Fashion
Summer’s Best Swimsuits Are Here
Summer time is almost here, which means its time to transition out of your windbreaker and into your bikini. This mix of techno tropical blends, sexy cutouts, and flirty frills are sure to make you stand out on the sand. Get a glimpse of our favorite new swimsuits of the season – that weren’t in Sports Illustrated!
Agent Provocateur Mazzy Swimsuit $220.00
Baku Australia Santorini Bikini $55.00
Norma Kamali Striped Top $195.00 + Flip Bikini Set $310.00
Baku Australia Pebble Beach Bikini $127.00
Zeugari Halter Wrap Bikini $88.00
Mara Hoffman Printed Ruffle Busti $300.00
We Are Handsome The Adventure Zip suit $315.00
Mara Hoffman Striped Set $300.00
Rirratti Riflessi Couture Bikini ($TBA)
Zimmermann Savannah Belted Drape Piece $330.00
Lee + Lani The Rio Collection $250.00-$310.00
Zeugari Cotton Candy Monokini $60.00
Baku Australia Ginga Bikini $150.00
O’Neill Bikini Set $90.00
Herve Leger Swimwear $350.00 – $500.00
Mara Hoffman Beaded Bandeau $320.00
The Mustache Scarf
Canadian based fashion designer Gillian Hyde says “You’d better have a sense of humor to wear this scarf this autumn and winter!” In regards to her funny new Mustache Scarf. Each scarf is hand made, Hyde cuts the brown leather mustache and then sews it on a classy and distinguished brown tweed (much like a professor’s jacket) then she lines it with a soft brown flannel. The designer noted that her creation is “perfect for men who have mustache envy and for women who want to gender-bend!”
Great Shark Rock Climber Bag
For rock climbers, chalking is the only way to stop those sweaty hands from getting slippery on the rocks. All Beta, an online shop which specializes in the creation of gadgets and accessories for climbers, thought the standard chalk bag was in need of a fun re-design! The Great Shark Rock Climbers Bag, became the quirky solution. The outside of the shark shaped bag is made with canvas and twill, while the inside of the bag is lined with a fleece to act as a soft contrast to the feeling of those hard rocks.
Stella Jean SS 2012 Collection
Many designers find themselves intuitively influenced by their roots. So what happens when you have a Roman designer with strong Caribbean origins? The mixture of these two massively different cultures manifested into a brilliant fashion collection for Stella Jean. A bold mixture of strong hues, pattern, and texture is the essence of the collection. Color filled floor length gowns are the dominant elements amongst the pieces, but vibrant suit jackets, tiny tailored shorts, and floral patterned head dresses make the rest of the collection shine. Stella Jean’s pieces are the perfect solution to a romantic vacation – suitable for a sunset date by the sea or a stylish walk in a rustic old town.
Invader Aiko Ring
Frank Tjepkema, principal of Amsterdam based design studio Tjep, has found that his interests in design reach beyond interiors and architecture, but also into jewelry design! His latest creation is a bold silver ring titled Invader Aiko, for its pixelated resemblance to the old arcade game Space Invaders. “The invaders ring is computer engineered with high precision and than casted in silver using traditional techniques.” Therefore, Every Invaders ring is made to fit it’s conquest (you), exactly!
Very French Gangsters
Admit it. You always feel sorry for the token nerdy kid with glasses. Be it Ralphie from the Christmas Story or Steve Urkel from Family Matters, the poor chump is always taken down a few notches in all of his horn-rimmed awkwardness. Well, rejoice near-sighted youngsters of the word, for alas, we’ve found spectacle salvation! Feast your eyes on Very French Gangsters – a brand of prescription glasses and sunglasses for tykes 3-10 years old. Founders Karoline BOTHOREL-Bolzinger and Anne Masanet meld comfort and style to create uniquely awesome specs that leave kids looking stoked. I mean, their “Very Boss” shades say it all – “Knack that commands respect.” Now that’s a cool 6 year old if I’ve even seen one. Just check out the mug shots of these kids sporting specs. How stoked do they look? These glasses are most definitely boss. We only wish they made them for, ya know, normal, adult-sized faces. *Sigh.
