SheBreathes™ | Fashion + Culture

End of Summer Goodies by Malababa

Several weeks ago I was on my favourite Spanish accessories brand website, Malababa ordering-up some goodies for my trip back home to Brasil. I have 3 weddings and two birthdays to attend while there, so I wanted nothing but the cutest most delicious accessories that didn't break the bank. Thankfully, I can always count on Malababa to offer-up on-trend shapes, textures, and colours. And thanks to my bestie Pia, who lives in Spain, I scored most of what you see in this feature. 

Their S/S '11 collection has a lovely selection of dyed leather lace-up boots that come in purple, brown, and pink, leather stachels, gathered lamb skin clutches topped in agate, and pretty criss-cross leather sandals that I can't wait to rock. I checked-back last night and saw many of these goodies sold-out, but there is plenty more you can find. So do visit and peruse Malababa, because everything they make is worth it!

Fotos Courtesy of Malababa, Edited by SheBreathes.

Playing with Prints | MSGM Resort 2012

I'm not going to cover a lot of resort collections, since they've come and gone, and I honestly think fashion can stand to rest just a bit. Although, there are a few collections that I dig. That the entire world isn't covering. One of those is Italian brand MSGM, by designer Massimo Giorgetti.

The MSGM Resort S/S 2012 collection is a haven for geometric shapes, and beautiful kaleidoscope graphics that are inspired by American artist, Barry McGhee's work. The mixing of prints is really what sets this collection apart, although there are plenty of solid hued pieces to balance things out. You'll find herringbone, polka dots, and striped foulards, that come in pretty colours like; yellow, green, orange, electric blue, pink, and green, that will bring a bit of coolness to any setting. And let's not forget the materials the pieces are rendered in; crepe-de-chine, pleated Georgette silk, knits, and Chantilly lace. Swirl all of this around and you have a collection that those who don't go on holiday can rock during a staycation. Above and below are some pieces I wouldn't mind owning. Be sure to visit MSGM to discover your own.

Fotos Courtesy of MSGM.

Highlights from Rodebjer A/W 2011

 

I love sharing the highlights from designers that we dig and support — Rodebjer, being one of them. Their A/W 2011 collection is filled with covet-worthy accessories that come in pretty pops of red, metallic silver, and eye-popping fuchsia that can be found on lace-up booties, cute Mary Janeish pumps, bangles, belts, and clutches. They also offer weathered leather boots that pair nicely with their wool pieces. The full collection is coming with lookbook photos for style inspiration, for now just a sneak peek at what you'll want to rock come Fall.

Fotos © SheBreathes.

Wrap me in Don't Shoot The Messengers

Recently, I got the chance to flip through the Fall/Winter 2011 lookbook of Berlin-based label, Don't Shoot the Messengers. I was immediately enamored with the sleekness of the collection. The black upon black, with pops of candy-apple red and pearl-white, coerced me into flipping all the way 'til the end – it was 76 clicks long.

The collection has plenty of pieces that are begging to be worn, like their expertly tailored wool coats, cropped asymmetrical leather jackets, pretty black dresses with sheer overlays, and sexy thigh-length leather skirts, that you can rock to the office without it being cheesy. There were also a few ankle-length trousers that work well with pumps, that piqued my interest. There is something for every occasion imaginable, with a nice mix of clutches and bags to top it all off nicely. Above and below are my favourite pieces, but do visit them to see more, and be sure to keep their link handy for when their online shop opens, but note the above coat, I call first dibs on.

Fotos Courtesy of DSTM. Photographer | Maxime Ballesteros.

Delicious Arm Candy | Emm Kuo

NEW YORK — Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing handbag designer, Emmaline Kuo's label, Emm Kuo up close. Her Fall/Winter 2011 collection included a beautiful mix of perfectly structured bags, that I was immediately enamored with. The exotic skins — from croc, to suede, and snakeskin, came in a variety of shapes like, rectangle satchel messenger bags with nickle hardware, shopper bags that you can carry your life in, oversized portfolio clutches and bags topped with front buckle details, and a few croc bracelets that were equally delicious.

Needless to say, it was hard for me to pick just one bag. I tried a few on, and surprisingly they belied their appearance, because they were light, not to mention roomy — even the clutches. This is always a plus when you're looking for style and functionality with any bag. Above and below are some of what I had fun snapping. Be sure to click the images for a closer look. And, visit here to explore more of the collection, because these beauties are investment pieces, that are worthy of being rocked daily.

