Author Archive

Surefire Style

Forme d’Expression is lauded for the close relationship between garment and wearer. The textiles used are lightweight and soft against the skin, making them an easy choice for those who prefer a one-and-done approach to dressing. These works have been highly anticipated within our stores for not only their precise, thoughtful design, but also for their inherent subtlety and sophistication. Find within Forme d’Expression a foundation of essentials – cotton workwear jackets, easy pullovers, a new favorite linen pant and more.

For almost 20 years, Koeun Park has perfected the concept of restraint. Her label, Forme d’Expression (stylized as Forme 3’3204322896, inspired by the hexcode of the Helvetica Fractions font) is a showcase of this expertise. Informed by a storied career in couture, Koeun’s designs exemplify the needs of the modern wardrobe without getting caught up in the “blind obsession” of trend.To her, clothes are not intended to overwhelm or define their wearer, but instead to fit seamlessly into however the wearer decides to define themselves.

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Koeun studies took her abroad to study intensive fashion design in Paris, at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la mode – a prestigious academy whose alumni include Valentino Garavani, Issey Miyake, Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.

She continued her education with a masters at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan, before diving straight into high fashion under Giorgio Armani, designing works for Armani Black Label. Afterwards, her curiosity took her to New York to develop the men’s and women’s collections for Donna Karan, an experience she says “enlightened” her future career as a designer.

Upon returning to Umbria in 2004, Koeun stretched her artistic legs and established her own design company, Factory of Faith – a reference to the spiritual experience of working with fabric. Forme d’Expression began as the company’s first official label a year later.

Forme d’Expression is lauded for the close relationship between garment and wearer. The textiles used are lightweight and soft against the skin, making them an easy choice for those who prefer a one-and-done approach to dressing.

These works have been highly anticipated within our stores for not only their precise, thoughtful design, but also for their inherent subtlety and sophistication. Find within Forme d’Expression a foundation of essentials – cotton workwear jackets, easy pullovers, a new favorite linen pant and more.

Escape to Salamanca

In researching the traditions of cocktails, mocktails, and finding inspiration in the outdoor spaces of the world, we stumbled upon Salamanca – an old world Spanish city settled over 2700 years ago. Here, citrus gardens cast shade across tiled patios, fountains bubble quietly among the oleander and terracotta pots spill over with summer blooms. Each passing breeze wafts the scent of rosemary and mint.

When the sun hangs longer in the sky and the air is thick with dandelion and honey, we will find any and all excuses to be outside and live just a bit more deeply. Summer offers the perfect opportunity for the get-togethers that elevate this feeling: lounging with friends in the garden, tea-time aperitifs laid upon grass and romantic dinners on the patio as the stars emerge.

We yearn for the details associated with traditional entertaining – linen napkins for the table, lit beeswax candles, iced mojitos served in handblown glass…

In researching the traditions of cocktails, mocktails, and finding inspiration in the outdoor spaces of the world, we stumbled upon Salamanca – an old world Spanish city settled over 2700 years ago.

In Salamanca, citrus gardens cast shade across tiled patios, fountains bubble quietly among the oleander and terracotta pots spill over with summer blooms. Each passing breeze wafts the scent of rosemary and mint.

Something about the combination of old and new enamors us deeply… antique and storied and fresh all at once. It’s a love affair for us, places that so easily merge these aesthetics… the patina of experience and nature is a heady allure.

In crafting your own version of the summer spread, inspiration can be found through the setting of the table. Colorful coupes, handmade plates, artfully crumpled linens.. these are details that speak to a heritage of hospitality and make the occasion all the more special. We hope you find many opportunities as such in the warm days and nights to come. Cheers!

Everyday Essentials

Presenting new denim from R13, Moussy and RE/DONE. Choosing the perfect jean is as personal as it is arduous. While some love nothing more than a form-hugging skinny, others prefer the room-to-move freedom of a boyfriend cut. There are a dozen concerns when choosing your own perfect pair – whether it gaps at the waist or crumples at the fly being chief among them!

We have been on the hunt ourselves to source a handful of new denim designers for the stores, with a distinct focus on those creating and innovating in this part of the industry. Our finds are now available in-store, ranging from the super cool cuts of R13 to the Japanese denim from Moussy to the vintage Levi’s upcycling of RE/DONE. These additions join our current denim offerings from Closed, a house favorite we have carried for almost a decade. We hope this makes your search just a bit easier – and maybe more fun!

R13

Created by designer Chris Leba in New York, R13’s denim emphasizes provocative, but relaxed, styling. Drop crotches, crossed button-flys and artful distressing define these pieces. Most notable is how Chris and his team seem to cut the denim on the bias, creating organic seams that wear in harmony with the curvature of the body.

