Tommy Ton Of Jak And Jil's Designed Two Bags For Club Monaco
It can be argued that It bags are christened partially due to the efforts of street style photographers whose selective lenses pick out the Pandoras from the no-namers. And when it comes to the picking and choosing, one of the photographers with the keenest eye is Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil. The lensman recently teamed up with Club Monaco, to create a mini-line of bags that'll include a men's backpack and women's messenger bag (though no sales rep is going to stop us from rocking that rucksack…).
Tommy will be shooting his favorite subjects in New York and Europe Fashion Weeks this month and will present the collection of photos in a gallery on March 19, in NYC. Retailing for $198 to $225, the line of bags will go on sale in Club Monaco stores on March 20. So far, no images have surfaced of the messenger bag, but Tommy was spotted sporting the backpack himself yesterday. Watch your back, Ton, because we're coming for your bag! (WWD)
Photo: Via SartoriallyInc
Photo: Via SartoriallyInc
Sweater Maestro J.W. Anderson Brings His Talents To A Cheeky Aldo Collab
J.W. Anderson's multi-media sweaters (think plastic, feathers, and rubber alongside cashmeres, wools, and cottons) are already a hit with the fashion elite (with an elite price-tag to match). With all that knitwear action going on, it was easy to miss the shoes in the designer's latest spring '12 collection, which were actually a collaboration with Aldo Rise.
In the same spirit as his sweaters, they're "a patchwork of textures," says Anderson, comparing his work to Rauschenberg. The quartet of stilettos comes with a practical ankle strap, cheeky whip stitches, and the requisite marabou feathers. The shoes will be on sale in U.S. Aldo shops on March 8, and will retail for a not-so-bad $155 each.
Dry Your Eyes: One Local Lookbook Just Became Shoppable
Finally! Local jewelry genius Laura Lombardi has just set forth her spring '12 collection onto the internets. If you'll recall, we shared Lombardi's lookbook with you several weeks ago. At the time, you couldn't shop for these unreal pieces online. (Sorry.) Things have changed, and whether you live in Lincoln Park or Central Park, you can now shop for any covetable adornment you choose. Did we or did we not just determine how you'll be procrastinating for much of the day?
Laura Lombardi Targan Bracelet, $90, available at Laura Lombardi.
Plan A Hardcore Romantic Getaway With Mulberry's Travel Bags
We've been having so much fun around town with Mulberry – going out to candle-lit dinners, trips to shows and museums, brunching together, and enjoying long, intimate walks. Now that it's time to take our relationship to the next level, we're thinking of planning a romantic weekend – or maybe more – with the luxe label's new line of travel bags. Already we're imagining jetting off to the Riviera with the gorgeous Oak Shiny Lambskin Travel Day Bag (based on our beloved Alexa model), or taking a long journey by train with the dreamy Oversized Travel Bag in a Marshmallow White Mixed Lizard Print. Oh, the times we'll have watching the sun set from some far-flung perch – just us and the swoon-worthy Lizard Print Grass Green Travel Camera Bag. And, of course, we'll be happy to strut around town with our new loves when our traveling's done.
Mulberry's Travel Bag Family, $1,250 to $3,500, available at Mulberry staring February 15.
Photo: Courtesy of Mulberry.
Mulberry's Travel Bag Family, $1,250 to $3,500, available at Mulberry staring February 15.
Photo: Courtesy of Mulberry.
Absolutely Obsessed: Bananappeal's Gorgeous (Delish) Treats
If there's one thing we're absolute suckers for, it's amazing packaging. So, the moment we laid our eyes on the brand-new, born-in-San Francisco Bananappeal treats, we were smitten (gorgeous, no?). Then, of course, we devoured the snack itself, and now we're pretty much head over heels.
The brainchild of former San Franciscan Courtney Dougherty, who has recently decamped for Denver, Bananappeal is just what it describes itself as: "An incredible, delicious, all-natural, ready-to-eat, banana-based dessert, baked and sold in glass jars!"
