For the Love of Sandals

Crafted to withstand the elements, Matt Bernson's custom shoes are created with special leathers chemically treated to be both flexible and durable. Each shoe — hand cut and individually sewn with uppers adorned in metallic piping, complex hardware and hand-waxed insoles — is fashionably detailed with leather stitching and rivets.

I looooove that the sandals are comfortable. The luxurious feel has a look inspired by Indian jewelry, themes that stem from his jewelry designer mother and teachings given by the Dali Lama in India.

The fashionable kicks have only been around for three years, but the "soulfully made in Brazil" shoes have been spotted on style icons including SJP and are sold by retailers such as Fred Segal, Anthropologie, Kitson and Piperlime.

If the spirit is moving you now, visit mattbernson.com

Kristinit: The LOVE Campaign

Kristinit introduces its Fall 2009 Collection: the LOVE Campaign. Its mission—a holistic approach to high fashion, one that links social responsibility with sumptuous, sustainable fabrics and playfully classic designs.

The collection embraces versatility and elegance. The 30’s-era classicism of knee-grazing hemlines and belted day dresses play hopscotch with Victorian demureness and Faye Dunaway '60's chic. And attention to detail is key to the collection, like dramatic circle sleeves that bring daintiness to smoky, monochromatic tunics.

A New Kind of Art

Alicia Piller has designed many things—bags, paintings, and even candy boxes. But her most prized possession has been the birth of her own business, Designs by Alicia P.

It all started four years ago when Alicia was laid off from an unfulfilling design job. Realizing that she could make more money doing what she loved, she decided to launch a line of paintings, suede & beaded jewelry, and hand-painted clothing; all made by Alicia P. herself.

But she didn’t stop there.

Each garment has intricately arranged letters, shapes and lines…on washable fabric paint. And her jewelry intertwines crystals and semi-precious beads creating lightweight suede works of art. “My works appeals to literally everyone—the young and the old,” says Alicia.

When asked which is her favorite to design, Alicia excitedly screams: “Couture! I love to make weird and crazy elaborate things. I really enjoy painting free-hand designs too—I can let my mind go wherever it wants.”

Currently, Alicia is busy designing innerwear and dresses for a solo fashion show later in the year.

For more information visit http://www.designsbyaliciap.com.

Play with Gravity in United Nude Cosmo

For the past six years, United Nude has taken the shoe industry by storm. Known as the intersection between architecture and fashion, United Nude’s shoes are the cornerstone of saviness, elegance and innovation.

This season United Nude continues to play with gravity with its latest innovation: The Cosmo. By using a hand molded carbon fiber light-weight construction, the Cosmo shoe is a high-tech shoe laced with architectural design elements.

But be sure to act fast. The Cosmo is in limited production of only a few hundred pairs. Snag a black calf leather or mirror calf leather pair for approximately $550.

The United Nude Cosmo will only be available at specialty shoe stores and at www.unitedenude.com.

ic! berlin: A Union of Traditional Masculinity and Feminine Modernity

The spring season may be a month away, but ic! berlin's newest sunglasses will make you want to look like a solar god(dess) stat.

Since 2005, the brand has fused unconventional styles and spontaneous modernity. ic! berlin produces slick, screw-less eyeglasses comprised of sheet-metal parts crafted into eclectic designs that laugh in the face of boring.

ic! berlin has always been popular with the fellas but the brand is ready to switch teams - at least for a bit. This year's new, 'Tres Chic!' line is a vintage inspired collection of sunglasses developed by an all-female team for the women of the world. Other hits I want in my own collections are the aviator styles and funkier plastic frames. But if singling out modern glamour is your trademark, look to ic!'s special editions in particular, 'i see one' - a minimalist, futuristic series produced in a limited run of 500 pieces.


Visit ic! berlin for more information and to find out where to scoop a pair for yourself.

Get Funky with Funky Lobes

In the spring of 2008, Marie Jean Baptiste stumbled upon something in her Brooklyn neighborhood that changed her life—a going out of business fabric and yarn store. Marie immediately took advantage of the deeply discounted merchandise and purchased tons of yarn. “When I finally got home, I didn’t know what I wanted to make,” said Marie. “I just wrapped the colorful yarn around some earrings and things just started coming together.”

A few months and ideas later, Marie birthed Funky Lobes, a jewelry line filled with handcrafted yarn earrings, bangles and necklaces. Exploring new colors and fashion trends are important to Marie, and since her debut last year, she has upgraded to imported yarns from Italy.

Within her jewelry collection you’ll find an array of multi-shaped pieces daunting gorgeous palettes. Although the pieces are easy on the eyes, the process for making the jewelry is no easy task. Aside from using her strength to tightly wrap the yarn, Marie uses three glues for binding purposes. “It’s a long process,” says Marie. But it’s a task she embraces.

“There is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on new outfits when you can spice up your already owned pieces with one of our fabulous pieces,” said Marie.

So what’s up next for the fashionable gal? Marie is planning to create a collection of yarn handbags and provide a small collection of vintage dresses for Marie’s Closet, a clothing rental boutique for industry professionals—another endeavor Marie has up her sleeve.

Funky Lobes retail anywhere from $15 to $55 and can be found in Pieces and Kiini Ibura boutiques or online at http://www.funkylobes.com.

Whimsical Wearable Art

Happy Thursday!

Tonight I had the pleasure of attending the NY Women’s Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Party at La Pregunta Arts Café. Not only was it great to be around such beautiful and prominent ladies, but everyone brought unwrapped toy for a disadvantaged child in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. While I was there, I noticed a few ladies had on super cute camisoles and it reminded me of the new innerwear and outerwear trend. With that in mind, Lola Haze, my favorite lingerie and loungewear company (at least for this season) and artist Charlotte Pinson have teamed up to create a capsule collection of one-of-a-kind pieces.

The flowing silk charmeuse pieces incorporate Lola Haze's aesthetic of modern luxury with a playful twist. Designer Laura Mehlinger's soft structures give flowing form to the liquidy paintings, and her touches of sheer chiffon detailing compliment the delicacy of Charlotte's brush strokes.

Thinking about purchasing a set? Email Laura.

Shop & Mingle Takes Over Harlem

Every year Shop & Mingle takes over Harlem and displays fashionable styles from emerging designers. But this year the annual Shop & Mingle is taking over a 64,000 square foot theater arts complex, meaning extra room for savvy shopping.

Featured designers showcasing their hottest threads and accessories include: Harriet’s Alter Ego, My Funky Twisted Soul, Rebel Chic, Tahajo Memory Lane by Toya and much more.

The weekend-long event not only includes shopping, but complimentary beauty makeovers by Imena, DJ’s spinning on the one’s and two’s and an open bar for the 21 and over crew.

Where: National Black Theater (2031-33 Fifth Avenue b/t 125th and 126th)
When: Saturday, December 6 3pm - 9pm; Sunday, December 7, 1pm - 7pm.
Cost: FREE!!!

Sponsors for the event include Zipcar, Fusicology, Uptown Magazine, Harlem Brewing Company, The L Magazine, Larabar, Robert's American Gourmet, Experience Harlem, FEED, Miss Jessie's, Dr. Miracles, Imena Inc, The New York Sports Club, www.going.com and Frank 151.

And to top it off, you get a free gift bag with any purchase (of course only while supplies last)

More Space. More Shopping. More Fun.

RSVP Here