Thanks to my newest issue of American Elle for introducing me to fashion designer Erin Kleinberg. Pictured here are shots from her Fall 2010 Lookbook featuring Annabelle Dexter-Jones, younger sister to Mark, Samantha and Charlotte Ronson. The clothes look so cozy but at the same time ready to wear to dinner, a night out, the beach, etc etc etc. And I love the touches of velvet which seem to move the casual sportswear to more luxury pieces with a relaxed, hippie vibe.

From the designer:

Launched in the Summer of 2008, erinkleinberg was created in an attempt to bridge a gap in the marketplace with a collection of semi-couture tanks, tees, cardigans, and novelty pieces.

With past experience at W Magazine, working under the guidance of Alex White, Kleinberg’s entrepreneurship and love of design were the driving forces behind her namesake line. Recognizing her design aesthetic from the get-go, Barneys New York picked up her very first collection and have since been strong supporters of her brand.

With an eco-friendly twist and hand-sewn beading and embellishments, Kleinberg seeks to provide the ultimate in luxury, yet still maintains the predominance of comfort embedded throughout her line.

posted by: Tricia Rock

Camilla Åkrans is a fashion photographer from Sweden currently working in New York. Click on the photos to learn more about where they were originally published and check out more of Camilla Åkrans’ work

on Models.com
on LUNDLUND
on The Fashion Spot

I also became a little obsessed with her editorial for the June-July issue of Harper’s Bazaar US, I literally tore out every page for my wall. See the images here.

posted by: Tricia Rock

The latest collection from Hungarian designer Phuong Thuy Nguyen entitled Unconventional Body Objects features these hand knitted (yes that’s right, hand knitted) cocoon-like pieces. Amazing!

posted by: Tricia Rock

Can’t stop posting about Australian designers…my new obsession, MANIAMANIA, jewelry line of stylist Tamila Purvis and art director Melanie Kamsler. Not only do I love the label’s vintage inspired bold statement pieces, but the overall look of the brand identity is mystically beautiful.

From the designers:

MANIAMANIA is the jewellry label by stylist Tamila Purvis and art director Melanie Kamsler. The duo met creating the pages of Russh Magazine for over three years, where they developed their collaborative chemistry and mutually spirited visual language. Their combined experience in styling and design for publications Vogue, Oyster, Russh and Grazia along with their love of art and vintage jewellry led to the creation of the label MANIAMANIA.

Drawing inspiration over a range of eras, muses, music and landscapes, MANIAMANIA’s aesthetic will continually evolve. As a label it cohesively unites niche influences into a modern collection, which respects the notion of adornment as personal, intimate and as a form of expression.

Their first collection, “Real Life Awaits Us” consists of luxe handmade treasure – brass and silver molten metals meet with raw crystal stones such as Calcite, Harlequin and Tibetan Quartz, across a range of rings, cuffs, amulets, neck pieces and earrings.

Initially inspired by the film The Holy Mountain (1973) the collection is a rich synthesis of Mesoamerican iconography, geology, 1970’s handcrafts, shamanism and magic, creating a range of new-worldly forms packaged in soft, bone coloured leather pouches.

posted by: Tricia Rock

The latest lookbook from Friend of Mine almost makes me want to rip my grungiest jean shorts up to the panty line and wrap myself in an American flag…almost. And trust me, this is not a style you would usually catch me rockin. The images and clothes are just that good and fall right in front of the line that separates plain cool from plain trash.

From the label:

Say hello to a Friend of Mine – an Australian label designed by Teale Talbot and managed by Letitia McLean. Confident, sexy and just a little bit tough; Friend of Mine blends feminine edge with a relaxed look that a girl can make her own.

Friend of Mine’s designs have embraced unexpected subtleties and contradiction since debuting in 2009. The label rapidly established itself across Australia with a clean beach-meets-grunge attitude, and was quickly featured in some of the best Australian and International press.

A rockabilly aesthetic is referenced throughout and is seen in the label’s namesake, which is drawn from a cult Bob Dylan track. The look is one that is undeniably fashionable, yet in a simplistic thrown together style that is far from contrived. Friend of Mine’s effortlessly cool nature results in versatile pieces, basics-with-a-twist as well as standout shoes and accessories. Whilst Friend of Mine has already carved out it’s own signature aesthetic, each new collection brings a new palette of inspiration ranging from pop culture to music to childhood memories.

posted by: Tricia Rock

Can’t stop loving Phoebe Philo for Céline. In her short time at the French luxury goods house – debuting her first collection just a year ago for the Resort 2010 season – Philo’s minimalistic “utility chic” aesthetic has had quite an impact on the fashion world.