Moussy

Through a fluid approach to design, Moussy has been disrupting denim norms for over twenty years. They approach womenswear through traditional men’s styling, creating pairs that are comfortable and worn in while still being form-flattering. Based in Tokyo, we love Moussy not only for the finish of their jeans – which often read as nostalgic and relaxed – but for how they merge exemplary Japanese tailoring with vintage Americana.

Re/Done

Based in Los Angeles, RE/DONE is on a mission to shape a new narrative around the All-American jean. Created using upcycled Levi’s, RE/DONE creates works that meld vintage 100% cotton denim with contemporary styling. Their jeans have a dense weave and a soft, almost silky finish. However, the real pleasure is how they fit around the waist – especially for those with curvier hips. If you enjoy iconic American styling and without much fuss, these may just be your fit.

We understand how difficult it can be to guess sizing and fit from afar. For those who cannot try on these pairs in-store, we offer hassle-free size exchanges. You can read more about our size-exchange service here.

Woven Air

Injiri Spring/ Summer 2024. Through designer Chinar Farooqui’s intense base of knowledge, we explore the traditional Indian weaving and embroidery techniques found in her collection. By combining folk influences and hand-looming with her experience in high-taste design, Chinar shares the story of India’s past while simultaneously presenting its future.

For designer Chinar Farooqui, the history of a place is told by the textiles made there. Chinese silks, Scottish Tartan, Armenian Marash… a culture’s fabrics are directly intertwined with the people who weave the fibers. For Chinar’s label, Injiri, the story of her native India comes first. Through careful research and practice, Chinar and her team champion the traditional textiles of Rajasthan, Gurujat and beyond. Specialty techniques, such as Jamdani cottons, Barmer appliqué, Soof embroidery and Jut needlework define this latest delivery for summer. By combining folk influences and hand-looming with her experience in high-taste design, Chinar shares the story of India’s past while simultaneously presenting its future.

Jamdani, a floaty type of weaving, is described as “enchanting” and “woven air.” This technique is painstakingly detailed, requiring an artisan to interlace thicker and thinner yarns to create colorful patterns into cotton fabric. Each design of Jamdani has a unique name based on what it represents, such as fulwar (flowers) or panna hajar (thousand emeralds.)

Soof, also known as Sindhi embroidery, was introduced to India by Pakistani refugees in the early 1970’s. Historically, this type of stitchery was intended to decorate a bride’s wardrobe in advance of her wedding. It is best exemplified by vibrant, tessellated triangles arranged in figurative motifs that are inspired by nature.

Barmer appliqué is a tradition that has been passed down generation by generation, evolving with each person who works with it. Intended to ornament leftover fabric, this technique is notable for its complex, geometric stitches sewn over patterned fabric. Chinar infuses Injiri’s Barmer works with color for a “beautiful rhythmic contrast.”

Jut comes from the Kutch region along the western coast of India. A particularly intricate type of counted thread embroidery, Jut is often used to outline and emphasize existing patterns, creating a high contrast between fabric and stitch. The end result is similar to a western needlepoint design with a distinctly Gujarat joy. Chinar describes this as bringing “amusement to the design.”

“Being a student of textiles, I love the hand-loom. It’s more about celebrating the entire process of hand-weaving – and the clothes are actually little stories about the textiles they are made of.”

– Chinar Farooqui

Folk Arts of the Tutsi

New to Wild Life is a selection of handwoven baskets sourced from the Tutsi of Rwanda and Burundi.

A pastoral community, the Tutsi are well known for their handmade, utilitarian objects, particularly carved wooden vessels and traditional basketry. Coil-sewn baskets such as these are known as agaseke or uduseke. Made by weaving together dried, natural grass, they are typically identified by a conical shape and flat, circular base that is taller than wide. Intended to store precious objects, these vessels were often made to be given as gifts.

The making of uduseke is traditionally assumed by aristocratic Tutsi women who had the time necessary to perfect the skills of weaving the ultra-fine fibers. Characteristic geometric decorations are woven into the structure of the basket, with the black and red colors achieved by boiling banana flowers or urukamgi roots

Among this delivery is a selection of flat, fibre baskets. Akin to bowls, these pieces would have been used both in ceremonial and daily contexts to carry food and objects of value. The coil pattern of these pieces is particularly striking. As they have a smaller surface space than the uduseke, decorative elements have been woven into the individual coils themselves to create a subtle oscillation in texture.

These pieces join our curation of antique and vintage works sourced from around the world. The care and attention put into these works by their original makers is unmatched in the modern age. The tiniest details, such as the handwoven fringe of a pillow or the hammered tin mending of a wooden bowl, capture the imagination and speak to a high level of craft.

