From 80's era Valentino comes this classic split neck navy & ochre houndstooth on camel wool chemise dress/coat-dress that has beautifully molded shoulders to give the piece a very strong, straight-forward shape. And with winter finally rearing it's cold head, we couldn't think of a winter day dress that's any more chic than this classic.
A perfect addition for your "Mad Men" inspired fix comes to you from the 40's with this sweet plush black fur muff that ingeniously doubles as a clutch & wristlet. It has rich matte black satin trim and a gorgeous silver frame with a silver deco trio-knob closure. We paired it with a crisp Lanvin hourglass suit to play up its darkly romantic feel, and this look proves that you can channel Betty Draper today without looking too retro.
Over the past few season's we have come to grow fond of the 80's trend of wide/cropped tops because the proportion is just so flattering. It elongates the body while drawing focus to the shoulders as well as offsetting the hip. No matter what label it's from, we can't get enough of these must-have flying shirts. And this piece is a sweet 90's era ROMEO GIGLI take on the new wardrobe essential... Its a brown plaid wide cropped flying shirt with three wooden buttons and two subtle box pleats running down the back that's perfect for layering year-round...think of pairing it over dresses, pleated shorts, or high-waisted wide-leg jeans.
90's ROMEO GIGLI Brown Plaid Wide Cropped Flying Shirt-$146
We wish everyone Happy Holidays and hope everyone has a great new year ahead of them!
80's Cream Fishnet Knit Tunic Length Racer Tank Top-$168
90's MOSCHINO Black Brocade Bolero Matador Jacket-$296
80's Black Denim Buffalo Military Fitted Jacket-$278
And the final print 'Next Ever After,' with it's austere holiday theme, is also now available for download. To get it, go to the 'download' section on Absolut.com/HelmutLang(enter your D.O.B), save the file to your desktop, and in 5 seconds you'll have a digital art print that can be printed up to 24"x36", that's personalized with your unique download#, date, time, country & IP address.
Leave it to Miuccia Prada to take a 40's inspired curved wedge and give it an unexpected, tribal edge like this darkly romantic pair of PRADA wedges. Their inky green and iridescent khaki ombre color-way give the shoe a thoroughly modern update that makes them perfect year-round sandals. We'd pair them with thick chunky oatmeal socks in the fall played off against brilliant shades of rusts, oranges and browns. And in the summer, their strong look would look easy-chic juxtaposed with some sheer trouser socks and naively printed boho layers.
From the 80's come these super sexy black matte satin CLAUDE MONTANA high-waisted skinny cigarette pants that have two front side silver zip pockets, one side zip and elastic stirrups at the legs so the pants do not rise. Romp around in these for your own HELMUT NEWTON inspired daydream.
Season after season Rodarte proves to be one of the greatest American collections out there and while last season's killer collaboration with Louboutin was nothing less than amazing with his metallic urban warrior mary-janes, we already can't stop drooling over these mirrored platforms by Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte Spring '09. They are so drop-dead chic, and ladies, there probably isn't a look or ensemble that wouldn't benefit from these beauty's...even sweat-pants!
It's hard to believe that this Miu Miu campaign is almost a decade old now considering that if it came out today, it would still be as fresh & relevant as ever! We looked all over the place to find it because even after all these years, it remains our favorite Miu Miu campaign.
From the 70's comes this glam OSCAR DE LA RENTA Russian inspired blouse that is truly the perfect fall blouse since it hit's all of today's trends without being too loud about what's going today. First of all, its darkly romantic with its muted florals set against matte gold & black, second, it has rows of dramatic ruffles that highlight the shoulders like we saw from labels like Christoper Kane, Dries Van Noten & even Gucci. But best of all are the puffy, voluminous sleeves that make the blouse the perfect companion to a high-waisted jean/fur puff vest combo.
From CHRISTIAN DIOR by John Galliano comes this sexy lightweight pique bomber jacket that is perfectly suited to become one fantastically glamorous fall/spring jacket. It not only hits all of today's biggest trends from tie-dye, to Afro prints to new rave, but it also gives the wearer an instant sense of rebellious chicness.
Believe it or not, one of us actually wore this same dress to prom in the early 90's! So when we came across it, it was not only a sentimental trip down memory lane, but it also proved just how universally classic this black body-con dress from RIFAT OZBEK truly is. It has an elegant boat-neck, and its ribbed stretch body is juxtaposed with a soft, plush velvet outer-layer. They say the perfect L-B-D should be simple & sophisticated enough as to never go out of style, and this one proves that it is just that.
