From Gaga to Gober, an exhibit delves into the intersections of art and fashion Lady Gaga may be the most obvious example to date of someone blurring the borders between art and fashion, but lending intellectual clout to the concept, ” Between Skin and Clothing ” at Germany’s Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg demonstrates how this connection has been continuously evolving since the 1960s. Curated by journalist and fashion doyenne Jos
Melbourne boutique marries colorful style, art objects and French lessons under one roof “The main thing distinguishing Dagmar Rousset from other shops in Melbourne is that it’s owned and managed by a fashion outsider–me!” the undeniably fashionable Julia Pound exclaims from her stunning Getrude Street boutique. “The other thing is that Melbourne is known for its love affair with black,” she explains, “but Dagmar attempts to buck this trend by suggesting that color really isn’t such a bad thing.” Indeed one glance inside this boutique-cum-art gallery, and now language school too, makes obvious Pound’s obsession with all things bright and beautiful. Stocking an eclectic mix of well-known ( Eley Kishmoto ) and lesser known ( Take Off Your Clothes ) labels from across the globe, along with numerous Melbourne-based fashion offerings such as Emma the Shoemaker and Hopeless Lingerie , Dagmar has just the right mix of local chic and international style. Keen to ensure Dagmar Rousset customers are provided with unique and one-off pieces, Pound is the exclusive Melbourne stockist of All knitwear, Salasai and Reckless Exuberance . In addition to eclectic fashion, Dagmar Rousset offers a finely edited selection of homewares, including embroidered duvet covers from Sydney label The Lowercase and All dishcloths, as well as objects d’art such as Mooks of Florida and San Francisco’s Double Parlour . Clearly not one to shy from challenges, Pound recently added a French School to Dagmar Rousset’s belt. “I know a lot of shops that also run sewing classes, but there aren’t many clothing shops that double as language schools,” says Pound, “People are sometimes confused by this, but when I explain my highly self-indulgent concept (i.e. combining my two passions, design and French), they seem less perplexed!”
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Dagmar Rousset
A playful marriage of Finnish patterns and classic American sneakers Unveiling a new model, reissue and pitch-perfect collaboration, Converse’s triple-threat announcement today builds on the brand’s commitment to making everyday sportswear with playfully wearable style. For their spring collection, Converse partnered with Marimekko , sourcing patterns—the colorful Tarha (1963) and the looping scaly Pikkusuomu (1965) by Annika Rimala and the tiny triangles of the Kirppu (1980) by Maija and Kristina Isola—from the Finnish textile house’s archives. The work of some of Marimekko’s most iconic designers, the graphics also speak to the textile house’s modern art influence—as explained in the mini-documentary Converse made about the project. The partnership brings the bold prints to both classic hi and low Chucks (around $80) as well as to two more surprising profiles—Helen ($75), a slightly more feminine Purcell named for Jack Purcell’s wife and reproduced stich-for-stitich, along with the PJ ($75-85), a brand-new look that’s slim and thin-soled, like a classic ’50s sneaker. Packaged with equally cute shoe bags in matching prints, look out for the collection this spring on Converse.com and at premium retailers.
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Converse and Marimekko
Fair trade meets vintage florals for a fashion resurrection Led by ’90s revivalism, a particular floral trend has proliferated on runways these past few seasons, many directly inspired by the fabrics of heritage brand Laura Ashley and its English garden-feeling flower prints. Thanks to a collaboration with fellow U.K. clothing label People Tree , the 57-year-old label is undergoing a reawakening of its own this season with a collection of limited-run pieces in prints sourced from the company’s archives. Available March 2011 as part of People Tree’s spring collection, the nine-piece organic cotton collection offers up fetching floral basics—including a pocketed a-line skirt, a short swingy sundress, pleated shorts and a jumpsuit—in colors reworked from the ’70s to match the lineup’s more youthful, modern silhouettes. As part of its ongoing designer collaboration series, People Tree is also teaming up with contemporary British print designer Orla Kiely to create two cotton-printed hobo bags, available later in the season. The Laura Ashley collection spans $80-155 and will sell stateside and in the U.K. from People Tree .
