aventura’s new CD “The Last” and I looove it. Anthony Santos is seriously the sexiest man alive . . . (ok, he may have at least one rival here in Boston . . lol) Anyway, the CD is due out next Tuesday, June 9th and you should definitley download it or pick it up. If you’re in NYC and want to fight a mob of screaming women, I think they’re having a CD signing somewhere in the city… Anyway, I posted the video from their single Por Un Segundo below. Doesn’t Jaslene from ANTM look gorgeous?!

I need a vacation from my own thoughts… seriously! Perez, when are we going to the DR…? MJM…?

On to something that doesn’t require too much thinking. Not that fashion isn’t introspective… it just doesn’t take much thought to appreciate amazing designs like those created by Claire La Faye!

Claire’s designs emit a heavy nostalgia for romance and days gone by, yet maintain a sexy, unique and modern feel. Re-working back through fashion history, La Faye cuts old Hollywood glamor with a modern day silhouette… luxury with an edge. What began as a fine arts degree at Parson’s School of Design in NYC, ‘Claire la Faye’ evolved from a line of re-constructed tee’s into one-of-a-kind ‘feminine frocks worthy of the red carpet’.

CLF emerged as a secondary label to Claire La Faye after a desire to create something wearable, original, and affordable. A ready-to-wear version in the Claire La Faye aesthetic, CLF offers hand-made, hand-touched originals invoking the same street smart feminine sensibility as the House label…. casual luxury with an edge. Check her out on Etsy!

I am obsessed with Aventura for the sole reason their music has gotten me through this transitional New England “spring” period. But for Romeo Santos, I would probably be sitting on a beach somewhere in South or Central America, margarita in hand, responsibilities out the window. Thanks to my over-active imagination and a 20 minute subway ride in the morning I can kind of day dream myself into a place that, to date, has prevented the plane trip … which is good considering my current financial state!

Anyway, as you know it’s Earth Day, or was Earth Day (isn’t every day Earth Day?!)… and Loyale is a perfect sustainable clothing company to share in consideration thereof!

Loyale is a fashion-forward, sustainable clothing company that aims to make the simple act of getting dressed in the morning world changing. In 2005, Jenny Hwa founded Loyale to provide eco-chic apparel for women who are equally conscious about fashion as they are about the environment. The intention of Loyale is to inspire activism by designing stylish clothing that is crafted exclusively using sustainable fabrics and to create a shift in consciousness where commerce and compassion for the planet can coexist. These convictions, coupled with her work experience at Catherine Malandrino, Kate Spade, Chaiken and Calypso Christiane Celle, as well as her business and fashion degrees from Dominican University and F.I.T. laid the foundation for the creation of Loyale.

Loyale’s clothing is inspired by understated sophistication, alluring fit and sustainable fabrics for the fashionably conscious set.  Taking an ecological stance, while creating frocks with beckoning silhouettes and charming details are Loyale’s signature criterions.

Hwa incorporates organic cotton, factory reclaimed overstock fabrics and color grown organic cotton in her design. She also contributes 1% of Loyale’s annual profits to green corps, a non-profit that trains the next generation of environmental leaders. And lets be real, I wouldn’t be writing about her if her designs weren’t fabulous!

Enjoy and Happy Earth Day/ Week

happy earth day - receive 25% off the collection 4/22 only with the coupon code: apr22loyale + there is also free shipping!

I haven’t had much time to be introspective lately. For whatever reason, stuff keeps happening in rapid succession, so I don’t have any time to actually digest things. It’s like, in the very moment I begin to make sense of one situation, a new one emerges that needs my immediate attention and so on and so on. Hopefully this weekend will offer a reprieve.

In terms of designers, I thought I would leave you with obsession-worthy artist, Chhaya Kapadia. She founded Maya Jewels in 2004 to rave reviews. I adore her Eclipse collection which is inspired by an ancient art form originating as far back as the early 13th century. These painstakingly handcrafted bangles are the definition of wearable art!

About Chhaya Kapadia

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Chhaya spent her childhood surrounded by bright colors, elaborate art and women wearing bangles up to their elbows. Inspiration to become an artist was around every corner, but upon completing a degree in science, she married and moved to New York City. Hard-working and ambitious, Chhaya thrived in the finance technology world, moving up quickly to high-ranking positions at Citibank, NASDAQ and Kaiser Permanente. Then, when many people in her field began to plan for retirement, Chhaya began planning her new career as a jewelry designer. All her childhood dreams, combined with the inspiration of living in New York City, bottled up for decades came flowing out into what we know today as Maya Jewels.

Enjoy, and happy Easter!

Also, be sure to check out all the great blogs on Amber Magazine’s A-List Publishers page!

Good/ Bad. Right /Wrong. Black/White. Or is it all just shades of gray? While I ponder that over the course of my day, I leave you with an undeniably fabulous shade of … Grai that will always be an appropriate choice!

Founded in 2006, Grai was born from the concept of creating the quintessential coat and jacket. Designer Maya Yogev conceptualizes her designs by melding light and soft textured fabrics alongside heavier and more substantial materials. With a strong influence in natural history, Maya designs organically by draping on the body, while forming seams and contours in the forms of insects, shells, feathers and bones. As a result, her designs work around the body, like a sculpture.