Ranging from textiles to wooden carvings, antique and vintage works have lived many lives before reaching us, developing deeper and more beautiful patinas with time. Find within each piece a unique story and culture to explore – be it the basketry customs of the Tutsi, the apiary history of the Turkana or the weaving traditions of the Baluch.

Diamond Dust

Through sapphire, aquamarine and diamond, Yasuko Azuma considers nature’s ephemera as a source of inspiration. In her work, find aquamarines that dance in the light, hammered finishes akin to morning frost, and diamond studs like crystallized dew… How lovely, and rare, to find these most fleeting subtleties captured in gold.

Yasuko Azuma’s penchant for design is clear from first brush. Her shapes are elegant and uncomplicated, rooted in the inspiration of nature’s ephemera. Within her fine jewelry, find aquamarines that dance in the light, hammered finishes akin to morning frost, and diamond studs like crystallized dew… How lovely, and rare, to enjoy these most fleeting subtleties captured in gold.

In this latest delivery from her studio in Brooklyn, a selection of brilliant sapphires are featured alongside aquamarine and diamond. Nestled against the warmth of gold these naturally prismatic gems take on an additional fire, scattering light across the skin.

Each piece nods to Yasuko’s earthy muse. Most intriguing and consistent is her gold texture, a technique she describes as “diamond dust.” She achieves the effect by lightly hammering the finish to mimic the quiet sparkle found in frozen air, shimmering ponds and windswept fields.

By focusing on delicacy and presence over flash, Yasuko has created a collection poised for the everyday. Though these pieces would certainly complement high-style eventwear, they are best suited for the moments of quiet, personal joy found when wearing a favorite piece of jewelry.

Beyond the Ordinary

Striking pearl & aquamarine jewelry from the one and only Monies studio. Part of this delivery includes pieces from Monies exclusive Mint collection – a range of pearl and tourmaline styles they describe as “honest and minimal.” Each contains divine aberrations native to the natural, untreated stones. Core to the offering are Monies’ signature baroque pearls – a large, sculptural variety defined by atypical, captivating forms.

The Monies name is synonymous with boldness – an accolade gained from 50 years of striking, unapologetic design. Their temerity is not that of the rash and reckless, but instead of the cool and courageous. The adventurers, the artists, the explorers…. It is the jewelry of those who are willing to upend routine and status quo to discover beauty beyond expectation. In each Monies piece, find an invitation to join this echelon of the bold and discover a world beyond the ordinary.

Part of this delivery includes pieces from Monies exclusive Mint collection – a range of pearl and tourmaline styles they describe as “honest and minimal.” These designs, created for their flagships in Paris and Milan, explore the essence of family and identity beyond appearance. Through a selection of opposing, high-character stones, designers Gerda, Nikolai and Karl Monies delve into the complexity of heritage and unity in contemporary life.

Each piece we select from Monies’ for our own collection is unique, containing the divine aberrations native to natural, untreated stones. Core to the offering are Monies’ signature baroque pearls – a large, sculptural variety defined by atypical, captivating forms. Monies showcases these pearls in the round to highlight their unusual shapes.

“Our methodology is simple; Keep nature’s uncompromising design when possible. Appreciate its unconventional compositions and obey its relentless determination.”

-Karl Monies

Mastering Shibui

AODress Spring/ Summer 2024. Inspired by the exquisite textile traditions of India, designers Mitsunori Ishimatsu and Miho Kuroda capture the Japanese concept of “shibui” – a term reserved for subdued, well-made goods.

India, at its core, is a marvel of textile prowess. It is the source of world-renowned fabrics such as suvin cotton and khadi silk, and the birthplace of the embroidery techniques kantha and phulkari. Exquisite textures and fabrications are as core to India’s artistic identity as turmeric and cardamom are to its cooking – an understanding designers Mitsunori Ishimatsu and Miho Kuroda champion through their label, AODress.

Designed in Moriya – a small town just outside the districts of Tokyo, Japan – Mitsunori and Miho combine the cultural textile traditions of India with contemporary Japanese design tenets. This union of heritage and modernity culminates in a collection of simplified, utilitarian silhouettes made from the finest handwoven linen, silk and cotton.

Rendered in bright blues and soft greys, AODress’ Spring/ Summer 2024 is a breath of fresh air. The fabrics are thicker and more textural than standard Italian summer linens, while still maintaining a comfortable and lightweight feel on the form.

The embellishments, found on several of the jackets and dresses, are not ostentatious. Instead, they seem to sprout organically from the fabric itself like morning dew on a field of wildflowers. As with all of their designs, Mitsunori and Miho aim for shibui within their collection – a Japanese term that describes the tranquility of subdued, well-made goods.