Philo graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1996 and began her career in 1997 as Stella McCartney’s design assistant at Chloé. She then moved to Creative Director of Chloé in 2001 after McCartney was offered the opportunity to establish her own label, and is often credited for bringing the “cool” back to the brand. Philo resigned from her position at Chloé on January 5, 2006 in order to concentrate on her family life.

On September 4, 2008 Philo was offered the position as Creative Director for Céline. Philo has said of her appointment at Céline: “This is a really exciting step for me to be taking, with what could be seen as one of the most promising brands of the industry. I can’t wait to step back into the studio and begin creating designs which will reinvigorate the brand, get customers excited about the product and work with a team that are incredibly serious and passionate about their work”.

And reinvigorate she has. In my estimation Phoebe Philo is one of the most influential working designers today.

Fall 2010

Spring 2010

Resort 2010

posted by: Tricia Rock

If you’re into the fashion blogging world, you probably know about Bloglovin’. If not, check it out, Bloglovin’ is a great tool for managing all of your favorite fashion blogs. We have just added the Rathaus fashion feed to the site. Click the link below to follow us.

Follow my blog with bloglovin

posted by: Tricia Rock

Designer Bio:
Damir Doma’s collections seem lit by a soft, melancholic quest for fluidity. Inspired by identity’s multiple expressions and the link with the fragile, ephemeral quality of the body, he creates pieces that explore interpretations of contemporary masculinity.

The Croatian-born designer grew up in Germany and studied fashion in Munich and Berlin, where he graduated in 2004 with magna cum laude for the best collection.

The young designer then went to Antwerp, where he worked for Raf Simons and Dirk Schoenberger. It was his time spent at Raf Simons in particular that broadened and shaped Doma’s perception of fashion and the arts. Under Simon’s mentorship, the creation of his personal aesthetics was kindled; leading him to infuse soulfulness and sensitivity into his work.

In 2006 Damir Doma started working on his own collection. After joining Paper Rain in 2007, he made a promising debut during the Paris fashion week, where he presented his first menswear collection in June of that year. A strong following has ensued since, which has translated in commercial success in leading fashion boutiques around the world.

In October of 2009, the first collection of SILENT was introduced. This collection, created by Doma, offers a line of accessible basic mens- and womens garments and accessories, suited to a high-fashion aesthetic.

His collections to date, with layered sheer fabrics, and draped silhouettes, veer towards a thoughtful and complex sensibility. The latest AW10/11 menswear collection showed us beautifully draped silhouettes of raw cotton, flowing cashmere, and washed leathers in multiple shades of brown, grey and black. In March 2010, DAMIR DOMA presented its long anticipated first womenswear collection during the fashion week in Paris. The AW10/11 women’s collection featured voluminous coats in perfect balance with fitted jackets and jerseys with draped necklines in a muted colour palette of mixed greys, dirty green, chocolate and midnight blue.

Paradoxically, with his quiet quest for a fleeting serenity and his creations of subtle and layered looks, Doma somehow seeks tranquility through a kind of gentle transgression.

AW10/11 Women’s Collection

AW10/11 Menswear Collection

posted by: Tricia Rock

Checking out Refinery 29′s Inside Etsy’s Coolest E-Shops, I came across the shop for Babooshka. Love this designer’s wares: simple, chic, interesting, comfortable and affordable. What more can you ask for? Check out her Etsy store here.

Designer Bio:
Babooshka graduated fashion school in 2005. After completing design school she opened her first shop later that year. Within the first few months of being open Babooshka earned a lot of respect in the Philadelphia fashion community. Lots of press soon came her way. Babooshka was the first fashion feature on only the second day of DailyCandy.com Philadelphia. In 2006 Babooshka earned the award of BEST OF PHILLY. In 2007 Babooshka opened her second shop. Continued to sell her designs to her faithful fans until having to relocate to Pittsburgh. This is now the homebase for Babooshka Designs. Her designs are also sold in stores all over the United States as well as Overseas.

Babooshka has been featured in: CNN, Philadelphia Magazine, New York Post, Lucky Magazine, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Style, Daily Candy as well as many other publications…

posted by: Tricia Rock

Loving these nautical inspired knots for the Accessories by ASH 2010 Summer collection. I’m not one for piling on the jewelry, but a good statement piece can’t do you wrong. Check out the ASH website here and Etsy store here.

Artist Statement:

Allison Hertzberg makes jewelry in her East Village (NYC) apartment and dreams of more closet space.  A strong believer that one piece of jewelry can make an outfit, Allison strives to produce under-stated statement pieces.   Working full-time in the fashion industry, Allison has used jewelry making as a creative outlet to channel  the constant inspiration New York City provides her.

source: Refinery 29
posted by: Tricia Rock