by Amber on January 31, 2012 in Style
Isson is an Australian sunglass brand, founded by Catherine Federici. I first read about Isson in DumboFeather, and have always admired their avant-garde styles. Recently, when doing some picture research on Bauhaus, I came across these wonderfully styled shots:
The Bauhaus collection was shot by Cybele Malinowski, and based around the idea of four eccentric characters who may have attended the school of Bauhaus in 1934. Read more about the different personas here. My favourite is the Alberta Albers image – I think it’s a combinaion of the turban, the chunky jewellery, and the vivacity of that little pug face.
As for the sunglasses – I would love to buy a pair of steam punk inspired Marthas – in tortoiseshell. Nice work, Isson.
by Amber on December 13, 2011 in Style
by Amber on December 5, 2011 in Style
I’m keeping warm with my Huffer bone thug gloves. You?
by Amber on October 30, 2011 in Style
My new dress, bought at a car-boot sale for a fiver. I never ever used to wear red, but this year it seems to have crept into my wardrobe more and more. Maybe it’s a reaction to my darkening environment (British Summer Time ended today). The print reminds me of these beautiful photos of birds in flight by Sarah McLean.
From what I can tell it’s a Japanese brand – DELICE by DOLCAS Tokyo Style Co. Searching doesn’t reveal much but I’d like to know more!
by Amber on September 21, 2011 in Style
Some autumn fashion with a pallete of mustard, burnt orange and black, which – coincidentally - reflects the colour of the leaves falling.
Clockwise from top right:
- Gathered skirt from H&M. Simple and smart, for office and play.
- Mustard skinny jeans from Forever 21. Forget red jeans, go mustard.
- Patterned blouse from H&M. I love the pussy bow on this blouse, and have seen this element pop up again and again recently.
- Tuck neck tea dress from Topshop. This arrived on my doorstep last weekend, and the colour is as good as the pictures.
- Trench coat from Zara. I think a navy trench is essential autumn wear. Not too heavy, not too light, and showerproof!
- ALBA zipped ankle wedges from Topshop. Believe the hype, wedges are c-o-m-f-y. Perfect for strolling around town.
- Mustard satchel from Urban Outfitters. Resplendent in suede with double buckles, it also comes in an orange too.
- Printed shirt dress, also from UO. Again, the tie-up bow is sweet.
- Ksubi Sigma eyeglasses. A dream come true! My favourite sunnies in spectacle form.
by Amber on September 15, 2011 in Style
Designer Karen Walker has just released her summer 11/12 eyewear range. And as always, the frames are bright, a bit nutty and immensely covetable. From top to bottom: Betty, Soul Club, Keep The Faith, Fight On in wood, Fight On in tortoise, and the multifaceted Vava. Isn’t the pattern detail cute?
When it comes to sunglasses, I adore mad, oversized shapes – and KW has absolutely nailed it with this collection. Can’t wait to see these bunny faces out on the street!
“I dropped out of law school when I was twenty-four and returned to my hometown of Santa Cruz, California. I did not have a plan but I did have a promise: no more “shoulds”. I was determined to follow my heart wherever it wanted to go.
In the following years I worked as a bicycle messenger, learned to garden, fell in love, sold my car and for the first time felt truly competent and at home in my own skin. I began to notice and be taken with my own physicality: the crook of my arm holding the shovel, my thighs tightening as I pedaled, my hands strong and stained by the day. These were common moments when function was unexpectedly beautiful. This, I determined, was a form of beauty I needed to capture and express. So I began to make things, with metal, with wood, and eventually with fabric. And here, where the practical and the precious come together, was where my heart led me. I enrolled at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco for clothing design. Two years later I started Filly.”
- Emily Christensen, who makes beautiful, conscientious clothes under the label Filly.
Her house is pretty too.
by Amber on June 17, 2011 in Style
Two recent street style favourites:
This one is from the Sartorialist, reporting from Florence. I like the play between this woman’s severe fringe and her round glasses. And the owl on her ankle!
