Smart Buy: 80’s Mondi Contrast Cloak

Thanks to Chloe’s sensational Fall/Winter 2009 collection we’ve been on a mad hunt for classic voluminous capes & cloaks that give the wearer a strong, well-studied look. And this week’s Smart Buy from 80’s era Mondi happens to channel that collections calm coolness with it’s crisp contrasting leather piping and elegant fabrication. It boasts cascading sides and a hood with long panels that you can wear as a wrap scarf or tie into a dainty bow.

80’s Mondi Contrast Wool Mix Cloak-$288

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Accessory of the Week! 90’s Miyake Sunglasses

Our latest Accessory of the Week comes in three different variations from 90’s era Issey Miyake. Candy colored and angularly shaped, these are three great options to add a bit of pop to any look, and while they are boldly hued, their classic shape makes them utterly timeless.

90’s Issey Miyake Candy Hued Sunglasses-$164

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Yikes! Gone but NEVER forgotten.

I’ve been mourning the loss of Martin Margiela for a long time and have been trying to articulate what’s so wrong about the stuff that’s been coming out of the place that bears his name. The revolutionary thing about Margiela was that he treated the conditions involved in creating the illusion of fashion as fashion. He put the stitches and seams and handiwork on the outside and made dresses out of lining lined with dress fabric. It’s plausible to say his non-labels were designed to bring attention to the clothes versus the personality of their creator. And tho that label has very much come to stand for Margiela, he managed to keep evolving beyond expectations and showing up convention. That was what was so awesome about each new show. Even if I didn’t adore everything (which I often did) at least I could count on having my brain being stimulated. And while fast-fashion chains churned out raw-edges and exposed zippers he managed to come up with more mundane taken-for-granted stuff for us to reconsider fashion convention with.

Maybe there are no more conventions to play with and critique anymore or maybe the conventions/ conditions which made the critique possible no longer exist. Maybe everything (including “rebellion”) is a convention and rebellion or reaction or reconsideration or otherness or whatever isn’t possible. Looking at what’s coming out of MMM lately it would seem as much. Margiela approached each collection as part of an ongoing conversation. He worked particular themes/motifs through multiple seasons so that as a viewer it felt like an ongoing conversation or story framed and sustained by the clarity of its initial proposition. The last few shows were such dreary affairs, I think, because there wasn’t that sense of inquiry or inquisitiveness. There didn’t seem to be an idea or a story or that feeling of being engaged as an audience. The only thing I can compare it too is like turning on the radio to the Martin Margiela program and, at best, getting the top 10 hits over and over or just getting static.

So, will it ever be possible to carry on in the tradition of MM? Is anyone going to be able to do what he did? Is deconstruction fashion done? Maybe so. Meantime, collect all of the true Martin Margiela you can get your hands on. Remember the mark he made and how talented and important his work is in the history of fashion. And, if you are truly interested in rebellion and fashioning rebellion or whatever, follow the lead of the girl below who literally and eternally branded Margiela’s label on her skin. Yikes.

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Oh Snap, Cold Snap? Fight Back Vnyc Style

With the U.S & Europe in the midst of painful & unrelenting cold snaps, Vnyc wanted to share some smart layering options to help you bundle up in style. The jackets, sweaters and layering pieces to combat the cold this winter:

You can blame it on climate change if you want, but one thing you must admit to yourself is that living in New York, you have to expect that it’s going to rain at least once every week. To combat that in style comes this sweet 60’s era nylon taffeta rain topper that has a beautiful cascading effect and prim sleeves.

60’s Taffeta Nylon Rain Cape-$168

From the 80’s come these crisp Giorgio Armani navy wool trousers with delicate white Swiss dots. Their pleated waist and full leg happen to smartly channel this seasons “It” pant while their sumptuous wool composition offers a smart way to beat the cold.

80’s Giorgio Armani Navy Pleated Pants-$98

With capes, cloaks and what-have-you making major statements on all the runways to watch comes this chic 80’s era voluminous tweed cocoon cape that boasts a louche 20’s inspired shape and enough volume to allow plenty of layering.

80’s Voluminous Tweed Cocoon Coat-$236

From Chloe comes this classic 60’s inspired open knit cocoa wool sweater that’s loaded with design details from front patch pockets to contrasting grosgrain trim and boasts a wide neckline.

Chloe Cocoa Cable Knit Sweater-$214

Beat the winter blacks with this decadent ladylike 60’s era Geoffrey Beene tweed dolly dress that’s composed in beautiful autumnal colors like rust, chocolate brown & cinnamon.

60’s Geoffrey Beene Tweed Dolly Dress-$398

This supple black suede 80’s era Issey Miyake pullover is one beautifully sculptural way to beat the cold thanks to it’s origami like folded cowl-neck.

80’s Issey Miyake Black Suede Pullover-$298

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Smart Buy: Veronique Branquinho’s Fitted Jacket

Our latest Smart Buy, this beautifully cut fitted black wool jacket with a sports inspired drawstring hem comes from the sadly defunct quiet Parisian label Veronique Branquinho. Layered with everything from pants to shorts, it’s crisp cut and simple appeal will work for many seasons to come.

Veronique Branquinho Black Fitted Jacket w Drawstring Hem-$248

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70’s Hermes Jodhpurs Gone in a Second

These chic 70’s era Hermes high-waisted cream jodhpurs didn’t even last on the site for over ten minutes before they were snapped up! More to come ladies…

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