(Photography: Very French Gangsters)
Zimmermann Summer 2012 Collection
For eons Brazil has reined supreme in the the bikini arena. Look Rio, we have to hand it to you, you’ve had a good run, but Lycra has a new daddy. We’re talking about Zimmermann Swimsuits, fresh from Sydney. Spandex-savvy sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann are the wonder duo behind the curve-loving cuts dripping in delectable colors. The Sydney sisters spent the past twenty years honing their craft, garnering a cult following in Australia. Lucky for us they’re bringing their suits stateside, hawking the sizzling swimwear at their first shop in NYC’s Soho hood, which is currently filled with their most recent collection of tantalizing floral one pieces, delicately knitted bikinis, vibrant, silk wrap dresses and chic, high-waisted satin shorts (swoon!). We have to admit, the beach never looked so haute.
(Photography Credits: Zimmermann)
Men’s Footwear Spring 2012 Lineup
Spring is in full bloom and we think it’s time you stack your fall and winter boots back into the closet and get your feet into something that makes you want to sip some lemonade on a warm day in the park. This season of men’s footwear has tons to offer – high tops, low tops, loafers, wingtip, leather, suede, denim….(pause for a quick breath)…. laces, no laces, sporty, colorful, and formal. In the midst of all of the fashionable shoe trends, we didn’t forget to add in a few classics to our list of this Springs most desirable kicks. Enjoy!
Alba Prat Neon Old School Collection
Ylati Venere Shoe white Leather
Clae McQueen Boots ($95.00)
Y-3 Kazuhiri Shoe Grey ($300)
Shoe The Bear vs. SHFT – Multi Color
Adam Kimmel Suede High Top Sneakers ($540)
Clarks Originals Denim Desert Boot ($130.00)
Fred Perry Woven Stripe Foxx Shoe ($90)
Cole Haan LunarGrand Wingtip ($248.00)
Le Specs & Henry Holland Sunglasses
Henry Holland, brainchild of London’s vibrant and edgy fashion house House of Holland, has decided to give his youthful perspective on style to Le Specs, in an exciting new collection of sunglasses. Holland explained that he decided to join Le Specs after he met with their team for the first time and found himself “amongst like minded creative professionals who love their work and are passionate about what they do.” Le Spec hopes to ignite a unique sense of fun, attitude and culture into the fashion scene with sunglasses such as The Muffin Top, a cleverly designed pair of specs where a half moon of the dark colored lens sticks out above the Lucite frames. We shouldn’t forget to mention another funky pair titled Hoodies, because each of the smokey circled lenses has a metal visor over the top. Refreshing hues of turquoise, navy blue, plum are used to complement the effortlessly cool metal and Lucite frames.
(Photography: Le Specs)
Cobrasnake Hamburger Sneakers
Holy hamburger lover’s paradise. These sweet kicks have got all the fixins. Order up a double double with lettuce, tomato, cheese and special sauce and they’ll throw in some extra laces. These custom kicks are brought to you by the infamous party rocking photographer CobraSnake, Vans, and Colette collaboration and they’ll be making stomachs growl in unison when they launch on March 1st. Get ‘em while they’re hot folks, these babies are a limited edition (only 60 left!)
Fred Butler’s Autumn 2012 Collection
If we were to sum up Fred Butler’s Autumn 2012 collection we’d have to say it’s mango-sorbet-meets-Rainbow-
Butler adds “The way I design is to fiddle around with paper and materials first and then put those samples onto the mannequin to toile a wearable item.”
“The quilting shapes from cross sections of sushi rolls came from a ski jacket I made for my foundation in 1998 …… I never knew at the time it would come out of the closet again!”
“From the screen-printed sushi trousers of this project I chose to use the palette of washed out Wasabi greens, picked ginger soft pinks, caviar coral oranges, subtle salmon flesh tones and monochrome black and white mimicking the contrast of rice against seaweed wraps.”
“I wanted to make headwear using the knots and ties from kimono obijimes, translate the twists and turns into a cable for cosy jumpers, and then have Rosy relate the technique to her trademark French knitted tubes for the high heels and bracelets.”
(Photography: Emily Beard & Fred Butler)
Noel Stewart’s SS 2012 Collection
Is it just us, or did the Royal Wedding spark an deep desire to don one of those nifty facinator headpieces and rock it like it’s nobody’s business?! Well a hop, skip and a jump across the pond Noel Stewart’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection is turning a few heads of his own. The London based milliner takes his inspiration from contemporary art and architecture, then fuses them with historical references. The products of his process are a series of voluminous, colorful, feminine hats. This season, Stewart released his pieces under three collections titled Electric Gardenia, Dark Crystal, and Lindisfarne Daisy, all of which encompass Stewart’s perspective on fashion and art of the moment. Hats off to Stewart!
