SheBreathes™ | Fashion + Culture

Rocksteady with Aqua by Aqua

One of my favourite high street brands in the UK, is Aqua by Aqua. They continuously offer beyond trendy pieces that for now, not many folks rock stateside. A few months ago we got the chance to see their Psychocardiogram collection up close during the press days in London. The collection is filled with just as many body-con pieces as astro-inspired flowy and maxi printed pretties, with a few over-sized jackets thrown in for good measure. My favourite pieces being the one above, and the stoned-hued Finsk for Aqua leather wedges.

You see, Aqua by Aqua doesn't have seasons, but they do create up to twelve thematic collections a year. Above and below is a mix of what we saw and how the pieces look on the models. Do visit Aqua by Aqua to explore more of this collection.

Showroom Fotos © SheBreathes. Lookbook Fotos Courtesy of Aqua by Aqua.

In Berlin | Collect Showroom

During Berlin Fashion Week, we had the pleasure of stopping by Collect Showroom, and seeing some of our favourite designer collections up close. We perused the offerings of Esther Perbandt, fabulous knit-makers Maiami, new fashion favourite Reality Studio, Julian Zergerli, JULIAANDBEN, and a few more designers that we'll be featuring in the coming weeks. Above and below is a snippet of what we saw, stay tuned for more!

Fotos © SheBreathes.

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.

The Bold + Structured | Georgia Hardinge A/W 2011

I love revisiting designers, especially those that we were an early adopter of, like London-based emerging designer, Georgia Hardinge. Her A/W 2011 collection is a natural progression towards making her signature body-con pieces, that are often filled with gorgeous details, covetable. Visiting her showroom during the press days in London was a treat, because for me, there it's nothing more amazing than seeing each piece off the runway. It gives you a closer look at the materials used and the details. It also elevates your appreciation for the designers you champion.

The collection is filled with curvaceous pieces that are topped with perfectly placed folds of fabric on dresses, cropped leather jackets, and trousers that fit more like tights. There was also the black and white prints that looked like an x-ray of the entire female form, with added details to make you stare longer. But, the topper had to be her lush coats that swayed and flowed with the movement of each model. It was a collection that proved why she was one to keep an eye on back in 2009, and one to continue to watch.  Above and below are a mix of showroom and runway photos, enjoy.

Showroom Fotos © SheBreathes. Runway Fotos Courtesy of Blow PR.

Soft + Sexy | Mark Fast A/W 2011

NEW YORK — Mark Fast has been a favourite of mines for some time now, but I haven't delved into his collections since one his S/S 2009 collection. What I've always wanted to do, was see his collections up close, and not just from the seat of a runway show. I got my wish during the London Showrooms in New York, which gave me a deeper appreciation for the time it takes to create each piece. 

The Central Saint Martins graduate blasted onto the fashion scene with an immediate aesthetic — holey lycra, viscose dresses that look like they were melted onto the body. With his A/W 2011 collection Mark branched out a bit into suede and leather pieces, but it's the knitted pieces, that drew me in. And in this particular area Mark continues to shine. One of my favourite pieces was the knitted coat above with it's puffy shrug-like shoulders. It shined on the runway, when paired with lace-up thigh highs. It made me sit-up and take notice, because here Mark moved a bit beyond the body-con pieces he's known for. This was volume mixed with plushness. The attention to detail in this one piece and the way it looked on the model  – perfection. Mark also pushed some of his signature looks a bit, by expanding on shapes and details – giving his global fanbase more than enough to covet.

Mark and his team of talented knitters, includes blogging/design friend Jen Jarvis {who we've featured} of Knit Kicks, so it's no wonder that the details are immaculate. Above and below is a glimpse into the collection on and off the runway.

Showroom Fotos © SheBreathes. Runway Fotos Courtesy of Style.com.

