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| By: Kristine Hartman, Creative Director |
This months issue is a celebration of designers, who strive for high quality
craftsmanship and embody haute style for the modern day woman. I would like to
introduce you to a few designers that take a hands-on, old world approach to
creating modern, stylish, unique clothing. Meticulous craftsmanship and
traditional values distinguish them on the cutting edge of fashion. Pride and a
unique perspective place them in the upper echelon of hand-crafted art.
craftsmanship and embody haute style for the modern day woman. I would like to
introduce you to a few designers that take a hands-on, old world approach to
creating modern, stylish, unique clothing. Meticulous craftsmanship and
traditional values distinguish them on the cutting edge of fashion. Pride and a
unique perspective place them in the upper echelon of hand-crafted art.
Clothing and accessories collection
Although first known for her shoe creations,
this Paris-born designer has some of the
most amazing collections of ready-to-wear
clothing. Barbara’s work draws inspiration
from both French and Vietnamese
influences. Barbara has been designing
since 1987, opened her first US boutique in
SoHo in 1999, and finally showed her
collection for the first time in New York that
same year. Her line is focused on a look
that is equally feminine as it is
androgynous. With accessories and details
that are eye-catching and bold, Barbara’s
line has a fun and fearless look. And with
showrooms and boutiques in both New
York and Paris, Barbara Bui is certainly a
busy gal.
www.barbarabui.com
Although first known for her shoe creations,
this Paris-born designer has some of the
most amazing collections of ready-to-wear
clothing. Barbara’s work draws inspiration
from both French and Vietnamese
influences. Barbara has been designing
since 1987, opened her first US boutique in
SoHo in 1999, and finally showed her
collection for the first time in New York that
same year. Her line is focused on a look
that is equally feminine as it is
androgynous. With accessories and details
that are eye-catching and bold, Barbara’s
line has a fun and fearless look. And with
showrooms and boutiques in both New
York and Paris, Barbara Bui is certainly a
busy gal.
www.barbarabui.com
 |
Corsetry for men and women
When you think of the word corset, often times all what comes to mind is some
colloquialism from history class, the fact of the matter is corsets can be worn in
hundreds of ways that are also modern, sexy and unique. Adding to that list is the
fact that they are often times hard to find and rather intimidating to try on. One shop
in San Francisco, California still makes corsets by hand and on-site and to the
customer’s specifications, just like generations of specialists have done for
centuries. Corsets for both men and women, are either ready to wear or custom-
designed, and each piece is hand crafted. With a keen attention to detail, each client
selects preferred style, fabric and color choice. Dark Garden creates a safe,
comfortable, nonjudgmental environment for their clientele. It is a non-wholesale,
non-pr rep type of place, and they also sell a good number of their items online. With
fabric faves like satin, brocade, silk, jaquared and leather, they also make wedding
and historical costumes. With pride in craftsmanship and an individualized inventory,
Dark Garden aims to shape the world a little curvier.
www.darkgarden.com
When you think of the word corset, often times all what comes to mind is some
colloquialism from history class, the fact of the matter is corsets can be worn in
hundreds of ways that are also modern, sexy and unique. Adding to that list is the
fact that they are often times hard to find and rather intimidating to try on. One shop
in San Francisco, California still makes corsets by hand and on-site and to the
customer’s specifications, just like generations of specialists have done for
centuries. Corsets for both men and women, are either ready to wear or custom-
designed, and each piece is hand crafted. With a keen attention to detail, each client
selects preferred style, fabric and color choice. Dark Garden creates a safe,
comfortable, nonjudgmental environment for their clientele. It is a non-wholesale,
non-pr rep type of place, and they also sell a good number of their items online. With
fabric faves like satin, brocade, silk, jaquared and leather, they also make wedding
and historical costumes. With pride in craftsmanship and an individualized inventory,
Dark Garden aims to shape the world a little curvier.
www.darkgarden.com
 |
Lingerie
From daring to darling, this company takes cues from the feminine and ultra seductive
both wearability and appeal. Sophisticated and ready to wear, for women who enjoy
glamour and sensuality, focused on more than just the materials and the model, KIKI
DE MOTPARNASSE is all about evoking and evolving your erotic fantasies into
functional, fun wares. With visionary design sense and a penchant for the romantic, no
wonder this line does more than just lingerie. Everything from loungewear to bath and
body, lingerie to toys, KIKI has it all for you. Lingerie is broken down into categories,
Muse, Ingenue and Etoile are all decidedly feminine with a little something extra. Muse
is a luxurious collection of signature underpinnings with soft silk satin and French lace
embellishment. Ingenue is delicate and provocative; hints of stretchy lace and elastic
scalloping add to this collections comfort. Etoile is the more romantic and alluring
design with crochet, lace and even leather trim. Styles as varied as the woman that
chose this line, KIKI DE MONTPARNASSE has one up on sex appeal.