The snacks come in either 4- or 8-ounce Mason jars and are split into two categories: frosted banana cakes or cheesecakes. The flavors are plentiful and delectable: Banana Salted Caramel, Banana Peanut Butter, Banana Gingersnap, Banana Tiramisu, and the list goes on. Then, of course, it's tucked into a country-cool Mason jar, slapped with some rad logos, and tied with a charming piece of candy-cane-striped twine.
"I knew that I wanted to differentiate myself and so I decided to focus on one ingredient. Always a banana-lover, I had felt that bananas never received the credit they deserved in the dessert arena beyond basic banana bread," explains Dougherty, who worked as a pastry chef in New York and Chicago and with Tyler Florence in San Francisco. "I wanted to show people that the banana desserts I made could stand up to other high-quality, fine-dining desserts." And that they definitely do.
So, how can you get your paws (and lips) on them? GiltTaste is hawking the sweet treats, just in time for Valentine's Day, later this week, and Williams-Sonoma will be doing the same starting March 15. Foodie jarheads, mark your calendars.
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Remington
Fern Mallis Jewelry: Perfect If You're Planning Ahead To Mother's Day
If you've spent any time in the Bryant Park tents in the past nine years, chances are you've found yourself in the presence of Fern Mallis, the ubiquitous, do-it-all Vice President of IMG Fashion and organizer of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. If you didn't immediately recognize her from her flippy brown crop or her dark-rimmed glasses, you probably could pick her out based on her jewelry — wearing bracelets, rings, and necklaces wherever possible, her magpie-like style is much-adored. Today, she own her own consulting agency, and has recently collaborated on a line of jewelry with QVC that seems like it was designed (and priced!) with our mothers in mind. The low-end pieces range from $35 to $79, with finer materials sourced from India and South Africa (in fact, the whole collection is inspired by Fern's travels around the world). The pieces will debut during QVC's coverage of NYFW this February, which is perfect timing if you happen to be the type who plans ahead — all the way to say, Mother's Day in May (and also June, when you'll be scheming re: how to steal and borrow those same gifts). (WWD)
Photos: Via WWD/John Aquino
5 Local Ladies Tell Us How To Master Those 2012 Goals
We don't know about you, but it seems like years — not a mere 30 days — ago that we made our New Year's resolutions. And while we're only doing so-so when it comes to keeping them (Green smoothies? Check. Knitting? Not so much.), we know there are plenty of local ladies with killer success stories. We figure it's gotta be because they made awesome resolutions — and they're sticking to them. Right? To find how we can all get (and stay) on track with making 2012 the best year yet, we checked in with five Washington women who've made — and kept — some pretty inspiring resolutions. Click through to learn their secrets (and see the cool finds that motivate them).
Do ALL Of Your Accessorizing With This Color-Coded Collection
We're used to grabbing a hat from this brand, a scarf over at the next, and then hitting up a couple more for handbags or shoes. Never two pieces from the same label at the same time (we're not catalog models, after all). But after syping Aussie brand Benah's new looks at the Standard Downtown LA's store, we might be willing to try accessorizing entire outfits using only their carefully toned, completely delectable goods. See, it's not just that their bags – ranging from clutch all the way up to tote – are pitch perfect in their simplicity, or that their suede shoes, psychedelic scarves, and lovable hats hit upscale casual right on the nose. It's that most of the offerings in Benah's latest season's collection come in three shared colors – blue, a rich maroon, pink, and an alluring pale chartreuse. Just take a look at the offerings, and you'll see that going monochromatic (and... monobrandatic?) could really pay off. What's your favorite combo?
Available at The Standard Downtown L.A., 550 South Flower Street (between West 5th and West 6th streets); 213-892-8080 and Benah
Photo: Courtesy Benah.
Available at The Standard Downtown L.A., 550 South Flower Street (between West 5th and West 6th streets); 213-892-8080 and Benah
Photo: Courtesy Benah.
