Category Archives: Accessories

Loree Rodkin partners with Sean Penn on Haiti relief bracelet

By Erin Weinger on March 10, 2011

With all of the uprisings, revolts and world atrocities as of late, it’s easy to temporarily forget about Haiti’s on-going strife. Unless you’re L.A.-based jeweler Loree Rodkin, that is (or me, when typing “hahahaha” on my Blackberry and getting back “Haitians” from auto-correct. The country is in my mind a lot because of this).

Rodkin has partnered with Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization on a cool, raw-looking bracelet that benefits the Penn’s charity directly.

Every cent of the $250 wood, silver, diamond and sapphire piece supports Penn’s efforts on the ground in Haiti, which includes the management of two internal displacement camps and treating cases of cholera.

And apparently Penn’s next visit to the bruised and battered country will be a bit more interesting than usual as Charlie Sheen has expressed interest in joining the relief effort. Uh, the more the merrier?

The cause is noble and the bracelet totally fits in with the bohemian/hippie vibe of spring. Now if I could only fix my auto-correct (or receive less- funny texts), all would be well.

Brighter Future bracelet, $250. loreerodkin.com

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Attention shoppers! Dana Davis shoes now at Bloomingdale’s

By Mary Frances Van Dyke on March 9, 2011

Back in January we sat down with comfort shoe queen Dana Davis to take a closer look at her namesake footwear collection of super sexy heels and chic flats. The line is cool and contemporary without being overly trendy. And, unbeknown to those who aren’t actually wearing them, designed with the latest orthopedic technology in mind.

Until now, Davis’ wares were only available online and at small boutiques. But starting tomorrow, Bloomingdale’s in Century City will carry the collection. Join Dana at a celebratory trunk show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and snag a glimpse at the Spring/Summer 2011 line.

Your tired soles will thank you.

Thursday, March 10th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bloomingdales Century City. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-772-2100.

[mappress]

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SSLA does arts and crafts: DIY rope jewelry

By Mary Frances Van Dyke on March 3, 2011

Left to right: Burberry twisted cord necklace, $995, Proenza Schouler rope bracelet, $175

Nautical inspiration is a major trend for spring and summer and we love it. Jewelry made from rope, carabineers and other hardware may seem harsh, but paired with the right clothing it is dead on with a major trend for this season. One problem we have found is that designer, nautical-themed jewelry is rather pricey. Not that we won’t drop our money on completely gratuitous designer duds, but paying hundreds for rope and a mini carabineer is a tough pill to swallow. Solution, make it yourself.

There really is no wrong or right way to do it and this jewelry isn’t meant to be perfect. Wrap it, knot it, tie it, whatever. You can buy brightly colored rope for $0.14 per foot at knotandrope.com. Yes, that is actually a website. Depending on how much DIY you are up for, the site will even wrap up the ends for you for a couple bucks or splice it for a little more. Copy Proenza Schouler and throw on a mini carabineer for $1.50. We suggest perusing your local hardware store for other fixtures to make your rope jewelry unique. Don’t worry if you haven’t the faintest idea how to tie a fancy knot – there’s an app for that. Check out Knot Guide for help and learn more than you ever wanted to know about knots. The best part, other than saving you hundreds, your pieces will be one of a kind. Call it couture.

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Loeffler Randall launches a super-cool bridal shoe collection

By Claire Butler on March 3, 2011

Delish shoe brand Loeffler Randall is diving into the bridal biz with a new collection of bridal shoes. And despite the inherent corniness of the bulk of wedding accoutrement, it’s not a bit cheesy; the brand’s actually managed to bring its low-key cool to the line.

There are five styles on the menu, ranging from flat, and barely-there wedge sandals (because it’s really about time for luxe wedding-appropriate sandals), to the insanely genius satin-and-mesh Georgia bridal booties, pictured directly below.

Feast your eyes, ya’ll.

