Shopping | Fashion Pulse Daily - Part 237

Shopping

December 15, 2011

SS12 Previews: tuleste market, Azature, milk&honey, United Nude, Hyden Yoo and Mavi

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As we continue to preview Spring/Summer 2012 collections, we’ll pick and choose what we believe you will love as much as we do! Enjoy!

tuleste market

California Natives Satu and Celeste Greenberg grew up traveling and compiling thrift store finds to create novel, modern jewelry; hence their own line dubbed tuleste market. With their love of taking something from old to new again, they have created pieces “meant to be linked together, layered, and worn numerous ways.” Versatile handbags (LOVE the Treena wristlets in red and grey above for $275) and  footwear (diamond and draped heel shapes) followed suit in the second and third seasons respectively. Female super heroes inspired this SS12 collection, but I say power to these designers in their futuristic vision with its classic vintage feel.

Azature

Unique fine jewelry and black diamond specialists, Azature, take a sophisticated approach to jewelry with black pearls, platinum metal, and blue topaz in the SS12 Adamande Collection ($5,000 and up). After great success, designer Azature launched a 2011 diffusion line AZ by Azature (already worn by Rihanna), which uses semi-precious metals and stones and pure foils ($100-$500). Nothing short of exciting, the designer himself told me, “The sky is the limit.”

milk & honey

Design your own shoes! That’s the ingenious premise behind milk&honey; choose the toe, strap, heel height, color and material (they even do vegan shoes) to customize your own perfect shoe. Sounds like every girl’s dream, right?! Peeking at the swatches, I could already envision about ten pairs of shoes as I mentally tossed around silhouettes and color combos. The shoes take about 6-8 weeks, but the DIY feature is worth the wait.

United Nude

United Nude launched in 2003 with the “Mobius” shoe, but since then has played around with the intersection between sculptural design, fashion, and technology to establish its brand in over 40 countries worldwide. Architectural and artistic, yet elegant and cutting edge, the United Nude shoes for spring boast crazy bright laces, abstract clog-heels and more! I haven’t stopped thinking about the Eamz pump with it’s golden heel parallel to the floor or the Abstract Rome Wedges, ideal for any spring ensemble.

Hyden Yoo

For SS12, light fabrics helped play up the duality between youth and maturity, while longer maxi skirts and dresses kept the edgy downtown vibe of Hyden Yoo’s collection. Inspired by Romantic Neocolonialism, Yoo linked notions of taboo and subtle eroticism to explore nostalgic beauty. Cropped capes played with the idea of 1920’s societal angst, but for me, the true beauty revolved around the delicate maxis (pictured above).

Mavi

The fashion philosophy behind Mavi is simple: to build a brand around perfect fitting jeans that convey an exotic feel in terms of fashion and detail. Mavi means “blue” in Turkish, and Mavi was the first Turkish brand to go global. Mavi Denim, retailing at around $98 and Mavi Gold Premium Denim, retailing at around $138, continue to provide fashion-forward denim, both traditional and the more standout, the colored collection, for an eccentric global clientele.

-Alana Quagliariello

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December 14, 2011

10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Not-So-Easy-To-Shop-For Boyfriend

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They continually stump us, and not only when it comes to mere communication. Men are notoriously difficult to shop for! Are you tirelessly seeking hints as to what your boyfriend wants this holiday? Or are you like me, and still haven’t honed in on what his sense of style could possibly be – if he has one at all? Perhaps you’ve already emailed every one of his buddies racking their brains for suggestions. Regardless, we’ve attempted to relieve some of the immense pressure associated with buying gifts for that special someone by suggesting 10 holiday gift options for any man.

1. J.Crew Flannel Lounge Pant in Black Watch Tartan ($45)– Perhaps not the most original gift, but if you’re forced to watch football tirelessly Sunday after endless Sunday, at least he’ll look irresistibly cute in these PJ pants, so much so that you may even feel (gasp!) compelled to cheer on his team.

2. Dart Coat Hooks -The obsession with weapons makes little sense to us, but why not let him indulge in his archery fantasy in the most unviolent of ways with these fantastic coat hooks from GentSupply.com ($29.50)? They won’t even realize how sly we are in promoting a little organization…

3. A Hot Shave (ranging from $15-$55) – Depending on how groomed you prefer your man, you may want to buy him a hot shave. Our men deserve a little pampering too. Check out this “Time Out New York” article listing some of the best shave shops for men!

4. Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones ($299.95) – Not that he’ll ever be looking to drown you out, but these headphones are simply the best of the best. Great for work, travel and play!

5. Sharper Image Beer Making Kit ($59.99) – Home-brewed beer, what’s not to love? Here’s to an activity you can enjoy doing together over and over again. He’ll never stop bragging to his bros about this one!

6. InCase Skate Pack Lite ($69.95)- Is he sporting the same Jansport from when you first met, a decade ago? It’s time to revamp his image with this backpack that’s as durable as it is cool.

7. “50 More Places to Fly Fish Before You Die” – Adventure in a man is rather sexy. Let him experience the thrill of fly fishing while exploring the natural sublime of earth with this curiously fascinating book, by Chris Santella. $16 at Amazon.com.