Write Us A Love Poem & Win a Sexy Monogrammed iPad Case
And here come the Valentine's Day scrambles — that hectic pre-holiday period where, if you're a decent human being, the quandary of what to get your innamorato (or innamorata, as the case may be) almost outweighs the joy of being with someone you love on this oh-so-special day. Almost.
If it so happens that a techie (or anyone with taste) is the apple of your eye, we can take care of that pesky gift issue right now, by offering the reader who woos our hearts with the best Valentine's Day poem this handsome, brand-spankin'-new Vintage Love DODOcase or Love Me DODOcase for V-Day gifting.
Made for iPads or Kindle Fires — the winner gets to pick his or her poison! — the cases are structured and red-leather-bound, thanks to their creation using old book-binding methods. One version features street artist Curtis Kulig's famous "Love Me" design, which has our hearts all aflutter.
To add to the cute factor, these rich red cases can feature either your babe's initials or your own. Just add your metered tribute of love to us in the comments below to compete for our affections. Now, don't go all Rime of the Ancient Mariner on us and write some epic poem or, worse, trail into NSFW territory. Keeping things short and sweet is the only way to win our love (and the DODOcase).
Photos: Courtesy of DODOcase.
The Coolest New Friendship Bracelets: Ettika's Neon Rainbow Stackers
Wow, right? Ettika's new crop of beautiful, covetable bracelets and necklaces are so lovably loud, you can actually hear them if you lean in closely enough to your computer. Crafted from either silk cord or a chain that's familiar to any fans of Chanel's 2.55 bag, they may be the most colorful pieces of costume wonderfulness our eyes have ever seen – and with these eyes, that's saying a lot. Starting around $60 a pop, these neon babies just beg to be stacked — and gifted as friendship bracelets. Personally, we want to see them paired with an all-white outfit – any takers?
Image: Courtesy Ettika.
This New Cologne Smells Like Your Next Bad Excuse
Bad judgement comes with a price: smelling like bad judgement. But, instead of answering 20 questions about where you've been and who you've been with, you can spritz on an excuse to cover up your naughty night. Introducing Alibis Fragrance For Men in scents like "I was working late," (that smells of "coffee, wool suits, cigarettes, and ink"), "My car broke down," (with hints of fuel and burnt rubber), and "I was out sailing," (which we can only assume, bottles sea-salt and fresh air, or, if you're on the Hudson, sewage and gas scents from Jersey). For now, the product is only being sold in a South African strip club, but we can only hope NYC is next. Yes, it's hard to get behind a product that's meant to deceive, and no, we don't frequent strip clubs ourselves (uh, seriously), but Westway's close enough, and lord knows we've walked out of that place looking for some sort of olfactory refresher. Though Alibis has a very specific audience, we're thinking it's too-cool-for-school enough that someone like Opening Ceremony might just pick up, and we're also hopeful that there will be a new line that comes out to service women's excuses. We expect those to come in scents like, "I was at lunch with my sister," in order to cover up the stench of all the plastic we burned shopping. (Animal New York)
Yes, This Is Real: There’s Now A Girl Scout Cookies App
It's kind of like an out-of-body experience when we spot a Girl Scout Cookie table setup outside of our supermarket or drugstore, and then five minutes later we're walking away with ten boxes (with one already open). Well, now the masterminds over at Girl Scout HQ have made the task of sniffing out our beloved cookies that much easier with a — wait for it — Girl Scout Cookie Locator App for your iPhone, iPad, or Android. With the countdown to the L.A. cookie season officially on (T minus 42 days!), this glorious app lets you track down/stockpile up on your faves. Just put your zipcode into the Cookie Locator to find the nearest box of Tagalongs in your ‘hood, get the deets on how to incorporate Samoas into a cake recipe, or find your cookie personality (we're Thin Mints, duh). The best part: It’s totally f-r-e-e and you can download it from iTunes. Um, this might be the most delicious app ever. (Little Brownie Bakers)
Photo: Courtesy of Apple.
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