Thank you Aspiring Couture for introducing us to David Chum’s gorgeous line, Selah D’or,  based right here in MA! I get giddy when I find designers that make things I can actually wear to work… I love love love the Linda skirt and may just have to splurge!

About Mr. Chum’s collection (from his site):

“Cellar door” is a combination of words in the English language once characterized by J.R.R. Tolkien to have an especially beautiful sound.

Fall 2009 is the first collection from Selah D’or and will mark the launch of this company. We aim to produce clothing that is unique, contemporary, and made from the finest materials. We like to give a slight nod to trends, but never fully indulge in them. The collection itself is extremely feminine and classic. Structural elements and details are key, but they aren’t added on as “frosting.” Everything coexists with the silhouette of a woman’s body and the over-all shape of the garment. These clothes are intended for women of all ages who seek pieces that are timeless, but will turn heads. It’s a subdued form of assertion.

David Chum holds a BFA from the Art Institute of Boston. He is a self-taught designer, and resides outside of Boston.

I love the fact he gives a “slight nod” to trends without fully indulging them. A fashion label after my own heart!!
Speaking of trends, I am soooo unimpressed with the so-called fall fashion “must haves” this year. I mean, really, shoulder pads? Neon? (Please no… I mean really, no. Neon is NEVER OK!!).  I am a child of the 80s. I actually love the 80s… but everyone can agree that the fashion was pretty abysmal. Just stick with the classics…. you can always do as David does and incorporate little trend-acknowledgments into your look, but please don’t become a fashion victim. Just the other day I was on the T sitting across from a very pretty woman in jean cut-offs, lace tights, and an off the shoulder neon t-shirt. All she needed was one of those little t-shirt clip things (shudder).

There are a few concepts from this falls trends that are kind of fun, and below I posted some indie designers who are (and have been) working with those concepts for some time now.

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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!

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You have no idea how much I am NOT ready for this winter. Yesterday I broke out the old LL Bean Sleeping-bag jacket… you know, the one that’s stuffed with down and goes all the way to the ground? I had something cuter on when I left the apartment, but when I opened the door to go outside, I felt like I was slapped in the face by the cold…
With all the layers and puffy coats, it’s hard to evoke that sexy summer feeling in the midst of a Boston winter (yes, I do realize it’s not even December yet….)
It becomes infinitely easier when beneath the puffy coat and boring suit you’re wearing something sexy from SiBelle by Sibel Mesta!

Sibel Mesta was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey. She received her design education at the prestigious Central Saint Martin’s School of Art & Design in London and Mount Ida College in Boston, Massachusetts (yeah Boston!). Before launching her own line, Sibel spent the previous seven years designing lingerie and sleepwear for a leading international intimates Company in New York City.
Appealing to chic, fashionable woman, both in the States and abroad, Sibel has brought her impeccable sense of style, love of fashion, and design talent to her exclusive collection which includes lingerie, sleepwear, and beachwear. Sibel currently lives in NYC with her husband and son.

Speaking of NYC… I owe the city a visit… let the planning begin!

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I woke feeling inspired… which is always a good thing. Especially on a Friday.
I know I have tons of emails to respond to and designers to post… you know how I can be though. For all of my amazing qualities, flightiness is not one of them!
Anyway today’s designer is Cali-based Kucoon. I am officially obsessed with Andrea Spratt’s inspired designs. Usually I have no problem picking what picture to post to represent a brand… but in this case I literally wanted to post the whole portfolio. Her stuff is off the hook! Her partner Sheila B. Andrea has created a lovely jewelry collection and the combination of the two creates a creative, unique and ethereal beauty. Kucoon is for the girl with a flair for the theatrical and who wants to create a little magic in her world. The brand uses organic elements like cotton, leather, feathers and crystals juxtaposed with the unexpected frivolity of stripes, ruffles and lace in their collections.

Speaking of ethereal beauty, you have to check out MAC’s Cremesheen lipstick collection. The stuff is amazing. So rich and creamy and lasts all day! I may not be a modest person, but I’ve been wearing the shade for the past two weeks straight! Love it!

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Every now and then I miss New York. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve accepted the fact that I’m a Boston girl at heart (cold, aloof, you know the drill), but there’s something about New York I’ve missed ever since I left. Something about the feel, the smell, the vibe of the city. Maybe that’s why I like Toofly so much. Her graffiti art captures what I like best about New York. Taking her world-renowned art from the streets to boutiques was no easy task, but Toofly’s creative brand is sure to be one of your favorites. I love her t-shirts!

From her bio:

Toofly’s journey into the world of art began with her commute to public school from her Corona, Queens neighborhood. Her trips were filled with adventurous sketches as she immersed herself in the myriad of graffiti tags, fill-ins, and outlines viewed on almost every deconstructive surface along the way. It was precisely the rebellious artistic spirit of the 90’s street graffiti movement that drove Toofly to join its subculture ranks. Highly influenced by the calligraphy and illustration skills of some exceptional writers at the time, a teenage Toofly aspired to become the female version of what she most admired. She began to develop her own knack for “hand styles” and her unique Toofly characters. Her work soon blossomed on various graffiti black books, allowing her skills to be recognized by writers across the five boroughs.

By the time Toofly entered the School of Visual Arts (SVA), she had introduced her character to the walls of New York. At SVA, she applied her artistic skills to illustration and graphic design coursework. Finding inspiration in the New York urban landscape, this artist in the making began to juxtapose her “around the way girl” character against multi layered street imagery for various print and public art projects. Toofly’s constant and active role in the hip hop community allowed her to remain true to her roots, as she continued to draw raw feelings from the ever-changing and spontaneous public art world around her.

Her most recent projects include her independent fashion accessory, and stationary label made up of mini graffiti bags, limited edition t-shirts, and paper goods. In addition she has featured a new series of paintings called “Starz”, inspired by the sensual, physical, and emotional attributes of idolized females. In the Fall of 2005 Toofly was the sole female among the crew of graffiti writers the MOTUG company assembled for an exclusive line of t-shirts, sneakers, and toys bearing her signature character. During this time Toofly also collaborated on a city wide mural series for the crew alongside the likes of Ces, Cope2, Doze, Ewok, Ghost, NYC Lase, and T-Kid.

Toofly’s art and design work have appeared in magazines such as Mass Appeal, Juxtapoz, Kicksclusive, Fuego, Urban Latino, The Source, URB, and Honey. Her street art is currently on display at the Graffiti Hall of Fame, Hunts Point in the Bronx, and various walls throughout Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

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