Everyday leather bags with minimalist-luxe appeal Brothers Tim and Dan Joo created their bag label Haerfest with the intention of designing “modern basics that age well.” With four simple styles crafted in durable materials like leather and brass, the unisex line boasts equally straightforward style names such as A1 Back Pack (shown above). While the A1 retains the classic backpack shape in sultry leather, the A2 Bucket Bag riffs on the roll-top trend with its open top and multifunctional straps. Together, they sling over shoulders as one strap, or for a more streamlined approach, separate them to keep it casual. The A3 Shoulder Sack, definitely the most feminine of the collection, flattens completely making it a useful bag to pack on your next trip. For extended journeys, the A4 Overnight Duffel mods a classic but keeps it functional. The tubular shape makes it easy to stow, leather flaps secure hidden pockets and its simple leather exterior adds an alluring Bond element—sure to get you bumped up to first. Most styles come in a variety of muted colors, which can be seen in full from the Haerfest website. Since the collection just launched, stockists are still undetermined but to get your hands on a bag, contact Haerfest . Prices span $380-550, depending on the model and materials.
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Haerfest
Everyday leather bags with minimalist-luxe appeal Brothers Tim and Dan Joo created their bag label Haerfest with the intention of designing “modern basics that age well.” With four simple styles crafted in durable materials like leather and brass, the unisex line boasts equally straightforward style names such as A1 Back Pack (shown above). While the A1 retains the classic backpack shape in sultry leather, the A2 Bucket Bag riffs on the roll-top trend with its open top and multifunctional straps. Together, they sling over shoulders as one strap, or for a more streamlined approach, separate them to keep it casual. The A3 Shoulder Sack, definitely the most feminine of the collection, flattens completely making it a useful bag to pack on your next trip. For extended journeys, the A4 Overnight Duffel mods a classic but keeps it functional. The tubular shape makes it easy to stow, leather flaps secure hidden pockets and its simple leather exterior adds an alluring Bond element—sure to get you bumped up to first. Most styles come in a variety of muted colors, which can be seen in full from the Haerfest website. Since the collection just launched, stockists are still undetermined but to get your hands on a bag, contact Haerfest . Prices span $380-550, depending on the model and materials.
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Haerfest
Our video peek at a collection of sneakers designed by a new American classic by Gregory Stefano Call it a win for the marriage of technical details and fashion or just call it a win for style, either way Steven Alan’s collection for Nike Sportswear (launched today) has us wondering why the collaboration didn’t happen sooner. The five styles all draw on Nike’s archives and add Steven’s impeccably clean twist, which he explains in more detail in our video interview with him here. This first collection from their new partnership drops tomorrow in Steven Alan stores and online .
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Steven Alan for Nike Sportswear
Get awesome with limited-edition Keds celebrating the ’80s This limited-edition collection of sneakers from the Keds Century Collection colorfully pays tribute to rad ’80s fashions. Geometric patterned interiors add to neon suede exteriors for a zany style typical of the decade that saw the birth of the computer and Comme des Gar
A bespectacled limited-edition tribute to the NYC and Istanbul area code Launched by vintage eyewear purveyor Vidal Erkohen, RVS by V. is steadily gaining notice for its retro-styled sunglasses in vibrant matte finishes. The 212, the Turkish label’s first limited-edition frames, recalls the brow-heavy specs of the ’50s and represents Erkohen’s personal connection to New York City and Istanbul, which coincidentally share an area code. “I was born in NYC, moved to Turkey at a young age and have been living here while traveling back and forth ever since,” he explains. “The 212 was designed to have a bold, brave, and, most importantly, strong character in its design, which I believe is a trait I see and feel in both cities’ people and energy.” Available in a black or white matte finish, the colors symbolize the “contrast and differences” Erkohen observes between the cultures. Limited to 100 pairs, the 212 is available as sunglasses ($700 online ) and opthalmic frames. Each is crafted by hand, down to the signature red screws, which are individually painted. For inquiries and to view other collections, visit RVS by V’s website .
