Baptiste Viry Fall 09

French designer Baptiste Viry has released the look book for this Fall 09 collection and we love it!

Known for his design prowess, waistcoats and accessories, the new collection is nothing short of spectacular. 
The women’s waistcoats differ from your normal waistcoat, with each structured with a strong geometric influence, combining the colours navy and tan with plaid accents on most of the pieces. The detailing on each piece is vastly different including gold buttons, buckles, fasteners and pockets.

Gold and leather make up the Fall 09 accessories collection, with buckles again taking centre stage in most pieces. A charming leather strap necklace adorned with a bow tie fastened to the middle of the piece was the first thing I noticed - I predict it may be one of the best sellers of the collection.  Necklaces, cuffs and bracelets reminiscent of leather belts are my favourites of the collection, with a necklace made of a gold chain and leather strap combo quickly winning first place in my heart.

Keep your eye on the Baptiste Viry website for more information on when this collection hits the stores.

Maya Butterfly Bag

Belize. When you think of the small Central American country, images of beaches, blue oceans, and tropical drinks with mini-umbrellas floating on the top come to mind. Thanks in large part to features in swanky publications such as Vanity Fair and celeb tourists like  Diddy, the previously untapped nation has become the vacation destination du jour for those in the know. Beyond the beautiful coral reefs and super-tan-potential beaches, the country has a rich history rooted in the indigenous peoples of Central America who ruled the region centuries ago, namely the Mayan people. The ruins of massive Mayan temples are popular destinations in the country, and as tourists descend from the stone structures after a long climb to the top, many of them stop to look at the tables of homemade goods that the existing Mayans (still alive and well, albeit in very small populations) have crafted.

Maya Bags-- Neon Brights Perfect for Summer!

One of those tourists was Judy Bergsma, a woman who came to Belize for a relaxing vacation and left with a business plan in mind. Enchanted with the simple products that the Mayan women created by hand, Bergsma soon discovered that the conditions these women were working in were not as enchanting. The country of Belize is still a third-world country, and a huge amount of the indigenous peoples–including the Mayans–fall victim to cultural and economic discrimination. Many of the women are dependent on their husbands for any type of income, and as a result often remain in less-than-healthy relationships because of their lack of financial freedom. Bergsma realized that with a bit of help, these women would be able to utilize their skills in order to become income earners and develop a greater sense of economic independence.

After much planning, financing, and a whole lot of patience, Maya Bags was born. The company works in conjunction with over 70 women in the Mayan villages to create various collections of stylish handbags and home accessories. The handbags features designs that blend natural themes with historically Mayan images–motifs of local animals such as butterflies and birds are popular designs. Bergsma provides the women with quality fabrics, such as the Belgian silks and durable cotton/spandex blends that many of the bags are made of. The combination of high-end fabrics and natural elements involved in the production of the line ensures that each bag is environmentally sound and sustainable for years to come.  In addition, the women undergo extensive design tutorials and receive assistance from high-end visual design professionals such as Izabel Lam. The result is a collection of cute, practical, and unique handbags that are stylish enough for the fashionista on the go, but still remains to the rich cultural history of the Mayan people.

Hand-woven clutches feature vintage button clasps and soft Belgian silks!

Totes perfect for the gym or a day at the beach!

As far as economic independence, Bergsma has generously been able to ensure that the Mayan women, in addition to earning fair market wages for their work on the lines, own 42% of the stock in the company. The line of handbags, sold at both Barneys Co-Op and The Museum of Natural History in NYC, is doing remarkably well and the Mayans involved have come to understand the importance of economic independence for women living in third-world countries. Bergsma’s vision “to help build the self-esteem and independence of Maya women by helping them become income earners in their households” is a tangible goal that is closer to fruition each day.

Look out for the bags at a Barneys near you, and trust, they are the perfect cute accessory for rockin’ with a sundress this summer!

Isabel and Ruben Toledo

Designer and artist Isabel Toledo is being honored with a mid-career retrospective exhibition of some of her best-known fashion pieces at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Opening June 17 and running through September 26, the exhibition will also feature some of  her husband Ruben Toledo’s sketches; a renowned illustrator and visual artist whom Toledo collaborates with often on her designs. “I think of it as fashion from the inside out,” she explains. “I can describe an idea or even a feeling to Ruben, and he’ll sketch it.”

Isabel Toledo dresses

Isabel Toledo dresses and Ruben Toledo's sketches.

