Fashion Pulse Daily - Part 540

November 29, 2011

Marni for H&M Launches March 8, 2012

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[Images Courtesy of H&M]

Are you ready to welcome the avant-garde into your wardrobe? H&M just recently announced a Spring design collaboration with the  ultra-chic, print-and-texture-happy Italian brand Marni. Available starting March 8th, 2012 in stores and online, the collection will feature both clothing and accessories for men and women.


Consuelo Castiglioni, Marni founder and creative director, mixes print and color in new ways, crafting playful combinations of modern, graphic, and tribal fabrications, and finishes it all off with sporty elements.  This African-inspired line will be rife with classic Marni silhouettes: cropped pants, full pleated skirts and dresses, jacquard knits and more!

-Alana Quagliariello

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November 29, 2011

Jewelry with a Mission: Mikuti

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Defined as ‘dried leaf’ in Kiswahili, the jewelry brand Mikuti specializes in partnering and collaborating with individuals, workshops, and artists within Tanzania to help foster a sustainable economy in which workers receive fair wages for their handcrafted goods. The Mikuti story started  in  2009, while founder Erika Freund was volunteering with a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in the Meru District of Tanzania, and came to the realization that the banana tree could yield some artisan crafted,  beautiful baubles.

Fast forward to 2011: Freund offers an array of beautiful, handmade bracelets and necklaces, ranging in price from $27-$95 made of banana tree bark, local textiles, and recycled aluminum — beautiful to look at, wonderful to think about, and perfect to give as a gift this holiday season! We also got to interview Ms. Freund about her journey and her vision for the future of the brand; read below:

FPD: Tell us a bit about your background prior to founding Mikuti?

EF: I grew up in New Jersey, but throughout my 20’s I moved around a bit; Boston, Sydney Australia, Washington DC, and Brooklyn, NY. I studied English during my undergrad, and I have a Masters of Social Work from New York University. My professional experience has a bit of variety to it;  I advised international students for many years, working with hundreds of people who spoke English as a second language. I’ve also done a lot of program development for the social service sector, primarily always working with women and at risks female youth. I think one of my biggest strengths is being able to communicate in many environments and get really creative, which helps because my Swahili is far from proficient.


FPD: What are your long-term goals for the brand, lets say for five years from now what do you hope to have accomplished?

EF: My most important long-term goal of the brand is for the pieces to be recognized.  I want people to know that a bracelet is a Mikuti bracelet when they look at it.  I want Mikuti to be a known brand that people love and look forward to seeing the new collections. I’m also very focused on connecting with designers in Tanzania and Kenya in hopes of collaborating with them.  This is something that’s really important to me. I feel as though there has been so much buzz about “ethical fashion” and “trade not aide” and the truth is, there are some amazing designers in East Africa creating hot, ready to wear styles that people in the west don’t know about.  We see a lot of designers collaborating with local NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organization), which is fantastic. But no one is seeing that there is an abundance of very talented young designers in this region who would be so much fun to collaborate with.

FPD: How difficult (or easy) was it to set up the different groups and individuals that you work with, i.e. Edu-Care and Shanga?
Continue reading…

November 29, 2011

Stock Up on Tights, Leggings and Socks for Winter 2011

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Commando Richly Ribbed Opaque Tights, $34 via Shopbop.com

Bare legs in the winter? We think not! Thankfully, our legs can brave the cold in style! We’re not talking about the bland pantyhose of the past, but the fashion-forward tights, socks, and leggings that exude everything from a coyish coquette to grungy charm. Let’s give them all a try!

Falke Net Crochet Tights, $49 via Shopbop.com

Ayame Royalty Tights, $77 via ShopKoshka.com

Tights: Some of us may whine, deeming tights incredibly uncomfortable, yet, at FPD, we embrace hosiery for its endless variety. Whether opaque, sheer, fishnet, polka dot, striped, lace or multi-colored, there is a pair to release any one’s inner diva, sultry sexpot, or quirky schoolgirl, perhaps? As stockings become cooler, our legs stay warmer, whatever our style!

Wear with: All varieties of Boots, Open and Closed Toe Pumps/Wedges, Flats
Continue reading…

November 29, 2011

Dress for Fall or Winter, with Glam Leather…and a bit of Shimmer

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What is a girl to do when the weather is unseasonably warm, and she’s got some great new leather goods to sport? Head outside for a stylish fall stroll and shopping session! I gave some new items I had recently received a good test run, navigating the crowded streets full of the smell of freshly cute pine trees for sale, the sound of holiday music, and sight of bright and colorful logo’ed shopping bags draped on many an arm.

The Jacket: back in March, I attended the Kenneth Cole fall 2011 preview, and awaited the arrival of a bomber jacket, courtesy of the brand, from the collection that took a nod from James Dean’s Rebel Without A Cause. The Kenneth Cole 4 Pocket Leather Jacket ($399.50) is a dream; it fits like a glove, comes in a rich, polished hue, and provides zippered sleeves to make room for gloves, gauntlets, or just a little extra arm mobility. I kind of just like admiring its perfection, and am so thankful for this gorgeous piece from Kenneth’s latest collection. P.S.- in lieu of the fall lineup’s theme, I got the awesome motorcycle helmet, of course, emblazoned with a (very true) Kenneth Cole-ism!

The boots: Courtesy of Tsubo, I was able to hit the streets in the luxe and extremely comfortable Tsubo Sidon Wedges ($220). Have you seen or heard about Tsubo before? Meaning “pressure point” in Japanese,  Tsubo is all about ergonomic, stylish shoes for men and women which feature shock-absorbing bubbles carefully placed at various pressure points in the soles of the shoes for lasting comfort, layers of  Latex foam pads, rubber soles, and more! This particular style rocks the brand’s classic Asmik comfort wedge and the latex foam foot bed. If you like this style head to Tsubo.com to see the two other color options, as well as my other favorite style, the Tursa!

The ring(s): I recently checked out the avon/mark./silpada holiday offerings (which has plenty of GREAT gift ideas, btw), and in my gift bag was this sparkly mark. glammed up ring ($28). It is such a fun piece, and it’s hard to deny the conversation-starter possibilities! Also,  on my left hand…is a new ring…courtesy of my fiancé! It happened recently, was unexpected, and more exciting than I can put into words. Since you will be seeing a lot of it, indefinitely, I figured it’s time to mention it and show off the antique, art deco, filigree beauty, straight out of 1930, which is  just perfect, and totally “me.”

–Julia DiNardo

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