Scooter love! She’s wearing a very refined selection of basics, and damn good shoes. It really sets the bar for ‘what I’d like to look like when I roll out of bed’. Shot by Glamcanyon.
by Amber on June 3, 2011 in Style
First bags, then garters, and now SWANclothing is capturing the imagination of stylish women the world over with the new range of collars and cuffs. Aren’t they just dreamy? I really love Tara’s aesthetic. Made from vintage polyester, they look delicate, but the craftsmanship is of an extremely high level. (Reading the SWANclothing blog I get the impression that each piece is wholly infused with passion).
The descriptions are wonderful too, and I can’t go past a good colour name. Butter, Rose, Antoinette White. Mm.
Collars by SWANclothing
by Amber on May 25, 2011 in Style
Unearthen make many beautiful and precious pieces of jewellery, but their crystal bullet necklaces are holding my attention. Each crystal is encased in a spent bullet and comes hanging in a wooden box with elements of nature, and includes a booklet outlining the properties of the crystal. As you’d expect, each piece is one of a kind.
The uniting of the crystal and empty bullet creates a powerful opposition, causing old dreams and new beginnings to fall upon it’s bearer. For this reason, the stone with the right properties for your needs will inherently attract you.
I was drawn to a stubby amethyst chain, shaped like a lipstick. Ancient Egyptians apparently used the amethyst guard against fearful feelings, while in dreamland it is meant to help insomnia.
My recent aesthetic obsession with crystals reminds me of my childhood, when my family would take summer holidays to Mt Maunganui (a sleepy beach town in the North Island of NZ). On the main street, alongside piercing parlours and used bookstores, there was a crystal store where I’d spend hours scouring the bins of semi-precious stones and checking out their whale song CDs. Actually, come to think of it they had a giant amethyst geode in the front window…
At lunch time yesterday I’m picked up a brand spanking new scooter to make my commute a bit more zippy. The agency I work for at the moment has just picked up and relocated itself a little way out of the CBD, and buses are just not cutting it as a mode of transportation. For someone living in the city, needing a low maintenance option, and on a budget; the moped is the perfect solution. Aside from the heavy rain I encountered on the way home (baptism by monsoon), it was so much fun to ride!
Hot tips for scooter riding:
- Get a rain jacket to protect yourself from the drips. Mine is silver and sparkly!
- Full face helmets may not be the sexiest, but neither is brain damage/mushed face.
- Baskets on the front or back will make carrying your handbag and groceries so much easier.
- Like the CUB moped above, a matching key-chain will boost your style quotient.
- Remember that stickers can make everything cuter – helmets, side panels.
by Amber on April 26, 2011 in Style
It’s April and winter is undeniably bearing down upon Auckland. Dreary! These are a few of the things I’m lusting after right now, that might make it a bit more tolerable & stylish. There seems to be a strong animal theme running through this collection.
Clockwise from top:
by Amber on March 28, 2011 in Style
On Saturday, I found this winner at a Karangahape Road vintage store – I am lucky to live one block away from a stretch of fantastic thrift stores & op shops (This Is Not A Love Shop, Vixen #8, Tiny Space and Aunty Mavis are my favourites). I have been obsessed with denim shearling jackets, aka Brokebacks, from the film Brokeback Mountain for a while. This one will definitely be keeping me snug over winter.
by Amber on March 17, 2011 in Style
Some of the most stylish Auckland ladies I know are having a stoop sale this weekend. As the poster says, there will be heaps of vintage clothing, accessories, shoes and more. I’ll be selling items from my vast vintage collection, including some lovely winter coats. So come along and snaffle a bargain!
11am till 4 pm, Saturday 19th March at 28 St. Kevins Arcade (off Karangahape Road)
Of course no sale is truly hyped without an accompanying video promo, so check out the one Juliet made. And a Facebook event, rad!