Poetry in Motion

An ode to spring’s beauty in Masnada’s latest delivery. Known for his drapery and form, designer Angelo Iannello meditates on nature’s presence in design, through abstracted floral prints, verdant green dyes and romantic, simplified silhouettes. The core of the collection is Angelo’s take on the kaftan – a selection of simple, elegant dresses rendered with an instinct for silk.

“When the warm sun, that brings
Seed-time and harvest, has returned again,
‘T is sweet to visit the still wood, where springs
The first flower of the plain.

I love the season well,
When forest glades are teeming
with bright forms,
Nor dark and many-folded clouds foretell
The coming-on of storms.

From the earth’s loosened mould
The sapling draws its sustenance,
and thrives;
Though stricken to the heart
with winter’s cold,
The drooping tree revives.

The softly-warbled song
Comes from the pleasant woods,
and colored wings
Glance quick in the bright sun,
that moves along
The forest openings.

When the bright sunset fills
The silver woods with light,
the green slope throws
Its shadows in the hollows
of the hills,
And wide the upland glows.

And when the eve is born,
In the blue lake the sky,
o’er-reaching far,
Is hollowed out and
the moon dips her horn,
And twinkles many a star.”

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Few things capture the intrinsic beauty of spring as well as Wadsworth Longfellow’s ode to the season, An April Day – the first six stanzas are found above. There is an uncanny kinship between the poet’s meditation on nature and the way we dress this time of year. To infuse our personal styles with the artistry and flow found in the landscape around us… a pleasure to say the least.

Introducing: Forme D’Expression

For almost 20 years, Koeun Park has perfected the concept of restraint. Her label, Forme d’Expression (stylized as Forme 3’3204322896, inspired by the hexcode of the Helvetica Fractions font) is a showcase of this expertise.

Informed by a storied career in couture, Koeun’s designs exemplify the needs of the modern wardrobe without getting caught up in the “blind obsession” of trend. To her, clothes are not intended to overwhelm or define their wearer, but instead to fit seamlessly into however the wearer decides to define themselves.

KOEUN PARK   Lead designer of Forme D’ Expression

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Koeun studies took her abroad to study intensive fashion design in Paris, at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la mode – a prestigious academy whose alumni include Valentino Garavani, Issey Miyake, Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent.

She continued her education with a masters at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan, before diving straight into high fashion under Giorgio Armani, designing works for Armani Black Label. Afterwards, her curiosity took her to New York to develop the men’s and women’s collections for Donna Karan, an experience she says “enlightened” her future career as a designer.

Upon returning to Umbria in 2004, Koeun stretched her artistic legs and established her own design company, Factory of Faith – a reference to the spiritual experience of working with fabric. Forme d’Expression began as the company’s first official label a year later.

Forme d’Expression is lauded for the close relationship between garment and wearer. The textiles used are lightweight and soft against the skin, making them an easy choice for those who prefer a one-and-done approach to dressing.

These works have been highly anticipated within our stores for not only their precise, thoughtful design, but also for their inherent subtlety and sophistication. Find within Forme d’Expression a foundation of essentials – cotton workwear jackets, easy raglan pullovers, a new favorite linen pant and more.

Unfamiliar Familiar

Dries Van Noten’s SS24 delivery centers around the concept of the “familiar unfamiliar…. things that you really know but are done in a complete upside-down, inside-out, special, strange way.” The storied Belgian designer muses on the idea as he presents a tangible challenge to the sedate notions of contemporary style and merges competing ideals: extravagant and subdued, whimsy and utility, spontaneity and precision.

Dries Van Noten’s SS24 delivery centers around the concept of the “familiar unfamiliar…. things that you really know but are done in a complete upside-down, inside-out, special, strange way.” The storied Belgian designer muses on the idea as he presents a tangible challenge to the sedate notions of contemporary style and merges competing ideals: extravagant and subdued, whimsy and utility, spontaneity and precision.

His concepts are presented in a myriad of ways: classical shirting sewn from workwear denim, gauzy silk chiffon chainstiched with tonal embroidery, a floaty bolero studded with shimmering beads, formal overcoats quilted with hidden florals and velvet-esque chevrons…

Now that the full collection has arrived, we are able to consider Dries’ vision in its entirety. Through angular cuts, fluttering sleeves and precise tailoring, he puzzles together a Rubik’s cube of masculine and feminine details that read as simultaneously both and neither.

Complemented by a selection of funky statement jewelry pieces, cheeky evening bags and butter-soft suede totes, Dries flexes his wide-ranging prowess as only Dries can. The offering begs to be explored and played with – a realm of possibility hiding within each piece.