Founder of Olasul Chimes In On Their Spring/Summer 2012 Collection
Olasul trunks are a retro throwback – something you’d see Miki “Da Cat” Dora rocking in Malibu back in the 60’s. The bright citrusy colors are reminiscent of ice pops on a summer day and are sure to add life to any beach party. Lorenz Korder Fort, founder and designer of Olasul, creates what he knows best – boardies! (*whispering - otherwise knows as “surf trunks”) A surfer himself, Lorenz has extensive understanding of what it takes to create a perfect pair of trunks. “This season we’ve focused our attention on the fit and overall construction quality of our product,” Lorenz explained. “We’ve updated all of our shorts to feature curved waistbands for a better fall off the hip. We’ve also added side slant pockets to our 5″ inch shorts to accommodate our customer who is constantly coming out of the surf and going strait into other seaside activities with out changing.” Lorenz’s understanding of the sport combined with the trunks’ stylish good looks have helped Olasul shorts ride a wave of success and have put the trunks in high demand for surfers all over the globe from Malibu to the Malvides. We caught up with Lorenz to ask him a few questions about Olasul’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection. (See interview below)
KNSTRCT: What was the inspiration behind this season’s collection?
Olasul’s signature shorts with their classic diagonal stripe detail are found in nine updated solid colors inspired by a coastal way of life. The purple Chicha Morada and yellow Inca Kola shorts find their origins in popular, refreshing coastal drinks that speak of summers spent by the beach.
This season’s printed shorts take their cues from snapshots of surfer’s day. The vibrant hues of the sun-setting sky, the texture of a wave’s rapid flow beneath a carving board and the ocean’s rumbling white water are translated onto the Gradient, Nano and Spray print, respectively.
In addition to two vibrant dip-dye tee styles, three solid color tees are made from the softest Peruvian cotton and accented with a pocket in washed linen, a harmonious and classic pairing perfect for summer beachwear.
As the temperature drops and beach bonfires are lit, Olasul offers three heathered Peruvian cotton sweatshirts in Bahia blue, peach and walnut shades
K: If we caught you on the beach this summer, which short from the SS2012 collection would you be wearing?
(Photography: Justin Hollar)
Hard Graft’s 100% Felt & Leather Accessories
These days, it seems as though everywhere we look there are new iPad cases popping up, but who were the first to give these gadgets a proper cover? That would be James and Monica from Hard Graft. The duo started stitching together a collection of cases, bags, and wallets, made of 100% leather and felt back in 2006. “For three years we have produced almost every single hard graft product ourselves, just two people, cutting, sewing and shipping,” the two explained. But eventually, the demand of their hand crafted products became too high for them to do on their own. After much searching, they found an authentic workshop in Italy to produce their collections. “They wanted to make sure that each Hard Graft product showed an impeccable old-world craftsmanship and timeless appeal.”
We love the authentic look and sturdy feel of the Hard Graft products, as well as the spirit behind the name. “Our brand name is an old and often used english term meaning real hard work,” noted James and Monica “when we started we knew it would take real honest hard graft to make it work, so here we are.”
We Are Handsome’s 2012 Swimwear
There’s nothing like a bikini that makes your booty roar like the ferocious beast. We’re talking about We Are Handsome’s newest 2012 swimwear line – The Romantic. To be honest, their name couldn’t be any more perfect! Their stunningly handsome suits are adorned with more species than Animal Planet. Step into a Lycra jungle of toucans, tigers, and canines. Or take a holiday via their zippered one piece that sports a water plane, or jet to Paris with the cropped Eiffel Tower spandex leggings. Wherever you decide to vacay, you’ll be set with suits awash in bright dayglow colors that pop when you hit the chaise lounge.
