POP ARTIST

The quest for IT. The ineffable qualities of must-haveness. The existence of perfect proportions, materials and minute details that, while imperceptible from afar, constitute THE bag every woman must own. Rare indeed. If anyone knows how to seek out and render these characteristics, it would be designer Sang A Im-Prop. 

Hailing from South Korea, Sang A embarked on a very early, enduring and highly successful career as a dancer and true pop star. Through the creative channels so oft-associated with performance, Sang A cultivated an identifiable and influential sense of style, and was drawn increasingly to fashion as a profession. On her own volition she took a right turn – no pun intended – and traveled to New York City, enrolling at the Parsons School of Design upon arrival.

For Spring 2006 she launched her namesake collection of exotic skin handbags with catchy names, a carryover from her record deal days. Inspired by downtown New York street attitude, and the exotic skins and construction she researched in the workshops of European luxury houses, SANG A hits a mark that straddles high concept design and visual gratification.

SANG A's colors, materials and shapes have near-addictive, instant appeal. From moody, multidimensional metallic pythons to fantastic, trippy seasnake, croc and mink. The POP is an elongated bucket style with shoulder and handheld straps. MINI POP is an abbreviated, but still roomy version of POP. And this holiday season will undoubtedly see a lot of the FLASH, a signature angled clutch, in crimson metallic fish and stardusted leopard suede.

The Recessionistas

“After everything that’s happened…”

This line has become a common kickoff to discussions evolving around Manhattan’s financial profile as of late. Now, more than ever, spending, speculation and savings are intrinsically and necessarily linked; we try our best to remember the fallible nature of our system, while keeping in mind that life is to be lived and enjoyed.

Oddly, in the aftermath of meltdowns it is the consumers who have become beacons of hope. The old Lipstick Index and Hemline Diversity concepts have been recalled, and our Mayor champions the fashion industry with Fashion’s Night Out – a global event. Spending tendencies are tracked, and acknowledged as indicative of a healthy market, specifically with regards to the fashion industry.

People have reemerged with an invigorated, if slightly altered approach to shopping: mulling over purchases before splurging when the moment and object in question are right. At début we celebrate this educated consumer.

We will also celebrate this Wednesday, October 20, the appropriately titled novelThe Recessionistas, by Alexandra Lebenthal. The author, impeccable and as fashion and business-savvy as they come, will hold court at the boutique, and autograph copies of her glossy hardcover. Of course we voraciously read the book, and insist that The Recessionistas must be read by any and everyone – it documents the “Too Big to Fail” implosion, while taking record of the style, moral fiber and humanity against the sparking backdrop of a Judith Lieber-bedecked NYC skyline.

The Bangles

A good bangle is like a good song – once you catch wind of one, you commit it to memory and pull it out time and time again to feel good. We’ve found this with Nicholas King’s collection of translucent, sculpted chunky bracelets: smooth, clear and optical with studding and crystals inlaid deep within. Each piece will become a go-to favorite, and looks the part of a venerable costume collection.

King possesses as richly varied a background as one could possibly have. A career in ready-to-wear led him to John Galliano in Paris, and Donna Karan in New York. Here, he moved on to work with Alexis Bittar, of cult pop jewelry renown. Following these rich layers of experience, King returned to the UK and founded his namesake collection to immediate accolades amongst industry insiders home and abroad.

The range consists of substantial cuffs, lightweight bangles and bold earrings. Vintage-inspired and modern in approach (as well as handmade), Nicolas King is marked by a simple linear crown motif hidden on each piece. It is fitting that he has crowned this collection, since it will surely reign in the near future, and prove an enduring investment for modern Babe Paileys everywhere seeking the next collectibles.

The Blueprint for Dressing

UK-based Clare Lopeman has created a collection of look-again separates for her international debut, and the Fall 2010 season.

In a pure vision of the palest of shell pinks, the base of each silky jersey sheath dress début carries serves as canvas for Lopeman’s inspired transcriptions of vintage patterns found in ‘100 Dresses’ – a classic Soviet dressmaking book reflecting key shapes and silhouettes established in 50's French couture. Evident is the meta concept of infusing, and revising these patterns into body-conscious, classic shapes for the modern wearer.

Ranging from complex and literal with Russian notations, to the abstract distillation of these, the dresses garner energy from the blueprints of their predecessors. The graphic blockings and lines of the pattern – or concept of pattern – add a contoured effect to each garment.

Lopeman further defines her silhouettes with softly sculpted shoulders. The work is eye-catching, deserving of further inspection, and will stand alone or serve as a layer beneath a cool leather jacket and piles of chains this season.  

 

 Clare Lopeman Jersey Dresses - $726

La Calla!

Ah Fashion Week – a time for dreaming of the far away Spring visible on the runways, but also a time for fast pursuit of the Fall collections that are finally in full force on the store floors.

We were the first stateside boutique to carry Calla, and with the sophomore collection beating expectations we have been anticipating the delivery for months now. So each time our minds wandered towards another t-shirt purchase we reminded one another, “must wait for Calla.” Thankfully, we did – and it feels right!