8. Eddie Bauer’s Yukon Classic Down Bomber Hat ($39.95) – He may never admit to being cold, but this hat will keep your pioneer feeling rugged and masculine. Can’t you just see him shoveling the snow in this water repellent bomber? Heck, you may even want to borrow it!

9. J.Crew Cotton Cashmere V-Neck Sweater ($59.50) – If he loathes the mere mention of shopping, do it for him.  Available in a plethora of colors, these can’t-take-your-hands-off-me cashmere sweaters will look great alone or over a button down. Casually suggest how to wear it, but let him think it was all his idea.

10. Personalized Watch Box ($39.99)– It’s a fact: men love watches. It’s the one power accessory they can really obsess over and collect. It’s like having a fancy car, but on the wrist. This leather watch box from Gifts.com holds up to 10 watches, and you won’t mind having it on your dresser.

-Alana Quagliariello

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December 13, 2011

Don We Now Our Favorite Apparel: Holiday-Hued Inspired Dressing

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Jeffrey Campbell Lita in Red Suede, $159.95

Holiday cheer is in the air as we are inspired to shop, shop, and shop some more! In the latest edition of “Nourish Your [Fashion] Palette,” we have found more reasons to indulge in fashion related fun. While holiday foods call for tradition and satisfaction, holiday clothing is all about sheer delight.

May your days be merry and bright

Traditional Christmas cookies are bright and cheerful, and certainly make a sprinkled statement. Make your own statement with color this season! For example, try red pumps like the pair pictured above from Jeffrey Campbell or a slouchy Deena & Ozzy Slouchy Red Beanie like this one from UrbanOutfitters.

Topshop Zip Front Faux Fur Coat, $220

Naughty or Nice?

If you’re wild enough to down some eggnog, you’re ready to don a fur coat, even if it’s faux! Maintain a neutral palette, but still have spunk with a creamy statement coat like this one from Topshop.

Topshop Foil Velvet Flippy Tunic, $64

Burning Bright

Set the room ablaze in more ways than one. Metallics are ideal for holiday gatherings as your ensemble delicately catches and reflects the lights around you. Be prepared to shine like Hanukkah gelt!

Topshop Knitted Short Cable Cardigan, $84

Winter Whites

Meet that first snowfall with a sensational cozy sweater like this cable-knit cardigan. Don’t shy away from winter whites this season! There are plenty of soft knit options to keep you toasty.

Zara Blazer with Elbow Patches, $89.90

Gingerbread Men[swear]

The menswear trend is a great way to stay casual, but look put together for the holidays. Why not try a classic schoolboy blazer in a ginger-brown color? The elbow patch details are the icing-on-the-cookie!

ASOS Red Pom Pom Mitten, $10.14

Enjoyable Embellishments

The jelly filling in these Sufganiot, traditional Hanukkah deep-fried donuts, mirror the cute red pom poms on the gloves. Deep fried translates to comfort food — it makes you feel warm inside. Here, gloves for the hands are like food for the soul.

Stay festive with FashionPulseDaily and Happy Holidays!

-Alana Quagliariello

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December 13, 2011

Start Spring on the Right Foot with Comfortable, Stylish Footwear

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[Franco Sarto “Reba,” $109; Franco Sarto “Jaunt,” $79, both February availability]

Let’s all start spring on the right foot with these great footwear options. With no shortage of style or comfort, your feet are bound to feel renewed with the season.

Franco Sarto

Franco Sarto loves women and we love him in return. For Spring 2012, the wedge is the focus in all of its sexy comfort. Cute glitter espadrilles are sure to ground any outfit, while patent, braid detail, and bow details ensure you’re “on trend but not trendy.” Priced from $69-$120, it’s clear Sarto understands both our passion for shoes and our budget.

[Carlos Santana “Mixer,” $99, March availability]

Carlos by Carlos Santana

If you’re looking for a statement shoe, Carlos by Carlos Santana is your guy. Each design is meant so as to craft your outfit around your shoes. Think Miami Swim Week: bright, Latin-inspired hues!  Hip and hot, these shoes give you the impulse to immediately tango, salsa, and cha cha cha. You’ve been forewarned…

[Dr. Scholl’s “Initial,” $40, March availability]

Dr. Scholl’s Shoes

Dr. Scholl’s Shoes has always been a lifestyle brand, but a recent brand revitalization endorses its modernity. Today’s designs represent a youthful spirit while the flexible, lightweight “free step” technology encourages natural motion, and super cushioned “memory fit” insoles reduce shock impact. The original exercise sandal icon, Dr. Scholl’s Shoes now offers an entire line of take-you-anywhere classic styles.

[Naturalizer “Fira,” $69, April availability]

Naturalizer

Naturalizer has one goal: to design shoes that look as good as they feel.  Naturalizer continues its focus on breathability, flexibility, lightness, softness, and balance for spring,  maintained via styles that will transition you from the office to soccer games to neighborhood soirees. We love cushioning that fits any lifestyle and think you will too!

[Naya “Zoe,” $89, March availability]

Naya

We can always admire a brand that gives back to the earth. This time around at Naya Shoes, the “Zoe” stole the show, being the brand’s first shoe retailing under $100. At $89, this sandal leaves a softer footprint on the earth and your wallet. It’s bold, bright, functional and affordable with soft leather, a whimsical floral footbed design, and natural cork.

-Alana Quagliariello

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