Knits are my favorite part of Fall. You might want to get to know these handmade designs created by Sandra Backlund. I love each one. What an inspiration to work with your hands. 

images from current collection via sandrabacklund.com

Every Sunday morning I like to enjoy a cup of coffee and the New York Times style section. The information provides me with inspiration however it is more than just pretty pictures, the relevance of the articles, style and trends are what is going on in the industry right now. This past Sunday I was pleased to find an article about fashion trying on zero waste design. A new kind of class of designers is sprouting, one that cares about the materials they use, so much so that they refuse to part with them. After all I think we all know where the unused fabric goes, it is hard to recycle it properly without a big expense therefore it ends up in the garbage and eventually our landfills.

Denim is one item in particular that is in everyone’s wardrobe and has been known to create more than just waste. The process of making denim is a tough one, both on our resources and the environment. This will not stop anyone from buying it or wearing it, however the alternatives to how denim is being made are now widely available. Zero-waste design will contribute to making excellent denim that does not sacrifice on style. We can hope that into the future, organic and environmentally friendly also means fashion forward.

What does zero-waste represent? The experimentation with Eco fashion is being pushed further than just organic fabrics. The effort that is zero-waste design strives to create patterns that will not allow anything extra, that means no excuse for any waste on the floor. The first ever fashion course in zero-waste design will start up next month in one of the most well know fashion schools, Parsons in New York City. To read up on details regarding the class and more on the article go here.

The brand was first established by the 1970s designer Linda Farrow and later re-launched in 2003 by Simon Jablon.  He is the son of Linda Farrow and the current creative director.  His idea to relaunch the brand has come to him after discovering a stash of sunnies in the family’s warehouse. Among the items found were Vintage Pucci, Vintage Sonia Rykiel and his mother’s own brand, Linda Farrow.

The Linda Farrow brand is known for their great 1970s and 1980s styles and remains being the unique of the unique. You can be sure the Linda Farrow Gallery online boutique will be of the highest gloss and quality.  Their sunglasses have appeared in more ad campaigns and editorials than one can count, it always amazes me how the the vintage feel appeals to both the younger and older generations alike. I have to get my hands on these very soon.

Come back for updates http://www.lindafarrowgallery.com

If you are up on your labels and models, you will know Lykke May Andersen as one of the exotic beauties in Victoria’s Secret, Sports Illustrated and well known designer houses. Among her many talents the Danish model has a love for the fashion industry. With the help of other talented friends she has started a fashion line named Chick With Guns.  It all started with denim and quickly expanded.  The name is brilliant, to me the line represents a powerful woman who knows what she wants and takes no nonsense.  

I have admired the label for some time now and I am excited to announce le la Moda’s interview with May.  You will have to wait for it, however I am going to share some backstage images from a recent photo shoot for their Spring/Summer 2010 line.  Go to http://www.chickwithguns.com for more.

The best thing about Litter?  The laid back vibe and ability to create art out of used items, which they search for high and low.  Visit their blog/shop and you too will want to break free from the usual, take off extra layers of clothing and run like mad looking for vintage fashion.  This is why they are chosen to be the style mavens and le la Moda darlings for June/July.  We just love them and hope you enjoy our interview with the two sisters and designers. 

llM:How was Litter born and what does the name represent?

M&R: LITTER came to be when Mackenzie started getting experimental at the hardware store making jewelry out of nuts and bolts, and plumbing parts. It was really cool stuff, but not really wearable. At that time, it wasn’t named LITTER, it was just a concept. When we joined forces is when we decided to create LITTER using found objects, some hardware store finds, but mostly vintage chains and flea market scores. We brainstormed to come up with a name, and we wanted to stick with something “Trashen” because the jewelry was made from these cast off materials. Basically, we pulled out the thesaurus, and LITTER was the name we chose. 

llM: What influences your design creations?

M&R: We aren’t really influenced by other designers or people. We mostly influence each others designs here in the studio. Its great because we have this amazing resource in each other for style advise and design direction. We make something, and then we revise it based on one another’s ideas. Sometimes, our friends come in with ideas thinking they are going to help us out, but we usually end up wishing they would leave because they are in the way! 

We both went to The Academy of Art in San Francisco, but we studied different areas of the arts. Which is why we have a good partnership, because we bring different things to the table. Everything about us is different in fact. We have completely different style, different taste in men, and different interests. We do have the same taste in music, but that’s it. We love anything with tons of bass, like dubstep. 

llM: Once you realized you had something unique and marketable, what  were the first steps you took to promote your product? 

M&R: We started with just the blog, and from there it grew into needing a website to start selling the product. So, we threw together the online store, and its sort of caught fire all on its own through word of mouth and other bloggers. I mean, we owe all of our success to bloggers, they have fast tracked us to the place we stand now. We still can’t believe how many people have responded to us and to LITTER. Its been such a compliment and has kept us going and motivates us to design more. 

llM: How are you personal styles the same or different? 