This season’s collection – inspired by Abstract paintings and elements of the natural universe – offers sleek, everyday and every night attire. Each design represents a firm grasp on Parisian insouciance, referencing Calla’s current hometown, yet couldn’t be more versatile or globally appealing. Her unique prints are standout: matte, tightly knit jersey is rendered in moody pixilated mixes of purple-blue and black-grey-green; smooth viscose is brushed in watercolor strokes of gradient color and finished with woven Ikat trim.

The range is tight and meant to be mixed: a tank with lean stirrup pants, or tucked into a fitted pencil skirt to appear as a dress; a dress that looks like two separate items – but is in fact an easy sheath. And by popular demand, we herald the arrival of Calla’s much-sought after body conscious bustier dresses - to be saved for the ultimate fashion moment.

Calla "Gaine" Black Bustier Dress - $1,225

Calla "Gaine" Atter Print Bustier Dress - $1,365

Everyone Who is Anyone

Last year we dubbed it “Fashion Halloween,” a moniker that most people stumbled similarly upon in their post-mortems of the evening. If Fashion Week is a circus then what is this sideshow that is Fashion’s Night Out?

Like any Halloween, it is multi-layered, presents the unknown, and has many variables: we might eat too much candy; we might have a wardrobe malfunction, and we’ll undoubtedly be overwhelmed by the crowds. We wait with baited breath, planning our outfits, and hoping things will surpass our expectations.

At the risk of overstimulation, we are all about FNO’s purpose: to integrate retail and fashion in a perfect evening of spectacle and commerce. For the occasion début will be joined by hosts Michael Fink (esteemed industry veteran, and current head of the Savannah College of Art and Design/SCAD), Lynn Yeager (cult Manhattan fashion icon and writer) and special guest for the evening, Mr. Andre Leon Talley (no introduction necessary).

Along with our hosts and guests, début will launch the Faces of Fashion T’s benefitting SCAD. The limited edition T Los Angeles designs are of the lean-but-slouchy variety, hand painted by New York artist, Victor-John Villanueva, in vivid colors with the visages of Simon Doonan, Glenn O’Brien, Kim Hastreiter, Olivier Zahm, Mr. Talley, Ms. Yeager and Olivier Zahm.

We have also invited The Nouveau Classical Project to perform. Directed by Sugar Vendil, the group is aimed at fusing classical music and fashion to reach new audiences – new, chic and authentic, the Project will provide a haunting dimension to the evening. 

Lynn helmed the Village Voice’s fashion coverage for 30+ years, and contributes to Vogue, the New York Times Magazine, New York Magazine and more. She is recognizable for her distinctive pen and approach to clothes, accessories and cosmetics as well as for her fabulous style.

Andre Leon Talley began his career at Andy Warhol’s Factory in the 70s. He reigned as Editor at Large at Vogue for many years, where he famously encouraged a dialogue amongst the editors about fashion.  Currently, he is a Contributing Editor to the magazine.  Beyond writing, Mr. Talley is renowned for his signature couture capes, Vuitton tennis luggage, and diamond Piaget that he wears to play the sport.

Simon is window-dresser extraordinaire, author, journalist, trend-setter and more. The holiday windows at Barneys New York are a much-anticipated tradition for fashion insiders, New Yorkers and Holiday visitors. We’re all familiar with his sharp Paul Smith shirts, work, whit and whimsy.

Like Andre, Glenn began his career with Warhol. Today, he is one of the city’s most revered writers and Creative Directors recognizable by his white hair, warm smile and impeccable style.

Editor-in-Chief of Paper Magazine, the first niche social-fashion-culture publication, Kim is a downtown doyenne known for her artistic sensibility, and as a mainstay of the New York editorial world. 

A dashing and somewhat controversial figure, Olivier has made his mark with an affinity for all states of undressed as Editor-in-Chief of Purple Magazine. He is a hands-on fashion reveler, multi-hyphenate: photographer-editor-stylist-blogger.

Limoncello...where are you?

Welcome back! Following a seemingly endless, sultry summer, we’re all yearning for a palette cleanser. Smooth, weightless, but character-filled transitional items that will help us segue perfectly into the fervor that will be back-to-everything come Labor Day.

Some of us have been away for August, and upon return to our little oasis at début I’ve come face to face with yet a new collection, Porcelain. What a perfect name for this sea wall grey range of items (some pieces with hints of lurex sparkle, others in chiffon with all-over nude sequins). A perfectly contoured sleeveless jersey dress mimics the lines of a bustier without the boning and threat of breathlessness. The melting butter-soft long-sleeved tee will be a perfect throw-on-over-everything filler for our closets, and a neat little long-sleeved sheath will take us all over the city starting, oh, probably sometime next week. There is a reference to post-war industrial garb throughout the collection; however the subtlety of this provides depth and quality to the garments, without appearing theme-oriented.

Long live neutral colors, the simplicity of seaming, and a touch of sparkle as we herald the excitement yet to come this fall! Also: Need I say, “Stay tuned for Fashion’s Night Out?” Thought not…