Fotos © SheBreathes.

Showroom Visit | Leifsdottir A/W 2011

Last week we stopped by the Leifsdottir suite where they were showcasing their A/W 2011 collection of accessories. The last time we featured Leifsdottir, they were sharing their pretty wearables with us, but this time we got to see what's inside their shoe and handbag closet. We came away digging the leather booties, handbags, clutches, and cute flats! Everything is Fall weather apropos and won't break the bank while keeping you stylish. Above and below is a peek into their offerings.

 

Fotos © SheBreathes.

Soft + Chic | Ann Louise Landelius

Sweden-based accessories designer Ann Louise Landelius creates luxuriously soft handmade leather handbags that are individually numbered, and come in cool shapes like, the octagon, crescent, circle, and bucket. All come with solid brass chain handles, but my favourites are the ones with zipper details that run around the edge, offering a new way to open them. I also dig the satin fringe ones. Above and below are the ones on my wishlist, visit here to see and shop the entire collection.

Fotos Courtesy of ALL-Ann Louise Landelius.

Dark Treasures | Nuit N°12

Goth and catacomb themes have been prevalent in the fashion industry for a while now. And, while it's often overdone, and signals the hip set. I'm still relunctant to automatically dismiss those who continue to explore both themes, especially if they're adding their own twist to them. One such emerging brand that creates an entire line of accessories around the dark and lovely is, Nuit N°12 by Ludivine Machinet and Frédéric Baldo. Clicking through their collection is like a visual poem, which indulges in the darker side of art and history. There is plenty to get caught-up on, and plenty that I can leave behind, but the parts I can't — keep me interested. Machinet and Baldo have created a narrative wholly their own, with the mixing of bronze, silver, grey platinum, and pink gold jewelry. Add wood and metal motifs to leather clutches, and you don't need much else to make my heart flutter with excitement. Above and below are a few pieces I wouldn't mind adding to my wishlist. Visit here to explore more of their alluring world of accessories.

Fotos Courtesy of  Nuit N°12.

Arm Candy | Xaa by Júlia Alcantara

 

São Paulo-based accessories brand, Xaa by Brasilian designer Júlia Alcantara has been on a my radar since my last trip home. They make chic bags and accessories, that I couldn't resist sharing. I'm loving the Gypsy Collection, which has cool motifs, like the owl etched into a leather tote with it's carefully wrapped handles and splash of colour, and the folded clutches are nice too. They can be found at LOOL in Brasil, and a few other places online. Their signature scarf bags are just as cool, check 'em out here.

Fotos Courtesy of Xaa, edited by SheBreathes.

The Pretty Makers | coseAtre

Milan-based coseAtre is a design collective that includes a new favourite who was recently featured, Marco Corso. Along with Corso there is Laura Armato, Giulia Cerini, and Valeria Pintacuda. Their jewerly and handbag collections have a nostalgic feel to them — like the shapes of the collars to prints used for a clutch. Their use of lace and silk mixed with plastic, rubber, silicone, and organic fabric is what sets them apart from the onslaught of pretty makers. Above and below is a bit of what I'm loving from their latest collection.

Fotos Courtesy of CoseAtre

Accessorize with Genevieve Jones

We're huge fans of Genevieve Jones, having shared her jewelry back in '08, we felt it was time for an update. Yesterday we got a glimpse into her S/S 2011 collection, which was filled with woven clutches, seashorse bracelets, and plenty of hammered pieces that took the shape of hearts and rounded charms — all begging to be worn. Above and below is just snippet of what we're loving. Be sure to visit her space to explore more from all her collections.

Fotos © SheBreathes.

Sacs et Pochettes | Sous Les Pavés

 

Emerging Parisian handbag label, Sous Les Pavés is offering some delicious arm candy saturated in beautiful hues. The hand-stitched sacks and clutches come in suede, leather, and snakeskin {some pieces mimic the material}. Many of the pieces are adorned with hammered metal motifs like the octopus, or the fuschia envelope clutch topped in turquoise stone, coral, and a small metal beetle. Whatever you fancy, they're offering something that doesn't break the pocket. This is just one of the many labels that we're actively trying to bring stateside to the shop. I hope you like.

I couldn't resist sharing these beauties for those who prefer something they can carry on their shoulder.

Fotos Courtesy of Sous Les Pavés + Mia Reva