KALEN AND ASTRID = UPSTATE

Kalen Kaminski and Astrid Chastka may have began with scarves and wraps, but after constant requests the label evolved into a very versatile and unique ready to wear line.
Comparing their dye methods to baking a cake, and known for dying by hand in a bathtub, you can bet you are getting a piece that is one of a kind, made with love and will not be replicated...

portrait by Shay Harrington

                                    read an interview with the girls here

and just so you know, Kalen's favorite of the collection is the tea length dress, Astrid's favorite is the tea length dress and the crop top, and I was the coldest I have ever been in my life when Heather took these photos.

OH MANIAMANIA...

Again, Melanie and Tamila have created the perfect collection...THE MODERN UTOPIAN...to sum it up...

"Like leaders of an autonomous spiritual order, MANIAMANIA have collected thought forms, visionary experiences and tripped out icons for their new collection, ‘The Modern Utopian’.
Radial lines are traced from Californian communes and cults of the late 60s and 70s so to consider a philosophical dichotomy - hedonism vs. spirituality. The door to their triangle of influences is the spirituality embedded in ‘Rock n Roll’ and western pop music’s romanticism of eastern transcendence. While grounded like a rock in the physical realm of performing and listening, it too rolls out an opportunity to transcend to higher states – a notion symbolized by The Beatles relationship with Maharishi and his address at Woodstock."

Then we also received some more pieces from THE THIRD MIND collection.

 I will sum it up in one word...RAD.

AMY IN EDITH

Our lovely intern Amy showed up at our Halloween party as Edie Sedgewick..  she looked amazing and was spot on.  The next week when she walked in the office, I could only see stripes on her - so I asked her to take some self portraits of herself in a few pieces of the new Edith A Miller collection with Edie-esque eyes.  She did an amazing job! Here are my fave's.

Thanks Amy!  And thanks Jen from Edith for referring Amy! 

LYKKE LI

Lykke Li's amazing performance on Letterman.  Seriously check out her Made Her Think rings!  The way the chain rings move make me love the song even more somehow.  First Aid Kit sang with her in the background..  those are the girls that sang the insane Patti Smith cover that made Patti CRY!  Watch that one in the second video.

SAMANTHA PLEET

 Samantha Pleet's Fall collection just arrived.  Dying over these wool coats.. and especially the little red silk cape shorts.

 

 

 

 

Here's a video for this collection.  Samantha scored the soundtrack herself!

Samantha Pleet Autumn Winter 2011 from Samantha Pleet on Vimeo.

Samantha Pleet says: The Autumn Winter 2011 collection was inspired by mythology, astronomy, and my recent trip through Iceland. The clothes capture the enchantment I experienced at wonders along the Ring Road with it’s frozen waterfalls, geysers, and northern lights. I worked closely with an embroiderer back in NYC to bring the imagery inspired by my trip to some of the pieces.  A starry night sky appears on shorts, the cycle of Venus on the collar of a dress, and reflected moons glowing on the lapels of a blazer.  The regal color palette comes in classic, luxurious fabrics like velvet, English tweed, and washed silk that is discreetly embellished with tassels and iridescent star buttons.  The clothes bring a sense of enchantment to everyday life, from work to a party, or while exploring dramatic landscapes and telling tales by the fire.

ABBEY LEE and MANIAMANIA

The IMMORTAL RING.  It will never stop being my favorite daily accessory.  By MANIAMANIA.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WE ARE NOT TWO WE ARE ONE

Margaret Durow and ManiaMania were strangers before the box of MM jewels arrived at the photographer's doorstep. However, the collection of nostalgic photographs Margaret captured of herself with these pieces seem to prove otherwise. Using natural light, real film and true emotion, her dreamy photographs come across as very personal, moody and timeless - and like they've been 2gether 4ever.
We were immensely pleased to find Margaret Durow in our home state of Wisconsin (Thanks Cody), and even more pleased when she expressed interest in this project to photograph MANIAMANIA's Reve collection.
You can feel the honesty and genuine raw talent of the 22 year old from her photos. (check her flickr page). She's currently going to UW Madison for Environmental Studies / Biological Conservation, and has already gained a ton of recognition for her photography.
For this project she used real film and a photoshop layering technique to accomplish the very MANIAMANIA-esque vibe. (We showed Tamila and Melanie- the MM ladies- the photos last week in NY and they were thrilled).
Of course she gets extra points for including her cat in the photos (who, apparently acted very strange around the jewelry and insisted on being in the shoot). These are a few of my faves, but please take the time to VIEW THE ENTIRE COLLECTION HERE. Thank you Margaret, I can't wait to work with you again.

HEIRLOOMS-TO-BE

Anna Sheffield is the latest jewelry designer to join Bona Drag. She is a multifaceted designer and an all-around talented lady. Her training in costume design, welding and blacksmithing seem to inform one another, so she's able to create timeless, elegant jewelry without being too fussy. The simplicity and classic quality to her designs fit with any style or time period. Ya know, the kind of jewelry you wish your great grandmother left you.
I asked these ladies what their favorites were..

Lillian - the Chasse Garnet Pinky Ring

Stevie - the Black Onyx Eleonore Ring

Marlene - the Gold Eleonore Ring

Nina - The Green Amethyst Eleonore Cocktail ring (duh)

Siouxsie - Even though you thought she'd choose Onyx, nope - she already has one. She likes the Solitaire better so leave her alone.
p.s. Anna Sheffield's recent collaboration with Lindsey Thornburg will also be added to the shop within the next day or two.

SILVER THREADS

The lovely artist and music lover Jess Rotter made some Linda Ronstadt wood burn pieces exclusively for us! She made a series of these pieces in collaboration with Nightwood. Read more about the original sinette here.
Here's Jess surrounded by wood at her opening installation at the Nightwood pop-up shop.
Here are some photos from a 2004 Architectural Digest article I recently came across about Linda's amazing pink Mediterranean style house in Tucson.