www.kikidm.com
From daring to darling, this company takes cues from the feminine and ultra seductive
both wearability and appeal. Sophisticated and ready to wear, for women who enjoy
glamour and sensuality, focused on more than just the materials and the model, KIKI
DE MOTPARNASSE is all about evoking and evolving your erotic fantasies into
functional, fun wares. With visionary design sense and a penchant for the romantic, no
wonder this line does more than just lingerie. Everything from loungewear to bath and
body, lingerie to toys, KIKI has it all for you. Lingerie is broken down into categories,
Muse, Ingenue and Etoile are all decidedly feminine with a little something extra. Muse
is a luxurious collection of signature underpinnings with soft silk satin and French lace
embellishment. Ingenue is delicate and provocative; hints of stretchy lace and elastic
scalloping add to this collections comfort. Etoile is the more romantic and alluring
design with crochet, lace and even leather trim. Styles as varied as the woman that
chose this line, KIKI DE MONTPARNASSE has one up on sex appeal.
www.kikidm.com
| Kiki De Montparnasse |
This Toronto based swimwear company combines form and functionality into a
fabulous frock to wear to the beach or for lounging by the pool. Jennifer Bharti has a
unique perspective on swimwear. Low-maintenance fabrics and designs that can be
worn interchangeably help make her collection timeless. A mix of classic silhouettes,
resort separates, dresses, tunics and sarongs comprise the rest of this designing
maven’ fierce collection. Her take on modern trends and on embellishment make her
swimsuits and clothing must haves for any fashionista with a little flare. Her French
influence is felt in her use of snakeskin, crochet, studs, lace detail and vibrant color
choices. The line’s loyal following can look forward to more high fashion with a fusion
of comfort and class.
www.koiswimwear.com
fabulous frock to wear to the beach or for lounging by the pool. Jennifer Bharti has a
unique perspective on swimwear. Low-maintenance fabrics and designs that can be
worn interchangeably help make her collection timeless. A mix of classic silhouettes,
resort separates, dresses, tunics and sarongs comprise the rest of this designing
maven’ fierce collection. Her take on modern trends and on embellishment make her
swimsuits and clothing must haves for any fashionista with a little flare. Her French
influence is felt in her use of snakeskin, crochet, studs, lace detail and vibrant color
choices. The line’s loyal following can look forward to more high fashion with a fusion
of comfort and class.
www.koiswimwear.com
| KOI Swimwear |
| indi |
In a world overwhelmed with mass production, it is always refreshing to hear of new
ways of presenting a well-known product. Take for instance jeans, we all wear them, we
all love them, but they are probably one of the hardest things to shop for, unless you
have the proportions of a model. Nowadays you spend hundreds of dollars for one
good quality pair of jeans. With that being said, we all love jeans and love finding new
ways to wear them. Well, there is finally a new way to go jeans shopping, it is
revolutionary, and it is all online. Indi is a company that has conceptualized an easier
way to create that perfect fit jean, by handing all the designing tools over to the
consumer. Indi feels “You were not mass-produced, so why should your clothing be?”
All you do is log into the site and input details such as the cut, style, shape, fabric,
detail, your measurements and you are well on your way to having a fabulously fit pair of
jeans. A customized pattern is then created and sent to the manufacturing facility,
where it is cut, sewn, and tested for quality. Jeans for men and women start at $135.00
and are home grown in sunny Emeryville, California.
www.indidenim.com
ways of presenting a well-known product. Take for instance jeans, we all wear them, we
all love them, but they are probably one of the hardest things to shop for, unless you
have the proportions of a model. Nowadays you spend hundreds of dollars for one
good quality pair of jeans. With that being said, we all love jeans and love finding new
ways to wear them. Well, there is finally a new way to go jeans shopping, it is
revolutionary, and it is all online. Indi is a company that has conceptualized an easier
way to create that perfect fit jean, by handing all the designing tools over to the
consumer. Indi feels “You were not mass-produced, so why should your clothing be?”
All you do is log into the site and input details such as the cut, style, shape, fabric,
detail, your measurements and you are well on your way to having a fabulously fit pair of
jeans. A customized pattern is then created and sent to the manufacturing facility,
where it is cut, sewn, and tested for quality. Jeans for men and women start at $135.00
and are home grown in sunny Emeryville, California.
www.indidenim.com
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