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RVS by V. 212
It’s a Friday afternoon and Jane Flotte is getting a little tired of spa treatments. “Today I’ve written a lot of salon deals,” the Groupon employee said. “And I’m getting kind of sick of talking about facials.” If today is bad, though, yesterday was even worse. “I had to write a cupcake deal, and it was really late [in the day] and I was so hungry,” she laughed. “It was terrible.” But Flotte isn’t actually complaining. She, like the rest of Groupon’s army of twenty-something writers, is eager to churn out prose and study the craft. She may be in the best possible place to do it. With a team of experienced editors, a new program called Groupon Academy, and a vigorous — but rewarding — recruiting process, the Web-based coupon company is investing significant time into teaching and training its writers. “Groupon functions like a newspaper and that’s really invigorating. There are teams focused on making sure things are factually accurate, transparent, and funny.” And it’s paying off. Business Insider recently listed Groupon as one of this year’s most innovative alternative storytellers alongside USA Today , the Los Angeles Times , the New York Times , and other traditional news outlets. “Groupon isn’t a news website,” they explained. “But as Thrillest CEO Ben Lerer said, ‘The most well-read publication now might be Groupon.’” Forty percent of Groupon’s writers have prior journalism experience, 70 percent were creative writers and 20 percent wrote marketing or business copy. As of this writing, there are 59 writers, 16 editors, 15 image designers, 24 fact-checkers, 11 copy editors and four editorial recruiters. They’ve hired 40 writers in the last six months. “We have this insatiable need for writers,” Managing Editor Brandon Copple said. And if you’re hired as a writer at Groupon, you will be writing. All day long. Writers churn out anywhere from six to ten blurbs each day. For many Groupon staffers, the promise of a heavy writing load was what attracted them to the company. Each attended Groupon Academy, a training seminar on the Groupon voice — now infamous for its sarcastic wit — as part of the preliminary recruitment and hiring process. Applicants attempt a write-up, and then get feedback on their sample. “It helps would-be writers see how seriously we take the craft,” Copple said. It also illuminates the company’s focus on teaching. “I was really excited to work for the company because it seemed like they really wanted to train us,” said Katherine Banich, a graduate of Columbia University’s journalism school, reflecting on her experience in Groupon Academy. “They were very interested in making us into better writers.” The intensive editorial oversight continues long after a class “graduates” from the Academy. Groupon Editor Eddie Schmid, a 2009 graduate of the journalism program at Loyola University in Chicago, worked for a fantasy baseball website after graduating where his writing was “self-governed.” When he started writing for Groupon in April, his superiors gave him with a copy of Strunk and White’s famous writing guide, The Elements of Style , and plenty of constructive criticism. “Groupon really functions like a newspaper,” said Schmid, who worked briefly at the Chicago Sun-Times . “And that’s really invigorating. There are dedicated stages, and teams that are really focused on making sure things are factually accurate, transparent, and funny.” But unlike most newspapers, Groupon is expanding rapidly. This year, the site expects to bring in more than $500 million in revenue. It might be the fastest growing company in the history of the Web , sending a clear sign that there’s a market for creative writers — and the type of hybrid journalism-advertising prose Groupon has perfected. It took Flotte a few weeks to get comfortable with the Groupon voice. Recently, she wrote about a Mexican restaurant in the Chicago suburbs. “Spicy sauces are great for deterring children from licking frozen poles, substituting lost winter coats, and swiftly ending staring contests,” reads the Groupon. “Six pages of dinner options ensure that no appetite exists with its former owner, and a Mexican hot chocolate offers the perfect transition back into frosty thoroughfares and the cocoa-less monotony of everyday life.” The bottom line? It’s time for creative writing and journalism majors to rejoice: Your degree may not mean a lifetime of ramen noodles and coupon-cutting. Unless, of course, they’re Groupons.
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Forget Journalism School and Enroll in Groupon Academy
A new line of handcrafted hats for high-spirited gals On a mission to find her own Isabella Blow, milliner Satya Tweena’s playfully inventive collection of well-crafted hats should attract a suitably mischievous muse soon enough. While the self-proclaimed “design scientist/architect” modestly doesn’t compare herself to Philip Treacy beyond a shared desire to take risks, it’s impossible not to think of the iconic British designer when it comes to the flirty shapes and exaggerated flips of Tweena’s toppers. Her looks, for “confident, risk-taking women,” skillfully blend vintage inspiration with modern style for an accessory that will endure for seasons to come. Where the eye-popping aesthetic might fail in less talented hands, Tweena’s flawless execution makes it hard to believe that this is her first collection. The Parsons grad spent the past two years honing her technical design skills, taking an expansive approach that included everything from learning letterpress printing to sewing. It’s an enthusiasm that comes from a bohemian upbringing—a family of painters, musicians, sculptors, designers and actors—that meant she “grew up thinking that everything and anything can inspire art.” Tweena’s curiosity funnels directly into her design process, as she explains, “Each skill provided me with a distinctively different way of using and thinking of materials. For example, I don’t look at a felt hood and think to just mold it on a block like a traditional milliner. I think about what would physically happen to the felt if I burned or scored it and then tried to block it.” While her online shop just launched today, she’s already thinking about the future, “looking to collaborate with interesting people on designing avant-garde headwear.” New pieces are added to the collection every week and sell on a first come, first serve basis online , spanning $110 to $1,200.