Additionally, she elaborates on her creative process below:

“I really love the technique of sewing more than anything else…the seamstress is the one who knows fashion from the inside! That’s the art form really, not fashion design, but the technique of how it’s done.” Isabel has said that she doesn’t “want to be radical,” and she insists that “weird is not smart.” But her clothes are undeniably different. None of them have traditional construction. Her patterns, silhouettes, use of materials, and methods of draping are all highly experimental.

(Source of both quotes: Excerpt from interview with Dr. Valerie Steele, courtesy of FIT exhibition website).

From a Vogue shoot.

Remember our current First Lady’s gorgeous gold-tinged yellow sheath, worn on President Obama’s inauguration? Among her many fashion triumphs, Toledo designed Michelle Obama’s inauguration dress and matching jacket. Right on! We can’t wait to see what future fashion innovations Toledo comes up with.

COREY HELFORD GALLERY: COOP Solo Exhibition

Devil’s smoking cigarettes? Frankenstein gettin’ freaky? Skulls galore? Pin-up ladies in all sorts of, ahem…interesting positions? Then look no further than the visual musings of Oklahoma artist Chris Cooper (a.k.a. COOP).  Fusing a pop art aesthetic with decidedly (delightfully?) provocative subject matter, Cooper’s portfolio runs the gamut from creating music and show posters for bands like Nirvana and his own fine art prints and original artworks. Check out COOP’s website here, where you can view and purchase all sorts of cool COOP things. 

Come out for the opening of his latest work this Friday, May 29th, from 7-10 pm at Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, CA. The show is open to the public and runs through June 20, 2009.

Oh, and the icing on the cake? (as if you needed more convincing): DEVO’s Mark Mothersbaugh has apparently composed an exclusive score for the opening evening’s festivities. Yeah, I know. Amazing!

Fashion Meets Film: The Warriors

“Can You Diggggggggggggg It?!!”

Yes, we’ve been diggin it! One of the most popular, bad ass movies of all time, 1979’s The Warriors, has become a lexicon of most-quoted lines in our collective cultural consciousness, especially when it comes to street culture. Everyone from Diddy to The Diplomats, to most recently Lady Sovereign, has paid homage to the cult classic and reinterpreted the infamous “Warriors, come out to playyyyyy” line along the way! More than just a cult favorite, the film is an urban fable that still speaks to the street code of honor, individuality, and making a name for yourself and your steeze!

Because the movie follows several groups of different gangs battling for supremacy in NYC in the 70s, the costuming was a well-thought out process. Costume designers Bobbie Mannix and Mary Ellen Winston pulled from the late ’70s fashionscape to conceptualize some amazing fits for the gangs, most specifically reflecting the grittiness of the NYC Punk and Disco scenes. Gangs were decked out in more than just their colors– their fits ranged from “The Punks” denim overalls, rugbys, and rollerskates; to the face-painted, baseball shortstop inspired “The Furies”. Of course, most official was the  punk-inspired leather vest, bare-chest, and Converse look of the film’s heroes, “The Warriors!”

The movie also gives special props to the ladies, specifically those who kick butt! Mega-popular female gang “The Lizzies” are a throwback to the Ancient Greek myth of the sirens who were said to lure men in with their sexual charm (and in this case, bad-ass party attitudes) and then attack!

A crew of grungy chicks ready to go wild on their enemies, “The Lizzies” donned flannels, beat-up jeans, hoodies, Ts, kicks, with frizzy hair and knives to boot. Looking suspiciously like a collective of chicks from Dov Charney’s latest American Apparel ads,  these ladies were so cool it’s no suprise they hooked the Warriors in with their game! Check out their moment of shining glory in the clip below—”Shit! The chicks are packed! The chicks are packed!”

The Warriors’ legacy lives on, fashion and otherwise! Most of the ‘fits are ones that can be rocked today. We definitely don’t condone violence here at M.I.S.S but the idea of gangs being a stylisically united family is one that’s definitely made its mark on the evolution of streetwear.

Peep Lady Sovereign’s recent music video “Got You Dancin’,” to see a modern take on Warriors threads.

Lady Sovereign - I Got You Dancing - Official Video from SANADA FILMS on Vimeo.

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Antipodium

Antipodium left a bold imprint on Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, showing off a beautiful collection on real women. Mixing edgy with feminine, designer Geoffrey J. Finch got it so right not only with the pairing of blazers with boyfriend jeans and sheer dresses with statement accessories (by Aussie jewellery designers Amber Joy and Ebony Fleur from Make Believe), but he also elected to use gorgeous tattoo artist Tokyo Pink as one of his models to bear a strong representation of fashion on curvy women.

