Designer Spotlight: Elkin

Kara and Brit Smith, a sister designing duo from LA, debuted their lingerie-esque ready-to-wear line, Elkin, earlier this year. I love their idea of creating "wearable intimates", pieces that can easily go from the bedroom to the streets. I first came across this fabulous label on one of my favorite sites, Shopbop and went absolutely crazy over the items they put up. Yes there were only four or five, but every single one of them were perfection to me! I'm in LOVE! I'm also loooving that each of their collections are named after a literary genre, with their very first being "Gothic Romance". They even give you a reading list and playlist with each piece, including Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, and uber eclectic singer, Nick Cave. Ha! I love it. Such a cute idea, right? Check out some of the photos from their Fall 2011 lookbook below, featuring Z Berg from the band, The Like. I also included the pieces I am absolutely crushing on from Shopbop. Which one do you guys like the best? I'm leaning towards the silk bed jacket with the lace... XO, Liza

Loving the pairing of this blouse with the hotpants. The details are amazing.

SO cute!

Simple shift dress, yet so easy. A great staple to have.

Elkin Lake Gown, $300. So beautiful. I've never been a huge maxi dress fan, but I love that this one has little cap sleeves.  Also available in black. 

Two Piece Z Dress-, $245. What a genius of a dress! The sleeves are detachable! I can't even decide which way I like it the best! 

Voila! No sleeves!

Eyre Bodysuit, $158. I'm a huge bodysuit gal, so when I saw this, I went craaaazy! Obsessed! I love the lace trim and the little buttons down the middle. Also available in beige. PS. Did ya guys notice the name of the piece? I'm thiiiinking it's named after a certain gothic novel... ;)

Again, the detailing they do is beautiful.

Rosellas Jacket, $385. Last but not least, my favorite piece from Elkin at the moment. I'm dying for this for the summer. I would throw this on over anything and everything! Also available in white.

Designer Spotlight: RiSE

Jewls and I always love featuring cutting edge, up-and-coming designers, so it was super exciting when our friend, Joel, approached us with his contemporary t-shirt line, RiSE. Made with eco-friendly, water based inks on Alternative Apparel shirts, each RiSE tee is hand-screened by local artists, featuring four different graphics: FADE, DUST, LOVE, and RISE. We are totally loving these innovative soft as butter tees.  Joel's concept is simple, yet imaginative, and I love designers and brands that are devoted to handcrafting their own pieces. Check out RiSE's other t-shirts on their website, risecollective.us. Jewls and I are both wearing the LOVE tees below. Hope you all had a great weekend... we definitely did! ;) XO, Liza and Jewls

Designer Spotlight: Thom Dolan

Although I am not the biggest prepster, I do love a great polo shirt and a pair of high waisted trousers every so often. Especially this upcoming spring, as designers such as Philip Lim and Band of Outsiders sent their models down the runway in fitted blazers, boxy shorts, and collared blouses galore. Well it's time to make room for someone new on the prep scene and her name is Thomasine Dolan. Although many of her pieces I could never see myself wearing, there are definitely quite a few that I would throw on immediately! Ranging from eyelet bikini tops to plaid shirts shown with ascots, Dolan's collection is almost reminiscent of the clothes Hayley Mills would have worn in the original version of The Parent Trap. Love it. So wish I lived in that era sometimes... Anyways, check out some of my favorite looks from Thom Dolan's spring 2011 collection below! XO, Liza

Love this all, head to toe.

This is just all too fabulous. Those bloomers are amazing.

Adore the bandeau bikini top with the open plaid shirt. So sexy and cool.

Kind of need this for the summer!

Love the pop of the hot pink against a typical old plaid. 

Thomdolan.com

Designer Spotlight: With Hearts in my Eyes

One of my favorite go to online shopping sites is Cali based, Bonadrag. From Jeffrey Campbell wedges to a hand dyed floor length Lindsey Thornburg dress, every piece on this site is amazing. It is very rare I say that as I am very picky, but I feel the buyers of Bonadrag are spot on. I'd have to say though my favorite line they carry is called With Hearts in my Eyes. Sold exclusively at Bonadrag, the label is designed AND handmade by their assistant buyer and stylist, Hannah. I recently just received the velvet pants and skinny bra I ordered and I must say, I am in love! Check them out and a few of my other faves from With Hearts in my Eyes below! XO, Liza

Black Crushed Velvet Pants- How frigin cute are these? I really am tired and over my latex leggings and I felt these would be the perfect replacement! Not only are they super flattering and comfortable, but they go with practically everything. I love that they have a fold over waistband as well. I highly recommend them!

Skinny Bra- Since I don't need a ton of support, this bra is perfect for me! Hahahaha. It's really great though underneath anything and I love how it looks with an open back top or a racerback tank (shown here). Oh and the little studs on the straps too? Perfection.

Lace Crop Top- Adorable little tee huh... I would wear this with a pair of J Brand skinny jeans or some high waisted shorts. Very reasonable too at $85.

Striped Rosie Top and Black Velvet Lorie Shorts- This top is pretty awesome, but the shorts are calling my name! I was crushing on the Winter Kate velvet shorts for a while, but these ones are way better. I love how they have a zipper in the back.