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Satya Tweena
Cool Hunting teams up with Rickshaw for this special CH Edition messenger bag and iPad case Exceptionally durable, Rickshaw waterproof bags are designed specifically for the active urban dweller. The San Francisco-based brand not only keeps us impressed with their ability to make long-lasting, thoughtfully designed bags, but also their commitment to sustainability supersedes most environmentally-conscious labels. For example, Rickshaw produces their Zero Messenger bag using domestically sourced materials, recyclable nylon and designs it around the cutting process to reduce material waste. We like this bag so much that for our collection of Cool Hunting collaborations we worked with Rickshaw to design a customized CH Edition. A stylishly functional messenger bag, our version features a “Cool Hunting Green” interior, waterproof X-pac black exterior, a detachable zippered inside pocket and extra compartments under the flap for all of your daily essentials and gear. What’s more, we produced a limited-edition iPad case too, also featuring a fetching green interior. Those in NYC can pick the bag ($150) and iPad Case ($30) up at our holiday Cool Hunting for Gap pop up shop or through our online shop .
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CH Edition: Rickshaw
Friendship bracelet-inspired necklaces from a graphic-designing blogger The ultra-crafty graphic designer, jewelry designer and blogger Kate Miss produces simple necklaces that are so lovely it’s difficult to procure one before they sell out from her online shop . Almost two years ago the Long Island City-based designer developed a renewed interest in the friendship bracelets of her childhood, partly, she says, “out of nostalgia and partly due to the boom of the whole native pattern trend.” The knotted bracelet that she thought would look “pretty amazing” on a necklace has since become her signature piece. Interspersed with the friendship bracelet and brass drop necklaces (also a perennial favorite) are forays into mood and seasonally-inspired pieces, like a woven necklace crafted of leather and Lucite beads—a style introduced today in her holiday sale. While her necklaces grace the pages of many indie designers’ lookbooks and even found their way into Target’s Red Hot Shop last summer, many of her enthusiastic clients came upon her jewelry by way of her blog, For Me, For You . She has a clean, vintage-inspired aesthetic and is careful to steer clear of subjects sure to be found on every well-known design blog. After all, she laughs, “Does Anthropologie really need another blogger gushing over their appliqu
Cycle in the rain with style wearing our collaboratively designed cap Two cyclists on a mission “to make stylish garments for a world where your bike is your favorite means of transportation,” Outlier began in 2009 with an impressive pair of tailored pants . With a seemingly Midas touch, every garment or accessory Outlier has produced since has been nothing short of ideal. The consideration and passion behind their performance threads has led Outlier to become a staple in any cyclist’s (or snappy dresser’s) closet. For the 2010 holiday season we asked Outlier’s Tyler Clemens and Abe Burmeister to create a Cool Hunting cycling cap , an accessory technically designed for bike riding in inclement conditions. The resulting Swiss wool hat is completely wind-resistant, highly water-resistant and boats a brim that perfectly shields a rider’s brow. The functionally stylish cap was crafted in three colors—gray, navy and black. Demonstrating Outlier’s “shopping by hand” philosophy, the durable thick wool feels as nice as it looks on, and combined with its minimalist aesthetic that hat is sure to be worn for years to come. Designed exclusively for Cool Hunting, the Weatherproof Cycling Cap sells from our online shop for $90.
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CH Edition: Outlier
Woodworking scraps-turned-fashion in Navajo-inspired necklaces The side project of CH contributor Mike Giles and his girlfriend Judy Lawrence, Miju jewelry is a peek into how the two mix Mike’s furniture design with a creative Montreal-based partnership. For Fall/Winter the duo created “Manha”—an 11-piece assortment of laser-cut wood gems. Of the Native American-inspired collection, one of our favorites is the “T-Bird necklace” (also available as a brooch). Taking the classic Thunderbird silhouette, the duo then added detailed etching for geometric texture and an overall appealing design. Painted either gold or a combination of red and blue, the necklace hangs at a perfectly situated place across the collarbone, allowing for full visibility that works with a variety of necklines. Each piece in the collection is made from solid walnut—remnants from other designs Giles creates in his Montreal-based woodworking shop, Furni . The Manha collection sells online from the Miju Etsy site, with prices starting at $36.
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Manha