Since we have been fans of the bodysuit for quite some time, we are naturally more than thrilled that they have been getting some much over-due catwalk time. With everyone from Margiela to Jean Paul Gaultier scrambling to make the coolest ones, we wanted to point out our very favorite, this awesome black sequined KRIZIA number from the 80's. Its not only perfect for this upcoming holiday season, but its light weight and stark, minimal composition also make it perfect for year-round wear. Pair it with a dramatic, elegant high-waisted ball skirt for a holiday fete or take it to the streets with some cut-off denim shorts.
From Stella McCartney's smashing spring 2003 collection come these provocative and down right sexy red patent stiletto pumps that have a clever clear 4" ombre lucite heel. They also have those bewitching & empowering pointy toes that are juxtaposed with ultra-femme clear red side panels that give the shoe a demure d'orsay edge.
From legendary American sportswear designer BONNIE CASHIN comes this classic 60's era long khaki fleece lined coat that has a great timeless shape to it. This coat speaks volumes on Cashin's inovativeness with it's simple unstructured shape and easy closures designed for women-on-the-go. It has a fur lined hood, two large front pockets, one interior zippered pocket, two brass hook-toggle closures and a thick drawstring belt.
Ladies, we just had to point out Vogue.com's October Scoop by Hamish Bowles that high-lighted the next big trend in collecting vintage, collecting 80's/90's era pieces from provocative designers who pushed fashion forward like ALAIA, ANN DEMUELEMEESTER, RICK OWENS, YOHJI YAMAMOTO, COMME DES GARCONS, ROMEO GIGLI, MUGLER, MONTANA, PRADA and most importantly, GIANNI VERSACE. All of whom we have been highlighting in our own collection since we started two years ago! To that list we would also like to add our favorites HELMUT LANG, SONIA RYKIEL, NORMA KAMALI and JEAN PAUL-GAULTIER. And there is definitely much more to come in the future.This election is incredibly important for the future of the world at large...Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA Vote OBAMA!!!
This statement wristlet minauderie from MISSONI gives an updated meaning to the term "minimal chic" with it's sweet cosmetic orange tone, smooth-as-marble patent leather wet-paint-look surface and muted pewter wrist chain. The chain is six-inches long and the egg opens on the side with a hidden closure mechanism and it is fully lined. And ladies, how often in your adult life will carrying an egg around not only be acceptable, but also look so undeniably chic?
Up for grabs is this fantastic early MICHAEL KORS 80's white linen dress that has an oval cut-out around the waist giving the dress a strong MOD, minimal and even urban twist. The cut-out also makes it great for year-round layering since from the front it looks like two separate pieces and it also makes it a great summer dress.
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From luxe lingerie house KIKI DE MONTPARNASSE comes this sexy 40's inspired black silk tunic-length hooded top that is so quietly dramatic with its starlet/pin-up appeal. It has a single-button key-hole closure at the neck and with the hood up, to us, just screams Edie Bouvier from Grey Gardens. 
From HELMUT LANG comes this frothy three-layer sheer organza skirt that has a flirty, breezy yet modern appeal , not to mention a completely clean, crisp minimal feeling to it. The outer layer is composed of a pleated silk chiffon while the middle layer is a stiff, yet lightweight molded techno nylon crinoline to give the a-line cut a boxier, 3-D shape. The inner layer is composed of a tighter fitting gauze fabric for comfort. Use its classic shape to make it look sweet & precious or juxtapose it with a totally saturated pop color and layers of neon Tom Binns chains.As New York fashion week winded down, there was of course, a lot of disappointment, however, Rodarte, was one of the few to enthrall us. Once again the Mulleavy sister's developed a beautiful, exquisite and gorgeously constructed collection for Spring/Summer 2009. We think they are one of the strongest, most exciting new American labels-literally untouchable!
Chanel 50's icons like Grace Kelly and Lucille Ball with this MARC JACOBS Collection luxe, classic and utterly beautiful molded matte champagne satin one-shouldered top that has a delicate black gathered tulle overlay. You can take it formal with a voluminous ball-skirt or downtown with some satin hot-pants.
We've never really had a deep interest in boats or understood the fascination even, that is until we saw Guilty by Jeff Koons. It's "Razzle Dazzle" style graphic treatment and dark tinted glass give it such a cool, menacing look on water.
This summer we have been keeping ourselves busy styling photoshoots with our new fantastic photographer friend, Jesse Untracht-Oakner, who is a great budding new talent. Not only does he come up with great stories, and the most perfect lighting schemes, but he is such a sweet, pleasure to work with. On set, many photographers tend to work with mean, uptight attitudes, while Jesse makes the atmosphere feel like a casual, friendly breeze. And just look at how dope this untouched, unedited photo looks.