(Photographs: We Are Handsome)
Sass & Bide’s Seekerstate Collection
Sass & Bide is one of Australia’s most beloved fashion houses. Known for their creative use of large patterns, vibrant colors, and bold cuts, Sass & Bide is taking the fashion industry by storm with their carefree and confident sense of style. So, who are the masterminds behind the Sass & Bide name? That would be best friends Sarah- Jane Clarke (sass) & Heidi Middleton (bide), who left their day job as an accountant and advertising art director to pursue their love for fashion. Middleton and Clarke boldly state that “Sass & Bide is dedicated to the strong, the obscure & the beautiful.” Which is a solid mantra they stick to in each collection, most recently, their Autumn / Winter 2012 collection called Seekerstate. The collection includes an exciting series of shorts and pants, over sized draped jackets, silky satin tops, and pieces that are playful when it comes to scale and proportion. It’s not often that one gets to peek inside the shop itself to see where these garments are being designed, but The ladies from Sass & Bide let us have a glimpse! Scroll down to check out the inside of their workroom where the collection was created.
(Photographs: Sass & Bide)
Numero 1 Watch By Oriol Llahona
Looking oddly disproportionate, Oriol Llahona’s Numero 1 watch is in interesting juxtaposition of a classic leather band and a hulking, modern steel rectangle. The white gold case features analog, while the steel features the digital design, both intriguing in their own right. Handcrafted and made-to-order the timepiece is a peculiar beast, an odd hybrid of past and present, classic and modern. It’s almost as if it can’t make up it’s mind.
Interview With Crumpler’s Sam Davy
We can’t help but look at Crumpler bags and see anthropomorphic carryalls that are beckoning to be taken home and loved (for a lifetime – we might add, as the bags have an awesomely cool “till death do us part” lifetime guarantee). Maybe it’s the bright pops of color or maybe it’s their friendly curves, playful snaps and zippers, whatever it is they have a lovably sturdy vibe, that asks to be pushed to the limits of durability.
The bags began in the 90’s as the brainchild of a Melbourne based chap who was using his grandmother’s sewing machine to sew a tarp into a bag sturdy enough to cart home a 12-pack of beer on his bike (Brilliant!). Since the initial prototype rolled off of his grandmother’s sewing machine, the principles behind Crumpler have basically remained the same – simplicity, experimentation, a smattering of humor and a determination to make the best bag you can scissor from a single piece of fabric.
Whether it’s a sweet camera bag, everyday wallet, jet-setting duffle on wheels, or just, you know, the perfect ahem… ‘slumber party’ bag to avoid that token walk of shame, these bad boys have got you covered. And now, if you are a friend of Knstrct on Facebook, you can take home your very own Crumpler bag in our giveaway!
Sam Davy, the current Creative Director at Crumpler, has had quite the career. His last gig was as the Creative Director for a little company called Apple (Sound familiar?). One might venture to say he’s kiiiiiind of a big deal. We certainly think so. We had the pleasure of picking his brain and being privy to his creative philosophy and what makes the Crumpler brand such an excellently designed, well-loved product.
Sam Davy, Creative Director at Crumpler
1. When you first laid your eyes on a Crumpler bag what were your initial thoughts?
My first thought was that they had a wonderful soul.
2. After you came on board at Crumpler, as the Creative Director, How did you feel you could add to the product and brand?
My impression when I joined was that Crumpler had drifted away from its original idea, which was to create bloody simple bags that last. And the marketing of the brand had moved into an awkward place of ‘marketing the marketing’, the products had been left out of the story. The first thing I did was focus the whole company back on the products, cut the ones that didn’t work, make new ones that do and then go about introducing people to them.
3. You had an impressive career at Apple, as their Creative Director, (Yep! we did our homework on you), Is the execution of your job contingent on the product? Im other words, do you have the same creative philosophy regardless of whether you are making computers? or bags?
Yes, absolutely. Ultimately the customer cares about the product they purchase, that’s what they build a relationship with, not the brand. So if the products don’t live up to expectations then you’re on wobbly ground.
4. What sets Crumpler apart from other bags?
Crumpler bags are incredibly well designed and made, all our bags start life as paper patterns and we have a very experienced and talented team of pattern makers based in Melbourne that create the prototypes. This traditional process ensures the bags are well thought through and it gives them a soul, and a feeling that someone has put a lot of care and attention into the design. I think customers pick up on this and that’s why they love Crumpler. We also back our products with a lifetime warranty… customers LOVE this!