Mary Jean Dress- This is just so so pretty. I love the length of it. It would definitely show off a killer pair of boots and the back of the dress is to die for as well.

bonadrag.com

Designer Spotlight: Vivetta

As you guys know, Jewls and I are always on the hunt for up and coming designers that you can't find at every other store. Vivetta, one that I discovered recently on uber chic Australian online boutique, Maximillia, had me at a loss for words. Based out of Italy, Vivi Ponti, who designs under the name Vivetta, is inspired by all things, whether it be the sixties or an old lampshade... Yes a simple lampshade served as her vision for her S/S 2010 collection! Love it. What I love even more though is her Velvet Giuditta dress! Velvet is definitely a must have trend at the moment and this little number is beyond darling. Check it out and a few of her other designs below! XO, Liza

IN.LOVE.WITH.THIS.DRESS. End of story.

This one is pretty darn cute too!

Maximillia.com

Designer Spotlight: Mandy Coon

When I first laid eyes on this genius of a bag last week on Style.com, I kind of died everywhere. First thought... I need it NOW. Second, who is this Mandy Coon? I must know more about her because this creation she made is beyond brilliant! A velvet bunny that is a purse? Are you kidding? Well, New York based Mandy Coon is an ex- model turned designer. She interned with Camilla Staerk (a fave of Juliana and I) and was even part of a band. She designs mostly in blacks and her rabbit purse is a signature of hers. Supposedly, it has been selling like crazy. I kind of need to snag one asap! SO obsessed. Definitely more on Mandy later. She is one to watch! XO, Liza

Ginny Bunny Bag in Velvet- $405 at Opening Ceremony

Openingceremony.us

Designer Spotlight: Karla Spetic

Comfy cardigans, innocent four year old prints, fabulous dresses with geometric cuts? Um, yes... Those are basically my three go to's when looking for basics for myself. I have more oversized cashmere and cable knit sweaters than I can fit in my closet... and I wear them all!! Always searching for more to add to my collection too. Well, Australian designer Karla Spetic's A/W 2010 collection is utter perfection to me. I could completely snag each of these pieces below. I really adore how she gets away with these silly prints while keeping her silhouettes modern. I like to dress girly sometimes, but keeping the silhouette and cut a little on the edgier side is definitely preferable and she nails it here on these dresses and overcoats. New obsession for me for sure! Love love love this collection. :) Off to more of my lazy Saturday night in with John. Hope you're all having a fabulous weekend!

X. Jewls

Both. on. me. now. Aggghhhhhhh! Cardigan dress? What? Yes! And what is this on the right? I wish I had multiple views, but I want it anyway. Now!

Can't handle this. I just can't. The shorts... the blazer... So darling. It takes someone pretty daring to roll around in that. Ugh, I love it.

The coat on the right. Stunning. I would live in that. The dry cleaning bill would be steep. Haha... but oh so worth it!

Love her split colored cards and the swing dress. So sweet.

Cable knit skirt. Killer. I would lose the scarf, but I love the skirt.

The dress on the right is such an amazing use of fabric.

Tomboy in orange. Yes, please.

Trendland.net

Designer Spotlight: Suno

A few months ago while I was browsing on Opening Ceremony's website, I came across a new line they were carrying called Suno. I fell in love with a bunch of the pieces, including an adorable bikini and an electric yellow romper. I kind of forgot about the line though until I saw Whitney Port sporting the fabulous onesie on her recent trip to Miami. Well anyways... Suno is fairly new, designed by Max Osterweis. Made in Nairobi, Kenya, Suno, named after his mom, is made up of separates in colorful prints. The 34 -year- old designer from San Francisco was inspired to start his own label after a trip to Kenya, as he wanted to help bring work to the factories there. I love that... not to mention the prices of Suno are solely based on how unique a print is. Check out some of the pieces below. They are most definitely vibrant and fun for the summer. XO, Liza

Designer Max Osterweis

How cute is this bandeau bikini? I am always a sucker for anything ruffly!

I love this onesie so so much. It is kind of 80's/Saved by the Bell, but oh so cute!

How great is the back of it too?

Love little lightweight vests to throw over a tank.

Whitney Port in two of my favorite pieces from the Spring/Summer Collection. She looks great in them.

nytimes.com, Openingceremony.us

Designer Spotlight: Markus Lupfer

Born in Germany, Markus moved to England at age 15 to attend the prestigious Westminster University to study fashion. Upon finishing his studies, his collection became so successful that it was immediately picked up by Koh Samui in Thailand. At the ripe age of 17, he launched his eponymous brand in 1998. Updating and reconstructing womenswear basics, he became well known almost immediately with the help of huge fans such as Jade Jagger, Gwen Stefani, and Madonna. After bonding with his amazing pieces yesterday at Opening Ceremony, I wanted to share some Markus Lupfer love with all of you. Happy Saturday!

X. Jewls

Lupfer at his F/W 10' presentation at London Fashion Week. Love him!

My favorite sweater of his from Spring/Summer 10'.

Love the parrot sweater!

All sequins! I saw this one yesterday at Opening Ceremony. I want it so bad.

Grey sweatshirt pouf dress with star detail on sleeves.

So adorable. Lize would kill this look.

Cute little stars!

The pants on the 3rd look. Agggghhhhh!

The 2nd look is killer.

I would throw this sweater on with everything!

These beaded leggings are stunning.

asos.com, net-a-porter.com, Openingceremony.us