The collection proved quite simplistic, using wardrobe staples as a basic foundation and building unique pieces from there. Featuring soft tarot prints, denim and bold splashes of color each piece can be easily integrated into everyday wear for those who dig the new line.

My favourite combo from this runway show would have to be the oversized singlet and harem-esque pant combo. It’s definitely something I could see myself sporting in the warmer months, with a cocktail in hand!

Images by Vogue Australia

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Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Konstantina Mittas

So I have always been in love with anything yellow, and gold and black have been a major part of my wardrobe since the dawn of time, so when Katie offered to get me in on a few articles on RAFW runway shows, I was quick to jump on the Konstantina Mittas bandwagon as her SS 09 collection really spoke to me.

Models tore down the run way adorning gold eyes which complimented the aesthetic of each beautiful piece. The line named ‘The Strangeness’ was quite far from strange for me. I especially loved the floor length yellow dress – complete with perforations a plenty! Unconventional to most, but I think the right fashionista could definitely work this piece.

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week: Konstantina Mittas

Another debut to note was the rework of the LBD; pieces to note featured multi-layered bubble skirts with pockets, a killer mini dress complete with pirate-esque sleeves, and another sleek mini with a fierce neckline.

For those wanting to go a little more unnoticed, metallic skirts, tulip skirts and a beautiful pair of black and neon yellow pants that start off wide at the hip and slim down to shape the calves are probably the way to go. Actually, now that I think about it, this is not the collection to look to if you want to go unnoticed.

Photos by Vogue Australia

Agent Provocateur "The Sirens"

As part of the promotion for their spring/summer collections, luxury lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur has released a short, yet deadly sexy, film showcasing the spirit of the lines. M.I.S.S first brought you the scoop on the Agent Provocateur’s Spring 09 collection a few weeks ago, but the dynamic multi-media look book really brings the designs alive! Following a group of scantily clad (but in a good way!) seductresses, the video features romantic, vivid colors and a dreamy aesthetic to play off of the Greek myth of the Sirens (a group of women who, according to ancient lore, used their hypnotic voices to lure men at sea back to their deserted island).

With bra-panty-and-garter sets such as the “Kathleen,” a sexy sheer fuchsia mesh with gold ring detailing, or the Liberty rose print and PVC “Mechelle,” it’s easy to see why the line is designed for the woman who wields her seductive powers at will. Follow the ethereal Sirens through a steamy, murky underwater setting to see if their call, and AP’s lingerie, helps them seduce everyone standing in the way of their rabble-rousing dreams. Watch the Agent Provocateur’s “Call of the Sirens” here, and check out the rest of the cheeky, bold pieces on the Agent Provocateur website!

Agent Provocateur "The Sirens"

Sorry Ladies, when we say New Wave we don’t mean feathered 80s bangs and Depeche Mode. If you don’t know, let us put you on to New Wave Cinema, a French film movement that people sit up and take notice of fashion’s importance to culture at large.

Emerging in the 60s, directors that were a part of the growing New Wave movement aimed to capture the every-day life of the average Parisian of the time period, an exciting time for fashion. The 60s was the breeding ground for the laid-back, distinctly French style that would become what’s known today as the “gamine” look, a casual combination of basics and classics that manage to look chic at all times. Because the 1960s was also a time of political rebellion in France, students and other young people (particularly women) were actively involved in shaking up the status quo and getting the government to change their outdated and unfair policies on education, immigration, and other socially pressing issues. Looking stunning was the last thing on a woman’s mind. Instead, she wore flats and breezy dresses perfect for protesting in, and donned schoolboy looks that were heavily influenced by political idols like Mao Zedong. The combination of classic cuts, simple fabrics, and basic prints (stripes and easy florals) became a favorite for Parisian women whether at work, at the supermarket, and especially in the picket lines.

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Most Bluetooth headsets do a great job of making you look like a low-rent, wannabe, Secret Service agent, but they aren’t exactly fashionable.  What if a headset could look more like a fashion accessory for the tech-savvy ladies out there?  Introducing the Ripple from designer Ilya Fridman.  Inspired by smooth, fluid soundwaves and the ripples in a still body of water, this headset looks like a clasp earring in order to discreetly blend in with the rest of your outfit.  Flipping the microphone down activates the talk function, and once you’re done on the phone you can flip the microphone back to its upright position and use the headset as an MP3 player.   It’s not available for retail just yet, but word on the street is AT&T hopes to make this an exclusive product and release it very, very soon.