In a way, Dries has always excelled at the pursuit of subversion. His bold experimentations with shape, texture and pattern have been the bread and butter of his career – of which this collection marks the penultimate delivery designed by Dries himself.

However, there is a particular delight present within this delivery unlike those preceding. Unbridled passion emanates from the forms and textures in a tangible challenge to the sedate notions of contemporary style. The determination and courage present within his designs resonates on a primal level… If one can live and create so fearlessly, nirvana may be found in following his lead.

Dappled Sunlight

In Biyan Wanaatmadja’s spring collection, the storied Indonesian designer meditates and fascinates on the details: Florals made from thousands of individual stitches, silk organza cut to maximize its airiness on the form and beads sculpted and strung together to create delicately gilded bees… Through this union of specialty and splendor, Biyan perfectly captures the Japanese concept of komorebi – literally “sunlight leaking through the trees.”

For Biyan Wanaatmadja, a shadowed forest floor is as rich an inspiration as an oil painting. His SS24 Runway was a wooded coppice, mysterious and earthy. Hundreds of leaves carpeted the stage, crunching softly as silk-draped models glided past the audience. Tree branches stretched above and cast dappled shadows upon the makeshift forest. This may be Biyan’s fourth decade in fashion, but his wise design sense stretches beyond his years.

Within his spring collection, Biyan meditates and fascinates on the little things: the way leaf veins interlace across foliage, the unknown language of warbling birds, how sunlight spills through a verdant spring canopy.

It’s funny that these simple pleasures hold his (and our) attention, as Biyan’s work is typically known for its bold and intricate design. However, in addition to his ornamentation and precision, what always draws us back to his work is the detail.

From his deft hand, find a master class in the distinctive: florals made from thousands of individual stitches, silk organza cut to maximize its airiness on the form and beads sculpted and strung together to create delicately gilded bees… one could get lost in his beaded lace alone…

Through his union of specialty and splendor, Biyan perfectly captures the Japanese concept of komorebi – literally “sunlight leaking through the trees.” This phenomenon is so naturally exquisite that it takes our breath away.

Ultimately, what reads as complex on the hanger is divine on the form – a sumptuous reminder of the way dressing can truly inspire and excite. To wear Biyan’s work is to embody the power and grace of its organic muse. We invite you to explore his lush world of visual storytelling – and hope it inspires you to step just a bit more boldly into the day.

Flowers: Bridges to the Divine

India is a country full of flowers. Many have symbolic value and are seen as bridges to the divine. As a group, they are symbols of strength, purity, and generosity. And, with the love the center theme of Péro, Aneeth Aurora explores flower power in each collection with enthusiasm and delight.

India is a country full of flowers. Many have symbolic value and are seen as bridges to the divine. As a group, they are symbols of strength, purity, and generosity. And, with love the center theme of Péro, Aneeth Aurora explores flower power in each collection with enthusiasm and delight.

Aneeth Aurora’s use of undyed linen as the ground for her floral fabrics is a quiet nod to using one of the most sustainable natural fabrics available. Aesthetically, this choice speaks to the romantic French florals of Provence. Aneeth shows how these subtle fabric choices tap into regional traditions across the world, uniting them in a whimsical, romantic collection with global reach.

Instantly recognizable and overwhelming in charm, the French knot is one of the first details one discovers on a Péro piece. These embroidery stitches originated in the 5th to 3rd century BC in China, and have become an Indian favorite. Their dot-like textures make them the perfect detail for the center of embroidered flowers. On many Péro pieces, they line the collars of jacket labels, run the edging of pockets, and are sprinkled a-top light shirts and dresses alongside sequins and appliqué.

Sometime during the 1800s plaids known as “madrasi” checks became popular in India. A muslin fabric, gauzy and light on the skin, it is similar to the light cotton silk at the core of Aneth’s Péro collection. Her stripes and plaids of the season are subtle and versatile, almost effortlessly mixing the sun-bleached traditions of India with a Mediterranean nautical style.

To cap the SS24 season, Aneeth embraces roses on white silk. Sacred and considered divine in their beauty, roses are frequently offered to the Goddesses of India. Their prominence in Indian lore extends to the Goddess Laxmi who was created, by Vishnu, from 108 large and 1,008 small rose petals. Perhaps this choice in print signals a loving gesture from Aneeth to the women for whom she designs?

Introducing: Iris Von Arnim

Iris von Arnim designs laid-back and luxurious collections of high-quality knitwear and timeless ready-to-wear. Her hand-knit pieces have a soft shine that comes from expertly twisted yarns.