Beautiful Excess | Iosselliani A/W 2011

Jewelry label, Ioselliani by design duo Roberta Paolucci and Paolo Giacomelli, is a favourite of mines. I often revisit them to see what they've added to their amazing design repertoire, but this time I got to visit their showroom in New York, to see and snap their A/W 2011 beauties up close.

The collection is filled with their signature shaded fringe pieces, with some topped in rhinestones. But, it was the multiwired faded necklaces with clusters of stones wrapped around a deer horn, that caught my attention. The duo also added plenty of pretty clip-on earrings that came in purple, blue, or yellow stones, with some topped with a rams head, stacked silver and gold rings, and multi-layered faded bracelets. And they kept it going with favourites more multiwired faded necklaces with studs and coloured stones, multicoloured rhinestone cuffs {not pictured}, insect brass necklaces with colourful rhinestones, and multistrand necklaces topped with quartz and studs — there is enough variety to please plenty.

Above and below is a glimpse into their beautifully excessive world, where more is celebrated and can stand on it's own. Be sure to click to enlarge for a closer look.

Fotos © SheBreathes.

Lush Soles | Guillaume Hinfray

Guillaume Hinfray is a personal favourite of mines, so it's always with pleasure that I share his beautiful shoes. Hinfray's F/W 2011 collection is filled with well crafted shoes that were made to be worn by women who need a bit of variety in their world. From strappy leather ones, to suede pumps topped with metal, cute flats to run around in, and delectable leather booties that mold to your feet  — there is something for everyone.

If you look back at all of Guillaume's collections, you'll see a natural progression that doesn't skimp on quality. The stitching is always immaculate, the shoes are always wearable, and the styles are always on-trend without screaming, and there are always enough classics to that can be worn for years to come.

Above below is a glimpse into my favourite styles. Do visit his space, look around, and invest in a brand that's worthy of your feet.

Fotos © SheBreathes.

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.

Rock These | Dominic Jones

NEW YORK — London-based jewelry designer Dominic Jones latest collection was also on display at the London Showrooms in New York, and it was filled with pieces that both women and men can rock. His mix of  beautifully crafted, nature-inspired, claws, fangs, and spikes had me adding several pieces to my wishlist. I've been dreaming of pairing them with something soft to balance-out the edge. Above and below is a mix of rings, necklaces, earrings, and bangles that I can't get enough of. Do visit his space to explore more and indulge if you can.

Fotos © SheBreathes.

Adorn Your Hair with Jennifer Behr

NEW YORK — Recently, I had the opportunity to see Jennifer Behr's delicious handmade hair accessories up close. There was a lovely mix of knotted turbans, headwraps and headbands that came in silk topped with jewels and encrusted crystals, knotted leather in solid colours, hand-stitched lace attached to leather headbands, and crystal headwraps that finish in elastic. There was so much fall in love with, that I spent a quit a bit of time drooling and imagining which I'd purchase to top off my tresses. Above and below is a glimpse into what I loved. Do visit her space to explore all her collections, and maybe even order a custom made piece for that special occassion.

Fotos © SheBreathes.

 

The Showrooms at LFW | Camilla Skovgaard A/W 2011

NEW YORK to LONDON — I know I haven't properly released our New York Fashion Week content, but it will be mixed-in with the London stuff. The last two weeks has been trying to say the least. But, there is no rest for the busy and no time for complaining. I just need to get better at churning things out for my first love, which is this website — which by the way, is FIVE! I can't believe it! Can you? Five long years of sharing designers and being immersed in the world of fashion and culture. Here's hoping for five more! A longer post on the anniversary is coming.

Now, onto some lovely foot candy from London-based, Denmark-born shoe designer Camilla Skovgaard. Her vertiginous and exaggerated sawtooth-like rubber sole heels were on display at the Showrooms at London Fashion Week. Skovgaard's shoes have always exuded a sexy paired with comfort quality, which I dig. And, of course I couldn't pass-up the chance of sharing the ones I liked on here. Above and below is a snippet of what you should be rocking this fall.

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.