5. Who do you have in mind during the creative process of designing the bags?
We think about how the bag will be used, where it will go, what it will carry and how. Then with that in mind we set about designing the perfect bag for the job. Sometimes the design comes quickly, other times it can take many rounds of prototyping. Generally we find the quicker the solution the better the bag.
6. I’m sure you are a huge Crumpler fan! Which bag do you use on a daily basis? Why?
I’m in a lucky position, I have many to choose from and I’m always testing new prototypes, but the bag I always come back to for daily use is the Seedy 3 vintage messenger bag, with The Haven camera pouch inside, it’s just a great combination.
(PhotographsProvided By: Crumpler)
New Oregon Ducks Football Uniforms
If you tuned into this years Rose Bowl then you witnessed the new Oregon Ducks uniforms by Nike. according to Nike “the uniforms have an iridescent sheen, like a mallard duck’s feathers, and the numbers are larger.” The colors and graphics are bold and more dynamic than before. Nike promises that their sports equipment of the future will be even safer, more comfortable and easier - success will help achieve the new technology. The design is exclusively for practical purposes, in particular, thermal regulation and protection of the players.
Mujjo Touchscreen Gloves
Modern day touch phones seem to have all the solutions, admit it – they make life easier! Until it’s 23 degrees outside, in the middle of winter, and taking off your gloves to answer your phone is not an option unless you want your fingers to get frost bite. It seems we need a solution, to the solution – gloves that will work on your touch screen gadgets. Starting this winter, you’ll be able to answer a call or send a text without taking off your gloves. Say goodbye to freezing your hands off and say hello to the Mujjo Touchscreen Gloves. The design of the gloves are impressive, the team of designers behind the invention explain that the gloves ”work by sensing the conductive properties of your skin.” The gloves are constructed with “high-quality silver-coated nylon fibers.” These silver-coated nylon fibers make the gloves conductive and therefore touchscreen compatible! Just another great example of how design impacts our personal world every single day! We have a feeling these puppies will sell out quick, so get your pair here.
The Hacker Watch
Looking straight out of a Mission Impossible movie the Hacker Watch is quite the timepiece. The watch looks strangely like the knob of a safe, so similar that we can almost hear the ticking of the dial. The concave face features a central disk that supports the hands while protecting the lens from Ethan Hunt-like activities, like hanging suspended from a harness and what not (Or just the mundane, inter-office arm wrestling matches, whatever you choose). The watch was crafted by Michael Young and influenced by his engineering projects. It comes outfitted in a stainless steel case, clear lens and polyurethane strap and comes in six different hues to match with your arm wresting sweatbands… or grappling hooks. We’re not judging.
(Photographs: Michael Young)
Alexander Terekhov S/S 2012
Some might call Alexander Terekhov a child prodigy. We, however, consider him the Russian Doogie Howser of fashion. You can laugh, but we are dead serious. Get this, he designed and created his first dress when he just 10 years old (Impressed yet?) Many moons and whipstitches later, Mr. Terekov made Style.com’s ‘Ten Most Talented to Watch’ list, and his garments are gracing the bodies of celebrities and fashion gurus around the globe. Terekov just sent his latest Spring/Summer 2012 collection down the catwalk with garments that breathed a classic, modern, feminine essence. His collection stands out from the crowd with sophisticated cuts in a multitude of tertiary colors. Each piece in the collection exhibits playful elements with the sass and soul of a modern woman.
Shourouk’s S/S 2012 Collection
Parisian jewelry designer Shourouk Rhaiem is zipping her way through the fashion world at mach speeds! Shourouk’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection of colorful and sassy necklaces have been showcased in Jean Paul Gaultier’s haute-couture shows and blockbuster films. The baroque styled chunky pieces are each a piece of art in their own right, and with Shourouk’s motto of ‘luxury and decadence’ woman of all ages are lining up to swoop one around the necks.
Publish Brand’s Gino Jogger Pant
The Gino jogger pant is taking the lead as our favorite pant of the season. California based fashion house Publish Brand has added the Gino Jogger to their latest collection. The jogger style is a direct inspiration of pants which have been popular in countries such as the UK, holland, and Germany in recent years, but now making its way into the states. This Gino pant has especially caught our eye because of the sophistication Publish Brand has added to the urban styled cut. The pant is constructed of a soft-herringbone wool with a comfortable fixed waist and elasticated cuffs – a slim fit with an urban edge!
(Photographs: Publish House)