M&R: We are 100% opposites! Mackenzie has a much harder look. She chooses more masculine fashions, where I am really girlie and softer. I love gold, and she loves silver. She likes Spikes and heavy chains, and I use the delicate chain and costumy vintage looking chain. She wears combat boots and I wear high heels. This list goes on and on…

llM: Where do you shop?

M&R: We love the Goodwill, Thrift Stores, Vintage Stores, and Flea Markets. We find amazing things, and then we bring them back to the studio and add to them, rework them, and turn them into our own creations.

llM: You create your designs from used items, what other ways do you live the green lifestyle? 

M&R: We try to be environmentally conscience, but our lives are not considered very green. We are happy that LITTER is technically “green” because it makes up for some of our other excesses. We both use energy saving light bulbs and recycle! 

llM: What fashion icons do you look up to? 

M&R: We love Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander Wang, Kate Moss, Keith Richards and love looking at old pictures of Musicians from the 60’s and 70’s for styles. 

llM: If you can tell, what futures plans do you have for Litter?

M&R: We have a trip planned in a couplemonths. We are renting an RV on the east coast and turning it into a mobile LITTER studio. Then, we are going to head west hitting up flea markets, goodwills, thrift stores, and garage sales in every state along the way. We will get chains, clothes, and accessories and rework them into new LITTER pieces. Then, at the end of our trip, we will put on a show of our “American” collection. So excited! 

To shop or for more on Mackenzie & Rachel, Go to www.littersf.com

Who and what is Mipenna? “Myth in paradise”

Mipenna is a jewelry collection built up by Wing Law.  A stylish brand that expresses a unique take on glamour in its special and one of a kind creations.

Mipenna “Myth in paradise”

“Penna” Wing’s name in Latin

Mission:

Speaks of the relationship between humans and art.  Wing believes that as a human beings we all have fantasy surrounding us. Her creations put the fantasy into design, this is what makes them unique and a part of her character…just like each man has his own story. This is the major reason why she loves designing so much!

What inspires my design?

Wing Law

“My design concept usually comes from my life and my personal feelings on life. I believe design comes from imagination, so what you see and what you think, that is your design.  Therefore design comes from the designer’s illusion, that is the spirit of design.”

Personal Style

I love many different styles, however my favorite pieces are vintage, inspired by England. I love to wear something unique and special, mixing and matching. As far as color, I have a bright and colorful wardrobe and I think that makes people feel happy. Solid sharp colors and fashion sportswear is my favorite this season. 

What do you do for fun where you live?

I live in a small but modern city, Hong Kong.

The character of this place is like fried rice, there are lots of different cultures and that builds up the Hong Kong style. In my free time I love to go to cafés and the countyside on holidays.  When I work I love to listen to music and light yummy candle, this is my “work mood”.

Background?

Fashion design in HK Polytechnic University and a self taught accessories designer. 

What is in your future?

I want to expand my brand and sell my creations in different countries.  I want people to know the Mipenna’s story.  When people wear my designs I want them to feel special and relaxed in their life.

You can view more of Mipenna on my PORTFOLIO page.

PAST

PRESENT
DEBY DEBO quickly catapulted into a full-blown clothing range, with its designs being worn by a French TV presenter and celebrities. Today, the brand is distributed all over the world and has five shops in the best shopping area in Paris.

50 rue d’Argout 75002 PARIS

19 rue de Turenne 75004 PARIS
95 rue des Martyrs 75018 PARIS
11 rue Antoine Vollon 75012 PARIS
94 rue St Dominique 75007 PARIS

Their boutiques are very intimate with delicate wallpaper and embellishments and this design-focused collection combines contemporary silhouettes with vintage styling. Please visit the website http://www.debydebo.fr.  The brand has decided to open a E-Boutique as well: http://shop.debydebo.fr  (they ship all over the globe)

FUTURE
The company continues to show nice progress and is planning to enter into retail with the opening of new stores in different cities.  This is to be followed by various department store concessions.  DEBY DEBO gives young women easy essentials that can be worn alone or in combination.  The sophisticated collection, together with the boutiques, truly creates an original look.

So you think you can start a high-end label of your own?  Read about the unique brand development as it comes to you straight from a very dedicated individual, Mickael Casol. 

Click on images to enlarge. 

PAST
Everything started in 2002 when French painter Maryse Casol launched her first professional art collection. A limited edition catalogue came with it and her paintings started to be sold in a Montreal, Canada art gallery. In 2004, seeing her amazing talent for colour & while being in my second year of business school, I decided to help her get to the next level (later to learn that instant success does not exist: success has a pre-requisite of 1,000,000 hours of hard work in the dark). The real fun took off in September 2007 when we organized a private exhibition in Manhattan (West Village), NYC. A Russian art collector bought 5 paintings and the word spread rapidly in the Art World. It was good but not great. Being a champion in Muay Thai and training among MMA world champions such as Georges St-Pierre and David Loiseau, I have learnt that there is always another level, you should never settle with your present situation. Therefore came the idea of bringing art to fashion with a made in France silk scarf collection competing with Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo.