Iris von Arnim has been designing her iconic line of high-quality knitwear and timeless ready-to-wear pieces for the past 48 years. Iris first discovered knitting in the hospital, while recovering from an accident. This pastime turned into a business idea and she started her line of hand-knit sweaters.

A family business, her son Valentin grew up surrounded by cashmere and textiles and now works alongside Iris from their family home in Hamburg, Germany.

The garden at Iris’ home has been the backdrop for annual gatherings, an opera, and several childhood games of hide and seek. This year, her garden also serves as the inspiration for Iris’ High Summer 2024 collection.

Iris designs laid-back and luxurious collections, relying on an intuitive process to create her pieces. She focuses on outstanding quality, fabric and materials. Her hand-knit sweaters have a soft shine that comes from expertly twisted yarns. She works with longstanding partners to source and produce all of her pieces.

“I like to think of knitwear as a way of life. As a friend who knows best what you need at the moment. Rather quiet – with that particular touch that flatters without being overwhelming.” 

—Iris von Arnim

This season’s collection features soft linen shirts and pants as well as textured hand-knit cardigans and sweaters – perfect for transitioning from afternoon to cooler evenings in the garden.

Best in Classic Bags

The Row’s impeccable details shine most in their collection of handbags. Made with exceptional materials and understated elegance, these pieces have inner confidence and age beautifully.

The Row’s commitment to uncompromising quality is apparent throughout the brand’s collection. Known for their exceptional materials, attention to detail and understated elegance, The Row’s approach to their handbags is especially impressive.

The Park Tote Bag showcases The Row’s penchant for simple silhouettes. Made with supple textured leather, this tote has a roomy suede interior.

A playful take on the boho bag, the Samia Bag is crafted from the softest of leathers with a gathered construction and an asymmetrical pleat along the center.

The precision of details shines in the refined Sofia Bag, crafted from smooth leather with a delicate locking closure.

With its drawstring closure and ruched leather, the Agny Bag epitomizes slouchy sophistication.

Founded by Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen in 2006, The Row continues to make a name for itself as the go-to brand for pieces that have inner confidence and age beautifully.

Pure Gold

A modern take on classical style, Lika Behar’s collection of pure gold jewelry is a herald of spring. A team of master jewelers use traditional methods of jewelry-making to hand fabricate each piece from Lika’s Istanbul atelier.

Our latest delivery of fine gold jewelry from Lika Behar featuring colored gemstones and diamonds set in 22k and 24k gold is a herald of spring. Lika’s trio of bezel-set emeralds – the birthstone of May – reflect the colors of new growth. The diamond snake – a wrap ring Lika herself often wears – has long been viewed as a powerful symbol of transformation, rebirth and healing.

Inspired by natural forms and ancient Anatolian jewelry designs, Lika’s pieces offer a modern take on classical style. The smooth lines of the Sloane ring complement the facets of this blue spinel.

From her Istanbul atelier, a team of master jewelers who have been with Lika since she founded the company use traditional methods of jewelry-making to hand fabricate each piece, including this eternity style diamond Dylan ring.

“Pure gold, which I love to work with, is very soft and forgiving. I love to use richly colored gems with a soft natural faceting, with an artisan touch. I particularly love blue gems – turquoise, opals, labradorite. Their colors remind me of the Mediterranean.”

– Lika Behar

Mýthos

From ancient Greek myths and legends, Sabina Savage shares the stories of three unlikely heroes — lion-hearted Pegasus, faithful Argos and gentle Delphinus. Carefully researched from ancient Greek art, pottery, poetry and literature, Sabina has beautifully rendered her new collection of wearable illustrations.

With Mýthos, Sabina Savage brings tales of courage and bravery with a trio of alternative heroes from Greek myths and Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. Sabina studied ancient Greek art, pottery, poetry and literature to create her new designs — The Temple of Pegasus, Honouring Argos and Dancing Delphinus.

With a nod to the composition and painting styles of ancient Greek pottery vessels, Sabina’s illustrated garments feature details and patterns that pull the wearer back to a time of Greek gods and mythological creatures.

In a temple decorated in his honor, the winged Pegasus bows, shedding his golden bridle onto the watery ground. Four painted vases tell the story of his life including his victory over Chimera. The floral elements of poisonous hemlock and aconite symbolize the duality of the gods.

Sabina delicately rendered this representation of Argos, Odysseus’ faithful dog, shown reclining in the garden of Ithaca. Argos wears wreaths of narcissi, a silver crown and a patterned collar.

A terracotta plaque with other famous dogs of Greek myths sits just above Argos’ head. The flowers of Odysseus’ garden surround the amber-eyed Argos. Bluebells, snowdrops, hellebore and giant fennel – all faunae revered by the Greek gods – are also present.