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Things we want on our feet this spring: Punk boots from Madison’s debut private label shoe line

By Erin Weinger on March 2, 2011

Madison, the 3rd-and-Robertson boutique that, in a perfect world, would be our closet’s twin just launched a line of footwear under their own Madison et cie label. The seven styles include a selection of Chanel-esque ballet flats as well as studded, cowboy and combat boots that start at $185 and top out at just under $500.

And it seems the boutique has created the perfect spring boot in their Punk ($395), a mish-mash of some of our favorite boot styles that, in this case, somehow blend just right.

A rounded toe and square heel lend a riding boot feel, while western, outside stitching screams wild, wild west. Distressed suede adds a rugged bohemian quality. And something about the total package feels very Hells Angels, minus the Sunday morning visit to Neptune’s Net. We’re imaging them with something short, lace, floral and flowy and also with a big springtime smile.

Punk boot, $395. madisonlosangeles.com

8745 West 3rd St., Los Angeles. (310) 275-1930.

[mappress]

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“Who hasn’t scared off a man by wearing a turban?”

By Erin Weinger on February 28, 2011

The above question was posed by style blogger Jane Aldridge at a February 14th WWDMagic/Teen Vogue panel that covered the business of blogging. Aldridge may be right (though we like to think that it would take a wee bit more than a little ol’ piece of fabric to drive away any man worth keeping). And despite the night terrors our favorite black, velvet circa 2004 H&M turban surely causes our potential dinner dates, we can’t get enough of them.

Which is why we were ecstatic upon discovering an L.A.-based line of head wraps called Venius. The collection of super thin, stretchy hats is designed by Venius (yes, just Venius — we dub her the Madonna of turbans), a one-time aspiring actress who originally began her line for breast cancer patients going through chemo.

Styles include a bathing beauty-inspired, black and white striped version (our personal fave), a cool tribal-printed number and a tie dye and crocheted head topper that invokes visions of Laurel Canyon in the late 1960s. And the best part of Venius’ goods are her prices — the hats start at a measly $12 and go up to $32, depending on the piece.

The line is currently sold on Etsy as well as at Venius’ booth at the Silver Lake Sunset Junction Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. And for those faint of heart wearers who would rather stare at a turban instead of actually wearing one can catch Venius styles at the Tiara Cafe downtown, where the waitstaff will sport the line during L.A. Fashion Week later this March (who even knew such a week still existed?).

Hopefully they won’t be too much to handle for those easily frightened boys.

Photo: Black and white combination turban, $21. etsy.com

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Another reason to be excited for OSCAR weekend: Janie Bryant MOD Spring Collection on QVC (Saturday, February 26th @ 6pm)

By Caitlin Monaghan on February 23, 2011

Mad Men Costume Designer Janie Bryant launched her Janie Bryant MOD line last September on QVC. When the line premiered, we grabbed the luxurious Leopard Faux Fur Capelet, which we confidently wear while out-and-about in animal-friendly West Hollywood.

After previewing Bryant’s Spring Collection, we are drooling again. The Lace Trench Coat ($99.60) is a wardrobe stable with a major starlet twist. Cool Hitchcock blondes should order the trench in black, but gals not feeling the noir can pick up a white lace version (which reminds us of a major Season 3 Betty Draper moment: when she first met Henry Francis at Roger Sterling’s Garden Party. AMAZING!).

Bryant says she was inspired by Grace Kelly, and we could only imagine the princess carrying the Ostrich Embossed Leather Shoulder Bag ($227) around her kingdom as well as a movie set. The lines of this bag are timeless. Fun fact: Bryant’s poodle keychain is inspired by her standard poodle Lucie.

[caption id="attachment_14481" align="alignright" width="190" caption="Photo: Lisa Rose Photography "][/caption]

Get red carpet ready with Janie Bryant, who will present her vintage-inspired Spring Collection on QVC this Saturday, February 26th at 6pm.

Watch her describe her inspiration:
Get to know Janie Bryant

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Buy it for the, uh, clothes: Hilary Rhoda brings high fashion to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

By Erin Weinger on February 21, 2011

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is many things (over here, we call it thinspiration) — fashion glossy not usually being one of them. But the 2011 book, which was released last Tuesday, injects some sartorial savvy into the scantily-clothed mix courtesy of 23 year-old model Hilary Rhoda.

