Levi's Artisan Blanket Collection for Spring 2013

IN OUR INBOX...

Two thumbs up for Levi's -a clothing giant with a conscious---taking an eco take on re-purposing artisan hand crafted vintage blankets from India-and interweaving them with modern twills and  chambrays fabrics-over-dyed in indigo ...then made into stylish apparel...in the basics we live in.

This Capsule Collection-dubbed the Artisan Blanket Collection---are for women...and each item- woven shirts, cropped pants, shift dresses and reversible vests) are available at select Levi's® Stores and Levi.com this week

$148 to $198.

THALÉ BLANC LUXURY HANDBAGS, CLUTCHES, JEWELRY + SCARVES

Thalé Blanc Designer-Deborah Sawaf

Trump Hotel/NYC

Let's just start out with a few adjectives that came to mind the minute we got our first glimpses of the Thalé Blanc collection of uniquely stunning clutches that were displayed alongside a bank of windows -overlooking a snowy Central Park...a few weeks back. 

Staggeringly marvelous, extraordinary, statement making, one of a kind seriously coveted...

Obvious ...non?

According to her website...Thalé Blanc designer Deborah Sawaf- was born in Bombay-and "raised in the intimate world of couture embroidery and design"---which led to an education-here and abroad in those creative arts-as well as work with high-end labels Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, and Gianfranco Ferré... 

In a media preview timed to coincide with New York's Fashion Week...currently available handbags, shoulder bags, evening and day clutches and accessories-as well as some autumnal offerings were lavishly on display in a plush Trump Hotel, three room suite .

Morning Dew Luxe clutch -available in several colors-Plexi - Brushed Gold Hardware - Swarovski Peals & Crystals - 7" Chain Handle - Gold Nappa Lining 

Exotic compositions...including a tactile plexi material that is proprietary, carefully sourced skins with custom glazes and dyes, rich Nappa leather linings, Swarovski embellishments (crystals, pearls)---plus-custom made gold hardware, often inspired by symbols of the designer's Indian (as in India)--- heritage...all highlights of these attention getting purses.

With hand wrought craftsmanship at its highest level-it was no surprise to us to learn that top tier stores such as Saks Jandel and Stanley Korshak retail the collection. 

gold nappa leather lining

Being the practical sorts---we were particularly enticed by the "day" handbags-that featured gold hardware, a stamped lizard material- in a 'basic' multi-tasking color that would blend well with different types of apparel (including denim that we live in)--- AND enough interior room for smartphone, keys, five tubes of lipsticks/gloss, folded ballet flats, assorted cards...the usual daily necessities.  

elegant Audrey handbag-stamped lizard, gold hardware, gold nappa lining

Terrific tote-

very chic...grey tones...wonderful year round color.

This animal print / red leather combination is fun---and very eye catching--- available in several different sized bags...including a cute chain-linked shoulder bag with a fridge tassel. 

Also wonderful-the mix of leather and python...in several colors and sizes...with matching cuffs/ring pieces that are elegant and edgy...

Another style of cuff-with an attached ring via gold chain-worn just so---available in several colors/materials

Plexi-gold/nickel hardware Star bangle

chain and enamel necklaces---

metallic thread and silk scarves...beautiful

INFO + E-Commerce: 
Thalé Blanc

PRETE and BRUNO/ Salvatore Prete and Filippo Bruno /VANTAN TOKYO Fall 2013 RTW COLLECTIONS

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week/NYC

words/pics Judith Ecochard
VANTAN TOKYO pics/video-MB Fashion Week

 Salvatore Prete and Filippo Bruno ---two designers who have shown a prior season at Lincoln Center-staged a small presentation at a private space-down in SOHO. They were running late-and with a show uptown, we could only grab a few pics before leaving. 

Impressions overall- wearable frocks--- an ode to the 70's/ 80's glam of club days past---like the fabulous B/W gelatin-silver prints that lined the walls...capturing a NYC era like no other---including Studio 54 regulars and Warhol's entourage ...mixed with lower East Side artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat sharing a moment with rocker lggy Pop.

this model reminded us of Candy Darling

Back up at Lincoln Center, VANTAN TOKYO -a design school based in Japan-presented a trio of graduates of its X-Seed Program-an advanced design course given in both English and Japanese.

striped knit sweater over watercolor peony print shirt with oyster flared skirt

watercolor floral ensemble

 The last group...by Natsuki Watanabe's Sagan label---itself inspired by "the free-spirited and independent women...(and) French novelist Françoise Sagan.." was a retail ready collection of sweet feminine prints, hand-knits and nice color-blocking schemes-including the hosiery----

We liked the easy charm of the separates---and the pockets!

mustard hand knit sweater over peach watercolor floral print cotton shirt and slim pants

Navy silk pleated cowboy shirt with wide black pants

Nelly Hohmann-who actually showed first-combines the West/East perception of beauty and aesthetics...creating contemporary pieces that defy being pidgeon-holed into a singular style, we thought.  

combined plaid shirt with olive denim shorts

 Kei Tsunoji's "eisunoge' (his name without initials---so the info said)...is a label with a fun ---AND a distinct point of view---that we thought fab. A reflection of Tokyo's famed street style (that also refs Americana/hip-hop)...via "imperfect scenes"---or-"the advancements of incomplete scenes in the media." Maybe that got lost in translation---but never-the-less-very cool.

grey sleeveless college sweatshirt with jersey pants

varsity style turquoise bomber over grey/yellow sweatshirt with yellow pants

INFO: VANTAN