Sabina’s third design in her Mýthos collection brings us the gentle Delphinus as he travels the sea on his final journey to his new home amongst the stars. Delphinus swims in the center of this design, wearing golden stars and a kithara, the stringed instrument of the poet, Arion. A wooden trireme, like the seafaring vessels described in The Odyssey, floats below and an arc of nautical details including shells, flying fish and sculpted vases ring the Dancing Delphinus.

Exploring the Architecture of Shape

Sacai’s Spring Summer 24 collection needs no accessorizing, these pieces are the accessory. Designer Chitose Abe reimagines some of her signature pieces for summer.

For Spring Summer 24, Sacai’s Chitose Abe leaned into shape. The pieces in this collection need no extra accessorizing – they are the accessory. Chitose embellishes the pieces in this collection with subtle – and not so subtle details – throughout.

Take the Cotton Knit Bomber Jacket, for example, which Chitose reimagined with lighter fabric for summer. Featuring a chunky two-way zipper, the jacket has sheer sleeves and back, and layers perfectly over a tank top.

Collared poplin shirts get the Sacai treatment with the addition of pleats. On the Pleated Waistcoat Dress, shoulder pads drift off the shoulder, accentuating the wearer’s stature.

With Sacai’s floral top, feminine meets edgy – especially when paired with the olive green Pleated Sheer Panel Shirt.

The Texture of Time

Uma Wang’s latest collection takes us to the cobblestone streets and waterways of Venice, where this weekend the 60th iteration of the famed Venice Biennale opens.

Built on more than 100 small islands in the Venetian lagoon, the city of Venice has drawn artists to its waterways for centuries. The residue of time is visible in much of its architecture — from the Basilica di San Marco to the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. Uma Wang’s SS24 collection is steeped in her memories of this special place.

“Everything is so humid there. The colors are always changing, the walls are fading,” Uma says.

Uma’s latest delivery arrives at an auspicious time. This weekend the 60th iteration of the Venice Biennale opens. One of the most prestigious art events in the world, the exhibition draws visitors from around the world.

Uma has a strong connection to the region. Her clothing is produced in Italy, using the finest fabrics from The House of Lyria studio in Prato.

This season, Uma collaborated with Riccardo Bruni to source the silks, cotton and linen that are at the core of this collection.

Inspired by the mood of Venice, Uma’s designs consider the passage of time. Patterns reflect architectural details, art history and shifting light.

Rendered in cream, grays, browns and oranges, key pieces include a gathered silk shirt, lace to layer under a deconstructed blazer, and a wrap top to keep the sea breeze at bay.

Uma’s ode to Venice shines through the textures, patinas and cuts of her designs. Each piece in this collection becomes a portal to the watery atmosphere of one of the world’s most artistic places.

Introducing: Ziggy Chen

With a penchant for natural fibers and a lived-in patina, Shanghai-born designer Ziggy Chen feels the wearer’s comfort is his highest priority.

Shanghai-born designer Ziggy Chen launched his namesake label in 2012 with the goal of crafting a line that blends modern elegance with practicality. After studying fashion in the early 1990s, Ziggy became a university lecturer on the subject of textile design. After working on the corporate side of fashion for 20 years, Ziggy gave himself permission to pursue his wildest dreams.

Ziggy produces his own custom fabrics, with a penchant for the natural fibers of wool, cotton, hemp and linen. Developing his designs from the perspective of how they will lay on the body, Ziggy feels the wearer’s comfort is his highest priority.

Ziggy is particularly interested in the lived-in patina of unpretentious antique furniture and textiles. He notes a particular fondness for both Eastern and Western clothing from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Shirking a precious notion of perfection, Ziggy explains “Much of my inspiration for patterns and details in my clothing comes from tools, pottery, textiles and furniture that have been used, deformed, and broken down over time.”

For Ziggy Chen’s latest delivery, the designer has mined ancient books and antique fabrics from his private collection — cutting and reassembling them — to create unique prints on both the interior and exterior of his pieces. By yarn-dying and over-dyeing his expertly cut fabrics, Ziggy creates highly dimensional pieces that drape beautifully on the body.

“Rather than creating clothes that make you feel like someone else — for example, when you wear something and you immediately feel like you’re a different person — I want the clothes to feel like a part of you.” 

– Ziggy Chen

The Colors of Kew Gardens

Avant Toi’s newest collection tells the story of a colorful spring garden. SS24 takes inspiration from the ambiance of Victorian England and London’s Kew Gardens.

The vibrant colors and floral motifs in Avant Toi’s designs mix the lushness of London’s Kew Gardens with the grittiness of city life. Avant Toi’s SS24 collection takes inspiration from the ambiance of Victorian England. It was the era’s reconnection with the natural world that led to the founding of spaces like Kew Gardens.

