Eco Chic

August 23, 2010

Make a One-of-a-Kind Statement, with Jewelry by Kay Adams

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Repurposed, upcycled, one-of-a-kind — these terms are everywhere these days, but independent jewelry designer Kay Adams doesn’t use them lightly. She does take vintage jewelry apart and puts the pieces back together in the most dramatic yet delicate fashion; and when she makes a piece, she’s not going to make it a second time. So if you’ve bought it, you’ve got the only version out there.

Kay makes all the pieces in her Richmond, VA studio, using hundreds of different tools and selecting from over 1400 categories  of sorted jewelry. According to Kay, her work is “the tangible result of insatiable curiosity, obsessive collecting,fervent love of vintage treasures, intense imagination, overloaded passion. . . and TOOLS!” Yet, it doesn’t hurt that she and her mom, Judy Rogers, have been dealing antiques from their shop Anthill Antiques, for the past 14 years.  It was only a matter of time before her unique perspective found its way around a woman’s neck.

The approximate starting price of a Kay Adams necklace: $65. Shipping and handling fees from Richmond, Va: $8.95. Knowing you’ll be the only woman wearing the necklace, ever: priceless.

For more information, you can call Anthill Antiques at 804.254.2000 , or email them at info@anthillantiques.com.

-Kaci Hamilton

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August 13, 2010

Vena Cava Fans, Say Hello to Viva Vena!

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It was only a matter of time before Sophie and Lisa came up with another brilliant idea they simply had to share with their adoring fans. Et voila, Viva Vena! The brand’s newest line retains the signature hand-drawn prints and neo-Dada photo collages, while providing more casual staples at a lower price point. Retailing for under $200, the t-shirts, tanks, and dresses are a mix of organic jersey with silk details and made in the designers’ hometown of  Los Angeles. They’re just the thing for a beach jaunt, or an impromptu picnic in the park.

Viva Vena! will be available at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Scoop NYC, Nordstrom, Opening Ceremony and a host of other retailers.

-Kaci Hamilton

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August 12, 2010

Not Your Mother’s Swedish Hasbeens

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It can be great fun to hark back to the nostalgic styles of the 60s and 70s, but also important to execute the look just so, in order to not look too ironic and time period perfect. Instead, channel retro styles in pastel and virbant hues like a Swede, with the shoes and boots from Swedish Hasbeens. Voted the 2008 Trend of the Year at the Trend Award Gala in Stockholm, the brand is retro chic made even cooler with their nature-friendly practices; styles such as the Lace-up Booties ($310), the Peep toe Sky High ($177), and the Braided Sky High ($188) channel the classic clog, but are all made from alder and lime-tree wood and rubber, use chrome-free leather, and are vegetable tanned in delicate pastels. According to Swedish Hasbeens, you can wear their shoes for a lifetime, and if you don’t, you can always bury them and they will disappear! In regard to their name reference, the brands says: “A Hasbeen shows their love for creativity, joy and quality in what they wear.” Rather than think has been, channel the laid back vibes of the decades of yore, with some contemporary styling and an injection of the best of your on individual fashion sense.

-Kaci Hamilton

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August 10, 2010

Brown Shoe Company Previews Gorgeous Spring Styles from Franco Sarto, Naya, Carlos Santana, and more

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[Image is from Naya, for Fall 2010]

If this week’s Brown Shoe Co preview is anything to go by, we have some beautiful footwear styles to look forward to this spring. Lots of color, laser and eyelet-inspired cutouts, and wider heels will make for very chic looks in 2011. The always classic Franco Sarto was on  hand, as well as eco-chic newcomers Naya, and lots of rockstar-inspired styles from Unity by Carlos Santana and Fergie.

Franco Sarto (who was actually on site!) showed a plethora of practical styles that will transition well from work to after-hours cocktails. Lots of mixed textures included suede with metallic, basket weave wedge heels, and simple stitching details.

Fergie channeled her time spent on stage right into her footwear collection, with funky lucite heels and ribbons of electric pink and green. Her Fergalicious line will also have all the same fun flirtatiousness for the wallet-pleasing price of under $200, with mass retailer distribution.

Unity by Carlos Santana is sticking to what works; instead of creating a bunch of new styles, the brand is revamping their best sellers, giving shoe mavens more texture and colors to their staunch favorites.

Newcomer Naya (launched in spring 2010) promises to make pounding the tough sidewalks a breeze, with arch support and cushy padding in eco-friendly ways. The brand’s mission is to constantly find and incorporate  ways to be earth-friendly: they use all natural materials, vegetable dyes, recycled cork and bamboo for their heels. Even their boxes are made from recycled materials and have less of all that wasteful paper stuffing.

-Kaci Hamilton

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