Rhoda, as you may know, comes from a high fashion background with past stints strutting catwalks for Zac Posen, Rag & Bone and Balenciaga, just to name a few. Not generally paying much attention to the Swimsuit Issue ourselves, we didn’t realize that this is Rhoda’s third time appearing as a bathing beauty in the sports publication’s annual issue.

And, quite appropriately, the Only Hearts crop top and vintage-inspired Marysia bloomer bottoms Rhoda dons in one look could be something out of Vogue.

Also adding to the issue’s style quotient is a groovy, multi-strand turquoise necklace courtesy of Tiger Lily, a local line designed by Malibu denizen Heather Gardner.

Gardner’s necklace, which retails for $275 and is also worn by Brooklyn Decker in the shoot, proves that layers of small, effortless accessories can work on both land and sea — a trick we’ll surely remember come swimsuit season.

And on that note, we’re off to the gym.

Photos: Left — Tiger Lily five layer large crystal Ethiopian necklace, $275. Tigerlilycollections.com. Right — Hilary Rhoda strutting her stuff, courtesy of SI.com.

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Ben Minkoff, Rebecca Minkoff’s line of man bags, has Los Feliz roots

By Erin Weinger on February 18, 2011

Rebecca Minkoff’s fashion empire is quickly expanding from handbags to ready-to-wear and, as of December, a line of men’s bags under the Ben Minkoff moniker. The collection of mostly-leather, utilitarian iPad cases, computer totes, dopp kits and messenger bags have a timeless, androgynous aesthetic that works perfectly for ladies, too. And for that we have Ben Minkoff designer Ben Shulman to thank.

Shulman, who has been Rebecca Minkoff’s business partner since 2006, is an architect and interior designer who is responsible for creating the look and feel of Confederacy, Danny Masterson and Illaria Urbinati’s Los Feliz boutique. And the lifelong Angeleno, who grew up in Los Feliz and now calls Laurel Canyon home, says that the differences between designing a store and a bag are actually pretty slim.

“They both have the same lines,” he told us over a Minkoff-hosted dinner during WWDMagic this past week.

Looking at the rugged–yet–polished Nicky messenger bag, pictured at left, it’s easy to see the similarities between Ben Minkoff’s initial collection and Confederacy, which boasts the same “Holden Caulfield-meets-neighborhoods East of Highland Ave.” vibe.

Shulman is loving his latest gig. So much so that he is currently commuting from L.A. to Minkoff’s NYC headquarters once every week. We couldn’t help but wonder why he wouldn’t just throw down roots on the East Coast to avoid the hassle. His answer?

“Because L.A. is worth it.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

benminkoff.com

Photo: Ben Minkoff designer Ben Shulman, left, with actress Cameron Richardson.

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WWDMagic: Trade Show Bling = Rhinestone Lanyards

By Caitlin Monaghan on February 15, 2011

I have a love/hate relationship with name badges. I love them for practical reasons. The networking advantages are obvious, and my short-term memory loss is not an issue when a person’s name is literally hanging from their neck. Yet, it is so sad to see the many well thought-out ensembles of the WWDMagic trade show ruined by white cotton lanyards and plastic badge holders. Plus, the badges proximity to the boob area has created too many awkward introductions in my day.

When I spotted this “pimped out” version of the classic trade show accessory, I chased the rhinestones down the aisle and asked the woman wearing the sparkly neck gear where I could find one of my own. The owner of the rhinestone lanyard, Jane McCann of the Just Jane Boutique (www.justjaneboutique.com), offered to sell me one right then and there for $20! She told us that while cruising the show floors as a buyer, she would receive so many compliments regarding her blingy lanyard that this year, she started carrying extras from the boutique in her bag to sell on the spot to frustrated fashionistas.

I tried on this black rhinestone version to compliment my noir trade show outfit. I’ll never have convention depression again! Now if I could only solve the cute-but-sensible shoe problem.

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