Grai is an extension of who Maya is, encompassing all of her interests from the Victorian Era and Russian ballet to punk rock and gothic esthetics. Her designs cater to women of all ages that share an eye for sophisticated individuality.

Maya earned her degree in Fashion from Otis College of Art & Design in 2002. Immediately following graduation, she spent two years working in Paris for her mentor, designer Rick Owens. Upon moving back to Los Angeles she worked on various collaborations with designer Dr. Romanelli. Most notably, the “Black Sabbath Resurrection” collaboration gave her the once in a life opportunity to design a line for the legendary band Black Sabbath. Maya currently lives and works in her hometown of Los Angeles with her devil cat Kiki.

I love the way her clothes drape. I know have been kind of flighty lately. I just need Spring to actually arrive… then I am sure I will regain focus. Enjoy Grai!

My horoscope was 100% right yesterday. You have no idea! I have to stop reading those things in the morning. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy!
Hopefully time will be on my side today.

Today’s designer is one of my favorites, Nanushka. Nanushka is the childhood nickname of Hungarian fashion designer Sandra Sanor. Established in 2005, Nanushka’s designs focus not on fashion trends, but in long lasting silhouettes, comfort and functionality combined with a decidedly playful attitude. I absolutely love her designs… especially her Spring/ Summer collection.

I’m also obsessed with Bloc Party’s newest free MP3 release on RCRD LBL so here’s a link to that: Biko (Mogwai Remix)

I was having a conversation with a friend the other day… we were talking about how life is easier to manage if you believe that things happen for a reason. The people you meet, the places you go… even the really bad things… they’re all part of the cycle. Sometimes stuff takes years to manifest, but if you pay attention, it’s amazing the way lessons and realizations can come to light. Clearly, I’ve had a recent realization… it just kind of struck me that it was literally 10 years in the making.

Anyway, enough random (yes, I know, random my favorite word) thoughts… on to today’s designer Nitin Bal Chauhan an ethically sound fashion label that claims its foundations with the wandering tribes of Himachal Pradesh, a northern hill state in India.

For Nitin Bal Chauhan traditional fabric origins, techniques and authentic garment choices are a seasonal reality.
The journey of the label began right after Nitin, the creative director, graduated from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi, in the year 2002. Right after his graduation he vanished from the city life and took refuge in the laps of The Himalayas, not to be seen for the next four years. There this eccentric artist turned fashion designer, apart from sketching, worked for the upliftment of the crafts of Himachal Pradesh, which resulted in the formation of an NGO by the name of SEWA HIMALAYA. This NGO was started by him in collaboration with one of his friends and the Himachal Pradesh Government.

I love Nitin’s designs because I could actually wear them to work… his creative interpretation of the otherwise structured suit is pure genius!

I hope you are outside enjoying this gorgeous weekend! I have been super busy lately which is really no excuse not to update the site. Next week should be a little bit easier to deal with than last, and I have an inbox brimming full with great new designers to share. Today’s featured line is KayLim Designs from LA. In her own words:

I began designing a collection that unites my fervor for all things fashionable along with my love of art. Having a degree in Fine Art; creativity has been the central theme in my life. My inspirations range from historical art to classic cinema. The resulting line bespeaks old world glamour with a neo-modern twist. Historical influences emanate from a world of rich costume heritage translated into modern day fabric and materials. Some of my finished garments have a vintage look about them, but they’re also fresh and crisp, with special attention to unique stitchwork.
I–firmly–believe that one’s genuine art or creativity can never be mass produced since the artist imparts a different unique statement to each creative effort.

My signature look includes irregular hemline; decolorized or hand-died fabric; and all pieces are constructed from a combination of fabrics and at times with just a hint of Far East tones.

I love her unique look and attention to detail! The best part is, you have the option of requesting a custom item! Enjoy!

Nothing like a warm breeze from the West Coast to bring a little perspective to thing (yes, that is a reference to slowgame). Anyway, as you may or may not know New England is digging out from yet another Nor’easter. Once again, I found myself standing in the middle of he road, dressed head to toe in down, with my key chain, clicking away until I heard a beep from beneath a mound of snow. Of course, my CRV was completely buried, and for whatever reason I still don’t own a shovel, so I just ended up taking the T. I am from here… so I guess I am used to it…

Speaking of from here (yeah, you know you love the transitions!), we all hail from somewhere… which just so happens to be today’s designer.

From Somewhere re-thinks the fashion industry’s rubbish, reclaiming and up-cycling as a design solution to an environmental problem.

From Somewhere, recycling since 1997, is a creative sustainable fashion label run by Orsola de Castro and Filippo Ricci. Womenswear collections are made with luxury designer pre-consumer waste - such as proofs, swatches, production off-cuts and end of rolls - up-cycling high-end fashion and textile surplus into beautiful clothes that take into account the balance between consumption and disposal.

Reproducible in large numbers while still retaining elements of the unique, each piece is individually cut from high quality reclaimed fabrics including knitwear, cashmere, cotton shirting, silks, jerseys, tweeds and wovens. The operating principle behind the label is simple: what happens to the fashion’s industry’s production surplus and leftovers at the end of each season?

In October 2008 From Somewhere won the Designer of the Year and Innovation RE:Use award at the RE:Fashion awards.

A cool concept, great application and awesome designs… what more cold you ask for on a Tuesday night!?

More later.