Thanks to our friend Jazmin Alvarez at Fashionqanda.com for writing a sweet little feature on our shop in the August issue of Fashion Q&A!
Here is a prime example of how great quality vintage accessories can set you apart from the rest and give you the coolest looks ever. From luxe 80's leather house MAUD FRIZON comes this fun bold wide elastic leather belt that has a hidden brass closure and quirky leather zig-zag appliques in primary colors like blue, red, yellow and green. Everyone needs a wide leather belt to define the waist, play up proportions and give a simple look a sharp wit, and this one has so much personality on top of being a wardrobe essential.
Mogollon-Ny are the sweetest art-direction team we think we have ever worked with!
Produced under license during the 80's art-deco craze comes this numbered limited edition homage to the great 20's icon ERTE that is a faboulous knit tube dress & matching cocoon jacket. The set is composed of a finely knit cream silk blend that is covered with large metallic black ERTE flowers. The tube can be worn as a dress or as a maxi skirt and the three button jacket is cut very cocoon-like with kimono sleeves and two front pockets. It's almost as if the designer copied one of ERTE's posh 20's subjects clad in elegant Poiret.
We are so saddened by the loss of comedian Bernie Mac, who died so early at the age of 50. His show was so sweet & hilarious, and he was a valuable role model. We think of The Bernie Mac Show as today's answer to the Cosby Show.
All of the cool "downtown" designer's from Alexander Wang to Steark have been playing with the classic utility vest for the past few season's, so what's cooler than an original from a blockbuster name like STEPHEN SPROUSE. The original "downtown darling" designed this way too-cool long black over-sized utility vest dress that is made of a soft, slightly padded cotton with two side pockets at the waist, two zippered ones on the bust and a tab collar with a silver snap button.
With pretty cosmetic colors dominating all of the best recent runways we couldn't think of anything sweeter than this nude Jean Paul Gaultier t-shirt style top thats made out of his signature sport-inspired tulle mesh. It is emblazoned with a very cheeky, very French 3-D floral patchwork spread of a cartoonish mermaid in the sun surrounded by flowers and soaring birds. 
80's era sequined dresses can sometimes be very tricky and wrought with an over zealous Dynasty flair, but when we picked up this sequined stunner, it instantly conjured up so many great references from disparate identities like Dries Van Noten, Dior by Galliano, Lacroix, and even recent Miu Miu! You can point it out has harlequin, African(Egytian/Morocan), Aztec, Poiret, Belle Epoque and mainly Art-Deco inspired. It's a versatile silk duster that fastens at the Mandarin neck with dolman sleeves, and every shape of sequin you can imagine.
We have to start out by admitting that while this is a Romeo Gigli dress, and we do love Gigli, this dress is so amazing, so cool, and such a wardrobe foundation essential, that it honestly doesn't matter who made it or where it came from. Its a clever tuxedo style long vest /dress that is made out of a matte crepe, has long front tails, nine front buttons and a back adjustable belt. Its one of those pieces that you can wear a million ways year-round. Think of taking inspiration from Alexander McQueen's elegant fall show and pair it open over a full skirted tulle tutu and pile on some twisted Tom Binns rhinestones.
We may have been collecting Helmut Lang since he started his business(in fact we hoard it, and are almost never able to let go of our own HL finds), however, it's always rather interesting how we ourselves are always blown away from Helmut finds long after his business folded. Take this sick, and we mean way too-cool-for-school slick, urban warrior mini-skirt from the Spring 2000 runways. It has an incredibly unique u-shape, thick faux side-lacing, front lacing and back lacing with two back hanging bondage straps and two tiny front pockets complete with fabric covered grommets. So many details- so down right cool.
As if they were yanked out of a Helmut Newton photo come these super-cool, buttery-soft pleated black leather Claude Montana wide-leg gaucho short pants from the 80's. The word "gaucho" may often cojure up a stale image of Webster's arty mom or Bea Arthur from the Golden Girls, however, through Montana's minimalist yet sexualized eyes they become powerful, provacative and down-right infused with the kind of urban cool that is always oh-so elusive. 
From highly sought-after 90's body-con king, HERVE LEGER, comes this ridiculously sexy black hour-glass shaped dress. Its proportions are insanely figure flattering, and its fabric literally sucks in and molds every curve. Its most distinctive feature is it's shredded chiffon edged scoop neck which lends this sex-bomb of a dress some intellectual flair.