Artistic director Mirko Ghignone’s affinity with nature can be seen throughout the collection. With hues such as Camellia Red, Nigella Blue and Alchechengi Orange, the ultra-soft silk shirts and lightweight knits represent the colors of a spring garden. Silk scarves feature depictions of butterflies that float above a tangle of purple, magenta, and crimson flowers. Hand-painted with Avant Toi’s signature rebellious style, each piece tells its own color story.

Designed with Bold in Mind

One of our newest lines, Erdem, is an independent fashion label based in London.

Designer Erdem Moralıoğlu, MBE, studied at the Royal Academy of Art and interned for Vivienne Westwood before debuting his first collection in 2005. Designing at the nexus between strength and beauty, these powerful and versatile creations have garnered fans around the world.

We love the poetic and complex fabrics at the center of his designs. Much like Dries van Noten, Erdem embraces deep traditions of fabric making and then, in a minimal way, adds his own touches of modernity. The result is a timeless piece with a quiet undercurrent of forward-thinking high style.

Each collection is done in small batches. We were happy to receive a selection from Spring Summer 24 in limited quantities. We look forward to offering more from this immensely talented designer.

Erdem designs with a bold woman in mind. The inspiration behind Erdem’s SS24 collection is Deborah, the late dowager Duchess of Devonshire, and her relationship with Chatsworth House. With these new pieces, Erdem explores ideas of heritage and identity.

Working with antique textiles, including some from Chatsworth, Erdem has pieced fragments into dresses and coat linings. Like Debo, as her family called her, this collection is unselfconscious and independent. SS24 is inspired by the past and looks toward the future.

Erdem’s fashion is about emotion. Erdem cares about the stories behind each garment and how they drape on the body. This is at the heart of the brand’s ethos, “…it is not what they wear, but how they feel that matters.”

A Golden Seed

Fine gold jewelry from UK-based Sia Taylor. Using a combination of delicate chainwork and hammered gold disks, Sia presents a collection of understated elegance in 18K.

For the past fifteen years, British jewelry designer Sia Taylor has been making works of art, inspired by the natural world, in luminous gold. Taylor’s new collection A Golden Seed shows her mastery of her craft. Every piece is imbued with a sense of wonder.

The understated elegance of Sia’s work shines with the collection’s namesake: the Golden Seeds Earrings. A cluster of 18K yellow gold “seeds” dangle from a delicate gold chain. These handcrafted beads shimmer against the skin, catching the light with every movement.

An ethereal interpretation of a summer field, the Meadow necklace features miniature golden seeds, pods, leaves and petals sprinkled across the neckline.

Handcrafted by a small team of artisan jewelers in the Somerset countryside, each piece in Sia’s collection is made using traditional techniques. The leaves, petals and seeds are cut and shaped by hand. Her dots are carefully melted and hammered. With each design, Sia transforms the ephemeral into tangible moments that evoke the world around us.

An Inspirational Escape

The prints and patterns of Daniela Gregis SS24 transport us to the coast for an inspirational and idyllic escape. Alongside her signature Liberty florals, Daniela’s latest delivery centers around a selection of nautical-inspired stripes, hand-painted island vistas and calming neutrals.

In addition to her reputation as a talented designer and artist, Daniela Gregis is, first and foremost, a traveler. Within her Bergamo studio, wandering and wondering are as important to the process as painting, patterning and sewing. This balance between practicality and exploration is what makes her work so attractive. Within Daniela’s collection, find a portfolio of prints and patterns to inspire your own idyllic escape.

Stripes

Vertical stripes, particularly when rendered in tones of blue and white, bring to mind sun, surf and the pleasant tang of saltwater. This classic warm weather essential reads as slightly nautical, thanks to a crisscrossed history in both high fashion houses and navy uniforms. Daniela’s variety of choice skews on the thinner side, somewhere between a candy stripe and a bengal stripe.

Soft Neutrals

Daniela’s works often whisk us somewhere tranquil and serene. This is best exemplified within her selection of soft neutrals, in which she returns to her familiar palette of cream, sand and honey. In lightweight linen and cotton, these pieces are breezy, refined and ultra-wearable. We recommend pairing them with a favorite shoe (Daniela’s banded leather sandals are our pick) and an easy tote or basket as the weather warms.

Blue Period

Every season, Daniela presents a series of hand-painted prints alongside her signature Liberty florals. The latest from her studio is an abstract painting called Isole Drawing. Meaning “islands” in Italian, Isole is a splash of black and blue across crisp white cotton. These pieces work well on their own, but are a welcome complement to the solid black and blue pieces within this delivery.