PRESENT
After one year of travelling the world for the Casol silk scarf collection, we’ve decided to focus on the ecommerce part of www.MaryseCasol.com . Having your designs in stores is exciting but you never control the quality of service or visual presentation of your brand. Not good when your name is Casol. As Donald Trump said it once: “if I can’t get my hands on it, it’s not for me”. With ecommerce however, it’s a process, and we make sure that process brings excellence to our customers. From making the scarves in Lyon, France with Brochier Soieries (leaders since 1890), to using Paypal as a partner for payment process, and Fedex for express delivery, every step is executed the way a champion wins his fights!

FUTURE
The future looks amazingly bright, we have just launched a full collection of silk ties and silk scarves from famous artists such as Picasso, Dufy or Van Gogh. This collection is also made by Brochier Soieries, and are available at MaryseCasol.com. On top of the silk ties and silk scarves we have a premium collection of fine art prints. With more products coming soon, our goal is to become the online shopping destination for French & European luxury brands. Of course, Maryse doesn’t stop painting, you should see her new landscapes, c’est de la couleur en puissance!

I instantly fell in love with the brand as it represents pure class, glamour and of course the mystery that comes along with it. The designs allow you to step back into the elegance of fashion history and its celebrated fashion icons.  Wearing Ralph & Russo gives you a feeling that you can accomplish anything.  I imagine the sultry glamour that will overcome you as soon as you put on one of their one of a kind dresses or gowns has to be empowering.  It is not wonder Ralph & Russo caters to women in high positions and class.  

As a fashion stylist I have been contacted by this glamorous label and when I propositioned an interview for le la Moda, the head designer and co founder Tamara Ralph has graciously agreed.  The company is run by a Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo. Together they are the perfect formula to success.   

Interview with Tamara Ralph of Ralph & Russo 

llM: The name Ralph & Russo sounds as if it was always meant to be a high-end fashion label, how did this venture come about? 

TR: Ralph & Russo is a combination of our last names; it represents our strengths and combined what we bring to the company. We met by chance in London; Michael is a natural entrepreneur, after showing him my designs and idea for the company, the business partnership developed from there.

llM: You are the head designer for you collections, what is Russo’s role in the business?   

TR: Michael is Sicilian and has a great style about him. He is very business orientated and exceptionally forward thinking, he is the CEO of Ralph & Russo.  I am the Head Designer. It suits us both as we can then focus on what we do best and it works well, but it is a combined effort on both our parts. We often bounce off each others ideas.  We handpicked all our employees, which are very important to the development of the brand.    

llM: The exclusivity of your brand allows for a certain mystery, who is your target market and can you reveal some of the big names you have worked with? 

TR: We design for quite a few big named celebrities, although we would rather not disclose our clientele. We Endeavour to give our clients a personal exclusive service when it comes to our couture work. The label is on an invitation only basis, this way we guarantee our girls uniqueness.  

We have private members which are given VIP access, showings and incentives which make our label special. The mystery is all apart of the brand. Our target market is the woman that adores luxury and fashion, she is well traveled and style orientated. Someone who is affluent, an individual, she is edgy, sexy and timeless.   

llM: Your creations are one of a kind, where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

TR: A lot of my inspiration comes from my travels, animals, elaborate architecture, history etc. I am very inspired by my mother’s style. She always decorated our home with exotic worldly treasures from Africa and Asia and the Middle East.

I love the great Hollywood icons and old Hollywood glamour like Sophia Loren. I love feminine pieces with sex appeal and high glamour. I also favor eras such as the 1920’s, 1940’s, and the freedom and of the 1970’s. My inspiration changes all the time, it can really be from the simplest things. Bold prints and intricate hand embroidery are also things I tend to incorporate a lot in the designs.

llM: I read that you have been an aspiring designer since you were a little girl, how does it feel to look back and see yourself doing what you always loved and aspired to?  

TR: It’s a great feeling; design is what I love. Several generations of women in my family worked in fashion, so I grew up surrounded by design.

My mother taught me the basics of sewing and I used to watch her while she was making dresses.  I was intrigued by it.  She kept a collection of vintage Vogue patterns from when she was young so I learnt on styles from the 1970’s, altering them to make new styles.  I was sketching dresses at the age of 8 and started making dresses from the age of 13. My grandmother gave me my first mannequin which enabled me to teach myself draping. 

llM: Your label is relatively young and you have already accomplished a great deal, that is something to be congratulated.  What are some of your future plans for the business? 

TR: We have some exciting developments over the next year which I cannot disclose details of just yet.

We are in the process of launching our new couture collection, exciting partnerships we are currently negotiating and a completely unique service we are developing, which is not currently offered by any other luxury brand. Our couture Company grew from word of mouth, so we have quite a few exciting goals this year to develop this facet of the business, notably in the US. 

llM: What advice would you give to young women out there who are in the process of starting their own business in fashion design?  

TR: Do what you love, if you are doing what you love you give it passion, and that’s when it comes alive.